A New Legend: Act 1by PrimusChaptersMoving InOne Goes In and One Shall Come OutFamily Fun and the Troubles of AutographsPlay TimeLife of the PartyTime to Hit the BricksTime to Change...or notWho's SmarterOld FriendHouse AdventuresFinally Getting Into ItHumor A La ModeFamily is ImportantNow It's More Fun and Ten Times More Funnier (Clop)It BeginsLet the Wind FallWar Sometimes Breeds HopeRetaking Our HomelandHow to Spend Time and Destroy It (Clop)Talk About a Rough Day (Clop)The Fortune, The Trip, The Change (Clop)The Life of ChangeMany Lives (Clop)Placing New Ropes (Clop)The Call of WarTrouble is BrewingNow It's PersonalWishful ThinkingMoving In"Speaking" 'Thoughts' The conductor pony comes up to Lightning Bolt and says, "Ticket please." The black pegasus gives him his ticket to Ponyville. After the conductor left Lightning Bolt keeps looking out the window watching the scenery roll by. 'How did I get roped into this again?' The black pegasus asks himself as he continues staring out the window until the train stops at the train station. After disembarking onto the train station he hears someone yells, "Apples, get your fresh apples." The black pegasus faces where that came from and sees an earth pony with a light brilliant gamboge coat, pale light grayish olive mane and tail, and moderate sap green eyes wearing a light brown Stetson hat selling apples. The pegasus's stomach then rumbles and he glares at it before walking over to the earth pony. "Howdy stranger. Want to buy some apples?" The mare asks. "Yes, how much?" The pegasus asks. "Two bits each." The mare replies. "I'll take a dozen then." The black pegasus says taking out 24 bits to pay the mare. "Thank ya kindly, mister. I'm Applejack." She said holding out a hoof. "My name is Lightning Bolt, Miss. Applejack." The black pegasus says. Applejack catches the foreign accent in his voice. "Ya don't sound like you're from here. Where ya from?" Applejack asks. "Well I came from Stalliongrad, but I used to live in Equestria." Lightning Bolt clarifies. "Why did ya do that?" Applejack asks, her curiosity peaked. "Well a few things happened and it wasn't by choice." Lightning Bolt says. "Well I got to get moving tovarich. Need to buy a new home." Lightning Bolt says taking notice of the time. "Hope ya have a great time, bye." Applejack said as she waves as she puts the apples in his saddlebag. Lightning Bolt waves back and walk off. After passing a few house he realized he didn't know where town hall was. Lightning Bolt aimlessly walks getting increasingly frustrated until he hears a whistling sound. He looks back and forth until he is hit by something sending him into the ground. "Ow." He says as he hears a female voice chuckles nervously. "Sorry about that. I was trying out for a new trick for the Wonderbolts." A mare voice said nervously from his back. Lightning Bolt looks up to see a pegasus with a light cerulean coat with a rainbow colored mane and tail and moderate cerise eyes, on his back. "Let me help you." Rainbow said getting off of him and lending a hoof. Lightning Bolt takes it being held up by the mare then stretching his wings to make sure they weren't hurt by that crash. "I'm Rainbow Dash, fastest flyer in Equestria." Rainbow said while striking a pose in midair. "Fastest flyer huh? Surprised I'm mostly uninjured from that crash." Lightning Bolt says. "Are you questioning my speed? Cause I can fly circles around you!" Rainbow yelled as she got in his face. "No, I'm just stating a fact." Lightning Bolt says sarcastically Rainbow stares down at his dark red eyes. She then smirks. "I like ya." She then flaps her wings a bit and pulls back a little. "Want to fly with me? You seem fast and I need a fast flyer." Rainbow Dash says with enthusiasm. "I would, but I'm kinda lost and need to get to town hall to buy a house before nightfall." Lightning Bolt says. Rainbow's smirk falls into a frown when she heard that. "Oh...I'll show you. Just follow me." She told him as she starts to fly off to town hall. Lightning Bolt shrugs before spreading his wings and takes off, keeping up with Rainbow Dash's speed to her surprise. Both land beside the town hall. Lightning Bolt looks up to it and saw it was a fairly modest building. "Well here you are, town hall. I got to get going, still practicing for the Wonderbolts." Rainbow said as she flew off. "Interesting mare there." Lightning Bolt says to himself before walking in to the town hall. After about an hour of paperwork and payment he walks out with the deed to his new house. Lightning Bolt walks down the street reading the Deed and insurance papers. Apparently his house was next to a river that if any damages are caused by the river is on his head. He then bumps into someone else then hears a gasp and looks up and sees a earth pony with pale light grayish raspberry coat, a brilliant raspberry mane and tail, and light cerulean eyes. "Hi there!" The pony yells. "Ah, greetings tovarich." Lightning Bolt greets. The pony looks at him questionably. "That's a funny word. Tovar-itch? Oh well, I'm Pinkie Pie. Party planner extraordinaire and I'm here to welcome you to Ponyville. So welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome to Ponyville. Welcome, welcome, welcome, nice for you to be here. Welcome, welcome, welcome, enjoy your time here. Cupcake?" Pinkie said at a thousand miles per hour, holding out a cupcake on her hoof. 'This is one strange pony.' Lightning Bolt thinks and cautiously reaches for the cupcake. Lightning Bolt grabs it and looks away from the mare for a second and finds her gone. "Huh?" "Welcome to Ponyville!" Pinkie yells again from behind him causing him to jump into the air and hang from a low cloud. A light gray mare looks down to the stallion hanging from her cloud with crossed eyes. "Hi there, mister." She said weirdly...to him of course. 'These different accents are kind of hard to understand.' Lightning bolt thinks. "Hi tovarich." The mare looks at him questionably. "What was that? Any case, my name's Ditzy Doo, but everypony calls me Derpy." She then looks to where he's hanging from. "Aren't you going to let go?" She asks while pointing to his hooves. "Tovarich is another way to say friend or comrade and I guess I should." Lightning Bolt says flapping his wings and getting onto the cloud. Lightning Bolt sees her eyeing his cupcake. "Would you like it?" Derpy's eyes went wide and she grabs the cupcake without another word. Biting into the cupcake with her eyes close, she tasted the mini-cake. Her eyes opens up again as she starts to chew slowly to find out what she's eating. She then spits it out, covering the cloud in breadcrumbs. "This isn't a muffin." She said while pointing to the vile offender. "It's a cupcake. Didn't you notice?" Lightning Bolt asks. Derpy shakes her head and throws the cupcake behind her. "Nope." A gasp is heard as they both look down and see Pinkie clutching the cupcake as if it is a real pony. "NOOOOOOOOOOO! Who would throw away such a masterpiece?!" Pinkie then looks up to the cloud and sees Derpy and Lighting. "Oh, that explains it." Pinkie then drops the half eaten cupcake in a nearby trashcan and hops away. 'That was weird.' Lightning Bolt thinks. "So, I'm Lightning Bolt Miss. Derpy." Derpy holds out a hoof. "Nice to meet you." She said as one of her eyes looks upward. Lightning Bolt shakes her hoof with his. "Maybe I'll see you around Derpy." Lightning Bolt says taking off and flying away. Lightning Bolt flies off, occasionally looking at the map he got from the Town hall and eventually found his new house, a two story building built next to a river. "Well, home sweet home I guess." Lightning Bolt says before entering the house. Author's Note A/N: This a collaboration between me and Flair the demon dragon king on Fanfiction. So go easy as he hasn't been on his profile for a long time. The reason is because of the upload not allowing him to place a document on the site. So he asked me to handle the upload while we do the story together. Now we are placing it on this site. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. Well that's the first chapter. The real action or maybe the beginning of it all begins in the next one. So sit back, read, and enjoy. Now we're off to make more, bye. Oh and read and review. One Goes In and One Shall Come Out"Speaking" 'Thoughts' It has been a few weeks since Ice Fang froze the creature and Lightning Bolt is still debating if he should tell them about the creature that was frozen. He went through the pros and cons of telling and eventually came to a conclusion. He had to tell them. If the creature or creatures are this close then they need to be warn, but he needs to tell only the ones that matter. He thinks it over; Rainbow Dash was debatable but because she was one of the three ponies that followed him and his pets she was a must. The same went for Applejack and Twilight Sparkle. Ice Fang and Azure slept quietly next to him as he went through the list ponies to tell. Yet, as he went through the list he came up with the same ones to tell. Lightning grabs his saddle bags just in case and leaves some food for Ice Fang and Azure. He walks out the door to the start the messaging. Lightning Bolt spreads his wings and flies into the air, feeling more at home as it had started to snow the last few day. He then spots Rainbow Dash's house and flies towards it. Landing with a crunch from the snow collected on the cloud, he starts to walk to the front door. When he reaches it he looks around and realizes that this cloud house is actually custom made and not one of the readymade houses, it even had a rainbow waterfall system. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he raises his hoof to knock on the door. He heard no movement from behind the door, so he leaned in closely to the door and heard some snoring. Lightning Bolt then sighs before banging on the door this time hearing movement. 'I sure hope Rainbow Dash didn't forget we're supposed to go flying together this morning.' Lightning Bolt thinks. A groan is heard from behind the door and then opens up. A rainbow mane covered head pops out with an angry look in her eyes. "What?!" Rainbow yells at her possible mail mare. "Did you forget Rainbow?" Lightning Bolt asks. Rubbing her eyes with a hoof she groans out loud. "Forget what?" She asks in a groggy voice, with a faltering smile. "We are supposed to go flying together today." Lightning Bolt says noticing the time is 10:00 a.m. Rainbow stops rubbing her eyes and goes wide eye. She then zooms back in and shuts the door in Lightning's face. He then hears furious showing and brushing, possibly for teeth, and then quick flaps of wings. The door opens again, this time a Rainbow Dash ready for work. "Ready." More like a statement then a question. "Shall we?" Lightning ask extending a hoof. Rainbow looks at the hoof, unsure to let him lead, but then reaches out her hoof and holds onto his. Lightning smiles and extends his wings, ready for a flight as Rainbow does the same. Lightning lifts himself off the ground with a few flaps, carrying Rainbow with him. Rainbow slowly follows him with a smile that starts to form on her muzzle and flaps after him. Rainbow Dash thinks over the last week how she had bonded with Lightning Bolt so well. He was funny, athletic, and treated her with great respect and caring. He was a good friend but she couldn't help but think he was hiding something, especially after he went into the Everfree forest last week. 'She is starting to get suspicious of me. I'm glad I've decided to tell her and the others about the creature, which should dispel some of it.' Lightning Bolt thought. Lightning Bolt flew through the snow with a smile. Rainbow, taking notice of this, notices he's happier than usual. Lightning spots a bench on the ground and flies toward it with Rainbow following. They land slowly sending snow pieces in the air. Lightning lets go of Rainbow and sits down on the bench with Rainbow sitting right beside him. He looks at her uneasily with that usual smile of his. "So why did we land?" Rainbow asks. "Well I wanted to tell you ab…" Lightning Bolt was cut off when somepony yells, "Rainbow Dash!" Looking in the direction they see three fillies coming towards them. "Rainbow Dash…" Scootaloo trails off as she sees the stallion with her idol. "Who's he?" She said pointing to Lightning. "Oh him, he's a new pony in town and a friend Scootaloo. Lightning Bolt this is Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle this is Lightning Bolt." Rainbow Dash introduced. "Wait," Sweetie Bell asks out. "You're the one Rarity has been talking about? I can't get her to shut up about you." "Yeah…I kinda think I shouldn't have told her about the Stalliongrad Ball." Lightning Bolt says laughing nervously. Sweetie Bell stares at him like the annoyed filly she is. Lightning Bolt just rubs his hoof behind his head and nervously laughs. "Sorry about that tovarich." Lightning says causing all three Fillies to look confused. The three fillies tilt their heads to side, making Sweetie Bell get rid of her annoyed face and turn to one of confusion. "Oh, tovarich is a word from the Stalliongrad language. It means friend or comrade." Lightning Bolt clarifies. "Ohhhh." All three of them said in unison. "Hey, maybe learning new languages from other counties will help us get our cutie marks." Apple Bloom says. "Yeah, quickly! To the library!" Scootaloo ordered as all three rushed off. "Cutie mark?" Lightning Bolt asks Rainbow Dash. Rainbow looks confused at him for asking that question. 'How can he not know?' She then looks where his is supposed to be, but sees his clothing blocking the view. She then looks back up at him. "A cutie mark is what represents us and our special talent. Like mine is for speed and awesomeness. Though not necessarily in that order." She waves offhoofedly. Lightning Bolt looks thoughtful. "I've heard of such things but only in legends, never actually seen one." Rainbow looks surprised. "Legends, what do you mean?" She leans back to rest herself. "We don't have these things in Stalliongrad, but what you described pops up in a few legends, mostly on the heroes of the legends." Lightning Bolt says starting to notice the cutie marks on the other ponies. Rainbow leans a little to the side to hear more. "Who are the heroes of the legends?" She asks looking at other ponies passing by, not really paying attention to the two on the bench. "Well mostly those who were chose to be the representatives of the guardian spirits of the elements. I think I have a book with a few of the legends if you want to look at it." Lightning Bolt says. Rainbow shakes her head and looks at him. "Nah, I'm not an egghead like Twilight." "They're like Daring Doo, in fact some of Daring Doo's books were based off of those legends." Lightning suddenly rears back as Rainbow shot in front of his face. "Did you say Daring Doo?" Lightning gets a little scared from Rainbow's fanlike acting. 'Note to self, if you want Rainbow in front of you, just say Daring Doo.' "Y-yeah so do you want to read some of the legends that inspired some of the books?" Lightning Bolt asked nervously and realizes the position they were now in. Rainbow nods her head and leans in more. "Ah, Rainbow take a quick look at the position we are in." Lightning Bolt says. Rainbow quickly looks at themselves then blushes hard. She quickly scrambles back on the other side of the bench. "Sorry, sorry, sorry, I didn't know, sorry." She sputters out. "Its ok, you just got a little too excited is all." Lightning Bolt laughs nervously. Rainbow still remains red and nods nervously. "Yeah, can you tell me the legends?" She starts to looks away and rubs her hoofs together, trying to get her dirty mind back in place. "I would take a long time to do that. We would probably be here till next week." Lightning says. Rainbow still looks away, but stops rubbing her hoofs together. "How many are there?" She asks. "In total 397 different legendary heroes each with usually 3 to 8 stories to their legend." Rainbow stares at him wide eye. "I grew up listening to all the stories, so to me it's not much, but I guess to you it would be a lot." Rainbow still stares at him wide eye. "So shall we go see some of the others?" Lightning Bolt ask, noticing other ponies starting to stare. Rainbow shakes herself out of her stupor and looks around. Seeing the other ponies staring at them she nods to Lightning. Both pegasus take off and fly to Twilight's library. When they reach the library tree they go to the front door and knock. A clopping of hooves are heard as the door is opened by...a dragon? Where are the hooves? "Hi Spike." Rainbow Dash greets and Lightning Bolt waves. Spike the purple and green dragon smiles. "Hey guys. Twilight and the others are inside. Can you handle them, I don't want to deal with frilly fu-fu stuff." He said like a typical boy. Lightning Bolt clears his throat making Spike remember his gender. Spike glances to Lightning before remembering what gender he is. "Oh sorry Lightning, but I'm still like a baby, not fully grown like a stallion, so..." He trails off there. Spike then runs passed him to avoid any more embarrassment. "Well shall we?" Lightning Bolt asks as the three fillies from earlier speed pass them with multiple books. They lift their hoofs and take off a little to get the fillies some room. They both stare as the fillies run off with books in saddle bags. "I'm surprised that those fillies want to read language books. You must have done something." Twilight voice calls from inside the library. Lightning Bolt laughs nervously. "I may have said one foreign word to them." Lightning Bolt says as the other ponies in the room notice he was holding Rainbow Dash's hoof with his. Twilight sighs and looks at him, noticing that he was holding Rainbow's hoof. "Let's just hope that they bring it all back because they emptied out the whole language shelf." She warns them, standing in front of two empty shelves that were devoid of books. "I only saw them carry out six, how is two rows missing?" Lightning bolt asked confused. Apple Jack started snickering. "Ya be surprised at how much stuff the Apple bags can hold." Applejack piped up. "Almost as surprising as you and Rainbow Dash holding hooves." Rarity teased. Rainbow blushes hard and let's go then flies right next to Fluttershy. Lightning blushes as well but tries to remain normal. "Oh it's so adorable. Next thing you know I'll me making their wedding outfits." Rarity says already getting ideas. Rainbow groans and facehooves. "Rarity stop, okay. We are not dating." She told her. "Anyways are any of you wondering what happened after I went into the forest chasing Ice Fang and Azure?" They all nod their agreement and wait for him to speak. Lightning closes the door behind him then walks to the circle. "Well like I told you Skyors have a sixth sense for danger. Well Azure detected a natural predator. A very dangerous predator." Twilight takes out the same notepad, scribbled with her notes from last time. "And what predator is that?" She asks. "Hold on." Lightning Bolt says taking out a book entitled 'A guide to dangerous predators.' Twilight rips the book from his hold, making him fall flat on his face and hoof stuck in the air. She studies the book with a train eye. "This will definitely help with my study." "Ah, Twilight I kinda need that for a reference." She couldn't hear him as she reads the book intensely. Lightning sighs and reaches for the book only to retract it as he hears a...growl? He raises an eyebrow at her actions and turns to the others. They are giggling and snickering into their hoofs. "Twilight actually got possessive of a book because we got turned bad and wouldn't give it back." Rainbow explained. "Twilight at least find the chamiosaurus in there, ok?" Twilight huffs and turns back to the page he mentions. Lightning gets surprised that she can read that fast. When she reaches the page she gives the book to him. Lightning places the book in the middle of the table so all of them can see the picture. The picture has a large creature with razor sharp teeth and claws with glowing yellow eyes. Rainbow wow's, Applejack whistles, Rarity looks at the possibilities of color, Fluttershy hides behind her mane to hide from the creature that she thinks may pop out of the book, Twilight keeps writing on her notepad, and Pinkie just stares at it with her usual smile. "This thing is a vicious predator that stalks nearly anything. They can turn invisible, its fangs and claws rend flesh from bone, and the worst thing is that there is never one, and there is always a pack of them." Lightning Bolt says. Fluttershy eeps and hides even more. Rainbow huffs and smirks for a new challenge. The others just stare on. "I found one and with their monstrous appetites they'll soon move from the Everfree forest looking for more food and the closest place for that is Ponyville." Twilight scribbles something in her notepad with her quill. "What can we do?" "Only one thing…it's either us or them." Lightning says. Everypony in the room shot their head to Lightning at what he said. "WHAT?!" "I'm not joking. If they aren't killed they will kill and devour all of Ponyville." Twilight looks at him with a glare. "How do you know this?" "Cause I have faced them before and lost a few friend to them and have the scars to prove it. For a time I was part of the Stalliongrad Hunters guild they were the one who protected Stalliongrad from dangerous creatures." Twilight's expression soften at the sound of that. Being forced to do something is not the best life. Fluttershy shed tears for the loss of life but knew sometimes killing some animals is the best course of action. Twilight gets a new scroll and starts writing. "What are you doing Twilight?" Rarity asks. "Sending a letter to princess Celestia she should be informed of this." Twilight says. She finishes writing the scroll and rolls it up. "Spike!" She calls out. Spike walks back in the library with an annoyed look on his face. "Don't tell me, letter right?" Twilight nods and gives the scroll to him. He sighs and blows green fire on the scroll, making the scroll's smoke go out the library and in the direction of the Canterlot. Canterlot Princess Celestia and Luna were working on some documents when a royal guard ran in with a letter. "A report your highness, more ponies and animals have gone missing near the Everfree forest." Celestia and Luna looks up from their work to look at the guard. Celestia takes the letter with her magic and reads it to herself. "As of counts of ...mostly near..." She brings the letter down and stares straight ahead. "Near the old castle." She said with a monotone voice. A scroll then comes into existence in front of her from green smoke, telling her that it is from her faithful student. She quickly grabs the next letter to hopefully take her mind off of the report. How wrong she was. Celestia sighs and brings a hoof to her head. "Why now? Why all this?" Luna takes the letter and reads it. Dear Princess Celestia, We have reason to believe that the Everfree forest is now home to a new predator called the Chamiosaurus. This was confirmed by a former Stalliongrad hunter pegasus that is now a resident in Ponyville. I request immediate assistance for he says unless they are dealt with soon then they will leave the Everfree forest and descend onto Ponyville. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle Celestia turns her facial features back into the steel gaze everypony knows. "Get Shining Armor and tell him to get as many guards as possible to defend Ponyville by any means necessary, but make sure that the daily activities are not disturbed." She told the guard sternly. A new letter appears and Luna grabs it out of the air and reads it. Dear Princess Celestia, The pegasus I mention in my last letter has just left and says he is going to hunt the Chamiosaurus pack in the Everfree forest soon. I am unsure what to do right now I need your advice. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle Luna reads as the Royal Guards run out of the room to find Shining Armor. Celestia brings a letter and a quill up from a nearby table and starts writing. My faithful student, You must not do anything as your brother and guards are going to be there to help defend the town. For now let the pegasus do what he needs to do as he probably has more experience. Your teacher, Princesses Celestia She then rolls up the parchment and sends it away with magic. "Let us hope it will be enough, right sister?" Luna asks Celestia nods and looks at both the letters her faithful student sent. "Nothing seems to ever enough at these times." She forlornly told. Lightning Bolt's Home Lightning Bolt enters the door and walks through the door into the basement where a suit of armor and equipment are on a mannequin. "I had hoped I would never have to don this armor again." Lightning Bolt says to himself as he discards his clothes and starts putting on the armor. Ice Fang and Azure come down the stairs to see their master and friend wearing his old armor. Azure grabs the helmet with its feet and carries over to him and places it on Lightning Bolt's head. Lightning looks to Azure with a smile. "Thanks Azure." Azure caws softly for his master's safety. Lightning bolt transcends the stair and in the doorway is Rainbow Dash. Rainbow comes in with a sad frown after noticing the armor. "Do you have to go out there, alone? I'm sure once the guards are here they can help defend and help you get rid of them." She says. "They will know nothing about them. Remember the Chamiosaurus can turn invisible and the pack will tear through them before they know they are there. They just don't know how to fight them or have the equipment to do so. If I don't go Rainbow then Ponyville may be doomed." Lightning Bolt says rubbing her head with his hoof. Rainbow looks past him to see Ice Fang and Azure looking on with worry then leans back to Lightning. "Are you going to take those two?" She asks as she points to Ice Fang and Azure. "If I don't make it back you will need something to warn you when they are near. So Rainbow please take care of them for me." Lightning Bolt says. Rainbow steps a little closer. "You're talking like you aren't coming back." She said a little accusing. "I won't lie there is a good chance that will be the final result of this hunt. But that is the nature of a hunt, you never know when you are gonna be killed." Lightning Bolt says. Lightning suddenly feels a tightening around his neck. "Please make me a promise." Rainbow asks. "What is the promise?" Lightning Bolt asks. Rainbow tightens her grip around him. "Make sure that you come back." She lets go and encourages Ice Fang and Azure to come with her. Ice Fang walks over to her, but not before nuzzling his head against Lightning's leg, then hops onto Rainbow's back. Azure hops in front of Lightning and gives a nuzzle to Lightning on his head and then hops next to Rainbow. "Make sure." She told him firmly. "I promise, I will comeback Rainbow Dash, I promise." Lightning Bolt says and Rainbow Dash lets go of him. Lightning Bolt walks outside and his helmet's visor slides down and he takes off into the sky. Not long after the rest of the mane six arrive to find Rainbow with Azure and Ice Fang. Azure looks away and glides a short distance to Applejack's back. Applejack gives a grunt from the extra weight. Rainbow sighs sadly and picks up Ice Fang in her hooves. Ice Fang whines sadly as he feels his master already in trouble...in his mind. Edge of Everfree Forest Lightning Bolt lands on the outskirts of the Everfree forest. Looking back towards the town he thinks back on everything that has happened to him in town. Yet, he knows he has to do this. "Time to get to work." Lightning Bolt says entering the forest. Using the magical sensory of his visor he starts tracking all signs of the chamiosaurus pack. He bends down after a while examining a foot print, his visor raises so he could see it with his eyes. 'The tracks are recent and this blood beside it is still fresh.' Lightning Bolt thinks as his visor lowers back. He continues on as he starts to go over the landscape. 'Let's see, forest for concealing, but not good for silent movement. Rocks, good for making them think that your position is somewhere else, but not good for hiding. Mountain, good for air strikes, but not good as a long term stay.' He thinks over everything he needs about the surrounding area for an eventual fight. Then he checks his equipment. His standard gauntlets on his front hooves had blade and lightning mini crossbow configurations, he had several weak explosive grenades, and several tripwires and parts for traps. 'Those mages really outdid themselves with these gauntlets. It's too bad the lightning mini crossbows can only fire ten shoots each.' Lightning Bolt thinks. He sighs and goes on. He eventually comes across a large clearing. Stepping through the middle he stops, growling comes from all around him. Lightning chuckles and readies his blades. "At least this made my job a whole lot easier." He looks around counting all of the creatures in the shadows. "This is easy." He then gulps, but holds firm. "I hope." Lightning Bolt unfurls his wings and activates 4 of his grenades and drops them to his hooves. The chamiosaurus charge him and Lightning Bolt takes off as all but one is caught in the blast killing them. He looks down and sees the kill count. He groans as he sees that one survives. "Ublyudok." He lands with a loud thud that made the creature aware of his presence. The beast roars and charges, blood lust in its eyes. Lightning Bolt holds up his left hoof and fires his lightning mini-crossbow. The lightning arrow goes through the creature's mouth and tears out the back of its head. The creature slides to the ground, sending bits and pieces of itself in its wake. It finally stops short of Lightning with its jaw open. Lightning raises an eyebrow at this. "That was too easy." He said to himself then clamps his hoof over his mouth in shock as he realizes what he said. He groans and holds his hoof to his head. "Why did I just say that?" 'But I know it's true, this was only a hunting party. There was no alpha or even a nest. Time to continue the hunt.' Lightning Bolt thinks before continuing the hunt. He keeps walking through denser and denser forest until he reaches a mountain side. He frowns and looks around, then spies a cave entrance guarded by a single chamiosaurus. He looks around for more, yet doesn't see them. He hmmms in thought as he tries to figure out how to take this challenge on. Lightning Bolt sets up several traps with his equipment and moves far away. Lightning Bolt then rushes the chamiosaurus and moves close to it before he uses his blade function and stabs it through throat and drags it into the bush and making it cry out for help right behind his traps. Lightning Bolt then moves as quickly and quietly as he could as he hears the pack coming. Once at a safe distance he just waits and watches. The pack growls as they come out of the cave, looking and sniffing around they start to step closer to the location where Lightning left the dying chamiosaurus. Lightning sat calmly as they start to walk even closer, their feet crunching the snow underneath them. They finally reach the trap as Lightning brings the blade out. Soon explosions are heard and the yells of pain and chunks of the chamiosaurus fly everywhere as only a few remain alive and most were badly hurt. Lightning comes out of the bush with a steel gaze. He surveys the area and finds that the traps got them all. He chuckles and sheathes his blades then walks into the cave. 'Now all that's left is the alpha.' Lightning thinks as he enters the camber and sees a lot of eggs. Lightning looks at the eggs and taps one. He pulls his hoof back as slime hangs on. Shaking his hoof, "Ewwww, that's gross. Don't they clean the eggs before they plant it somewhere, I mean come on." He said exasperated. 'Now I have no choice. I got to torch the whole cave to ensure none of them hatch.' Lightning thinks before dodging to the left as a tail crashed down on where he was. Looking where it came from he saw a chamiosaurus three times bigger them the ones he killed and had a spiked tail and horn growing out of its back. 'And there's the alpha.' The alpha sneers and launches his tail at Lightning Bolt. Lightning Bolt throws himself to the left narrowly avoiding the tail. Lightning starts to run around and stays close to the eggs as any pack member wouldn't want to lose their next generation. He leaves behind a trap as he stops in between the attacks. The alpha was mad, its attacks becoming more and more wild. Lightning Bolt sees his chance and fires a Lightning arrow that hits the Alpha in the left eye, blinding it. As the lightning arrow digs into its eye the arrow that sends out a shock throughout its body making the Alpha cry out in pain. The arrow then finishes its charge and disappears. The Alpha growls, madder than ever. Before Lightning Bolt could move the Alpha slashes its left claw at Lightning Bolt, slashing the armor on his right hind leg and cutting into him. Lightning Bolt bites down so not to scream in pain as he hits the wall from the attack. 'This is bad, if this continues it'll kill me.' Lightning thinks before noticing a large stalactites over the Alpha. 'Only one chance.' Lightning thinks before unloading all his remaining lightning arrow into the stalactites. The arrows hits the bases of the stalactites, sending shocks throughout the rock formation. The connection at the base weaken and sends cracks through the stalactites making it comes apart. The formations come down onto the head of the Alpha, skewering through the head and making it go silent. Lightning Bolt breathes heavily as he struggles to his feet. He slowly treads over to the Alpha a looks at it for a second. "As my right as the hunter I claim my trophies." Lightning said before unsheathing the blade attachment and cutting out several teeth and a few of its horn and placing them into his saddle bags. Lightning Bolt heads to the exit and looks back at the eggs and the dead alpha noticing also several bones now. Lightning Bolt then fishes out his final grenade. "I guess this is a good of use of a fire grenade as I'm gonna get." Lightning Bolt says before throwing the now activated grenade and limping out of the cave. As soon as he exits the cave he hears an explosion and then smells smoke. "Hunt complete." Fluttershy's cottage Rainbow sits on the couch in Fluttershy's home as Ice Fang sat on her lap. She pets Ice Fang absentmindedly as she waits for Lightning to come back. Fluttershy flutters over with a tray of some of her herbal tea and foal bottle of milk for Ice Fang. She places the tray down on the table next to the couch and looks at the sad atmosphere created by the two changed beings. Rainbow takes a quick sip of the tea before going for the bottle and giving it to Ice Fang. Ice Fang whines sadly and takes the bottle in its, sucking slowly. Fluttershy sits down right beside them as Rainbow feeds Ice Fang. The door to Fluttershy's cottage opens as Twilight and Applejack comes in with Azure riding on Applejack's back. Rainbow chuckles as best she could. "Looks like he likes you AJ." "Yeah would da though. But Rainbow are you ok? You're obviously sad." Applejack says. Rainbow brings her head down and looks down at Ice Fang. Ice Fang keeps sucking on the nipple of the bottle as slow as ever. Azure glides over to Rainbow's side and nuzzles her gently. "Yeah, I'm just worried." Rainbow says. "You're worried about Lightning Bolt, aren't you?" Twilight asks. They stay there shocked as a tear falls down Rainbow's face. In all the time they know her, Rainbow never cries, except seen by Fluttershy. The door opens again, but nopony notices. The tear falling down her face is stopped by a hoof. Rainbow looks up and sees Lightning without his armor and equipment. Her breath is caught in her throat as she looks at him. Ice Fang and Azure suddenly launches themselves at him, sending him to the ground laughing. Lightning Bolt gets up when Ice Fang and Azure gets off him. As he gets up Twilight notices that his hind leg is covered in blood. Twilight gasps at the sight of the bloody leg. "Lightning, your leg!" She said as she pointed to his leg. Fluttershy gasp and runs off to get her first aid kit. Lightning groans as he places some weight on his leg, making him wince. He lifts his leg to alleviate the pain until Fluttershy comes back. He then looks at Rainbow. "I always keep my promise." "So is it over, are they dead?" Twilight asks as Fluttershy starts bandaging him up. "Yeah, all of them are dead." Lightning says. Fluttershy places antibiotic on his wound, making him hiss slightly. "The eggs are destroyed so there is no chance of more coming." Fluttershy starts to roll the bandages around his leg as Rainbow leans against him, Ice Fang in his lap. After Fluttershy finished bandaging him up, she got up. "Now you better stay off that leg for the rest of the night." Fluttershy says. Lightning looks at Rainbow. "Looks like I need a flying buddy just to get around for the night." Lightning smiles. Rainbow smirks at his usual behavior. "I'm not going to do that forever just so you know." She jabs a hoof in his shoulder. Lightning hisses and grabs his shoulder. "Watch it Rainbow, I'm still tender from the fight." Rainbow chuckles nervously. "Sorry." Rainbow says nervously. "It's ok." Lightning Bolt says and Rainbow Dash, for the first time, actually got a look at him without his normal clothes. The first things she noticed is that he had a few scars on his body and had no cutie mark at all. "Whoa, no cutie mark. How do you know what your talent it?" Rainbow points to his flank. "I told you earlier Rainbow we don't have those in Stalliongrad." Lightning says. "Hey, since you're gonna need some help moving around for the next few days. How about you stay at my place?" Rainbow asks trying to hide her embarrassment. Lightning looks at her in shock. "Are you sure you don't mind? I mean you could just drop me off at my home because it's only one night." He said as he tries to hide his blush. "I don't mind at all." Rainbow reassures as Twilight is writing a new letter to inform Princess Celestia the danger has passed now. Twilight rolls up the finished letter and looks at Rainbow and Lightning. "I can add a cloud walking spell for Ice Fang here." She said as she pets Ice Fang, with him enjoying the attention. Twilight charges up her horn, covering it with magic to prepare the spell. When she is ready she points it to Ice Fang, making him whimper a bit at possible pain. Twilight fires the spell, covering Ice Fang with a magical aura. Ice Fang whimpers a little, but then calms down. Twilight finishes the spell as the aura over both of them disappears. Ice Fang quickly looks over himself to check if anything is missing and then yips happily to find nothing wrong. "That will last about a week." Twilight said with obvious exhaustion. "That's good because Lightning Bolt has to stay off his leg for a week." Fluttershy says sounding like a doctor. Lightning sighs heavily from relief. "Thank goodness. If I had to stay in bed for a whole week, I might go crazy." "Like Rainbow, you have to fly." Fluttershy says. Lightning's eyes widen and covered his face with his hooves. "I'm so stupid." "We are in the same boat then." Rainbow says placing her hoof on his shoulder. Lightning looks at her confused. "What do you mean? This happen to you before?" He said as he pointed to his bandaged leg. "Yeah, kinda got hurt while practicing a trick. Hurt my wing and was in the hospital for 3 days." Rainbow says. Lightning smirks. "How long did it take you to get bored?" "She was bored to death before we left." Twilight says. Lightning laughs out loud. "You... you couldn't last at least a night, can you? I've been in these before." Lightning says then sighs. "On a few times I was laid up for a month." Lightning clarifies. Rainbow's eyes widen when she heard how long. "Wow, did you try to at least get of there early?" "No, a few times a wing and two legs were bandaged up." Lightning says. Rainbow gets off the couch and turns to him. "Come on, we got to get going before nightfall. You don't want to be flying blind." "Anypony have a saddlebag I can borrow?" Lightning Bolt asks. Fluttershy shoves a saddlebag in front of him. "Here you go." She says enthusiastically. "Thank you." Lightning says as she helps him put it on. "Ice Fang get into the saddle bag." Lightning says. Ice Fang yips and jumps straight into the bag. He then reappears with his head and paws showing. Then his tail comes out, wagging happily. "Ok now, stay in there." Lightning says as he take the hoof Rainbow Dash offered. Rainbow smiles and starts to hover in the air with Lightning following. "Let's go." Rainbow said. They both start to fly out the door and straight to Rainbow's house with Azure following. Author's Note A/N: Next chapter up and running. Writer / Original Idea: Flair the demon dragon king Writer / Editor: Primus And that's another chapter into the mix. See ya next time. Read and Review. Family Fun and the Troubles of Autographs"Speaking" 'Thoughts' Lightning is on a couch sleeping peacefully as Rainbow walks in. Rainbow stares at the stallion on the couch as she chuckles quietly as to not wake him. She carries a bucket of water on her wing and moves the bucket over him and tips it. Lightning wakes up suddenly as he was flailing around in the water like he was drowning. He turns and glares at the laughing mare in the room, his mane all in his face making it impossible to see his eyes. Lightning spits out the water in his mouth to the side obviously annoyed by her. "Ha ha." Lightning says sarcastically as Rainbow stops laughing. "Kinda hard to believe it's been a week hasn't it?" Lightning asks, shaking his body, sending water everywhere, even onto Rainbow. Rainbow stops laughing and slowly gets up with Lightning doing the same. She stares at the spot where the bandages were once. "Yeah, hard to believe." Rainbow said to nopony in particular as she was lost in her own little world. "Thanks again for letting me stay for the week even though you said it was only for a night." Lightning says. Rainbow didn't hear as she kept looking at Lightning, not his eyes through. "Rainbow my eyes are up here." Lightning says getting her attention. Rainbow blinks a few times before looking at him sheepishly. "Heh, heh, sorry." She nervously rubs a hoof on her leg. "I don't usually acts like this." "It's fine." Lightning says and walks over to Rainbow, limping a little. "So what should we do today?" Rainbow looks outside to see the town starting their day to day activities and the guards patrolling as usual since the attack. "How about a flight? Celestia knows you need it." She spreads her wings near the door that leads to the outside world. "Sounds good." Lightning says following her. They both head outside, leaving their pets in the cloud home. They all look at each other. Tank blinking slowly as ever, Azure remains unmoving, and Ice Fang starting to drool. He goes over and licks tank before starting to pant. Lightning and Rainbow spend a few hours flying before landing in Ponyville. They both notice several ponies running past them. "Hey what's going on?" Lightning asks. "The Wonderbolts are here." A pony passing by says. Rainbow freezes as she hears this. Lightning looks over to her worriedly. "Rainbow, you okay?" He said, scared at her sudden freezing. Rainbow grabs the next pony running past her, still unmoving. "Where are the Wonderbolts landing?" The stallion she grabbed struggles against her grasp. "At the town center." Rainbow drops the stallion as he takes off, trying to get away from the mad pony. Lightning reaches a hoof over to her before she speeds off, leaving a few ponies tumbling from the backlash of winds. "I guess I'll go back to check on the pets." Lighting says. 'Among other reasons.' He thinks to himself before taking off. Rainbow is flying across the ground as she reaches the speed that is almost needed to perform a Sonic Rainboom. Once she reaches the town center she comes a halt without trouble. The winds that were following her sped past, blowing everything in their path. She spots the Wonderbolt's captain, Spitfire, standing on town hall's steps and she did not look happy. "WHERE IS HE?!" Everypony who have trained with her covers their ears, unlike the ones who didn't and suffered the full blast. "WHERE IS LIGHTNING BOLT?!" Everypony in town looks to Rainbow, who is still awestruck. The crowd starts whispering among themselves because of this. "Why is she looking for Lightning Bolt? Is he her former Stallionfriend? What is their relationship?" Rainbow Dash heard the whispers from several ponies as Spitfire follows the crowd's eyes and spies the pony she trained. "YOU!" Rainbow shakes herself out of her stupor and points to herself. "YEAH YOU! WHERE'S MY BOTHER?!" You can bet a big collective gasp is heard. "W-w-well h-he's r-right behind m…" Rainbow Dash stops when she sees he was not there. Rainbow's home with Lightning Bolt Lightning has just changed into his normal clothes and is now resting on the couch. "That's everything, you have your orders." Lightning says. "As you wish." A voice says behind him. The sound of the curtains blowing was soon heard, signaling the one who spoke had gone. Lightning sighs and breathes in the fresh air of home. The pets were going crazy and Lightning just lets them have their fun. Ice Fang is gnawing on Tank's shell with Tank looking at Lightning with a confused look...or is that the look of 'help me'? Couldn't tell. Lightning just shrugs as he didn't know, thinking that maybe Ice Fang is just going on instincts. Azure just stayed on his perch, watching the spectacle. "Nothing like a life of relaxation, huh buddy?" He said as he looks to Azure. Azure caws his approval and relaxes along with him. Why don't you guys make a bet to say how long this is going to last. Lightning whistles and Ice Fang runs and jumps onto his lap. As Lightning pets him when suddenly he hears the door slam open. Slowly turns his head around to see a pony wearing a Wonderbolt uniform. There is only one thing on his mind now. 'Oh crap.' He then turns to his pets quickly. "Retreat everypony, RETREAT!" Lightning yells as Ice Fang runs off to Azure as he jumps onto his back. Azure flies as soon as he gets on and picks up Tank on the way. They all flew out the nearby window, leaving Lightning behind with Spitfire. 'Traitors.' Lightning thinks as he gets off the couch and starts backing up, looking for a way out. He finds none but sees Rainbow behind Spitfire with a slack jawed expression. Spitfire slowly marches up menacingly to Lightning, her eyes full of anger, all the time looking at him in the eye. "You have a lot of explaining to do mister!" She pokes an accusing hoof to his stomach. Lightning Bolt laughs nervously. Then she did something he didn't expect. Spitfire's eyes start to tear up and she grabs her little brother in a hug that almost felt comforting if it weren't for the fact it felt like she was trying to crush him. Spitfire cried as she laid her head on his shoulder. "You idiot." She softly cried to him. "Why do you have to get yourself in so much trouble? Answer me that." She demanded. "I think I inherited our father's luck. But it is good to see ya sister after almost two decades." Lightning says returning the hug. Rainbow still stood there shock. Not even Tank, still being carried by Azure, bumping onto her head can knock her out of it. "Rainbow don't just stand there come in." Lightning says. Rainbow shakes her head and walks inside, followed by their pets. She gets closer as Spitfire lets go of Lightning. "So you're the brother of Spitfire, the captain of the Wonderbolts?" She is still trying to wrap her head around the fact that she has a relative of the Wonderbolts captain in her house. I guess she doesn't need those posters now. "Yeah, she is my sister." Lightning says. Spitfire looks to her brother. "Where have you been all this time?" "Well after the incident I wound up on the shores of Stalliongrad half dead and with amnesia." Lightning says. Rainbow raises her hoof like a student in class. "What incident?" "Some jealous member of the Wonderbolts, whose name shall not be mentioned, took my brother out on the guise of a training exercise and threw him into a hurricane." Spitfire says, her anger rising again. Rainbow's eyes widened at her words. "Why did that happen?" "Cause he was jealous of Lightning when he was doing so well." Spitfire says. "Also didn't help when you somehow got me drafted into the Wonderbolts while I was still a foal." Lightning says, causing Spitfire to laugh nervously "Yeah, though I still wish I got him when I found out about what happened. I would have torn his dick off and gave him a new hole." Spitfire said. Rainbow blushed and Lightning Bolt sighs. Azure lands on Lightning's shoulder and wraps his tail around him. "Oh sister, let me introduce my pets." Lightning says. Spitfire yelps as she feels her leg being bit. She turns to see Ice Fang on her leg, her front leg freezing where he bit. "Ice Fang release." Lightning says sternly causing Ice Fang to release Spitfire immediately and run over to him. Spitfire starts to rub her leg, but then forgoes that plan and just smashes her leg on the table, sending ice pieces everywhere. "That's better." She said as she rubs her leg. "Azure, he is a Skyor while Ice Fang is an Ice wolf." Lightning says. Azure caws and Ice Fang yips happily causing Spitfire to smile. "Hi there." Just then her stomach rumbles heavily. She blushes and turns to them nervously. "I guess I didn't eat on the way over. Oh, and if you're wondering, I found about you through the newspapers." "Would you like to stay for dinner sister?" Lightning asks. Spitfire's stomach decided to answer for her, making her blush of embarrassment. "Rainbow shall we get start then?" Lightning says as he turns to Rainbow. "OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH." Rainbow says going into fanmare mood at the prospect of Spitfire staying for dinner. "Ah, Rainbow." Lightning says. "OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH." "Rainbow!" Lightning yells trying to get her attention but causes Rainbow to freeze in place and remain stuck and in place. Lightning sighs and walk over and carries Rainbow to the kitchen she didn't move like she was a statue. Spitfire looks at them for a few before turning to the pets with her usual look. "That is weirdest fangasm I have ever seen." The pets merely looks at each before turning back to her, the same look on their faces as her. Lightning puts Rainbow down before getting ready to try and snap her out of it. Lightning grabs a nearby large bowl fit for a pony her size and places it under her. He then flies up and punches the cloud above Rainbow. The cloud sends out a few droplets of water, then brings a downpour. 'Thankfully she showed me how to control the weather here.' Lightning thinks with a smirk as Rainbow gets out of her shock after being washed in ice cold water. She huddles herself as she thinks to herself, 'Got to remember to warm that up.' Lightning lands besides the wet mare and remarks, "Great for the fire in the kitchen and also waking others up." Rainbow looks at him with a glare. "Jerk." "Would you prefer staying out there in that state embarrassing yourself to my sister?" Lightning asks, turning his head to look at her but freezes when he sees her soaking wet. Her mane cling to her resulting Lightning's expression to become slack jawed. Rainbow tries to shake herself off and sends the water onto Lightning. "You're right, but let's get done with dinner, all right? I really want to impress her." She said as she walks over to the cloud fridge but stops when she sees him stunned 'Oh, quite interesting.' Rainbow thinks with a smirk before turning around and smacking him in the face with her tail, bringing him out of it. "I think she already likes you Rainbow." Lightning says shaking his head while walking up behind her. Rainbow quietly gasp as she heard that, but then her breath catches in her throat feeling a hug from behind, courtesy of Lightning. "I guess, but then again, I did keep you from your sister." "I've been separated by her for almost 20 years Rainbow. Besides if she didn't like you she would have already hit you over the head for asking such a question." Lightning says. Rainbow looks down. "Still..." Rainbow stopped when Lightning tightens his hug. "She likes you Rainbow. Would I lie to you?" Rainbow turns around, still in the hug. While this was happening Spitfire was spying through the door and a smile form on her face. She then slips back to the living room before either notice her. Rainbow and Lightning soon laid out the dinner on the cloud table, seemingly able to leave it on top as a regular table. Lightning pokes his head into the living room once they finished. "Spitfire, dinner is ready." He finds her playing with Ice Fang as he yips happily running around her. He laughs at the sight of Spitfire trying to catch him, only to fall down on her flank from dizziness. Spitfire sends him an annoyed look and walks into the room and sits on a chair while Lightning and Rainbow do the same as Azure flies in and onto Lightning's shoulder and Ice Fang sneaks under the table. Rainbow seeing this looks under the table to see him at her legs. "Get out from under there. Come on, hop onto my lap." Ice Fang yips and did as she told. 'They really do seem like a couple.' Spitfire thinks as a mischievous idea came to mind and Lightning starts taking a drink. Spitfire lifts her drink and swirls the liquid around. "So, how close are you?" "To what?" Rainbow asks as she pets Ice Fang. Spitfire smirks. "How close are you two together? Especially when do I hear the flapping of little wings." She nonchalantly drinks from her glass. Lightning's eyes widen and does a spit take and coughs several times while Rainbow was too stunned for words. Even Azure and Ice Fang turn their heads towards Spitfire who had a smirk. A few seconds later Tank slowly waddles in as slowly as ever. Seeing the smirk on the new guest's muzzle and the shocked faces of his owners and friends, he did a one-eighty turn and waddles back into the living room. "We don't have that kind of relationship!" Both Lightning and Rainbow yell in unison. Spitfire takes another sip of her drink. "Sure sounds like it." She remarks. "I don't even know how to respond to that." Lightning says as Rainbow looked down in deep thought and very embarrassed over what Spitfire implied. Spitfire finally laughs. "Relax big bro, I'm just joking." "Somehow I'm not fully convinced." Lightning says as Rainbow starts blushing harder. Spitfire calms down and looks at her happily. "Let's just enjoy dinner and we can talk about this later." Dinner proceeds without another incident and they all are in the living room Spitfire was starting to get used to Ice Fang. Ice Fang barks and lowers himself to the ground, ready to pounce. Spitfire does the same and waits for him. Ice Fang jumps at her only for Spitfire to dodge to the side, sending him to the ground. Ice Fang then yips as he feels his tail being bitten and being lifted. He looks around to see Spitfire as she places him onto the couch, with her taking a seat with him. Ice Fang then jumps onto her lap and settles there. "Finally got him huh sister." Lightning says as both he and Rainbow looked pretty amused. Spitfire smiles as she starts to pet Ice Fang. "Yeah, he's real sweet, I'll tell you that." She looks at Ice Fang as he starts to fall asleep. Before anyone could say anything else there was a knock at the door. Rainbow looks confuse, but gets up and walks to the door. Opening it she sees Twilight in her hot air balloon. "Hey Rainbow, listen Princess Celestia has ask us again to do the Hearth's Warming Play again, but this time she to include the husbands and the children that are usually left out. She has also asked me to ask Lightning to play as one of the husband for the great job he did. Think you two are up for it?" Twilight asks. Spitfire hears this and just smirks at Lightning as he facehooves. "Sure I think we can do it." Rainbow says. "Don't I get a say in this?" Lightning asks. "I think you were right Lightning, you do have father's luck." Spitfire says. Lightning just groans out loud. "Why me?" Rainbow chuckles. "Why not?" Twilight smiles and pulls the cord on the burner to send her down. "Great, I'll send Princess Celestia a letter later to tell her the good news." Twilight calls up to them as she and the balloon descended. "I think the Wonderbolts will be attending the Hearts Warming play in Canterlot this year." Spitfire says causing Lightning to groan again. Lightning falls onto the couch, facing down. "I hate my life." His voice muffled by the clouds. Rainbow walks back to the couch and sits next to Lightning and pets his head. After several minutes Lightning finally raises his head. "So sister when do you want to go see mom and dad?" Lightning asks. Spitfire face darkens. "Maybe tomorrow afternoon." Spitfire replies. "I'll meet you in town square tomorrow after I get a few things ok?" Lightning asks. Spitfire nods. "Okay." She then picks up Ice Fang like a foal. "See you later, little guy." Ice Fang licks her nose, making her giggle. After that she puts him down and leaves. "So what was that all about?" Rainbow asks. "It is family business, but you can come along if you want to Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow keeps petting his head. "If it will help you through it then yes, I will come." "Thank you." Lightning says. Rainbow then hugs him as best as possible. "No problem." Lightning and Rainbow go to the town center to see Spitfire signing a few autographs. "Hi sister." Lightning says walking up to her as Rainbow walks up to Scootaloo. Spitfire looks up from her signing to see her brother. "Hey bro." Everypony who was getting autographs turns their head to Lightning only to swarm him for a signature too. "Easy, easy!" Lightning yells out from the hungry crowd. After signing the autographs Lightning had to drag himself to Spitfire while Rainbow asks Scootaloo. "Hey Scootaloo, you know that me and Lightning there are gonna be in the heart warming play in Canterlot and well this year it will involve Commander Hurricanes husband and their first born so you want to play that part?" Rainbow asks as Scootaloo's eyes widened as she heard this. "Me...Work…with...the Rainbow...Ahhhhhhhh." And there's the classic faint. "I'll take that as a yes." Rainbow says before going over to Lightning "I swear those ponies are more vicious than piranhas." Lightning says. Spitfire giggles at his words. "Now you know what I have been dealing with." "I think I prefer hunting creatures that can rend me to shreds." Lightning says. Rainbow laughs at him. "Come on, this is your life now. Live with it." Lightning looked like he was about to curse audibly until Spitfire says. "Shall we go see them?" Spitfire asks as Lightning calms down and says, "Yeah." After a bit of flying they finally reach a graveyard. Spitfire sighs as she sees a certain set of tombstones. "Here we are." Spitfire says. "I thought we were gonna meet your parents." Rainbow says. "Oh." Rainbow says in realization as Lightning wordlessly goes up to the graves and lays a bouquet of flowers on them. "Hi mom. Hi dad it's been awhile since my last visit." Lightning says. Spitfire comes up beside him. "Don't worry, I'm here too." Author's Note A/N: Next chapter up and running. Writer / Original Idea: Flair the demon dragon king Writer / Editor: Primus And that's another, wait for more as we I keep doing this. At certain times, my life outside of this comes in and so does his, so you may have to wait until that is finished. So Read and Review. Play Time"Speaking" 'Thoughts' "Alright, let's go over the scene where Commander Hurricane comes home." Twilight says as Lightning Bolt, Rainbow Dash, and Scootaloo hold their scripts. Rainbow clears her throat. "Ten Hut." Rainbow ordered. Rainbow looks to her husband, the strategist of the Pegasus, and to her first born. They both snapped to attention in front of her before falling into a laughing fit. "Welcome home honey." Lightning greeted. "Hi mom." Scootaloo said as she hugs her. Rainbow closes the door behind her before returning the hug to her daughter. "I take it negotiations didn't go well?" Lightning asks. "I kinda lost my temper at the beginning and all three of us wound up arguing and it went nowhere. I really think I should have sent you. It might have gone somewhere if the always cool and collected strategist Razor Wind went." Hurricane says half serious and half flirts. Razor stands proudly. "I have been known to clear the negotiations quite easily." Hurricane smiles. "That includes shoving a sword in their face until the deal goes through?" "The men always love to hear about how that negotiation went with those pegasus barbarians you went to negotiation with for map information and wound up recruiting them into our ranks. It's also the award ceremony after that we met for the first time." Rainbow recalls. "I like it we when dad talks about the bar fight during it." Scootaloo says laughing out loud. Lightning chuckles. "Yeah, those were the good days. But you know what's better?" He asks her. Rainbow smiles. "What?" Lightning smirks. "Being with you." "Alright good job guys you got the scene perfectly." Twilight says while Scootaloo seems a little grossed out. Rainbow huffs and sits back in her seat. "I still can't believe that you have to be my husband in this. I don't even know why Princess Celestia wants a husband and a foal, if possible, to play too." "Well they always were a part of the story if you read the book on it. They are mostly cut from the play to save time. But this year it seems she is going all out recounting the whole story. By the ways Scootaloo you did a great job." Lightning says. Scootaloo smiles and hops next to Rainbow. "Thanks, but I don't know to stomach the lovey dovey parts." "When that happens turn around and act like you're snickering." Lightning advises. "Yeah, the crowd will buy that and there are a few scenes in the play where you do that anyways." Twilight reassured. Scootaloo nods and leans against her sister. Rainbow wraps a hoof around her and holds her close. "Don't worry, because you will get it all. Just follow our lines and if can't remember, improvise." "Yeah everything will be fine." Lightning says before they could continue the rest of the cutie mark crusaders opened the door to their car. "Scootaloo Canterlot is coming into view." Applebloom says. Scootaloo jumps up and runs to the open window. When she pokes her head outside she sees the high valued Canterlot. "Wow." Oh yeah, she did become breathless at the sight. Lightning smiles as Applebloom and Sweetie Bell join her. Rainbow watches the three fillies as they become amazed at the sight of Canterlot. She looks over to Lightning to see him walking towards her. "You sure you're ready?" Rainbow asks him. "I'll be fine with the acting. It's the ponies in the crowd I'm worried about." Rainbow suddenly grabs his head and hugs it. "You'll be fine. I know it." Rainbow sweetly said to him. Lightning taps her side a bit. "Can you let go now?" Rainbow sheepishly smiles and let's go. "Sorry." Twilight sees this before leaving the car and goes where the other girls are practicing. "Alright girls, how are we doing?" Twilight announces as she enters the car. "We are doing fabulous darling and Applebloom and Sweetie Bell are doing great as well. How is Lightning, Rainbow and Scootaloo doing?" Rarity says. "They really got it down. Oh, by the way Rarity make sure you keep their measurements close by for wedding attire." Twilight says. Rarity giggles as she hears the gossip. "I just knew that Mr. Lightning Bolt would be would get together with somepony soon. Who can't resist the good looks like that?" "I'm surprised it was Rainbow Dash though." Applejack says. "Well they aren't actually together yet. They are both the same type of pony and sometimes have trouble putting their emotions to words." Twilight explains. Rarity suddenly gasp with surprise. "IDEAAA! What if we get them to reveal their feelings for each other in the play?" Twilight shakes her head. "That's as bad as when the crusaders match made Big Mac and Cheerilee." "They did what?" Fluttershy asks. Twilight looks confused at her. "You didn't see the housed moved with a giant hole dug in front of the Boutique?" "Ah no, I was tending to my animals and too busy to notice." Fluttershy says as the rest of the girls brought her up to speed. Fluttershy blushes. "So Big Mac would have been married if they didn't bother with them? That's horrible, especially with just seeing each other and nothing else." "So anyone else surprised the Lightning Bolt turned out to be the little brother of Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts?" Twilight asks. Rarity shot up to her. "He's the little brother of the captain of the Wonderbolts?!" And faint. "She didn't know?" Twilight asks. Fluttershy shuffles her hoof across the wooden boards of the train. "Well, she has been busy with some orders that she didn't come out, not even to our spa meeting." "Ah." Twilight says as Applejack revives Rarity. Applejack grabs a bucket of water and prepares to throw it. "This always work on her." She dumps the water on Rarity, making her wake up with a scream. "Ah, I'm wet. No, my mane, not my beautiful mane. I can't live without it!" She runs to the bathroom to dry herself off. A few minutes later she returns. "So what was this about Lightning and Spitfire being siblings?" Rarity asks. "Lightning is Spitfire's little brother." Twilight explains. "But I don't get it why would he not tell anyone or even let her know where he was?" Rarity asks. "That's a good question and only one pony knows the answer to that." Twilight says. They walk to the other car and sees Lightning trying to get Scootaloo back in from the outside. "Help me Rainbow or we're going to be foalless!" Rainbow rushes to him and helps pull her inside. After that they all sit down with Rainbow belittling Scootaloo. "...And don't you do that again." 'I think they are starting to take their roles a little too serious.' Twilight thinks. Twilight turns to everypony in the car. "Okay, we report to the same building as before. I will go and tell Celestia that we are here." After that everypony, except Twilight, heads to the theater. They arrive to find a few Ponies already there including Derpy who is waving at them. Lightning waves back as they all went to the dressing rooms were, but this time Lightning had his own dressing room because he's a stallion. He put on his own costume a black variation of the pegasus armor with a cloak underneath it. This was to set the strategist apart from the other soldiers so they wouldn't be mistakenly sent into direct combat. Lightning looks over himself. "This is very cool. Too bad it isn't better than my armor." He said to himself. 'So this is the armor of my ancestors funny it just feels like...' Lightning's thoughts were interrupted when Derpy opened the door. "Show is starting soon." She says and closes the door. 'I guess I better get going.' Lighting thinks putting his hood up and walking out of the dressing room. Walking into the backstage hall he sees the mares of the play come out of their dressing rooms. When he sees what Rainbow is wearing he becomes amazed. His jaw slightly drops and afterwards Scootaloo comes out wearing what looked like a light foal version of the pegasus armor. Lightning walks over slowly to Rainbow. "So where do we begin?" He asks nervously. "You and Scootaloo hang back until we get to the scene where commander hurricane goes home. Why don't you talk to some of the other actors until then?" Rainbow suggests before she clears her throat and walks towards the part of the stage where she will enter from. Lightning smiles and turns to Scootaloo. "So who do you want to talk to?" Waving his hoof to the multiple actors in the hall. "I'll go talk to my friends see ya." Scootaloo says before walking over. Lightning sigh and walks over to the other stallion actors playing the husbands. The actors turn to him as Lightning walks over. "So you're the Lightning we've been hearing about." One of the actors said. "Yeah. Who are you?" Lightning asks taking note the Earth pony wore a farmer's clothes while the unicorn wore the robes of a student of magic from Princess Platinum's time. "I'm Arcane." Said the stallion wearing the costume for Princess Platinum's husband. "I'm Apple Field." Said the one wearing the costume for Smart Cookie's husband. "And I'm Razor Wind." Lightning says seeing as they were getting into character. The stallions chuckles. "Yeah, we also know your real name. So don't try to hide it. Any case, I think your part will come up first, then ours in about a few minutes." Arcane said as he looks at the clock. "Got it." Lightning says waving over Scootaloo signaling it's almost time as he heard Spike start narrating. "Once upon a time, long before the peaceful rule of Celestia, and before ponies discovered our beautiful land of Equestria, ponies did not know harmony. It was a strange and dark time. A time when ponies were torn apart, by hatred." "During this frightful age, each of the three tribes, the Pegasi, the unicorns, and the Earth ponies, cared not for what befell the other tribes, but only for their own welfare. In those troubled times, as now, the Pegasi were the stewards of the weather. But, they demanded something in return. Food that could only be grown by the Earth ponies. The unicorns demanded the same, in return for magically bringing forth day and night. And so, mistrust between the tribes festered, until one fateful day, it came to a boil. And what prompted the ponies to clash? 'Twas a mysterious blizzard that overtook the land, and toppled the tribes' precarious peace." Spike narrates as actor reenact the events. "The normally industrious Earth ponies were unable to farm their land." Spike narrated as a plant withered in its hoof. "The Earth ponies were freezing." Spike narrated as a home was blown to pieces by the winds and the ponies inside shivered. "The home of the Pegasi fared no better. The Pegasi were hungry." Spike narrated as a pegasus tried to eat the fake fur on top its helmet. "And the unicorns were freezing and hungry." Spike narrated as a scene in a dining dictated this. "Even the unicorns' magic was powerless against the storm." Spiked continued as a door reinforced by magic was blown open. "Each tribe blamed the others for their suffering, and the angrier everypony grew, the worse the blizzard became." Spike narrated as the actors fought on stage over food. "And so it was decided that a grand summit would be held to figure out a way to cope with the blizzard." Spike narrated as the ponies were all headed for the same building. "Each tribe sent their leaders." Spike narrated. "Daughter of the unicorn king, Princess Platinum." Spike narrates as trumpet sounded and Princess Platinum enters. "Ruler of the Pegasi, Commander Hurricane." Spike narrates as trumpets blew and Commander Hurricane entered. "And finally leader of the Earth ponies, Chancellor Puddinghead." Kazoos were blown as Chancellor Puddinghead entered. "Perhaps the three tribes could finally settle their differences, and agree on a way to get through this disaster." Spike narrated as all three took off their headgear before starting to yell at each other. "All I wanna know is why the Earth ponies are hogging all the food!?" Commander Hurricane accuses. "Us?! We're not hogging all the food, you are! Oh wait." She then smiles. "You're right. It's us." She then goes back into her accusing self. "Well, it's only 'cause you mean old pegasus-us-uses are making it snow like crazy!" Chancellor Puddinghead accuses. "For the hundredth time, it's not us! We're not making it snow! It must be the unicorns! They're doing it with their freaky magic!" Commander Hurricane says redirecting the blame. Platinum gasps. "How dare you! Unlike you Pegasi ruffians, we unicorns would never stoop to such a thing! Humph!" Princess Platinum insults. "Well, if you non-earths aren't gonna stop using your weirdo powers to freeze us all, then I'm just plum out of ideas." Chancellor Puddinghead says. "What a shocker. An Earth pony with no ideas." Commander Hurricane insulted. "Commander Hurricane, please cease with the insults!" Princess Platinum pleaded. "You're not the boss of me, your royal snootiness!" Commander Hurricane insulted. "I beg your pardon?! I am a princess! I won't be spoken to that way!" Princess Platinum. "Well, I'm leaving first!" Commander Hurricane angrily says. All three leaders continue arguing as they leave through the door. The curtain fell then rises to show the pegasus's home "And the blizzard raged on. So the summit of the tribes did not turn out as well as hoped, and the three leaders returned home to lick their wounds, and basically complain." Spike narrates before the curtain rose revealing a pegasus stage. "Atten-tion!" Commander Hurricane yells, sending Private Pancy slipping down the snow covered stairs. "Well? Aren't you curious about how it went?" Hurricane angrily asks. "Oh! Commander Hurricane, sir! How did it go, sir?" Private pansy asks. "Horribly! Those other tribe leaders are so disrespectful! Don't they realize that we are a mighty tribe of warriors, and should not be crossed? We have got to break ranks with those weak foals! Now if you'll excuse me I have others to inform of this." Hurricane says before entering the keep. Hurricane walks past the barracks and into her living quarters. "Commander Hurricane, tired from her experience, goes to see her family." Spike narrates. "The meeting didn't work out?" A voice asks when she steps inside. Out of the shadows stepped Commander Hurricane's husband, the grand strategist of the pegasus tribe. "Strategist Razor Wind." Spike introduced as Razor Wind walked into the light. "Mother is home!" A voice yelled before running passed Razor Wind. Hurricane grabs the foal running at her and hugs her. "Hi sweetie. You were good for daddy?" Commander Hurricane asks. "Yeah, I was we played together all day and had a lot of fun." The little filly says. "The first born of Commander Hurricane and Strategist Razor Wind, Typhoon." Spike narrates. Hurricane looks to her husband. "To answer your question, the meeting didn't go well. Now we may have to find new land." She said as she still hugs Typhoon. "What happened?" Razor Wind asks. Commander Hurricane chuckled nervously and sets her daughter down. "Let's just say that no more meetings are going to happen between us all." She said as she walks to him. "What happened?" Razor Wind asks sternly. "I kinda lost my temper at the beginning and all three of us wound up arguing and it went nowhere. I really think I should have sent you. It might have gone somewhere if the always cool and collected strategist Razor Wind went." Commander Hurricane says. "That includes shoving a sword in their face until the deal goes through?" Razor Wind finished. "The stallions always love to hear about how that negotiation went with those pegasus barbarians you went to negotiation with for map information and wound up recruiting them into our ranks. It's also the award ceremony after that we met for the first time." Hurricane recalls. "I like it we when dad talks about the bar fight during it." Typhoon says laughing out loud. Razor laughs and looks to Hurricane. "But do you know what the best part is?" Hurricane looks to him as well. "What?" Razor walks closer. "Being with you." He finishes. The audience whistles and cheers at this, though a certain Wonderbolt captain felt her protective sibling instincts kick in, but she suppressed them. Typhoon see this, turns around and snickers. The curtain falls then rises to show the unicorn's home Princess Platinum walks in shivering. "Clover the Clever! I need you!" Princess Platinum yelled out. "Yes, your majesty. Did the other pony tribes see reason as I predicted?" Clover the Clever asks. "Those other tribes are impossible! I, for one, can no longer bear to be anywhere near those lowly creatures. The unicorns are noble, and majestic. We will no longer consort with the likes of them!" Princess Platinum says before walking through a door with Clover the Clever following. "I take it that the meeting didn't go well?" A young filly dressed in regal clothes walking to them asks. "The first born of Princess Platinum, Silver." Spike says. "Well kinda, yes, by the way Silver where is your father?" Platinum asks slightly worried. "He's doing another experiment." Silver answered. Platinum sighs dramatically. "Not again. If he continues then something will hap..." BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM "Don't worry, that was just on the table, nothing else!" A voice calls from behind a smoking door. Platinum sighs. "That's what I get for marrying the unicorn magician with an insatiable thirst for knowledge." Platinum says as the door opens and out comes a unicorn completely covered in dust "The husband of Princess Platinum and one of the heads of the castle mages Prince Arcane." Spike narrates. Arcane coughs a dust cloud. "That's what I get for mixing two spells that just amplifies an explosives spell." He coughs out another dust cloud. "Dad I think you should stop messing with the explosive spells." Silver says. Arcane smirks, but not before coughing out another dust cloud. "Where's the fun in that?" He remarks. The audience chuckles at this. "Dear..." Platinum started tapping her hoof. Arcane shakes himself off and tries to cough out the dust. "Yes...?" He asks uneasily. "What have I told you about blowing the castle up?" Platinum asks so calmly that it is scary. Arcane chuckles nervously. "Don't destroy all of our priceless goods by a simple experimental explosion." "And what did you do?" He hung his head. "Made a simple experimental explosion." He said miserably. "And?" Princess Platinum asks. He sighs. "Harmed some of our priceless goods." Platinum glares at him for a few minutes before sighing. "What am I gonna do with you." Platinum asks to herself. Arcane smiles like the village idiot. "Love me?" "Sometimes I think I'm too lenient with you." Platinum says facehoofing as Silver was laughing at the exchange between her parents. Platinum sighs once before turning to them all. "Well in any case, we have to find some new land. I fear that this one is lost." "Did we at least make any headway with the other tribes?" Silver asks. Platinum shakes her head. "I'm afraid not. They are really stubborn for their own good." "More like you're too stubborn for our own good." Silver muttered under her breathe. Platinum turns around and starts to head for her quarters. "Now then, let's pack up and head off." "What about Grandfather?" Silver asks. Platinum nods as she keeps walking. "Yes, the whole family is coming." "So only Grandfather Gold and Clover the Clever is coming along?" Silver asks. "That's right." Princess Platinum verified. Before they could continue a guard rushes in. "Princess Platinum I bring terrible news!" The guard yells. Platinum groans out loud. "Now what?! What could be worse than leaving the entire kingdom behind?!" She yells. "Your father King Gold the Kind has passed away." The Guard regrettably. Everypony in the room freezes. Then Silver turns to him. "What?" She said quietly, almost not believing it. "Your father King Gold the Kind has passed away from illness. I'm sorry your highness." The guard says. Arcane walks over to his wife and hugs her. Arcane nuzzles Platinum. "I'm sorry." "Father always did say he would never leave his home here." Platinum says with tears and nuzzles into her husband as Silver also started to cry. He hugs Silver as she nuzzles them. "We can always stay." The curtain falls then rises to show the earth ponies' home Chancellor Puddinghead comes down the chimney. "Wouldn't it have been easier to use the door, Chancellor?" Smart Cookie asks. "Maybe for you, Smart Cookie. But I am a chancellor. I was elected because I know how to think outside the box. Which means I can also think inside the chimney. Can you think inside a chimney?" Chancellor Puddinghead asks. The audience laughs at her logic. "Uh..." Smart cookie says a little dumbfounded. "I didn't think so." Chancellor Puddinghead says her face covered in soot. "Ugh." Smart Cookie groans. "Ohmygosh. Hold on to your hooves, I am just about to be brilliant!" Chancellor Puddinghead says very energetic. "That'd be a first." Smart cookie says under her breathe. "I have decided that the Earth ponies are gonna go it alone!" Chancellor Puddinghead says. "Aw, so you mean the other tribes didn't come around? Shoot... I really thought we could get through to 'em if we..." Smart Cookie began. "Don't worry about them. We're the ones with all the food, right?" Chancellor Puddinghead asks knowingly. "Actually, we're all out." Smart Cookie informs. "Fine, then we'll have to go somewhere new where we can grow some new food. And with me as our fearless leader, what could go wrong?" Chancellor Puddinghead says opening the door and getting hit with a mini avalanche of snow. "Where should I start?" Smart Cookie asks sarcastically as two earth ponies dug their way through the snow to enter the cabin. The stallion and filly both shook their bodies to get any excess snow off. "Husband of Smart Cookie, Apple Field and their firstborn, Apple Pie." Spike narrates. "I am super-duper excited! Aren't you excited Applefield? We get to go on a great journey to find new land! How about you Apple Pie?" Apple Pie raiser her hoof and opens her mouth, but before she can say anything, "Great! Let's pack up and start moving." Chancellor Puddinghead said pointing in the opposite direction of where they actually go and not allowing Apple Pie to speak. Smart Cookie looks to her leader, Pudding Head in exasperation. Then turns to her husband and daughter. "Yes, I deal with this every day." "No wonder ya'll so tired every day." Applefield says as Apple pie looks confused. "Wait, what's going on?" Apple Pie asks. "Chancellor Puddinghead says we are setting out to find a new land." Smart cookie answered. "Oh..." Apple Pie said as she heard that...then, "WAIT, WHAT!" "Don't question it just go with it." Smart Cookie says as Chancellor Puddinghead opens the front door and gets buried under snow again. Smart Cookie sighs and walks off to the storage closet. "I'll get the shovel." The curtain falls again and Spike comes out onto the stage. "We will now take a brief intermission. Please feel free to get up and stretch your legs." Spike says before retreating behind the curtain again. Backstage Lightning adjust his costume as the other stallions do the same. "I still can't believe that we're doing this." He remarked. "Cheer up Lightning, you're doing great so far." Rainbow says. Rainbow helps set the wing holes on his costume. "A few more scenes and we are done." "Yeah, besides ya'll are doing great. I took a peek during your scene and it was almost like you both weren't actin." Applejack says. They both chuckle nervously as they know what she is talking about. "Well, we practiced, that's good for us." Rainbow told her. "Sure, that's all it is." Applejack says before leaving with both Rainbow and Lightning blushing. "Are you excited guys?!" Both of the blushing ponies yelp as Pinkie appears behind them. "We get to do the real action scenes now." "Throwing snowballs?" Both asked now not blushing. Pinkie shakes her head like crazy. "No sillies. The traveling. I thought you knew that Rainbow?" "How is that an action scene?" Lightning asks confused. Pinkie snorts and giggles. "Because you are doing some action." She said smartly. Lightning just looks at her awkwardly. "So do you think I got that accent well enough?" The earth pony asks Applejack. Applejack nods. "Yep, ya got it down to the pitch and tone." "I feel as though I could do better." She pats his side. "Nah, ya're good enough." "Very well done." The unicorn actor says to Rarity and Sweetie Bell. Rarity tries to brush the little dust off of her costume. "Yes well, we must prepare for the next bit." "Certain in five minutes." Derpy says before going back to the props. "Who was it that gave Derpy the job of overseeing the play anyways?" Lightning asks. "Celestia, don't question it." Rainbow told him. "So like Pinkie?" Lightning asks. Rainbow stifles a laugh with her hoof. "Yeah." "Curtain in 2 minutes." Derpy calls. "I guess we're up." Lightning says. The curtain rises to show the pegasus traveling scene The curtain opens up and Razor Wind, Commander Hurricane, and Private Pancy are flying with Typhoon riding on Razor Wind's back. Razor Wind looks at the map. "The map shows that we're not much farther." "Are you sure?" Typhoon asks looking over his shoulder. "Stay alert private, you never know where are enemies are." Hurricane says. Razor nods as they kept flying. "Yes, just past the mountains ahead." "Ok. Hey daddy, look at mommy." Typhoon says as Razor Wind sees Hurricane fighting a cloud. Razor goes up to his wife. "Is everything okay, honey?" He asks carefully. Hurricane laughs nervously and Pancy is giggling at the scene. The heavy winds of the snow storm suddenly brings down a tree with a crash. "YIPE!" Pancy yells, making her jump into Hurricane's forelegs. Razor Wind's mouth turned into a grin and Typhoon was laughing at this scene. Hurricane huffs and let's go, sending Pancy falling before she caught herself with her wings. The curtain falls and then rises to show the unicorns Platinum hops around the snow to avoid it, but the snow has already melted and wetted her outfit. "Ah honey what are you doing?" Arcane asks. "Trying to avoid getting my outfit wet." She said as she hops around even higher, but it made things worse. "You do remember you know levitation spells right?" Arcane asks. Platinum stops and brings a hoof to her face. "Why didn't I realize that?" She asks herself. "Because you were so focused on the problem you couldn't see the solution." Silver says causing everypony to look at her surprised. "You are gonna have a sage like knowledge one day." Arcane says and Clover felt pride at the knowledge and wisdom her student possessed. Platinum blushed in embarrassment and levitates herself with the others following behind her. Clover just shakes her head. 'I've been doing that ever since we left.' That is true since she is at least the correct height off the ground just so that the naked eye can't see it. Arcane then pulls her along with a magic tether from his horn. The curtain falls and rises to show the earth ponies on a mountain path Pudding Head walks through the snow as she looks through a map that has two holes for her eyes. "We are almost there!" She yells out. Cookie and her family tries to follow as the snow feels like it's getting deeper. "She said that four hours ago." Apple Pie says back with her parents where Pudding Head couldn't hear them. Apple Pie stares at the map on her face. "Why does she have the map on her face anyway? She doesn't know where she is going if she can't see the map." "I'll speak to her." Smart Cookie says sighing afterwards. "Hey dad I have a question." Apple Pie told him. "What is it?" Apple Field looks at her daughter, wondering what question she could have lingering in her head. 'I just hope it isn't a stupid question.' He hoped. "If we are going to an undiscovered new land how do we have a map to there?" Apple Pie asks. Apple Field stops and then facehooves as a sound effect went off in the background. The crowd laughs from the obvious logic. The curtain falls. "And so, each leader encountered obstacles along the way, but eventually, they all arrived in a new and wondrous land. Nopony had ever seen paradise before." Spike narrates. The curtain rises again showing the pegasus on a cloud "This is the new land we've been searching for!" Commander Hurricane says. "What a view... I can see my future house from here." Private Pansy says. Hurricane is then given a flag by Razorwind and she plants it in the cloud. "I proclaim this new land to be... Pegasopolis!" Commander Hurricane proclaims. "I've never seen such jewels! This ruby is dazzling. This whole land is dazzling. I'm double dazzled! In the name of the unicorns, I hereby dub this land Unicornia!" Princess Platinum proclaims. "Shouldn't we check if there is any locals first?" Silver asks. "Just let your mother have her moment for now." Arcane says. The earth ponies are standing in a field as the other groups remained oblivious. "The air! The trees! The dirt. This dirt is the dirtiest dirt in the whole dirt world!" Chancellor Puddinghead says wallowing in the dirt. "And fertile, too. Perfect for growing food." Smart Cookie says as Applefield examines the ground. "In the name of the Earth ponies, I think I'm gonna call this new place... uh... Dirtville." Chancellor Puddinghead announced as she planted a flag pole in the ground. "How about Earth?" Smart Cookie asks. "Earth! Congratulations to me for thinking of it." Chancellor Puddinghead proclaims again. "We found our new home!" Commander Hurricane, Princess Platinum, and Chancellor Puddinghead yell all at once getting each other's attention. Upon seeing each other the three leaders start arguing much to the frustration of their families and friends. Cookie Cutter brings a hoof to her ears as they get louder. Clover just brings a book out with her magic and starts to read it. "Do you have an extra book to borrow?" Razor asks. Clover just gives him another book. "Thanks." And so they read. Not a minute later a snowball hits Razor wind in the face. Looking up he sees Puddinghead held down by the rest of the earth ponies and his wife and Platinum were about to start hitting each other with their hooves. "Please hold this while I try and stop this before it gets worse." Razor Wind says giving the book back. Razor quickly tackles Hurricane, leaving a confused Platinum behind. "Hurricane, we don't have time for this! While you two were auguring the storm has gotten worse and now we need to find shelter!" Razor never yells to his wife like that unless it was something important. Hurricane was cut off guard by this. Arcane also tries to restrain his wife but is having difficulty. "A little help here Clover." Arcane calls. Clover sighs and places the book back into her bags and starts to restrain Platinum. Meanwhile Hurricane tries to pick herself up, only to be push back down, this time with her wings pinned. "Promise me that you will at least be rational for this new land." That wasn't a request that was an order. "Alright." Hurricane begrudgingly says surprising the other leaders. Razor lets go and lets his wife stand up. "Now we have to find some shelter because the blizzard is getting worse." He looks around and sees a cave on the mountain side. "We can take shelter there." He told everypony as he pointed to the cave, soon all three tribes in in the caved huddled around a small fire. All of the families were huddled amongst themselves to keep warm due to the small fire. "Anypony have any more blankets?" Cookie asks trying to warm up her daughter. "Here use my cloak, as one it is part of the winter uniform, so it will keep you warm." Razor Wind says removing his armor and cloak. Hurricane grabs the cloak from him. "Are you crazy?! They're the enemy, not our friends!" She yelled to him. She then wraps the cloak around their little Typhoon. "Here you go. Keep that away from your father's stupidity." "Hurricane do we need to have another talk?" Razor Wind asks in a sweet but scary voice. Hurricane freezes as she hears the tone. "Well...I...uh...I uh..." She stutters. "Whoa, somepony who can make the great Commander Hurricane speechless." Platinum says mockingly. Hurricane immediately grows mad and glares at Platinum. "You won't be saying that with my hoof down your...!" She feels a jab to her side. Looking to the jab she see Razor looking at her with a glare of his own and pointing at Typhoon. She seemed a little scared by her mother's sudden outburst. Hurricane immediately calms down for the sake of her child. "I'm sorry honey. Mommy's having a rough day." She said as she hugs her daughter. Razor Wind wraps his cloak around the shivering Apple Pie. Hurricane moves Typhoon closer to the fire as Platinum does the same. "Please, Commander Hothead." Platinum says. "It's Commander Hurricane." Hurricane says annoyed. Platinum clears her throat. "Please, Commander, could you just stand back and give me my royal space?" Platinum asks with a little sarcasm. Hurricane huffs. "My little Typhoon needs her warmth to stay alive and she is definitely not sharing it with a has-been princess." "I beg your pardon. I am Royalty you two bit barbarian." Platinum insults. Hurricane's head shot up with an angry growl. "Two bits?! I can assure you that a lot of bits went into this armor to protect their leader!" She hits her armor to prove her point. "A hunk of metal for those who can't even act like a proper mare." Platinum says. Hurricane then points her hoof to her. "At least I act like a leader who isn't afraid of snow." "How dare you." She points at the dirt. "You see this invisible line it outlines my territory." Platinum says pointing her hoof at the ground. Hurricane smirks and steps over the line. Hurricane's smirk grew seeing Platinum get angrier. "Private, outline our territory." Hurricane ordered. Pancy just shakes with fear making her armor rattle. Hurricane sighs and draws her territory, into the others. The other rulers follow suit and start drawing lines. When Platinum and Hurricane line's crosses each other they growl. Pudding Head didn't know what was going on so she just followed the others example. Not a good idea for her as they were about to brawl. They then start arguing over a rock as the entrance freezes over. The leaders didn't notice, but their families and assistance did. They all huddled in one corner of the cave as the wall finally covers the entrance. Then a whiny is echoed throughout the cave as the leaders continue to argue. "HURRICANE!?" Razor Wind yells getting his wife's attention. Hurricane looks over to her husband and then sees the ice wall of the entrance. She tries to move, but couldn't. Hurricane looks down and sees her legs starting to freeze up. Pudding Head and Platinum were too engrossed to notice that they too were icing up. Hurricane looks over to her Razor pleadingly. "Help." Almost a whisper. Razor flew towards his wife but was hit by a blast of freezing wind that froze him and her as soon as he embraced her. "Mommy! Daddy!" Typhoon yells out. She tries to run to them, but was held back by the other children. "Don't Typhoon! You'll freeze too!" They both yell. "Let me go I got to save them!" Typhoon yells before being restrained by Private Pansy. Pancy hugs Typhoon tightly as to not let her go. "You won't do any good by being frozen like them." She said softly to her. "You need to let us handle this." "I don't think that's possible." Smart Cookie informed as Puddinghead and Platinum froze completely with their husbands as well, which happened without the notice of the rest of them. Pancy eeps and hugs Typhoon to the point of choking. "Okay, we can't help them." She said fearfully. The assistances gathered around the children as the ice grew closer until they heard a noise overhead. They all look up to see three blue spectral horses flying in a circle hovering overhead. They all shiver in fear, except for Clover who recognized what the spirits were. "They must be windigos! My mentor Star Swirl the Bearded taught me about them. They're winter spirits that feed off fighting and hatred. The more hate the spirit feels, the colder things become!" Clover says. "Then...this is our fault. We three tribes... we brought this blizzard to our home by fightin' and not trustin' each other. Now it's destroyin' this land, too." Smart Cookie says. "But what about my Father, he never hated any of the other tribes. He was the biggest supporter of peace and harmony between the three tribes." Typhoon says. Clover looks on sadly to the frozen ponies. "I heard of his methods. Maybe his way of talking actually made him seem as bad. It probably goes to anypony that acts with hatred." "And now our bodies will become as cold as our hearts...all because we were foolish enough to hate." Clover says. "Well, I don't hate you. I actually hate Commander Hurricane a lot more than I hate you guys." Pancy says. Typhoon looks at Pancy angrily before remembering what Clover said. She then calms down and just stares at her. "That's my mom you're talking about." Typhoon says with a huff. "Oh sorry." Pancy says. Typhoon sighs. "It's okay, I know how she acts to her soldiers." "Actually, I don't really hate her, I just really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really dislike her." Pancy says getting a chuckle out of everyone but Typhoon. Typhoon looks to her frozen parents again. "Yeah, but that's what she is and what will be..." She turns to look at everypony. "...and I'm proud to be their daughter." "You should be." Pancy says. "Well, I don't hate you guys either." Smart Cookie says with the others agreeing with her. "No matter what our differences, we're all ponies." Smart cookie finishes. As the ice is about to completely freeze them over Clover the Clever's horn unleashes a burst of magic blowing the windigos away. "What was that?" "I didn't know unicorns could do that." "I didn't either. Nothing like this has ever happened before. But I know it couldn't have been just me. It came from all three of us, joined together, in friendship." "All through the night, the three ponies kept the fire of friendship alive by telling stories to one another and by singing songs, which of course became the winter carols that we all still sing today. Eventually, the warmth of the fire and singing and laughing reached the leaders, and their bodies began to thaw. And, it even began to melt their hearts." Spike narrates and soon the ponies who were frozen start to thaw out. The children run to their parents to hug them and they soon joined the rest at the fire again. "The three leaders agreed to share the beautiful land, and live in harmony ever afterwards. And together, they named their new land. Though when Platinum and Hurricane started to fight their husbands quickly intervene." Spike narrates as the cast raises a flag of Equestria before the curtain falls again. The cast comes out from behind the certain and takes a bow as the audience cheers and gives a rousing applause to the actors. Spitfire smiles as her brother enjoys the attention. She looks to her side to see the rest of the officers of the Wonderbolts cheering. 'Maybe it's about time I ask him to return to the Wonderbolts.' Spitfire thinks as the curtain closes for the final time. Backstage "So you coming to the after play party?" Rainbow asks through the door as Lightning was changing out of his costume. Lightning places the costume back in the dresser. "Yeah, I might as well." He closes the dresser door. Lightning walks out wearing his usual clothes and he and Rainbow Dash walks along with the rest of the cast to the party. The party was held in the living room area of backstage, able to hold many ponies at once, the room was repurpose and now adorned with many party supplies and food and drinks. As the party went on, Spitfire walks in and goes over to Lightning and Rainbow. "Hey Lightning." Spitfire calls. Lightning's ears perked up and turned around to see his sister approaching. "Yeah, sis? What's up?" He asks. "I just wanted to say hi, oh, and I brought the rest of the officers of the Wonderbolts with me." Spitfire says as they all walked in. "Oh is that all?" Lightning says as Rainbow Dash was getting excited. "OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH!" Rainbow starts chanting. "Rainbow." Lightning says getting her focus off them on him getting her to stop. Rainbow starts to laugh nervously. "He...he...sorry." "I see all our practicing has allowed you to be able to snap out of that easily." Lightning says. Rainbow blushes hard and tries to turn away from sight, but still takes some peeks every now and then. Soarin walks by fast after spotting a pie. Lightning looks at him weirdly then turns to his sister. She just shakes her head as a way of saying 'Don't question.' "So still has the obsession with pie?" Lightning asks. Spitfire sighs and does a facehoof. "I told you not to question." "He had that before I left remember?" Lightning asks. Spitfire groans out loud. "I don't want to deal with anything that involves pie and Soarin. So just drop it." "Alright I won't bring up those incidents. So sister you look like you want to talk about something." Lightning says. "Yeah." She looks at the other ponies listening in on the conversation. "But I want to do this in private." She tips her head to one of the dressing rooms. Lightning looks at her questionably before turning to Rainbow. "You can stay here for a bit right?" Rainbow didn't move an inch. "Rainbow?" He pokes a hoof at her side, making her fall down like a wooden statue. Lightning sighs and grabs a glass of cold water and throws it onto her. "YOW! Cold!" Rainbow yelled as she shot up, soaking wet. "Now that you're awake Rainbow I'll go see what my sister wants." Lightning says walking passed her after Spitfire. Rainbow shakes the rest of the water off and looks over to the food table to find some snacks, but ended up with finding Soarin's face in a pie. Her eyes slowly drifted back to the dressing room door where Spitfire and Lightning went to talk privately. Her curiosity getting the better of her, she walks over to eavesdrop. "So sister what did you want to talk about?" Lightning asks. Spitfire sighs and sits on her flank. "Well...I'm just wondering if you want to rejoin the Wonderbolts." Lightning sighs. "I'm sorry sister I must decline." Lighting answered. "What?" Almost a whisper came from Spitfire. "I no longer think being a Wonderbolt is the life for me." Lightning says. "Why, you used to love it all the time." Spitfire spat out. "There is a saying sister. Time changes everypony. My time in Stalliongrad pushed me to the limit and change me so many ways and opened my eyes to so many things. I'm not the little foul that dreamed of being the greatest Wonderbolt." Lightning say. "But..." She tried to plead then sighed. "I guess you're right." "Sister look on the bright side. We are here now we can be a family again." Lightning says while smiling to ease her worries. Spitfire smiles as best she could. "But it won't be all day like a real family, but I guess everypony changes and grows up someday." "Yeah time waits for no pony." Lightning says. Spitfire then looks to the door. "By the way, did you proposed yet and whens the wedding?" Rainbow flinches back as she hears this and thinks that Spitfire can see her. All Lightning did was blush like a tomato. "Is it that obvious I like her?" Lightning asks. Spitfire smirks. "You're my brother. Do you really want that answer?" "Yes." Lightning says. Rainbow leans her ear against the door harder to hear correctly. Spitfire walks over to the door and opens it, sending Rainbow flat on her face. Rainbow looks up with an embarrassed smile and looks around. "This isn't the bathroom?" She asks dubiously. Lightning's face grew redder. "How much did you hear?" Lightning asks. Rainbow gets up and dust herself off. "Since the beginning." Not looking at both of them. Spitfire closes the door to not allow anypony else in. "So...ah...what are your feeling on the last part?" Lightning asks trying not to make eye contact. Rainbow feels a shove, making her hit Lightning. Lightning catches her and breaks the fall from ever happening. Now they can't help but look into each other's eyes. "So...ah...would you like to go out on a date sometime?" Lightning asks blushing hard. Rainbow blushes heavily. "Yeah...I would like that." Spitfire smiles and leaves them to their time alone having gotten all the answer she needs. Spitfire walks out with a smile and one of the Wonderbolt officers approached her. "So judging by that smile can we assume he is coming back to the Wonderbolts?" The Wonderbolt says delighted that Lighting is coming back. Spitfire walks by, keeping the smile on her face. "Nope." "Then why are you smiling?" The Wonderbolt asks confused. Spitfire turns to him. "None of your business that's for sure." "Mam, I am your assistant." The Wonderbolt reminded. She frowns at his persistence. "This is my business and so is Lightning's, so don't even bother going to him. You do and I'll make sure that you fly around the course until your wings cramp and you have find a way out of it before you end up on the ground below!" She threatens. The Wonderbolt cowards from her and hides behind his hooves. "Sorry sir, it won't happen again." He told her, scared out of his mind. She nods hard once. "Good." "Hey where's Dashie?" Pinkie Pie asks. Twilight looks around backstage and finds nothing. "I have no idea." She told the others. They see Spitfire walk by with a smile on her face. "Maybe Spitfire knows." Pinkie says bouncing towards Spitfire. Spitfire bumps into somepony that strangely makes a squeaking sound. "Hi there! Do you know where Dashie is?" Spitfire looks at her with eyebrow raised until she recognizes she was one of the actors. "I presume you mean Rainbow Dash?" Spitfire asks. Pinkie nods like crazy. "Yeah, where is Dashie? Is she hiding under your wing?" She said as she lifts Spitfire's wing. "Ah no, she is currently talking to my little brother. I say how they were developing feelings for one another and knowing my brother he most likely was having trouble telling his feeling so I gave them a little push." Spitfire says pulling her wing back. Pinkie looks confused. "How hard a push? Like a regular push or a super heard push like this?" She gives Spitfire so hard a push that she went flying back into the wall that made a hole in the wall. Spitfire climbs out the hole looking shocked. "Ok first how did you do that and second to answer your question. Basically I had him admit his feeling for her to me while she eavesdropped. Now that that awkward part is over maybe their relationship will proceed normally." Spitfire clarifies. "First question is me being my usual Pinkie Pie self. The second one is thanks." She hops off to who knows where. "She scares me." The actor who played Applefield said to Applejack. Applejack just shrugs. "Who doesn't she scare these days?" She said offhoofly. Pinkie Pie appears before her friends. "Oh who wants to eavesdrop on Dashie and Boltie?" Pinkie asks. Twilight looks apprehensive. "I don't know Pinkie. That's an invasion of Rainbow's privacy and Lightning's too." "Oh I wonder if they're kissing yet." Rarity says before squealing at the thought. Twilight turns to Rarity. "We can't spy on them." "Yes we can." Twilight turns back to Pinkie to see her dressed out in her spy outfit. "We got the gear." She said putting the night vision goggles on. "Pinkie." Twilight was about to scold her but Pinkie dragged her and the rest of the Mane six to the door to eavesdrop. While the cutie mark crusaders were left confused. "So Scootaloo what do you think of Lightning Bolt, is he cool to you?" Apple Bloom asks trying to change the subject. Scootaloo eyes lights up. "He is just as cool as Rainbow Dash. While we were rehearsing I started to think of him as a real father." She said admirably. "From the sounds of it he and Rainbow Dash are gonna get together. What are your thoughts on that Scoots?" Sweetie Belle asks. She stops being bug eyed and turns to them. "I don't know exactly." Was her only reply. With Rainbow and Lightning "So Rainbow what would you like to do?" Lightning asks while thinking he heard something at the door. Rainbow blushes and looks away. "How about a flight for now. I'm not the one for dinner and all that." She rubs her hoof across the ground to stave away the embarrassment. "Yeah we could do that." Lightning says before bringing his hoof up to his mouth to signal her to be quiet so he silently walks to the door. "So...where should we go?" He said trying to keep up the ruse. "Maybe to Cloudsdale but..." Lightning stops mid-sentence and opens the door as the rest of the Mane Six tumbles in looking sheepish. "...maybe they have a recommendation." Lightning finishes. Rainbow's astonished look turns to anger. "I thought that we agreed to never spy on each other for secrets after the Foal Free Press incident. Now I find you guys here doing the same thing." "It was Pinkie's idea!" Rarity immediately shouted. Rainbow walks to the mess of a spying group and moves everypony out of the way, leaving Pinkie huddled on the ground. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself?" Pinkie looks around quickly and sees the food table. She grabs a pie as Soarin dives in for it, only to bang his muzzle on the table. "Surprise Attack!" You can guess what happens next. "My cover has been blown!" Pinkie yells running away. "PINKIE! YOU GET YOUR FLANK BACK HERE, RIGHT NOW!" Rainbow yells out as she flies after her. Everyone has a good laugh at this although Lightning was trying to suppress his own laughter. Hour later on the streets of Canterlot Rainbow finally stops chasing Pinkie and is walking with Lightning to a hotel the actors were staying in because the train wasn't running anymore that night. Lightning gets some more of the pie that Pinkie hit Rainbow Dash with out of her Mane. Rainbow watches as he eats the pie of course. "Hey, can't let a good pie go to waste." Is the classic remark. "Thanks for walking with me to the hotel Lightning." Rainbow says ignoring the pie running down her face. Lightning warmly smiles. "Think nothing of it. Why don't you go on ahead? I have to take care of a few more things." "Ok, but could you bring some hot apple cider they are selling. I kinda left my bits at home." Rainbow says sheepishly. "Sure." He laughs a bit as she walks inside then he turns serious. He walks along and eventually into a furnace room. From there he uses his wings to get into the raptors where the shadows hide him perfectly. There he waited. Lightning hears a door open and then a clack on the rafters of where he's at behind him. "Perfect now I just need to find him and take him out." Lightning heard a voice on the nearby rafters say. "Oh and who is this somepony." Lightning says before moving to another rafter as he heard the pony jump on the rafter he was on. The pony started to get a shaky voice. "I don't have a name yet, but I know where he is." "So is this your first assassination job?" Lightning sarcastically asks throwing his voice using a trick he picked up hunting. The voice started to sound shaky. "Y-yes sir." "Pity. Because this is the memento of the last assassin." A piece of cloth falls to the ground. "I'll try to find the name sir." The newbie assassin says nervously. "Unfortunately you have three options: kill me, die by my hoof, or be killed by your superiors for failure." Lightning says. "Please sir!" The newbie assassin says scared. "So which option would you prefer?" Lightning asks. Silence follows. "You made your choice." Lightning takes out a small dagger. He walks over to the assassin. The new assassin didn't feel a thing as tears fell from his eyes and he dropped to the ground dead. Lightning Bolt just looked over the dead body and sigh. "I truly wished we lived in a world where this sort of thing was not necessary." Lightning says with sorrow. "Sir would you like me to take care of the body?" A new voice says. Lightning sighs. "Yes, just make sure that he's buried with his family present. He at least deserve that." "Sir it's not my place but you did him a mercy. You ended him quick and painless. If his employers had been the ones who did it they would have made an example out of him and his death would have been long and painful." The voice says. "You're right. But this does prove something." Lightning says. "And that is?" The voice asks. "Those creatures weren't there by natural means. Somepony deliberately put them there and this kid was not from Equestria meaning a foreign country. Which also means there is a traitor in this country and to make sure the creatures were never noticed while transporting them means it is someone with much money and influence. After you deliver the body I want you to start digging and find who was responsible." Lightning says. "Of course." The voice says. Lightning then left the building. Later he knocked on the door of the Mane six's hotel room. Rainbow opens the door to find Lighting. "Hey there. Where's my Apple Cider?" "Right here." Lightning say holding of a mug full of hot Apple Cider to Rainbow wearing an innocent smile. He feels his hoof empty after a moment after and finds Rainbow chugging the mug down. "You want to come in?" Rainbow asks after she finishes. Lightning nods his head. "Sure." Lightning says before walking into the room. Author's Note A/N: The next few chapters after this one is going to be slow. Probably by month instead of week. Reason is I have to get ready for college and that might get in the way of stuff. So not a lot of updating for a while when this is up. Once I'm in then the regular schedule can come back...or slow down by another week because...hey it's college. Writer / Original Idea: Flair the demon dragon king Writer / Editor: Primus And that's another chapter and the beginning of many delays. Sorry again but its best this way for a bit. So does the great Flair have anything to say to our readers? Flair: I just want to ask who saw the assassin attempt coming and can you guess what will happen next? Please place your answers in the reviews. Flair over and out. See you next time readers and remember to, Read and Review. Life of the Party“Speaking” ‘Thoughts’ (Translation) The snow crunched under the hooves of the Ponyville residents as they boarded the train back to their home town. "Well this was fun." Lightning said as he steps on board. "I hope they don't call on me again." "Oh why not, you play the role of Razor Wind well?" Rainbow asks. Lightning scoffs. "I just don't do well in front of crowds. Especially when they watch your every move. It's unnerving." He shivers at the thought of it. "So Lightning, I heard you were a Stalliongrad hunter and that you were the one who saved Ponyville from the creatures Princess Celestia sent guards to help deal with." Scootaloo says. She suddenly feels herself pick up and placed on somepony's back. "Yep, but the job is never easy." "Can you tell me a story from those days on our way back to Ponyville?" Scootaloo asks while getting a grip on Lightning. Lightning chuckles lightly. "Sure kid." He said as he ruffles her mane. When the rest of the ponies from Ponyville heard this they all followed him to the car all wanting to hear the story. "Now which one would be a good story?" Lightning asks himself as he thinks it over. "Oh how about my first hunt of a Barroth." Lightning says. All of the ponies look confused at the name. "I guess none of you would know about that creature." Lightning says taking out a book. Looking closely Twilight recognizes it as the book that Lightning showed them the Chamleonsaurus with. Flipping through the pages Lightning finally showed them a picture of the creature. It looked sort of like a tyrannosaurus with a bolder growing from its head. Next to it was a scale showing how big it was compared to a normal pony. The scale showed it to be bigger than most houses. "You hunted that thing alone?!" Scootaloo yells. "Oh no Scootaloo, I was part of a team when in this hunt. I was a part of the assault part of the team. We had about eight members in this team. Two ranged attackers, a trap expert, a scout and tracker, and four assault hunters." Lightning clarified. "You see, the Stalliongrad hunters got a request from a village in Saddle Arabia to come and hunt a Barroth that had been destroying entire crop fields and attacked a few villages. I was selected for the hunt along with the seven other hunters. The one in charge was a level 4 hunter name Bangorn the Hammer. He was a veteran of the hunter and his great strength was well known in the guild." "We all boarded a train to Saddle Arabia. On the way there each Hunter did their own thing, one of the ranged hunters was doing maintenance on his equipment, and Bangorn was giving a briefing on our target. Most of the other hunters were listening because this was their big time hunting a colossal monster. While I sharpened my own weapon." Lightning says. "This wasn't the first time I tangled with a monster of this size. In fact it was the fifth. I had experience on two hunts similar to this. The other two I encountered them while hunting a pack of smallish monsters or going out to retrieve some supplies for a guild mate. Let’s just say both of those monster and I have a history." Lightning continued. "So you encounter something like this on a regular basis?" Twilight asks intrigued. "On some hunts, but those two, ever since our first encounter, we keep running into one another thirty seven encounters with both and neither of them have killed me or I killed them." Lightning says. Twilight's quill stops moving when she hears how much he encountered. "Those two are a dangerous breed. The first encounter I had with both was when they were juveniles now they are full grown." Lightning says. Twilight tries to write again as she listens. "Both are of a wyvern subspecies. As you know a Wyvern is considered a kin to dragons but lack most of the intelligence and are more like a wild animal than a dragon. Neither of them can fly though thankfully their specific subspecies of Wyverns adapted to be ground creatures. But they still are very dangerous." "But I'm getting off track, back to the story." Lightning trying to continue. "We arrived in the city in Saddle Arabia and I and the veteran Range hunter accompanied Bangorn to speak with the equivalent to a mayor and got all the details. While we did this the other five hunters were preparing their equipment. The next morning hours before the sun rose we set out to find the monster." Lightning says. "After many hours our scout/tracker spotted the monster and we put the plan into motion. We all started to dig a pit fall big enough to stop the Barroth. After an hour of digging we covered the pit up after our unicorn trap maker was done setting up an additional surprise for the Barroth. The range hunters and our trap maker took cover behind a boulder. Our scout/tracker pegasus took to the air to keep an eye on the Barroth. And I and the rest of the assault team set out to confront the Barroth." Lightning says. "We all walked until we came to the Barroth who was wallowing in a mud pit. Each one of us unsheathed our weapons and held them until we charged the unsuspecting Barroth." Lightning says. Rainbow 'hmmms' in thought. "How did you hold the weapons?" "Ah good question you see some geniuses developed magic gauntlets that allow us hold our weapons with our hooves while also making it to where we don't need walk on all fours." Lightning says. Twilight scribbles some notes. "Interesting." Lightning turns to Twilight. "Uh...she won't be stalker like to me, because this is getting kind of creepy?" He asks the others. "Don't worry about Twilight." Rainbow says. "Ok, anyways, we readied our weapons and charged the unsuspecting Barroth. The Barroth was caught off guard but quickly recovered and charged us. Throughout the fight we used the monster's size and clumsiness to our advantage as one of our team slipped underneath its stomach and started slicing at its stomach with his two blades." Lightning says. Twilight pauses in her writing. "How can you cut something that big and tough? It's like throwing a rock at a train and it still comes at you." "Ah, but like our gauntlets weapons and armor are also magically reinforced. It can differ from weapon to weapon even some bladed weapons are magically infused so their cutting power are multiplied several times, shields can have barrier magic that can also multiple the users strength multiple times over, and blunt weapons can have enchantments that can have them hit with the power of a train. But these enchantments can't be constantly used blunt weapons impact enchantments put a strain on the body and each enchantment only has a limited amount of power until it needs to recharge." Lightning clarifies. Rainbow counts on her hoof before she realizes that she doesn’t have appendages and gives up on understanding ever single word. "You lost me. But I kind of get the idea." "Ok so the hunter was slicing the bottom of its stomach which caused the Barroth to roar in pain. The Barroth then swung its body around, its tail hitting another of the team. Thankfully his shield took the worse but was now pinned under its tail. But Bangorn used his great hammer to hit the Barroth in the head, chipping the boulder like head, getting its attention and it raises its tail allowing me and the hunter who was attacking the Barroth's stomach to help retrieve our guild mate from the position he was stuck in." The train car suddenly bucks upward from a slight raise on the track. Everypony yips at the sudden bump and then settles as the train keeps going. That would give them the feeling of being in the story. "After that my two guild mates started to pull out and I went back and used my long sword to attack the back of the Barroth's legs causing it to fall over. This gave me and Bangorn the time needed to run as well. Shortly after we started running we heard the Barroth chasing after us." "We ran and ran until we got back to where the rest of our team was hiding with the Barroth right on our tails. At the final moment we made a made jump. When we landed we skid to a stop and the Barroth feel into the pit we had dug. He was buried up to his stomach and was being electrocuted by the trap our trap maker had set." "From there our range hunters shot multiple capsules into its face. The Barroth struggled for several more seconds before it collapsed onto the ground dead asleep." Lightning told. Twilight looks over to him. "Asleep? I would think that after what the creature went through that it would die." "Ah, you see what was shot into its face was tranquilizer smoke. With the wounds we inflicted plus the trap it didn't had the strength to continue to struggle and resist the gas." "Ah." Twilight goes back to writing. "After that we secured the Barroth for transport we used the train's mobile platform to take it back to Stalliongrad. And that was the tale of my first Barroth hunt. But the Hunter who got hit he was in the hospital for a fractured rib." Rainbow subconsciously rubs her chest from the thought of the injury. "That must have hurt the whole way home." "He was lucky he had that shield or we would have had to bury him there." Rainbow smiles lightly. "At least he survived." "Yeah and last I heard of him he was a level three hunter." Soon they all got confused. Scootaloo taps Lightning's head from his back. "What does the levels mean?" "Oh, it's the guilds ranking. New members are level zero and level six is the highest." Lightning answered. Scootaloo taps his head again. "How does a number help with this?" "It shows your abilities. The Barroth is considered a level three monster. So if you’re a level three you should be able to handle it." Lightning explained. "And you were?" Rainbow asks curtly. "That is a story for another day." Lightning says. Rainbow becomes slightly disappointed. The train came to a stop as it pulled into the station. Lightning steps out and smells the cool crisp air, telling him that Heart's Warming Eve is coming up. 'I should get Rainbow a gift but what?' Lightning thinks as Scootaloo rode on his back. He turns to Scootaloo to ask her. "What does Rainbow appreciates the most in her life?" "Besides Apple Cider, Zap Apple Jam, and the Wonderbolts, I have no idea." Scootaloo says. They both shut up as Rainbow comes out with the rest of the gang. "So Rainbow what are you gonna do with Lightning for Hearts Warming Eve?" Rarity asks. Rainbow blushes at the sound of it. "What do you mean?" She asks nervously. "Rainbow we all know you like him and Spitfire told us she gave your relationship a nudge." Rarity says. Rainbow huffs. "Yeah...a nudge." She said bitterly. Pinkie looks like she was contemplating it. "What kind of nudge I wonder." Pinkie...wondered. Pinkie turns to you. "Do you know?" The others look at her confusion. "What are you doing Pinkie? There is nopony there." Pinkie turns back to the others. "I'm just asking the readers, since they saw the whole thing." They turn to where Pinkie is looking and see nothing, but the snow covered town. Lightning inches up to Rainbow and whispers. "Is this normal?" Rainbow leans to him. "Almost every second of every day of her life." "Let’s move away very slowly." Lightning whispers as they started sneaking away. Pinkie kept staring at the town as the others left quietly. "So Rainbow do you want to go on a date at the Hearts Warming Eve party the town is holding or should we have our own private party?" Lightning asks. "When did this happen?" Scootaloo asks from Lightning's back. Lightning freezes as he forgot the filly on his back. Rainbow stared wide eyed at Scootaloo. Scootaloo becomes impatient. "What date?" "W-w-well...you see...I kinda asked Rainbow out on a date after the play." Lightning asked embarrassed. Scootaloo just stares. "You are going to kiss her, right?" "K...k...k...k...kiss?!" Lightning stutters uncontrollably. Rainbow suddenly grabs Scootaloo and places her on the ground. "Wellyoumustbetiredaftertheplay, soyoubestgohomebye!" She said rather quickly. Rainbow then grabs and drags Lightning through the sky away from Scootaloo. Scootaloo just smirked. "They so have it bad for one another." Scootaloo says with a smirk. As the two flyers went through the air, Pinkie still stared into thin air. "Come on readers, answer. What kind of nudge?" "What's that?" Pinkie says. "Oh, ok author." Pinkie says before bouncing away. Lightning and Rainbow flew through the air as fast as they could to get away from the frustrating and embarrassing questions. Rainbow flew the still flabbergasted Lightning to her home. Lightning turns to Rainbow. "I'm sure she was just joking." "Maybe but if you're my stallionfriend we might do it eventually." Rainbow says and Lightning's face burned red. "Rainboooooooooooow." Lightning whined. "I can't help it you set yourself up for it." Rainbow retorted. Lightning groans. "I give up." He sighs. "So what shall we do now?" Lightning says trying to change the subject. Rainbow stops in midair. "I don't know. How about a flight?" "But if we do then everypony will bombard us with questions because, knowing Pinkie, she'll tell everypony she meets." Lightning informed. Rainbow nods. "Yeah. That’s her almost every day." "So Rainbow what would you like for Hearts Warming Eve?" Lightning asks. Rainbow's wings locks up as her mind does too and she fell. Lightning rushes downward and catches her as she was about to fall onto the ground. Lightning sighs and sees that she's knocked out and decides to go home. Lightning propped her on the couch and left to pick up his pets from Lyra. Landing in front Lyra's and Bonbon's home he starts to hear animalistic sounds coming from inside and so he knocks on the door. "Hang on!" A female voice comes from inside followed by more animal sounds. "Get down now. I have to get the door." Lightning just stood there listening when Lyra opened the door. "Hey there." A dog jumped behind her as she just acted as if they weren't there. "Come to pick them up?" "Yeah, I'm here to pick up Ice Fang and Azure." Lightning says. Lyra nods and turns to the animals inside. "Ice Fang, Azure, Lightning is here!" A sudden blur crashes into Lightning, sending him off typing screen. "I guess I'll be going." He said off screen. "Ok, see you around Lightning." Lyra yells. Spike pops his head out the door next to her, with a helmet on and Tank flying into him. "Hope he can handle them better." Later Lightning is looking through a furniture store at a drink dispenser used for a bar. Azure was on his shoulder while Ice Fang sitting by his leg. Taking the box of the drink dispenser he brings it to the counter. "How much buddy?" He hears nothing as he reaches into his bags and gets the bits and sees the cashier looking at Ice Fang and Azure. "Yes they are foreign pets." Lightning tells him. The cashier shakes his head and looks at him again. "Sorry sir, we don't get much animals like that, but this is the town of weird and crazy." "So how much?" Lightning asks. The cashier takes a look at what he has. "Hundred and fifty bits." Is the simply answer. After paying for it Lightning heads straight home to conceal the gift. He then flies around looking for Pinkie knowing he is gonna need help to surprise Rainbow. "Hi Lightning!" Pinkie Pie says appearing behind him. Lightning jumps being surprised by Pinkie again. "Pinkie I need a favor." Lightning says after calming his heart. Pinkie smiled widely. "What favor?" "I need you and the rest of your friends to keep Rainbow Dash busy while I set up a little surprise. But don't tell Twilight the real reason cause we both know she can't keep a secret." Lightning says. Pinkie giggles and snorts at the accusation. "Yeah, I know how that feels." She then frowns and shakes her head side to side. "She failed to keep Spike's secret." "Yeah, but I need to talk Applejack before you get her, ok?" Lightning says. Pinkie nods once. "Okie dokie lokie." She then zoom off, leaving a dust cloud of herself. "One day I will figure out how Pinkie Pie does this." Lightning says before flying towards Apple Family farm. Yeah, good luck with that buddy. We tried for ages till we gave up. "Shut up, you shouldn't be talking to me like that." Sorry. Landing in the Apple Farm he sees the Apple family bucking trees, except for Granny Smith on her rocking chair, rocking back and forth...doing...nothing. Lightning walks towards Applejack. "Hey Applejack." Lightning announced. Applejack pauses in her apple bucking. "Hiya Lightning. You need something?" "Yeah two things, but right now I need to buy a few barrels of Apple Cider." Lightning says. Applejack wipes her forehead and waves a forehoof to the direction of the barn. "Come this way. Ya can pay later." "I have the bits now actually." Lightning says. Applejack smiles. "That’s mighty fine, but we have the check the barrels individually to see how much, because we mark it by type and amount of time since it was placed in there. It keeps it fair." She informed. "Ok." Lightning agrees. After walking a bit they end up at the cellar door near the barn. "Watch yourself, these stairs are a bit old in themselves." Applejack warns. "Gotcha." Lightning says before descending the stairs. The old wooden stairs creaks as the two ponies descend the stairs. Reaching the bottom they come across barrels lining the walls and a table in the center. There was about twenty barrels in all much to Lightning’s surprise. "Dang. This is a lot." Lightning exclaims. Applejack laughs a little. "The good ones are in the back." She said as she points to the dark back wall. Lightning waits as Apple Jack goes through the process of determining the best barrels of Apple Cider and brings them forward. Applejack heaves a small barrel of cider from the back end of the room onto her back. "This is the best one we got in a small 'party size' as Applebloom likes to call it." She lays the barrel near the table. "Only fifty bits for this thing or do you want the large version for a hundred?" "I'll just take three small ones." Lightning says. "Sure thing." She starts for two more. "Just one question, why are you buying these?" She asks, trying to start a conversation. "Well you see it's for a present for Rainbow Dash." Lightning says. Applejack smiled sweetly. "Ah, I see. Don't ya worry, I'll keep my mouth shut." She exemplifies this by zipping her hoof across her mouth. "I got to say, her knowing my feelings for her really is a weight off my chest." Lightning says. Applejack hauls the last barrel near the table. "As it should be." She then drops the barrel near the others and leans into him menacingly. "If anything happens to her that hurts her in anyway, so help me..." She threatened as she pushes a hoof on his chest. "Don't worry I have no plans of doing that. You know it's quite nice here in Ponyville. It's so peaceful and relaxing I think I could spend the rest of my life here. Don't get me wrong I love Stalliongrad but the place has always pushed you to the limit." Lightning says. Applejack turns back to her normal facial expression. "Good." She holds out her hoof. "Bits please." Lightning left a small bag of bits as he and Applejack carried the barrels up to the surface. Applejack sets the last barrel down and goes back down for the bag. Coming out she looks into the bag to find a large amount then needed. "The price is one hundred fifty bits, not this much!" She went back up the stairs only to find Lightning had already flown away with the barrels and Applebloom waiting for her. "We sold party size didn't we?" She asks. "Yeah, but he overpaid." Applejack says. "Huh, maybe that’s why Lightning said buy ourselves something nice this year." Apple Bloom says thinking about what Lightning told her. Applejack was speechless at this. Pinkie Pie then showed up with a few of her other friends. "Hi Applejack!" Pinkie yells at her, making her snap out of it. "Oh, howdy Pinkie, Rarity, Twilight?" Applejack sounding confused half way through. Rarity and Twilight shakes their head. "We're confused ourselves." Twilight said. "Well I thought we could all have a bit of fun together. Fluttershy is already getting Rainbow." Pinkie told them. Now they are all confused. "What is this whole thing about Pinkie?" Rarity asks. "I wanted us to have some fun maybe plan a party as well." Pinkie says. "That doesn't sound half bad." Applejack says. Twilight and Rarity nods as well. "Okay then." 'Typical Pinkie.' They both think. Fluttershy and Rainbow soon arrived and soon all six traveled into Ponyville for some fun. A few hours later Rainbow arrives back home the sun already setting. She humms as she looks around. "I wonder where Lightning is." She asks herself. She walks in and finds the lights off. "That’s weird I remember leaving the lights on." Rainbow says to herself. Rainbow flips the light switch near the door and finds, to her surprise, Ice Fang was right in front of her. Rainbow looks confused. "Hey Ice Fang. Do you know where Lightning is?" Ice fang points to the kitchen with his nose. Rainbow smiles and ruffles his head. "Thanks boy." Rainbow looking inside sees Lightning with a few tools finishing installing a drink dispenser. "Hey Lightning." Rainbow calls out causing Lightning to shoot straight up hitting his head. Lightning turns around holding his head looking sheepish. "Ah, ha, ha, Rainbow I didn't think you would be back yet." Lightning said rather nervously. Rainbow smirks. "Maybe you shouldn't have Ice Fang be the guard dog." Ice Fang's sneezes loudly, freezing a few clouds in front of him. He blinks and tries to get rid of the ice frantically. "Yeah." Lightning laughs nervously. Rainbow looks to the new item he brought. "What is this thing?" "A drink dispenser." Lightning says. Question marks appear in Rainbow's mind. "What...?" "A drink dispenser. I knew you loved apple Cider so I kinda bought you a drink dispenser so you can have Apple Cider whenever you want." Lightning says as Rainbow faints when he finished. "Rainbow if you wake up you get to have Apple Cider." Lightning says eliciting no response from the cyan pegasus. Lightning sighs as he lifts her up and take her to her bed and covers her up while he went back to the living room. Lightning shuts off the drinking lines and packs up everything. After all the tools are packed he sat on the couch and let his pet join him. Ice Fang jumps onto his lap as Azure glides over to his side. "Guess we can't have a date or anything, right guys?" They both look at him with sympathy. Lightning soon fell asleep after almost an hour of petting his pets and thinking. In the morning Rainbow walks into the living room to find Lightning asleep on the couch. Ice Fang and Azure's head shot up at the sound of somepony coming in. They turn their heads behind them to see Rainbow coming down the stairs. She spots Lightning asleep on the couch and walk over to him. Lightly touching him she pushes him slightly. "Hey Lightning, wake up." She said softly. Lightning begins to stir and slowly opens his eyes. Rubbing them he slowly sat up. "Rainbow?" Lightning asks Rainbow smile and puts her hoof on his shoulder and helps him up. "So what happened?" Lightning asked groggily. She laughs softly as it was still early in the morning. "You were asleep, that's what happened." "Oh buck, I didn't mean to fall asleep." Lightning says. She waved a hoof in offhoofedly. "It's no biggie. What were you going to show me before all this?" "The drink dispenser that I filled with Apple Cider from Sweet Apple Acres." Lightning says. Rainbow starts to whirl around ready for a faint, but not before Lightning catches her in mid fall. "Come on Rainbow not again." Lightning said warningly. She chuckles a bit. "Sorry. Let's go enjoy some. I've always wanted Apple Cider whenever I wanted." She commented. "I thought so that's why I got it for you as a present for Heart's Warming Eve." Lightning says as they walked into the kitchen. Rainbow hugs him suddenly and runs over to the dispenser with a mug in hoof. "Where's the on button?" "Just put the mug under the dispenser." Lightning says and Rainbow does it that makes the mug filled with fresh Apple Cider. "Whoo hoo!" Rainbow then chugs the whole mug down and refills for another. "Rainbow the amount is limited." Lightning informs. Rainbow looks sad at that point, but perks up that she has some Cider and so she finishes the almost filled mug. She then looks to her savior from cider heaven. "Thanks Lightning." "No problem at all." Lightning says. "Oh by the way Pinkie and the rest of us are gonna have a Hearts Warming Eve party." Rainbow says. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Really, I guess I should expect that from the party pony." "Yeah so...um...want to be my date?" Rainbow asks nervously. Lightning slides a mug of Apple Cider to her like a bartender. "Sure." "Great it's a date then." Rainbow says taking the mug and chugging it down. Lightning smiles. "Great, let's go get ready." "Let me just do a few flybys and I'll be ready." He nods. "Okay, make sure that you're there before it starts." "What do you mean you're walking in the door with me?" Rainbow says. He chuckles deeply. "Yet, I'll be waiting by the door for you. I only have little stuff to do." "Like inviting your sister?" Rainbow asks with smirk. He just smiles curtly. "Something like that, just don't go fan mare on them." "I make no promises, but I will try." Rainbow says. "Then you better get going and finish your jobs around Ponyville. Party will start soon." Lightning says. "You kidding I'll clear the sky in no time." Rainbow says. Lightning turns around. "Yeah, yeah. I bet I can finish my end before you." "You’re on." Rainbow says taking up the challenge. She then flies off, leaving Lightning behind in the kitchen. He just stands there when the doorbell sounded. "And there's my only job." Lightning says opening the door. "Hey Spitfire." Lightning says. "Hey bro." Spitfire says. "You know we got the party down in Ponyville, so can you bring the others and yourself. Rainbow would love it." Lightning says. "Yeah I can do that. So have you gotten into her bed yet?" Spitfire teased. "SPITFIRE, I don't do that!" Lightning yells. Spitfire laughs loudly as she teased him like old times. "I still remember that you would try to get every mare that came to you when you were a Wonderbolt. That was trouble, but fun for us." "I was a stupid foal back then, now I'm a wiser stallion." Lightning retorted. Spitfire nods teasingly. "Yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that. Those urges will come back." "That won't come back sister. Stalliongrad changed me." Lightning says. She sighs as she hears this. "I know, I just wish that things can go back to the way they were. We were a pretty good family then." "Maybe. But time waits for no pony." Lightning says his hoof caressing her face. "By the way when are you gonna get married?" Lightning teased Spitfire. She blushes hard. "Private and its best you stay out of it." Spitfire rebutted. "Oh look whose blushing now big sister." Lightning teased. Spitfire lashes at his outstretched hoof. "Don't turn the tables on me!" She yelled. Lightning laughs. "Come on, let's get going." Spitfire says. "Ok sister." Lightning says as they went out. Spitfire and Lightning flies around for a bit. Much to Spitfire's surprise Lightning kept up with her quite well even when she was going fast. "How did you get so fast?" Spitfire asks. "I've been away for almost two decades sister you think I would always stay the same speed?" Lightning asks. "I guess not." Looking ahead of them, she can see the landing spot. They fly through a few clouds until they come to a cliff or as they know it the Wonderbolts' real base, not the garrison in Canterlot or even Cloudsdale everypony thinks is their base. Lightning looks outside again and reminisces on the old days. "Feels like the old days." I just said that. "Yeah it does I think you're the only non wonderbolt besides the princesses that know the true base of the Wonderbolt." Spitfire says. Lightning shoves a hoof in her direction. "Hey, ex-Wonderbolt, ex-." He reminded. "Still not a Wonderbolt though." Spitfire teased. Now Lightning smirks. "Yet, I know the way around and some codes and that." "Yeah that’s why you're allowed here, now could you hang out in my office while I get a few of the members together." Spitfire says as she opened the door for Lightning. He nods and walks in. "I hope you still have that ball that you use to bounce on your nose from back then." "Stress relief." Spitfire corrected. Lightning chuckles. "I call it play time." Spitfire slams the door behind her. Lightning still chuckles. "Still the same sis I know and love." Spitfire shakes her head with a smile at that and walks down the halls to the barracks. Walking in the locker room, she finds the others packing up their suits from today's training. Spitfire whistles getting their attention. They all snap to attention and stand in front of her in a straight line. "Sir!" They yelled at the same time. "At ease guys, we are going to a party tonight and no, not one of those Canterlot parties." Spitfire says. They all suddenly cheer out. "Finally I can let loose!" Soarin cheers. "I can drink to my heart's content!" Fleetfoot yells. "And I don't have to shake hooves every single second!" Rapidfire finished. "So casual wear everypony. Well that’s all, if anypony needs me I'll be with my little brother." Spitfire says, turning to leave. "Oh, Lightning is here?" Fleetfoot asks almost excitedly. Spitfire nods at her. "Yeah, he's here, just don't try to make him come back." "I wasn't thinking that. I was at the play and saw how he changed. I want to see if he has a marefriend yet." Fleetfoot says with a smirk. Spitfire looks up in thought. "I think that he's about to make it official or have already got her." Spitfire says out loud. "Then maybe I can still get him." Fleetfoot says with that same sly smirk. Spitfire shakes her head. "Doubt it. He may already have her." "Fleetfoot please we're together." Rapidfire says with a facehoof. Fleetfoot giggles from embarrassment. "Oops, my bad. Sometimes I just forget." Rapidfire sighs as most of the Wonderbolts sweat drop on the back of their heads. "Let's just get ready. We're going to have a lot of fun tonight." Spitfire told them. With that said Spitfire leaves and goes back to her office. There she finds Lightning sitting in her seat behind the desk, bouncing a ball on his nose. "Hey sis." Lightning said not breaking his concentration. "Hey Commander I..." Spitfire's assistant stops, seeing Lightning sitting at the desk. "Pardon me, I must have the wrong room." The assistant says. "Over here." Spitfire calls out. "Oh commander." He looks to Lightning then back at her. "When did somepony take your position?" The assistant asks. Laughter suddenly erupts from room as Lightning doubles over. "Just about now." He said busting a gut. "That, my assistant, is my little brother." Spitfire says. "Now that you mention it I remember reading a report about you meeting your brother again. Oh that reminds me commander you need to sign these fifty reports." The assistant says dropping the paper onto the desk with a crash, few pieces of paper flying and floating off the top. Lightning looks at the stack and whistles. "Dang sis, you do this every hour?" "Not anymore I hereby transfer commandership of the Wonderbolts to you." Spitfire says. "Oh no you don't, I have to be a member of the Wonderbolts first and I'm not a member anymore." Lightning countered. "Then I hereby welcome you back into the Wonderbolts." Spitfire retorted. "Oh no you don't, I have to accept being back in the Wonderbolts and I declined." Lightning retorted. "You know what,” Spitfire takes the stack and gives it back to the assistant. "You deal with it. Finish early and you can go the party. Come on, little bro." Lightning jumps down after placing the ball back into a drawer and walks out the door with Spitfire following. The assistant just blinks from the recent conversation. "What just happened?" He said to nopony in particular. Both siblings hoof bump with a smirk on their faces. "We still got it." Lightning says. "Yeah we do. Now let's get out of here before he figures it out." She said. "Hey wait a minute!" The assistant yells and Lightning and Spitfire start running and later flying away. They both laugh as they caught up with the other Wonderbolts on their flight path. "That was awesome! Just the look on his face was priceless!" Lightning laughs out. "Ah, Lightning, good have you back." Soarin says. "What?" Lightning turns to him confused. "I'm not back on the team if that's what you're saying. I'm just here like a visit." He corrected. "I meant just having you back." Soarin says. "Ah." Lightning says. "So you are going to the party?" Fire Streak asks. Lightning nods. "Yep, and this will be fun. I heard that Pinkie will get some alcoholic drinks for big ponies and there may be a pie as well." Lightning says with a smirk before outstretching his wing which acted like air brakes and every Wonderbolt, but Soarin eyes widen. "RACE YOU THERE!" Soarin yells as he speeds off. Everypony but Lightning was spinning from it. Lightning then speeds up again and tries to catch up to him, leaving the others behind with dizziness. Lightning is waiting at the door as the rest of the Wonderbolts arrived. Spitfire looks around and doesn't see Soarin. Then looks to Lightning. "Where is he?" "Inside." Lightning said simply. "This pie is delicious!" They heard Soarin yell from inside. Everypony shake their heads at his behavior. "Typical Soarin. Doesn't he ever calm down?" Fleetfoot asks. Everypony looks at her with an eyebrow raised. "Seriously?" Everypony said. "This is Soarin." "He he." Fleetfoot chuckles embarrassed Rapidfire sighs and facehoof. "What am I going to do with you Fleetfoot?" "Love me?" Fleetfoot says sweetly, quoting the play. Rapidfire sighs and waves her over. "Let's just go in." Lightning watches as they all go inside. "You guys go on ahead. I'm waiting for somepony." Lightning says. "Ok." Spitfire says as they enter leaving Lightning alone. Lightning waits by the door as everypony inside enjoys the start of it. Soon a cyan pegasus comes flying in, heading for him. She stop in front of him. "Hey Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow looks at the party behind him. "Looks like you beat me. Fair is fair." "Shall we Rainbow?" Lightning asks. "Yeah." They both go inside to find the party in full swing. DJ Pon-3 was the DJ and was being helped by a pegasus as most of the party guests are on the dance floor and Soarin was eating a pie. Lightning narrows his eyes at the stallion helping Vinyl. He then turns to Rainbow. "What do you want to do?" "I don't really care right now." Rainbow says catching Lightning narrowing his eyes at the stallion helping Vinyl Scratch. "Why are you looking at him like that?" Rainbow asks him. "I know him from somewhere." Lightning said out loud and thinking. "You know where?" Rainbow asks. "How did you know that’s what I'm thinking about?” Lightning asks. Rainbow shrugs. "It's what most ponies think when they narrow their eyes like that at somepony. I have seen it in Daring Do books too." "Ah that's it. He's a former member of the Stalliongrad hunters, a level three." Lightning said as the memory came back. Rainbow takes a closer look at the stallion. "I don't know what to look for. For now let's just enjoy the party and you can speak to him later." Rainbow says. "Yeah, you’re right Rainbow, let’s just have fun." Lightning agreeing with her. They both step out onto the dance floor for some crazy dancing, as the dancing song everypony wants is on its way. They dance for a while until both Lightning and Rainbow walk to the table to get some refreshments. Grabbing a cup of punch they are surprised by Pinkie's head popping of the bowl. "Hey guys! Enjoying the party?" They set the punch back down and look at her. "Pinkie why are you in the punch?" Lightning asks. Pinkie holds out another cup of punch that came from inside. "To give punch." "But you're in the punch itself." Lightning says. Pinkie still has the goofy smile on her face. "Exactly." Rainbow leans over to Lightning. "Just roll with it." She whispered. "I think we shouldn't drink the punch." Lightning whispers back taking the punch. Rainbow nods and places hers back with him. Pinkie stayed still as they back away slowly. She looked confused but shrugged it off and started dancing in the punch bowl. Lightning looks to Rainbow after they got far enough away and dumps their cups into plants that are nearby, thereby making them wilt instantly. "That is the weirdest pony I have met and I have met a lot." Lightning says before adopting a thoughtful look and looking at his cup. “This reminds me of the parties the Stalliongrad hunters used to throw, with heavy drinks that can kill a plant in an instant." Lightning says soberly. Rainbow smirks. "Nopony can throw a party like Pinkie so I doubt that there is any party in the world like that." "Oh you have never been to a hunter's party. Pinkie's good but they've had 200 years of practice and there aren't just ponies but griffins as well." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs. "You obviously don't know Pinkie that well." She then takes out a bag of bits from nowhere. "Hundred bits." "Ok you're on. I'll get a few hunters to come here one day and we'll show you how we party." Lightning says. Rainbow places the bits back somewhere. "Then I'll need Pinkie for a bit." As if on cue, Pinkie pops up right beside her. "You called Dashie?" Pinkie asks. Rainbow nods. "You need to throw a party that will beat Lightning's hunters’ parties. Think you can do it?" Pinkie looks thoughtful. "Any rules?" Rainbow looks to Lightning. "No extensive property damages that isn't in the party area." Lightning lays out. Pinkie zooms off to her room to plan the party, but not before yelling out. "No problem!" Rainbow smirks as the pegasus from earlier walk towards to the refreshments. She nudges Lightning, grabbing his attention and nudging him over. "Now's your chance." "I wouldn't recommend the punch friend." Lightning says getting pegasus' attention. The stallion raises a knowing eyebrow. "Why is that?" The stallion places the cup down and looks to his old friend. “Cause a pink pony was literally in it earlier.” Lightning says causing the pegasus to scoot away from the punch. “Как ты мой друг?" The pegasus asks. (How are you my friend?) "Не плохо, как насчет вас, я вижу, вы в дружеских отношениях с ди-джеем?” The Lightning answers. (Not bad, how about you, I see you're friendly with the DJ?) The stallion looks over to Vinyl. "Да, я искал работу, и в итоге оказался содействии DJ Pon3, самый большой DJ вокруг." He said wistfully. (Yeah, I was looking for a job and ended up as the assistance of DJ PON3, the biggest DJ around.) "Своего рода шаг вниз от всех опасностей охоту." Lightning Bolt saying noticing the confused looks on the other ponies faces from them speaking a different language. (Kinda a step down from all the danger of hunting.) The stallion looks around too. "Позволяет получить за кулисами, мы привлекая внимания." (Let’s get backstage, we're attracting attention.) "Na kakoy stadii?" Lightning asks seeing only a room. (What stage?) The stallion scoffs. "Как вы думаете, виниловые играет?" He asks rhetorically. (Where do you think Vinyl is playing?) "Vot zdes'." Lightning says pointing with his hoof. The stallion raises an eyebrow. (Right there.) "What?" Lightning asks. "Backstage..." The stallion draws out. Lightning then follows the pegasus with a confused look. They end up behind the curtains close to Vinyl's DJ station. Thankfully she can't hear anything they might say. "Вы уверены, что она не слышит нас?" Lightning asks. (You sure she can't hear us?) The stallion looks to Vinyl. "Она носит наушники на голову, чтобы получить музыку прямо и подпрыгивая голову сейчас. Что вы думаете?" (She wears headphones on her head to get the music right and is bobbing her head now. What do you think?) "Хорошо, дайте мне ваш отчет." Lightning says his attitude changed to serious. (Ok, give me your report.) "Да, я разыскал его к благородному имени Лорд курганы. Он очень богат, жир, и жадные жеребца. Я также узнал, что он был обмен письмами с дворянами власть империи. Он не лучший в заметает следы, но недавно кто-то был помогать ему в этом." The stallion says. (Yes, I tracked it to a noble named Lord Barrows. He is a very rich, fat, and greedy stallion. I also found out he has been exchanging letters with the dominion empire's nobles. He is not the best at covering his tracks but recently someone has been helping him with that.) "Что-нибудь еще?" Lightning asks looking thoughtful. (Anything else?) "Я получил взгляд на его последнем письме он упоминает других существ. Но не было конкретным." The pegasus says. (I got a look at his recent letter it mentions other creatures. But was not specific.) Lightning nods. "Достаточно хорошо. У вас действительно есть письмо не так ли?" (Good enough. You do have the letter right?) "К сожалению, нет, но я сделал его копию." The pegasus says. (Unfortunately no, but I made a copy of it.) Lightning smiles. "Я бы подумал, что вы перешли бы его любовное письмо и взят реальный. Это хороший трюк." He smiles back on the memories. (I would have thought that you would have switched it with a love letter and taken the real one. That's a good trick.) "Я бы попробовал, но у меня была причина бежать из охранников приближается и если бы я убил его у них есть мой получили подозрительные и как вы знаете, мы не можем позволить себе, что в этой точке." The pegasus says causing Lightning to nod. (I would have tried but I had to escape cause of the guards coming close and if I had killed him they have my have gotten suspicious and as you know we can't afford that at this point.) Lightning sighs as he held out his hoof. "Ну, дайте ему." (Well, give it.) "У меня нет его со мной. Это было слишком опасно, и я оставил его с моим оборудованием в укрытие. Но я открою вам следующее утро сэр." The pegasus says. (I don't have it with me. It was too dangerous so I left it with my equipment in a hiding spot. But I'll get it to you by the next morning sir.) Lightning places his hoof down slowly. "В этом есть смысл. Что-нибудь еще?" (Makes sense. Anything else?) "Я боюсь, что мы, возможно, придется ссориться с Пустоты Ворота убийц прежде, чем мы закончим." The pegasus informed. (I fear we may have to tangle with The Nether Gate assassins before we're done.) Lightning facial features grow sharp and scans the crowd for anything. "Где и когда?" (Where and when?) "Я не воевал любое еще, но я заметил Дольф говорил с Господом курганы." The stallion says. (I haven't fought any yet, but I spotted Dolph talking to Lord Barrows.) Lightning eyes widen and turns back to him. "Нам нужно, чтобы получить их как можно быстрее." Lightning says seriously. (We need to get them as fast as possible.) "Я согласен сэр, но позволяет останавливаться на дату и сестры выглядят, как они беспокоились." The pegasus said with a smirk. (I agree sir, but let’s stop here, your date and sister look like they're getting impatient.) "Согласованные Николай." Lightning says his face changing to a less serious one. (Agreed Nikolai.) They both walk back and find Rainbow and Spitfire getting impatient and looking around. They spot the stallions walking towards them. "And then she says ‘Pinkie could throw a better party than the Stalliongrad hunters.’" Lightning said as a way of covering up their information. Nikolai chuckles. "Yeah right." They both shared a good laugh. Then Rainbow narrows her eyes. "Oh she so can." She says getting the two stallions attention. Lightning smirks. "The bet is still on, wait for it." "Oh this I want to see." Nikolai says with a smirk. Spitfire walks up to the stallions. "So you're a friend of my little brother, huh?" She asks. Nikolai nods. "Yes, a pleasure to meet the sister of Lightning." She stares at him for several seconds. "A pleasure indeed." Spitfire says turning back to her little brother. "Who is he?" She said dryly. "A former member of the Stalliongrad hunters like myself." Lightning says. "Uh...uh." She turns back to Nikolai. "You've been watching him right?" "No, this is the first time I've seen him in this country." Nikolai lies very believably. Spitfire turns back to Lightning. "I'm convinced." "So you two having a good time?" Lightning asks. They both nod their heads as they look around. "Yeah, this is a pretty good party." Spitfire said. "Meet a stallion yet? If not Nikolai is on the market." Lightning teased. Spitfire cheeks became red as her mane, while Nikolai had a little blush. "Shut up." Spitfire growls to her brother. Lightning chuckles followed by Rainbow. "Now who's teasing sis?" Lightning taunted. Spitfire grumbles and turns away. Lightning and Rainbow start to calm down as a slow song start to play and the lights dim down. They both look at each other as the couples start to head to the dance floor. Lightning offered a hoof to Rainbow and lead her to the dance floor. Twilight and the rest of the Mane Six saw this and move towards Spitfire and Nikolai. "She's got it bad for him." Twilight says. "Are they together now?" Rarity asks. "I think that’s a safe bet." Spitfire says with a sincere smile. Lightning and Rainbow both move in sync as they dance to the music. Both looking at each other, not noticing the world around them. "Yep, definitely in love." Applejack says. Soon the song ended and Lightning and Rainbow walked back to their friends. Lightning address the group. "So you guys..." He stops as Vinyl starts up a club mix. "I love this song." He then runs off and starts to dance to the beat of the music. Rainbow's smirk shoots after him. "Lightning always did love music." Spitfire says. Everypony else starts to head for some back alley club style dancing while Nikolai heads back to Vinyl to help some more. Everypony is dancing like crazy, even Pinkie who is hopping all over the place. Then the doors swung open, making everypony stop in their dance move to see the princesses in the doorway, even Pinkie who is stuck in midair, staying still, not even falling, and the record scratch is heard over the speakers, stopping the music. "Awkward." Lightning says. "Princess Celestia!" Twilight exclaims happily. Everypony immediately bows down as Pinkie bows down in midair. Lightning and Nikolai don't bow and just looks curiously. Nikolai walks over and pokes Pinkie with his hoof causing her to start spinning in midair. Rainbow hits Lightning on his side without even looking up. "Bow down idiot. That's the princess." She whispers harshly. Celestia snickers seeing Pinkie spinning in midair. "She's technically not my princess." Lightning says. "It's alright Rainbow Dash." Celestia said to Rainbow, trying to contain her laughter. "You can all rise. I don't think Pinkie wants to vomit all over the place." Pinkie still spun in place. "I'm getting dizzy." Her spinning voice said. Nikolai grabs Pinkie making her stop and fall to the ground. Pinkie looks over to him. "Thanks you mister." "No problem." Nikolai says walking back to Vinyl to help her. "So what do we owe the honor of your visit?" Twilight asks. "Well I'm here to see two ponies, Spitfire and Lightning Bolt." Celestia says. They overheard this and walks over. "How can we help you your highness?" Spitfire asks. "You see a recent exploration has uncovered the long lost city of Pegasopolis. The city in which Commander Hurricane and Tactician Razorwind established after Equestria was founded and in it is the tomb of both those great pegasus. As such it only seems right that you two be included in exploring the tomb seeing as they were both of your direct ancestors." Celestia says. "Hold on a second!" Pinkie yells out. She takes a glass of water and drinks before doing a spit take, making a few ponies in front of her grumble. Rainbow eyes widen and her jaw drops. Lightning and Spitfire facehoof. "Princess you know that has been a family secret ever since we decided to stay out of the Equestrian politics." Lightning says. Celestia's eyes widen. "Oops, my bad. We probably should have talked in private." She said sheepishly. "Yeah that would have been nice." Lightning says. "But anyways I want you two to go help explore the tomb seeing as it is your right and you also your family still owns the rights to all of Pegasopolis." Celestia says. Lightning feels a hoof on his side and looks over to Rainbow. "So...you're..." She tries to said, but is bewildered. "Yes the direct descendant of Commander Hurricane and Tactician Razorwind." Lightning says. Everypony faints at that moment, except for the princesses, Lightning, Spitfire, and Nikolai. Lightning sighs. "This is one of the reasons I hate letting others know Princess." Lightning says annoyed and Spitfire just nods and Celestia just blushes from containing her laughter. Author's Note I have nothing to say, but maybe Flair has something, Flair? Flair: Primus: Guess not. And there's another. Now Flair, do you still have anything to say? Flair: Lord Barrows and Dolph of Nether Gate are from a video game can anyone tell which game it is? Please submit your answers in the reviews. And remember, Read and Review. Time to Hit the BricksRemember to enjoy and criticize all you want. Hope that doesn’t open the flame wars. And enjoy the music, I know I did. “Speaking” ‘Thoughts’ Lightning and the other ponies of the exploration are in the middle of the Crystal Mountains. All of them are wearing winter gear. Lightning himself was wearing his usual clothes and a black fur cloak. Spitfire looks to the fur cloak. "I hope Rarity didn't faint from the sight of you wearing that." "Why don't you ask her?" Lightning says as coming up behind them was the mane six along with Vinyl Scratch and Nikolai. "Huh." Spitfire looks over to Vinyl and Nikolai. "Why are they here?" "Somepony wanted entertainment." Lightning says dryly. Spitfire raises an eyebrow. "Who exactly needs entertainment out here?" "Somepony named Stone Sight I think." Lightning says. "No, it was Rock Head." Nikolai joked causing Vinyl to laugh. Spitfire groans as the others catch up. "Let's just get to the temple. I'm sure that the dig team is getting impatient." She rushed ahead to stay ahead of the babble. Soon they all arrived at the city and all of them looked over it and took it all in. "So this is the city of my ancestors." Lightning says thoughtful. Looking over the city it was easy to tell that even though built into the mountain side most of the buildings were intact. Lightning passes the dig team waiting at the entrance. "Well, let's start excavating." "The entrance has been uncovered already. We were just waiting for you." An earth pony says. Lightning looks to them with a bored expression. "Don't you want to keep digging further and find valuable things that can be yours if touched first?” Lightning asks. "My stallions are scared that it is haunted and I for one feel it would be disrespectful to both Commander Hurricane and Tactician Razorwind." The mare says. "Respectful and thank you for respecting my ancestors." Lightning says. The dig team sighs a breath of relief, while leaving some tools for everypony. Lightning and Spitfire each grabs a pickaxe and starts going into the temple. It was pitch black in the temple that links to the tomb. "Can somepony give us a light?" Rainbow asked. The unicorns of the excavation uses a spell to light up the area, giving light to inscriptions and pictures on the walls. "From the looks of it it's telling the story of Equestria's founding. But wait, what is that?" An archaeologist pony asks pointing at a giant ice like monster carving in the wall. Twilight takes a closer look at the picture. "Lightning do you recognize this creature?" "It's an Ice Spirit of Malevolence. In ancient Stalliongrad history many used to exist. Very powerful and deadlier than most creatures you will find." Lightning informed. Twilight hums in thought then looks ahead of them. "I think we found the tomb." She said to everypony slowly as she looks upon the giant door. Lightning steps forward as several ponies try to push it open with no luck as it would not budge. "What's the problem?" Lightning asks. The ponies step back as they contemplate the problem. "These doors are too heavy for us. We need more equipment for this." "Or we could solve this puzzle." Pinkie said as she stood over a pedestal that has an inscription written on it. "She's right this was made by pegasus so one must look from above." Lightning says taking off towards the ceiling and looks down to see the floor had a few different colored places. Lightning instructs several ponies to stand in specific spots and up rises five pillars to the side and the door opens. He flies to the pillars for a better look at them. "It's hard to make out, but these four seem to be in code but this one. It looks like a message of support to future descendants from Tactician Razorwind!" The archaeologist said in surprise. Spitfire and Lightning both fly up to the pillar. "Cooooooooooooool." They drone out. "I can't make it out entirely but I think it is saying he was worried about all his future descendants. Which is very likely because almost all records point to him being a family stallion after marrying Hurricane." The archaeologist says. "Looks like you got the family attitude." Lightning said to Spitfire. "He said after marriage Lightning, I bet you'll be the same way." Spitfire says. Lightning turns red and tries to choke the life out of Spitfire while shaking her back and forth. Everypony just shakes their head at the brother and sister relationship. "Lightning." Rainbow says annoyed causing Lightning to stop. Lightning huffs and let’s go of Spitfire, causing her to drop a few feet, yet still remain in the air. "Ah, shall we continue?" Nikolai asks. A sharp sound comes from inside the tomb as they look at the pillar some more. "What was that?" Fluttershy asks as she hides behind Applejack, pretending to be a mouse and, as you can guess, she failed miserably. "Infestation most likely. In some ancient tombs in Stalliongrad giant spiders tunneled into them and made the place their home. Really hated those things." Lightning says as Nikolai shudders at the thought of them. Fluttershy eeps and wraps around Applejack, making her wobble from the sudden weight. "Spiders!" She squeaks out. "Yeah, huge things, the normal sized ones are a little bigger than Big Mac. Some even shoot poison. But the giant ones give a wyvern to fight over them any day." Lightning says shivering at the thought of them. "Same here." Nikolai said agreeing. Applejack chokes as Fluttershy tightens her grip. "We...should...probably...stop...ack...talking...about them." She manages to get out as she lost air. "Yes, lets." Lightning says grabbing a sword he brought. Nikolai just nods. The others try to get Fluttershy off of Applejack as Lightning and Nikolai clear the tomb. Going in they checked the first room and even the ceiling but nothing was in there. "Clear!" Lightning yells. "Clear!" Nikolai yells as well. The ponies walk in as Fluttershy was no longer holding onto Applejack. "It might have been the wind, still keep an eye out for traps." Lightning warns. Everypony nods as they look around for anything out of the ordinary. Pinkie then kicks a rock onto the floor ahead and several steel spikes raised up from the ground. Everypony steps back and stops from the sudden surprise. "Ah, a trap for all non-pegasus." Lightning said dryly. All the pegasus start to lift the non-flyers across the trap as they waited patiently. "It seems that they wanted only pegasus to reach the chamber." Lightning says landing Twilight across from the spikes. Twilight turns around as Lightning heads back for more. "Think that there will be a trap where we can't all cross?" "Without wings to fly,” He sighs. "...most likely." Lightning says as they moved to get to the rest of the group ahead. In the next room they saw another sealed door but on the wall was a life sized picture of Commander Hurricane and Tactician Typhoon pushing a button together. Spitfire and Lightning look at each other then goes to the obvious ancient button on the wall. A beam flows down and traces them then nothing happens. "What happened?" Spitfire asked. "I think it scanned us. Maybe it's looking for somepony who looks kinda like our ancestors.” Lightning said, thinking out loud. Spitfire looks at the picture again. "Well you fit Razor, but we need Hurricane." Her eyes then widen and she turns to Rainbow, making her confused. "Rainbow come over here a second." Lightning yells at her, getting the same idea. Rainbow slowly obeyed and came up right beside them. "What is it?" "We are gonna try switching out you and my sister for this." Lightning informed. Rainbow nods as Spitfire steps away. Rainbow takes her place as her and Lightning prepare to press the button again. The beam scans again. Nothing happened for several seconds until the part of the wall Lightning and Rainbow were touching swung around taking them to the other side, but closes the entryway behind them. Rainbow smirks. "I might be a great ancestor and don't know it." "Very funny Rainbow." Lightning said in a monotone voice. "Lightning, Rainbow, can you hear me?" Spitfire's muffled voice came from the other side of the wall. "We're ok sister." Lightning calls back. They could shuffling from the other side. "I don't think we can find another way in. You will probably have to go on. We'll wait for you." Spitfire told them before they heard shuffling. "Ok, we'll see you there." Lightning called be before turning to Rainbow. "So shall we see what's on the other side of this tunnel that supposedly opened for only Hurricane and Razorwind?" Lightning asked. Rainbow gives him a deadpan look. "What do you think? We can't head back or wait for the others." She said sarcastically. "I love that about you Rainbow." Lightning says. She huffs and continues onward. Lightning was left behind with a confused face. "What did I say?" He asks unknowingly. Couples all over the world suddenly had the feeling of shaking their head at somepony. "I compliment her and she gets mad at me." Lightning says out loud following her. Now the couples had an irritating feeling to shake their heads. The two pegasus follow the tunnel and push open the end of the tunnel and see that they are at the resting place of Commander Hurricane and Tactician Razorwind. Looking around Lightning sees the inscription of the ancient language on a huge stone tablet behind the two coffins. Lightning walks to the coffins and looks at the tablet after taking a few seconds at the coffins. Rainbow looks to Hurricane's coffin as Lightning looks to the tablet. Rainbow touches the coffin of Commander Hurricane. The coffin lid suddenly started rumbling. Lightning twists around with his weapon drawn as Rainbow backpedals away from the coffin. The coffin lid shot up suddenly and a specter like mist flowed from the coffin. It had glowing silver eyes which looked at Rainbow first then looked at Lightning. The mist suddenly floats up to Lightning as fast it could making him reel backward from the sudden rush. The mist looks at him for a few moments before it flies to Rainbow and then right into her. Rainbow then groans as she falls to the ground. Lightning rushes to her as he keeps a lookout for the mist. Suddenly Rainbow's head shot up with her eyes glowing silver. "This is an interesting feeling." Rainbow's voice now sounds otherworldly. "Rainbow or are you a spirit?" Lightning says his eyes narrowed. Rainbow turns to him. "You, you will learn lover." The now not-Rainbow said cryptically. Lightning recoils back. "What?" "Oh why so surprised, we are married lover." The possessed Rainbow says with a smirk and dripping with lust. Lightning's mouth is left open at what the possibly possessed Rainbow said. Rainbow smiles sweetly. "Close your mouth darling, a fly might make a nest in there." The possessed Rainbow closes his mouth with her hoof. Lightning quickly backs away. "Look I think this is a case of mistaken identity." Lightning said as he starts to sweat heavily. Rainbow gains a frown. "Whatever do you mean? We have been married for a long time and have a foal together. How could there be a case of mistaken identity?" She asks bewildered. "Ok, what do you think my name is?" Lightning asks trying to get a grip on himself. 'Who knew that a possibly ancient ghost can make me blush by just a mistaken identity?' Rainbow looks at him funny. "You have to be joking dear." "Seriously what is my name?" Lightning asks getting more redder on his cheeks. Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "Okay..." She said slowly. "Well, your name is Razor." Lightning blinks a few times. "My name is Lightning Bolt." Lightning says dryly now realizing what's going on. Rainbow raises a hoof. "No, your name is Razor." "What year do you think this is?" Lightning asks picking up lines from books he read on possession. Rainbow looks up in thought. "About almost two decades after we colonized the new land." "That was almost 4000 years ago." Lightning said as his blush went down. Rainbow looks at him weirdly. "No, I'm sure it's..." Lightning grabs her head and makes it face the coffins and giant stone tablet. Rainbow looks at him again. "So?" "You came out of the one with the lid off." Lightning says. Rainbow looks at the tombs again and goes to Hurricane's coffin. Looking inside she gasps as she sees the body inside which had been reduced to bones. "No, it can't be possible." She said in disbelief as memories came back to her. "It is Commander Hurricane." Lightning says placing a hoof on her shoulder. Rainbow, or now Hurricane, turns to Lightning. "So I'm actually...actually..." "A ghost." Lightning finished and places his hoof back down. Hurricane looks to him as best as she could. "How could you be calm about this? I'm a ghost." "Not the first one I dealt with. The place where I grew up we had incredibly dangerous monsters: giant spiders, spirits, ghost, etc. But truth be told I'm on the verge of an internal panic attack." Lightning says trying to keep calm as his heart hammered in his chest. Hurricane looks over her new body. "Who am I?" "You possessed the body of my marefriend, Rainbow Dash, although she looks a lot like all the paintings of you." Lightning says looking thoughtful. Hurricane looks at herself more closely. "Now you mention it, I kind of do." Her eyes then widen. "Marefriend? That must have been...awkward." "Not really." Lightning says. Hurricane finally calms down. "You do realize that you are talking with your possessed marefriend like this is normal." "Yeah I do, because you and I, Commander Hurricane, have a connection." Lightning says. She looks at him curiously. "And that would be?" "I'm your direct descendant by how many generations I can't say." Lightning says. Hurricane smiles. "Finally, I'm a grandmother. I've always wanted grandfoals.” "Actually you were alive when your three foals had colts and fillies of their own." Lightning says. Hurricane turns to him with the biggest smile on her face. "I just love grandfoals, especially spoiling them while the parents try to stop me." "Hard to stop the great Commander Hurricane, one of the founders of our country." Lightning says laughing a little. Hurricane laughs with him as her multiple echoing voice channels throughout the tomb. "You got that right, grandson." "Unfortunately, besides me and my sister, our line is dead." Lightning says sadly. Hurricane than gains a downtrodden expression. "Well...that's disappointing." Lightning then looks to Razor's tomb. "My grandfather won't pop out and get me too, right?" He asks as he stares at the tomb. Hurricane looks to her husband's tomb. "No, and if what you say is true then he possibly up there at the tavern enjoying a good drink and storytelling with his friends and family." "I bet he feels a little lonely because he's missing something." Lightning says. Hurricane turns away from the tomb to look at him again. "What would that be?" "You." Lightning says. Hurricane goes quiet for a few moments before looking up. “You are so like your grandfather. He said something like that before we left for the new land." "I guess it runs in the family." Lightning while smirking. Hurricane then looks around. "So how do we get out of here?" "Let me see." Lightning says before chanting a few words and a path of light appears with hoof steps leading the way out of the tomb. Hurricane smiles at him. "Impressive." "You're not curious how a pegasus can use magic?" Lightning asks. "I'm a ghost, which I didn't think was possible when I was alive, so who is to say there are other things in this world that we think are fact, but turn out to be untrue." Hurricane says. "I think I'm starting to get where some of my logical thinking from." Lightning says a little surprised. Hurricane walks onward. "And your grandfather has the hotheadedness. Perfect match, don't you think?" "Weird, the stories had it the opposite. You were the headstrong one and Razorwind was the cool and calm tactician that was one of the smartest ponies of his time." Lightning says. Hurricane laughs loudly. "They just love their commander." "So grandmother, what are your plans? The world has changed dramatically since you were alive." Lightning says. Hurricane looks at the temple walls as they walk. "I don't know exactly." Lightning peeks over at her. "So in other words, you are going to plan this along as you go." Hurricane turns to him with a smirk. "You got that right." "Sounds a lot like my sister." Lightning says with a slight smile. The two soon came to the exit of the path and the room is pitch black only the path of light provided any light. Lightning noticed a liquid in the platform beside the entrance upon smelling it he reared back. "That’s oil. I wonder." Lightning says before a small fireball appears on his hoof which he drops it into the oil. This causes a chain reaction that illuminates the entire room revealing huge piles of gold, jewels, statues, and art. "Ah so this is where it ended up. I remember that Razorwind worked hard after we founded this town to bring it great prosperity. This resulted in all the treasure here. So this is the result of all of Razorwind's hard work." Hurricane said. Lightning stood before a pile of gold and jewels. Past experience telling him that something will happen if he at least touches it. "I already know what I'm gonna do with this, but first what traps would he put in?" Lightning asks bluntly. "Oh, only one. The one that would ensure no one but the family would get this. The quick sand trap." Hurricane says and pushes a brick on the wall and as the brick goes into the wall a quite audible locking sound was heard throughout the room. Lightning looks to where she press the button. "Hope that disables the trap." He says to her as he reaches for a gold coin to confirm how much it's worth today. "This is probably high quality gold." Lightning says as the metal shines bright from the fire. Hurricane comes up beside him and gives him a jeweled necklace. "We did find a large deposit of gold and other valuables in the past." "I'm gonna use this to restore this city." Lightning says. Hurricane just smiles and says nothing. She then looks around for a way out while Lightning tries to pick up a few samples of the treasures in the room. He then sees a gold necklace with several colored jewels in it sitting on a pedestal. Lightning walks over to it the pedestal. Hurricane then sees Lightning approaching one of her jewelry. "That would be what your grandfather gave me." "I see. Grandmother how long are you gonna possess Rainbow Dash?" Lightning asks as Rainbow's health came to mind. Hurricane looks at herself. "Let me try something." Hurricane closes her eyes and then she slumps down on the ground, a mist coming out of her mouth. Rainbow’s body then struggles to get up with a groan. "What happened?" Rainbow's real voice asks. Lightning looks at the area curiously until he sees the same mist floating right behind her. "You were possessed by my ancestor Commander Hurricane." Lightning says as the mist formed into Commander Hurricane. Rainbow looks around until her eyes widen and she looks behind her. She scrambles back from the sudden shock. "What the buck?!" "Ah...Rainbow look what you're leaning on." Lightning says as Rainbow hits a pile of gold. Rainbow looks behind again and sees the gold. "WHAT THE BUCK IS GOING ON?!" Rainbow yells. "I'm the ghost of Commander Hurricane and we are in the treasure room." Hurricane says. Rainbow's breathing quickens as she tries to process everything but fails and faints. Lightning sighs as Hurricane looks on in surprise. "This is who you chose as your marefriend?" "Considering all that just happened to her I think this reaction is natural." Lightning says. Hurricane pokes Rainbow a few times. "When will she wake up?" "In a few seconds." Lightning says with a mischievous smirk as he lifts his hoof and it glows slightly as a sphere of water starts forming over Rainbows head. The water ball drops, making Rainbow sputter as she woke up. Rainbow's mane was dripping wet and Lightning just stared at her. He gains a blush on his face as Hurricane looked on curiously. 'Interesting.' She thought with a smirk. "So what happened?" Rainbow asked and Lightning points to Hurricane who waves. Rainbow sighs and faints again from seeing a ghost. Lightning looks annoyed and this time shakes Rainbow awake. Rainbow finally wakes up and hangs on to Lightning's forelegs. "I'm awake! I'm awake." She said. "You gonna faint for the third time?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks around and then turns to him deadpanned. "What would a normal pony do in this?" "Faint, but you're not a normal pony Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow gets onto her hooves as Hurricane finds a way out and Lightning helps Rainbow up. "Easy there." Lightning tells her. "So what now?" Rainbow asks. "We find the others then we start getting out of here for now. But how do you feel after being possessed?" Lightning asks concern in his voice. Rainbow turns to him shocked. "I was possessed?" She said shocked. "Yes, by my ancestor. Thankfully all she did with your body was walk around on it. So you remember nothing because that’s a common side effect of it." Lightning says. Rainbow looks over herself to make sure that Hurricane did nothing and sighs in relief. "At least she didn't harm my body." "I am too." Lightning says. Rainbow smirks at him. "I can see that you care about me and wants first dibs." Lightning suddenly hugs her. "I truly do Rainbow." Rainbow gasp as Lightning hugs her. "I'm not all for mushy and lovey stuff, but..." She hugs him back and closes her eyes. "...I think I could get use to this." Hurricane smirk watching this. 'So like me and Razorwind.' Hurricane thinks. Hurricane then points her hoof to some bricks on the wall and clears her throat causing Lightning and Rainbow to separate with blushes. Lightning eventually walks up and starts pushing against a few brick until a click was heard and a wall opened up. "Well..." Hurricane asks with a smirk as voices are heard from the opened up wall, now a hallway. "They're getting closer, want to wait for them or go and see them?" Lightning asks. Hurricane looks around and to the treasures. "Want to show them all this? I'm sure they can place it under your name." "I think the entire team should get credit, but I wonder, you and Razorwind were very specific on a lot of things. One would think that you would plan and leave an armory in this place just in case." Lightning says thoughtfully. Hurricane just lowers her head to the floor. Lightning stays thoughtful as Hurricane smirks before turning back into a mist and disappears overhead as the rest of the team walks in. Spitfire walks in first and then faints at the sight of the treasures, followed by everypony else. "Oh for the love of...!" Lightning yells before walking over as he and Rainbow wake up the others. Soon the whole group spends their time looking over the whole room as Lightning looks around for the weapons room. Then he remembers that Hurricane looked down before leaving. Looking at the floor Lightning sees an ancient symbols for love and wife. Lightning then looks over at the pedestal with Hurricane's jewel encrusted necklace. "Is it that simple or is their more?" Lightning asks to himself. One of the archaeologist moves a few gold piles away and reveals a second pedestal. This one held a diamond in the shape of a heart. A third pedestal was found behind some art. Lightning takes a closer look at the second pedestal. He looks at the pedestal and touches it too hard causing the pedestal it to move. Lightning looks around again and sees multiple spots on the floor with crevices connecting them. The others were curious at what Lightning was doing until he placed the pedestal he had onto one of the markings and it sank down slightly and a click was heard. He then goes to the other pedestals and moves them along too. Yet the first one he looked at didn't budge. The last pedestal had a bust of Hurricane on it. Lightning touches the chin and the entire head moved upwards with any resistance. Underneath the head was a switch. Lightning presses it and the room starts rumbling and part of the floor starts sinking turning into stairs. Everypony in the room gets closer as the stairs hits its final place. Lightning starts down the stairs. "Don't wait up for me." He told them starting to walk down the stairs. "Oh no you don't, you're not going without me." Rainbow and Spitfire yells in unison before turning to each other staring. Pinkie leans over to Twilight. "Awkward." She said quietly. Spitfire and Rainbow walks down the stairs after Lightning. The others just shrugs and looks around the room some more. Lightning walks carefully down the stairs as the lights sources start to decrease. He reaches the bottom and walks around before smelling oil again. Lightning throws a fireball at the smell and the room lit up like the treasure room. Only this time an assortment of weapons and armor is lined on racks and walls. But what caught Lightning's attention was the symbol on the wall. "How can this be here?" Lightning asks with wide eyes in amazement. Looking around he notices that some of the weapons and armor are just like back in Stalliongrad. “What does this mean? Could both Hurricane and Razorwind have been members or was it just one of them?" Lightning thinks out loud. "Your grandfather did like to hunt." Hurricane said to him as she appeared near him, looking at one of the weapons and armor. "Do you know what that symbol means?" Lightning asks. Hurricane didn't look away. "He said that the one on the wall is for the one who slew the Ice spirit of Malice." Spitfire and Rainbow finally made it to the bottom of the stairs seeing Hurricane, but thankfully Spitfire didn't react like the fainting goat when she saw her grandmother. "Oh Spitfire, by the way meet our ancestor, Commander Hurricane." Lightning says when he noticed her and Rainbow. "Hey there." Spitfire didn't pay no mind to her as she has already noticed the interesting armor. "Really you see a ghost and you don't really react?" Lightning asks with disappointment from not seeing her freak out. Spitfire turns to him deadpan. "After hanging with you for a while and in Ponyville, nothing is normal." Lightning shrugs as Rainbow walks over to an armor. It was a black and red armor cloak with silver bracers. "Found something you like?" Lightning asks. Rainbow feels the armor with her hoof. "Can I take this?" She asks to thin air or rather Hurricane as she appears right beside them. "I don't see why not. You're going to be family one day." Hurricane says with a smirk. Rainbow blushes, but then sighs as she can take the teasing now. "Yeah...one day." She looks over to Lightning as she thinks about it, but he was looking at another armor to notice. Under it the inscription said it belong to Razorwind. "Hey grandma." Lightning called. "What is this armor?" "That is the armor Razorwind wore." Hurricane says floating over to him. Lightning lightly touches the armor, feeling the material. "Made from...?" He asks. "Durasteel, probably the last armor of the tacticians from my time." Hurricane says. Lightning puts his hoof back under him. "I don't think I'll be wearing this for a while or ever." "I think that Razorwind would be happy to know his armor is being taken care of by family at least." Hurricane says. Lightning smiles. "Yeah, and if you are going up there too, make sure to buy a drink and tell him it's from his grandson." "You're not going to get rid of me so easily. I'm sticking around until I am sure you don't need me around." Hurricane says with a slight frown. Lightning turns to her. "I wasn't even thinking about it." He looks around the whole room. "The move might take a while though." "Good luck getting those diggers to come down here now that we know Hurricane's ghost is haunting the tomb." Rainbow says Hurricane turns back to her. "I could have a little fun." She said as she giggles a little. "We need to move this out of here Grandmother and scaring them will not help us do that." Lightning says with a sharp gaze. Hurricane gains a downtrodden expression. "Aw, can't I have a little fun?" She pleaded giving the puppy dog eyes. 'Oh no, the mare's greatest weapon. Must resist, must resist, must re..., dang it.' Lightning thinks before sighing. "Ok a little but just down scare them off." Lightning said. Hurricane then jumps and floats up a little. "Yay! I have been wanting to try out some haunting tricks that I have seen. You mares want to see me in action?" She asks Rainbow and Spitfire. "I could use a few laughs." Spitfire says. "Me too." Rainbow added. Hurricane grin increase and starts laughing menacingly while rubbing her hooves together. Lightning sighs and starts for the stairs to bring everypony else down. "Mares." He just said. The other ponies were impressed with all the weapons and armor there was and nearly died of fright from Hurricane and her fun. Rainbow and Spitfire try to hold in their laughter, but couldn't hold on any longer when Hurricane showed herself to everypony on the room and nearly gave some of the ponies including Applejack a heart attack. Luckily Lightning asked Fluttershy to remain upstairs and told her they were going to be pranked. Fluttershy giggled a little as she heard the plan. Lightning just smiles and helped with the most important items. By the time the sun was setting they barely had removed half the treasure and only a few weapons. The team decided to stop for the night and get some sleep. Chrono Cross: Scars of Time Lightning was laying atop a building using a knife to carve the bone of the Alpha Chamleonsaurus into a flute. When he finished he started to play, sending the music all over the land and camping ground. Rainbow lands behind him but didn't say anything as he continued to play. Then Hurricane appears beside her as he continues to play. "Razor was something like this, you know." She said to Rainbow. "How so?" Rainbow whispers. Hurricane smiles as the memories come back to her. "He would play music to our children and grandchildren. Even the public loved it so much that they suggested that he be in a musical group." "Lightning is certainly a pony of many talents." Rainbow says Hurricane brings a hoof to her chin. "He certainly is." Spitfire flies in behind them. "Where did Lightning get a flute?" Spitfire asks. Hurricane smirks. "Lightning is almost as resourceful as his grandfather, using whatever is around him to his advantage. I saw he made the flute from just a bone." "He truly has changed. He no longer needs me to watch over him does he?" Spitfire asks downtrodden. Hurricane places her hoof on her shoulder, making Spitfire look at her. "Family always need each other, whether they know it or not." "Maybe, but when I found out he was still alive I expected him to be the same little foal he was when he disappeared not the stallion he is now." Spitfire says. Hurricane turns and walks away, but not before saying, "Time changes everything." "That’s exactly what Lightning said. Maybe it is time I start growing up more and start thinking about the future." Spitfire says before following. Rainbow chuckles before heading for her bedroll. "You need a stallionfriend first." She said as she wandered off. "Like you have my little brother?" Spitfire teases. "Normal for me, not for you." Rainbow didn't even turn around. "Haha." Spitfire says sarcastically before disappearing. Rainbow roamed around for a few minutes before she heard the music change and went to see Lightning Bolt again. When she came back to him the music made her feel like she was in a brightly lit flower field and not near a temple in the dark. Lightning finishes the song and she walks up to him. "Shouldn't you be sleeping?" Lightning asks. Rainbow doesn't even question Lightning's knowing. "Shouldn't you? I doubt that there is anything around to harm us." "I find the night calming and soothing. That's why I'm out here relaxing." Lightning says as Rainbow lays down beside him. Rainbow turns to him. "Are you going to take everything from here or only the important parts?" "No, I'm gonna restore this city back to its former glory." Lightning said as he looks at the flute. She turns back to the darkened view, showing a moon that lights the landscape. "And live here maybe?" "Maybe one day, but most likely not, cause I want to be close to you Rainbow." Lightning said fondly. She smiles as she leans against him. "How close?" She said as she smirks. "Well, I'll let that be a surprise." Lightning says with a smirk before wrapping his wing around Rainbows body. Rainbow laughs as she starts to rest up against him. Lightning only smiles at her as he wraps a hoof around her, keeping her close. From a length away, Hurricane watches with a smile and walks off. "He is so like his grandfather." She said to nopony. Rainbow moves her head a bit to him. "Can you play that flute music again?" She asked sleepily. "Alright." Lightning says picking up the flute again and starts playing it. Suikoden V: Moonlit Night The music starts to carry across the area, making everypony feel at ease. Rainbow soon fell asleep as she listens to the soothing music. The ponies at the camp below fell into a rhythm as the music reaches them. Vinyl is lying next to a fire with her assistant Nikolai. "This isn't my usual music, but it's ok." Vinyl says. Nikolai picks at his bowl of his food. “He always did like to play." He said to himself quietly. Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Twilight are laying in their makeshift beds when they hear the music. Fluttershy brings her head up and then moves her head from side to side to the music. "My, this music is so lovely." Rarity says sleepily. Applejack brings her hat down onto her face and lays down again and enjoys the music. Twilight doesn't say anything as the music puts her to sleep with a smile on her face. Pinkie sighs and flops down onto her bed with a great smile on her face. Spitfire is walking to the makeshift beds she and Lightning will sleep in when she hears the music. She smiles slightly and sits down on her bed as she listens in. As the song ended Lightning smiles at the sleeping mare. "Sleep well Rainbow." Lightning whispers and kisses the top of her head making her smile in her sleep. Author's Note A/N: And that's another chapter for you. Read and Review. Time to Change...or notA/N: And another...I really need to come up with more stuff to place here. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' It had been several weeks since Pegasopolis was fully excavated. During that time Princess Celestia had announced it was found and it was to be restored to its former glory. While most of the money from all the treasure is being funneled into the restoration of the city, Lightning had used a small amount to expand his house. Celestia also let it slip that he and Spitfire were the direct descendants of Commander Hurricane and Tactician Razorwind much to their displeasure. Although they think that Celestia probably did it on propose. Thankfully she never mentioned Lightning's location. As such everypony already knew where Spitfire was so most of the blunt from it went to her much to Lightning's amusement. In the last week though both Rainbow and Lightning have been teaching Scootaloo to fly. "Okay, try again." Lightning told Scootaloo. Scootaloo jumps into the air and flaps her wings very fast and manages to stay in the air for more than thirty seconds before landing again. Rainbow smiles at her hang time. "Great job, Scoots. A little more than last time." "Three times better to be exact." Lightning says as Scootaloo smiles. "Kinda reminds me of when I first started to learn how to fly." Lightning says. Scootaloo flaps her wings a little. "How did you do?" She asks like the little filly she is. "I couldn't even stay in the air for five seconds before I slammed face first into the ground." Lightning says blushing from embarrassment. Rainbow snickers as the thought comes to mind. "At least I was good, right Scoots?" Scootaloo was laughing which brought a smile to Lightning's face. 'She should enjoy what she has, they all grow up so fast.' Lightning thought to himself. "Hey Lightning, what's with the serious face?" Rainbow asks. "Oh um...just thinking is all." Lightning says. Rainbow shrugs as it is none of her business and goes back to training. "Alright, try again." After several more minutes of practice Scootaloo had finally been able to stay in the air for a full minute. Soon Sweetie Bell and Applebloom came running up to Scootaloo. "Scootaloo want to come crusading with us? We're going to get our Cutie Marks in demolition." Applebloom asks. "Wait, what was that?!" Rainbow asked Lightning's eyes just went wide at the statement of demolition. Applebloom and Sweetie Bell becomes confused. "Demolition. We're going to get our cutie marks in it." Sweetie Bell told them again. "You are gonna have somepony supervising right? I mean that can be dangerous." Lightning says. Applebloom smiles innocently. "What do you think?" "You don't." Lightning says start to sound like a parent. Sweetie starts to get the idea. "Ah, come on." She whines. Lightning winces from the high pitched whine. 'She is the sister of Rarity.' He then gives them a look and all three start laughing nervously seeing as their normal tricks aren't working. "Can we please? We want to know if it is our Cutie Marks." Scootaloo begs them. "Tell you what, if you can get an adult who knows about it then you can. But for now no." Lightning says getting a downtrodden look from all three fillies. "But in exchange I'll take you three out to get any dessert you want." Lightning says with a sigh. The three fillies squeal and jump up in excitement and then runs off to the direction of Sugarcube Corner. Rainbow leans toward Lightning with a smirk. "You're going to regret that." "I already am." Lightning says following after them. Soon at Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie and the Cakes works diligently to fill the orders of the CMC, who have made possibly the largest order in the history of sugary sweets. Wait, it's already taken? By who? Pinkie! Somehow that doesn't surprise me. Lightning just sat at a table doing a facehoof. "Why did I agree to this?" He then remembers the suggestion for a cutie mark. "Oh yeah." The order soon arrives and the CMC dig in. Lightning smiles at them having fun and laughing with each other. 'Maybe it’s not so bad being with foals.' Lightning thinks. Then the bill arrives courtesy of Pinkie with a smile. 'Or maybe not.' He thought with despair. After Lightning had paid the bill the CMC ran off laughing to have some fun with full bellies. Lightning started to walk back to his house. On the way he stopped to see Twilight reading under a tree. "Hey Twilight." She didn't listen. "Twilight?" Still hidden hear. "Twilight!?" Lightning yells at her causing her to jump into the air. Lighting looks to the book. "What are you reading?" "Oh Lightning Bolt you scared me there and this is a book of Starswirl the Bearded." Twilight says. Lightning sits right next to her. "What is it about?" "His later years. I'm reading up on it because Princess Celestia is sending me something by him." Twilight says. Lightning smiles. "I wonder what it could be." “I don’t know she didn’t say.” Twilight said thinking about the possibilities. “Which reminds me, how is the unicorn magic books from Stalliongrad coming?” She asks, stars in her eyes ‘Why did I promise her those?’ Lightning berates himself. “I have yet to hear back from my supplier.” Lightning answered. Twilight lost the stars as they went on their way to the next 'seeing stars' pony. "Oh, well they'll be here one day. Oh that, I can be sure." She said with hope. “Well I better get home and feed Ice Fang and Skyor.” Lightning says as he got up and started to leave. “Ok, see you tomorrow Lightning.” Twilight calls after him. “Bye Twilight, tell Spike I said hi.” Lightning says as he waves to her. The next morning Lightning awoke with a yawn to find Ice Fang sleeping on top of the covers. “Morning boy.” He said, scratching Ice Fang’s ear waking him up. After Lightning did his daily routine he feeds Lightning and Skyor, Hurricane’s head pops out of the wall in front of him, making him squeal like a filly for a few seconds. “Grandmother please, stop doing that.” Lightning says annoyed with the classic ghostly scares. Hurricanes giggles from the picture moment in front of her. "You know I can't resist the temptation to scare somepony since the temple. Besides that was the funniest sight next to my Razor's scream." “So you mind watching over my pets while I go see Rainbow?” Lightning asks, ignoring the last comment by her that almost made him gag. “Sure no problem I just love your pets.” Hurricane said as she tries to hug Ice Fang but passed through him. "Oh poo. That's still one thing I can't do." “Thanks Grandmother.” Lightning says putting on some aviator goggles. He then proceeded to fly out of the door to Rainbow's house. But when he arrived it was not there. “Huh where's Rainbow’s house?” Lightning asks to himself. Spotting a passing pegasus coming his way, he calls out to him. "Hey buddy." The pegasus turns his head to Lightning and stops in front of him. "You need something?" Lightning takes one last look to where Rainbow's home should be. "Yeah, have you seen Rainbow's cloud home around here?" “Rainbow Dash’s cloud home?” The pegasus asks confused. "She lives on the ground near Everfree taking care of the animals." The pegasus says before flying away. “What?” Lightning asks himself before flying to the only house he knew that fit that description, Fluttershy’s cottage. Landing in front of the home he sees everything as normal as ever like Fluttershy is still there. CRASH Except that doesn't happen in her home at all except when Discord was there and he is not. Running to door Lightning knocks carefully. Rainbow answers the door by poking her head out. “Hey Lightning.” Rainbow says looking sheepishly. “Rainbow, are you ok?” Lightning asks looking behind her and sees the chaos that would make Discord proud. “Yeah I’m fine it’s just all these animals are giving me trouble. Sorry, I’ll have to cancel our plans Lightning with them acting like this.” Rainbow said sadly. “Do you want some help Rainbow?” Lightning asks concern evident in his voice. Another crash sounded from inside. "Nah, I'm good." Another crash. Lightning held a deadpan look. "Rainbow Dash, what is going on in there?” Twilight’s voice called. Looking behind him Lightning saw Twilight and Spike coming down the path. "What you guys doing here?" He asks suspicious of them “We are here to see Rainbow Dash.” Twilight says. Lightning gives them a bored expression. "What's going on then?" Twilight becomes confused. "What do mean, what's going on?" Lightning points to the sky over Ponyville with his hoof. "I'm no weather expert, but I don't think that clouds are supposed to be squares and in a checkered pattern." Twilight chuckled nervously under the glare Lightning was giving her then shakes her head to the real situation. "Yeah that would be Rarity." Time seems to stop for Lightning and he swears he heard glass being smash...oh wait that's inside the Discordian home. He takes a deep breath and start visibly shaking with anger. “What did you do?” Lightning asks sounding dangerously calm. Twilight nervously rubs a hoof behind her head. "Well...while Spike was taking a seven hour bubble bath..." "Wait, did you say seven hours?" Lightning asks as he held hoof up. Spike laughs nervously and hides behind Twilight. "Yeah." He said meekly. Lightning brings a hoof to his chin. "I have been wondering why I have low water pressure and amount. I thought it was because of it being an old home." He then stops and stares at Spike with a death glare meant only for his hunts. "You're armor after I'm done with you." Lightning said in a low whisper. Spike yelps and tries to hide behind Twilight some more, but fails. That tail is a little too long. “But first things first.” Lightning says focusing on Twilight again. Twilight rubs her hooves together. "First I need to check something, come with me." Lightning looks back to Rainbow but sees that she went back inside again. "I promise to get you back to normal again Rainbow." He takes off behind Twilight as she went back into town. After visiting Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie the three went back to the tree and after every visit Lightning seemed to just get more angry which was the first time Twilight ever saw him angry than she could remember. "Lightning calm down we can fix this." This just angered him more. "We, oh no, there is no we. You brought this upon yourself and them, so you fix this on your own. Of course this is what I would like to say, but for the sake of Rainbow and my other friends I will help. Now what do you do exactly to fix a personality and cutie mark?” Twilight brings out the book that was giving to her by Celestia. "Normally we could lock them up and try to rehabilitate them, but we don't have time." She flips through a few pages. "This has to have some answers." Lightning looks over her shoulder and places a hoof on a certain page. "An unfinished spell Twilight, because that one doesn't even rhyme. Wait Twilight tell me you didn’t tell me you did not cast a spell without knowing what it does?” Lightning asks, scared of the answer. Twilight blushes. "Well...ummm...you see..." Lightning stops dead only twitching an eye every so often. Until, "You're a bucking idiot Twilight. I mean even a green as the grass beginner knows not to cast a spell unless they know what it does it is the basics. In fact it’s the basics of the basics. You could have endangered everypony because of this and even then why Celestia give you an unfinished spell knowing you would read it..." He stops as a thought came to him. "I'm the idiot now, no wait I wasn't part of this when you did this so that means I'm not an idiot, unless that means I'm an idiot for not noticing it sooner, but it seems everypony was also affected because they don’t seem to notice a radical change and are just going on with their lives. Could it be? Ah, yes, that must be the reason why I’m unaffected. I have no cutie mark, simple as that.” Lightning droned on. Twilight stared at him as he did his long version of an explanation. "Why didn't you just say that?" She exclaimed. Lightning grins. "Because it's more fun that way and allows me to see other reactions and cause that is part of my thought process out loud." “So just cast a counter-spell to switch them back.” Spike says trying to throw in his two bits. “Oh. There is no counter-spell!” Twilight says. “Yeah, unfinished spell, remember Spike.” Lightning reminds. “Why don't you just use that memory spell you used to fix everypony when Discord was here?” Spike asks. “It's not their memories, Spike. It's their true selves that have been altered!” Twilight says continuing to flip through the book. “Zecora’s cure for the cutie pox?” Spike asks getting a confused look from Lightning. “That won't work either...” Twilight says disheartened and gives the book to Spike. “Well,” He sighs. "Maybe it won't be so bad. Maybe our friends will grow to like their new lives.” Spike says earning him a glare from Lightning. “No, Spike. They're not who they are meant to be anymore. Their destinies are now changed, and it's all my fault.” Twilight says depressed. Twilight starts singing, but was cut off. “Twilight do you think that is appropriate for this situation?” Lightning asks. ‘What is it with these ponies and suddenly breaking out in song?’ He thought to himself. Twilight blushes as she tries to compose herself. "Sorry, but what can we do?" Lightning picks up a nearby picture of Twilight, Rainbow, and the others from a nearby table. "All I know is they remember some aspect of us. That can help since they are still our friends." “That's it, we just have to remind them of their true selves.” Twilight exclaimed agreeing with him. Lightning pauses and thinks over the idea. "That's wonderful, but who should we get first?" “Fluttershy, cause Rainbow needs the help badly.” Twilight proposed hand Spike the Elements of Harmony's chest, before they go out the door to look for her. Balloon landing area After a bit of searching the two found Fluttershy about to pay to leave Ponyville and go back to Cloudsdale. Before either of them could move forward a mighty roar unlike anything the ponies of Ponyville have ever heard rang out through the air, but familiar to Lightning as the memory of that particular sound came to his twitching ears. "Twilight I have a job to do and I need to do it. I'll go check it out. But Twilight, if anything happens to Rainbow then so help me..." Lightning says letting the threat hang, scaring Twilight a bit. She nods as her eyes mirror her emotions. "Good." Lightning says before running towards his home. Twilight sighs as she walks to Fluttershy to try and reverse what she did. Lightning reaches his home and shoots passed Ice Fang, Azure, and Hurricane and into the basement grabbing several things including a sword. They all come down to see what has him riled up. "Okay, I'll bite, what is it?" Hurricane asks. "A monster I'm gonna have to fight." Lightning says strapping the sword to himself. Hurricane sighs. "What monster and where?" "Don't know and Everfree forest." Lightning says. She looks about the weapons and armor that he has. "So how are you going to prepare?" "Well I'm low on equipment seeing as how I use most of my explosives and my lightning crossbow energy months ago." Lightning says. "Idiot." Lightning glares before heading back up the stairs. The rest follows as he grabs the last few items he needs. He walks out the door and flies off to the Everfree forest. Landing in it he sees the normal stuff that happens. Namely the weather happening on its own and animals fending for their own. Lightning walks into the forest and after several hours comes across several dead ponies and a smashed cage. "Guess this time you guys weren't careful enough." Lightning says. Passing the kills, he starts to come into deeper and deeper forestry, making the whole area darker. Lightning was still following the obvious trail of destruction, soon reaching the old castle. "That's weird, but I have seen weirder places." He said to himself. Lightning heard a roar and a tower of the old castle collapsed. "If the princesses blame me I'll show the monster." He said as the tower hits the ground with a crash. "Please don't let this be a Wyvern." Lightning prayed to himself as he continues on trying to be as stealthy as possible. Walking in through a busted window he hides behind the many derbies until a large claw foot comes crashing in the middle of the room. Looking up he can see a black Diablos that has a body similar to a dragon except for the large horns on the sides of its jaw. Smelling around he can smell a particular scent that would make trouble. 'Oh great, a Diablos female in heat. That's even worse. Thankfully though there is only one of them, but still maybe I should have gotten my friend for back up with this.' Lightning thinks as the beast stomps around. The beast lumbers about, making a ruckus and destruction of the castle. 'Let’s see, what isn't destroyed.' He looks around and then sees a high balcony. 'That works.' But the Diablos then smashes her head into it making it collapse to the ground. 'Now that's just not fair.' The beast crashes through a wall leaving Lightning in the room alone. Lightning crawls out from the rubble and follows the Diablo’s path and finds in the old throne room. The black beast nowhere to be seen. 'That’s not good.' Lightning thinks before his eyes widened and feels his back stabbed by something. The force of the stab sent him flying through the old throne. Breathing hard he picks himself off the floor and uses the wall as a support as his blood poured from the wound in his back. 'That was careless of me.' Lightning chastised himself as the wyvern roared at him, blood dripping from one of its horn and its feet gripping the wall, holding it up. "I guess I have no choice. I have too many thing important things to do and a few mares to go back to. Seal release!" Lightning yelled and a magical circle appeared around him before shattering. "Round two." Lightning says as lightning channeling through his front hooves. The mares rushed through the dredged Everfree Forest looking for Lightning. After Twilight became an alicorn from her discovery and told the rest what happened before all of it, they quickly rushed out looking for him. But not before Rainbow shook her back and forth while yelling how she could allow him to do that. They soon came across the bodies of the ponies that Lightning found earlier. Fluttershy quickly hides behind Applejack as Twilight studied the bodies, looking for a sign that Lightning was here. "These ponies have been dead for at least a day." Twilight says studying them closely. Rainbow, being barely a stranger to the dead, takes a closer look. "How do you know?" "Because rigor mortis has set in." Twilight says. Rainbow pokes one of the bodies and finds that it is hard to move it. "Rigor Mortis is one of the recognizable signs of death, caused by chemical changes in the muscles after death, causing the limbs of the corpse to become stiff and difficult to move or manipulate. In ponies, it commences after about three to four hours, reaches maximum stiffness after 12 hours, and gradually dissipates until approximately 48 to 60 hours after death. So they have been dead before Lightning left to investigate the roar and more importantly WHAT WOULD NEED THAT BIG OF A CAGE!" Twilight yelled pointing at the giant portable cage. Everypony hasn't noticed the huge busted cage in the middle of the clearing, but now they do. "And Fluttershy, turn away." Twilight says seeing a half-eaten body of a pony. "O-okay." Came the meek reply. They all soon continued on after Applejack pointed out a pony's track following the path of destroyed trees. They soon came into sight of the old castle where they faced Nightmare Moon when a blast of lightning erupted from the inside of it. Rainbow becomes wide eyes as the lightning can only mean one thing. "Lightning.” She said to herself quietly. She then rushes and flies off to get there first. 'Don't you dare die, Lightning.' Rainbow thought. The others of the mane six follow as two more blasts of lightning erupt from the castle as a second tower collapsed. Lightning was flying through the air being chased by an angry wyvern. Lightning then spins in the air blasting it in the face with lightning. The wyvern turns to the side and tries to block the attack, but makes it worse. Lightning uses this time to fly out of the corridor and clung to the place above the doorway with a smirk. 'Payback time.' He thinks. The wyvern comes into the hallway and tries to find the little pony that escaped her. Lightning blasts it in its back that makes the wyvern screech loud and swivels around, sending the tail smashing into the walls. Lightning launches himself off the wall as the wyvern's tail slams the place he was. He flips in the air shooting lightning blasts at the wyvern before landing on the ground. 'Great vision starting to blur, getting harder to stay on my hooves and my wings are starting to go numb.' Lightning says as he felt all three effects. The wyvern screeches loud as ever right in his face. Lightning moves backward to prepare for another strike. He launches another blasts but his aim was off from his blurred vision, allowing the wyvern to dodge but part of its wing got hit by the blast as it went by and into the wall damaging the already greatly unstable castle again. Outside the mares ran closer when another blast came out of the castle, making them stop for a bit before running again. The Mane six arrive in time to see Lightning bleeding badly and looking out of breath and barely even able to stand fleeing out into the castle courtyard. "I guess it's all or nothing here." Lightning says, his magic aura flaring to where it was visible to all, scaring the wyvern a bit and making all the Mane six's eyes widen. Twilight's eyes grows surprised that Lightning is able to make this kind of a charge of magic. Rainbow looks on in worry, almost ready to jump in there and get him out. Rarity fainted just to not see the horrible end result. Fluttershy tries to look away, but takes a peek from under her hooves every time as she lies on the ground. Applejack remains slack jawed in wonder. Pinkie...well...she's sitting in a folding chair eating some popcorn, drinking some soda and waving a flag that says, "GO LIGHTNING!" As for the wyvern, she is now wishing that she never has never been born...and hears her laundry calling. The wyvern tires to hightail it out of there, screaming out in fear in her own language that would probably go like this. "OH, SWEET MOTHER AND FATHER UNDER SIXTY FEET OF GRAVE! HELP ME! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!" "O rex fulminis Servientis. Et impii in tenebris rapit lacrimae processit, et disperdes inimicos meos." Lightning chanted in a new language as he brought his front hooves to the front of him, a sphere of pure lightning forming. Twilight gasped as the magic aura increase more over. "Bestia fulminis!" Lightning finishes chanting before hurling the sphere of lightning at the wyvern. Halfway to the wyvern the sphere exploded outward and took the form of a head of a monster that snapped its jaw down on the wyvern. The wyvern let out an incredibly loud pain filled roar before being obliterated and the lightning head flew passed the castle, grazing the final standing tower before exploding in the air. Lightning's magical aura slowly dissipated leaving him gasping for air. He turns his head and sees the Mane six and waves but freezes when he sees the now alicorn Twilight. "Ok either I'm hallucinating from blood loss or Twilight is now an alicorn. And there goes one of my internal organs." Lightning says to himself before collapsing, causing the Mane six that were conscious to run over to him. Author's Note The foreign language was Latin. "Oh servant of the lightning king. That tears through the darkness and devours the wicked come forth and destroy my enemies." "Beast of Lightning!" Who's Smarter"Speaking" 'Thoughts' Lightning slowly starts coming to. The first thing he noticed was he was laying on his stomach on a bed. "Hello? Anypony there?" He called out to the room. He noticed that his throat felt dry and so he coughs from it. He heard somepony clear their throat. Turning his head Lightning sees Rainbow Dash, not looking too happy. "Uh, hi Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow looks at him stark raving mad. "You bucking IDIOT!" She yells in front of him. "Why do you say that?" Lightning asks trying to seem innocent. Rainbow slams a hoof right by his head. "You went off to kill a monster all by yourself, not even taking Nikolai along to help! What's more is that you became so injured that Twilight had to put you into a coma for a few days." Rainbow vented. "And most importantly..." She leans in. "YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU COULD USE MAGIC!" Rainbow yells in Lightning's ear. 'Oh no.' Lightning thinks. He sighs and turns away from her. "I didn't want to cause too much of a ruckus. I only use it and the most noticeable kinds in an emergency." He explains. Rainbow didn't look happy and the glare she wore was starting to make him sweat. 'She's got a worse glare then my sister.' Lightning thinks starting to get more and more afraid of his marefriend. Lightning gets surprised as he sees tears falling down Rainbow's face. "You idiot." She whispered. Looking closer Lightning noticed bags below her eyes. "Rainbow how long have you been sitting in that chair?" Lightning asks seriously. Rainbow moves the hoof on the bed to his hoof. "Since you were placed here." She said to him quietly. "Rainbow come here." Lightning says softly. Rainbow lifts her head up to look at him and gets off to chair to get closer. Lightning brings his front leg up and uses it to hug Rainbow the best he could as he brought her closer to himself. "I was worried the whole time I was here and they brought you in. It was the scariest thing, not seeing you wake up." Rainbow said to him. "Rainbow everything is okay. I'm awake now aren't I?" Lightning says. Rainbow looks over him, seeing all the bandages and splints. "Yeah, I guess you are." "So how long have I been asleep?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks to the clock as if it was the calendar. "About three days." "Ah, that explains the stiffness. Wait, who else know I'm in here?" Lightning asks a thoughtful look on his face. Rainbow looks up at the ceiling finding it very interesting suddenly. "Hurricane and that's about it." "Rainbow I know you're telling me the truth when you avoid eye contact, who else?" Lightning asks. Rainbow sighs and looks at him. "Hurricane sent a letter to Spitfire." She said ashamed. "Ok that's all I need to know." Lightning says starting to get up. Lightning then freezes as his brain processed the last name. "WAIT WHAT?!" He screams. Lightning frantically starts to try again to get up but Rainbow tries to restrain him and keep him on the bed because he has yet to recover. "Stay down. You haven't healed yet." She struggled. "I can take that because I rather be injured then dead after Spitfire gets here." Lightning says as it soon he started struggling worse. Rainbow struggled until she feels a cold feeling through her. "Let me try this." She hears. Lightning immediately freezes in fear and slowly turns his head to see... "You really are like Razor aren't you?" Hurricane said to him, looking over the shoulder of Rainbow. "Oh thank goodness you not..." Lightning stops as soon a new mare enters. "Hello brother." Spitfire says. Lightning screams in terror before flopping onto the floor and tries to crawl away from everypony. Lightning almost made it to the window to jump out of it but Spitfire stomped on his tail keeping him in place. Lightning hits the ground hard, making him oomph. For a few seconds Lightning tried to scurry away but go nowhere. "Can any of you mares go easy?" Lightning asks chuckling. "Spitfire maybe you should go easy..." Rainbow stopped when Spitfire leveled a glare at her. "Help me." Lightning whispered, fear evident in his eyes. Rainbow and Hurricane looks at each other before turning back to Lightning. "No." They both said. Hurricane then gets closer and right in his face. "You need to learn your mistakes." "I think the hole in my back took care of that lesson." Lightning says. Causing Rainbow's eyes to widen. "He has a point Spitfire, if you punish him now his wounds will open back up." Rainbow says worried Spitfire tightened her glare. "He had worse." She shot back. "A hole through his back that almost hit his spine?" Rainbow asks glaring at a now nervous Spitfire. Spitfire looks at Rainbow for a few seconds before sighing and letting go of his tail. "I guess that is bigger." She said quietly, almost to the point where anypony can barely hear it. "D-d-d-did you j-j-j-just back d-own-own-own-own?" Lightning stuttered and shocked. "Oh, she's a keeper." Hurricane says floating by. Spitfire nods slowly. "I guess I have been more protective of you since the accident, sorry." "No you're the same as when I was a foal." Lightning says before getting bopped on the head by Spitfire. Spitfire turns around after that to cover up the blush. "Shut up." "Love you too." Lightning says before being bopped on the head again. This came curiosity of Hurricane. "What did she just say?" She said like a mother. "Oh, I almost forgot, Twilight wanted to talk to you about the magic you used and..." Rainbow starts glaring at thin air. "Discord is staying with Fluttershy again." Rainbow finishes. Lightning looks confused. "What's so bad about that? He's turned good...didn't he?" "I don't like or trust him after our first encounter." Rainbow says, continuing to glare. Lightning sighs and tries to get up. "Rainbow, you have to accept some things and this includes Discord. Even you know that." "How do you even know about Discord?" Rainbow asks. "Uhh...Spitfire told me the story about him when I was a foul." Lightning said hastily. 'Did I?' Spitfire thinks trying to remember. Rainbow nods. "That makes sense." She then glares at him. "You were in Stalliongrad. Tell the truth." "I was about 7 when that happen. I remember Spitfire told me about it after she visited the royal garden in Canterlot." Lightning says as Spitfire face shows remembrance of this. Spitfire nods as she agrees. "Yes, it's all coming back to me now. If I remember correctly you were very curious about him." "Oh ok, sorry." Rainbow says. 'That was too close she is really suspicious of me and now she knows I can use magic.' Lightning thinks. "Well since you're awake and have enough energy to move around like that you're coming with me." Rainbow says before starting to drag Lightning off by the tail towards Twilight's house. Lightning waves goodbye to Hurricane and Spitfire as he is dragged away from them. "See ya later you two." Lighting cheerily said. 'At least I don't have to put up with them any longer.' "See you both at dinner." Rainbow yells to them. Hurricane raises an eyebrow as they leave them. "Too much like Razor." She commented, before turning to Spitfire. "So let's work on getting you a stallion." Hurricane says, making Spitfire blush heavily and ready to leave with her own version of a Sonic Rainboom called a Fire Rainboom if that's possible. Lightning looks around as the ponies of town are looking at him like he has grown a second head. "You should really lose more weight." Rainbow struggled out as she drags him across the road. "You guys told everyone I can use magic didn't you?" Lightning asks suspiciously. Rainbow shakes her head as she lifted Lightning to his hooves. "Only Twilight." She answered. "She seriously need to learn how to keep a secret." Lightning says starting to walk. Rainbow shakes her head more. "She can't even keep a Pinkie Promise once when Spike asks her to." "I don't think I want to know." Lightning says as they reach the library. They reach the front of the library as a book with stick arms and legs came dancing out, leaving the two confused and scared. "Let me guess Discord?" Lightning asks. "Discord stop!" Twilight yelled from inside. "Yep." Lightning says as Rainbow charges through the door. They both get inside to find Discord snapping his claws, changing everything to his end and only Fluttershy is playing along. "Rainbow, Lightning help me here." Twilight says Before anypony could do anything Discord snaps his claws making everything back to normal. "There." He said. "Rainbow don't attack." Lightning says stopping Rainbow. "Forget it, he's dead meat!" She yelled as she charged him. Taking a lesson from Spitfire, he stomps on Rainbow's tail stopping her. Rainbow looks back at him, glaring. "What's that for?! Discord is messing everything up and Fluttershy is doing nothing." "Rainbow Discord is a spirit of chaos you can't engage something like that head on and besides he only does what he does for fun isn't that right?" Lightning asked Discord is randomly picking his ear with his clawed paw holding one of his nails that grew back from another paw. "I'm sorry, I'm busy." He said absentmindedly. "Anyways if he did anything to you..." Lightning pauses and goes up to Discord and grabs his goat beard pulling him down to eye level and giving Discord a glare that actually scared him for a second. "I would break him so badly even his magic wouldn't be able to fix him." Lightning threatens. Discord drops what he's doing, which a large claw is smashing onto the library floor, destroying the area. "Right." Discord said unconvincingly as he raises a claw. "I would never hurt anypony at all." He promised as he crossed his claws behind his back. Lightning takes a hold of one of Discord's fang and rips it out of his mouth, causing Discord to yell in pain. "That hurt! That hurt?" Discord asked greatly confused. Discord snaps his claws making mirror appear before him. He examines his fangs and sees that none of his teeth were ripped out. "How...?" He started. "Besides I know someone better at chaos magic." Lightning says baiting Discord. Discord snaps a newspaper from Ponyville Press. He flips through it as calm as ever. "I don't see any other chaos bringer in here." He then throws the paper behind him, making them change, in a cloud of smoke, into paper butterflies. And now Fluttershy is fawning over the new creatures. "Pretty." She whispered. "I never said she was on this side of the world." Lightning says. Everypony and draconic freezes as they hear the pronoun. "Hang on a moment." Discord said after a few seconds. He snaps into existence a glass of water and drinks the glass and throws the still holding water behind him, making an explosion that sends a few papers flying. He then does a spit take that sent a tidal wave after everypony and sends them washing away to the other side of the room. "Are you so surprised that there are more or that the one I think is better than you a female?" Lightning asks. Discord shakes his side to side once. "No, I just can't believe that she didn't search me out. Come on, I'm a catch. Even Celestia is starting to fall in love with all this." He exemplifies this by flexing his arms and tries to make an arm muscles flex out, but only makes such a weak arm muscle show that it flops down limply and just swings there. "She's married and has three kids." Lightning says. Discord goes wide eyes and then snaps a crying version of himself in a fetal position, holding a blank picture, but it turns out to be a viewing screen. "That would be me, if I was desperate." He then snaps the viewer away. Lightning pulls out a newspaper on the front page was 'Wanted female chaos magic user for a good time.' Under it was a picture of Discord winking. "Still want to say that?" Lightning says. Discord grabs the paper with an extender grabber and throws it into the fireplace. "That's nothing." "It says you placed the ad." Lightning says. Rainbow comes up to him and whispers, "Where did you get the paper?" "I created it with Chaos magic. The one I mentioned was a teacher of mine in the art of magic." Lightning whispers back. Discord snaps a cotton candy cloud and lets it fall chocolate rain. "Three, two, one." Pinkie burst in and starts drinking the chocolate rain. Discord snaps a glass and fills it up with the chocolate, but it fills up in the opposite direction. "Still, how is she? Creating chaos like me, maybe?" "Mostly teaching is what she is doing, whether it be her kids or students. The number of chaos magic users are increasing Discord." Lightning says. Discord snaps in a cotton candy cone and swirls the cotton candy cloud onto it. He proceeds to eat as he said, "Well that's disappointing." "That she is better than you and can actually teach?" Lightning asks. Discord shakes his head, sending cotton candy everywhere, which Pinkie licks up. "That I'm not unique anymore...or maybe have been unique." He adds as a forethought. "You are still unique. You're a spirit of chaos, not just another chaos magic user." Lightning clarified. He snaps a therapist chair in the middle of the room and lies on it. "Still, knowing that there are chaos users around really messes with my head." He shows this by turning his head upside down. "Well you're not the first chaos user as long there has been magic a species could use there has been some form of Chaos magic." Lightning says Finally Discord got frustrated. "Can't you see? I'm miserable now, because..." "Because?" Fluttershy asks. "I'm not the only one using Chaos magic. I use to love it when I was the only one doing it." Pinkie sets up a therapist chair near him and wears a monocle and a beard on her muzzle and then brings up a notepad and prepares to write. "Tell me about your mother." Pinkie asks. Discord lies down on the couch. "Well she was..." "As fascinating as this is I called Lightning here to talk about his ability to use magic." Twilight says annoyed that her books were destroyed and some pages are on fire and now she has chocolate milk all over the floor and a destroyed floor to buck. Lightning turns away from the funny show in front of him to see Twilight grabbing every book on foreign magic. "I agree, let's begin." "Let's go into the basement so we won't be interrupted by them." Twilight says before leading Lightning away with Rainbow following. They went through the basement door to find the basement littered with science equipment and test tubes of chemicals. Coming to rest on a center table they awaited Twilight to set up her recording equipment. This also included a notepad, a magic meter, an EKG, a hazmat suit, and a decimation chamber. "So what do you want to know?" Lightning asks a little concerned with all the extra test devices. Twilight just brings up the notepad. "First do use the magic willingly or it comes out by instinct?" "I used it willingly." Lightning answered as Twilight started to hook him up to machines. He looks to the devices he's being plugged into. "This won't shock me would it?" Pinkie pops out from under the table. "Nope." She then goes back under and disappears. "I swear either she is a chaos magic user or a creature of chaos like Discord." Lightning commented. Twilight sighs as the memories of that day she went to study Pinkie came flooding back. "I know what you mean, but Pinkie is just that, Pinkie. There is no clear answer to her." She informed as she finished hooking him to everything. "Furthering my analysis." Lightning added to his last hypothesis. Twilight proceeds to turn everything on. "Best not to dwell on it. I lit on own mane and tail on fire when I got really frustrated from her Pinkie Sense." "That is a sign of affiliation to fire." Lightning says. Twilight shakes her head and shows her wings. "I think I'm on a more celestial magic type." "Not really, after that outburst a part of your magical nature was revealed to you." Lightning says sounding like a professor. Twilight looks at him deadpan. "Back off stallion, I'm a scientist." She retorted. "Besides who's the one hooked to the machines?" "I'm sorry where your degree is?" Lightning asks making Twilight stutter. Twilight then gasp as she comes up with an answer. "I've been placed here by Celestia because of my extensive studies and knowledgeable areas of all." She answered proudly. "So where is your degree that says you graduated a magical school and are qualified to give lectures on the advance magical course?" Lightning asks as Twilight goes silent. "Trophy room." She said simply as she pointed to a door on the side of the lab. "Must be pretty small then." Rainbow says before laughing. Twilight glares and opens the door with her magic, blinding everypony in the room with the vast amount of awards and medals won from various areas and competition. "I started winning them since I was four." "Ok then tell me Twilight what is the basic theory behind elemental magic?" Lightning asks. Twilight raises a hoof, but then pauses as nothing comes to her. "I...I don't..." She then points accusingly to Lightning who is smirking at her. "You're using the type of magic used across seas aren't you?" "Somepony give Twilight a prize, you're right, the eastern land have developed magic that anypony can use." Lightning says catching Rainbow's attention. Twilight huffs and turns to her machines, then comes up with an answer from just the word elemental. "Matter can't be neither created nor destroyed so all magic must follow the basic elemental principle of balance." "That is a basic principle of all magic, but Elemental magic relies on drawing on the forces of nature itself." Lightning corrected. Twilight groans with a frustrated face and just gives up. "I give up." She turns on the machines, but 'accidentally' hits a higher voltage setting, shocking Lightning. Lightning doesn't really react. "Like for me for example I am a natural lightning element user so this really doesn't affect me." Lightning says as Twilight realizes what she did and Rainbow jaw goes slack. Twilight then goes dead pan and fires an ice spell freezing him in a block of ice. "I was getting tired of his smartflank attitude." "Cause he knew more than you at something?!" Rainbow yells in her face obviously angry. Twilight pushes away to give herself some breathing room. "If he was a kind stallion he would have ended this trivial pursuit and stop questioning. Besides I need him still for this first test." "You better make it fast then Twi cause the ice is already starting to melt." Rainbow says as Twilight notices it too. Twilight flips a switch and activates one of the machines which then makes the other machines follow in unison. "Come on." She prayed. The machine starts to spit out readings most didn't really make sense to Twilight. The ice soon starts to melt faster as the machine continues it's scanning of him. The testers finished as the last of the results papers come and the ice finishes melting, leaving an angry Lightning. "What was that for?!" Lightning yells his red eyes bearing down on Twilight who laughs nervously. 'Since when did Lightning learn the stare?' Rainbow thinks. "Well?" Lightning says angrily Twilight suddenly brings up a result paper in front of her face as a way to hide. "Oh look, your magic is very much off the charts." "That's cause your comparing it to just unicorn exclusive magic. Elemental magic gets its power from nature itself meaning what, Twilight?" Lightning asked still mad. "Um...that your body contains pure nature magic?" Twilight asks. "Correct as such the amount I can naturally hold is greater than what normal unicorns can hold because it's not reliant on my own energy." Lightning says. Twilight looks to other test papers. "Your normal day to day functions are the same as ever, heck a little better, almost like a bodybuilder." "That's mostly from training and a healthy diet." Lightning informs. She looks to the last paper showing brain waves readings. "Hang on a second..." She takes a closer look as the others lean in too. "What?" Lightning asks starting to get worried. Twilight shows them the readings. "It shows that there are two brains types of brain waves instead of one." "Obviously an error." Lightning says. 'I can't believe she detected that.' Lightning thinks. Twilight flips the reader again and takes a quick scan. "Not by this it is. This is not an error at all." She then turns back to him. "Let's try a magical scan." She quickly told as she lit up her horn. Twilight thoroughly scans Lightning but comes up with nothing abnormal. "I don't understand." Twilight says. "See an error." Lightning says. Twilight then gasp with an idea. "Maybe because you are naturally resisting it. A simple sleep spell would do." She readies her horn with a knockout spell that places anypony under for a few. "Oh no you don't I noticed where you scanned for a few extra seconds." Lightning says before running for it leaving a blushing Twilight. "I was looking at your stomach, not your...that part!" She yells out as Lightning starts flying away at high speed. Rainbow glares bores into the back of Twilight's head. Twilight feels the glare on her. "What?" She asks annoyed. Rainbow shakes her head and flies off after Lightning, but not before a message. "Next time, leave personal stuff out of the questioning and don't you dare look at that part again." "B-but...I" Twilight was trying to form a sentence when Rainbow asks, "By the way how big is he? " Twilight opens her mouth without thinking "There is a saying that for male pegasus, it's all in the wing size." Twilight eyes went wide from what she just said. Twilight raises a hoof to explain but comes out of her mouth. "Thanks Twi, but once again DON'T ever look him there again or I'll personally rip those wings of yours off and we'll see if you can still be a princess or not." Rainbow warns before going after Lightning. 'This is so Discord's fault.' Twilight thought before she sighs and looks to her large amounts of papers that littered the floor. She then sees the brain wave scan again. "That's something weird, I know it. What are you hiding from us Lightning Bolt?" She said to herself. After several hours Rainbow managed to find Lightning resting in a tree in the Everfree forest. "You're crazy you know that right?" She asks knowingly. "Flying at such speeds while still recovering?" Lightning asks laying on the branch with his eyes closed as Rainbow landed gently in front of him. She shakes her head. "No, everything you're doing and being so close." "To you or something else?" Lightning asks as she gets closer. Rainbow smirks as she gets the meaning. "I was going to say the Everfree Forest, but yeah, to me too." "What can I say, I feel most comfortable here and I can't help getting close to you." Lightning says getting up and walking over to Rainbow. Rainbow leans onto Lightning when she is finally close enough. "Let's go on a real date, ok Rainbow?" Lightning asks. Rainbow snuggles close to him. "I'd like that." She whispers. "Let's go shall we then?" Lightning asks, spreading his wings. Rainbow takes a look around where they are. "But where and at this hour?" "It's still dinner time and the pony who own the fancy restaurant in town owes me a favor so just follow me, ok?" Lightning asks. She looks to the town and tries to see the fancy restaurant buildings. "What happened that made him owe you a favor?" "Actually it's a she and she had an infestation problem. I missed one Chamiosaurus because she had trapped it in the basement..." Lightning says. Rainbow gets up off the branch and stretches her wings. "Well if it can be free, that's even better. Let's go." She takes after him as Lighting leads the way. The night was peaceful as Lightning and Rainbow landed in front of the restaurant. Walking in the front door Lightning greeted the owner. The mare smiled at Lightning and waved and asked the waiter to seat them. The waiter led Lightning and Rainbow to a table next to the window. He gave them both menus before he headed to the kitchen. "So Rainbow have I ever told you how you're beautiful to me?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks up from her menu. "Don't start that kind of stuff. I'm not the kind to listen to all that sappy lovey dovey stuff." She informed. "I'm just asking Rainbow. Besides I know that and that's a thing about you I love." Lightning says. She looks back to menu. "Well then to answer the question, no you haven't...much." "Rainbow what you like to drink?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks over the types of drinks they have available, but nothing good for her pops out. "Maybe just water. If I can, a little soda." "Pick anything you want Rainbow it's all on me." Lightning says. "Then just a soda for me. I need something to end this night." Rainbow places the menu down and looks around the room. "Surprising that nopony is bothering to take a closer look at us." "Look around Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow looking around saw they were the only ones in the restaurant besides the staff. She takes more of a look around and tries to find anypony at their tables. "Where is everypony?" "The restaurant is closing the only reason we are being served is because the owner owes me a favor." Lightning says. The waiter came back. "Have you made your order?" After both Lightning and Rainbow ordered they just stared at each other until Lightning spoke. "Listen Rainbow I'm sorry for keeping secrets." Lightning says. Rainbow shakes her head. "Don't worry about it. That's passed and I can accept anything else that comes my way." "You're not curious if I have any more secrets?" Lightning asks. She shakes her head again. "No, I'll get them as they come. Better that way for me." Lightning stares her in the eyes before a bittersweet smile form on his mouth. "I really know how to pick em. Rainbow is there anything you want to know?" Lightning asks. "You avoided this question last time. So what was your rank in the Stalliongrad hunters?" Rainbow asks. Lightning sighs. "You had to remember that. I was rank six when I left the guild. That is the highest rank and there is never more than five members at a time but the requirements for the rank are so great that most consider it the legendary rank." Lightning says. Rainbow leans back in her chair. "Still crazy that you got this far." "Yeah I should have been dead a hundred times over but I'm still alive for some reason." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles lightly. "I meant in ranks, not how many times you're supposed to be dead." "I said former sixth rank Rainbow I'm no longer a member of the Stalliongrad hunters." Lightning says. She turns to the kitchen. "I wonder when our meals arrive." "It's coming now." Lightning says spotting the waiter. The waiter comes over with two dishes balancing on his hoof. 'And they thought I was ambidextrous.' Rainbow thinks. The dinner proceeded with no words as both pegasus just ate and looked at one another. After finishing and Lightning paying they left the restaurant. Eventually they found themselves on a cloud over looking Ponyville. "Rainbow..." Lightning started. She turns to the stallion beside her. "Yes." Lightning sighs and turns to her. "What do you really think of me, like truly?" "I think you're a wonderful stallion who is more than willing to put your life on the line for others even if you're a little hard headed and keep a few too many secrets about your past." Rainbow says moving closer to Lightning. Lightning looks down to his forelegs. "That's...good. I appreciate that you think of me that way." "I'm also happy to call myself your marefriend." Rainbow says leaning on Lightning being careful to avoid his injuries. "Rainbow there is something I want to do with you right now." Lightning says. Rainbow turns to look at him wide eyed. "Uh...if you're suggesting what I think you're suggesting then you might want to wait." "Not that Rainbow, this." Lightning says before kissing Rainbow. Rainbow becomes wide eyed and shocked before falling into the kiss quickly and leans into him more. A little ways away Twilight sees this and smiles before turning away and flying off. They both release their kiss and become mesmerized in each other's eyes. "Rainbow, I love you." Lightning simply said. "I love you too." She said back before kissing him again. Canterlot Castle A guard approached both Princess Celestia and Luna. "Your majesties." The guard says. They both look over from the mountains of paperwork, literally by the way, in front of them. "Yes?" Celestia asks. "We have received a letter from the federation." The guard says bringing out the letter. They send the piles of paperwork away to the side of the room as they grab the letter with their magic. Dear Princess Celestia and Luna, The Federation has received your letter and has decided to send a few representatives to see if you are truly serious in forming an alliance with us. I hope you understand why we are doing this seeing as the empire has shown signs of unrest and preparation for war. Queen Eclipse of Saddle Arabia herself has volunteer to come herself for this important meeting. Signed High King Ulfric of Stalliongrad. Both the princesses look at each other as the message came to mind. "You are sure that we have to do this?" Luna asks her sister. "Undoubtedly. It's no secret the Empire has always wanted to take over Equestria and with their unknown magic and armies that outnumber our entire population many times over. We must have allies." Celestia answers. Luna nods and turns back to the mountains of paperwork they have left. "I am surprised that High King Ulfric of Stalliongrad replied personally though." Celestia added as a forethought. Author's Note And that's another chapter. Read and Review. Old FriendA/N: And we're back. Sorry for the fast and slow updates. I'm in college right now so everything is hectic. Trying to rush and buying time is not easy. Especially since I suck at math. Now does Flair have anything to say? Flair: Not really no. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' Lightning was standing with Rainbow as he watched Twilight's inauguration ceremony all the while pulling at the outfit Rarity made. 'I absolutely hate formal clothes, but I like the hats Rarity made for me and Rainbow.' Lightning thought. Rainbow bumps him in the side. "Stop fidgeting like a foal. Besides you wear clothes all the time." Rainbow whispers. Lightning made one more adjustment before he stopped messing with his clothes. "I wear comfortable armor, not formal black tie." He commented. "Look it's almost over, then there is a party." Rainbow whispers. "A formal party." Lightning whispers back a little depressed. "Oh, grow up." Rainbow quipped. "We have to meet nobles, like what was the name of the prince nopony cares about?" Lightning asks as he brings a hoof to his chin. "Prince Blueblood?" Rainbow answer. "Yeah, Prince Bluebrood." Lightning confirmed...wrong. "Oh, joy bunnies." Rainbow Dash whispered joining his opinion on it. The ceremony finally ended and they were escorted to the party room. Inwardly all Lightning could do was groan. The room was filled with the richest ponies in the city and shaking hooves with Twilight. Even Twilight was getting tired of it. Luckily Celestia steps in and takes over for all the hoof shaking. Afterword Twilight spent some time with her friends while Lightning actually starts eating at the concession table. "At least the food is good." He remarked. The mares were then approach by a very fat elderly stallion. "Oh ho ho ho, my Lady Twilight you look absolutely lovely." The stallion says. Twilight turns to the stallion as well the rest of the group. "Who the hay is that?" Applejack whispers. "Some noble we have never met. I believe he is Lord Burrows, the owner of the northern gold mines." Rarity whispers back. "Ah...thank you...sir." Twilight said back. "Oh, not at all Princess Twilight. A complement of so low quality to you is not even worthy of acknowledging." Lord Burrows says. Lightning seeing him, glares, knowing him full well from the description Nikolai gave him, but kept his cool knowing that he was his only lead to Dolph and the rest of the Nether Gate assassins. He stayed at the table still watching them just in case. "Who we looking at?" Lightning screams like a filly then turns to Spitfire behind him. "Grandma was right, you do scream like a filly." She put out, commenting on his scream. Lightning glares at his sister before turning his attention back to Lord Burrows. "To answer your question a stallion who I will stuff and mount on my wall if he makes a pass on Rainbow." Lightning says with anger. Spitfire looks to the lord. "I don't think he's going after Rainbow." "I think you're right. He seems to be buttering up the newest princess." Lightning says turning around and his jaw went slack jaw after he noticed his sister was wearing a dress and not her uniform. "What the heck in Tartarus is that barf?" "What, it doesn't look good?" Spitfire asks looking irritated. "No, it looks good, it's just I never saw you wear a dress. Grandmother must have made some major headway in convincing you to find a stallionfriend." Lightning says smirking. Spitfire frowns at the proposal. "No, grandma didn't have anything to do with this. Besides, this is my other formal wear for parties." "So she hasn't been pestering you nonstop about that?" Lightning says his smirk growing. She hung her head down. "Unfortunately." Lightning pats her reassuringly on the back. "Don't worry sis. There is a stallion for you out there." She glares back at him for that. "That's not what I hoped you say." "I know I just said that to get a rise out of you, but sis, serious question." Lightning's face turned serious. "Yes?" Spitfire asks. "Are you a fillyfooler?" Lightning whispers into her ear. She turns red and turns him around then slams his head into the punchbowl. Everypony bears witness as she tried to drown him in the bowl. "You going to never ask that again, are you?" She asks calmly as she lifted his head out of the bowl. "Until I get a serious answer, yes." Lightning says. This earned him another turn in the punchbowl. Spitfire lifts him out again. "I won't give up until you answer." He told her as he tried to get his breath back. Spitfire sighs and let's go. "Just go with your marefriend because you're not worth it." Lightning looks at her worriedly. "Hey, what's wrong?" He then frowns. "Show's over folks, go back to your hoof shaking." He told the other partygoers. They grumbled at the loss of the show that only comes from Ponyville. And when I say Ponyville, I mean it. I mean, that town is the only place in the world where anything interesting happens. Not including Canterlot, of course. "Come on sis, what's wrong with you?" Lightning asks again. Spitfire sighs again and kicks up some dust left behind on the floor. "Nothing, it's just…" "Just…" Lightning speaks on with a raised eyebrow. She turns to him. "You have a better life than me. Look at what I got and it's got me stuck on one thing in my life. Sure the Wonderbolts are good and it pays well. But after a while, it just doesn't have the flair it use to have. Like doing amazing tricks and stunts. Now everything is a blur of routines and repeats. Yours on the other hoof is better because of the creatures you have to fight and deal with. Since you can use different strategies to deal with them instead of the same thing." Lightning gains a frown at what she implicated. "You think its fun sis. It's not I risk my life on a daily bases. I never know if the next second is my last. The only thing constant is my fear. What I wouldn't give to be free of the responsibility to just fly like you and the others do having fun." Lightning said wistfully. Spitfire tears up at that notion. "I meant you keep getting the rush and sometimes if you like it, the thrill of it. I don't have that anymore. It's like walking by something that attacks you every day since you were born and now you can shrug it off with a sidestep or a flick of the hoof because it's routine." "There is no thrill for me sis. It was for the first few hunts but the first time I saw somepony die in front of me on a hunt, it stopped being fun." Lighting says sadness evident on his face. Silence came out of them as the party went on in earnest. "I'm sorry." It was faint, but it was there. Lightning says nothing and just wraps his sister in a hug. "Listen I don't know if this helps, but I picked up a few moves that can never be shown because it's an attack style. You can use it on your own time and not in front of an audience. They would just bring the thrill down. Deal?" She wipes the tears from her muzzle. "Deal." She envelops him in a hug once more. "Oh." Luna says watching the two siblings. "I remember once when we were like that." She said to herself as she looks to Celestia still shaking hooves. "Like what sister?" Celestia asks as she looks to her little sister. Luna didn't even realized that she was close enough. "When we were young as young mares back in the day." She told her as Luna shook a hoof. At least they trust her enough now to shake a hoof. "Yes, simpler times." Celestia says a little sorrow in her voice as she remembered times long passed. "Back when we could mess around and have a little fun instead of worrying of how to run a country." "Oh that reminds me sister, isn't the Queen of Saddle Arabia supposed to arrive tonight?" Luna asks as she looks around for her. "Yes, a little later, but soon little sister." Celestia says. After a time Lightning and Spitfire stopped hugging and tried to enjoy the party and then went over to see the mares from Ponyville after Lord Burrows left. "Hey girls, did that lordy Mcblob leave you alone for the rest of your lives now?" "Ah, hey Lightning." Rainbow says as Lightning and Spitfire come up next to her. "How did the drowning go?" "Well, I think I sprouted gills." Lightning joked. "Really?!" Pinky exclaimed as she popped out from behind Rainbow's head before starting to check him all over for gills. "Pinkie." Twilight says annoyed. "Not now, checking for gills." Pinkie says rather quickly. "Pinkie, can you let go, this does not look good." He was right as the position they're in is not one to be shown in public. Pinkie was on Lightning's stomach while he was on his back. Not a pretty sight for some...though some left not for the embarrassment. "He was joking." Spitfire says blandly. "Ah, ah." Pinkie was peeking in Lightning's mouth for some inside gills, who looked annoyed. "Soootppp Pinnnnnkkee." He said with his mouth open. Pinkie lets out a huff. "No gills, come on!" She said to nopony. Lightning pushes her off and messes with his jaw back into place. "Thanks a lot Pinkie, now I won't eat right for a week." He complained as he finishes his jaw moving with a crack. "Ah, that's better." He sighed as he rubs his jaw line. "So what did that fat stallion want? Don't tell me he made a pass on any of you." Lightning says. "Oh no, he just complimented us a lot is all." Twilight informed. "Then he wants something." Lightning says. Rarity looks around and sees the Canterlot ponies and rich ponies from other countries milling about, but keeps sweeping a glance to Twilight. "As the new princess they will want to earn favors from you to advance themselves." Lightning says sounding like he had experience. Twilight rubs a hoof against her head to alleviate some pressure. "I thought they were just being nice. I guess this is how Princess Celestia feels." She said as she looks over to the sun alicorn. "And it sounds like you had this problem before." Spitfire spoke up. Lightning looks back at her then back to the others. "Yeah, I'm used to it because the nobles of Stalliongrad relied on the Stalliongrad Hunters to keep their lands safe from monsters. A lot of times we see them being buttered up for wealth or power." Lightning says. "Oh, this is going to take some getting used to." Twilight moans. "It never gets easy." Lightning says before everypony hears trumpets being blown. "Presenting the Queen of Saddle Arabia." A crier announced as a dark purple pegasus, with batwings instead of the normal feather wings, red eyes, and black mane wearing a regal bright purple with red lines, to highlight her eyes, gown, walks in with an escort of Saddle Arabian soldiers. Celestia and Luna walks toward the queen as everypony clears a path for them. Lightning just stares wide eyed at the Queen walking towards them. "Good evening Princesses of Equestria." The Queen greets the older ruler as she slightly inclines her head down. The co-rulers bow slightly in return. "And good evening to you. We have been expecting you." Celestia greets back. "That is something I didn't expect." Lightning whispered quietly. "What do you mean?" Rainbow asks as the Queen surveys the crowd and her eyes fall on Lightning. 'She better not do what I think she's going to do.' "Please excuse me Princess Celestia and Luna, I have just spotted a familiar face." The Queen says before making her way to the table of the Mane Six, Spitfire, and Lightning. Lightning had tried to slip away but Spitfire held him in place by his tail. 'Oh buck.' He thought forebodingly. "Greetings, I am Queen Eclipse of Saddle Arabia." Queen Eclipse introduced herself, her escort still flanking her. "Hello there." Twilight spoke. "I'm Princess Twilight Sparkle. It's a pleasure huh…" She stops as she realizes that Eclipse stayed focused on Lightning, who was hiding beneath the table, even going as far as getting a little close to him. "It's been a long time Lightning." Eclipse said soothingly. Lightning groans and comes out into the limelight. "Hey Clipsley." Lightning says shyly as he receives stares from all the other mares at the table. Even the whole room went silent that you could hear a pin drop. PING Everypony looks to the sound and sees Luna with a pin on the ground. She looks back at them with a weirded out expression. "What? You were all thinking the same thing. I just wanted to see that it would work." "How dare you address the Queen in such a manner?!" Her guard escort says angrily before suddenly stopping under the weight of Lightning's glare. "That's enough. He is allowed to talk to me as such. He is one of the only two who can call me that." Eclipse says in her regal tone. "My apologies my Queen." The guard says backing away a bit. Lightning sighs heavily as everypony looks on in shock at what he called her. "You know, this isn't how I wanted how see you again. I'm still expecting a full convoy following you. Remember that escort one time?" Eclipse laughs with a hoof over her muzzle. "How could I forget? You're the only one that choose to try to beat me in my own game and the whole convey lost all their bits to you." She giggles a little more remembering their reactions. "Those were the fun days before you became Queen of Saddle Arabia." Lightning says longingly. "Would somepony explain what is going on?" Spitfire asks with the mane six having their jaws slacked, even Celestia and Luna had their jaws slacked a little. "Oh, it's simple. Lightning Bolt and I used to see each other." Eclipse says like it was a regular thing to tell. "Why do you have to be so blunt with that? I swear you do a 180 when it comes to politics." Lightning says. Eclipse laughs slightly. "Come on Boltie, you know how I act. How else did you put with me?" She teased. "Pain pills and natural muscle relaxants." Lightning jokes. "And what natural muscle relaxants they are." Eclipse follows. "An herb that is grown in Stalliongrad." Lightning answers bluntly. Eclipse looks at him with a sultry expression. "Well, how about the other relaxant you had with me?" "That was one time." Lightning says angrily before his eyes widen at what she had tricked him into revealing. Rainbow looks at him shocked. "Lightning...did you two…?" She said afraid of what he's implying. Lightning stares face down at the ground before repeatedly slamming his head into the table. "Oh, that trip to the spa was wonderful." Eclipse adds with a smile. Everypony facefualts. "Are you serious?!" Rainbow and Spitfire yell as they got back up. "It is part of my shame." Lightning says sulking in the corner that made him look like he had depressed lines on him. Eclipse laughs out loud. "Oh, I just love teasing you. Just like the old days." Lightning said nothing as he still sulks in the corner. "So did you really go out with my stallionfriend?" Rainbow asks. Eclipse smiles. "Nah, we were just good friends. Like brother and sister." She said casually. Pinkie Pie looks at the authors doubtful. Don't look at us Pinkie, we're just spicing up the story. Besides turn back to them. "What is she looking at?" Eclipse asks. Lightning leans in. "The first rule around here is when it comes to Pinkie Pie, don't ask questions about what she's doing or talking about. Just go along with it." "I see, so want to come to my room tonight?" Eclipse teased, causing Lightning to start stuttering and Rainbow to pull him away. Eclipse stared confused at them. "Oh come on, am I not attractive?" Rainbow shot a glare at her in response. "He is mine." Rainbow says with a glare. Lightning just looks at Eclipse with a shrug. "So could you elaborate on Lightning's past? He hasn't revealed that much." Twilight asks. "Oh I would love to..." Eclipse is cut off by a Saddle Arabian soldier that comes up to her. "My Queen the prince is requesting to see you." The soldier informs. Eclipse groans out loud. "Can't I spend time with the ponies I want or is the world against me?" "The prince? You have a son now?" Lightning almost yells as Rainbow hugs him tightly. Eclipse sighs and walks off. "Excuse me, I have to deal with this." She looks back at Lightning. "Maybe after we can catch up." Rainbow squeezes him harder. "Not happening sister." Eclipse shrugs. "Pity, I was hoping of making my famous sweet pie that you love." "Sweet pie?" Lightning says sounding tempted. Rainbow looks at him inscrutably. "Are you kidding me? What haven't you done with her?" "She is talking about a desert Rainbow." Lightning informs. Rainbow looks to the queen confused. "Really? This is getting more confusing by the second." Lightning scoffs. "Welcome to my world." "Has she always been like this?" Spitfire asks. "No, she used to be much worse. Oh, by the way Eclipse, meet my older sister Spitfire." Lightning says. Eclipse raises an eyebrow. "Charmed." "Likewise." Spitfire says cautious of Lightning's ex sizing her up. "Oh I like you, so much like Lightning Bolt when on a job." Eclipse says. "That raises the question, how did ya'll meet?" Applejack asks. "Oh well back when I was just a princess I was being escorted back to the capital after participating in a festival when we were attacked by a large monster. Many of my guards were devoured in a matter of seconds and as the creature bared down on me out of the blue Lightning comes and stabs the monster through the back of the neck. After a bit of fighting Lightning slew the monster saving me and the rest of my escort. After that I insisted on him accompanying my escort and I back to the capital." Eclipse says getting next to Lightning and Rainbow while everypony was preoccupied with the story. "Privacy space here." Rainbow told her as she got too close. "Oh, but you are so much fun to mess with and maybe you and I could spend a night in my room." Eclipse suggests. "Hmm." Rainbow hummed. "Tempting, tempting. Okay." She finally said with a shrug. "Now she is coming onto you." Lightning says with a smile. Eclipse smiles. "Great," She clapped her hooves together. "I'll see you two tonight...and maybe your sister for more fun." She added as an afterthought. Spitfire's jaw just slacked. "Okay, but you better not be thinking of what I think you're thinking." She warns. Eclipse looks innocent. "What am I thinking that you are thinking what am I thinking?" "Now comes the mind games. Remind me how you got your country in such a favorable position?" Lightning asks. Spitfire glares at the queen. "What you are thinking that I think you're thinking that you think I'm thinking is getting me and the others into your bed." Lightning throws his hooves into the air. "And I'm being ignored." "Like a slumber party?" Eclipse says innocently. "I'm going to do some heavy medication, that's illegal drugs for you guys." Lightning yells. Spitfire throws a hoof in her direction. "One hoof out of line and I'll get you. I don't care if you're the bucking queen." "I'm going to throw myself off a cliff. With my wings tied." Lightning yells. "Oh, I'm going to like you in there." Eclipse says grabbing Lightning out of Rainbow's grasp. "Am I still being ignored or did you guys just paid attention to me again." Lightning asks. "How did you do that?" Rainbow asks confused. "Oh, Lightning I could never ignore you." Eclipse says turning her head towards him. "Oh no, I know that old trick you are not going to get me with it." Lightning says facing away. "What are you talking about Lightn...?" Rainbow stops as she stares into Eclipse's red eyes. "And now my Marefriend is under your spell. Just perfect." Lightning says blandly. "So when do you want us there?" He said sounding defeated. "Just come with me now you'll get to meet my son." Eclipse says happily. "Fine, but first undo your spell on Rainbow Dash, ok?" Lightning asks. She sighs. "Fine." She blinks once. "Happy?" Rainbow blinks rapidly and rubs her head. "What happened?" "I only did that because of our past together. Got that?" She told him angrily. Lightning surprised her with a hug. "You're still a good friend." She still held a frown, but then hugs him back with a smile. The guards look like they were about to speak but a glare from their Queen kept them quiet. "Psst...Sister." Luna whispers. "Yes Luna." Celestia whispers back. "Can we exploit the past relationship of those two to get our alliance?" Luna whispers. Celestia looks at her with frown. "We don't exploit others like that. We do it right." Luna looks at her with a similar glare. "And what is right sister?" Celestia sighs. "What we know is right in our hearts. It's not up to us to place the right way into others, but rather have them find their own path. Whether it be right or wrong." "At least ask him to try and advise her to approve us." Luna whispers. "Well you do this." "What?!" "Your idea, your problem. You still need to learn about politics. So do the easy way or hard way, note that both have consequences." Celestia spoke with experience. "Fine I will ask him discreetly." Luna says before making her way to the table. Lightning lets go of Eclipse and stands on his own hooves again. "I hope you didn't make any change to that pie. Still love that damn thing, sent my taste buds tingling." She giggles. "I can assure that nothing has change, unlike you." "Hope you don't mind." Lightning asks with care. Eclipse smiles. "Not at all, in fact I like it. It's very becoming of you. But I'm surprised you aren't wearing that hat of yours anymore. You loved that thing." Eclipse says reminiscing Lightning subconsciously reaches to his head. "Yeah, that thing saved my life and looked cool while doing it. The ultimate badflankery." Luna finally reaches the table. "Lightning Bolt, a word please." "Sorry girls, I'll be back in a second." Lightning says before leaving with the princess. They both stop towards a balcony that overlooked the city of Canterlot. "Do you know why I wanted to have a word with you?" Luna asks as she looks to the city skyline. "I presume it has something to do with my relationship with Eclipse." Lightning says, gone was his joking tone. Luna nods. "Yes, I want you to persuade her to give her approval to Equestria." Lightning leans up on the balcony terrace. "You do realize that it is better to let them make their own minds rather than using something close to them. That's like blackmail." He threw a stare to Luna. "Something I don't do." "I'm not asking anything much just put in a good word." Luna requests. He sighs. "Like I said, no using others or anything. It's not right. Let her make up her own mind." He then smirks. "Besides, she's smart, she can catch on to what others are doing. Comes with the job. Taught her a few things to look out for too." Luna gains a frown at the situation that was deteriorating fast. "You sound just like my sister." Lightning hops off the edge and starts to head back inside. "Then listen to a friend and family member." He finished leaving Luna on the balcony. She sighs and looks into the night sky. Lightning makes his way back to the table to catch Eclipse telling an embarrassing story about him. "Clipsley." Lightning says whining a little. They don't notice the cheeks turn red rose. "Come on Lightning. You love telling others stories about you." Eclipse stated as a pure fact. "I don't tell stories about my past much anymore Clipsley." Lightning says as he pouts. Eclipse puffs her cheeks. "Oh, poo. And here I was hoping to tell about the time you had to…" "Don't say it!" Lightning says sternly. She shot him a pitiful look. Lightning sighs then Eclipse says. "Dress up like a jester." "Gah!" Lightning yells. Eclipse laughs out loud as the others followed. Lightning just groans, thinking that this is the worst day of his life. "Why me?" He asks to whatever is up there. "Oh, don't be like that." Eclipse says walking up to him. He shot a glare in her direction. "Then what do you want me to be like?" "The stallion I came to love." Eclipse says touching her nose to his. Lightning held himself there, but then nuzzles her back. "Still too long and too late Clipsley." "I can dream." Eclipse says before Rainbow tackles Lightning away. Rainbow gives her worst stare possible to him. "You're crazy." Lightning gives a smirk. "Who do you think you're talking too?" She gives a low growl. "And throwing yourself to another mare?!" "Who is almost like a sister?" Lightning asks. "Besides you're the one who has my heart." He says in a low voice. Rainbow sighs to herself and gets off of him, but as he gets up Rainbow swings a punch to him right in the nose. Lightning groans in pain as he recoiled from the blow. "OW! My poor little nose. I guess I deserve that." "You two make a good couple." Eclipse says. They both shoot a glare in her direction, but whether she sees it or not could not be told. "Now it's getting late so let's head home." Saddle Arabian Embassy Lightning, Rainbow, and Spitfire follow Eclipse to a very expensive looking home. It looked like one of Canterlot's snob's home. At least this mare has taste. A very good white with purple cloth hanging from the roof and vines growing from the bottom. Flower beds filled with all types, including some rare Saddle Arabian flowers, through to find it in all of that is hard enough, on both sides of the pathways leading up the mansion with a small pond in all the sections. In the middle of the courtyard is a circular three level fountain with Saddle Arabia's countries in separate blocks inscribed on the bottom blocks for an easy map read. On top of the fountain stood the queen's cutie mark that had a candle light inside. "I see they really went all out with your symbol." Lightning commented. "Oh yes, they really work hard on it Ligh..." Eclipse was cut off when somepony yelled. "Mommy!" A black blur came barreling down the path and right into Eclipse as she stepped back a bit to minimize damage. What was revealed from the blur is a young foal about seven or eight years old. And from the look of wearing that ordinary outfit of just a small shirt and pants, this foal didn't like being spoiled. "Did you have fun mommy? Did ya? Did ya? Did ya? Did ya?" He asks widely. I didn't say he wasn't hyperactive. "So this is your son Clipsley." Lightning says amused. He stifles a laugh as the little foal snuggles into his mother's fur. Eclipse seems to bite back a comment. "Young prince." A voice calls as a group of tired guards crawled to them. Lightning stares at the exhausted guards for a moment. "How far did he have you chase him?" The guard at the front raises his head to speak, but gives a glare from being tired beyond relief and then crashes back down on the ground. "Yeah, it's pretty hard for earth ponies to keep up with a pegasus." Lightning says with a smirk. "Don't push your luck." A guard spoke up. Spitfire came around to see the little prince still snuggled in. "He is kinda cute and seems a little familiar." The voice triggers a recognition in the prince. He brings his head out and sees Spitfire of the Wonderbolts standing in front of him. "OH MY GOSH! SPITFIRE!?" "Oh, looks like your international sister." Lightning teased. She hung her head down. "Just what I needed." She then brings her head back up. "That's right tyke. Spitfire of the Wonderbolts standing right in front of you." "Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm meeting..." The Prince stops suddenly "Wait sister?" The prince asks looking at Lightning. "Oh my gosh, Lightning Bolt, one of the greatest Stalliongrad hunters ever!" The prince yells. "And you got an admirer." Spitfire tells his brother who is being attack by a seven year old. And by attack I mean by questions. "Oh my gosh is it true you took on an entire herd of stampeding monsters? What is your preferred weapon? Can you sign your trading card for me? Is it true that you slew a legendary Wyvern?" The prince starts rattling off questions. Eclipse then covered his mouth with her hoof. "Now Midnight these are our guests. Plus Lightning is a good friend of mine." Eclipse informs her foal. "Aw mom!" He whines. Eclipse looks to Lightning and the others sadly. "Sorry, but it looks like he won't stop till he gets answers." Lightning offers her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'm good with foals. To answer your question in order: Yes, a long curved sword, I will, and yes." Lightning answered all. Midnight stares at Lightning with wide starry eyes. "Wow, I have actually spoken with the Lightning Bolt, the greatest hunter ever!" "I wouldn't go that far Midnight." Lightning says. "Can we continue this inside now? It's getting a little chilly. I didn't know windy mountains can get this cold." Eclipse asks of them. "It's because you're used to the desert Eclipse." Lightning says as they all walk inside with Rainbow face showing how surprised she was to hear Lightning was so famous. After they were inside Eclipse disappeared into the kitchen. All the rest of them went into the living room to wait for her as Midnight went to his room to get his card. "Not half bad a place. She can give the princesses a run for their bits. This is part of the emissary Canterlot has for Saddle Arabia is all. It's so nice so that the ambassadors don't feel insulted." Lightning explains taking a seat on the beanbag chairs. The mares stared at the choice of seating. "Bean bags?" Rainbow asks. "They were invented in Saddle Arabia and are the chairs of their country. The other seats are most likely for guests." Lightning explains. "That's an interesting fact." Spitfire spoke up as she plops down on a bag only for it to be filled with and let out slowly as she descended. "This whole thing has to be out of a funny comic." Close, but no Spitfire. "It's all about how you sit on it sister. You need to be gentle and it feels like a cloud." Lightning instructs. Midnight finally came down with a card in his hooves. "Can I have your autograph?" "Sure Midnight." Lightning says signing it. Looking at the card he saw it was of him wearing his old hat and drawing his sword. "Never thought that I would see myself like that again." He takes a closer look. "Still a badflankery hat." "Lightning!" Eclipse shouts from the kitchen with a bowl of dough in her hooves that she was stirring. "Not around Midnight!" "Sorry Clipsley." Lightning says. "Thanks Lightning Bolt." Midnight says as he took the card back. "Oh I'm so going to hang this. Where did I place that wire?" He said to himself as he walks off. Rainbow is trying to lay on the beanbag chair, but fails miserably. "Let me help." Lightning told her. He grabs hold of her sides. "Like a cloud Rainbow, treat it like laying on a cloud." He moves her around to where she can lay comfortably. Finally Rainbow settles on a spot. She looks up to him. "Thanks." Lightning smiles. "No prob." Midnight comes walking in as a familiar aroma hit the nostrils of both Lightning and Midnight. "SWEET PIE!" They both yelled. 'Whoa that was in sync.' Rainbow and Spitfire think at the same time. Both the boys rush into the luxurious kitchen and plant their faces on the oven window. "Sweet pie." They drone again as they drooled. Eclipse smiles at the two antics and continue with some side dishes. The two continued to stare at the cooking pie. "Keep staring boys and you won't get any." Lightning quickly composed himself. "Sorry about that." Lightning says. Rainbow walks into the kitchen curious at the dessert that got Lightning to act like that. She steps up right besides Eclipse as she puts some vegetables into a bowl of some kind of dough. "It's a healthy form of pancakes that is from vegetables and the healthy version of pancake batter. Took me awhile to find the right ingredients. Now I guess you want to learn why those two are after the pie?" "Maybe." Rainbow says embarrassed. Eclipse laughs silently. "It's just like Lightning says, it sends your taste buds tingling." She sends a flick of her tail to hit a wooden board with a bowl on it behind her on kitchen island to sends to contents into the cooking pot in front of her. "That and I'm the best cook around." "Can you teach me? Since Lightning loves it I may want to make it one day for him." Rainbow says shyly. Eclipse leans in while stirring in a certain way. "Are you sure it's because of him going to live with you one day and by that I mean marry?" "What?!" Rainbow yells causing Eclipse to laugh. "Admit it, I can see it between you two. The ultimate version of love." She then brings a hoof to her chin. "Or is it the luckiest, could never tell." "We are seeing each other." Rainbow says. Eclipse smiles. "Thought so. Never let him go Rainbow, sometimes the one you find can be your last." With that she returned to her cooking. "And yes, I'll teach you later." "Something happened between you two didn't it?" Rainbow asks causing Eclipse to stop. After a few seconds she answered. "I made a choice many years ago Rainbow." Eclipse says sounding a little sad. "What was the choice?" Rainbow asks as she sends her eyes to see Lightning and Midnight having a staring contest, with Lightning failing with tears in his eyes. "It's...complicated and I would rather not talk about it." Eclipse said with pain in her voice. Rainbow nods and looks to the cooking material. "So the pie?" She asks in hope of changing the subject. Eclipse's attitude suddenly brightens and makes her turn to Rainbow. "Of course." After a while the sweet pie was finished. Everypony sat on the bags in the dining table as they all chowed down to the sweetest thing they have ever tasted. "Great as I remember it." Lightning commented with a big piece in his mouth. "Yeah, mom, this is the best one yet." Midnight said with a big smile that could rival Pinkie. "So you think I can make it?" Rainbow asks. Eclipse shrugs. "Eh, close enough to like it." "Rainbow did you get her to teach you?" Lightning asks curious if she can make the make the pie. "Yes I asked and she agreed." Rainbow says embarrassed. "Clipsley, you said you would never teach anypony your recipe." Lightning says surprised. Eclipse smirks. "Well, since you are going to live with her forever it's best to enjoy a good meal." "Clipsley." Lightning says some emotions in his voice. She said nothing as she drinks from her cup. Out of all of them it was surprisingly Spitfire that ate the most of the Sweet pie. "So sister what did you think?" Lightning asks with a smirk. Spitfire places her fork down and wipes her mouth with a napkin. "Eh." She shrugged. "Where can I buy more of these?" Lightning says as Spitfire thought about it. "Buy one of what?" Eclipse asks. "Sweet Cakes!" Lightning and Midnight yell before looking at each and laughing. Eclipse shakes her head at the two of them. "This can only be made not bought. You know that better than anypony Lightning." "I was only saying what Spitfire was thinking." Lightning says as Spitfire's face went red from embarrassment. "Lightning, I swear that if you weren't over there, I'll pummel you to the ground." "Love you too big sis." Lightning says. "Idiot." "Oh you want me to come give you a hug?" Eclipse asks suggestively. "Back off." "Oh maybe I should take you to one of the bedrooms." Eclipse teased. "What did I say back at the party?" "You said maybe." Eclipse reminded. "I hate you now." "I love you too." Eclipse says mimicking Lightning. "Hey that's my stich." Lightning says. "Too bad." Eclipse said gaining ownership of his line. "Ok, hey Midnight want to hear a story about your mother when she and I visited a town on the border for an annual hunt with the lords?" Lightning asks. "You wouldn't dare." Eclipse says her eyes narrowed. "Well you see…WOAH!" Eclipse tackles him and then carries him away upstairs where she ties him up quickly and locks him in her room. She sighs and came back down where the others had a look of shock on them. "He started it." "Technically you did mommy." Midnight says. "You're supposed to be on my side not against me." She argued. "But you just foalnapped one of my heroes." Midnight says. She sighs. "There are some things you can't hear. Even the embarrassing ones." "So what was he talking about?" Spitfire asks with a smirk getting close as Rainbow sneaks upstairs to find Lightning. Eclipse sighs and sits down. "I'm not talking about it." "Oh, come on mom." Midnight says but Eclipse says nothing. "She got drunk and flirted with a stuffed Manicorn." Lightning's voice was heard. Everypony turns to Lightning on the stairs with a roll of rope around his neck. "I didn't know that you carry rope like that, you must really like bondage." He said with a smirk as he fiddles with the roll. Eclipse face lit up in a massive blush and Midnight just looked confused. "What's bondage?" He asks. "You're too young to learn the meaning just yet." Spitfire says before covering his ears. Eclipse turns red mad...or is that a heavy blush. "You embarrass me in my own home, taint my foal, and speak thine words around him. I would have you gilded if you weren't my friend." She threatens carefully. "The only reason I do it is because you are my friend." Lightning says with a smirk. Eclipse suddenly brings out a humongous bat from behind her...wait...where was she keeping that? "Uh...where did you keep that?" Lightning asks as he pointed to it. Eclipse gains a most malevolent grin. "In case of emergency, bring bat. Like pesky friends." 'Oh, dear.' Lightning thinks and a second later he was flying away from the house as Eclipse chased him. The others left behind just stared at the weird scene playing out in front of them. Eclipse slams the bat down on a flower bed as Lightning hops to it. He then goes to the fountain, but Eclipse doesn't hit him there. Instead she flips a switch on the bottom of the fountain that turns on the pump to maximum output. Lightning slides down the fountain to end up in hot water. Eclipse readies the bat for a home run and swings hard onto Lightning, knocking him out. Eclipse breathes heavily as Lightning lays there under the water. She quickly brings him out and places him on her back. Walking inside she finds the others in a state of shock. "He started it." She said like last time. Spitfire sighs. "He really did this time." She said as she brought a forehoof to her head to block out her eyes. "Oh, bat, I get it." Midnight says flapping his bat like wings. Everypony shakes her heads at the foalish like behavior. "I'll place him in the guest room. Want to join me Rainbow?" Eclipse asks. "Only to make sure you don't do anything to him." Rainbow warns. They both went upstairs leaving the two background characters in the dining room. Spitfire turns to the little prince. "So, what do you want to know of me?" She'll regret that. Midnight just smiles as he prepares to bombard her with questions. Author's Note And that's another chapter…I have got to come up with something else other than this. I doubt you guys will give me ideas. So as always, Read and Review. House AdventuresA/N: Here we are again. But because of college I am brought down in work so I barely have time to write or rather type. So both of us are trying to find time. Now again, Flair anything to say. Flair: Guess not again. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' Lightning awoke with a killer headache. "What happened last night?" He said groggily as he rubs his head with a hoof. A throat clearing was heard. Lightning looks around to find Rainbow in front of him with Eclipse right behind her with a first aid kit. "She really wacked you and, frankly, I think you deserve it." "Hey, I reserve the right to act like that with her." Rainbow scoffs. "Yeah, act." She said bitterly. Lightning sighs. "Rainbow, you're always the one for me. Nopony else is right for me now. Right Eclipse?" "Correct." Eclipse says, sounding a little sad. Rainbow suddenly gets frustrated and pulls at her mane. "Okay, now you have to tell me what is bothering you. I'm tired of all these secrets!" That would surely ring out through the house, even though most of it is fabric. Lightning looks shocked at the sudden change in attitude, while Eclipse just sighs and brings out the equipment she needs and places it on the bed. "We once were seeing each other Rainbow Dash." Eclipse says. Rainbow freezes and then slowly looks to Lightning who has a somber expression. "It's true." He then looks to Rainbow with the most saddest frown she has ever seen on him. "I'm sorry Rainbow." He told in a whisper. "You said once, what happened?" Rainbow asks, almost afraid of the answer. "You see, it happened after my brother died. As the last living heir to the throne the duty fell to me to rule. I could have denied it and given the duty to one of the nobles so they could become king, but I chose to rule so my ponies wouldn't suffer a civil war." Eclipse begins as she brings out some alcohol onto a towel. She starts dabbing it onto Lightning's head making him wince. "Then why didn't you marry? I mean Lightning could have been your king." Rainbow says. "There is a law in Saddle Arabia Rainbow. It states that when a female inherits the throne she may never marry. This was to insure no noble could usurp a female ruler through marriage." Lightning explained, as Eclipse ran some gauze on his wound. "In the end when it came time to choose between Lightning and my country so…" She sighs. "I choose the country." Eclipse says, as she picks up a bandage. Lightning looks to Eclipse longingly. "I'm proud of her making the choice because sometimes the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Yet, they sometimes work the opposite way, but that nevered happen." He with a far away expression. Eclipse finally finishes as she places the bandage on him. "That decision haunts me to this day, but I'm happy Lightning moved on and found you Rainbow." Eclipse looks to Rainbow with a smile. Rainbow looks at the floor for a bit before looking up. "Do you still love her?" She whispers. Lightning looks to her carefully. "How much doubt do you have Rainbow? About me." "Sorry, I'm a little suspicious by nature." Rainbow said as she went over to him. Lightning smiles lightly. "It's okay, come here." He said as he holds out his hooves. Rainbow accepted the hug and squeezed him tight, maybe a little too tight. "Rainbow...too tight." Lightning chokes out. Rainbow smiles menacingly and does the hug tighter. "Rainbow…" Lightning chokes out again. Rainbow suddenly climbs into the bed with and lets go of the hug to lighten the squeeze. "I thought of having a little fun." She said while smiling and giggling a little. Lightning looks at her surprised. "Did you just giggle?" Rainbow moves her eyes back and forth. "Ah, no." She sheepishly said. "It was adorable." Lightning says snuggling into her. Rainbow smirks and taps his side to try to shut him up. "Try harder." She hits harder and that earns her a wince. "You said harder." Rainbow smirks. "Ok, bad choice of words." Lightning said laughing a little. Rainbow looks to him. "Is it always going to be like this every time we're in bed?" Lightning smirks and brings her in closer. He looks over her shoulder to see that Eclipse has already left. "You know, we're alone." Rainbow becomes wide eyed and blushes. "Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?" Lightning gives a raised eyebrow. "What are you thinking about, I was thinking about snuggling here for the night?" She then becomes red as a tomato. "Well, I...ah…" "Now you're just being adorable." He commented before nuzzling her nose. Rainbow was taken off guard by this late move. Before either could do anything else Spitfire walked in. Seeing the two in bed together all Spitfire could do was back out of there slowly and close the door behind her. Leaving the two lovers in a awkward situation. "Well that killed the mood." Lightning grumbled. "Don't worry I still love you." Rainbow said before they fell asleep. Spitfire stood outside the bedroom door after seeing the akward moment for just checking up on his brother. 'At least I have more ammo to use against him now.' She thought as she went to her room, but bumps into Eclipse on the way. "Eclipse." She regarded. "Oh hey, want to come to my room?" Eclipse teased. Spitfire brings a hoof to her face, but then looks to Lightning's room. She turns back to the smirking queen. "Sure why not. I got nothing else tonight." She said rather bored at the prospect of dealing with Midnight or rather annoyed. Eclipse becomes surprised at the answer. "Wow, I didn't expect you to accept. Well...follow me." She said nervously. Spitfire followed the now nervous queen to her room and finds something that would put the Princesses rooms to shame. Almost every part of the room has been decorated to fit the colors on the queen herself. The floor a light pink, the bed a dark purple, and the walls a mix in between. "Okay, now I want to live here." Spitfire whistled. Eclipse smiles and hops onto the bed. She turns to Spitfire stuck at the door and taps on the sheets beside her. "Come on, more than enough room." Spitfire sighs once again and walks over the the plush bed that, once she hops on, is sinkable. "Oh yeah, definitely living here." Eclipse giggles into her hooves. "So what do you want to do?" She asks with a smirk. Spitfire stares at the ceiling. "Can I get a massage, I have huge headache and the wings are sore like after a show." Eclipse loses her smirk as the tone hits her. "Okay." She said carefully. Eclipse flips Spitfire over and starts on her back. "What's wrong?" Spitfire looks back at her confused. "Don't give that look, I know trouble when I see and hear it. What's wrong?" "I don't know you nearly well enough to open up to you." Spitfire says. Eclipse runs her hooves a little harder around the wings. "And if you keep bottling things up then they might explode at the wrong pony." She warns. "Fine," Spitfire sighs. "I'm sad to see my little brother has grown up so much without me." Eclipse smiles as the family card comes into play. She moves her hooves to Spitfire's spine. "Well, family always look out for each other, but they want to remember the good times, so they keep treating each other from that certain time period." She said psychologically. "But that is the problem, I didn't get as much time as you normally would. I thought I lost him when he was nine and now he is back a full grown stallion and is close to marrying from the looks of it." Spitfire states sadly. Eclipse moves her head down so that Spitfire can see her face without moving much. "Then you would see more good times as you two are living here now. Either in Canterlot or Ponyville." Eclipse moves back up and massages closer to her neck. "Wait, how do you know about Ponyville?" Spitfire asks now suspicious. Eclipse smirks. "A good diplomat always knows the surrounding area." "But how did you know he lives there?" Spitfire asks. Eclipse smirks again. "And they also know about the famous ponies in the area too." "You have spies in our country don't you?" Spitfire asks bluntly. Eclipse moves to her wings making Spitfire moan quietly. "Ask that question to Lightning. He taught some of them." Spitfire eyed her and was about to go see Lightning, but Eclipse stopped her. Now she was trapped under magical hooves. "Not yet, you would be even more sore, even if you didn't get the message. So stay here for the night and you'll be better than ever." Spitfire was half-tempted to go against her advice, but then just relaxed and stayed where she is. "Okay, just hurry up." Eclipse surprises her with a small kiss to her wings, making Spitfire yelp from the contact. "It seems that pegasus wings are more sensitive than bat wings. Of course I knew this because of that night I spent with Lightning. Now how did those pressure points go again." Eclipse says instilling much dread into Spitfire. Spitfire yelps and moans as each pressure point was touch, push, and provided much needed relief. "What do you mean 'with Lightning?'" Spitfire manages to squeak out. "That's a secret." Eclipse whispered into Spitfire's ear. Spitfire tries to glare angrily at her, but fails as the massage keeps on coming. "It is not...whoa...a secret if...mmmmm...family is involved." She moans. "Oh, then tell me all about your personal life and everypony you have dated an..." Eclipse left off there as she moves her hooves around her wings. "W-w-what does that have to..." Spitfire stops abruptly in realization. "Wait, you don't mean you and him..." Spitfire leaves off. Spitfire feels the hooves stop moving as the words hit Eclipse. "Lightning and I have gotten very close Spitfire, but that didn't mean we really did anything. The closest things we have ever done is cuddle together in the same bed and a few light kisses." "Stop, stop, I don't want to hear anymore." Spitfire pleaded. Eclipse stops massaging and flips Spitfire over. "Fine, but now you owe me. Tell me a story." "Look, I have never been in that type of relationship. I devoted myself to the Wonderbolts." Spitfire says. Eclipse looks at her when tears started to come out. "Spitfire, love and family are two of the biggest things next to friendship. If you don't have either of the three, then don't be a living being at all. At least try to find somepony or you will miss your chance when it comes and then the days of finding somepony will be lost forever to the sands." She finishes with tears falling down her cheeks. "You speak from experience don't you?" Spitfire asks. Eclipse lays down on the bed sheets with sadness. "I lost him." She simply said. "I lost Lightning to a important decision, but it's better to be lost like that than to the sands." "Ponyfeathers, we make a pair, a Queen who has loved and lost and a flyer who has never loved at all." Spitfire commented with a smile to cheer the queen up. Fortunately, it worked. "Yeah, I guess we do. " She smiles. "It's getting late, want to sleep here?" "Fine." Spitfire answered. "Now I have slept with you and your sibling." Eclipse says. "Watch it." Spitfire warns. "At least you're back to your old self now." Eclipse lays in the bed and pulls the covers around her, but not before leaving it open for her. "Come on in. Enjoy the warmth." Spitfire rolls her eyes at the teasing queen and settles in besides her. "Don't you dare try anything." She warns. Eclipse laughs deeply and warps her hooves around Spitfire. "Only if you want to." She whispered. Spitfire breathes out deeply and starts for dreamland. Eclipse stares at the fiery peguese in her hooves and thinks about the fact that she won't let go of the past life. Eclipse contemplates the idea of the pony finding a date. 'Absurd.' She thinks humorously to herself. 'She'll never go for it or even let go.' Eclipse looks to the window and sees the moon shining bright. 'That's for tomorrow. Now off to dreamland.' She said to herself as she goes off to sleep. In the morning Spitfire slowly opened her eyes and gets her bearings on the room. The first things she sees is dark purple. very, very dark purple. "Oh no. Please don't tell me that it happened." Spitfire told herself. "What happened?" Eclipse asks. Spitfire looks up to see Eclipse looking at her concerningly. "Please don't we did it?" Spitfire asks. "Did what?" Eclipse asks innocently. Spitfire jumps out of the bed and goes through the door of what she assumed was the bathroom. "That's the closet!" Eclipse tells her. Spitfire runs out of the closet and goes into the door next door to head into the bathroom. "Bathroom." Eclipse calls. A shower started inside as steam start to pour out from under the door. The door opens again as Spitfire peeks her head out. "Sorry, but I have to start the day early and get stuff done. You don't mind do you?" Eclipse gives a smirk. "Only if you allow me a chance in there too with you." Spitfire goes wide eye at the suggestion and was about to retort, but was cut off from laughter from Eclipse. "Kidding, go on." She said with a giggle. Meanwhile Rainbow opens her eyes and finds herself sleeping on a bed with Lightning's wings wrapped around her like a blanket. She smiles and snuggles into him, but the movement woke him up. "Ah, what happened?" Lightning says trying to get a bearing. Once he opens his eyes fully he sees Rainbow snuggled onto his chest with a very happy smile. This causes Lightning to get worried. "Oh dear." Rainbow looks up at him with a smile. "Hey there. Have fun last night?" She asks trying to hold back a laugh at the look on Lightning's face. "Did we do..." Lightning was cut off my Rainbow's hoof covering his mouth. "No, but we can later if you want." Rainbow says about to laugh. Lightning starts to sputter out incoherent words, but was stopped again by Rainbow. "Take a deep breath and…" Rainbow couldn't take it anymore. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. You should have seen the look on your face. Hilarious." Rainbow laughs pointing at him. "Oh and I was about to accept." Lightning says turning the tables on Rainbow. Rainbow stops laughing immediately. "Well, about that...I was just...kidding." She offered meekly. "Uh huh." Lightning said not convinced and raising his eyebrows. "I…but...you..." Rainbow said, trying to form a sentence. Lightning smiles and stops her from embarrassing herself even further by nuzzling her nose. "Oh, calm down." He stops nuzzling. "I was just joking. Unless you weren't?" He asks with a smirk. Rainbow hits his side with a forehoof making him wince. "Jerk." "Love you." Lightning says with his tongue sticking out. "Careful I might bite your tongue." Rainbow playfully warns. Lightning cuts her off as he kisses her. He pulls away after a bit. "How about now?" He asks. "Oh I have a few ideas, but let us get some food." Rainbow says getting off the bed. She shivers as the warmth leaves her. Lightning sighs and follows after her. "How's the wound on me?" He asks as he scratches around his wound. Rainbow looks back at him and looks at the wound. The bandage area seems to have bleed none at all as the bandage isn't red and no swelling has occurred. "Doesn't look all that bad." She told him. Lightning shakes himself and starts to head for the door. "Good, I'll make some food and then head for a shower. You can go first." He told Rainbow as he heads for the kitchen. "Don't blow anything up!" She calls after him. After taking a shower she finds that Lightning had made her breakfast and nothing was destroyed much to her relief. "What's for breakfast?" She asks as she looks at the spread. "Pancakes." Lightning says as they heard Midnight yell. "Yay!" Rainbow smirks as a disheveled Midnight comes into the kitchen. "Did somepony say pancakes?" "Me." Lightning says. "Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. Eating food made by the famous Lightning. I think I'm going to faint." Midnight said breathlessly. Lightning chuckles at the energy from the young one. "Well get showered and everything then you can eat." "Ah! No fair!" Midnight whines. Lightning gives a dark look. "Shower or no food for you." He said in a dark tone. Midnight hurries up back to his room and soon they hear the shower running along with furious scrubbing. "Wow, you sounded like a father." Rainbow commented. Lightning sighs. "To deal with foals, you have to act like a parent. Not easy mind you. I even have to do it with you sometimes." Lightning says mumbling the last part. "What was that?" Rainbow ask suspiciously. Lightning looks around quickly. "Nothing." He said rather quickly. "Go take your shower." Rainbow says not amused. Lightning looks down. "Yes, mam." As he passes Rainbow she gives him a quick kiss on the cheek raising his spirits up a bit and making him leave with a smile. After Lightning comes back from shower he sees his sister not looking happy. "What happened?" He asks bored of the situation already. "Let's talk about the spies of Saddle Arabia." Spitfire says. Lightning's eyes grows wide at the what she just said. "I just remembered, I got to meet Eclipse in the library, bye!" He said quickly and left, but can't get a few feet with Spitfire's hoof on his tail. "Nice try, but what is this about spies?" Spitfire says in a scary tone. Lightning sighs and tries not to look at her. "I trained some of her soldiers as a going away present for when I had to leave. I figured that she might need somepony like that one day. I was good like at one time and was use to it." He finished. "Could you identify them?" Spitfire asks. "Not anymore it has been years." He answered. Spitfire huffs and lets go of his tail. "If I find anypony that is spying on me, I'll bring them to you." "Ok sister." Lightning says. Spitfire thens smiles brightly. "Now let's eat." Breakfast started and proceeded like a normal breakfast until somepony threw a muffin and thus starting a food fight. Midnight threw his syrup covered pancakes at his mother who dodged and threw her own back at him. Midnight couldn't get away fast enough and then was covered from head to hoof with syrup. Rainbow uses her finished plate as a shield against the oncoming projectiles of delectable taste. Lightning just sat there still eating as the thrown food passes by him. Once he was halfway done he picks his plate up and sends it to his sister. Who takes the hit and makes her fiery mane look like she took some a chocolate rain shower to it. Eclipse then sees the state of Spitfire and starts a small laugh that was joined by Midnight who was picking pieces of food from the messy table. Rainbow joins in on the fun, but Lightning just leans on the table and smiles. Spitfire sighs and looks to everypony as the food fight was forgotten. "How many showers are in the building?" Spitfire asks as she licks the syrup that ran down her face. "Exactly 4, but the 5th one is just a bath." Eclipse says. Rainbow looks over to Lightning with a certain look in her eyes. Lightning got the message and got went off to the bath with Rainbow following a little later. Eclipse looks on in amusement. "That solves one of the bathrooms. Now we can get our own. Let's get cleaned up." She stops as she sees Midnight eating and sucking the table for more food. "Honey, what did I tell you?" "To not eat off the floor like a Diamond dog?" Midnight asks. "And what are you doing?" "What you told me not to do." Midnight says with a guilty tone. Eclipse sighs. "Go get cleaned up." "Yes mommy." Midnight says walking away. After he was gone, Eclipse turns to Spitfire. "Good foal, but tries to be like the other foals in Ponyville I have heard about. Definitely not like the foals here. Wants to have fun and not deal with fancy parties or bits. Literally, he won't touch a bit or ask for them. Good foal, wrong place to be one." "That might be a good trait for him when he inherits the throne." Spitfire says. Eclipse smiles. "Yes, I suppose it is. Though he does escape the studies required for the throne, but goes for normal school work that you would have here for a regular job." "He will being going home with you when you do." Spitfire says. Eclipse smiles. "We have our own private teacher." "Is the tutor competent?" Spitfire asks. "Have something against teachers?" "A lot of teachers, when it comes to royalty, view the world through the eyes of centuries ago." Spitfire says. "They have been updated and also with the standard law made by Celestia for education. I have included on all studies including my little prince the standard needed including how to run a country like ours." "I see so I heard you are a representative to decide if we get a alliance." Spitfire says. With all the seriousness now in place Eclipse stops smiling. "Yes, and trust me when I say that this country needs the alliance. Without it the whole land would fall. With war on my borders too we need to work together." She licks a stray syrup line from her muzzle. "Maybe after this we go after the griffins because of their military might." "What is your recommendation so far?" Spitfire asks. "Sorry." Eclipse gets up and starts for her bathroom. "Princesses eyes only. You can take the guest room's bathroom." Spitfire goes to the shower and thinks over what she has learned. She has heard of the oncoming war for when she was walking around the party and overheard from a couple guards. What most ponies didn't know is that when war or trouble comes in then her and her team will be called in to fight. After all Celestia herself commissioned the Wonderbolts to be ready for war in the idea that they were just a performing team for the general public. 'Are we ready?' Was the question that kept running through Spitfire's mind. In a way she was glad her little brother didn't rejoin the Wonderbolts. Finishing up she drys up and left to meet up with the others. Walking downstairs she finds the others waiting for her with everything they had when they came over. "Is it about time to go?" She asks. "Yeah, Clipsy has things to do that concern her country." Lightning says. "Thanks for the food and stay and also for the sweet pie." Eclipse smiles and pulls out a container. "Thanks and here, some leftover sweet pie that was in the oven." She suddenly feels nothing on her hooves. Looking down she finds it gone. Looking over at Lightning she finds him giggling like a mad pony over the container. "Hee, hee, hee." Lightning's excitement died when Spitfire snatch the sweet pie. "Hey!" Spitfire huffs through her nose. "You have had enough. Besides I have never tried it so no pie for you." The sudden look on Lightning made him look like a broken mirror as depressed lines formed above him. "Why me?" He groans. Rainbow chuckles as Spitfire shot off the ground at full speed with the pie. Lightning became even more depressed as she left but then perks up and smiles over to Eclipse. "Told you she would take the bait." He told her. Eclipse smiles back and hoofs him another two more containers with the sweet pie. "I guess her old antics will never cease to amaze me." "I know, I'm just that good." Lightning says without noticing Rainbow taking both pies for herself. "Now I'll just take a quick bite and...huh." He looks at his hoof to find it gone and then over to Rainbow who quickly flies off home to enjoy the greatest pie in the world as in her head. "At least we live together. Makes things easy." Lightning said to Eclipse as Rainbow disappeared behind some clouds. "Well I better go. See ya, Clipsy." Lightning says taking off. Eclipse waves after him. "Bu, bye. Make sure to come again." She said as Midnight came out the door. Midnight looks for Lightning only to see him disappear behind some clouds. "Aw, I wanted to get a picture with him. At least a updated one and not yours that's old." "Don't worry you'll see him again soon." Eclipse says snuggling her little prince. "And what do you mean old?" Midnight now wishes he stayed in his room. Author's Note And this is another. Flair anything to say. Flair: I enjoyed writing this did you Primus? Yeah I did and it was funny too. Finally Getting Into ItA/N: Great to be back and writing. Flair got his computer working again, so the chapters are back. Now let's begin where we left. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' One month later Rainbow and Lightning stared down each other over the table as the last piece of the pie sat between them. "The last piece. We both know that each of us want it." Rainbow says. "I might be willing to part with it for something." Lightning teases with a lusty smile, though she didn't know it was fake. Rainbow blushes hot red as the thought came to her. "No way. I am not doing that." "Oh you don't want to kiss me. I'm hurt Rainbow. I think I might cry." Lightning overdramatically says with fake sadness. Rainbow blushes more as now embarrassment takes hold. "Bucker." She says as the piece of pie slide to in front of her. She looks at it for a while before looking to Lightning who only has a smile on his, this time sincere. Rainbow smiles back before taking the pan and starts to dig in. After she got half way through it she peeked over the pan and sees Lightning trying to hold his laughter. Rainbow raises an eyebrow as she looks over herself to check anything amiss, until she breathes out cold air. "Boo." "AHHHHHHHHHHH!" Looking back she sees Commander Hurricane laughing like Lightning. She glares at both before flinging the rest of the pie at Lightning, who caught it and sends the pie into his mouth. "Thanks." Lightning said with his mouth full. "Oh, thanks Grandma, I haven't laughed like that in a while." Lightning says after swallowing the pie. Before Rainbow could say anything else the doorbell rang. "If it's Twilight again, don't answer it." Lighting told her. Rainbow got out of her chair and headed to the door and opened it to find Twilight. Rainbow's muzzle formed into a smile. "Lightning its Twilight." Rainbow calls. "I thought I told you not to answer it!" Lightning called from the kitchen. Lightning then makes his way to the front door. "Let me guess, you want to learn eastern magic right?" Lightning asks. Twilight laughs nervously. "This is the seventh time you have asked." Lightning says annoyed. "Come on, I got a thirst for knowledge and you know I won't stop." Twilight said. "Fine, but there are some ground rules I want to set down first." Lightning says exciting the new princess. "So what are they?" "One, you will infer to all I say and no back talk. Second, you will not try to pull rank while we train. And finally, you will study any material that I give to you even if you disagree with it." Lightning says sounding like a strict teacher from the academy that Twilight attended while a filly. Twilight smiles back. "Okay, when do we begin?" Lightning gains a smirk. "Follow me and Rainbow you come too." Lightning says moving back into the house and whistles getting his pets attention. They came to a closest that both Rainbow and Twilight have passed several times and Lightning says a few words in a different language before grabbing the doorknob and, to both of their shock, the doorknob to the opposite side of the door and opens it. "You coming?" Lightning asks looking back at them. They both walk forward mindlessly as the new room it lead to a massive room with many bookshelves. The library expanded to the dark, unlit areas of the largest room than the Canterlot Library has. "This is my Library of Magic, every tomb, book, scroll, etc., if it's either magical or a record of magic theories and formulas. I have scoured all of Stalliongrad, made deals and everything to acquire all of them. Some I even found in old ruins of Saddle Arabia." Lightning says as Twilight and Rainbow took it all in. "Wow." Twilight whispers. "Now, before we start, come with me." Lightning says, walking to the center of the room where a large beautiful crystal ball sat on top of a jewel encrusted stand shaped like different creatures on top of one another. "As is tradition all who start their education of magic in the east must use this artifact and determine their element alignment." Lightning instructs. Rainbow goes towards the artifact without question and looks it over. "So what elements are there?" She asks him. "Fire, Wind, Earth, Water, and Lightning. Every creature falls under these categories and none may possess more than one." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to the artifact again. "Cool." She taps the ball. "So how does it work?" "Very complicated but it you want the basics it simply shows your element in the crystal ball. But if you want to learn more of the inner working I will supply with a book on it later." Lightning says Rainbow stands in front of the crystal ball. "Give that to Twilight. I want an element here." ZAP "Ow." Rainbow looks to the offender who was the ball. The crystal ball interior changes to have a green wind inside it. "Congratulations Rainbow, you have Wind." He then looks to the side. "Though that was a no brainer for you. Twilight come on now, time to see your element." Lightning says. Twilight walks to the ball as Rainbow moves away and starts to look around. Twilight reaches the ball and slowly reaches forward before receiving a shock. "Ow." The wind suddenly died down and nothing happened for several moments until the crystal ball interior looked like an inferno. "Called it!" Lightning said with glee. Twilight stared inscrutably at the ball. That time she got mad at Pinkie wasn't just a fluke. "Now that we know your element type I can properly prepare for your first lesson until then." Lightning says lifting hoof and a book flew off the shelf and floated in front of him. "I suggest reading this book thoroughly." Lightning says as Twilight read the cover. 'The Dos and don'ts for fire magic users, a reference guide.' 'A dos and don'ts. He gave me a dos and don'ts.' "Who do you think I am, a foal?" Twilight yells. "Twilight you agreed you would do whatever I told you to do in exchange for teaching you, remember?" Lightning asks unfazed by the yell. Twilight growls before leaving with the book with a stern glare at him. Lightning stares back with no emotion that unnerved Twilight slightly, but not enough to break the glare. Lightning waited until she left did he turn to Rainbow while waving another hoof in the air. Several books came off the shelves. "So Rainbow, what do you want to learn?" Lightning asks. Twilight walked into her house and gives a sigh. 'I can't believe he's making me do this.' She thinks. "Hey Twilight, want some tea?" Spike asks from the kitchen wearing a 'Kiss the Cook' apron. "Thanks, Spike, I'm going to need it." Twilight says. Bringing out a tray that has a cup of tea and some sugar he places it on the center table. Twilight levitates some sugar into the cup then starts having the spoon stir the tea. "Chapter 1, An Introductory. Fire, among all of the elemental magic, is the most dangerous and has the highest probability to hurt the user if used incorrectly." Twilight voices starts to decrease in volume halfway through the sentence. "While at time one of the most powerful offensive magic it also one of the hardest to control. In addition user of fire magic should not practice in places with lots of flammable material unless unavoidable for it can easily cause them to combust from either a magical spark or the heat of the flames." She looks around at the library. "Spike?" "I heard what that book said." Spike bring out a bucket of water and a fire extinguisher. "I'll head to the store to buy five more. Knowing you and your luck, this will lead to trouble." He said as he grabs some bits and leaves. Twilight watches him leave and then turns her attention back to the book. "It is always best to practice with the supervision of an experienced elemental magic user for they can most likely can keep it under control." She then thinks over it. "I am so not asking Lightning for help. Besides he's lightning not fire. Where am I going to find a fire user?" She sighs and reads on. "Chapter two, Magical Fire Colors and their Meanings. Magic fires come with several different colors and meanings. Each fire has its own properties and effects, for example the Blue magical fire is cold and can freeze objects if strong enough. Because of the different colors fire magic has also been used for communications since ancient times." Twilight reads before seeing an index with the color of a magical fire and its starting page. Twilight just flips to the next page. "Red, the most basic and the most alike to its normal counterpart. Not much is different from red magic fire and its counterpart except it is a little hotter depending on the power behind it and it will affect almost anything with non-magical shielding to it. Red is what almost all magical fire users first create when they start and is flexible being the primary magic used for entertainment at nights during celebrations before the invention of fireworks, although some countries like Stalliongrad still prefer it over fireworks seeing as it also raises the temperature when used." Twilight reads. "Blue is the flame of the cold. Its properties is borderline ice magic cooling or freezing instead of burning. This is out of all fire magic is usually view as the strangest seeing as its very nature is almost completely opposite of the non-magical counterpart. This flame was first discovered by the earth pony Albenac who later became known as the cold flame in...Huh?" Twilight read not understanding the phrase for the date. "Ah, let's skip that until later." Twilight said to herself. Twilight kept reading till she hears Spike calls entering the door. "I'm back." Spike calls out. "And I got the fire extinguishers." He told her as he carried five boxes of fire extinguishers. Twilight looks over to him as he opens and drop each of extinguisher right by her. "Thanks Spike, you can have the day off now." Spike smiles slightly. "Thanks but, I'm not going to leave you here with possible fire magic coming out of you that you are now learning. By the way where did you get that book, the princess didn't send anything?" Spike asks. Twilight smiles at him before giving a hug. "Thanks Spike." She let's go of him and returns to her book. "Twilight you didn't answer my question." Spike says noticing her evasive response. "Don't worry it Spike. Besides I don't peek into your diary that is full of fantasy of Rarity." Twilight smirks. "Wait, you did what!?" Spike yells. Twilight laughs and grabs him into a hug again. "Kidding, but you get my point right?" She asks him. Spike sighs and lets her get back to reading. A few hours later after the sun had set there was a knock at the door. "Spike, can you get that?" Twilight asks. Spike walked to the door and opened it to see Rainbow Dash. "Hey Spike, is Twi here?" Spike pointed behind him. "Yeah, into another book again." Rainbow looks over and sees the stuff around her. She giggles into her hoof at the amount of extinguishes around her. "Geez Twi, you have extinguishers to put out your house three times over." "In preparation for fire magic Rainbow. So why did you come over?" Twilight asks. "Oh, Lightning asked me to tell you to meet him just outside the Everfree forest an hour before sunrise for lesson one." Rainbow informed. "Humph." Twilight groaned. "How did your reading go?" Rainbow gains a thoughtful look. "Well..." "So what do you want read?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smirks and goes over to him reading the title of each of the books. It wasn't until she ended up right up in front of him did she stop. She gives a sly smile before kissing him full on the lips. Lightning goes wide eye and falls into the act. After a few seconds she moves back and takes a book right by her. "I'll start with this." She told him as she walks to a table. Lightning was stuck in the same position he was left in from the kiss before he moves a hoof and moves it over his lips. "I picked a really good mare." He said to himself. Lightning was standing outside the Everfree forest dressed in a cloak waiting for twilight as he listened to the sounds of the forest. The insects, birds, the beasts in the forest, and, of course, the forest itself. Soon Twilight arrived, looking like she didn't get as much sleep as usual. "Ah good, you arrived. Now that you're here we can begin lesson one." He then notices Twilight sleeping halfway through his speech. Lightning frowns and walks over and shocks her a bit. "Twilight!" Lightning yells jolting her awake. "Yeow!" "Now's not the time to sleep. It's time to train. Your brother possibly went through the same thing so buck up and live up to your family name. Now follow me." Lightning says walking into the forest. Lightning lead the tired Alicorn through the woods Twilight getting spooked every once in a while until they came to a small hill with a bag by the base of the trunk of the only tree on it. "Ah here we are." Lightning says. "This is where we will truly begin your training. Now Twilight tell me how many spell were in that book I gave you." Lightning says. Twilight goes wide eye for a bit. "Uhh...two?" Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Did you read that thing or didn't you?" "I didn't finish it because I was afraid I would be too tired for any of this to sink in." Twilight says embarrassment. After a few moments Lightning spoke again. "Good judgment Twilight, safety and knowledge is important, but lack of sleep makes you unable to concentrate as well and also makes you very forgetful. That was a test and you passed." Lightning says. Twilight smiles as she looks down from embarrassment from not finishing the book. "Thanks. So, no spells yet, right? How to control?" "Yes, no spells yet for first you must achieve awareness of something first or you wouldn't be able to channel the magic. Now this is done by spending weeks if not months alone in the wilds." Twilight's face became one of horror as Lightning continued. "But that is the old way the way first pioneered by Albenac the cold flame five thousand years ago. Since then a spell has been developed for students to first feel this with a teacher of this. Now Twilight, you are going to have to trust me completely for this to work." Lightning says. "So what does it involve?" Twilight asks looking afraid. "Just lay down here under the tree and close your eyes." Lightning instructed. Twilight looks to the almost dead looking tree and complied. Walking to it she lays down next to the bag and closes her eyes. "Now what?" She feels a hoof touch her horn. "Just listen." Lightning says. Twilight did as he said and soon she heard the sound of dripping water and soon she could see it in her mind. "Listen to the heartbeat of the earth mother of all life on her." Lightning says. Twilight soon felt what she could only describe as tiny shockwaves that felt like a pulse. "Feel the wind, the breath of all life." Lightning says as Twilight felt the gentle breeze blowing on her. "Listen to the flame, which gives warmth and protection." Lightning says. Twilight then heard the sounds of a small fire burning, the cracking of wood as the fire was roaring with life. "Listen to the storm that rages in the distance." Lightning says. Soon Twilight heard the scheduled storm back in Ponyville raging its lightning cracking and the thunder booming. "Now Twilight Sparkle, child of the flame, awaken." Lightning says the last part seemed to fade out and at that moment Twilight could feel everything around her. She could even scarcely feel the aura of the trees as it painted her mind in a beautiful canvas of colors bringing tears to her eyes. "Beautiful isn't it?" Lightning after he lets go of her horn. "I have no words to describe it." Twilight says opening her tear filled eyes. Lightning smiles. "I'll let you enjoy this. We can start the real stuff next time later this afternoon." Lightning says getting up and turning around to head out, but Twilight voices catches him. "Is this how you see the world around us?" Twilight asks. "Yes, but only here, where nature is its own master and no pony controls it. That is why I prefer it here." Lightning says. "Lightning?" Lightning turns around only to be grabbed in a hug. "Thank you." She whispered. Lightning smiles and hugs her back. "Anything for a friend." He let's go of the hug and prepares to fly. "Why don't you enjoy some of the new sensory skill you got? I'll see you in the afternoon." He flies off toward Ponyville after he finishes. Twilight continues to look at the world with closed eyes until she realized lightning didn't take the bag with him. Eventually her curiosity got the better of her and she opened the bag to see a canvas and some art supplies with a note. Capturing your vision of the world when you first see it is a tradition in learning this, but it is your choice. Twilight smiles lightly and prepares the art supplies before closing her eyes and starts to see the life around her. It was the afternoon as the scheduled storm still raged as all the mane six, except Twilight, and Lightning were in Twilight's library playing a board game while they waited for her. Lightning looks to the pieces on the board as he picks up a piece and moves it three blocks ahead. Where he lands on makes him groan out loud. "Hah, Canterlot Square with a hotel on it. You owe me two thousand bits. And that means you have to declare bankruptcy." Rainbow boasted. Lightning groans and gives everything he got. Spike sits by them as the banker and declares it. "No second vote. Rainbow wins." Lightning then smiles. "At least this is somewhat fair. The game is based on chance." Rainbow smirks. "Again?" Lightning huffs. "Fat chance." Rainbow smiles. "Sore loser." After packing up the game halfway through a knock came at the door. Spike goes to open the door and finds Twilight with a canvas in her magical grasp and an umbrella overhead. "And lo and behold the prominent student returns." Lightning announces. Twilight uses her magic and places the umbrella away and as she walks to the central table she packs up the game and places it to the side. "Twi is it true you and Lightning here went to the Everfree forest?" Applejack asks. She then sits down and looks to everypony in the room before looking to Lightning with a smile. "Yes, and I'm glad he did, because he showed me something that really belongs somewhere." She then shows the painting to everypony. Everypony 'wows' at what she made. Even though the painting was a mess of colors it somehow showed that same forest and hill she was on with different colors from the forms of life around it. "I see you followed that tradition." Lightning says with a smirk. Twilight surprises everypony when she starts to cry. "Lightning, you really shown me something special and for that I'm sorry for how I treated you." "Ah, it's no big deal, but now it's time for lesson two." Lightning says. Twilight nods and prepares herself. "Okay, let's go." "This place should be good enough. Now Twilight one of the most basics and important things is the breath the breathing of a fire user is the most important thing." Lightning begins to instruct. Twilight begins to breath but does it a little too fast. "Not like that. You must be even and at a relaxed pace." Lightning warns. Twilight follows and start to breathe right. "Now channel what you learned earlier and concentrate on the unlit wood in the fireplace." Lightning instructs. Twilight begins focusing on the wood and breathing right. Nothing was happening so she increased her concentration and squinted her eyes. Finally some smoke starts rising. "Stop, stop, Twilight relax, you can't force this magic just focus on the wood like you did when I showed you." Lightning warns. Twilight relaxes at the fear that it might go out of control. She tries again and finds the wood. Within a few minute a flame started to spread across them. "Okay Twilight, let go." Lightning said as he carefully watches the fire. Twilight pulls back in her mind and when back with her body she opens her eyes to see the fireplace lit. "Excellent job. Now remember, once the flame is lit you can only guide it, not control it. You try it and it will fight back." Lightning warns. "Wow, Twilight is now a walking lighter." Pinkie says. Applejack looks to Pinkie with a glare. "Pinkie that sounds insulting, you do know that right?" "But she lit the fireplace." Pinkie says cheerfully. Applejack still glares. "Pinkie you make it sound like she light up anything flammable." "Oh she can now if she isn't careful." Lightning informs. Twilight sighs. "I'll try my best." "That's why you should wear this." Lightning says holding out a golden necklace with a strange symbol in the middle. Twilight takes it with her hooves and holds it. "What is it?" "A firebrand. Its function is to help those who are starting to learn fire magic so their powers don't go out of control." Lightning instructs. Twilight smiles. "Thanks." She says putting it on. "Now Twilight lesson three will be tomorrow and it will be a demonstration mostly." Lightning says wrapping his cloak around himself. Rainbow gets bundled as well as they both prepare to head out. "I'll see you tomorrow Twilight. So Rainbow what do you want to eat?" Lightning asks. "Really, at this time and weather?" Rainbow said pointing to the door. "This is nothing, trust me on that." Lightning says with a reassuring smile. "Alright, how about the cafe? The one with the overhead awning. For some reason I want to be outside." Rainbow asks. "Alright it's your choice." Lightning says as Spike closes the door behind them. "Wow, Twilight your opinion has really change about Lightning Bolt hasn't it?" Spike asks. Twilight looks to him with a small smile. "Part way. But I was really telling the truth when he showed me something special." "Oh, tell us all about it." Rarity practically begged. Twilight looks to her confused until she got the message. "Don't tell me you girls think that I'm falling for him?" "Welllll..." Applejack says extending the word. Twilight shakes her head. "In no way that I like Lightning in that way. Besides he's with Rainbow." "Ok, ok, Sugarcube." Applejack says. Then next day Lightning was in the middle of a field surrounded by stands for torches with several royal guards and the three other princess and Shining Armor not too far away as he waited for Twilight. Twilight, the rest of the mane six, and Spike soon approached. Lightning made no motion as Twilight and the rest of her friends went over to the princess. "Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and brother what are you doing here?" Twilight asks. "Lightning Bolt requested us to come and oversee this trail in your training to using elemental magic." Princess Celestia says as Princess Luna was hopping around a bit. "Oh, I'm so excited, I have never seen eastern magic before." Luna says. Twilight looks around the cleared area. "Yes it is amazing." She commented. "Now Twilight I believe Lightning is patiently waiting for you." Celestia says. Twilight sighs and starts to head where Lightning stood. "Let's get this done." She told him. "Twilight, this is a very serious part in your training. Today you gain your partner spirit who will be with you throughout your entire life." Lightning says. Twilight perks up at this. "A partner spirit, that sounds good. So what do I do?" "First remove the Firebrand and set that torch right there. I will take the ritual from there." Lightning says with full seriousness. Twilight carefully starts to take off the Firebrand necklace and gives it to Lightning who takes it. She then sets the torch ablaze. Lightning then begins to chant as he starts lighting more torches systematically. "Aprire oh porta di fuoco al regno del re del fuoco e portare avanti quello che è destinato ad essere il compagno di vita di suo apprendista tariffa. Lasciate che questa unione sia benedetto dai cinque spiriti dominanti e lasciare che i loro destini sono intrecciati in modo sempre dice che le leggi degli spiriti. Vieni avanti lo spirito del fuoco." When Lightning finished the last torch was lit and red lines started tracing the torches forming a spell circle and the fires of the torches increased several fold and then starts to spin surrounding Twilight and Lightning in a tornado of flames that colors seemed to dance around them before forming into an egg like shape in front of them and then explode into the air in a pillar of fire that disappeared soon afterward. At the ground where the pillar rose from Twilight saw a small is a small, bipedal like creature it has a long, thin snout. It's stubby firearms lacks claws, but has a single claw on each hind foot and flames coming out of its darken colored back. It looks around before it's almost closed eyes landed on Twilight and bounded up to her like happy dog. Twilight becomes worried because the flames on its back were still firing, but when it reaches her and starts to rub against her it felt cool. Twilight soon smiles rubs the little guy's head who starts to enjoy the sensation. "Congratulations Twilight you now have your partner. Now the spirit is your responsibility you must raise it and help it grow strong." Lightning says. Twilight smiles and lifts the little guy with her hooves like a foal before hugging him. "I will." She said. In the crowd Lightning saw Shining Armor restrained by several royal guards. Most likely rushed to save his sister trapped in the fire. "Relax captain, her affinity is fire. They won't harm her in this case." "Ohhhh Spike, guess who has a little brother now?" Twilight calls. Spike starts to walk to her and the little bundle in her hooves before he huffs. "What can this little tyke do? I'm a dragon, what can he do?" The creature puffs it's cheeks in agitation before letting loose a cry and a flamethrower like attack from its mouth that burns Spike and leaves only his head covered in soot and ash and a small flame on his frill on his head. Lightning walks over to Spike. "Never underestimate a spirit Spike." Lightning says licking his hooves and putting out the fire. "So Twilight, what name will you give him?" Lightning asks. "I'm thinking...hmmm..." Twilight thinks about the name while the creature snickers at the bad condition Spike is in. "How about Angi? Would you like that little guy?" She asks the creature. The creature, now Angi, chortles out squeals of happiness and accepts the name. "I think that is a yes Twilight. Oh and at this point they eat magic for nourishment." Lightning informed. Twilight goes worried a second. "Would this mean I am going to drain of magic if he feeds?" "A little cause this helps them develop and it only lasts a few months." Lightning says. "If it comes to it I can send Twilight some magically filled crystals for some substitutes if needed." Celestia offers. "She has to feed it her magic as part of a parental like bonds." Lightning says. Celestia smiles before coming over and looks to Angi. "Well just know this Twilight. We will be here for you if you need help." A squeak captures their attention and they turn to Angi who looking at Celestia with awe. Celestia smiles and nuzzles the little one and gives a nod to Twilight. Twilight nods back and turns back to Angi. Lightning was walking through town with Rainbow. "Ah what a nice day. The sun is shining, Ice fang and Azure are doing great, Eclipse and Midnight are in town, and everything is good." Lightning said to himself. It wasn't until he went a few more steps did he turn and see Eclipse and Midnight waving at them with their bags around them. Lightning stares for a few more seconds before, "I'm out of here." He zooms off, leaving Rainbow in the dust, literally. "What just happened?" Rainbow asks. Author's Note A/N: Well there it is. See we weren't gone, just busy. College for me so too much work. While Flair had a busted computer. Now that I got a small break and Flair's computer is fixed, chapters are flowing back in. Translation: Open oh door of fire to the realm of the fire king and bring forth one who is destined to be the life partner of his fare apprentice. Let this union be blessed by the five ruling spirits and let their fates be forever intertwined so says the laws of spirits. Come forth Fire spirit. Humor A La ModeA/N: Next stop. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' It was a groggy morning in Manehatten as the dock workers were starting to start their morning shift as they notice a large ship coming into port. Looking beaten and battered from an old style wooden ship is expected, but never this much. As the ship was anchored to the port passengers started departing and sailors were unloading cargo as the Captain sees off a large earth pony and a unicorn who departed the ship. The unicorn looks around the area with one eye glowing blue from under his blacken hood and mask. Unfortunately for anypony looking they can't tell what his coat or mane looks like under all the clothing. Wearing many padded leather armor that overlapped each other as they hugged his body to act as a sound reducer. A black cloak hung around his neck area and on his back which waved slightly in the wind. Blackened leather boots wrapped tightly around his legs, while a belt of tools hung on his sides. A metallic folded bow hung on his back under the cloak which has a quiver along with it. The Earth pony besides him is also looking around. A red coat and brown mane adorned him as the loose pants fluttered slightly in the breeze. "That whole trip reminded me why I hate traveling by sea." The earth pony says to the unicorn. "I hear ya Alexander. I was feeling slightly sick, but I got used to it. Comes with my profession." Apollo told Alexander. "Yeah, now if only we can find him I would like to sample some of Equestrian cuisine." Alexander says drooling slightly. "I could go for some food as well and there he is." Apollo says seeing a waving Nikolai. Alexander rubs his hooves together. "Alright let's go, I'm starving." He said bounding off. Apollo shakes his head and follows soon after. "Hey Nikolai, great to see you again." Apollo greeted. "Apollo, Alexander, I see you two made it across the sea without trouble." Nikolai says. Alexander stares at and then turns to the boat. "Actually I ended up with seasickness." "I didn't." Apollo quipped. "Nopony cares." Alexander shot back. Nikolai sighs and shakes his head. "Oh, how much I miss you guys. Come with me you two, let's get you some food." Nikolai says. Alexander pumps a hoof in the air. "Finally, I'm starving." Later at a cafe "So you both got the message?" Nikolai asks after checking if anypony was listening. Apollo pulls down his mask and starts to take a sip of the tea. "Why did you think we came here?" "You ready to deal a pre-emptive blow?" Nikolai asks as he showed them a hidden dagger. Apollo smirks. "I'm an archer, always ready." Alexander smiles and shakes one of his leg, making a metallic sound. "Of course, I'm not leaving this guy alone. He's gets into more trouble than it's worth." "Good, after this we'll head to Ponyville, we can easily get Lightning Bolt to give you both board." Nikolai says. Apollo looks intrigued. "Ponyville, couldn't they come up with a better name? Something of an old language." "Different country Apollo. By the way what's the word from Zebracus?" Nikolai asks. "I'm glad to report that Zebracus is ready to fight and more tribes are joining them and subsequently the alliance." Apollo says. "Good, now let's finish up and get this over with." Nikolai said finishing up his meal. "Oh, this should be interesting." Alexander says with a smirk. Nikolai smiles. "Doesn't everything we do?" A few days later "So Rainbow how are you?" Lightning asks hoofing her a cup of hot coco as they laid next to the fireplace. Rainbow drinks some coco before responding. "Never better really, but it's good to finally relax and live with life." "Yeah, so Rainbow I was wondering if we could..." Lightning was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Now who could that be? I'll be right back." Lightning says getting up to answer the door. Walking over he opens the door to find Nikolai, Alexander, and Apollo. "Hey guys. Welcome to Ponyville." Lightning greets. Apollo pushes past him and into the kitchen. "Yeah, yeah, where's the fridge?" "Hey, I have a guest here." Lightning says. Apollo looks to Rainbow. "Hey, nice to see you." He then turns back to Lightning. "Fridge?" Lightning just covers his face and points to the kitchen. Apollo looks in the direction and starts to go for the raid. While Alexander just facehooves and heavily sighs. "Why me? Why did I get saddled with this stallion?" "Guys I'm happy to see you but I currently have a guest, an important guest." Lightning says exasperated. Alexander sighs and looks to him. "Sorry, but we barely ate and drink on the way here." "Ok fine, but Apollo watch out for..." Lightning was cut off by a yell. "The ghost of commander Hurricane." Apollo jumps back into the living room with his bow drawn. "What the heck in Tartarus…!" He yells out. "No shooting your bow in the house." Lightning yells. Apollo looks to him with a glare. "Lightning I have faced down psychopathic patients over at an asylum with me being hunted by a ghost along the way, but why do you have this one here?!" "Meet my ancestor, Commander Hurricane." Lightning says sighing. Both the newcomers turn their head to Lightning, eyebrows raised. "I found her in a ruin of the first city around these parts. And now she's living with me." Hurricane snickers. "Oh come on grandson, you sound like you hate it." This just bought more raised eyebrows. Apollo puts his bow away as it folded into itself and looks to Rainbow. "Do you deal with this every day?" Rainbow sighs and takes a drink before turning to the fire. "And every prank." "Yeah but it's good to have family around. Oh and Nikolai how is your job going?" Lightning asks trying to change the subject. Nikolai subconsciously rubs his ears. "Other than a muffled ear from the heavy beats she plays at night, going fine." "Oh, then you need to go and have your ear cleaned out." Apollo says. Nikolai still rubs at his ears. "Nah, it's not being clogged, it's trying to get use to the music she plays. Hassle." "Are you sure?" Alexander asks as Lightning and Rainbow sneak out the window. Nikolai glares at him. "Stay with her for a night and check your ears in the morning." "What do you think Lightn…?" Apollo stops seeing Lightning gone with the mare. He looks around and sees an open window. "Huh, just like me when the guards are chasing." "Where did he go?" Alexander asks. Apollo sighs and heads to the kitchen. "Probably to enjoy his marefriend. Want to join me for a drink Commander?" "I wish I could, but sadly can't drink." Commander Hurricane says sadly. Apollo then smirks. "But you must know some recipes of the finest and hardest drinks." "Ah, no, I never been in the kitchen except when I snuck in to get an extra helping when I was a private." Commander Hurricane says embarrassed. Apollo raises an eyebrow. "Really, even after you married and had a foal, you never went into the kitchen?" "I had several servants to do that because I was so busy." Commander Hurricane clarified. Apollo then smiles. "Well come follow me and I'll teach you." "Not much use remember a ghost." Commander Hurricane says. Apollo huffs. "I was hunted by a ghost that made herself tangible." "You what?" Commander Hurricane asks. Lightning sighs after seeing they weren't following. "They are my friends, but they can be so annoying when in the same room together, sorry Rainbow." "Friends of yours I assume?" Rainbow asks. "Didn't I just say that?" Lightning quipped back. "No you just said you know them." Rainbow says with a playful smirk. Lightning smile back. "Grounded." Rainbow frowns, but then smiles. "Flapper." "Only for you." Lightning teased getting a blush out of Rainbow. Rainbow turns in front of them. "Perv." "Once again only for you. But I'm sorry about that, now you want to go do something fun?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks ahead of them. "What's there to do?" "We could race for a bit." Lightning suggests. Rainbows smiles and then quickly takes off in the air. "Hey!" Lightning shouted. Nikolai was sitting at the table with the two other stallions. "So what are you two going to do for work in the mean time?" He asks Apollo shrugs. "Don't know, but your job sounds a little good." "Yeah my job is full but I may know somepony who could help get you two jobs." Nikolai says getting up. "See you Commander." He called to the now tangible ghost who was having the time of her afterlife, eating. She waves showing she acknowledged this before going back to eating. "Now you two follow me and be on your best behavior." Nikolai says emphasizing the last part with an all too familiar glare to them. They snapped to attention. "Sir." "Good." Nikolai says leading them away. After a short walk they came to the apple family's farm where they saw four foals playing together. "Here we are. The Apple Farm." Nikolai told them as they walked up to the door. "Hey Applebloom." Nikolai calls. "Hey there Nikolai." She called back before going back to play. "Is your sister home?" Nikolai asks. "Should be." Applebloom turns and calls back. "Thank you." Nikolai calls as Apple Bloom is dog piled by the other three laughing. He walks up to the door and knocks. "You two are going to like these jobs, but I recommend some other clothing." He said while looking to Apollo. Applejack opens the door. "Hi Applejack." Nikolai greets as Apollo starts to look over himself. Applejack looks behind him and sees the other two stallions. "Hey Nikolai, who and what are they here for?" "Well you see these two stallions are old friends who need help finding a job and I was wondering if you could use some extra help." Nikolai says. Applejack smiles. "Well it just so happens that we do. I need somepony to handle the animals and another to help with the bucking." She looks at the two stallions carefully. She first speaks to Apollo. "You look like you have a good for details, but that also helps with hoof eye coordination. You're on the bucking." She then looks to Alexander. "You look a little high society, but still have that rugged look. You're on the animal caretaking. Both of you will start tomorrow and we will see how it goes." "Thanks Applejack, I owe you one for this." Nikolai says gratefully. Applejack just waves a hoof at him. "It was nothin, but remember, if these two can't keep up then it's back to finding some jobs. No promise if I can give again." "Oh they work and if they get lazy let me know." Nikolai give them a crazy look that made them shiver. "Uh, yeah we will do good job, right Apollo?" Alexander said stressing out the last part. Apollo starts to sweat under his hood. "Uh, yeah, we will do a good job, as we always do." He forced out with an extreme smile. "That's good. Just don't mess this up, because I doubt that I could find you guys another job." Nikolai says with a smile. They both nod frantically as more sweat started to fall. Applejack looks on in amusement as the stallions started to really act pleased. "Well, now like I said, come back tomorrow before six in the morning and we'll get you started." "Oh and feel free to work them into the ground, they could use the exercise." Nikolai says smirking at the corner of his mouth. The two stallions stop and whimper from the pain they will endure. 'What did I get myself into? This is worse than that time I broke into the bank to steal that necklace, which was lousy, too much dogs. I hate dogs.' Apollo thinks to himself. 'Oh, boy. This is going to be a lousy work life now. I wonder what Lightning does, because he looks well off and too much free time. Didn't even look tired. I loath you Lighting Bolt.' Alexander thought. "Sorry to leave you with them Applejack, but I have to get to my own work." Nikolai says. Applejack smirks. "Surrrrrrre, work." Nikolai looks confused. "What's that supposed to mean?" Applejack giggles into her hoof. "Nothing, nothing. Best be going now." Nikolai nods and heads out, leaving the two doomed stallions behind. "As for you two." A silent yelp came from them. "Time to show you where you work and how." Nikolai lands in front of Vinyl Scratch and Octavia's house and knocks on the door. Vinyl quickly opens the door and jumps into his hooves. "What's up N?!" She shouts over the loud bass. "Vinyl this is when I always come in to work and you seem more eager to see me than usual." Nikolai says a little confused. Vinyl laughs deeply while head banging to the music. "Just enjoying my number one employee. I thought you could use some fun time after all the hard work you did! So come on in and enjoy the house party!" Vinyl yells while getting off and heading back inside. "I'm scared to ask if Octavia is here." Nikolai says. "Oh don't worry your pretty little head, Octy isn't here she is in Canterlot right now!" Vinyl ensured Nikolai Nikolai raises an eyebrow. "Might I ask why?!" He said as he walks inside. Vinyl finally turns down the volume so they can talk normally. "Something about finding another concert place for her quartet...band…I don't what she called it. I usually just zone out." Vinyl said having her trademark smile. "Ok, first its ensemble, second this is why ponies say your marriage is on the rocks." Nikolai jokes on the last part. Vinyl fakes gasp. "I don't believe you Nikolai, trying to gain a mare while that mare is married. How dare you?" She spoke in a Canterlot voice and a hoof to her head, which was downright fake. "Oh, but Vinyl, you know you're a shameless flirt and came onto me while Octavia was drunk." Nikolai jokes back. Vinyl grins. "Yeah, but keyword drunk. Meaning she doesn't remember. Plus it kinda spices things up." "Oh, yes I remembered when she suggested a three way. Oh, how scandalous for her group." Nikolai says mimicking her Canterlot accent. Vinyl couldn't hold it anymore and started to laugh along with Nikolai following after a while. "Oh boy, you sir have always been A-Okay in my book." She then puts a hoof to her chin to think. "Then again, my booking is pretty filled." "Oh, ho, Octavia having you work overtime? How many scandalous things will she do?" Nikolai joked. Vinyl now just smiles. "Nah, I got a lot places over at the dance club at the edge of town, then the last few over in Canterlot. It's going to be pretty tough without my number one employee on stage with me." Nikolai pops his neck. "Then said employee best get to work then." He says stretching his wings. Vinyl raises a hoof. "Just one more thing." Nikolai waits patiently. Vinyl then takes off her glasses to show her red eyes. "I just want to say thanks with helping out everything, even with Octavia on her work. I really meant it when I said you're my number one." "Thanks Vinyl and to tell the truth it doesn't seem like work to me cause you make everything fun." Nikolai says with a sincere voice. Vinyl turns the volume up without looking and gives him a slight kiss on the cheek leaving him bright red. "Then let's get to work!" There's the Vinyl he knows, though he doesn't know what to think with his mind being blank. "Y-yes mam." Nikolai says starting to lift the needed equipment. Vinyl snickers as she puts the glasses back on and starts to edit her soundtrack. While Nikolai tries even harder than usual to get the equipment moved to the right spot for transport. Meanwhile Alexander and Apollo were hard at work. "They sure are working hard." Applebloom says carrying baskets of apples on her sides. "Yup." Big Mac says with a hay twig in his mouth. "Oh, this is horrible." They heard Alexander shout. Applejack snickers some more into her hoof. That was the third time he said that. "Bet ya that he quits by the next day or few hours." She said to Big Mac. "What's the bet this time?" Big Mac asks. She smirks. "The loser has to clean up all the poo from all the animals with their hooves. No shovel. And they must handle them from picking up to compost by hoof." "You're on." Big mac says shaking his hoof with hers. "I want in." Applebloom spoke up. They both look to the little filly with resentment. "Uh, you're not old enough to make bets." Applejack said trying to steer her away from the silly bet. Applebloom then pouts. "Me and my friends makes bets all the time." "That's different." "How?" "This is a bet just between us and last time we did this Big Mac hurt his back. So I went with something that harmless." Applejack remembered and then thinks. "Well maybe not completely harmless. Twilight did tell me that poo does have something else other than good fertilizer and it's not good." Apollo's ears perk up at that. He smiles subtly and continues bucking apples. Meanwhile, Alexander continues to clean the biggest and fattest pig he had ever laid eyes on. "By gods, what do they feed you?" The pig just rolls in the mud some more away from, making his job even harder. He sighs and looks around at the other pigs. "Great, at this rate I'll never get this done." Applejack smiles. "Looks like he's giving up now." She then sees something that surprised her and the rest of the siblings. Alexander actually takes some of the feed and lays out a trail near a large pool he used to clean the brush. As each pig went on the stairs he pushes them into the belly deep water, pig height of course, and takes out the brush. "Now I can clean." Big Mac sent a smirk at Applejack. "Looks like you better get some perfumes from Rarity, young sis." Applejack starts to worry at this. She hadn't felt this worried since she didn't win a single blue ribbon at that rodeo competition. "Oh no." While this was going on Apollo takes a look around the farm as he turns to buck the tree. 'Nice open area, lots of shadow opportunities, great place to train. Yeah, I think I'll stay in this town.' He then looks to the three siblings watching them. 'Lightning I now know why you choose to come here.' "Darn pigs!" Apollo heard Alexander yell. He turns to see Alexander chasing the small pigs that jumped out of the pool. He then looks to the siblings and sees Applejack wiping the sweat from her forehead and giving a smirk to her brother. 'Oh, all fear the mighty Alexander who is defeated by mere piglets.' Apollo joked in his head. 'This would be a great story to tell his kids, but who would want him now that he can't get pigs to stay still.' He laughed to himself then his muzzle forms an evil smirk. Later as the mood was completely overhead Vinyl was still rocking out in a club as Nikolai went to get drinks for them. "Two Vodka Specials." Nikolai orders. The bartender takes out a large white bottle and starts to pour it into two shot glasses and then place an olive in each. "Fifty." He simply said. Nikolai hoofs over the bits before taking the drinks and moving with them backstage and coming up behind Vinyl. He hoofs over the shot glass to Vinyl who lets the system play in auto. "To us Nikolai. May we swim in bits." And with that she prepares to drink in one go. Nikolai laughs. "Yes, to us. Both of us something weird and fun." With that they drown their shots, olive and all. "Thanks now, I'll get back to… Is that Tavi in the crowd waving at me?" Vinyl asks shocked as she stood over the set. Sure enough Octavia is in the crowd. Nikolai quickly leaves from the stage and heads for her to get backstage. Going through the crowd was tough, especially since everypony was sweaty from their party night. Once he reaches her he looks back and sees how far he went. He then turns back to Octavia who had a slight smile on her face. "Before you ask, let's get over there!" She yelled over the music and crowd. "You got it boss." Nikolai says as they start making their way through the crowd. Once backstage Nikolai led Octavia to where Vinyl was stationed. Vinyl looks to over to them and then back to the crowd. "Alright everypony, this is going to be one of the last few songs for tonight. So I ask for one thing. Party hard!" A cheer rose from the crowd as the new song came into play. Vinyl then hits the auto switch and heads for her roommates. "What are you doing here Octy?" She asks. "My ensemble and I finished up early and I decided to come see you." Octavia says. Vinyl trademark smirk appears. "Aww, you did miss me didn't you honey?" "More like making sure you were working and not just messing with...Nikolam...Nikolie." Octavia says having trouble with her roommate's name. "Nikolai, boss." Nikolai said to her. "I'm sorry I just have a hard time pronouncing foreign names." Octavia says. "I think it's kind of cute." Vinyl added. Nikolai blushes red from his boss calling him cute. "It's nothing, really." He said as he rubs the back of neck. "I was talking about Tavi's pronouncement of your name but that too." Vinyl says with a smirk. This didn't help with the blush any better. "I gotta go…check the wires...yeah, check the wires." Nikolai said looking around frantically and then rushing off. "Your cruel you know that?" Octavia asks. Vinyl smirks. "I know." Octavia groans and facehooves. "Why did I ended up living with you?" Vinyl then slided up by her side. "Cause you love me." She said hugging her. "Just be sure your back in time to get enough sleep for our radio show in the morning." Octavia says with a huff. "Heh, heh. You got it Octy." She then sauntered off to her set. "Stop calling me that!" Octavia yells. "Not happening Octy!" Vinyl calls back. The next morning as Apollo and Alexander were working they hear the radio from the porch nearby. "Hello listeners and welcome to the Vinyl Scratch. I'm your host the turntable temptress herself DJ-PON3." Vinyl Scratch says. "And I'm her co-host Octavia." Octavia wistfully said. "Well listeners we have an interesting new development. The Princess Celestia has felt that we could use a more pegasus point of view so meet our newest co-co-host Nikolai." Vinyl Scratch says. "Um, hey guys great to see you...well talk to you...even though I can't see you...I'm no good at this. How did you convince me to do this again?" Nikolai's voice said over the radio. "A simple kiss just like when you came over to start working." Vinyl said to him. "I think Octavia is still mad about when you forced her to kiss me." Nikolai says sounding a little scared. "Heh, heh, yeah she sure does look steamed." A pause followed. "Oh, she completely red in the face. Does this mean we got love in the room?" "Don't even go there." Nikolai and Octavia said at the same time. "Oh looks like they are already a couple." Vinyl says. "Keep going like this Vinyl and I may have to quit." Nikolai declared. "You can't do that, I have you under contract." Vinyl said inflamed. "Wait, what?" Nikolai and Octavia ask in near unison. A large pause followed. "What?" Vinyl said. "Since when do you know about contracts?" Octavia asks. "Since we started this." Vinyl says. "I'll admit I'm both surprised and impressed." Nikolai says "You coming on to me Nikolai?" Vinyl said sultry like. "Oh, you offering?" Nikolai asks causing a pause. "And since when did you become like a common stallion? I thought you would more of a gentlecolt." Octavia spoke up. There was sound of something hitting wood. "Oh good lord, Vinyl is rubbing off on me." Nikolai says. "I pray for your life now." Octavia said in sympathy. "What, I like this flirty side of him." Vinyl says. "Gets me flustered and hot." "Vinyl there may be some foals listening to this. Celestia told us to keep this show at newspaper level." Octavia warns. "Oh you mean talk about nothing, but untrue gossip?" Vinyl asks as a drum roll is heard in the background. "When did you get that?" Nikolai asks. "The black market." A pause follows. "Kidding. I just got from a buddy of mine from the last gig we did." "That aside, Vinyl stop corrupting Nikolie." Octavia says. "Still can't get my name right huh?" Nikolai said. "Sorry. I'm trying here, but your name is foreign to me." Octavia apologize. "So is you two to me and that's cause I was born in Stalliongrad." Nikolai said back. "You hear that listeners. We got a stallion from the toughest place on the planet." Vinyl said to her audience. "Ah, debatable, there are places that have flowing rivers of lava." Nikolai clarifies. "Yet, it's still rank on the top of the list. Some ponies just are too lazy to go even further than normal or is that fear?" Vinyl said. "Though I will admit all the creatures here are nothing compared to some of the creatures over there." Nikolai says. "Wait, I don't want you two scaring the young ones listening to this. Let's move on." Octavia warns. "Ok, so what was planned for today's show anyways?" Nikolai asks as paper was shuffled. "Oh right let's bring in our special guest. You know her you love her my best friend Spitfire." Vinyl introduces. The sound of a door opening played in the background as hoofsteps were followed after it. "Hey guys and Nikolai great to see you here." Spitfire said. "Oh, this is awkward. The sister of my best friend is here in the studio." Nikolai says worried. "Wait, what?!" Vinyl screeches making a squeal sound from the radio. "Oh, you didn't hear Vinyl? My brother Lightning Bolt is back. You remember him, the little colt you use to mess with." Spitfire says. "Thanks for the heads up Spitshine." Vinyl says. "But it was actually Nikolai here and his 'best friend' thing." "You mean you don't remember the ruins?" Nikolai asks. "Yeah, kinda fuzzy about that trip." Vinyl says. "Vinyl don't you think it's a little rude to call that to our guest." Octavia spoke up. "That's my nickname for her though." Vinyl whines a bit. "Why did I come to work today?" Nikolai said. "Same reason I did probably." Octavia said following him. "Because we are all roommates?" Nikolai asks "That might be one reason." Octavia said. "Though Vinyl has a sick sense of humor." "Hey Nikolai, how would you like to spend some private time with me after this?" Vinyl asks. "See what I mean?" "Unfortunately. Vinyl I think we should focus on the interview." Nikolai says. "Heh, heh, you guys sure are funny." Spitfire said to them. "Not as funny as you and your brother. I heard stories of you trying to drown him in a punch bowl at a party recently." Nikolai says. A pause hits here. "Yeah, but that changed to something serious that I don't want to talk about. It's private." Spitfire told him. "Ok then, Vinyl any comments from you?" Nikolai asks. "Got nothing here." A pause hits the radio waves. "What now?" "Uh miss Spitfire how does it feel to have your brother back?" Octavia asks. "Feels great and at the same time, annoying." Spitfire informed. "Really that's a surprise. Cause whenever you came up in a conversation Lightning had nothing but praises to say." Nikolai says. "That's my little brother. Too proud and crazy." Spitfire said. "Isn't that for all siblings, the younger looks up to the older?" Nikolai asks. "Yep, except he tries to get all the mares. Want to hear about one of them?" Spitfire nonchalantly said. "He has an interest in mares?" Nikolai asks sounding a little surprised. "What stallion doesn't at his age? He would really go after them. Once he was in the Wonderbolts, oh boy, the janitors we went through." Spitfire said. "I've never seen Lightning interact with a mare unless it was business in Stalliongrad." Nikolai says. A pause hits them. "So he was telling the truth." Spitfire said quietly. "Personally happy to hear that was starting to think he didn't trot that way." Nikolai says. "Yeah, good thing. I still missed that funny colt." Spitfire said with longing. "Blah, blah, blah, this isn't a drama show here. It's a talk show and we need exciting stuff." Vinyl said with boredom. "Vinyl you really need to work on your manners. I'll schedule you with the center after this." Octavia said. "Didn't they ban Vinyl though?" Nikolai asks. A pause hits the room. "Shoot." "How did you even pull that off Vinyl?" Spitfire asks. "Eh, the doc said that I was untrainable, mutter a few words that I can't say on the air, and then threw the clipboard out the closed window and busted the door open, sorry I meant bucked the door open, and then yelled 'I quit!' to almost everyone in the building and then left." Vinyl told them. "Wow that is both scary and impressive." Octavia says surprised. "I'll admit, Vinyl was always a hardhead." Spitfire said. "Yeah. I sure am." A pause hits then a few snickers came along. "Hey!" A cacophony of laughter came about as both Octavia and Nikolai laughed to their hearts content. "Hah, hah, very funny you three." Vinyl says. "Okay this is now something I'm going to do if it means embarrassing Vinyl." Nikolai quipped. "One more word or anything of the sort and I'll rip the contract." Vinyl shot to him. "You won't do that. You need me for gigs and 'other things.'" Nikolai shot back. "N-N-Nikolai that is highly inappropriate!" Octavia yells. "Octy, I think you just got his name right." Vinyl says surprised. "I pride myself on making sure that names I get right are for the important ponies in my life." Octavia informed. "Say it again." Nikolai says. "Nikoleu." Octavia says The sound of hoof meeting face sounded through the room. "And we're back to square one." Vinyl said through her hoof. "At least we made progress." Nikolai says as Spitfire laughs in the background. "Geez, I thought about coming to talk about my life, but it sounds like you guys don't need me for this radio talk show to work." Spitfire said. "Still think we need a bear that plays the Tuba." Nikolai says. "See what I mean. Don't need guests if you're this funny." Spitfire said. "But then where will I hear embarrassing stories about Lightning Bolt?" Nikolai asks "Oh yeah, how about the time when Lightning tried to get his first mare during his acceptance into the Wonderbolts, he played the romance book card." Spitfire remembered. "Oh, do tell." Nikolai says. "Oh, I remember that." Vinyl says. "Okay when Lighting was finishing up high school he met this mare that just wanted to get a job and be done with her life. Lighting would try really hard to get her attention using almost every move in a romance novel. I mean, he literally read the romance novels to see what he can do. Though in the end the mare did went with him once, but he came back looking like he saw a ghost or something. Still don't know what caused that. After he stopped chasing them like that forever. Now he uses his real charms and it seemed to have worked with Rainbow." "I'll have you know Rainbow that I just got upstage by a fillyfooler at that incident." "Still the funniest things he did to get her was hilarious. Like actually using the clouds to spell out 'Will you go out with me?' It was like he was asking her to marry him." Spitfire finished. Lightning's face slams on the table. "Just kill me now." His muffled voice says while Rainbow sat by snickering. Her stallionfriend was a romancer? This will be one for the blackmail books. "When are you going to shape some clouds into words for me?" Only a muffled yell answered that. Vinyl was laughing her flank off and almost falling off of her chair, while Nikolai and Octavia were snickering. "That doesn't sound like him at all with the way I know of." Nikolai said. "Well this is before you knew him." Spitfire says. "Oh, well look at the time. Sorry Mare, Stallions, and Foals that is our show for today. I'm Vinyl Scratch." Vinyl says. "I'm Octavia." Octavia says. "And I'm Nikolai." Nikolai says. "See you next time on the Vinyl Scratch." Vinyl said ending the show. Author's Note This is another chapter from the great duo here and as you can see two more are in play in this grand chess game of war. But for now you get humor. If anyone can guess what Apollo is based off of you get a free virtual cookie. First one to answer wins. Family is ImportantA/N: Get yourself back up from that cliffhanger and start seeing the action again. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' Lightning was slammed hard against a wall. 'Ok I think that one dislocated my wing.' Lightning thinks as he tries to get up. A roar sounded from the direction he was thrown from. Lightning turns to it and sees the two Wyverns ready to strike again. Lightning groans again and tires to run around the arena to dodge their charge. Unfortunately they got him with a swipe one of their tail. 'I'm really starting to hate this!' Meanwhile with the spectators Rainbow was having a hard time watching this. Bets were thrown around casually as the other ponies not in her group watched on. Twilight was sickened by how some nobles treated a pony's life. When the best holder came to them Twilight gave him a glare. "Listen I don't condone this at all. But since nopony betted on him." She lifts a large bag of bits and gives it to him. "All of it on the pony!" Everypony else in the group places their bets on Lightning as well and cheers him on. "Come on boy! Get them! Show them what you can do!" Alexander yells as he looks at the ceiling for his companions. 'Come on.' "Come on Lightning!" Rainbow yells at him as she leans on the bars. Lightning looks up as he runs around again. "At least I have some supporters. That's helpful." He then gets hits again by a tail. "It would be more helpful if I can heal." He groans out. The black Wyvern with a bat like face then trapped him under its claw and brings its eye close to him. "You remember me don't you?" Lightning asks. It then sniffs his body before roaring out and readies to stomp down again. Lightning rolls out of the way of the falling claw and starts to run again. 'I can't keep this up. But why did that Wyvern sniff at me? To recognize me?' Lightning thinks barely avoiding the other Wyvern snapping its jaw at him. The Wyvern that held him down roared at the other one before they both looked at him. Lightning held his ground and waited for the attack that will never come. 'What are you waiting for?' The first thing that came to his mind was the tight feeling on his legs and something covering his face. Midnight groans and tries to get up but falls because of his tied legs. 'Ow. Okay, what did mommy say about this?' He then rubs his head against the ground to get the thing off of his head. Soon the cloth sack covering his head was pulled off and now he can finally look around...or lack thereof. He was in a dark room where the only light was from the doorway cracks. He then looks to the rope holding him and struggles to pull at least one apart. 'Come on. Just like mommy said.' He tries and tries, but gives up after realizing that the ropes were too tight. He then sighs and lays back down on the cold concrete ground. Then after a while of waiting for nothing he hears something scratching against metal. 'What the…? That sound like...' He starts to crawl as best he could to the sound until he finds a cage in the corner of the room holding a little creature that almost like a dragon. 'Wait, that's a Wyvern!' The little Wyvern in the cage looks over to the noise coming at it. In the darkness it can make out a pony shaped creature that has all its legs in one bundle. "It's okay." The creature said to him. The Wyvern pulls back a little from the voice. "It's alright. I'm in the same amount of trouble as you." Soon the dark shape came into the smallest sliver of light from the door, revealing a small pony. The spectators were becoming restless as the Wyverns hadn't made an attack for ten minutes now. The crowd started to yell and almost ready to throw things at them to get them moving. Even Lightning's group were confused. "What the heck is going on? I thought they were ready to kill into tiny pieces a few minutes ago." Twilight asks Alexander. Alexander shrugs. "Don't know. This has never happen before. Usually when you meet one, even by a passing glance they would kill you outright." He looks to Lightning who had sat down after a while and started to heal himself as best he could. 'Damn, I need help with my wing for this.' He looks to the still unmoving Wyverns and then back to him wing. He then hears a growl from one of them and he looks up. He sees one of them growling to the other who then stops. The other Wyvern then looks to him and walks over to him. The crowd soon starts to lean in at a possible kill while Lightning's groups watches in horror for the possible bloodshed. While in the arena Lightning freezes at this point, knowing that he can't do anymore besides rest. 'Great, dead by Wyvern in a sports arena.' The Wyvern's clawed hand reaches down toward him as he awaits his death. Yet, that never came. He felt the claw touch his wing lightly and snaps it back into place. Lightning groans from the sudden pain that was replaced with relief. The claw left his wing as Lightning looks up. The Wyvern just stares at him inquisitively. "Thanks." The Wyvern nods before heading back to the other one. The crowd yells at the action and turns to Lord Burrows who looked incredibly angry himself. "Get some guards to enrage them." He commands a guard right beside him while his son just stares angrily at his father. Lightning sighs and finishes most the healing he could do by hoof and looks to the two Wyverns just looking around. 'Why?' He then sees a guard readying an arrow at the Wyverns, which makes him run at them. The Wyverns look at him in shock and back up a little at the pony coming at them. Lightning jumps at them and starts to jump from place to place before reaching a shoulder on one of the Wyverns and catches the arrow. "Bad move." Lightning says throwing the arrow back at the archer and a yell was heard seconds later. He looks back to the Wyvern he was riding on the shoulder as they both look at him surprised. "You spared me, you helped my wing and that makes you okay in my book." He told them. He then takes a look around the cage and sees that gaps in the cage were too small for him, yet when he looks up he sees it connected to a central chain. Following the chain comes to a winch system by Lord Barrows. 'I need somepony else for that, but I can't give away the order, otherwise they will surround it.' The crowd was completely outraged at this point as the fight was never going to start. They started to yell and throw things into the arena, which completely furiated Barrows. He turns to the nearest guard and yells, "Get this fight started somehow, I don't care what!" "What do you two say for a good old jailbreak?" Lightning asks the Wyverns They look at each other before turning back to him with devilish grin. "Let's cause some trouble for them." Lightning said with a grin of his own. Midnight now stood carefully in front of the little Wyvern as he still tries to find a way out. "I can help you, you know?" The Wyvern stares at him. "Just get me out of these ropes and I'll get you out." Midnight said trying to get the ropes as close as possible. The Wyvern looks at the ropes before it starts to chew away. After a while, some snaps were heard and Midnight could feel his legs free. "Yes!" He then covers his mouth. 'Remember, if you find yourself in an escape plan, the main thing is to be quiet.' That's what his mother told. He looks around for a bit before seeing that it didn't cause much trouble and goes to work on the cage. "Your turn." He looks to lock and sees that it is just a standard cage lock built in to the cage. "Amateurs." He reaches up to his mane and pulls out a bobby pin which makes some of mane fall down. "Thank you mommy." He then goes to work on the lock while the Wyvern looks on in interest. As he moves the pin to the lock an explosion was heard. He fumbles a bit before smiling and turning back to the lock. "That's my friends here to save us." He told the little Wyvern who smiles. Lightning shoots more lightning at the caged top damaging it more as both Wyverns use their claws to climb the walls. The crowd has started to leave the area, but couldn't as the doors were locked. "Sorry everypony, but this where I leave you all to enjoy the show with volunteers now." Barrows tells the crowd as he turns to leave. "Damn." Alexander curses. "We can't let him get away. Now!" He yells to the ceiling. "Father, you cowardly…oh, never mind." Euram says unlocking the door as his father was pushed to the ground by two stallions. The crowd quickly leaves with many stories to bring him down in the noble world. "Now that end is taken care of. Would one of you two gentlestallions please pull the lever on that wall there? It's a bit locked and my father may have the key." But before anypony could do anything one of the Wyverns finally tears through the caged top. It starts tearing a bigger hole in the caged roof as more of Lord Barrow's guards start come in to try and stop the Wyverns. Though a lightning strike got to them as the Wyvern grins at its helpless targets. "Not up in here!" Lightning yells from below who has now started to ride on one of the Wyverns. The nearest and unluckiest guard is then grabbed by one of the Wyvern's jaws. The Wyvern crushes and chews the guard armor and all before swallowing him. Lightning's group cringes from the attack. "Okay, that was something I did not want to see in my life." Rainbow said watching the escape. The guards seeing this start running. "Dolph you were sent here to help, so help!" Lord Barrows yells. Apollo hits Barrow's head hard on the ground and knocks him out. "Shut up, loser." Edward pulls the lever after breaking the lock which raises the cage. "Come on out with your friends, Lightning." Suddenly members of Nethergate start to run in. "Twilight, take the girls and run! Edward, Nikolai and Alexander find the prince. We'll take care of them." Lightning yells as the bat like headed Wyvern finally reaches the top. Twilight and the girls run out of there with Euram following them. While Edward, Nikolai and Alexander all split up and try to find the prince in this mansion. Lightning lands next to Apollo who was still standing over Barrows. "We can't let them take him or we lose a valuable asset." Apollo warns. "You go and fight, I'll stay. Can't do much after that fight." Lightning said as he flexes his wing a little, but it still hurts. "Roger that." Apollo says dragging the prisoner away to a corner as the Wyverns are fighting or eating the Nethergate assassins, depending on your point of view. Lightning stands in front of the unconscious Barrow as Apollo rushes into the fray while taking out his bow and shooting three arrows at once. Lightning looks back to Barrows. "You know, you are going to get a punishment worse than death after this." "This way, my father transferred many guards to here this night." Euram says. Rainbow flies right in front of him. "Give me one reason why should we trust you?" "You don't, I do this for my princess." Euram says running again. "So you don't even offer an excuse?" Pinkie asks. "No I don't." Euram says. "Ok then lets trust him." Twilight says. Rainbow growls before following them again. "Fine, but one hoof out of line and I will treat you the same way they treated your father." "I'm nothing like my father or soon to be jailed father." Euram said as he turns a corner. "Then ya, lead the way." Applejack says. Euram comes to a stop at door in the dark part of the castle. "Here we are." He opens the door to a dark room. "They're in here somewhere." A snap comes from inside. "Got it." A squeaky door opening sound comes from inside. "Midnight are you in here?" Rainbow asks. "Rainbow?" A voice asks. "You're here, quickly we got to get you out of here." Rainbow says heading inside. "We might have a problem with that." Midnight said, his voice getting closer. "What are you, tied up?" Fluttershy asks. "No, he has a little friend." Pinkie Pie says seeing a second shadow. "Pinkie, that's ridicu…" Rarity trails off seeing the baby wyvern. "Aww. Who's the little one?" Fluttershy asks. "I don't know, he was just in here with me." Midnight says as they start hearing fighting right outside the door. "In the words of my great grandmother. Let's get out of here." Midnight said heading for the door. Midnight is greeted by the sight of Alexander power bombing a guard onto his head. "Hey, nice power bomb." Midnight said casually. Alexander looks to the prince. "Finally, I've found you. Now let's get out of…" He stops when he sees the baby Wyvern. "So that's why they stop fighting him." He concluded. "Oh young prince there you are. Would you be so kind as to come here now?" Dolph's voice says at the end of the hall. "Prince stay behind me." Alexander whispers to him. "Now prince come with me. You wouldn't want something to happen to your mother now would you?" Dolph asks. "Mom?" He asks shakily. "He's bluffing young prince he doesn't have your mother." Edward says walking up. "But…?" Midnight hides by the baby Wyvern who growls at new pony trying to hurt his friend. A sword flies past all of them and embeds itself right beside the head of Dolph. Nikolai comes out right by Edward as they stare down at Dolph. "That's a warning. Leave and you might have a chance." "And miss seeing Lightning or taking the prince, I don't think so." Dolph says rushing forward barely avoid each stallion's attacks and grabs Midnight and heads for the front door. "Dang it!" Nikolai yells as everypony chases after him. Meanwhile Lightning finishes off a Nethergate and throws him into the open arena. "Buck off." He looks to Apollo shooting as many arrows as he could to finish them all off. While the Wyverns were still biting, clawing, and stomping them all to nothing. "Apollo I'm going to be right back." Lightning says walking out the door. "Yeah, sure, help yourself." Apollo said firing off another arrow. Lightning walks into the main hall just in time to come face to face with Dolph holding Midnight. "Well, well, if it isn't Lightning." Dolph says. "Midnight!" Lightning yells. "Lightning, help!" Midnight yells back struggling against his grip. "One chance Dolph let him go and I'll let you live." Lightning says Dolph chuckles. "Now, why would I do that? I'm having more fun this way." Lightning growls before he sees something behind Dolph. "Lightning!" Edward yells as he throws one of his swords to him. Lightning catches as Dolph does the same and prepares his. "Last chance." "Come on Lightning, where is the fun in that?" Dolph asks. "You know Dolph, I think I should reintroduce you to somepony?" Lightning says. Before Dolph could question this he feels a claw swipe rip across his back causing him to scream out in pain. "I think you remember my spirit partner Belcross." Lightning says as Midnight uses this chance to escape Dolph's grasp and run to Lightning. Looking back Midnight sees a huge blue and purple creature standing on two legs with large clawed hands and lightning coursing across its body. "Belcross protect the young prince, I'll take care of this one." Lightning says and Belcross moves over to that side with Midnight and away from Dolph. "Now we're even. If you hadn't made this personal I would have captured you, now I'm going to finish you." Lightning said walking up to him, bearing the sword. "Yeah, I guess the party has to end sooner or later." Dolph says withdrawing two daggers. "Let's go out with a blast." Lightning lunges forward only for his thrust to be stopped by Dolph's daggers. "You would have made a great soldier Lightning. Too bad you have joined the wrong side." Dolph taunts. "You're far too arrogant." Lightning says coursing some lightning magic through the sword giving Dolph a nasty zap, making him disengage with his daggers. "Bastard." Dolph said before lunging again. "What's wrong Dolph, you seem a little bit slow today." Lightning mocks dodging his opening attack and parrying the second before slamming the hilt of his sword on Dolph's wounded back. Dolph yells out in pain. "You're the most terrible pony I have ever met." Dolph says grunting. "You're only say that because I don't fear you and you are scared of me." Lightning says disarming him of one of his daggers. Dolph grins. "True, but do they fear death?" Lightning raises an eyebrow before throwing his last dagger at Midnight. But Belcross giant clawed hand slams in front of the young prince and the dagger bounces off of it. For a moment Lightning does nothing, but then takes a deep breathe. "You know I don't get mad easily. In fact there are very few things that make me mad. But that Dolph, just did it. Because nothing make me angrier than attacking my family and you dared to attack my son!" Lightning said yelling the last part in pure rage. Dolph went wide eyed at what he just said. 'Midnight...his own son. Now I'm in trouble.' "I ah...got to deal with something...later." Dolph says, but barely avoided being impleaded, but doesn't avoid the punch sending him sailing across the room leaving an imprint where he hits the wall. "Get up Dolph, I'm only getting started with you." Lightning says with a very calm but creepy voice. Dolph tries to rise, but is kicked up before Lightning starts releasing punch after punch to his face. "Never...touch...my...family!" Lightning yelled with each punch. At the end Lighting takes the sword and runs Dolph through the chest before withdrawing it and walking away. "You know this ain't over." Dolph whispers. "There will be more." "True, but it's yours and Nethergate's end." Lightning says walking to Midnight. Dolph breathes his last as he finally slumps on the ground. Lightning reaches Midnight as Belcross dissipates into thin air. "Come on, let's get that cub back to mom and pas and let's go home." "A...are you really my dad?" Midnight asks, his voice a little shaky. "Yeah...I am." Lightning says hugging the young foal. A scratch gets his attention as he looks down to see the baby Wyvern. "Ok little one, we'll go." Lightning says smiling. They all soon got up and head for the showing area again this time with nothing bad happening. All the Nethergate assassins were dead and the guards were captured. Walking over to the two Wyverns, they look at him for hope, he steps aside for the young one to see his family again. The Wyverns let out their own cry and nuzzle their hatchling. Soon the ponies starts to leave with Apollo carrying Barrows over his back. The Wyverns let out a final cry to Lightning. Looking back he can see the bigger one nod to him and so he nods back before leaving. Soon the royal guards arrive with Shining Armor. The young princess embraces her big brother as the guards' starts to head inside. "Let the creatures go if you find them!" Lightning yells to the guards heading inside. "We have two traitors to deal with." Shining Armor says looking at the unconscious Barrows and his son. "Correction, one traitor big brother. Earum here is innocent, he even aided us." Twilight says. Shining looks to him and looks him over as the young heir starts to strip all of his clothes leaving the bare essentials on. "Never wanted to be a part of all this." He takes off his family crest necklace. "And never want to be ever again." He readies to throw it before feeling a hoof stop him. He looks to Lightning taking the crest. "Barrows has stained the family name, but I'm sure the heir can fix that. Being smart in helping us was a big decision. Once ponies see that...well..." Lightning holds out the crest. Earum looks at it for a few moments contemplating Lightning's words. Finally he takes the crest and places it back on. "Let me make things right." Lightning smiles. "You just started." "Well then I still have to deal with a traitor." Shining Armor says interrupting the conversation. Apollo drops the body without care. "I'm done here, I'm heading back to the farm to relax." Apollo said as the walks away. "Oh, didn't I tell you Applejack fired you and Alexander because she lost a bet." Lightning says trying to hold a snicker. Apollo freezes before walking backward to Applejack. "Hire me back. You made the bet based on Alexander staying or not for a few hours." "Actually it was both of you." Applejack says with an embarrassed look. "Forget it Apollo, you, Alexander, and Edward are going to be really busy for a while." Lightning says as Midnight lays on his father's back. They look to him with confused looks. "And what are we doing?" Edward asks. "You are to go back to your ship and set sail and send this by messenger hawk." Lightning says hoofing him a letter. Edward smirks and then whistles. "A messenger hawk is never more than a whistle away." A hawk then lands on his back. Tying the letter on the leg he whistles again in a few tones and soon the hawk is off. Lightning facehoof. "You as an admiral are supposed to read letters with that emblem." Lightning says "Why didn't you say that before laddie?" Edward says laughing nervously. "Oh never mind, come here." Lightning says before whispering something into Edward's ear. "Now go to your ship and set sail." Lightning orders. Edward nods before walking off. "Let's hope you come to my ship next time. She's quite a beauty." "Yes, yes, the Jackdaw is quite a ship." Lightning says bored of the same conversation. Edward chuckles and just continues away. "Now come on, let's get you home. Your mother is worried sick." Lightning says to Midnight who just smiles at his father. Eclipse sips some more tea as she sits down, waiting for everypony' safe return. Spike brings out some more treats for her while she looks down at her warm tea and sighs. "You know," Spike pipes up. "I'm sure they're fine. Lightning handled worse." Eclipse just keeps looking at the tea. "It's not that he can't make it, it's the fact that Midnight is his son I'm worried about. Plus the fact of how this will change his relationship with Rainbow." "I don't think it will be affected that much." They both look to the door to Lightning with Midnight and Rainbow playing around behind him. "She took it rather well." Lightning said smiling at his son. "Mommy!" Midnight yells at he runs to Eclipse. Eclipse hugs his fiercely as she cries out in happiness. "I'm never letting you out of my sight again." Midnight giggles. "Mom, I actually busted out with a friend. Thanks for the lessons." Eclipse looks confused. "Friend?" "He means a baby Wyvern." Lightning explains. "Apparently Barrow was holding the parents hostage too with the threat of their hatchling in danger." "I don't care, as long as my son is ok." Eclipse says hugging Midnight tighter. Lightning smiles and starts to leave. Rainbow follows after looking at them for a few more seconds. "Lightning don't you think you should stay I mean he is your son as well." Rainbow points out. "Midnight didn't need me. He escaped during the whole thing and rescued the Wyvern. After all he's still got Eclipse. So it's all well and good for him." Lightning explains. "It's all well and good? Lightning let me tell you I grew up with only my father so I can literally can say I know what I am talking about when I say Midnight wants to know his father!" Rainbow starts out explaining and yells the last part in Lightning's ear. Lightning looks back at her. "And yet it was better if Midnight didn't know. All the stuff that happened to him would have been worse if Dolph knew that Midnight was my son. Plus I don't want to see him get more hurt." "It's far too late for that. Eclipse already told the secret. Now it doesn't matter either way. So the least you owe that foal is to be there for him now!" Rainbow scolds Lightning. "Lightning." Eclipse said softly. "Yes Eclipse?" Lightning asks turning to her. Eclipse smiles at him. "Lightning we would really love it if...well...if you could be a father for us. The father you were always meant to be." Lightning smiles, but then turns to Rainbow. "Are you okay with this?" "Hey, that doesn't mean you're married to her. So be a father to Midnight." Rainbow says. Lightning smiles at her and then turns back to Eclipse. "Okay, sure." Lightning then feels something land on his back. "So dad, what about Aunt Spitfire will she be around?" Midnight asks. Lightning smiles then starts laughing evilly. Everypony looks at like he's gone bonkers. "Well now, what do you say about surprising her huh? Probably give her a good fright." Eclipse sighs. "Now I know where Midnight gets that mischievous side from." Eclipse says facehoofing. Lightning just keeps laughing evilly and soon Midnight joins. "Like father, like son." Rainbow said to her with pity. Spitfire was talking to Hurricane about the upcoming war when the doorbell rang. And kept ringing incessantly. "Alright, alright, hold your horseshoes." Spitfire says before muttering under her breathe. "I swear to Celestia if this is Soarin again I'm going to..." Spitfire stops opening the door and seeing Lightning. "Hey sis, I got a little surprise for you." Lightning says in a sing song voice. "What is it?" Spitfire asks letting out a sigh of relief. "I like you to meet your nephew Midnight." Lightning says as Midnight pops onto Lightning's head. "Hiya Auntie!" Midnight yells. Spitfire just stood there shocked with her mouth agape. Midnight seeing his opportunity took a picture of Spitfire. "That's a keeper." He said as it came out. "Yeah, all joking aside you really are an aunt to Midnight." Lightning says as Spitfire snapped out of it and looked back and forth between the two, comparing them. Seeing the same grin and glint of mischievous in their eyes proves it. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" "You done with the death shriek?" Hurricane asks with an annoyed look as she comes up behind her. "Now where's my little grandson?" She asks as her face changes to one of happiness. "Midnight meet your ancestor, Commander Hurricane, one of the pioneers of early Pegasus culture." Lightning says as Midnight stares at Hurricane with wide eyed wonder. "Cool." He drones out. "Hurricane meet Midnight, my son and the crown prince of Saddle Arabia." Lightning says. "Hello sweetie. Oh, I'm going to spoil you to the ground." Hurricane coos. "He doesn't like that Hurricane, he prefers doing things for himself from what I have seen." Lightning says proud of his lifestyle. "I don't care, he is my family." Hurricane says picking him up and hugging Midnight. "Yeah family. Sounds good, doesn't it sis?" Lightning asks. Spitfire was still frozen in horror. Lightning sighs and blasts her with some water magic. "Wakey wakey sis." He said as she started coming to. "What happened? Oh Lightning I just had the craziest dream." Spitfire says. "Was it about Midnight being my son and your nephew?" Lightning asks. "Yeah, how did you know?" Spitfire asks. "Cause that wasn't a dream." Lightning clarified as he pointed to Hurricane hugging Midnight. Spitfire sighs and looks down. "Great. Now I have to deal with him." "What's wrong, I always thought you wanted our family to be bigger?" Lightning asks. Spitfire sighs again and looks to Midnight. "I do, but…" "But?" Lightning asks. She turns to him. "I want somepony of my own as well." "Sister are you seriously considering dating?" Lightning asks surprised. "Wooooooo whoooooooo! Finally I can get her into finding a stallionfriend!" Hurricane cheers. "Don't spread it around." Spitfire says. Hurricane grins. "Oh, don't worry I won't." That's her saying. "Any potentials you have in mind aunty?" Midnight asks Spitfire blushes. "Just one for now, but I'll tell you later." "Is it someone I know and please tell me it's not Soarin?" Lightning says as Midnight jumps on Spitfire's head. Spitfire scratches behind Midnight's ear. "No not him. I hate that guy and his pie crazy ways. But it is somepony you do know. And he's a shipmaster." Lightning blinks a few times. "No, you can't mean Edward Kenway!" Lightning yells. Spitfire looks at him confused. "Well yeah, what's wrong with him?" "Note to self: blow up the Jackdaw and Edward." Lightning says writing that down in an actual notepad. "Oh, like Tartarus you will!" Spitfire yells tacking him and leaving Midnight in the air for a bit before falling. "Say grandmother?" Midnight asks. "Yes dear?" Hurricane said as she walks up by him. "Are Dad and Aunty playing?" Midnight asks as Spitfire piles drives Lightning in the stomach. "Yes they are." Hurricane says as Lightning flips Spitfire. "Oh just like old times." A voice says as Lightning had Spitfire in a headlock. They both stop and looks to the voice user. "Hey Vinyl." Spitfire says as she gets out of the headlock and puts Lightning in her own. "I guess something's never change." Vinyl says. Spitfire gains a mischievous grin. "Oh Vinyl you want to hear something interesting about Lightning here?" Spitfire asks. "Sister don't you dare." Lightning warns but was block by Spitfire's headlock going tighter. "Oh sure what is it?" Vinyl asks. "You want to know who Lightning's first crush was." Spitfire asks. "Sister please don't." Lightning pleaded. "Who is it? I wondered when we did that radio show." Vinyl said as she sat down. "Well I'll give you three guesses and a hint each time you guess. Your first hint is she's a unicorn." Spitfire says. "Hmm...Twilight?" Vinyl guesses. "Nope. Ok, second hint she lives in Ponyville." Spitfire says "Lyra?" Vinyl guesses. "Nope. Ok, final hint. She has a blue mane and wears glasses all the time." Spitfire says. Vinyl goes wide eye. "Is it...me?" She said as she points to herself. "Yes, you are Lightning's first crush." Spitfire says as Lightning is starting to turn blue. Vinyl points to him. "Ummm…" "Aunty I think dad is suffocating." Midnight says walking over to them. Spitfire turns to look at Lightning. "Oh sorry." She lets go as Lightning starts to cough. "I can't believe you told her. It's like when you told the world, Vinyl likes the accordion." Lightning says hiding his face. "Hey!" "Sorry Vinyl, but it is true." Lightning said. "Ok, I will give you that, but only because of what your sister just did." Vinyl says. "So yeah, I did like you back then, but I passed on. I like somepony else now." Lightning explains. "Oh, no problem I already have my eyes set on somepony else." Vinyl says. "Oh, those rumors of you and Octavia are true then?" Spitfire asks. Vinyl grins. "Maybe." "Wow, I feel sorry for Nikolai then. He really has a thing for you." Lightning says. "Oh, does he?" Vinyl says with an evil smirk. "Yeah he was a big fan back in the day. Though I think he hasn't like it that much now." Lightning explains. "Oh, we'll see about that." Vinyl says. "A lesson for you son. Me and sis, maybe devious, but Vinyl is on a whole different level." Lightning says turning to him. Midnight looks to Vinyl. "So are you a music pony?" "Of course little…wait...you called him son." Vinyl says registering what he said. Lightning nods. "That's what a father calls his foal." Lightning says. Vinyl then has her mouth agape. "Whoa…I didn't know you were a father. Who was the lucky mare?" "I'm not married Vinyl and the mare is Eclipse, the queen of Saddle Arabia." Lightning clarifies. Vinyl's glasses fall on her nose and showing her eyes slightly. "Dang. I almost feel sorry for you." "What's that supposed to mean?" Lightning asks almost mad. Vinyl quickly shakes her hoof at him. "Oh no, I didn't mean bad for you...well...actually I meant that you didn't marry her. You get the ultimate experience in life when you have a foal and married." "I am going to tell you the reason now. The laws of Saddle Arabia wouldn't allow it Vinyl. You want details, look up the laws pertaining to Queens and marriage." Lightning says. Vinyl whistles. "Man, I feel sorry you. Not being able to marry...wow." "Yes, Vinyl?" Lightning asks annoyed. "It's just not being able to marry when you already have a foal. But doesn't it allow you marry her now?" "Ok, to clarify I didn't know Midnight was my foal till earlier this night." Lightning says. "Yeah, but does it allow you marry her now?" "No, the laws state a Queen can't marry when she becomes Queen." Lightning says. "So how does she pass on the throne if she can't pass it on to a possible foal?" "The law doesn't say anything about having kids only that they can't marry." Lightning says. "So you can still have kids with her?" "Yes, but it wouldn't be right now. Personally I'm shocked Rainbow is taking this so well." Lightning says. Vinyl sighs. "Well, I did come here to check up on Spits, but got a great story instead." "It's foreign customs and policies Vinyl unless you're a diplomat, no need to research them extensively." Lightning says. "Heh. Well how about we get inside. I'm getting hungry." Vinyl said as her stomach growls. "Sure Vinyl, come on in." Lightning says as everypony entered. "So Lightning why is Midnight a bat sub-breed?" Vinyl asks as she munches on a sandwich. "Oh, the entire Saddle Arabia royal family is that. Oh, and a little tip the legend of them being able to hypnotize with their eyes. Completely true if you make direct eye contact. I know from experience with Eclipse." Lightning says. "That's how you got Midnight?" Hurricane asks. "Oh, no, no. She didn't use that for that, but since he is so young let's change the subject." Lightning says looking at Midnight. "So when did you leave?" Spitfire asks. "Before Eclipse became Queen, which was before Midnight here." Lightning says. "And after that?" Spitfire continues. "The revolution of Stalliongrad that expelled the Dominion Empire from Stalliongrad. Which was the first time in over a thousand years Stalliongrad was independent." Lightning says with a sober tone. "So what is going on now?" Vinyl asks. "The Dominion is gearing up to invade Equestria." Lightning casually says. "And you're casual about this why?" Vinyl asks. "Cause it was only a matter of time or did you not know that they were pressuring your princesses to surrender to them?" Lightning asks. "Did they?" Hurricane asks. "Yeah, most of the Western world knows the Dominion is preparing a huge military campaign to conquer as much as they can and sadly after reviewing everything. I'm sure they will need only one legion to conquer the entire country." Lightning says. Spitfire sighs. "Well let's hope that we can survive." "At this point it's doubtful. I mean your military is practically a joke. You have only four thousand Royal guards who mainly just stand around. The country hasn't experienced war in millenniums so your ponies don't know what to expect. I mean all your recent threats have warranted six untrained mares. If I didn't know better I would think this whole place was a joke." Lightning says holding his head like he had a headache. "Are you okay dad?" Midnight asks. "I'm fine son." Lightning says rubbing the top of Midnight's head. "We aren't that bad…are we?" Spitfire asks unsure. Vinyl shrugs. "Kinda. You send six mares for almost everything going on here. It really is a joke." "Untrained civilians too." Lightning adds. "Yeah and their only defense is 'friendship' and the elements of harmony. It's hard to believe they lived this long." Vinyl says "Vinyl how would you like to be a consultant pony for the upcoming war. You speak more sense than most nobles." Lightning offers. Vinyl laughs a little. "Yeah, it seems the regular citizens knows more than nobles on everything no matter what it is. Even the politics. But no, too much hassle and no time for music for me." "Then a request. The princesses are obviously going to ask me to help defend the country from the impending invasion now that they know I am the head general of Stalliongrad. I'm going to need so help from the celebrities to get as many ponies as possible to join the armed forces for us to stand a chance." Lightning says. Vinyl's glasses came dangerously close to falling off her face. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Back up you're what in Stalliongrad?" Vinyl asks. "The head general, meaning when it comes to military matters I'm the second most influential in all of Stalliongrad." Lightning says. "And why the celebrities?" Vinyl asks. "Star power helps motivate civilians. I mean who are they more than likely going to listen to a foreign general or their favorite DJ?" Lightning asks. Vinyl slams her hooves on the table startling everypony. "You think I want to send my fans into war? Besides, no fans if I do." "And if the Dominion conquers Equestria then no fans and you'll either be a slave or a trophy wife to an officer." Lightning says. Vinyl winces. "No way! I'm not going to be a sex slave! Fine, I'll do it, but only when the war is in and after a while." "You mind sending the same message to Octavia, because a mare like her is highly prized to be a trophy wife in the Dominion." Lightning says. Vinyl grits her teeth. "Okay, but once the war is in we are not going anywhere and staying home." "That may not be a good idea in case you need to flee." Lightning says. "I meant when not in danger at home. And if they are coming then we will run." "Smart mare." Lightning says gesturing to Vinyl while looking at Spitfire Spitfire looks offended. "What are looking at me like that?" "All I'm saying she is smart for knowing what to do if the Dominion comes. But we on the other hand don't get the option." Lightning says. Spitfire glares at him. "Does that mean that only stallions should fight because of the whole trophy thing?" "I said we don't get the option meaning we will be on the front lines." Lightning says facehoofing. "Still what are we going to now?" Spitfire asks. "Until the princesses decide something we can't do anything." Lightning says. Spitfire sighs and takes a sandwich. "Well what about now? While we wait." "We rely on our friend in the nobility Euram Barrows to try and hurry things along." Lightning says. "Well let's finish eating up and go there." Hurricane said as she takes another cupcake. "I have other business to attend to. Besides he has things under control." Lightning says. "And what other business is that?" Hurricane asks with a coy smile. "I will tell you on one condition." Lightning says. "Yes grandson?" Hurricane follows. "Restrain Spitfire because she'll try to hurt me. When I say this." Lightning says. "Okay dear." Hurricane said as she goes over and holds her down. "Let me go." Spitfire said threateningly. "Ok. I know you don't want to hear this sister. But to have a chance at defeating the coming invasion we need all the residence of Equestria and I mean everypony. That includes the Changelings." Lightning says. "What?! Don't tell me you are going to do a treaty with those bugs!" Spitfire yells as struggles in Hurricane's grip. "Ok sis, I will give you an option. A: We either get their help." Lightning pauses. "Or?" Spitfire asks. "Which Dominion legionnaire would you prefer to be the trophy wife of?" Lightning asks. Spitfire says nothing for the moment and turns to the side. "Fine. Go get their help. It can't be worse than that." "That's the spirit sister. You may let her up now Hurricane." Lightning says. Hurricane let's go and goes back to seat and keeps eating. "When are you going?" She said as she takes a large piece of cake. "Sometime this week. I have a few appointments to keep." Lightning says. Hurricane smiles. "Then you best be off." "Hey, hey, I said a few appointments. That includes spending time with my son and talking to Rainbow about the future of our relationship." Lightning says the second half under his breath and as fast as possible. Hurricane smiles. "I'm sure that Rainbow will help you through this. Now the best things to do is do the relationship stuff sooner than later and then you can play." She said looking at Midnight. "Can you wait little one?" "Hurricane, it's almost midnight." Lightning says and Hurricane snickers. "Yes, yes, a fine pun, but seriously it's about time for him to go to bed and Vinyl I'm sure Nikolai is back at your home by now and I'm sure you have a lot to talk about with one of my commanders." Lightning says. "But dad," Midnight started. "Mom has been training me for late night wakerupers. Said the political stuff that I can help with kinda sometimes go late into the night. So she's been training me by having me stay up till midnight and then wake up around or before six. I'm already use to it. But I can stay for little while longer." Lightning blinks a few times before saying. "Midnight follow me, we need to have a word with your mother." Lightning says starting to walk out the door. Midnight looks confused at the others before following along out the door. "How long before you think Lightning starts to yell at Eclipse?" "Probably in about one minute." Eclipse is sitting by the fireplace with a cup of tea with a peaceful smile on her muzzle. She was content and happy the way Lightning was reacting to Midnight. Then she heard a knock on the door. Opening it she finds Lightning standing there with Midnight. "What's this about making Midnight stay up till midnight?" Lightning asks calmly. "Oh, Lightning...um...good evening." Eclipse says nervously. "Let's talk." Lightning says walking in and dragging her along. "Midnight, avenge me!" Eclipse yells as she is dragged into a room and the door is heard locking behind them. Midnight just stands there confused as he closes the door behind him. "This is going to be one those weird things isn't it? Probably will take all night. Oh well, better get some sleep." He said to himself as he headed to his room. "Eclipse how could you…!" Lightning proceeded to yell at Eclipse for well into the night from there. Only stopping when he fell asleep. Author's Note And that's it for this chapter my fine fellows and ladies. Please wait while we work on the next one. Now It's More Fun and Ten Times More Funnier (Clop)A/N: Back again. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' Lightning is standing outside Rainbow Dash's house and he sighs before knocking on the door. "Rainbow you there?" The door creaks open to see Rainbow standing behind it with a slight smile. "Hey Lightning." "Rainbow can I talk to you?" Lightning asks. Rainbow steps aside and lets him through. "So...how's was the night?" "Long. I spent most of it lecturing Eclipse when Midnight told me she only let him get six hours of sleep." Lightning says. Rainbow looks away like she was hiding something. "Well…" She draws out. "It may help in the long run." "But it can also stunt his growth or cause health problems." Lightning says. Rainbow scratches her head. "Yeah, but then again his body is going to that age where it won't matter. He'll be sleeping longer and staying awake in a shorter amount of time. In other words, puberty." "He isn't even ten yet Rainbow." Lightning informs. "Some eggheads found out it actually starts at around eight." "Rainbow didn't you want me to be a father to him?" Lightning asks. Rainbow sighs and looks at him dead in the eyes. "Yes, but as you said he has a lot of experience. Plus being raise in the lifestyle Eclipse did he has gotten used to it. But that doesn't mean you start changing things right away, especially big ones." "Ok I'm getting off topic. I wanted to talk to you about something." Lightning says. Rainbow raises an eyebrow noticing he had bags starting to form under his eyes. "I'm all ears." "You know that when this all starts to pick up speed there won't be any time to ask, but I was wondering if we can make our arrangement permanent." Lightning asks nervously. Rainbow stood still, shocked at what he said. "Are you...asking me to marry you?" "Yes." Lightning says starting to feel awkward. Rainbow smirks. "Say it." "R...Ra...Rainbow w...w...will y...y...y...you m...mar...marry m...me?" Lightning stuttered. Rainbow smiles so true that she could have sworn it would have stayed that way forever. "Yes, Lightning. I will." "W...wait just like that?" Lightning asks shocked. Rainbow giggles just like the only other time she did. "Yes dummy. Unless you are now backing out?" She asks faking hurt. "No, I just surprised I had a plan and everything to woo you but that was nev…" Lightning was cut off by a sudden bad case of coughing. Rainbow's eyes widen from the surprise coughs. "Lightning! Are you okay?" She asks as she goes over to him. He keeps her at foreleg's length until the coughing subsides. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. It's not the first time this has happened." Lightning says. "Wait this has happened before?" Rainbow asks. "Thanks Rainbow for accepting my proposal. There is one other thing I want to talk to you about though." Lightning says trying to change the subject. Rainbow looks at him worry. "What is it?" She asks. "Well I was wondering would you be interesting in adopting a filly." Lightning asks. Rainbow looks surprised. "Adoption? But we are perfectly capable of having foals, why adoption?" "Well there is a filly I kinda consider a part of the family to us." Lightning says. "And who is that?" "She is an orange little pegasus that's your number one fan." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles at that. "Okay, but if it comes to it, will you give us a foal?" "Oh, Rainbow I didn't know you were so willing." Lightning says with a smirk. A knock to the head later. "You had to ruin the moment didn't you?" "Oh come on, you set yourself up for that." Lightning says sticking his tongue out at her. Rainbow huffs then gives some alluring bedroom eyes. "Maybe we can skip everything and go right to the fun part." She said sultry like. "Rainbow, adopt first, fun later tonight." Lightning says causing her to pout. "Well, let's get things done. You have your list and I have mine. Anything else to talk about?" Rainbow said getting ready. "Nope, except to mention you look great like always." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs and looks proud. "Don't I always." She then looks at him worried again. "That cough won't happen again will it? I don't want you dropping out of the sky because of it." "Oh, don't worry about it." Lightning says with a smile. Rainbow noticed it was fake but said nothing on it as they took off. "Just be careful." She yells to him as goes to town. Lightning sighs and starts to take off for the orphanage. 'Why did I slip up like that?' Lightning berates himself mentally. Scootaloo is sitting on her bed messing her scooter because the wheel was way off balance. And she was covered in tree sap. "Of all the times to lose control of my scooter, it had to be in the one area where sap is leaking." A purple mare walks into the room. "Oh Scootaloo could you come to the office?" The mare asks. Scootaloo sighs and places the tools and scooter down on the bed before walking, sorry I meant struggling, to the office because of the sap. 'This better not be about one of the crusades.' After she reaches the office she sees the one that runs it, an olive green mare. "Scootaloo take a seat." She says. Scootaloo follows her orders. "Am I in trouble? Again?" "I'm afraid you won't be able to stay here anymore." The mare says. Scootaloo becomes shell shocked. "WHAT! But if I can't stay here, where will I go? I can't survive here!" She then thinks about it. "Actually, Canterlot streets is a lot more livable than Ponyville, at least that's what the foals over there say." "Scootaloo you're going home with your new father and mother." The mare says amused by the reaction as evident on her muzzle. Scootaloo looks at her for a few, before a pie was tossed at the mare. "That's for tricking me like that. You know how each of us feels and yet you pull something like this. I'm starting to feel like the real owner who at least treats the foals here kindly. They come to me for answers!" "Oh, I think she takes after her new mother, don't you think?" Scootaloo heard a familiar voice behind her. The mare wipes off the pie from her face and looks to Lightning. "Unfortunately, I got the answer all over my face." Scootaloo turns around to see Lightning. "Hey." Lightning said simply. Scootaloo smiles. "So you're my new dad?" "You got it and now introducing your new mother." Lightning says and seconds later the door opens and Rainbow walks in. "YESSSSSSSSSSSS!" An orange blur crashes into Rainbow knocking her to the ground. "I think she's happy, but what, no hug for your dad?" Lightning asks with mock hurt. Another orange blur crashes into him after leaving Rainbow. "Okay, that will do." Lightning said laughing. "Please take care of Scootaloo." The olive green pony says trying to clean off the pie. "Okay, and enjoy the pie." Lightning said as he left with Rainbow and Scootaloo. "Where did she even get the pie?" The mare asks herself as she licks the pie. There was a knock on the door of Lightning's house. "Coming." Hurricane calls. After opening the door the one at the door screams a death scream, destroying the spectral's ears. "Scootaloo there is nothing to be afraid of." Lightning says. Hurricane removes her hooves from her ears and looks to the little foal with two bags right beside her. "New foal?" She asks with no care. "Yes and is Spitfire still here?" Lightning asks. "In the shower." Hurricane says and then gets a big smile. "Come here little one. Come hug your new grandmother." "Ok, please come with me we have to something to discuss." Lightning said. Hurricane pouts. "You're no fun. Fine." She then looks to Scootaloo. "We are going to spend a lot of time later. And be ready to be spoiled." She said in a sing song. "Rainbow, Scoots, help yourselves to the fridge I will be back soon." Lightning says walking up the stairs with Hurricane. "Let's empty this place." Lightning heard Rainbow say to Scoots. After reaching the second floor, he opens the door to his strategy room. "I need your help with something." "To tell your sister that the mare you have been seeing accepted your proposal?" Hurricane asks. "Ok, you are really good at reading ponies." Lightning says. Hurricane smiles and shrugs. "I'm a grandmother, it comes with it." Lightning sighs. "Can you go get her? It isn't proper for a brother to walk in on his sister bathing." Lightning says. Hurricane chuckles. "Sure, like you're not going to see it, but it is not right." She said walking to the bathroom. A yell is heard seconds later and a Spitfire clad in a towel walks into the strategy room to see Lightning looking over the very detailed sculpted table map in the middle. And did she looked pissed. "You better have a good reason to have her interrupt me during bath time." "Actually yeah I do. I have been thinking of taking my relationship with Rainbow to the next level for a while now." Lightning says as Hurricane closes the door. Spitfire looks surprised. "Really now, so now you're going to marry her?" "Yeah I am." Lightning says. "So you want advice?" Spitfire asks. Lightning sighs and turns to her. "Yeah, and I need to everything you got." "Well first..." Spitfire was cut off when Lightning says. "Oh I proposed and she accepted." Spitfire stops and then sighs. "Okay, I'm all out of advice." "Oh you're such a well of knowledge sister." Lightning says sarcastically. "I have a lot of experience in getting somepony, either gender of course, and…" Spitfire stopping when she notices both Lightning and Hurricane snickering. She growls. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. I was bored and there was a lot of off time." "Oh sister, I didn't know you swing both ways." Lightning says before he and Hurricane burst out laughing. Spitfire gets red in the face and just turns around from them. "Ok, but seriously sister. I talked to her and we decided to adopt a filly who was pretty much family to us already." Lightning says. She turns to him surprise. "Really, a foal already?" "Yeah, she is downstairs right now getting some food." Lightning says. Spitfire starts to head back to the bathroom and then comes out without her towel, but clean and dry. "Let's see the little one." "Yes let's go see your new niece." Lightning says almost missing a step walking down the steps. "Hey grandmother." Spitfire whispers. Hurricane leans over to her. "Yes, I know. I saw it too." "So he has been acting a little strange lately." Spitfire whispers back. Hurricane sees Lightning stumbles again. "Yes and I'm worried about him." "Hey, distract him and the filly, I'm going to talk to Rainbow Dash and see if she noticed anything." Spitfire whispers and Hurricane nods. Reaching the ground floor Lightning goes to the kitchen to see Rainbow and Scoots cooking something up. "Hey girls, what's cooking?" "Oh, nothing much." Rainbow says as Spitfire walks in. "Oh Scoots, meet your aunt Spitfire of the Wonderbolts." Lightning says. Scoots looks to the leader of the Wonderbolts. "Cool." "Don't forget about me." Hurricane says coming out of the floor and pulling Scootaloo into a hug. Scoots tries to get away at first, but then calms down and hugs back. "I'm going to spoil you to death." Before Lightning could interfere he hears a howl and the sound of small claws sliding across a wooden floor, before a wolf comes in through the door. "Hey there boy, have a good nap?" Lightning asks Ice Fang. Using this opportunity Spitfire walks up to Rainbow. "Hey you mind if I talk to you in private?" Spitfire asks. Rainbow looks confused. "Sure. What's up?" Spitfire lead her away to the room Lightning called her to not a few minutes ago. "Has my brother been acting strange?" Spitfire asks. Rainbow looks back in thought. "Actually yeah. He had a really bad cough attack earlier." Spitfire's eyes narrow. "He also stumbled twice down the stairs. That is not normal." Spitfire says. Rainbow looks to her worried. "What's wrong with him?" "I'm not sure. I'll call a doctor for in the morning until then act like nothing is happening." Spitfire says. Rainbow nods and heads back down. "Let's hope that he makes it." "Oh, I just remembered, don't you have a pet Rainbow? Where is he?" Spitfire asks and Rainbow eyes widen. "Oh my gosh, Tank! I got to go get him!" Rainbow yells before zooming out the door. Spitfire whistles. "Not a bad speed, I think she is almost ready to join the team. Maybe after the war." Spitfire says. Spitfire heads back downstairs to tell Lightning what happened. Lightning yawned as he stretched his wings before picking up the sleeping Scootaloo and taking her up to one of the empty bedrooms. He tucks her in before leaving but bumps into Rainbow outside the door. "Come on it's time for bed." She says. Lightning nods and heads to his bedroom with Rainbow following close behind. "Ah...Rainbow, what are you doing?" Lightning asks after they enter his room. Rainbow starts to act weirdly as her eyes start to change to a sultry like look. "Well you did promise me tonight." She said as she closes and locks the door. "Oh I see. Well I guess I did promise you." Lightning says with a smirk leaning towards her. (Clopfic incoming, to skip ahead go to the next bolded line) Rainbow smiles and leans against him more while leading him to bed. "We should really enjoy this." She offered. Lightning nods, but then coughs a little. "Yeah." He said weakly. Rainbow looks at him worried. "You know. You don't have to do this if you're not well." Lightning shakes his head no. "No Rainbow, I want to do this to make you happy. I'm really just following you. Now forget about my coughing fits and tell me what you want and I'll do it." Rainbow looks at him for a few more seconds before sighing. "Alright then, let's start off with this." She moves in and starts to kiss him. Lightning immediately falls into the kiss and starts to kiss back with more force. Not wanting to be outdone, Rainbow gets on her hind legs and leans against him, placing more force into the kiss. Lightning moans as the rush of heat and pleasure runs through him. Rainbow smiles and licks his lips making him open his mouth to accept the incoming tongue. Rainbow soon feels Lightning leaning up on his hind legs and starting to push against her to the bed. While that was happening she runs her tongue all over the inside of his mouth, trying to dodge his tongue. Lightning moans some more and soon makes Rainbow land on the bed, still not breaking the kiss. After a few more minutes they stop to catch their breath. "That was..." Rainbow tried to say. Lightning smiles. "Amazing?" Rainbow nods as she barely could talk. "Yeah...where did...you learn...this?" Lightning gives a shy look to the side. "Eclipse." "I'll admit." Rainbow finally has enough air in her lungs. "That mare knows her stuff." Lightning starts to lean in to her. "Then let me show you some more." He concluded before starting to kiss jawline making her make an 'eep' sound. Lightning keeps kissing the jawline working his way down to her neck which finally makes her moan. Lightning spends some extra time there just to hear those lovely voices. After a while he moves down to her collarbone and starts to nip at it. Rainbow starts to wrap her forelegs around him to keep him close, but Lightning was having none of that. He keeps moving downward and reaches her nipples where he starts to lick and nip at them making Rainbow moan even louder. Thinking quickly, Lightning cast a sound spell and blocks the room with his magic. 'That should dispel any visitors.' He then goes back to work on Rainbow who was panting but then starts to moan again from Lightning's treatment. Lightning then moves on to the next nipple and the next, working his way downward to his prize. Rainbow struggles to keep from moaning now, but then realizes that treatment has stop. She looks down to see Lightning staring at her petals. "What's wrong?" She asks worried. Lightning looks to her and smiles. "Nothing." Lighting goes back to work and first sniffs the petals which gives him a tasty aroma. He then proceeds to lick the outside, not even touching the lips of the petals yet. Rainbow starts to moan from the pleasure and heat she needs. "Please, Lightning." She pleaded. Lightning smiles and then runs his tongue over the petals for bit to get a taste for what is to come before diving into her tunnel. Rainbow arches a little from the sudden intrusion, but then calms down a bit, yet that only lasted a little while before Lightning started to move around hitting every spot he could. Moving around the warm tunnel to him felt like comfort. He opens his eyes slightly and sees Rainbow whitening on the bed. He then looks down to see her precious pearl winking at him. He inwardly smiles and takes his tongue out for bit, leaving Rainbow panting and gasping for air. "Why did...you stop?" Rainbow asks through her heavy breathing. Lightning chuckles. "Just admiring you and seeing how great you are." "Just keep going." Lightning grins and goes after something different. He just gives one lick to it and that is enough for her to shake in pleasure. He smiles and goes again, not letting up and not letting her have a break. He even goes as far as biting the nub and rolling it around in his teeth. The sensation was being to get too much for Rainbow so she did the only thing she could do at that point. "AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Lightning closes his eyes so as to not get blinded by her sweet juices, though he didn't let go of the nub and still rolls it a little from time to time as she lets loose. After a few seconds she stops and relaxes as Lighting let's go of the pearl. "That was incredible." She said breathily. Lightning crawls up to her so he was on top of her, face to face. "It's about to get better." Rainbow feels a warm feeling accompanied by a feeling of a long piece of flesh that ran along her leg before touching her favorite spot. Feeling the warm schlong at that spot made her tingle with excitement. "Ready?" Lightning asks as he looks to her with worry. Rainbow smiles sweetly before kissing him. After a few moments she let's go. "Just go slowly." Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Slow for you? That's a first." Rainbow lightly hits him. "Don't ruin it." Lightning winces from the slight pain. "Just kiss me if it hurts too much okay?" Rainbow nods and closes her eyes to await the pain. She then feels the warm flesh run against her before pushing against her tunnel and allows him through. She takes a deep breath in as she feels the schlong run along her sides of her warm tunnel. After a bit she feels him hit a barrier that makes him stop. She opens her eyes and sees him looking at her for permission. She gives a nod which allows him to rear back a little before pushing in as hard as he could. Rainbow grunts from the great amount of pain erupting from her lower area as a little trickle of blood runs onto the sheets. "Rainbow, you okay?" Lighting asks with worry as Rainbow starts to breath hard. Rainbow looks at him despite the pain. "Yeah, give me a minute." Lightning stayed absolutely still as Rainbow gets use to feeling. After a few minutes Rainbow kisses him and lightly bucks against him to get moving. Lightning complies and starts to move back before moving forward at the same speed. He keeps doing this, going deeper and deeper, until he hits the cervix of her tunnel. Rainbow breaks the kiss and looks down to see at least a half of foot out. "You're really big, you know that right?" Rainbow asks as she looks him. Lightning blushes red. "I'm from Stalliongrad Rainbow. Everything is big there." Rainbow giggles. "What are you waiting for? Get that big thing in me now." Lightning smiles and kisses her before starting to move again, each thrust hitting the end making her jump a little from the force. Each and every thrust Lightning did felt like heaven to her as one of them finally hit a little sweet spot, making her cry out. "AHHHHHHHHHHH!" Lightning keeps going as his pleasure starts to increase, but Rainbow was just writhing in pleasure as each thrust sent her into another mini-orgasm. Lightning keep hitting the same spot once he figured out where to hit, yet he felt something start to give. After a few more thrust he starts to get close. "Rainbow...I'm not going to last much longer." Lightning grunted. Rainbow cries out in another pleasure filled orgasm. "Do it. Do it inside." She was able to breathe through. Lightning gives a hard thrust and feels his hip meet hers. Looking down quickly he sees his great cock pushing up against her belly and making a distension. Every thrust he did made the distension move up and then flat against her stomach. Rainbow cries out from the immense pleasure she got from the intrusion past her cervix as she looks down through blurred eyes and sees the same thing Lightning does see. Lightning keeps thrusting until he gives one final hard thrust with a grunt that made a wet slap sound through the room and the cock pushing against her womb. Rainbow's body locks up as she feels her final orgasm as she feels a warm sensation running into her accompanied by a throb and a pulse every time she feels something going into her. She looks up wide eyes at Lightning as he looks down at her. They both kiss as Lightning's cum still fills her up to the point of over flooding her and leaking out, but couldn't since he was inside past her cervix, sealing the cum into place also making it distend a little from the great amount flooding in. They keep kissing until the cum stops flooding and release from the kiss, panting from exhaustion. Lightning starts to move back but Rainbow locks him into place by wrapping her hind legs around him. "Don't. I want to feel this...for a while." Lightning pants as he tries to get his breathing back. "So...sleep like this...for tonight?" He said in between pants. Rainbow nods as Lightning moves back against her and carefully turns around so she rested on top of him and moves up to rest against the pillows with her. He then covers them with the sheets and they both start to fall asleep. "By the way...where did you learn that spell?" "Alexander." Rainbow giggles and cuddles into him more. "Good night...Lightning." Lightning looks down at her as she starts to fall asleep. "Night Rainbow." He whispers. Lightning lets the spell fall from the room and falls asleep after her. The Next Day Lightning awoke to the great stream of light peeking through the close blinds and squints. After he got use to the lighting he looks down as he felt a warm body covering him. Seeing Rainbow still implied on him brought a happy smile to him, but he then tries to figure out how to remove himself from her without waking her up. After wiggling around a few times she grunts and wakes up. Seeing Lightning, she quickly kisses him. After a few seconds she let's go and smiles. "Morin'." Lightning smiles back. "Morning to you too." He then looks down at where they connected. "We are going to have to separate you know?" Rainbow smiles and slowly lifts herself up making a slurping sound as she moves off of him. After getting the long schlong out of her she sees it covered in both of their juices. She smirks as she turns to Lightning. Lightning looks confused as she looks at him with that smirk. "What are you doing?" Rainbow's smirk turns into a smile as she bends down her head to get close to the slightly limp cock. She then proceeds to lick it tasting the cum. She licks her lips getting use to the taste. "I'm just returning a favor. Not bad flavor for a plus." She swallows what she had in mouth before moving back to the now growing cock and starts to lick the rest of the cum of it. Lightning groans in pleasure as Rainbow works on him, leaving him a mess...well messier. When the long pole was clean Rainbow places the head into her mouth making Lightning moan out loud from the warm feeling. Rainbow licks the head inside her mouth before heading down, every few inches giving a lick along the side of it. After getting to a foot deep she stops from getting to her limit. She opens her eyes and sees the same half a foot left like last time. Rainbow then moves up off of it before hitting the head and then heads back down hitting the limit again. Lightning groans as he feels the pleasure start to rise again. Rainbow goes faster and faster as the rest of the inches start to disappear into her mouth even passing the medial ring. Passing her gag reflex she finally hits the bottom and pauses there. Lightning pants and looks down to see Rainbow all the way down leaving a bulge along her throat. Rainbow reflexively swallows, squeezing the cock and making a pulse feeling run along it. Lightning places a hoof on her head, making her inwardly smile. She heads back up until she reaches the head again before letting Lightning push her back down hard. She chokes from the sudden fall but she didn't let up. She heads back up again only for Lightning to press her down again. They both continue this pattern as the distance starts to get shorter until Lightning was basically thrusting into her mouth. Rainbow just sits there as that happens and inwardly smiles. Soon the thrusts were getting harder and even shorter. "Rainbow...I can't hold on." He warns. Rainbow holds her hoof to the one on her head as Lightning starts to groan more loudly. After a while he gives a hard final thrust that sent her pressed up against him. She tries to claw at his legs as her breathing was gone and she only feels the onslaught of cum going into her. Every warm cum came with every throb and pulse from his hard cock as she was filled up. Lightning keeps going giving a light thrust every now and again. Finally the stream stops, leaving them both a sweaty mess. Lightning looks down to see her eyes close and not breathing much. He quickly grows worried and pulls out leaving cum strings attached to him and her. "Rainbow, are you okay?" Lightning asks as he starts to soften. Rainbow opens her eyes and swallows the remains cum and saliva from the experience. "Yeah...I'm okay." She then looks to herself and then him. "We both need a bath." Lightning worries start to lessen as he slowly gets out of bed with his schlong retreating into him once again. "Yeah, let's get that done." Lightning starts to head to bathroom that was connected to their bedroom. "By the way, you were great." Rainbow told him. Lightning looks back at her. "Thanks, you were too." He then keeps walking, but hears a slight sloshing sound. He looks behind him to see Rainbow's stomach slightly swinging. Rainbow giggles and walks up beside him. "You really filled me up there. I think it would really be a while before I stop swinging like this." She said as she leans against him. Lightning smiles and leans back before heading to the bathroom again. "Well, you asked and I gave." Rainbow blushes as they enter the bathroom. "Yeah you sure did. What are we going to do after this?" Lightning thinks about that as he starts up the shower. "Maybe just grab some breakfast before planning it all." He enters the shower after the water to warm enough. Rainbow nods and follows him into the shower and starts to clean everything they did last night from their coats. While having a small amount of fun. (Okay you can read on ahead now if you skipped it. By the way, it's the next day.) Everypony was waiting at the table for the two lovebirds to show up as the warm food rested on the table. "I noticed I couldn't even enter." Hurricane says. Spitfire looks to her confused. "What do mean? You're a ghost." "I know but it was like I was hitting a wall." Hurricane says. Spitfire grows more confused. "Where?" "Doesn't dad know magic?" Scootaloo asks feeling a little odd on the word father. Hurricane nods. "Yes and his is extensively on hiding and hard attacks." "Huh?" Scootaloo asks. Spitfire sighs. "She means that he has magic that caters to a hiding style and a hard style attack magic." "That went completely over my head." Scootaloo says. Both Hurricane and Spitfire facefualts on the ground, but Hurricane went through the ground. After a few seconds they both came up with Hurricane rising out of the floor. "You really need a crash course in magic. Isn't one of your friends a unicorn?" Spitfire as she rubs her head. "I'm a pegasus and she hasn't really started learning magic." Scootaloo says as the new couple comes into the room. Everypony at the table looks to the entrance to the kitchen. "Well look who decided to join us. The newly wedded couple, in honeymoon form of course." Spitfire said to lighten the mood. "Hey, sister I see you're still here. Aren't you suppose to rejoin your team today?" Lightning asks. Spitfire shakes her head. "Not until this afternoon." "I see. Sorry I won't be able to see you off. I have business of my own to take care of." Lightning says putting on his hat and cloak. "Where to? And aren't you going to have breakfast?" Hurricane asks as she points to the warm steaming food. "No, unfortunately this can't wait. We are racing against the clock as we speak." Lightning says. "So where are you going?" Scoots asks. "Don't worry about that, but while I'm gone, obey your mother ok?" Lightning asks hugging Scootaloo. Scootaloo hugs back. "Sure dad, but make sure you don't get placed in the hospital again." "Ok, I will." Lightning says putting her down before nodding to his sister and Rainbow before leaving. "See ya girls." He then stops. "Whoa, I just realized that only girls are living in my house now except me." He then starts to leave again. "Oh well, best not to dwell on it." "Still a funny one like his grandfather...and a bit of a perv." Lightning flew over the clouds passed as fast as he could for the next few hours passing Canterlot on his way. 'Maybe get the queen in the throne room, no that wouldn't work until we have a small deal, but what to give her? No honesty is what is needed here.' Lightning thinks as he landed on the Foal Mountain. He looks around before seeing a cave. "Okay, let's see." He thinks over a diplomatic plan. "Don't do anything to attack and don't give them a reason too. Yeah, that should work." He then starts to head for the cave. 'Now, warrior caste society, so have to infer to a few things.' Lightning thinks walking into the cavern. He keeps going in and after a few turns into a few more cave lines he realizes that nothing is out of the ordinary. "Where are they? Usually you would keep watch on a town border." 'Ah, they already know I'm here.' Lightning thinks with a smirk. "I seek an audience with your Queen." Lightning says out loud to anypony in the cave. A few chattering were heard as some changelings appears from the ceiling. "Nice hiding spots." He said as he sees some holes big enough for them. 'Well, they are bugs.' He looks them over and sees the same appearance as from a book he read. A cross between an insect and a pony they had holes all over their legs and both had a blue or green armor exoskeleton around their barrel. A crooked horn with holes in them too and blue eyes that had no pupils. All making up the appearance that these species were something to be feared. "Show me or I will challenge the queen to a duel and we both know your duel won't stop until I kill her." Lightning says. The changelings looks at each other before going deeper into the cave. Lightning follows after them as they don't look back. 'This better work.' He thinks to himself. They soon came to a huge double door. Lightning wordlessly walks passed them as they take up positions on the sides of the door. He opens the giant doors as he sent electricity coursing through his forelegs to the shock of the changelings. On the other side of the door, he sees a large cavern that has green slime covering the walls and some areas of the floor. All around changelings were working to keep the hive up and running similar to a bee hive system. But at the other side of the cavern is the queen sitting in her makeshift throne. Looking like the rest except that she was as big as the princesses and had green eyes that looked hypnotizing and a dark green mane and tail. Lightning walked towards her whistling a small tune like it was an everyday occurrence to do a treaty as all the changelings watched in shock at what he just did. The queen was also in shock as he just walks to her calmly. Normally ponies would be at least be afraid. "I assume you are Queen Chrysalis?" Lightning asks. Chrysalis looks him over for a few before laughing out loud, making an echo with her double voice ring throughout the cave system. Lightning just looks too confused at what she was doing. 'Laughing, but why?' She then calms down and looks to him again. "You can power down. I don't really have a warrior system in place, just a protective system for my children. By the way it was funny the way you walked in." She grins showing her toothed fang. "I see, so you have heard the rumors?" Lightning asks. Chrysalis turns to serious expression. "Yes, being connected to my children, I have an extensive knowledge of current events." "And you know of the Dominion Empire's imminent invasion." Lightning asks. Chrysalis leans back against the throne. "Yes, but what are you doing here, me and my children was about to leave anyway?" "You know there is no place to run, they intend to conquer the world. The only reason you beat Celestia was for the past few months they were secretly using an item called a soul gem to drain their powers." Lightning says. Chrysalis looks off to the side. "Then it wasn't a real fight. That's just insulting." "It's only a matter of time before they hunt you down." Lightning says. Chrysalis huffs. "So what do you want me to do?" "Join the Equestrians in the defense against the incoming invasion." Lightning says. Chrysalis raises an eyebrow. "Why do you think my hive will just join? Besides the war and death." "Self-preservation to start and maybe a deal." Lightning says. Chrysalis leans forward. "What deal?" Lightning smirks. "Well I can arrange something with the princesses for your help and everything." Chrysalis leans back again. "Anything else you can offer? You know how basic we are." Lightning leans on one side and smiles. "Yes, and I got the perfect thing." All the changelings in the room lean toward him for the answer. "A strip club." … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ... "What?" "I can get you a highly valuable real estate location in Canterlot's underground red light district and you can do whatever you want with it." Lightning says. Chrysalis blinks. "A strip club? You're giving us a strip club?" Lightning chuckles. "Yeah, lust isn't different from love is it?" A couple of minutes passed before Chrysalis starts laughing loudly making all the changelings look at her. "You know about Changeling culture more than others, you know that right?" She laughs out loud. "Yeah, I am after all..." Lightning was cut off when a female Changeling spoke up from the ceiling, "Lightning Bolt, Grand general of Stalliongrad, the secret representative of Stalliongrad to see if Equestria is worthy of to be a part of the alliance being formed, and one of the Dominion empire's greatest enemies." Lightning looks up to see a Changeling with a different foreleg than usual, which was completely metal. "Hello there Seeku. Long time no see." Lightning said. Seeku buzzes downward to the floor. "Well you don't look any different either, except for that little scar on your cheek." She then smiles. "Still looking cool as ever." "Things happen old friend. So why didn't you ever tell me I had a son?" Lightning asks. Seeku shrugs. "I didn't know either. But congratulations." "Well, we will catch up later, right now business." Lightning says as he turns back to the queen who was smiling at them. Chrysalis leans on a forehoof. "Well you two are pretty chummy, but we still have a deal to go through." Lightning nods. "Yes and I was wondering if you can use a teleportation spell into the Canterlot throne room." "I never placed a teleportation point. I didn't think it would be necessary after I got control of Shining Armor..." Chrysalis says but then thinks. "But I still remember the room. It wasn't that hard after living there for a while." "I see, so what is your answer?" Lightning asks. Chrysalis gets up from her throne and starts to walk to him and Seeku. "Let's go." She said to him as her horn lights up in a green glow. "It might not be a good idea to go there right now. After the last assassination attempt by the Dominion they are bound to attack anything." Lightning says interrupting her. Chrysalis just gives a toothy grin. "Please, as long as you're with us then we're good. Now let's go." Her horn lights up more. Lightning's eyes widen. "Wait, let me just…" ZAP ZAP The three appear in the room outside the throne room in the castle of Canterlot. "Send a letter...first...dang it." "Oh, this is going to be just as bad as that incident in the outpost in the fang cliffs isn't it Seeku?" Lightning asks. She sighs. "Unfortunately. I just wish that my queen stops being so hasty about everything." "Can you let me go in first?" Lightning asks. The sounds of weapons and armor fills the air as the guards surround them. "I don't think that's necessary at this point. We are still wanted by the ponies." Seeku informed as she looks around. "One second." Lightning says slamming a hoof infused with lightning on the ground shocking almost all of the guards into unconscious. "Now we can go in and like I said, let me go first." Lightning heads to the door and kicks it open. "Honey, I'm home!" "Amusing." Celestia says on her throne with Luna right besides her trying to contain laughter. Lightning just smiles. "Eh, I was just felt like it. Anywhoooooo...allow me to welcome the Changeling queen Chrysalis and one of her higher drones Seeku." He announces as he throws a hoof over his shoulder. "Why are they here?" Celestia asks. Lightning grins. "Just made a deal without your approval so you have no choice now and speaking frankly you need their help." Lightning says turning serious at the last part. Celestia seems to be thinking it over before sighing. "Fine, what did you three agree to?" "I bought some real estate secretly a while back and I promised it to them." Lightning says. Luna raises an eyebrow. "What real estate?" "Underground part of Canterlot." Lightning says and Celestia and several conscious guards blushes a bit. Luna smirks. "You brought them a strip club?" She turns to her older sister. "Told you that any form of love would do." "Bingo." Lightning says. Celestia looks at them for few before sighing and covering her face with hoof in an effort to cover the blush. "Fine, give them the deed and they can have as much Changelings as they want there, just make sure that a few of my guards are there too. Also why did you buy a strip club in the first place?" "An early protocol, a cover for a secret meeting location and the deed isn't with me and payment after service is rendered." Lightning says. Luna tilts her head to the side that made question marks appear above her head. "What?" "What are you curious about?" Lightning asks. Luna sighs. "So you mean to say that you just bought the place for a secret meeting and nothing else?" "You forget I was a secret representative of Stalliongrad for your alliance." Lightning says. Luna just looks at him. "So nothing else?" "Why else would I need that?" Lightning asks. Luna looks at him surprised. "You really are an honest stallion aren't you?" "I am the second most influential pony in Stalliongrad. So that statement is not completely true." Lightning says grinning. Luna smiles. "So you did have some fun?" "Being a general and all I did for Stalliongrad's independents in Stalliongrad also made the High King make me into a noble for all my services." Lightning says. Luna's smile grew. "So you admit to having a little fun in that strip club?" "No, I had no time and I already have a mare." Lightning says. Luna leans back against her throne with a frown. "Why didn't you just say that in the first place?" "Because giving you the run around is a little fun." Lightning says smiling. Luna glares at him before firing a spell at him. Lightning looks confused as he doesn't feel anything out of place. "Was that supposed to do anything?" Luna grins and taps the top of her head. Lightning almost does the same thing before feeling a large amount of heat coming from it. He then realizes his head is on fire. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!" Lightning yells out as he runs around the room in a useless circle. Seeku blasts him with her magic sending him into a wall taking out the fire. "Thank you." Lightning says dizzy and spinning around before falling to the ground. Seeku just shrugs. "No problem." Chrysalis sighs and turns to the princesses. "Now back to business. Where can I place my hive?" "Just keep them out of my mane and we will be fine. Oh and Lightning Bolt I want to talk to you about something." Celestia says. Lightning shrugs. "Sure, just let me…" "Lightning Bolt in the face of the oncoming threat I hereby ask you to take the post that has been vacant for millenniums. I wish you to take the position of general and we will grant you full authority in the matters of war." Celestia orders. Lightning just lets that hoof that wasn't there a few seconds ago hang there. "What?" "You heard me." Celestia says. "Well that was earlier than expected." Lightning says. Luna giggles a little. "You wanted that position ever since you came here for a long time didn't you?" "No, I knew you would ask me given my experience and your ponies' lack of." Lightning says with a commanding tone. Celestia just shakes her head. "Well your order and position was just given so get to work. And by the way, Chrysalis you get your whole hive underneath the club." "As my first course of action, I hereby petition to move the capital to a move defensive location." Lightning says. Chrysalis and Seeku blanks out and almost facefualts. "Are you telling us that we can't get our strip club?" Seeku asks. "Seeku, you know full well how I work. You'll get the club, but I'm saying temporarily move the capital to somewhere like Pegalopolis or another defensive position." Lightning says. Luna raised a hoof. "I vote Pegalopolis. It held up after all this time and so did the traps." She then turns to her sister. "And you remember how well it was back in the day." Celestia sighs and leans back on her throne. "The only problem is moving the nobles. You know how they are." "Tell them you are moving the court there temporarily in an event to honor the ancestor and that the surrounding land is unclaimed and so who will be decided to manage them and or own them there as well. As well as the traitors who were found guilty and their lands seized and titles revoked. The nobles see it as their chance to expand their influence and gain wealth." Lightning advises. Celestia leans on her hoof. "How about we add to that?" Lightning just tilts his head. "Your family owns the land of Pegalopolis and the traitorous' nobles' assets since you took down some of them so, and by an old law, it's also yours, but we don't tell them that." "Very wise, also we should hold a grand festival and donate all the proceeds to the defense of Equestria." Lightning says. Both princesses just raise an eyebrow at him. Lightning then groans from their reaction. "Fine, we'll say it is for the future businesses that they own." The princesses then smiles. Both Chrysalis and Seeku leans to each other. "The nobles here are really stupid, aren't they?" Seeku asks her queen. "You would not believe it." Chrysalis told her as she looks outside. "I'm sorry, I'm used to the Stalliongrad nobles they are quite competent in defending their lands." Seeku says. "They have to be because of the dangers of the land. Oh, I also should bring the Wyverns and my pets to the festival to show the ponies some really dangerous inhabitants outside Equestria." Lightning says. "Oh, I've never seen a Wyvern before." Luna says. Lightning smiles. "Then you would really love the Wyverns I know. They're a little cute in their own little way." Luna looked excited and that was evident from the way she couldn't keep still. Celestia chuckles. "Calm down sister." She then looks sharply at Lightning. "We have some planning to do and hope the stupid nobles follow." A spear fell. "Yes, I acknowledge that nobles are a little stupid." A throat clearing. "Okay, a lot stupid." "Also, princess I think it is time for a recruitment campaign to increase the military's numbers. Even with all four thousand of the royal guards they would be completely overwhelmed in a battle with a single Dominion legion." Lightning says. Celestia nods. "Agreed, but after we got everypony at the festival. They won't know the trouble until they see it. Plus they'll chicken out when they still have all their stuff. You won't know what you have till it's gone." "So you want to announce it at the end of the festival then spread word to all the communities of Equestria?" Lightning asks. Celestia nods. "Yes, but after you show the creatures and we don't have them run off." "Very well, but I suggest making posters to convey the message of the recruitment of the cities for after the festival." Lightning says. "Yes and only after the festival. Now what else is there to talk about?" Celestia asks. "I would suggest having the posters being made in secret by trusted ponies so they can be distributed right afterwards." Lightning says. Luna nods. "My sentiments exactly. Though, still anything else to talk about then the festival?" "No, but since I'm here I will convey the news myself. I got engaged yesterday to Rainbow Dash the wielder of the element of loyalty." Lightning says. Luna claps her hooves together. "Congratulations! So you want us to preside over the ceremony?" "Sure, but we have yet to set a date for it though." Lightning says Luna gets off her throne and heads for the library. "I'll get the book and get ready." "That is all for now. Princess with your permission, I will be off for I have many more things to do to prepare for this war." Lightning says as he walks to the door. "You guard." He says looking at the only guard to remain conscious from his earlier lightning attack. The guard groans as he tries to get used to being awake again. "Yes?" He said groggily. "As general I am giving you your first order. Gather all those royal guards who are currently off duty and tell them to make for Pegalopolis and to prepare. Also you are to report to me as soon as I arrive there." Lightning orders. The guards looks at him surprised. "Wait, what? General?" "Stand tall Sergeant." Lightning says before continuing to walk. "But I'm a Private." The guard says. "I think you were just promoted." Celestia says. The private, now sergeant looks to her. "What's going on?" Lightning lands in front of his house and is about to go inside when he heard giggling from inside. Lightning then knocks before opening the door. "Rainbow, Scootaloo, and Hurricane I'm home." Lightning calls. A few yelps were heard before Lightning sees all of the Mane Six, Hurricane, Eclipse, Vinyl, and Octavia were at the table with tea. Lightning smiles sweetly. "What's going on?" He said with his sing song voice that made him seem like a maniac. "Oh Rainbow invited us all over to tell us you proposed to her yesterday." Twilight says holding Agni. "I see then. Where is Scootaloo and Midnight?" Lightning asks. "Oh they are upstairs playing along with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell." Eclipse says. Lightning nods. "I see. Then I have another bit of news to add. I just came from Canterlot and Princesses Celestia and Luna have named me the first general of Equestria in millenniums. You hear me Nikolai?" Lightning yells the last part. Nikolai jumps down from the rafters. "You really are a bit of a powerhouse now. Don't go crazy." He said as he walks over to the kitchen. "Nikolai you are about to get busy as I'm going to put you in charge of training the new Pegasus recruits and royal guards." Lightning says. "Yeah I know." Nikolai says in a serious tone. "Oh Rainbow after informing the princesses about our engagement. Princess Luna wanted to preside over our ceremony." Lightning says. "Sweet, but what are we going to do in the mean time?" Rainbow asks. "Well for starters we are going to Pegalopolis for a festival the Princesses will be holding to honor our ancestors and will be moving the court there temporarily." Lightning says. Everypony looks surprised. "So the rebuilding is done?" Eclipse asks. "It has been for a few months and from the messages I have been getting many ponies, mostly pegasus have moved there." Lightning says taking a seat next to Rainbow. Rainbow looks at him surprised. "Already open to the public?" "It was never closed." Lightning says and then turns to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, how have the Wyverns been?" Lightning asks. She perks up as her name is called. "Oh, they have been the cutest family I have ever seen. Mostly humble and only eat a little now because of the location, but still cute." She gushes. "Could you bring them along to Pegalopolis for the festival?" Lightning asks. Everypony at the table just stops. "What?" "The princesses also feel it's time for a wakeup call for the citizens of this country." Lightning says. "WHAT?!" Then Lightning grins. "Oh, and all of Pegalopolis belongs to my family and the traitorous nobles assets and money too. Cool huh? In short, Rainbow this makes you and Scootaloo nobility of both Equestria and Stalliongrad." Lightning adds sipping the fresh cup of tea. And of course Rainbow faints. "Hope there isn't a foal in there yet, don't need that young one feeling the things she's going through." Hurricane said. "Too soon grandma, oh and you're coming too as an honored guest." Lightning says. Hurricane smirks. "But I'm a thousand year old ancestor. That's makes me one of the most honored ponies." "So all of you are coming, are you not?" Lightning asks. Everypony looks to each other before looking back to him. "Are you kidding, of course?!" Everypony said. "Good. Scoots, Midnight please come down here." Lightning calls. Hoof falls were heard as both Midnight and Scootaloo came down. "What's up dad?" They both said, making them both look at each other. "That's still weird." Scootaloo said. "I just wanted to see my children. Come here." Lightning says hugging them. They both hug back as they smile. "When are we going to the festival?" Midnight asks. "Soon we will be leaving soon for it. Oh, Rarity I have a request for you." Lightning says. Rarity perks her ears at him. "Yes dear?" "Can I ask you to design our wedding outfits and some clothes for us and Scootaloo for the festival seeing as how we are the nobles in charge of the area?" Lightning says. Rarity gives a devilish grin. "Oh don't worry, I'll make you three the envy of the entire noble culture." She then jumps up and gives a cheer. "This will be great payback for all of them!" She hangs in the air for a few. Everypony around the table just sweat drops. "This is going to be interesting." Twilight says as Agni snickers. Weeks passed and word had spread throughout all of Equestria that the Princesses had announced a new nationwide festival to honor the ancestors of all. They would even be hosting the festival being held in the recently restored city of Pegalopolis. Even the news of new land opening up attracted a lot of nobles, of course they were disappointed when they realized that it will open in an auction halfway through the festival. Nevertheless they stayed because they have nothing else to do. Rainbow and Scootaloo were a little uncomfortable with being not only nobles in charge of Pegalopolis and the surrounding lands, but the ones holding the festival in Pegalopolis itself. Lightning though tried to ease it the best he could. One of the greatest attractions of the Festival was the three Wyverns from across the sea on display at the festival, but none saw them feeding as the princesses, Lightning, and Fluttershy felt like they couldn't handle that yet. When the halfway mark reached, the nobles rushed to see if they can get the land they want. Unfortunately Lightning came out and told them that it was not going to happen for the princess had given him orders, citing he saw what happened in Stalliongrad is almost the same thing happening here. "Are kidding me!" You can bet how devastated how they were and how glad Lightning and other lower classes felt when that news came out. They soon switched to talking to him about possible favors and business opportunities. Lightning asks them to speak to him about them in private as it was not something to speak about in public. Now it was the sixth day of the festival and the next to last day of the festival and a new noble had arrived and requested to meet with Lord Lightning. Lightning waited in a greeting room that had elements of Stalliongrad decor like how Lightning requested in the blueprints. The doors soon opened and in walks the young Lord Euram Barrows. "Ah, Lord Barrows I have been expecting you one day." Lightning greets. Euram glares at him. "I never want to go by that name ever again. Call me Euram from now on." "As you wish." Lightning says holding up a piece of paper that read. 'I'm trying to sound official in case anypony is listening.' Before it erupted into flames. Euram looks around the room. "Nice place." "The truth is I had only seen it a day before the festival started. So tell me did you examine each one of the factories in the Barrow's name like I asked you?" Lightning asks. Euram sighs and sits down in the chair opposite of the table. "Yes and what I found confirms that my ex-father is greedy bastard." Lightning puts his hind legs up on the table and tries to relax. "I see, well then I will tell you something that the Princesses are keeping quiet for now. I have been appoint General of Equestria the first in Millenniums. As such to combat the threat we are about to go on a huge recruitment drive and as such we will need to replace the armor of the royal guards with efficient armor and arms as well as supply all the recruits with both weapons and armor. I want you to have your factories to keep producing the weapons and armor that your father was going to gift to the Dominion." Lightning says. Euram raises an eyebrow. "You know, what you just told me sounds like something I read one time in my off time. But okay, it will give the Dominion something to bitch about." Lightning's interest was piqued. "What did you read?" Euram looks up in thought. "Something called Log Horizon." Lightning smiles. "I have to give that a read sometime. So Euram how much do you know about marital skills and the art of war?" Lightning asks. Euram tilts his head to the side. "Only a few for if I'm foalnapped." "I see, then I will have to teach you a few things, but that's for later. For now, I want you to take position as the head of the nobles and merchants who will be producing arms and armor for the military. I have ran the numbers a few times and have come to the conclusion that all of your factories, even working nonstop, won't be able to produce enough on their own." Lightning says. Euram grows serious and leans forward. "How do you intend to deal with the upstart nobles not agreeing to this?" "Oh, they will agree cause I will tell them upfront that if the Dominion conquers Equestria that they will lose all their livelihood." Lightning says grinning. Euram looks at him for a moment before smiling. "You're evil, you know that right?" He jests. "Stating a fact doesn't make me evil and by doing this they are being patriots in the country's eyes and will put them in the good graces of the Princesses and I believe Shining Armor and Princess Cadance are arriving." Lightning says looking out the window. Euram looks out the window too and see the chariot carrying two ponies. "This festival just got better by your plans and news." He then turns to Lightning. "Every. Single. Time." He then grins. "And it gets funnier too." "With this I think yours and my houses will be great allies don't you think?" Lightning says. Euram laughs out loud. "Keep up the funnies and surprising news and it will be fine." "Well, I must go greet the new arrives, as the noble of these lands, care to join me?" Lightning asks. Euram grins. "Embarrass some nobles while you're at it and I will. I really love seeing their faces fall at that." "Now, now, we are greeting the princess and prince of the Crystal Kingdom." Lightning reminds. Euram still grins. "I know, but if a noble comes up will you embarrass them? I don't mean the rulers, just the nobles." "There will be time for that later Euram, for now we must do the painfully boring part of our noble duties." Lightning says as they exit the room. Along the way they run into Rainbow and Scootaloo. Rainbow was dressed in a more winter version of her grand galloping gala dress with her hair tied back while Scootaloo was wearing an orange and purple dress winter dress. "Ah, Rainbow, Scoots, I thought you were with your friends." Lightning says. Rainbow glares at him. "Don't ever leave us again. We had to deal with the nobles because they tore us away. Deals here and business there. Don't ever do that again." "I'm sorry, it had to do with what's to come." Lightning says. Rainbow looks at him sharply. "And what's that?" Lightning moves closely and whispers. "The war." Rainbow calms down and sighs. "Okay, so what do we do now? I'm getting bored." "Princess Cadance and Shining Armor have arrived we have to go greet them." Lightning says. Rainbow blanks out. "Don't tell me it's because of the noble's ways?" "Ok, I won't tell you, but know Cadance doesn't like to be formal when she gets to see Twilight faster so this will be quick." Lightning says smiling. Rainbow sighs. "Okay let's go. I really need to eat afterward though, I'm getting a craving for hot and spicy hayfries." "Don't worry the evening feast will be after this, but if you want I can have one of the servants get you some?" Lightning says. Rainbow looks around before sighing again. "Fine, might as well. And tell them to hurry up, I'm really getting hungry, listen." A growling was heard at that moment. "Those nobles really know how to not show their hunger." "Trust me, I know." Lightning says followed by a snicker. "My lord I was wondering where your standard is?" Euram asks curiosity evident in his voice. "Oh, I have yet to receive the Standard given to me by High King Ulfric when he made me a noble." Lightning says. Euram grows surprised as the princesses and prince are walking over. "Didn't he try to change the nation into a racist nation?" "The High King was very patriotic about those living in his country. At first he saw only the ponies who were born there as the true Stalliongrad ponies, but after a few talks with me I made him realize all those who lived there were his ponies and were the countries citizens." Lightning says. Euram whistles. "Wow, so what happened to the last empire?" "That was the Dominion we kicked out and achieved Stalliongrad's independence." Lightning says. Euram chuckles. "No wonder they hate you." "Oh I could tell you stories of how they turned the entire country against themselves." Lightning says. Soon afterward the princesses and prince meets them. "Hello everypony, how are you all doing?" Celestia said as she looks at the downed nobles and smiling. "Ah, your highness I'm sorry I didn't see you there. We were on our way to greet Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor." Lightning says. Celestia grins. "No need, because they are right here." She said as she moves to the side to reveal the two high rulers. "Greeting Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor." Lightning and Euram greet. Cadance smiles. "Hello you two and what good 'nobles' you are. Helping the other nobles try to get land, but couldn't because of orders." "I see so you both have been informed as well?" Lightning asks reading in between the lines. Cadance grins. "Yes, and I just wish I was here earlier, but I guess the after reactions will have to do." "Yeah, and no offense Shining Armor but your military in the eyes of somepony from across the sea is a joke and to survive what is coming I have been placed in charge with all matters of military." Lightning says. Shining glares at him. "You try having control over an army in a nation with barely any war." "That's why I said no offense. I apologize, but in Stalliongrad we are blunter in the military." Lightning explains. Shining just looks to the side. "Just fix them up. Now let's just enjoy this festival." He said walking away. "Oh, have you met Commander Hurricane yet?" Lightning asks stopping Shining Armor. Shining stops mid step. "She's dead. There's no way she's here." "Guard, please show him the way." Lightning says with a smirk on everypony's face except Shining Armor and Cadance who were confused. Some guards appear from behind Lightning and the others and started to walk with Shining and Cadance to where Hurricane stayed. "Now that's dealt with, let's have some fun. And maybe get some food too." That evening, the feast was the most amusing yet. Though the usual sitting placement is nobles at one area while lower classes sit in the bad areas or considered to be bad. Lightning decided to use round tables spread throughout the eating area to discourage class hate. And the nobles will have something else to bitch about. His family just see it as his way of getting revenge on the nobles. Now the funny part was when Shining Armor and Cadance came back white as sheets and keeps mumbling 'Ghost.' over and over again. Lightning smiled seeing his family happy, but missed his sister who wasn't able to attend. "You guys know what I want to see right now?" He asks Rainbow and Scootaloo. Rainbow and Scoots just look at him. "Seeing your sister?" Rainbow tries to answer. Lightning shakes his head. "No, not just her, but everypony that is family and friends." Rainbow and Scootaloo just looks to each other getting worried faces on them. The next morning Lightning and Rainbow awoke in their bedroom. Today was the announcement to all the nations of the imminent threat. 'How will they react? Will they panic or will they choose denial and say its one big joke?' Lightning thinks getting lost in thought. Rainbow rolls over to the side of him shaking him out of his thoughts. "You okay?" "I'm fine." Lightning says obviously out of it. Rainbow frowns. "Yeah, not working, now what is wrong?" She said seriously poking his side. "I'm trying to figure which steps to take when depending on if the ponies either panic or slip into denial after the announcement." Lightning says after sighing. Rainbow snuggles into him to ease his mind a little. "Well, if you show the right stuff, lower classes will follow, they know what is out there, and they just need proof. The nobles on the other hoof need a lot of yelling." "Oh, I have a plan for them." Lightning says with an evil smirk. Rainbow just smiles. "When did I get such a good stallion?" "The moment you decided to marry me." Lightning teases. Rainbow chuckles and starts to get out of bed. "Well, now we have to deal with the last day of the festival, so let's make it the best." She said as she heads for the bathroom. "I intend to. So Rainbow, how have your friends and our daughter been doing?" Lightning asks. The door closes. "Surprisingly well. I'm shocked at how they took it so well." Rainbow's muffled voice spoke through the door. "I see, so how are you adjusting to a noble life Lady Dash?" Lightning teases. Rainbow peeks her head out the door. "Well, keep the other nobles away and I'll be fine." "So how are you fairing with having ponies being your servants and the guards looking after you?" Lightning asks. A servant delivers a towel to Rainbow which she takes. "Still bothered with it, but I can try to get used to it. Thanks, by the way." "Well they are here to help to make our lives easier seeing as we are tasked with overseeing the land. Speaking of which we still have to choose a mayor for Pegalopolis." Lightning says. Rainbow starts the shower. "Well, why not one of your friends, they were used to something of a ruling style." "My friends have many other duties like training and making a real military. Besides we need somepony that knows the laws for the position." Lightning says. The sound of water hitting all over the shower comes from inside the bathroom. "I know just the egghead to take care of that then. And I think that Celestia have been wanting to give her a kingdom of own one day." "Rainbow we can't have a princess be a mayor that is a lower rank, but you have given me an idea." Lightning says. "MOM! DAD!" Scootaloo's voice was heard from her room. Both Rainbow and Lightning rushes out to her with Rainbow quickly covering herself with a makeshift towel. Soon after a while they reach her room and Lightning kicks it open. What they saw has them facefaulting and sliding into the room. "Can you tell these mares that I don't want to be prettied up and wear a dress?" Scootaloo asks as the servants worked on her to get ready for the day. 'Seems Scoots has more adjusting to do than Rainbow.' Lightning thinks. The family walks outside as a guard comes up to them. "Ah, Sergeant how are you this day?" Lightning asks. The Sergeant stands at attention. "Fine sir, but the nobles are getting restless." "Just try to have the guards keep it under control the Princesses will soon make the announcement." Lightning says. "Sir." "Well let's get to the stage." Lightning says. Rainbow and Scoots starts to follow as everypony gathers at stage that was constructed for the festival. After they reach it they all stand in the middle as the princesses start to stand right beside them. Scootaloo was with Applejack and the rest of her immediate family behind the curtain as her parents stood in between the four princesses. "Greetings all who are attending the final day of this festival to honor those who came before us. Today we are on air to all across Equestria and even to the Crystal kingdom with an important announcement from all the princesses and without further ado I present Princess Celestia. "Lightning says through the megaphone which was a giant cone. Celestia steps forward to the megaphone and clears her throat. "My dear ponies, I talk to you all now bearing an important message. As you may have heard in whispers and rumors of a recent attempt to usurp the throne by some nobles. This is not completely accurate. They were traitors, but they didn't seek to rule themselves. They were collaborators with an Empire from across the eastern sea. The Dominion Empire. Not eight months ago we received a message demanding our imminent surrender to them. Our answer was no as such all the signs point to an imminent invasion of both Equestria and the Crystal kingdoms. After having counsel with many advisors and those who have been to the east we have determined that the royal guard alone does not have nearly enough strength to fight this invasion so I am asking all able bodied Stallions and Mares to enlist in the reforming Military for the sake of our homes, families, and friends." Celestia says pausing to let the ponies react to the news. Immediately the nobles start to leave while the lesser classes stay behind. "This is stupid." "I have more important business to deal with." "Like I'm going to join." Lightning whistles to the forest around them. Suddenly outburst two large wyverns that slam in front of the nobles blood dripping from their mouths. The nobles were terrified and moved back to the audience as the two Wyverns moved around the audience and stood next to the stage. Lightning smirks. "See now, this is what you may have to fear. But I think I can show you something different." He whistled again. "Meet a creature that is slightly different." From behind the audience came a little Wyvern after releasing a sharper cry of its own and started to walk to the stage. "Meet these Wyvern's child." Lightning says as the Wyvern jumps onto Lightning's back. "Haven't come up with a name for them, but we're working on it." "Awwwwwwww." A mare from the crowd said as everypony looks to her. "What, he is cute." "Now for this upcoming war I have meet with all the other princesses and we have unanimously decided to appoint a general. The first since the time of founding of Equestria itself. He will have complete authority in all manners of warfare. Please welcome General Lightning Bolt, the lord of Pegalopolis and the surrounding land." Celestia says introducing Lightning Bolt. Lightning steps up again with the Wyvern leaving him for his parents. "Like the princess said, I'm the general and I'll do anything to save this nation. I'll be making big changes, but it will be used to help this nation prepare and fight for the upcoming war." "Bullshit!" Everypony looks to a noble stallion in the front of the crowd. "You just want us gone!" Soon the whole noble crowd was yelling and following what he said. The Wyverns roar to quiet the crowd and so they did. "But if the Dominion should win they will massacre a great many, enslave the rest, and seize all the lands. Where is your business then?" Lightning says effectively shutting the nobles up. "That is all, now we will leave you to listen to Octavia's ensemble." Lightning says with a happy grin that actually scared everypony. After he said that, he and everypony on the stage came off with Octavia's ensemble came on board and started to set up and play. Most of the crowd that mostly consisted of the lower and middle class, while some of the noble class stayed and grumbled. "I'm happy that's over." Lightning says. Rainbow's stomach decided to growl at that point. "And now, we can eat." Lightning adds. "I will have the servants send word to the kitchen." Lightning says. Everypony's stomach then growled as well. "Maybe change that to a whole feast for twenty. Tartarus knows we need it." Lightning says sending the servant ahead. Lightning was looking out on the city now that night had taken over. He sighs as he had just finished talking to several nobles about manufacturing weapons and armor. And after all he has done and said to them he had very little hassle as they were making a profit. Rainbow came up behind him with a plate on her back. "Come on, you need to eat after all that." "I'm fine, Rainbow how are you?" Lightning asks. Rainbow sighs. "After everything I still need to get used to it." "Don't worry about it. So what about the wedding, when shall we set a date?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smiles and puts the plate onto the table. "How about a month from now? That should be enough time." "Alright, I'll make room on my schedule for that date and we will plan it to be the best wedding." Lightning says. Rainbow kisses and starts to leave. "I'll be waiting for you later okay?" "Sergeant." Lightning calls. The guard walks in. "Sir?" He said sternly. "I trust the royal guards enjoyed themselves?" Lightning asks. The guard stood still. "I wouldn't know about that sir. Just that we guarded the festival." "I gave most of them the week off." Lightning says. The guard then looks confused. "Sir, if I may, where did you send them?" "To the festival of course." Lightning says. The guard looks to the side a bit. "I see. What else did you need?" "Spread word all guards are going through a new boot camp." Lightning says. The guard nods. "Yes sir." "Dismissed." Lightning says taking his seat back in the armchair facing the fireplace. The Sergeant left the room. "Seeku you there?" Lightning asks. A Changeling jumps down the ceiling. "Always." "How is your clan doing with their strip club?" Lightning asks. Seeku smiles and jumps on the table and leans over his chair. "Well, they are very satisfied with the lust and love they are receiving and nopony in that comes in notice the difference between the Changelings and regular ponies. You were really smart with that decision." "I see, Seeku your being here, would that mean you are the selected agent to help me until the invasion begins?" Lightning asks. Seeku jumps onto his lap, straddling him. "Well, my queen does want to live. So she appointed me as the ambassador and general." She said while stroking his cheek. "I have a secret assignment for you then." Lightning says not fazed by her behavior. Seeku leans in close to his ear. "And what is that?" She whispers. "I want you to hand deliver a letter to a ship hidden amongst the islands of the southern half of eastern Equestria. This letter is for no ponies eyes, but the recipient, who is also the Steward of my house in Stalliongrad. Inside it is details and orders to send certain numbers of my personal soldiers and Sworn Swords." Lightning explains. Seeku then turns and leans back into him. "So where's the letter?" Lightning gets up causing her to fall to the ground and walks over to the fire and grabs a pair of tongs used to move the wood around in the fire and uses them to pull out a black metal cylinder and sets it on the stone ground to cool. "Here." Seeku walks up to him and leans on him. "So, what are you going to do now?" She asks stroking his cheek again. "I'm going to start doing paper work now and will be up most of the night with it. Seeku take it now while we have time. We both know we are going to need everything we can get to face the Dominion." Lightning says. "I can tell you're feeling unwell. We Changelings always have that emotion reader." Seeku warns while almost kissing him. "You have your orders." Lightning says. Seeku backs away from him and takes the now cold cylinder and starts to leave. "Anytime you need me for something just call. Anything you need, even crazy and lewd, just call." She told him as she jumps out the window. Lightning shakes his head and starts writing on paper the orders and a code of conduct for the military. Author's Note And that's that so now we can some rest, and I hope you enjoy some teasing and lemons, just don't take too much of it. You guys know how lemons are. Flair: Man that was both fun and took a lot of time to do. What are you going to do when writing this stuff? Make it short like one hundred words, nope. That's an insult to injury. Flair: Isn't this our biggest chapter yet? Should be by the word and page count. Flair: Ok, only one last question, how do you readers feel about Rainbow and Lightning adopting Scootaloo and being nobles now? Especially when it's almost like Log Horizon, which is in fact an anime. We pulled almost the same move as the anime like the one halfway through the series. See it and you'll see what we are talking about. And don't try to skip to it, you'll have to understand the story behind each episode for the reason otherwise it won't make sense. Like a plan being separated into two episodes and only revealed when needed or after it happens. And yes, we are turning it almost like an anime, just expressions and certain actions as you just read. Flair: Till next time. See ya. It BeginsA/N: And welcome to our next chapter. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' It had been at least almost three month since the festival and many Stallions and Mares from across Equestria and the Crystal Kingdom had enlisted and were being trained just outside of Pegalopolis. Lightning was talking to Euram in his office about the latest shipment of weapons and armor that was to be delivered. "So when can we expect them?" Lightning asks. "Within the week." Earum says. Lightning nods and looks over to the recruits in the courtyard being drilled. "Let's hope that we can train these guys." "So what is the progress on training, oh sorry retraining the Royal Guards?" Earum asks. Lightning grins. "Seeku?" She appears from a nearby tree and lands on his back. "Yes dear?" She asks teasing him by biting his ear. "Start the test with the training." Lightning said as he sat down overlooking the courtyard. Seeku grins. "Sure." She looks over to the trainees and sees a few guards look up at her. She nods and they nod back. They suddenly change into their changeling form and mock attack by hissing. The guards around them stumble back a little before leaping into action. "Enough!" A voice shouts. Everypony looks to the voice while the changelings get out from under them and goes to deal with another business. "That was terrible! The worst reaction time and type, ever, I have ever seen in my life! You want to protect your land and citizens then work harder! The empire is faster and better than the changelings themselves, no offense, and all they did was protect their species and infiltrate! You really are a disgrace!" Nikolai shouts. "That's our drill sergeant for the pegasus." Lightning says as a knock on the door is heard. Lightning goes to it while Seeku just rides on his back a little. "Seeku?" "Nope." He opens the door to find Rainbow standing there. "Hey Lightning." She then raises an eyebrow at Seeku. "Can I question that?" "She is a Changeling representative. It has been kept secret from the public for now." Lightning says. Rainbow still has an eyebrow raised. "Then why is she acting all lovey dovey to you?" She asks as Seeku nuzzles him. "That is a part of her nature and I just mostly ignore that, but give a little attention so she can feed off of it." Lightning says. "Huh." Rainbow sighs. "Anyway, I just saw that drill. Nice work there, but I kinda expected that coming from you." Lighting smiles. "Seeku's idea actually." "I see." Rainbow says. "That is all for now you two we will reconvene later." Lightning says getting up and walking over to Rainbow who he nuzzles a bit when Seeku jumps off of him and starts to leave with Euram. "How have you been?" "Hungry and feeling a little achy." Rainbow says as her stomach growls. Lightning smiles. "Then let's get some food." Rainbow nods and was about to head out, but was stopped by Scootaloo in the doorway. "I'm getting bored." "Oh, why don't you spend some time with your dad?" Lightning asks. She looks at him deadpan. "What can we do now? We're basically preparing for war and nothing fun is popping up." "What about arranging a visit from your friend and your step brother?" Lightning asks. Scoots sighs. "Fine, anything better than just messing with my scooter." "Ok Scoots, and I have been told by some of the guards you have been playing with the little Wyvern." Lightning says. Scootaloo just shrugs. "He's more fun than any other pony I know. Plus he's learning how to fly now and his parents want him to try it with weights and that's me." "Scoots, can you understand them?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo just looks confused. "Yeah, I mean they just speak normally unless they roar. I don't know what everypony is talking about when they say they are just mindless beasts. They're actually pretty smart." "Scoots not everypony can understand what they are saying. You have a gift." Lightning says proud of her. Scootaloo grows surprised. "Really, cool. But the play time. I'm still bored." Lightning ruffles her hair and lets her ride on his back. "So Rainbow how has the staff been treating you since they found out?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks confused. "Found out what?" "Wait, the doctor didn't tell you after the checkup you got him to do on me and I turned into him checking the whole family?" Lightning asks. Rainbow tilts her head. "Yeah and?" Lightning leans close and whispers something into Rainbow's ear. "I'm what?!" Rainbow yells. Lightning smiles as calmly as he can. "That's right Rainbow. We're going to have a foal." Rainbow seems a little woozy and Lightning held her to support her. "Congratulations Rainbow, why don't you rest now?" Rainbow nods weakly and goes to sleep. While Scootaloo stood still. "You still with me Scoots?" Lightning asks as some servants took Rainbow to their room. "So does this mean I'm going to have a baby sister or brother?" Scootaloo asks. Lightning nods and starts to walk to the dining hall. "Too early to tell, but do you have names in mind just in case?" Scootaloo hummed while thinking. "Don't have to say it right now. Just think about it. Now while the servants take care of Rainbow let's get some food ourselves." Lightning said as he rubs his hooves together. As they walked to the dining room they saw Vinyl Scratch and Octavia working on something. "I'm telling you Octy we need to bring in Jephery more on the show." Vinyl says. Octavia looks deadpan at her. "And how would he be able to help the show?" "Just think of the reactions of the guests." Vinyl says. "Vinyl, Octavia." Lightning greeted. Vinyl smiles widely. "Hey L, where's Nikolai? I've been wondering where he is the whole time. Can't seem to find him." "Oh he's…" Lightning was cut off when they heard. "You call that flight speed I've seen snails move faster!" "Drilling the recruits." Lightning finishes. Vinyl smile turns into a frown. "Oh, well just tell him that we have to do another show." She asks as she picks up some equipment and walks away. "So I trust you have made yourselves comfortable? I didn't expect Nikolai to have me let you stay here so he could still work with you and do his duty. You must have really made an impression on him Vinyl." Lightning teases. Vinyl just looks at him with a glare. "Yeah, yeah. Just remember what I said." She then walks into another room. "So any talk about their plans Octavia?" Lightning asks. Octavia fiddles with some wires. "Plans?" She asks as she tries to place some wires into one of the equipment. "I have never seen Nikolai take anything as seriously as his duties before. I have been thinking about it and the only reason I can think of is he is in love." Lightning says as Scootaloo hops off his back and makes for the kitchen. Octavia smiles with pain. "Yes, but he's been showing up later and later. It's really hurting her." "I think I will give Nikolai a little time off." Lightning says remembering Vinyl's emotion. Octavia nods. "That would be best, but now leave us to our work and I don't think that Vinyl will see anypony else now besides me." "Should I tell him to bring flowers?" Lightning jokes. Octavia glares at him. "Okay, okay, let me get some food and I'll talk to him after that." "Appreciated." Octavia says. "Oh, and thanks for preforming at the festival." Lightning says. "Just get out of here." After a half hour Lightning walks out into the courtyard where Nikolai was making the pegasus recruits do wing ups with heavy packs. "Nikolai." Lightning says with his commanding tone. Nikolai looks at him for a moment before turning back to the recruits. "Thirty more and no breaks afterward!" He then walks over to Lighting. "Yes?" "Take the rest of the day off and go see Vinyl I'll take over from here." Lightning says. Nikolai tilts his head. "Are you sure? I mean, I'm the best at this." "That was an order soldier." Lightning says sternly. Nikolai sighs. "It has been awhile since I've seen them. Maybe I do need a break." As Nikolai leaves the recruits give a sigh of relief. "Who said you could stop!" Lightning yells. Nikolai walks to the door where Vinyl and Octavia were given rooms and knocks. "Who is it?" Vinyl yells out from behind the door. "It's me." Nikolai says. The door was then opened by a very angry Vinyl. "What do you want?" "I came to see you." Nikolai says. Vinyl huffs. "Yeah and all the other times, were a visit too." "Sorry, I was kept very busy." Nikolai says. Vinyl noticed that Nikolai had bags under his eyes. "Nikolai?" Vinyl asks, this time softer. "Yes." Nikolai says shaking his head. "When was the last time you slept?" Vinyl asks. "I think Tuesday." Nikolai says. "Nikolai, it's Friday and I know you weren't asleep yesterday." Vinyl says losing her anger. Nikolai shakes his head again to stay awake. "So what do we do now? Lightning gave me the day off." "I see, I have an idea about what we can do." Vinyl suggests reaching behind her. "What?" Nikolai asks before he gets hit over the head with a frying pan knocking him out. "You take a nap." Vinyl says. Octavia was inside leaning on a table. "Was that necessary?" "Hey, he had it coming and you know he is so stubborn." Vinyl says looking to the unconscious Nikolai. Octavia sighs. "Sometimes I wish that you weren't so rough." Vinyl gives her his trademark grin. "Hey, it's how I roll and I mean roll. I'm on top." "Come on help me get him on the bed." Octavia says. They both lift him up and start to head for the bed while Vinyl stays behind and lies with him for comfort. "Just don't do anything weird." Vinyl wraps her hooves around him. "Don't worry about it, but can you get some food for him when he wakes up, I may fall asleep as well right...about...now." And so she did. "You two deserve each other." Octavia says smiling and heading for the kitchen. The next few days Lightning had to juggle training the recruits, doing paper work, and teaching the officers he had selected from the guards and recruits with basic tactics and strategies and the Dominions strategies and tactics. To be frank, he had a rough few days. "I give up!" A little too rough. Seeku drops from the ceiling onto one of the chairs in front of the desk as paper files everywhere. "Too rough?" "No, I can't keep doing all of this and focus on the others I'm covering for. I need a Steward." Lighting said as he leans back in his chair. Seeku smiles and jumps over the desk and onto his lap, straddling him. "Or something else, but I did find somepony and he is coming over any hour now for an interview. But it seems like you need a relaxant." She informed as she leans into the crook of his neck. "Seeku, I am a married Stallion, I won't discard that oath." Lightning says trying not to blush. Seeku chuckles and strokes his cheek. "Yet, I still feel something coming from you and I'm feeding off of it. Explain that." "Seeku you are a friend, I don't feel that way for you." Lightning says firmly. Seeku leans back a little and continues staring at him. "You're no fun, but who am I going to feed off of if you're not here?" She asks rubbing one of her hooves against a particular area with a grin. "You have several hundred recruits you can choose from." Lightning says grabbing her hoof. Seeku frowns. "They are not tasty enough. Everypony is different and you and some others are good enough. Besides, you remember that one time?" She asks as she gets in close enough to kiss him. "I remember you came close to tricking me, but nothing else." Lightning says using his wings to spin the chair and throwing her off. Seeku huffs and looks back at him with a sadistic smile. "Well I can do better, all you have to do is ask, and after all I am a bit like a vassal to you." She informed as she swings her tail side to side almost showing something off. "Seeku I'm married. I'm not doing that." Lightning says with a serious voice. Seeku huffs again and stops swinging her tail a little. "Well now you're no fun anymore. I liked you better back then." She looks off to the side to the fire. "I just wish I can experience that again." "You have the memories for it and you know there is a pony for you out there." Lightning says. Seeku sighs and this time jumps onto his lap, but this time just leans her back into him. "You tell me who is prefect for me and won't hate the changelings outright." She asks as she leans her head back right beside his. "I have a few potential stallions I think you would like." Lightning says leaning his head a little into hers to comfort her. "Now come on Seeku we are like siblings." Lightning says and Seeku smirks and transforms into Spitfire. Lightning just frowns. "Not funny." Seeku then transforms into Rainbow. "Now it's just weird." She then transforms into Eclipse. "It's not getting funnier." Seeku then transforms back to her normal self. "Better." He said with a smile. Seeku gives him a small kiss on the lips and then gets off of him. "Now it's weird and wrong again." "I know, but its fun for me like that." Seeku says laughing and transforming into a brown unicorn as somepony knocks on the door. "Come in." Lightning calls out after he checks himself over for anything not suited for a visit. In walks a dark blue unicorn with glasses. "Good evening Lord Lightning Bolt. I am Silver Script and I was ask to come here by a Ms. Seeku for an interview to be a Steward." Silver Script introduces himself. "Ah, greetings Mr. Silver Script, please pull up a chair." Lightning says. Silver Script does as he's told and looks around. "I must say, nice place." The transformed Seeku gives Lightning a file containing Silver Script's information. Lightning flips through the file. "Not bad credentials, but I measure ponies on ability not credentials so I will allow you to work for a few days and I will measure your ability." Lightning says. "I promise not to disappoint, sir." Silver Script says adjusting his glasses making it glint. Lightning notices an expression not seen on most ponies, but only for a second when the glint happened. "Okay then, you will start in the morning. Tell the inn I sent you and they will give you a room for a few days." Lightning says. Silver nods and starts to leave. "Thank you sir." He leaves out the room and closes it behind him. Leaving two particular beings in the room. "Now that that's done." Seeku transforms back to her original self. "Now where were we?" She jumps back onto Lightning's lap again. Lightning frowns at her forwardness. "Again huh? I'm going to throw you off if you don't get off." Seeku smiles sadly. "Alright. I'll leave you alone for a few days, but be sure to give me something when I come back. I have something to do anyway." She then gets off him and grabs her things. "I can see what drew you to him." Lightning says stopping her. Seeku looks back at him. "What do you mean?" "He has absolute faith on his abilities and his magical power even suppressed it's significant." Lightning says. Seeku shrugs. "Well that's your pony for now, don't know anypony else, but you can you think of giving me something?" "Where did you find him?" Lightning asked. "He was down on his luck drinking after being fired from a company who is having trouble." Seeku says. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Well lucky for us. Now what did you want?" Seeku smiles lightly. "Can I at least have a kiss from you? I need something to keep me going for the few days." "Fine." Lightning says getting up and kisses her on the cheek. Seeku frowns. "A real one." Lightning frowns at her and sighs. "Okay, just one." He then kisses her on the lips for a few seconds before letting go. Seeku sighs happily and starts to leave. "Alright I'm good. See you next time Lightning and you better have this stallion." Lightning sighs and sits down again. "Just know that we can't be together." Seeku looks back at him with a sad smile. "I've known for a while, but at least you're happy." Lightning looks to her with the same sad smile, but pained for a friend. "I just hope he's good for you. Though at least you can have fun with him he is really uptight and a workaholic and we both know how you love messing with those types." Lightning says and an evil smile formed on Seeku. Then Seeku's evil smile turns back to sad. "I'll miss our times together. You were actually the best stallion I've met." "Because even though I knew you were a changeling from the start I didn't treat you any differently?" Lightning asks. Seeku nods. "Yes, and you treated me like any other mare. Which in your case is like a good gentlecolt." "With any luck after this war ends your kind won't be looked upon like they have been by the Equestrian ponies. Oh and that reminds me, have we received any word from Rover and his clans?" Lightning asks. Seeku thinks for a few before remembering. "Oh yeah, he agreed to join after the news of the queen joining the alliance." She then looks at him more carefully. "See ya, Lightning." "Be safe." Lightning says. Seeku sighs and takes something out of her bag and throws it over to the table. "A little gift for the both of us, but still good for you alone and with your mare too." She then turns and leaves. "See you later." She said closing the door behind her. Lightning face turns red when he sees the 'gift'. "NOT FUNNY, SEEKU!" Lightning yells after her. Seeku's laughs were heard out in the hall as she walks away. Lightning sighs and just packs up his things for the night and walks to his room. Upon entering his bedroom he sees Rainbow dressed in a bathrobe reading a Daring Do book. Seeing Lightning she looks away for a bit. "Hey Lightning, how was your day?" Rainbow asks. Lightning sighs. "Well, other than the usual now, I got a new employee and Seeku really played with me." Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "Play how?" Lightning looks off to the side. "Well she left a little gift that is for couples for when they…" Lightning trailed off with a blush and rubbing his hooves together. Rainbow gains a blush. "Why was she carrying that?" Lightning looks to the side. "She's always been a prankster with a unique sense of humor." Rainbow closes the book and places it on the stand next to her. "Are you sure that it wasn't for you and her getting together? Even a regular changeling won't act that way for some emotion food." "She is unique, a lot of changelings work via a hive mind but some of the more powerful ones thinks for themselves and have their own personalities. Of course given their species and how they grow up it's easy for us to consider them weird at best." Lightning says joining her on the bed. Rainbow looks to him sharply. "Lightning, when we got married we promised not to lie to one another, now the truth." Lightning sighs. "Okay, Seeku actually likes me enough to be on the level of wanting to make me her mate. But I made it clear early on I didn't feel the same way. Combine that with her personality and you get this situation." Lightning says. Rainbow then smiles. "Thank you. I actually feel sorry for her now, you know?" Lightning turns to her sadly. "I actually do too and I have something else to say." Rainbow waits for that. "I kissed her. She refuses to feed while around here and forced me to feed her a bit." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "Something tells me that there was something more to that." Lightning nods to that. "Yes, but you may have to ask her after a few days. She's gone for now." "Oh, where is she going?" Rainbow asks. "That, I don't know. To keep all our preparations hidden I am working on the ponies and she is the agent in charge helping prepare of all the non-pony forces." Lightning says putting his ear on Rainbow's side. Rainbow smiles. "Thanks for telling the truth." She said as she places a hoof on his head. Lightning says nothing and just listens. "What are you doing?" Rainbow asks. "Trying to see if I can hear our foal's heartbeat yet." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles and kisses him on the head. "Well the doctor said you could possibly hear it now, but I can't bend down and reach it obviously." "I hear a little thumbing sound." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Really?" "I trained my sense of hearing for when I was a Stalliongrad hunter. I can't tell you how many times it has saved my life." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles. "Well, as cheesy as it sounds, it's helping you find new life." Lightning's other ear then twitches. "Huh?" Lightning says. Rainbow looks worried at him noticing the other ear. "What is it?" "I thought I misheard before, but I hear three heart beats. Yours and two others." Lightning says getting surprised. Rainbow's eyes widen. "So I have twins?" She asks shocked. "Most likely, congratulations." Lightning says opening his eyes smiling. Before either could react they heard a clawing at the door. Lightning gets up and opens the door to see Ice Fang run in holding Tank in his mouth. Ice fang had grown a lot in the last few months now twice his previous size. "Guess what you said about him was true and thanks for bringing Tank. I haven't seen him in a while." Rainbow said the last part to Ice Fang. Ice fang lets Tank off on the bed where Rainbow and Tank rubbed noses before Ice Fang jumped onto the bed himself. "Hey, leave room for me." Lightning joked. Rainbow sticks her tongue out at Lightning. "Sorry, but you have to sleep on the floor like a good little dog." Ice Fang whines. "I think he wants all of us to keep you warm Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow stares at him as Ice Fang rubs against her. "Why does it feel like the family is only getting bigger each day?" "Because it is and you're a noble and the wife of the head of the house. In Stalliongrad a noble house or if you prefer clan is basically one big family. Speaking of which we received an interesting letter today Rainbow." Lightning says remembering something. Lightning leaves his stuff on the bed and goes for the desk before remembering that it was in his outfit. "What is it?" Rainbow asks searching through his bag for the gift Seeku gave him. "Here it is." Lightning says withdrawing a letter from the pocket of his outfit and hoofs it to Rainbow, stopping the search. Rainbow opens it and reads it. "It's from my father. He says he is coming for a visit." Rainbow says. "I see your father is coming for a visit. I guess he was finally able to tear himself away from his job." Lightning says. "Yeah, Dad has a full time job. It prevented him from even coming to see our wedding." Rainbow says sadly and Lightning wrapped her in a hug. Rainbow leans into him. "Just to change this tune, what exactly did Seeku give you?" She asks trying to change the subject. Lightning frowns. "Well, let's just say it's for getting it on longer than ever for me." Rainbow blushes red. "You remember our wedding?" "I don't think Princess Luna and Celestia will ever forget it from even another thousand years from now." Lightning says with a smirk. Rainbow smiles. "Yeah, and I still remember everything up to point and a little beyond." Lightning smiles. "Well, I know how to make your father happy for going through his own daughter's wedding." "Oh?" Rainbow asks interested "It is a surprise love." Lightning says and Rainbow huffs like a little filly. "Now don't you be a spoiled little filly Rainbow." He then thinks about it. "Actually I like that one time we did that." "Watch it mister or you're sleeping outside for the next week." Rainbow says. Lightning looks hurt. "But you liked it." "That is beside the point." Rainbow says. Lightning grins. "And what point is that?" "Oh just go to sleep." Rainbow says laying down and Ice Fang snuggles up beside her with Tank. "Alright Love." Lightning says laying down on the other side of the bed thinking she's still a little mad. "Get over here silly." Rainbow teases. Lightning laughs a little and snuggles up to her. The next morning Lightning had the servants and chefs preparing for Rainbow's father's arrival. Rainbow directed them all on what he likes and how. Lightning tried to lead her away, but nothing would stop this mare. Lightning just shook his head while he stood with Scootaloo as Nikolai, Vinyl, and Octavia walked up to him. "So what's happening?" Vinyl asks. Lightning looks to them for a moment before turning back to the head mare. "Well, in short, Rainbow's father is coming so Rainbow is controlling everything for his arrival." "Ah, then an elder of the house is visiting then?" Nikolai asks. "By marriage, yes." Lightning says. "Ah, so you think he expects this kind of welcome?" Nikolai asks. "I have read her letters to him. She never mentioned we are nobles now so he probably thinks we are just working here." Lightning says and then he gains a grin. "I think I want play a little prank to him, but let me speak to Rainbow first." "My lord I advise against this as your Sworn Sword." Nikolai says. Lightning turns to him with a sadistic grin. "Come on, what's the harm, plus it's better than saying outright when he comes here." "The harm is Lady Rainbow's anger being greater than a thousand suns." Nikolai says. Lightning turns and leaves to Rainbow. When he reaches her he talks to her for a few minutes before Rainbow looks surprised and then brings a hoof to her chin. After a while she nods yes. Lightning smiles and then whispers to her while she nodding to every single piece of it. "I got a bad feeling about this." Nikolai said to anypony listening. An older light blue Pegasus with a prismatic mane and tail lands in front of the keep. He is approached by a maid almost immediately. "Greetings sir, welcome to the Razorwing Keep, sir. Are you Rainbow Dash's father?" The maid asks. Stormy Wing notices something off about the maid but can't place a hoof on it. "Yes I am, where is she?" "Oh, she is currently overseeing the dining hall. The lord of the lands didn't want her doing anything strenuous after finding out she was pregnant." The maid says. Stormy eyes almost bulged out. "Did you say pregnant?" "Yes, it was discovered after she was given a physical." The maid explains. Stormy feels like he got hit by a rock...or a train at high speeds. "Take me to her now." He said sternly. "As you wish, sir." The maid says leading him through the keep. Stormy walks through the keep seeing many different antiques and artifacts he only sees in books. It was almost like being in the princess's castle. "Who's the stallion she's with that got her pregnant?" He asks. "Oh, her husband." The maid stiffened from the tone, but composed herself. Stormy finds it weird that she just said only the word husband. "What's the name of the stallion?" "Lightning, sir." The maid says a bit nervously. Stormy was getting impatient when they came upon the door. "Here we are, the dining hall." Stormy then notices a guard that's been following them from looking around. "Don't mind him, he's for the guest's protection." The maid informed. Stormy Wing pays no heed and enters the room and sees Rainbow directing the rest of the servants. "Yes, right there. The lord of these lands is having an important guest tonight." Rainbow says in her own maid outfit. "Rainbow!" Stormy calls. Looking around Rainbow's eyes spark a bit. "Oh, father." Rainbow says walking up to him. Stormy looks over her clothing. "So you're the head maid or something?" He asks awkwardly. Rainbow shakes her head no before seeing something. "No, red roses and without thorns, not yellow with thorns!" She yells to one of the servants who quickly follow it. She then turns back to him. "Sorry no, but since I'm with foals the lord doesn't want me to strain myself." Rainbow says. Stormy's eyes widen. "Did you say foals?" "Ah...yes, you see my husband has great hearing and heard my own heart and two others although they were small." Rainbow says. Stormy didn't know what to say. "I guess I missed a lot." He then gets confused. "But what are you doing here? I thought you love flying?" "Well my husband obeys the orders of the princesses and is helping us prepare for war." Rainbow says. Unnoticed by Stormy, Rainbow sees the guard place his spear sideways. "I see. So you married a guard?" He asks. "A soldier father." Rainbow corrected. "Huh." Stormy looks around. "I expected you to get somepony simple like in a weather team." "You know how love is father." Rainbow says. Stormy looks down a little. "I know Rainbow. I just wish she was here to see her little baby girl grown up and...well living a life." He said trying to smile. "I know dad, but she is in a better place." Rainbow says. Stormy smiles back before hugging her. "I missed you my little princess." "I missed you as well father." Rainbow says hugging him back. Soon Rainbow breaks the hug. "We'll catch up later, but now I have to still prepare for the guest." She then sees something else. "Hey! Not those bowls the other ones with silver swirl patterns!" She yells as she walks over to them. "Sir, the lord of the keep would like to meet you." A guard says as Stormy notices the guard from earlier was gone. Stormy looks around before nodding. "Okay, lead me to him." The guard nods back and starts to walk to the head office. Inside the office Lightning was reviewing some of Silver Script's work. "Very nice. He'll make a fine pony to place paperwork on and run some of the land." He says with a grin. Lightning then hears a knock on the door. "Enter." The door opens to a light blue Pegasus and a guard. "You can leave us." "Sir." The guard said before leaving and closing the door. Stormy looks over the lord sitting in the chair. "You are Rainbow Dash's father Stormy Wing correct?" Lightning asks. Stormy nods. "Yes, and I see you took her health into consideration." "It was only right sir." Lightning says getting up. Stormy's eyes narrow. "Who are you?" Lightning just smiles. "Mr. Bolt sir." He said holding out a hoof. "A pleasure. I must admit I didn't expect a young stallion to be the lord of this city or the lands surrounding it." Stormy says. Lightning just shrugs. "To be honest I didn't either. Now onto the matter with Rainbow Dash." He said as he starts walking out the office. Stormy smiles and follows. "Nope, not like the nobles I meet." They walk back through the keep. "So tell me Mr. Stormy, what is your opinion of the announcement the princesses made?" Lightning asks. Stormy sighs. "To be honest I don't know. I'm just a factory worker in the cloud factory. All I want is my Rainbow safe." "Ok, let me rephrase the question, what do you and your fellow workers think of the Dominion Empire invading?" Lightning asks as they turn a corner. Stormy looks to the cases holding weapons. "Trouble really. Destroying our very livelihood and killing us, nothing is more evil. Some of the more hot headed workers submitted their resignations and went to the recruitment office as well. I don't blame them for wanting to protect their home. If I was a little younger I might do it as well." Stormy says stopping on a sword. Lightning stops as well and looks at the sword. "Ponies do want to protect their love ones. Still the older generation does it by helping out back home. Those clouds you're making help keep the water supply spread all over the nation and in the coming war our food and water supplies will be critical." "Thanks for saying that." Stormy says. Lightning smiles. "No problem." He then points to the direction they were walking. "Now, onward!" Stormy smiles seeing his behavior. "Are all young nobles like this?" Lightning turns around and walks backward. "Only to help lighten somepony's mood and bring a little life back to them." Stormy Wing chuckles at this stallion. "So has Rainbow told you anything about her husband?" Lightning asks turning back around. Stormy tilts his head to the side. "Only that he's under orders from the princesses and a soldier." "I see. I think the dining hall should be finished by now." Lightning says walking towards the dining room. Stormy grows confused. "But isn't it where you have an important meeting with somepony and I would think that Rainbow might be somewhere else." Lightning chuckles. "Oh Stormy, you might want to take a peek inside." Stormy was confused but follows anyways. He opens the door to find Rainbow standing there with a smile in a noble dress and an orange foal in a less noble dress, but still noble. "Hey dad, say hello to your daughter and granddaughter." Rainbow said as she couldn't hold a smile anymore. "Meet my family, sir." Lightning says joining them. Stormy jaws drops. "So..." Rainbow nods. "Yep, I'm actually nobility and the lady of this house." Rainbow says. Stormy's jaw drops even further. "How...?" "Well I didn't expect the princess to make me a noble and general." Lightning says. Stormy turns his attention his Mr. Bolt. "So you're..." Lightning nods. "Yep, I'm Lightning. Name's Lightning Bolt pleasure to formally meet you honored guest." Stormy looks around. "So all this is for me?" "To be honest," Lightning spoke up. "The planning and the party, that was Rainbow's, while the whole fool you thing was mine, sorry." Scootaloo ran up to Stormy. "Hello grandfather." Scootaloo says. Stormy was just in shock as he looks to the young one in front of him and then Rainbow again. "If you're wondering she was adopted. I am in fact pregnant." Rainbow spoke up. Stormy picks her up. "Hey there, little one." Scootaloo then goes deadpan. "Can you put me down, I'm just doing the act." Stormy then looks to couple who sweat drops. "Yeah, she has a bit of my personality." Rainbow said rubbing a hoof behind her head. Stormy just stares at them for a few seconds before bursting out laughing. "This is definitely your foal, adopted or not." Scootaloo turns to her parents. "You hear that, even he knows I'm like Rainbow." Stormy just keeps laughing harder at that statement from the foal. "This is definitely the best day of my life now." He laughs out loud. "Come on, the chefs had prepared lunch for us." Lightning says. Stormy puts Scootaloo down and walks to where they sit down. "How did you gain this high end nobility thing? I mean, I have seen other nobles, but you are definitely the top ones." "You know the news of the traitorous nobles? Well for my part in bringing them down I was rewarded quite a lot of their former lands and assets. That and as a direct descendant of Commander Hurricane herself my family owns the city and the surrounding lands." Lightning says. Stormy whistles. "Wow, and who asked who for marriage?" "I asked Rainbow to marry me." Lightning says as the food is brought out. Rainbow chuckles. "Actually it was more like me making him ask me. That reminds me how's the house moving coming along?" She asks Lightning. "We are talking moving things from across the western part of the eastern continent and then the ocean. It will take several more months." Lightning says. Rainbow just smirks. "I mean my house Lightning, my cloud house. You know how I love that place and so does Tank." "Oh, that is easily done, just say it and I will hire a few pegasus to move it here." Lightning says. Stormy looks on in surprise as these two talk about heavy stuff naturally. "Well make it happen and at least make it connected to the keep so I and Tank don't have to strain ourselves much. Besides I got a lot of stuff in there that's valuable." Lightning chuckles. "I know, like the last Daring Do book I gave you when I came here." Rainbow blushes. "How could I forget? You really changed all of our lives that time. Plus now looking back at it, you still haven't gotten any farther in my elemental studies." "Ah, thank you for reminding me. I have been meaning to add some of those books into my library." Lightning says. Rainbow then looks over to her father. "What's wrong dad, you better hurry up and eat before it gets cold?" "I'm trying to keep up with your conversation." Stormy says. Lightning chuckles. "Trust me, barely anypony can follow what we say." "Oh, grandson!" Lightning face blanks. "Oh, no. Not her." He said with worry. "Dad, meet the ghost of Commander Hurricane." Rainbow says as Hurricane came out from one of their meals. "Hello there." She said as her head was in a salad. "Welcome to the Razorwind Keep. I hope you enjoyed your stay so far." "Grandma, out of the salad." Lightning tells her getting annoyed. Hurricane then floats upward with a frown. "Still no fun. You need to be like your grandfather." "Grandma we have a guest. My wife's father." Lightning says trying to eat. Hurricane turns to the new stallion. "Hello handsome. Pleasure to meet you. Names' Hurricane, Commander Hurricane, once great leader of the pegasus forces back then. And you are?" "Stormy Wing, Rainbow Dash's father." Stormy says uneasy because of her saying handsome, and that's from a few thousand year old ghost. Hurricane floats up close to his wings. "Yes I can see how you got that name. My, my, they sure are big and strong, great for flying in big winds." "Grandmother you are spoken for aren't you?" Scootaloo asks. Hurricane floats up in front of Scootaloo. "He's dead dearie. And he would want me to live on without dwelling on the past." She said theatrically and somewhat fake with...where did that spotlight come from? "But since he is my grandfather as well isn't he your family?" Scootaloo asks. "She has you there Grandma." Lightning says. Hurricane smiles as she floats above the soup. "An old pony can't have some fun? Come on, I'm entitled to something that has past me by in my ghost age." She then turns to Stormy and slithers by him. "Like a stallion." "Grandma, aren't you overseeing the preparation for the foals room upon your own request?" Lighting asks desperate to get rid of her. "Wait, foals as in more than one?" Hurricane asks. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Yes, we discovered that last night...why?" Hurricane facehooves. "Great, now I have to tell them to make another room connection." She turns to Stormy. "We'll talk later sweetie." Hurricane said in a sultry voice and then flies through the walls to head to the rooms. "Thank Luna she left, that was getting disturbing." Rainbow says. Lightning picks at his rolling cherry. "I know, just think what would happen if your dad and my ancestor got together?" "Don't put the image into my head." Rainbow says. "I don't know, I may enjoy it. It has been a while." Stormy intrudes. Rainbow blushes bright red. "Dad!" Stormy looks at her with a smile. "Come on Rainbow, I have been a little lonely and the house has been empty with just me. I could use somepony with me." "Why don't you move in with us here at the keep?" Lightning suggests. Stormy smiles. "I may just do that and maybe move the factory a little since there is a lot more reserve water and everything we need around here. Plus I get to see my little angel now and again." "Ok, just let me get in contact with Cloudsdale and I will arrange it." Lightning says. Stormy nods. "Please do, while that's happening I may visit that ghost." "Ok, getting weird again." Lightning says. Stormy grins. "Can't blame a stallion for having a fetish." "Not in front of the foals' dad." Rainbow says covering Scootaloo's ears. "Don't bother. Another foal came in with a sex book with weird fetishes from the orphanage. One of the fetishes is a ghost fetish." Scootaloo informed. Lightning facehooves and says. "I hope the rest of the foals won't turn out like this." Stormy laughs. "Boy, you two are the roughest and toughest family with seeing almost everything there is." "And the older members of the house aren't helping." Lightning says. Stormy chuckles. "Well you have a lonely stallion and a slightly lonely ghostly mare. What would think would happen?" "Hopefully nothing, considering that you are both family now and that is just wrong." Lightning says. Stormy gives Rainbow a hurt look. "Would you deny me a chance with a little love Rainbow?" "I thought you swore never to marry again after mom." Rainbow reminds. Stormy sighs and starts to pick at a salad. "Yet, being lonely after such a long time takes its toll. A pony can only handle so much." "You have a family." Rainbow says. Stormy looks to her again. "Yes Rainbow and it used to be just you. Now that you married that family has immensely grown. But the loneliness always come back to me. Sometimes I actually wish I have another pony again." "We can talk about this another time, for now let's just enjoy the meal." Lightning says. Stormy nods and stops picking at his food with the others following. It was two nights later when Lightning called Silver Script to his office. "Silver Script, I have been reviewing your work and I have decided to make your employment full time." Lightning says. Silver smiles. "Thanks you sir. I won't let you down." Lightning leans back in his chair and relaxes with his hind legs on the desk. "Not like you won't. That old job probably had you doing almost the same thing." "Actually no sir, I was forced to work on the assembly line instead my job because my boss didn't like me." Silver Script says. Lighting huffs. "Nobles?" "No, a factory overseer." Silver Script says. Lightning sighs. "Well nothing you can do anything about it now. Now you can head back to the hotel and get some rest. I would have a lot more work tomorrow and we will see about getting you a permanent living arrangement here. " "Thanks you sir." Silver Script says starting to leave. "And remember, it won't get easier at this point." Lightning warns. "I look forward to the challenge sir." Silver Script says pushing up his glasses. Lightning chuckles. "Well let's hope that I can be ready for my end too, you're dismissed." Silver Script leaves and Azure squawks on his perch. Lightning turns to the lucky bird. "I know you sense something Azure, but he's a good enough pony with the right mindset." "Oh and what about me?" A female voice asks behind Lightning. Lightning chuckles. "So that's why, but then again you shouldn't left the window open." Seeku giggles a bit and jumps onto his lap. "Did you miss me?" She asks teasingly as she licks his cheek. "So do you know what happened while you were gone?" Lightning asks trying to wipe off the saliva. Seeku giggles and turns around to leans back into him. "Well I heard some talk about how Rainbow's father came in and you guys played some type of prank on him. You won't believe how the servants are chatty." "Did you also hear the other news?" Lightning asks. She turns to him. "Congratulations Lightning, guess we won't be together after all." She sighs and leans in the crook of his neck. "Two foals. Hope you have plans to deal with them." "Hurricane is already overseeing the preparations for their nursery and rooms for them as we speak." Lightning says. Seeku sighs and almost starts to look like falling asleep against him. "Anything else that requires my attention on you?" She said softly. Lightning rubs her head. "Your still family to me Seeku. In fact, why don't you just join the house?" Lightning asks. Seeku starts to tear up. "Because, you are the only one who treated me differently. Better than any other pony I have been with." She turns to look at him. "And that means the whole house will follow your ideas. And that brings me to this question." She sighs and starts to hug him. "Can I stay in your keep as a vassal after this ends?" "Seeku I want you to join the family, not be a vassal or a Sworn Sword, but a part of the family." Lightning says. Seeku finally lets the tears and chokes on each breath. "Thank you." She then kisses him on the cheek to show her gratitude. Unfortunately at the moment Rainbow walks with some food for Lightning and sees the two. Seeku stops the kiss and they both look to the door and see the shocked pony. "Rainbow, I swear that this is not what it looks like." Lightning pleaded. Rainbow looks at them for a few minutes before shaking her head and walking toward them. She places the food onto the table before walking around to them. "Well this does prove something that has been on my mind for a while." Rainbow said as Seeku got off of Lightning. "You explain to her." Lightning says to Seeku. Seeku looks between the two before sighing. "Rainbow Dash, I have actually cared for Lightning more than I expected. More so than it was allowed. Our time together back then really changed my outlook on ponies in general and on him." She sits down as her legs couldn't hold her anymore. "I have fallen in love with him Rainbow. Almost to the point of really being with him. Hope you won't hate the both us just because of this." She looks to her pleadingly. "And?" Lightning adds. "He has no romantic feelings for me and now that you are with foals I…have no intention of coming between you two." Seeku adds crying now. Rainbow looks between the two before sighing. "Do need his emotions or can you live off others that doesn't include his?" Seeku sighs. "I can go with others if you want me gone." Rainbow looks at her before looking to Lightning. "What about you?" "Seeku is a good friend and pretty much family to me Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow lets out a breath of relief. "Alright, she can still stay with us." Seeku immediately perks up and starts to wag her tail like a dog. "But only if you bring this whole lovey dovey thing between you two down to a minimum. We don't want the wrong image being sent out." Seeku giggles. "So just in private?" She asks excited. Rainbow just nods. "Yes and the bigger parts with me there. Celestial knows what might happen if word gets out that I'm allowing this." "I guess that means it's settled, welcome to the family Seeku." Lightning says. "Yes!" Seeku jumps onto Lightning laughing and kissing him repeatedly on the cheeks while they spin around. Rainbow clears her throat stopping Seeku who laughs nervously before changing into her unicorn disguise. "Well I have things to do and ponies to see. Have a great time you two." She turns to leave but stops before the door. "Just out of curiosity, have you used my gift Lightning?" Lightning just burns hot red. "Nope." He quickly answers. Seeku looks disappointed a little. "Pity, I would have loved to see that." She said with a perv grin. "Get out of here before I reconsider." Rainbow says. Seeku huffs. "You are turning into the same amount of fun as Lightning, hope the foals don't come out that way." She said to them as she leaves. "At least now I can work." Lightning says turning back to his paperwork. "I don't think so." Rainbow says now straddling him and blocking his view with a grin. "Oh, so that's why you came to see me." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles. "Yep, and to talk about Seeku, but I didn't know she would be back now." Rainbow then has a thought. "Maybe I should invite her back for a little fun it you like since you allow her to do that to you." Seeku, who is on the other side of the door, hears this and giggles before coming up with some ideas. It was weeks later and Lightning was talking with Nikolai, Apollo, and Alexander. "So they are coming along better than expected?" Lightning asked shocked. Nikolai nods. "Surprisingly, they want to protect their land better than any other nation I have ever seen. These ponies are resilient. The only ones who had to quit were those who gain significant injuries during training." Lightning looks down at the field where the recruits were being trained. "Seeku?" Seeku jumps off a tree and onto his back. "Yes?" Lighting concentrates on the recruits. "Start the drill." Seeku nods and looks over to the field. The few guards looks up unnoticed. Seeku nods and they change. But before they could change completely they were under several guards and pulled at the limbs. "Good! Now get back to training." Nikolai, who was training them, shouts to them. "Ok, how are they doing with their new arms and armor?" Lightning asks as Seeku nuzzles him lightly. Apollo looks over to another area where the recruits were wearing a more armored version of the royal guard's. "Well, it's not hard for the royal guards since it's slightly based off their design, but the civilians were pretty quick to get used to it, but not as much as the guards." "They are used to appearance over reliability. They will get over it when the armor saves their lives. Also we have received something I ordered specifically from our suppliers. We finally have some of our artillery. Apollo gather some of the archery and crossbow ponies you have been training for a demonstration." Lightning says getting up with Seeku still on his back. Apollo nods. "You got it sir." He then heads off for the artillery bunker for one of his favorite archery weapons for a fixed point. "Stallions, and mares, today we will start your education in a new form of long range weaponry." Lightning says in front of a large number of different ponies before pulling off a sheet to reveal an anchored Scorpio. "This is a heavier version of a crossbow. Designed to punch through heavy armor and destroy light placement weapons on the field into little pieces." The crowd of recruits and guards looks impressed. "And now, we will train each and every one of you on it. Just know this, you will be given one style of fighting, but taught in all manners of fighting just in case you have no more ammo, your weapon is useless, or being overrun and you have nowhere to regroup and get your weapon." Lightning says and then turns to the changelings setting up the targets on the other side of the field. "Now after the changelings finish setting up the targets, Commander Apollo will demonstrate its power when in the hooves of a trained expert and no they are not targets." Lightning says. After a few minutes the changelings clear the field and Apollo grabs the controls. Apollo wordlessly shoots the Scorpio and it tears through the shield and the dummy it was attached to and propels it a fair distance away. "Now you see the power of this piece of light artillery." Lightning says. "And now it's your turn to learn this powerful weapon inside and out. Just don't aim at the keep when you fire, trust me you don't want the Lady mad at you." Lightning shivers at the memory. "Commander Apollo take over from here." Lightning says after getting himself back together. Apollo picks a random pony from the crowd and he steps up. Apollo gives him a quick rundown on how to set it up and how to fire. After a few minutes the recruit fires the weapon but misses by a large margin. Apollo bangs a hammer on the recruit's helmet, citing "Get it through your head." as the recruit's head rings. As this happens several more Scorpio are being brought by wagon to train more ponies. When Lightning and Seeku got back in the keep Rainbow met them at the front door. "Lightning, what is that being fired at the field you have been preparing for the last week?" Rainbow asks as she looks upon the field. "Scorpio, a light mobile artillery weapon." Lightning says. Rainbow raises an eyebrow as one of the arrows hit a target and sends it into a tree. The crowd cheers, but then stops after Apollo bangs the head of the launcher and tells them to get back to work. "Looks strong." She then looks at the one who entered with Lightning. Lightning raised a hoof. "Before you ask, she likes riding my back." Seeku cuddles into him. "He's really comfy especially with his poufy wings." Rainbow was about to raise a hoof before she hears a large whistling sound. She looks outside the window and sees Scootaloo cheering out loud as she rides the young Wyvern. "Come on Tiyries, faster we have to beat them!" She yells out as they chase after the larger Wyverns. "I think our daughter is having fun." Lightning says walking up beside her. Rainbow sighs. "Well this is my mindfuck of the day." "Oh you want me to join you later?" Seeku asks. Rainbow glares at her for a moment before realizing that she can't argue with her. "Fine, just don't come between us much." They both look at her surprised. "Wow Rainbow. You really are agreeing to this type of thing more than ever." Lightning notices. "Are you sick?" Seeku asks feeling her forehead. Rainbow moves her hoof off her head gently. "No, it's just that there is no arguing with you when everything is going crazy. I find it better to just go with the flow." "Rainbow come with me, I think you need to lay down." Lightning offers. Rainbow sighs and starts to follow him to their bedroom. After getting inside Seeku jumps off of Lightning and lets him help Rainbow into her bed. She noticed that her stomach has gotten slightly larger, but barely noticeable when standing. "It seems you have progressed in your development." Lightning says looking her over. Rainbow smirks. "Well a lot of time has passed." She unconsciously rubs a hoof over her stomach. "Let's hope they don't come out when the war starts. I don't them to see destruction as their first image." "There is still no sighting of the Dominion's ships. We still have time." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Good. Now Seeku?" She asks as she turns to her with a smile. "Rainbow you don't know what you're asking for and she, for all of her behavior, doesn't trot that way." Lightning says. Rainbow turns to him with a smirk before turning back to him. "Can you keep Lightning company while I rest?" "Um...Rainbow we are the only ones in here." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles a little. "I know, but I feel the need to rest. You can take it into your office, just make sure nopony sees it." She said starting to fall asleep. "Ok, Rainbow you rest." Lightning says leaving with Seeku. "And Seeku?" Seeku turns back to Rainbow. "Go easy on him." Rainbow said with a smirk before falling asleep with light snores. "Seeku, I'm calling for a doctor in the morning." Lightning says as he closes the door. "For Rainbow or yourself, because you're hiding how you are feeling from her?" Seeku asks as they start to walk back to the office. Lightning sighs before coughing a little. "You noticed." He said more like a statement than a question. "You may be able to fool the inhabitants, but I know that this environment, that is being completely controlled, is like being in a desert with no water for those who are so in tuned with natural energies." Seeku says. Lightning nods and steps inside his office. "That's the problem Seeku. Ironically, the land I'm trying to save is killing me." He said as he sat down in his chair and turns to the fire. "How ironic you are away from your homeland for so long and become powerful and when you return it is punishing you." Seeku says as she gets in the chair with him. "Yeah, so any luck tracking down the soul gems Nethergate used to drain princess Celestia and Luna's powers?" Lightning asks as he leans into her. Seeku sighs. "No luck in that department." She informs wrapping a hoof around him. "Not even Apollo said anything about getting a contract to steal something that valuable too. I wish we knew where it was just to end this fight sooner." Lightning said they look to the fire. Seeku nods and then gains a thoughts. "Isn't the princess's power considered elemental magic?" "No, it's not and I know where you're going with this, but once contained in a soul gem the power can't be synced without coming in contact with it." Lightning says. Seeku smiles. "But what about a weapon and then sending power of the weapon into your target like a poison?" "Looked for that as well, nothing. They have plans for those gems, but I don't know what yet." Lightning says. Seeku sighs and leans into him too. "Lightning you know as well as I do that all soul gems can be transferred to anything. It's just a matter of the type for how much power can be held and how long and, sometimes how powerful." "I know, but they haven't used it yet, so I think they are planning something." Lightning says. Seeku sighs. "Well what are you going to do for now? Rainbow's sleeping and you look like you need something, but this one I can't figure out." "I have an idea to make Rainbow feel better, could you grab that pouch beside the fireplace for me?" Lightning asks as he starts writing a letter. Seeku nods and takes the pouch from the fireplace with her magic and brings it over to his desk. "What are you going to do?" She asks as she turns the chair around and starts a light from her horn. "Ok, take a pinch of the contents of the pouch and throw it into the fire." Lightning says sealing the envelope. Seeku shrugs her shoulders and takes a pinch of what looks like ashes and throws it into the fire turning it emerald green. Lightning then throws the letter into the fire. (Line) Twilight was tucking in Agni when she heard Spike belch something. "Twilight you got a letter and you won't believe who sent it." Spike calls. Twilight goes to him and takes the letter. Dear Twilight, My First Student of Equestria I am writing to inform you of a few things. First the work I am doing up at Pegalopolis is going far better than expected and Rainbow and I are expecting twin foals. I would like to invite you and all your friends to pay a surprise visit to us as Rainbow hasn't been feeling the best and Scootaloo is a little lonely. Hope you can come, Lightning P.S. Make sure you feed Agni more during this time because of puberty. Twilight rereads the letter before looking up at Spike. "Pack your bags Spike we are going on a trip." Twilight says with a smile. Spike just looks confused. "Wait, what? You're taking me now?" Twilight looks offended. "I take you on trips all the time." Spike crosses his arms. "No, you say 'Watch the library, Spike.'" Twilight sweat drops and rubs the back of her head nervously. "Well you're coming now Spike." Twilight says trying to forget those times. Spike sighs and starts to head to the storage room to get their bags. "Now she notices me." He said to himself. Lightning sighs and leans back in his seat again. "Now we wait for the doctor and the surprise." Seeku gets in the seat with him. "Let's hope it's a good one." She said while leaning on him. "Oh, Rainbow will love it." Lightning says with a smirk. A few days later Rainbow was still sore from having to receive a shot a few days ago. She was still unhappy with Lightning from calling the doctor. "Of all the things he had to do, it had to be this." She said to herself as she rubs her sore spot which was her flank. "Um, Lady Rainbow." A maid says walking up to her. Rainbow looks to the maid. "Yes?" "There is a few guests for you." The maid says. Rainbow gets confused. "Guests? Who are they?" "They said it was a surprise." The maid says. Rainbow sighs. "Fine, bring them in." She covers herself up as best she could while sitting up in her bed. "They said they want to meet you in the greeting room." The maid says. Rainbow sighs. "Fine, help me out." She said taking off the covers. The maid helps her up and walks her to the greeting room. Along the way she notices banners along the pillars. "What's going on? Are we expecting somepony?" She said as she looks to the maid. "I think you will understand why after you meet our guests." The maid says. Rainbow says nothing else and keeps following. After a while they reach the greeting room. The maid pushes open the door to a dark room. Rainbow walks in trying to find the lights before they came on. "SURPRISE!" Everypony cheers as they pop out of the tables and banners that read 'Congratulations on your twins.' And all that after Rainbow thrown a dagger at Spike who moves his tail out the way and almost gets struck in between his legs. He lets out a sigh as he tries to move carefully. "Applejack, Big Mac, Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applebloom, Spike, Sweetie Belle, what are you doing here?" Rainbow asks. Twilight steps up having a wrapped gift floating behind her. "Lightning told us how you were feeling down so we came here to cheer you up." Pinkie then pops up besides Rainbow. "Yeah, and when he told us you were expecting twins I knew that I had to throw a baby shower!" Rainbow then looks around and sees all the decorations. "Party Cannon?" Pinkie then brings up the Cannon. "Yep, you know I never leave home without my Party Cannon." She fires the Cannon and covers up an unfinished table, which was being worked on by a maid, with party supplies. The maid glares at Pinkie before walking out the door, her work somewhat done. "Oops." Pinkie said rubbing her forelegs together. Rainbow waves the maids off showing they didn't have to keep cleaning for now. The maids leave as everypony looks in surprise. Rainbow turns to them after the last one leaves. "Hey, it was hard for me to adjust too after getting into noble status." "Oh yeah, I'm a little surprised is all." Applejack says. Rainbow shrugs. "So is everypony, like my father was." "Your father is here?" Fluttershy says. Rainbow nods. "Yep, he moved here after realizing he can still work here and see his only daughter. Plus he wanted to spend time with Hurricane. Our family is getting really weird." "Yeah wooooooooo!" Scootaloo's voice was heard as one of the windows opens up and an orange filly jumps in with a leather flight suit on her. "Thanks for the ride Tiyries. See you tomorrow." She calls to him which he roars back in response and files off. Rainbow just sighs. "See what I mean?" "Scootaloo!" Applebloom and Sweetie Bell yells. Scoots look over to them. "Hey guys, give me one second." She then turns to Rainbow. "Okay mom, how was that landing?" Rainbow smiles. "A little better, but you need to move with the momentum not control it. Remember what dad said." "Controlling something is harder and less effective than working with something." Scootaloo recites. Rainbow nods and Scootaloo turns back to her friends who were left gaping in shock. "Close those mouth girls we still have a fly problem." As if to enunciate that a fly flew past Scootaloo. "Like that one." A maid takes out a fly swatter and goes after it. "Get back here you pest!" A maid yells chasing the fly with a flyswatter. Everypony looks on in confusion. "Okay, I am officially lost." Applejack voices everypony's opinion. "Come on everypony, let's have some fun!" Pinkie Pie says who was actually following everything that was going on. All the ponies start having fun and catching up with each other. "And that's when the pie fell on the arrogant guards head." Rainbow finishes her story. Every one of her friends giggles as she finished. "Boy howdy, you sure are living the life." Applejack said. Rainbow nods and looks over to her daughter who was about to tell something, but then the door was kicked opened. "Honey, I'm home!" Rainbow looks over to Lightning with Seeku riding on his back. "Hi sweetie." Lighting grins. "Hey love. Hope you're enjoying the party." He said as Seeku got off of him and went towards Scootaloo. Seeku picks up Scoots. "Hey there, my little changeling." Scoots just frowns. "You know I'm not a changeling so put me down." Seeku shrugs and lets go of her, and by let go I mean let go. Scoots lands hard on the floor. "Hey!" Seeku shrugs in the air. "You didn't say how." Hurricane then rises out of the ground. "You have to be careful with your wording Scoots." Scoots just huffs and crosses her forelegs. "Now where is that handsome stallion?" Hurricane asks pushing her hooves together. Rainbow chuckles. "Dad would be here any minute now." Just at the moment Stormy decided to enter. "Hey there princess and hello beautiful." He said to Rainbow and Hurricane. Hurricane floats over to him and snakes around him. "Hello, my potent stallion." Hurricane said stroking his chin. Rainbow sighs as those two just tease each other and Seeku went back to Lighting and lands on his back again. "Mmmmmm. Poufy." She said as she was in heaven. Everypony just looks on confusion. "Scoots, what's going on?" Applebloom asked bewildered. Scoots just sighs and relaxes at one of the tables and places her hind legs up. "Well, for starters, the ghost is Commander Hurricane and the other stallion is Rainbow's dad while the changeling is Seeku and an ambassador to the non-pony species. Now, Hurricane and Stormy, Rainbow's dad, are really looking for somepony so they went for each other which is why grandfather has a ghost fetish. As for Seeku she has a slight attraction for dad so she constantly cuddles with him and mom is allowing it because of Seeku's and dad's history together and she was adopted into the family as my aunt." "Ok, a changeling, Rainbow what were you thinking?" Applejack asks madly. Rainbow takes a bite of a big cake. "Lightning got a treaty with the changelings so it's all good with Seeku as the ambassador." Scoots then shrugs. "And besides the Wyverns are with us, which is why I was riding one of them, which is their son." She then blushes a bit. "And I maybe fallen for him. He's a very sweet talker." She said looking to the side. Lighting and Rainbow facehooves. "Scoots, you know you can't." He said to her. Scoots shrugs. "Grandpa is having a relationship with a ghost, who's to say I can't be in a bestially relationship with a Wyvern?" Hurricane giggles as she snakes around Stormy who was grinning. "She's got you there grandson." "You are not helping." Lightning says. Scoots sighs. "Come on dad, our family is crazy enough. You got mom and a changeling after you and grandfather has grandmother, who is a ghost, is trying to be together, who says I can't be with Tiyries?" Lightning looks to her sternly. "Look I just…" He then sees a letter blocking his view. "What?" He takes the letter from the guard and starts to open it. Reading it his face became graver. "I have to go to my office. Enjoy the party everypony." He said getting up and leaving while Seeku floats above him and lands where he was. "That is not a good sign." Rainbow says and Seeku nods. Scoots sighs. "Well, looks like fun time is over." She then leans her head back against the small chair and starts to sleep. "Might as well get the most rest as I could. Celestia knows we need it." "This just seems to get crazier and crazier." Twilight says. Seeku sighs. "You would not believe it around us. You could spend a whole day here and not figure out what's going on." Twilight just holds Agni tighter. "Let me guess, the Dominion?" "He wouldn't have left if it wasn't important and involved them." Seeku says. Twilight sighs and starts to stroke the top of Agni's head. "Well, let's hope we're ready." It was late into the night when Lightning heard a knock on his door before Rainbow entered. "Want to talk about it?" Rainbow asks. "Dominion ships have been sight off the coast." Lightning says. Rainbow grows worried. "How much time?" "They haven't landed so they are only scout ships which means a month at best." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs and places a hoof over her expanding stomach. "Looks like you two will be born into a war filled land." She said to them. "Yes, they will, but Rainbow..." Lightning trails off looking away. Rainbow looks up at him. "What is it?" "You're going to have to run the lands alone for a while." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "We knew this day was coming." She looks to the window. "Can you intercept the ships and take them down slightly? Get us more time." "No, I can't, I have an idea to delay them, but it won't buy us much time and the only way we can win this is an incredibly risky strategy." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles slightly. "You're not going to tell it are you?" "It doesn't matter if they know or not because they will figure it out soon enough. I will use a defense in depth strategy, every piece of food, every piece of metal, every map, every document will be taken and we will evacuate each city while holding the enemy as long as we can." Lightning says. "You would take it that far? Evacuating each city back to one point? Won't they take us out in one hit?" Rainbow asks. "Rainbow, I counted each recruit and guard, you know how many we have?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shakes her head no. "Twelve thousand." Lightning tells her. "That's enough for guerrilla warfare." "Do you know how many one dominion legion consists of?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shakes her head again. "Forty thousand to fifty thousand soldier professional soldiers. Soldiers that can clean their teeth with an entire squad of royal guards." Lightning tells. Rainbow's eyes widen before coming to a realization. "But the nations overseas, what about their help?" "They use a healing magic to put each legionary back into tip top condition whenever they make landfall and the nations themselves are preparing their own forces to face the dominion. That is why I hope and pray we face only one because it means the Dominion is tied down in a cold war like setting with the other nations so they don't invade while they launch this invasion. If there are any more than that we will be wiped out completely and they will have conquered key nations that oppose them overseas already." Lightning says. "Are things really that bad?" Rainbow asks. "Anypony who isn't a fool will see how bad it is after are start instituting the steps for this. We can't win a straight up fight, but tell me Rainbow what do living things need to survive?" Lightning asks. Rainbow walks up to him. "Food, water, and shelter. The three basic survival needs." "Exactly, and when you have an army, these three things become a matter of life and death. As such we will deny them the first two and as much as the third." Lightning says. Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "Destroy the cities?" "No, I will leave those standing and the water, but I will do something to the water." Lightning says. "Poison?" "Yes. Without a place they can get it from naturally their supplies will quickly be exhausted. When they are so weak from this that will be our opening and only opportunity to win." "And if they have something to purify the water?" "How many will die before they do that and how great will be their fear of our water supply by then?" Lightning asks. "Are they that normal as possible?" "They may be professional soldiers but they are still living things." Lightning says. "There is another thing worrying you isn't there?" Rainbow asks. "I worry they will bring a certain type of their Auxiliary legion with them." Lightning says. "What are they?" "Just pray Rainbow that none of my fears come true." Lightning says. "What are they?" She said more sternly. "You wouldn't know them, but they go by different names. Goblins, Uruk Hai, or most command Orcs. Think the most twisted aspects of living creatures give a form as a race." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "So what now?" "I want you to run the lands and be prepared to receive refugees and keep a close eye on the food supplies." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "Well let's hope you're also here for their birth." "I might be, but I might not Rainbow." Lightning says getting up. "Where are you going?" Rainbow asks. "I'm leaving tonight with all the officers and soldiers." Lightning says. Rainbow stops him. "When exactly?" "Now." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Well you better get moving." She then leaves out the door and closes it behind her. Nikolai was putting on his armor when Vinyl came in. "Hey Nikolai...what are you doing?" Vinyl asks stopping midway through the sentence. Nikolai sighs. "I just got a report and the general is mobilizing the entire army." Nikolai says. Vinyl sighs. "When are you leaving?" "Now." Nikolai says putting on his helmet. Vinyl starts to leave. "Just when things were getting better." She said as she leaves out the door. "The main reason I'm going Vinyl is to protect you from them. I can't do that here." Nikolai says. "Just get out of here!" Vinyl said as she closes the door. Nikolai leaves through the door while Vinyl was being held by Octavia unseen by Nikolai. Suddenly he was grabbed from behind. "What…?" He turns to his captor. Vinyl cries into his armor. "Just come back to me, ok?" Vinyl asks. "I swear I will." Nikolai says. Vinyl lets go of him and lets him leave. That night every soldier and royal guard left Pegasopolis. They did what no Equestrian had done in a millennium, they were off to war. Author's Note Okay we're done here, and yes the war is here. Sorry for being bad at the end, but we were tired at that point so sorry. See ya next time. Let the Wind FallA/N: So let's start the war and end this long tirade. Oh and the name Sliva and Silva will be mixed up a little. Just letting you know because even I don't know where all the names are and I forgot when I posted this what the name was supposed to be. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' After three days of forced marching four thousand soldiers and two thousand guards reached Manehatten. All around them they saw ponies going about their regular day, but less than the normal amount. "I thought the order to evacuate was given already?" Lightning asks. "General." A stallion called running up. "I'm sorry sir, but the Mayor refused to heed the order till he could talk with you." The Sergeant says. Lightning groans out loud before saying, "Very well. Ponies, while I am gone you are to proceed with building fortifications." Lightning orders. "Yes sir." The officers say. Lightning turns back to the direction of the town hall. "Let's go Nikolai." "Sir, I understand you have full authority when it comes to military matters, but why must we evacuate the entire town?" The mayor asks. "Besides my ordering it, this is the only port large enough to land an invasion force. All the other eastern ports are far too small." Lightning says. The mayor sighs. "How do you propose of getting out all the ponies in my town? They are quite stubborn to be honest. Always asking for a taxi. I'm sure that can be a measure for stubbornness." "They are loyal to the princess right?" Lightning asks. The mayor nods. "How can they be not?" "Then tell them this is on the princesses' orders in order to keep them safe." Lightning says. "Hold on, before you do that, ask all engineers and carpenters to aid us in building the fortifications. So that they can help defend Equestria." Lightning says. The mayor sighs before starting to walk out. "Let's hope they can leave their own homes, but the homeless needs some help." "Mayor one last thing." Lightning calls. "Yes?" The mayor asks. "Tell them to make for Pegalopolis, which is where they will receive refuge." Lightning says. "You are the lord of those lads, aren't you?" The mayor asks. "Yes. Talk to either my wife Rainbow Dash or my steward Silver Script and they will make all the preparations." Lightning says. The mayor nods before walking out again. "Let's give that message." The Mayor soon calls all the ponies of Manehatten to in front of the Town Hall. "My dear ponies, I have news. On the orders of our beloved princesses we have been asked to evacuate for the eventual invasion by the Dominion Empire." The mayor says. "What?!" "Why would leave our homes?!" "They can't be that tough?!" "Let the guards handle this, they're good enough?!" "Silence!" Lightning yells in his commander tone making all the ponies take notice. "The truth of the matter is the invasion force will be much larger than the assembled army." Lightning informs, the light gleaming off his black armor. "So we just leave everything we got?!" "No, take everything from your money, possessions, and especially your food." Lightning says. "Anything else, before we leave our lives behind?!" "All we ask is for the engineers, carpenters, and any volunteers aid us in building the fortifications that will help protect your country." Lightning says. The crowd starts to depart, just leaving the volunteers and other helpers. "Alright, all the remaining ponies, follow Commander Nikolai here, he will assign you to groups to help coordinate construction." Lightning says. Nikolai steps up while Lightning and the mayor leaves, leaving Nikolai shouting orders. "Okay that part's done, now onto the next." Lightning said. "Sergeant, get me the Wonderbolts and several other pegasus who know how to work the weather." Lightning orders. Rainbow Dash was finding it hard to cope with running the entire land while her husband was away. Though it had been only four weeks since Lightning and the army left. Rainbow sighs as she signs the last paper and places it onto the head high stack. "How does Lightning do it?" "My lady Silver Script reports he is done managing the housing for the refugees. Also Princess Twilight asks if you are available for an afternoon tea." A guard says. Rainbow looks to her work and then back to the guard. "Tell her I can be there in an hour, I have to deal with something." "As you wish my lady." The guard says leaving Rainbow alone and she looks to the wall where there was a painting of herself, Lightning, and Scootaloo. "At least she's still here." She then gets out of the chair and starts to leave carefully because of her pregnancy. "Might as well see her, can't do no harm." Rainbow finds Scootaloo in the library where the tutor Lightning had hired was teaching her. "Now can you tell me where Princess Celestia fought Luna before she sealed her away?" The tutor asks. "At the old castle in the Everfree Forest." Scootaloo says. The tutor nods. "Close, it's called the castle of the two sisters." She then notices Rainbow. "Oh, Lady Rainbow, have you come to see me about something?" "No, I came to check up on my daughter to see how she was doing." Rainbow says walking over and rubbing Scootaloo on the top of her head. Scootaloo blushes red. "Mom." She whines. "So how is she doing?" Rainbow asks. The tutor looks to the pile of papers near her. "Surprisingly well. I looked over her old reports from the school in the next town over and can't figure something out. She does well here, but not over there." Rainbow looks over to Scootaloo with a smirk. "Oh, I know why. Crusading much, my daughter?" "I don't know what you are talking about." Scootaloo says looking away. Rainbow chuckles and hugs her. "Okay, there's your answer." The tutor smiles. "Which one, her words or how it was said?" "Take your pick." Rainbow says. The tutor chuckles. "Well we're done here anyway. You can go now Scootaloo, but remember to study the history." Scootaloo starts to pack away her things. "Yeah, yeah, as long as I get time to myself." She then leaves with Rainbow about to follow, but the tutor stops her. "A word, Lady Rainbow?" "Yes?" Rainbow asks. The tutor sighs and starts to pack away her papers. "Scootaloo was being more away from the lesson more than usual. I fear that something is going on." "I think she just wants to spend time with her friends. After all, Lightning took the Wyverns with him." Rainbow says. The tutor looks to her confused. "Why bring in the Wyverns?" Rainbow kicks her herself for letting that slip. "Nothing, anyway she probably just wants to play with her friends more, seeing how the war is coming here. Speaking of which do you know any of the talk of the refugees?" Rainbow asks. The tutor nods sadly. "Yes, and boy are they miserable. Leaving your home and everything you know just to live through something that is almost unstoppable is trouble enough." "Hmmm, I think I should talk to the mayor of Manehatten to assure the refugees this is only temporary. Maybe we can get them to do some work so they can use the energy and feel better." Rainbow says. The tutor nods and smiles. "I think that would be best and maybe I'll let more time for Scootaloo so she can play. Somepony of her age deserves time with her friends in times like this." "Maybe you can have sessions with all three." Rainbow suggests. The tutor smiles evilly. "Then pay me an extra two times." Rainbow looks at her shocked before the tutor laughs. "Just kidding, I'll stay on the same pay." "You will have to take that up with my husband for that." Rainbow jokes with her. The tutor smiles and places the bags on her back. "Well, we're done for today anyway. See you tomorrow Lady Rainbow." "See you later White Scholler." Rainbow says walking towards the garden. Rainbows arrives in the garden to find most of the workers working on keeping the flowers from dying out. "Hello there Rainbow. So nice to see here." A voice said. Rainbow turns to see Eclipse behind her. "Eclipse, I thought you and Midnight left for your country." Rainbow says. Eclipse smiles. "Well me and Midnight decided to stay because most of the operations now are run from here. So I will be at a moment's notice if Lightning needs me for anything. I also have six of my Queen's knights here with me and Kite has healed up quite a bit." "I see, so are you joining us in afternoon tea?" Rainbow asks. Eclipse claps her hooves together. "Let's go, just know that I love caramel tea with basal leaves." Lightning looks out from the fortifications at the sea as a storm as fierce as the pegasus could make it. "Okay, storm's done and water level is rising." He said as the water started to flood the town from the helpers covering and closing the storm drains. Though it only flooded the lower dock and dry docks. Lightning heard somepony coming up. "Ah, there you are general." A familiar female voice says. "Hello sister." Lightning says. Spitfire smiles as she comes up by him in an armored version of the Wonderbolts uniform. "Rough winds, but can you take it?" "No one is leaving their positions, this storm is not only to stall the Dominion, but it also is our opening move and hope it will sink a few ships." Lightning says. Spitfire frowns as she looks to the rough horizon. "And what about your ships, when are they coming?" "We are not receiving reinforcements from other countries. They are helping us by bogging down as much of their military as possible." Lightning says. "So destroy their original docking port and work your way down to here?" Spitfire asks. "No, the legion has a set way of doing things one is they don't split up their forces to land in different locations." Lightning says. Spitfire looks confused. "So they land all in one place?" "It is tradition and in the empire transition equals honor and elevating themselves in the political arena." Lightning says. Spitfire huffs. "Here we called that idiocy." "They are hesitate to change, but their military power can't be…" Lightning was cut off by a violent cough attack that spouted blood. Spitfire goes to him in alarm as he falls down. "Lightning! What's happening?!" "I'm ok." Lightning manages to say rising to his hooves, but falls down again. Spitfire frowns. "Yeah, you are so okay." She said sarcastically. "Don't tell anypony about this." Lightning says. Spitfire looks around for a bit before turning back to him. "What's going on?" "This land is making me sick Spitfire." Lightning says finally rising and standing. Spitfire looks surprised for a moment. "Then the land your saving is killing you, why would stay here, especially since you just married to Rainbow and you know how she loves this place?" "Duty and family are my reasons sister." Lightning says moving beside her. "So I'm included in that?" Spitfire asks. "Why wouldn't you be sister?" Lightning says. Spitfire smiles but then frowns again. "But the land is killing you how?" "Spitfire everything here is being controlled. The Wind, the Fire, the Earth, the Water, etc. This constricts the flow of energy in the lands. I have grown so accustomed to feeding on the energy of the elements. Along with the rest of the eastern countries." Lightning says. Spitfire turns around and looks to the land they are protecting. "I may have an idea where you get some uncontrolled power, but I will have to look into it. Just keep working on the war and I'll handle that." "The only place I have been able to recover some energy is at the Everfree Forest." Lightning says. Spitfire smiles. "Yet, you don't know the whole story. You remember that Rainbow and her friends gave up their elements right?" "In the Everfree Forest, but Spitfire I want you to disregard that all together, I need you here." Lightning says. Spitfire nods. 'I have to know more about that tree, if it can control the forest then it may help us in some way.' "That was an order Spitfire." Lightning says before they hear a horn from the clouds above and Lightning dons his helmet. "All units to position, all units report to your positions. Prepare the trebuchets to use fire pots ammunition. All Scorpio teams prepare to fire." Lightning shouts his orders. Soon large movement came about as the soldiers and guards start to head to their positions. "Sir, we have a small problem!" "What is it sergeant?" Lightning asks. The sergeant looks to the problem and sees many ponies around it. "For some reason the Scorpios are melted enough to not move, we can't even fire the damn things." Lightning looks as well. "There's no way it can happen. We are in the rain, there is no way that it can melt." The sergeant looks up to him. "That's what we thought too, but looks like somepony took a fire to it. They are melted in the right places to make it not work." "Who was last seen with them?" Lightning asks. "A purple unicorn sir, but we can't find him." The Sergeant says. "Nothing can be done now, all Scorpio teams grab your crossbows and weapons and position yourselves with the rest." Lightning ordered as they started to see the first of the ships. The Sergeant looks to the ships as well. "You heard him! Move your asses!" He shouted to the others. "Spitfire get up there with your team and take two squads and start raining bolts of lightning down on them." Lightning orders. Spitfire nods and files up to two squads in the air. She speaks to them for a few before they all flew off into the dark clouds and headed for the ships. On the Flagship a pegasus walks onto the deck. "Captain, how long till we make landfall?" The pegasus asks. The earth pony captain was looking into his spyglass at the docking area. "In about a few hours, so ready everything we got." He then sees something on the docking line and changes the lenses. "Hello what's this?" "What is it captain?" The pegasus asks. The captain hoofs him the spyglass. "Take a look for yourself. I think you would throw it over the ship when you see it." The pegasus looks confused and takes the spyglass before looking through it. He looks along the coast and see the one thing that would make him throw the spyglass overboard. "What are these ponies doing? Do they know what we trying to do for them?" He sees defenses that would have made his emperor proud and many ponies at many positions. He then throws the spyglass overboard and turns to the captain, but before he could comment a lightning bolt struck the ship next to them setting it ablaze and starting to sink it. The pegasus looks to the captain. "Evasive maneuvers! This storm is going crazy!" "The gods seem to be favoring them." The captain says calmly. The pegasus grabs the captain by the collar. "Just get these ships moving, we can't die here!" He then throws him to the wheel while he went inside. The captain remakes his collar and takes the wheel. "Ass. Evasive maneuvers! All hooves to your station and ready the trebuchets!" He shouted to his ship and the others in range. Soon the order started to ring out across the fleet. Lightning watched as several ships were struck by lightning bolts through his binoculars. He chuckles as they try to dodge the 'chaotic' lightning bolts. "Sorry boys, this is one storm you can't move out of." He said to himself. "Alright ponies, take aim, they are coming into range of the trebuchet inside the hour." Lightning says. The soldiers and guards starts to ready all the weapons they got while some engineers work on fixing the Scorpios. "We need another one over here!" "I need a reloader!" "Everypony shut up and get to your stations, your right stations!" After several hours of dodging lightning bolts and trebuchet fire some of the first ships start to come close to the port. "That wasn't natural at all. Those lightning bolts shouldn't have been hitting us that much. The gods really must be with them." The captain said to himself. The first ship landed was bombarded by crossbow bolts. The sailors didn't last long and the soldiers who escaped over the side soon were shot as well and their blood started to turn the ocean red. The next ship was then bombarded by trebuchets and destroyed before it could reach shore. The sailors who jumped off couldn't handle the rough seas and was smacked against the sea barriers on the docks. "Sir, it is almost nightfall, we have to pull back our ships or we will start crashing into the cliff face and the reefs." The captain says. The pegasus smashes his hooves onto the railing, almost destroying it. "Fine! Just make sure that we can send a team on the land to take them out." "Yes sir, we will try." The captain says eyeing his damaged railing. "General, it seems they are pulling back." Sergeant asks. "Are you sure?" Lightning asks observing the sky and then checking the time. The Sergeant looks through his own binoculars. "Yep, they are turning around. Possibly back out to sea for a bit." "Signal Captain Spitfire and her troops to pursue a bit, but not too far then return, also have a few units assemble, we plan a night ambush." Lightning informs. The Sergeant nods and heads off to deliver the orders. Lightning looks to the retreating ships contemplating on how to do the ambush. "Must have really underestimated us or something, but then again the 'gods' were on our side." A few small boats were rowing towards the land. "I can't believe what happened today." A legionnaire says. Another one by him huffs. "You can't believe it? I can't believe we lost some ships to the sea and the barbarians didn't do anything." "I tell you, the gods are against us because they are now with them." A legionnaire said behind them. "It must be the new general. Not only is he a foreigner, but a pegasus too. That is what has displeased the gods." Another legionnaire remarks. "Quiet back there, we are getting close. Now listen, the rocks here are very wet so don't slip or we will you lose you to the sea." A legionnaire in the front said to them. After the only the creaking of the oars came from the boat until they reach land. Once they made it on to land they took count and realized they had lost two rowboats to the sea. "Great, now we are in even more trouble." A legionnaire said. The head legionnaire looks back at them and then turns forward. "We can't let that stop us, let's keep moving." After a bit of walking they come across a flooded dock with the city lights shining through the storm and fog. "Are you sure these barbarians are the same ones who attacked us? They look advance." "Oh, I don't know about that, maybe our crossbow bolts will answer that question for you." A voice calls before several crossbow bolts rained down on the legionnaires, killing several of them before squads of ponies charged in with spears on all sides of them. The ambush was quick and in the end only one legionnaire was alive. "Take him to the general." The Sergeant commands. The soldiers picked him up after tying him, leaving him struggling as they walked to the general. What the legionnaire noticed was that not only earth pony were here, but also the unicorns and pegasus. "How can you barbarians be in favor of the gods? They only respect the earth race!" "General we brought you a survivor." The soldier says moving near his tent. "Very good. You are dismissed." Lightning says turning around. The legionnaire held his breath in fear. "Lightning Bolt." He whispers. "So you think the gods are who are behind this storm, huh? Very interesting." Lightning says getting an idea. The legionnaire growls. "Of course, who else can weld that kind of power?" Lightning smiles to him creepily and then looks through his binoculars to the ships in the bay. "You know that your friends over are really getting a break." He then turns to him with that same smile. "I wonder what they would think if they saw you working for us?" "I refuse." The legionnaire says. "Alright, but I will take this then." Lightning says taking the legionnaire's helmet. "Sergeant!" Lightning calls. The Sergeant comes running and was commented by their very good guest. "I'm surrounded by inferior races." Sorry, did I say good guest, I meant the stupid one tied up. "Sergeant, I want you to ask the men a part of the ambush to give the helmets they looted off the body temporarily." Lightning says. The Sergeant nods and leaves leaving them alone again. "You know how I was asking you would be on our side?" Lightning asks the legionnaire. The legionnaire huffs. "I still refuse." Lightning chuckles. "I wasn't asking. Besides your dead friends don't actually need their armor now do them? I'm also surprised at how long did you go unnoticed by the rest of the Legion? I mean mares can't join the Legions and will be executed in horrific fashion if they are found out." Lightning says. The legionnaire stood shock still until she sighed. "My brother. He's the one you're looking for. He just couldn't join at that point, so to save my family I did." "So you disguised yourself as your brother and took his place huh?" Lightning ask. The legionnaire nods sadly as she looks down. "Knowing that he's still alive is the best thing that kept me going." "And now that life is over. They will assume you all died when they see all of your helmets hanging from the flagpole tomorrow and if they find you alive a doctor will examine you and discover you. You will be tortured then executed and your family will be next for this deception and dishonor to appease your gods that you are so fond of." Lightning says. The mare then looks to the direction of the ship. "So what next, are you going to do the same?" "I haven't decided yet. I will after you make a choice. There is only two ways to save your family now. Either I kill you and burn your body so they will never know or you join me in exchange for smuggling your family out of the Dominion." Lightning says with a smirk. The mare then starts to think. "Do gods exist?" She said out of the blue. "Yes, but not the ones your country worships. It was not Zeus or Poseidon who caused that storm or lightning to rain down. They are more of statues with words that you follow. It was a few squads of pegasus." Lightning said. The mares looks to him. "How can they control it?" "A unique magic here in Equestria. Watch." Lightning says moving over to the cloud in his office and punches it making the cloud rain. The mare stood still are she watches the rain fall. "Not only does it do whatever a cloud does, but it also makes a very comfortable bed and I should know." Lightning finishes before getting on it. "See, but only the pegasus can do this naturally, but the earth and unicorns need a spell for that. And you thought earth ponies can be a head race. If the citizens back home there know about this...oh boy! That's a mass exodus if I ever seen one." The mare stood still as she was still thinking. "Why are telling me all this information, knowing I could run back with a complete armor and tell them everything?" "A few problems with that. A: You would have to go through me and B: Even if you did, you would be considered a coward or a deserter and you would be flogged to death and they would discover you are a mare." Lightning says. The mare sighs. "Untie me?" She asks. "Alright." Lightning says cutting the ropes. The mare gets up and shakes off the ropes and then looks to him. "You know, you are a crazy stallion." "Maybe or am I a genius at warfare?" Lightning asks. The mare looks to him questionably before darting a kiss at his cheek which makes him blush. "I say crazy based on that blush." She said with a smile and giggles a little. "Welcome aboard captain." Lightning says with a smirk. The mare then frowns. "But I'm still considered a recruit." Lightning then groans surprising the mare. "Doesn't anypony get a promotion when they hear it? I mean, do I have to hold up a sign saying you have been promoted with an arrow pointing to that pony? I swear the next pony who gets a promotion and doesn't realize it, I'm going to take up drinking hard cider, and the old ones, not the reluctant ones." Lightning was left huffing after he finished. The mare looks to him confused. "Do always go into a rant?" Lightning then looks to her. "Only on a good day. But seriously take a look around you, this country has had no wars for millenniums. The only ones who do are me, my personal stallions, and now you seeing as those scars on your left hoof is a sword scar and is old meaning you have been on a campaign or two." Lightning says. "H...how...?" The mare stammers. "It's a general's job to be observant." Lightning simply says looking out of the window to where the ships were. The mare looks out as well. "So what now?" "We hold as long as possible, by the way, what is your name?" Lightning asks. The mare smiles. "Silva, Silva Light." Lightning raises an eyebrow at the weird combination of words. "One word from my mother and one from my father." "I see." Lightning says before writing a letter and sending it out to the sea in a bottle. "And that was?" Silva asks. "You may find out after the war." Lightning says. The entire court of Equestria was abuzz with nobles and royal guards in Canterlot. "I can't believe after seven days of besieging Philadelphia they still haven't left." A noble says. Fancy Pants turns him. "Please, they want to rule and they have no other chance to go back in my mind so they have to stay." "What about General Lightning Bolt and his troops?" Luna asks silencing the court with her Canterlot voice. "I have an urgent report." A messenger runs in. Princess Luna looks at him. "Well, we're waiting." "General Lightning Bolt reports they can no longer afford to hold the city and are falling back." The messenger says. An uproar occurs at that as almost everypony from Manehatten was yelling. "So we lost that city! What was point of trying to protect it then?!" "Silence!" Celestia yells. As they quiet down Celestia sighs. "The one reason he stayed to defend the city was to gain an idea of what we are facing and how they go about planning things. Especially since that we get a few hits in to whittle down the forces." "I have a report." A new messenger arriving yells. Celestia turns to him. "Well what is it? Next town to evacuate, I presume?" "No, all he says was stage one is complete, moving to stage two." The messenger says causing both Celestia and Luna to nod to each other. "Everypony we are evacuating Canterlot and moving the court to Pegasopolis." Celestia says causing the coward to shout in surprise. "What for?!" "We held here long enough!" "Canterlot was not made with being besieged in mind, we are abandoning it because it will not hold under a siege." Luna says. "And as so, everypony in Canterlot is to move all valuables and food, which is every food, to Pegasopolis. Make sure that you don't leave anything that might help the Empire." Celestia says. "But everything here looks good enough even if we take them! How about that?!" Celestia grins. "Do not worry, for my sister and I have for plan for that." The disgruntled nobles left to obey the princess orders. "Messengers report back to general Lightning Bolt we have received both messages and are proceeding with the plan." Celestia says. The messenger nods and heads off again. Leaving only the princesses as everypony left. "We have to either open the vault or leave it." Luna spoke up. "Lightning suggested we open it and hide the royal treasury. That is why those two are here for." Celestia says as two creatures' moves in the shadows. Lightning and his troops were moving south from Manehatten, encountering town after town, deserted of all ponies. "General if I may ask, why did we retreat when we could have held on in Manehatten?" The Sergeant asks. "A few reasons Sergeant. Can you tell me what they are?" Lightning asks. "One reason was that you received word that the evacuations had been completed and the other objectives involving them had been met." The Sergeant says thinking and not completely sure. "Correct Sergeant on the first reason why I did that, any ideas on the other?" Lightning asks. The Sergeant shakes his head. "No sir." "Because they were about to start to attempt landing their legion elsewhere. I wanted them to land there." Lightning says. "Because we have messed with the town?" The Sergeant asks. "Yes, there is that, but if they land more southwards they will have less land to cover." Lightning says with a smirk causing the Sergeant to become confused. The general of the Dominion stood in Manehatten. It had been three days since they had landed. For the first two days the Legionnaires were dying from the poisoned well water until he finally relented and let a unicorn purify the water, but he was also unhappy with the fact they found no food and also found the legionnaires he had sent ashore before had all been treated with respect and buried so he couldn't rile up his troops over that. "Sir, a report." A scout says. The pegasus sighs. "What is it?" He asks. "Sir, we have scouted to the south and found all paths are clear but to the west. It is completely inaccessible by the ground portion of the army as a landslide has blocked the path." The scout informs. The pegasus growls. "So clear it, we need our army to move on the capital." "Sir, according to a map we found, moving west from here impedes us and will take long to reach the capital while heading south won't." The scout says taking out the map. The pegasus rears his head on him. "What?! Give me that!" He said snatching the map. The pegasus pours over it. "Very well, in two days our entire legion will have disembarked, after that we head south." The pegasus says after throwing it back to the scout. The scout nods. "Yes sir, I'll tell the others." It had been two weeks and the legion had start moving south. Along the way they stopped at several towns to try and stock up on supplies and plunder, but found none and that the water source was also poisoned. "They must be smart barbarians." A legionnaire remarked for which he earns a hit over the helmet, making it ring. "No, they aren't smart, but they knew we were coming." Another legionnaire says. "I heard a rumor they even destroyed Nethergate." A third legionnaire says. "Shut up back there!" The general said. "Why are we even listening to this pegasus?" A legionnaire asks. "Because he was appoint as a general by the heir of the house of Julius." Another says. "That's it! Have those three flogged to death!" The pegasus yells. The three troops were immediately dragged out of the march and tied to trees. The rest of the troops just keeps marching on, not even bothering to look over at them as their screams rang throughout the area. "I swear that the next one who starts talking will be next in line for flogging!" The pegasus yells to them, scaring the troops. The Legion marched for the rest of the day before starting to make camp. In the middle of this a flag pole broke and fell in front of the pegasus' hooves. "Sir, it is an omen the enemy will be doing a night raid." A centurion says as the other troops back away from the pole. "Ba, I have no time for this superstition." The pegasus says going back to his tent. As they watch the general go into his tent the centurion turns to the rest of the troops. "Remain vigilant, he may not believe, but we do so large shifts, go." "I gave no such orders. Flog him to death as well as any who undermine my authority." The pegasus yells as he peeks his head out of his tent. The centurion was dragged away as the other troops went about their business, not noticing one slip away. Not too far away hidden was Lightning and a portion of the army. "You are sure of this?" Lightning asks. "Yes sir, I saw it myself." A changeling informs. "Good work join up with the hidden changeling unit under Canterlot." Lightning orders. The changeling nods and runs off to the before stopping. "Oh and the general really loves flogging." Before running off again. "Captain, Sergeant." Lightning calls. They both step up to Lightning. "Yes." "Sir." "Prepare the troops, we are going to do a night raid. Get the pegasus to make tonight very cloudy with a very high chance of high winds along with it. As for the others, have them prepare torches." Lightning says. "Too much verys sir. But we will." Silva remarks with a smile. "Oh and captain where a different armor tonight don't want the troops to mistake you for the enemy." Lightning says. Sliva smirks. "And where is the extra armor?" "Sergeant help her with that." Lightning instructs. The Sergeant blushes. "Ah, sir, wouldn't a mare be better to handle that?" "I meant take her to the armor Sergeant." Lightning clarifies looking at the map. The Sergeant blushes even more as the mare looks to him with a smile that said 'What were you thinking about?' "Yes sir." He said walking away and trying to not look at her. "Alright troops, we will proceed up the river to the enemies' camp for this raid. I repeat raid, this is not going to be a full on engagement. In fact, that's what the torches are for." Lightning says. Sliva steps up beside him as she retires one of the strings. "My side is all set. Don't know about the Sergeant." "He will be fine." Lightning says as the Sergeant joined them. "All set. When do we go?" The Sergeant asks. "All troops, move out." Lightning says before leading them into the forest. The troops starts to follow him and his two head soldiers as they start to walk into the river while the winds start to blow. 'We are marching through the river instead of alongside it. Either way it is not likely the Legion will be able to predict this. Launching a surprise attack by traveling up such a rapid stream. Besides this gale will easily drown out the sound of our march. Then we set fire from the windward side when we attack from behind. Every element has been recalculated in his mind.' Silva thinks as the army stops for a second and she sees an archer shooting. A second later they continue and she sees the body of a legionnaire that looked to be gathering water before being shot by the arrow. She stops for a moment to empty the bucket before placing in a bush quietly and continues on. She then notices that Lightning had gone up to the body and from the looks of it got him out of the stream, closed his eyes, and said what looked like a prayer before continuing with the march. Soon after that the troops started to exit the stream. Lightning nods to the four officers he had brought and they start to spread their four units into a loose formation. A legionnaire was sitting on a log with a blanket wrapped around him. "Can't believe that I have to stand watch in this godforsaken land. Who knows what's out there? Oh, where did he go? Oh, he got eaten by a monster we have never seen, nothing to be worried about. Yeah right." He then sees lights appear in the forest before he sees Lightning's troops. "What?" He said quietly. Only then did they move slowly and then more quickly did he start running back toward the camp. "Trouble! We have an enemy raid!" The Legionnaire yells before being overtaken and the force runs past him without hurting him. "What?" He asks himself as he stops with a confused expression. "It's a raid!" More Legionnaires yell as were they running to engage but were quickly slain. "Set the fires!" Lightning yells and the troops start throwing most of their torches. After a few minutes of skirmishing Lightning yells. "Disengage, break for the forest, double file!" The troops immediately obeyed and started running in a line in pairs of two's. "General!" A Legionnaire yells. "The wind is blowing the fire to the main camp. We can barely stop it." The legionnaire says as the pegasus face was the picture of rage. "Hah! I knew it! I knew my order should have listen to, but no, the general wanted to do it his way! Well, look at you now!" The centurion from before yells to them. "Execute that centurion immediately!" The pegasus yells. An arrow was shot to the centurion's heart as he smiled. "Still worth it." He said before closing his eyes. 'That was amazing. I never was a part of such an efficient raid before.' Silva thinks as the troops continue to run. Silva then looks to the front where Lightning was. 'Now I see why you are one of the Dominion's most hated and yet most feared enemies.' Silva thinks. After a while they stop in the deep forest as everypony takes a breather. "Alright everypony, take five and we'll be moving out again soon." Lightning said. "General where will we be going next?" A soldier asks. "West, along the rail tracks. We will be crossing into Canterlot's area." Lightning informs noticing it was an unfamiliar purple unicorn stallion. "Finally, we can get some familiar land under us." The soldier said in relief. "Alright, all officers report to me, except Apollo. Apollo, go make sure we are not being followed and kill any nearby enemy scouts." Lightning orders. Apollo nods and walks into the woods pulling his mask up. Lightning then turns back to the troops. "Alright now four minutes. Make the best rest you can get." All the ponies rested and one noticed the purple unicorn from earlier walking into the woods. "Hey come join us. We got some good apple cider, hard ones at that." A pony calls. "I will soon, I got to take a wiz first." The unicorn says. The pony shrugs. "Fine, but there won't be much for you when you come back." He calls as he takes swig of the cider. Once in the woods and away from prying ears the unicorn starts running. He soon comes upon a small clearing and waits. After a minute a hooded pony comes out with a bag over his back. "Report." The hooded pony said roughly. "They are pulling back to the Canterlot area." The unicorn says. The hooded pony nods. "Anything else?" "The general seems to have a plan but tonight's raid was not a part of it." The unicorn says. "I see I will rep…" The hooded stallion was silenced when an arrow pierced his throat. Apollo sat in on tree branch he shot the arrow and prepared another one. "I hate traitors, always ruining my day. Just like that brother one time." He said. The unicorn turned around horrified. "As for you spy, Lightning has no further need of you after he let you steal that map." Apollo says letting his arrow fly and killing the unicorn. After the two fell he walks over the unicorn and takes everything he had and was about to turn back. But before he completely turns around he looks back to the hooded pony. Curiosity getting the better of him he goes over to him and takes the bag off of him and then lift off the hoof. What he saw made him lift the pony on his back and starts to carry the pony back Lightning. Back at the camp Lightning and Sliva were sitting together and taking sips of cider. "I never knew apple cider was this good. Where can I get more?" Silva asks as she held the mug. Lightning smiles. "A friend of mine back where everypony in this country is makes them. Finest apples they say. I can get you more once we get back." Silva nods and looks around. "Where's the Sergeant, he should be enjoying this with us?" Lightning looks around as well. "Probably with his buddies getting drunk." A few gasps were heard as Apollo carried a pony on his towards Lightning. Everypony stops, in some cases spitting into their small fires making it flare up a little from the alcohol in the cider, and stares at the pony on his back. "I see your hunt bore fruit." Lightning says not sounding surprised. Apollo throws off the pony onto the ground. "Not exactly the fruit I was expecting though. Just know that this not your unicorn." He pulls off the hood of the pony to reveal the Sergeant under it. Lightning quickly gets up as does Silva. And he did not look happy. "Burn the corpse." Lightning commands coldly, shocking most of the troops. Apollo nods and goes to the fire taking the body with him. He throws some more wood into the fire making it burn even more. He then throws the Sergeant into the fire, hood and all. "I should have known something was off when he didn't bat an eye during the first day." Lightning says obviously mad. "Lightning?" Silva asks carefully reaching a hoof out. "Break camp troops, the enemy can't be far now." Lightning orders, anger being clear in his emotion as he walks away. Silva decided not to question anything as she and the other troops packed everything they had and put out the fires except the one burning the Sergeant. All the troops looks at his body for a moment before following the line. And soon, suspicions arose for the new captain. "You think she's still with them?" "I don't know at this point." "Maybe we just kill her now and not take any chances." Silva heard this and quickly runs up besides Lightning for comfort. "Do not spread rumors troops. She has several reason why she won't betray us. One of them being that I have sworn to protect her family. If you still have suspicions see Commander Apollo on some details or you can take your chances with me." Lightning yells. Silva smiles subtly as she continues to walk along the path. "Thank you, Lightning." She said quietly to him. "Don't, because there is no need to thank me. Now troops, double time." Lightning orders starting to quicken his pace. After three more weeks the Dominion arrived in Canterlot to find it completely deserted. The pegasus stands in the middle of the street as he looks over the map from the welcome center and the map from his informant of the castle. Soon a legionnaire comes out of one of the buildings. "Sir, we have been over every building and there is no food and nothing of value. Even what looks like the banks has its vaults wide open and bare of all currency except for this letter that we can't understand?" The legionnaire says holding out the letter. The pegasus takes the letter and looks to the wording. 'Of course, these fools don't know Equestrian.' He then reads it over that slowly made him red with anger. "What is the meaning of this?!" Hello to whoever finds this and can hopefully read this If you are looking for the court and all the valuables and food, look north to Pegasopolis and tell that worthless and pathetic general of your forces that his spy and the traitor are dead. I await to take your head at Pegasopolis. Signed, The general of Equestria. At the bottom there was a crudely drawn picture of a pony with one of its bottom eyelid pulled down by its hoof and its tongue sticking out. P.S. Never was good at drawing. The pegasus was incredibly red in the face and screams in anger as he takes a nearby crossbow and starts shooting the Tartarus out of the letter while his troops looks on from amusement. A week later a maid ran into the office Rainbow was in out of breathe. "L...Lady R...Rainbow. L...Lord Lightning…Bolt h...has re...returned." The maid said in between breaths. Rainbow stops what she's doing and immediately gets out of her chair. "Help me." Though with trouble. The maid goes to help with her as her stomach was almost big enough to restrict movement. "He's at the front gates right now I gather. So we still have some time." The maid said as she drapes one of Rainbow legs over her shoulder and lets her down. There was soon a knock at the door and in came Scootaloo. "Hey mom can you take a break?" Scootaloo then sees how fast she was trying to move. "Mom stop moving that fast! Do you remember what Eclipse said?" She yells running to her. "I'm going to the front gate Scoot, your father is back." Rainbow says as Scootaloo helps her. Scootaloo and Rainbow make their way to the front gate and runs into Twilight and Fluttershy. "Hey Rainbow...where are you going?!" Twilight started yelling halfway through the sentence as both mother and daughter tried to hurry up. "Lightning has returned we are going to see him!" Rainbow yells back. Twilight and Fluttershy tried to dissuade her as they continued, but wound up giving up halfway and helped her. The last month had been especially hard on Rainbow as the keep became the place of the court and several nobles took up residence in it as well as the princesses. The number of refugees also kept increasing as from what Silver Script had told her that most of the east and all of Canterlot and Ponyville had fled to Pegasopolisas refugees. Most were extremely sad, but thanks to the combined efforts of her, Silver Script, and, of course, Pinkie Pie, they cheered up greatly. But the news that the Dominion was capturing more and more territory had a negative impact on the refugees, but whenever news came that Lightning Bolt had struck them and hurt them, arrived ponies were overjoyed. Soon the four friends and family reached the front gate and they found Lightning talking to a mare in armor as she gave nods to whatever he was saying. "Lightning!" Rainbow calls. Lightning immediately stops talking to Sliva and turns his head to the source and see Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo and runs to them. "Hey girls!" He immediately nuzzles them as they do the same except for Rainbow as he kisses her. "Great to be back." A growling sounded out from below them and they turn to Lightning's stomach. "Guess I didn't eat for the last three days." "You haven't been because of your moodiness." Silva spoke up. "Rainbow meet Captain Silva, one of my soldiers, scratch that, newest officer." Lightning says. "Pleasure." Silva says with a bow removing her helmet. Rainbow looks over to Lightning. "Where did you find her?" She asks as Sliva puts the helmet back on. "A former Dominion Legionnaire. I was surprised when she was brought into my office during the siege of Manehatten." Lightning says. Rainbow's eyes widen before looking around. "Okay first, how did you get her on our side? And second where the Sergeant is?" "I burned the traitor." Lightning says calmly. Rainbow stares at him for a few before sighing. "And Sliva?" "She has several reasons to be loyal. Especially after I received a messenger bird with news her family is safe in Stalliongrad now." Lightning says. Sliva smiles as she hears this. Then Lightning's stomach growls again. "I think it's best to get some food now." "Come on you." Rainbow says pulling him away. "Captain, I leave you in charge of seeing our troops get fed as well." Lightning calls. Sliva nods and starts to head back to the troops while Lightning was pulled away by his wife. "Honey, what do we have for today?" Lightning asks. "A feast the nobles insist we have at least once a week. They all probably also want to hear about the raid you did at the border of the forest near Baltimare" Rainbow says. "Daddy, are the Wyverns with you?" Scootaloo asks. "Sorry Scoots, but they are with Nikolai and Alexander." Lightning says. "But aren't they with you?" Scootaloo asks. "No, they are on special assignment." Lightning says. Scoots looks down for a bit before perking up. "Okay, let's get some food, I'm hungry as well." When they arrive in the dining room they were greeted with a round of applause from all of the nobles and the princesses as well as friends and nobles. Lightning looks around as he sees all the ponies that either helped or brought him trouble. "What the?" He asks himself. "Welcome back general." One called. After that the feast proceeded with Lightning sat next to the princess. "So Lightning…" Luna started. "We are entering stage three, the most crucial and risky stage." Lightning says. "How can you be sure the enemy general will come?" Celestia asks. "I left some incentive for him in Canterlot." Lightning says with a smirk and then chuckles a little. Celestia looks at him questionably. "What's with that laugh?" Lightning laughs a little as he remembered what he placed on the letter. "Just a little doodle." They both seemed confused before Lightning returns to a serious expression. "We need to hold for one week if we can do that we will have one." "What are you planning Lightning?" They ask him. "I can tell no pony my plan, not even you two." Lightning says and they hear a hoof slam on the table making everypony look to the source. They see Shining Armor was the one who did it. "What's wrong Shining Armor?" Lightning asks as he leans on a hoof. "How dare you insult the princesses saying they can't be trusted?!" Shining Armor yell. Lightning just wore an expression that said 'Really?' Shining almost growls while Candace tries to calm him down. "The princesses deserve to know the plan that has their country in a tipping point!" "Oh, I'm sorry Shining Armor it sounds like you think you can order around." Lightning says. Shining stares at him with a glare. "When the country I'm protecting is being under attack then yes." "No, you can't, in fact technically you have no say in Equestrian matters, Prince of the Crystal Empire." Lightning put extra emphasis on the title. "I'm still captain of the royal guards." Shining almost growls. "And I am the general of the entire military including the royal guards. Besides I have small control of the Night Guards as well, and who is the captain of them, right Luna?" Lightning reminded. "That is Shadow Bolt. She is currently here too." Luna says pointing to a night guard by the door. "I will meet with her later to discuss the upcoming battle." Lightning says making the night guard captain nod. "Anyway like I said Shining Armor, I outrank you in power and rank as you are the prince of a client state." Lightning says. Shining just glares at him and then realizes something. "Wait, where is that Sergeant you took from my guard?" "Your guard was a traitor and died a traitor's death before I burnt the corpse. Which makes me wonder how many of the guards was in on it, especially with high level access to information?" Lightning asks shocking everypony at the table. 'Come on, show that emotion.' "Are you implying that I am a suspect?" Shining Armor asks anger evident in his eyes. "No I'm not implying." Lightning says before taking a drink. "Good you better…" Shining was cut off when Lightning says "I'm saying all of the guard is now a suspect especially the Captain. Because even if he is not involved he is still guilty of negligence for letting a traitor be in the royal guards ranks." Lightning says. Shining glares back at him. "How were we supposed to know about the Dominion until you came along? If you didn't come then this probably..." "It's your job to know any potential threats captain!" Lightning yells cutting off Shining Armor. "Enough you two!" Celestia yells making everypony look at her. "I just file on that Sergeant and what I found troubles me. Apparently he comes from a poor family and worked under a unicorn noble's factory. His father works in the factory and his mother in the office of it. After the noble shut down the factory the place was set on fire many lives were lost. The noble apparently took out an insurance fraud on the factory to gain more money, but never gave compensation to the ponies' families lost in the fire. The Sergeant was one of them and by the looks on things he only join to get revenge on the other races. After all, he is an earth pony. Even though the noble was found guilty it seems he didn't let go of that hate." "I'm sorry my princess, but this foreigner has not only insulted your honor but my own. Therefore I challenge him to a duel." Shining Armor says. "He's dead." A voice said. Everypony looks to Seeku as she took some meat. "You really don't know Lightning do you?" "I refuse." Lightning says bluntly. Shining slams another hoof to the table almost cracking it. "Careful, that's a few thousand year old table." "I believe that where you come from, you must accept the challenged or be dishonored." Shining said. "No, you're half right. If you had a point I would, but you don't. In fact you have been here or in Canterlot for the entire war. Unless you have been out there fighting you have no right to criticize any soldier." Lightning says his tone changing halfway through to like he was scolding a little foal. Shining growls and leave, slamming the door behind him, leaving Cadence behind as she just looks down to her food. "His temper was not yours, you have nothing to be ashamed of." Lightning says as the door opens and Silva enters. Silva walks up to Lightning. "Sir, your orders have been carried out, General." Silva says. Lightning nods. "Good, why don't you have something to eat for now? I must see Silver Script and Apollo about something. I will see you at the war council tomorrow." Lightning says getting up and kissing Rainbow and nuzzling Scootaloo before leaving. Everypony watches him and Sliva taking his place with everypony still silent. "Anypony want some meat?" Seeku asks as she still digs in making most of the ponies in the room almost barf and turn green. Lightning enters the war room of the keep and locks the door behind him. "Are we ready to begin?" Lightning asks. "Yes sir." Both Apollo and Silver Script say as Lightning turns around. "Then let's plan the defense for the decisive battle." Lightning says. Author's Note Okay now that's done. I may need time as the exams for me are coming up, but I'll place little by into the stories as time goes on. Flair: *smiling evilly while looking over maps with pieces on it* And Flair has gone mad, anybody got a strait jacket? *Pinkie walks in* "You sure that's what is wrong with him?" Pinkie! Get the buck back into the story, the universe will try to kick you out. Pinkie: But I want to know what happens next. So I can plan a party. I even got the party cannon. That's it! *Grabs duct tape and wraps Pinkie before making a portal and throws her back in.* Okay that's done. Now the universe can't punish us. Flair: And the Dominion will charge the first line of fortification. *moves a few pieces* Wait don't tell them, not yet. Flair: Hey I'm planning here. *pulls a curtain concealing himself and the maps and pieces* Now we got that covered as well let's wait for the next...please. War Sometimes Breeds HopeA/N: Okay onto the next. Disclaimer: We don't anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' "My lord, I must say, while this plan is bold it is also risky." Silver Script says. "I know, but the general is a novice to war and everything up to this point was in preparation for this battle." Lightning says. "I agree with lord Lightning, we have everything in place. All we need is to not panic in battle and we will be fine." Apollo says. "This will be just like the battle of Luminous pass." Lightning says. "Except this time we are leading instead of being the commanders of one thousand troops." Apollo says. "Silver Script when the siege starts, I want you with the refugees in the tunnel system we made out of the tomb of Commander Hurricane and Strategist Razor Wind." Lightning says. "I'm sorry my lord, I can't do that. I will be with you on the frontline." Silver Script says straightening his glasses causing Apollo to look at him and Lightning to raise an eyebrow before smiling. "Very well then." Lightning says walking to the door and unlocking it before leaving. The next morning Lightning looked out from the first of three large checkpoints built in front of Pegasopolis and wrapped around it in between two vast bodies of water. Lightning and all his officers were surveying the three checkpoints or the three walls as the populace and those who worked on them jokingly named them. "Captain I want a Scorpio placed in between every grove up here and a trebuchet every two groves until you start to get into the water parts for the outermost checkpoint which we are standing on." Lightning says. "What good will that do?!" Shining armor says mad while walking up in his old royal guard armor. "Not now Shining Armor, I am planning the defense of the city." Lightning says. "No I'm taking charge as captain of the royal guards it's my duty to protect the royalty and my right to command." Shining Armor says. "Shadow Bolt, who did the princesses give full military authority to?" Lightning asks. "You sir." She said. "And as one who is on equal standing with Shining Armor in rank have the authority to make such a claim as Shining Armor?" Lightning asks. "No sir." Shadow Bolt said. "Then I am taking command as my right as a prince." Shining Armor says angrily. "Shadow Bolt, are we in the Crystal Kingdom?" Lightning asks. Shadow looks around. "No, you are in your own land." "And those lands are in the sovereign lands of Equestria. So that title has even less meaning here Shining Armor." Lightning says. Shining glares at him as the workers still place the armament. "In truth Shining Armor I consider Shadow Bolt far more capable than you as a captain." Lightning says as they start walking again. "What did you say?!" Shining yells as they continue to walk. "She knows her limits in both authority and capability you do not." Lightning says. "She hasn't seen much." Shining said following them. "Shining Armor where does your authority end?" Lightning asks, his tone still calm as he surveyed the wall as they move atop it. "Never ends." He growls. "And does that include the Dominion?" Lightning asks. "Put only six trebuchets starting here three groves apart." Lightning orders as a stallion right by them writes it down. "Yes it does." Shining said. "Then by all means go out and arrest them. When they send your mutilated head back to us we will bury it and write on the tombstone 'Here lies a stupid captain who didn't know his limits.'" Lightning says. Shining growls at him. "Guess who else is an idiot for doing this? You brought all of the empire in one spot and gathered everypony here." "Exactly." Lightning says with a smirk. "Y...You wanted them to come here?! Are you mad?!" Shining Armor yells. "Yes, I wanted this, I wanted them to have to travel down the east coast through the center, and then northwards to here while relying on only their own supplies for food. Which have either ran out or are at bare bones." Lightning says. Shining glares at him. "You still have brought them here and you said they are tough, like the first time you told us about them." "Tell me Shining Armor, what do living creatures need to survive." Lightning says before looking out to the water. "Captain bring a third of the special supplies for the other wall to this section of the wall." He orders Shadow who nods and writes it down as well as the stallion. "Food, water, and shelter." Shining answers. "And when one has a large group, especially an army, then providing enough food becomes a matter of life and death." Lightning says. Shining still growls. "Still brought them here, what happens when they break through?" "They won't if we do our jobs right. But if they do I already have a contingency plan in place." Lightning says. "And what's that?" "Only three others besides me know of it to keep it secret from the enemy. Cause if they discover it, it will mean death for all the civilians." Lightning says "You know what, just give me a crossbow and I'll get the general." "You will not leave this city or the parameter of these wall." Lightning says as an unbelievable pressure came onto Shining Armor. "What is this?" Shining Armor asks starting to feel the fear. "This is what it means to be in the presence of a true general." Lightning says as suddenly the pressure disappeared. Shining Armor started to get up. "Captain Shadow." Lightning says. "Yes?" Shadow asks. "It is now your duty to keep Shining Armor here in the city and parameter of the walls. If he ties to force his way out your orders are to kill him." Lightning says. Shining looks at them as he feels true fear. "I will sir." Shadow said. "Another reason why I think she is far more capable Shining Armor she understands the true scope of the situation." Lightning says as he and everypony, but Shining Armor and Shadow Bolt leave for the opposite end of the outer wall. "The reason why he gave that order is because you know the layout of the city and have been with us as he decides where to place the armaments on the outer wall. If you go off on that stupid quest of pride of yours the enemy will torture the information of both out of you and endangering everypony." Shadow says. Shining just then decided to lay down and places his head on the wall looking over the land. "Not even going to say anything?" Shadow asks. "I have never exploded like that before. Why now?" Shining asks himself. "Because nopony ever challenged your authority because it was your right in the guard, but unlike you I volunteered to be there at Manehatten. I saw with the rest of the troops there the carnage and the death wrought by war. The general probably didn't even know I was there, most likely because I was station at the other end and I was there as a volunteer not a captain of the night guards. On the third day, that is when it started being a nightmare. The ships started coming loaded with catapults armaments and fired on us. The ponies not two feet from my right I had gotten to know quite well were gone in a moment crushed by a bolder hurled by the Dominion." Shadow Bolt says. "Why did this happen?" Shining still asks himself. "Because just like the general said, one night when I was on my way to visit the graves of those friends I lost on the third day. It's the greed and corruption of the Dominion. The ruling class is almost completely corrupt and will do anything for money and power and because their economy is so bad because of the corruption the only way to do that is by invading other lands plundering them and then enslaving the populace." Shadow Bolt says. "You know, that when you look at it like that, it's because of them they can't get it together." Shining remarks. "Like you?" Shadow asks. Shining Armor freezes. "You know the general is different than us. He is a product of war. Equestria hasn't had war for since the two sisters came. We let them decide everything. But I think those days are over. In a way if you look at it this war is blessing because it is a wakeup call to us." Shadow Bolt says. "I really wish we only had the death of war." Shining said. "That is impossible. When a pony asked the general after the third day if they win this war will that be it no more fight the general said. No, war is born from different ideals, viewpoints, and interests colliding. We can no more end war permanently then we can stop breathing or be perfect." Shadow Bolt says. "Well war did spur the economy at times, guess it is better to have it, but still how about a death only war, not enslavement and stupidity." Shining said. "You do realize you just described yourself again? The general used a word for that type of war as well the most evil of all wars, a genocide war." Shadow says. "Still how about a war that only involves a death. Why won't you answer it and just jump around it." Shining asks. "Because it won't end there. Your thinking is the thinking of a foal. There is an army out there, a group of tens of thousands of ponies who have come to, rape, pillage, and kill. Even killing one won't change that. This isn't some threat that can be magicked away with the power of friendship or the power of love." Shadow Bolt says. Shining just blushes. "That was just…" "A fluke." Shadow Bolt finishes. Shining then gets up. "It was a chance. But what is here?" "Hope." Shadow Bolt says looking to Lightning and the other officers as they help some tired workers. Shining then walks away. "Where are you going?" "Drink, want to join?" "I know what the special supplies are and I am not needed for the placement of the armaments so one glass." Shadow Bolt says following him. Late at night four days later every officer gathered in the war room and surprisingly Shining Armor came and didn't say anything rude or disrespectful, but Lightning seemed to be waiting for somepony. The door eventually opened to reveal Earum Burrows. "Okay, let's get this started." Earum said having files on his back and throwing them onto the table. "Excellent. I will now announce who will be the commanders of each wall. The first wall will be commanded by Captain Silva, the second Lord Earum, and the third will be jointly commanded by Commander Apollo, Shadow Bolt, and Shining Armor." Lightning says. Shining looks up as his name was called. "Sir?" "You have matured a bit from earlier this week Shining Armor." Lightning says. Shining Armor shrugs. "Nothing a drink will help with." "Now each wall has a special feature built in to them for easy access to each other. Under no circumstance is anypony allowed to go on the ground in between the walls. If you do it means death." Lightning says. "Right now according to the scouts the Dominion Legion is only a day away now. That is right, they will arrive in the morning. But fear not, according to our spies in the Legion, there are only five thousand coming our way. Since we are facing a brand new legion there was only ten thousand to start with. So, yes gentlecolts, they are hitting us with half their legion, while the other half are currently spread thin holding forts made in a hurry and Manehatten and Canterlot. According to the orders we intercepted the Legion was supposed to just take Canterlot and capture the two princess then send a message and hunker down to await two veteran legions that would act as both backup and the rest of the occupation force. Fortunately, the enemy general also new to command doesn't know that and is a novice at war. For those who don't understand this is the best possible situation we could find ourselves in given the condition." Lightning says. "We have a total of two thousand troops counting the army, the royal guards, and Lord Lighting's house's personal guards." Silver Script adds. Lightning nods. "Yes, and with those numbers and plans we got we can pull this off. Now any objections before we begin?" The room was quiet. "Good. Now your orders are to relax and go see your families, convey that to all troops." Lightning says leaving and was followed by Spitfire. After walking a ways away Spitfire finally spoke up. "Brother, you have to tell your wife." Spitfire says stopping Lightning cold in his tracks. Lightning sighs and turns to Spitfire. "Spitfire she doesn't need to worry more than it is, especially since she is almost to her due date." "But brother..." Spitfire says concern evident. "Tomorrow begins the siege that will decide everything. Sister, get some rest." Lightning says walking away. 'Brother you take on far too much burden just like father did.' Spitfire thinks watching him walk away After a bit of walking Lightning comes across Scootaloo's room which has been expanded to the size of almost the same of the princesses' room back in Canterlot. He sighs, 'Can't hurt. She needs have somepony to talk to.' He knocks on the door as shuffling was heard from inside. The door opens and an eye peeks out. The door instantly closes and an unlocking sound was heard before the door opened. "Hey father." Scootaloo says sounding a little happy. Lightning smiles. "Scoots, what did I say about that?" Scootaloo smiles and giggles. "Hey dad." Lightning chuckles. "Better. Can I come in?" "Ok." Scootaloo says letting him inside. Lightning steps inside and sees how much the room has changed. The initial room was just bare and only had the basic noble foal furniture and a few books on the shelves. Now the shelves were filled to the brim with books. Toys were placed around from the time of playing, but had since collected dust. While pictures littered the tables, but what caught Lightning's eye was the picture on her end table with her and the little Wyvern. The colors used were blue and some colors of the rainbow. Lightning smiles at his daughter who still thinks the world of her mother. "What would your mother think when she sees this?" Lightning asks. "Oh she has and she was speechless." Scootaloo says causing Lightning to bust out laughing. "You are just like me when I was a foal." Lightning says. Scootaloo giggles before heading to her bed which had a few books. "So what did you want to talk to me about?" She asks as she looks over the monster book. "I just wanted to see you." Lightning says walking over and notices there was a book on tactics and the other strategy. "Where did you get those?" Lightning asks. "Oh, Nikolai gave them to me. He said I might find them interesting." Scootaloo says before going quiet. "They are coming tomorrow aren't they?" Scootaloo asks. Lightning nods sadly. "Yes, but there is something else I wanted to talk about." Scootaloo looks over to her picture on the end table. "It's about the relationship with him, isn't it?" "It currently isn't possible with a Wyvern. They are creatures who thrive in the outdoors and are free spirits. Their lifespans are also much longer than ours. When we are all dead and gone they will still be around." Lightning says. Scootaloo puts her book down before closing her creature book. "I know, why do you think I have the book on them? It's just he's a little better than what I seen from other colts and I don't care what he is." "He will leave you one day." Lightning says. "What?" Scootaloo asks. "I told you they are free spirited creatures. They move every few decades. They can't stand being in one place for too long." Lightning says. Scootaloo puts the book on the creatures under the rest. "So don't even bother and don't bother see him?" She asks as she lays down. "No, cherish the time you have with him and don't leave regrets." Lightning says. She looks to him. "I thought you said it wasn't a good idea to be with them." "I'm talking about dedicating your whole life to them. They are the most stout ward friends and companions if they choose to be." Lightning says touching a part of his armor where a fang hung and sitting on the bed with her. Scoots looks to him for a few before looking down again. "Who did you have?" "It was an old Wyvern. I was a young and stupid colt and I was alone in the sea, hadn't even washed ashore on Stalliongrad yet. I was saved by that old water gut. She took me to the shore of an island and kept me fed and warm. But then not half a year later pirates attacked seeking to kill her so they could harvest her. I don't remember much after that except at the end a huge tidal wave swallowed up the little island and all of us. When I awoke I found myself on a Stalliongrad beach after a few minutes of searching I found her. She had already died from wounds she received from the pirates. I wept my heart out over her and this fang fell out her mouth. It is all I have left of her." Lightning finishes. Scootaloo just looks away. "I think it's best if I don't see him if all this happens." She said starting to cry. "No, Scootaloo to have somepony or something like that then lose them is far better than to never have them at all. For they are always here." Lightning says touching where her heart is. Scoots sniffs and wipes a tear. "Dad...I can't stop thinking about him and yet, I know about the problems. If I know about it then why do I want to pursue him anyway?" "Its love Scootaloo, but it might not be the love like your mother and I have. Love is like the life on our world. There is so many different types of life everywhere from the sky to the deepest depths of the sea." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs. "Can I at least try?" "There is no harm in that. Just remember that he may not feel the same way as you do." Lightning says holding her. Scootaloo starts to sniff and cry as the thought hits her. 'Does he even know?' Lightning rubs her head. "Time for bed Scoots." Lightning says. Scoots gets up and starts to head under the covers while Lightning puts away her books, stopping at the old creature book. "I wonder where I place the Wyvern book. Oh yeah, it is in my office drawer on the left top side of my desk." He said to himself as he placed the books away. "Good night, dad." Scootaloo says trying to not laugh and smiles. "Good night, my little angel." Lightning says walking out the room smiling to himself. Lightning walks to his bedchambers and opens the door to see Rainbow laying there reading something. "Hey there honey." Rainbow looks at him and says nothing. "Rainbow if we raise the purple flag during the siege..." Lightning trails off while removing his armor. "I know the contingency plan." Rainbow says with a sad tone. Lightning looks shocked a little. "How did you…?" Rainbow points upward. "Her." Seeku drops from ceiling as she looks sadly at them. "Sorry brother." "You have nothing to be sorry for." Lightning says removing the last of the armor. Rainbow places the book she was reading onto the end table. "Why are you so crazy in this?" "Yeah, you yourself said this is be greatest situation we can be in." Seeku adds. Lightning heads to bathroom as he keeps talking. "Still we need a backup just in case." His voice goes through the door. The room is quiet except for the sound of water running for a while until Seeku speaks. "You have that feeling again don't you?" Seeku asks and the water abruptly stops. "Always." He said. "What feeling?" Rainbow asks them. "The unshakable feeling of a catastrophe will happen." Seeku tells her. Lightning walks out. "Ever since we entered the first wall's gate I have had this feeling. Not to mention that there was a report I kept from the war council." Lightning says. Seeku starts to help Rainbow easing a cramp. "And what was that?" She asks. "After the general executed the centurion, around a thousand troops were in an uproar, but instead of killing them he assigned them to the third and final fort they built down the coast. This made no sense to me at all, but then two weeks ago I got a report. The entire fort had gone dark. No signs of movement nor any reports from it." Lightning says. Seeku pushes and massages on a certain spot on Rainbow. "What do you think it is?" "I rather not say. Because there is a side of me that thinks that if I don't acknowledge it, it will not come to pass." Lightning says. Rainbow just stares. This was the first time she had seen Lightning afraid. "How about we get away from all that? Did you at least see Scoots?" She asks as Seeku moves a muscle around. "I saw her. Rainbow…" Lightning trails off. Rainbow nods. "I know, it's even affecting her time around everything. I think it's best to either end it or embrace it." "Not that, if my worst fear does come to passed I will stay and fight to my last breathe while you and all the rest flee to the Crystal Kingdom." Lightning said. Rainbow frowns. "Lightning you skipped that subject, the one about our daughter. Now what to do about it?" "I already gave her advice on it, but this might be our final night together." Lightning says. "I'm out." Seeku said as she hurries to the door. "Stay." Rainbow commands making her freeze. Lightning turns to her. "Still the last night. Want to spend it the last night as a family or with each other?" "Family. Seeku go get Scootaloo and have Spitfire get my father and Lightning's grandmother and then send the guard for Eclipse and Midnight." Rainbow says. Seeku hurries out to collect them. While Rainbow starts to get out of bed. "Help me." She said to him making Lightning hurry out of bed to steady her. "Now where to is the question." Lightning remarks as he slowly sets her down. "Next to the fireplace in your office." Rainbow says. Lightning nods and starts to help Rainbow out to his office. After getting outside they meet Seeku and a very tired Scootaloo. Lightning just shoves his head that said 'Follow us.' After a bit of walking they come across his office and step inside. "Seeku, light the fire for us." Lightning tells her as he places Rainbow in a slight distance away from the fire. While Scootaloo goes to his desk. Seeku manages to light the fire, bathing the room in an orange glow. Lightning lays beside Rainbow as Scootaloo comes back after finding out the drawer was locked. Soon Spitfire entered with Stormy Wing and Commander Hurricane. "So what's the meaning of this meeting grandson?" Hurricane asks. "Tomorrow is the beginning of the siege and Rainbow wanted to spend it with the family." Lightning says. Hurricane nods and sits down behind him. "So only spend it here?" She asks. Stormy sits down beside her. "Looks like it." The family was soon interrupted by Eclipse opening the door shocking Lightning to her being in the keep. "Eclipse what are you still doing at the keep?" Lightning asks. "Oh, I never left the country." Eclipse says as Midnight walks in sleepily. "Midnight? How long were you two living here?" Lightning asks. "They arrived not long after you left." Rainbow says making room for Midnight. Midnight walks over to Rainbow and sits down right beside her, but also walking around groggily. "Do remind me why?" He asks. "Because your mother won't go back to her throne." Lightning says. "Guilty." Eclipse says with her tongue out. Lightning huffs. "Loser." Rainbow hits him over the head. "Watch it. She's family." "Do not remind me." Lightning says. "Because you know?" Rainbow asks. Lightning didn't answer and rubs Midnight's head. Eclipse sits by him and wraps her hooves around him. "You're still a funny one. Don't you at least have a smile now and again?" "Eclipse if you ever will listen to me do it now." Lightning says. Eclipse looks at him. "Alright I'm looking and listening." "Take Midnight from here when the siege starts." Lightning says. Eclipse looks to Midnight as he snuggles up against Rainbow. "To protect him, then yes." "Thank you." Lightning says. Eclipse nods and snuggled into him. "Such poufy wings." She said as she runs her hooves along his wings. Seeku smirks. "I think you and I will get along just fine." 'Great, now there are two of them.' Lightning thinks as his wings were pulled and snuggled by the both of them. The defenders of the city line up on the walls. Lightning took position on the first checkpoint with Captain Silva as they watch for the Legion's arrival. "Tell me Silva, do you harbor any sorrow from killing those who were once your comrades?" Lightning asks. Silva looks back to the soldiers around the walls. "After seeing this, not really." "But did you at first?" Lightning asks. Silva looks back to where the Legion would appear. "None at all really. They take everything and not anything will be able to stop them. When I was growing up I wondered why the citizens stayed under them. Threats, maybe, but then it comes down to how strong and big they are there in comparison to the citizens. Though there is one thing, why when they know their problems?" "Because certain nobles want to keep the status quo. Those who we are really fighting, not the citizens, but those nobles who can't change with the times." Lightning says. Silva sits down as the ammo was brought. "Why do they even stick to the old ways? What's the point?" "They fear change, it's as simple as that." Lightning says. Silva looks back to the keep. "Can we show some light to the citizens and slowly to the nobles?" "Not without them retaliating with their legions." "And it will slowly bring them down." "There is hope, you know of Benawi?" Lightning asks. Silva tilts her head slightly. "Somewhat." "He was amongst a faction in the Dominion who secretly longed for change. Even though he is no longer in the Dominion he still keeps contact." Lightning says. Silva nods. "So he places suggestions in the mind, in a sense?" "In a sense. Prepare yourself, they are here." Lightning says seeing a column of soldiers. They see somepony come forward. "You should leave now! Surrender and maybe we can come to an agreement!" "Soldier, let me see that crossbow." Lightning says. The soldier gives him the crossbow and loads it with an armor piercer. "Thank you." Lightning then takes the crossbow and aims. "Here is your answer!" Lightning yells before shooting the bolt through the head of the officer. The officer falls to the ground as the rest of the troops move back through the trees and hills. "So be it general!" A voice calls from the column. Lightning gives the crossbow back as they watch them retreat for a bit. "They won't be gone long. Tell the soldiers to prepare for a night attack and load the trebuchets and Scorpios and everything else. This is going to be one heck of a battle." To general Lightning's predictions the Legion did attempt a night attack, but because of lack of communication and coordination they were not able to scale the first checkpoint. The Dominion general was so furious he ordered the execution of the officer in charge of that. The sun rose on the second day and the Dominion was making some strange movements. "Sir, any ideas what this means?" Silva asks. "Prepare the unicorns to use magic barriers as strong as they can at a moment's notice." Lightning instructs. Silva nods and turns to an officer near her. "Do it and tell the others." "All others, prepare because they are making another charge with siege ladders." Lightning says. The other soldiers rushed with their crossbows and to the mounted Scorpios. "Silva, let's hope that you can actually kill them." Lightning said to her. A crack was heard making Lightning look at Silva loading a crossbow. "I already hated them. Come on, they rape and hurt others and that didn't sit well me on the first day, even before." She fires the crossbow into an arch and makes it into the trees before a cry was heard. "Plus, I always wanted to get them back for doing that." For several hours both sides exchanged fire before they managed to get a few ladders up and climb to the top. The Legionnaires met a wall of spears, but before they were finally repelled the defenders suffered several casualties and a few Scorpios were destroyed. "Sir, I have our losses for today. We lost over a hundred with several more injured and we lost nine Scorpios, six being on the left side of the wall and three on the right." Silva reports. Lightning nods. "Alright, see what you can scavenge and if you can repair them. Then see about the injured and dead. It's night now so use the special function of the checkpoints to transport them." Lightning says. Silva nods and heads off to relay the orders. Leaving Lightning to think of more pieces of the plan. 'Four more days.' Lightning thinks. In the tunnels the four princess were doing their best to keep the spirits high. "Keep moving everypony, we're almost there." Celestia said to them as the last of the refugees entered the prepared living quarters in the tunnels before sealing the tunnel behind them. After the tunneled sealed every single one of the princesses rest against it and sighs as they slid down. "Now that part is done. What was next?" Luna asks. "Now we wait sister as the lookouts watch for a signal." Celestia says. Luna looks to refugees as they rest on the heavily prepared beds. "Well let's hope that nopony starts something." Luna said as some of the nobles start to look around with slight fear. "Great, now let's hope that the claustrophobic doesn't freak out." "I wonder how Rainbow and the other pregnant mares are." Twilight says. Celestia nods her head to the mothers helping them. "They are probably getting tips on how to deal with it. After all, expectant mothers and mothers stick together when it comes to the foals." Twilight nods and then looks around the room. "Uh...Princess?" Celestia looks to her student. "Yes?" "Where did anypony find this much metal and make it into this?" Twilight asks as the metal room sunk in. "This was a part of the ancient catacombs, how it was made has been lost to history." Celestia says. Twilight taps a hoof against one of the walls. "Nice make, better than what we have. Wonder if Hurricane can tell us about it?" "Trying to get information from her is like trying to get water from a stone." Eclipse says said bringing a smile to them. Luna laughs once. "You tried it didn't you?" "Seventy or eighty times." Eclipse says giggling. Every other princess giggles as well. "Now that is funny." Celestia said trying to control herself. "So it's the second day and Lightning says that we will win if we can hold out for four more." Luna says. Twilight looks around. "Well we have enough supplies and a...water filter system for a keep? What? What is this place?" "I think we…" Celestia stops when she notices something. "What the?" "Sister is that...?" Luna asks. "Yes, Luna the same symbol on that book." Celestia says getting up and going to the book on the stand. "What are you talking about Princess?" Twilight asks while Eclipse looks suspicious. "Oh nothing." Celestia says placing an invisibility spell on the wall where the symbol was. It was the third day of the siege and just as Lightning had predicted the Dominion were now fielding trebuchets which were opening with a barrage before the legionnaires charge. Thankfully most of the barriers the unicorn defenders made held against the barrage, but unfortunately they were too tired to help fight the Legionnaires after it. At the end of the day the Dominion Legion had made much progress as many were killed and more were injured while several more Scorpios and a few trebuchets were destroyed. "And that is the report sir." Silva says and Lightning kept staring out to the Legion camp with a scowl. "Sir?" Silva asks. "Silva, tell the second wall to prepare to activate the special feature when we raise the blue flag. Tomorrow something bad will happen and we won't be able to hold the first checkpoint." Lightning orders. Silva nods and heads off to relay the orders, but stops when she hears Lightning ask, "Silva, what do you know of the black hoof auxiliary forces?" Silva shrugs. "Rumors sir. They were talked about as ghosts in the mists." "They are coming." Lightning says. Silva doesn't say anything as the fear was written on her face, yet she goes to the wall at a much slower pace. "I want all defenders of the first wall in front of me now!" Lightning yells. All the troops stationed on the wall immediately starts to run to him as they reloaded anything on the way with what they could. "Ponies, get all the special supplies of the first wall and gather them here and move all still functioning Scorpios and trebuchets to the second wall." Lightning orders. They all set out and gather everything they could as they knew time was running out. The next morning start out like the third as barrages of trebuchet fire and most of the unicorns used their magic to create barriers. But after an hour of it the trebuchets stopped firing and there was no charge. The defenders were confused, but Lightning was watching through the binoculars watching for something though the morning fog blocked most view. Then he heard a horn he couldn't forget and out of the fog comes a moving tower. "What is that?" A defender asks. "Trebuchets take aim." Lightning orders keeping his eye on the tower. All the trebuchets on the second wall started to take aim and then to Lightning's horror, two more towers came out of the fog. "Damn it, they have three. All defenders those are siege towers, they are all jam packed with enemies, destroy them at all costs!" Lightning yells. The trebuchets operators started to aim to the towers. "Focus all fire on the one on the right." Lightning orders and they were relayed by the communication officers of the first and second walls. The trebuchets started to fire on the towers and make pieces of the wood and metal fall down on the troops below. As they made it halfway one of the trebuchet shots destroyed the top and what flew out with the debris wasn't ponies. "All defenders bring them down immediately!" Lightning yells, his voice having an all new sense of urgency. "Captain, have the right side raise the blue flag now that the siege tower over there is no longer usable to scale the wall." Lightning orders. Silva nods and heads off to tell the flag bearers. "Right side raise the blue!" Her voice was heard yelling as the blue flag was raised on the right. "All units kill the ones moving the towers and the wheels!" Lightning yells and the defenders stopped shooting the towers, but the ponies pulling them and the wheels and their connections. After a bit of firing they had finally destroyed some wheels and made one tip over killing some of the troops nearby. The third and final one was about to make landfall on the wall though. "Sir..." Silva began. "I see it, reroute half of our troops, here in the middle, to the left and tell them to prepare for hoof to hoof." Lightning orders. Silva relays his orders with a yell. "Half of the troops in the middle to the left! Prepare for close combat!" The defenders started moving to the left as the last of the right made it across the sections that lifted up between the walls and formed a bridge. "You ponies come with me. Silva take command." Lightning ordered he ran to the stairs of the command center of the first wall. Silva turns to the rest of the troops under her command. "Keep firing! Keep them back long enough!" All the ponies with melee weapons were right in front of where the siege tower was going to open and everypony was nervously waiting for when the battle will begin. "Ready!" Lightning yells to them as the door slowly opens before slamming down almost on top of them. "Now!" He yells as monsters in armor that the ponies had never seen before come out. "Just hit the gaps in armor!" Lightning yells. The next thing to happen was that a melee erupted as ponies desperately fought for their lives but were being pushed back. Soon more ponies arrived carrying casks. "Now throw them onto the tower!" Lightning yelled covered in sweat as he decapitated one of the bipedal monsters while a spear was thrust through his shoulder. The ponies throws the casks and they busted on impact with the tower covering the side of it in a black liquid. Inside the tower some of the liquid seeped through and land on one of the monster. "What is it?" Another asks wiping the liquid off. "Smells like...oil!" The one soaked in it yells. Outside on the wall. "Now burn you monsters." Lightning says conjuring a fireball and throwing it onto the oil lightening up the tower in a blaze. The creatures start to run and roll around to put out the fire, but most were burnt alive in the tower as it soon starts to fall apart. "Now there are not many left, kill the rest of them." Lightning order as the defenders with renewed vigor pushed back the monsters, cutting down the last ones on the wall. Lightning sat down taking a breather and yanks the spearhead out of his shoulder. "Sir look there." One of the defenders says. "What is it?" Lightning asks looking only to see a large wave of both Legionnaires and those monsters charging with siege ladders. After a few seconds Lightning finally say, "All troops raise the blue flags, we are falling back to the second wall!" Everypony soon pulls back as some raises the blue flag. Halfway through Lightning stops and looks back while everypony else keeps running. He smirks as the enemy starts getting on top of the wall. "You may have taken the first line, but you still have three to go." Lightning says to himself as much as the enemy. The troops soon pass him and he still waits. 'Come on.' Lightning then starts running again and as soon as he made it to the next wall he yells, "Lower this side of the bridges and all Scorpios and ranged defenders, as soon as you see them, start climbing into the wall fire. All trebuchets just start firing and don't stop. Don't mind if you can't see the enemy on the other side of the first wall." Lightning orders as Silva runs up to him. "Sir, what do we do now?" Silva asks, almost out of breath. "Nothing has change captain, only the position of us. But it also puts the enemy at a disadvantage now." Lightning says. Silva looks confused. "How?" "To use their ladders they have to go on the ground in between the walls which is nopony land." Lightning says with an evil smile. Silva looks to the land. "Wide open spaces?" "You shall see." Lightning says. Silva questions no further and takes a crossbow and opens fire. "They're right about one thing. It is like shooting fish in a barrel." She said as two arrows went flying and hitting her two targets. "This why I also had the front of the second wall be built differently from the first. They might be having a hard time seeing the enemy because of the only way to see is through that little slots but..." Lightning stops as arrows fly overhead of everypony. "They can't hit use unless it is through the slots as well if we do something stupid like stick our heads over the wall's top." Lightning says. Silva huffs. "I'm starting to think of how the Empire could get stupider." "But the second wall is also the most heavily fortified. They break through here they won't have as hard of time with the final wall. Not to mention our ammo is limited and we have no idea how many of the auxiliary force has arrive to reinforce them." Lightning says as Earum walks up in armor. Earum salutes. "Ready here, just say the word." "Take it easy my friend, we are at a great position for now." Lightning says. Earum then eases himself and smirks. "I know I just can't wait to see those guys' faces." "Don't, the only reason they haven't overran us is that they are having a hard time getting face to face with us. We have to keep them at a distance to win." Lightning says. Earum looks out to the no pony land. "Well let's hope we can hold out." He then ducks as an arrow flies where his head was and embeds itself into the wall. "Bugger almost took my head off." "Keep your heads down and keep firing troops." Lightning calls. The arrows kept flying for the rest of the day. In the middle of the night Lightning called the two commanders of the second wall to talk Earum and the newly arrived Spitfire. "Ok, we face a problem tomorrow, if the Dominion does what they have been doing they will bombard us with the trebuchets, but we need to be able to see them getting started to be able to have the unicorns put up their barriers to protect us. Therefore we need a few pegasus with incredible eyesight to scout for us." Lightning says. Everypony nods as they get their squads together. "Spitfire, it pains me to say this, but they will most likely be shot down when they sound the signal. Tell them upfront this might be a suicide mission." Lightning says. "I understand." Spitfire says looking back at the potential troops and then going to them to deliver the news. As Lightning was trying to think Silva walks in and is about to speak when an explosion is heard. "What was that?" Silva asks. "That was somepony entering the nopony's land." Lightning says smirking. Silva looks outside to see a pony stepping on something and then blows him to pieces. "Whoa. That's an explosive if I ever seen one." "That is why I said anypony who sets hoof in the land in between the walls will die." Lightning says. Silva ducks as an arrow flies through. "Still need to deal with the archers." "That is why I said no lights in the nights so they can't take potshots." Lightning says. Silva takes off her helmet a bit and runs a hoof through her mane. "Well let's hope that the land doesn't run out until everything is set." She said before placing the helmet back on. "We have to only last two more days then we will." Lightning says. "Why that when their food will run out?" Silva asks. "No, we'll know that when we start hearing the screams of Legionnaires at night." Lightning says. "Huh?" Silva asks. "Those of the black hand auxiliary are orcs and they eat meat. If they get hungry enough they will eat each other." Lightning says. "Never have a war and low on supplies with meat eaters." He then thinks about that. 'Shit, sorry Scoots, didn't mean it like that.' "And the Legions allow this?" Silva asks. "They are more effective and are cannon fodder so they look the other away." Lightning says. "Still stupidity." Spitfire said walking up to them. "They don't even think plans through these days?" "That's mostly because of inept leadership, not many of their generals are in command for long for fearing that the legions might start thinking that maybe they would make a good emperor." Lightning says. Spitfire raises an eyebrow. "And why is that?" "Experience, which is how several generals or nobles became emperor of the Dominion." Lightning says. "So now what? Keep firing?" Spitfire asks. "No, we hold. If we can last for two more days and nights we can win." Lightning says. They both look to him. "And what's at the end that will make us win?" "You shall see." Lightning says. Spitfire looks to Silva. "Don't worry about that. He's like that and he's very good at it...though a little rough." "I know after that raid before we discovered the traitors. I saw him in action. That raid was not planned we were just going to keep moving, but when he got that report from a spy we set out and I bet you heard from the rumors what we did." Silva says. Spitfire nods. "Ghosts in the Mist, ponies say." "Everything was perfectly calculated in his mind from the start he made the pegasus make it very windy and we marched in the stream to conceal the sound of our movements. Then we attacked with the wind at our backs. The legion never saw it coming. Your brother is truly an amazing stallion." Silva says. Spitfire chuckles. "Well you can act all friendly if you want, but you'll never get far." "Huh?" Silva asks. Spitfire giggles. "Find a changeling named Seeku and ask what I meant. You'll figure it out then." "I have no idea what you are talking about." Silva says. Spitfire looks to her blankly. "You really don't know anything about getting together do you?" "What, no, I didn't mean anything like that." Silva hastily says. Spitfire looks to her. "So you do because you answered a little fast?" Silva just hides her head and Spitfire laughs. "Oh, my gosh. You do! This will be fun." "I hate you." Silva says. "I hate you?" Spitfire asks. "I hate you, mam." Silva says. Spitfire smiles. "Better. Now, back to work." "Yes mam." Silva says embarrassed. Spitfire giggles as Silva walks off. "You're evil sister." Lightning said. "I know." Spitfire says with pride. Lightning shakes his head and looks back to the map on a nearby table. "Just make sure she doesn't get distracted by this." The fifth day the legion started to bombard with their trebuchets, but thanks to the sacrifice of two pegasus the unicorn defenders were able to put up the defenses in time. The black hoof auxiliary troops started to charge on the ground to set siege ladders, but ran right onto the mines killing many as they approached. Spitfire looks to wall as cracks were forming. "How much longer Lightning?" "Instead of worrying about that worry about them." Lightning says. Spitfire sighs and throws something she got from pouch into the army, but nothing happened. "Grenade?" Lightning asks. Spitfire shakes her head. "Something better." A few seconds later a lightning bolt crashed where she thrown the thing taking out a lot of troops and frightening others. "We pegasus have a little something in our eye that makes us see a special light. Fine tune it, make it stronger, and train to look for it and you got a locator or target piece." Another lightning bolt came down. "I see a signal for a strike then." Lightning says. "Strike for what?" Spitfire asks. Another bolt. "What that was called was an artillery strike." Lightning says. Spitfire nods and throws him four more. "Go nuts." "The lightning may frighten the Legionnaires, but the Orcs won't scared because they don't believe in gods." Lightning says. Spitfire shrugs. "As long we get something and thin out the ranks." "The moment the orcs arrived they were the ones to beat." Lightning says taking a spear and stabbing an orc trying to climb over. "Troops over here, we got some of them climbing up." Lightning says stabbing another one. The battle dragged on and on as noon came around. At that point some parts of the wall were chipping away with more troops holding them back at those points. "It seems they are pulling back." A pony says. "You should surrender now! That wall won't last and you know it! Quit while you still got some honor in you!" A voice yelled to them. Lightning sighs and throws one of the spheres into the direction of the voice. A lightning bolt came down a second later, making some of the enemies yell out in pain. "How's that for a surrender?!" Lightning yells back. "I will enjoy skinning you alive!" The general yells. "Have fun with that in your head because you can't get us!" Lightning yells back. Spitfire looks thoughtful. "What is it sister?" Lightning asks looking to her. "That voice sounds familiar for some reason." Spitfire says. Lightning looks back before taking a trebuchet and placing a sphere in it before firing. "I think you may be right, but it feels off so I don't know." A bolt came down on where the sphere landed. "Sir the sun is starting to set." Silva says walking up. "Good and tell all the troops to start boiling some oil tomorrow, we are going to have a barbecue." Lightning says. Spitfire smiles. "And what's the menu, chef?" "Orcs. Tomorrow is the final day Spitfire and because of that I fear that we will be fighting all night tomorrow, not just all day." Lightning says. They both nod as they go to deliver the news. "Don't get yourself killed!" Lightning calls to them. The next day, much to the defenders surprise, there was no bombardment of trebuchet and instead all the orcs charge onto the field with siege ladders and a battering ram. Lightning didn't smile, unlike the first gate, he had not had the ponies' place boulders behind the gate to seal it shut. "Prepare to start when I give the command." Lightning says and a pony yelled the order down the stairs inside the wall. The orcs continue the charge even under the barrage of arrows and bolts. The orcs soon reach the walls and start setting up the siege ladders and starting to small the door with the ram. "Now!" Lightning yells and the pony yells that down the stairs. Soon boiling oil starts to flow from the little pockets over the gate and the rest of the wall. The orc scream in agony as they are drenched in the boiling oil. This causes the charge to halt until the oil ran out. Soon the orcs and now legionnaires start to charge again. "Now ignite the oil." Lightning says. Archers launch flaming arrows and ignites the oil all along the foot of the wall. The screams of all of the orcs and legionnaires being consumed in the fire was heard all along the walls. The fire caused the Dominion to stop their charge again and fall back. "Earum thanks to you gathering all that oil we are still holding them back." Lightning says. Earum chuckles. "As long I got to see their faces when that happened I'm good." "Earum in case I don't get a chance to say it later. Thank you for everything my friend." Lightning says. Earum nods. For hours the Dominion made no mores as the fire spread across the ground in between the first and second wall. At times the fire set off the last of the remaining mines in between the first and second walls. "What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for the fire to die down and let it clear the rest of the mines?" Lightning wonders out loud. More explosions went off as the fire kept spreading until it spreads to the entire land. It was a true sight to see like a mote of fire. All the night the fire burns as the armies stood at a stalemate. "This is an unforeseen result. Maybe the gods truly are with us." Lightning says. "Maybe." Apollo says walking up. "Apollo, I stationed you at the final wall?" Lightning says. Apollo shrugs. "It was getting boring so I decided to scout and see. Turns out that the army is preparing another charge with everything." "Not even the Orcs will charge through that inferno we have time." Lightning says. Apollo nods. "Well we have to try to thin them out. How about from behind?" "No, this is where the design of the defenses works against us. We can't sneak around them they have us completely sealed in." Lightning says. "You prepared in case the enemy launched a naval attack didn't you?" Apollo asks. "Yeah, if he was experienced he would have built and then sent ships to assault us so we couldn't focus all on one spot." Lightning says. Apollo nods. "Makes sense. So what do we do now?" "Tomorrow is the day we are holding out for." Lightning says. Apollo smirks. "Can't wait." In the refugee halls the civilians were getting anxious. "What can you see?" A pony calls to the sentry watching through the opening. "A lot of light. Must be one heck of a fire over there." The sentry says. The ponies gather around to try to see while some stayed behind knowing it might be a while. Twilight looks through some of the books left behind trying to ignore the refugees. "Some of this stuff is really advance. How good were these guys?" "We will have to leave it if the Dominion breaks through Twilight." Eclipse says. Twilight puts some books back. "Well might as well read some of it while we have the chance." "You will have all the time in the world to do that later. The least you could do for the ponies out there fighting and dying for you is take some interest." Rainbow says walking up with the aid of Applejack and Rarity. Twilight glares at her. "I'm trying not to think about death Rainbow. "Some might be allowed to do that, but being a princess you have to think about the entire country." Rainbow says. "Wow Rainbow, darling you have really changed since you got married." Rarity says. Rainbow shrugs. "Well you rule a kingdom and it comes to you." "Technically you rule lands." Fluttershy meekly corrects. Rainbow tilts her head. "That's true. Lightning and I does own the land and the old nobles' assets too." "Oh my gosh, I never threw you a congratulatory party." Pinkie says. Rainbow looks confused. "Which one? The foals or the lands?" "For becoming a noble and getting the lands." Pinkie says. Rainbow smiles. "Maybe later." "I'm not very good at it Rainbow." Twilight says. Rainbow looks to her sympathetically. "You'll get used to it, just need more time. Come with me." Rainbow says as she led them to a room where various nobles and the princess Celestia and Luna were discussing the escape plan. Rainbow made Twilight join them and she left to go back and lay down at her bed. As the moon rose to the height over the walls the defenders were once again exchanging arrow and bolts with the Dominion. "Here we go again." Lightning said to himself as he fires an arrow. "General, the fire is started to die down." Silva says. "That is fine, it has bought us a heck of a lot of time. Signal Captain Shadow and Shining to send over reinforcements and give us a barrage of trebuchets." Lightning says. "Yes sir." Silva says before running over the flag holders and the red flag was raised and one of the bridges was lowered and Silva ran across it. Soon many more bridges were lowered and defenders start running across as the trebuchets started to be loaded. The night went on and with it the fire finally started to die down and go out. Lightning looked around as he walked across the wall. The defenders were tired and were starting to reach the breaking point. Looking back to the wall they were leaving Lightning could see more and more stone fall. "Okay, one more day, just one more." He said to himself. When there was only patches of fire still burning the orcs and legionnaires charged again. Everypony quickly hurries across and only when the last pony makes it halfway across the bridge does the wall fall. The bridges start to fall apart behind them and the last soldier makes it with seconds to spare. Of course when the orcs steps on another land mine do they stop...or at least try to with some loss. The rest of the night the orcs were kept being sent across the ground and die. But Lightning knew that there wasn't even a fifth of the mines in between the second and third walls as there was in the land between the first and second ones. "We don't have much time. Get everything we got here ready, we are in for a bigger battle." Silva says to all the officers in the area. Lightning just stands there looking to the east. "General?" Silva asks. "We did it." Lightning says. Silva looks out to the land. "Huh?" Lightning says nothing as the sun starts to rise. "Prepare all those who can still fight to sally forth and meet the enemy!" Lightning yells shocking everypony there. Silva looks to him shocked. "Sir?!" "You heard me, now is the time to finish this battle and destroy the remainder of over half the enemies invasion force." Lightning says. Silva was about to say something when they all heard a horn blown. "I see another force approaching, their flag is red and black with a purple bird at the top, a white wolf at the bottom and what looks like a dragon in the middle!" A pegasus with binoculars yells. "Because the reinforcements have finally arrived." Lightning says. Meanwhile with the Dominion legion. "G...General it's the flag of the demon of Stalliongrad Lightning Bolt!" A scout reports obviously scared. Upon hearing that the legion started to panic. "General what should we do?" An officer asks as even the orcs were starting to show signs of fear. The pegasus just stares at the flag and then turns to the wall. "Soldier...give me that spyglass." He said coldly. The pegasus is hoofed the spyglass and looks over to see the defenders massing with renewed vigor and looked like they were preparing to charge. He looks around the front line and sees a few ponies just looking at one as it gave orders from the look of it. The pegasus huffs and throws the spyglass right back to the soldier, hitting him in the face and knocking him out. "I want all forces to prepare to charge. All elite teams in the middle with me. We are ending this." "But sir, the encroaching army of the demon from our flank. After taking the first wall we removed the boulders blocking the gate and left it open." An officer says. The pegasus reels on him with a mad look. He then goes to the officer and snaps his neck making him fall right in front of everypony. "I want all forces for a charge. Any more objections?" He said coldly. "No, I refuse to take part in your insanity any longer." A voice says. The pegasus general turns around and to his shock sees the orc's commander. "This has gone on long enough and I refuse to let my brothers and sisters die for this stupid war." "I thought they were just beasts." "When did they get so smart?" "We're going to die." "How dare you." The pegasus says drawing a sword. "Brothers to arms, this one intends to knife us. We will kill him and offer his head to this land's rulers in exchange for our survival." The orc commander says drawing his weapons before roaring. "What are you waiting for, kill them?!" The general commands, but his troops were already afraid. "Cowards! They'll kill you anyways." It was already too late as the Orcs had started to cutting down the general's bodyguards and a legionnaire arrived and yelled. "I have terrible news, the demon's army has already engaged our flank and is tearing through them!" The legionnaire yells and the general uses the distraction to slip away Meanwhile on the wall Lightning looks down the not so sided army. "Anypony have some popcorn?" He asks right out of the blue. "Sir!" Silva yells. "Fine, fine, I will stop the jokes. Raise the bridges and the black flags!" Lightning yells exasperated as somepony hit the master bridge control in the third wall and the ponies holding flags raises the black flags. "I still want popcorn though!" Spitfire says. Down with the Legion, things were going mad...well as well as that orc ripping a pony's head off, another hitting them with a club, and of course the Diamond Dogs and changelings who appeared from the ground and some parts of the army...wait what? "We're ambushed!" A legionnaire cried as he tussled with a changeling before it blasted his face with magic, forever silencing him. A legionnaire who was luckily standing to the side of the whole battle makes a historic choice. "I'm leaving!" He runs towards the winning side and that meant the mine field...which blew him up...bad choice of direction and path. He could have join them...maybe. The legion was in complete chaos as the orcs had rebelled, the diamond dogs and changelings had ambushed them, their flanks was being thoroughly shredded by the demons army and the defenders had somehow lowered the bridges and were charging. The chain of command also fell apart as the general kept running and yelling for the legionnaires to charge. The changelings then came face to face with the leader of the rebelling orcs. "Word is you want to survive and plan on offering the general of the legion's head to the rulers to secure your lives." Seeku says as she steps out of the group. "Yes, we are." The leader says stepping forward, his face half covered in blood. "No need for that, stick with us and the general of this army will grant this wish." Seeku says. The orc looks suspicious. "How will we know he keeps his word?" Seeku grins. "Look at us, you think we would be accepted before this?" "Fair point. Very well, brothers and sisters, move out." The leader says. As the legions were getting crumbled under the sheer weight of the attack almost all the forces were gone. After a few minutes into the attack Lightning met up with Seeku and the orcs. "Seeku where is the coward of a general?" Lightning asks not blinking an eye at the orcs. Seeku nods her head to the rocky terrain on the side. "Must have climbed, maybe forget he's a pegasus." "Silva, take command, I'm going after him." Lightning says spreading his wings and taking off. Silva looks to the battle to see it very dwindling. "Yeah...not much to command for at this point. Alright everypony you wanted this, charge!" Lightning went over the rock wall that made the valley behind and looked around. Seeing a blood trail he takes a closer look. He sees a pony in a legion general's helmet and flies down and slams in front of the pegasus. "You know, that has to be one of the biggest failure for the empire." Lightning said to him. "So who are you really? A former Wonderbolt perhaps?" Lightning asks. The pony chuckles with pain. "You got the Wonderbolt down right. Nice detective work." "How could I forget the biggest failure of the Wonderbolts, the one who only got his position through blackmail and his family's name?" Lightning says. The pony looks to him. "Do I know you? You seem familiar. Except, do you have a twin?" "Oh, I'm surprised I didn't think you would bother to remember somepony you tried to kill using a hurricane." Lightning says with a smile. The pegasus looks to him with surprise. "Oh Lightning, good to see you. How's life?" He asks happily. "Pretty good seeing as my defense has completely devastated your army and how my personal forces are slaughtering your flank as we speak." Lightning says throwing off his helmet. The pony looks around. "Nice place to end it huh? But weird, I didn't know you were the general. Though that letter with the crappy hoof writing should have been a clue with that face, nopony draws a face like then you." He said as he throws off his helmet as well next to Lightning's. "Let's cut to the chase, the defeated general of a legion always dies. I'm here to see you keep to tradition." Lightning says unsheathing his swords. The pegasus smiles. "Yes, there is that tradition. Though a new one sprouted while I was here." "Unfortunately, no exceptions." Lightning says slashing with his swords making the pegasus tries raise his sword to block. Everything from there was like it was in slow motion as Lightning's sword slowly cut straight through the pegasus's sword. "Goodbye filth." Lightning says as the general's body shoots blood into the air from the deadly cut in his neck. Lightning then grabs his head and carries it to the edge of the rock wall. "Legionnaires!" Lightning yells getting everypony's attention. "Here is your general." Lightning says throwing his head to them. "You have two options, lay down your weapons and surrender or die at the hoofs of the defenders of Equestria or my army that is charging from your flank!" Lightning yells. The Legion army looks to each other and then the head before throwing their weapons down. The defenders and the army gives a mighty cheer in victory. "Captain Shadow Bolt and Captain Shining Armor, you both are to go to the citizens and spread word of our victory." Lightning orders. They both run off the mountains as the rest of the legion were tied and walked away. As they were walking away a bowl of popcorn appeared in front of Lightning's face. "You did say you want some." Spitfire said smiling. Lightning smiles before suddenly spitting up blood and collapsing. The last thing he heard was Spitfire yelling his name. When Lightning awakes, he finds himself in bed in a familiar room. 'My bedroom...great.' He tries to sit up, but feels a pain run through him. Looking down he can see multiple bandages running across him. An itchy feeling comes his chest and he sees it was heavily patched. 'Not there guys, not there.' He thinks to himself. Lightning starts channeling his magic to quicken the healing process. Not a few minutes of doing this the door opens and Nikolai, Apollo, and Alexander enter. They see Lightning awake and rush over to him. "Boy, you wake you fast." Apollo says. "How you feeling?" Alexander says. "My lord you're ok, right?" Nikolai asks. Lightning smiles as he still runs his magic. The three see his wounds, which were visible, slowly starting to heal. "What happened after I collapsed?" Lightning asks. "We arrived soon after you had collapsed and we convinced Lady Spitfire not to speak of it, so the Legionnaires didn't have second thoughts about their surrender. Currently Seeku and captain Silva are handling the army and defection of the orcs." Nikolai informs. "Orcs defecting. Never thought I would see the day." Lightning says. Apollo chuckles. "Getting more and more creatures on our side. You must be a smooth talker with their leaders." "No, the Orcs defected because the Legion's late general was partially insane." Lightning says. Apollo smirks. "How much insane?" "I'm unsure, took his head before I could fully measure it. Speak to one of the changelings if you want full details." Lightning says. Just as Alexander was about to say something they heard, just outside the door, yelling. "He is awake isn't he, then I will see him!" An old hardy voice calls. "Duke please, he is still recovering." Another voice says. "Is that who I think it is?" Lightning asks. "Ah sir, it is…" Alexander was cut off when the door was kicked open and in walked an earth pony stallion twice as big as Big Mac with a large gourd tied around him. "Duke Hyou." Alexander finished. "Lightning, finally awake I see." Duke Hyou says before laughing. "Duke, I did not expect to see a general from the Qing Empire and one of my biggest allies." Lightning says. "I was at your castle in Stalliongrad to pay you a surprise visit when your female general told me you were away from Stalliongrad on an important mission when your letter arrived." Duke Hyou says before laughing hardly. "Do you even have permission from your emperor to even be here?" Lightning asks. "Now why would I sweat little details like that, now come, let's have a drink. I heard your children will be born soon." Duke Hyou says smiling and showing off his unusually sharp teeth for a pony. Lightning chuckles. "Okay, but I can't with me like this." "None? You were in far worse condition when we first had a drink together." Duke Hyou says uncorking the gourd and takes a sip. Lightning laughs. "Ok, maybe just one shot." Lightning says taking the gourd that Duke Hyou offers and taking one drink of it. "Dang, it has been awhile since I drink some quality sake." Lightning says. Hyou laughs. "You really have been away from drinks since you got here didn't you?" "All they have is wine like from Prance and you remember your first reaction to that." Lightning says. "Practically dirty water." Hyou spits. "So I take it you met my wife." Lightning says causing Hyou to burst out laughing. "My lord, when Duke Hyou and lady Rainbow met...well...she punched him in the face." Nikolai says causing Lightning to join Hyou in laughing. Lightning stops laughing after a while. "So what did you do that made her punch you?" "Oh, I asked her if she was fat." Hyou says causing Lightning to laugh again. "Oh, that is so you Hyou, as blunt as a battering ram." Lightning says. "Lightning!" A voice yells. Turning his head he sees his wife standing in the door. "Rainbow, my love!" Lightning yells with false cheer. "You just called me fat, right?" She asks enraged. "No, I didn't I was laughing at Duke Hyou's obviousness." Lightning says. Rainbow walks up by Hyou before kicking him hard, sending Hyou to the wall. "Never call a pregnant mare fat." "So Rainbow, are you feeling well?" Lightning asks. Rainbow walks over to him. "Other than relocating the refugees to somewhere near the lands now, fine. Apparently they destroyed Canterlot, Ponyville and everywhere else. Mostly the huge buildings that looked important. So now we have to deal with those refugees and find them a home here." "No, we will donate a portion of our treasury to start rebuilding both." Lightning says getting up. Rainbow holds him down. "You're still healing." Lightning grins. "Not really." He rips off the bandages and shows barely any scar from his wounds. "You have to show me how you do that one of these days." Hyou says. Lightning waves him off. "Yeah, yeah, now let's deal with the refugees." "Well, they aren't causing much problems right now." Rainbow says opening a window showing the city was celebrating. "I see, so you are just making plans for now then." Lightning says. "Yeah." Rainbow says looking out to the new banner flying over the city. "That's our standard love." Lightning says petting her mane. Rainbow giggles. "Don't start. We still have to deal with the money problems. And Hurricane have some explaining to do about the hideout." "No need, I already know the secret." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him. "I meant about how it was made and used for because hiding out wasn't it." "Like I said, I'm already aware and know. Because they are very close to the underground world of the ancient beneath the earth ponies." Lightning says. "As for the money issue I will reach into the treasury of my lands in Stalliongrad if need be. Now I believe there are three who claim to be my sworn swords?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks confused. "Sworn Swords?" "Individual of quality a noble or ruler has recognized that has sworn fealty to said lord or ruler. Like myself and Apollo." Nikolai explains. Rainbow looks backs to them. "What about Alexander?" Rainbow asks. "Alexander is a lord who agreed to become a commander in my Dire Wolf army." Lightning says. "I see." Rainbow says following most of it. "Now Rainbow let us go meet them and see our ponies shall we?" Lightning asks walking away. "Lightning wait." Rainbow says walking after him after he was already out the door. The three stallions watch as they leave. "So how long till he realizes that the throne room got a hit?" "Our lord cares little for thrones, you know this Apollo." Nikolai says. Apollo shrugs. "I'm trying to make funnies here. Give me a break, it's been a while since the war. Besides don't you have a mare to see, I believe you promised to accompany her." Apollo reminds with a smirk. Nikolai eyes widen before he runs off. "Well, shall we go as well Lord Alexander and Duke Hyou?" Apollo asks. "Sounds like fun." Hyou says before laughing. Lightning and Rainbow enter into the greeting room. There they see a wild looking griffon holding a spear, a blue earth pony stallion with a brown mane wearing brown and blue leather armor and a large two hoof sword strapped to his back, and a brown unicorn mare with a dark green mane and wearing what looked like a battle dress and had a curved sword strapped to her back. "It has been awhile my friends." Lightning says. All three nod and the earth pony says. "I apologize for not getting here sooner my lord." "Belcoot, there is no need for that, everything went according to plan." Lightning says. "It was a fierce battle." The griffon says. "Yes, the residents of this land adapted quickly to the defensive war so far Zagai." Lightning says. "I personally wish you had called me sooner my liege. I have dedicated myself to serving you and your family as a bodyguard." The mare says. Lightning smiles. "Hazuki, we went over this. Your fierce devotion would have stood out too much for the stealth and observation. Oh where are my manners, I must introduce you to my wife. Rainbow this is Zagai, former undefeated Gladiator and commander of one the three commanders of my Dire Wolf army which is one of my personal three armies. The earth pony is Belcoot, escaped gladiator and general of my Dire Wolf army. And last, but most certainly not least, Hazuki, prodigy swordsmare from the east, bodyguard to our house, and one of the three commanders of the Dire Wolf army." Lightning introduces and all three bow to her and say. "My lady." Rainbow looks surprised. "Wow. Nice to meet you all." She then turns deadpan to Lightning. "Can we get going?" "Rainbow, that is rude. These are individuals who have dedicated their lives to us and friends." Lightning says. Rainbow then turns on him madly. "So you don't care about me?!" "No, I'm not, I'm just saying they are also the ones who came and saved us." Lightning says. "Ah yes, that is right, my lady is pregnant." Hazuki mutters to herself. "At least I have seen how to deal with some though not far." Rainbow glares at him. "You didn't answer my question completely." "Rainbow, I married you. If I didn't love and care for you I wouldn't have married you." Lightning says trying to calm her anger. Rainbow keeps glaring at him before calming down. "Sorry Lightning. I didn't what came over me." "I understand love. You are under a lot of pressure." Lightning says petting her mane. Rainbow giggles as her mane was petted. "That's nice." "Now where is our daughter?" Lightning asks. "Up here." A voice said. Everypony looks upward to see Scootaloo hanging from one of the beams. She gives a sly smile. "What's up dad?" "Apparently you angel." Lightning says. Scootaloo rolls her eyes. "Overused answer dad. Try something else." "Ok." Lightning says walking over and punches the beam, causing it to shake making Scootaloo to fall and be caught by Lightning who proceeded to pet her mane. "Stop getting yourself into trouble Scoots." Scootaloo squirms out of his grip. "Don't do that, I really like my mane this way." "Ok, ok. So have you met the three sworn swords?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo looks over to them. "I was up there for a while. Heard everything." "Then you shouldn't have any issues in going and introducing yourself should you?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo sighs before walking up to them. "Hello my name is Scootaloo, yadda, yadda, yadda, hope you protect us well." Scootaloo says in a disinterested way that causes Lightning to facehoof. "Sorry about her." Lightning says. "Oh, the young lady is adorable." Hazuki says to Lightning's surprise. "This is new." Scootaloo said to herself. "Most guards would be revolted that I said it like that." "Hazuki isn't most bodyguards." Lightning says. Hazuki then remembers something and fishes something out of her bag. "Here you go, try this." She hoofed over a bottle of something to Scootaloo. "Hazuki, what is that?" Lightning asks as Scootaloo takes a sip and then another after another until she was chugging the bottle down. Hazuki giggles. "Just a little something I whipped up in my spare time." The whole keep then heard Lightning yell, "Hazuki!" followed by maniacal laughing. After an hour of chasing Hazuki around and keeping the bottle away from Scootaloo, Lightning lays down and sighs. "Okay bottle's away and Hazuki is placed somewhere away from Scoots. Everything is good." He lays his head down and start to take a nap, but Rainbow nudges him. "Come on, we have work to still do." Rainbow says. Lightning sighs. "You're right love." Lightning says getting up. Lightning slowly moves as he got used to getting more rest later, but he followed Rainbow to his office. "So what do we have?" He asks sitting in his chair. "Well there is the issue of those orcs, as you called them, and the legionnaire prisoners." Rainbow says. "Ah, yes, I'll deal with the orcs first. Guards, have somepony fetch Seeku." Lightning calls to the door. Lightning was about to head out before looking up. Seeing nothing he heads out again with Rainbow following. From the ceiling, Scootaloo drops down on the carpet and heads to the desk. "Your tools better work Apollo." She wished. She tries to open the drawer and feels it lock again so she fishes out two pickers and gets to work on the lock. Feeling that she missed a tumbler she curses herself before trying again and misses another tumbler. "How does he make it look so easy?" "That is because he has had a ton of practice, my little angel." Scootaloo hears. She freezes in her lock picking and sees Lightning smiling at her. "Ah...hi...dad." Scootaloo says. "Let your old man show you a trick." Lightning says and pushes the drawer down and it slides away to reveal the contents. Scootaloo blanks on this. "What? How...?" Lightning chuckles at her expression. "Just remember that you can't hide anything from your father." Scootaloo still looks at the drawer with the same expression. "Well, don't look a gifted horse in the mouth." She takes the book before leaving. She then turns around back to him. "You might want to check the lower drawer." She then leaves after that. Lightning chuckles, closing the drawer before locking it and checking the lower drawer. Inside was supposed to be his letter opener and an old ring that served as a marker. His eye twitches as he slams the drawer back in. "Apollo!" "You called?" Apollo asks dropping from the ceiling. "Put them back." Lightning says sternly. Apollo raises an eyebrow. "My lord, I have no idea what you are talking about." "The letter opener and signet ring. I need the ring back at least to give the letter the Skyor symbol." Lightning says. Apollo keeps staring at him before smiling. "That little foal is a tricky one." He said fishing out the items from his pockets and throws it to him. Lightning catches them. "You know you are not allowed to steal from the house unless I say you can." Lightning says putting them back. Apollo shrugs. "Hey, I'm bored, give me a break. Plus, I need to make sure my skills aren't forgotten." "Now we need to prepare. Tell Belcoot to prepare both the battalions he brought, we are going to start the final stage of the plan and start liberating the places that are under Dominion control." Lightning says. Apollo looks to the map on a board. "Where to start is the question now." He starts to leave to send the message. "Don't hurt yourself now. We had enough of that." "We will start with the Canterlot area and then move east and then up the coast. Ending at Manehatten." Lightning says. Apollo give a hoof wave as he closes the door behind him. "Good luck. Scootaloo, where's my lock pickers?!" Lightning walked right back out the door to a waiting Rainbow and an empty hall. "Spitfire told me everything while you were out." Rainbow says. Lightning feigns confusion. "Whatever are you talking about?" "Lightning, do I have to bring up our wedding vows?" Rainbow asks sternly. Lightning sighs before saying. "I guess it doesn't matter now, you already know." Rainbow taps a hoof on the ground. "I'm waiting." "You already know the details love. I didn't tell you because I didn't want to worry you." Lightning says. Rainbow stares at him for a few before sighing. "You really have a knack for getting into trouble don't you?" "I have my father's curse and yet I turned it into a blessing by using it as opportunities." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "And those blessings?" "For starters you." Lightning says bringing her into a hug and starts to pet her mane. Rainbow purrs at the sensation and hugs him back. "And another." "My standing in Stalliongrad and now Equestria." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles. "And the other?" "I don't think we have all day." Lightning says. Rainbow pouted. "No fair." "I'll tell you another day, for now we have to meet with the orcs." Lightning says laughing a little. "You better." Rainbow says as they saw Agni run past them and ducks into the office. "What the?" "Ten! Ready or not Agni here I come." Twilight's voice was heard. They both look to Twilight as she looks around the hall before ending up before them. "Sorry guys. He really likes to play." "No need, Belcross was a lot like him when I first became his partner." Lightning says as he and Rainbow separate. "Belcross, is that your elemental partner?" Twilight asks. "Yes he is." Lightning says nodding his head towards the office. Twilight smiles and opens the door. "Where are you?" Lightning and Rainbow giggle as they continue down the hall. Soon Seeku came to see Lightning. "Brother the orc chief would like to speak with you." Seeku says. Lightning nods. "Lead the way." Seeku leads Lightning, as Rainbow deals with her own business, to a camp outside of the city where the Orc chief was waiting. "How long was I out for?" Lightning asks looking around. "Four days." Seeku says. "I see. So chief I believe you want amnesty for you and your clan right?" Lightning asks. The orc nods. "Yes, we had enough trouble throwing our lives away. We want a fair war, not a slaughter." "So you wish to offer something in return for this?" Lightning asks. The orc nods again. "Yes, our allegiance to your side of the war. We would we be under your command as long as we're treated fairly." "I think that is acceptable. So how many are you?" Lightning asks. "Originally there was five thousand of us. Now there is only around three thousand." The orc chief says. Lightning nods. "They really love throwing 'cannon fodder'. Well don't you worry, I won't order that. For now rest up I see you have many wounded." "Thank you." The chief says. Lightning waves it off and him and Seeku start walking towards the prison. "What's the progress with the prisoners?" He asks. "Silva is talking to them now, trying to appeal to their logical side, seeing as most of them will be executed because of the incredibly strict military code the Dominion has." Seeku says. Lightning nods and stops before an iron door. "Open it." He tells the guards. The guards immediately do so and salute as they enter. "I'm telling you, you have to listen to me or you will not survive in this time now." "Captain, how is it going?" Lightning asks surprising Silva. She sighs. "Terrible. The stallions think that a mare shouldn't be bothered to talk to them only be under them, in both ways mind you." Lightning gives them a look and they seem to reel a bit. "Let me make your situation perfectly clear. This mare is the only thing between you and a noose." Lightning says using his general aura to emphasize the point. The stallions cringes. "You know our traditions. We're still under it and by it we're done for, so why won't you follow it?" One of them asks. "Really, you all want to die for that general? What did he ever do besides beat your comrades to death for talking or voicing an opinion?" Lightning asks. A stallion huffs. "He got us far. That's enough for us." "He only got you that far because I allowed it." Lightning says. The stallions look to each other before laughing. "Yeah right, we got far because we're strong." "Tell me do you know who I am?" Lightning asks. One of them huffs. "You must be a lowly soldier that the general sent because he's too scared." "No, I am the general and my name, you should know all too well because it is Lightning Bolt." Lightning says and slowly the look of fear and panic started to spread across each of the officers faces. "Crap." "Whelp, we're dead." "Anypony got their homes in their minds now?" "Now you understand your situation even better, so I will cut to the chase. If any of you were truly loyal you would have committed suicide rather than be captured." Lightning says. "We'll do it you know? We're sticking to our traditions." "Even if it means following the lead of a pegasus?" Lightning asks. The stallion growls. "That lousy general should have been killed in the beginning of the war." "You might have stood a better chance without that crazy inept general." Lightning says. The stallions raises an eyebrow. "You just confirmed what I said." "No, your traditions and teachings say all who comment suicide will forever be with their general in the afterlife." Lightning says. The stallion huffs. "With him, please." "Talk about a no win situation." Another officer says. "Yes, your ancestors will be so proud when you show up lead by an inept pegasus." Silva says understanding what Lightning was doing. The stallion on the right looks to her. "You know, I'm trying to figure out what you are doing here?" "I'm here for my family's sake. My brother is not the healthiest pony and he was too young so the training would have killed him." Silva says. "To protect one's family and country. That is what the legions were founded for." An officer says with a sober look. "I know the feeling, I have a little brother." Another says. Two of them bangs their heads on the table. "What were we doing?" One of them looks up at Silva. "Hey, sorry about that mare under us comment." "Now, I think you all have a decision to make. Captain I leave the rest to you." Lightning says turning to leave with Seeku. Silva nods and turns to them. "So what are you going to do?" She asks sitting down. Lightning and Seeku closes the door behind them. "What else we got?" "So that was the demon of Stalliongrad." A soldier says from the cell. Seeku looks to him. "You still have that reputation you know?" "How else would you explain how a small rebellion turned into a war of independence that an empire, that hasn't known defeat for three hundred years, lost?" Lightning asks. Seeku tilts her head. "Well, we still have some stuff to deal with, so let's go." "Not today. We won't be making that move until later." Lightning says. Seeku nods. "Well let's go and deal with the battalions." Lightning shakes his head. "I just said not today, let the troops rest Seeku." Seeku looks to the cells. "Well, I'm going to…" "Don't use them as a food source." Lightning says. Seeku giggles. "Come on, you know of my fetish for large groups." Lightning then drags Seeku out of the prison with Seeku saying something about certain fetishes. "Guards, no changelings are to enter the prison. Especially this one. As such triple the security." Lightning instructs now outside with Seeku. The guards follow the order while Seeku yells no too much. "Oh shut up, you still got me...shit." Lightning realizing what he just said. Seeku grins. "So what fetish do you want to start out with?" "Take it up with my wife or sister." Lightning tells her. Seeku smiles. "Oh I will." She lifts herself up with her wings and prepares to fly. "I'll ask your wife first. I'm getting a bit hungry." She then flies away to the keep. "Oh, I feel sorry for Seeku right now." Lightning says seeing her fly into a window. He then saw a chair being thrown out the window. "Oh dear." He looks to the chair. "That chair was imported from Stalliongrad." Seeku then flies out and down back to him. "She didn't agree." "You knew she was moody from being pregnant." Lightning reminds. Seeku shrugs in the air. "Yes well, I was hoping Rainbow a little lusty from that condition. Some pregnant mares do get a little forward sometimes." "Well Rainbow isn't one apparently, now I best go see her before she destroys a room." Lightning says. Seeku laughs. "I'll get you there. I'm bored at this point." She picks up Lightning and flies him to the broken window. "Good luck with your mare. I'm going to ask your sister." "She is your sister as well." Lightning says. Seeku shrugs. "I still need to get use to everything." Seeku waves goodbye. "See ya." "Rainbow, I came to see you and Seeku went to bother my sister." Lightning calls walking into the room through the window. Rainbow was panting hard as she stilled looks toward the window. "You...and her...with that many types...no way." "Give her sometime and she will adjust to being siblings and will stop." Lightning says. "She's a changeling." "And they never do that with family." Lightning informs. Rainbow huffs. "She's madly in love with you. She's still going to try something." "That is why I plan to set her up with a stallion soon." Lightning says. Rainbow then smiles creepily. "Oh don't do that, I wonder how good she'll be?" "Love, do I need to call the doctor again?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks confused. "Doctor? I would like a bed." She said rather cheerily. 'And we hit the lust phase.' Lightning thinks. "Careful love, you don't want to hurt the foals." Lightning says. Rainbow then looks to him expectantly. "You offering you handsome stallion?" 'Anger, then lust. Got it.' Lightning then sighs. "Rainbow, dear?" Rainbow smiles. "Yes, you ready to go to bed and maybe get Seeku as well?" "No, I think just the two of us spend some time together and don't you remember, we scheduled a visit with the doctor to examine you and check on how you're coming along." Lightning says. Rainbow grins. "Only if you give me something later." Lightning sighs. "Let's go to the doctor." Rainbow follows him, hopping every now and again. Later that night Rainbow and Lightning return and Rainbow's flank was sore from getting a shot that got her hormones under control. "Okay, what happened when I in the mood swings?" Rainbow asks rubbing her flank. "You were asking for a threesome with me and Seeku and you threw a chair out the window, my best one in fact." Lightning says. Rainbow's eyes widen. "Don't tell me Seeku heard that?" "Oh no, she went to bother my sister before that." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs with relief. "So what about my anger phase?" Lightning nods his head to the direction of the office. "Like I said, my chair. Then you went into a lust phase and tried to have fun a lot like Seeku." "Oh thank Celest…" Rainbow abruptly stops. She looks down and sees water on the ground under her. She looks up to Lightning and sees the shock on his face. She then collapses as the contractions hit her. "We need the doctor and wet nurse!" Lightning's voice was heard as the last thing for Rainbow. It was several hours later in the hospital as Lightning and the entire family were there waiting to hear the news. The rest of the mane six showed up when a maid found them and delivered the news. After that it was like a domino effect as more and more ponies and one griffon showed up. Lightning was wearing a hole into the floor with his constant pacing. "Calm down bro, your worrying is not helping anything." Vinyl says. Lightning turns to her with a face of worry. "Vinyl, not helping." "My liege, the staff know what they are doing." Hazuki says. Lightning glares at her. "Says the mare who gives hard drinks to foals." He shoots back. "My lord, you know the staff is good. You personally hired each of them." Nikolai says. Lightning then turns on him. "That still makes me worried." "Take it from a mare who has experienced it. She will be fine." Eclipse says. Lightning then reels to her. "Everypony is different." Before it could continue a unicorn nurse walks out. "Mr. Bolt you may now see her." Lightning walks into the room and finds a very tired looking Rainbow, but with two bundles right beside her. "Hey there love, how are you?" Lightning asks. Rainbow laughs tiredly. "Better now. Come see our new family." She waves him over. "Let me introduce you to your son and daughter." Rainbow says as Lightning checked the bundles and found a blue unicorn boy with a red mane and a white pegasus girl with a rainbow mane. "How?" Lightning looks to his unicorn son. "How did he become a unicorn? We're both pegasus." "My mom was a unicorn." Rainbow says. "Ah." Lightning says with a smile and rubs her mane. Rainbow purrs. "That's nice. When can I leave?" "The doctors want to keep you a few days to make sure no complications occur with you or our foals." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to her beautiful bundles. "One of them probably will be like you and the other like me, but appearances will trick us. The war is over right?" "No, we crushed half the legion, but we still have to take back the occupied land of Equestria and then I may be called back to where the real part of the war will happen on the eastern continent." Lightning says. Rainbow lays back down. "How long?" "Not long, the command structure has collapsed and with my two battalions of my Dire Wolf army we will sweep them away." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles painfully. "Just don't take too long." Lightning nods. "You know, I want to know how your father got with your mother later. What did he see?" Rainbow laughs a little. "Maybe the same way we did." Lightning turns to the nearby nurse. "Can I stay the night and the others allowed in?" "You can stay, but only family is allowed in until a certain time." The nurse says. "Then could you call them in?" Lightning asks as he keeps petting his wife's mane. The nurse gives a nod and heads off to tell the news. Lightning then turns back to Rainbow. "You know, I just realized, I wonder if Hurricane is done with the rooms?" Rainbow asks. "We can ask her." Lightning says. Everypony soon walks in. "Now where are my grandfoals?" Hurricane asks cheerfully. "Our grandfoals." Stormy said walking up beside her. Hurricane looks to him. "Don't flatter yourself." She then turns back to the couple. "Now, grandfoals?" "Shh, they are trying to sleep." Lightning says pointing to the bundles. "Ohhhh, let me see." Hurricane said quietly. Lightning moves a bit away as the ghost moves up to the bundles. "Oh, they are so cute. I'm going to be spoiling so much." Both Lightning and Rainbow shakes their heads at her ideals. "Hey dad." Rainbow says. Stormy walks over to them and looks at the foals. "Good foals Rainbow. Probably the best thing you have ever done." He smiles. "Your mother would be so proud." "Yeah and take a look at your grandson." Rainbow says. Stormy moves the bundle slightly and sees a unicorn horn. "So then…" "Mom is still here with us." Rainbow says before falling asleep. Lightning keeps petting her mane. "Looks like it's time for everypony to leave and get some rest. I'll stay and watch them and Stormy, I want to talk with you later." Stormy nods and leaves with Hurricane. After everypony looks at the foals and gives their congrats they leave back to job. Lightning turns back to Rainbow and his two foals. "Don't worry guys. You're going to be safe." He said as he laid his head down and falls into the deep sleep with his family. Author's Note Okay we're done here. Flair: It was a lot of work, but we finished it. Pinkie: You also didn't take too many breaks either. Pinkie...you know what...you can stay since you've been breaking all laws of time and space. You would make The Doctor freak out or proud. Pinkie: Oh, I also brought a mare to see you both. Who? *Rainbow Dash walks in looking mad.* Rainbow: All right who is the one who decided to make me pregnant? *I point to Flair.* *Flair slowly points to Wolf.* Rainbow: eeny meeny miny mo. *Rainbow stops at Flair* It was his idea for you and Lightning to get together in the first place. Pinkie you have popcorn, without butter of course? Flair: Rainbow I just want to say a few things before you decide to do anything. Rainbow: One chance to not screw up. Go. Flair: Are you not the sister in law with your hero? *Rainbow nods.* Flair: Are you not a ruler of lands and did we not elaborate on your parents? *Rainbow nods again.* Flair: My final argument is *starts scratching her ear making her collapse in bliss* *Looking at Flair before pushing him away with Telekinesis* Trust me you don't want to do that ever again. *Eats another popcorn.* Flair: That was a distraction while I get him. *Pulls out Lightning Bolt* Lightning: Where am I? Flair: Doesn't matter, your wife is over there and I think she needs you to love on her. Let her maul Flair here. I believe in justice the right way. Pinkie: But you're the one who wrote her starting to show symptoms of being pregnant. *Glares at Pinkie who has a party cannon aimed at him.* Hey, Flair started the idea of being pregnant, I had no choice, but to follow. Flair: Sorry folk we are kinda having a technical *Flair was cut off by an explosion.* Is that the Tardis? *Pinkie munches on more popcorn.* Pinkie: This is getting good. Want some? *Gives to Wolf.* I am stunned the Tardis is here. He's breaking a little rule. *The Tardis opens and Doctor Whooves and Derpy come out.* Doctor: Now where are we? Flair: And the chaos grows. It's almost like, wait a minute... *Picks up the phone and dials.* Discord pick up. Discord: Hello, chaos bringer here, how can I help you? Flair: You have already done enough, now end this and we will have you appearing the next chapter. Okay now that's a deal. *Discord squeals.* Discord: Yes! Finally. So say it and so shall it be. Flair: We will be back soon after we sort this out folks and remember read and review. This is a cluster fuck. And I say more popcorn. *Pinkie gives him some.* Thanks, see ya next time. Retaking Our Homeland*Eating popcorn.* This is getting good. *Pinkie eats some popcorn too.* Pinkie: You got that right. Fair: Ok, the Tardis left with the Doctor and Derpy. Rainbow was taken back to the keep by her husband, and I put up the anti-discord barrier. *Flair checks off on a list as he talk* *Shaking head.* Pinkie want to head back or do something here, because we're in a blank slate and we could do anything? Flair: You also have to throw Rainbow that congratulation party. *Pinkie smiles.* Pinkie: Well I could hang out here until I show I up. Flair: Suit yourself now on with the show. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' It had been a week since the twins were born and now Stormy Wing was watching over his grandfoals as Rainbow rested in her room. 'I can't believe my little girl's foals. I can hardly believe it.' He thinks. Hurricane floats up beside him. "They're beautiful aren't they?" "Yeah, this one reminds me of my late wife." Stormy says. Hurricane looks to the little unicorn. "What got you two together?" She asks Stormy. "Well it was when I was young. I still lived in Cloudsdale, I was new to the weather team and she was the one in charge of keeping us organized and on schedule. Not the easiest thing for a team of mostly teenage pegasus who think they know everything." Stormy says. Hurricane moves around him. "So your wife was a unicorn on the weather team because?" "I never learned the full details, I think she just applied for the job." Stormy says. Hurricane frowns. "You didn't ask when you got married." "It was no longer important at that time." Stormy says. Hurricane keeps frowning until she smiles. "Same here. Didn't ask Razor what he did before the military." "Wasn't all pegasus back then all in the military?" Stormy asks. Hurricane looks to the foals. "A lot, but not all." "You know I always wondered what life like then was and did your husband really keep the peace between you and Princess Platinum?" Stormy asks. Hurricane nods. "You bet, she was a hooful, but with him it was manageable." "So how big of a snob was she?" Stormy asks. Hurricane grins. "So much that one speck of dirt isn't safe from her." Stormy just chuckles before looking back to the foals. "You must be really proud of your descendants." Stormy says. Hurricane leans into him. "Oh, I definitely am. But we got off topic, what made you attracted to her?" "Well how it started was I had done some stupid stunt and wound up in the hospital. She was the only one who visited me while I was out of action." Stormy says. Hurricane smiles. "Florence nightingale effect. Female nurses fall in love with their patients, but it also goes to the female visitor, especially the only one." "And the fact the entire team knew she was a little sick. I was touched she took time out to see me even though she was sick." Stormy adds. Hurricane grows suspicious. "What was she sick from?" "An incurable genetic disease that I could never pronounce." Stormy says sadly. Hurricane hugs him as he hugs her back. "Try to. Maybe I can figure something out just in case it can be passed on." "No, the doctor said Rainbow didn't inherit the disease and it's extremely rare." Stormy says. Hurricane looks to the foals. "Can it be skipped to the next generation?" "The doctor said it skips around every ten generations or so." Stormy says. Hurricane smiles sadly. "So I guess you can be happy that it won't show up until ten generations later?" "Hopefully we will have a cure by then." Stormy says. Hurricane nods. "So how are the new parents? Resting from the war and the labor?" "Well my daughter is, but I think my son in law is still hard at work." Stormy says with sweat drop. Hurricane huffs. "Of course. I got to get him away and spend some time here." "He will be leaving soon you know." Stormy says. Hurricane looks agitated. "I know. He has to spend time with his family or this will mean nothing in the end." "I think I understand what kind of stallion Lightning is now." Stormy says. Hurricane looks to him. "Care to share with the rest of the class." "He is the kind who will do anything to provide and protect his family." Stormy says. Hurricane smiles. "That he is, but he is still missing time with family." "Maybe, but we still are at war." Stormy says. Lightning was in his office signing the last of the paperwork and looks out the window. 'Tomorrow is the day I set out to finish this.' Lightning thinks to himself. He then sees a shooting star shoot coming towards the keep, before stopping at the front and disperse, revealing Discord in a Hawaiian shirt, sunglasses, and a straw hat. "Aloha, anypony home?" Discord yells. "Up here Discord." Lightning calls. Discord looks up with a cheeky grin. "Lighty my boy, can you let in?" "Just use the front door, the guards won't stop you and if you want to mess with somepony, Celestia and Luna are in the meeting room looking bored." Lightning calls. Discord smiles widely. "Yes, I got permission. Later." He snaps his fingers making him disappear and appear again in front of the guards. "Mind taking my bags to my room? Thank you." He snaps his fingers before they could answer. Lightning sighs and was thankful he was currently exempt from court matters as that was what was boring Celestia and Luna. Not a few moments later did he hear, "Discord!" that brought a smile to his face. "Go Discord." He said to himself. "Sir, we are prepared and will be moving out tomorrow." Silva says walking in. Lightning sighs. "Good, rest up and spend your last night here however you want. You'll thank me later." "Yes sir." Silva says walking out and closing the door behind her. Lightning sighs as he leans back in his chair. "Well now, let's see. One last night, I guess I'll spend it with them." He gets up and heads out. Lightning walks for a while and runs into Scootaloo. "Hey, there angel." Scootaloo smiles. "Dad, no more angel." "Why?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo huffs. "I'm getting tired of angel. It just doesn't fit now." "Why you're a lovable little pegasus. That is what a lot of parents call their pegasus foals east." Lightning says. Scootaloo grins. "We're in the west." "Doesn't matter now, why are you outside your mother's room?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo looks to the door. "Well she was sleeping the whole time and about the whole day, so I thought I check up on her." Lightning picks Scootaloo up and puts her on his back. "Then let us go see her." Lightning says. They walk in to find Seeku tending to Rainbow as she read a book. They both look to them. "Hey, you two." Lightning smiles back and gets on the bed with them while Scootaloo hopped off his back and onto the bed. "Hey mom." Scootaloo said as she rested right by her. Rainbow rubs the top of her mane. "Hi sweetie. How are you?" "I'm fine, I just wanted to come see you." Scootaloo says. Rainbow hugs her. "Well that was nice of you. And you Lightning?" She asks as she looks to him. "Do I need a reason to see my wife?" Lightning asks smugly before petting her mane. Rainbow giggles as her mane was petted. "That's nice." Seeku stands off to the side before starting to leave. "Why can't anypony pet me?" She asks quietly. "I promised to introduce you to somepony Seeku. Oh and if you want a laugh go to the court right now." Lightning says. Seeku smiles sadly. "Yeah, yeah. I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything." She closes the door behind her. "Dear, what did you mean by that?" Rainbow asks. Lightning looks to her. "I promised to find her somepony instead of sticking to me." "No, not that, the court, what about it?" Rainbow asks. Lightning smiles. "Sent Discord there." Lightning started to sweat under the glare Rainbow was now giving him. "Lightning?" She asks too sweetly. "Yes?" Lightning asks sounding unnerved. Rainbow puts Scootaloo to the side and then grabs him by his mane, pulling him to her. "Why did you send Discord to the courtroom?" "Because it was that or let him run wild." Lightning says meekly. Rainbow stares at him before letting him go, letting him put his mane back to normal. "Just don't try it again. Send him somewhere else if you can." Lightning sighed in relief that Rainbow took it so well. Scootaloo looks to them. "Is anypony worried about Seeku? I mean she seemed a little down." "She has been for a while. I think she hasn't adjust to being a part of the family yet." Rainbow says. Lightning looks to them. "Or just lonely. What do you say to some family time with her? All of us, including the foals." Lightning grew quite at that last comment looking as if he was thinking and had just remembered something. Rainbow sees his thoughtful look. "What is it?" "Tomorrow we ship out to liberate the rest of the kingdom." Lightning says. Both of them looks to him. "So, one last night. As a family?" Rainbow asks. "For a while, yeah. That is why I rush to finish my paperwork early to see my family." Lightning says smiling to them. Rainbow smiles as well. "Scoots, go get the rest of the family. We are going to have a fun time for this last night." "Don't strain yourself love, you are still recovering." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles as she gets out of the bed as Scootaloo was gone to get the rest of the family. "I've recovered enough to move on my own. Now let's go." "Rainbow." Lightning says concerned. Rainbow looks to him agitated. "Lightning, I have been bedridden for a whole day and you know I can't stay in one place. Now let's go." "At least let me carry you." Lightning says getting off next to her as well. Rainbow sighs. "Fine." Lightning lays down so that Rainbow can lay on his back. After she was on him Lightning got up and started walking to the garden. "I thought she said the kitchen?" Rainbow asks as she snuggles into his wings. "Huh, they are poufy." "You say something love?" Lightning asks. Rainbow snaps out of her snuggling. "Uh, yeah, nothing, so why are we going to the gardens?" "I thought it would be the best place. Nice scenery, plenty of space, and fresh air." Lightning says. "Huh." Rainbow looks ahead as they exit into the garden. "Now we just need everypony here." "If I know our daughter she will be here soon with them." Lightning says seeing Belcoot in the garden. Rainbow looks to the stallion in their garden. "Who's that? I can't see him that well." "That is Belcoot, he is the general of the battalions of my army that came to reinforce us." Lightning reminds. "Got the rest." Scootaloo said as the rest of the family came out behind her, including the two foals in their grandparents' forelegs. "My Lord and Lady." Belcoot greeted just noticing them. Lightning turns to him. "Hello there Belcoot. I'm sorry, but I'm here to spend time with my family." "Oh course, my lord. Excuse me, my lady." Belcoot says before leaving. Lightning tries to keep his smile until he leaves. "Nice guy, but annoying. Now let's have some family time." "He seems devoted and you did make him a general." Rainbow reminds. Lightning shrugs before heading to the middle of the garden. "Well he is good, but still annoying. Now, family time." He said laying down. "We will be talking about that later." Rainbow says getting up and walking over to the bench. Lightning tilts his head a little. "Well I won't be here tomorrow so best ask me when it's bed time. Now, Scoots, how was your day?" Scootaloo shrugs. "Been reading the book. Noticed something interesting." "What's that?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo lays down on the grass. "Well I kinda found the explanation for the Wyverns leaving every decade, but I'm going to have to ask them just in case." "Ok sweetie." Rainbow says. Lightning suddenly feels a weight on his back and looks to see Seeku on him. "Poufy." She said as she snuggles into his wings. "I can't believe you actually were right." Rainbow says. Lightning looks to her as Eclipse joins Seeku into snuggling into his wings. "What part?" He asks. "His wings are like pillows." Rainbow says as Lightning's eye starts to twitch. Lightning stares at her as his wings were pulled. "Where did you hear that?" He asks his eye twitching. Rainbow points to Seeku who points to Eclipse who points to Rainbow. He grind his teeth making a grating noise. "Who started it?" They keep pointing at each other causing Lightning to sigh. "You know what, forget it." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs in relief. "Ah, ha! Gotcha!" He said pointing to her. Rainbow frowns as Lightning walks over to her. "Come now hun, enough of that, let us enjoy our family time." Lightning says, noticing Spitfire was taking a closer look at the foals. "Like the foals, sister?" "How can I not like my niece and nephew?" Spitfire says happily. Lightning shrugs. "I don't know, maybe if you hate me." Spitfire walks over and smacks Lightning on the head. "That was for saying something stupid." Spitfire says. Lightning rubs his head as she laughs a little. "Okay, that was stupid. Now, how's our grandparents here?" "Do you want a second helping of that?" Hurricane asks. Lightning shakes his head. "No, no, I'm good." "That's what I thought." Hurricane says. Stormy chuckles as the little foals awake. "Looks like the little ones are awake." "Hey there you two." Lightning says softly walking up to them. The two foals look to their father and laughs as they see something funny. Rainbow walks up besides Lightning to look at her foals. "What are they laughing about?" He asks. "Who knows?" Rainbow says. Hurricane clears her throat and points to Lighting's back. The parents both raise their eyebrows as they look to his back and see Seeku making funny faces at them, especially since it's her changeling form. "Ah, Seeku, playing with your niece and nephew?" Lightning asks. Seeku giggles as the foals continue laughing. "I think you could say that." She then transforms into Lighting. "Hi there little ones." She said in his voice. The foals looks confused and looks between the two until they look to the real Lightning and point and gives the motion to be picked up. Lightning smiles and picks them up. "Looks like they can see through that one Seeku." Lightning says holding them. Seeku giggles and picks up the other one. "I guess I need to work on that." The little one in her hooves start to fuss around. Rainbow walks over to Seeku and looks at her daughter. "What's wrong, you don't want to be held by your aunt?" Rainbow asks. The little one motions for Rainbow to pick her up. Rainbow reaches out as Seeku does as well. When the little one was enough away she flaps her little wings and flies off with their unicorn son casting a spell and transparency himself through his father's hooves and runs off. Lightning looks at the rest of the family. "Yeah they are definitely going to be hoofuls." He says as Rainbow tried to fly after her daughter. "Everypony grab them. I'm sure Pinkie told you how she handled the first day of the taking care of the Cakes's foals." Everypony rushes after the two foals as they either run or fly away. Rainbow and Seeku flies after the daughter as she happily flies off. They reach out to grab her only to pause as she puts the brake on flying and they went right past her. They look back as the little flies off in another direction. Down on the ground the son runs around going through almost everything as his spell was still active. "How did he figure that kind of spell in a short amount of time?!" Eclipse yells as she tries to grab him, but her hooves goes right through. "He didn't, I think he is going on instinct." Lightning says opening a door that his son ran through. Everypony on the ground followed while in the air their daughter went through an open window with Rainbow and Seeku following. "You know that little newborn changelings sometimes fly around like this and then forgets and then need to be retaught." Seeku said as they go through the same window. "Thank you for reminding me professor." Rainbow says sarcastically as she struggles to keep up. 'She is still recovering, I best end this quickly.' Seeku thinks charging up her horn. The little foal laughs as she flies through every nook and cranny in the ceiling of the halls playing hide and seek with her family as the servants watch in amusement. Suddenly she feels herself stop. She tries to flap harder until she feels somepony holding her. "Gotcha." Seeku said in a victorious tone. The filly looks to Seeku as Rainbow finally catches up out of breathe. "Here you go, one little pegasus filly." Seeku says hoofing her to Rainbow. Rainbow takes her daughter as she looks to the little one with a stern look. "You really are trouble, you know that right?" The foal just tilts her little head and laughs. Rainbow sighs and holds her close to not let her go away again. "Let's see how the others are doing." She said to Seeku as they fly away to find the others, but see them in the hall walking to them. The unicorn foal was in a magical sphere as it slowly rolls towards them with Lightning walking close behind. "You really are trouble, you know that?" He said to the foals as Eclipse walks on the other side keeping the bubble afloat. "And you said learning spells like this would never come in handy. Just think of how you had to handle Midnight when he was young." Lightning says to Eclipse. Eclipse huffs and looks to the side away from him. "I had servants." Lightning smiles. "Spend time with your family, isn't that what you said?" "He's got you there mom." A voice says from above. Looking up Eclipse sees Midnight laying on one of the beams. Eclipse frowns. "What are you doing up there?" Midnight shrugs. "I knew that the little one was going crazy trying to fly through everything so it only makes sense to fly past me if I don't grab her first." "Seems Midnight is better at gauging his step brother and sister than you are." Lightning says. Midnight shakes his head. "Nah, I pulled the same thing with our servants back home. Boy were they tired." Lightning sees Rainbow approaching with their daughter and he waves her over. "Either he's smart or know tactics. I should probably make him general one day." Lightning said out loud. "Ah, no, he's going to be king." Eclipse says. Lightning smirks. "I know, just messing with you. Now what to do with you two?" He said looking to the foals. "I think it's time we decided on their names." Rainbow says as Scootaloo comes up to them. "You know that this isn't fair. She can fly and I can't and she's a newborn." Scootaloo said glaring at her little sister who bonks her on the head with a laugh. "Ow. She hits hard." She said as she holds her head. "Scoots, you've gotten a lot better at flying. You almost have no need to be taught by me or your father anymore. Also you deserve that." Rainbow says patting her on the head. Scoots glares to her little sister. "Not cool little sis." The little foal giggles as the orange pony looks at her funny. "So any ideas for their names?" Lightning asks. Everypony around him shrugs. "How about Typhoon?" Hurricane said coming up behind them with Stormy panting behind her. "Those little buggers are fast." He said. "After your daughter, huh? But it's not a bad idea. What do you think Rainbow?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods but then looks to Hurricane. "Are you sure you want to name her that? It is your daughter's name after all." "I'm sure, after all I think Typhoon would be proud." Hurricane says looking to her granddaughter. Rainbow nods and looks down to the little foal in her hooves. "So what do you think? Want to be named Typhoon?" The little foal, now Typhoon, claps her hooves together laughing all the while. "We got a winner." Rainbow said smiling. "Now for this little guy." Lightning says looking to the one in the bubble and thinking. "How about Talion?" Lightning asks. Eclipse looks to him surprised. "Wait, isn't that one of the famous general back home?" "No, that was the name of the wraith walker who saved the entire eastern nation from the evil necromancer Saurodon." Lightning says. "So what do you think little one? Want the proud name of Talion?" The little unicorn hops around in the bubble making it spin a little. Lightning smiles and then looks to Eclipse. "You might want to stop it slowly otherwise he would trip and spin in there. Plus, that's another winner." "Talion and Typhoon, huh? Unexpected names, but good ones." Stormy says walking up. Lightning smiled, dispelling the magic sphere and catches Talion who just smiles. Lightning just held him till Belcoot walked up. "Sir, there are something that came up. It appears we have to push up the timetable again." Belcoot says. Lightning sighed before saying, "Understood. Sorry, Talion, we will have to play later." Lightning says. Talion hops out of his hooves and jumps onto his head and hangs on. "Oh come on, you can't leave your mother." Lightning said trying to pry him off. Talion still holds on and whines at him. "Talion, you have to stay here and I got some important jobs to do." He finally pries him off and gives him to Rainbow. "Make sure he doesn't stick to my back." He said walking away. "Don't worry Talion, your dad will be back soon." Rainbow says holding him as he whines and reaches for him. Hurricane comes into his view. "Come on little one, let's play with your ghostly grandma." "I assume you have already assembled both battalions Belcoot." Lightning says. "Of course sir. Although I couldn't convince Duke to stay, he insists leading the vanguard." Belcoot says as they walk out the doors. "I have no problems with that. When it comes to the vanguard, no pony is more qualified to lead than Duke Hyou." Lightning says as they see the troops beginning the march. "Yes sir. By the way what about that female captain, will you have her remain here?" Belcoot asks. "I said I will help fight and I can't do that here." A voice says behind them. They looked behind them to Silva closing the door behind her. "Silva, good you're here. Now we can get started." Lightning said looking to the table with everything about the war in front of them. "Where do we begin sir, the prisoners said that two thousand legionaries are holding the Canterlot area." Silva says. "We will march directly at the legionaries holding the Canterlot area. No longer do we need to run and fight with guerilla tactics. The two battalions of my Direwolf army are more than enough to take back everything and we also have many soldiers of Equestria joining us on this march." Lightning says. Silva looks to the map as well. "So when do we march out?" "Now. Soldiers, raise the proud banner of the Direwolf army." Lightning orders to the soldiers near the door who went out to the flagpole as he puts on his helmet. "Silva, send a message to the Orcs. Ask the chief to march with us." Lightning orders. Silva nods and heads out. "Yes sir." "Sir, permission to speak freely." Hazuki asks. "Granted." Lightning says. "It's good to be back in business." Hazuki says grinning. "Yes it is, now let's start the march for the liberation of Equestria." Lightning says. "Sir, permission to have Vinyl and Octavia make the official announcement over the radio?" Nikolai asks. "Granted, we want the enemy to know we are coming this time." Lightning says. Nikolai smirks and heads out. A guard walks into the audience chamber that was being used as the temporary court of Equestria. "Princesses, I have news from general Lightning Bolt." The guard says. Everypony looks to the guard. "Well, what is it?" Celestia asks. "General Lightning has declared the army is to march now for the liberation of all Equestria." The guard says. Discord bites in a popcorn he thrown into his mouth. "Well this just got entertaining." He throws in another popcorn. "I see, Captain Shining Armor and Captain Shadow Bolt, I want you both to accompany General Lightning Bolt on this operation." Celestia says. They both nod and head out, leaving the court behind. "Sister, I feel like I should go as well." Luna says. Celestia looks to her before looking to the guard. "Take her to the war room." "Yes princess." The guard says leading her away. Discord leans by Celestia. "You sure about this, she's your sister after all?" He asks throwing more popcorn into his mouth. "She feels like she must help directly. I can't stop that. But what about you why aren't you helping?" Celestia asks. "I'm a spirit of Chaos, as such I can't take sides in conflicts unless they are against me directly." Discord says giving some popcorn to her. Celestia takes some popcorn with her magic. "That makes sense." She throws some popcorn into her mouth. "This is good, where did you get this?" Discord shrugs. "Just two ponies in another plane of existence." "What?" Celestia asks. Discord looks to her. "Two ponies in another plane of existence. They are really good at what they do, though one of them doesn't know the rules of existence that much." Celestia looks to him. "You're weird, wait what am I saying?" Discord just smiles and bites down on another piece of popcorn. The ponies in Pegalopolis were going about their lives with huge smiles on their faces. They had won and the city was no longer under threat of attack. They were especially happy with the foreign soldiers that arrived to back them up. They finally felt the fear that had plagued them for months now starting to vanish. "Good afternoon Equestria. It's me the DJ temptress herself." Vinyl's voice was heard from the radio. "Vinyl, before you get to into that we have today, we have an announcement to make." Octavia says. "Yeah, announcement first, glorifying second." Nikolai says. "Hey, watch it commander. Just cause you're a big shot in the military now doesn't mean you run this show." Vinyl says. "Well excuse me for placing in my two bits. Unless you don't want me at all." Nikolai jests. "Now, now, you two save that for after the show." Octavia says. "Fine." Vinyl says huffing. After a few seconds of silence Nikolai spoke again. "Um, did I miss something while I was away?" Octavia sighs. "Just a little missingness like any other mare who has a husband in the war." "And the fact I took her to my bed a few times while you were gone." Vinyl says. Nikolai is heard stuttering. "Wha...what?" "Vinyl, we did no such thing!" Octavia yells. Vinyl laughs. "Ah, it's great to be back." "Yeah, I missed you too Vinyl." Nikolai says. "Like I said, after the show, now the announcement." Octavia said. "Oh right, attention. All members of the Direwolf army is to assemble outside the first gate in a standard formation. Equestrian first through fifth company has the same orders. All other soldiers you are assigned to defend the city and the citizens inside of it. I repeat, General Lightning Bolt has ordered the commencement of Operation: Retake Equestria." Nikolai says, his tone every pegasus soldier knows all too well. As if driven by an unseen force all the soldiers belonging to those who were called immediately started heading for outside the city. "Wow, that's some commanding voice you got there. I wish you would use it more around me." Vinyl says. Nikolai laughs. "I think I got some armor lying around for us to play in." Octavia groans. "I thought I told you after the show. You can play trainer and trainee after this." "I think somepony is jealous. What's wrong Octy, want to join us and maybe have Nikolai order the both of us around?" Vinyl asks in a sing song voice. Octavia begins to sputter. "Wha...what makes you think that? I just don't want this on the air." "Oh don't be shy Octy, you can join us." Vinyl says. "Vinyl, I think that's enough teasing. Anymore and she'll pass out." Nikolai says. A thunk was heard. "I hate you both." Octavia's muffled voice said. "Oh, by the way Octavia, I've going to set you up on a blind date." Nikolai says. "What makes you think I would even go along with it?" Octavia's asks. "Cause if you don't I'm sure Vinyl has a few pieces of blackmail she is dying to use." Nikolai says. Octavia huffs. "You better not Vinyl because I don't even want to go." "Let's see, oh this one is good." Vinyl says while making a sound like she is going through a box. "Don't you dare Vinyl." Octavia warns. "Oh perfect. Now if you don't go along every newspaper will get a copy of this." Vinyl says. "Where did you get that?" Octavia asks. "Wow." Nikolai says "I have my sources." Vinyl says. "Vinyl I will do whatever you want, I'll be your maid, and I'll sleep with you, heck I'll even listen to your music. Just don't send me on that date or make that public." Octavia pleaded. "Your choice Octy, the date or the publication of this." Vinyl says. Nikolai chuckles. "You're evil Vinyl." "I know." Vinyl says. Octavia sighs. "Fine, I'll go on the date." "Don't worry Octavia, I didn't set you up with anypony bad." Nikolai says. "And you can still join us if you want." Vinyl said. "Vinyl, let's not push our luck here." Nikolai says. "Oh you want to have two mares, you naughty stallion." Vinyl said. "Why would I want two when I have you?" Nikolai asks. The radio went silent for a few moments. Then there was the sound of clapping. "Good job Nicolai, you made Vinyl speechless." Octavia says. "I just think that she's use to one night stands after her shows." Nikolai said offhoofedly. "Oh you didn't know. I know for a fact Vinyl has never been out on a date." Octavia says. "Oh, Octavia shots fired at Vinyl." Nikolai says. Vinyl huffs. "You two are perverted as me." "Wait then then how does she know all about those things she talked about?" Nikolai asks confused. Vinyl giggles a little. "She ended up in one of my shows that turned into a slight orgy one time, just on the side of the place and hidden, but there." "I was asking about you Vinyl." Nikolai says. Vinyl's giggles turns into a laugh. "Well I did get a book as payment for a concert, what a rip off that was, but it was a sex book and it had everything about it. So I decided to poke fun at Octy with everything it had." "Vinyl why on this good earth would anypony give something like that as payment!?" Nikolai yells. Vinyl giggles. "I don't know, but it was good payment in the long run." "I'm going to hunt that pony and hurt them brutally. So if you are listening I'm giving you a head start." Nikolai warns. Octavia giggles. "Vinyl's right, you're a good stallion to date." "Somepony is jealous." Vinyl says in a sing song voice. Octavia huffs. "I am not jealous." "So jealous." Vinyl says. Nikolai laughs a little. "Yes she is." "I said I'm no..." Octavia was cut off when a timer goes off in the background. "Whoops, time is up for me. I got to go for the operation." Nikolai says. A door opened and then closed in the background. "Well that's it for Nikolai ponies, we don't our lead handsome stallion here, but you still got us." Vinyl said. "There, there, Vinyl he'll be back." Octavia says. Vinyl huffs. "I know, now back to our regularly scheduled programming." A shuffling of papers were heard. Lightning was walking with his officers as the army started marching south. "Silva, how are you holding up?" He asks. "Good, sir. The Chief is marching with commander Zagai and a few squads of the griffon troops." Silva says. Lightning nods. "And the griffins? How are they to this change?" "They are your troops I suspect they are more than capable to these lands." Silva says. "Good. By the way Nikolai I heard your broadcast. Very...what's the word?" Lightning asks Silva. Silva smiles. "I believe the word you're looking for is raunchy." Lightning smiles as Nikolai blushes. "Yeah, that's it. Very raunchy show." "Yeah sorry about that." Nikolai says. Lightning laughs. "Don't be. It's best to make something like that in these times. Though that comment about owning some training armor, was that true for your torture session with Vinyl?" "Oh no, I don't own that. I was lying through my teeth." Nikolai says with a smile. Lightning grins. "Really, I thought you would like that type of thing with the way you train?" Nikolai just stares flabbergasted. "Don't fall behind commander." Lightning says as Nikolai stared at them. Nikolai shakes his head and hurries to catch up. "Not funny general." "I thought it was." Silva says giggling. Lightning laughs with as he catches up. "Yeah, I now wonder what else he likes to do to his trainees." "I'm never going to live this down am I?" Nikolai asks. "Nope." Apollo says walking up. Nikolai puts his head down as he keeps walking along the path. "I hate you all." He said passing them. "Oh cheer up, we will forgot all about it in a month." Alexander says. Lightning laughs. "Not me, I don't forget a thing." Apollo snickers. "I don't either. How do you think I sometimes take what I want?" "Ok, ok, that's enough picking on Nikolai, the scouts are back my lord." Hazuki says. Lightning looks to him. "And what did they find?" "It seems that the Legionnaires holding Canterlot are massing in the valley below it just as you thought my lord." Hazuki says. Lightning nods and turns forward. "Well let's show them how we clean things here. All Direwolf army assume line formation, Equestrian soldiers form on their flanks." Lightning ordered. Nikolai smirks. "Well let's get our capital back." The army marched for nearly another week before they reached the Canterlot area and could see the legionnaires in tone long columns of their testudo formation. When the army reached the same field Lightning took a deep breath as the army got into formation. He then exerted his general aura and yells, "Soldiers hear me now. I have no over glorified speech prepared for you for it is unnecessary across the field stand the enemy. A remnant of the Dominion's defeated legion. The enemy that has pillaged the lands and has invaded your homelands. Now we will crush them and retake Canterlot then the rest of Equestria! Now starting from the left! All troops charge in succession. Now Charge!" Lightning yells. Duke Hyou smiled as he placed on his mask and grabbed his glaive. He then roars and leads the first wave of the charge. "Is that the Echelon formation?" The orc chief asks as he watches in amazement. "Yes, a remarkably high level move. Especially when it's the Echelon assault tactic." Hazuki says. "Yes and to actually use it in battle is beyond the vast majority of tacticians." Silva says in amazement. The orc chief remains silent as he watches. "Um, could somepony explain to those who don't know what is happening?" Luna asks. "Oh, certainly Princess. You see how the enemy formation is arranged in a long line so not to be able to be flanked?" Nikolai asks. "Um...yes." Luna says. "Well when a line formation such as that is hit by an Echelon assault, a shock wave is generated through their ranks diagonally. Those who are hit are moved back three steps and the next two steps. Those who are hit by both four steps. These movements will pass through the enemy ranks like a wave, cause small distortions to the troops formations. However even a small disruption like that is enough to disturb the enemy's cohesion and at that exact moment, your charge hits the enemy head on. Thereby once again causing another shock wave to pass on. So long as the shockwave is able to pass on through the enemy ranks without interruption and the attacks are able to follow in succession then an Echelon assault will be extremely effective. Or so most theorized. At the end of the day though it is considered too impractical for actual use for it was far too difficult to actually use in real battles. But that didn't stop lord Lightning, he trained his Direwolf army to use this stratagem and that is why almost all the practical Dominion legions' field formations are helpless against the Direwolf army because the entire strength of the legions are centered around formation and cohesion. This attacks that very thing taking away their greatest strength." Belcoot explains. Luna nods. "I see. Well when does this attack end the battle?" "Depends on the enemy commander's reaction." Lightning says as he observes that Duke Hyou's wave was tearing through the legionnaires opponents and starting to make the legion formation collapse. "It's about two minutes now ma'am." A night guard said right beside Luna. "Take a seat princess Luna, battles like this can go on for hours before a conclusion is reached." Lightning says. Luna sits down with the rest of the commanders as they watch the battle to retake Canterlot takes place in the lower valley. "Well just standing up will get boring a little." Luna said as she lays down. After fifteen more minutes the legion looked to be close to collapsing. "It's time. Belcoot, Zagai, Hazuki, Alexander go down there and take direct command and finish this." Lightning orders. "You got it sir." Alexander said as he and rest of the commanders went down the path. "The battle is decided. Nikolai, Shining Armor, Shadow Bolt, Apollo take two companies and go secure Canterlot." Lightning orders. Nicolai nods. "As you wish." He and the others take their companies. Lightning turns and starts walking away. "Sir, the battle isn't over, where are you going?" Silva asks. "Into the tent. I am no longer needed. The moment I sent those four into the battle was the moment I signed the legionnaires' death warrants." Lightning says entering the tent. He immediately collapsed onto the ground as exhaustion overtook him. 'Come on my body, just last a little longer.' Lightning thinks. Silva watches as her general enters his tent and then turns back to the battle, unaware of the turmoil that faced Lightning. "You all noticed it too didn't you?" Belcoot asks. "Yeah, our lord is gravely ill." Hazuki says. "With this place it's no wonder." Zagai says. "As such we can't afford to dally, we have to crush the enemy immediately." Alexander says as the four near the battle lines. Upon reaching the battle lines the troops parted and immediately let them through. "Here we go. First to take the commander's head gets the first cup of alcohol when we get back to camp." Belcoot says as they unsheathed all their weapons and charged. To the unfortunate Legionnaires who were in there path it was like the doors of Tartarus were thrown open and all the horrible monsters were unleashed upon them as Belcoot and Hazuki's swords cut through them like they were paper. Zagai thrust his spear, though the momentum of his spear never decreasing as if they were not even there. And finally Alexander easily sent them flying with his bare hooves. The commanding Centurion himself turned to run but the four were already on him. Zagai steps forward as the centurion crawls backward. "You really think other species don't work well together, well the opposite of that thought will be the last thing you see and it will stick with you in the afterlife." Zagai then thrusts his spear through the heart of the centurion, effectively ending his life. With the death of their centurion the Legionnaires lost the will to fight and started to surrender. The four officers then oversaw the disarmament and incarceration of the legionnaires in Canterlot as the soldiers cheered for their victory. "It seems Zagai beat you to the enemy commander Duke Hyou." Lightning says. Hyou shrugs. "What he is and said makes him the most appropriate for that battle, but next time I will claim the commander's head myself." "We will see, none of my sworn swords are the types for losing to others either." Lightning says. "So with this battle the legion has less than three thousand holding the rest of Equestria." Duke Hyou says. "Yeah, now that Canterlot is retaken we will continue east and then up the coast." Lightning says. "So why did you send a small contingent of soldiers to recapture the nearby town Ponyville if I remember correctly." Dyku Hyou says. "Most of the ponies sent there are originally from there. This way it will remind them why they are fighting and raise their moral." Lightning says. Hyou huffs. "Never fight on foreign land for you may lose the battle. Isn't that a rule for war?" "Why do you think I studied the land considerably and even lived here for some time?" Lightning asks. Hyou frowns at him. "So you just lived here for the war and nothing else?" "Originally yes, but things have changed. I have a personal reason to fight once more. If I live long enough I will become what the Dominion feared most of all. A general that can destroy all their ideals of their superiority. If not I'll leave everything up to the next generation. I have hope and confidence they can handle it without me." Lightning says with a smile. Hyou smiles and nods. "Good, now I can worry less about you." "You're no young stallion yourself Hyou. Your almost twice my age." Lightning joked. Hyou chuckles. "Yes, that's true. Now where do we go now?" "Like I said we make for the east in a few days. But first I have some personal issues to deal with. You mind giving me some time alone with my sister when she comes?" Lightning asks. Hyou waves him off. "Sure, sure, everypony needs time with family." Lightning was about to reply, but a knock on the door was heard. "Enter." Hyou says. Spitfire enters the room and Hyou just smiles and walks past her. Hyou closed the door behind him leaving both the siblings alone. "Sis, you mind sitting down?" Lightning asks. Spitfire sits down onto one of the cushions laid out in front of the low table. "So what do you want to talk about?" "It's about the identity of the late legion general. What I'm about to say will not leave this room. Understand?" Lightning asks. Spitfire nods. "Got it, so what about him?" "He was a former wonderbolt. More specifically he was the one you wanted to get your hooves on." Lightning says Spitfire growls. "You should have let me take care of him." "I killed him to end the siege and if it was made known that he was a former wonderbolt, think how much backlash you and your team would receive." Lightning says. Spitfire frowns. "That's why I wanted to handle it. We dodge press all the time." "Not like this sister. They would have been all over him as the defeated evil enemy general." Lightning says with air quotations. Spitfire huffs. "Still wanted a piece of him." "It's better this way. You didn't have to soil your hooves with that scum." Lightning says. Spitfire huffs. "Still wanted him." Lightning weakly smiles. "Feeling any better?" Spitfire asks causing Lightning's smile to drop. "No, if anything my condition is deteriorating." Lightning says. Spitfire's face turns stern. "We need to destroy the tree or at least speak to the spirit because it controls the forest. The only way to save this land too is also to speak to the spirit." "How do you know about the spirit here?" Lightning asks very spacious. Spitfire smiles. "Well, when you first mentioned it I read up on a few books in the Canterlot archives before we got out of there. And surprisingly it spoke of two spirits, one for the harmony and the other for the chaos. Of course, Discord is not the one for chaos, he's just a piece of the chaos spirit." "I know for a fact that that was covered up by Celestia and Luna. Which means you been risking your life to find that out." Lightning says. Spitfire giggles. "Everypony was evacuating. I'm sure that nopony minded that I took a peek in the restricted section." "You realize that that is where Celestia is getting most of her power from. She even has bamboozled the entire country into thinking she raises the sun." Lightning says. Spitfire grins. "I know, but it was for a good reason." "What reason could there have been for enslaving the elements and stealing the guardian spirits of this lands power?" Lightning asks. Spitfire sighs. "A more direct connection. When one goes out of balance then the other balances it again. But this only happens in close proximity. Have you noticed that the elements only worked when they were close?" "Because they are pieces of what you would call the collar of the harmony spirit. There is no chaos in them. Chaos is needed for the world to function properly. All that is here is the suffocating control of everything. Celestia did this so she could have total control of everything here." Lightning says. Spitfire shakes her head. "No, she originally did it to take down Discord when he got separated from the Chaos spirit. The Harmony spirit let her take the elements to take down Discord, but after that the spirits went quiet. Celestia couldn't do nothing, but to keep the elements until they were needed again. After Twilight and the others showed up she found viable users for the elements and keep them safe." "Spirits don't allow that. The only exception to that is if a deal was cut between them." Lightning says thinking out loud. Spitfire sighs. "Well actually this spirit did. The Harmony spirit let her take the elements because the Chaos spirit was going out of control and needed another way to handle it than just staying in one place." "No, even with that spirits don't do that. We are missing something." Lightning says. "Universal law?" Lightning's eyes then shot open and formed a glare. "That's it. There was a third party involved." Lightning says getting up and walks to the door. Spitfire watches as he leaves. "Um, where are going?" "To see Princess Luna. She will be able to shed some light on this matter." Lightning says leaving the room. Spitfire just watches as he closes the door behind him and looks back to the table. "You're still serious at times, I'll admit that." Lightning walks to the Canterlot court where Luna and several guards were. "Princess Luna, a word please." Lightning says. Luna looks up from some papers left behind and sees Lightning. "Um...sure. Would you excuse us?" The guards leaves, leaving the two alone. "Princess, what happened the night before you became Nightmare Moon?" Lightning asks bluntly. Luna looks to him with a blank expression. "Same as any history book will tell you, I was jealous." "Ok, I'll be more specific. Who came to see you?" Lightning asks. Luna shrugs. "Normal guards and servants, oh and I had a night court too." "Luna, King Sombra, and the fact the spirit of Harmony gave you and your sister the elements without even forcing you to make a deal." Lightning says causing Luna's eyes to widen. Luna shakes her head. "That's ridiculous. We took care of him long before Discord." "I'm not speaking of him specifically, but what caused him to become what he was. I learnt all about who he was from a first hoof source from the Crystal Kingdom. His is a sad tale." Lightning says. Luna raises an eyebrow. "Go on." "At first he was just a normal unicorn with a gift for crystal base magic. But he fought an evil version of himself and lost. Thus becoming the monster you fought. In truth though the real Sombra drowned long before you fought him." Lightning says. Luna shrugs. "Well then it was too late to save him so we did him a favor." "But who or what caused the creation of the evil counterpart?" Lightning asks. Luna shrugs with her hooves. "Another version of Nightmare Moon, maybe?" "Tell me Luna, was there anything odd or unusual about the night before you became Nightmare Moon?" Lightning asks. Luna just stares. "Other than the fact the sun and moon stopped moving with the moon on top, nothing." "You sure no unusual occurrences or ponies?" Lightning asks. Luna huffs. "Please, anything weird is sort of my specialty. If something came by me that is something I haven't seen before than I would remembered." "Even an unusual shadow?" Lightning asks. Luna thinks back. "Well with the moon in the sky it really brought more shadows than normal." "There's the unusual circumstance." Lightning says. Luna just looks confused. "What?" "Each major event had something unusual. The evil Sombra clone, the fact the spirit of harmony didn't force you into a deal for a piece of its power, and the unusual number of shadows the night before you became Nightmare Moon." Lightning says. Luna looks to him. "What are you saying?" "Something is moving in the shadows. Both the guardian spirits knew it. As such they needed a threat that would be too much for you and make you seek out a greater power." Lightning says. Luna looks to the side. "So what is out there?" "I don't know but now that I think about it. When I was at your old castle I noticed some unusual shadows moving. I thought it was the Wyvern, but now. I think we have a malevolent shadow spirit on our hooves." Lightning says. "Spirit of chaos?" "No, chaos is not evil. We are dealing with a different spirit. A malevolent spirit of shadows." Lightning says. Luna raises an eyebrow. "You already got an idea on what it is?" "Judging from what I learnt from the Crystal Kingdom and what I saw in your old castle, yes. But there is one detail that will confirm or destroy this notion. Luna what exactly happened when you turned into Nightmare Moon?" Lightning asks. Luna looks to him sternly. "Like taking a back seat in a train car and having somepony else take control while you do nothing, but watch." "No, what happened right before that? Were you enveloped by shadows?" Lightning asks. Luna nods. "Then that confirms the notion. After we finish liberating the east coast we will have to g…" Lightning was cut off by a savage bout of coughing with blood coming out of his mouth. "Lightning!" Luna yells. After Lightning stops coughing he starts wheezing. "I'm fine." Lightning struggled to say. Luna shakes her head. "You're not." "I am breathing so I'm fine." Lightning says. Luna huffs. "Yeah, and that blood isn't." "Look if the soldiers knew their general was not doing well then morale would plummet and they would start questioning orders." Lightning says. Luna nods. "You still need to go to the infirmary." "What's effecting me is not something your medical ponies can treat." Lightning says. Luna shakes her head. "No, but with this line of question I think I know what is." "What do you think it is?" Lightning asks leaning against the wall for support. "You need more magic, your type of magic." Luna said as she sits right by him. "Halfway correct. What I need is natural energy, which I can't get here unless the spell that enslaves nature to your will is dispelled." Lightning says. Luna huffs. "Who say we're controlling it?" "You control the weather, the plants, the animals, and you've lead on your citizens into believing you even control the movements of the sun and moon. We both know the last part is a lie." Lightning says. Luna sheepishly looks away. "Well partly true. We merely give the acceptance to move it, everything else is run by itself." "So the ponies of Cloudsdale aren't making the clouds for the weather?" Lightning asks with a smirk. Luna chuckles nervously. "Actually, they artificially make them, just faster than letting nature handle it." "You're a poor liar, you know that?" Lightning asks starting to get up and walk away. Luna chuckles still. "Only on good days." Author's Note Okay, that's it for that. Flair: So Discord what are your thoughts on the new threat? Discord: Well, not much. Okay they left early so read and review and see ya next time. How to Spend Time and Destroy It (Clop)Okay, we're back. Just so you know, we started this before the season finale. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' Lightning was lying in a bed with an ice pack on his face trying to relax when he heard a knock on the door. Lightning sighs and takes off the ice pack and sits up. "Come in." He says. Silva opens the door and walks in with Zecora. "Sir." Lightning looks up. "What is it Captain Silva, I thought I already dismissed you for the day?" Lightning asks. "You did sir, but there is somepony here who insists on meeting you." Silva says. "Who?" Lightning asks. Zecora looks him over. "You are the pony I need to see, for my home is in Everfree." "A zebra, I didn't expect to see one of you here." Lightning says. Zecora smirks. "My home in Everfree is in need. You are the one to help all that bleed." "Hold on, what is this about the Everfree Forest?" Lightning asks. Zecora lays down her bags on the table nearby. "Legion are in my area of residence and must be taken from the forest's presence." "Whoa, slow down, what are you talking about?" Lightning asks. Zecora takes out some bottles of different colors. "Your enemy I have seen in my domain, but must be taken out before they become like acid rain." "Do you know how many?" Lightning asks rubbing his temples. Zecora mixes some potion and shakes them together. "None that I have been able to count, but placed the number at almost like a regular bank account." She throws the bottle at him after she finished. "Whoa!" Lightning ducks as much as he could in the bed as the bottle breaks above him. "What did you say and why did you do that?!" He say after all of the green potion got onto him and he popped back up. "I think she means a thousand sir." Silva says a sword now at Zecora's throat. Zecora chuckles despite having a blade at her throat. "Yes I do, but you must go before you are blue." "Sir, should I execute her for this?" Silva asks. Lightning shakes his head. "I think I would rather follow her words." He quickly gets up and feels different. "Whoa. What did you do?" "A little something from my homeland that should help you get into the program." Zecora says. "I see, a thousand legionaries, what are they doing there? They have no known fortifications there." Lightning says thinking out loud. Zecora chuckles. "Nice rhyme, now you must go to the forest ahead of time." "What are they doing there?" Lightning asks. Zecora shrugs. "I don't know, but like I said you better go." "I can't do that to the whole army without some concrete information or proof." Lightning warns. Zecora grins. "Then look to the entrance for the answer to that sentence." "However, a thousand legionaries is a significant number and can possibly flank us." Lightning finishes. Zecora smiles. "Then you need a guide who knows how to turn them upside their heads." "I have also committed most of the Everfree Forest to memory, but you're coming along. Nikolai tell Duke Hyou to take half our forces and proceed with the operation. The other half will join us to the Everfree forest." Lightning says to the pony outside. "Yes sir." Nikolai says running off. "So what is at the front gat…?" Lightning stops to do a double take. "Is that my wife and her friends down there!?" Lightning yells. Zecora pats his head. "Calm down and maybe they will tell how they skip town." "Keep going like this and I'll have captain Silva throw you into the prison with the legionnaires." Lightning warns. Zecora chuckles and heads back to get her stuff while Lightning headed to the entrance by jumping out the window and using his wings to glide down. "Hey everypony, what are you doing here?" He asks as he stops in front of them. "Well for one..." Rainbow was cut off by a unicorn foal grabbing onto Lightning's leg. "Talion missed his dad and two, Zecora sent us a message saying something was wrong with the tree of Harmony." Rainbow finished. "Tree of Harmony?" Lightning asks hugging his son. "Yeah, didn't I tell you about when we had to return the elements? It was a little before you proposed to me." Rainbow says. Lightning nods. "Yeah, but what about the tree?" "Zecora said she would fill us in once we get here." Applejack says. "I guess I also should bring you up to speed as well." Lightning said before motioning them to follow him. Lightning lead them into the castle and told them about the notion he came up with that Luna's statement confirmed. "So all this time Luna, Sombra, and Discord are connected in some way?" Twilight asks. "The signs were there. You just had to know what to look for. I also believe the malevolent shadow spirit is hiding in what remains of the castle of the two sisters." Lightning says. "Then what are the legionnaires looking for in the Everfree Forest?" Rainbow asks. "That is unknown at this point. I'm going to lead half the army to the Everfree Forest as a move to prevent a flanking maneuver by the legionnaires, but the real goal is to see what they are up to." Lightning says petting his son. Rainbow looks to the city. "Then we better get ready to head out." "Whoa, whoa, who said you six are going?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smirks. "Our elements, our rules." "Um...my army, my rules." Lightning counters. Rainbow leans in to him. "And they are possibly going after the elements and that's our problem." "And you're in no condition for this. You're still recovering from childbirth." Lightning says unintimidated. "She flew here." Twilight said smirking. "After all, pegasus actually heals a little faster than other ponies." "You stay out of this!" Both yell at Twilight. Twilight bends her ears back as she took a step back. "Well excuse me for helping." "I say you are staying here!" Lightning yells turning back to Rainbow. Rainbow glares at him. "And I say we go, like I said, our elements, our problem. Plus we know how to work they better." "Don't feel bad Twi, they are just having a lover's spat." Applejack says. Twilight glares to Applejack. "Not helping." She hissed. "Twilight I don't think that was appropriate. Applejack was just trying to help." Rarity says. Twilight glares to her. "Just shut up and let them do their thing." "Well, I never." Rarity says turning away from Twilight and leaves. Twilight huffs and turns back to the arguing couple. "You are not going and that is final." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles evilly. "Yeah, not happening." Lightning raises his eyebrow. "And how are you going to force me to let you come?" Lightning asks. Rainbow grins. "Only we know where to look." "Ah, but you forgot I scouted the Everfree forest and the moment I find the legion I find it." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs. "Please, we had trouble finding it in the one place nopony would look." "Oh, so it's near the valley in the Everfree forest?" Lightning asks with a smirk. Rainbow shakes her head with a laugh. "Yeah, not close enough. Take us there and we'll tell you." "Rainbow, there is no way in Tartarus that I am letting you come." Lightning says sternly. "How the heck did you convince me to let you come?!" Lightning yells as he and the troops walked towards the Everfree forest. Rainbow laughs. "The mare is always right." "Ok, no, because if that was true Seeku and Eclipse would have a field day with us." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles. "I wish it was." Lightning grumbled under his breath as Princess Luna came up to Rainbow. "Lady Rainbow a word." Luna says in her Canterlot voice. Rainbow rubs her ears. "OW! Luna not so loud!" She yells over the ringing. "Sorry, but seriously a word." Luna says lowering her voice. Rainbow nods and pulls off to the side with Luna while still going in the same direction of the group. "So what's this about?" Rainbow asks. "Have you noticed anything odd about your stallion?" Luna asks as they move further away from the group. Rainbow nods. "Well he's spending more time away from me, but I was chalk that up to the war." "I mean about his health?" Luna asks. Rainbow sighs. "Yeah, he trips up more and seems out of it sometimes. I thought it was just stress." "A few days ago when he was talking to me he started coughing and actually spat up blood." Luna whispers. Rainbow looks to her. "What's going on with him?" "Rainbow, I think he's dying." Luna says. Rainbow stops completely. "Why?" "The magic of this land is tearing him apart." Luna says. Rainbow looks through the trees and sees Lightning directing more soldiers ahead. "Is there a way to fix it?" "Maybe, but it may mean the end of our way of life." Luna says. Rainbow looks to her confused. "Way of life how?" "Well..." Luna was interrupted by Hazuki. "Lady Rainbow, Princess Luna, please rejoin the rest, you're being left behind." Hazuki says. They both look to her and nod. After she disappeared through some trees Luna whispered to Rainbow, "We'll continue this later." Rainbow nods and they rejoin with the main body of the army. Rainbow now just stares at her husband with concern, now noticing the dark outlines under his eyes that were almost invisible due to his fur colors. 'Lightning.' Rainbow thinks. "What's wrong Rainbow?" Fluttershy asks. Rainbow shakes herself out of her thoughts. "Nothing Flutters." She said with a smile, though pained. "Rainbow I know you well enough to know when you are hiding something." Fluttershy says. Rainbow shakes her head dismissively. "I'm serious Flutters, there's nothing wrong." "Doesn't seem like that." Pinky says from behind her. Rainbow takes out a ball. "See the ball Pinkie?" Pinkie immediately went into dog mode and lays her front end down and wags her tail. "Go get it girl!" Rainbow yells throwing it ahead of them. Pinkie barks and heads for the pink fluffy ball. Most of the soldiers just stare as the pink pony takes the ball in her mouth and shakes it around like a ragdoll. "What...?" One soldier asks. "I find that insulting." A diamond dog soldier says. Rainbow shrugs. "Number one rule around here is when it comes to Pinkie just go with it." "I just find her weird." A changeling soldier says. Fluttershy giggles. "You and everypony else." 'It's strange, not a year ago nopony would have associated with either Diamond Dogs or Changelings, but now.' Rainbow thinks. Fluttershy giggles as Pinkie starts to hop around on everypony's heads to head to them. "Good girl." She said petting Pinkie's head. Pinkie snapped out of it and puts the ball away. "So Dashie, what is wrong?" Pinkie asks. Rainbow sighs and doesn't say anything and walks on. "Does Rainbow seem a little down to anypony else?" Rarity asks. The rest of the group nods and follows as well. "Whatever it is, it's mostly have to do with whatever Luna and she talked about." Twilight said. "And I'd bet that it has something to do with Lightning from the way she was looking at him." Applejack says. Fluttershy looks to the two. "Oh, I hope they're okay." "Sis, you really shouldn't be spreading rumors like that." Big Mac says walking up. Applejack looks to him surprised. "Big Mac? What are you doing here?" "I enlisted in the army at the beginning of the war sis." Big Mac reminds. Applejack looks surprised. "Wait, you were on the farm the whole time. How did you enlist?" "You have really been out of the loop for a while sis. I haven't been back to the farm since I went to get granny and took her to Pegasopolis. " Big Mac says. Applejack glares at him. "Just don't get hurt, you know how Applebloom looks up to you." "Applejack I have been fighting all this time." Big Mac says. "Corporal McIntosh report back to you squad." Somepony calls. "Yes sir!" Big Mac yells back and hurries back to his squad. "Mcintosh?" Fluttershy asks. "That is his full last name." Applejack says. Fluttershy giggles. "Funny name." "Seriously, none of ya knew my brother's full name?" Applejack asks. The others look away sheepishly. "Well, when you get a nickname like that it's kinda easy to say only that name then the full name." Rainbow chuckles nervously. "I'm disappointed in all of you." Applejack says. Rainbow smirks. "Well you don't call him by that name either." "But at least I knew it." Applejack countered. Rainbow smiles. "And yet you don't use it. The purpose of a name is to call them by that name, an identity. You don't use it then it's not their name." "His first name is Big. I mean after a while that gets confusing and his last name is a mouth full. And would you like it if everypony called you by your last name Dash, Pie, Sparkle?" Applejack asks. "Parents do that." They responded. "And we don't mind." Twilight finished. "I give up." Applejack says and raises her eyebrow. "Fluttershy why are you wearing your tree disguise?" Applejack asks. Fluttershy blushes. "Trees all around. Nopony bothers me." The rest of the mane six exchange looks and then stare back. "Dear, a moving tree is highly unusual even here." Rarity says. "Then why are the branches moving?" She asks looking up. "That's the wind, Fluttershy." Twilight informs. Fluttershy shakes her head and sees one of the branches moving closer to the group and points. "Winds don't go that far." She whispers fearfully. The tree is then hit by a bolt of lightning setting it ablaze. Looking in shock all six turn to see Lightning not looking happy. "All troops defensive march formation!" Lightning orders. Everypony immediately forms a defensive cover around everypony as they continue. "And get her out of that costume!" Lightning yells. "You heard him sugarcube." Applejack says. Fluttershy shakes her head fearfully and then gets lifted up in a purple glow. "Sorry Shy." Twilight apologized as the tree was removed and thrown away. "We'll get it on our way back." Rarity says as they carry her along. They marched for several more miles before Lightning asked. "So which way now?" He said looking over the large clearing with the castle and gorge. Rainbow pointed to castle and everypony walked forward until she moved it to the bottom of the valley making take a turn down the steps. Lightning look to his grinning wife as everypony grumbled about directions at this point. "How far are we from the old castle of the sister?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smiles. "Actually you're here. The castle ahead is the castle of the two sisters. Where did you need to go again?" "I don't like it. It's far too close for what is about to happen." Lightning says. Rainbow looks confused. "What's about to happen?" "Death, for this is war Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow shrugs. "We need some of the army to get to the tree and do whatever needs to be done. While..." "No, Rainbow this isn't for that. We are here to either kill or capture the Legionnaires." Lightning says sternly. Rainbow glares back at him. "You are not going to last here much longer if you keep this charade up." She starts to poke him in the chest. "We are going to go to the tree and figure things while you take care of the legion. Capiche?" "Captain Silva." Lightning calls. Silva perks up from her name. "Sir?" "Take a detachment of troops and escort my wife and her friends back to Canterlot." Lightning orders. Rainbow growls. "Lightning I know about the sickness." "You have your orders Captain." Lightning says walking away. "Lightning!" Rainbow yells. "Come on Lady Rainbow, you heard him." Silva says escorting her away. "When this is over we are going to be finished!" Rainbow yells after him. 'Unfortunately Rainbow, I doubt I will see that.' Lightning thinks his vision becoming blurry. After Silva had taken Rainbow and her friends away he called over Nikolai. "Nikolai, a word in private." Lightning says. Nikolai nods as they walk to the side. "Nikolai you know what is going on with me right?" Lightning asks. Nikolai nods as he looks to Rainbow and the others going back to Canterlot. "And unfortunately it might have ruined your marriage." "Nikolai if what I have predicted comes to pass, open my artifact vault in Stalliongrad and read the hundred black scrolls in there in order and take over my three armies as grand general. Also give my wife one last message. I have lived my life the way I have chosen and did so with honor and duty. Duty at times is our greatest burden and our greatest comfort. I had to choose between saving this country and our family or a possible cure that we didn't even know for sure would work. The choice was obvious for me and I am sorry for and pain and trouble I have caused you. But know, you and our children were one of the few great joys I have ever had." Lightning says. Nikolai smiles. "Permission to speak freely?" "Denied, for I will not be dissuaded. I have made my choices and I must live or in this case die with them." Lightning says. Nikolai shakes his head. "Then sorry about this sir. ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR BUCKING MIND?!" "We do our duty general. We do our duty." Lightning quotes the words Nikolai had said so long to him in the revolution. Nikolai huffs. "Know this Lightning, one day that attitude of yours will lead you astray, probably sooner than later. We all made an oath to protect this country and ours, but also the ones we follow. You are included." Nikolai then grins. "Besides, I think I know of a way." "Nikolai you know me and you know that the game we are playing in the stakes are bigger than the both of us. For the stakes are the world. I will not jeopardize the world and all of its beings of it for myself." Lightning says walking back to the army. Nikolai stands there as they all walk away, but sees Luna coming up the rear. "Princess Luna, a word please." "Stupid Lightning and having to do things his way. What about other ways for once." Rainbow says angrily. "Ah, my lady, I see you don't fully understand your husband yet?" Apollo says appearing behind them. He then catches a knife heading for his head. "Still need to work on speed and reaction." He said as he throws it back. "Sorry, Commander Apollo." Silva apologizes. Apollo chuckles as he lowers his mask. "So what pissed her off?" He asked looking to the fuming pegasus. "General Lightning is having us escort her and her friends back to Canterlot." Silva says. Apollo then scowls. "I see, then he truly doesn't plan on living through this." Apollo says. Upon hearing this Rainbow stops. "He's a bucking idiot then. Apollo, who's the more stupid, the one who asks for help or the one who denies it?" She asks quietly. Apollo exhales. "I know him all too well. He refuses to jeopardize any plans to save this country or its ponies even if it means he himself dies. He is not selfish enough to care about his own life. He holds far more value in everything else than his own life. In that way I think he is one of the greatest fools of all, but I also respect him deeply." Apollo says. Rainbow huffs. "Let's just go home." "What, you giving up on your husband, just like that? Was your love so shallow that just because he made you mad you say to Tartarus with him?" Apollo asks. Rainbow turns to him. "He resigned himself into being a martyr now. It won't matter at this point. Besides, he's probably attacking the legion now so I can't even get to him." Apollo smirks. "So you do want to go and help him and yet you just turn around and leave him?" Apollo asks. Rainbow glares at him. "Got a completely idiotic plan that will probably get us killed?" "I got no plan. We are dealing with a spirit of harmony and a malevolent spirit of shadows. We have to deal with both of them to save Lightning. So you tell me, is your love so shallow you will just give up on him or will you risk everything on a next to zero percent chance to save his life?" Apollo asks just waving her off from atop a tree branch. Rainbow keeps glaring at him until she smirks. "Why do you think I let go so easily?" "Isn't that what you're doing? Just walking away?" Apollo asks. Rainbow looks to him before laughing. "Jeez, you don't know much about mares do you?" She then calms down. "After Luna told me what was happening to him and listening in on how his powers work when Twilight studied him...closely." She said glaring at her which made Twilight blush and laugh nervously. "I went back and forth between Luna and Nikolai, coming up with a plan between them. First, since Luna and Celestia already had a connection with the spirits of Harmony and Chaos she would be the logical choice to speak to them, while Nikolai kept an eye on my stupid husband. Second, Luna would tell the spirits to let go of the forest area, since the area is already so weaken and us ponies from here can barely touch them. The reason Zecora feels right at home is because she is from another land right?" Zecora nods as Rainbow continues, but Apollo laughs, stopping her. "That's funny Rainbow, but you got it reversed. This is the only place in your country that isn't controlled by the magic Celestia is using from the spirit of Harmony to control." Apollo says. Rainbow smiles. "But the magic was given back and control of it too when we gave the elements back. That's the reason the vines of chaos went back into the forest." "Incorrect, if that was the case then your country would be like this forest, but it isn't the tree that is most likely the way to return the power, but it's like a mailbox in a sense so why hasn't the spirit awoken and retaken it's power?" Apollo asks. There was a long silence before Twilight said, "Something is keeping the spirit dormant." Rainbow nods. "And that's why I told Luna to at least tell the Harmony spirit to give up control on the forest." "That's just it Rainbow, it doesn't control the forest and it can't hear the sisters because it is dormant. Now I wonder what could be doing that." Apollo says. Rainbow shakes her head. "When we returned the elements the vines went back to wherever they came from, but they were made of chaos and can't be destroyed. So they just stayed there while the Harmony spirit tried to keep it at bay. Both the Chaos and Harmony spirit knew something was up so they tried something to get more direct, but it didn't work, now we're kind of asking them to let us take those reigns." "Ah, you're still thinking of this as two opposite forces balancing each other." Apollo says. Rainbow huffs. "Yes, I know, they are actually working together to stop the third spirit that is set out on destroying everything instead of keeping balance. But that means something is awake in there. Whether the Chaos or Harmony, the forest will be completely released and we can't do much there since our magic is no good in that type of world." Apollo sighs. "That's just it Rainbow, it's your magic type that is killing him." Apollo says. Rainbow frowns. "I know, but he said he gains magic from the area around him. And he held this long enough in completely controlled land. Spending all he needs here in a free land then it would possibly help him." "Yes, but your magic is all about control. So let me put it bluntly. If you awaken the spirit of Harmony then you lose all of that. You won't be able to control the weather, plants will grow on their own, animals will take care of themselves, and you will pretty much live in an Everfree like environment. But that's only if you can take care of what is keeping the Harmony spirit dormant." Apollo says. Rainbow looks to the forest. "How was the vines been able to keep back Apollo?" "Because something wants to keep a certain few away." Apollo says. Rainbow smiles. "Something about them seems off. Because they were delivered by Discord and he's made from the Chaos spirit then they shouldn't have caused harm or lasting impressions. Unless something changed them." Rainbow says. "Hmm...sounds like Sombra or Nightmare Moon." Apollo says. Rainbow nods. "Yes, and Harmony and in turn the elements were the thing to keep a little balance even though we had trouble. Something held us back when we were about to give it back, but Harmony took them which means some fragment is alive like Discord is, only connected." "Yeah, six to be exact." Apollo says looking at them. Rainbow shakes her head. "The elements were channels to send the power through, without it we're nothing but a few celebrities...well four celebrities, one princess, and one lady of a land. But still we can't do much without them and unfortunately that's all we were able to do. Luna and Celestia had the most connection and they are still connected in some way so they were the ideal candidates. Besides, if the land was freed, we would be liable to die from anything at that point and Twilight's magic would drain faster even though it's a huge amount. That's why I wanted to leave and leave Luna and Nikolai to handle things from there." "I see you still don't get it, huh. The elements are a focus opposed to the collar Lightning thought they were. The real power came from you six." Apollo says. Rainbow shakes her head. "And then we would send Lightning his death certificate. Yes, we may be part of Harmony, but we can't do much and turn off the land that easily. In fact we just know how to fight together and with the elements, nothing more. Learning this would probably take forever. I wanted to go the safe way as possible. We need a speaker and Luna has the floor with that. We are just the politicians, so to speak. If you want us to go back then starting writing the death warrants." "You don't really have a choice anymore. It seems the spirit is starting to make a move against you six now. So it's do or die girls. Either you destroy this spirit or it will destroy you and corrupt and take everything you hold dear now." Apollo says getting up and loading his bow. Twilight turns to Rainbow. "This is your choice Rainbow, we will follow whatever you want to do." The others nod as they look to her. "Is it really coming?" Rainbow asks. "You tell me." Apollo says as several trees started to turn black and started to move side to side. Twilight groans. "Not again. Pinkie! You're up." "Um...I don't think the laugh song is going to help." Pinkie says looking to the trees. Twilight groans again and gains a blank expression. "I hate my life." She said as she fired a lightning spell to the trees, destroying them. "Like I said, you six don't have a choice now. Captain you and your troops get them to that castle. That is where the spirit is." Apollo says. Silva nods and begins to head back with the rest following. "Let's go get the lord back." "I said the castle. Lightning is not there." Apollo says. Silva looks to him as they pass by. "We finish this and we will get the lord back. Now get hopping and start shooting." "Alright, I'll hold it here as long as I can. You just get those six there." Apollo says drawing an arrow back. Silva nods and looks to the rest. "Let's hurry, we might still make it." She takes off running with the rest behind her. Apollo watches as they leave until they disappear into the darkness. He sighs and, without looking, aims his bow behind him and let's go of the arrow, making it hit a tree coming at him. "I faced worse trees. You try going through the same asylum I went through." Then the shadows formed into a large ogre like form. "Oh great, I guess I'm going to have to take you seriously." Apollo says, notching another arrow. The soldiers and the mane six were running when they heard an explosion coming from where Apollo was. Silva shakes her head and continues on. "He's faced worse, we have to hurry before this gets worse than worse." "What did Apollo mean when he said that thing wants to destroy us now?" Rarity asks. Silva never took her eyes off the forest as trees tried to grab them, but misses by a long shot. "The spirit is bent on destroying anything standing in its way for destruction and unfortunately like Discord is to Chaos, you six are to Harmony and that spirit wants them both gone." "I still don't see…" Rarity was cut off when a pony from behind yelled, "Look out!" The stallion pushed her out of the way but was unfortunately crushed by a giant branch. The mane six stops and gasps, but the others pushed them on as they couldn't stay. "That's what I meant. It just doesn't want you gone as in no more harmony, but also dead." Silva said as they continue to run. "Look up ahead. It's a manticore." A pony says as a manticore burst out of the tree line. "Fluttershy!" Twilight yells to her. Fluttershy looks to the manticore and realizes one thing. She takes a spear from a nearby soldier and puts it through its brain as they run past. They continue to run, but the mane five look to her. "He was already gone." She said sadly. They looked back and see it change into a black version with several spikes protruding from its body. "I see what you mean. What tipped you off?" Twilight asks as she looks back at it. "Its eyes were dead." Fluttershy says crying a little. "We can't stop now. It looks like this entire forest is infected." A changeling says keeping an eye out with its enhanced vision. Silva looks to the mane six. "What else did you face when you first got here?" "Well there was a…" Twilight was cut off by the changeling again. "Captain, incoming! It looks like several corrupted birds are coming at us." The changeling yells. Twilight puts up a shield as the birds came crashing down into them, spreading a black pool of liquid. "My instincts tell me not to touch that." Twilight yells as they continue to run. "Captain, more are coming from behind. It looks like five times as many as the last group." The changeling says. "This is bad. My shield barely held last time." Twilight says. The changeling looks to the two pegasus behind him and they nod. "Captain make it count." The changeling says sadly. "Wait...what are you...?" Applejack asks looking back to see the three take to the air. They watch as the three attack the flock and thin them down and stops them from advancing. "They can hold, but not long. We have to keep moving!" Silva yells before an explosion of green magic happens behind them and Silva just goes silent. "Captain Silva?" Twilight asks carefully. "Just make their sacrifice worth it." Silva says. The mane six nods to each other and runs again. Silva stays behind for a few seconds before catching up. "How far?! You know this area best." She asks them. "We should be halfway there." Rainbow says. Silva looks to them flabbergasted. 'Halfway, we barely survived the first half.' She thinks in despair. She shakes her head as the real consequence came to her. 'Can't let that stop me.' "Oh, look the ground is moving, it must be a giant mole." Pinkie says hopping as fast as the group ran as the ground beside them was humped up like something was moving under a carpet. Twilight looks to the mound. "Yes there is something under there, but moles aren't indigenous to this area, not even Ponyville or Canterlot." The hump shot ahead of them and out of the ground bursts a huge black ogre like creature with no eyes and rows of razor sharp teeth. Silva's eyes widen before Twilight shot a light spell into the dark ogre, making it try to wave it off as it was blinded. "Slide! We're at the cliff!" Twilight yells. "You go on ahead, we'll deal with this thing." A soldier says. Twilight growls. "We're not losing another!" She yells before encasing everypony into a bubble and sending them rolling down the cliff. While Twilight stayed in the middle and keeps firing light spells at the creature. The creature just shrugged them off and shot a beam from its mouth that vaporized a lot of trees near them. "We need to distract that thing." A unicorn says using his magic to cancel the magic bubbles before casting a teleport spell on the mane six and Silva, teleporting them behind it. The mane six watches as the unicorn fires a spell to grab the ogre's attention and runs off after it tried to get him. "Keep moving." Silva tells the others. The soldiers slip through the ogre's legs as they make it across the bridge. "Come on." Pinkie calls waiting for them. The soldiers were about to start crossing the bridge but more ogres burst from the ground. A soldier looks back at them then at the ogres and then takes his weapon and cuts the bridge supports destroying the bridge. "Captain, it's been an honor." The soldier calls. Pinkie and the others watch as the soldier tries to run around and cut ogres. Silva pulls away as he disappears into a fog that appeared. "We have to hurry." She tells the others as they keep watching the fog. "Hey!" She yells getting their attention. "We have lost many thanks to this thing, but we can end it, now let's go." She said running with the other quickly following. Fifteen minutes ago Lightning and the army came to a horrifying sight. Every legionnaire that had been here were brutally killed with a few dark ogre like things lying dead on the ground as well. "Sir, what does this mean?" An unnerved soldier asks. "It means we just found a graveyard." Lightning says. "And the graves are still not empty." Apollo then lands beside him, his cloak a little in tatters. "Lightning, we have a problem." Apollo says out of breath. "No shit, Apollo." Lightning says. "Oh, you mean you know that a malevolent spirit of shadows is trying to kill your wife and her friends as we speak?" Apollo asks genuinely surprised. "WHAT?!" Lightning yells too close. "I thought they were heading back to Canterlot! Why is the spirit going after them now?! It's not time to take over from my calculations." "Well you see I kinda talked to the spirit of chaos. Don't ask how I did it because Discord made me swear not to reveal how. And it kinda told me that the elements of harmony are really just focus lens for the real pieces of harmony which are in the souls of Rainbow and her friends. As such they are the key to reawakening the spirit of harmony and thwarting the malevolent spirit of shadow's plans permanently." Apollo explains and every word seem to make Lightning twitch more and more. "Apollo?" Lightning asks calmly. "Yes?" Apollo asks leaning in. Lightning grabs his hooded collar and pulls him close. "Remind me to send you to another asylum, this time a true haunted one." "Oh, did I forget to mention it is trying to kill them right now?" Apollo asks with a smile. Lightning growls. "And bring your old friend back from the dead as well so she can haunt your ass again." "I don't think you have time for that and to help your wife." Apollo says still smiling. "Belcoot!" Lightning yells. Belcoot shakes himself out the scene in front of him and walks right next to Lightning. "My Lord?" "Take command. Hazuki, Zagai, Alexander and Nikolai you're coming with me." Lightning orders as he drags Apollo along by the ground. Apollo looks to him and smiles. "Does this mean I'm coming too?" "Don't push me Apollo or I'll use you as part of the ammo in our next siege." Lightning says. Apollo hmmms. "Shutting up now." "Double...no...triple time it." Lightning yells, dropping Apollo and takes to the sky with Hazuki, Zagai, Alexander and Nikolai following by either air or land. Apollo watches as he leaves and notches another arrow into his bow. "Everypony duck, I don't know what I'm doing!" He tells them as he fires in a random direction and hitting a tree, making it go up in flames as darkness come out from around the burning tree. "Ready yourselves! I had enough trouble by myself." Lightning just screams in anger as he shoots a lightning spell that leaves a ten foot wide and deep crater. After shooting that blood starts running from his mouth. "Sir! Control yourself. Wasting more magic is not the answer." Hazuki yells from the ground. "I'm going to level this entire forest if I have to get to my wife." Lightning says flying forward anger visible in his movements and his sporadic burst of lightning spells. Hazuki watches as he hurries along. "Huh, so he does care." She fires a fire spell at a nearby tree getting too close. "No, no touching on the first date." She scolded as she rushes to catch up. "You things are annoying me." Zagai says ripping through branches with his strength. "You think you got it bad enough!" Alexander yells as he uses his earth pony strength and heaves a small tree from its roots and throws it to its friends. "I'm destroying things with my hooves!" He yells to Zagai. Lightning fires another bolt as blood started to spill more from his mouth. "Guys, quit skipping through the forest! We have a group in trouble." Apollo, who is keeping up with Lightning, hops through the trees. "Heads up, seems a few of the escort detail soldiers are ahead with more of those ogres." Apollo says. Lightning sees a few soldiers trying to hold their own against the ogres and, in a bout of anger, flies straight to the ground sending an electrical storm everywhere as the soldiers dives to the ground, making the ogres die from the bombardment. "Where are they?" He yells to the soldiers as the ogres fall. The four soldiers point to the castle, making Lightning and the others to either fly or teleport to the castle. The soldiers watch as they go inside before the ground rumbles and more ogres pop up. "Shit." They suddenly fall apart and Hazuki walks up and sheaths her sword. "I guess I'm going to be in charge of getting you four home safely." Hazuki says. The soldiers nod as they look behind her. Hazuki looks behind as well. "Well, I guess I can go for a little touch." She said to herself as more mounds and ogres came out of the trees and ground. The mares get into the castle and start looking around. "Where is the thing?" Twilight asks looking into every doorway, deciding on where to go. Rainbow looks around for something different. "Where's Luna? She's at least supposed to be nearby." "Doubtful, the general ordered her under constant surveillance and to come nowhere near here before we departed Canterlot. He said something about not letting the past repeat itself." Silva says brandishing her sword and shield. They look to her. "What past?" Twilight asked accusingly. "She means Nightmare Moon." Pinkie says swinging on a chandelier. Twilight looks at Pinkie, not even questioning how she got up there. "Why Nightmare Moon? Luna is more in control than ever at this point." "The spirit is what change Luna into Nightmare Moon to begin with." Pinkie says now swing from chandelier to chandelier. Twilight groans. "Then how do we find this spirit? All of us went around this castle a hundred times when we each showed up here and none of us found anything remotely close to the spirit." Rainbow suddenly stops and is wide eyed. "Because it's a spirit of shadows. It's all around us." Rainbow says backing up to Silva. Everypony followed her example as they tried to stay in the most brightly lighted area. "I meant the Harmony spirit and Chaos spirit. Not this one." Twilight said as she tried to light the place up. "Wait don't do that, the brighter the light the darker the shadows. Even our own!" Silva yells wide eyed, tossing the shield away as it casted a shadow. Twilight stops and tucks in her wings as everypony else did what they could make the least amount of light. "It's no good, there is no way to get rid of every shadow." Twilight said as the shadows creep in closer. "Wait." Rainbow slowly looks to their shadows. "Where would be the best place for it to hide?" Rainbow asks. They look to her. "You are not suggesting we go in the shadow Lady Rainbow?" Silva asks as she tries to back up more. "No, I'm asking where would we least suspect?" Rainbow asks. They tilt their heads. "The light?" Pinkie tried. "No, what is the closest to us?" Rainbow asks a little scared. They look down to their own shadows. "We have to stay apart." Twilight said. "Twi don't move." Applejack says not moving. They all stayed still as the shadows crept closer. "What do we do then? How do you fight something you keep making?" Twilight asks, sweat forming on her head. "Your shadow moved when you didn't." Applejack says. Twilight slowly looks down and sees herself, but her head has a smile and sharp teeth...in the middle of the head. She yelps and flies upward to not touch it. The shadow's head area then has two red eyes. "What the heck?!" Twilight yells. Applejack looks to hers. "Some of us can't fly." She saw her shadow's tail become undone. "Twilight, look up at the ceiling." Fluttershy says. Twilight looks up and sees the shadow coming down like syrup falling. She floats downward as they did their best to dodge their shadow. "What do we do?" Rainbow looks around. "Barely anything." Her shadow now has horns and spikes coming out of it with red eyes and fangs. It also look pregnant like she did. "What?" The shadow reaches for its pregnant belly and digs in with its hooves and pulls out the foals. "No!" The shadow laughs as it crushes the foals. "That's not real, Lady Rainbow! You already had your foals and they are safe back home." Silva said to her as her shadow brought up its hooves to the head and removes it as it also grows fangs and red eyes. "Now that's just disgusting." The shadow shrugs. "Oh, do me, do me." Pinkie says looking to her own shadow. It starts to look like her alternate personality, Pinkamena. "Cool. Hi there." Pinkie waves at it enthusiastically. The shadow waves back with less enthusiasm before bringing out a knife and grabs what looks like the Cakes's foals. "No wait!" The shadow brings the knife down and slices through the foal's stomach slowly and carefully. "No, don't do that. Then you won't anypony to play with you anymore." The shadow then starts dismembering them with its red eyes and fangs. "Things are getting worse by the moment." Rarity says as she looks to her shadow. It just sits there, looking like her. "Well, I guess mine doesn't have much to go on." She watches as another shadowy figure comes right by hers and sees that it looks like a small dragon. "Spike?" The Spike shadow gets down on one knee and shows a box. "Oh, that's so sweet." Her shadow looks at Spike for a moment before bringing its head up like a Canterlot pony and sends Spike away with a kick. "No! I would never do that!" Her shadow looks to her and grins. It sends more shadows to the Spike shadows and covers it up. "Stop it!" "That's everypony, but me." Fluttershy meekly says as she looks to her own shadow and see a bunny like shadow. "Angel?" The bunny shadow starts hopping around, but her shadow just stands there. She watches as it reaches into the wing area and pulls out a knife. "No." The bunny shadow stops moving and watches as the knife comes down on him. "Angel!" The shadow then brings out more animal shadows as it starts to knife away at everything in sight. Fluttershy cries as the image haunts her. Applejack looks to her shadow. "You know that undoing my tail is not my worst nightmare." The shadow was then join by Big Mac and Applebloom. "What are you doing?" The shadow Applejack grabs a scythe. "Wait!" The shadow swings the scythe and cuts off the heads of both her siblings. The shadow laughs as another one comes in. "No, not her." She watches as her shadow cuts Granny Smith's head off. "Stop it!" Twilight looks around for her shadow and sees it on the wall next to her. "What are you going to do?" All seven of the mares' shadow then, in unison, started laughing. "What's so funny?" Her shadow smirks as it looks to her friends. Twilight looks and sees most of them sobbing over their image. She then growls and turns back to her own. "Why don't you come out and face us like real ponies. Unless, you're too much of weakling, relying on tricks to get us." The shadow continues laughing and just points up. Twilight looks up and sees the ceiling now had red eyes and fangs and had a male figure. "What?" She whispers to herself. "I do so love to play with my victims before I finish them." The giant shadow says in a distorted voice. Twilight huffs. "You still haven't broken me." "Oh, I have a special plan for you. I believe a second mare of darkness would be so amusing to watch." The shadow says. Twilight raises an eyebrow. "Second mare?" "Yes it was so easy to turn Luna and you. I can smell it, all that rage, fear, hatred, and jealousy. Nice job on that last one by the way, didn't have to do anything. But when I turn you, you will be far more powerful than Luna ever was." The shadow says. Twilight smirks. "Yeah right, like I would join." "I never said join. I will kill your friends one by one and make you watch. Slowly breaking you down until you have no strength to resist." The shadow says. Twilight looks to the side and sees her own shadow looking upward at her master. "Do you deal with this every day?" "You still don't understand do you? I am every shadow here. If I want to I could easily crush each one of yo…" The shadow stopped when it heard a bell outside the front door. "Now who would be ringing a bell while I'm monologuing?" The bell rings again and the shadow notices that its shadow tendrils keeping the door sealed are weakening. "What!?" The shadow roars. A few knocks came to the door to the tune of 'Shave and a Haircut, Two Bits.' "Who is it?" Pinkie asks cheery again. "Charley Temple. Open the door." A voice said with a bored voice. "Oh, must be my quarterly edition!" Pinkie said running to the door and opening it. "Give me my magazine." Lightning walks in with a smile and twitching every once in a while. "Hello. Nice to meet you all, how you doing?" He said with a fake smile. "Oh you know being psychologically tortured by the spirit." Pinkie says. Lightning chuckles. "Good. How is my wife? You are playing nice, right?" "L...Lightning?" Rainbow asks. "Oh Rainbow, where is this spirit?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smiles nervously. "Ah hum! Busy here!" The spirit said loudly. "Oh hi. Die!" Lightning roars before sending a torrent of lightning up, vaporizing the entire roof. "I hope you like the new redecorating idea." Lightning says before vomiting blood. "Lightning!" Everypony yells. "Ha, ha, ha, ha. So the magnificent Lightning is dying. This makes things easier." The shadow said laughing evilly. "Don't be so smug, you over glorified shadow. Light is about to illuminate the room." Lightning says falling over. Rainbow goes over to him as Lightning hits the ground. "Lightning?" Twilight looks around. "What did he mean by light illuminating the room?" "I like to know that myself." The shadow said curious. "Then just look up. Even if it's night there is always light." Lightning says. The shadow appears on another wall away from everypony. "What are you talking about?" Soon the dust started to clear and light started to shine through. "The moon." Silva says. The shadow looks up as well. "Shit." "You forgot your type of spirit loses power when exposed to the outdoors." Lightning says weakly and smiling. Rainbow cradles his head as the moon shines through the room. "You idiot." She said smiling. "Rainbow don't worry about me. Finish it now that it is weakened or it will go after our foals." Lightning says. Rainbow nods and places him down. "Come on girls. Let's get rid of him." She told the others. "But how what are we supposed to do this, the darn thing is formless." Applejack says as the shadow hisses. "Hey, I resent that comment." The shadow hisses. Applejack turns to him. "Ah, shut up. The mares are talking." "You already know what to do, just follow your instincts." Lightning says as Silva joins his side. Rainbow turns to the rest and they smirk. She then turns to the shadow. "You're not that good when it boils down to things." "I'm far more powerful than any of you. Enough of this for you all die now!" The shadow yells before lashing out with the shadow trendies at them. The six dodge them as Twilight starts charging her magic. "Come on girls, together." Twilight says. Soon every one of them got together as Twilight's eyes start to turn white. "You're done." Suddenly the cutie marks of all six mares start to light up as they glow with a new magic. The shadow hisses at them as light floods the room. "Fools, you don't even know what you are doing!" As the mares gets covered in a bubble of white magic the ground starts to be covered in a white magic light. Lightning looks down as the magic reaches him and Silva. "What?" Silva said. "What's happening Captain?" Lightning asks weakly. Silva looks around as the ground under them becomes bright white. "Something is happening on the ground. It's being covered and Lady Rainbow and her friends looks like they are about to attack." "Then all is well." Lightning says getting quieter. Silva watches as Lightning grew still. "Sir?" He doesn't move. "Sir!" She yells shaking him. "Lightning!" "Captain, tell me everything that happens." Lightning says. Silva looks to the mares as the bubble got bigger. She then looks to the shadow as it tries to hide anywhere it could. "Silva?" "The magical bubble is getting bigger and the shadow looks like trying to hide." Silva says. After a while the bubble started to form a white beam that shot upward before collecting at a point. The shadow hisses as it tries to get away. "Now there are attacking." Silva says as she holds Lightning to know he's still there. "Is there white wings coming from the magic yet?" Lightning asks. Silva soon sees another figure form from the collecting beam. "I think it is now, sir." Silva said. Lightning smiles. "Good." The figure from beam rears up as it took the form of a dove and charges. "No! You will doom everything!" The shadow said desperately. The dove hits him, but that's where everything stops. Everything stops at that point. Not even the magic or dust still flying around doesn't even move. Everypony is at a standstill as if time stops as barely anything happens for a few seconds. After a while a white portal opens up in the middle of the whole battleground. "Why do I have to be the one to get them?" A figure said as it steps out of the portal. "I mean, I do a good job, keep everything nice and fun. But do I get any thanks? Nooo." The figure sighs and looks around. It then reaches out with trendals of magic coming from its body and grabs Lightning and Silva. "Need you two." It then reaches to the bubble holding the six mares. "And you six as well." It moves the still bodies and bubble into the portal. The figure sighs as it drop the trendals of magic and heads back, but not before looking to the shadow. "Nope. Not yet." With another trendals of magic it touches the spirit and makes all traces disappear. The figure sighs again and heads through the portal, closing it behind it. Time then starts again and six more ponies enter the room. "General, are you here?!" Hazuki yells. The rest look around as field worthy of a battle laid before them. "What the heck? What happen? Where is everypony? Where's the general, the mares, and the damn spirit?" Zagai yells. Nikolai looks to a pool of blood near him. "I think what we need is time and patience." The rest look to him as if he's gone mad. The mares just got out of the magical bubble, land on something hard. "Where are we?" Fluttershy asks looking around. Twilight looks around as well. "Well this is something I have never seen before. In either books or guides." She said looking around the white room. Rarity looks to the room as well. "Could use some redecorating. White would get drab real fast." "That's insulting you know. I am the architect that designed this place." A voice said behind them. The turn around and see a large chimera like creature. "Discord?" Fluttershy asks. "No, I am the spirit that he came from though." The chimera said with a female voice. Everypony looks to each other before looking back to her. "Are you sure, miss?" Twilight asks. The chimera turns to them shocked. "Hey, I'm not female here." The spirit said with a double voice in a male tone. Twilight then realizes what's going on. "She's a spirit of chaos, the voices changes between all types known to any kind on this planet." The chaos spirit grins a toothy grin. "Very good, except spirits only have genders if we want. But you can identify me as a female for now. Now onto business. Harmony! Wake up! We have guests!" She yells to the other end of the room. A dove pops its head out of a little birdhouse in the corner. "Is it over, did they defeat it?" The dove asks. The chaos spirit scoffs. "You know as well as I do that it's not time yet." She said as she floated over to a throne militarizing out of thin air. "Then why did you wake me up?" Harmony asks irritated. Chaos huffs. "We need them to know something's and also give them what they need." She looks to the almost dead Lightning. "And maybe a deus ex machina." "Wait, is that? Oh that will not do. We can't have him mad at us over this." Harmony says. Chaos reclines in her throne like Discord does on a good day and by that I mean reclining on the side. "Plus, there's our clean floor. We can't have that dirty." Rainbow, seeing Lightning, wordlessly walks over to him and just hugs him. "Rainbow, is that you?" Lightning asks very weak. Rainbow nods and then looks over to the spirits. "Please, help him." She pleaded. "Kinda out of jurisdiction, for he has already made a pact with a spirit." Harmony explained. "And we should be hearing from him soon enough." Chaos says turning her chair upside down. Applejack holds her head. "Would ya quit it, we already have enough trouble concentrating with Discord!" "I don't mind meeting his mother." Fluttershy says with a smile. Chaos claps her hands together. "I like this mare. Would you like to talk over chocolate milk?" Fluttershy looks surprised. "You like chocolate?" Chaos nods. "Of course, it was little Dissy's favorite drink during childhood." Pinkie tries to hold in her laughter. "Dissy?" She then bursts out laughing as the name hits her. They all suddenly silenced with the sound of lightning crackling outside. "He's here." Harmony says. They look to a portal opening as lightning shoots out and courses through the room before combining into a blue eye. "Oh quit it Fulgur. That show is millenniums old." Chaos yells to him. The eye didn't respond as it just looked at Rainbow and Lightning. "What are you looking at?" Rainbow asks. "Rise Lightning Bolt, your duty is not yet fulfilled." The spirit says shooting lightning at Lightning. The lightning coursed through him for a few minutes and Lightning's eyes shot open along with a sharp inhale of air followed by coughing. "Lightning!" Everypony yells. Harmony sighs. "It's good to see other beings happy." "Harmony, Chaos, you will return that realm of the world to normal now." The lightning spirit orders. They shrug as the ponies' coverage around Lightning. "Fine." They said together. "Lord Fulgur?" Lightning asks getting up. "Yes?" Fulgur asks. "Why did you bring me back? I was face to face with death himself. This will put you at odds with him as all spirits know he hates when others disrupt his job." Lightning says. "Please, I play cards with him every weekend. He'll be fine. Besides we're all informed of everything needed from Minerva. She knows...well everything." Fulgur said. "Lightning who is this?" Twilight asks. "This is Fulgur, the king of the lightning spirits and a grand level spirit." Lightning says. Twilight looks back to Fulgur. "Then when you mentioned death, it means…" A dark cloud seeps in from the ground and soon a hooded pony rises out of it. "Shoot, I was too late." "Meet the angel of death. The one who shepherds the souls of every living creature to the other side." Lightning says. "Wowza!" Pinkie yells and edges up to him. "Hello death. What do you really look like? I always wondered when Twilight showed me that picture." "Hello Pinkie, what is this, our tenth meeting?" Death asks. Pinkie shakes her head and brings out a list. "I say around fifty." She said reading the long list. "What!?" The six other mares yell. Pinkie looks to them. "Oh, I'm buddy, buddy with Deathy here. Yet, he always kept that hood up and I wonder what's under it. Let me look." She reaches for the hood, but stops as a blade blocks her way. "Now, now, Pinkie, you know the rules for me." Death said placing the scythe back in the shadows. Pinkie pouts cutely. "Meany." "Now while this has been informative, I think we should leave the spirit world. And death you imitate Rainbow when you come for me next time or I will blast you with everything I got." Lightning says. Death chuckles evilly. "Yeah, yeah. Go back home." Death then sinks into the shadows as they dissipate. "When I get back I am going to drink this memory away." Lightning says. "Save some for me." Twilight says rubbing her head. Applejack looks to the remaining spirits. "I got the hardest cider known to Equestria. Come to where I'm staying and I'll hook ya up." She said to her friends. Chaos chuckles. "Don't be strangers now." Harmony frowns. "And quit dying." "It was what you did that killed me, so you don't get a say in that." Lightning reminds as a portal opens up. Harmony huffs. "Not my fault you can't take me. Maybe you should find another marefriend." "He's married." Rainbow says. Lightning then stops and facehooves. "Oh dang it." "What?" Rainbow asks in a confused tone. "You have a piece of her in your soul because you're an element of harmony and thus she is insinuating that technically she is with me because of that." Lightning says. "Burn." "Burn." Pinkie and Chaos said at the same time. "Forget the drinks, I will just beat my head on a wall." Lightning says. Harmony smirks. "Not if I'm there to stop you." "I hate you Harmony." Lightning says. Harmony just sticks her tongue out. Twilight leans in to the upside down Chaos. "I thought she was about harmony?" "She is, but she is still a child." Chaos whispers. Twilight looks to the little dove. "That's a child?!" "By our standards. After all, you mortals are so short lived." Chaos says. Twilight looks at the dove for a few more before heading for the portal. "This can count as the scariest and weirdest day ever in our lives." The mane six and the army soon returned to Canterlot now that the threat of the Legionnaires in the Everfree Forest was eliminated. Lightning had been avoiding Rainbow all the while back and looked like he was mostly in thought. He soon asked Rainbow to meet him privately in a room in the castle after they got back. Lightning laid in front of a lit fireplace as he waiting for Rainbow, all the while staring into the flames. He then heard a knock on the door. "Come in." Lightning says. Rainbow enters with a downtrodden look on her face. "Hey hun." She said sadly. "Hey love. We need to talk. I specifically need to apologize." Lightning says. Rainbow looks up in surprise. "Uh...you sure you're my husband?" "Yes, as a soldier and a general I have sacrificed many things friends, soldiers, places. But there is one thing I can't sacrifice no matter what. I couldn't let you come into harm's way Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow frowns at him. "So what's this have to do with you apologizing?" "I couldn't let you come into harm's way so I tried forcing you away recently." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs. "More than forcing away." She said to herself. "Yes and I just wanted to say I'm sorry and I understand if you want to leave me." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him with a glare. "Mr. Bolt, do you remember what I said back there?" "I know. I've decide to leave you everything here. After I finish the Legion I will be leaving Equestria forever." Lightning says. Rainbow keeps glaring until she sighs. "You're still the same stupid stallion I'd married." She then smiles. "But you're my stupid stallion." "Huh?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smiles lovingly. "Would you bring them in please?" She said to the door. The door opens to find Hurricane and Stormy with their foals. "You know that if you leave I think Talion would hate me forever and I am all about keeping loyalty between everypony. If I divorced you, what kind of loyal mare would I be?" "I don't deserve you Rainbow." Lightning says sadly. Rainbow giggles. "Then how about you stop thinking about others for a moment and think about yourself. You would never get by in your whole life without thinking about yourself for once." "You've been talking to Nikolai about my past haven't you?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smiles. "Actually everypony. They are all worried about you and they know how to deal with it, but you don't. So we have been trying to leave thoughts to you on it." Lightning looks confused. "What?" Rainbow looks to him. "You didn't see all the subliminal messages?" Lightning shakes his head. "No." Rainbow facehooves. "Then you're more of an idiot than I thought." "I'm still regaining my eyesight here." Lightning says. Rainbow knocks him upside the head, knocking him down. "Like I said, idiot. You need to start listening more." "Yes love." Lightning said in pain as he stayed down. Rainbow lays right by him as Hurricane and Stormy places their foals right beside them. "We'll leave you two alone now." Hurricane said as she and Stormy leaves and closed the door behind them. Lightning and Rainbow looks to each other as their foals move around them. "You really need to work on your social skills." Rainbow randomly said. "What can I say I'm not really up to my average? Also Rainbow, I have decided to let Duke Hyou take over freeing the coast and will be sending most of the remaining army to reinforce him since without my eyesight I won't be as much help." Lightning says feeling the foals rub up against him. Rainbow scootches over next to him so Lightning was spooning her. "Then it's a great excuse for us to spend more time together." "I have no objections to that. But two questions, first how are you and your friends taking the deaths of the soldiers that sacrificed their lives to protect them?" Lightning asks wrapping a foreleg around her. Rainbow snuggles more into him. "They understood what was happening after Fluttershy rekilled that manticore. They know what is going on since the war started so they're fine. And Pinkie is just going to have another chat with Death it seems so..." She trails off there. "And you?" Lightning asks. "Lightning I have been more worried than ever at this point and yet I still see the dead come in. I can handle it." Rainbow said nuzzling him. "Ok and my second question. Even if I can't see it I can feel that the weather is no longer under the control of the ponies. The realm is starting to feel like a natural place. So how are ponies taking this?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shudders. "They're adapting and Celestia and Luna are trying to keep the population from going out of control. We'll be fine, ponies lived in this type of situation like you have so we can take it. But for one thing is that the clouds we make are still under control, they just act like nature clouds. Twilight noticed that her magic reserves are slowly recovering, but not as fast as before so it's still there. Applejack has been working on the fields and noticed that the trees and plants needed less care as they can handle themselves so really more season time now. Fluttershy also saw some animals leaving to live their own life without ponies, but she understands. Some stayed with her so she's happy with that." Lightning smirks. "I wonder how they will react will they learn they don't have to do winter wrap up." Lightning says chuckling. Rainbow giggles. "Yeah, thought about that. It was trouble anyway. Now we can do less work and enjoy the time of the holiday here again." "You will still have to work, just on different things. Like no more scheduled weather so you will have to just learn to adapt and endure it like our ancient ancestors." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Yeah I guess. Still we have some control just not much on that." She feels Typhoon curling up against her. "Why don't we rest here for a bit? I think everypony here needs it." "That sounds good." Lightning says wrapping all of them in his wings. Rainbow curls up more as Talion joins his sister. "Can you pet my head like before." She asks him as her wings wrap around their little ones. "Guide my hoof Rainbow." Lightning says reaching out. Rainbow feels his hoof and holds it as she guides it to her. "Remember that I wanted to leave then I wouldn't like this at all. Now does this say something about us? I would say yes." She finished with placing his hoof in her head. "I think it says we are both idiots for love." Lightning says petting her mane. Rainbow purrs. "Thanks for staying with us." "No, thank you for staying with me." Lightning says. Over the next few weeks Scootaloo joined her parents in Canterlot and the family spent the entire time together. Meanwhile Nikolai lead most of the remaining army to reinforce Duke Hyou who had already taken back a fourth of the coast. "Dad, how long would this war take here?" Scoots asks him. Lightning smiles as he was lead around by Rainbow with a blindfold over his eyes from Apollo. "Not much longer." He said to the direction of her voice. Scoots smiles. "So what are we going to do, the whole city is back up so there's plenty to do?" "There are still many repairs to do, but what do you say about an estate here?" Lightning asks as he feels Scootaloo climb onto his back. Scootaloo smiles. "An estate, like a home?" "Yes, like our keep in Pegasopolis." Lightning says. Scootaloo looks around. "But why here? Rarity once told us of how these citizens go about their day and besides, what's wrong with our home?" "Nothing, but there may be times that require us to come here and would you prefer to stay in a home of ours or a hotel which may not have vacancies?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo looks sheepish. "Guess the estates wins. By the way dad, you look cool with that blindfold." "Thanks my little sunshine." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles. "Dad!" Scootaloo whines. "You said I couldn't call you angel so I'm working on a new nickname for you." Lightning says. Rainbow starts to chuckle. "He's right sweetie, got to learn to take it as they come." Scootaloo huffs as Lightning just chuckles. "Dad, where are the Wyverns?" "They should be with Duke Hyou by now. I had a part of the army hold Baltimare with them to secure the landing of our reinforcements." Lightning says. Scootaloo looks down as she lays down on his back. "Oh." "They will be back with the army soon sunshine and they will return as victors." Lightning says. "It's not that I'm worried about." Scootaloo said sadly. "He'll come home safe sunshine." Lightning says. Scootaloo smiles lightly. "I know he will." "Then maybe I'll use some magic to turn him into a pony for you." Lightning joked. "Dad." Scootaloo whines. "Besides, I just like him like the way he is." "I was joking sunshine." Lightning says. 'But it's not a half bad idea.' Lightning thinks. "I know." Scootaloo retightening his blindfold. "So sunshine, how are you adapting to the changes?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo grins. "I'm already a tough filly. I'm good." "I know you are, you are mine and your mother's girl." Lightning says. Scootaloo smirks. "Not really your filly." "Oh, oh, you wound me my filly." Lightning says in mock pain. Scootaloo bops him on the head. "Boop." Rainbow just smiles at the two as she feeds the baby foals. "Come on you two. Time for solid food." She said holding out two mushes of food. "Rainbow you're already trying to wean them off your milk?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shakes her head. "No, just getting them solid food or semi-solid food. I'm still giving them my milk." "Ah, so trying to mix it then." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "One or the other." "I see, I noticed our little Typhoon is spending less time in the air. You think she is entering the stage where she forgets how to fly?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks to him. "I thought you couldn't see." "I can't see Rainbow but remember my hearing is very good and with my eyesight temporarily cut off it is even better." Lightning says Rainbow chuckles embarrassedly, but soon composes herself. "Yeah, little Typhoon is flying a little less so maybe." Rainbow says. Scootaloo looks over to the foals as they ate. "Looks like it working." "Hey sunshine, you ready to be an older sister?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo smiles. "How do I start?" "I think that is a question for your cool aunt." Lightning says. Scootaloo looks to her mother. "What does he mean?" "He means that she is experienced in being a big sister." Rainbow says petting Talion and Typhoon. Scootaloo looks confused before realizing what he meant. "Oh, he means us." "Yeah." Rainbow says. "Double chocolate chip frappe ventie." A server said as she places the drink on the table. "Thank you." Rainbow says taking the drink. "So Rainbow, how is Luna doing ruling Canterlot while her sister makes preparations to return the court here?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smiles. "Oh, bored as ever. Plus the fact more nobles are returning and demanding more stuff than ever." "Well at least they seeing her as a more legitimate ruler than window dressing." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs. "Guess what Luna is wishing now?" "More chances in politics?" Lightning offered. Rainbow chuckles. "Nope, she wants to be ignored again." "Grass is greener on the other side." Scootaloo says. "Correct sunshine." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles. "Now she just wants things back to the old ways." Scootaloo looks around. "Where should we find a home?" "Rainbow since I can't see, you and sunshine will have to decide, but I recommend looking at some of the estates some nobles sold before they fled to Pegasopolis." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Okay, but somepony has to carry the foals and you are in no condition blind." "That is why we hired servants and give them very good wages." Lightning says. Rainbow frowns. "Then where are they?" "You just had one get you a drink remember?" Scootaloo asks. Rainbow looks to the server. "I thought that was the cafe server. I must be losing it." "You're just tired love. Let's not go house shopping today. We don't need it yet as Luna has put us up in the castle for now." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "Yeah, just tired. Can we walk around for a bit before heading back?" "You guide me and I'll go anywhere with you." Lightning says getting up. Rainbow smiles tiredly. "Good, let's go." She turns to a nearby servant. "Can you carry our foals for us? I don't think anyone of us is in a good condition to carry them." "Of course my lady." The unicorn mare says taking the little ones. Rainbow turns to Lightning. "Let's go." She said taking him by his hoof. For a few more weeks the family spends time together and found a sold estate which they bought and paid a crew to come and repair it. Princess Celestia and Twilight soon arrived in Canterlot, thus easing Luna's burden and then the news came. The army lead by Duke Hyou had liberated all of the coast and Manehatten and were returning to Canterlot. A special news report was also given across the airwaves. "Hello Equestria, this is the Vinyl Scratch." Vinyl says. "And we have a special announcement." Octavia said. "Yes we do. It is official Mares and Gentlecolts, but let us have the returning hero tell you about it." Vinyl says. "Vinyl, I'm no hero, just a commander." Nikolai says. Vinyl chuckles. "To us, you are a hero, now speak good sir." She said in a snooty accent. "Very well, the war is over Equestria, we have won. The Dominion's legion has either fallen or surrendered and all of Equestria is liberated from their control. But it was not without a price. The lives you once knew where you controlled the weather, the plants, and animals has come to an end. A last desperate act of the commander that held Manehatten." Nikolai says. "So no more control?" Octavia asks. "We have control of our daily lives, but you will have to learn how to go with the flow of nature and how to live with it. Just like those who live on the eastern continent." Nikolai says. "But Rainbow and her friends have some control, so why not we still?" Vinyl asks. "Well that's not completely accurate. There is still some control but that is resident magic floating around. But good news for you pegasus living on clouds, you will still be able to keep your homes. You're just going to have to ask for some unicorns to help supply magic when reshaping them." Nikolai says. "So our living is lessened than ever. Boring." Vinyl said. "Look on the bright side we don't have to manage everything anymore so we have more time to goof off or do what we want." Nikolai says. "Not so boring now. Want to hit the sheets later?" Vinyl asks. "Vinyl, I thought you would prefer to go out to a club and celebrate." Nikolai says. "Not after I got a personal stud here." Vinyl said. "Oh that reminds me. Octavia I hope you'll put on your best for your date. Just be sure to make a list of everything you got." Nikolai says. "List?" Octavia asks. "Just do it, but meet him at the cafe in Canterlot, he'll be wearing something fancy." Nikolai said. "Oh, I want a picture of this." Vinyl says. A thud is then heard. "I was hoping you both had forgotten." Octavia says. "Hold on a second. Come to think of it, Nikolai, your wings look a little shinier." Vinyl says. "Uh...gotta go." Nikolai said quickly as he left with the door slamming behind him. "Get back here you!" Vinyl yells as the sound of the door slamming again was heard. After a while silence was heard. "I think they're gone." Octavia said. "Well, looks like we're done for today. See ya next time and I better stop Vinyl from killing our co-host." Celestia, Luna, and Twilight looked at Lightning who now had his blindfold removed. "You're surprised I told Nikolai to not mention the spirits or that you had control over the elements?" Lightning asks. Celestial frowns. "A little bit of both and Luna not mentioning her conversation." "I did this for a few reasons. First, how would the ponies feel if they knew a single spirit was behind both Sombra and Luna becoming Nightmare Moon and it is still out there although severely weakened?" Lightning asks. Celestia glares at Twilight. "I thought you and the others killed it?" She harshly asks. "Don't take that tone Celestia, they would have if not for the spirit's politic interfering." Lightning says harshly. Celestial glares back to him. "What do you mean political interference?" "There is a whole different level of rules when it comes to, Celestia. Twilight, with her studies in my kind of magic, should understand it." Lightning said glaring her down. Celestial stomps a hoof down. "So why have the spirit not been killed?!" "Don't push me Celestia, even though I'm weakened I'm still more powerful than you are in your current state. So if you want the answer, take it up with the guardian spirits Chaos and Harmony." Lightning says unfazed by her anger. "Trust him." Celestial looks to Discord who appeared behind them. "Mothers know best." "Oh Dissy. I didn't know you were on our side." Twilight says with a smirk. Discord sputters as the name hits the room. "Wha...where did you hear that?! Nopony is to know that name!" He ordered as he pointed a finger at her. "Chaos told us." Twilight says as Luna was snickering. Discord frowns. "I am going to have a few choice words with mother." He brings out a long list. "Now which ones should I use?" "How about you don't go there because she'll do something worse to you." Lightning says. Discord stands proud. "Please, I'm her son, sort of. She respect me after all these times because I'm grown up and a full grown adult." Lightning smiles. "So why do you have an 'I'm mommy's little angel' shirt?" "What!?" Discord yells looking down to see the shirt. Twilight and Luna goes into full on laughter as Discord tries feasibly to rip off the shirt, even dragging himself across the floor as he pulled. Lightning chuckles as he watches the comedy. "Shirt, five bits. Magic to place it on Discord, ten units of chaos magic. Watching Discord get embarrassed from his mother, priceless." Lightning commented to himself. "Your evil, but the fun kind." Luna says nuzzling him. Twilight calms down and looks to them. "Married Luna, he's married, so I suggest you stop doing that." "Oh right sorry." Luna says heading back to her seat. "Now the second reason is so nopony uses this as motivation to start rising up against you two." Lightning says. Celestia looks to him. "Why would they rise up against us? Nopony mentioned the sun and moon so we're good." "Because Celestia, I can have easily told them to reveal the truth like what they were planning on doing. That includes you lying for all these years that you control the sun and moon." Lightning says giving her a hard glare. Celestial glares to Luna who chuckles nervously. "Don't blame your sister, me and my sworn swords figured it out long ago." Lightning says. Celestial snarls. "This meeting is adjourned for now." "Um...what meeting Celestia?" Lightning says with a smirk. Celestial says nothing as she gets up and starts to leave with a scowl on her muzzle. Lightning's smirk falls as Celestia left. "She's going to be trouble for this nation if she doesn't get that ego in check." Lightning says seriously. Luna scoffs. "Please, you don't know our sister. She would rather find diplomacy with creatures that know only war than do it in their way to stop a war and gain peace." Twilight looks interested. "What's the tactic for that?" Luna shrugs. "Fight their toughest fighter and win. Then you get control over their nation." "That only works if you have the power to back it up afterwards because what is to stop the side that lost to get mad and not abide by the agreement?" Lightning asks. Luna grins. "We cover the toughest pony up in guard armor and send them to fight. And then afterwards say we got thousands more like them." "So all you do is bluff?" Twilight asks. Luna giggles. "Every single piece of politics is like a game of poker. Whoever has the best poker face wins." "Well that plan is useless now thanks to a recent event." Lightning says. The princesses groans. "We know Lightning." Twilight said exasperated. "I was speaking of the changeling invasion. You know how they completely overwhelmed your guards." Lightning says. Luna rubs her head. "Don't remind us." "Yeah and have you noticed how your ponies don't bow to you like they used to?" Lightning asks. "War is on the mind. No time to now and we don't say bow or die." Luna quipped. "No, it started before that." Lightning says. "Celebrations with the princesses." Twilight offered. "Celestia lost in one on one combat with Chrysalis." Lightning reminds. "Okay, got it off." Discord said holding a pair of scissors and tattered pieces of shirt around him. "Discord tell me, how do you feel now that Celestia has been defeated in one on one combat?" Lightning asks. He shrugs throwing the scissors towards Twilight. "Honestly, sad because I can't mess with her like I use to." "Now put yourself in the position of a normal citizen and you learn the pony that you thought is a goddess lost in one on one combat." Lightning says. Discord crosses his arms. "Disappointed, if you can make god bleed, others will stop believing in him." "Twilight, Luna, your opinions if you were in the same position?" Lightning asks. Luna leans on a hoof. "Worried." Twilight puts the scissors away. "Sad for them." "Exactly on all three point of views and she is nowhere near as strong as she used to be. So how long will she be able to keep up this Goddess act?" Lightning asks. Luna shrugs. "Probably as long as me. But not Twilight since she was a regular unicorn once so the citizens won't want her to back down." "Ah, but add the fact that even some of the royal guards are starting to question it." Lightning says. Luna looks blankly at the guards at the doorway who were blushing. "Then the nation is doomed and it will fall and end up where we were in the war." "No, what we need is a strong central government that doesn't deceive the populace into thinking themselves gods or goddesses. It also might be close to choose an heir to Equestria. Without access to Harmonies power time is returning to you both." Lightning says. "Until you're back again baby. Miss you, want you, need to go." Twilight randomly said. Everypony looks to her weirdly. Twilight blushes. "Sorry, random song that came with the conversation, can't get it out. Any case, who would be an heir? All the way up to now it has been a complete rule with a monarchy. Neither Celestia nor Luna have any foals so that's out. I don't have anypony so that's out as well. And we can't pick a citizen otherwise they destroy the nation with the war still in their mind." Lightning, Luna, and Discord exchange looks and then look back at her. "Why are you looking at me?" Twilight asks. "She is technically royalty as her brother married the princess of the Crystal Kingdom." Lightning says. Twilight's eyes widen. "Wait, there is no way their foal will rule here. They rule the Crystal Kingdom and in turn their foal too." "I said brother married to the princess Cadance. Think that over for a bit." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "They have to watch over the Crystal Kingdom. They can't do that here." "Twilight I'm suggesting you my thickheaded student." Lightning says. Twilight looks at him for a few. "Discord, wash pan please." "It could work, my sister did publicly acknowledge you and make you a princess of Equestria." Luna says. Discord snaps a wash pan into existence as Twilight takes it with her magic and drops it on Lightning's and then Luna's head. "Twilight seriously, we are a having serious discussion of this kingdom's future. Whether you or Celestia like it or not, both her and Luna will age like any other pony now and will die most likely in our lifetimes." Lightning says rubbing his head. "Um..." Luna pipes up. "Actually we will." Luna says defeated. "Well maybe your lifetime Twilight, not mine because as a general I'm in war a lot and am in constant danger." Lightning says. Luna then perks up. "Oh, this means that I can pursue a relationship, Twilight want to be with me?" She asks cheerily. Twilight looks at Luna in shock. "My Luna, I never knew you trot that way." Discord says grinning. Luna shrugs. "I found mares better and understanding. Besides, I had my eye on Twilight ever since she saved me." "Um...sorry to tell you this Luna but I'm into stallions." Twilight says nervously. Luna smiles. "You'll never know until you try it." "That also technically not a no." Discord says. Twilight looks between the both of them until she looks back to Lightning. "You had to say that they are not immortal anymore." Lightning grins. "Give her an answer Twilight, I don't think she'll stop." Twilight huffs before looking to Luna. "I guess maybe a little." She said smiling lightly, but not much. Luna giggles. "Oh, this is going to be so much fun." "So the three of us agree she is the best candidate?" Lightning asks. Everypony nods except Twilight who started to shake before fainting. "Luna don't violate her while she is out, ok?" Lightning asks. Luna cutely giggles. "No promises." "Luna." Lightning says smiling. Luna smiles. "Fine. Just let me hold her." "If you do that at least take her back to her room." Lightning says. Luna grins. "Don't worry, I will." She said as she lifted Twilight up with her magic. "Well I best go see my wife and let her know." Lightning says. Discord smiles. "Take this for your wife, Mother knows you need it." He said snapping his fingers and giving Lightning a bag. "What is it?" Lightning asks. Discord grins with his snaggle tooth. "Something to spice up your life with her." "What is it?" Lightning says raising an eyebrow. Discord groans. "Your wife was right, you are a thick head. It's a gel to increase sensitivity! There I said it. I'm out of here." He snaps his fingers and heads wherever he went. Lightning stayed silent until Luna said, "Can I have a bottle?" She asks pointing to him while Twilight floated by her. "Take the whole thing, Rainbow and I don't need it." Lightning says. Luna claps her hooves and takes the bag as well. "Oh, I'm going to have so much fun." She said as she left through the door with both her packages. Lightning jumps out the window and glides down to the courtyard and starts walking. "Okay, princesses dealt with, now what?" He said to himself. "Oh yeah, gotta spy on Octavia's date for fun." Lightning says taking to the sky again. Over at the local cafe the gray mare sat as she waited for her blind date. "Oh, where is he?" "Sorry I'm late, I had to pick up my tux from the dry cleaners." A voice says behind her. She looks behind her to see Apollo in a tuxedo and wearing a hat. "Who are you?" Octavia asks. "Oh sorry, my name is Apollo. My friend Nikolai made me come on this blind date." Apollo says removing the hat and bowing. Octavia looks to the dark wearing pony. "Well, you're something." "Wait, haven't we met somewhere?" Apollo asks. Octavia looks him over. "Maybe, but not to me." "I think we met at a bar one time." Apollo says. Octavia shakes her head. "Not really, I haven't been to any." "No, I'm pretty sure. Oh wait, you told me your name was Octavia and you are a part of an ensemble." Apollo says. Octavia racks her memories. "It's coming back little by little." Apollo leans in and whispers. "And after the fifth round that you slept with three other mares in college." Octavia goes wide eye as she slaps him. "How dare you!" "Hey, you told me that. Their names were Sapphire Shine, Musical Cord, and Forest Runner." Apollo says rubbing his cheek. "Yes, ok, those were my three best friends in college." Octavia says noticing ponies staring who immediately turn away hearing that. "Remember now?" Apollo asks in a quieter voice. Octavia nods. "I do now." "Sorry for embarrassing you." Apollo apologized. Octavia waves him off. "It's okay. Let's just enjoy this date." "I must admit I'm at a lost. I've never been on one of these." Apollo says. Octavia lightly smiles. "You're lucky. I have been on a few. Luckily, this is a light date, so act like you're just visiting a normal pony. It'll help." "Ok, so you told me a bit about yourself, but I never told you anything about myself so ask me any question." Apollo says. Octavia smirks. "Sit down, order something and then we'll talk." Apollo complies. "You know some ponies are watching us right?" Apollo asks. Octavia smiles. "After that show, they have been. And maybe one on your end." "No, I mean I spy an electric blue haired unicorn and a pegasus down the street." Apollo says. Octavia huffs. "I know. They were following after the show." "I think I spied my boss earlier too." Apollo says. Octavia giggles. "I guess we are alike in some ways." "You work for Lightning Bolt as well?" Apollo asks. Octavia shrugs. "In some ways, I just do a radio announcement." "Oh, you're were a part of the show that helped get information to all of Equestria." Apollo says. "Wait, you mentioned you work for Lightning?" Octavia asks. "Ah yeah, basically I'm a scout and a commander." Apollo said. Octavia leans her head to the side. "Do you think I could see you in your commander outfit?" "I kinda handled the part of spying with the changeling like Johnny over there." Apollo says as a changeling flies by with groceries. Octavia looks surprised. "Groceries?" "Oh yeah, to get their help the princesses gave them some real estate here in Canterlot." Apollo says waving at Johnny who waved back. Octavia raises an eyebrow. "What kind of real estate?" "Underground portion of Canterlot." Apollo says. Octavia blushes bright red. "They got a sex club?" "I didn't say that." Apollo says whistling. Octavia looks at blankly. "That whistling says something different." "I'm not saying anything. I just said where it was." Apollo says. Octavia looks to the changeling as it heads down the lower levels. "The only thing down there is the black market and sex clubs. What else that a creature with shape shifting powers be doing?" "They are changelings, they mostly feed on love. What type of love is not an issue to them?" Apollo says. Octavia smirks. "You just told me what they are doing." "Technically it's a strip club. You would not believe how long they can go on about that place." Apollo says. Octavia smiles and huffs. "I would bet. Been there once?" "No, not my kind of place. I prefer somewhere with some class. The music hall is a nice place to go every once in a while." Apollo says. "Oh." Octavia becomes surprised. "Really now, you're not just saying that because of my job." "Nope, I'm serious. I also want to go see the art museum here now that I have some down time and the war is over and the art has been returned recently." Apollo says pulling out a brochure. Octavia looks him over as she sips some tea. "You're a little laid back though." "Huh?" Apollo looks to see that he placed his hind legs up. "Whoops, but I'm already tired so sorry, but they're staying." "I must say I'm kind of relieved when Vinyl and Nikolea set this up, I was expecting a less dignified stallion." Octavia says. Apollo smiles reading the brochure. "I have some things a mare likes, but I'm more rugged than others." "Oh yeah, Mr. Spy." Octavia says sarcastically. "We prefer the term undercover agents." Apollo says. Octavia giggles, but then gains a thought. "Got a knife?" Apollo grins. "Rule number nine, never go anywhere without a knife." He said giving her a throwing blade from his leg holder. "Oh, what's the others?" Octavia asks taking the blade. "Rule one, never talk about the fine details of your work. Rule two, never tell any rules other than one and nine except to colleges." Apollo says. Octavia smiles. "I like a stallion with something they can live by." "Oh, usually most ponies are turned off by that." Apollo says. Octavia leans to the side. "Then they are not right for you." "Maybe so, any other questions?" Apollo asks. Octavia nods. "Yeah, quit spying!" She then throws the knife towards Vinyl. Nikolai lifts the table and the knife lodges into it. "Not a bad throw." Nikolai says lowering the table and taking the blade. Vinyl places the dish she had back on the table again. "You can say that again." She takes another bite of hayfries. Apollo whistles at the throw. "Not bad, although that knife was designed to fly in a curved angle." Apollo says. Octavia huffs. "Please, I just wanted a distraction." "Run?" Apollo asks. Octavia shakes her head. "Nope, getting another." "Wait, what?" Apollo asks. Octavia smiles. "Nice placement of a knife." Apollo stares at her for a few moments before bursting out in laughter. "Oh, we are going to get along great." Apollo says. Octavia smiles before throwing the knife she got towards Lightning hiding in the trees nearby. He ducks out of the way for the knife to embed itself into the trunk. "So would you like to go to the art museum or the music hall?" Apollo asks. Octavia looks at him for a few before giggling. "How about a walk? I had enough of museums and halls for a while." "That sounds fine, I hear there is a nice park outside of Canterlot." Apollo says. Octavia takes one last sip before leaving some bits and gets up. "Let's go. Oh and here's your other knife back. I don't know why you carry so many, but almost one of each." She said holding out a knife "I really like you." Apollo says taking the knife. Octavia pushes against him teasingly after he got up. "Watch it big boy. You'll get this one day." "Oh, ho, you are good." Apollo says smiling. Octavia smiles and walks off with Apollo following, but not before looking back at the rest of them. "Give me the knives back after I get back." He quickly catches up to Octavia who was waiting for him. Lightning sneaks up behind Nikolai and Vinyl. "I see you two been playing matchmaker." Lightning says. They turn to him with Cheshire cat grin on their faces. "You betcha Lighty." Vinyl said. Lightning holds up a picture and Vinyl immediately goes quiet. "You're not the only one who has blackmail." Lightning says with a toothy grin. Vinyl lunges for the picture, but Lightning moves it out of the way. "Where did you get that?!" She yells. "Like it, I have a whole photo album of stuff like this of you and Spitfire." Lightning says with a smirk. Vinyl immediately stiffened. "Please don't." She pleaded. "I'm not going to do anything Vinyl, now I'll leave you with Nikolai. And Nikolai be sure not to keep her up all night." Lightning jokes. Nikolai blushes bright red. "Sir." He partially groans. "What, you like you're drinking games." Lightning says. Nikolai huffs and looks to Vinyl. "Come on, let's go." He said leaving. "Oh and Vinyl, ask about his third left feather and what it does to him." Lightning calls walking away. He then hears a yelp come from their direction and then a slump. Lightning just laughs as he walks away as Vinyl has a huge grin on her face over Nikolai breathing breathlessly. He then thinks about where to head next. 'Let's see, princesses and date is done so there has to be something else. Rule of three has to be here.' He thinks to himself. He then feels something latch to the back of his head. "Hey Talion." Lightning says. Talion chirps. Lightning grabs him off the back and looks to him. "Did...you...just chirp like a changeling?" "Seeku." Lightning says annoyed. Talion giggles as he squirms around. Lightning sighs as he places him on his back and starts to head back to their room in the castle. "Seeku you have really done it now." He said landing in their room. "Some Lightning call me?" Seeku asks dropping from the ceiling. Lightning turns to her. "Seeku I...what are you doing?" Seeku smiles as she twirls a hoof over his chest. "Nothing, just being myself." "Tell me, what have you been showing my son?" Lightning asks. Seeku giggles cutely. "Don't worry, I'm not that deprived. He just he heard me talking to the others in chirping tones so he imitated it. We were even surprised it was talk able chirps." "Don't teach them something that will get Rainbow angry at us." Lightning says. "Yeah, you better not." A familiar voice say behind them. They look over with Lightning sweating and Seeku grinning. Rainbow stood there as Talion cheers at his sister in changeling chirps. Seeku giggles. "Those chirps will come in handy one day." "That better be all he imitates from you." Rainbow says. Seeku brings a hoof to her chin. "Now that would be a sight to see." "Stop now, Seeku." Lightning says. "I wonder what the best way to burn a changeling is." Rainbow says. Seeku giggles and hugs them both. "Oh come on, I'm just joking. Isn't that what families do or is it just brood?" She asks as she looks at them with a hurt tone. "Brood humor isn't the best for Rainbow when it come to her foals." Lightning says. Seeku looks to Rainbow as she glares at her. "Look Rainbow, we're family. We help each other and be there for each other." She then smiles. "That also means having fun at times." "Only when my foals aren't around." Rainbow says. Seeku shrugs. "How was I supposed to know he would pick up on the chirps?" Talion chirps. "Yeah, you said it buddy." "What did he just say Seeku?" Lightning asks creepily nice. Seeku smiles. "Oh, just how incompetent his parents are." "I can understand changeling chirps remember?" Lightning asks. Seeku giggles. "I know, he said he didn't even know either." "No, no, no, that is not the words he used." Lightning says. Seeku tilts her head. "So what did he say?" "I will not repeat it in, what language is the official language here again love?" Lightning asks. Rainbow glares down to Seeku as she backs up. "Equestrian honey, but what did he say?" Lightning whispers in her ear and she smacks Lightning. "What, that is the translation?!" Lightning giggles. "Yeah, we got you there." Seeku hugs Rainbow's head. "Silly mare." "You are in trouble missy." Rainbow says. Seeku looks to her. "Rainbow I take care of you and the family. Isn't that enough, plus I make things fun, right Talion?" Talion chirps. Seeku grins. "See, he agrees with me." Lightning's jaw just slacked. "I'm living in a house of craziness." He groans out. Seeku giggles. "I thinks its insanity now." "You will refrain from teaching him the chirping language anymore." Lightning says. Seeku looks to him grimly. "Trust me when I say you need a changeling speaker. This is a language known only to changelings and it's hard for growing and fully grown adults to learn." "Rainbow wasn't joking about the burning Seeku." Lightning says. Seeku shakes her head. "I'm not joking either. Didn't you not get the dark spirit?" "Hey Rainbow, you want a full translation?" Lightning asks. "Ok, ok." Seeku says tired of everything now. She then starts to leave. "Just because you have something doesn't mean you don't need more. It just means that's it's time to pass on." She closes the door behind her after that. "Remember there is a changeling meeting/feast at eight." Lightning called. "Yeah." Seeku's faint voice said. "Oh, wait Seeku, something interesting happened." Lightning calls. There was no answer. "Seeku?" Still nothing. "I guess you don't want to hear Apollo is on a date." Lightning says. Still nothing. "I guess she's really down about something." "What was that about Apollo?" Seeku ask from behind the door. "How do you do that?" Lightning asks. Seeku sighs. "It's just who I am Lightning, but I don't want that date emotion." "Oh, that reminds me. Seeku here." Lightning says holding out a photo. Seeku looks at the photo. "This is the stallion?" "Yep." Lightning says. Seeku takes the photo with a pained smile. "Lightning, can I ask something from you and Rainbow?" "Yes." Lightning says. Seeku looks to him tearing up. "Can I spend some time with the both of you as something a little more? I think this might be the last time we will see each other like this." "Wait, what?" Lightning asks. Seeku leans into him. "Lightning, drones takes love from many ponies, but higher ups stick to whoever it is for them to be mates. I think he might be it, I can feel it, and it's just that I want the two of you to at least spend some time with me like you promised." "Rainbow, you think Spitfire will like to look after her niece and nephew?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods. "Well yeah, she really liked them, but why?" "We are going to spend time with Seeku." Lightning says. Rainbow looks shocked before calming down. "Okay, I'll get her and set up a date." "Oh, Rainbow." Seeku says wiggling her eyebrows. Rainbow growls. "Don't push it or you won't get anything." "Worth a shot." Seeku says starting to get happier. Rainbow sighs and heads off to find Spitfire. "Sunshine! You up to go seeing your aunt for the evening." Lightning calls. Scootaloo hops down from the ceiling. "Yeah, I know what you are going to do." She then smiles. "Have a good time Seeku and hopes it's the best you got from them." Scootaloo then leaves and heads in the direction of her mother. Seeku sighs as she leaves. "I really love this family." She then looks to Lightning. "Thanks for this." "No problem, now where did I put those quartex crystals." Lightning says shifting through some of his magical things. Seeku smiles. "Quartex crystals?" "Yeah this is going to be a wild night and those will change our appearances so it doesn't come back to bite us." Lightning says continuing to shift through the things. Seeku giggles. "Are you sure? I mean this form alone is great to feel." "You want the guards looking for us in the morning if we get in too much trouble?" Lightning asks. Seeku looks to the newspapers on a table which has the headlines of the war being over, but with every non pony species in a group photo with the rest of the army. "Changelings are accepted, how would this hurt us?" "I mean the three of us get thrown in prison for disturbing the peace and any other laws we happen to break." Lightning says with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Seeku's smile soon turn into a toothy grin. "What are we going to do?" "The shorter answer is what we aren't going to do." Lightning says. Seeku laughs maniacally. "This is going to be fun." "Yes, it will be now we need to talk Rainbow into this." Lightning says joining her in a smile. Seeku scoffs. "She is too much of a goody two hoof. I think that she thought you meant a night in here." "She is not that good, but we will have to talk her into this as she has not tried this." Lightning says still shifting through the magical items. Seeku nods. "Well she'll show up in three...two...one." "Okay, got Spitfire to agree." Rainbow said walking in. "Rainbow, Seeku has something to talk to you about something. Found them!" Lightning yells. Rainbow looks to Seeku who has a large grin. "So what is it?" "Rainbow we are going to have a grand night tonight." Seeku says pulling her closer. Rainbow blushes from the close contact. "Really, then what are we doing?" "What aren't we hun?" Lightning says bringing out three weird grey crystals. Seeku looks them over. "How long does these last?" "A week at max, but can have the effects reversed whenever you want. Now hun, these crystals are used by my undercover agents. They can temporarily change your appearance and even into one of the two other subclasses of us ponies." Lightning says. Rainbow gains a worried look. "We're breaking laws, aren't we?" "Mostly disturbing the peace love. Now tell me you have never wondered what it is like to be a unicorn." Lightning says smiling at her. Rainbow blushes from embarrassment. "I kinda wondered." "Well, now is your chance and we get away with an incredibly wild night and no lasting consequences." Lightning says. Seeku looks to the both of them and smiles. "Thanks for this, but after we get back here can we do something as ourselves?" "Ok, as long as there are no lasting consequences. Now how do you work this thing?" Rainbow asks looking at the crystal Lightning was offering her and poking at it. Lightning chuckles. "Just envision your form as a unicorn, I'll handle the rest." Lightning says. Rainbow nods and closes her eyes. "You better not make me end up hideous." "You could never look that way love." Lightning says as the crystal begins to spin and Rainbow is surround by a grey aura. Soon the aura dissipated and revealed a blue unicorn with a gray mane and tail. "Did it work?" Her voice said in another tone. Lightning walks around her inspecting her. "Your choice was so specific, what inspired it?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks herself over. "A mare I knew in flight school. She had a grey hair color and wanted to know how it would be like." "It's not her specifically, right? We don't want others to be arrested." Lightning says worried. Rainbow smiles. "She has a red coat color, not blue. That's who they would be looking for." "Ok and I must say you look great Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles. "Thanks. Now it's your turn Seeku." "You know the drill Seeku." Lightning says setting down the now rainbow colored crystal and picking up another grey one. Seeku nods and closes her eyes. "Tell me why she couldn't have just changed her appearance than with this crystal?" Rainbow asks as the crystal rises and spins. "Don't want to take the chance of a guard to try casting a spell that will nullify that ability of hers getting the changelings in trouble." Lightning says as the grey aura surrounded Seeku. The aura dissipated to reveal a purple earth pony mare with a golden mane and tail. "Old identity I used back in the day." "I remember it was how I first met you Golden Tongue." Lightning says placing the now light green crystal beside the rainbow one. Golden chuckles. "Well it was the first time I had true fun." Lightning smiles and closes his eyes. Soon the crystal spins and he was covered in a grey aura. After a while the aura dies down to reveal a brown earth pony with a purple mane and tail. "Ok, now let us use different names so no pony truly suspects us." Lightning says. Seeku shrugs. "Well mine is Golden Tongue so I'm good." "Ok, I'll be Grey Field." Lightning says. Rainbow thinks for a moment. "And I'll be...hmmm...how about Switch Taker?" "Sounds good, oh and Rainbow, a little heads up the crystal implant how to use unicorn magic when one uses them to turn into unicorns." Lightning says walking up to her. Seeku smiles. "Same thing for pegasus." Rainbow smiles. "Cool. When do we head out?" "We teleport first, so where do you to want to go? Los Pegasus, Baltimare, Fillydelphia, or do you want to stay in Canterlot?" Lightning asks stowing the crystals away. Rainbow grins. "Canterlot, heard from Apollo that running from guards is fun when you see them confused and looking in the wrong places." "Oh, this is going to be a night to remember." Lightning says as he and Seeku had the biggest smiles. Seeku giggles. "I love you both, just remember, we come back here for another last thing tonight. Plus, is his address on the photograph?" "He is currently in Stalliongrad, I will introduce you myself as my adopted sister Seeku, after all that is what family is for." Lightning says as Rainbow noggies her. Seeku smiles. "Thanks. Now let's go." Luna places Twilight on the bed and the bag on a nearby dresser. "Oh, my head." Twilight groans out. "You feeling ok?" Luna asks. Twilight nods as she looks to Luna. "Fine, just tired now." Luna lays down near her. "Well you just did take a fainting spell. Did you practice with Rarity?" She asks with a humorous tone. "Luna!" Twilight yells before falling off the bed. Luna grabs her before she hits the ground and places her back on the bed. "Easy Twilight, I'm here. Now what is it?" "What are you doing in my room?!" Twilight yells. Luna blushes. "You did agree and I promise Lightning Bolt that I wouldn't do anything, just a little holding." "Wait, what?" Twilight asks trying to figure this situation out. Luna looks to her. "You agreed to try a mare on mare relationship, remember or do you not want to?" Twilight doesn't move for several minutes. "Twilight?" Luna asks poking her, causing her to fall over and start foaming at the mouth. "Twilight!" Luna said rushing to her. "Okay, what do I do?" She said to herself in a panic. "Think mare, think!" She yells hitting herself. "Idea!" Luna yells running out the door and returning with a bucket of water which she throws onto Twilight. "Yipe! Cold!" Twilight yells as she shot up. She wraps her hooves around herself to stay warm. Luna blushes red as she places the bucket down. "Sorry, only thing I can think of." Twilight wraps her wings around herself to get warmer. "Next time, look at a book." Luna looks down. "Sorry, but I need to know, do you want me here?" "You wouldn't leave even if I told you to, would you?" Twilight asks and Luna shakes her head. "Fine, what do you want to do?" Twilight asks as she suddenly felt a new heat source. Turning her head she sees Agni against her. Luna smiles sadly. "At least he do can a lot more than I can." Twilight picks up Agni and holds him close as he heats her up. "Thanks Agni and no Luna. You can do the same thing as him. Just wrap your wings around me for a start." Luna nods and sits down beside her and wraps her wings around Twilight. "I hope that I do well here." Agni boops Luna's nose with his nose making her giggle. "He can sure make others cheer up." She said smiling and wrapping her wings a little tighter around them. "Agni is good like that." Twilight says as Agni cheers. Luna giggles. "What was another time?" "I was mad at Rainbow one time for Lightning hiding secrets. After she left and we played he led me to her and we made up, but only a little." Twilight said leaning into Luna. "And why did he have secrets?" Luna asks. Twilight gains a pained look. "To protect us and I wanted to know. I was so stupid back then." Luna nuzzles her on the head. "No, you are not Twilight. You just wanted others safe, but you couldn't do that without knowing what was going on." "Yeah, but I feel sad he felt he should bear the burden alone." Twilight says. Luna sighs. "Yes, most soldiers and fighters know the consequences of war and doesn't want others to have them. They think it would be too much especially for us. We haven't had war in a long time." "He was right in a sense. If it wasn't for him, my brother would have probably have lead the royal guards on a charge against the Legion." Twilight says embarrassed. Luna smiles. "Yes he would have. But like his smart and cute sister he knows when to stop and listen." "Before or after most of the guards were slaughtered?" Twilight asks. Luna looks to her sadly. "When he realized what he was facing and by then it would be too late. Get that thought of him going to Death out of your head. It's not good for you." "And he is the co-ruler of a kingdom?" Twilight asks. Luna blushes. "Cadance fell in love with him. He fell back. Nothing could stop that. The kingdom was an after bonus that none of us knew would come." "That reminds me of a question Lightning asked me. Why did they change the name from Crystal Empire to Crystal Kingdom and why are Cadance and Shining Armor, Princess and Prince instead of Queen and King like they are supposed to be?" Twilight asks. Luna sighs. "Tradition from us. We have been princesses since the start, didn't bother to change it." "Well it makes sense because you share power. If Celestia took the title queen it would mean she has all the power and you are only her little sister." Twilight says. Luna nods. "She needed help too in politics and I can handle numbers better than her. So we shared the load and rule together since we took over. But enough about that, how about you?" "You mean the whole fact that you and Lightning and most likely will be followed by his faction in the nobility which grew incredibly powerful and large during the war, putting me forth as the candidate for the next ruler of Equestria?" Twilight asks irritated. Luna steadily moves a strand of hair from Twilight's face. "I'm sorry Twilight. I truly am, but circumstances have forced us to do this." "You mean what he said was correct, without Harmony's power you are aging again?" Twilight asks surprised. Luna tears up as the thought hits her. "Twilight we have been on hers and Chaos's power for a long time to keep this nation afloat and to prevent another tragic outcome from happening. That also meant we were immortal to deal with it, but now without their power we can't do what we have been before and our images have been ruined over recent events. So we can't rule much longer if we wanted to. So yes, we are mortal again. No, that is all we have ever been, it was pride and arrogance that made us think otherwise." She finished as she cries now. Twilight looks at Luna as she cries freely. "Luna." Luna looks to the mare through her blurred vision as she soon feels something wrap around her midsection. "I'm sorry that all happened to you." "No Twilight, don't be. Those events have brought me great wisdom and to tell the truth, now that I no longer have either spirit's power running through me. I feel free or liberated in a sense." Luna says leaning into Twilight. Twilight smiles. "I'm glad." She looks to Luna as the tears stop. "Immortal is forever, forever is pain, but from pain grows wisdom." She quoted. "Oh Twilight, I didn't know you studied plays." Luna says smiling. Twilight blushes. "I read books, I was going to end up on it eventually. Plus it was for an assignment back in school when I read that quote." Luna giggles and nuzzles her on the nose. "Silly filly." Twilight smiles as she teased her. "I think I'm starting to like this." "Oh, does that mean…?" Luna is cut off. "One step at a time Luna." Twilight says smirking. Luna smiles. "Wasn't a no and doesn't like you are going to give it up." She said in a sing song voice. Twilight hits her lightly on the chest. "Watch it or I may stop now." She teased. Luna laughs as Twilight joins as well with Agni laughing with chirps a little later. "Okay, so that little feather is the most sensitive thing on you?" Vinyl asks as they sat down on the couch waiting for Octavia. "Damn it, Lightning." Nikolai says under his breath. Vinyl grins. "You sure it's the most sensitive thing because I can think of another spot?" "That brings me down in a bought of pure pleasure and ease. I mean seriously, that special ability I got it from is incredibly handy and useful, but that…shutting up now." Nikolai says. Vinyl giggles. "You want to know mine since I know yours?" "Wait, you're not curious about that little rant?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl shrugs. "Of course I am, it's only fair first to exchange something like this. So do you want to know or not?" "Ok, I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested." Nikolai says. Vinyl grins. "Touch me here." She said pointing to her shoulder. "Either one would do." "Ok." Nikolai says poking the right shoulder. Vinyl fell into a spasm as she landed on Nikolai's lap. "Now you see why I like it when you hold me down. That's a great spot to do it." She said in ecstasy. "Oh, this is going to be an interesting and great relationship." Nikolai says leaning down. Vinyl watches as he comes near her. "Wait, what are you...?" Nikolai captured her lips in a kiss quieting her. Vinyl moans as he became a little rough, pushing harder against her. She pushes him off to catch her breath. "What the heck man? Just because I like it rough doesn't mean all the time." "Oh, I thought you wanted me take a more active role in our relationship now that the war is over." Nikolai says. Vinyl smiles. "I do, it's just that...well...let's ease into this. I was worried it would be a onetime thing with you out there in the war so I made it the best in a shortest amount of time we had." "Ok, I'm fine with taking it slow. After all you're worth it." Nikolai says. Vinyl grins. "Good and you know it. Now about that rant?" "Ah...ha...ha...oh look it's time to make dinner." Nikolai says getting up. Vinyl knocks him back onto the couch with a hit the muzzle. "Don't even move from there stallion. Rant time, explain." She said glaring at him. "Ah...ha...ha...I think it is better to show you why I'm called Steel Wing Nikolai." Nikolai says as he extends his wing and reveals what looks like an illusion spell dissipates, revealing Nikolai's wings are metal instead of feathers. Vinyl looks to the metal wings in awe. "So are you a pegasus?" She asks as the feathers click against one another. "Yes, as you know eastern magic is a little different from your western magic. There are ponies like Lightning who have incredible power over elements as well as other forms of magic, but a greater majority's magic manifests in different ways, a lot of the time physically. Mine manifested later in my life as these wings." Nikolai explains. Vinyl moves her hoof across the warm metal bone. "So is everything underneath it wires and stuff?" "No, completely organic under there. They are not cybernetic prosthesis implants like in your sci-fi stories." Nikolai says. Vinyl whistles as she moves her hoof down to his back. "Just like that pony in one comic where he gets in a terrible terrorist attack and loses almost everything. Doctors got him back together as a cybernetic like trooper. Everything about him was cybernetic, but partly organic in some." She stops as she reaches the connecting joint. "Does it hurt?" "No, it's like poking my shoulder." Nikolai says. Vinyl blushes. "So is there anywhere else?" "Only my wings were affected by the magic. Vinyl you want to see their cutting power don't you?" Nikolai asks as Vinyl started to get an evil grin. "Yes please." Vinyl said excitedly sitting a little ways away from him. Nikolai sighs. "Ok, we need more fire wood cut anyways so just bring in a few logs." Nikolai says. Vinyl hurried out the door and quickly came back with a few logs in her magic. "Five woods. Go nuts." "Please set the first one up." Nikolai says. Vinyl places the first one upright in the middle of the room. "Okay, show me what you can do." She said sitting down a little ways away. Nikolai swings his left wing at it and returns it to its previous position. "Done." Nikolai says. "You didn't do anything." Vinyl says. "Why don't you try picking it up with your hooves from the top." Nikolai suggests. Vinyl raises an eyebrow and picks up the log only for the cut portion to stay on the ground. "What?" "A perfect 180 degree horizon cut. You pick up such precision maybe not to that degree, but you pick up the precision as a Stalliongrad hunter or you die." Nikolai says. Vinyl whistles. "Dang, didn't know it was that bad." "Yeah, three out of five recruits usually get eaten in the first month." Nikolai says. Vinyl cringes. "Ouch." "Now for the rest." Nikolai says using his wings to cut the firewood. Vinyl watches as she places the wood only for it to be cut in a second. "Dang. How long have you had this?" "Years now. When I first got them I almost had to relearn how to fly and do some major strength and stamina training because they are much heavier than normal wings." Nikolai says. Vinyl looks to his back. "What about the connecting joint?" "They remained the same for some reason or maybe increased in strength. I am unsure because the joint is also covered in metal although a little more flexible." Nikolai says. Vinyl looks to him before hitting his back hard, making him stumble a bit. "Must be really tough." "Actually you get used to it. The biggest pain is that the illusion spell I had on them. It doesn't match the length of my wings so it was a big pain not touching anything with them accidentally or somepony walking or flying into them." Nikolai says. Vinyl looks to the tip of the wings. "Is that a claw?" "No. just an edge." Nikolai says folding the wings back into place. Vinyl then gains a smirk. "So the feather...?" She asks. "I think it has a concentration of nerves that send a pleasure signal to my brain." Nikolai says walking into the kitchen. Vinyl follows him after placing the wood away. "Have anypony else touched it?" "Besides doctors?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl nods. "Lightning had to know somehow." "I suddenly collapsed one day after something hit that feather so they rushed me to medics and they examined me." Nikolai says opening a shelf. Vinyl pulls out a bottle of juice from the fridge. "And then what about others touching it?" "I usually threatened to slice them to bits with these wings of mine." Nikolai says extending a wing to her with two cups on it. Vinyl takes the cups and fills them. "So you didn't have a chance to be with anypony?" "Not really, besides it all worked out. I got to meet you." Nikolai says as he folds his wing again. Vinyl smiles as she gives him a cup. "Yeah you did. When can you hope to really settle down?" "Ah, that is a good question, but Vinyl can you seriously tell me you feel you can settle down at this point?" Nikolai says taking a drink. Vinyl takes a sip. "No, not with another impending attack on us. Two questions though, will you head back to finish them and what about the spirit?" "How did you hear about the spirit?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl shrugs. "You be surprised how much those guards talk after one drink." "Vinyl do me a favor and repeat after me. Ack ta no ba so da ha." Nikolai says. Vinyl gets confused until she realizes what he meant. "Dude, I read comic books, you are not wiping my mind." "That isn't a memory spell Vinyl. Just please repeat the words." Nikolai says. Vinyl sighs. "Ummm...ack ta no ba so da ha. Now what?" "Ok, you're not possessed or being manipulated with a spell." Nikolai says with a sigh as the windows slam shut making Vinyl jumps. "Oh don't worry about that. That sentence banished all of the spirits and spells in the house for a while." Nikolai says. Vinyl then becomes shocked. "Spells?! Dude, some of my equipment runs on it and it was expensive to get them like that! Like almost ten grand of bits, each!" "It is only temporary. You can easily restart the stuff in a few hours. Besides we are dealing with a Shadow spirit here. Do you want there to be a chance it is in here?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl hits in the neck. "Don't scare me like that. And you could have told me." "The language is pretty much dead even to spirits and if the spirit knew would he have allowed you to say that? Especially since the spell only works with unicorns." Nikolai explains. Vinyl sighs and walks away, after Vinyl places the cup down. "Just don't treat me like something else." "Now why would I do that, you are my mare." Nikolai says walking up and massaging her shoulders. Vinyl stiffens as she feels the hooves moving around. "Don't...don't...oh boy. Bastard." She moans out. "You are really tense up here. Let me fix that." Nikolai says. Vinyl moans a little louder as she feels him massaging harder. "You are a bastard." She moans to him. "But I'm yours, now let's go to the couch so you can lay down while I massage you." Nikolai says. Vinyl complies as they slowly moves to the couch and lays down. "Why are you doing this?" Vinyl asks. "Because I want to do something for my mare. Now the shadow spirit it's still out there because it still has a part to play. In other words Spirit world politics, but it is very much weakened and can't do any of the things it did for a while and we kinda destroyed the rest of the castle of the two pony sisters as well after we took everything of value so it couldn't use the location again as its lair." Nikolai says. Vinyl sighs as he hits that spot. "You mean it doesn't exist anymore?" She asks breathlessly. "Yeah we demolished it. Good practice for our siege equipment though" Nikolai says laughing a bit. Vinyl laughs once before yelping. "Watch it." "Sorry." Nikolai says. Vinyl feels the pressure being lifted up from her back. "What...?" "You feel better?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl gets up and moves her shoulder around. "Better, where did you learn that?" "Me mum taught me that." Nikolai says. Vinyl smiles. "I think Octavia is a little late, why don't we hit the hay. I'm beat." "Sounds goo..." Nikolai was cut off by incredibly loud music from outside. Vinyl frowns. "Now what?" She said going to the window. Nikolai looks out the door and sees a lot of lights and maybe a huge bonfire as it looks like a huge party was going on. "Was there a party planned for tonight?" Nikolai asks with a slightly raised voice. Vinyl huffs. "I don't know, all I know is that I won't be able to sleep." "Don't you know any sound proof spells?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl groans. "Too much magic now and so little for every part of the house." "Then which room would you prefer, mine or yours?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl blushes. "Ummm...mine. It's...a little bigger than yours so..." "You're such a bad girl." Nikolai says closing the window. Vinyl gets even redder. "Shu...shut up." She said nervously as she turns away and rubs her foreleg with another to ease her nervousness. "Come on Vinyl, I will just hold you tonight." Nikolai says. Vinyl looks to him before looking away for a bit. She then heads for her room, all the while not looking back at him. Nikolai walks into her room with her and the door is locked behind them with a blue aura lighting up around the door frame. Octavia and Apollo are enjoying looking up at the stars with an unopened bottle of wine in between them. "So what do you think about this date?" Apollo asks. "It was quite good surprisingly." Octavia says. Apollo grins. "Even if I kept taking stuff?" "I didn't see you take anything." Octavia says. Apollo then smiles. "Still need to train you. Might want to read that list you have." "Slow down big boy. Not till the fifth date." Octavia jokes. Apollo chuckles and turns over to see her turn as well. He then sees something. "Are we on a hill overlooking the valley below?" "And looking up at the stars above, it is really a romantic scene." Octavia says. Apollo smiles. "Stay like that." He goes over to a nearby bag and searches through it. "What is that?" Octavia asks moving slightly. "Don't move." Apollo warns her. Octavia doesn't move. "Found it." He pulls out a sketchpad and a pencil. "Oh, you going to draw me?" Octavia asks. Apollo blushes. "Yeah, hope you don't mind. I just find good things to draw like what I saw when you turned over." "Just don't draw me like one of your Prance mares." Octavia jokes. Apollo chuckles. "I don't do that much Prance stuff." "Oh and here I thought all spies were from Prance." Octavia jokes. Apollo laughs as he starts drawing. "That's a misconception." "Oh, so you all don't eat stinky cheese and have funny accents?" Octavia teases. Apollo laughs out loud. "No, for one the cheese is for looks and the funny accents is just normal to them, but I'm not from Prance, just visited." "I know just teasing you. Tell me how did you and Nikoloi meet?" Octavia asks. Apollo chuckles as he draws the landscape. "Work on that name. Stole from him by the way." "And you got away with it?" Octavia asks. "Heck no! He hounded me for four days and nights before finally cornering me. We would have killed each other if Lightning didn't intervene. After that the three of us became good friends." Apollo says. "I see." Octavia says. Apollo smirks from behind his sketchpad as he drew out her lower body. He chuckles as he continued. "He had something I needed that sounded like it belong to my friend from long ago, but it was just a copy of it. So it was useless." "It sounds it would have gone bad if not for your friend over a fake." Octavia says. Apollo stops drawing. "She was already gone, either leaving me or dead. All I knew is I didn't see again." "Did you love her?" Octavia asks. Apollo shakes his head. "Yes, but she was more a daughter or a little sister. An outgoing, not listening daughter or sister." "You miss her greatly don't you?" Octavia asks. Apollo sighs and lowers the sketchpad. "Yes, at some times I do. But I got over her after a while." He starts drawing again. "I see, so being a commander must be exciting." Octavia says trying to make small talk, but Apollo just stops. "No." He lowers the pad to glare at her. "It's a living nightmare every day. Watching your own die under your command is not exciting, but a horror show in real life." "I'm sorry, I didn't know." Octavia apologizes. Apollo sighs and continues to draw. "It's okay. Now I'm almost done." He starts on the ground below her. Octavia stays quiet as he finished drawing. "Done." He shows her a complete pencil sketch of her laying down on the grass with the starry sky and mountains in the background. Yet, the most important thing he spent more time on her as it almost looks real. "You're good." Octavia says impressed. Apollo smiles. "Thanks." "So can you hear that?" Octavia asks about the sounds they had been hearing for hours. Apollo nods. "Yeah, it has been going on for a while." He looks over to the noise and sees a light coming from behind the buildings. "I'm willing to bet Vinyl is there." Octavia says as they saw fireworks start to light up the sky. Apollo chuckles. "I would bet." "Think Nikolea is there as well?" Octavia asks. Apollo shakes his head. "I doubt it." "If Vinyl is there?" Octavia asks. Apollo then smirks. "Then he is." "Should we go check?" Octavia asks. Apollo shakes his head. "Nah, either their good in their home or just going crazy. Besides do you have a knife?" "No, I took four of yours." Octavia says. Apollo smiles. "Can you give me one?" "Here." Octavia said giving one back. Apollo takes it and places it in his knife holder. "Why don't I walk you home now?" "Oh, what a gentlecolt." Octavia says. Apollo rips out the sketch and holds it out for her. "Take it. It's yours." "Thanks." Octavia says taking it. Apollo smiles and packs everything up. "Let's go, don't want to stay out late here." "Why is that?" Octavia asks. Apollo slings everything on his back. "The night brings many things." "Like you?" Octavia asks. Apollo grins. "I like the night when I go out and steal to keep up my skills." "With all of this?" Octavia asks. Apollo chuckles. "Just some stuff that looks fun to take." "Come on lets go, shall we." Octavia says getting up. Apollo nods and follows her into the streets. "You think somepony will mug us based on that stuff on your back?" She asks. "Oh, don't worry about that." Apollo says pointing to the guards running around everywhere. Octavia looks as well. "Guess so." She then looks down an alleyway with Apollo. "Although they find a way, always. Build a better mousetrap and the mice will find a better way to find a way through it." "Indeed. Now you know what to do." A voice said behind them. "You seriously want to...wait I know that voice." Apollo says turning around with a knife in hoof. He turns to see a brown earth stallion with a purple mane and tail with two mares behind him. "Lightning, what are you doing?" "Who's Lightning? I'm Grey Field." Lightning says. Apollo grins. "You forget to change the tone of your voice." Lightning moves his throat. "Better?" Lightning ask a voice a little deeper. Apollo nods. "Better. Nice disguise by the way, but what are you doing?" "Having fun." Seeku says doing her unique snicker. Apollo smiles. "By breaking laws. I thought you three would have had fun in the bed." "We didn't plan it, but has gone completely out of control and the guards don't know what they are doing at this point." Rainbow says with a huge smile. Apollo looks to them with a grin. "So like my life back in the day?" "Oh no, not yet at least. Half the town isn't on fire yet." Lightning says. Apollo burst out laughing. "Oh, touché sir, touché." Apollo manages to say. Lightning smiles. "Well we didn't know it was you, it was too dark. And we just said fuck it, let's mug them and have fun. We got out of tighter situations before." Apollo nods. "Yeah, you did. Now get out of here before somepony can alibi us talking together and I don't want her to get into trouble." "Ok, see you tomorrow." Lightning says leaving with the two mares. "I'm happy to see him smiling again. He hasn't really smiled since the war started." Apollo says. Octavia looks to them as they leave. "Well let's hope they have the time of their lives." "Oh, knowing Seeku they will. I was dragged on a few outings." Apollo says. Octavia shakes her head. "I feel you. Now let's go home." "Yes my lady." Apollo says bowing and leading the way. Octavia giggles. "How about instead of leading me to my home, how about your home or is it in an attic?" "Oh, ho, ho, very funny." Apollo says deadpan. Octavia smiles. "Never mind, let's get to my home and have some fun. I'm sure that Vinyl is doing the same to Nikolet." "What kind of fun do you want, because I still have the wine?" Apollo asks. Octavia shakes her head and walks again with Apollo following. "No wine, just a little sleep with each other. Nothing much." "Oh, you're so forward." Apollo teases. Octavia scoffs. "I just want somepony to be with me that isn't trying to molest me." "Ok, ok, just teasing. Ok, let's go." Apollo says. Octavia smiles. "Well don't wait up." Apollo chuckles and catches up. Chaos and Harmony both played some poker with Fulgur and Death in their white spirit world. "You think we should have told them about the dark spirit?" Chaos asks as she looks to Harmony to see a twitch. Death moves a card over with his boney hoof. "Not really, they would have to figure it out." Fulgur huffs...as best as he could with himself as an eye. "Well, at least Lightning will be there to help." "If not, what is in the box the harmony six should have taken care of?" Chaos says, her card floating in front of her. Harmony shrugs and pecks a card and moves it over. "Spoiler, it's supposed to be their castle, but I can change it since Twilight Sparkle will become queen of Equestria for the good of the kingdom." Fulgur looks to her with a raised eyebrow look. "Castle? For them? Are you kidding and what are you going to change the box into?" Harmony looks to him. "Yes, a crystal castle since they became interested in crystal after Sombra and what I'm changing the box into is yet to be seen." Death sighs. "You really are a child aren't you?" "Hah, she's a brat." Chaos huffs. "She's been trouble since we gave those princesses part of our power." Fulgur turns to them. "What do you mean, give the power? You did it because everything went out of control." They both looked sheepish as they cover their cards. "Well they were out of control too. The dark spirit was corrupting little Luna." Death leans on a boney hoof. "So you sent your Discord to evaluate the problem? You do realize that it just increased little Luna's dark side. You made things worse." Chaos looks annoyed. "Hey, I wanted to know how it was out there. I didn't know it would make things worse." Fulgur sighs. "You really push the timetable. Did you know what you thinking before this?" Chaos turns away. "No, because I was worried. I didn't want to lose this world." "So what about Celestia, I can sense a dark feeling growing in her. Is she in danger of becoming the second dark mare?" Death asks. Both Harmony and Chaos looks to each other and then back to them. "That remains to be seen. She is on the tipping edge and I fear for her and her friends and family." Harmony said sadly. Fulgur looks to Death. "Has Minerva said anything?" "No, she is silent on this matter. What about your warrior Belcross, he is Lightning's partner, does he have any insight?" Death asks. Fulgur closes his eye and makes a sighing sound. "Not any more than we do. Have any information been heard on this matter from your recent souls?" "None are particularly talkative besides the usual things. Although I still find it humorous when I inform Equestrians that Celestia isn't a goddess." Death says. Everyone at the table chuckles. "Does anyone here have an idea who Twilight will chose as her first mate in her harem?" Chaos asks trying to steer the topic and peek at a card. "I don't have any interest in mortals reproducing." Fulgur says giving Chaos a little jolt. Chaos yelps as the shock hits her. "Fine, I'll stop peeking." She materialized a mirror behind Death and Fulgur trying to not be seen. They both sighs and send a destructive spell at the mirror. "We have eyes around us, don't bother." Death said placing his cards down showing a flush as the last one on the table finished flipping. Fulgur sighs. "Don't pull anything in that world without our supervision and help. You would need it." He flips his cards and shows a three of kind. Chaos nods. "You got it, but that doesn't mean I'll send my little Dissy after it." She reveals her cards as a straight. "Bingo." Harmony says showing a royal flush. "Wrong game Harmony." Chaos says. Harmony looks to her cards. "So did I win?" All other spirits push the chips towards her. "Cool. Now what?" Fulgur produces a magic cloud showing an image into Lightning's end. "Let's not look there and wait till tomorrow. For now, we wait." He said dissipating the cloud. Chaos sighs as she drinks her chocolate milk. "Let's hope this ends in what's considered the right way." Harmony looks to her. "Since when is something considered right? They are all something other than good or bad." Chaos shrugs. "Wanted to end this scene on something ominous." The rest just looks to her weird while she just grins. Lightning and friends went to someplace else after their meet up with Apollo. After that they slipped passed some guards and back to the castle. It was a glorious night that neither of the three would forget. "Ok, that was great." Lightning says getting the crystals. Seeku giggles. "Yes it was, especially that party." "You still feeling a little buzzed from the cider Rainbow?" Lightning ask activating the crystals. Rainbow nods. "What happened after the first few minutes? I was buzzed out." "Good thing it was the second half of later the night." Lightning says as the grey aura engulfed them. Rainbow frowns. "What happened?" "A lot, but don't worry, Lightning didn't let you go too crazy." Seeku says as the auras fade and they are back to normal. Rainbow sighs in relief. "That's good. Now what did you want?" "First you might want to take off the dancer's outfit." Seeku snickers. Rainbow looks down at herself and rips off the revealing outfit. "Now what is it?" Seeku smiles. "Even though it was a good night, I still want to spend time as us, here." "I'm fine with that, Rainbow?" Lightning asks. Rainbow sighs. "What exactly are we doing?" Seeku grins. "By my perverted grin it should tell you something." "Not too perverted please." Rainbow requests. Seeku soon calms down. "Rainbow, I have been lusting after your husband ever since I met him. Now would you at least allow me to be with him for the night? It's only this one night." "You really want him to get you pregnant when you are going after another stallion?" Rainbow asks. Seeku shakes her head. "No, not pregnant, just time together. Besides, who knows what that other stallion will do?" Rainbow looks to Lightning, unsure what to do. "Very well Seeku." Rainbow says after thinking it over. Seeku smiles. "It's alright, I'll treat him well. You can join if you want." "I don't trust you alone with him, so yeah, I'm joining." Rainbow says. Seeku turns to Lightning. "Shall we?" "I feel like I'm getting no sleep tonight." Lightning says getting red in the face. Seeku giggles. "Don't worry, you'll be sleeping plenty after this." "Who says that?" Rainbow asks nudging Seeku. Seeku looks to Rainbow with a perverted grin. "Oh, you want him to do it to you too?" Rainbow blushes. "Not to get pregnant again, but yeah." "Ohhhh, have a horrible feeling about this." Lightning says worried for his life and later soreness. Both mares look to him grinning. "We know." Sex scene time. Scroll down to the next bolded line if you want to skip. Lightning went to lock to door while Rainbow went to the bathroom to prepare for another wild night, in another form. Seeku looks to Lightning as he places an extra lock to make sure it's secure. "How do you want to start?" She asks almost shivering. Lightning sighs and retightens the lock to make sure. "Well, what do you want to go as?" Seeku smiles sweetly. "Myself. Just me in my changeling form. I don't want it to be any different." Lightning chuckles. "There were times when you wanted to do this in funny forms. Not yourself at all. Now that I think about it, you really got what you wanted from our time in the office, didn't you?" Seeku giggles. "Yes I did. Now get that handsome piece of meat over here." Lightning shakes his head and goes over to the bed. "You two better not give me a stroke, heart attack, or broken bones or a certain muscle." Seeku laughs as the thought hits her. "No promises, but we'll make it the best event you would ever have." "She's right." Rainbow finally exits the bathroom and heads over to the bed to them. "Even though I would hate it because I'm giving permission for another female to be with you, I would at least try to make it worth it because she's family and friend." Lightning smiles. "I didn't know you would be accepting for this." Rainbow frowns. "I may not, but at least it would end this whole thing." They nod at her. "Yes, but at least it's easier on our minds." Rainbow gets up on the bed. "So let's begin. Seeku you can go first since this is important for you and I'm inclined to agree." Lightning looks to Seeku. "So what do you want to start with?" Seeku smiles gently and moves next to him. "How about this?" She then kisses him gently as she moves a hoof to his chest. Lightning moans as her fangs grinds against his lips, almost cutting it. He then feels her hoof rubbing him roughly making a makeshift massage. After a while she pulls away and breaths out. "That was amazing. More so than I ever felt in the past." Lightning chuckles as he holds her hoof. "It will get better if you want it." Seeku smiles as she places a hoof over his. "I'd like that." Lightning quickly pushes her onto the bed and goes over her. "Well then let's begin." He then kisses her on the lips making her moan as she feels his rough lips pushing onto her hard. He then slowly moves downward reaching her neck. The hard shell on her makes her feels almost nothing, but she still feels her small amounts of nerves firing at the feeling of him kissing hard, knowing that it would be hard to feel. She feels appreciated that he would try to make things feel good for her. "Lightning." She moans out. Lightning then stops and heads down to her pussy and sees how it looks different. "Always wondered." He said to himself. He then dives in and starts licking around the area making Seeku moan even louder. Seeku closes her eyes as she feels Lightning licking her lips and almost going in. She opens her eyes to see Rainbow smiling above her. "Hope you like it." Rainbow said. Seeku nods as she can't say anything and moans again as Lightning hits a good spot. Lightning pulls away and licks his lips before latching on and pushing his tongue into her. Seeku moans louder as she feels Lightning pushing hard and going everywhere. She hisses her changeling hiss as he begins sucking her, sending her juices everywhere on his face. Seeku slowly wraps her hind legs around him to keep him there as she slowly bucks upward into him. Lightning inwardly smirks and sucks hard while running his tongue deeper and even biting her outer lips. Seeku is at this point gone feral with her changeling nature and resorted to hisses, screeches and clicks. Lightning soon feels the juices starting to flow faster so he redoubled his efforts and bites down hard on her lips. Seeku screeches so loud that they swear that the ponies outside can hear it and sends a torrent of cum onto Lightning, making him drink in an effort not to drown. Seeku breathes heavily as unwraps her legs from Lightning and rests. While Lightning kept licking his lips and crawls right next to her. "How was it?" He asks after kissing her on the corner of her lips. "Amazing." Seeku breaths out. Lightning smiles. "I'm glad, want to continue to the main course?" Seeku nods and tries to get up. "Rainbow, help her and let her get on top of you. Besides, you're already wet from the show." Rainbow blushes and sticks her tongue out at her before helping the weak Seeku onto her. "Just relax and we'll walk away from this satisfied." Seeku nods as she rested her head next to her. She soon feels a warm long flesh run against her ass cheeks and still going. 'That's how long he was?' She then feels the long flesh pull back and poke at her pussy. "Ready?" Lightning asks almost pushing the tip in. Seeku breaths in carefully. "Just let me do this." Her horn lights up and Lightning's dick gets covered in a green glow before fading. "Now you can't get us pregnant for the whole night. Now have your way with me." Lightning smirks and places his hooves on her hips. "One..." He pauses in hard, as Seeku screams in pain. "Sorry, but it would have been worse if I waited till three." Seeku nods against Rainbow's shoulder as tears of pain rain down her face. Rainbow kisses the tears away as they waited for her to get use to the pain. After a while Seeku breaths out deeply and moves back a little. Lightning smiles as he starts moving in a little before heading back out again. He keeps doing this, going deeper and deeper until he hits a wall he knows is either pleasurable or painful. Seeku moans as every thrust he gave gives her a good feeling she can get used to. His long and hard tool, the veins running along her wall as they throb. It wasn't until that he starts hitting her cervix that she notices something. She can still feel more outside. She looks to Rainbow as Lightning kept battering away at the wall making her yelp each time it keeps going deeper. Rainbow kisses her as she feels the feeling of Lightning's dick run into Seeku along her own stomach, with their juices running onto her pussy. She moans as she feels the heat of both of them in many ways. Seeku suddenly screams in pleasure as Lightning fully fell in all the way and made a wet slapping sound as he becomes flush against her. He soon keeps hitting her in short thrust, making Rainbow moan as she felt his dick poke at her own stomach from Seeku's womb. Seeku just keeps moaning at different levels as Lightning didn't stop pounding her, making wet slapping sounds every time he hits the end. "Faster. Harder!" Seeku moans out. Lightning complies and starts giving everything he had and pounding so hard that she became swollen and red. She grits her teeth as she feels something coming and she wanted it. She looks to Rainbow before biting her neck making Rainbow scream out in pleasure as Seeku bit down hard. Lightning pulls Seeku off of her and presses her against his chest. Seeku leans her head back before biting into Lightning's neck making him give the final hard thrust. Seeku moans loudly through the bite as Lightning filled her and her cum mixed with his. After a while Lightning kept filling her up and had calm down enough to give a few thrust now and again to keep her high. Seeku moans as she holds Lightning's hoof as he held her. She feels her stomach start to give way and peeks an eye open to see her womb expanding past the bump that showed outward from her flesh. After a while Lightning tapered off and pulls out after Seeku let's go of him. Pulling back he can see his still hard dick pulling some cum out with it and landing on Rainbow. He soon plunges into Rainbow making her become wide awake and start moaning like crazy. Lightning gave no break as he holds into her hips and started to pound away like a mad stallion. Seeku licks her lips as she looks down to the euphoric high mare and kisses her. Rainbow kissed back, not knowing what to think at this point. Seeku smiles inwardly as Lightning hit his limit and feels the large dick poking at her swollen belly through Rainbow. Lightning groans and soon starts to cum as he was still sensitive from the last session and fills up Rainbow. Seeku's grin widen and pulls the moaning Rainbow away from Lightning and brings his cock up to their face as he still cums, making a huge mess on them. Seeku grabs the cock and points it to Rainbow who starts to suck on it like foal would to a mother. Seeku then pulls Rainbow back before taking it herself and starts to swallow his cum that refused to stop. After a while she pulls back and pranch kiss Rainbow making an even more of a mess as Lightning kept cumming all over them. After a minute Lightning finally stops and lies down on the pillows. Seeku and Rainbow joins him a few seconds later still covered in his cum. "That was amazing. I didn't know that you got that big or came that much." Seeku said as licks some of the remaining cum on her lips. Rainbow licks at some on hers, left behind by her kiss with Seeku. "Didn't know she had a fetish for this." Seeku giggles. "Well now you do. And I love the cum, so much in fact." Lightning sighs. "Well, you either can go wash up or stay in the same mess. All I know is I gotta rest because that four hour session tired me out." Seeku licks at where she left the mark on him. "I'll stay, too tired to move." Rainbow rubs at hers. "Same here, way too tired." Lightning shrugs. "Have it your way. Now did you have the best night ever Seeku?" Seeku nods as she continues locking away the mess. "The best ever and I don't think my future mate will top it." Lightning smiles sadly. "Good, I'm glad you were able to enjoy it. Let's get some rest and wash up in the morning." They all soon close their eyes from exhaustion. "Is the spell on me over?" Seeku smiles. "Yes and everything you already spilled out won't get us pregnant." Rainbow breaths out a sigh of relief. "Good. Good night you two." "Night." Lightning said wrapping a wing around her. "Goodnight." Seeku said as Lightning wraps a wing around her. 'Please don't let it be the one.' She thought with dread. Scene over. Author's Note Well that's that, now we may work on another fic so updates will be slow. Watch out for us. Flair: Maybe a few days slower, but I say this is still our main fic right now. Now anything else we need to deal with? Flair: No I don't think so… *cut off by a ping* Hold on I got an email from Pinkie Pie. And it says? Flair: Ok, Dear authors, I am writing on the behalf of Vinyl and Octavia. *looks to Primus* I have a bad feeling about this. *Looking over armory list.* Let's see, what do I have. Flair: Now that the war is over you no longer have an excuse for delaying the next chapter of the new legend. So you better get to work on that. *looks to Primus* What does she mean by that? *Looks back to list.* I think my swords are somewhere on this. Flair: If not I have been paid to bring many angry ponies to your location. I was paid in sugar. *Looks shocked.* Why? We need to plan the other story and need time. Flair: I think we need to build a fortress just in case. I have some characters on ice from a long time ago that help. And they will since one of them is me. Also which legend is she talking about? The Vinyl Scratch or this one? Flair: Well since it was on behalf of Vinyl and Octavia I believe it is the Vinyl Scratch. Oh wait there is a P.S. What does it say? *Going to computer for iced characters.* Flair: To all the reader please post question in the next Vinyl Scratch for the hosts to answer. Every question I get a dozen cupcakes as part of my new contract. *Looks up at Primus* Did she slip that in when we revised her contract? We did a contract? Flair: Wait, you didn't then how come we have a contract with her in the archives? *Looks through the archives.* Must have been working or asleep. Found it. *Looks it over.* Dear god, what did you agree to. Flair: I thought you handled that I never dealt in the legal part. No, I always make sure it's fair and…Pinkie Pie. She slipped in the contract on us. I need to talk to her and redo it. Nothing happens without me knowing it. Flair: We are being made fools out of. We better be on the lookout or she'll somehow get ownership. *Smirks.* She'll never get us. Besides we would write her out forever plus I got characters that can handle her. Flair: You sure, cause she scares me? Quite badly. *Grins.* I have seen worse back then with my other characters. Oh here they are. *Seven characters appear as anthropomorphic creatures in the shadows.* Flair: You heard the request everyone and everypony. Please send any questions you have for the three hosts of A New Legends: The Vinyl Scratch in the review section of A New Legends: The Vinyl Scratch chapter 2. You better listen because it's even being hated on for a rip off...I think, just down voted because of a bad rip off. Let me tell you something. This is a parody and makes fun of both the story and show. Let us have fun with it. Talk About a Rough Day (Clop)A/N: Okay, after a while of waiting welcome to the next chapter. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' It had been nearly half a year since the invasion was finally defeated and ponies, diamond dogs, and changelings were adjusting to normal life again. The military remained, despite Celestia's protests it was no longer necessary and only the royal guard was needed. "Okay that's the last paper. Wait...last?" Lightning asks himself as he looks over his empty desk. "I'm done." He said in surprise. "Sir, I have those recruitment reports you wanted." Silva says walking in wearing a new black and red armor with the old symbol of the three original factions of ponies. "Thank you, Major." Lightning says getting up with a little frustration. Silva chuckles. "You finished for the first time and now you got more and now you're getting frustrated again, huh?" "Yes, Major Silva." Lightning says getting some coffee from the coffee maker in his office. Silva giggles. "Enough with the major sir. I get that enough from the soldiers, but I can let it fly." "We still to be a little formal since we are on duty." Lightning says offering Silva a cup. Silva takes sip after getting it. "So what can you expect the next few days?" "Well Celestia has really been trying to get the army disbanded in the last month so I'm expecting her to put it forward again soon, but besides that I'm going to go see my kids. You should come too, they really like you." Lightning says getting up. Silva smiles. "You sure, I'm just a soldier?" "They like you Silva and who knows they might be leading armies beside you. I also want you to help teach them a few things as they grow up." Lightning says. Silva raises an eyebrow as she starts to follow him out. "And what do I teach them? If I recall, you didn't allow Seeku to teach your kids their language." "She was teaching them cuss words in the language I will allow her to teach them when they are older." Lightning says. Silva looks surprised. "You know Changeling?" "Yes, I do. You would be surprised how many times I have come across their forgotten written language in ruins. That purple on the bookshelf in my office is an ancient spell book completely in their written language." Lightning says. Silva smiles. "So what do you want me to teach?" "I want you to teach them about the Dominion and aid me in teaching them about war." Lightning says before drinking some coffee. Silva then looks concerned. "Are you sure? I mean teaching them this early about the war?" "Not yet, I mean after they have grown a bit like with Seeku." Lightning says Silva smiles. "You watched her grow up? Since when has she grown up?" "I meant my foals, not Seeku." Lightning clarifies as they walk out the door and start walking down the hall. Silva chuckles. "So you want them to grow up with the likes of Seeku?" "Seeku is a good pony, she just not the greatest role model." Lightning says. Silva smiles as they got to the foal's door. "And you still want them to grow up with her?" "She is family." Lightning says. Silva nods and opens the door to see the foals playing with Rainbow while Scootaloo was off to the side reading her Wyvern book. "Then you better tell her that." She said. "I will soon enough, but for now let's go in there and see them." Lightning says pushing her in before entering himself. "Hey dad." Scootaloo said, not taking her eyes off the book. Rainbow smiles as she looks to him. "Hi honey." "Hey dear, you are looking well today." Lightning says walking up to her and picking up both Typhoon and Talion. Rainbow nods. "Yes, but I think Scootaloo has something to say to you." She said looking to her. Lightning walks over to Scootaloo after he let Typhoon and Talion climbed up onto his back. "What do you need princess?" Scootaloo sighs and closes the book. "Well I found out something about the Wyverns that the book doesn't tell." "What is that princess?" Lightning asks as Typhoon and Talion walk up and down his back. Scootaloo looks to him. "Turns out that their instinct is really tradition." "How so?" Lightning asks smiling. Scootaloo looks to the window. "First the book was made based on a group of Wyverns and all without a lick of sense between them, basically wild animals. Once I had a chance to talk to Tiyries and his parents, it turns out that they leave an area so it doesn't become barren from their presence. Soon once the land becomes equal again they come back. They have at least five spots to go to, all in a cycle. But here's the rub, if one stayed and the environment was helping it then that one can stay." "I see." Lightning says as Talion climbs on top of his head. Scootaloo nods. "Yeah and that's what I wanted to talk to you about." "What exactly do you want me to do princess?" Lightning asks smiling. Scootaloo takes another deep breath before looking to him dead in the eye. "Can he stay? His parents will allow it if you do." "I always planned on him staying for you princess." Lightning says rubbing her head. Scootaloo smiles and hugs him. "Thanks daddy." "No problem princess." Lightning says as he hugs her back. Scootaloo sighs and let's go. "Guess I don't need this thing anymore." She said taking the book. "Want it back?" She asks him. "Just see it gets to the library princess and I think your little sister wants to play." Lightning says as Typhoon walks on his snout. Scootaloo giggles and hold out her hooves and Typhoon jumps in them. "Hey sis, want to play?" Typhoon responded very cheerfully as Rainbow walked up to Lightning and playfully elbows him in the side. Lightning rubs the spot where she hit. "What?" "Oh nothing you softy you." Rainbow says with a smirk as Talion starts playing with Silva. "So Rainbow, you back up to your standard now?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks confused. "What do you mean?" "Your speed. You were weakened greatly from giving birth to our foals." Lightning says rubbing her mane. Rainbow purrs. "Yeah, I'm back. Can race Applejack now and keep up with her." "Oh, so you back to training for the Wonderbolts?" Lightning asks Rainbow shakes her head. "No, took the test for the reserves and passed. Now I can do things a little easier, but I still do things that may get me into the Wonderbolts themselves." "Oh, doing a few things behind my back, huh?" Lightning asks playfully. Rainbow chuckles. "Thinking of a few things for us, but before that I finished with my things, but I still have one more." "What is that?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smiles. "Joining the Wonderbolts on their show, not the military." "Oh, you want to perform, huh?" Lightning says nuzzling her. Rainbow smirks. "I can do a special performance for you." "Maybe later love, for now we should play with our foals since we have no work to do." Lightning says smiling. Rainbow looks surprised. "No more paperwork? You're done?" "Only thing left was the new personal files. Nothing that needs immediate attention." Lightning says rubbing against her. Rainbow smiles. "Great, you have first watch." She said laying down in a beanbag chair. "I see you like the gift Eclipse sent us." Lightning says before playing with his foals. Rainbow smiles. "Like you said, comfy." She said trying to get a good seating. Lightning played with the foals till a soldier opens the door. "Sir, pardon the intrusion, but Celestia has called a secret session of the court with only herself and those who obey her absolutely. It looks like she is trying to pass something." The soldier says. Lightning sighs. "As expected from Celestia, she won't give up until she gets what she wants. I can assume that word has already been sent to the members of my faction in Canterlot correct?" Lightning asks. The soldier nods. "Yes sir, they will try to hold the session and if possible get rid of it." "Sorry Rainbow, Celestia has cut our family time short." Lightning says walking to the door. Rainbow sighs and gets up to go to her foals. "When would she learn?" "It may take disposing her and installing Twilight as the Queen for her to stop. I wonder how Twilight and Luna are faring against her through." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Knowing those two, I think they are too busy kissing each other." "We may have to get them back into the court and ending their so far three month vacation." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles. "Yeah, I think they had enough time to relax and enjoy each other. If I didn't know better I would think they are on a honeymoon." "I'll see you tonight at dinner love." Lightning says walking away with a smile. Rainbow waves him goodbye. "Bye love." Lightning and Euram walks towards the throne room, but two guards bar the way. "What is the meaning of this, the court is in session and we are members?" Euram says. "The princess had said only certain members have entrance." The guard said. "The princess needs one other prince to agree to that so if you two don't move I will see you both incarcerated for insubordination." Lightning threatens. The guards doesn't move. "Only if the princess agrees." "I don't have time for this. Seize them." Lightning orders and several soldiers heed the order allowing Lightning and Euram to pass and enter the court. Euram huffs. "I'll say this, still loyal." "Celestia has her royal guards, but the army and all other related branches like the wonderbolt take orders from me." Lightning says before they enter the court. Euram shakes his head. "Yes loyal and blind. Let me ask you," He said getting louder so everyone could hear. "The guards protect the princess from anything that might hurt her, but what would they do if the thing hurting her is herself?" He asks looking to Celestia. "Nothing, because they are completely obedient." Lightning says. "As such the military was necessary for a time no longer is and is actually hurting the authority of the royal guards and are abusing their power with no pony holding them in check." Celestia says. Lightning clears his throat. "I beg to differ." Lightning says making the entire court aware of the two new arrivals presence. "The military is not running around with their heads cut off, it is in fact controlled under me and a chosen few." He said to the court. Celestia glares at the two new arrivals. "Furthermore the royal guards never leave the capital unless an emergency arises. While the military is based all over the country protecting and patrolling it against both crime and external threats." Lightning says. Celestia growls under her breath. "And you are not part of the court so you have no say in this matter." "Tisk, tisk, tisk, Celestia I became a part of the court when you named me a noble and the Burrow's family head is also a part of the court as you only punished his father for the crimes and left the house untouched." Lightning coolly counters. "Besides if you won't listen to ponies who you consider not on the court then listen to those who are." "That's your cue." A voice said behind the door. "What? Oh right." Twilight opens the door and steps in. "Hello, Princess Twilight Sparkle here for the court." Celestia narrows her glare at the smiling Lightning. "Greetings princess Twilight, did you have a relaxing vacation?" Lightning greets. Twilight blushes. "You could say that." She said looking slightly over to Luna behind her. "Ah, Princess Luna it is good to have you back as well." Lightning greets. Luna nods. "And good to see you as well. Sister, how are you?" She asks cheerily. "Good, Luna could you help me with this and get the unneeded military dissolved?" Celestia asks sounding more like an order. Luna shakes her head. "No, I have a better idea." She whistles and the Night Guards drops from the ceiling. "Escort the Solar Guards out of here and close the door behind you and make sure nopony else comes in. We need all the outside influence out." "You heard her, please escort Mr. Lightning Bolt and Mr. Euram Burrows out." Celestia says trying to manipulate Luna's words. A night guards huffs. "We only listen to Princess Luna. Any other words from other ponies are forgotten." Celestia doesn't look happy as the solar guard are escorted out and several more nobles enter. "Unbelievable, betrayed by my own sister." She said. "Now, I believe the issue is once again whether or not to disband the military. May I remind many of you that the military has a good portion of the country's ponies employed and is the main factor in peacekeeping and the main factor that protects the country. I would also like to remind many factories and several of the noble houses have greatly invested their businesses in supplying the military. So if the military is disbanded several noble houses will be ruined financially and many ponies will be left jobless and I don't need to tell any of you how that will affect the country's economy." Lightning says. Luna leans over to Twilight. "Calculations on how many are now with us?" Twilight sketches some numbers on a notepad she had. "About ninety percent are with us on this issue." "I see, so we can count on the greedier ponies to be with us because if our economy takes a hit they will lose money." Luna says. Twilight nods. "Thank Equestria for greed." "That is a rare statement." Luna says. Twilight chuckles. "Trust me, it gets bad when the whole thing gets out of control. Lightning just wants the presence to be there for if the Dominion decides to attack, nothing more, nothing less." Lightning sat down and waited for any response. "I vote on keeping the military." One noble said. "Keep it." Another said and soon the room was filled with agreements. Soon a majority had voted to keep it with more votes rising to Celestia's shock. Lightning smiles and looks to Twilight who was keeping track. "Final tally?" He asks. "Almost ninety percent in favor of keeping the military." Twilight says. Lighting smirks and looks to Celestia. "Well, looks like the bill is vetoed. Now I want to put forth another vote. This issue has been brought up more than ten times. I issue the vote of whether or not to stop this vote for some time" Lightning says with a serious face. "I'll vote yes because I'm tried coming here every time for that bill." A noble says leaving. Many nobles soon casted their votes. "Final tally, eighty eight percent in favor to stop bringing up this issue as such we will not discuss this issue for eight years." Twilight says. Lightning sighs in relief. "Finally, okay what other votes we got?" "That was the only issue, the court has nothing left." A noble whispers to him as Twilight looks through possible issues to vote on. "I can't find any issues as such the court shall go into recess for now." Twilight says. The nobles start to leave, leaving Celestia, Lightning, Twilight and Luna. "Now that we're alone." Lightning stated. "Let's deal with a more personal issue." "Sister we have an important issue to discuss with you and by now I am sure you have noticed. We are aging again." Luna says. Celestia huffs. "Why do you think I'm trying to get back to the old ways?" "Celestia, you and Luna are no longer immortal so it is time you named an heir to Equestria." Lightning says reading a spell book and checking a tome on translating the language it was in. Luna nods. "I have to agree with him. Sister, I was stuck on the moon for a century and when I came back I had to make changes. Now you have to as well. Tis only fair." "Don't be ridiculous, I don't need an heir. I will always rule." Celestia says her eyes flashing black for a moment. Luna learns to Twilight. "Did you notice?" She whispers. Twilight nods and Lightning is now slightly glaring at Celestia. "Celestia it is time you accepted the fact you will one day die. To pick an heir now is to pick the one you see as most worthy to succeed you. If you don't pick one we will have another court session to decide if it is necessary or not." Lightning says closing the books. Twilight sighs as she looks over her old teacher. "Something wrong. This is not the Celestia I know." "I don't need an heir." Celestia says. "Celestia I have met with many of the nobles and we have decided to put forth Twilight as our candidate of heir to Equestria." Lightning says. Celestia scoffs. "And what of us? Trash to be thrown away?" "No, you will rule until you die." Lightning says. "And that includes Twilight, sister." Luna said. "We just made her like us without immortality at the time. We can still rule, just under her and you can do things you were previously unable to do." "She is not included. She is ruler of the crystal kingdom." Lightning says. Luna looks confused for a second. "Wait, what?" "She is the ruler of her own separate sovereign kingdom. Meaning she has no say in Equestrian matters and can only inherit the kingdom if you, Celestia, and Twilight all died. The only other one who could inherit this country is duke Blueblood. The reason I say duke is even though he is royalty he does not have any true claim to the throne. I refuse to call him a prince even though he demands it from everyone." Lightning says. Luna nods. "I see now. I thought you were talking about Twilight." Lightning sighs. "Well that's a wasted explanation. Anyway you see our case?" He asks Celestia. Celestia refuses to answer for a time. "Fine." Celestia finally says. Twilight looks a little surprised. "Now that's a little like the Celestia." Celestia walks away mad. "At least she agreed." Lightning says. Luna sighs in relief. "Congratulations Twilight, you will soon become Queen. How do you feel?" "Like someone needs to smack me." Twilight says. "Luna, she needs a pinch." Lightning says. Luna giggles and bites Twilight on the back of her neck who yelps. "Ow." Luna smirks. "I think she's awake now." "Thank you Luna." Lightning says. Luna grins. "She really loves bites more than pinches." "Luna." Twilight whines blushing. Luna giggles. "Can't help it, you're too cute when you blush as well." "So Twilight, did Rainbow write and tell you she is now in the Wonderbolt reserves and our foals are doing great?" Lightning asks trying to change the subject. Twilight tries to squirm out of Luna's grip. "Yes and actually I and my friends plus the town helped her study for the test." "I can't believe she somehow she hid that from me without my notice." Lightning says. Twilight sighs as Luna let's up on the hug, but still holds on. "She actually wanted to surprise you." "Well she definitely did. So how is Spike and Agni doing?" Lightning asks. Twilight smiles. "Still trying to see whose flames are bigger." "I see, so has Agni gone through his first from change?" Lightning asks. Twilight shakes her head. "Not from what I have seen." "I see, so have you kept up your studies in fire elemental magic?" Lightning asks. Twilight nods. "Yep, through all the books you gave me." Luna looks up from her snuggling. "She really has been working hard since our vacation started." "Nullam et si quis vobis intelligunt studiis celebratum est." Lightning says. (1) Twilight smirks. "Good afternoon to you too." "Ipsum" Lightning says. (2) Twilight smiles and snuggles Luna back. "Thanks." "Multo adhuc non contentus esse discipulus cognoscere." Lightning says. (3) Twilight frowns. "Thanks a lot. You ruined my good mood." "Notitiam investiget finiendum. Dein studium transferendum est commissio magia liber sine adiutorio." Lightning says levitating the book he was studying earlier to Twilight. (4) Twilight takes it and looks it over. "What language?" "Ah, that is part of your assignment. You must research and learn. Oh and your access to my library is still valid." Lightning says taking the other book with him. Twilight smiles before feeling something run down her back. "Luna." She hisses. "To Lightning and Rainbow's estate here in Canterlot?" Luna asks. Twilight glares at her before smiling. "Maybe we should ask them first. I don't think they would like to come to a messy bed." "Ok, let us pay a visit, I bet you also want to see their foals." Luna says. Twilight smiles. "Yeah, let's follow him." Luna smiles as they begin following Lightning. When they finally reach the entrance to the estate Lightning finally speaks. "Did you need something else?" Lightning asks. Twilight blushes. "Your estate in Canterlot?" "This a visit to the family or library?" Lightning asks. Twilight coughs a little. "The library is after for a little reading while we want to see the foals." "I'm sure Rainbow will love to see you." Lightning says opening the door. They walk in and start walking down the hall. "So how have you been Lightning?" Twilight asks. "Good, Celestia was a big pain because she wanted to go back to the old ways which is impossible." Lightning says walking after them. Luna nods. "Yes and I doubt that we can go back to the old ways even if we wanted to." "Not anymore, especially after I have gain so many allies and power here." Lightning says hearing a few ponies. Twilight smiles. "And how are they?" "Good." Lightning says opening the dining room door to see Spitfire, Rainbow, Silva, and the foals. "I'm back and guess who followed me." Rainbow looks to see Twilight and Luna. "Oh hey you two." Rainbow calls. Twilight waves a little. "Hi Rainbow, came to see everypony." Lightning walks over. "Sister what are you doing here?" Lightning asks. Spitfire shrugs. "An invitation from somepony." "Oh seems Rainbow has become very good at keeping things from me." Lightning says. Spitfire chuckles. "How do you think she keeps you pleased?" "So why wasn't I informed sister? As head of all military related matters in Equestria I should be informed of all who join the Wonderbolts even if they are reserves." Lightning says. Both the mares' chuckles. "It was a surprise." The both said. "No more surprises like this sister, it makes both our jobs harder and gives you more paper work." Lightning reminds. Spitfire smiles. "And fun." "So sister will you be joining us for dinner?" Lightning asks as Typhoon and Talion start climbing on her. Spitfire laughs. "How can I pass up the chance for a free meal?" "I see your niece and nephew still love you." Lightning says as Talion makes his way through Spitfire's hair. Spitfire laughs. "Yeah, they are ticklish though." "Seems Talion is trying to navigate the jungle known as your mane." Lightning jokes. Spitfire chuckles. "I wasn't the only one with a long mane too." "At least I know how to clean mine Ms. Soap only for her mane." Lightning jokes. Spitfire huffs. "At least I use soap." "Oh Spitfire there is a new invention going around called body wash that cleans you better." Lightning says. Spitfire smirks. "Maybe you should use it." "I bathe regularly. Ask Rainbow, she joins me every once in a while." Lightning says. Spitfire looks to her. "How many times does he actually cleans himself instead of dunking himself in the water?" "Almost every time after he saw to me." Rainbow says blushing a little. Spitfire sighs. "Looks like you win." "Spitfire it looks like you have a protégé now." Lightning says seeing Talion now on top of her head. Spitfire laughs and brings Talion in front of her. "So did you have fun?" Talion smiles and opens arms insinuating he wanted a hug. "Aw, of course you can have one." She said hugging him. "I see you are really bonding with your nephew and it seems your niece is interested in your wings." Lightning says as Typhoon is messing with the feathers and Rainbow and Silva are talking to Twilight and Luna. Spitfire laughs and bring Typhoon in for a hug as well. "Hugs for all." "You look good sister. I see you haven't been overwhelmed by your increased work yet." Lightning says. Spitfire let's go of the foals as they run off. "Yeah, the paperwork is decreasing too." "I am thinking of sending your team back to off duty status." Lightning says. Spitfire then grows sad. "Then you won't see me." "No, you will be going back and doing shows and stationed back in Canterlot." Lightning says. Spitfire then brightens up. "You really are family. Like letting your daughter be with that Wyvern." "No comment." Lightning says. Spitfire smiles. "Come on, you gave your daughter a love life." "So Spitfire how are you doing with the admiral?" Lightning asks. Spitfire shuffles a bit. "He's okay. A little uncaring, but he means well." "So tell me how many times?" Lightning whispers. Spitfire sighs. "Around fifty." "I'm surprised you are not having a foal of your own yet." Lightning whispers. Spitfire nods. "Yeah, but he's careful." "I'm glad for you sis, so when is the wedding?" Lightning asks. Spitfire sighs. "We haven't decided yet." "Let me know when you decide. I want to help in any way I can for my sister and good friend." Lightning says hugging Spitfire. Spitfire smiles as she hugs back. "Thanks and those fifty, some were on the same night." Lightning stares at her. "Okay a lot in one night." "Let us not talk about that around the foals ok?" Lightning asks. "You can talk to me about that though." Seeku says walking in. Lightning groans. "Great, wing lover is here." "Hey, I came for dinner and to see my favorite little nieces and nephew." Seeku says happily. Lightning shakes his head. "And I still remember what you did." He said subtly showing his bite mark on his neck. "Yeah, sorry about that. It will disappear soon enough." Seeku says nervously. 'Not really.' Lighting sighs. "Well is there anypony else needed here?" "That is the entire family. So where are Nikolai and Apollo?" Seeku asks. Lightning shrugs. "Don't know, but I bet there with Vinyl and Octavia." Nikolai moans a little with an ice pack on his face. "Vinyl why did I let you talk me into drinking that mixture of vodka, beer, rum, and mead?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl shrugs. "I don't know. I'm lost myself." She said holding her own ice pack. "At least we are together." Nikolai says. Vinyl chuckles. "Yeah, but weren't we supposed to go somewhere?" "Not that I can remember and both Octavia and Apollo are on a date." Nikolai says trying to feel for her with his hoof. Vinyl smiles. "Do you know how many they have been on up to now?" "I think in the seventy's now." Nikolai says finding her forehoof not holding the ice pack. Vinyl sighs and grabs onto his hoof. "And how many have we been on?" "With or without counting doing work on them?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl smiles. "Without." "Around thirty full dates, twenty nine bar outings, and a few private lunches." Nikolai says. Vinyl chuckles. "Yeah and I still remember carrying your flank back here a few times." "And I remember loving the smell of your mane." Nikolai says. Vinyl giggles. "Yeah, though I didn't use some shampoo in a while so that was my natural smell." "That is why I loved it." Nikolai says starting to feel his ice pack being lifted. Vinyl smiles as she lifts his ice pack. "Good, how do you feel now?" "Head feels like it is still splitting open, but at least the view is nice." Nikolai says scooting closer to Vinyl's head. Vinyl sighs as she leans closer to him. "Aww, thank you. You're not bad yourself handsome." Nikolai smiles before kissing Vinyl and lying beside her before Vinyl puts their ice packs back on their faces. "Still need work on that." She said. "Hey I can't help you're the first mare I have ever had a relationship with." Nikolai says a little defensive. Vinyl chuckles. "So you didn't have anypony else?" "No, I kinda failed horribly in the category of flirty with strangers." Nikolai says. Vinyl sighs. "Well how are you doing in that category now?" "Still a flop. The only reason I can do it with you is because I got to know you first." Nikolai says. Vinyl looks to him. "And that's how you start out. Why didn't you do it then?" "Many I failed incredibly hard, last time I tried and really humiliated myself." Nikolai says sounding sheepish causing Vinyl to smirk. "How did that go?" "Pain, humiliation, and I had to pay for fire damage to the pub." Nikolai says sounding ashamed. Vinyl raises an eyebrow. "Fire damage?" "Let's just say juggling hoops on fire was not the best idea." Nikolai says. Vinyl chuckles. "Really, was your mare part of the circus?" "No." Nikolai says very dejected. Vinyl nuzzles against him. "Don't need to for me so you're okay." "Thank you." Nikolai says leaning into her. Vinyl sighs. "Well my headache is gone, yours?" "Still going strong, but I think that is because I tried and down it all in one gulp." Nikolai says. Vinyl chuckles. "Now you know better than to listen to me." "But I want to believe in you because I love you." Nikolai says in a tone somewhere in between whining and flirting. Vinyl smiles. "Well you should learn on what not to believe." "I thought rule one was Vinyl is always right? Like when we stealthily toilet papered Blueblood's private residence." Nikolai says. Vinyl chuckles. "Yeah and rule five is always have doubt." "Of everything, but Vinyl." Nikolai jokes. Vinyl smiles. "Octy made it." "We are talking my rules, not Tavi's rules." Nikolai says starting to smile. Vinyl giggles. "And I was talking about the house rules." "Oh I thought there was just three and it ended with you casting a sound proof spell when I go into your room at ni…" Nikolai says cut off when a hoof covered his mouth. Vinyl glares at him. "Don't even." "Ok you're right, took the joke too far." Nikolai says. Vinyl nods. "Good now get some rest. We have to visit your buddies." "Oh do I have to?" Nikolai whines playfully. Vinyl sighs. "Yes and take some headache pulls in case it gets too big." "But, I want to stay here and snuggle with you." Nikolai half jokes. Vinyl sighs. "I need to make some food since Octy isn't here and you're out too." "Thank you bassey." Nikolai said. Vinyl looks to him. "Bassey?" Nikolai shrugs. "You like bass music." "Try beats." Vinyl offers. "Bass Beats?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl thinks for a moment. "That kinda works." "We'll keep brainstorming. Oh do you remember Octy's pet name for Apollo?" Nikolai asks before laughing. Vinyl shakes her head. "What is it?" "I believe it was darkywarky." Nikolai says continuing to laugh. Vinyl giggles. "Where did that come from?" "Octy, not the best nicknamer, isn't that right little scratch?" Nikolai asks the small tabby cat. Little Scratch meows back. "So Bass Beats. You going to make any jokes about me petting Scratch?" Nikolai calls. Vinyl holds a hoof to her head. "I think I need that ice pack again. Too many names to deal with and so alike. My head is full." "Ok, I'll stop teasing for a while." Nikolai says still smiling. Apollo and Octavia walk out of the music theater were Octavia and her ensemble had just finished playing. "As good as ever Octavia." Apollo says. Octavia smiles. "Thanks, but what part did you like?" "The solo when the lights focused on you and tell me, is the disguise really necessary?" Apollo asks. Octavia grins. "What do you mean by that?" "Are you ashamed of me or something?" Apollo asks. Octavia shakes her head. "No, just wanted to try a new look." "And avoid the mob of fans which currently have the other members of your ensemble bogged down?" Apollo teases. Octavia giggles as they look to the street below. "Learned from the best." "How do you think your roommates are doing, after all when we left Vinyl had four different kinds of alcohol out?" Apollo says. Octavia shrugs. "No idea, but I can guess. Lots of ice packs. Need to move." She said getting up and moving around the ledge of the building. "You know you adjusted a little too well like you have had some experience in this before." Apollo says walking over. Octavia smiles. "Yeah, you try getting around fans." "So we really going to go see the general Octy?" Apollo asks. Octavia nods. "Yes of course. Think you know a way to sneak in?" "Twelve ways to sneak in there eleven of those will result in either imminent death or capture." Apollo says. Octavia looks to him. "And the twelfth?" "Lead through the foals' room and when Lightning starts for that you will wish you were dead." Apollo says. Octavia shrugs. "If he doesn't kill us, and I know he won't, we'll get in." "Best way is through the front door for us." Apollo says sneaking his hoof around her. Octavia grabs onto him. "Don't even, you're not at that level yet." "What, I just want to give my marefriend a hug." Apollo says innocently. Octavia smiles. "I know, but still you are not allowed for that yet. Especially with me in this outfit." She said gesturing to her outfit that was like Apollo, but more reveling. "Oh and here I was going to sneak this into your outfit." Apollo says holding up a new cello bow. Octavia looks to it. "How the heck would you sneak that in my outfit, it's too big?" "It's all about misdirection." Apollo says getting in close. When Octavia looked back at his hoof the cello bow was gone. Octavia glares at him. "Sneaky bastard." She said feeling around her outfit. "I love you too." Apollo says pointing to the front of her outfit. Octavia sighs and takes the bow from the front before placing it on her back. "Now I do to." She said smiling. "So am I allowed to kiss you?" Apollo asks smirking. Octavia still smiles. "Wait until we get to Lightning's and then after we talk to him, you have permission to kiss me." "Ok." Apollo says before following Octavia. After a while of walking on the rooftops they made it to Lightning's estate and waited across the street from the home. "Okay, now what?" Octavia asks. Apollo walks up and knocks on the door. Soon a maid opens the door. "Hi, were called here by then general." Apollo says. Octavia blanks. "Really?" "You forget what my position is Octy." Apollo says as the maid allows them entry. Octavia shakes her head. "I just wanted some fun, you know, something different." "Tell you what, I have an idea for a job, want to come with me when I do it?" Apollo asks as they walk inside. Octavia smiles as she walks along. "Sure, might be fun." "It will be." Apollo says as they walk into the dining room. Octavia sighs and looks around. "Hello everyone." "Evening." Apollo greets. Lightning looks over to his new guest. "We were wondering when you would show up. Where are Vinyl and Nikolai?" "Right here." Vinyl calls entering with Nikolai still having an ice pack on his face. Lightning chuckles as he looks to Nikolai. "What happened to you?" "A drink I can only call a suicide." Nikolai says. "Oh, so Vinyl mixed all four together?" Apollo asks. Vinyl chuckles as Nikolai groans. "Yeah, it was fun watching him." "You drank it too." Nikolai says. Vinyl chuckles as she rubs the back of her head. "Yeah, but a bit." "So Vinyl I see you are taking care of one of my top men." Lightning joked. Vinyl nods. "Yeah, but he's a downer sometimes." "Oh that is surprising because I can practically taste your love for him." Seeku says walking over. Vinyl smiles. "He's an idiot, but he's my idiot." "Oh did he tell you about his flirting abilities yet?" Lightning asks. Vinyl smirks. "Dreadfully so." "Just don't let him near any hoops on fire." Apollo jokes. Vinyl giggles. "Don't worry I won't...though I might have fun." "Vinyl no, I know you like fire, but we don't want to burn down Canterlot." Octavia says. Vinyl grins. "And where's the fun in that?" "You are a pyro aren't you?" Lightning asks. Vinyl looks up proud. "The greatest pyro. How do you think I do my shows?" "Hey, I have been handling the effects lately." Nikolai says. Vinyl frowns at him. "And I order them, who wins?" "You do." Nikolai says defeated. Vinyl smiles. "And don't you forget it." "Hey Vinyl, how are you doing?" Spitfire asks walking up. Vinyl grins to her. "Just fine Spits and you?" "I'm doing great. My little brother is about to take the Wonderbolts off wartime status so we can get back to doing shows." Spitfire says. Apollo chuckles. "Tired of the war already sir?" "The war is currently not here Apollo." Lightning reminds. Apollo raises an eyebrow. "And yet it's still happening across the sea and on it. The war is still active." "We are in a cold war scenario right now Apollo. The real war will begin soon." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him. "What real war?" "I'll tell you later my love." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs. "You better." "Don't worry I will." Lightning says petting her mane. Rainbow purrs. "Now when can we have dinner?" "Just waiting for you to ask." Lightning says before everyone sat down for dinner. After a bit of waiting the servers come out with a large meal that almost looks enormous for not everyone to finish. "Wow. You really went all out." Spitfire said a plate was placed in front of her. "I take care of my family and friends sis, you know that." Lightning says. Spitfire grins as she looks to her meal. "Then let's eat." Lightning just smiles as Rainbow had already started. "Let's." He said digging into his own as the others followed. Scootaloo smiles slightly as she digs in her own, but then hears something. "Dad, did we forget somepony?" She asks stopping her eating and trying to listen. "The only others who would show up are either not in the country or on duty." Lightning says as he listens for the noise as well. Scootaloo looks confused as she tries to listen. "Yeah, but do you hear flapping of wings, big ones at that?" Lightning nods. "And what do you think it is?" Scootaloo listens for bit. "Either one of the Wyverns or Celestia since Luna is here." "That is no Wyvern wings." Lightning says his eyes narrowing. Scootaloo then hears the sound getting closer. "Whatever it is, it's getting close." "Rainbow it looks like we have an uninvited guest, why don't you take our guests and the foals and retire to a different room." Lightning suggests as Belcoot, Zagai and Hazuki enter the dining room. Rainbow nods and gets up after picking up her foals and walks everyone out to a secondary dining room, leaving Lightning, Belcoot, Zagai and Hazuki. "What is coming here sir?" Zagai asks. "I don't know, but let's give them a proper welcome." Lightning says. After a while of waiting the sound of wings came close to the window up above them and stops. "Get ready." Lightning said. Then the window smashes open, sending shards onto the floor and the table still full of food and a hayburger that Hazuki was about to eat, making her throw it away. "Dang it." She said as she turns her attention to their visitor. "Hello Lightning Bolt, so great to see you. I believe you owe me something." A pegasus pony said covered in black and dark clouds. "Have we met because I always pay my debts?" Lightning mocks. The pony chuckles deeply and darkly as he lands slowly onto the table. "Nice spread, mind if I have some, of course you wouldn't." He said taking some of the meat and eating it in one bite. "So spirit, have you came to die for what you did?" Lightning asks as lightning coursed through his eyes. The pony laughs out loud sending his dark laughter through the home. "Now, now Mr. Bolt. You wouldn't want your friends to get hurt." He said as some tendrils of shadow peeks out from the dark areas of the room. "Now listen to what I have to say." "How about I tell Belcross not to destroy you like he is about to and you don't do something to upset me and the king of the lightning spirits." Lightning threatens. The spirit scoffs. "Please, even he wouldn't allow me to die. Want to know why?" "Oh, do tell and just so you don't get any funny ideas." Lightning says and the shadow spirit suddenly found itself being crushed by a giant hand. The spirit growls. "Know this Bolt, kill me and this war will never end." "Oh somepony else stupid enough to get involved in this war like we are. Belcross loosen your grip, but don't let him escape." Lightning says. The spirit huffs as the force was loosened on him. "Know that I am not against you, not yet. Yet, you must know that something else is coming." "It's in the dominion isn't it?" Lightning asks as if he already know the answer, but dreaded it all the same. The spirit smirks. "And one that even the high and lowest spirit fears." "Shadow spirit, I will let you go if you swear the oath of bonds." Lightning says. The spirit raises an eyebrow. "And if I don't?" "Belcross ends you." Lightning says, darkness leaking from his eyes for a moment. The spirit grins as he sees the darkness. "I just needed to be sure." "Then swear it." Lightning says. The spirit smiles as the cloud leaves the pony who blinks a few times. "What happened? One second I'm gathering plants, the next I'm on a table. Am I in a mob house?" The pony asks as he looks around. "Oblitus." Lightning says and the pony fall unconscious. The spirit's laugh is heard from the dark cloud above them. "This is why I will never impede you. I learned that after I was banished from that castle. Now Mr. Bolt, I will never stop you, in fact your journey through this will help me immensely." "You are to never attack the elements or their families as well." Lightning adds as Zagai picks up the unconscious pony. The spirit chuckles deeply. "They are needed as well in this endeavor, in fact that little foal is special. She would be a fine mare for the cycles to come." "I will say this once, you touch any of my foals, and I will end you." Lightning says, lightning and darkness running through his eyes. The spirit just laughs. "This is rich and I thought you were just a lightning user. Now I see that you are also part of mine. How do they say, don't let it control you? I want you to do the opposite when you see it." "Funny, that's what the last Daedric lord said before I took his head and put it on display in my academy." Lightning says, the magic now gone from his eyes as he opened a portal to a field in the room and Zagai tosses the unconscious pony through. The spirit's cloud's wisp comes close to his face. "You will do it, don't deny it. That lord was a failed product of mine, you however will be my finished one." "You overestimate yourself shadow. We both know you are greatly weakened and I would crush, you know if I didn't have some use for you in the war." Lightning says with a stoic expression. The spirit huffs. "Like I have been hearing, you are stubborn. Listen and listen good, you need to use my gift. Don't and everyone you know will be with your new friend." "Oh I intend to use you shadow, but I don't trust you." Lightning says starting to walk away. "Oh and assume the form of a pony, no need to startle the elements, my wife, or one of my soldiers." Lightning adds. The cloud then forms into a large demonic earth pony. "And you shouldn't. I never intend to be your friend or your mate. I just want something and you are the key to it. Now I believe that I am needed elsewhere." He said as a portal leading to white area shows up behind him. "Watch out for your new friend. That one is a killer in many ways." He said floating into the portal before it closes after he gets in. "My lord are you sure about this?" Belcoot asks following. "If I could afford it than I would have eliminated that shadow permanently, but what he confirmed, the worry it will cause me will take years off my life. No one is to know what we have learned there. Meet with each one of the other sworn swords and tell them the details in secret for things just grew far more dangerous." Lightning orders. Hazuki takes an untouched hay burger that was on the table and takes a bite. "Yes sir." She said with her mouth full. Zagai silently nods while Belcoot hesitantly nods as well as they then disappeared. Hazuki was then left with Lightning as she kept eating. "Do you think you will need to use his power?" She asks. "No, I will lead shadow on until the spirit's usefulness is used up then you will finish him with that spirit slaying sword of yours. So retrieve it as soon as possible." Lightning says. Hazuki nods. "You got it sir. Want some?" She said holding out some hayfries. "No thank you, this whole affair has killed my appetite, also remind me to have somepony come tomorrow and replace that window?" Lightning asks. Hazuki nods. "Sure, still I wonder what the spirit said by needing to be somewhere else." She said scarfing down a whole plate of hayfries. "Nothing good will come off it that I know." Lightning says before entering the second dining room. "Sorry that took so long, but it has been dealt with." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs in relief as she leans back. "Can we now eat in peace?" "Yes you may, I will retire to the study for a while." Lightning says before moving his head and Hazuki takes her place guarding the door before Lightning leaves. "Something went down." Nikolai says with a serious expression. Rainbow groans. "Unbelievable. What happened?" She asks Hazuki with a serious expression. Hazuki remained silent at her post. "You best go see him my lady. He seemed very upset and distressed." Apollo says. Rainbow sighs and gets up. "Enjoy your meal everypony." She said closing the door behind her. Lightning was sitting in his chair and pouring a glass of his secret stash of alcohol. "What else can go wrong?" Lightning asks downing it in one gulp. As if somepony was listening Rainbow actually kicks opens the door making it break some hinges. "Oh right...that." Lightning says then starts writing something down. "Just one more thing that needs to be repaired." Lightning says before slumping back into the chair. Rainbow huffs as she walks over. "What happened?" "The last thing here in Equestria I wanted to see paid us a visit and I couldn't finish it because of circumstances." Lightning says pouring himself another glass. Rainbow knocks the glass away as she sits on the table. "That's my good glass." Rainbow sighs as she looks him over. "What exactly happened that doesn't allow you to kill him now?" "He told me something that I suspected, but wished wasn't correct and as such offered to work with us to eliminate it." Lightning says. Rainbow raise an eyebrow. "Work with us, him?" "It Rainbow, I don't know the ge…oh that figures." Lightning says. Rainbow looks confused. "What is it?" "When the spirit left it said, I don't intend to be either your friend or mate. Which means it's most likely female." Lightning says. Rainbow smirks. "And who do you think it is?" "The shadow spirit love." Lightning says. Rainbow shakes her head. "I mean who could the spirit be?" "Do you mean what is its disguised form?" Lightning asks as Rainbow moved closer. Rainbow nods. "Yes, who is it?" "I have no clue love. All I know is I need some help with all this stress." Lightning says sounding extremely tired. Rainbow smiles. "I can take care of that, you just need a little more energy than that." "I'm open to any suggestions." Lightning says. Rainbow grins. "Great, but I hope you're ready for being in a little mess in your office." "I don't mind my love." Lightning says getting out of his chair and walking over to her and petting her mane. Rainbow purrs. "Then let's get started." She said before lunging at him. "So it's been over an hour, what do you think they are doing?" Twilight asks. Luna and Scootaloo smiles as their enhanced hearing picks up some thumping and moans. "I think they are busy having a little meeting." Luna said smirking. "Is it me or is our lord really working on producing heirs?" Nikolai whispers to Apollo. Apollo shakes his head and grins. "He has a few things in his office that will not allow that. I think the lady just wanted to help him with the stress. He has been getting stressful lately." "We will have to speak with Belcoot and his team later in private to get in on the loop." Nikolai whispers back. Apollo chuckles. "I think that will be hard. Those guys are stone hard in their talk." "Hazuki?" Nikolai asks giving him a look. Apollo nods. "And the others as well. They can barely talk, even when alone with each other." "Still let us try them first and if not them then we will see our lord." Nikolai whispers. Apollo chuckles. "Really and walk in on his important meeting?" "You want to get blasted?" Nikolai asks shocked. "Do you?" Apollo asks grinning. "No." Nikolai says moving away from Apollo. Apollo smiles. "That's what I thought." "Thanks love." Lightning says, his wings around her as he petted her mane. Rainbow smiles as she snuggles against him. "No problem, I'm your wife after all." "Love, I think I may need to return to the east soon. Will you come with me?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks confused. "The east?" "Across the sea where Eclipse's Saddle Arabia, Stalliongrad, the Dominion, and many other countries are." Lightning clarifies. Rainbow looks concerned as she gets off of him in his chair. "Why there?" "That is where the war will be fought." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "How long?" "Soon, I have a few loose ends to tie up. Besides the lady should at least see all of the lands she rules." Lightning says. Rainbow lays down near him. "How long do you have to be there?" "For the war maybe. I have no idea how long it will last though." Lightning says getting out of the chair and lying beside her. Rainbow sighs as he wraps a wing around her. "I don't know, I don't want to leave everypony." "It won't be forever love." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "I know, I just don't want to leave everypony." "Love I won't force you to come with me, but at least with me I can protect you. The dominion know you are my wife by now and will stop at nothing to kill you and are foals." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him. "Then what about the others, our family?" "They will try and kill everypony just to spite me." Lightning says holding her close now. Rainbow sighs one last time and hugs him. "Only if all of us comes with you, will I go." "I wouldn't have it any other way my love." Lightning says before kissing her. Rainbow smiles as she gives a kiss back. "So can we bring Twilight and the others as well? Knowing the Dominion, they attack all the contact between us." "Sure, I'm also sure High king Ulfric would be happy to meet the next in line for Equestria's throne." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles. "Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I wonder what Twilight will think?" "Probably fascinated by the country's culture and will want to go learn from the magic academy in the country." Lightning says. Rainbow still laughs. "Yeah and probably bother them nonstop." "Oh she will need to get permission from the headmaster. Can you guess who that is?" Lightning asks. Rainbow frowns. "Yeah, princess controlling Celestia." "No, I'll give you a hint, he is a stallion, he is a pegasus, and he is married to you." Lightning says smiling. Rainbow grins. "You sly bastard." "I told you once I was head of the Stalliongrad magic academy my rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Oh boy, will Twilight hate that." "I think she won't mind when she sees the library. Oh Rainbow I need a good laugh you mind telling again about that time you and the other elements took Twilight to a bar and when a stallion came up to her she talked all about studying?" Lightning asks Rainbow giggles. "Okay, when we were at the bar a stallion came up to Twilight who was actually studying the drink she had and when he used one of those classic deadlines she immediately went off on him by lecturing on how to actually pick up a mare from a book she read. The stallion was just staring at her as she talked and when she wasn't looking he walks...backwards to the door and the bartender said that he said he will never come here for mares or go after the librarian types again. Twilight can such a stallion killer. It would hard to actually find one for her if that keeps happening." Lightning starts chuckling. "Thanks love, you always make me feel better." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Like I said, I'm your wife." "Now what can I do to return the favor?" Lightning says getting closer. Rainbow laughs a little as she pushes him away slightly. "Down boy. Just tell me a funny story. You already paid me back for the first one." "Which one, I have quite a few to tell?" Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "The funniest you got." "Funniest. Funniest." Lightning says pondering his memories. Rainbow sits up. "Take as long as you need." "Help me narrow it down, who do you want to hear of?" Lightning asks. Rainbow thinks for a few before coming up with something. "Eclipse and the stuffed manticore." A few seconds passed in silence and Lightning burst out laughing. After several minutes Rainbow looked on with amazement as he hasn't stopped laughing and tears were running down his eyes. Rainbow shakes his head and hits him lightly. "Come on, tell it." Lightning struggles to catch his breath still chuckling. "Ok, sorry. Well it all started when we got to this inn." Lightning starts. 10 Years Ago "Okay, here we are. We can rest here for now." Lightning said stopping in front of a large building. "Thank goodness." A guard says. Eclipse brought out a bottle. "Hey Lightning, want to have a drink with me?" Lightning shakes his head and walks in with the others following. "Nope, got to have a clear head in the morning. Who knows what's in here and out there?" "Oh come on." Eclipse says hooking her wing around Lightning. "It will be fun." Eclipse adds. Lightning chuckles as he makes a small snuggle into her wing that only she can notice. "Not for me. Remember that I'm part of your guard." "Not officially." Eclipse says her eyes starting to shine. Lightning sighs. "Clipsy, I have to protect you and I can't do that if I'm drunk off my ass." "Oh come on, one glass won't affect you." Eclipse says looking into Lightning's eyes before stumbling over her own hooves. "You already had some didn't you?" Lightning asks sweating a little as she almost had him in her hypnotizing spell. Eclipse laughs nervously. "No, of course not, this is a brand new bottle." "Then why did you stumble and why do you have a drunk stallion's blush?" Lightning asks as Eclipses tries to get up, but slips and starts sliding on the wet floor. Eclipse then starts sliding and crashes into a bucket full of soap. "Okay, maybe a little drunk." She said with a bucket over her head and a janitor glaring at her. "Where did you even get the drink?" Lightning asks as Eclipse starts wobbling back to him. Eclipse then sliding around him like a skater. "That traveling merchant we passed a few days ago." "But you didn't buy anything." Lightning says astounded. Eclipse giggles a little drunkenly. "That you saw, oh a party." She said sliding over to the large open doors on the side which had a large amount of ponies, griffons inside. Lightning sighs and leans over to a guard. "Get some rooms and I'll handle the princess." "Don't you mean try?" The guard asks. Lightning glares at him. "Just do it. Knowing the princess, she is probably drinking that bottle and more." He said walking after the drunken princess. "Every day is a good day whenever you have something to drink." Eclipse starts singing drinking from the bottle. Lightning sighs and starts dragging her away. "Come on Clipsy, more drinks this way." Eclipse giggles as she continues to drink. "Yep…hic…I can see it." She said eyeing the bar. "Come on Clipsy, there is a mini ice box upstairs." Lightning says before feeling she had slipped through his grasp. "Weeeeeeee." She cheers drunkenly and then slams into the bar, startling the bartender. "The heaviest…hic…you got." She said tapping a hoof impatiently with a lopsided grin. "Do not fulfill that order." Lightning calls frantically as he hurries to them. The bartender looks between the future queen and the guard far behind her. "Sorry ma'am, but I have a policy of not embarrassing or killing my patrons." He said to her only to see her gone. "Oh hey, you…hic…come around here…hic…often?" Eclipse asks holding onto the leg of a stuffed Manicorn nearby. Lightning facehooves. "Great, now she is in the flirty stage." "Oh Lightsy…hic…there you…hic…are." Eclipse says spotting him causing Lightning to groan. Lightning grabs onto her leg and starts dragging her back out and, after asking what room they have, back to their room. "Let's get some rest. This is a going to be a bad morning…for you." "Oh Lightsy…hic…you are so forward. I have been…hic…waiting so long for you to finally…hic…take me." Eclipse says. "Wait, what?" Lightning asks shocked. "And I had to watch her the rest of the night without sleep." Lightning says. Rainbow stares at him surprised. "So what happened after that?" "She awoke with a migraine and I had to go an entire day without resting while we traveled." Lightning says laying his head on Rainbow. Rainbow sighs. "So she really hasn't changed much, has she?" "Yeah, but I think being queen and having Midnight really changed her." Lightning says. Rainbow leans back against his desk. "Do you still miss her?" "Maybe a little, but I have you and you're the best thing that ever happened to me." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "After this, why don't we go see her? I think even the foals and Scoots would like to see Midnight as well." "I think that is a good idea love." Lightning says. Rainbow nods and gets up. "Okay, let's go. I think the others are waiting long enough and I'm getting hungry." Lightning smirks as gets up as well. "And that little meal you had wasn't enough?" "Ok, it was good, but I want some solid food, besides it went past my tongue so I couldn't taste it." Rainbow says smirking back. Lightning blushes. "You really know how to rile me up." He said heading back with Rainbow. "That I do." Rainbow says smacking his flank before he opens the door. Lightning yelps a little and glares at her. "Rainbow." "Oh I'm sorry Mr. General, but I thought you had to be prepared for anything." Rainbow teases. Lightning huffs. "Keep talking like that and I'll shut it up." "Oh you know where I am and you also know that you can do that to me anytime." Rainbow says walking in front of him. Lightning smirks. "Anytime you say?" Lightning asks before smacking her flank. Rainbow yelps. "Yep, anytime and anything." She said a little hot under the coat. Lightning smiles as he walks past her. "Then get ready for another tonight." "Looking forward to it love." Rainbow says running her hoof along his wing. Lightning shakes visibly as he slows down a little. "I'll be doing everything for tonight and you will take it all, how about that?" "Don't go that far, I'm not ready for more foals just yet." Rainbow says. Lightning smiles at her. "I know, I got a few things to help with that." "And I also have a show to do tomorrow so don't go too far love. You also have to watch our foals." Rainbow says. Lightning chuckles. "Okay, I won't do things that will make you not walk right, but you won't even like it then." "I'll tell you what, you can go all out with me tomorrow night love." Rainbow flirts. Lightning grins. "Now that is a good offer." He said coming up to the dining room. The guests were talking to one another while Spitfire and Seeku played with the foals. "Sorry that took so long." Rainbow says. Luna smiles. "Oh, no worries. We understand, right Twilight?" She asks smirking to a blushing red Twilight who was mumbling something. "So Tavi, got any fives?" Vinyl asks. Octavia sighs and throws down two cards, leaving her with nothing. "Not the best at cards, are you?" Apollo asks. "Better than you." Nikolai says drawing a card. Apollo glares at him. "And yet I can beat our commander." "And you wonder why we don't let you gamble in casinos." Nikolai says putting down a match. Apollo chuckles. "That you do." Lightning looks to the table. "Any food left?" "Yes sir, we had the servants keep some food in the kitchen for you two." Hazuki says. Lightning sighs as he and Rainbow sat in the chairs left. "Okay, then let us eat and then we can discuss the plans for everypony here." "Oh you mean the performance that Rainbow will be participating in tomorrow." Luna says. Lightning shakes his head. "Yes, another secret that she has been keeping from me like the rest of you." "I also sent the rest of our friends' invitations and tickets to it." Rainbow says smiling. Lightning slams his head onto the table. "Unbelievable." "So little brother, you will be watching my adorable nieces and nephew during the show." Spitfire says. Lightning groans a little. "Joy." Talion pokes his head out of the top of Spitfire's mane. "Go get him little Talion." Spitfire says. Talion jumps out and lands onto the table before running to him and nuzzling him. "Hey there Talion." Lightning says picking him up and hugging him. Talion giggles and hugs back. Lightning smiles as he hugs him before Typhoon was in front of him as well. "Hi honey." He said picking her up and hugging her as well while he smiled broadly. Rainbow smiles looking at Lightning. His stressed out and depressed mood seemed so far away now. "So how much did you and my little brother do?" Spitfire whispers. Rainbow giggles. "Enough to fill me up halfway." "Oh…oh, should I be expecting a new foal soon?" Spitfire asks. Rainbow shakes her head. "No, he took something that killed his side for a bit and he can get back up if he wants." "Oh you mean you are planning to have more soon then?" Spitfire teases. Rainbow smiles. "Not right now, maybe one day after everything is over." "So you want to have a big family?" Spitfire continues to tease. Rainbow smiles at the thought of a big family. "Yeah, but like I said, not right now. I don't want any more born into the thought of war. So what about you planning, to have any foals of your own?" Rainbow starts teasing back. Spitfire blushes. "Around the same thing as you." "Oh best get on that." Rainbow teases. Spitfire hits her side as Rainbow laughs. "Shut up." "Yes captain." Rainbow says with a mock salute. Lightning sighs happily as he lets go of his children. "Scootaloo you okay? You have been quiet and just staring into space." He said looking to her. "I'm fine dad." Scootaloo says walking over to him and hugs him. Lightning smiles and hugs her back. "Good princess." He then leans close. "How much did you hear?" He whispered. "What did I hear?" Scootaloo says innocently. Lightning grins. "Yes, I know those ears of yours were leaning towards our way. Now how much?" "I only heard mom's moans." Scootaloo admits. Lightning chuckles as he rubs her mane. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get used to it with you and Tiyries." "Dad!" Scootaloo whines blushing. Lightning just looks innocent while grinning. "What?" "You are a piece of work." Scootaloo says playfully punching him. "I know princess." Lightning says as both Talion and Typhoon tackle Scootaloo. Scootaloo giggles as they try to hold her down and jump on her. "Come on guys, that's enough." She giggles out. Lightning smiles as Rainbow returns with food. "Well I just embarrassed our foal, anything else you want to do here?" He asks eating. "Nothing else for the night." Rainbow says. Lightning turns to the others. "How about the rest of you?" "Um…you mind if I have access to your library?" Twilight asks. Lightning nods. "And you Luna?" "I'm with her." Luna says. Lightning smiles. "Just don't mess up the books. Now what about you guys?" He asks Vinyl, Nikolai, Octavia and Apollo. "I'm good." Nikolai says his wing around Vinyl. Vinyl smiles. "Me too, just need to head home." Octavia sighs. "Same here with this stealer. Give me back my bits." She said the last one to Apollo. "I don't know what you are talking about." Apollo says innocently. Octavia scoffs. "That money bag is bigger than it was a few seconds ago." "What are you talking about Octy, I don't have a money bag." Apollo says as Octavia felt a new weight. Octavia smiles. "Good and make sure you don't do it again or it's the roof for you." "Wait, didn't Apollo move into the attic?" Nikolai asks looking at Vinyl. Octavia nods. "Yes he does, but the roof is better since it might rain tonight." She said smirking. "Wow, only Tavi can turn a spy into her plaything." Vinyl says. "Undercover agents." Apollo and Octavia both say. Lightning chuckles and turns to the rest. "And how about you guys?" "Mind if I stay the night little brother?" Spitfire asks. "I don't mind sister. Hazuki please introduce her to our best guest room please." Lightning says. Hazuki smiles. "Of course sir." "Thank you Hazuki." Lightning says. Lightning then looks to his foals. "Who wants to visit Midnight and aunty Eclipse?" Typhoon and Talion started hopping up and down on Scootaloo. Scootaloo grunted as both of them hopped. "Get… them…off me." "Ok you two, let's give your big sister a break." Lightning says waving his hoof causing the two foals to float in midair. Rainbow chuckles. "Still never gets old." Lightning smiles and moves his hoof to Rainbow's direction and the foals float to her. She takes them out of the air and holds them close. "You two have to learn self-control." "They are only foals, love." Lightning says picking up Scootaloo. Scootaloo giggles as she hugs him. "Yeah, remember me?" "Come on my little princess, time for bed." Lightning says letting her get on his back as he walked. Scootaloo looks to him. "What about visiting Eclipse?" "We will be going east soon to visit the eastern continent." Lightning says after they left the dining room. Scootaloo looks surprised. "We're going to the east? When?" "Not for a little while, but you should pack for both hot and cold lands." Lightning says as he walks to her room. Scootaloo still looks confused. "But who is also coming?" "The family, your mother's five friends, and some of their families." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs. "Anypony else?" "You want your friends, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom to come?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo blushes. "And somepony else." "I said the family Scoots." Lightning repeats. Scootaloo looks to him. "So…?" "You can be as dense as your mother at times. He is coming too." Lightning clarifies. Scootaloo smiles and hugs him. "Thanks dad. It was just that of what you thought about us before that got me worried." "The bit about me turning him into a pony so you can marry him and have foals of your own?" Lightning asks walking in her room. Scootaloo shakes her head. "I mean when I just wanted him like he is now." "We will see later princess, but now it is time for you to go to sleep." Lightning say putting her in her bed. Scootaloo brings the covers around her. "Dad, I just want him like he is and not a pony. I don't care that he's a Wyvern, he was like that when I started to like him, but if it comes to it he will make that decision." "Ok princess." Lightning kisses her forehead. Scootaloo smiles. "So who exactly visited you?" "Uh hu princess, no more talk, it is time to sleep." Lightning says walking over to the door before turning off the lights. Scootaloo frowns. "You're no fun." She said pulling the covers around her and laying her head on a pillow. "Night my little angel." Lightning says closing the door. Scootaloo sighs. "Night dad and thanks." She said before falling into snores. Lightning smiles and walks to his and Rainbow's room. Opening the door he sees Rainbow in her sleep attire on the bed. "Hey love." Lightning says approaching the bed Rainbow smiles as he comes in. "Hey, the foals are sleep. What about your end?" "Scootaloo is sleeping peacefully and will be getting ready for our trip soon." Lightning says getting on the bed and nuzzling her. Rainbow nuzzles back and smiles. "Good, so when do we leave?" "Not for a few months at least love." Lightning says. Rainbow smirks. "Then why did you tell her to pack? It sounded like it's in the next weeks." "I said we are in no real rush. So you and the rest of the Wonderbolts have a special routine?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods. "Yeah and after all we've been through we deserve something of our own time so Spitfire thought of having me perform some cool tricks as a test also." "Oh I see, well whatever you have planned I'm sure me and the foals will enjoy it." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "That I'm sure of. Now what about that stallion you were supposed to introduce to Seeku?" "Oh, the only Stallion who has near equal rank in the Stalliongrad military. He is also was a general in the Dominion's legions, but in the final battle of Stalliongrad's liberation I convinced him to join us because he truly loved Stalliongrad." Lightning says. Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "That place was getting destroyed that badly?" "Yeah the war was taxing on us, but we have recovered and repaired the damage. Oh and he is a very honorable stallion so think how much Seeku will drive him crazy." Lightning says. Rainbow laughs a little. "I can bet. Want to bet how long before he goes insane?" "Seeku won't go that far if she intends to take him as a mate, but what would their kids be like?" Lightning asks pondering the question. Rainbow shrugs. "Don't know, but if I had to guess they would probably be like a unicorn with wings coming out later. I think you should have some guards around them if they are born." "Um love, Changelings lay eggs." Lightning says. Rainbow shrugs again. "I know, but isn't it the same word when they come out?" "Hatch love and where is Ice Fang and Azure?" Lightning asks. Rainbow then gains a weird smile. "Oh, somewhere." She tries to shrug off. "Oh you been playing with them or have they been playing with the foals?" Lightning asks as he hears the door opening. Rainbow shakes her head and hits him lightly over the head with a smirk. "Think lead head, when was the last time we have seen them apart?" "Well when I see them they are usually playing with the foals. Talion in particular really has taken to Ice Fang." Lightning says. Rainbow still has a smirk. "And when they were alone?" "I haven't seen them alone." Lightning say right before he feels something jump onto him. Rainbow smiles as she looks to Ice Fang. "Hey boy, did you have fun with Azure?" Ice Fang just gains a slight coloring on his cheek fur. Azure then squawks as she flew in and landed on her perch. "Hey there boy." Lightning says as Ice Fang jumps onto the bed. Rainbow smirks as she turns back to Lightning. "Now you get what I'm saying?" "Hey boy you want to go see your dad Fenrir soon?" Lightning asks playing with Ice Fang a bit, not hearing the question. Ice Fang yips as he jumps a little while Rainbow sighs. "You hate it when other species like each other, don't you?" She asks. "What are talking about Rainbow? Oh and just a little warning Ice Fang's dad Fenrir is fully grown and do you remember how big the Ice wolves get?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods while gaining a frown. "Yes I do. Lighting, what do you remember what you thought of Scootaloo and Tiyries getting together?" "Was against it because I knew that he would leave her one day." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "And now?" "I have accepted it. Now come here love. I promised I wouldn't go all out tonight, but I never said I wouldn't hold you." Lightning says. Rainbow scoots away a little. "Oh what is this?" Lightning asks smirking. Rainbow looks to him with a mad expression. "Lightning, do you hate others getting together?" "No I don't." Lightning says. Rainbow jerks her head to Ice Fang and Azure. "Then why are you ignoring that?" "I don't mind if they do that." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs in relief, but then didn't look at him. "Then why didn't you answer?" "Because I knew Ice Fang would be excited to hear that. I mean look at him." Lightning says as Ice Fang is bouncing everywhere. Rainbow smiles. "You didn't want the bed messed up, didn't you?" "Only if it is me and you doing that." Lightning says petting Rainbow's mane. Rainbow giggles a little before him hitting upside the head with a serious expression. "What I was serious?" Lightning says rubbing his sore jaw. Rainbow huffs. "I know, but don't you ever hate relationships and couples that are just weird by first look again." "I don't understand them, but I don't hate them. You know Rainbow I don't think you have preened yourself lately, maybe I should help." Lightning says moving closer. Rainbow huffs and opens her wings to him. "Go ahead and never do that again okay?" "Ok love." Lightning says before he immediately starts rubbing a sensitive part of Rainbow's wing. Rainbow hisses as Lightning pulled out an old feather. "Easy." "Like this." Lightning says rubbing her wing making her shiver in pleasure. Rainbow nods shakily. "Yeah, like that." "Don't worry love, I'll take good care of you." Lightning says kissing the side of her face as he kept rubbing. Rainbow smiles as he keeps pulling out some bad feathers. "Did we forget anything?" "About how pegasus wings are very sensitive in certain parts?" Lightning asks cheekily as he finishes her left wing before moving on to the right. Rainbow shakes her head. "Anything we missed from everypony." "Not that I noticed." Lightning says unintentionally exposing his wing to her causing her to smirk. Rainbow starts to run her hoof and teeth across his wing as he does hers. "What about the spirit, who's this friend?" Lightning squeaks a bit before collapsing on the bed. "A thing I hoped to never have to fight." Lightning barely manages. Rainbow giggles. "And maybe it's just a regular pony." "No it's not." Lightning says seriously. Rainbow looks to him. "How do you know?" "Let's not go into that yet. So how do you want me to hold you?" Lightning asks smirking. Rainbow smiles as she shakes her wings a little before folding them. "Close to you as possible." She said laying down. "How is this?" Lightning asks getting snout to snout while smiling. Rainbow turns around. "Like this." "Ok." Lightning says wrapping his forelegs around her and pulls her into himself. Rainbow smiles as she closes her eyes. "Goodnight Lightning." "Goodnight my beautiful and wondrous wife." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles and soon falls asleep with Lightning following her. "Unbelievable, anyway it's done." The shadow spirit said coming into the white room. "Oh you finished already?" Harmony asks. The shadow spirit nods. "Yes, I gave him the warning." "I see Belcross nearly destroyed you." Chaos says. The shadow huffs. "And almost broke the bones of that pony." Death shakes his head, but everyone just sees his hood move. "And missed that soul, oh well. Harmony, you better finish that box of yours. I think something in Tartarus has more power now." "Wait, you mean the true Tartarus or Celestia's replica?" Chaos asks. Death huffs sending out a small dark cloud. "Both. One for the true war and one for something that Celestia had sealed away with some past help." "Leave it to Celestia to bumble and make somespirits job harder." Harmony says. Chaos sighs. "Now I fear for Dissy. He is still looking around that legend." "Maybe you should call him back to spend some time with y…I have to go, something just died." Death says dropping into his cloud and disappearing. Harmony sighs as she feels that death. "Boy I hate that. Now what our other friend?" "Oh Mr. Electric Eye, he isn't here right now." Chaos says. Harmony's wings flutter a bit. "Then where is he? He knows this is important since it is his champion." "Probably talking to the other spirit kings or queens about their next move and the maneuvers of their champions." Chaos says. Harmony sighs. "That's a problem. Minerva talked again and this time she said their part is a long ways off." "Harmony, I think the kings and queens are not telling us something and it seems that Lightning already suspected and I only confirmed it. I think they know more than they are letting on." Shadow says. Harmony groans. "Great, more trouble. Can this get any worse?" "Have you learnt nothing Harmony? You never ask that." Chaos says. Harmony shrugs. "I know, that's what makes it a little fun. But still, what will come over? We know Celestia's part, but ours? We don't even know that." "We shall see, but I wonder how much of the dark arts Lightning has delved into?" Shadow asks before chuckling in a female tone. Chaos smiles. "You really want him to change don't you?" "Forget the princesses, he would make the most powerful dark pony ever with all his power and dark emotions." Shadow says before chuckling at the thought. Chaos sighs. "And that's why I told Harmony to tell the princesses to tell Dissy to watch over that family for 'suspicious activity'." She said the last part in air quotes. "Think she will actually listen?" Harmony asks preening her wing. Chaos nods. "Oh yes, she's a little gone and hates him so it's enough. And don't you try to get him Shadow like you did back in the day for us." Shadow chuckles. "Don't deny that you didn't like it." "Is she serious?" Harmony asks. Chaos nods. "Unfortunately, I couldn't walk right for a century." Shadow laughs out loud. "You got to admit you have a kink for gangbangs." "And here I thought you were a lesbian." Harmony says. Chaos shake her head. "She had a kink for almost everything, but the most disgusting and killing ones." "But she only went after females." Harmony says. Chaos looks to her. "And as she put it, more fun than males and kinks to use." "And the fact she only raped the females?" Harmony asks fascinated. Chaos scoffs. "Don't tell me you are liking this?" "No, I seriously always thought she was a lesbian." Harmony says defensively. Chaos huffs. "Well like she said, more fun than males and more links to use on them. For some reason most of the kinks are for females." "Wait then, wouldn't that mean she will try and rape Lightning's wife to get to him?" Harmony asks. "Oh thank you for the idea." Shadow says. Harmony is then hit by a light ball of some kind, knocking her off her perch. "Great job Harmony. Shadow you know the rules here." Chaos said looking to her. "No rules against planning." Shadow says grinning. Chaos glares at her. "Shadow..." She said threateningly. "Oh maybe I should rape both of them. I have always thought of having a child of my own." Shadow says before getting hit with the same light ball. Chaos scoffs. "You do that and we will never win both of these wars. Do this and not only Lightning will get you, but we will as well." "I'm thinking after the war." Shadow says getting back off the floor as her clouds dispersed a little. Chaos groans. "No, we need them even after and I don't think our friendly eye friend would like that." "We shall see who he chooses." Shadow says smirking as she takes the form of a dark version of Rainbow Dash. Harmony groans as she gets back on her perch. "I don't think that's possible. He's very loyal like her and able to sense these types of things." "You know how manipulative and persuasive I can be." Shadow says smirking. Harmony frowns. "And you know what will happen to you if you do. Maybe you should try to get in the family like their friend Seeku did." "I never said how I would get to him." Shadow says disappearing. Harmony groans. "Unbelievable, she can never go through with it…unless Lightning will take her if she can accept herself into the family." "That or she gets herself a new dark pony the likes of which has never been seen before." Chaos says pondering if Shadow would be worth the trouble she will cause. Harmony shrugs. "As long as she acts a little kind and be accepted into his family we would have no trouble. But if she breaks it up then we have to put her down and reform her. She's shadow, not evil." "Of Malevolence." Chaos reminds. "Ok, got that name from the mortals for what she does to amuse herself." Harmony reminds. Chaos sighs. "We'll have to keep watch over her actions then." Harmony nods and then turns to her slowly. "So…how many did you have to go through?" Chaos sighs. "Let's just say I had enough milk to feed all of Equestria ten times over." She said making Harmony's eyes widen and gets her thinking. 'I wonder if I can try that.' Twilight groaned as she poured through another book and, although found a few interesting facts and spells, found no way to translate the book Lightning had given her to translate. "This is impossible. I can't find any sort of translation for this." She groans out. "What about this book?" Luna asks holding up a book with a Changeling on the cover. Twilight immediately takes it and looks through it quickly before throwing it away. "That was just anatomy. I will never get this done in time." "What about that?" Luna asks pointing to the table of context. Twilight looks through it only to find more anatomy. "Still the same...wait, is that book the only one left?" She said pointing to the purple book standing alone. "On changelings?" Luna asks. Twilight sighs and takes it down. "We searched on everything that is about Changelings and they are all marked by that book. Maybe Lightning doesn't have it her...hey, the language is here!" She said excited. "Thank goodness I was afraid we would have to search the whole library." Luna says with dread as she looked at the rest of the large and possibly bigger than the Canterlot's library. Twilight immediately goes through the book as she sat down near a table. "Wow, this has everything. It's like a dictionary of itself." "What do you mean?" Luna asks. Twilight grins and shows it to her. "See, the words are in Changelings, but the definition is in Equestrian." "Who wrote it?" Luna asks. Twilight looks through the first few pages. "Looks like...Lightning?!" "Well it figures as he looked like he was translating the book while talking to my sister." Luna says. "I'm still surprised Changeling's have a written language." Twilight says. Luna shrugs. "How else would they write their history?" "But I haven't ever seen them write it even on a sign of somewhere that belongs to them." Twilight says. Luna smirks. "Why Twilight I didn't know you have been to the lower part of Canterlot." Luna says. Twilight blushes. "Well I wondered what they were doing." "You went in didn't you?" Luna asks moving closer. Twilight shies away a little. "Yeah and met Chrysalis." "Did you get a job done?" Luna asks. Twilight blushes and turns away from her. "A little, but I backed out." "Oh that's good, I am the only one allowed to give you one." Luna teases, tracing her hoof on Twilight. Twilight coughs a little as she shivers. "Luna." She whines quietly. "You know you love it." Luna says smiling. Twilight's breath got caught in her throat. "Luna, please." "What? We are alone here." Luna says leaning in. Twilight shivers a bit more. "Luna, I have to study this." "You can study later." Luna says kissing Twilight's neck. Twilight shakes all over now. "Please Luna, not here." "Oh don't be stingy." Luna says before continuing her assault. Twilight breathes out shakily. "Luna..." Luna pulls Twilight onto the floor now licking her neck. "Please..." Luna starts licking around her nipples before playfully biting one. "Ow!" Luna keeps licking around each nipple getting Twilight more and more turned on. Twilight suddenly comes to her sense and pushes Luna off. "Luna that's enough." "Oh come on." Luna says disappointed. Twilight sighs as she gets back up. "Maybe later, but now I have study this." She said looking to her book. "Oh maybe I can find something erotic here in this library to do with you later." Luna says. "On second thought, let's go to the prepared guestroom. After all, I have to go see Rainbow's show tomorrow." Twilight says. Luna whines. "You're no fun. You know I want to take you here and now." Twilight uses her magic to drag Luna out of the library with the two books as all the other books started flying back to their shelves. 'Why did I agree to be her marefriend again?' Twilight thinks. Luna giggles as she grabbed a book before it landed on the shelf and read a random page. "This has some things we could do." "Luna keep this up and you are sleeping on the couch for a week." Twilight says. Luna pouted cutely. "You're a terrible mate." She said with a hint of playfulness. "Yeah, yeah, now come on." Twilight says closing the door behind them. Soon Luna's giggling were heard before Twilight yelps before moaning. Lightning awakes the next morning to find himself alone in his bed. Getting up he pops his joints and wings before walking to the shower. "Wonder where Rainbow went?" He asks himself groggily. When somepony clears their throat Lightning looks up to see Rainbow who is washing herself. "Sorry love." Lightning says more awake now. "Well since you are here, help me." Rainbow instructed. Lightning blushes before walking into the shower with her and helping her out. "Listen, thanks for helping me out yesterday." He said working the soap into her coat. Rainbow smiles. "Like I said last night I am your wife." Rainbow says as she enjoyed him doing her work and noticing he felt her up a bit. She giggles as she turns to him. "You really want to feel me don't you?" "No, just getting prepped for what you promised me tonight." Lightning says getting to her tail. Rainbow smiles. "We'll let do the show and then you can have fun." "Oh you are looking forward to it as much as I am I see." Lightning teases finishing and Rainbows starts washing it off. Rainbow chuckles. "Doing anything you want to me, how could I not?" "Oh Rainbow you are such a bad mare." Lightning teases starting to put soap on himself. Rainbow shakes herself off before stepping out of the shower. "Only as much if you want or do you want me to be completely innocent?" "Oh the latter would have been adorable if you did it when we started dating. Oh and Rainbow please wear the Wonderbolts uniform later tonight." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles. "Want to rip it apart?" "Oh no, I'll enjoy every moment of you taking it off right before we do it." Lightning says smiling all the while. Rainbow smiles. "Don't want to use me all you want to the point of ripping clothes off?" "Oh I do, but you know how to make taking off clothes sexy." Lightning teased reminding Rainbow of their past experiences. Rainbow blushes. "Well we need a new schoolmare outfit. The last one's skirt is ripped." "Oh you mean when you role-played as a delinquent?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smirks. "No, when we played schoolmare with a rapist." "Oh and how you tried so hard to resist my advances." Lightning sarcastically says. Rainbow giggles. "More like resist outright while you just went to town on me, also going through the outfit for the first few minutes." "And you were against wearing a skirt at first." Lightning teases. Rainbow blushes. "If it gets you higher than ever I'll take it." "Oh Rainbow, don't forget to check on your best dress for balls, we have to attend that party Earum is holding." Lightning says. Rainbow nods and heads out. "Sure, just make sure that you're ready as well." "Oh down worry that sexy flank of yours, I will be ready." Lightning says. Rainbow stops at the door before shaking her flank at him. "And it's all yours tonight." "Yeah, we are both looking forward to it." Lightning says sparking a bit from the shower. Rainbow giggles and closes the door behind her, leaving Lightning chuckling as he stops sparking. After a few hours Lightning had the foals with him as he waited his sister and wife. "Okay, you three ready for the show?" Talion and Typhoon were just climbing all over him. "Yeah dad I am." Scootaloo says as the Direwolf soldiers remained vigilant. Lightning smiles. "Good, but you didn't hear anything right?" "Hear what?" Scootaloo asks. Lightning smiles as he waits for the others near a park in Canterlot. "Good." Spitfire and Rainbow finally came out in the uniforms. "Hello beautiful, oh and hey Spitfire." Lightning whistles. "Yeah, yeah flirt later little brother, we have a show to get to." Spitfire says as Rainbow smirked. Rainbow bumps into Spitfire softly. "You just don't have your own stallion to talk to you like that." "I do, he just calls me a saucy lass, now move it move it." Spitfire says blowing her whistle. Rainbow immediately files off before Spitfire files after her. "Seems your mom's training at the academy is still sticking with her." Lightning says. Scootaloo smiles. "Yeah, she really was devoted." "Is devoted princess, now let us go and watch the show." Lightning says. Scootaloo nods as Typhoon and Talion hangs on his mane. "Yeah, but where? We're in the park of Canterlot." "Where else, to the stadium princess." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs and walks over to the large stands with him and the others. They walk to the box seats where you could see the best. "Want something Scoot?" Lightning asks as they sit down. Scootaloo looks over to the small concession stand. "Candy and popcorn. What else?" She said with a smile. "Ok look after your siblings and I'll be right back." Lightning says setting them down as Ice Fang jumped up to join them. Scootaloo smiles as she looks over to the ice wolf. "Hey there Ice Fang. Where's Azure?" Scootaloo was answered when Azure lands on her back. She smiles as she tries to rub her head. "Hey girl. How's it going?" Azure just squawks as an answer. Soon Lightning returned with what Scootaloo asked for. "Here you are Scoots." Lightning says setting the snacks container down. Scootaloo smiles. "Thanks dad. And guess who came over." "Ice Fang and Seeku." Lightning says as Talion and Typhoon climbed back onto him. Scootaloo looks confused before looking to Azure. "Seeku?" "What gave me away?" 'Azure' asks. Lightning smirks. "Cause Ice Fang and Azure are in love with each other and you want to try it. Besides Azure is on a small search for me." "Ah." Seeku says disappointed before transforming back to normal. Scootaloo grunts from the extra weight. "Seeku…" She grunts. "I'm getting off." Seeku says getting off. Scootaloo sighs in relief as Ice Fang whines as he lays down. "Good, but I think you just broke his heart." She said working out her muscles. Talion scratches Ice Fang, cheering him up a bit. "I think he will be ok." Lightning says smiling. "So what are you doing here?" He asks Seeku. Seeku just smiles. "I'm here to watch my sister do her show." Seeku says. Lightning smiles and leans back a little. "Then sit down, the show is about to start." He said as Scootaloo eats some of the popcorn. The show soon started and Scootaloo really enjoyed herself while Talion and Typhoon seemed to be more interested in playing with Ice Fang. Lightning chuckles while Ice Fang yips as both the foals try to ride him. He sighs and turns to Seeku who just keeps looking at the performance with the same expression. "You okay Seeku?" "Just waiting for sis." Seeku says as if studying the show. Lightning smirks as he sees her concentrating expression. "Trying to learn new attack moves?" "No just trying to figure out how they proclaim the Wonderbolts could beat us in air combat with moves like those." Seeku says. Lightning smiles as he looks back to the performance. "This is just flying around. They can actually do air to air combat like hoof to hoof on the ground. Crouse, they can't match us, can't they?" "No." Seeku says before leaning close to Lightning. "And we would completely own them with the hive." Seeku whispers. Lightning frowns. "Seeku, you know that they can't attack." "Just saying that the hive is superior." Seeku says. "Can you two shut up, I'm trying to watch mom." Scootaloo piped up. "Oh she is on." Seeku says turning back to the show. Lightning smiles as he watches his wife as she does many tricks that almost looks near impossible without some of the training he gave after she asked. "That she is." He said watching some errors, but nopony seems to notice. Rainbow, Spitfire, and all the rest of the Wonderbolts come together for the finale. "Here it comes, the big finish." Lightning said grabbing some popcorn from Scootaloo who glares at her. The Wonderbolts attempted the Buccaneer Blitz which really got Lightning's attention. "Okay this is surprising." Seeku looks on as well. "Yes, this is partly dangerous. Ready to head out just in case?" "I am." Lightning says unfurling his wings just in case. The Wonderbolts started the first part of the act and started to fly around each other. Lightning grabs a hold of the foals as they started to watch. Then the Wonderbolts started to fly with each other as they still fly and start to spin in place. After they reached a certain height they started to free fall and fly straight back down to the ground, almost making a sound cone appear as they fell. Seeku grabs onto Ice Fang and Scootaloo. "Now the important part." A burst of Light was then seen before each one shot up leaving a trail of colors, making Lightning and Seeku placed everypony down and sigh in relief. "Now that was nerve wracking." Lightning said. Soon they were flying around and they saw Rainbow pass their sky box and Lightning caught the part where Rainbow blew a kiss. Lightning smirked at that as he held the foals who were getting sleepy. "It's okay guys, let's just go see your mother and then it's time to go home." He said leaving the box and heading down to the waiting room for the Wonderbolts. "Wow that was tiring." Fleetfoot says entering the room. Spitfire smiles as she enters the room. "Great job team, a fine piece of work." "Yes, sister you really impressed your niece and nephew." Lightning says. Spitfire smirks as she turns to him. "Really now, how are they looking now?" The foals were already climbing on her. "You tell me." Lightning says. "Oh look at the little foals." Fleetfoot says walking up to Spitfire and the others. Spitfire smiles as she lets her look. "Yeah, they're great aren't they?" "They better be. Now come to mommy." Rainbow says walking in. Talion and Typhoon cheer as they jump off of Spitfire and immediately run which she grabs them in a hug as soon as they close. "Hope you two like the show." "The Buccaneer Blitz was a hoof biter for a lot of us Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow looks apologetic to him. "Sorry, but we wanted to surprise you." "Oh you did, also sis I think you should arrange a competition with the changelings as I hear a few say they could out fly all of you." Lightning says. Spitfire huffs. "Yeah right, like they could hope to beat us." "Oh so you will take that challenge then?" Lightning asks. Spitfire smirks. "Heck yeah, I do." "Ok, all that you need to do is figure out a fair competition." Lightning says as the rest of the female Wonderbolts fawn over the foals. Spitfire thinks of a few things. "Maybe a hoof to hoof fight?" "Think about something that involves flying. Like the team is best known for." Lightning says. Spitfire smiles. "I'm sure I can think of something. Now let's grab the foals and get out of here before they get smothered by the others." "You got it sister. One moment, atten hut!" Lightning yells as every wonderbolt, but Spitfire and Rainbow stand at attention. Spitfire chuckles as they all fall in line. "That's one way." "It's good to be a general." Lightning says as Rainbow walks over with the foals. Rainbow smiles as she lets the foals onto her back. "Thanks, I don't know how long they would have survived." "Don't mention it, now at ease." Lightning calls before they leave and meet up with Scootaloo, Seeku, and Ice Fang. Rainbow smiles as she spots them. "So what do you think?" "Mom you are the coolest!" Scootaloo calls. "Hey what about your cool aunt?" Spitfire asks. Scootaloo looks over to her blankly. "Yeah you were cool too, but mom was cooler." "Hey." Spitfire mock whines causing Seeku to snicker and playfully elbowing her. Seeku smirks as she looks to her. "Now you have to earn Scootaloo's love again. Think you can to that?" "Easily, seeing as she and her younger siblings are staying with me tonight." Spitfire says. "Rainbow!" A country accent calls. They all turn to Applejack and the others. "Hey girls. So how was it?" Rainbow asks. "You were great, woo hoo." Fluttershy cheers quietly. Twilight smiles, but then frowns as Luna hugs her from behind. "Luna." She scolded before turning happy again. "Any case that was a great show." "Yes darling you were spectacular." Rarity says. Rainbow becomes embarrassed. "Thanks girls. I was kinda worried from the beginning, but I'm glad it turned well." "Well? It was super duper ruper." Pinkie says bouncing everywhere. Rainbow chuckles as Pinkie bounces on everything, not making damages. "Yeah, I guess it was." "I see all of you showed up." Lightning says. Everypony smiles. "Of course, why wouldn't we?" Twilight said. "Since you are all here me and Rainbow are planning on going on a trip to the eastern continent, would you like to come along with us to see other countries?" Lightning asks. Everypony soon looks worried. "But isn't that dangerous?" Fluttershy asks. "We are keeping away from countries near the Dominion's borders so it would be safe. After all do you think I would endanger my family?" Lightning asks. Everypony shakes their heads. "Not really." Twilight said. "Then how about it? You will get to see the world beyond the borders and for the future queen you will get to meet many of the rulers and can start making friends and allies." Lightning says. Twilight turns to rest. "What do you girls think?" "Queen?" Most of the elements ask. Twilight and Luna suddenly become nervous. "Yeah, I'll be…sort of…taking over Equestria from Celestia." Twilight said. "As in when Celestia retires from the throne Twilight will inherit it and share power with no other pony as such will be the queen of this land." Lightning clarifies before any of the girls could jump to the conclusion that Twilight was planning a coup. "What?!" They all said. "The details to that are being kept under wraps, but I will tell you all the details in private if you wish." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "Yeah, I can help as well. Besides, have you noticed that Celestia is acting different than normal?" "Let's continue this elsewhere, I believe that lunch at our estate would be good, huh Rainbow?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods. "Yeah, I'm getting hungry. Want to come girls?" "Free food!" Pinkie yells. Rainbow smiles. "I'll take that as a yes." "Well then I'll run ahead with Seeku to get the staff to prepare the food, ok?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods. "Fine with me, fine with you girls?" "Well Rainbow you certainly married a gentlecolt." Rarity says. Rainbow chuckles. "Yeah, I got a good husband, but also a good stud." "Rainbow you are embarrassing me." Lightning says before he and Seeku took off. Rainbow giggles as he flies away. "Yeah, that's what I wanted." She said even though he left. "I see ya'll got him tied around your hoof now." Applejack says as Fluttershy played with Typhoon and Talion and Scootaloo hoof bumped the other members of the cutie mark crusaders. Rainbow smiles. "Yeah, plus we got a plan tonight." "Well we best start walking, my niece and nephew seem very tired." Spitfire points out. Rainbow nods. "Yeah, let's get out of here. I think some passersby want to listen to the queen thing." She said starting to leave after picking up Talion and Typhoon. Rainbow then looks around for a bit. "Twilight...where's Spike?" Twilight smiles. "Well he's right..." She looks over to where he's supposed to be, but doesn't see him as her smile fell. "Celestia damn it! I left him behind again after I promised him I won't!" She said almost hitting herself. Fluttershy then became worried. "Oh my, I hope he's okay." "Left behind again. I'm really starting to hate Twilight now." Spike said as he finished the last book sorting. He then smirks as he turns to Agni. "At least she left you too." Agni just stretches out and breathes out a puff of smoke as he awoke from a nap. "Look at that, lazy boy is awake." Spike teases. Agni jumps off the seat and strolls over to the fireplace. "What you up to?" Spike asks before Agni starts consuming the fire. Spikes grows surprised. "Whoa. So that's how you eat." Agni burps lightly after finishing the fire and walks towards the ladder Spike is standing on before looking up to him and bouncing up and down while squeaking at him. Spike gets annoyed. "What is it?" Agni keeps doing it till Spike finally comes down and is hugged by Agni. Spikes becomes surprised and hugs him back until he realizes what he was doing and immediately throws him off. "What the heck?" "Big brother." A quiet voice says before Spike feels Agni hugging him again. Spike freezes in place as he feels Agni hugging him. Spike sighs and hugs him. "Okay, I guess I'm a big brother." Agni smiles as his flames on his back turn from red to a golden color. "Spike I'm back, sorry about that." Twilight says walking in on the scene. Spike immediately throws Agni off of him. "Hey Twilight. And I'm not forgiving you for leaving me." "Oh were you bonding?" Twilight asks happily. "Big brother." Agni says again in a quiet voice. Spike sighs and goes back to a comic back while Twilight gasp. "Oh my gosh, Agni's first words." Twilight says squeaking a bit, picking up Agni. Spike groans and continues reading. "Yeah and now he can bother me more." "Oh yeah right, I know you are happy his first words were of his big brother." Twilight says. Spike huffs. "Yeah and now I have to deal with a 'little brother.'" Twilight just smiles at Spike's attempt to hide his pride. "Well come on Mr. Number One Brother, Lightning invited us over for lunch." Twilight says. Spike pouts and places the comic book on the central table. "Fine, but can we not bring Agni?" "We have to Spike, after all there is no one to look after you is there?" Asks Twilight as she tosses Agni lightly and catches him. "Besides Rarity will be there." Twilight says. Spike raises an eyebrow. "So?" "Oh are you out of your crush with Rarity?" Twilight asks. Spike huffs. "Of course. After so long and not really caring even one bit I just don't care at this point." "Oh got your eyes set on a female dragon?" Twilight asks. Spike breathes out a puff of smoke. "Yeah right. There isn't any around anyway." "Agni, Spike seems depressed, can you say he is the best?" Twilight asks. "Big brother is bestest." Agni manages. Spike puffs out smoke in his direction. "Yeah, one of the best at not getting anypony." "Oh Spike don't be like that. Do you want to come on a trip Spike? Lightning has also invited us to come see some of the eastern countries for a vacation. Who knows you might meet your special somepony or dragon." Twilight says. Spike shrugs. "Why not? Better than being stuck here." "You hear that Agni, all of us are going on a vacation soon and it might be like your and Spike's time at the beach with me and Luna." Twilight says. Spike raises an eyebrow. "When did you go to the beach?" "I watched you from the room every so often while I was sick for the first part of the trip and also saw the sand castle you, Agni, and Luna made." Twilight says. Spike is still confused. "When did we go? I don't remember that." "You feeling ok Spike?" Twilight asks looking a little worried. Spike just rubs his head. "I can't remember. I can't remember anything. It just has me in here while the rest of you left me." "Here let me remind you." Twilight says casting a memory spell on him. Spike shakes his head as the spell finished. "Oh yeah, now I remember. Agni you covered my head in glass!" "Sorry for flaming you big brother." Agni says. Spike huffs. "When do we go?" "We have to do a few things here first, but for now Lightning has offered us lunch." Twilight says setting Agni on her back with Spike. Spike frowns. "Then let's go. I'm way too hungry." Twilight smiles as Agni hung on to Spike as she walked to the estate to meet up with all her friends. "And that is why Twilight is the successor to Equestria's leadership and not Bluebrood." Lightning says. Applejack just looks over the small sheet of paper she was given before throwing it to the table. "So when do you place Twilight in this?" "When Celestia steps down or dies." Lightning says. Rarity looks concerned. "I don't think she will step down. She is too into her life of being a princess." "I know, but who said it will be her choice." Lightning says. Fluttershy looks shocked. "You're going to plan a coup on her?" "I never said that." Lightning says. Pinkie gets confused. "Then how would you get her to step down?" "We will do that in years to come. Now Pinkie why are you letting Typhoon bounce up and down on you?" Lightning asks. Pinkie giggles as she bounces as well. "Cause it is fun to bounce." "I see so how are you doing since we last saw you?" Lightning asks. Pinkie giggles as she bounces off of him. "Just at the Sugarcube Corner, working and spreading happiness." "I've been working on the farm. It helped that Big Mac came back home after a few months after the war ended." Applejack says. "Ah yes, I remember signing the paperwork for him to be transferred to the reserves." Lightning says. Applejack sighs in relief. "Thanks for that. I don't think Applebloom can make it without her brother." "He served his country well Applejack it is the least I could I do for Sergeant Macintosh." Lightning says. Applejack looks surprised. "Sergeant huh?" "Yeah he was promoted to be in charge of the reserves of Ponyville." Lightning says. Applejack smiles. "Well now we need to worry about the others and Celestia." "So Fluttershy what about you?" Rainbow asks. Fluttershy smiles and shrugs. "Other than the animals ready for another fight and a run, we're fine." "I meant how you are doing." Rainbow asks her foal hood friend. Fluttershy smiles. "I'm fine, but a little worried now." "About what?" Rainbow asks as Talion was climbing on Fluttershy. Fluttershy frowns. "When we leave for the east." "That isn't for months Fluttershy, you have plenty of time to prepare." Rainbow says walking to her friend. Fluttershy shakes her head. "I don't mean that, I mean what will happen when we get there." "Vacation of course." Lightning says. Fluttershy sighs and looks away. "Just forget it." Talion was rummaging through her hair poking out his head every once in a while, but Fluttershy remained down. "What's wrong Fluttershy?" Rainbow asks walking up. Fluttershy sighs. "Just that every time I have to deal with everypony here with the thought of getting hurt and that can happen anytime now." "Don't worry Fluttershy." Rainbow says as Talion climbs to the top of her head. Fluttershy sighs and takes Talion off of her head before giving him to Rainbow. "I'm going home." She said leaving. "Oh come on Fluttershy, stay with us. Let us have some fun like the old days." Rainbow pleads. Fluttershy huffs. "Fine, let's just hurry this up. I think my animals might worry." "Fluttershy, are you ok dear?" Rarity asks as Azure flies into the room. Fluttershy nods as she sits down on a pillow on the floor. "Yes, I'm fine." She said dismissively. "Ok, I bought the time of some the local spa workers, so girls sit back and relax." Rainbow says. Rarity looks surprised. "Oh a spa brought to us. What could be better?" "I thought you would all would enjoy it. That includes you Spitfire." Rainbow says. Spitfire smiles. "Joy, when do they come over?" "Oh they are waiting in the next room for you all." Rainbow says. Rarity immediately rushes off. "Hooficure here I come." She cheers. Fluttershy gets up and smiles before following Rarity. Rainbow smiles before seeing the others following them and heading into the other room, leaving her, Lightning, Twilight, Luna, Agni and Spike. "Aren't you two going too?" Spike asks as he and Agni are eating from a bowl of snacks. "In a second, what about you Rainbow?" Twilight asks. "I still can't stand somepony other than one to touch my hooves." Rainbow says putting a hoof around Lightning. Lightning smiles. "Don't worry. They mean well. Just try to enjoy it and you will feel better." Rainbow gives him a look. "Only because you said so." Rainbow finally says. Lightning grins. "Good, now why don't you follow them? I'll meet up later." Before Rainbow could respond Luna and Twilight pulled her into the other room, leaving Lightning chuckling as she tries to resist. He then turns to Spike and Agni. "What about you two?" "I and Agni will be play a bit with Talion, Typhoon, Ice Fang, and Azure." Spike says. Lightning smiles and walks through the door. "Great, happy that you are now liking him." Spike looks to Agni who is just smiling at him. "Big brother the bestest." Agni says. Spike just smiles as he tries to hide it. Lightning looks over the mares as they enjoy the mini spa that came in. "So how's the spa?" "It's good." Rarity says resting on the massage table as a spa pony massages her. Twilight smiles as she gets her mane and tail done. "Oh yes, the best in a long time." "And how are you doing my wife?" Lightning asks smirking. Rainbow still struggles to let the spa pony touch her hoof. "Not liking it." Lightning walks over and puts his hooves on her shoulders relaxing her a little. "Better?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods a bit before feeling something scratch her hooves. She starts to squirm a bit before relaxing. "Still doesn't feel right." "Just endure and see if you like it." Lightning says. The other mares smile seeing the scene. They then continue giving the hooficure as Lightning held down a tough struggling wife. Luna giggles as they worked especially on her mane and tail. "Why do you hate it?" "I have never like anypony touching my hooves really." Rainbow says. Luna smiles. "And your husband?" "I got a black eye a few times before she got use to me doing it." Lightning says laughing a little nervously. "I can't help it. It is a natural reaction for me." Rainbow says. Lightning nods. "Everypony has one. Looks like yours is your hooves." "Ohhhh, what's yours?" Pinkie asks as the spa pony's brush snapped when it was used to attempt to brush Pinkie's mane. Lightning looks surprised before sighing. "Wings." "Oh yeah they are." Rainbow says smirking. Lightning frowns. "And it's the worst for me." "Sounds like Rainbow has personal experience with them." Fluttershy joked. Lighting huffs. "Well what's yours?" "That's a mare's secret." Fluttershy says shyly. Rainbow smirks. "It's her tail." "Rainbow!" Fluttershy squeaked embarrassed that she told. Rainbow smiles. "Well we're telling ours its only fair." "So how is the married life Rainbow?" Applejack asks. Rainbow shrugs. "Nothing different, just a status change." "Am I really that menial?" Lightning asks somewhat depressed. Rainbow looks to him worried. "No, I mean just that nothing changed except that we're recognized as married couple and some laws and stuff changed around us. Nothing else and our relationships remained mostly the same." "Ok, I get it now. I was thinking you didn't feel you had the same influence as me. After all you are the best thing that ever happened to me." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "I know, but now talking about it. We haven't shown our married to dad." "We will on the trip across the sea. It's going to be quite the trip so we should plan a few activities to keep ourselves occupied." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "Wonder where Grandma and dad are? I haven't seen them in a while." "I asked them to help run Pegasopolis while we are away." Lightning explains. Rainbow then relaxes. "Good, I wonder how they're doing." "Silver Script sends me regular reports and is helping." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles. "You know that's not what I mean." "Well Hurricane is happy because the garrison and the main training field of the army is there so it is like the good old days and your father is enjoying being in charge and help arrange all the ponies who were out of work because we lost the ability to control the weather." Lightning says. Rainbow frowns. "Yeah, but for some reason me and the others still got our abilities, just lessened." "If you think about it and remember your link to Harmony it is not too hard to figure out." Lightning says. Rainbow then remembers. "Oh yeah, now that is completely useless since it's just us. Though it does makes us more famous. That's even more trouble." "What, you not happy that you six are some of the most famous mares in Equestria and have already cemented your places in history?" Lightning asks. Rarity sighs. "If you call orders up to the ceiling then yes." "Well it ain't so bad for me and my family. We have several investors and we have expanded our farm by quite a bit and had to hire help to keep up with it all." Applejack says. Rarity huffs. "Great, who else has it better?" "I kinda don't like all the attention." Fluttershy says trying to hide behind her hair. Rarity sighs in relief. "At least I'm not the only one." Lightning then gets confused. "What I'm trying to figure out is what earth ponies can do? I mean pegasus can control the weather and unicorns got the magic, what's the earth ponies way?" "Wait, what about Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow asks. Lightning looks to her. "We're talking about Pinkie Pie, the paradox in a stable world. I mean, that comb broke when it touched her mane and she met Death, who she has over for tea." "I meant how she has been with the popularity boost." Rainbow says. Pinkie giggles. "Nothing different. Just the same old Pinkie Pie." "Ok, so what about Twilight, some of my sources claim you have been feeling a little in etiquette in your role as a princess." Lightning says. Twilight blushes. "Well, I have been reading up in how to." "The role you have now is not something you can learn from reading a book Twilight. It takes experience and in the end the thing you need most to guide you in your choices is right in here." Lightning says tapping his chest over his heart. Twilight huffs. "Well I need something to start me off." "Start with the rulers of Maretonia coming to visit soon." Lightning says. "What visit?" Luna asks. "Oh you mean Celestia hasn't told you yet?" Lightning asks. Luna growls. "Great, now I have to deal with this. What else has she scheduled?" "She didn't schedule it and it will be in one week." Lightning says. Twilight groans. "Great, now I need to prepare for everything. Where are they coming to, the castle?" "Crystal Empire, your brother and sister-in-law will be receiving the word of it either today or tomorrow." Lightning says. Luna looks surprised. "So they get the information and not us?" "She will most likely inform you soon as well and Twilight at the last minute." Lightning says. Luna scowls. "That is not the proper way for anypony to act, even her." "Well it is kinda last minute for her as well. She is rushing everything that is how I found out so easily." Lightning says. Luna huffs. "I may need to have a small word with my sister." "Normally I would approve, but given the circumstance I say just let her be." Lightning says surprising all the mares. "That is a surprise brother, you and Celestia have been at each other's throats for the last few months." Spitfire says. Lightning shrugs. "I know, but at times like these and what we're going through, I say let's give each other a break." "Ok, I won't talk to my sister about it." Luna says. Lightning smiles. "Good, now we just have to get Twilight to the Crystal Empire and hope for the best." "Hold on there, we have plans for the next few days. So we will have to wait on that." Rainbow says. Lightning looks to her. "Do tell." "I will give you the complete schedule later." Rainbow says smirking. "Sometimes I feel like you're the real head of the house." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "I'll let you have some say in our schedules if you want." "Save the flirting for later you two." Spitfire says. They both laugh a little. "Come on sis, you know you want some of your own too." Lightning said. "Not while I am enjoying this great wing treatment." Spitfire says as two mares worked on her wings. Rainbow giggles. "So you don't want Edward?" "He's at sea right now and don't talk about my personal life, the last thing I want is rumors flying around. I got enough of that already." Spitfire says. Lightning strikes. "How so?" "The gossip section of the newspapers. You should see some articles." Spitfire says. "I have been told about a few, especially of me and Rainbow here. I am all about freedom, but they are just making up things to sell papers." Lightning says. Spitfire looks interested. "What did they write?" "They tried to paint me and Rainbow as rebels for not agreeing with Celestia. We even had a protest outside the estate. I had to call in a favor with your royal guard captain to get them to leave for disturbing the peace." Lightning says. Twilight looks confused. "Why didn't I hear about this in the newspapers, you're royal guard favor?" "Seems that several nobles didn't like it either and because of that the Lunar Guard went and told the editor and chief of the newspaper that since it was their gossip article that caused the problem that if they publish like that again they will be held responsible for egging on the civilians and inciting incidents." Lightning says. Luna smirks. "My guards are always intimidating. Watch out if they come to your door." "They know from experience how effective my soldiers are from the war and the reason I called the guards is because with them the civilians would have dispersed, but with my soldiers they might have caused an incident. My soldiers will protect us because they are loyal to me and not afraid to put down insurgents effectively and brutally." Lightning says. Everypony but Lightning and Rainbow winces. "That's disturbing." Applejack said. "On the note of insurgence, do you really want to attempt to assassinate me?" Lightning asks with a serious face, freezing a spa pony that came up behind him. The spa pony quickly runs out, leaving everypony with shocked faces. "You really going to let her get away?" Twilight asks. "She didn't attempt anything so I will not pursue. I will also let her know discreetly I let her go." Lightning says. Luna looks intrigued. "How so?" "I'll just slip a letter under her door. As for the rest of you, a bonus comes with your silence on the matter." Lightning says to the other spa ponies. They all nod before going back to their work, making Lightning smirk. "Good." After the spa treatment was over they all went to the lounge of the estate. "So how many of you will be staying with us for the evening?" Lightning asks. Twilight and Luna looks to each other before back to him. "Well we need to go back to the library with Spike and Agni." "Oh I think that the foals and the pets will be disappointed losing their playmates." Rainbow says. Twilight looks to the couch where Spike and Agni were playing with Ice Fang and Azure. "Maybe for the night." "You can use the same room as last night, now what about the rest of you?" Rainbow asks turning to the mares. Fluttershy shuffles her hooves together. "Well I need to get back to my animals, I think I've been gone too long." "Oh, but what about the foals here hugging your hooves?" Rainbow asks. Fluttershy looks down and smiles. "Okay you two, time to let go. I'll come back soon okay?" "One night won't hurt Fluttershy." Spitfire says. Fluttershy nods sadly. "I know, but I have been gone a while. It's best I get back." "Fluttershy. Just look at those darling faces of the foals, you really want to make them sad?" Applejack asks. Fluttershy looks down to see the foals looking up at her sadly. "Okay, maybe tonight." "Well I can stay with Sweet Bell for one night." Rarity says as the Cutie Mark Crusaders run past playing. Applejack shrugs. "Guess I can stay as well since Applebloom is here." "Great, let us get you all rooms." Rainbow says. "Oh this is like a sleepover." Twilight says gleefully. Luna grins. "Which type?" "Oh I wish I had my sleepover reference guide." Twilight says making both Rarity and Applejack slump a little. Luna leans over to them. "What happened?" "We will tell you later." Rarity says. Applejack sighs as she remembers. "Let's just say that we had to relocate a tree." "Oh that sound interesting." Luna says. Applejack nods. "Yeah and the worst to all of us. Had to really work out our differences." "Oh should I get the pajamas and sleeping bags?" Pinkie asks. Twilight jumps next to her. "Yes you should, can you bring more for all of us?" "Uh, I think me and Lightning will stick to our bed." Rainbow says. Twilight jumps up and down a little. "That's okay. We can still have the most fun ever." 'I feel a sense of dread from this.' Lightning thinks. Twilight smiles as she hurries to her room. "Let's go, I really want to get this right." She said as she also wrote in a notepad about what she remembered. "Well we already had work done by spa ponies." Rarity says. Twilight strikes that off the list. "Okay then, spa related activities are out." "What about the foals?" Spitfire asks. Rainbow looks to the foals as they ride Ice Fang. "Going to sleep is what they are doing. It's late and they need to sleep." "Ok so who is tucking them in?" Twilight asks. Rainbow and Lightning smiles. "Us of course." Rainbow said. "Hey I want to help too." Spitfire says. Lightning chuckles. "Then come on, it's time for bed." "Come here you two." Rainbow says picking them up. Lightning smiles as they start to walk to the foals' room. "Hope they don't come to us at night." "Don't worry, there aunt will be there if they need anypony." Spitfire says. Rainbow smiles. "Good, we got a big night planned." "Just don't keep anypony up all night." Spitfire jokes. Lighting chuckles. "Don't worry, I'm sure you got earplugs for that." "Or Mr. Magic here has a spell up his sleeve." Rainbow jokes. Lightning smirks. "I'm sure I got something." "So already shooting for a fourth kid, huh little brother?" Spitfire jokes. Lightning shakes his head. "No, just promising the best night of her married life. Besides my side is killed." "So Rainbow, you stopping at just Talion and Typhoon or you planning on giving them younger siblings?" Spitfire asks. Rainbow frowns. "No just that I don't want more born into war." Lightning slows his pace. "Rainbow I have a confession to make." Lightning says. They both look back to him. "What did you keep from me?" Rainbow asks with a serious face. "I'm don't think that I will live to see the upcoming war's ending." Lightning says. Spitfire becomes confused. "What do you mean?" "The Dominion has eighteen veteran legions. What we defeated was a newly formed one. So even with all the countries we have assembled to fight them, their army is still massive." Lightning explains. Rainbow looks to Spitfire before looking back to him. "And what does that have to do with you not seeing the ending?" "Wars are long and drawn out. This one could take generations to finish." Lightning says. Now both of the mares becomes worried. "Then why not go after the veterans' one after the other and lower the moral?" Spitfire asks. "That is just it, they will replace those easily and then there is the countries that will either side against us or will turn on us." Lightning says. Spitfire sighs. "And how many countries are left?" "To tell the truth, we got 6 countries either undecided or I'm suspicious in their loyalties. Oh and one country divided on whether or not to support us, which is the country where Duke Hyou is from." Lightning says. Rainbow tilts her head. "But he's nice enough and really supportive. Why is that bad?" "It's the country itself. The politics are in three camps on this matter. One, the camp Duke Hyou is in, is those who will support this war, second is those who will support the Dominion, and finally there is those who want nothing to do with it whatsoever because the Dominion doesn't bother them at all. Thankfully though I am friends with a few of their generals and most importantly their emperor himself." Lightning says. Spitfire shrugs. "So what's the problem? Seems like that's a small win there." "The problem is because of that they can't supply us with many armies and if the war starts turning south then the other political camps will gain power and make it even harder on us. The only thing I am certain of is if we get the Griffon kingdom to join us then we can fully count on them." Lightning says. Rainbow looks confused. "Didn't Eclipse say that she got the Griffon already?" "We have them all, but officially they like to drag the negotiations out a bit. I should know the prince really likes to cut deals in his or the kingdom's favor. Makes his dad really proud." Lightning says. It was now Spitfire turn to look confused. "So who is the prince?" "Magalgor the Silver Wind. He and I have been good friends for years. In fact if it wasn't for his help, the revolution of Stalliongrad might not have happened." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "So can you help with the treaty with him?" "He is already helping so we are now succeeding two provinces of the Dominion that are bordering them after we conquer them. He also helped us bypass the bureaucrats and make the appeal directly to the king." Lightning says. Spitfire smiles. "You know that the Griffons are the toughest when it comes to war. Heck with claws, if we got something that makes us carry them like than with hooves we might win with them." "I know, this scar here I got from the prince when we fought the first time we met." Lightning says pointing to a claw scar on his left shoulder. Rainbow was about to speak up again. "Sir!" A voice said behind them. "Yes Belcoot?" Lightning asks turning to him. Belcoot stops in front of him panting. "You would not believe what we have found." "What?" Lightning asks. "Ok, ok," Belcoot starts still panting. "So we were in the vault in the mountainside right? Well while we were searching the vault for anything that the refugees left or need to prepare just in case of another event like that we found something. Apparently the vault is not just a bunker just for emergencies it also has an armory." "What kind of armory?" Lightning asks. Belcoot smiles. "Just what you except, swords, armor, shields, but the biggest thing is in the far off corner. Apparently this machine actually fits around somepony like a belt system and you would not believe what it can do." "Give me the full debrief later in private, for now I have to help put the little foals to bed." Lightning says. Belcoot nods. "Okay sir, but meet us in the lobby, it's the best place at this point. We got a surprise for you." "Ok." Lightning says before him, Rainbow, and Spitfire start walking again. "So like I was saying earlier love, if we have more foals it will most likely be during the war." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "So there is no avoiding it is there?" "I'm sorry." Lightning says moving closer to her. Rainbow leans on him. "It's okay, I just wanted them to know something else other than war." "They will love. They will know a loving family and peace. After all they will have you." Lightning says petting her mane as the foals ride on her back. Rainbow smiles. "Thanks Lightning." "Hey what about their loving aunt?" Spitfire asks. Rainbow chuckles. "Yes you are with us too." "Thank you for the recognition." Spitfire says. Lighting smiles. "Yes sister, you will get the recognition…when they grow up enough." "Oh what, you want me to teach Typhoon how to fly like an ace?" Spitfire asks. Lighting chuckles. "No, just teach her how to be herself." "Yeah, I'll teach her how to fly unlike lead wing here." Rainbow jokes elbowing Lightning playfully. Lightning looks offended. "Hey. I do not have a lead wing." Spitfire laughs at this. "We are a seriously interesting family." Spitfire says. "Oh just wait till you marry Edward and he joins in." Lightning says. Spitfire huffs. "Oh please, nothing will change. We are too use to this stuff. Like Rainbow and her friends with all the disasters." "Oh, you haven't been to a pub with Edward yet have you?" Lightning asks. Spitfire chuckles. "Yeah, I have and boy does he fight." "Yeah, starts out nice and peaceful drink then the next second the entire bar is brawling." Lightning says. Spitfire smiles. "And the best part is he let me have a few hits." "Did you smash a bottle in somepony's face?" Lightning asks. Spitfire chuckles. "More like smash one coming up behind me and trying to do a sneak attack. He doesn't realize that I have to dodge paparazzi like that." "Well enough about that, we are here at their room." Rainbow says. Lightning smiles and opens the door. "Let's get them to bed." Rainbow and Spitfire walked in. "Come on my little ones time to sleep." Rainbow says. Spitfire smiles as she takes one of them as well. "Let's hope we can place them to sleep." "Oh it's quite simple." Lightning says picking up Talion. "How?" Spitfire asks. "Rainbow has a lullaby that puts them to sleep." Lightning says. Spitfire smiles. "Well sing it." Lightning leads Spitfire outside and closes the door. "She is kinda embarrassed when it comes to singing it." Lightning explains. Spitfire frowns. "Well, now that's just not fair." "I'll tell you what, when you have a foal of your own I'll get Rainbow to teach you it." Lightning says. Spitfire is then confused. "Won't she still get embarrassed?" Lightning smirks before closing the door. "Just wait." He said through the door. "Ok, just like Derpy taught me." Rainbow says clearing her throat. "Stars and moons and air balloons, Fluffy clouds to the horizon. I'll wrap you in rainbows, and rock you to sleep again. Teddy bears in pink, ducks and lambs of white, Don't you cry dear I'm here now, I'll be your night light. Stars and moons and air balloons, Fluffy clouds to the horizon. I'll wrap you in rainbows, and rock you to sleep again. Smiles to cure the frowns, twirling and tumbling in laughter. Some Day life will always be, Happily every after. Never more will the storms come, To destroy your little world. Never more will the waters rise, till the mountains no long touch the skies. Stars and moons and air balloons, Fluffy clouds to the horizon. I'll wrap you in rainbows, and rock you to sleep again. I'll wrap you in rainbows, and rock you to sleep again." Rainbow sang. The foals gently went to sleep as their eyes close. Lighting smiled as he stood right by her. "Nice work love." He said quietly. "When did you walk back in?" Rainbow ask quietly with a huge blush. Lightning chuckles as he slowly leads her out. "Before you sang." "Rainbow that was beautiful." Spitfire says wiping a tear running down her face. Lightning looks surprised. "I thought I locked you out?" "You never fully closed the door. It only locks out other ponies when you fully close it." Spitfire says. Lightning hits himself lightly. "Dang it." "Don't worry Rainbow, I won't tell a soul." Spitfire says. Rainbow sighs in relief before closing the door behind them and turning to Lightning. "You better go see this big surprise before bed tonight." "Rainbow, you mind teaching me the song?" Spitfire asks as Lightning nods and walks away. Rainbow smiles. "Sure, come on." She said walking away with her. Lighting sighs as he enters the lobby before seeing Belcoot, Alexander, Hazuki and Zagai, except that Zagai was wearing something around his waist. "So, what's this new machine?" Lightning asks as he goes down the stairs. Belcoot smiles as he steps up to Zagai's machine around him. "We have no idea what the original purpose is, but this we can figure out, this is not made for ponies or those that don't have fingers like Zagai does." "Ok, show me what it can do." Lightning says taking a seat on a stone bench. Zagai sighs as he takes some handles before pulling the trigger on them and launching some spikes to the wall that sends him to the hit point as a cylinder piece on his back gives off steam and a whining noise as he moves away and hits the wall stopping there. "Apparently this is also for holding some sword like weapons that are collapsible, but we found they break easily, which is why there are almost six slots for them." He said letting go of the trigger and falling to the ground. "I can see the usefulness of them, if we can reverse engineer them." Lightning says. Zagai starts taking off the machine. "Well that's a good idea. Griffons can take close to this original design, but you ponies have to take something entirely different." "We will see what the R&D division can come up with. Send all of them straight to them." Lightning orders. Belcoot shuffles. "That's another problem. There are only two we found, fully loaded with their blades of course. We can't really take apart much." "Send it anyways, the unicorns will use a scanning spell." Lightning says. Alexander starts helping Zagai take off the machine. "Let's hope we can get this done before you set out. Maybe you can surprise them. The looks on their faces." "We shall see, now if you excuse me I have to see to my family and our friends." Lightning says walking to the lounge. Hazuki smiles as they pack the machine in her bag. "Going to go crazy tonight sir?" She said with a knowing tone. "If that is what Mrs. Rainbow wants, all I can do is oblige her." Lightning says smiling. Hazuki giggles but then grunts. "Guys, this is heavy, why don't Zagai wear it again, it works for him." "Here." Alexander says taking the device. Hazuki sighs in relief. "Thanks, now let's get to that department and get this done. I really want to try this before we set out for the east." She said heading for the door. "How is that possible when our R&D division is in Stalliongrad?" Zagai asks. Hazuki grins. "Lightning is in charge of the military here in the country, but that also grants him access to the military division of the R&D here in Canterlot. It should be near the university and kept under guard." "He meant the one Stalliongrad Hazuki. I don't want this to fall in Dominion hooves." Lightning says. Hazuki nods. "That's why me and Zagai and anypony else that is with us will watch them and stay in one room for the whole thing. Besides the military part of the R&D building have some memory wipers in a certain room." "Hazuki." Lightning says warningly. "Fine, fine, send back Alexander with them. He has been on assignment for over a year now and probably wants to see his foals." Hazuki relents. Everypony smiles. "Good, now let's get that out of here and take the other as well. No choices with it here." Lightning said. "You got it." Alexander says taking the boxes and walking out with them. Lightning sighs and starts walking again. "Okay, back to your assignments and somepony watch him until he leaves the country." "Got it. I'll tell the men to shadow and watch out for him and send Edward a message bird to inform him." Belcoot says. Lightning chuckles. "Yeah the only pony who could watch over somepony in the sea." "I also have heard he is dating your sister." Hazuki says. Lightning then stops. "Oh boy, he gets married to her, I'll have him for a brother. That's worse than Pinkie Pie on coffee." "Maybe he will mellow a bit." Belcoot says. Lightning looks to him. "Do you really know Edward?" "Hey it's possible if we beat him over the head for an hour before wiping his memory then installing a fake identity." Belcoot jokes. Lightning throws a vase at his head, knocking him out. "Don't joke that easily." Hazuki casts a spell that repairs the vase and sets it back before dragging Belcoot off. Lightning sighs as he leaves with the others following Hazuki out. "Now that is over with, time for a big night." Lightning finally walks back into the lounge to see most of the mares in pajamas and around sleeping bags. "Everypony having fun?" "Very." Scootaloo says. Lightning looks to her. "Scootaloo, you should be in bed." "I'm going to stay here tonight, I already got permission from mom." Scootaloo says. Lightning scowls. "Rainbow." He growls. "Let her spend time with her friends." Rainbow says walking up to him. Lightning then starts to sweat. "Oh Rainbow, didn't see you there." "I was waiting for you. See you in the morning girls." Rainbow says dragging him away Lightning becomes afraid as he was dragged to their room. "Scootaloo, cover your ears." After getting to the room Rainbow lets him go. "Please set up that spell while I'm in the bathroom." Rainbow says. Lightning sighs as he sat down on the bed and started to chant. Rainbow smiles as she closes the door behind her. The door soon shines a light blue tint before going back to normal. Lightning waits on the bed till he hears the door open again and turns to see Rainbow dressed in her Wonderbolt uniform. "You requested it and so it is here." Rainbow says. Lightning surprised look turns to a smile. "Thanks Rainbow. I thought you might be a little mad." "No, I know that was fatherly instinct kicking in. Now I believe I made you a promise?" Rainbow asks. Lightning grins. "So how far are you willing?" Rainbow jump onto him. "You tell me." Rainbow says before kissing him. Lightning smiles as he kisses her back. "Do you have to return that costume?" "This is no costume, it is my uniform and I plan to get a ponyikin to put it on when I am not wearing it so no ripping it like my school mare outfit." Rainbow says smiling. Lightning pouts. "Now that's no fun. Did sis give you something I could rip?" "No ripping tonight, maybe next time." Rainbow teases. Lightning grins. "Can I go all out for that too?" "We will see, now I thought you said you wanted to undress me." Rainbow says winking at him. Lightning smirks. "Depends, how tight is that thing?" "Why don't you find out?" Rainbow teases. (Start of the clopfic. Go to next bold line to continue for the story.) Lightning chuckles as goes for the zipper on the front of her outfit. "How hard was it to get on?" He asks pulling it down. Rainbow smiles as she feels some pressure being lifted. "Your sister said it's easier to get off than on." Lightning smiles and pulls the zipper all the way down to the end. "Then let's begin." Rainbow sits up and lets up pull the outfit of her very slowly from the top. She pulls her forelegs away as the suit is pulled off and lets it fall to her waist. Lightning smiles and starts to tug at the leggings and pulls the rest of it off before throwing it off to the side. "Now the fun can really begin." He said grabbing her and flips her around so she was under him. Rainbow yelps a little as she was turned around and landed on the bed. She then looks up to see Lightning with a look on his face that she hasn't seen since she helped him in his office. She started to breath heavily as she feel his long throbbing dick running along her belly as it still grew. Lightning breathes heavily as he goes close to her ear. "Want to struggle, go right ahead. I will have fun breaking you." He said before licking her neck. Rainbow tries to do as he said, but couldn't with his grip on her shoulders as he held her down. She then feels his dick start to pull back as she got a worried look on her face. Lightning then thrust in hard making her wince from the sudden intrusion, but it was made easier from her excitement. Lightning then holds her by the neck as he started thrusting into her and grins widely. "Oh this is fun." Rainbow chokes, but then realizes that Lightning was holding back a little so he doesn't kill her, but gives just enough pressure to feel it. Rainbow grunts and chokes as he kept thrusting hard and fast, hitting her barrier and making it looser. Lightning smiles as he started to hit harder on it and started to feel the pressure give away and soon entered her all the way. "Yes." Rainbow struggles to look down and sees the bulge of his dick as it throbbed from under her skin. It then started to move as Lightning kept going harder and faster than before. Rainbow feels his grip on her neck tightening and soon feels his breathing becoming quicker and deeper. Lightning grins as he looks down at her and leans down to her ear again, thrusting harder than before. "When I'm finished with you, you will be filled to the brim and have that womb so full you can't move without me. In fact you can't live without me doing this every night and filling you to the max. Now take it slut." He said before biting her neck and pulling her to him. Rainbow tries to scream as she feels his throbbing dick stop thrusting and starts to fill her up, leaving her stock frozen still. Rainbow feels his grip on her neck loosen as he bites harder as she feels his dick release his cum with every throb and twitch inside of her. Rainbow gasps as she feels him start to pull out as it still cums inside of her before feeling it leave her and starts to paint her body. Rainbow lays still he painted her body with his cum, leaving her a complete mess. And through it all she was able to cum too much since he entered. After the contest stream stopped he flips her over and dragged her to the edge of the bed, leaving her hind legs dangling off the edge. "Lightning..." Lightning enter again with no warning leaving her screaming in pleasure as she's still sensitive from the last entry. She soon feels him going hard and fast like last time, almost sending her forward if it wasn't for him hanging onto her flank. Lightning hits her flank every so often, sending out screams from Rainbow as he keeps hitting from both parts. Lightning then feels a tightening from his dick. "Here it comes again." He said breathlessly. Rainbow gasps as she feels him throbbing hard. "Cumming." She feels the strong stream run into her that makes her balloon out even more, now lifting her off the bed a little. Lightning then pulls out and starts to rub himself as he paints her back now, completing the covering. "Good slut." Rainbow pants as she comes down from her high, but then sees Lightning's cum covered dick in front of her. "Light...mmmmmm." She couldn't say anymore as Lightning thrusts into her mouth all the way, sending it all the way to her stomach. Lightning sighs before taking hold of her head and started to thrust widely sending her head back and forth and making her mane whip along as well. Lightning groans as he feels her warm throat clench around him. "I'm going to fill up every part of you. And here comes the third course." He said before grunting and sliding in all the way as he cums straight into her stomach before pulling out after a bit and starting to cum directly onto her face making her blind from all the cum on her. He chuckles darkly as he goes back behind her. "Still one more." He said taking hold of his dick again and pushing it to her backdoor. Rainbow barely gives a reaction as he struggles to go in before succeeding and pushes in all the way he could. Rainbow groans as she feels a new sensation as she starts to feel him thrust wild with abandon into her ass. "Lightning..." Lightning grabs hold of her mane with his hoof and pulls her backward so she was looking at him upside down. "Yes slut?" He asks still thrusting into her. Rainbow pants heavily as she licks the cum around her lips. "Harder." She said relenting to him. Lightning grins as he goes harder than ever making her moan as he kept pulling on her mane. Lightning was a bit surprised at her flexibility, but then dismisses it as he feels a tightening in his loins. "Yes." He said before cumming inside of her again and making her balloon up even bigger from all the past loads. "Now that's done." He said pulling out his cum covered dick. "Where do you want it now slut?" He asks rubbing into her cum covered coat. Rainbow pants as he shows his dick to her and starts to rub it in her face. "My...wings." Lightning grins as he keeps rubbing his dick. "Give them to me." Rainbow obliges and shows her almost covered wings to him as he takes them and starts to rub them all over his dick. "Yes, so soft and smooth, don't you think slut?" Rainbow moans as she lets herself be used. Lightning smiles as he groans from another one coming. "Get ready slut." He said before cumming into her wings and painting them all over, now leaving no spot on her untouched. Lightning sighs as he looks her over before grabbing onto her tail and drags her off the bed and pushes her against the ground with her ass in the air. "Now for the main course." He said before entering her again. 'The main, what's for dessert?' Rainbow thinks as she moans lightly from him going deeply into her. Lightning grunts as he pushed her head down into the ground as she pounded her cunt harder than ever. "Come on slut. You can do better than that, give me something." Lightning said making a hard thrust that made her jiggle throughout her body. Rainbow moans louder as cum went flying from that slap. "Light...ahhhhhhhh!" Lightning grins as she cums. "Good slut, here's your reward." He said as he cums again into her and this time, doesn't pull out. Rainbow moans as she comes down from high and let's herself fall to the floor after Lightning pulls himself out. "There, now where else do you want it? I can go all night." Rainbow moans as she struggles to stand up. "In...in..." Lightning smiles as he rubs her flank, spreading the cum around. "Yes?" Rainbow groans and turns herself to him. "Here." She said before opening her mouth. Lightning smirks and stands up. "Good slut. Now I can call you bitch." He said before thrusting into her mouth and leaning over her head as he took hold of it and starting to thrust like crazy as Rainbow grunts and chokes from the intrusion. 'Bitch, yeah, I'm a bitch. Nothing more than a cock sleeve for my master.' Rainbow thought as she swirls her tongue around his cock as it thrusts inside her. She soon feels the weight press down harder and his breathing getting deeper. "Here it comes bitch. Take it all." Lightning said before slamming into her mouth and letting his load loose into her. Rainbow chokes and stayed still as she feels every throb and cum run down his cock and through her throat. Lightning sighs before pulling out and letting her fall to her side. "Who's the bitch?" He asks standing over her. Rainbow moans as she looks to his still hard cock. "I...am." Lightning smiles. "And don't you forget it. Now get up." He said grabbing onto her mane and pulling her up. He then shows his cock to her face. "Clean it." Rainbow tries to lick it before he puts his cock into mouth and she closes her mouth around it. "That's it, keep going bitch." He said moving back and forth from her mouth. Rainbow moans as he pulls out again and lets her lick it all over, slathering it with salvia and more cum. "Bitch!" He said slapping her sending her to the ground. "I said clean it, not make it messier." Rainbow struggles to get up, "Master I..." "No!" Lightning yells hitting her again, sending her to the ground. "Now that dirtied up my cock again, I can think of another place to put it." He said grabbing onto her mane and pulling her up. Rainbow moans as she lets herself be pulled up and slammed against the wall with her facing him. "Punishment time." He said going into her cunt once again. Rainbow tirelessly moans as she tries to stay awake. 'How can he still be going?' She was jolted by her thoughts by a slap to her face as Lightning looks to her mad. "Look at me bitch." He growls making her look at him. "Good, now let me enjoy this while I see that look fall away." He said now grinning as he grunted with every thrust he made into her. Rainbow then remembers what she promised. 'I promised him this night...' "Ahhhhhh." She cums, breaking her thoughts before collecting them again. '...and I will let him enjoy me. I'm his wife and I keep those promises.' She thinks as she licks around her mouth and swallowing the cum. Lightning grunted one last time before slamming her into the wall and kissing her despite the cum covered lips. Lightning pulls back from the kiss and smiles lovingly as he stays inside her and keeps cumming into her. "I love you Rainbow." Rainbow smiles as she feels herself being filled up, probably for the last time. "I love you too Lightning." She moans as he stops cumming and pulls out, making a mess come out onto the ground. He helps her down to the ground and sets her up against the wall before sitting beside her. Lightning chuckles as he looks over the room. "Boy did we make a mess." Rainbow smiles as she sees cum everywhere. "Yeah." She then licks some of the cum off of her and swallows it. "But it's good." Lightning smiles as he feels some blood flowing again. "Easy Rainbow, I'm done for the night." Rainbow giggles. "Guess I now figured out most of your fetishes. But cum swallowing, really?" Lightning shrugs. "Hey, I facefuck you and cum, of course I would like it." Rainbow smiles as she leans back. "Sorry about the slut and bitch names and hitting you." Rainbow shakes her head. "No need, you needed this night and I wanted you to enjoy this to the fullest. If it means being abused like that I'll take it." Lightning hugs her. "Thanks love." Rainbow sighs as she hugs back, sending the cum all over them. "No problem. Now let's get a bath. I think some of this stuff is hardening." Lightning smiles and brings her up. "Let's go 'bitch'." Rainbow smiles as well as she follows him into the bathroom. "Yes 'master'." They both laugh as they clean themselves from the nightly activities and notices it has been almost the whole night when they come out and look to the clock. "You knew the sheets are messed up, want to sleep in them?" He asks looking over the bed. Rainbow grabs the sheets and pulls them before placing them to the side and pulls out another set from a low drawer nearby. "For one night uses before the maids come in." She said bringing the sheets over. Lightning looks surprised as he helps her set up the temporary sheets. "Wow, they are prepared for anything huh?" Rainbow giggles. "Yep, even expected this. But I don't think they would have expected you to go this far. You completely covered me." Lightning smirks. "Fetish for cum covered mares." Rainbow smiles and places the last sheets on. "Really and the abuse stuff?" Lightning shrugs. "You live a life like mine, you would want this type of stuff." Rainbow nods and lays down in the sheets while Lightning did the same. "Let's get some sleep then. Hope you had fun." Lightning smiles and wraps a hoof around her before pulling her close. "Don't worry, this was one of the best nights next to the school mare night." Rainbow giggles before resting her head against him and falling asleep. "Goodnight Lightning." Lightning sighs and rested against her. "Goodnight Rainbow." (You can stop now.) The next morning Lightning and Rainbow walked into the lounge to see all the mares sleeping peacefully and Spike, Agni, and the pets were sleeping on the couch. Lightning chuckles as he looks to Spike having his tail curled around Agni like a mother cat to her kitten. "Now that's sweet." He said quietly. He looks over to Rainbow who has an air horn in her hooves and covers his ears. HOOOOOOONK "Yipe!" Spike yells before falling off the couch with Agni tumbling after him landing on top of him, making him puff out a flame that singed Ice Fang's tail that made him whine and yips as he runs around to put out the small burn. All the mares likewise screamed and jumped out of their sleeping bags. "Rainbow that was evil." Lightning says smirking. Rainbow chuckles darkly. "I know, I still want to play some pranks like the good old days. Like that time I and Pinkie made Spike have the hiccups and he sent every piece of parchment he had to Celestia and so we pranked Celestia too. That is the number one prank." "Oh man, we really are too alike. Our difference is I messed with trolls and walrus in Stalliongrad." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "What did you do?" She asks as the mares all packed up and Spike and Agni helped Ice Fang with his tail. "Oh a flash bang to blind them or set a pitfall with meat on the top for them. It was really stupid as they could easily have killed me." Lightning says. Rainbow bumps against him. "Then you are really like me, stupid meets stupid." "I thought it was loyal to a fault meets loyal to a fault." Lightning says smiling. Rainbow smiles. "That too. Now, you are all ready to go home?" She asks turning to their guest. "I need to do my hair first darling." Rarity says. "Scootaloo, does Rainbow always wake you up like that?" Apple Bloom asks. Scootaloo shakes her head and yawns. "No, actually I go in a morning flight with Tiyries every once in a while. It helps get the blood pumping." "So Scootaloo, any luck on your cutie mark yet?" Sweetie Bell asks. Scootaloo looks to her blank flank. "Not really. I still don't know what to do to find my cutie mark." "What is for breakfast?" Applejack asks. Lightning looks to the nearby dining room. "Well the usual. Pancakes, waffles, eggs, some sandwiches, coffee, but you have to ask for that, and cereal." "You are really living your dreams and in style now Rainbow darling." Rarity says. Rainbow blushes. "Yeah, but sometimes it gets a bit too much." "I know the feeling." Twilight and Luna says almost in sync. Lightning nods. "Well for now let's eat for a bit and talk a while as we do." "Come on my sister-in-law and let me tell you a few tricks to help not be so overwhelmed." Spitfire says. Rainbow smiles as they both walk to the dining room. "I really need that." Lightning smiles as he looks to the rest of them. "Okay, let's eat." He said following the two mares. It was barely a week later when Celestia requested that Twilight and the rest of the elements come to the Crystal Kingdom to meet with the rulers of Maretonia. "Seems like only yesterday I was saving this place from being totally destroyed. Hey, you guys remember that?" Spike asks leaning on the crystal statue of himself. Everypony rolls their eyes. "Yes Spike, and you wouldn't shut up about it." Lightning said. "Shh. We don't want to be bombarded by fans." Rainbow says as she walks by Lightning who was wearing clothes that concealed his head and most of his body. Lightning chuckles. "Yeah, yeah. Now what has Celestia given you to do?" He asks Twilight. "I'm to unfurl a banner apparently." Twilight says looking a little down. Lightning frowns. "Let me guess, smile and wave and look like a ponyikin in a window." "Pretty much." Twilight says. "Note to self, speak with Luna on this after speaking to the Duke and Duchess." Lightning says. Twilight sighs as she walks to the stairs. "Now if you excuse me, I have to go to the balcony and prep the banner." "Oh look, it is the captain of the Lunar Guard, I will be right back." Lightning says walking over to her. Rainbow and the others sighs before heading for the living area they were giving for the day. Lightning had a deep scowl on his muzzle as he walks over to the guard who was now sweating profusely. "General Lightning...sir. How can...I help?" She asks nervously. "I believe that Celestia called Twilight to see her right now. Can one of your guards handle the banner?" Lightning asks. She shakes her head sadly. "No, unfortunately she had some crystal and solar guards watching that area. We can't get close enough. She knows about Luna's plan for this." "I see, then just use one of the soldiers here. Celestia and those guards have no authority over them." Lightning suggests. She shakes her head again. "With the news against you and the army it would suicide at this point. Almost a fourth of Equestria are against you and...these guards have to right to kill them if they get too close." "Oh, so she wants to play that game, huh? Give this to Luna to get to Celestia." Lightning says handing her a headset. She looks confused. "What is it?" "It is just something that will let Celestia hear a certain record I will be playing." Lightning says walking away. Lightning sighs as he enter the area where the others were staying and rested against Rainbow as the rulers came over and did their business. "I swear, if Celestia does this to Twilight again, we are speeding this whole queen thing up." He said after a while. He soon left to a room and sat in it alone with a record player with a specific record on it ready to be played while wearing another head set, only this one had a mic as he watch the bottom of the crystal kingdom's castle through a magic device. He waited till he saw Luna give Celestia the headset and she puts it on. "Hello Celestia how are you doing?" Lightning asks nonchalantly. Celestia almost growls but keeps her composure. "What are you doing?" She asks quietly. "Now, now, Celestia don't be so hostile, after all we work together to assure this country's best interests. All I wanted to do is let you listen to this record." Lightning says before playing the record. It was of the Vinyl Scratch show where the hosts talk about what really happened in the past and revealed Celestia stole all her power and enslaved many things to try to obtain absolute power. "Get the message?" Lightning asks after shuts it off. Celestia frowns. "Don't you dare play that or I will find you." She said quietly as Luna took over for a bit. "And do what, attack me in front of everypony and the rulers fueling the fact you have grown unfit for the throne?" Lightning asks. Celestia growls under breath. "What do you want?" "I believe there was a mix up in the ceremony. As a princess of Equestria only job is unfurling a banner really mocks the rulers as a whole. When it is the job of a low ranking guard or soldier." Lightning says. Celestia glares around her. "You want Twilight here." "I am only suggesting it because it makes you also look bad to the Duke and Duchess. Oh and by the way, two of the Solar and Crystal guards are out of order. Might want Shining Armor to correct that so nopony notices." Lightning says. Celestia huffs. "Bastard." "Been called worse Celestia and someponies are starting to notice you haven't come back yet. Best get back to the stage." Lightning says. Celestia quickly takes off the headset and throws it away before placing on the most convincing smile she could muster and walks up to the rulers to continue the business. Lightning sighs as he takes off his headset and leans back in his chair. He then smirks. "Perfect blackmail." He said to himself. Lightning watches as Celestia calls over Shining Armor and says something to him before pointing towards the misaligned guards. Lightning chuckles as Shining panics a little and puts a little more speed in his steps as he hurries to them and, after looking back to the visiting rulers, sets them in line before sending a unicorn guard up to Twilight. The unicorn teleports away and soon Twilight flies down to the other royalty. Lightning smiles as he sees her smile genuinely and gets up to leave. "Does the heart good to see others happy." Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Applejack were playing with the little foals when Rainbow sees Lightning walk in. "Where were you?" She asks giving Typhoon to Fluttershy. "Just had to check something. Oh look, Twilight is with Celestia, Luna, and Cadence saying goodbye to the Duke and Duchess." Lightning says looking out the window. Everypony goes up the window and sees Twilight happily bowing to them as they walk away. Rainbow smirks as she turns to him. "You had something to do with this didn't you?" "I have no idea what you are talking about." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles as she nuzzles him. "Thanks Lightning, Twilight really deserved that." "Still no idea what you are talking about, but I won't turn down being thanked." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs as she grabs the foals before placing them in Fluttershy's mane and leading her out. "Come on, let's go see Twilight and see what she thinks." "You go, I will watch the foals." Lightning says. Rainbow grabs him. "Oh no, you are coming with us." She said starting to drag him. "Besides, they won't leave Fluttershy's mane." "Ok, ok, I blackmailed Celestia to do that." Lightning finally admits to his smirking wife. Rainbow then smiles. "Good, but you still need to come down and see how Twilight is doing." She said dragging him again. "If I do that Celestia might just order her guards to attack so I am staying here Rainbow." Lightning says planting his hooves and not let himself be dragged any further. Rainbow huffs. "You do have your own guards waiting outside." "Yeah and the Lunar Guard's captain tells me the Solar and Crystal guards are about to start picking fights." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Fine, but you need to get out of here somehow." She said letting him go and starting to leave. "Oh don't worry I will. I'll see you in the castle later love." Lightning says before leaving himself. Rainbow sighs and chuckles. "Oh Lightning, what you wouldn't do for your friends and family?" She said as she started to follow the others. They all wait outside of the meeting chambers until finally the Duke and Duchess leave followed by Twilight and the other princesses. "So how did it go?" Rainbow asks. "Mostly it was talk about what is expect of Equestria and the Crystal kingdom now that we are in the alliance." Twilight says. Rainbow smiles. "How did it feel to be useful?" "Good." Twilight says. Rainbow smirks. "Talk to Lightning later when you get the chance. I think he's acting like Apollo now for his safety." "Gotcha." Twilight whispers back. Luna suddenly wraps a wing around Twilight. "So...first meeting...how was it for you?" "It was ok. Better than smile and waving. I mean what princess does that for only around five seconds? That's sound like the job for the crier. But still, it felt good to be useful again than a ponyikin in a window." Twilight says. "So Twilight, what now? Do you want to spend time with your brother and sister-in-law?" Applejack asks. Twilight sighs as she looks to Cadance and Shining. "Yeah, but for a little while. Still need to read up on my studies so I can't stay long. Left the book behind." Luna giggles. "You, leave behind a book? My word, is the world coming to an end?" "Very funny Luna." Twilight says. Luna laughs and nuzzles her. "You better get going. Your family is waiting." The Duke and Duchess enter their room. "So It has been a while since I seen you your highnesses." Lightning says. The Duke groans as he quickly throws off his headdress. "And so long since I wanted that thing off. I swear I'm getting a headache by it alone." "I know, Princess Celestia wants everything her way." Lightning says sharing his groan. The duke nods. "Yes, I could feel that coming off of her." "So I was told you two were to pass on the last few confidential reports of the alliance to me." Lightning says. The duchess nods before reaching into her dress and pulls out a few papers. "Yes, and you might want to read them." "Thank you my lady." Lightning says taking them and putting them away. The duke sighs. "I noticed that other purple princess was on the balcony and just waving at us before coming into the room with us, why?" "She is the recently appointed heir to Equestria and Celestia isn't liking that so she is trying to distance her from the politics." Lightning says. The duke scoffs. "Of course she is. How did you get her into the room?" "Oh let's just say I have dirt on her and the means to let the entire country to hear it and that would destroy any remaining image of being a paragon of good she has left." Lightning says smirking. The duke chuckles. "You were always evil with rulers." "Only the ones trying to be tyrants." Lightning says. The duke sighs. "How is the war here?" "Over, the legion was the defeated and we have convinced many to join and they are really helping train any recruits." Lightning says. The duke smiles. "Good and the same with us on gaining recruits." "So you are going on a recruitment campaign then?" Lightning asks. The duke nods. "Yes, the war will eventually come and we will have to defend and attack. Right now, we got peace, so the best way to handle this is to gain more recruits." The duchess sighs. "So I hear that you are coming to the east?" "Soon I will leave. I will be bringing some ponies and my wife and children." Lightning says. The duchess smiles. "Just know that if you need someplace to stay if you pass by, you are always welcomed back at our home." "We will." Lightning says. The duchess nods before looking to the sun and pushing against the duke and gets him attention. "Excuse us, we have to leave for our ship soon." The duke said getting the headdress on. "Yes, I have to go as well so neither the Solar or Crystal guards sees me." Lightning says. The duke grins. "Still acting like Apollo. Hope you didn't take my earpiece again." "I don't steal from my friends." Lightning says before leaving. The duke and duchess watches as leaves, closing the door behind him. "He took the necklace didn't he?" The duke asks his wife. The duchess just points to a necklace on the table. "Still good as ever." She said. After a few hours Lightning walks in to see Rainbow and her friends. "Okay, so what else is left?" "Well you can tell us where you went." Rainbow says. Lightning smirks. "That's classified." Rainbow shakes her head. "Of course. Now we have to go home with Twilight. She's finished with her visit." "Yes, so you want to go to our home in Ponyville, Pegasopolis, or Canterlot?" Lightning asks. Rainbow thinks for a few seconds. "Well Pegasopolis is doing fine without us. Ponyville has seen better days, I mean nopony has been there for a long time. And Canterlot is still set. How about we head to Canterlot then at least a month after that we head back to Pegasopolis." "What are you talking about Rainbow, everything is in great shape." Applejack says. Rainbow looks to her. "I know, it's just that we haven't seen Pegasopolis in a while and I think we need to head back soon." "I think she means why not go back to Ponyville for the month." Lightning says. Rainbow glares at him. "Then send some ponies to fix up your home. It's been abandoned since we got Pegasopolis." "I already did love plus we have your cloud house moved back there." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Thanks, guess we can move there again. Where did my house get moved to exactly?" "The exact place it originally occupied." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Then how about we go back to Ponyville?" "Sounds good to me, I think we could use a break." Lightning says. Rainbow turns back to the rest of them. "Then I guess we are coming back." "Oh, it will good to see my home town." Scootaloo says. Rainbow smiles. "Yes it will be. Now let's go, Twilight is probably waiting for us." "Yeah, let's go." Lightning says picking up Scootaloo and placing her on his back. Soon everypony was leaving for the train station and finds Twilight there. "Hey Twilight, where's your marefriend?" Rainbow teases. "She had to go back to Canterlot with Celestia." Twilight says as Agni runs up with Spike holding treats in their arms. Rainbow smiles. "Well good news, I'm coming back to Ponyville." "Really?" Twilight asks surprised. Rainbow nods. "Yeah and might stay for a long time. Considering that all of us needs a change of pace." "Well I know all the ponies will be happy to see you and Lightning return. After all you two have become some of the greatest heroes from Ponyville." Twilight says. Lighting chuckles. "That's a good change of pace." "So Lightning, what did Rainbow mean by asking you about why Celestia changed her mind?" Twilight asks, before the train whistle blew making them unable to finish the conversation. Lightning smiles as he goes onto the train. "Come on, don't want to be late." The others soon followed before the train left the station. Not long after the train left Solar Guards arrived. "Where is he?" One of them asked. "Where is who, guard?" Shining Armor asked walking up. The guard growls. "The general, we have orders and a warrant to arrest him." "On whose authority?" Shining Armor asks as the guards now realize who they were talking to. The guard huffs. "The head guard gave the order." "Since when does the head guard have the authority to go over the guard captain's head?" Shining Armor asks. The guard glares at him. "When he has orders from Celestia." "If the princess had ordered that, she would have told me that." Shining Armor yells at them like he was scolding raw recruits. The guards try to remain unfazed. "Talk to her." "She left hours ago." Shining Armor says. The guard shrugs. "Then go to her if need be. We just follow orders." "When did the head guard give these orders?" Shining Armor asks. "Around the time when the rulers left." A guard said. "Celestia had already left by then. Your orders are to find the head guard and detain him for questioning. Oh and do you fools realize that Lord Lightning Bolt is the head of the military which we technically fall under. If we arrest him without a justifiable cause it will not only earn us and the princess resentment from the nobles, but they can spin it and make Celestia look like a tyrant!" Shining Armor yells at the guards. The guards' steps back as he yells out. "Sir…we just…" "Lightning may not do things we or even our princess like, but know this, he is doing what he thinks is best. He is also become the teacher of our newest princess." Shining Armor says in a more calm tone. "Sir, last we all heard you were at each other's throat, what changed?" A guard asks. "During the beginning of the reconstruction, while he was still blinded from an incident, we sat down and talked." Shining Armor says. "Okay, let me first say that blindfold rag is pretty cool." Shining said as he sat across from Lightning in his living room. "I don't wear it for fashion, it is to help me recover my eyesight." Lightning says bluntly. Shining shrugs. "Still, having a rag style blindfold is better looking than bandages. Have a little fun with them." "Shining Armor, what did you really come here for?" Lightning asks. Shining sighs. "I want to apologize for my past actions." "I see, you want to know why I did what I did since you don't fully understand them?" Lightning asks. Shining nods. "Yes, I need to know." "Ok, I will say it plainly then. What I did and will do is for Equestria itself." Lightning says. Shining sighs. "Yet, what about Celestia, I follow her and I'm still serving?" Lightning shakes his head. "Shining Armor if Celestia dies, would it mean the end of Equestria?" Lightning asks. Shining shakes his head. "No, she's immortal." Lightning sighs. "Nothing on this world is either immortal or eternal. Time washes away everything." Lightning says. Shining glares at him. "Name one thing that is immortal. I'm sure the princesses are immortal." "Does that include your little sister or Cadence?" Lightning asks instantly. Shining growls. "That doesn't include them." "Then neither of Celestia and Luna are either, because they are alicorns and age like all other living creatures. Now Shining Armor, answer my question. If Celestia dies would it mean the end of Equestria?" Lightning repeats. Shining sighs. "After that, then yes." "Don't be so foolish or conceited Shining Armor!" Lightning yells causing him to recoil. "This country, no, this land, is not the ruler, it is the citizens. It is the duty of a leader to protect his people." Lightning lectures. Shining glares. "Then who would rule?" Lightning sighs. "Living creatures don't always need an absolute leader Shining Armor, they are capable of ruling themselves." Lightning says. Shining scoffs. "This land doesn't have that, now who is capable of ruling other than the princesses?" "Shining Armor answer me this. How long do you intend to keep acting like a follower and not the ruler of a kingdom?" Lightning asks striking a chord in Shining Armor. Shining huffs. "Be your own pony. That's what dad always said before I got shipped out." "Your father sounds like a wise pony. So do you understand the true weight of your position yet or do you want me to fully explain it?" Lightning asks. Shining shakes his head. "No need at this point. I'll be going now." He said getting up. "Don't leave yet Shining Armor. You have begun to understand, but we still need to talk about the future of your kingdom." Lightning says. Shining glares at him again. "Then who is supposed to rule?" "I'm not talking about Equestria. I'm talking about the Crystal Kingdom." Lightning says. Shining tilts his head in confusion. "What?" "Your kingdom is the Crystal kingdom. When will you and Cadence finally accept your true roles as King and Queen and not just Celestia's subordinates?" Lightning asks. Shining shrugs. "As soon as Celestia gives us permission. One of the terms to rule is that we don't become that." "And that is what I am talking about!" Lightning yells causing Shining Armor to be taken back again. Shining huffs. "And if we go against her then we are considered enemy of the country." "Tell me Shining Armor, what is more important, pleasing Celestia or doing what is best for the subjects of the Crystal Kingdom that have recognized the two of you as their rulers and not Celestia?" Lightning asks. Shining scoffs. "And we might lose the country around us and soon the Kingdom would be lost because we are still trying to get back up to standards." "No you won't, the Crystal kingdom is a recognized sovereign land even by those of Equestria. Celestia has no true say in how it is ran. If she tries to do that, it would only be an act of tyranny and if she does that, it would just go to show she is no longer fit to rule." Lightning says. Shining sighs. "Then I have to start that." "Armor have you noticed it as well? Celestia has never truly recovered from her fight with Chrysalis. Every day I feel her power waning more and more." Lightning says. Shining looks to him. "So where do I start?" "Take the titles, you both need to show your citizens that you are their true rulers and not just puppet rulers for Celestia." Lightning says. Shining nods. "Yes, but after that?" "Lead your people with love, wisdom, and courage and if you are ever unsure of what to do let what is in here be your guide." Lightning says placing his hoof over his heart. Shining chuckles. "You really want to play things close to the heart." "It was the last advice of a good friend who is now gone." Lightning says. Shining stops chuckling. "I'm sorry." "Don't be, it's just the words of an old soldier recalling an old memory." Lightning says his voice a little more sober and quiet. Shining sighs. "I can go now, right?" "Never forget Shining Armor, what truly matters most." Lightning says. Shining nods before leaving. Shining Armor shook his head, clearing the memory. "What are you still doing here, I gave you an order and you guards." Shining points to a group of Crystal Guards. "Go with them and make sure they do as ordered." Shining Armor instructs. The guards nods before leaving with guards. Shining sighs as he looks to the train down the tracks. "Be safe sister." Shining Armor said before thinking. 'Maybe it is time for a change if Celestia can't even keep her royal guards under control. I guess I should talk to Cadence about what to do next and not as a guard captain and a princess.' Twilight peeks her head out and sees Ponyville approaching. "Almost there guys." Lighting smiles. "Well, I think we have some good stuff in my place. Want to come visit there first?" "I for one want to see my home." Rainbow says picking up Tank. Lighting sighs. "Okay then, go right ahead. You deserve seeing your home again." "Oh, you are not getting off that easy Mr., you are coming with our foals." Rainbow says. Lightning sighs. "Of course. But what are we going to do?" Rainbow smiles. "Let's get together at Twilight's place after we check up on our homes." "As you wish love. So Scoots, you want to fly up to our cloud home or do you want dad to carry you up there?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo crosses her forelegs together. "Mom of course." "Sweetie I will be carrying Tank and Typhoon." Rainbow says. Scootaloo sighs. "Fine, dad." "Ok Scoots you can ride on my back then." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs before climbing up on his back. "Well let's head there once we stop." "What is wrong Scoots?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo looks to him. "Do you remember what was happening when we last in Ponyville?" "What, that was a long time ago. It doesn't matter anymore." Lightning says. Scootaloo frowns to him. "And yet, someponies still think of us bad." "That is because they don't understand, are blinded by an absolute loyalty, or don't wish to see the truth. And you know that anypony who messes with you will feel my wrath." Lightning says the last part deadly serious. Scootaloo chuckles. "Boop." She said hitting him lightly on the head. "So don't worry about them Scoots." Lightning says. Scootaloo smiles. "Okay dad. Just don't kill them." "They'll live if I just send them to the hospital." Lightning says. "Dad!" Scootaloo whines. Lighting chuckles. "You asked and I will give, maybe a little too much, but you are my sweet princess." He said ruffling her mane. "Don't be too hard on your dad sweetie, he is just being protective of you." Rainbow says. "Oh you mind if we go surprise Nikolai, Apollo, Vinyl, and Octavia after we go see our cloud home?" Lightning asks. Rainbow chuckles. "Only if you scare them a bit." "We can a bit." Lightning says. Rainbow starts chuckling darkly as she rubs her hooves together. "This is going to be a great evil experiment." "And they say I'm evil." Lightning says. Author's Note Translation: (1) Oh good afternoon, then if you have kept up your studies you should understand this. (2) Very good. (3) Don't be satisfied with this, you still have much to learn my student. (4) The search for knowledge never ends. Your next assignment is to translate and study this book without the assistance of magic. Okay that's it for that. Almost 30,000 words from the google drive file. Now that's tough. Flair: That is will also be our last update for a while as for a while our updates will be slower. Care to explain to our readers why. Flair: I believe it is because school is starting back up right? Yes, but that barely impedes me with this. Flair: When I say slower I mean a few days longer before an update. Yes that's correct. Which means we are not stopping, but taking longer with the times I'm sometimes busy. But I'll try to manage. Flair: Well I don't believe there's anything left to say. Pinkie: Does this mean you have entered Twilight's kingdom episode? Ahhhhhh….well it will be different considering what we have set up. Pinkie: So you have. I'll say this, no Rainbow Power. That was most stupid way to handle everything now. Plus it was ruined with the commercials for the movie. Flair: I pretty much agree with the Fiery Joker when he called it their Hasbro toy power and psss…Wolf bring up the contract since she is here. *Grins evilly.* Pinkie, meet my family or who I considered them to be. *Pointing to the shadow.* *Primus yawns as he steps out of the shadow.* Primus: Now I can talk? After all this time? Be happy you can talk. Pinkie: Oh hey Primy. *Facepalm.* Of course. Primus is a dimensional and time traveler. I sometimes envy him. Flair: How is Pinkie still so calm and, Pinkie, what is this? *Puts the contract on her desk* And how did you convince us to buy that desk?! *Primus looks it over.* Primus: I don't know about this Pinkie, but my Pinkie is like Garrett in Thief. Flair: She must be superior to your Pinkie then because of what she is doing to us. *Primus chuckles.* Primus: Of course she is, but this one is much more on the traveling type. Flair: Now Pinkie, explain this! *points to the contract that seems bigger than a second ago* *Looks surprised.* Discord, cut that out! *Discord is sitting in the corner having tea.* Discord: It wasn't me. *Pinkie smiles brightly.* Pinkie: Well I merely traveled here while you two were out and placed them in your files after getting your signatures. Flair: And the reason it keeps getting bigger? *Twitches* *Pinkie giggles and snorts* Pinkie: Simple, you're making a big deal, so it's a bigger deal. Flair: Wolf I will be right back. *Flair walks into the next room and muffled cursing is heard seconds after the door shuts.* *Sighs.* Pinkie, why would you do this? You know we care about you and everyone else. This makes that harder on us. Pinkie: Because without things like this, the readers and you would get bored. *Sighs and turns to Primus* I remember that, first few stories I did had something like this, but they didn't pan out. *Flair opens the door* Flair: Wolf I have found a solution. Do tell. *Walks up to the side of Pinkie's desk wearing a flamethrower on his back.* Flair: The flamethrower will solve this! *Burns the desk and contract to ashes before burning the ashes to ashes.* *Smiles* Ashes to ashes… Primus: We all fall down. Flair: No Primus, the next line is dust to dust. *Looks to Pinkie who still looks happy.* Then all fall down? Because by Pinkie's grin, that means we are in trouble. Flair: Don't worry I set up a barrier that forces her other personality to separate from her and stay out. Though I personally like her straight hair. *Looks to him a bit weird.* Well that's your side. I personally just like Chrysalis. Flair: I'm talking hair style and speaking of which where is she? *Darkness start to fall around the room from behind Flair.* Pinkamena: Right here. Flair: I meant Chrysalis, but I also have a plan for you my favorite killer pony. *A little nervous* *Pinkamena grins* Pinkamena: What is it? *Holds up a knife.* You're dead. *Chrysalis comes up behind him and wraps her hooves around him.* And found my pony or incest. Flair: I have captured some of the greatest and scariest horror movie killers I have ever known and put them in a gauntlet for you to show you are the fiercest killer ever for all nonbelievers. That way they can no longer deny you. *Pinkamena huffs* Pinkamena: Really, I just want to have a party and fun times. You look real good for that. Like I said, you're dead. Flair: Oh did I mention when I told them about you they called you a hasbin for being a pony? *Pinkamena grins* Pinkamena: Only if you give me a night with you afterward. Flair: Really, you are insulted by them and that's all you have to say. *Opens a grate* What do you have to say to Pinkamena Freddy Krueger? Freddy: I do better in dreams, she does it by number, hah! Flair: I think he just challenged you. *Closes the grate and Pinkamena doesn't look happy.* *Pinkamena sighs and brings the knife up to his neck* Pinkamena: Fine, but after this, you owe me. *Opens the grate and jumps in* Flair: Ok and wouldn't you like a list of all how are down there and their known fears? *Pinkamena grins creepily as she looks to him* Pinkamena: No, makes things more fun. Pinkie: That's my…well me! Flair: Ok, oh and here, free flame thrower for this. *Hands down the flamethrower* *Sighs* Well that's done for, but I think she wants something different from you. Flair: Ok and requests for weapons or items? *Smirks* Yeah, your tool. Flair: I was asking Pinkamena. Oh and I think I saw a Xenomorph and a Yautja down there earlier so keep a heads up ok? *Knife was tossed up before coming back down.* Pinkamena: Talk one more time and it's your number, but for something entirely different like my second number choice. *Flair says nothing and hands down the master control and manual for it before closing the grate.* *Chuckles.* Dude I read up. Her second number was a stallion where she made him played the xylophones on his own bones and gave him a blowjob while he was doing that. *Chrysalis giggles.* Chrysalis: And you know killers sometimes gets lonely. Like that xeno who has her tail at your neck. Flair: I like Xenomorphs and this is my pet I raised her from a chestburster, didn't I girl? *Scratches the top of the Xenomorph's head* *Grins and grabs the tail.* You remember Calder? Flair: Yeah, why? *Starts stroking the tail, making the Xenomorph collapse to the ground.* For some reason, most of the weird and killer looking creatures come to me and the females too. Flair: Oh come on, I am raising her to be an empress so she can unleash her species on earth and take it over and did I just say that out loud? *Chuckles.* Yeah, but one thing, according to Xenomorph culture, you beat them in anyway and you are not the family in any way then the one that beats them is considered the master. So technically… *Xenomorph now rubbing against leg.* She's with me. *Flair inhales a little too calmly before opening the grate again.* Flair: Hey I'm looking to kill a human, any of you have any ideas on how to make it as painful as possible! Freddy: Stalk the dreams...arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Jason: Mumph…mumph…mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! *Drowning noises were then heard* Yautja: Roarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! *Soon silence rang out.* That's three. Dude, give up and live with it. You are not getting a good idea until she comes out. Oh wait, here she is. *Seeing Pinkamena climb out with a bloody knife in her mouth.* Flair: How many did you kill? *Pinkamena spits out the knife into her hoof.* Pinkamena: All of them. Flair: All fifteen so fast? *Pinkamena's eyebrow raises* Pinkamena: There were only fourteen. Flair: What? Crap. Keeping a lookout guys? *Everyone around him nods.* Flair: Did you kill a creature that looked human but had buzz saw blades sticking out of his head? *Pinkamena shakes her head.* Pinkamena: Not really. Though that is cool. Flair: Oh no, the hell lord is loose. Where did I put the cross and holy water? *Flair looks around for them* *Pinkamena looks to Wolf* Pinkamena: Is he always like this? Sometimes, but you get used to it. Flair: Ah ha, found them and the bible, come at me now Hell lord. This time I won't just capture you! *Clear throat.* Flair: What? *Points behind him.* *Flair looks and sees him in the doorway.* Flair: Yeah that's right, Fornicus, Lord of Bondage and Pain, come get some. The power of Christ compels you! *The cross starts shining a holy light causing the hell to hiss.* Fornicus? I always wondered where the word fornication came from. But, you use that compels you part when you have him down. If you don't he just comes too close to the user. Flair: He's from the movie, Cabin in the Woods. *Starts reading from the bible and Fornicus seems to be in pain.* *Sighs and looks to Primus.* Get all of us back your private home. We need somewhere to go now. Good luck man and see ya next time. Oh, you too readers. Flair: Oh are you thirsty, have some holy water! *Chuckling* And he's busy having fun. Primus. *Primus opens a portal under them by slashing the area.* Wheeeeeeeee! *Everyone falls through as the portal closed* *Pinkamena sits next to Pinkie* Pinkamena: Is it always this fun? Pinkie: Not always, but it is never dull. *Pinkamena nods* Pinkamena: Want to head back to your bed? Pinkie: I thought you had plans with Flair? *Pinkamena shakes her head* Pinkamena: With that thing, made him tainted. I need something purer, you kinda fit the bill. So, your bed? I'll make it good. Pinkie: You know he did most of this to try and impress you and wouldn't that be technically doing yourself? *Pinkamena grins creepily while lovingly at the same time* Pinkamena: Not really, we're apart and different beings now. So…we're good. *Flair collapses nearby with his clothes in tatters and unable to move* Flair: It took all I had, but I beat him back to hell. *Pinkamena pets his head* Pinkamena: Good for you. Now come on Pinkie. *Grabs Pinkie and falls through a portal on the ground before closing* Flair: I wonder how long it will take for them to find out that the effects of my barrier stop working when they leave the area. *Portal opens right by his head and Pinkamena pokes her head out* Pinkamena: Pocket dimension in this one. *She then goes back in and the portal closes* Flair: I guess all I can do now is say read and review. *Passes out with swirls for eyes* Pinkie: I can't believe you left a defenseless creature behind, are you going soft? Pinkamena: Only when there's a better creature that I can do bigger stuff too. Besides I have been horny for quite some time. *An alarm goes off in Pinkie's pocket* Pinkie: Oh my gosh, I'm late for a pre party preparation! *Rushes through a dimensional door* *Pinkamena sighs before going through another portal and falling in front of Flair* Pinkamena: You're lucky day. You get to spend time with me. *Flair eeps* The Fortune, The Trip, The Change (Clop)*Falls from a portal, dropping into the room.* Boy those girls know some sex life. You okay Flair and not made into cupcakes by Pinkamena? *Flair is missing* *Looks around.* Pinkamena! Please don't make him into cupcakes or this story will either die or put on ice! *Pinkamena sticks her head out of a door* Pinkamena: I'm not doing that. *Sighs in relief.* Then what are you doing to him? Pinkamena: That is private! *Slams the door* *Grins.* Aww, young love. *Sits down and waits for them to finish before Pinkie drops in.* Pinkie: Hey I'm back and I threw a huge party! *Smiles.* I'm sure of that. Do you know what they are doing in there? *Nodding his head to the door and gives a knowing smile.* Pinkie: Well let us start. *Looks to the door.* We should probably wait for Flair. He takes the lead and I handle the filler and most of the talking. Pinkie: I will channel him and help you. *Pinkie puts on a bucket hat* *Chuckles* Let's go. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' Celestia spring up from her bed sweating. "Sister." Luna said barging in. "Oh Luna I had the most awful dream." Celestia says. Luna nods. "Yes and I have seen it. You know what this means." "That your stuffed animal will get up and turn me into a little doll and force me to have tea parties with it for the rest of eternity?" Celestia asks. Luna looks confused. "What, of course not. My Twilight doll will never do such a thing." "You renamed your teddy bear Twilight?" Celestia asks. Luna grins. "Not my teddy bear sister, my pony doll that was named Wane from the moon. Though that name isn't good for a girl name so I named her Twilight." Celestia looks confused before a potato chip bag and a crate of bananas both with legs walk in. "Discord! Cut that out! I have enough problems." Then from the ceiling drops a giant spider and it looks at Celestia with all its eyes. Celestia screams and shoots up from the nightmare. "Come on!" "Sister are you ok?" Luna asks walking in. Celestia sighs in relief before looking to her sister. "Luna, did you rename a doll you have to Twilight?" "No, his name is Mr. McMuffins the fourth." Luna says. Celestia sighs in relief again. "Good. Now did you peek in?" "Peek in?" Luna asks. Celestia sighs. "My dreams." "Oh, yes sister, your first one was not a dream, but a vision. The second and third one I advise you to lay off the bananas and chips before bed." Luna says. Celestia subtly moves the bags and box under bed. "We need to deal with this as quickly as possible." "What do you want to do?" Luna asks. Celestia narrows her gaze. "Call a meeting, I will tell everypony there. Only Cadance and Twilight will come in." "So royalty only?" Luna asks. Celestia nods and gets out of bed. "Get that letter sent out first light. I need to prepare." She said walking past her. "Then shouldn't we include Shining Armor because he is royalty by marriage?" Luna asks. Celestia shakes her head. "No, they don't need to be involved in this. There is enough on everypony's plates now." "Sister do you have a thing against stallions?" Luna asks. Celestia glares at her. "Of course not. Now get ready for tomorrow, we have something coming and it's not pretty." "Much like those chips in your mane." Luna says walking away. Celestia yelps before rushing into the nearby shower and scrubs herself to death, leaving Luna giggling while heading back to her room. "Oh sister." Lightning smiled as he sat to the side as he watched Typhoon and Talion playing with the Cake's foals. "Does anypony know if there are other foals in this town?" He asks the Cakes. "No, our foals over there are the only ones." Mr. Cake says. Lightning sighs. "Pity, it would have been better if there were more for them to play with." "I still can't believe that Rainbow is a mother. It only seems like yesterday that she and Pinkie were just hanging out in here planning a new prank." Mrs. Cake says. Lightning chuckles. "I know, yet she is playing pranks like the old days. Things haven't been changing here, has it?" "They changed a little, not too much, but a little. Because of the repairs, we even were about to get this new and improved oven." Mrs. Cake says. Lightning smiles. "I'm sure you can bake more at this point. I'm thinking of just buying treats from you guys now. Only with you two and Pinkie does the treats taste good." "Somepony call my name?" Pinkie calls. Lightning laughs a little. "It's okay Pinkie. I was just thinking of just buying treats from here now." "Oh, which one?" Pinkie asks balancing several different trays with different treats. Lightning smiles. "Whichever one I need at any time. Maybe from now on, your store is my sole provider of treats for my family and staff and maybe the guards once in a while." Mr. Cake thinks over the increase in business and faints either from excitement or being overwhelmed just by the thought was unclear. "I think you broke him." Mrs. Cake said smiling. Lightning laughs out loud for bit before poking him slightly. "Yeah, I sometimes have that effect on others when I need some business. So, what do you think?" He asks her. "I think we will need to hire more help and expand soon." Mrs. Cake says. Lightning smiles. "Okay, how about this? I give you some bits to place a store in Pegasopolis and if that takes off then more bits for a place in Canterlot?" "Are you offering to sponsor Sugar Cube Corner!?" Pinkie yells excited. Lightning grins. "Keep making treats like this and I will. Besides my wife is bored of eating fancy candy. She wants something close to home." He said taking another cupcake and eating it. "Well we have a lot of planning to do." Mrs. Cake says. Lightning nods. "Yes you do, now I need at least two dozen chocolate cupcakes, both the cake and frosting itself, with half without frosting and I'll be on my way." "Right away. Pinkie wake up my husband and then assist me ok?" Mrs. Cake asks. Pinkie salutes and grabs Mr. Cake before dragging him into the kitchen. Soon a splash was heard along with slapping. "Wake up! Come on!" More slapping. "That's because I felt like it." Even more slapping. "That's because the readers want me acting like Deadpool that one time." "I'll watch the foals while you work." Lightning says Mrs. Cake smiles. "Thank you, now if you'll excuse me." She said getting up and heading to the kitchen. Lightning walks over to the four foals and starts playing with them. "Okay you guys, what do you want to do?" The four foals exchange looks before lunging at him and starts wrestling with him. "Help! I'm being attacked by loveable balls of fluff!" Lightning cries out laughing. An hour later Pinkie emerged from the kitchen. "Ok, the food is ready." Pinkie says. Lightning smiles. "Good, can you get me down?" He asks as he hangs from a bunch of steamers from the ceiling. "Ok." Pinkie says before walking over and helps him down. Lightning sighs as he pulls the last streamer off. "Okay, now I know not to mess with the Cake's foals. Those two are evil." "I saw they only did half the work." Pinkie says smirking. Lightning mock glares. "Yet, they planned it and my foals went along with it. Who loses?" "Nopony." Pinkie says bouncing back to the kitchen. Lightning sighs and takes the cupcake boxes in his saddle bags before getting Typhoon and Talion on his back. "Okay you two, time to head home for now. Say goodbye." Talion and Typhoon wave goodbye as Lightning starts walking. Lightning walked through Ponyville with the foals as he makes his way to where he would meet Rainbow. "Now you two, stop digging into that box. That's for all of us when we get there." Lightning says feeling the rummaging around as he sees Rainbow coming into view. Rainbow smiles as she sees the foals looking sheepish. "Tried to grab a cupcake didn't they?" "Yeah, so how was your day?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shrugs. "Well we still need to wait for the others. Isn't that right Tank?" Tank blinks slowly. "Yo, Lightning, Rainbow." Vinyl called as she and Nikolai walked up. They both smile as all of them sat down. "Hey guys. Where's your pet?" Lightning asks looking for the cat. "Oh napping at home." Nikolai says. Lightning grins. "Let's hope she's not ripping up the drapes." "Lil Scratch would never do that." Octavia says as she and Apollo walk up. Rainbow smirks. "You sure? Opal always do that when Rarity isn't around." "Now, now, love no need to start talking about that." Lightning says. Rainbow just looks to him. "You know it's true." "Now then Rainbow, you know that dear Opal will never do that." Rarity said coming up with Opal riding her back with Sweetie Bell walking right by her. "Hey Rarity and Sweetie Bell." Lightning greeted. Rarity smiles as Sweetie Bell runs to the foals now running around Tank. "Hello dears. How are you doing now?" "We are doing great." Rainbow says as Applebloom and Scootaloo walk up. "Hey guys." Scootaloo said as Applebloom joined in the running. "Hey Scoots, how was school?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo shrugs. "Boring, those tutors you got me already taught me all of what Miss Cheerilee is teaching now. And that was a few years ago." "That's my girl." Lightning says ruffling her mane. Scootaloo just pushes his hoof away. "Cut that out dad. I'm bored now." "I got a treat for you Scoots." Lightning says taking off the saddle bags. Scootaloo frowns. "Yeah, what can cheer me up?" "Cupcakes." Lightning says showing the two cases. "Oh, that sounds good." Twilight says walking up with Agni, Spike, Ice Fang, and Azure. Lightning opens the box and tries to stop the foals from getting the cupcakes early. "Yep and it's all for this picnic." Applejack walks up with Fluttershy with Angel and Winona. "Howdy ya'll." Applejack says. Everypony looks to them. "Hiya, now we need Pinkie and Gummy." Rainbow said laying down on the large blanket. "Somepony call my name?" Pinkie asks coming out from underneath the blanket. Rainbow frowns. "And Gummy?" Gummy peeks his head out of Pinkie's tail before falling onto the ground. "Oh, you would not believe what Lighty here offered. He offered to sponsor Sugar Cube Corner and we just have to keep making sweets like we are now." Pinkie said. Rainbow smiles and bumps Lightning's side. "You big softy." Lightning smiles. "It's just you're getting bored of our candy so I thought of getting a store in Pegalopolis." "Sure it is." Rainbow says. Lightning chuckles. "Of course it is. You stopped eating the sweets we had." "Oh sure it is and I'm the element of sloth." Rarity says. Lightning just looks offended. "Just be happy that I'm doing this, otherwise I would have left it like it is." "Oh Lightning, just stop trying to hide the real reason." Rainbow says. Lightning huffs. "So then you tell me what is the real reason if you know." "You have a big and generous heart." All ponies, but Twilight says. Lightning looks to Twilight. "So what do you have to say?" "No need to say when the answer is obvious." Twilight says. "So you have learnt a bit more on politics." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "Yeah, since Luna sent me those books on everything the government is about here. And then she later sent me the books on other types with a monarchy style." "Twilight…" Lightning begins but was cut off by Twilight. "Experience is better than book learning." "So you did pay attention." Lightning says after several moments of silence. Twilight smirks. "Of course I did. Why wouldn't I when I need to take over some things?" "You also have kept up your studies in magic. I can sense your connection to the magic is more refined and powerful." Lightning says. Twilight nods and looks to Agni. "Yes and I believe that Agni is following as well." "With gaining the ability to speak, he has truly come a long ways." Lightning says. Twilight smiles as she picks up and hugs Agni. "Yeah and he's getting cuter by actually calling Spike big brother." "So what does that make your phoenix?" Lightning asks. Twilight shrugs. "Don't know, but a family can always have many brothers and sisters" "Ok, now everypony get a cupcake while they last." Rainbow says. Soon afterward everypony was digging in to their cupcake and soon goes off to play with that foals and animals, leaving the couples behind. "So you are going to sponsor the Sugar Cube franchise?" Apollo said chuckling a little. "Oh Lightning, when will you conquer all of the franchises in Equestria?" "I'm not like the other nobles. Oh and have you heard somepony bought out Duke Bluebrood's business and now he is having a little financial trouble." Lightning says. Apollo chuckles. "Yeah, he's really looking for more bits." "Rumors have circulated that he was also recently robbed. Oh and Octavia is that a new bracelet?" Lightning asks. Octavia covers the gold bracelet with the long tight sleeve she had. "No." She quickly said. Lightning smiles at Apollo who just grins at him. "So I bought something, so what?" "No crime against that." Lightning says smiling. They all start to laugh as they grab most of the cupcakes left behind and eats them as some of the foals grabs them as well. "What about the kingdom, you have been away from a while? Have they been okay without you?" Nikolai asks. "The Dominion is still holding the same stance as they continue the cold war like state for now. That is good news for us as we are not ready just yet." Lightning says. Nikolai nods. "Good, now we have to deal with the recruits over in Pegasopolis." "We need not worry about them any longer as the experienced legionnaires we recruited are hard at work training them and our friends here are working around the clock producing more weapons, armor, and siege weapons." Lightning says. Nikolai leans over to him. "What about that new weapon?" "Alexander left with it." Lightning says. Nikolai grins. "When can we use that thing?" "See the R&D department when you get back." Lightning says. Nikolai groans. "Aww, I wanted to use it." "It would be pointless for us Nikolai, which is all I will say on it." Lightning says. Nikolai sighs. "Well, maybe once we get over there it may be the best thing ever. When are we going again?" "Ask your lady." Lightning says. Vinyl leans over to him. "Don't know." "He means Lady Rainbow love. I have sworn my service to Lightning Bolt and his house so when Rainbow married him she became the lady of the house as such it is only proper for me to call her my lady." Nikolai explains. Rainbow chuckles. "And I'm getting tired of it." "Get used to it love, you signed up for it when you married me and I don't plan on letting one of my four greatest treasure go." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him. "Four?" "You, Scootaloo, Talion and Typhoon." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Thanks, but now you have to deal with your kingdom. Don't we need to check on your assets?" "There is no need for that." Nikolai says. "After all, Lightning left his greatest and deadliest retainer back there." Apollo says with a serious face. Rainbow looks to him. "Who?" "The only one I have never beaten." Lightning says no sense of kidding or humor in his voice. "Who?" "You will meet her when we get to my home base." Lightning says. Rainbow nods just looks confused. "Now I'm lost." "You don't need to understand it fully yet. Just know she is far more skilled than either me or Nikolai and she almost killed Lightning." Apollo says. Rainbow sighs. "Now we just need to ready ourselves for the adventure. Why can't it be closer?" "Well it is…" Twilight was cut off by Spike belching. Spike catches the scroll and opens it. "You're needed in Canterlot Twilight. That's all it says." "Is Celestia up to her old tricks again?" Nikolai asks. "I don't think so." Lightning says. Twilight sighs and prepares her magic. "I'll be quick. See you guys in a bit." She said before disappearing. Lightning sighs as he looks to the castle in the distance. "So Celestia may have another plan. Do you have those politicians ready Nikolai?" "They are still in Canterlot." Nikolai says. "Good, inform them Celestia just called Twilight and to keep an ear out and to be ready to move if need be." Lightning says. Nikolai nods and whistles. Soon a large falcon nears him before he ties a letter to its leg and steps back as he pointed to the city in the distance. The falcon takes off and flies just as fast. Rainbow watches as it leaves. "It's fast alright." "No need to race it love." Lightning says petting her mane. Rainbow purrs. "You know I love going fast." "We can race anytime, after all you have yet to beat me." Lightning teases. Rainbow pushes against him. "Shut up." Lightning chuckles as he messes with her a little more. "I'm really starting to hate you with that racing thing. Want to end it now?" "Maybe later Rainbow, I don't think the foals would like us both leaving." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles as she looks to them. "Guess you're right. I wonder how long it would take for Twilight to get back." A burst of magic sounded behind them as Twilight appeared with a dejected look on her face before using another spell and teleports everything and everypony into her library. "Don't tell me Celestia blocked you on the queen idea again." Lightning said. "No, we have a new threat and she chooses to send Discord to deal with it." Twilight says. Lightning looks to Nikolai and Apollo and they nod before disappearing that makes Vinyl and Octavia fall down. "Guess Shadow was right. But it makes sense to send Discord. What's the new threat?" "Hey, where are you two going?!" Vinyl yells. Lightning sighs. "Told them to check up on what this new threat might be by sending out our spies in the area. Now what's the new threat?" "He is an old enemy of Equestria and he is stealing magic." Twilight says causing Lightning to go quiet. "Twilight, that's about half of Tartarus, who is it?" Lightning asks. "His name is Tirek." Twilight says before explaining his backstory. Lightning sighs. "Now we're in trouble. He can really suck away any magic and that's the problem. Discord is included." "Wait, he can do what?!" Twilight yells at what Lightning says as he looks to be in deep thought. "Yeah." He said after a while. "Any magic here is good for eating." "Lightning I know that look in your eye. It is the same look you had when you decided to try and destroy that shadow spirit." Rainbow says. Lightning sighs. "Yes and I'm not lying at this point. I may have to fight him since I'm under a different kind of magic." "Lightning, I also know that look means you are not telling everything." Rainbow says. "I don't know anything for sure, but I am unsure of what I am sensing. That is if it is even Tirek." Lightning says. Rainbow looks confused. "What do you mean sense something?" "I don't know. That is why I'm going to be gone for a few days to look into it personally." Lightning says. Rainbow groans and lays down again. "I hate it when these things happen." "I won't be gone love. Twilight, mind watching out for Rainbow and my foals while I am gone?" Lightning asks. Twilight sighs as she sat down. "Probably the only meaningful thing I could do." "Twilight prepare yourself, I have a feeling that something big is about to go down." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "Yeah, I'll prepare the town and everything. Maybe use those unused bunkers we have under the town." "I mean magically." Lightning says throwing her an amulet. Twilight catches the amulet. "What's this do?" "That's a focus amulet, it will allow you to tap more easily into your elemental magic and cast spells using it. I'm giving it to you because you are ready for the next step." Lightning says. Twilight smiles and puts it around her neck. "Thanks, but what about you?" "I won't need it, I have already mastered that level." Lightning says heading outside and flying away. Twilight sighs as she taps the amulet once more before looking to the others. "Alright, let's get prepared and the town." "Ok, so how do we tell them without causing a panic?" Vinyl asks. Twilight smiles slightly. "A party, what else?" "Twi, I think you have been hanging around Pinkie a little too long." Applejack says. Twilight giggles. "You hang around Pinkie Pie for a while, then you realize that she's the best at gathering ponies together." "I'll go tell Big Mac to get the militia ready." Applejack says. Twilight shakes her head. "No, he takes the pony's magic and that's only the magic from here. We can't have them start for a fight. We need to prepare to run just in case." "I was thinking the weapons Big Mac keeps stored in the barn." Applejack says. Twilight shakes her head again. "No weapons, when all else fails, run." Lightning stood on top of a mountain nearby Ponyville. "Shadow, I know you are here." Lightning says. A tendril of shadow came out of the darkness and comes up against him, almost sensually rubbing against him. "You are good." "Cut that out and answer me. What is moving beside Tirek?" Lightning asks. The shadow sighs and steps out of the darkness in a pony form. "Sunt sicut homines, qui non vere fun elephantus Meger iusto, utique in hac, et Umbra." (1) "Why are you in the form of my wife?" Lightning asks a little mad. Shadow smirks and rubs against him. "Tolle coniectatio." (2) "Forget it and just tell me I have work to do." Lightning says. Shadow smiles and licks his cheek before moving back to the shadow. "Have fun. Haec quoque in tenebris solus tellus." (3) "I said tell me what is moving!" Lightning says as black lightning tendrils block Shadow's path. Shadow sighs. "Commodum viderit." (4) "Ok then, tell me who Umbra is?" Lightning asks. Shadow walks back to him with a neutral face as she stood in front of Lightning. "Signum dabo illud mihi." (5) "So who is the one from Tartarus that is using Tirek as its cover?" Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "Locutus sum, et Umbra." (6) "Is it a creation of yours?" Lightning asks. Shadow shakes her head. "Sed longe aliud reiciatur profundissimo putatur spiritus, sed magis aliquid aliud." (7) "Then where is it now, because we have an appointment, for I am not about to let it complicate any plans of mine." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "In cultis placet. Tamen neminem invenit, ubi oportet respicere debet dedisco." (8) "I see, just perfect. Belcross." Lightning calls and Belcross appears. "I'm going to be unable to contact you or the rest of the lightning realm, so watch over Shadow here as she is the only one who can hold onto this for me." Lightning said before forcibly removing a ball of pure magic from himself causing him extraordinary amounts of pain and bringing him to the ground. Shadow looks at him with pity as she leans down and rubs his head as she places a hoof over his magic ball. "Suus 'okay. Nisi tu paululum recessisset ab eo." (9) "I know and if you try anything Belcross and the orb will destroy you." Lightning informs as he himself takes a slightly darker and sinister appearance. Shadow nuzzles him as she places the orb on her back and seals it away with her shadow. "Ego experiri. Mr Lightning: Quod oculus non vult esse mortuum. Pars autem est, eum non scintillant tenebris." (10) "What, you mean use the same strategy Twilight used when she was hit on at that bar?" Lightning jokes. Shadow chuckles darkly which brings a slight twinkling in his ears for some reason. "Tu es equus stulta. Sed facere quod facere optimum, et finis eius est in eo, ut nuper facit." (11) Lightning says nothing as he is engulfed in darkness and disappears. Shadow sighs as she lays down next to Belcross. "So, how are you doing?" She asks him. Belcross just growls at her. Lightning appears at the top of a chasm surrounded by a thick mist and several sounds in the fog. Lightning starts walking down the path into the chasm which has no fog in it. "Have you forgotten?" A voice said making him stop. "Qui custos est deerrare confu adsum." Lightning says. (12) "Then you have forgotten like the others that have come before. You have earned the right." The spirit said. Lightning continues to walk down the path till he comes to a temple at the bottom. "This is new." He said going through the front door that was busted. "You are quite fun. Met my other half?" A voice asks as Lightning entered a large foyer that looks like it belonged to a mansion, and the weird thing about it, it was clean and new. "I see you are Umbra. So what is your relationship with Shadow?" Lightning says. Umbra chuckles. "Nothing really. I just see her as a complete likeness of me because of her shadow powers." "Well then enough beating around the bush." Lightning says blasting a corner with a dark magic attack forcing Umbra out in the open. Umbra comes out as a pony about his size. "Now that's no fun." He said before blasting his area with dark magic. "I don't have time for fun, I have a plan in motion and you are a liability so it is time to go back to Tartarus." Lightning says smacking the magic away. Umbra sighs and starts to walk closer to him. "Are you really that shallow? Going without a good enough purpose?" He asks as he starts to suck all the shadow in the area into his. "Funny, coming from a coward. I have been feeling your energy since I arrived on this continent and all you have done is hide and made no moves. You're pathetic and if that is the limit of your desires and ambition then you might as well have stay in your cell." Lightning says as his eyes turned black. Umbra stops in front of him. "And yet, what are you?" "I have no reason to tell you see as what you are." Lightning says as the dark energy encased a hoof and formed into a claw and slashes and cuts deep into Umbra's chest. Umbra tries not to move in front of him as he was slashed. "Lighting, let's just talk for one moment." "I have no use for you and you are a liability, as such we have nothing to talk about." Lightning says jumping back as a magic circle appears beneath Umbra. Umbra recognized the circle and quickly jumps away scared seeing as it almost dragged him back down to Tartarus. Umbra sighs as shadows starts to close his wound. "Then I will tell you at the end, whether you or me is going to die in this." He said before throwing most his shadows to him as tendrils. "You really want to go that route because if I kill you, that is it, you cease to exist." Lightning says raising a dark wall blocking Umbra's attack before disappearing into the shadows. Umbra just stares at him. "I really don't want to. We both know how this will end." He said as a dark cloud started to swirl around him. "Oh no you don't." Lightning says and the cloud dispersed. "No leaving." Lightning says. Umbra sighs and walks to him again. "Just listen to me and I'll allow you to kill me." "You have two minutes before I destroy you." Lightning says. Umbra stops right in front him. "Don't attack, don't react or at least try to." "One minute and forty seconds." Lightning says. Umbra then smiles. "That's all I need." He said before actually kissing him making Lightning go wide eye in shock. Lightning throws Umbra off. "Ok, you just canceled the rest of your time out." Lightning says. Umbra sighs and turns around, showing his back to him. "I know, but that was all I needed. Congratulations, you got something special." "Yeah and that is why I am here. My plan is to protect all of it." Lightning says shoving the claw through his throat. "Nothing personal." Lightning says. Umbra just smiles as dark blood started to pour from his wound in front of him. "I know, just remember, I did this for all of us." He said through the shadows and thoughts. Lightning pulled his claw out and ended his suffering. He watches the body disappears and a crystal was all that was left. Lightning picked it up and put it away. 'I won't dishonor you.' Lightning says starting to walk out of the temple. Lightning sighs as he steps out from the forest line and sees the devastating destruction. "Wow and I thought I did worse." Lightning says before teleporting back to the mountain to see Belcross and Shadow hadn't moved. "It is over." Lightning says. Shadow grins. "You should had seen it. Twilight really did a number on him." "So she defeated him?" Lightning asks waiting for her to hand it over. Shadow smiles and brings a shadow tendril which then has the orb peek out slowly before just staying on top of it. "Yes, but in a way I never would have expected." Lightning took the orb and shoved it back within himself. As he suffered from reintegrating it, the darker and more sinister features started to fade. "Anything else happen?" Lightning asks after he recovered. Shadow grinned. "Just that your wife's magic was taken before Twilight returned it and Twilight's pet has grown." "What about my wife's magic?" Lightning asks looking angry. Shadow just shrugs. "Harmony probably gave it back because her color returned, yet the way they defeated him is a good one." "What happened?!" Lightning yells and storm clouds started to form overhead. Shadow then just smiles. "She and her friends got together and fought against Tirek and Twilight's little pet changed and combined all their power and sealed Tirek. Great thing to see, all that power." "Belcross you can go now. Shadow come with me, we are going to visit Celestia's prison." Lightning says his eyes black again. Shadow grins and jumps on his back. "This will be fun." Belcross nods before disappearing as Lightning teleports away with Shadow. Lightning and Shadow make their way through Tartarus. "Been a while since I was last here." She said as she rode his back. "You mean Celestia's knock off prison?" Lightning asks. Shadow giggles. "No, just sightseeing." "Which one is he?" Lightning asks. Shadow looks over to the central platform. "A troubling one, a little foal." "The centaur?" Lightning asks. Shadow nods. "Yes, he was a stubborn foal back then and he still is now. What he had was a tantrum." "Shadow, when I am done, take his body and put it on ice. I may find a use for his ability to absorb magic later." Lightning says before walking up to the cage. "Tirek right?" Lightning asks. Tirek looks to him as he adjusts the worn out cloak as his chains clanked against each other. "Who wants to know?" "A pony with a grudge." Lightning says as Tirek now saw the darkness in Lightning's eyes. Tirek huffs. "Now that is nice. What sent you here to talk to me? Want to free me for another run at Equestria?" "Oh nothing sent me, I came of my own free will and my grudge is with you." Lightning says before tearing the cage from the floor and throwing it aside with his magic. Tirek frowns as he shows his chains. "Still have these. Doesn't mean that I'm free." "You misunderstand still, huh. You hurt my wife and unlike the princesses I don't forgive such things." Lightning says his dark energy warping his voice a bit before he created dark magic weapons and skewered Tarik into the floor. "AHHHHH!" Tirek groans. "What the heck? You'll just kill me even though I'm trapped here?" "Oh, this is just a rest area, I'm sending you to the real thing." Lightning says a little calmer. Tirek glares at him. "Real thing?" "Celestia nor Twilight could send you to the true Tartarus and you are a loose end and I don't like loose ends." Lightning says before stabbing him in the face killing him. Tirek face fell as Lightning pulls his weapon out. "How would you get his power now?" Shadow asks coming up to him as he dispelled the weapon. "He is dead, but his body, once dissected and examined, will tell me everything." Lightning says. Shadow rubs up against him. "So he's done, now what?" "You take his body and freeze it so nopony knows he is gone until it is too late and we leave so nopony even suspects." Lightning says moving away a bit. Shadow giggles. "Okay, I'll help you, just because you are so cute. Yet, what happened with Umbra?" "I killed him as well." Lightning says remorselessly. Shadow sighs. "He did something, did he? I heard he does that." "I wish I ripped out his tongue before I even started." Lightning says sounding a little sick. Shadow just smiles. "If he does that, he must have a reason. Just live with it." "I'm leaving now. Lay low and follow us when we leave the country." Lightning says. Shadow watches as he leaves as her shadows starts to swallow up the dead Tirek. "Remember, when he did something it was for the good of something that is important at the time, no matter how bizarre it was." "You just like gay stuff don't you?" Lightning asks. Shadow giggles. "Silly, I like almost all types of kinks, except for the disgusting ones, that ruins it." "That was disgusting for me." Lightning says. Shadow shrugs. "Hey, your likes, your dislikes, your business." "I swear, sometimes you sound like my wife." Lightning says. Shadow quickly morphs into the shape of Rainbow. "I can be for you." She said in Rainbow's voice. Lightning does a double take and sees the dark version of Rainbow Dash before shaking his head and teleporting away. "So got him with that last one." Shadow says before laughing. Lightning takes a deep breath as ended up back on the same spot he was before he got to Tartarus. "Why do they go after me?" Hearing no answer he extends his wing and flies down towards his home. It had been nearly two days since he had left and he was tired and needed some rest and relaxation. "I need a vacation." He said as he lays down on the couch. Lightning slowly starts closing his eyes and opens them again and sees Rainbow and closes them again before he registers what is in front of him and shoot straight up with eyes open. "Rainbow?!" Rainbow giggles. "Who else?" "Uhh, sorry, I am just so tired I haven't slept in two days." Lightning says trying to lay back down. Rainbow smiles and jumps on top of him, making him yelp. "Then I'll help." She said laying down on him. 'That would be appreciated." Lightning says. Rainbow nuzzles him. "Good." She said as she covered them up with her wings. "But when you wake up, you have to tell me everything." "Only if you tell me everything as well." Lightning says falling asleep. Rainbow nuzzles him one last time before falling asleep as well. Lightning awoke the next morning and yawns. He then tries to get up, but feels a weight on his back. Craning his neck around he sees Rainbow sleeping peacefully on him. He smiles and carefully slides her off so she landed right next to him before he got up and went in kitchen. "I love and hate my life. And this is a love part." He said to himself. "What do you love?" Rainbow asks behind him. Lightning quickly turns around to see Rainbow. "Well, you for starters. Waking up next to you, knowing you're still there." "Come here you." Rainbow says. Lightning chuckles as he hugs her. "See, this is a part I love." "Now what happened?" Rainbow asks letting go of the hug. "I had to track it over almost of Equestria and finally into a temple." Lightning says sounding tired. Rainbow nods. "And once you got it?" "I fought it and killed it, but before I killed him he kissed me." Lightning says almost gagging. Rainbow stifles a laugh. "He kissed you, why is that?" "He was...I don't know, insane or gay." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles as she got laughter under control. "Anything else?" "No, so what about you?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shrugs. "You know, same old, same old." "And the craters close by, the hole through the nearby mountain, and the scorch marks and burnt down foliage?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smirks. "New lakes, new cave, and new land to plant." Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Like I said, same old, same old." She said still holding the smirk. "Tirek attacked didn't he?" Lightning asks. Rainbow giggles nervously. "Yeah." "What happened?" Lightning asks. Rainbow rubs her hooves together. "Well, first he stole the magic of each of us one by one, Twilight fights him in an epic duel, she gives up her power and frees us, including Discord who betrayed us, and of course we fought back by Harmony giving each us a random elemental power, but I think it's tied to how we live and work. Though it did hurt for everypony else because it probably isn't their element or not ready. She filled us up with too much. And that crystal box was actually the chest for it and then it repaired Twilight's library with something special after we killed him." Lightning inhaled deeply and walks out the kitchen and into the basement. "Lightning you ok?" Rainbow calls. After a few minutes Rainbow hears metal clanking and soon sees Lightning with many weapons attached to him with an angry face. Rainbow sweats. "Uh...Lightning? What are you doing?" "Going to meet Mr. Tirek." Lightning says. Rainbow looks worried. "Didn't we kill him?" "Twilight doesn't kill love, he is probably in a prison somewhere." Lightning says. Rainbow then pushes him downstairs again with an angry look on her face. "Don't even." "Nopony messes or hurts my family especially my wife." Lightning says stopping himself halfway down. Rainbow growls. "And I do the same. So don't even go." "Why not?" Lightning asks. Rainbow keeps glaring at him until she slowly looks down and leans her head against him. "I don't want to lose you." She said quietly. "Rainbow." Lightning says dropping a few of the weapons. Lightning keeps looking at her until he sees her shaking. "I can't...I can't lose you again...not again." She sobs out. Lightning wraps his hooves around her and sighs. "Ok you win." Lightning says. Rainbow inwardly smiles, but stays like she is on the outside. "Let's...let's go home." She said hiccupping. "We are home love." Lightning says starting to pet her mane. Rainbow giggles once before hiccupping. "My home idiot, the foals are waiting for you and I will too." "Ok, let's go see them." Lightning says not stopping. Rainbow keeps hiccupping until she started to purr. "Lightning." "Yes love?" Lightning asks just holding her while he pets her mane. Rainbow smiles. "Carry me there." "If you ask me to I will to make you happy. Just let me put the weapons back first." Lightning says. Rainbow hiccups once more before falling down as though she fell asleep. Lightning grabs her and places her down slowly before taking the weapons back down to the basement. After that he comes back up and places Rainbow on his back, who had a smile on her face. He smiles back and heads outside before taking off slowly as to not drop her. Lightning soon arrives at Rainbow's home where he slowly opens the door to find the foals being watched over by Twilight and Fluttershy. "Hey girls." He said quietly. "Oh Lightning, your back." Twilight says. Lightning nods and walks inside and sets Rainbow down on the couch. "So what did Rainbow mean by something special about your library?" He asks Twilight. "Oh it is half covered in crystal now and the inside has been renovated like a castle and mansion." Twilight says. "I see your battle with Tirek really did you good. I can see your aura now has the symbol of fire." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "Yeah, plus Agni changed. I was so proud when he helped us." "So what does he look like?" Lightning asks. Twilight smiles as she looks to the window. "Well he's bigger, his snout's is more blunt, and the amount of flames that can be on his back has increased along with having flame spots on his head, plus he seems to like standing upright." "I see. So does he still call Spike big brother?" Lightning asks. "Oh yeah and now he can really talk, not just say a few words." Twilight says. Lightning grins. "Is he starting to annoy either of you?" "Oh no, well not me. He is just so curious and wants to learn." Twilight says. "Sounds like somepony else." Rainbow and Lightning say in unison. Lightning looks to Twilight. "You know that's you." "Hey." Twilight says smirking. Lightning chuckles. "So where's the little guy?" "He is currently with Spike and they are helping Rarity." Twilight says. Lightning smiles. "Has he gotten over her?" "Yeah, he is over her now, he gets jewels every time he works." Twilight says. "Make sure he doesn't try and eat your new tree." Lightning jokes lying next to Rainbow. Twilight giggles. "Yeah, but he knows it's his home." "Just make sure he does start eating in his sleep." Lightning says. Twilight looks a bit confused. "He starts eating in his sleep?" "It could happen like sleepwalking." Lightning say wrapping his wing around Rainbow. Rainbow looks to him. "So can it happen with yours as well?" "No, I'm talking about my experience with an animal." Lightning says smiling as Rainbow had blown her cover. Rainbow just frowns. "You are now on my hit list." "Oh that is too bad, I was thinking of carrying you for a while longer." Lightning says. Rainbow scoffs. "Now I'm starting to hate you." "Come on love, I knew you weren't asleep this whole time. So don't be mad." Lightning says rubbing her wing's sensitive part. Rainbow shivers. "Lightning. Cut that out." "Ok, I'll save that for later." Lightning says stopping. Rainbow sighs in relief. "Now you can deal with your foals." "They're our foals love. So you excited for our trip?" Lightning asks. Rainbow grins. "Yeah, I can't believe that we are going. Oh and the foals are going to jump you from above." "Ok, I'll let you handle getting everypony together and ready while I handle the foals." Lightning says turning around and catching the foals. Rainbow smiles and looks to Twilight. "So you and the others ready?" "It will take some time." Twilight says. Rainbow nods. "Then you girls better get ready. The date is getting closer." "So Rainbow how are we going to get there anyways?" Twilight asks. Rainbow looks over to Lightning who was being held down by his foals. "Hey Lightning, how are getting to the east?" "Oh, my friend Edward will sail us there on his ship, the Jackdaw." Lightning says wrestling with the foals. Rainbow nods and looks back to Twilight. "So now we know." A few months later all the ponies and griffon were waiting at a cafe waiting for Edward. Spitfire was especially anxious. "Where is he?" She asks after a long wait. Zegai shrugs. "If I were him I would jump down right about now." "He is probably just getting the Jackdaw ready for passengers." Lightning says who was playing old maid with Nikolai, Apollo, Hazuki and Vinyl. Spitfire sighs. "And how long does that usually take?" "Oh you have to deal with paperwork, deal with port authorities, load supplies, and repairing any damage." Edward says walking up. Spitfire smiles as he walks up. "Is that all? So are we ready?" "Yeah we are ready." Edward says lowering his hood. Spitfire grins. "Great, so we can head out now?" "Yeah, let's go, we have a few months before we arrive in Saddle Arabia." Edward says. Lightning and the others starts to grab their bag while Spitfire looks confused. "Saddle Arabia? Why there?" "That is our next stop." Edward says. Spitfire sighs and grabs her bags. "Let's go." She said following the others. "Put the bits down and give them back." "What are you talking about, we didn't bet." Vinyl says. Spitfire huffs. "I'm talking the nobles who just passed by." "Sister let's just go." Lightning says. Spitfire shakes her head. "Fine, but those nobles will have somepony's asses." "Sister." Lightning says pushing her along. Spitfire sighs and walks with him. "You're really not caring about the consequences are you?" "No, I care about not dealing with trouble before we leave." Lightning says. Rainbow smirks as she looks ahead to the boats. "Leave it alone Spitfire, once you get Lightning's friends going, you can't stop them." "Kind of like Vinyl and drinking." Spitfire says. Vinyl chuckles. "You know it Spits. Now let's get on this boat, I'm ready for an adventure." "Edward, please tell me you are rationing the rum for everypony." Lightning says. Edward chuckles. "Of course, otherwise there wouldn't be any for me." "Double the guard on the rum for that one." Apollo says gesturing to Vinyl. Lightning chuckles. "I'll get that done. Though, I may sneak a few." Apollo scoffs. "Please, I'm the only one who could do that." "How about I tie you both to the mast for the voyage." Edward says. Lightning chuckles darkly. "And you won't have fun beating me in a sword fight." "Can we not cause a scene?" Nikolai asks. Edward laughs. "And where's the fun in that?" "Admiral, I would like to remind you we have to leave." Belcoot says carrying a drunk Hazuki. Edward laughs. "How much did she have?" "You are already two days behind." Belcoot reminds. Edward groans. "You try dealing with paperwork." "Yes, have you tried doing it without drinking?" Belcoot asks. Edward huffs. "And hated it." "Come on captain, let go." Spitfire says lifting her hat. Edward grins. "Only if you come with me to my room." "Save that for later captain." Lightning says. Edward gives a mock frown. "You're no fun." "Come on captain, let us see your ship." Spitfire says pulling him along. Edward laughs. "Easy, over there." He said pointing to a large ship in the last dock. "Ah, the Jackdaw, it's good to see this again." Zegai says. Edward smiles. "Yes it is. Now everypony get on and my quartermaster will help you to your bunks. Sorry, but the most recent upgrade I could get for living space would be at least common beds." "I'll stay in the bird's nest." Zegai says. Edward smiles and walks onto his ship. "One less bunk. Who else wants to stay somewhere else?" No pony spoke up. "Okay, everypony on board. The less time we spend on the land the more time we got on sea." All the passengers boarded the battleship which soon set sail. "Cast off, we got a long trip!" Edward calls as they sail out of the dock and bay. It was a few months later when the Jackdaw sighted a Saddle Arabia port. "There it is." Lightning said as his family stood over the railings near him. "Saddle Arabia." "You doing ok Granny?" Applebloom asks. Granny groans. "I'm okay youngin." She said waving her off as she leans over the side. "How...mmgh...longer until we get back to land?" "We will be docking soon from the looks of it." Applejack says. Granny still groans. "That's good. Why did I agree to this?" "A paid vacation." Applebloom says. Granny looks to them looking green...well greener. "I still should have stayed in my chair." "Look on the bright side Granny, we are almost there." Applejack says. Granny nods slowly. "Good, I'm sick of boats." Lightning shakes his head before looking back to the approaching dock. "Oh we have a greeter." He said seeing somepony waiting at the dock in a queen's knight uniform. "Haven't we seen that armor before?" Rainbow asks feeding the foals. Lightning smiles. "Of course, who's the highest authority in Saddle Arabia?" "Eclipse knows we are coming doesn't she?" Rainbow asks adjusting the bottle for Talion. Lightning nods. "Yeah, remember she has spies back home. They probably overheard us talking about coming here. Oh well, better take it, she doesn't take no for an answer." He said as the boat came into dock. "That and you see your eldest foal Midnight." Rainbow adds. Lightning smiles. "Yeah, that too." "It will be good to the foals to see their eldest sibling." Rainbow says rubbing the foals' heads. "Kind of hard to believe they are almost a year old already." Spitfire says. Rainbow nods. "Yeah, plus both of them are already walking." "And wrestling." Hurricane adds. Rainbow chuckles as Typhoon tries to hold down her father while he just stands there with an amused expression. "True, wonder what else they would start doing?" "Who knows?" Spitfire says. Lightning chuckles as Typhoon pulls at his wing. "Ok dear, why not get some sleep?" "What about Talion who is riding on Agni?" Twilight asks. Lightning smiles. "Let him have fun." Agni walks over to Twilight. "So how are you Agni?" Twilight asks. Agni smiles as he slowly sets Talion down. "Fine, after a while of getting use to the rocking." "Darling it is so hot." Rarity says, using a fan to try and cool herself down. Agni shakes his head. "Then you better prepare in these lands." He said smirking. "Enjoy the heat while you can because it is cold in Stalliongrad." Lightning says using his feathers to tickle Typhoon's nose. Agni shrugs as Typhoon sneezes. "I make heat, so I'm good." Rarity groans. "Well it's a good thing I pack for almost every occasion." "Oh and remember other cultures so be on your best behaviors." Lightning reminds. Everypony looks to him. "So what do we have to do here?" Fluttershy asks. "Well it is kind of improper for anypony to not walking around without clothes." Lightning says. Rarity becomes excited. "Oh, this will be my country." "Which is why all of us and the crew are in clothes even though it is hot." Lightning says as only the ponies from Equestria had no clothes on. Rarity rushes to her bags. "I'll see if I can make some basic clothing then I'll really work on them once we rest." "We will need to hit up the market for clothes." Lightning says as Rainbow grabs Typhoon. Rarity's face falls. "Aww, at least let me give some clothes." "That is why all of you are coming with us." Lightning says. Edward comes down near them. "Well we better get going, for some reason, these guys don't like me docking here. Maybe for another important boat, I don't know. So everypony off and I'll place the boat in a holding area and meet up with you." "You could pay the port cost." Nikolai says. Edward nods. "Yes well anyways, everypony off and handle the business you need." He said getting off the ship and talking to somepony. The passengers walk up to the Queen's knight. "Oh Kite it has been awhile." Apollo says. Kite smiles. "Hi guys, I'm here to escort you to Eclipse, but you may want to wear these, especially the mares." She said taking out some cloaks. "I see will we also get to see the prince?" Lightning asks. Kite nods. "Yes, he is probably studying up on his mother's regimen in the palace." "Has he been informed of our arrival?" Lightning asks. Kite giggles. "No, Eclipse wanted a surprise for her son about his favorite guardian." "Oh it will be a surprise." Rainbow says finishing putting on the cloak. Kite smiles. "Yes, now is everypony ready?" As she sees them adjusting the cloaks. Everypony follows her and were treated to an ordinary day in Saddle Arabia and noticed the towers had a spherical shape at the top. "What's that?" Applejack asks looking to the spheres. Lightning immediately holds a hoof to her mouth to quiet her. "Try to not speak, the mares here are not as free as Equestria. Anyway, that's the shape of their towers." "Well unless they have a higher status like me." Kite says. Scootaloo looks around and sees most of the mares covered up, while the stallions are just wearing suit like clothing. "Am I allowed to speak much dad?" She asks quietly. "Children can sweetie." Lightning says. Scootaloo nods. "Then why are mares here not respected that much?" "They are highly respected, but they have a code of conduct here." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs. "And the stallions, how they different from Equestria?" "A little more disciplined and have a little more of consequences to their actions like a thief will have his hoof chopped off if he is caught stealing. Eye for an eye, tooth for tooth kind of thing." Lightning says. Scootaloo nods. "Okay I get that, must have been Eclipse that kind of switched things around because it looks like there are still in the old ways?" "It's a part of their culture sweetie." Lightning says. Scootaloo looks around before feeling something or lack thereof. "Why does my pack feel lighter?" "That is because this stallion sought to steal from you." Apollo says having the stallion in a strangle like hold who was struggling to get free but to no avail. Scootaloo frowns. "Can I have my stuff back?" "One second." Nikolai says punching the stallion in the stomach causing him to slump and Apollo let him go and hoofed the pack back to Scootaloo. Scootaloo smiles. "Thanks and I won't cause an international incident by hitting this guy would I?" "No need to waste the energy sweetie, just leave him on the street." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs and walks away with Kite. "Now that's a bit of fun gone." "He said that because some of his friends are watching and he doesn't want them to mark you." Kite says. Scootaloo looks around and sees some stallions glaring at her. "Okay, duly noted." "And if they make a move then it will start to get bloody." Kite says. Scootaloo nods. "Okay, try not do anything that might provoke them." "No, I mean their blood would be everywhere if the stories of those three are to be believed." Kite says. Scootaloo looks to her. "What stories?" "There are stories from the Stalliongrad revolution. Some are of how those three massacred an entire platoon in one night." Kite says. Scootaloo looks interested. "The reason they did that?" "They are supposedly to be reinforcements for a flanking maneuver in a battle. They never showed up and the legion never found out till it was too late and they were destroyed." Kite says. Scootaloo looks surprised. "So they aren't praised for that because?" "It was never confirmed and they already have numerous other achievements." Kite says. Scootaloo looks back to the stallions tending to the one they took down. "So are they good or bad for us?" "Good for you, because one of them is your loving father, bad for anypony stupid enough to threaten you." Kite says. Scootaloo looks at her and then ahead. "So this the market? Looks different from what I excepted." She said as she looks at many open stalls with ponies and some griffons milling about. "Oh this isn't the market. The market is over there." Kite says pointing to a large building. Scootaloo looks between the two. "So we get our new clothes?" "I have orders from the Queen to bring you straight to here." Kite says. Scootaloo looks back to Lightning. "So what do we need exactly?" "To see the Queen as she has ordered it." Lightning says shaking his head. Scootaloo looks confused. "Then what clothes...wait, you mean meet her here?" "To the palace." Kite says smiling. Scootaloo just looks around dizzy. "Carry me and don't wake me up till we're there." She said before fainting. "I got you." Lightning says picking her up and placing her on his back. Rainbow smiles. "So confused that she faints?" "No, she is just overwhelmed." Lightning says standing next to his wife. Rainbow giggles. "Or maybe trying to figure out everything." "Yeah love." Lightning says leaning closer before they head to the palace. Rainbow smirks as she looks over the palace. "It looks like the one in Canterlot, just bigger." "And a different design." Twilight pointed out. Lightning looks to her. "How do you know of Eclipse's embassy in Canterlot?" "She has her own embassy in Canterlot? I was just pointing out it had a different design." Twilight says. Kite smirks. "You better prepare for a glomp sir." Lightning smiles until he looks to the palace again and sees Midnight standing in front of him. "And by glomp, I mean hidden running." Lightning smiles and picks up Midnight. "Hey there." Lightning says as they enter the palace. Midnight waits until the door closes behind the whole group does he looks back to Lightning. "Hey dad." "Hey son, like the surprise?" Lightning asks. Midnight nods. "Yeah, even mom is surprised at this." Lightning smiles and rubs Midnight's head. "You ready to spend some quality time with your family?" Lightning asks. Midnight giggles. "Yeah, can we play now? I'm bored with all these notes." "After we see your mother in her throne room and you want to see your two younger siblings?" Lightning asks. Midnight looks confused. "Two, Scootaloo is on your back and she's the only one, is she?" "Oh than who are these two?" Rainbow asks with Talion and Typhoon on her back. Midnight looks to them and slowly grows surprised. "I got new brothers and sisters?!" "Yeah, a little over a year old." Rainbow says smiling. Midnight jumps for joy and lands on Lightning's back which wakes up Scootaloo. "Yippee! More brothers and sisters!" "Huh, wha, Midnight?" Scootaloo asked groggily. Midnight hugs Scootaloo getting her by surprise. "I got another brother and sister!" He said oblivious to her choking. Lightning chuckles a bit before saying. "Ok son, that is enough, you're choking your sister." Midnight looks at the blue Scootaloo before letting go. "Sorry sis." "Oh hey there Midnight." Applebloom greets. Midnight smiles nervously and blushes. "Hey...Apple...bloom." "Oh, what is this?" Kite asks. "Ms. Kite." Midnight whines. "Come on Kite, time to meet your queen." Lightning says moving them along much to Midnight's relief. Kite giggles and follows him with everypony else. Soon they reach a large door with was covered with many pictures and cloth. Lightning grins as he looks to Kite. "Eclipse doesn't have anything to deal with today does she?" He asks. "Yes, she has a full day, but made time just for you." Kite says. Lightning laughs and kicks opens the door. "Honey, I'm home!" Eclipse sat there on the silver throne, the walkway had a fountain on each side with water running down the groves. "Now that's appropriate." She said with a smile. Lightning laughs. "Of course it is. Nice to see you again Eclipse." "Same here, but I don't think the officials and a few of my Queen's knights like the last comment." Eclipse says. Lightning shrugs. "Well that's their opinion, besides you free up time for us, so technically your fault." "Yeah, yeah, I see you also have my son with you." Eclipse says as Midnight runs to his mother's side. Lightning smiles. "Yeah, he's really excited as you can see." "Yes, his hero is here." Eclipse says. "Who does he think he is, talking to our queen like that?" An official says. Lightning tries to ignore that and keeps smiling. "So you and Midnight got things planned for us?" "Yes, but I have to do a few more things before that then so Kite please escort them to some guest rooms." Eclipse says. Kite nods. "Of course ma'am. Come along everypony." She said walking out with them. Lightning walks away smiling with the rest. "Thanks Clipsy." He said walking out. "The audacity." A queen's knight says about to charge. "Enough." Eclipse says stopping him. The knight turns back to her. "Why should I? He disrespected you." "He is one of the only two who may talk to me as such, now next order of business." Eclipse says. Lightning sighs in relief as he held a stupid grin on his face. "You wanted to them to charge didn't you?" Rainbow asks. "One move." Lightning says as they walk down the hall. Rainbow looks to him. "What?" "Lightning would have defeated them right?" Kite asks. "Correct." Nikolai says. Rainbow bumps into him slightly. "You're crazy." "Says the black belt." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles. "You offered to train me." "And I taught you a few fighting moves." Lightning says. Kite stops in front of a hallway which had many doors on both sides that leads to a dead end. "Here we are. All the rooms are the same, so I'm sure you can pick your own with your family and all. Now will there be anything else?" "Well if you could get all of them some clothes so your guards won't harass them." Apollo says. Kite nods. "Of course, I'll see to it that it will get done. Though, I'm sure that a tailor is out of the question since you have many with you, so I will see if I can get ready made clothes." "Thanks, so Octavia want to come with me to see a few acquaintances?" Apollo asks. Octavia shrugs. "Sure, let me place my bags and then after some clothes we can head out." "That is fine." Apollo says following her into a room. Lightning turns to the rest of them. "Okay, pick out your rooms and once you get your clothes then we can head out." "So they got any clubs around here?" Vinyl asks heading to a room. "Sorry Vinyl, but no they don't and stuff like that can get you in trouble around here." Nikolai says following her. Vinyl slouches. "Aww man. So what can I do here?" "You can spend time with me and I can buy you that." Nikolai says. Vinyl smiles. "Okay, but you better be good." "I will and you will get a taste of some good alcohol." Nikolai says Vinyl gives her usual grin. "Good." She said closing the door behind them. "Seems like somepony is making it official like us love." Lightning says smiling. Rainbow smiles. "That's good, now we need our own room. The foals needs a little rest." She said holding the tired foals. "Well we do have plenty to choose from." Lightning says as they walk into one. Rainbow smiles as she looks over the room. "Looks basic for one pony each." She said looking over the one bed. "Ah, may look that way, but looks can be deceiving." Lightning says walking over to a chord and pulls it and two more beds appear from seemingly nowhere. "I don't know how they do it, but it is very impressive." Lightning adds. Rainbow looks a little surprised. "Wow, let's get the foals to sleep and maybe once they wake up we can head out with the rest." She said walking to one of the beds and placing them down. "Nah, let's spend time with Midnight and Eclipse. It will do the twins to spend time with their older brother." Lightning says as she lays them down. Rainbow looks to him. "Is she ready for us to spend time with her?" "Give her some time, she has to deal with her own court." Lightning says. Rainbow starts to bundle the foals up. "So when is she ready?" "Hard to say. She doesn't rush any court affair for any reason. She is both dedicated and diligent when it comes to ruling her country." Lightning says setting Scootaloo down on another bed. Rainbow sighs. "So when can you expect her to finish?" "Hard to say, I don't have any informants in her court." Lightning admitted. Rainbow shrugs and then heads to the main bed. "Well I need a little rest." She said laying down on the bed. "Wake me when you need me." "I will just get some rest." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles as she opens the covers. "Come on big boy." Lightning smiles and walks over. "Want me to give you a message as well?" Lightning asks. Rainbow sighs and turns over a bit. "Go right ahead." "Ok." Lightning says starting to message her back. Rainbow moans lightly as Lightning moves her hooves around. "I wonder how the others are doing." Apollo is inspecting some of his tools while he and Octavia wait. "Fine everything okay?" Octavia sighs in relief as she came out of the bathroom. "That feels so much better." "You smell nice too." Apollo says. Octavia blushes a bit. "Thanks, how are you faring here?" "Well it seems that the petty thieves have made some strides since I was last here judging from what nearly happened as we walked here." Apollo says. Octavia walks over to him as she dries her mane with her towel. "And what do you mean by that?" "Those punks are not true thieves not like me and recently you. They will steal from anyone and will kill if you get in their way." Apollo says. Octavia huffs. "You're right, that isn't a true thief. Unlike somepony I know." She said walking up to him. "No, a decade ago they were in the minority and were scared to run the streets at times. What has happened to the guild here?" Apollo says thinking. Octavia starts to rub her hooves over his shoulders. "Why not forget that for a moment and come with me?" "We can't leave the room yet. Without clothes the guards will harass you, especially because of their rules and you being a mare and then I would have to knock them around a bit and we would have a lot watching us the rest of our stay here and that would ruin the stay for us. Especially with them all tense because they know a war is coming soon." Apollo says looking out the window. Octavia huffs. "I meant here and..." She pulls him off the chair and drags him to the bed before throwing him on it. "You talk too much, really that was a mouthful." "What about you, want to have some fun with your unicorn, huh?" Apollo asks. Octavia smiles. "Her, I except that she would be out like a light right about now." She said before crawling over him. "I meant me." Apollo says not resisting. Octavia smiles as she gets close. "Just hold me close and start kissing me. Nothing too big for now." Apollo grins. "Anything you want." He said before hugging her and kissing her full on. Nikolai chuckles as he looks over the sleeping and snoring Vinyl. "Oh well, at least I can stay with you." He said getting in with her and pulling the covers over them. "Wowza! This is an awesome room!" Pinkie said as she rushes around with the Cakes standing at the doorway with their foals. "What's this?!" Pinkie said looking at a chord before hanging onto to it and pulling it, making two more beds appear. "Cool. A bed maker." "Pinkie, maybe you shouldn't mess with everything." Maud Pie drones to her. Pinkie smiles as she keeps looking around. "Aw come on Maud. This place is the coolest and it's my job to figure out its secrets." She said as she takes out a magnifying glass. "Besides, places like this always have a secret room." "Rest for now Pinkie." Maud says. Pinkie comes close and stares at her. "Rest? Pinkamena Diana Pie does not rest." She said proudly. "Then conserve your energy." Maud says. Pinkie huffs. "Fine, but so are you. Tis only fair." She said in a mock Canterlot accent. Maud just stares. "Okay." She said going to a bed. "So Maud, I guess you have no problem seeing as you wear clothes." Pinkie says. Maud looks to her with the same blank stare. "I never really had a problem since I needed a place to put Boulder." "I wonder how our parents and other siblings are." Pinkie voices a concern. Maud shrugs. "Whatever problems they got, I'm sure they're fine. We faced worse." "Like that time you took on that huge rock monster?" Pinkie asks. Maud starts to lay down before pulling the covers over her. "Yep." She said before laying her head on a pillow. "Wait what?" Mr. Cake asks. Mrs. Cake just smiles as she goes to another empty bed for the foals to sleep in. "It's Pinkie dear, don't question it." Mr. Cake just sighs. "For once I would like something rational. Wait, this is Maud Pie, the same rules have not been established!" Maud produces a rock from her pocket and places on a pillow before pulling the covers over it. "And it's gone." The whole Apple family looks over the one bed. "Whelp, Granny is obvious here. She gets the bed, but where does that leave us?" Applejack asks. "Um sis, what is that cord for?" Applebloom asks. Applejack looks to a cord hanging from the ceiling before pulling it, making two more beds appear. "Well this solves our problem. Okay, Granny gets the main bed, Big Mac gets his own, and me and Applebloom gets the last one. Sounds good?" "Well I have no objections." Granny Smith says. "Ehyep." Big Mac said placing his bags onto his bed. Applebloom jumps onto their bed. "This is going to be so cool. I can't wait to play with Midnight again too." Applejack had a knowing smile, but says nothing. Rarity and Sweetie Bell looks around the five star room. "My word, this is extravagant. Just look at this fabric." Rarity said running her hooves across the cloth walls. "The color, the fabric, the stitching, you can't forget the stitching." "Sis, do you need a moment alone with the curtain?" Sweetie Belle asks. Rarity scoffs. "Please, what I am interested in is that bed." She said running over to it. Sweetie Bell sighs. "And another way for my sister to ignore me." Sweetie Bell just stand to the side till Rarity was done. Rarity sighs as she 'takes' a few samples for her inspirations and places them away. "Okay Sweetie Bell, now let's get cleaned up and ready for a big day." "Um sis, what is this cord?" Sweetie Bell asks. Rarity looks to the hanging cord. "Probably a server cord, pull on it and a server or servant will be called." Sweetie Bell looks interested and pulls on it, expecting a servant, but instead of that, two beds appear, shocking the sisters. "Or maybe a bed caller." She said after a while. "Well this place is interesting." Sweetie Bell says. Rarity nods. "Oh yes, begs the question, what else does this place have?" "Let's not be rude guests and start ransacking the place ok?" Sweetie Bell asks. Rarity blushes and moves the fabrics a little deeper into her bags. "Quite right." Sweetie Bell just shakes her head. Twilight stares at the large room. "Spike, you still with me?" She asks after a while. "Yeah and Agni is here as well." Spike says. Agni looks at the cloth covered walls. "I think I would burn this down." "Agni please don't burn anything." Twilight says. Agni keeps looking until he spies a marble fireplace. "Found my spot." He said walking to it. "For food or sleeping?" Spike asks. Agni lays down on the cold marble after placing his pack to the side. "Both, at least you two would be safe." "Oh Agni, your flames only burn if you want." Twilight says walking over and petting his head. Agni looks to her worried. "I don't want to burn you mom." "You never have and having a fire nature you won't." Twilight says. Agni keeps looking at her until he lays his head down again. "I still don't want to take the chance." "Agni listen to your mother. You won't hurt me." Twilight says sternly. Agni flinches and looks away. "Okay, I'll take the chance." Twilight pulls him out and hugs him. "See, it's not hurting me." Twilight says. Agni hugs back as he tears up a bit. "Why do I hate this?" He said quietly. Twilight smiles and just rubs his head. "Why? Why do I hate having this in the first place?" Twilight nuzzles him. "You're just growing up, it's normal. Don't worry about it, me and Spike will help you through it." "Thanks mommy." Agni says hugging back. Twilight smiles and let's go. "Now, me and Spike have to get cleaned up and unpacked and then we would figure out our next move." Spike smiles as well. "Yeah, don't worry. I know I had to help Twilight here through some rough patches. I'm sure we can help you." Agni smiles. "Thanks big brother." Spikes blushes. "Yeah, I'm not sure how that would work since you're bigger than me." "But you are older so you are big brother." Agni says. Twilight giggles. "Can't argue with that logic." "Speaking of siblings, shouldn't you send a letter to the princesses? You did say you would send the next letter once we arrived." Spike reminds. Twilight gets a surprised expression for a moment. "Oh right, I'll write it myself." She said taking a parchment and a quill. "Now let's see." She said to herself, holding the quill over the parchment. "Dear Luna and Celestia, I was able to make it with my friends and family to the Saddle Arabia. This place is exactly as you said it would be, but it is even more so. Right now I have yet to leave on any activity until I get some clothing and until then I will write about this place in more detail. But for now, just be careful and wary of the citizens here. Your faithful student and princess, Twilight Sparkle." She said finishing the letter before rolling it up and sending it away with magic. "There, letter sent." "Come to think of it, has any princess been here yet?" Spike asks. Twilight looks out through the nearby window. "I don't think so, not to my knowledge." "Then you are a trailblazer mommy." Agni says. Twilight smiles. "Guess I am. Now let's get ready and hope an international incident doesn't come out from it." She said rushing into the bathroom. "Let's try and enjoy ourselves." Spike says. Twilight peeks her head out. "And since when did we have something to enjoy only for it to blow up in our face?" "That time you tried to mix a potion from the black potion book you found in Lightning's library only for him to tell you later it was a very advance one after the explosion turned you blue with green hair and me white with yellow spines." Spike says. Twilight blushes. "That's what I'm talking about, now get ready for a big day." She said closing the door behind her. "Right…going to sleep." Spike says laying down on a bed. Agni chuckles. "Big brother, I don't think that's what she meant by getting ready." "The sun is starting to set and if what we know about deserts is correct it will be freezing soon." Spike says. Agni groans. "More cold. Now I'm glad I'm not in the frozen north." "Remember we are heading for Stalliongrad and it is cold there." Twilight says. Agni moans and lays down. "Great. How long do nights last in a desert?" "Same as Equestria." Twilight says closing the window and starts a fire in the fireplace. Agni eats some fire before laying down next to it. "I'll need to sleep here for now and see how a night goes then we can sleep like one big bundle." "Ok Agni." Twilight says rubbing her head against his. Agni smiles and nuzzles back. "Goodnight mom." "Night Agni." Twilight says walking to her own bed. Agni quickly opens his eyes to find that the room was dark and empty. "Mom?! Big brother?!" He quickly gets up and runs around into the bathroom and finds it empty as well. He then heads outside and goes to another room. "Auntie?!" He called to Fluttershy. Not finding her he then runs back into the hall. "Is anyone here?!" "My dear and poor little Agni." Agni notices a small tone in the voice and quickly turns around and fires at the direction of the voice, but finds it sent into the wall. "Easy now, don't want to hurt yourself in your dream." The figure said as it approached him. Agni backs up a little. "Who…who are you?" The figure smirks before it takes form of a bipedal dragon with spouts of flames coming out of its body. "I'm disappointed you did not recognize me. How do you not know your own spirit leader?" Agni becomes surprised as he stared at the now crouching dragon. "What is going on, where is everyone?!" The dragon chuckles in her ever present female tone. "They're fine my dear. Just sleeping. The mind can have many tricks and fun added to it. But what are you feeling right now? Pain, can't be anger, maybe death?" Agni growls. "Shut up!" The dragon looks a bit astonished. "My word, didn't your mother teach you manners?" Agni's flames fires out of his back as he charges up a shot. "Send me back!" The dragon sighs. "My dear, I can't do that until you meet the one thing that will hurt your mother. You can come out now, he's locked in his dream." The dragon said walking away. Shadow comes out in her form as now Twilight. "Quick fun fact, spirits have many agendas, both good and bad, but they always do it for a purpose." She said in Twilight's voice. Agni growls as flames start coming from his mouth. "Stay away from mommy." Shadow smiles warmly to Agni which had a creepy vibe to it. "Oh my dear, she will be a part of this, whether you or her like it or not. Besides, I might have fun." She said letting out a dark chuckle. Agni shoots a fire ball at her, but it just goes through her. "It's just a warning dear, but know this should happen and for the safety of even your big brother and your other family. Just know, I'm doing this for everyone." Agni keeps staring at her before a part of the ceiling collapses between them. "That's all I have to say. You can tell uncle Lightning about this, but no one else." "Shadow." A deep voice echoed. Shadow groans. "I'm done here, I won't torture the kid any longer. Besides, when one tries, many will follow. By the way, will Lightning be pleased at your first words." She then notices Agni still in his spot. "Get out of here kid." She said before launching shadow tendrils at him. Agni screams as he quickly gets up in his spot at the fireplace. He pants as he looks around and sees Twilight and Spike looking worried at him. "Agni, are you okay?" Twilight asks walking to him. Agni keeps panting before he remembers what he saw and quickly gets up and runs out. "Agni?!" Twilight yells going after him with Spike following close behind. As he runs through the hall the others open their door and see the chase happening. "Yay, a chase scene!" Pinkie yells before running after them with everypony else following. Agni comes to Lightning's door and slams it open. Lightning groans as he looks up from his bed and sees Agni standing there with the others standing behind him. "Agni? Guys? What's got you so rattled up?" Agni just pants. "We need to talk." "Is it spirit related?" Lightning asks yawning. "Shadow." Agni said. Lightning immediately looks awake and starts to get up much to Rainbow's displeasure. "What's going on?" Rainbow whines. Lightning has a stern gaze on him. "Rainbow can you take the foals and go with everypony else to another room? I'm going to need this room for a while." He said walking to their suitcases. Rainbow groans as she gets up. "Why?" Lightning sighs. "Shadow." Rainbow stood still before getting out of bed and taking the foals carefully. "Come on Scoots." Scootaloo groans and gets out as well before walking out with her and closes the door with only Agni inside with Lightning. "Shadow, in here, now." Lightning growls. Dark tendrils come down from the ceiling and comes together on the floor before becoming the shape of Twilight. "Hello, welcome to the Shadow hotline, how may I direct your call?" Lightning sends her an ice cold glare. "I thought I asked you to lay low and not do anything." Lightning says. Shadow chuckles. "You said don't harm the friends and family. I didn't harm anyone…yet." "One more thing like this and I will destroy you." Lightning says, Shadow inwardly smiling at the anger she felt. Shadow sighs. "Tell him." She told Agni. Agni looks to Lightning as he glares at Shadow. "Well…a fire spirit in the shape of a dragon came to me and locked me in my dream and did it for Shadow here to tell me that mommy will be a part of this, whether any of us likes it or not." "Hold on." Lightning says drawing a circle in the air which for some reason, quickly shows a lines and soon a circle forms before he draws something inside of it and places his hoof down. "You know, I didn't sense a spirit like us from it." Shadow says. "Interesting. Shadow disappear, Twilight is coming." Lightning says looking like he was thinking. Shadow quickly sinks into the dark as the door opened and Twilight runs in and hugs Agni. "Are you okay?" "Twilight we got research to do." Lightning says. Twilight looks up at him. "What do you mean? What's wrong with Agni?" "He had a vision or was contacted by this." Lightning says motioning to the magical image. Twilight looks to the image. "What is it?" "Unsure, thus we must, in the words of the one who began teaching me magic, we must do research." Lightning says in a fake old stallion voice. Twilight just looks confused. "So what's the circle for?" "A spell that helps others visualize things for others." Lightning says. Twilight looks at the image inside. "Is this what Agni had a nightmare about?" "I believe so because I asked him to think on it." Lightning says. Twilight studies the figure carefully. "Well first look says we got a dragon figure, walking bipedal, and has flames coming out of it. Another spirit?" She asks looking over to him. "Possible or we could be dealing with a demon or monster." Lightning says. Twilight looks worried to Agni. "Agni, what happened in there?" Agni takes a small step back. "I…I…I can't." Twilight starts walking to him. "Agni, what happened in your nightmare?" Agni now takes a larger step back. "I can't, I promised." Twilight now looks really worried. "Agni, this won't go away unless you tell." "A spirit's word is their bond Twilight. If he promised he couldn't tell us even if he wanted to." Lightning says. Twilight's gaze soften as she stops in front of Agni. "Can you ever tell me?" Agni shakes his head and starts crying before he was hugged by her. "It's okay, if you can't tell then its okay. At least it's not big like I would die, right?" She laughs out. Agni nervously laughs with her as he looks to Lightning who was looking worried at her, unaware of the peril lying ahead. Twilight then calms down and looks to Lightning. "You got any books on this?" "I have an entire library, but I wonder, why now?" Lightning asks out loud. Twilight looks back to Agni, the same worry in her eyes. "Tell me this, are you going to be okay?" Agni nods. "Could it be that we entered Saddle Arabia?" Lightning thinks out loud. Twilight shakes her head with a smile. "I was like that once and still am. Anyway, go be with your big brother and we'll figure this out, okay?" Twilight asks Agni. "Is it all a part of those who study magic and still constantly want to learn more?" Rainbow asks. Twilight looks to the door. "Rainbow, what are you doing here?" "This is my family's room. I just stepped out a moment with the foals so Agni and Lightning could talk." Rainbow says. Twilight blushes. "Oh…yeah. Can you take Agni out to the others? Me and Lightning has to study something." "You can do that in the morning." Rainbow says. Twilight looks to Lightning who was still thinking. "Okay, come on Agni." She said getting up and leaving with him. Rainbow nods before putting the foals back in their beds before going to Lightning. "Come on Lightning." Lightning snaps out of his thinking pose and walks to her. "Sorry about that hun." "Let's just go back to sleep. I was in the middle of a nice dream." Rainbow says. Lightning smiles. "What was it about?" "You, me, and a tropical island with a waterfall." Rainbow says. Lightning grins and gets back into bed. "Then let's hope I can join." Rainbow pulls him closer. "Better." Lightning chuckles until he fell asleep. Rainbow smiles and falls asleep with him. Agni leans against the fireplace wall as it was still lit and he keeps taking bites out of the flames as he watches Twilight and Spike as they slept. "Mom." He whispered quietly. A shadow tendril comes down behind him until it stroked his cheek. "Relax my boy, she's not going to change yet, but soon." "You leave her alone." Agni says. Shadow chuckles. "Can't, the events to come must happen. I have to do this." "You will not change her." Agni says mad. Shadow sighs. "My boy, my young naive boy, there are things you can't stop." "I can protect her from you." Agni says. Shadow gives a grin from the shadows. "I'll tell you this, you might like her changed." Agni growls at Shadow as she disappeared. "Bitch." He cursed. The sun soon peeks out over the horizon and into the window, sending them into Twilight and Spike. Twilight moans and gets up before looking around. "Morning Agni, did you sleep well?" Agni puts on a smile. "Yep, no more nightmares." "Good and you feel better sleeping with mommy again?" Twilight asks rubbing his head. Agni nods. "Yeah, it wasn't that bad of a cold snap so I can sleep with you guys now." "Yeah, it wasn't as ba…" Twilight was cut off by a horn echoing through the entire palace. She rushes to the door and opens it to find the others having their doors opened as well. "What's going on?" "Ah, got to love the way they Saddle Arabians wake the palace up." Lightning says sarcastically as he walks up with Nikolai, Vinyl, and Octavia. Twilight's face blanks. "That's a wakeup call?" "Mostly for the Queen's knights and the royal guards." Lightning says. Twilight groans. "Anything else we need to know that would make us think we are under attack?" "Hug the wall, the royal guards are on parade." Lightning says leaning against a wall. Everypony ducks back into their rooms or against the walls as guards rush past them that almost packed in the whole hall, but soon passed. "Well that's something." Twilight said coming out of her room. "Unlike what you are used to, these royal guards are battle hardened and take their jobs very seriously." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "So what's next, we get ready and head out for the day?" "Oh, planning going out naked here?" Lightning jokes. Twilight huffs. "I said get ready, not step out and hope for the best." "So where is Apollo partner?" Applejack asks. "He went out to check something." Octavia says. Lightning gives a knowing chuckle. "Well, everypony dress up in what you got from Kite or your most concealing outfit, like Octy here, and let's head down the dining room. I'm sure Eclipse has a fine meal ready." "You heard him lover boy." Vinyl says grabbing Nikolai. Nikolai chuckles. "All right, all right, but only if you wear something around the same." "I so hope Kite gave Vinyl the dancer outfit as a joke." Lightning says after they left. Octavia giggles. "Really, is that even allowed here?" Lightning looked like he was going to say something but stops and remains silent. He then perks up and starts walking again. "Well, I got mine." He said putting his cloak on and heading away. "Ask the guard here when you are ready to head to the dining room." He said pointing to the guard at the end of the hall. "Anypony else get the feeling isn't telling us something?" Octavia asks. Everypony left in the hall nods before heading back into their rooms to dress up. Lightning walks with Rainbow as they carry the kids. Upon reaching the door Lightning stops and he starts trying to hold in his laughter as he sees most of the mane six and Vinyl in dancer outfits. "I am so giving Kite the next drink she wants." He said after a while. "You find this funny partner?" Applejack asks a little mad as Fluttershy was trying to hide from embarrassment. Lightning grins. "Nope, just a little payback for disobeying me when we were in the forest." "So you like it?" Rainbow asks. Lightning shrugs. "A little." "Maybe I should request one." Rainbow says freezing Lightning. Lightning shakes himself before looking at her with a small grin. "I'm sure Eclipse would oblige and maybe teach you how to properly use them." "Ok, a little too much information dad." Scootaloo says from his back. Lightning chuckles. "Just having a little fun sweetie. Now, where's our host for this morning?" "Waiting in the dining room." Eclipse voice comes from the other side of the open door. Lightning smiles and heads for the table. "Hiya Clipsy, how's it going now?" "Good, though somepony wants to see you." Eclipse says smiling. Lightning still smiles. "Now I wonder who that could be." He asks knowingly before he feels something on his head. "Hey dad." Midnight said looking upside down at him as he leans over his head. Lightning takes Midnight off of his head before hugging him. "Hey kid, you've been good for your mother?" "You know it. Hey sis, little sis and bro." Midnight says. Scootaloo smiles as the foals cheers a little. "Hey bro, I've been wondering, what do you do for fun around here?" "I get little free time because of all my studying." Midnight says. Lightning shoots an accusing glare at Eclipse. "Eclipse, do you want me to repeat what we talked about when I learned he wasn't getting enough sleep?" Eclipse blushes from embarrassment. "Applejack, this outfit is hugging me a little tight." Applebloom said pulling at the waist. Midnight hearing Applebloom, turns to her direction and stops before falling off his father and landing upside down. "Wha…why uh…I uh…" He stutters as he looks at her. Lightning chuckles. "What's wrong son, dress caught your tongue?" Applebloom gains a blush as Midnight kept staring at her. "Why is he staring at me like that?" Eclipse chuckles at this. "Sorry, Kite please come in here." Eclipse says. Kite comes in with a smirk. "Yes my queen?" She asks looking over to the two blushing foals. "Get some proper attire and not dancing outfits." Eclipse says. Kite chuckles. "Right away ma'am." She said walking away, still trying to contain her laughter. "I am sorry for the actions of my youngest Queen's knight." Eclipse apologizes. Applejack nods. "Thanks, but why did she do that?" "Those are dancer outfits mostly for…" Lightning whispered the last part into Applejack's ear causing her to go wide eyed. Applejack then blushes before leaning over to Applebloom. "Sugarcube, make sure you don't wear something like this again, got it?" "No arguments, it is too tight anyways." Applebloom says. Applejack leans a bit closer. "That's the whole point, never wear it again." She whispered. Rarity spins a little. "I don't know, it feels like I'm a ballerina." Twilight just grumbles. "Well I hate these types, get me a cloak any day." Spike holds out a cloak for her. "Thanks." She said taking it in her magic. "Rarity, don't wear that outside unless you are going to dance for money." Nikolai says. Rarity then frowns. "Well I never, at least I have some ideas for some new dresses." She said lifting a foreleg and looking at the large amount of cloth hanging there. "He means that is what that outfit is for." Lightning says. Rarity huffs. "Please, dancing should only be for the joy and passion of dancing, not money." "Ok, I am going to say it, that outfit is either for prostitutes and girls in a harem." Lightning whispered the second half to her. Rarity glares at him. "Then why would Mrs. Kite give them to us?" "A, there is a harem wing to the palace and b, for humor." Lightning says. Rarity growls. "Unbelievable, now I'm regretting this trip." "That is why Eclipse apologized for Kite." Lightning says. Eclipse still has a smile. "Still have to admit, it's funny seeing Midnight like this." She said looking at Midnight who was still staring at Applebloom who was hiding slightly behind Applejack. "Oh, does Midnight have a crush?" Rainbow asks. Lightning chuckles as he pokes him lightly. "Looks like it. Come on boy, wake up. You're going to scare your foal friend away." "Dad." Midnight whines. Lightning smiles as he looks to Applebloom who is now peeking out a bit more, but still has a huge blush on her face. "Um…Midnight?" "Y…y…yeah?" Midnight asks while Scootaloo mouths 'You can do it bro.'. Applebloom steps out and slowly walks it him. "So…a foal friend, or is there something more?" "I...I...I..." Midnight starts stuttering. Lightning feels two elbows to both sides of his ribs. "He defiantly takes after his father." Eclipse says. "You got that right." Rainbow says as Typhoon stares at Eclipse. Eclipse looks to over to Typhoon. "Is she wondering what I am?" "No, but technically isn't she your stepdaughter?" Rainbow asks. Eclipse stares at Typhoon and brings her head in close to her before Typhoon latches onto her muzzle and hangs on as Eclipse brings her head back up. "I could say yes, besides, we are family." "She likes you." Lightning says. Eclipse smiles. "I know a happy foal when I see one." She said taking Typhoon off of her muzzle before giving her back to Rainbow. "You two have made wonderful foals." "Where is Talion?" Lightning asks looking around. Rainbow looks around as well before seeing something that made her smile. "Eclipse, how well trained are your guards?" "They always put Celestia's guards to shame." Eclipse says proudly. Rainbow then laughs out loud confusing everyone except for Lightning. "Then you better train them some more, Talion just took a few daggers and a few arrows." She said looking to Talion who was sitting on a ceiling ledge with some items near him. "Looks like an earth pony is climbing up there." Twilight says. "Oh, I know that old stallion, he gave me directions after I left my room to get something." Pinkie says. Everypony looks confused at her. "And what did you get?" Lightning asks. "Cheese for myself and milk for the Cake's foals." Pinkie says. Lightning shakes his head. "I'm done questioning your motives now." "I…I…I…" Midnight kept stuttering. "I think you broke him sis." Applejack says. Applebloom smiles as she starts to lead him to a seat. "Come on Midnight, let's get you a seat and you can recover." Rainbow smiles before turning back to Eclipse. "You should really train the guards, if they can't stop a foal from taking their stuff then they're worse than the royal guards back home." "To be fair, Talion can become intangible." Lightning interjects. Rainbow still smiles. "And yet, you can still see him. Now who wins?" "Talion, because even though you can see, you can't touch." Lightning says. Eclipse huffs. "Unbelievable. Foiled by a foal." Soon the door opens. "I apologize my Queen, but I caught this foal." The old earth pony wearing similar armor to Kite's said while holding Talion. "Thank you Galleon." Eclipse says. Rainbow smirks. "Well, at least not all your guards are bad." "Hi Galleon, it has been a while." Lightning says. Galleon gives him a tired old smile. "Hello Lightning, good to see you again." "You know this stallion?" Twilight asks. Lightning nods. "Yep, meet Galleon, one of the oldest members of the Queen's knight." Galleon chuckles. "Please Lightning, you're making me feel old and about to keel over." "I'll take my son off your hooves." Lightning says. Galleon smiles as he gives Talion. "You got a sneaky son, a loving daughter, a stuttering son and a mysterious daughter." He said the last one while looking at Scootaloo. "How did you know about him being Midnight's father?" Eclipse asks a little shocked. Galleon looks a little shocked himself. "So Lightning is the father? I thought Midnight was just saying dad for laughs." Eclipse facehooves. "I can't believe I screwed up again." "You kept it a secret for more than a decade at least." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs. "Still revealed it." "My Queen, is there anything you need?" Galleon asks. Eclipse looks to him. "Yes, bring…the cloth." She said ominously. "As you wish my queen." Galleon says before leaving. Eclipse smiles. "Galleon has always acted like a grandfather to me." Eclipse says. Lightning looks confused for a bit. "What's the cloth?" "Ah! Not the cloth!" Midnight yells running behind Applebloom. Everypony now to him before back to Eclipse. "What's the cloth?" Lightning asks. Eclipse sighs and was about to speak before Galleon steps in with a box. "I have it my queen." Eclipse nods. "Thank you." She said taking the box. She sighs before opening the box. "The cloth is a little something special. Usually when we want to…" She reaches into the box and pulls out a large white cloth. "Have a little time to ourselves or something special. Observe." She brings the cloth around Typhoon, making her disappear behind it before tapping it a few times before pulling it away to find that Typhoon is gone. Rainbow grows shocked. "Hey, give me my daughter back!" Eclipse smiles. "Of course I'll give her back." She said bringing the cloth around her. Rainbow looks to the cloth. "Don't you…!" Eclipse pulls the cloth away to see that she disappeared as well. "Clipsy, where is my wife and daughter?" Lightning asks. Eclipse smirks. "Same place where you're going." She said wrapping the cloth around him and Talion before tapping and pulling it away to find they are gone as well. Everypony else backs away before Eclipse rushes to Applebloom and Midnight before covering them too. "Wait mom, don't…!" Midnight yells before Eclipse also pulls the cloth away and sees them gone too. "Where are they?!" Applejack angrily demands. Eclipse grins. "Come and find out." Applejack growls before launching herself at her before Eclipse wraps her in the cloth and then flings it open to nothing and Applejack gone. "Who's next?" Eclipse asks having the same grin. "Oh me! Me! Me, me, me!" Pinkie yells shaking a hoof in the air. Eclipse opens the cloth to her to which Pinkie rushes in and gets wrapped up before Eclipse opens it again and she's gone. "Next in line please." "Wheeeeeeeee…owie." Pinkie yells as she hits the ground in a large forestry area that was a bit foggy. "Cool. Hello!" "Very interesting place don't you think Rainbow?" Lightning's voice was heard nearby. "It's a bit creepy, but it is kind of cool." Rainbow responded. Pinkie smiles and follows the path till she reaches a stone table where a large amount of food was laid out and the others were seated. "Hi guys! What is this place?" She asks taking a seat. Midnight huffs. "Mom knows how much I hate place, I think she did this to wake me up." "Oh do tell son." Lightning says. Midnight sighs. "We found this place by accident. Mom found the cloth in the basement where nopony goes anymore. When she used it as bed sheets for my bed one time I got covered up in it and ended up here. Somepony was sitting at the table here, telling how he used to live in some type of palace and soon his wing was forgotten and abandoned while even the door was locked to the main hall. Soon he ended up here and decided to live here for now on. Mom found me later after figuring out the cloth trick and brought me back. When we went back for the stallion here, he was gone, but he left a note saying, always have others with you to cheer you up. Still think this place is creepy, I mean, look at this fog." "Interesting, I am feeling powerful magic here akin to a Daedric." Lightning says as they start hearing a yell. Looking up they see Twilight. "I hate my life!" She yells before she lands on the table sending everything everywhere. "Ow." She moans in pain. "Lightning, you know these types of things better than me, what is this place and how is it connected to the cloth?" She said just lying there. "You want the full very complicated explanation that will require a very good understanding of higher mathematics and level four magic knowledge in teleportation, warping, enchanting, and camouflage magic or the short and less complex version?" Lightning asks. Twilight groans as she gets up and off the table as the food and items float away to be replaced as they leave and enter from the fog. "Short version." "Basically we are somewhere between worlds. Specifically our world, the spirit world, and possibly the oblivion." Lightning says. Twilight looks around and the stuff floating around. "So, a pocket dimension?" "Very good my student." Lightning says. Twilight looks around before seeing an archway. "What's this way?" She asks herself walking through it and disappearing into the fog. "She'll be back, everypony, look to my left." Midnight said. Everypony looks and sees Twilight coming out of the opposite archway where she looked confused. "Looks like a replaying pocket dimension where only you could go to an area and stay there and makes you come back to it if you try to leave." "There were other areas, but they weren't there after me and mom went into this place a second time." Midnight said. Twilight keeps looking as she sat down at the table. "Wonder what else this place has?" "Looks like the thing that lived here has abandoned it so it shapes itself in accordance to who enters." Lightning thinks out loud. Midnight shrugs. "Or he died after all his time here. He told me that his mind was broken. I didn't know what he meant until I saw a younger version of him looking a bit scared and grabbing some food before leaving. I guess he finally gave in." "Interesting, let me try something. Belcross!" Lightning calls, but nothing happened. "Strange, he is not able to answer my call." Lightning says. Twilight then panics when she realizes what Agni is. "Agni!" She yells before hearing another yell coming from above them. Twilight quickly flies up and catches Agni before floating back down. "Thank goodness, I thought I might have never see you again here." She said nuzzling him. "That was weird." Agni says. "Seems the only way to enter is through the cloth itself." Lightning says. Twilight smiles as she places Agni in chair. "Where's big brother Spike?" As if one que a yell is heard from above. "Ow." Spike yells as he landed on the table. "Okay, whose bright idea was it to have the portal here over a stone table?" "Seems the portal transport time varies among species as well as the location." Lightning says. Spike groans as he gets up before sitting in his own seat. "Then how come we always have the worst timing and placement?" "This a reason you wanted me to visit you Eclipse?" Lightning asks. "Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Eclipse cheers as she drops in with all the rest of them. She soon lands behind him. "Sorry, what was that?" "You know, you all left without getting your new clothes." Kite said carrying a large bag behind her. "You going to answer Eclipse?" Lightning asks. Eclipse smiles as she heads to her own seat. "I wanted to show you all that there are many secrets and only those that would trust you well enough would give you the opportunity to see it. For now, I wanted you all to have your own meals. Just call it out. A cold chocolate frappe please." She calls and soon a large cup floats in with the drink. "Do you want to know what I think this is or just play around?" Lightning asks. Eclipse groans. "You're such a downer Lightning. Go ahead and tell them." She said drinking. "A daedra's playground where they drag victims and toy with them before killing them." Lightning says. Eclipse ignores the gasps as she continues to drink. "Me and Midnight have been coming here for a while now, there is no daedra here." "Show the victims." Lightning says and nothing happens at first before several cages of light are revealed and hundreds of ponies and other creature that look like they are made of mist inside of them. Eclipse sighs as everypony looks shocked. "And me and Midnight have gotten use to them, we usually allow them to eat with us. You see ponies, this land has many horrors and many deaths, but out of those brings light. Bring another table for our victims." She calls for the last one. "Belay that, bring forth the jailer!" Lightning says glaring. The prisoners seem to be terrified by that statement as Lightning gets up. "You really can ruin a good time." A figure said as it came out from the archway behind Eclipse who looked disappointed. "See I don't care at this point. You could have eaten and left and I wouldn't bat an eye." "Your soul for their freedom." Lightning says not taking his eyes off the monster. The monster keeps looking at him. "Which ones, your friends and family or my prisoners?" "All." Lightning says as the fog starts to clear revealing a thousands of bones everywhere. Everypony, except Lightning, Eclipse, Midnight and Kite scream as they jump onto the table. The monster sighs. "Take it." He said simply. "Wise choice. If you hadn't backed down your head would be next to the Daedric lord's that I slew." Lightning says this time shocking the monster. The monster huffs. "You know how I started out? Do you?" "You were created from the angst and suffering of the Daedra's victims and were forever tasked to be their jailer and torturer." Lightning says. The monster sighs before walking over and sitting at the end of the table. "Poor naive boy. These monsters and emotions has to start out somewhere. How about I start from the beginning. I was once a lonely stallion living far from a city. A great city mind you. Now the problem was that when I went there they saw me as a monster already because of my father. He had magic, but only the dark would accept him and nothing else, but he was a kind stallion. After my family died I vowed to show that I'm different than what others think I am. This table here, it is not transported from somewhere else, it was carved by my own hooves. No magic, just me, a hammer and a chisel, right down the last flower pattern on it. Yet, they still saw the same thing. That became apparent when I tried to host a dinner party near my home where I carved the table and chairs, nopony came, not even the creatures of the land that isn't pony. I hoped and waited, until the land took me as I waited too long for somepony to come. Now I got it all, visitors come in and have dinner here, unaware of the curse I was placed under when I died. These victims are the ones that stayed to eat and enjoy the company, and now I'm living the thing I wanted most. Yet now…now I'm wishing I never had all this in the first place. Probably would have been better off as a hermit helping weary travelers." Lightning listen to the story with his eyes closed. "You know what you have to do to break this curse and be free right?" Lightning asks. The monster sighs leans back in his chair. "Yes. I was hoping…that at least one day…somepony would come and see something different." "And that feeling is powering the curse which the Daedra placed on you. Now with it finally gone it is time to end this and finally be free. Break the table." Lightning says. The monster smiles as it takes the form of a stallion with dark colors. "Thank you. You're different than any other pony I have met, even these two are vastly different than you." He said pointing to Eclipse and Midnight as a hammer and a chisel comes out of the bones as everypony else gets off the table and moves near Lightning. "No, I know what is like to be alone and longing for a place to call home. You never got the chance to find yours." Lightning says. The pony closes his eyes as a tear fell from one of them and the chisel was placed at the center of the table. "Thank you my boy. Maybe one day, you can change something that should have never happened." He said before the hammer was brought down on the chisel and the table broke in many places as it fell apart. "Goodbye and thanks again." He said before disappearing. "Be free, son of Sobra, lead your friends on to the other side." Lightning says. The souls started to whisk away, one by one as the bones started to disappears too with each soul. "Lightning, I'm sorry for the deception, but I knew only you can hope to end this." Eclipse said as the land slowly started to reveal itself. "Eclipse, take them and leave now, the true battle begins." Lightning says. Eclipse looks down as some white cloths start to appear and then wraps around each pony before moving on to the next as they disappear. Only when it reached Lightning did he smile at the broken table. "I'll never let your story die." He said before he was taken by the cloth and dropped into the dining room at the palace. Eclipse sighs. "Look Lightning, when I saw the land, I knew you had to be the one to deal with it. Not because it's a monster, but because it's a being in need of help. I knew you were the only one who could help him." "Give me the cloth Eclipse, one last thing needs to be done." Lightning says. Eclipse takes the cloth from Galleon and gives it to him. "Time to close the doorway like the palace did to that pony a long time ago?" "Goracho." Lightning says and the cloth bursts into black flames. Everypony watches the cloth burn as all the pieces burn away. Some of them with a sad smile on them. "Lightning, I'm sorry for all this." Eclipse said. "Did you find anything else?" Lightning asks. Eclipse sighs. "No, that was the only thing we have ever found that even relates to this matter. I'm sorry." "Then there is no need, for there are no more Daedric artifacts here." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs and looks down. "Enjoy your breakfast everypony. If you need me, ask Galleon." She said walking away. "Clipsy, walk with me." Lightning says walking with her. Eclipse keeps looking down as they walk away into the halls. "That had to be the creepiest and saddest adventure we have been on." Fluttershy said. "At least it had a good ending." Twilight says now fascinated by the term Lightning used for the cloth. "What did you want to talk about?" Eclipse asks as they sat on a bench in the middle of a large makeshift garden. "Why did you not alert me the moment you found it?" Lightning asks. Eclipse sighs. "Because when we did find it, we were already away from the war after you finished it, you were blind and had to deal with the foals. I couldn't place anymore deadly burden on you." "No, I wasn't, Midnight told me when he was younger. That coupled with you were in Equestria all that time with me." Lightning says. Eclipse looks to him. "Lightning…I didn't want to destroy the good times and family you have. I destroyed you when you had to leave and I allowed it. I couldn't bear to see you hurt again and revisit that life." "You are an idiot you know. I never once hated you or anything." Lightning says. Eclipse smiles a little. "Yes I know, I'm the most stupid mare you ever met. But still, you being hurt with a life like he had, I couldn't let you fall into that when you were coming out of it." "You never leave that life behind Clipsy. The reason I remain in that darkness is so you and the others can live in the light." Lightning says. Eclipse giggles once. "And yet you don't even follow your own words. Nopony deserves to be alone, not that Daedric or even you. Lightning…you don't have to be in the dark anymore, not without somepony there for you." She said wrapping a wing around him. "I'm not alone in it anymore Clipsy, but it is not a place for you or any other thing should be." Lightning says looking at her as one of his eyes turn black. Eclipse looks a bit worried. "Then lead us and we would help, this is a loved one's curse and we would gladly take it for you." "No, where I will go you cannot follow. Midnight needs at least one parent in his life." Lightning says as he forces the dark in his eye back. Eclipse groans a bit. "You do such a better job than me, maybe better than I could ever hope. Maybe I should leave Midnight with you. I'm no good at this. All I do is have him study or get him into very big trouble like the cloth." "No, what he needs is his mother not his father. With you he can have a bright future. With me he won't." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs. "And with you he can learn some things I can't teach." "Somethings are better lost. I learnt magic like that because of my insatiable thirst for knowledge. I will also take them to the grave with me." Lightning says. Eclipse nods. "I know that, I just meant things that a father and a son would know together." "Eclipse it is awkward enough to find out his hero is also his father. I still notice a pause before he says father. Besides he has already learnt what I would teach him through you." Lightning says. Eclipse wraps her wing tighter around him. "Then you would allow your son to grow without a father figure?" "He doesn't need me Clipsy. He had you. I don't even think I am worthy to call myself his father because I wasn't there for him most of his life." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs. "Do I need to remind the talk you had with Rainbow?" "This is different Clipsy and besides he has a responsibility to become a king." Lightning says. Eclipse looks to the palace. "Lightning, you are making it sound like he shouldn't have a father at all." "No, you know how some of your citizen's are about their nationality. Some downright hate foreigners in general. If word got out that his father is not from Saddle Arabia at all some would not support him and start to work towards either independence or usurping the throne." Lightning says. Eclipse looks back to him. "So you want to be gone from his life, forever?" "No, but I just don't think I can fill the role of a father. Eclipse, I see two Queen's knights coming and they are the two overly patriotic about their nationality ones." Lightning whispers the second part. Eclipse nods and gets up. "Come on, let's get out of here before they think different." She said walking away. "My Queen." The mare calls as the two approach. 'Dang it, they spotted us.' Both Lightning and Eclipse think. Eclipse sighs. "Knights. Come along Mr. Bolt. I'm sure your family and friends are waiting." "As you wish Clipsy, oh and I have been meaning to say this to you since we last encounter to each other, fuck off Zahhak." Lightning says to the stallion. Zahhak growls. "Nice to meet you too sir." He said struggling with each word. "What are you doing here you foreign barbarian?" The mare growls. Lightning shrugs. "What, an old guard can't come to see how his old charge is doing?" "You insolent barbarian, how dare you refer her royal highness in such a manner, I ought to…" The mare stops feeling a sword at her throat. "Watch it Alenia, last time you challenge me I destroyed you in front of everypony and your commander chewed you out for doing such a thing." Lightning says holding his sword, the tip touching her throat before he withdraws it. Alenia growls. "I loath you Lightning. You are a disgrace among soldiers." "Oh, go whine somewhere else." Lightning says walking away with Eclipse. Zahhak sighs. "He's still the same. Let it go." He said to Alenia walking away. "I can't believe you still put up with those two." Lightning says. Eclipse looks back to them slightly. "They are the best at what they do, I didn't say best attitude though. Look Lightning…I'm sorry for the deception, but know that Midnight needs a father in his life, all foals do. If you aren't there for him, my life will be all he knows and nothing else. I want him to explore and search, but that drive isn't there, not without you to unlock it. He needs you…I need you." "When the war starts that will be impossible, you know that." Lightning says after several moments of silence. Eclipse nods grimly. "But, at least he would have the time the way it was meant to be for that brief period. Give him that time." Lightning says nothing and finally nods. Eclipse smiles as they continue to walk. "Thank you Lightning. You also have made a choice that also makes it possible for us." "Just prepare for the worst." Lightning says. Eclipse swishes her tail over him for a few seconds. "If I can help give the best for my family, I can surely prepare for the worst." "I'm not giving you a second child." Lightning clarifies causing Eclipse to whine in displeasure. Eclipse huffs as she turns away from him, pouting cutely. "You're no fun." "You are good, but I can still see right through you like the day we met." Lightning says smirking. Eclipse smiles as she still faces away from him. "Can we at least spend some time together?" "Ok, put on a normal mare's outfit and meet me on the courtyard later tonight, we are going to pull that old trick that not even the Queen's knight have figured out." Lightning says. Eclipse giggles. "And this is one of the reasons I fell in love with you." "Other reasons are my good looks, my wit, my intelligence, and the fact that I keep you from doing anything too stupid or embarrassing while you are drunk." Lightning lists off. Eclipse smirks and points her hoof at him. "And another is that tool you have." "Oh, I forgot one." Lightning says smirking. Eclipse chuckles. "Yes, yes you did. And boy how could I not forget that night? Probably the best I ever had with you." "Oh no, not that, this." Lightning says rubbing a certain part of Eclipse's wing. "Eeep." Eclipse squeaks. "Oh you crazy stallion. How I missed this." She moans. "That is all you get for now." Lightning says stopping. Eclipse sighs in relief. "Now that feels a little better. And now I'm wondering what else you have planned." She shakes herself before walking again. "Let's go. The others are probably worried and…I'm sorry for the artifact." "It's in the past, don't give it another thought, but knowing my student, she will want to know everything on those kind of artifacts." Lightning says. Eclipse looks a bit worried. "Don't you have a book on everything about the Dadriacs you may have given her?" "She's not that far along and she, like myself, has an insatiable thirst for knowledge. That's why I mainly learnt magic, how to forge, martial skills, and skills in warfare." Lightning says. Eclipse now looks even more worried. "Lightning, I know deviled into the dark arts somehow. You know that Twilight will follow." "No, she won't if I tell her what will happen to Agni if she tries, seeing as their connection is stronger than even mine and Belcross' by far." Lightning says. Eclipse smiles. "Then I hope for the best. After all, family is important to that mare." "It is a better course than forbidding study of it like my master did." Lightning says. Eclipse smirks and then clears her throat. "Lightning, I forbid you to read these texts, it is too dangerous. You would not want to fall into the dark like our neighbor next door who we put down last week." She said in her mock voice of his master. "Yeah, yeah master." Lightning says in a mock tone. "One more thing." Eclipse says in her mock voice before smacking him on the head. "Ow, did you have to imitate him that accurately?" Lightning asks holding his head. Eclipse smirks. "Always do research. Get that through your head." She said in her mock voice before giggling. "Oh I miss that stallion. Always funny and always had a story." "And ate lima beans which gave him horrible gas." Lightning adds. Eclipse waves her hoof in front of her face. "Oh, I can still remember that. All the air fresheners." "Why do you think I wore an air filter?" Lightning asks. Eclipse chuckles. "Come on, the others have to be panicking right now." She said walking away. Twilight poured over the books she had on hoof right now, but couldn't find anything that even sounded like what Lightning said. "It has to be somewhere." "Looking for the creature Agni saw my student?" Lightning asks. Twilight looks over to Lightning who just entered the common room with Eclipse. "Umm…yes actually. Agni has been a bit more worried than usual." "Your left ear and wing twitches when you lie my student." Lightning says. Twitch. "What are you talking about?" Twilight asks with the best smile she can muster. "You will not find a reference to Daedric artifacts in any of those books. The entire east knows the dangers of such items and even the Dominion does want them used." Lightning says. Twilight groans. "Great. Just when I want to know more." "Some things are best left forgotten my student." Lightning says. Twilight huffs. "And if it keeps nagging at you?" "It is dark magic and most of the time evil." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "Can I least see a book?" "Twilight you know your connection to Agni is so great." Lightning says. Twilight looks to him. "And what does that mean?" "And that connection is through your magic starts turning dark it will start poisoning him because of your connection is so strong." Lightning says. Twilight stops and stares at him. "What?" She whispered. "Dark magic is practically poison to spirits still developing and you share magic through your bond so…" Lightning says letting her fill in the blanks. Twilight looks down. "He'll die." "Exactly, besides you have yet to reach that level in your studies in eastern magic. Now let's see if we can learn anything on that creature." Lightning says. Agni watches as Lightning sits down on the opposite couch and grabs a book as well. "Oh mom." A dark chuckle sounds out behind him, but nopony seems to notice it. "As such a first seed will be planted and the rest fall into the ground by it. Then they will sprout and bloom into something beautiful." 'Shadow.' Agni thinks and he sees a red eye appear in his shadow. Shadow chuckles. "Plans are put into place far ahead of their original time to start. And this plan was executed beautifully. Now all I need to do is sit back, relax, and read a good book while the show begins." 'How have the other spirits not destroyed you yet?' Agni asks. Shadow's eye looks to him almost sultry like. "Listen my dear sweet boy, the reason this is happening is because it is. No one can stop it, not even the grand high spirit. And if I succeed then all will be well. Maybe you'll like the new life. Living under constant reign while she feeds off every dark force. Probably even take the heart of that little dragon…" "Shut up!" Agni yells before firing a fire ball at the shadow which makes Shadow disappear with the eye. The only thing he can hear after that was the cold laughter ringing through him. "Twilight, I think the creature is taunting Agni somehow or he is hallucinating." Lightning says. Twilight looks worried as Agni eats the flames to not let the room burn. "Agni, are you okay?" "Y…yeah, I'm fine." Agni says as his left ear twitches. Lightning notices this and when Twilight looks away and back to the book he mouths 'Later.' to him. Agni nods and looks to his shadow again before sitting down near the wall. A few days later Lightning was in a familiar bunch of ancient ruins that he had made a hideout out of years ago. "Shadow, get out here right now." Lightning ordered as he paced back and forth. Shadow chuckles darkly before coming out of the dark wall in his room. "Can I help you?" "Stop your plot now or I will destroy you." Lightning threatens. Shadow smiles. "Lightning, do you remember what I said, kill me now and this war will never end? Well, you do that and you will die, along with the rest of you. I just want the safety of everyone here…after all if everyone dies, who will I have to play with?" "Don't play with me Shadow. I won't let you condemn my student to that path. I have walked down it." Lightning says. Shadow smirks. "And yet, you still don't know your student very well, do you?" "Better than you, what, do you want to stop assisting?" Lightning asks. Shadow giggles and walks around the room. "Now I didn't say that. I have to help you in some way. By the way, the body is ready for you. And the life you had, greatly influenced how you dealt with it. Your young student, she has a lot of potential." She jumps onto the bed and forms into Rainbow. "Both ends of the spectrum." She said in Rainbow's voice. Lightning facehooves. "Tell me, did you do this just to put me in this position?" Lightning asks. Shadow shrugs. "I don't know. I may consider this a bonus. After all it has been so long for me." "Interesting, because from what I have heard you are a virgin." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "Want to be my first then? I can be anything you want, even another species." "Oh my god, this is Eclipse all over again….stay as Rainbow." Lightning says worried she would turn into Eclipse. Shadow looks a bit surprised. "Really, as your wife and not that mare named…?" Lightning holds up a hoof. "Don't say it and don't change into her." Shadow looks around for a bit. "So…you really are going to do this?" "Do I have a choice?" Lightning asks. Shadow gets up a bit. "Actually you do. This is completely voluntary." "Ah, but would you accept a different payment for stopping your assisting of this creature so it can be killed?" Lightning asks. Shadow smirks at him. "Maybe, maybe not. In the end I always get what I want one way or another." Shadow says and then sighs. "Anyway, I will give you this for free. That creature was something different yes, but there some underlying layer of something. I don't what it is, but it's there. Now, I require payment for my services to help you and as for the creature, which is free." "What am I paying for?" Lightning asks. Shadow chuckles. "Me helping you out, Tierk's body, and, of course, an aid in the war. That last one requires a little extra." "I'm not going to enjoy this, am I?" Lightning asks. "I'm not so sure of that." Shadow says smiling while touching his cheek and to her inward surprise, darkness covers his eye on that side. "Whether you enjoy this or not, is your choice." Lightning sighs and holds a hoof to hers. "Just don't change me. I don't think my family can bare it." Shadow smiles lovingly. "Wouldn't dream of it." "At least I decided to come here to meet you." Lightning says. Shadow nods. "Yes and…thanks for this. No one has shown me this much compassion." "Oh and here I thought you raped Luna to make her Nightmare Moon?" Lightning jokes. Shadow smirks. "A little, but it was some ghost stallions that I made. Lifeless husks that don't have a soul. And don't worry about her relationship with your student, she's still a virgin." "Your one to talk, also you mimic everything about Rainbow perfectly?" Lightning asks. Shadow nods. "Yep, now how do you want her? The take charge mare or the timid and eager to be raped mare?" "Ok, two things first, when she puts up a tough front and actually is scared or nervous her tail twitches to the right." Lightning says smirking. Shadow looks back to the tail before fixing that. "Anything else?" She asks as she tests out her new twitch. "Oh, Shadow is nervous and scared of big bad Lightning and second, I know every one of her sensitive places on her." Lightning says his smirk growing. Shadow gets a bit nervous as she shuffles her forelegs. "So the shy and timid Rainbow?" "Let's go with Shadow." Lightning says before jumping on her. You know what's coming. Lightning immediately attacks her by kissing her hard and stroking her wings. Shadow moans as she starts to breath heavily from the multiple sensations now running through her. She starts to kiss back as Lightning keeps the pressure up and forces her back into the bed. He soon let's go and licks his lips hungrily. "I'm going to enjoy this." He said as one of his eyes were already dark. Shadow moans in anticipation and soon feels something hard hit her. She looks down to see his large dick, but it was being covered in a shadow swirl. Lightning didn't notice it or care and places it right at her entrance. She moans again as she feels it move around outside her. Lightning pants heavily as he leans down to her ear. "If you get more pain than ever, do whatever you can to lessen it and kiss me." He said before plunging in. Shadow grunts and hisses as she feels the large dick fill her up. The pain now being subsided by her natural powers, but also by feeling it move around a little, bringing some shocks of pleasure. Lightning smiles as he keeps moving back and forth in her as Shadow now moans happily as she leans back into the bed and grabs the sheets. He grunts as he fills her up with every thrust into her, making her grunt and moan. Soon she feels it hit something hard inside her as he kept rutting away at her new barrier. Lightning looks to Shadow who nods before he moves back all the way before going back in again and moving a little more inside. Shadow screams as she feels shocks coming from the hard hit before he moves back and does it again, moving even further in. She keeps screaming out in pleasure until she feels him stop inside her. Panting heavily and looking down, she can see a large bugle from her stomach that twitches with every throb. Lightning smiles at her. "The dark did give me a few tricks to help." He said as Shadow tried to figure what he said before she feels herself being lifted. She looks behind her to see another Lightning with the same appearance, right down the last scar. "Clones, got to love them." Shadow breathes out in anticipation as the clone Lightning lied down on the bed and placed her on top of him, while bringing his dick to her plot hole. She groans in some pain before the real Lightning kisses her and the clone slips in. She moans into the kiss as she feels the two dicks move inside her. Lightning's sighs as he let's go and lays her back down. "Now we got find a better use for that mouth." He said as another dick comes into her view. She smiles before taking it into her mouth and the clone Lightning puts it all the way inside, making choke and gag before he pulls out enough to let her relax. "Now meet our cover ups." He said as more clones appear who were slowly stroking their dicks pointed at her. She counted at least ten of the cover ups and not the ones already in her. Lightning smirks as he grabs onto her hips. "Now, shall we?" The clone inside her grab her head and ass before they all move out before plunging back in. Shadow moans as they move around now and she can hear the flesh hitting each other from the cover up clones and her. She then was rocked back and forth as they each found their own rhythm and soon her whole body was never left empty. Her mouth began to slobber all over herself as she was upside down and some onto the clone under her. The dick in her mouth kept going all the way back deep down into her, almost her stomach, making her try to breath from her nose and not her mouth. The one in her ass worked with the real Lightning as they move in time to opposite of each other, making her feel the many veins and ring on him as they touched each other through a small wall of flesh. The real Lightning smirks as the cover up Lightnings all got in closer and two of them made her take her front hooves and have her rub them hard. They both moan as the others moan as well as they try to aim it at her. Lightning grunts and hits hard with every hit as the one under her wraps his hooves around her midsection and also hits hard. He looks to the see the one in her mouth leaning over a little and biting into her neck, making her now scream from the sensation of being used. Soon it became too much for the one in her mouth as the vibrations from her scream sent him over the edge and made him slam down into her fill her up. Shadow moans as she feels the cum run into her stomach, but then feels him slowly pull out as he kept cumming and soon filled up her mouth and then pulled out with a 'pop' as he now covers her face in cum. That was the trigger for the one under her and he grunts before slamming in one more time and filling her up from there. Shadow now was lost in pleasure as she moves her tongue all over the cum on lips and mouth, not swallowing yet. She feels the hot liquid run into stomach as she feels the one under her grab on tight as he thrust with each pulse and releases each glob of cum. Lightning couldn't hold on anymore and when the one under her pulled out he came too and filled her to the brim as the ones around her cummed as well. The ones having her hooves used cummed onto them before aiming at her face. The ones around her just aimed at whatever part of her body is now not being covered and filled the gap. Lightning grunts as he stayed inside her and saw the belly bloat from the insane amount of cum being poured in. Shadow screams in pleasure as she covered and filled to the brim before they all stop. She then feels the real Lightning pull out before he grabs her waist again and flip her over. "Now let's get everything." "Yes, do it, fill me, cover me, use me, just fuck me however you want." Shadow moans as she feels a dick enter her, but then looks ahead to see a few dicks in front of her. She looks up to see the real Lightning as told by the shadow eye. She smiles before taking his dick in her mouth and holding onto two other dicks and jerking them off. The one under her grunts and enters her before they both pound her away into oblivion. Shadow moans as some hits send her deeper onto the dick in her mouth. Lightning moans as he places his hooves on her head before facefucking her as deep and hard as she jerks the other two harder and the ones around her to try and keep up. The ones in her ass and pussy try to keep up speed until they gave up and went their own pace and tried to hit her hard and send her deeper into Lightning's dick in front of her. She moans heavily as she feels them all about to explode as the panting and breathing started to get slower and quicker between each. Soon all of the Lightnings scream and release their load at the same time. She feels Lightning's dick in her mouth travel down to her stomach before he pulls back and let's it fill up her mouth. Her pussy and ass was filled even more the brim and she thought it might burst from what they have put in. The ones at her hooves let's themselves go as they aimed at it at her face and covered her up even more. All around her the Lightnings aimed whatever they missed the first time and covered it up with fresh cum. She then feels the ones in her pussy and ass leave before they were replaced by another pair as they continue to fill her up. Shadow moans as she feels them leave before they were replaced by another. Lightning pulls his dick away before another pushes his in and keeps cumming. Shadow moans as every warm covering and flood came into or onto her. Soon they all finished and pulled away, but they still kept stroking. Shadow smirks before spreading her legs open. "Come on big boys. Show me what you got." Two Lightnings immediately rushes her and places their dicks in her pussy, at the same time. Shadow screams in pleasure as she feels them both start to move with each other and other times against each other. Then she feels two more at her ass before they plunge inside and start thrusting deep inside her, making her pant breathlessly. A Lightning then grabs her head before bringing it down slightly to reach his dick and brings another right beside him. They both plunge in at the same time, making her go cross eye in pleasure. After that they all started to move faster, sending her body rocking everywhere as the last ones left out were all jerking off to the show. She then feels two at her hooves and starts jerking them off. Shadow screams were muffled as all the Lightning's breathing got heavily before they all plunge in at the same time and grunts from the extreme tightness. Shadow freezes up as her eyes roll up and shot after shot of cum ran into her before she feels them leave her and lets her fall onto the bed. She got rolled over once before she got some of the cum landing on her and then rolled over again and this time mostly in her mane and tail. She moans in pleasure as the hot cum lands on her before she looks up and receives some in her eye, making her close it to get the sting out. Lightning smirks and keeps aiming it at her face making her cough slightly from the large amount still leaking out of her mouth. Once they all finished he drags his dick through her mane and wipes it clean before pulling and letting the others do the same before they finish as well and walk away as they each disappear. "Come back soon." Shadow said breathlessly. Lightning smiles as the last one was then gone and lays down with her. "You look terrible." Shadow chuckles and spits the rest of the cum in her mouth onto her chest. "More like, the greatest fuckfest ever." Lightning smiles and pats her head, ignoring the cum soaked mess. "Glad you like it. So it is a good enough payment?" Shadow moans and rubs the cum all over her into her coat more. "This and many more to come. Just know that if you want, you can use me like this again and I can still do things your wife can't. Remember, just ask." Lightning nods and rests his head down on the bed. "Well, let me rest and we can figure out our next move." Shadow nods as well before snuggling over to him and into his forelegs. "Okay, and don't worry, all of this will be cleaned up by morning." Lightning smirks. "Good, I hate cleaning sheets." And that's the end of that portion, back to your regularly scheduled programming. Lightning meets up with Apollo as the sun starts to set. "What do you got?" Lightning asks. "Apparently the thieves' guild here has been squeezed greatly by a growing death cult." Apollo says. Lightning nods and shivers a bit as a small sliver of shadow runs by his hooves. "Okay, anything else?" "They seem to worship a dragon like creature." Apollo says. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "A dragon? Let's see, death cult and worships a dragon. Nothing else?" "Nothing unless I try and infiltrate, but sir, this raises a golden opportunity. While the thieves' guild here is weakened locally they still have many strong connections. We can use this opportunity to take them over and turn them into a spy ring for the war." Apollo says. Lightning smirks. "You just want to keep stealing like the old days and this guild will give you many places and things to take." "Well that's a bonus." Apollo jokes. Lightning chuckles. "Alright, grab Nikolai and see what you can do. I got to deal with something else." "Gotcha." Apollo says walking off. Lightning sighs in relief as soon as he rounded a corner and looks down. "Can you at least try to make your plan painless?" "That depends, what are you offering?" Shadow asks as she appeared as a mare wrapped in a cloak. Lightning frowns. "That payment isn't enough?" Shadow grins. "Different. That was for my services, basically a wage for being employed under you. Now what are offering?" Lightning sighs. "I'll let you go along with the plan. Just don't hurt anypony or send them so far away they don't want to come back." Shadow sighs and smiles. "Now that I can try to do. I don't know about being painless, but not driving them away, I can do that. Now, the next seed needs to fall, so I'll be off. Thanks for the paycheck." She said before sinking into the shadows again. "You will never get that again if you corrupt my student, but give Twilight a scare, keep her off the path. She deserves a better life than either of us." Lightning says. Shadow chuckles darkly from the shadows. "And if I don't, many will fall. How about this, she will be herself, but can have more fun than usual. Something along the lines that still represent that pigeon." "I have a few more things to discuss with you." Lightning says. Shadow's head came out. "Yes?" "First, you can sense the guardian spirits of this realm, are the dessert ones around here awakened?" Lightning asks. Shadow sighs and comes out again. "Yes, anything else?" "Are you going to keep that dark version of my wife as your form?" Lightning asks. Shadow smirks. "Only if you want. I can still do things normal mares can't. Just ask and I'll see if I can do it for you." "I see, so that is a yes just so I will do that every time to you." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "I think I might enjoy this. Now, I have to go deal with the next seed and then it's onto give those seeds some water. Bye now." She said before turning into smoke and sinking into the ground and slithering away. "No Daedric artifacts at this point, they could overwhelm her and turn her into a threat or something you can't control like what happened with Sombra." Lightning says. Silence reaches his ears so he sighs and walks back to the palace. "Wonder what I missed for the day?" He asks himself. Twilight sighs and puts the last book away. That had to be the hundredth book she had checked and nothing matches what ever bothered Agni. She looks to him sleeping nearby her, almost peacefully. She smiles and pats his head. "I promise I'll figure this out." "Are you so sure?" Shadow asks. Twilight's breathe catches in her throat as she looks around slowly. "Why are you here?" She hissed out as she scowls. Shadow chuckles darkly. "Oh you know, taking in the sights, sit back and read something, and maybe do some gardening. Have you ever done gardening?" "Where are you?" Twilight growls. Shadow sighs in content. "Everywhere and nowhere my mare. My sweet beautiful mare. Do you remember what I said back at the castle? That reminds me, I need a new home back in Equestria." Twilight grits her teeth. "Yes, why?" Shadow smiles. "Nothing, enjoy the read." Twilight looks confused until she looks down on the table full of books and sees a new dark one that wasn't there before. "Yeah right, like I'm going to read that." She said putting the books away with her magic. She sighs and looks to the black book one last time on the empty table before picking up Agni in her magic and taking him away to their room. When she closes the door behind them does the book become lifted in a magic aura and heads toward the door where it opened again and gets grabbed by a purple hoof. "A guide to dark magic, Daedra and their artifacts, the beginner's edition." Twilight reads. She sighs and starts walking to their room again. "Oh well, have to start somewhere." She said opening the book with her magic. Agni moans as he opens his eyes to see himself on Twilight's back. "Hey mom, where are we going?" He asks sleepily. "To bed Agni." Twilight says smiling to him as she hides the book in her new clothes. Agni smiles. "Good, but what about tomorrow? Aren't we leaving tomorrow?" "No, Eclipse has invited us to stay for a while." Twilight says ruffling his fur on his head. Agni smiles as he was petted. "You know mom, you look better than ever." "Thanks, I wasn't sure about the headdress, but Eclipse convinced me." Twilight says. Agni laughs a little. "And you look a little funny." "Thanks so much." Twilight says sarcastically. Agni grins. "No problem mom. Now, have you found out what that thing was?" "No luck so far, maybe Lightning probably had some luck." Twilight says. Agni nods and then gains a thought. "Mom…have you had nightmares lately?" "No sweetie, why?" Twilight asks. Agni shrugs. "Just wondering." They soon came to their door. "Big brother." He called. The door opens and they see Spike wrapped in towels wearing them like they were robes. "So Spike, were the royal baths any good?" Twilight asks. Spike smiles. "If I can compare, Canterlot Castle baths can't measure up to these." "That good huh?" Twilight asks. Spike opens the door and steps aside. "Try for yourself and you tell me." "What do you say Agni, want to try them?" Twilight asks. Agni smiles. "Only you use that soap on me again and help get my back full of flames." "Ok I will." Twilight says walking into the room and hiding the book when no one was watching. Agni quickly grabs the towels before grabbing his bag full of bathroom supplies. "Ready. Come on mom, I really want to see how good it is." "Ok Agni." Twilight says following him and walks into a multi layered bathing area where she sees most of her friends. "Hey girls." Everypony looks over to them. "Hey. You made it in time for the spa ponies to come in." Rainbow said leaning against the wall on the bath in the ground as some more ponies came in with supplies. "Eclipse really loves to treat good friends." Rainbow was then splashed in the face with water looking at the source she sees Talion laughing. Rainbow grins. "Okay, you want to do things that way. Two can play at that game." She said before splashing him. Lightning smiles as Rainbow is then splash from behind by Typhoon. He was unsure if any of them knew he was there for the steam of his bath was thick and was above them all. Rainbow keeps laughing as she tries to keep splashing both her foals and soon the others joined in as well. Then she stops as she starts sniffing around. "That's not a spa or bathroom smell." She keeps sniffing around the others as they kept playing until she starts flying upward and into the steamy area. She raises an eyebrow before she blows the steam away to show a hanging bowl with Lightning in it, smirking at her. "Hi honey." He said simply. Rainbow crosses her forelegs together. "I smell something entirely different from the usual you. Who was it?" "No one love, just using some herbs as some of my old scars started burning again." Lightning says. Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "Okay, but why up here? In fact, why not be down there with us?" "Simple, down there is only one hot baths and for this to work the water must be really hot take a feel." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Really, then why not come down to play with your foals?" "I have to stay in here for ten more minutes unless you want to join me and have your fur look shiny." Lightning offers. Rainbow brings a hoof to her chin. "Tempting, okay." She said before throwing herself at him. Lightning smiled as at first she was shocked how hot the bath was. "Hot!" She yells flying out of it. "Told you it needs to be very hot, but you adjust fast, just take it slow." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs before easing herself in and then slowly sighs in relief as the hot water covered her up. "This is nice." She said before moving over to him and resting against him. "You're nice." "So are you and you look sexy with your mane wet." Lightning says closing his eyes. Rainbow giggles. "Yeah, now hold me, would you." "Alright, so you like the private bath up here that only those of the royal family and those they give permission to can use?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods before snoring a bit. Lightning chuckles and lays his head against the side of the wall before he sees something black on the other side. He opens his eyes and sees the one spirit he doesn't even believe is there. "How…you died?" Umbra smiles as he rests against the side of the bowl. "Not really. Just…moved." "You exist right now because I allow it. If you want to continue, never mention that again." Lightning says. Umbra chuckles deeply. "Let me just say, you are sweet. Anyway, I don't think I would leave you anytime soon. That kiss was not me also having a moment, it was for me to transfer part of me into you. Your dark elemental improved didn't it?" "Belcross, you may devour this one." Lightning says. Belcross growls at he slowly rises up out of the water. Umbra remained still as he smirks. "I'm never going away Lightning, I'll tell you what I did. The kiss was for me to transfer part of me into you and the crystal is the focuser so I can talk to you or it would just be a power booster for the part of me inside you. Besides, isn't that the crystal?" He asks pointing to his necklace. "Maybe not you, but your soul is another matter." Lightning says as Belcross is about to reach out and grab Umbra's soul. Umbra sighs. "I'm not meant for you." "Hold Belcross. What do you want Umbra?" Lightning asks petting his wife's mane. Umbra frowns as he leans forward a little. "Like Shadow has her plans, I have my own agenda. I can't tell you much, not even what I have planned, not yet." "So tell me, what do you know of this creature?" Lightning asks. Umbra sighs as he leans back again. "I remember something, but that seems a long time ago. The only thing I can remember is that it is almost part of the fire elementals." "But yet not?" Lightning asks. Umbra nods. "Almost as if it stole their powers. I don't know much else. That may be for you to figure out." He then sighs. "Listen, I'm straining myself as it is. But I can now tell you this, you, that mare, and your foals will be placed in danger before I come into play." "I know, if not from the Dominion, a Daedra, then a new threat will come." Lightning says. Umbra then smiles. "Then I will be there and my plan will come to a close." "Go back to sleep Umbra or you will exhaust your little remaining life force." Lightning says. Umbra sighs as he slowly starts disappearing. "You are different from others and that will lead you to help with winning this war, on all sides." He said as he finally was gone. Seeing him gone, Belcross disappears as well. Rainbow snorts as she gets up. "What…what happened?" "You fell asleep against me love." Lightning says. Rainbow stretches and then leans against him. "How long was I out?" "Not long, but long enough where we should get out. I have to go soak in cold water now." Lightning says stretching his wings. Rainbow smiles and gets up before flying out of the floating down. "See you there." She as she disappears over the edge. Lightning looks down and watches carefully until he smile and cannonballs into the bath below. "Lightning!" Rainbow yells as water splashed everywhere. Lightning laughs as the foals cheer and Pinkie holds up a number ten card. "Now the whole family has splashed you love." Lightning says before diving. Rainbow growls before she dives in after him. Everypony watches carefully until they come back up with Rainbow on top of him pulling at his mane. Then went back under and then back up with Lightning having her in a headlock. "And that's the pony teaching me." Twilight says embarrassed before a dark blue blur tackles both pegasus, sending them underwater again. They then come back up with both Eclipse and Rainbow snuggling Lightning's wings. "This is even more fluffy than normal." Eclipse said. Lightning, annoyed, spits water out of his mouth to the side. Everypony giggles or chuckle at his predicament. "Fluffy wings? How do they feel? The softest pillow?" Twilight asks. "Comparable to a cloud." Eclipse says. "Oh, do tell about that." Spitfire says. Rainbow smirks. "Try my cloud home bed and then make it twenty percent softer and fluffier." "Oh, not twenty percent cooler partner?" Applejack teases. Rainbow huffs and keeps nuzzling the wing. "Oh let me enjoy this." "You do every night." Lightning teases. Rainbow smirks. "Yeah, except you keep me away from them in so many positions." Hearing that the adult mares all blush a bit. "Oh do tell." Eclipse says as Spitfire covers her ears. Rainbow laughs. "Maybe when the foals are not around." "Or the other mares, as Fluttershy in particular, looks like she is about to have a nosebleed." Lightning teases. Fluttershy squeaks and tries to cover up her face with her hooves and mane. All the other mares try to bring their blush down. Rainbow smiles. "Another reason." "Now there is only one missing." Lightning says. Eclipse leans over him. "And who is that?" "The little guy trying to sneak up on his dad." Lightning says. "Aww dad, you ruined it." Midnight whines as he comes out of the water. "Still a few years too soon to get the drop on me, but it was a very good attempt." Lightning says smiling at Midnight. Midnight smiles as well before swimming around. "Now is that everypony?" Eclipse asks. "Yes, but we need to do one thing." Lightning says causing Rainbow to smile. Eclipse looks interested. "And what's that?" Rainbow grabs onto Eclipse and Lighting maneuver his body to grab her and they both dunk her. "That." Rainbow says. Eclipse coughs as she comes back up and glares at them. "You two are devious." "And you aren't?" Midnight asks. Eclipse then turns her glare at him. "You're supposed to be on my side." "You told me I should always be on family's side and that's my dad." Midnight says smirking. Eclipse huffs. "What does that make me?" "My mom, so I'm doing as you taught either way because you are both family." Midnight says. Lightning laughs. "Oh he really does take after you Clipsy." Lightning says. Eclipse huffs. "Yep, a tricky and hidden message finder." "Well at least he learnt something useful." Scootaloo jokes. Everypony chuckles and giggles except Eclipse. "Now the family is against me." She said. "Oh don't be like that." Lightning says wrapping his hoof around her shoulders. Eclipse suddenly grins and wraps her hooves around him from behind and brings her the tips of her wings up to his neck threatenly. "Alright, nopony move. I got a stallion here and I'm not afraid to use it." "And I got a colt and a filly." Rainbow says holding Midnight and Scootaloo. Eclipse huffs. "Please, one's yours and the other I could hardly care less." She said playfully. Eclipse then looks in her son's eye and notices he is trying to do the hypnotizing spell. She smirks and looks away before he could figure it out completely. "Now, this is how it goes, I'll take this stallion here and nopony follows." "Ok, only if you can get past those two." Rainbow says. Eclipse looks confused until she feels something land on her back. She let's go of Lightning as she trashes around, then she feels whatever landed on her jump off in front of her. She glares to Talion and Typhoon as they cheer and head for Lightning. "Foiled by foals, yet again." She then turns her glare to Lightning. "Know this, this is not the last you have seen of me." "Oh, one last thing Clipsy." Lightning says as he lets his foals climb on him. Eclipse huffs. "What?" Lightning shows he has a chain attached to his wrist and pulls it and Eclipse is pulled towards him. Looking down she sees the chain attached to her hoof. She then glares to Lightning. "You sneaky bast…" "Be nice." Lightning stops her. Eclipse keeps glaring until she smirks. "Oh Lightning, I didn't know you wanted me as your slave." She said as she moves closer. "What do you want?" Rainbow steps in between them. "You got to go through me first." Rainbow says avoiding eye contact. Eclipse smiles and pushes her under and leans on her head. "So what do you want?" She asks trying to ignore the obvious drowning. "What are you talking about?" Lightning asks, the chain now gone. Eclipse sighs and let's Rainbow up. "Well there goes my fun." "What, you into bondage?" Spitfire asks as Rainbow spits out the water out the side of her mouth annoyed. Eclipse grins and turns to her. "Why, you offering?" Lightning chuckles. "That's enough Clipsy. I think we have stayed enough and the others have had their fun." "Ok, ok, I had my fun." Eclipse says smiling. Lightning smiles as well before getting out. "Well, I'm off to my room for the night." He said shaking himself off before grabbing a towel and wiping himself down. Rainbow follows his example and works with Lightning to dry the foals. "Say goodnight to Auntie Eclipse." Lightning said. "Night, night." Both of them said waving to her. "Oh they are so adorable. I remember when Midnight was like that." Eclipse says now holding Midnight and stroking his mane. Midnight laughs. "And all the hours you had to spend with me just so I don't make a connection with the maid as my mother." "Shh, we don't speak of that." Eclipse says. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Did you ever spend enough time with Midnight?" Rainbow asks. "Rainbow, remember Eclipse is queen of Saddle Arabia, that is a full time job." Lightning reminds. Rainbow frowns. "Nothing can excuse spending time with your foals." "Ok Eclipse, please tell us a normal day at court." Lightning requests. Eclipse sighs. "Woke up, went to Midnight and gave him his milk, very young mind you, then give him to our maid who takes care of him for practically the whole day, go to court and handle the insatiable amount of request and issues, have lunch with Midnight and try to feed him, then head off again to deal with afternoon court and almost the same requests and issues, go to bed and sleep. A few rare occasions, I put Midnight to sleep." "How many hours of sleep did you get at best?" Lightning asks. Eclipse shrugs. "At least five if I'm lucky." "What were you saying Rainbow?" Lightning asks leaning towards her. Rainbow still frowns. "Nothing can excuse it. You spend every moment you have with your foals. You don't, then what kind of mother are you? You be almost like the passing maid for them." "Rainbow that is harsh. I mean Eclipse is responsible for every life in this country that alone is hard for a normal rumor. But to be the sole ruler of Saddle Arabia and a mare that makes the job five times harder because a lot officials don't respect the queens as much without a king and they try and undermine and second guess everything she does." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him. "Spending time with your foal, instead of just two times a day, is the best thing that could happen for the foals. Why doesn't she at least sleep with her foal? Spend some time like that. At least Midnight could know how much she loves him." "Because some officials back then were trying to find some way to discredit the Queen and kill her and install Midnight on the throne to be a puppet ruler, why, they had all the power." Kite says having just walked in. Rainbow huffs as she looks to Eclipse. "The least you could have done is given him the best time and not just a passing glance." "Rainbow, enough." Lightning says putting his hoof down. "She did the best she could to do that and protect him and not allow an opening." Lightning says. Rainbow still glares at her until she takes the foals and walk away. "She has no understanding of politics." Lightning says sighing before walking away. Although his words were meant for Rainbow, the one who was affected the most was Twilight as it caused her to think. Lightning soon found Rainbow back in their room putting the foals to sleep. "Was I a little too hard?" "I got where you were coming from." Rainbow says. Lightning sighs and hugs her as she places the blanket over them. "I'm sorry." "No, I was a little out of line." Rainbow admits. Lightning looks to her. "Rainbow, you just wanted what was best for Midnight, any mother would have said what you would say. Maybe Eclipse could have slept with Midnight a few times, but she couldn't take the risk." "What happened to those officials anyhow asks. "I heard there was a legendary sandworm attack. In other words, they were lured out to the desert and executed without anypony knowing." Lightning says. Rainbow looks a little confused. "Why would they go out there?" "To tantalizing of a target. Eclipse used herself as bait and her queen's knights and soldiers overwhelmed the officials and they were executed. After that, she acted far more motherly to Midnight." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "At least Midnight finally got the life he deserved." "Yeah, just took some time and bodies buried in the sand." Lightning says getting in bed with her. Rainbow sighs. "Maybe I should see Eclipse tomorrow and apologize to her." "Or maybe she will come down from the ceiling and stop spying." Lightning says. Eclipse lands silently at the foot of their bed. "It's okay Rainbow. I understand what you were coming from and that's what a true mother would say. I guess I wasn't a true mother for Midnight at all." "You are a true mother Clipsy, a true parent provides for their children. You provided a future for him." Lightning says. Eclipse looks sadly at their foals. "And yet, I didn't spend enough time with Midnight during his younger years like I should have." "But you couldn't or risk his future." Rainbow says. Eclipse nods. "I guess I better spend most of my free time with him now. Just to make up for that lost time." "Oh, but Clipsy, Rainbow wants to make it up to you. So what would you like?" Lightning asks. "Hmmm, oh I know. Rainbow, ever done it with a mare?" Eclipse asks smirking the entire time. Rainbow blushes red. "No, why?" "Be gentle with her Clipsy, I still want her later." Lightning says chuckling a bit. Eclipse grins. "Don't worry, I'll make sure she doesn't have too much soreness." "And return her before the sun rises." Lightning adds. Rainbow sighs and gets up. "Let's go." She said walking away. "Have fun love." Lightning says. Eclipse smiles as she wraps a wing around Rainbow. "Don't worry, she will." She said as the door closes behind them. Lightning still chuckles before going back to sleep. Twilight peeks an eye open and sees Spike and Agni asleep before sitting up and taking the book out from the bed and opens it. "What is so special about you guys?" "Daedra or more commonly known as mid to high level demons." Twilight reads surprised. "Mid to high, huh?" She takes another look at the two sleeping boys before continuing on. "Extremely dangerous creatures that usually inhabit the oblivion plane and are said to be manifestations of the Daedric lord's excess energy." Twilight reads. Twilight looks a little confused. "And yet the one we met had been forced into it. I wonder how he is now." She sighs before reading on. "These creatures are known to give tasks to regular beings for a higher purpose for themselves or other Daedras. Usually harmless sounding until the task comes to a close and then the Daedra places in their part of the plan and usually ends in many deaths or whatever they represents." Twilight frowns as she flips to the next few pages. "Where's the artifacts…here you are. Items either empowered or created by Daedra to usually serve a malevolent purpose. List of known artifacts." Twilight flips the page to find the next page missing entirely. "What the…?" She shakes the book a bit, but nothing comes out. "That's weird." She flips through the book and find their locations in many lands and their types and lesser beings. She sighs before closing the book and places it in its hiding place again. "At least I know something." She said laying down again. Agni stirs a bit, making her smile. "It's okay, just sleep." She whispered as she petted him. "Mommy, I can't eat any more." Agni says. Twilight couldn't help but giggle as he remembered his birthday as she kept petting him. "Oh Agni, what would I ever do without you?" Agni just lays there sleeping. She yawns and wraps her wing around him before heading off to sleep. "Okay, today's the day we have a little fun." Eclipse announced to the group in front of her as they stand in the back courtyard. "Now, just to be sure, is this everypony?" She asks looking around. Lightning looks to the group. "Should be." A roar sounded out from the direction of the sea, making everypony on edge. "Looks like a few sea monsters are near the coast. The hunters best get on that." Lightning says. Eclipse frowns. "That's no sea monster." She soon sees a dark shape in the sky. "What is that?" Everypony looks to the dark shape coming their way. "That's no sea monster." Lightning said. "That looks like…oh he's coming in fast." He looks worriedly to the rest of them. "You guys might want to take cover." Scootaloo taps his leg. "Uh dad…I don't think we need too, but the stone workers might want to prepare to go to work again." Lightning looks at her. "What do you mean by that?" Scootaloo looks a bit embarrassed. "Because the one problem with that thing coming in is…" She couldn't say anymore as the creature lands or rather skids along the path as it digs its claws in the path to slow it down before coming to a stop. "He likes to make grand entrances." She quickly turns to the creature with a glare. "Tiyries, what did I tell you about landing in high value areas?" She yells to him. "Your Wyvern followed you?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo looks back to him. "Of course he did, he can't stand being apart from me and the fact he might get bored seeing as most of us are gone." She turns back to him. "Now answer me." Tiyries growls a bit. "I know you want to impress me, but you don't have to. I'm already impressed by you just by being you." Tiyries growls a bit more. "Yes I'm sure. Look Tiyries, next time you can do that in a field, maybe away from the areas filled with ponies or almost anything and just make a clean hover landing in places like these, okay?" Tiyries nods before licking her. "Okay, okay, I missed you too." She laughed out. Almost everypony was standing their slacked jawed as they saw Scootaloo dealing with Tiyries as if he was a normal pony. "What?" Eclipse had to ask in disbelief. "Ok Scoots, since he is here you are in charge of him." Lightning says. Scootaloo giggles as Tiyries wraps his tail around her. "Got it dad. You hear that Tiyries, be on your best behavior and we won't have an international incident." Tiyries growls in acceptance before licking her some more, making her giggle. "Again, what is going on?" Eclipse asks. "I will tell you later." Lightning says to the disguised Eclipse and Midnight. Eclipse shakes her head before trying to look back at the group and ignore the happy couple. "Okay, well, let's start by going on around the city and see what it can show us for the day. As soon as we finish that, we move on to the fun part, there is an area in this city that most will not go too because it goes against the culture, but I was able to allow it, a club." "Isn't it a little early to get drunk?" Twilight asks causing Lightning, Eclipse, Midnight, Nikolai and Apollo to break out in laughter. "What?" Twilight asks. "Oh my young student, clubs here are not like yours in Equestria." Lightning says. Twilight looks confused. "Then what are they like?" "Oh this will be entertaining to see." Nikolai says as they all follow Eclipse. When they arrive and enter they see most sitting down drinking tea and reading books or talking. Twilight stares at the club. "This is a club? I was excepting something…well more." "What, not happy?" Lightning asks as almost everypony was mentally doing a countdown. Twilight nods. "Yeah, besides how is this against their culture?" "This isn't, I thought you would be happy about clubs here being about a calm atmosphere and intellectual conversation." Lightning says. Twilight takes another looks around before her eyes landed on something she wanted to see. She rushed to the bookcase with a grin and took a whole line of books and sits in a far away empty table. 'Called it.' Most of the group thought. Eclipse smiles as she steps inside. "Ah, Ms. Silver. Good to see you again. What will it be?" The pony at the counter asks as he spots Eclipse. Eclipse giggles a bit. "A lot of tea, some of them heavy, lots of sugar and cream as well. I got a big group with me." The pony nods. "Sure, give me a few minutes. Why don't you find a seat?" He said heading to the kitchen area behind him. Eclipse smiles and walks over to where everypony say with Twilight. "This is so much better than my books." She heard Twilight say making her smile. Vinyl didn't look the happiest till Nikolai came back to the table with a slice of pie for her. She then grins as she starts to eat it like there's no tomorrow. Octavia smiles as she leans against Apollo. "This is the most fun you can have here?" "For now." Apollo says. Octavia looks to him. "What do you mean for now?" "I scoped out a target for us." Apollo whispers. Octavia smiles. "So we can practice sneaking?" "And I can get you a new necklace." Apollo says. Octavia giggles. "You really know to treat a mare." "That and I got you a new outfit while I was out." Apollo says. Octavia raises an eyebrow. "Really, is it more revealing or more covered?" "It's a dignified dress, though I will say I am sad I missed seeing you in that dancer outfit." Apollo says. Octavia grins. "Maybe I can ask Kite for me to keep one and put on a show for you." Apollo stays silent for a few minutes before bursting out in laughter. Octavia shakes her head. "What's wrong with that?" "No, I just never expected it. You truly never cease to amaze me." Apollo says leaning back against her. Octavia smiles. "Well I figure that you earn something for all the trouble I put you through." "Since when do you put me through anything not fun?" Apollo asks. Octavia looks to him. "When I make you sleep in the attic, that's one of them." "Keep trying, because you haven't said something I found displeasurable." Apollo says. Octavia chuckles. "Okay, then not spending time with me as punishment." "Oh come on, why punish yourself by denying all of this?" Apollo jokes. Octavia raises an eyebrow. "Because of the crazy rave pony over there is enough." "Oh, oh Tavi you wound me." Apollo says imitating Vinyl. Octavia elbows him, but couldn't stop a smile from coming on her. "Shut up." "You know there is only one way to shut me up Tavi." Apollo continues to imitate. Octavia rolls her eyes. "Maybe if you can do something." "Oh let me try this like we did last Friday." Apollo imitates before kissing her. Maud just blankly stares at her tea that just arrived. "Is this close to the only fun thing we consider fun in this town?" She drones. "Just the first thing on the tour and Pinkie, behave." Eclipse says. Pinkie pauses lapping her tea like a dog. "Okay." She said after pulling her tongue back in. "Maud you are in charge of keeping her reined in." Eclipse says. Maud just blinks. "Sure." Eclipse looks over to the other mane six. "So how are you holding up?" Twilight didn't respond hidden behind all the books, although some would claim it was a book fort. Lightning chuckles. "Don't bother with her. Once you give her a book, she will never stop. Not even the end of the world as we know it." He dramatizes. "I've gotten better." They heard Twilight say. Lightning shakes his head. "Oh my student, what am I going to do with you?" "Teach me of course." Twilight says. Eclipse smiles and then turns her head to outside and sees Tiyries holding Scootaloo in his tail as he sat outside. "Care to tell me how that came to be?" "I said later Clipsy, don't be so impatient." Lightning says. "Oh, but I want to know now." Eclipse whines. Lightning smiles. "Please tune in next time for the latest gossip." He teases. Eclipse pouted cutely. "No fair." Lightning laughs. "Who said life was fair?" Eclipse huffs. "Anyway, how about the rest of you? Liking it so far?" "It's interesting to say the least." Applejack says. Fluttershy just sips the tea. Rarity sips with her. "Pretty fine, this place is now on the top of my visit list when I'm here." Rainbow smiles. "It's good, I just wish they have a wider selection of food and drinks." She said as she took a bite of a pie. Scootaloo pops up right besides Lightning. "Can I have a chocolate pie?" "Of course you can sweetie." Lightning says smiling at her. Scootaloo smiles. "Thanks dad." She said running off to the counter and grabs a whole pie before heading outside again. "Scootaloo stay in here." Lightning tells her. Scootaloo looks back at him. "Aww, dad." She whines. "No buts, it is custom here." Lightning says. Scootaloo looks down before heading to their table and starts eating what she could. "You can give it to him when we are done." Lightning says ruffling her mane. "Mmmm." She moans sadly with her mouth full. "Why is it not allowed?" Applebloom asks. Eclipse sighs. "Usually a male accompanies a female when they leave someplace. No ifs or buts about that." Lightning smirks as he looks to Eclipse. "Remember when we use to sneak around and I literally follow you everywhere and I mean everywhere?" "Yes, don't remind me." Eclipse says recalling the days he was her guard. Lightning chuckles. "Ah, the good old days." "Yeah right." Eclipse says sarcastically. Lightning still laughed. "Come on, lighten up. What's done is done. So enjoy the now." "Ok, ok." Eclipse says smiling. Rainbow looks over to Eclipse. "So where are we going next?" "Oh, well…" Eclipse says. All of them were in the private stands watching the fifth game to be played today. Lightning smiles as he looks over to her. "Did you plan a whole bunch of games just for us?" "No, they were all scheduled today." Eclipse said. Rainbow chuckles. "Can't believe we've been here for at least an hour each for these games. Thank goodness that the foals are still awake." "I can't believe we also got a meal up here too." Fluttershy says. Eclipse smiles. "Yes, but only one of you is not bothering much on that." She said motioning to Twilight who was engrossed in a book and only absently eating. "Twilight, I think a pony just dedicated his victory to you." Lightning says getting Twilight's attention. Twilight comes up and looks to the game. "Who?" "Ah see, I got her attention off the books." Lightning says. Twilight growls and heads back. "Unbelievable." "Now Twilight, pay attention, it is about time for the magic sport." Lightning says. Twilight hums as she went back to her book and everypony else leans forward. "Oh look, two fire users are on that team." Lightning says. Twilight still looked at her book and crunches down on some hard bread while the others were watching with great interest. "Oh here comes the fire familiars." Lightning says finally getting Twilight to lower the book. She looks over from her seat and sees many creatures that are almost reptilian in first looks and have fire somewhere on them. She sighs and goes back to her book. "Come on mom, you're missing the best part." Agni said. Twilight looks up slightly and sees many flames going around. She groans and looks back to her book, trying to ignore the game. Lightning looks back at her. "What's so interesting about that book that makes you ignore the game?" "Locations." Twilight said. "Zabatso." Lightning says. Twilight growls as she looks at him as she puts down her blank book. "Lightning!" "Can't hear you, watching ice familiar fight fire familiar." Lightning says. "Revelare illud." Twilight said going back to her book. "Ah, well done, but duck." Lightning says as all other ponies duck to avoid the incoming ice spike that made it through the barrier of the stadium. "Yipe!" Twilight yells before holding her hooves out in a way to deter it, but found a fire stream coming from her and melting the ice spike to steam. She then opens her eyes and finds Agni eating the remaining fire stuck to their box. "You see why you need to pay attention." Lightning says coming back up. Twilight frowns. "Yeah and I doubt the other ponies out there knew that would happen." "These are familiars my apprentice, watch and learn." Lightning says. Twilight huffs and closes the book and places it in her saddle before going back to them to watch the game. Lightning smiles as he looks to her and sees the book, but says nothing. From there was a clash of different magic and familiars which after a bit Twilight's bored stare turning into a focus and analyzing stare. Eclipse smiles as everypony enjoyed the game and after another close call that hit the barrier, almost everypony came out smiling. "Well that is the end of the games today, now only the fireworks remain." Eclipse says. Rainbow smiles. "Fireworks huh? In a hot desert?" "It's starting to chill in the air." Agni points out. "I also requested Kite and Galleon to meet us here and bring a few things." Eclipse says. Rainbow sighs. "At least we can enjoy the day away now." Lightning smiles and leans against her. "And the foals can get some sleep." "What did you ask them to bring mom?" Midnight asks. Eclipse smiles as the door opens. "We got the watermelons." Kite said bringing in something on her back with Galleon. "Yay!" The foals, Pinkie, and even Maud yell or drones as they rush the watermelon and take them to the table before they start eating away. "Come on love, let's get a slice before it is all gone." Lightning says wrapping his hooves around Eclipse and Rainbow. Eclipse smiles as she looks to him. "Really, you call me love?" "No, that is what he calls me." Rainbow says. Eclipse then gains a hurt face. "Now I feel like nothing." "Ok, come on Clipsy, let's eat as a family." Lightning says. Eclipse then smirks. "Really, I'm a wife to you?" "I will let that slide for now." Rainbow says. "Oh somepony is jealous." Eclipse says in a sing song voice. Rainbow blushes. "I'm not jealous." "Oh then what are you?" Eclipse asks as they walk. Rainbow turns redder. "I'm…dang it." "Lovable, sexy, great in bed?" Eclipse asks. Rainbow huffs. "Yeah right." "Well you did co…" Eclipse starts, but stopped by Rainbow's hoof. "Don't even." Rainbow warns. "Does that mean we go for a second round?" Eclipse asks. Rainbow scoffs. "In your dreams." "Or in yours." Eclipse says. Rainbow huffs. "Please the only thing I dream is either the family or many Lightnings going to town on me." "Mom, I didn't need to hear that." Scootaloo asks. Rainbow smirks. "I know, just embarrassing my little daughter." "Which one?" Eclipse asks. Lightning chuckles as Scootaloo blushes. "Many Lightnings?" He asks Rainbow. Rainbow smiles. "With that tool and more of you, I think I'll be passed out from first touch." "La, la, la, la, I'm not listening." Scootaloo yells covering her ears. Everypony laughs. "Oh boy. This has to be the most fun we ever had and by the way Scoots, you're not going to care after your time with Tiyries." Lightning said. Scootaloo couldn't hear him as she was still going. Eclipse laughs as she moved away to a coroner of the room. "You certainly are the best at embarrassing others." "Maybe, but not as good as you are to Midnight." Lightning says. Eclipse shrugs. "True, but at least you got something as well on him." Lightning smiles as they reach the table and he hooves a plate with a watermelon slice on it to Midnight so he could give it to Applebloom. "Yet, I don't want to destroy his life, not yet." Lightning said as both the foals are from the watermelon. "You won't." Eclipse whispers leaning against him. Lightning smiles and leans against her. "Still, it might not hurt to check in once in a while. And if this keeps up, then I might be seeing you two more often." "Oh I look forward to it." Eclipse says tracing her hoof along his chest. Lightning chuckles and holds her hoof. "Not this again Clipsy. You know who I'm with." "And I have been with her too. Oh, did you know her most sensitive spot is her right wing?" Eclipse whispers. Lightning grins. "Yes and I have been using it for a long time and I mean using it." "Oh you dirty stallion." Rainbow whispers joining in. Lightning still grins. "Why does it feel like I'm a lucky stallion?" "Because you are." Rainbow whispered. Lightning smiles and looks to both of them. "So…am I in trouble?" "Maybe later if we can get Spitfire to take the kids." Rainbow whispers with a giant smirk. Eclipse grins. "Can I join?" Rainbow gently pushes her away. "Aww, why not?" She whines. Lightning leans over to her. "Don't feel bad, she gets this way sometimes." Lightning whispers to Eclipse. Eclipse shows him big eyes that are shaking and tearing up while pouting her lip and whines a bit. "And how will you explain if you get pregnant again?" Lightning whispers. Eclipse stops her puppy dog stare and smiles. "Isn't your side done?" "Huh?" Lightning asks. Eclipse smirks. "Your wife talked after I was done with her. She went on to how you really used her like crazy. Now, isn't your side not going to do anything for now?" She whispered. "You mean reproductively or preparing for war?" Lightning whispers. Eclipse gives him a small glare. "We'll talk about the war later, but for now, reproductively." "I am still very fertile." Lightning whispers. Eclipse sighs. "Oh well, I guess I'm never getting that." "Unless, he uses his spell I have asked him to use lately." Rainbow adds. Eclipse looks surprised at him. "So…can I?" "One condition." Rainbow whispers causing Lightning to gape in shock. "Rainbow? What happened to you? What happen to the mare who just wanted me and me alone?" Lightning asks. "The condition is you're on the bottom." Rainbow whispers to Eclipse. 'Oh I get it now. She wants payback.' Lightning thinks. Rainbow smiles back to Lightning. "And I changed after our night with Seeku. I can't stop others from coming on to you. So you can do this, as long as I know about it and they deserve it and maybe invite me so I can watch over it." "Oh god, please no. I don't want to be turned into a male whore." Lightning said shedding tears. Rainbow and Eclipse laughs a bit. "Relax, I said those that deserve it, I know about it and if they know you like Seeku and Eclipse here." Rainbow said. Lightning sighs a little in relief before freezing. 'That means…' Lightning thinks looking a little scared. "Looks like you and your best general will have something to discuss when we get to Stalliongrad." Apollo says walking up. Lightning groans. "Why is this happening to me?" Eclipse giggles. "Because things are always set and they will happen, whether anypony wants it or not." Lightning freezes as he hears those words. 'That's the same thing Shadow said. No, I refused to be destiny's pawn, I forge my own path, not some predestined plan.' Lightning thinks with a glare. Rainbow taps his shoulder. "Are you okay?" "Oh yeah, I am fine." Lightning says derailing his train of thought. Rainbow smiles. "Good, because you're going to need every energy you need to please us." "Talk to sis first love." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "Don't worry, just make sure your end is good." "You know my stamina." Lightning says. Rainbow smirks. "Then get some spells ready." "Fine." Lightning says defeated. Eclipse giggles. "The mare always wins, right?" "You know it." Rainbow says as the two high hoofed each other. Lightning sighs. "Since when did this all change? Use to be Rainbow would either hold me back or send the other mares away. Now it's an open relationship. What's next, my daughter sneaking out?" He asks Apollo. "Sir." Apollo says pointing to Scootaloo trying to sneak out. "Scootaloo Bolt!" Lightning yells. "Eep." Scootaloo squeaks as she freezes. "Get over here young lady." Lightning says. Scootaloo groans as she trudges back to him. "Now where were you off to?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo rubs her foreleg with her hoof embarrassment. "Tiyries, I thought he might be getting bored or tired just staying out there." "We are about to head down there so you can wait till we make our way down there." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs. "Fine." She said before heading back to her seat. Lightning smiles and turns back to Apollo. "How long before she tries again and acts like you?" "Don't take your eyes off her is all I can say." Apollo says. Lightning nods and looks to the empty chair. "Yep, except she's gone again. And now probably acting like you when you try to get around the guards. If I'm right, she out there with him." "Hey, put me down." Scootaloo's voice was heard as she was brought back inside. "Or not." Lightning said looking at a pouting Scootaloo. Scootaloo scoffs as she looks to Kite. "Put me down." Kite shrugs and let's go, dropping her on her flank. "Ow." She moans in pain as she rubs her flank. "Scootaloo you're in some serious trouble now." Lightning says. Scootaloo huffs. "So what, I'm not allowed to see him again? Just like last time? Or even send him away again on a mission or back to his parents?" "Do you have any idea what would have happened if Kite wasn't who found you?" Lightning asks obviously angry. Scootaloo raises an eyebrow before bringing out a cloak from behind her. "And it's close to what Apollo gave me once we got here. Said I might need it to sneak out if I needed something." "I don't care if Kite didn't find you, one of two things would happen. First you would have been kidnapped and sold into slavery or second if the guards caught you violating their laws they would have publicly stoned you to death!" Lightning yells at her. Scootaloo growls. "You have no idea what I do or even what I can do. Do you?!" "Scootaloo Bolt you are grounded." Lightning says. "Fine! Then see what happens then, I'm sure you've thought of it before." Scootaloo yells. "Rainbow we are heading back, take your daughter. I have to talk to Tiyries." Lightning says walking out the door. Scootaloo yells and bangs her head against the wall and just stood there. "Why does this happen?" She asks with tears coming out. "Your father is protective kid. If the Saddle Arabian guards caught you they know you are Lightning's daughter and a foreigner. The latter is bad enough. But there are some in Eclipse's Queen's knight that hate your father. And if they tried to stone you. This coliseum would run red with blood." Apollo says. Scootaloo just stayed silent as Rainbow wraps a wing around her. "Galleon, could you take my foals with us while I take her?" "Of course my lady. Kite, you escort lady Rainbow and lady Scootaloo, seeing how your status makes you exempt from the custom and will shield them from it." Galleon says. Kite nods and starts leading them out while Galleon takes the foals and follows them. Everypony just watches in slight shock and sadness as they head out. "Was I ever like that?" Applebloom asks. "At times." Granny Smith says. "But that was you growing up. Seems here it is customs and you can't break tradition and rules." Eclipse nods. "Yes, but I know what Scootaloo wanted. Seems she is now a mare trapped in a filly's body. That's a bad feeling, especially since she is entering those years." "And has a very protective father." Nikolai says. "Also doesn't help with the rumors of a death cult in the area." Apollo says nonchalantly. Eclipse facehooves. "Great job." Everypony starts assaulting Apollo for answers about this death cult. Scootaloo sniffs as Rainbow and her step out with Kite out of the arena and they see Lightning talking with Tiyries. Tiyries growls and nods before flying away…in the direction of Equestria. Scootaloo tears up more before bringing her head down. "What have I done?" 'Let's hope they don't catch you Tiyries, Scootaloo would be devastated.' Lightning thinks. Lightning stood still and keeps turned away from them as they pass by and stops Galleon and waits until they are out of hearing range. "Listen, I need the training grounds." "Done sir." Galleon says walking up. Lightning sighs. "Also…am I a horrible father?" "No sir, you are just strict and looking after her." Galleon says. Lightning nods. "Yeah, okay, I want you to get Apollo and tell him to leave his weapons near our door and set up the grounds. I'll take the foals." He said taking them. "Doesn't your wife want to see you?" Galleon asks. Lightning nods. "That's why it's not for me." He said walking away as he places the foals on his back. "Ok." Galleon says. Scootaloo still had her head down as she and Rainbow entered their room. "He said your daughter." Scootaloo said for the first time since the arena. "Yeah, was talking to me." Rainbow says. Scootaloo hops onto her bed. "Why not our daughter? Why didn't he say that? It's almost like…" She didn't want to finish that thought. "He was referring to me so Eclipse wouldn't get in on it and the fact you are so much like me it is almost scary." Rainbow says. Scootaloo scoffs. "Maybe you shouldn't have pick me from the orphanage. At least I knew how to survive." Rainbow sighs and bonks her on the head. "Ow." She yells holding her head. Rainbow sits down right beside her and wraps her in her wings. "Don't ever say that again. You were my sister and now my daughter. Besides, you're not getting rid of me that easily." Scootaloo still looks away. "Lightning doesn't think that way." "And what makes you think that?" Rainbow asks. Scootaloo's ear twitches. "He doesn't know what I can do. He doesn't even bother knowing, not even what I barely learn now." "Scootaloo, your father loves you deeply and is only concerned for your safety." Rainbow says. Scootaloo huffs. "You know what he could have done, led me out there to Tiyries and left me with him. Then he could have gone back in and enjoy the day and then we could have all gone back here." "No, he couldn't have. He and Eclipse are hiding secrets again making me think back to when he hid the Dominion from us." Rainbow says. Scootaloo clicks her tongue. "Still, I just wanted to enjoy time alone with Tiyries and I could barely do that." "This isn't Equestria Scootaloo, the rules and customs are different here and mares do not have nearly as many freedoms like in Equestria." Rainbow says. Scootaloo growls and pushes her way out of Rainbow's wings and heads for the door. "Lightning was completely serious about them stoning you to death if they catch you." Rainbow says stopping her. Scootaloo looks back at her. "I'm going do something that would at least make this bearable." She said reaching for the counter and pulls down a small tight cloak before opening the door. She peeks outside only to see guards standing there. She groans silently and closes the door before heading for the window. "You're not leaving Scootaloo, without either an adult male or one of the queen's knights." Rainbow says blocking her. Scootaloo stares up at her with an almost blank stare. "Watch me." She said before going around and opening the window. "Scootaloo, we both know you can't fly just yet, all you would do is hurt yourself." Rainbow says pulling her away and then locks it and takes the key. Scootaloo glares at her. "Who says I was flying?" "Scootaloo all you will end up doing is getting yourself hurt and making your father madder at you. Now come over here and talk." Rainbow says. Scootaloo huffs. "I'm fine here." She said sitting down. "You know it was Lightning who wanted to adopt you and he had to convince me to do it." Rainbow says making her look over at her slightly. Scootaloo looks away again. "Maybe, but the same things I was doing over there was gone by the time I got to your home." "Scootaloo it is time to grow up." Rainbow scolds raising her voice, surprising Scootaloo. "Maybe, but I already knew too much. So much even after I came into your life, but no, you guys just saw a no-nothing filly." Scootaloo said lowly. "You think you know everything Scootaloo, but you know nothing of this country, its country, or its rules. The only thing you know is we have family here." Rainbow scolds. Scootaloo glares at her. "So you really think I don't know anything?" "You know somethings, but you act like you know everything and are untouchable. It is time you learnt that neither is true. Here you are a foreigner and have to be on your best manners and not just go out and break any rule you wish just to spend some time doing as you wish." Rainbow lectures. "She's right you know." Lightning said coming in with the foals. "Come with me." He said before grabbing a bag outside and heading out. Rainbow takes the foals so Lightning could talk to Scootaloo alone. "This land is different. You built your life around Equestrian life and now it is the time to change. I know it's more restrictive, but it will soon get better." He said as Kite soon follows them. Scootaloo stayed silent, but peeks over to the bag and then back to the front. "You'll be back to a life you know and love, just not now. Listen, I love you and will never let you down, but you have to do the same for me." He said as Galleon joins as well. "Why are ponies following us?" Scootaloo asks. Lightning sighs and stops in front of a door. "There are many ways to let off steam. For you however…" He drops the bag in between them and pulls the zipper down to show an assortment of weapons. "It's more extreme. You want to show me how tough and smart you are, then load up and get ready." Scootaloo tries for several minutes, but has yet to succeed in even touching Kite who is the weakest and most inexperienced of the three. She growls and soon surprises some of them by dropping most the weapons and the cloak before grabbing the smallest knife and runs at her before disappearing and then reappearing from Kite's side behind her and swipes at her foreleg, leaving a cut before she disappears and reappears back at where she dropped everything. "Not bad. Try that again." Kite says and Scootaloo disappears only to be smacked away upon reappearing. Scootaloo growls as she skids on the rough ground before pushing herself back up and runs at her again. She disappears again and reappears at her weapons and grabs something before disappearing again and then reappears and throws a knife at her before disappearing and then reappearing above her as Kite blocks the knife, but couldn't stop the blade coming down on her hoof, leaving a wound, as she made an attempt to block it. Scootaloo disappears again and reappears near the dropped weapons. "Kite enough playing, end this or the captain will be cross with you for getting so many small wounds again." Galleon says. Kite shrugs and nods and, as she reappears near her, grabs onto her hind leg before she feels a sharp pain in her hoof and sees a knife stuck in it as Scootaloo hangs on and takes the knife the in her mouth before she brings the knife near her eye before stopping. "You must be willing to hurt others just to get by in some areas of life." Scootaloo said as she still hangs on. "Yet, I could have killed you or captured you 187 different ways already." Kite says before head butting her. Scootaloo gets thrown off and loses her blades as she looks through the pain. She sees Kite grabbing a knife before throwing it at her. Scootaloo's eyes becomes sharp like a predator before grabbing the knife as it almost reached her. She disappears and Kite then sees at least a few knives heading towards her and goes to block it before she feels a pain in her hind legs and sees her joints sliced from behind that sends her to the ground and still blocks the knives. Yet she feels a knife at the back of her neck. "How many ways now?" "Seventeen." Kite says as Scootaloo found she couldn't move and all the knives fall to the ground in pieces. Scootaloo scoffs as Kite struggles to get up. "Feel better?" Hitting her on a certain spot on the back of her neck. Scootaloo sighs in relief as she can move again. "Yeah, a whole lot better." Kite smiles and looks to her as she sees something. "Scootaloo, I think I know why you moved so fast. But, what do you know about your real parents?" "The only parents I have are Lightning and Rainbow." Scootaloo says huffing. Kite looks to Lightning. "Might want to look at her eyes." She said walking away or at least trying to. "I know already. After all, she is my daughter." Lightning says picking up his daughter. Scootaloo smiles a bit and then falls asleep, right in his hooves. Lightning smiles and places her on his back. "Can you guys clean up, I think she deserves a good rest." "Very well, come on Kite, the medicine is waiting." Galleon says. Kite groans. "Come on, its stings like a bitch." Galleon smirks. "And that little filly took out your legs, maybe not good enough for a fight, but maybe for a quick getaway." Lightning chuckles as he walks away before looking back at Scootaloo and pulls her eyelid open slowly, revealing her sharp pupil which he then closes them quickly before she wakes up. "No wonder she fell in love so quickly." Lightning soon knocks on Spitfire's door softly. Spitfire opens it slowly and sees Lightning with Scootaloo on his back. "So…is it all good?" She asks quietly. "Yeah, she got the anxiety out of her system. Still grounded though." Lightning whispers. Spitfire sighs. "You know, she is entering those years." "Do not and I mean, do not remind me." Lightning hisses. Spitfire frowns. "You have to deal with this soon and for her, it's early. Deal with it the right way and don't try to hold the years." She said before closing the door. "Take her already, Rainbow is not the most patient mare." Lightning says. Spitfire groans before opening the door and carefully takes Scootaloo before closing the door again, but stops and looks at him. "Years come and go, but there are some things you can't stop." She said before closing the door. "I know that." Lightning says walking away. He sighs as he enters his room and finds Rainbow sitting on the bed and looking out the window. "So it's good for her now?" She asks. "I think so, but she is still grounded." Lightning says and feels a new weight on his back. Rainbow smiles a bit as she looks at him. "Good, but you need to talk to her like a father, not a general." She said trying to contain her laughter. "I have more practice as a general and Eclipse get off my back." Lightning says. Eclipse smiles. "Am I causing enough problems for you to make me get off your back?" "No, but how will you get what you want from there?" Lightning asks. Eclipse smirks. "Do I need to remind you of that sandstorm? Where I was on your back, reaching under you, and…" "Okay, that's enough." Lightning said quickly. "Do as he ask Eclipse." Rainbow says. Eclipse sighs and gets off before heading for the bed. "Take it from me Lightning, act like a parent, not just a pony who orders around." "Ok, I have a condition before we continue." Lightning says smirking. They both look to him expectantly. "What is it?" They both ask. "You two have to go first while I watch." Lightning says. Rainbow looks a little worried, but Eclipse has a wide grin on her face. "No argument here." She said before throwing herself at Rainbow. Scootaloo moans as she slowly gets up from her bed and looks around to see Spitfire sleeping in her bed while the foals slept in the other. She sighs as she looks down at her hooves before throwing the covers off and getting out of bed. She yawns as she walks over to the bathroom and looks in the mirror to see herself with bloodshot eyes that were sharp, that was weird to her, and some cuts on her. She hisses as she touches one of the cuts before sighing. "I really screwed up." She said to herself quietly. CLICK CLICK CLICK She looks confused for a second before looking outside the bathroom and sees Tiyries outside the window. She becomes surprised before looking to the still sleeping Spitfire and the foals before to the window and opening it. "What are you doing back here, I thought you left for Equestria?" Scootaloo whispered. Tiyries growls silently. Scootaloo becomes a little wide eyed. "You came back, for me?" She asks as she points to herself. Tiyries smiles and licks her cheek. Scootaloo smiles and touches his snout with her hoof. "I love you Tiyries. Thank you." Tiyries growls and moves his head away to show his neck. Scootaloo takes one last look before grabbing her cloak and puts it's on before jumping on his neck. "Let's go." She said before Tiyries carefully flies away to not alert anypony. Scootaloo takes one last look back at the palace before sighing and laying down on his neck. She left almost everything behind, including an open window. Scootaloo groans after a while of flying. "Why? Why did I do this?" Tiyries growls at her questionably. "I mean with me arguing with dad, not me going with you. I just wonder why I said all that in the first place." Tiyries stayed silent before giving some growls. "Tiyries…maybe…being here with you is starting to sound like a bad idea. We should probably head back to grandma and grandpa back at the castle." Tiyries growls once and nods. Scootaloo smiles. "Then let's go…" WHACK "What?!" She yells as she becomes pinned down by a large amount of rope and having the rope also pin Tiyries's wings to his side as they slowly dropped in the air. "Tiyries!" She looks to the approaching ground. "Please promise me this, don't leave me!" Tiyries roars as the ground finally approaches and they hit hard to the ground, making Scootaloo hit her head on his neck, knocking her out as Tiyries growls heavily to the approaching figures in the moonlight. "What?" Spitfire asks as she got up quickly with blurred eyes. She groans and rubs her eyes before looking to the foals and sees them sound asleep. She sighs in relief before looking over to Scootaloo only to become worried as she sees it empty and an open window. "Oh boy, Lightning's going to kill me." Spitfire gets out of bed and goes to the foals and checks to see that they are alright, before she hears something. She turns around and sees a black hooded pony standing by the window. She was about to speak before she hears something hiss and feels a sting on her neck. She quickly grabs the thing with her hooves and pulls it away to see a vial that was empty. Spitfire looks back to the pony and sees a blowpipe. "Aww crap." She groans as she fell to the ground, knocked out. The hooded pony tilts its head before looking to the still sleeping foals. Lightning turns away from the mares with his eyes wide. "Something's wrong." Lightning says getting up and running out the door. Eclipse groans as she gets up. "Dang it, I so close." Rainbow glares at her. "Really, that's all you think about?" Eclipse glares back before getting up and cleaning herself off with a nearby towel. "You live my life and you would be begging for something like this." Rainbow scoffs and cleans herself off as well. "I wish." She said before following Lightning with Eclipse close behind. Lightning kicks down the door to see a hooded pony going for his foals and lunges at him. The hooded pony, fully taken by surprise, blinks several times seeing a headless corpse and not able to feel anything below his neck. Lightning pants as he puts away his blade and looks to his foals who is now yawning as they get up. He immediately puts himself between the foals and body still standing. "Shh, shh, it's okay guys. Just go back to sleep." He said trying his best smile. The foals shake their heads and motion for them to be picked up. "I will, your mother and aunty are on their way and I promised them they will be the first to get to hold you." Lightning says. The foals cheers as Rainbow and Eclipse step in and try to hold their stomach as they see the body. "Can you two take the foals while I put the body away?" Lightning asks them. Rainbow incidentally goes and grabs Talion while Eclipse grabs Typhoon making sure they don't see the corpse as they take them out of the room. Lightning looks down at his sister on the floor. "Wake up sleeping beauty." He said shocking her. "Yeow!" Spitfire yells as she shot up. "Feels like a train ran over me." She groggily said holding her head. "Well considering that was most likely sleeping poison, yeah. So where is my daughter?" Lightning asks. Spitfire looks at Scootaloo's bed again before looking back to him. "Sorry, but she was gone when I woke up before that pony came in." Lightning breathes deeply. "Go see Rainbow and Eclipse, I have things to do." Lightning says. Spitfire nods and groans as she gets up. "Lightning, I'm sorry." She said before walking away. Lightning says nothing and walks to Apollo and Octavia's room first and knocks loudly. A groan was heard before the door opened slightly and a head pokes through. "What is it?" Octavia asks. "Get Apollo and tell him to bring all of his blades." Lightning says seriously. Octavia nods and pulls her head back inside. "Lightning said bring all the blades honey." She said walking back to the bed. "That serious huh? Octy, best cover your ears, the castle is about to get noisy." Apollo says getting up. Octavia moans as she slips back into bed. "Whatever, I'm way too tired to hear…now." She starts snoring loudly after she said that. After Apollo had everything on he moves the covers and kisses her head before walking out the door. "Nikolai is next." Lightning says. As they walk the castle started to come alive as guards started mobilizing yelling about intruders. They both knocked hard on the door and a scruffy messy head popped out. "Can I help you two?" He said almost sleepily. "Nikolai, get ready, your wings will soon be dyed red in blood." Lightning says. Nikolai looks back inside and sees the unicorn sleeping contently. He then looks back to them with a nod. "I'll meet you at the front gate." He said before closing the door. "Very well. Apollo, help the guards find any other intruders. I'm going to see the Queen and captain Ferid of the Queen's knights." Lightning says. Apollo nods and quickly rushes off with the other guards. Lightning sighs as he rushes back to his room and sees Rainbow and Eclipse with the foals in their hooves. "Eclipse, I'm going to need some help." He said coming in. "What has happened?" Eclipse asks as Typhoon starts crawls all over her. Lightning grimaces. "Scootaloo is gone and I think that pony was part of it. I'm going to need a search party and Ferid." "Do you know who did it?" Eclipse asks. "Eclipse, we both know this was the death cult." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs. "Okay, you got the search party, but why Ferid?" "They assaulted the castle and abducted a guest, you can show them no weakness." Lightning says. Eclipse frowns as Typhoon sits on her head. "Alright, but can you try to bring the leader in all this, all the others are yours." "If they do have my daughter, I make no guarantee for his life." Lightning says rubbing the head of both Typhoon and Talion. Rainbow sighs. "Being her back and don't you dare come back without her." She threatened. "I don't plan on it." Lightning says walking out. Eclipse watches him as he leaves. "Rainbow, do you what lengths he would go for his family?" "I have seen. He died to save me once already." Rainbow says. Eclipse looks to her. "But what about you?" Rainbow looks down as Talion looks up at her with a smile. "Nopony gets in the way of my family." She looks up at Eclipse with a firm smile. "Nopony, even if that means dying for them." Eclipse just smiles. Scootaloo groans as she gets up, but hits her head and falls down while holding her head in pain. She moans as she opens her eyes and sees a lot of ponies in hooded grabs. "What?" "She's awake." A nearby pony said. "No matter, get the Wyvern to the altar and let us prepare." Another says. Scootaloo bangs the bars making it rattle. "Hey, let me out!" A pony who had his hood down looks to her. "Please, like we would do that. We read enough books to know. Besides, you don't want these foals to be included with the Wyvern, do you?" He said pulling aside a curtain to reveal a large table with a lighted see through wall where Typhoon and Talion was and, in a light blue color, Eclipse and Rainbow in their room. "Amazing what a quick switch and some puppets can do along with a few magic tricks and those foals think they are there. Oh and don't bother yelling to them, they can't hear a thing." He said reaching in and pulling a loose feather from Typhoon which doesn't bother her even the slightest bit. "Look, a loose feather. That real enough for you?" He said throwing the feather away. "Priest, all the warriors we sent to the castle were either caught or slain." A pony wearing a helmet says. The priest groans. "At least we got these four. Let's get to work before our own squeals." "Right away." The pony in a helmet. "The leader is not going to like this." Another says. The priest huffs. "Please, we'll send the dragon off and then these other three as an extra treat. Maybe we'll get something special and then we can get out without anypony nothing." "The head priest dislikes any leaks." The other pony says. The priest looks to him. "That's why there will be no witnesses, not even the foals." "Let them go! They didn't do anything!" Scootaloo yells as she shakes the bars. The purest smirks as he looks to her. "Why are you yelling? You know it's pointless. Bring out the Wyvern, we got a lot to do." Scootaloo just watches as Tiyries was brought out by magic as she starts to tear up. 'I did this. I'm the worst filly ever.' She thought as she bangs her head against the bars. "I'm sorry Tiyries." She whispered. "This is the place?" A guard asks. Another guard looks at the features of the place…which is none at all. It looked like just a regular home, not even a smell. "Has to be. This is one of the houses we need to check." He said looking at map he had. "There is a secret door under the stairs." Apollo says. They look the slightly open door as Apollo pulls out a knife. "How did we miss that?" A guard asks as Apollo fully opens it and walks in with Lightning following. Lightning pulls at Apollo's hood and holds him back. "Wait." He whispered as he leans down and looks through a small gap in the wall on the side and sees a large table Tiyries on it, knocked out. "Shoot. He's here as well?" He then sees something that made his blood boil. He sees one of the ponies holding a struggling and silent crying foals in his Hobbes as he places them on the table besides Tiyries. He then motioned to another pony near the cages and the pony pulls out a very struggling Scootaloo as she was then tossed into the table. Scootaloo grunts and rushes to the priest, but was stop by a light blue see through wall as she reached the edge of the table. She starts bashing on the wall as the ceiling above them starts to act weird. "Apollo do you have a shot?" Lightning whispers. Apollo growls as he aimed with his bow, but can't aim to the head pony. "Yes, but I don't know how the wall will act on it. It may not go through or I could hit one of your foals." Lightning growls heavily and starts walking down. "Just aim for the head pony and fire when you have a shot." He soon comes the door separating him from the large room and takes a deep breath, all the while not noticing his necklace slightly shaking and glowing. "Shadow I know you are there, aid me from the shadows and make sure some of these disappear and are never found." Lightning says "Sorry, but I can't." Shadow said from the darkness. "Why?" Lightning asks. Shadow sighs. "Go in there and find out, as the real help will arrive then." "Just make sure that the flanking teams are unabated without them noticing." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "Now that I can do." She said heading off. Lightning takes another deep breath before kicking the door open and heading inside the large room. "One chance, let them go." He growled. The priest smirks. "Let me think…no." He said before taking a knife and pass it through the wall and straight for Typhoon. "Daddy!" Typhoon yells. The necklace around Lightning's neck finally became bright and shakes widely before Lightning feels something coming out of him and let's it. He soon groans as a shadowy cloud came out of him and shoots toward the table, passing through the wall, and takes Typhoon in the cloud before flying up, making the priest hit the table. Lightning watches in slight shock as two orbs of bright lights came out of the table as well, taking Talion and bringing him right by his sister. "You're more trouble than ever, you know that right?" Umbra said as he formed from the cloud and held Typhoon. He then looks to the orbs of light as they held Talion. "Ready?" The orbs just pulse light once. "Hang on you two, this might hurt." Umbra said before changing back into a cloud and starts closing around Typhoon as she screams in pain while Talion screams as well from the heavy burning he's feeling from the orbs as they cover him up. Lightning could only watch as everypony else watches as well until the cloud started to recede and so did the orbs of light, leaving a bigger Typhoon with slightly darker colors with Talion a little bigger as well with some darker colors as well. They were soon lowered carefully back on the table as they open their eyes and see the first thing which was the priest. Typhoon grins. "This will be fun." She said before jumping off the table and kicks the priest into the air and then with shadow forming around her she makes shadowy claws and then slices the priest before reaching in the cut with her other hoof. "Bulls eyes!" She yells pulling out part of his spine as the body fell to the floor. Talion jumps off the table as well before looking to a group of ponies huddled near the corner. "Don't mess with the family." He said before he slams his hooves down onto the ground making the ground rise up and form a wall before he slams his hooves together and making lightning, fire and water form on them before he slams his hooves on the wall, sending the wall and the orb of three elements to combine with the wall as they slam into the ponies, squishing them against the wall. Typhoon looks to her next victim before running to him and slicing at him which goes through his spear and into him before she pulls his spine as well. "Gotcha!" Talion starts using a mixture of the elements in many combinations as he dealt with the weapon less ponies in the room and soon there was two left. The ponies back up as they step toward another set of stairs. It was only Typhoon running to them that makes them try to run before she reaches the one lagging behind and slices him across the back. "We're done here!" She yells before slicing her claws through the back of his chest and puts his heart through the other side, still connected and beating. She grins wickedly as the pony looks terrified before she squeezes her claws together and slices through the heart making him drop dead after she pulls out. She then looks up at the terrified pony still running before she loses her claw and starts forming shadow into a ball in front of her as Talion steps in beside her and starts forming one of his own with all the elements known. The pony takes a peek back and realizes what's going on and pushes open the door and finds himself face to face with the guards before he feels nothing as a large beam fires out of the basement and right through him, leaving only his legs to fall after the beam stops, leaving a shock group of guards. Downstairs Typhoon and Talion look to their bloodstained body before they feel a sudden exhaustion on them and they fall asleep before they even hit the ground. Lightning watches in shock and surprise as their body slowly changes back to the foals he knows and loves. "What?" "Great show, don't you think?" Umbra asks as he stands by him. "What did you do to my foals?" Lightning asks obviously mad. Umbra smiles. "Relax, what you saw is not going to happen. They will never act like that unless you teach them the right way. Oh and I gave your daughter my shadow powers with your son having the potential to learn every element besides shadow, that's your daughter's." Lightning walks over and picks them up and walks over to Scootaloo still on the table with the wall flickering. "Dad, I'm sorry. If I hadn't blown up at you then…" She said as she leans back against Tiyries. "Stand back angel." Lightning says putting the foals down. Scootaloo jumps over to Tiyries's head and stands behind him as she still tears up. Lightning punches the wall causing it to collapse on that side. "Now come here." Lightning says. Scootaloo cries freely as she rushes to him and jumps into his hooves and hugs him tightly. "I'm sorry dad. Please don't hate me." She sobbed. Lightning hugs her back. "Don't you ever scare me like that again, both your mother and I would be destroyed if you got hurt." Lightning says tears in his eyes. Scootaloo chokes on a sob. "I'm sorry." "Shh…it's ok, let's get yo...hold that thought, I got somepony I need to talk to." Lightning says looking at a priest who survived and was trying to crawl away. Scootaloo was placed down back on the ground before she realizes who's still on the table and jumps onto the table before going to his head. "Tiyries…please open your eyes for me…please." She whispered. "He is just unconscious. You though, are going to wish I will do that to you." Lightning says grabbing and dragging the pony into another room. Scootaloo jumps down from the table and looks to Typhoon and Talion as they yawn and look up at her with innocent smiles. She smiles back as she notices their colors are still darker. She sighs and grabs them before jumping back up on the table before laying them down near Tiyries's head and covers them with her wing. "You don't want to see this." She said as she looks to the door. The priest got slammed into the wall as Lightning glares at him with the maddest look on his face. "So, you decided to take the Wyvern and my daughter, but that wasn't enough for you was it? You also took my foals and now look what happened. I may give you a chance to live if you start talking." Lightning says pulling him forward and slamming him again. "I don't kno…" The pony stop when he feels a knife at the lower half of his stomach. "I will cut that part out of you." Lightning says. The priest sweats heavily as he feels the back of the cold knife press against him. "Okay…we were sent here because we were told a Wyvern would be here. We didn't realize that the Wyvern would go the palace and pick up the filly. She left the window open and saw an opportunity. The foals weren't part of the plan in the beginning, I swear." "Where is your leader? I know he wasn't here." Lightning says. The priest tries his best to hold still. "I don't know. He talks by letters and we don't know where they come from." "Is that all?" Lightning asks using the blade to emphasize his threat. The priest nods. "Yes, I swear. We don't know where the letter come from." "I see, well the Queen wanted me to bring at least one of you alive. Though I don't know if that is a mercy or damning you." Lightning says before slamming his head into the wall knocking the priest out. Lightning sighs as he steps out of the room and closes the door behind him and sees Scootaloo, Typhoon and Talion looking at him with small smiles. "Dad, can we go back now?" Scootaloo asks. "Soon, the Queen sent her soldiers and a few Queens's knights to help us." Lightning says before bring out a crystal. "Rainbow, you and Eclipse can stop now." Lightning says. Rainbow's growl was heard through the crystal. "Get back here with our foals, you lead wing. These puppets are not good substitutes as Eclipse is now burning them." "They did something to them Rainbow, but from the looks of it they only tapped some of their magic aptitude. Though it made their coats a little darker." Lightning says. Rainbow was silent for bit. "Well get back here now. Eclipse has something special for you guys." "I will, but her troops seem to be delayed and I smell blood coming from the other exits so they must have met resistance. You want to say anything to our foals?" Lightning asks. "Scootaloo? Are you there?" Rainbow asks. "I'm sorry mom, I'm sorry for running away and…" Scootaloo started. "Stop." Rainbow stops Scootaloo. "It's okay sweetie. I'm just glad you're okay. Just promise me you will never let us down." Scootaloo smiles. "I will." "How did you get out there anyway?" Rainbow asks. Scootaloo blushes a bit. "Tiyries, he came back for me and we were heading back to home in Equestria when we got caught." Rainbow was silent for a bit. "That Wyvern will be the death of us one day, huh Lightning?" "I'm going to talk to him and he isn't going to like it while you keep our daughter company." Lightning says. Scootaloo looks worried to the still sleeping Tiyries. "Are you going to send him away?" "Oh no, but after I am done he will wish I sent him back home." Lightning says. Scootaloo faintly smiles. "Just don't make us not see each other. I don't think the both of us can take it." "You are still grounded." Lightning and Rainbow says tripping her up. Scootaloo groans. "I don't care anymore." "Meaning you can't leave our sides. If you do you will be spanked." Rainbow says. Scootaloo blushes. "I said I don't care anymore. Just…just don't send him away." "You are not going to see him as much now that we know they are targeting him." Lightning says. Scootaloo brings her head down and lays down on the table, covering herself up with her wings. Her sobs were heard as Typhoon and Talion start to cheer her up by patting her sides. Soon the remaining doors are kicked down as Apollo joined Lightning as the soldiers soon were guarding the prisoner and holding him. "Nice firework show. Think you can handle your foals like this now?" "Don't mention this to anything or pony. Only you, me, and Scootaloo know of it and I plan to keep it so." Lightning hisses. Apollo nods before he hears a dark chuckle coming from Typhoon. "Might want to give her your necklace since it's useless to you now." A voice said that sounded male. Lightning walks over and picked up both the foals, silencing the voice. He looks to Typhoon as she looks at him with a smile. He smiles back and takes his necklace off before shortening the loop and places it around Typhoon. "Remember honey, don't lose this and everypony will be happy." Typhoon seemed mesmerized by the necklace. He chuckles before placing them both on his back and looks to Scootaloo. "Angel, it's time to go." Scootaloo chokes a sob. "Can I at least stay with him?" She asks while still under her hooves. "They are going to have to carry him out under heavy guard angel. I'm afraid you can't, but you will get to see him when he gets to the castle." Lightning says. Scootaloo shakily stands up before moving to him. Lightning moves close to the table as possible as Scootaloo struggles to get on before she lays down and covers herself up again. "Alright that is all. Destroy everything and take this prisoner to the dungeons under heavy guard." The Queen's knight captain, Ferid, says. Lightning remained silent as he walks out with Apollo before they come out and see Nikolai. "Good news, thanks to your debacle in there, the thieves' guild saw something and sent back a message to the guild and gave it to me saying, 'We'll join if you don't send those two after us.' No idea what they're talking about, but they're on our side now." "Apollo, go see them personally and take control." Lightning whispers and Apollo nods before leaving. Nikolai raises an eyebrow as he sees the foals still happily looking around and Scootaloo laying down and covering herself up. "I don't want to know, but it's always best to make them happy, even if that means just a little risk. Not too much, but just enough. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go back to the palace and see if my mare is awake." He said before walking off. "Make sure to clean yourself and your wings, they are still red." Lightning says. Nikolai grins back at him. "You got it. Just make sure you treat your family well. Who knows when something like this will happen again?" "Oh, that reminds me. This was an official declaration of war from me to this cult. Spread the word I won't stop until all of it is destroy." Lightning says. Nikolai nods. "Sure, just make sure to keep them safe if you're doing that." "Oh don't worry, I will." Lightning says as they head back. Rainbow moves the last piece onto the table before she looks to the door and sees Lightning walk in with the foals and Scootaloo. "Hey, you guys made it. Take a look at what Eclipse gave us as an apology for letting this happen." She said pointing to the large table full of food. "Good and speaking of which, the foals are hungry love." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles and takes the foals. "I'm sure of that. You two hungry?" The foals nods and rub their stomach as it growls. "Okay, let me place you down and you can eat whatever you want." She said placing them down in the dessert area. Rainbow then sighs and looks to Scootaloo. "Scootaloo, can you look at me?" Scootaloo sniffs and looks at her with bloodshot eyes. "Scootaloo, I'm not mad. I was just worried about you and I don't want to lose you. You're still grounded, but I'll make sure you can see him as much as possible now." Scootaloo smiles before getting off of Lightning and hitting the ground. "Ow." She groans as she gets up. "I'm not hungry." She said heading to a seat. "Then you are going to bed." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs as she turns around and heads back to their room. "Goodnight." "I'll go tuck her in and Spitfire, I see you over there. Go get some sleep as well." Lightning says before following his daughter. Spitfire smiles as they walk past her before going to Rainbow. "So everypony made it out okay?" "Yeah and it seems Lightning was right." Rainbow says as she looked at the foals playing tug-a-war with a donut. Spitfire looks a little surprised. "Wow, they do have a slightly darker tint in their coats. What did they do to them?" Rainbow shrugs. "No idea. Lightning probably won't say anything and all he said was their color is falter and that's it. Except for the fact that he mentioned something about their magic…being something, I don't know. Anyway, they're safe so let's enjoy this spread with them before eat it all and I end up with a fast foal running around my hooves." Spitfire chuckles. "Yeah, I am a little hungry." She said helping herself to some of the food while Rainbow start to eat herself. "Are you okay now angel?" Lightning asks as he tucks her in. Scootaloo nods, but still sniffs. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just…just go." Lightning sighs before he kisses her head. "It's going to be okay angel. Soon we'll all be together again as a family." "I'm sorry I keep forgetting that." Scootaloo says. Lightning smiles. "Just remember, in the end, you'll be with Tiyries and we still would have you by our side. But only when all of this is over." Scootaloo nods and pulls the covers around her. "Thanks dad…for letting me stay with him." Lightning nods and pulls the covers even more around her. "I'll never let you be away from him forever. Not anymore. Goodnight angel." He said kissing her head again. "At one time I hated that name, but I have changed my mind, but only call me that in private." Scootaloo says. Lightning laughs. "Sure angel. Now go to sleep. It's been a long day." Scootaloo smiles before she starts to breathe deeply and when Lightning was about to close the door he can hear her snoring. He sighs as he closes the door and heads back to the dining room. "Okay, what did I miss?" He asks looking over the food stained room. Everypony looked either embarrassed or sheepish. "They started it." Spitfire accuses as she points to the foals. Lightning shakes his head and walks over to her. "Missed a spot." He said taking a cake and covering her face, making them all laugh as Spitfire soon joined in. Author's Note 1: Meager ones like regular pony folk who would really have fun in these times and of course Umbra. 2: Take a guess. 3: Have fun. Oh, also have fun being alone in the dark. 4: I just did. Figure it out. 5: I'll give you a hint, it's me. 6: I told you, Umbra. 7: No, just another far off spirit that supposed to be locked deep down, but I was something far more different. 8: I like that in a stallion. Yet for finding it, you must look to the place where one must forget. 9: It's okay. You'll only be gone away from this for a little while. 10: I won't try to. Mr. Lightning Eye really doesn't want you dead. Now this is the important part, get him as Twilight Sparkle does. 11: You are a silly stallion. Just do what you do best and end him as Twilight does to hers. 12: Get lost guardian I am here for the one that has taken refuge. Okay, long ass chapter and too many stuff happening. Now where's Flair? He should be done by now. Flair: I got back a while ago. *Grins* Had fun with your favorite pony? Flair: Why not ask her yourself? Oh sorry. *Turns to Pinkiemenia.* Your business, your secrets. Pinkiemenia: Meh, not the best I have ever had. Burn. Anyway, like my surprise for Typhoon and Talion? Flair: I didn't see it coming. Well, lucky virtual cookie to who can figure out where Typhoon's lines come from when she changed. But for now the explanation. The reason we couldn't update on this story is because we have been updating HTTYD story and finally, until the next season, we're finished. So now that the movie and TV show up to now is done we can finally work on this story. Except the way we're going we might take a few weeks before the next update. But now, it going to be a bitch to edit since FimFiction is really tough to at least copy to because it's just words and not the bold and all that. Also, Flair, give the official google document word count at the end, would you, before you leave. Flair: In total 40479 words at this point. Pinkiemenia: And 102 pages. Hard to believe that this might be the biggest chapter we have ever made at this point. Who knows, we might be bigger next time. Flair: Maybe. Pinkiemenia: Knowing you it will. Flair: What are you, my wife? No, she's your mate, for now, if she doesn't go for somebody else. Pinkie: Oh, oh, does this mean I can throw a marriage party? Maybe if these two want it. Do you? *Flair is about to say something when Pinkiemenia stops him* Pinkiemenia: Only if you invite Maud. In your marriage or the party? Pinkiemenia: I will leave that to your interpretation. Flair: Do I get a say in this? *Pinkiemenia glares at Flair* Got it, shotgun wedding it is. *Laughs* Boy, she's like Astrid now and you're Calder. All you need is his tail and it would be complete. Flair: Don't give her ideas. Why shouldn't I, it's fun and I'm sadistic. Flair: I am surrounded by enemies. And your lover. Flair with an annoyed expression: Read and review. And hope you all enjoyed this after a long wait. Pinkiemenia and Pinkie: Later. The Life of ChangeSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Many Lives (Clop)A/N: Okay, we are back and this time many will be revealed. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' "Okay, that really hurts." Twilight said holding a hoof to her bandage head. "Ah, good to see you up Twilight. You have been out for two days." Lightning says. Twilight looks around and sees Scootaloo sleeping, but slightly bloody. "What happened with her?" Lightning looks over to her. "Hungry." "Uh huh. Any new developments?" Twilight asks. Lightning sighs. "Feathers are falling now. But under them is like a dragon's wing." "You sure?" Twilight asks. "I know dragon wings. But I am more worried about what Rainbow and Daring are talking about." Lightning says Twilight raises an eyebrow. "Because of your past life?" "No, because they are starting to compare and share stories." Lightning says. Twilight groans as she got up. "What the heck happened?" "Be more specific." Lightning says. Twilight points a hoof at her head. "Me getting this. What happened?" "Legionary assassins. Seems Daring stole or acquired something the Dominion wants." Lightning says. Twilight walks over to Scootaloo and looks her over. "I'm going to need a few things. And that also includes Rainbow." "You will have to wait, can you not feel it?" Lightning asks. Twilight looks to him slightly confused. "No, I…why is it so cold?" She asks hugging herself. "Welcome to Stalliongrad." Lightning says. Twilight looks to the window before going to it and pulling the curtains open. "Whoa." She said eyeing the winter landscape. "Best go change into some winter clothes." Lightning advises. Twilight nods and heads out. "Sure. Are you going to be fine?" She asks looking back at him. "Yeah, this is my turf, just let's try and sneak into Whiterun." Lightning requests. Twilight nods. "Okay. I'll be back as soon as everything is ready." She said closing the door behind her. Lightning sighs as he looks to Scootaloo again. "She was right about one thing." He said quietly before walking out. Lightning stepped off the train in the clothes he originally wore when he arrived in Ponyville. He inhaled deeply and exhaled in a relaxed manner. "It's good to be back." Lightning says. Rainbow shivers slightly as she steps out. "Where exactly are we?" "This, my beautiful wife, is Stalliongrad. Or the southern border at least." Lightning says wrapping a hoof around Rainbow. Rainbow still shivers. "And how cold does it get?" "How cold is absolute zero?" Daring asks walking out in winter gear. "Ha ha." Lightning sarcastically laughs. Rainbow quickly went inside. "I'll be back." She said as Scootaloo came out in her winter gear, but it was strained on her back by something under it. "You ok, my little angel?" Lightning asks rubbing her head a bit. Scootaloo groans a little. "Just feeling itchy all over and hungry like crazy. I could really go for some meat." She then goes wide-eyed. "Did I just say that?" Lightning smirks. "Then it is a good thing I sent Tiyries off a little while ago." A large flapping of wings came to them. "That should be him now." "Um…dad." Scootaloo says. "Yes?" Lightning asks. "That isn't Tiyries or his parents." Scootaloo says. "Oh." Lightning says before starting to charge magic. Scootaloo and Daring watches as Lightning rushes off into the town and starts attacking the large Wyvern as it attacks him and the citizens. "Miss Daring?" Scootaloo asks as Lightning sends a large flame attack to the Wyvern. "Yes?" Daring asks. Scootaloo then watches Lightning get onto a building rooftop and starts throwing lightning down from the sky. "How often does this happen here?" "Oh Wyvern attacks, those are somewhat rare here, usually the…and there they are, the Stalliongrad hunters." Daring says as Scootaloo sees arrows of energy start being fired at the wyvern. She raises an eyebrow. "And how long does this usually take?" "Well that depends on the experience and skill of the hunters so it's hard to te… heads up!" Daring says as a wing crashes near the train station. "Your father hasn't lost his touch." Daring adds peering over the wing. Scootaloo looks on as the Wyvern finally fell and the hunters and Lightning closed in on it. "Yeah, he really hasn't." Rainbow comes back out in winter gear and stops a few moments and takes in the scenery. "What did I miss?" Rainbow asks. Lightning chuckles as he finally came back. "A lot hun. But for now, where is that damn Wyvern? He was supposed to meet us here." He asks nopony in particular as he looks around. "Um…is it safe to come out now?" Fluttershy asks from the train. Lightning looks to the others. "Oh yes, sorry about that. Yes, it is fine. Come on out and enjoy the view, just mind the wing." The rest of the passengers of the car come out in winter gear and Lightning then looks at Twilight for a second before speaking up. "Um…Twilight, a little heads up, nopony here has ever seen a alicorn, so please try and keep that on the down low or hidden. Unless you want to be stared at and have them talk about you behind your backs." Lightning says. Twilight nods as she steps out with the others as their clothing gets slightly covered in the snow. "Okay, so where do we go next?" "We go north to the central plains otherwise known as Whiterun hold and the capital of the province is Whiterun. Yes, the capital and province have the same name. I know all too well." Lightning says. Scootaloo's head suddenly shot up before she walks forward and away from them. "Ummm…Scootaloo?" Lightning said before following her with the others following them with whatever luggage they had. Scootaloo suddenly turns and sees carriages drawn by what looked like wolves twice as big as them. Soon they come to a stop in front of them. "Ah, Ice wolves. These are mine men." Lightning says as they notice what looks like ice spikes coming out of the wolves' shoulders. Scootaloo looks around. "What is this place called?" "Stalliongrad, my lady." A familiar voice says from inside one of the carriages. Everypony looks over to the carriage. Then out comes Silva in a black armor with a wolf head like helmet. "My lord." Silva greets. Lightning smiles as Silva comes up to them. "Silva, great to see you again." "Thank you my lord. My family was scared when they were abducted, but now are comfortable especially my little brother." Silva says. Lightning smirks. "Yeah, I can shock a lot of civilians." "Yes, my lord. Shall we go?" Silva asks. Lightning turns to the rest of them. "Alright everypony just sit back and enjoy the view. Except for you Twilight, I need you to do some research again." Everypony soon enters the carriages and soon they rode along the countryside straight to Whiterun. Twilight watches from window as Spike brings out a book. "So how long will this take?" "Hours." Silva says. "Um…Lightning, there is something I have been meaning to ask you." Daring says. Lightning looks over to Daring. "And that is?" He asks as Twilight pours over the book while Spike brings out some lab equipment. "You see…" Daring starts out embarrassed. "I need access to the restricted section of the academy to research and look for information on something." Daring says. Lightning raised an eyebrow. "Okay." He shrugged after a while. Daring's jaw dropped as Twilight takes something out of a toughly sealed case. "That's it? Just like that?" "Oh heck no. I just wanted to shock you." Lightning says chuckling before turning serious. "But seriously, nopony is allowed in there." Lightning says sternly. Daring sighs as she brings her head down. "Great." Lightning huffs. "And on that note, what do you exactly need Twilight?" He asks looking over to her holding some needles and syringes. Twilight looks up at him. "Blood samples. They can tell me what's going on." "Ok, we will get them during a medical examination." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "You really like holding me back, don't you?" "You want to go to the other carriage and try to get her blood sample, right now?" Lightning asks as Ice Fang sticks his head out of Lightning's bag. Twilight tilts her head. "Oh heck no, I could get hers later. Just need Rainbow's and Spike's blood also and since they're here…" She said looking over to them. Spike's eyes widen. "Wait, you didn't tell me that part." Twilight smiles. "Of course I wouldn't, otherwise you wouldn't have come over and help me my number one assistant." "F…f…f…freezing." Agni says as he shivers against Spike trying to keep warm. Twilight sighs. "It'll be quick, besides I need to prepare a formula later to test these and that would take a lot time. This is a precaution just in case something happens." She said holding up a syringe. "How about you save that for later, I think Agni needs you." Lightning says. Twilight sighs and starts putting away everything. "Come here Agni." She said holding out her hooves. Agni moves into Twilight's hooves as she puts her coat around them. "Better?" "A…a little." Agni says. Twilight smiles nuzzles his head. "Good, otherwise I would have to set you on fire." "Wait till we get to my home, we keep it warm in there with plenty of fires." Lightning says. Agni teeth chatters a bit. "Then be r…ready to relight them." Lightning smiles. "Ah yes, you eating fire also gives you some heat." One of the guards then opens the door and slips in before closing it and bowing to Lightning. "господин мой генерал дракона армии было сказано о тебе вернуться и планирует вновь приветствовать Вас. Также ваши люди с нетерпением ждут вашего триумфального возвращения." (My lord the general of the dragon army has been told of you return and is planning to welcome you back. Also, your people are eagerly awaiting your triumphant return.) Lightning sighs and facehooves before composing himself. "Ochen' khorosho by oni byli proinformirovany ya vozvrashchayus' segodnya?" (Very well, have they been informed I am returning today?) Twilight tilts her head. "Ummm…what's going on?" "Да мой господин ваш новейший вассалом Сильва должен был сообщить ей об этом раньше ей было разрешено принести вагоны." The soldier says (Yes my lord your newest vassal Silva had to inform her of it before she was allowed to bring the carriages.) Lightning sighs. "Я вижу , поэтому я могу ожидать теплый прием тогда . Я думаю, мне придется совершить поездку по городу , прежде чем я могу добраться до моего дома." (I see so I can expect a very warm welcome then. I guess I will have to tour the city before I can get to my home.) The soldier hearing this gets up and exits the carriage to take his place back on the top. "Sorry about that. Was just informed about a few things and it looks like I will have to send you all on ahead while I take care of something." Lightning says while Twilight makes a mental note to learn the language so she could understand what was being said around her. Twilight watches as he leaves. "And how long would you be gone?" "I won't leave till we get to Whiterun and will be gone several hours. I will tell them to take good care of you." Lightning says. Twilight huffs. "For your sake, I hope so. Besides, you remember how Rainbow acts when you go off somewhere without her." "This can't be helped since they know I'm returning." Lightning says. "She probably wouldn't want to be paraded around the entire city anyways." Daring added smirking. Both Twilight and Lightning laughs a little. "Daring, you don't know Rainbow like we do." Lightning said. "In this weather?" Daring asks. "Ok, you made a better point." Lightning says remembering she was not used to the cold and his foals should not be out in it. Daring smirks. "I always win." Lightning rolls his eyes. "I still remember that temple of…what was it? The temple of…" Daring glares at him. "Don't even think of bringing that up. I was still sore after those close encounters." Lightning chuckles. "And what close encounters they were." Twilight raises an eyebrow. "What temple is this?" Daring glares at her now. "It will save you if you don't know about it." "One of the temples around here, but I won't say which." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "And how many temples are there?" "You got a total number of temples and tombs in Stalliongrad yet Daring?" Lightning asks. Daring mumbles a few numbers before looking to them. "Around one fifty." "There you go." Lightning says sneaking his hoof towards Daring before stroking her mane. Twilight looks a little surprised as Daring starts to purr a little. "But…what about Rainbow?" "Something they have in common, they both can't take that." Lightning says smirking as Daring smacks his hoof away. Twilight shakes her head. "How many mares do you know this personally?" "A gentlecolt never tells." Lightning says a huge smile on his face now before Daring punches him. "Oww." Twilight smiles. "You deserve that." "Yes I did, but it was so worth it to embarrass Daring and I owe her for that time in the North Sea." Lightning says now. "Oh come on, you aren't still sore over that?" Daring says. Lightning looks to her. "You left me in the water, how could I not?" "Oh come on." Daring says. "With that pissed out starving sea serpent." Lightning adds. Daring chuckles nervously. "Well, that thing did like you." "It nearly ate my wing." Lightning says his glare intensifying. Daring giggles a little. "Well you did get that thing out of it, so be happy it wasn't a wasted trip to its stomach." Lightning inhales deeply. "You were watching as it swallowed me whole and that I had to hack my way out of its stomach and you didn't help me?" Daring weakly smiles. "You got out?" She offered. "Then I had to swim for two days straight with no rest before I was picked up by another ship." Lightning says. Daring chuckles nervously. "Well…at least you survived." "And you abandoned me." Lightning says the atmosphere in the carriage temperature was plummeting. "Then next time I see you, you run into my train car to hide from Dominion agents." Lightning adds. Daring weakly smiles. "I can give you an apology. Just name it." "I'm waiting." Lightning says. Daring sighs. "Fine, you can have me. I think that makes up for a few years of trouble." "Daring, I don't do slavery. Just start saying sorry, I will tell you when to stop." Lightning says. Daring looks confused. "Slavery, I was talking about you." "Oh do tell." Lightning says. Daring shuffles in her seat before she groans. "Okay fine! How about me being your mistress?" Several seconds past. "Whaa…?" Lightning asks shocked. Daring sighs. "I left you to deal with a sea monster, left you in frigid cold waters for two days and never showed up again for many years. I think this will make up for me being a horrible friend." "We will talk about that later. My wife would have to agree before I even consider it." Lightning says. Daring smiles. "Always loyal to a fault." Lightning smirks. "More like married to loyalty." Twilight shakes her head while smiling. "You two make such a great couple." "Who, me and Lightning or Rainbow and Lightning?" Daring asks on the border of being sarcastic. Twilight smirks. "You two, who else." "Oh well…thanks I guess." Daring says. "Oh Twilight, you getting chummy with a professor of the Canterlot university now?" Lightning asks. Twilight looks to him. "University?" Daring chuckled. "Yeah, you see my job is actually being a professor at the Canterlot University back in Canterlot." Daring sheepishly admits. Twilight looks a bit confused. "But I thought you lived in that shack all the way north of Equestria." "Yeah that is just a cover so my enemies don't attack the university. I actually live in a nice apartment in a building the university owns." Daring says. Twilight chuckles. "Oh boy, will Rainbow be mad at that. Her favorite hero living just a town away." "I thought her favorite hero was Lightning's sister Spitfire?" Daring asks confused. Twilight smiles. "That was before she started to read your books. Which reminds me, when's the next one? Rainbow's been hounding me for it." "Yeah, still in the middle of the adventure. As if I don't get that question enough from my publisher." Daring says a little annoyed. Twilight blushes slightly. "Well sorry." "Oh don't mind Daring, she just gets a little grumpy especially when she doesn't get something sugary after a day." Lightning says. Daring huffs. "Except you keep the sugar foods away from me." "No, I keep them hidden from Talion and Typhoon. You, I just find this side adorable." Lightning says. Daring glares at him before she smirks. "Then you find my grumpy side cute? So all the times I've been angry at you, you were actually turned on?" "And conversation aborted." Lightning says quickly. Daring smirks as she leans back again. "That's what I thought." "So how long till we get there again?" Spike asks. Lightning smiles. "Now." He said pulling the curtains away. Peering out the three see a huge city at least five times bigger than Canterlot in view. "Wow." Twilight, Agni and Spike said. "Welcome to Whiterun, the capital of the central plains." Lightning says. The carriages soon pulled up to the large open gate, which was guarded by two very tired looking guards. "You think another noble came by to find another piece of business?" One guard said. "Stand at attention and sound the trumpet." The other guard says. The first guard groans before bringing out a trumpet and playing it. Hearing this set off a chain of events where several guards come out in shiny armor wearing either a helmet that looks like a bird's head, an element that looked like the one Silva wore, and one looking like a dragon's head. "And there is the honor guard." Lightning says. Twilight looks to him. "And what are they like?" "An honor guard are soldiers who were selected to perform a ceremonial duty. In this case escorting me as I tour the city." Lightning says. "Все приветствуют нашего возвращения Господа и герою все град господин Молния Ярл Lightning!" They could hear criers in the city yelling. (All hail, our returning lord and hero all hail lord Lightning Jarl Lightning!) Twilight looks to the city before looking back to him. "What the heck did he say?" "They are announcing my return." Lightning says. "Aren't you leaving out something Jarl Lightning?" Daring asks. Lightning chuckles nervously. "Oops." "Jarl?" Twilight, Spike, and Agni asks. Lightning coughs. "Basically, it means king of the city." "Three, two, one." Daring counted down. "What?!" The three yells. "I wonder how the others will take th…" Lightning was cut off by the sudden yells from outside. "Maybe pretty good." Twilight glares at him before opening the door and stepping out. "More like struck." Lightning then walks out to thunderous applause. "Don't know if it's good to be back or annoying now." "Um love?" Rainbow questions somewhere between shock and confused. Lightning turns to her. "Yes?" He asks trying to keep his embarrassment in check. "What's going on?" Rainbow asks. "They are welcoming their ruler home." Lightning says before kissing her. Rainbow pushes him away a little. "And not warning us before hoof?" "Um…well I kind of wanted it to be a surprise, Queen of Whiterun." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to the city before looking back at him before slapping him. "That's for not preparing us." She said before walking to the city. "You солдат есть мои товарищи взяты прямо к замку." Lightning orders. (You soldier have my companions taken straight to the castle.) The soldiers nods before leading everypony to the castle. "So what now?" Daring asks as they watched everypony leave. "We talk." Rainbow says as she sees Lightning being led away by the honor guard. Daring looks to her. "What about?" "You don't seem surprised so you're telling me all you know." Rainbow says as she keeps her foals warm. Daring sighs. "Lightning didn't start out like this or when I found him. He merely traveled until I came across him and soon we went on so many things together it's hard to believe we survived." "You seem to be able to speak the language." Rainbow says. Daring shrugs. "Live here long enough and you would get it. Though the question now is why you haven't even reacted to being Queen?" "I want to know everything before I start reacting. Besides I'm holding the kids." Rainbow says nuzzling the sleeping foals. Daring smiles. "He sure got a great family." "Now come on." Rainbow says dragging her along as they head to the castle Silva was leading them to. Daring chuckles. "Okay, okay, but only if you tell me what happened up to now from when we last met." "Oh right, you weren't in Equestria during the war." Twilight says as they began climbing stairs up to the castle. Daring sighs. "So it was true. You are okay, right?" "Yeah, we won, but just barely. If it wasn't for Lightning we would have been conquered." Twilight says. Rainbow smiles. "And now you trust him on that." Twilight blushes. "Well I did see what happened if he didn't come." "I see." Rainbow says as they entered through a huge door into the castle. Everypony looks around and then approached by Silva as they came up to the throne. "So, what do you think?" "I'm awestruck." Rarity says analyzing every detail. Twilight looks around until her eyes landed on another room to the side with many books and a few materials. "Is that a lab?" Before anypony could answer a few ponies, a griffon, and a zebra all in mage like robes walk out discussing something. "What the?" Silva smiles. "And we have many scholars who are quite studied in the issues they are dealing with." "Well it's no college here. That place is a major collection of knowledge, study of artifacts and magic, and of magical practice and experimentation." Daring says. "Wait, you mentioned the college before and asked Lightning to help you gain access to a section of it." Twilight remembers. Daring nods. "Yep, the College of Winterhold. Notorious for being the smartest place there is for magic." "Must go there!" Twilight exclaims her wings now extended. Everypony chuckles as her enthusiasm. "Easy there princess. That's a long way away and unless you plan on meeting creatures of the sky and raiders on the ground I suggest you stay with us." Silva said. "I don't think she can hear you." Rainbow and Daring say in unison. Everypony still laughed as Twilight started to hop around. "This might take a while." Spike said. "Hopefully she will calm down before Lightning's second in command finds us." Silva says. "What the heck is going on here?" A voice demanded. "Nothing general Kyou Kai ma'am!" Silva immediately yells as she stood at attention. Turning around they all saw a smallish tan pegasus with a black mane with a white ribbon tying it down and tail with jade eyes wearing a red and white robe like clothes and a white scarf with red lines on it and a sword strapped to her back with a green jewel encrusted handle. Kyou walks up to them angrily. "Why are these ponies here and why is that one hopping like a crazy bunny?!" Rainbow suddenly feels squirming from her hooves and sees the foals starting to move. "Uh oh." "Well?!" Kyou yells. Talion and Typhoon start to cry out loud as they heard the loud voice scream in their ears. Rainbow glares angrily to Kyou. "Great job. Just when they starting to fall asleep." She then turns to them, her expression softening. "Shh, shh, its okay, it's okay." She whispered while rocking them. "Um general ma'am, this is Rainbow Dash." Silva explains and Kyou Kai seems to register the importance. "Oh crap." She cursed. Rainbow groans slightly. "Fluttershy, help me out here." She said giving Typhoon to her as they both try to put them back to sleep. "Hush now, quiet now, it's time to lay your sleepy head. Hush now, quiet now, it's time to go to bed." Fluttershy sang as the foals started to calm down and start to close their eyes again. After they fell back asleep, Rainbow turns back to Kyou Kai. "You are so dead." Rainbow threatened. "Try it. I don't care if you are my lord's wife, I will destroy you." Kyou Kai says quieter so not to wake the foals. Everypony looks at her with pity. "Oh, if she only knew." Spike said as Agni nods with everypony else. "My lady, General, you mustn't, Jarl Lightning has just returned. We can't have fighting in the court at this time." Belcoot pleads as he runs up. Rainbow huffs. "We'll settle this later." "General, I believe you have duties to attend to." Belcoot says. "You are right, I have wasted too much time already." Kyou Kai says leaving. Everypony watches as she leaves. "Bitch." Agni said suddenly making everypony look at him surprised. "Please don't say such things. Kyou Kai is one of the most dangerous creatures in Stalliongrad, she even nearly killed lord Lightning." Belcoot says Agni huffs and nods his head to the sleeping foals. "Doesn't excuse that." "She is also very unhappy from hearing Lightning is now married." Silva adds talking to Rainbow. Rainbow looks where Kyou went. "So…she's jealous?" "Ours is not the place to talk about such things." Belcoot says respectfully. Rainbow huffs. "At least the foals are sleep again." She said looking to them. "My lady, there has been rooms prepared for your foals they were personally crafted by Hurricane in the theme of Stalliongrad." Silva says. Rainbow looks a little surprised. "Really, she came here earlier?" "Yes, she came to Stalliongrad with Admiral Kenway as he sailed along the continent on the northern sea. I heard he also raided a few dominion ports along the way as well." Silva says. Spitfire perks her ears up at that. "Kenway is here?" "I hear he is training some men to join the fleet not far off from Solitude to the north as either their ships are built or being repaired." Silva says. Spitfire brings her head down slightly. "Oh. Well…at least he's here." "I have heard rumors though that all the Jarls, generals, the admiral, and powerful merchants or those representing a guild will be convening here in Whiterun to discuss our next move. I hear even High king Ulfric will be attending." Silva whispers. Rainbow sighs as she gently rocks the foals. "Well, let's get them to bed. It's been a long day." "I'll show you the way. The servants will show you all to your prepared rooms and general Kyou Kai and general Razor Talons want you to attend their welcoming of Jarl Lightning back personally General Belcoot." Silva says saluting Belcoot. "Understood. My Lady, if you will excuse me." Belcoot says his composure changing greatly. Rainbow nods as he walks away. "Come on guys. Let's get settled in." "Silva, a word for a moment." Belcoot says. Silva follows a little away. "Yes?" "I know that recently you have been assigned the position of chief of the guards here in the castle because of your actions in the war in Equestria and the recommendation by our lord. So I will tell you this now. Now that it is known to the public that Lightning not only has a wife now but foals his enemies will do anything to get to him through them. So I advise doubling the guards everywhere and reevaluate the current patrols and set up of them. Also even though you are technically part of the Direwolf army your duty make you report to general Kyou Kai herself. Watch yourself because the guards are from her troops and they are much more strict than our army. You might end up punished badly if you don't talk yourself and I won't be able to intervene." Belcoot whispers. Silva nods. "Okay, anything else?" "She is going to be extra critical and judgmental of you because you are former legion despite what our lord says." Belcoot warns. Silva nods as she looks around slightly. "I know that feeling, some of the guards are still wary of me." "That is because, like Kyou Kai, they are incredibly loyal to Lightning. Don't let their ranks fool you, they are of the Dragon army. The army that crushed two legions and took three forts that were said to be impenetrable in only ten days. We the Direwolf army are famed for our uncanny ability to act as one pack and turning the legions greatest strengths into their weaknesses. The Skyor Army is known for their incredible speed in conquering. But the Dragon army are known for their ability to annihilate any enemy that stands against them." Belcoot says. Silva raises an eyebrow. "That's…impressive." "Yes, now Silva, we best go or get in trouble with Kyou Kai." Belcoot says. Silva sighs. "I don't know how Lightning deals with her." "They are very close, though nopony knows why as they refuse to speak of how they met besides the fact that everyone knows Kyou Kai was once an assassin who tried to kill Lightning." Belcoot says walking away. Silva takes a last look before walking away to find Lady Rainbow's group. Rainbow sighs as she places the foals in their beds before pulling the covers around them. "Sleep tight guys." She whispered. "Lady Rainbow?" Silva whispers. Rainbow looks over to her. "Yes?" "Would you like to wait for you husband in the throne room?" Silva asks. Rainbow looks back to the foals before looking back to her. "Sure, just make sure nothing happens to them." "With my life my lady. After all, they are Lightning's precious foals." Silva says smiling. Rainbow smiles. "Thanks." She said walking out. Silva gestures to one of the guards who nods before escorting Rainbow to the throne room. "So how was your trip?" She asked after a while. "It was interesting, a death cult tried to use my family as a sacrifice. Let's just say Lightning didn't take it well and I believed the word he used to describe what would happen next was inquisition." Rainbow says. Silva raises an eyebrow. "Death cult?" "Yes, not quite sure about all the details but they mentioned their fate would be an example." Rainbow says as they entered the throne room. Silva nods. "Well it's good you're safe now. The one thing I know is that Lightning would be livid if you or anypony else got hurt." "Yeah he would." Rainbow says taking a seat in one of the chairs. Silva stands right by her. "I wonder, I've been seeing that Wyvern when I was at Pegalopolis, how is he?" "He was hurt so Lightning sent him back there to be tended to. Now where is he?" Rainbow asks. Silva looks around a bit. "Should be a while, he is having to tour the entire city right now." "I see, so what you do for entertainment around here?" Rainbow asks. Silva shrugs. "Nothing much, I've been busy most of the time so there wasn't much besides resting." "I see." Rainbow says before they continue to talk to pass the time. As the sun started to set Rainbow spotted Belcoot now wearing a black armor with a white Direwolf painted onto it, Kyou Kai, and a brown griffon wearing Black armor with a purple bird painted onto it enter one by one and stood facing the door. "Who's the griffon?" Rainbow asks Silva. "That's general Razor Talons, he is the leader of the Skyor army. Those three are Lightning's highest ranking military officers and are known as three of the five Wyvern generals of Stalliongrad." Silva whispers. Rainbow nods. "So where's Lightning?" The door soon started to open and the echoes of cheers came through the doors. Soon they fully opened and in walked the honor guard and Lightning himself. After the doors closed Lightning says, "Honor guard dismissed, return to your barracks." The guards nods before walking off as Lightning walks up to Rainbow and nuzzles her. "Hey love. Sorry it took so long. Did you have any problems?" "Only one that I will mention later." Rainbow says before Lightning nods and walks to the generals. "At ease." Lightning orders. "Sir." They all said. "I'm glad to see all of you well. Later I want a thorough debriefing on all that has transpired and to see all the messages our spies have sent us." Lightning says looking at Razor Talons at the last part. Razor sighs. "We made sure we got everything, but you know we had to pull out sometimes." "That's fine. For now, I want to get back to the way things were done. I want the guilds of the hold to send their representatives here as well as get all my sworn swords to report here as well if they are in the hold. Kyou Kai Razor Talons I assume that none of the training and drills have been slacked while I was away." Lightning says. "No sire and there have been no breaches in our security." Kyou Kai says. Lightning smiles. "Good, and make sure to really get the guards going now that everypony is here." "Yes sir. Also tell me when was the last time we had a festival?" Kyou asks. Lightning thinks for a few. "I think a year before I left." "I believe we are overdue then sir." Razor Talons says smirking. Lightning smiles. "Yes we are. Can you organize to get it set up?" "In less than two weeks, sir." Kyou Kai says. Lightning nods. "Great, get it done. Now than, any other matters?" "Only one." Kyou Kai says. "Welcome back my lord!" The three general exclaimed together. Lightning chuckles. "Unnecessary, but thank you." "My lord there is one issue. What should be done with that one?" Kyou Kai asks gesturing to the still bouncing Twilight. Lightning sweatdrops. "Well…let's see." He said to himself thinking. Rainbow smirks. "I got one. Twilight, your books are on fire!" "WHAT?!" Twilight yells stopping her bouncing before running to her room. Rainbow laughs as she Twilight trips and knocks over a few things. "Perfect. Just perfect." "Well that is settled. You are all dismissed for now. Kyou Kai stay with me though." Lightning says. Everypony leaves, soon leaving Rainbow, Silva, Lightning and Kyou. "Guard captain Silva return to your post." Kyou Kai orders. Silva perks up before saluting. "Ummm…yes ma'am." She said before walking away. "I see you didn't waste anytime in putting her to work." Lightning says to Kyou Kai. Kyou huffs. "She's a soldier, how else she's supposed to work?" "I expect no less from my second in command." Lightning says smiling. Kyou frowns. "Oh, wipe that smirk. She actually got caught doing stuff I didn't order her to." "Which was?" Lightning asks. "Organizing the guards and inspecting the posts personally." Kyou Kai says. "And you aren't happy she is taking initiative?" Lightning asks. Kyou glares at him. "She disobeyed an order, which was to guard." "Already being hard on her I see. Then you see it too. Her potential to be a general." Lightning says seriously. Kyou huffs. "She was a legionnaire. That'll never happen." "We shall see Kyou Kai. Also I can tell you have met my foals. How many of your special men do you have guarding them already?" Lightning asks. Kyou sighs. "All of them. Knowing you, you would lock us all up for not protecting them." "Good, I want nothing to happen to them." Lightning says. Kyou nods. "Nothing will happen to them." Rainbow leans over to his ear. "Keep her away though." "Ah, she woke them up didn't she?" Lightning asks. Rainbow huffs. "She didn't even bother try to apologize." "Kyou Kai doesn't usually apologizes. But there is nopony I trust to guard your life and family more than her." Lightning says. Rainbow groans. "At least have her apologize before I even let her close to them again." "Rainbow, I doubt I could stop her." Lightning says chuckling a bit. Rainbow hits him. "I'm serious. She scared them." "I was also serious love. I doubt there is a pony who can stop her once she sets her mind to something." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs. "Just keep her away from the foals and I'm fine." "I can't. She is in charge of the entire security of the city." Lightning says. Rainbow snorts before getting up and leaving. "I got to check on the foals." "Kyou Kai." Lightning says. Kyou looks to him. "Yes?" "Please, for my sake, apologize." Lightning pleads. Kyou huffs. "Why should I?" "Please, it will make both our lives a little easier if my wife doesn't have a huge grudge against you." Lightning pleads. Kyou snorts. "That mare has to learn that not everything can be forgiven. Especially since the whole room was going crazy." "How about a favor for a favor. I'm not asking for a public apology." Lightning pleads. Kyou sighs. "Fine." "Thanks." Lightning says smiling at her. Kyou looks at him. "Is that all?" "I'm glad to see you again." Lightning says resting a hoof on her shoulder. Kyou sighs softly. "It's great to see you too." Rainbow smiled as she petted her son's mane. "Hush now. Quiet now." She sang quietly. "Rainbow Dash?" Kyou asks from the door. Rainbow jumps a little at the sudden calling of her name before turning around to see Kyou Kai and glares. "Come to make them cry again?" She asks quietly. Kyou sighs. "No, I came to…apologize." "I thought you didn't do that?" Rainbow asks suspiciously. Kyou groans as she looks away. "Lightning is a great speech maker." Rainbow stays quiet for a few moments before giggling a little. "I guess he is." Rainbow says. Kyou nods. "Yeah and…I'm sorry." Rainbow huffs. "Tell that to them." She said nodding her head to the foals. Kyou was a bit reluctant, but eventually moves over to the foals. "I'm sorry." She whispered to them. Rainbow then smiles. "Good, now you can start to protect them." "I already have started. I will show you to the master bed chambers." Kyou Kai says. Rainbow nods. "Thanks. You know, you're not that bad once it boils down to it." Kyou Kai says nothing as she leads her. "I have trouble expressing some emotions." Kyou Kai finally says. Rainbow giggles. "I know that type of pony." "It is from my training to be the ultimate assassin." Kyou Kai adds. Rainbow nods. "I know the feeling. Lightning had the same attitude when he came over." Kyou remains quiet and leads her through a few corridors before stopping at a door. "This is it." Rainbow turns to her. "Thanks for that apology." Kyou Kai says nothing as Rainbow enters. "By the way, how did you two meet?" Rainbow asks turning to find her gone. "Nice try love." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs and turns to him sitting on the bed looking over a book. "At least she apologized. The one thing you never cross with us is our foals." "The first one who does I will skin them alive and hang them outside the front gate of Whiterun with a sign nailed into them as a warning." Lightning says calmly. "Oh by the way, those are all in the native language so you won't be able to read them." Rainbow bumps his shoulder with hers. "Spoilsport." "You want to learn how to speak and read it, oh queen of Whiterun?" Lightning asks. Rainbow laughs as she pushes against him a little harder, sending him wobbling. "Shut up." "I'm serious, equestrian is rare to be spoken and no one reads it here. As queen of this hold you must learn our languages, Statliongrats." Lightning says. Rainbow groans. "Great, more learning." "Comes with being a queen love and Scootaloo will be joining you." Lightning says pushing her onto the huge bed before joining her. "There is something else we need to discuss something about Daring Do." Rainbow looks to him. "And that is?" "She wants to apologize to me for something she did by becoming my mistress." Lightning says. Rainbow tilts her head. "Mistress?" "It's a word for a female who doesn't marry a stallion in the eastern continent here, but helps bare their children. It's a custom to help produce as many heirs as possible." Lightning says. Rainbow looks a little shocked. "And…she wanted to do this?" "Yeah. She is the one who suggested it in front of Twilight." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs as she lays back. "If Daring wants it she can do it, but I want to talk to her first." "I said the only way I would even consider it is if you accepted it." Lightning says laying next her and wraps a wing around her. Rainbow smirks. "Because of what I decided to let happened?" "Yeah, after all I married you and to accept such a thing without you agreeing would be equivalent of me cheating on you." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "At least you are letting me make some decisions for when it comes to this." "Yeah, but we can deal with it tomorrow, for now let's rest." Lightning says pulling the fur covers over him and Rainbow. Rainbow smiles. "Thanks for telling me and goodnight." "Goodnight my love." Lightning says. Scootaloo groans as she gets up. She smacks her lips together. "I'm really starting to hate mornings." She said to herself as she coughs a few times from her dry mouth. She groans as she gets up and heads to the bathroom before looking at herself in the mirror. She stops as she sees something. "DADDY!" A guard throws open the door with his weapon ready. "Что не так ?!" (What's wrong?!) The guard then stops as he sees something he has never seen in his life. "What the heck happened to me?" Scootaloo asks him as her long tail coiled around herself and claws clicked together. "Twilight, you better figure this out fast." Lightning warns as he, Scootaloo, Rainbow, Twilight and Spike stood in Scootaloo's room. Twilight glares at him. "If you let me do what I wanted we wouldn't have gotten into this mess in the first place." "We are not opening up my daughter like some science experiment." Lightning says in a way that scares Twilight a little. Twilight tries to hold her glare. "I was never going to cut her open, I just needed a blood sample." She said holding a syringe. "Good luck piercing the skin, dragon scales are incredibly hard and those scales have already shattered steel weapons." Lightning says as several others were examining Scootaloo and discussing ideas and theories in Stalliongrats. Twilight huffs. "Except for one little area on her. Looks like her inner hindlegs don't have scales, maybe because she still needed some form of flexibility. Now I just need her blood and then Rainbow and Spike's." "Do it." Rainbow says. Twilight levitates three syringes. "Scootaloo, can you lay on her back." She said as she pokes Spike and Rainbow already and taking their blood. Scootaloo lays down and winces as she feels the syringe pokes her hindleg. "Ow." She said to herself as she watches her blood leak into the capsule. Twilight pulls all three syringes full of blood back to her before pushing the blood into three test tubes and grabs an already filled test tube. "This will tell if my theory is true or not." She said before pulling the stopper off and pours a few drops into each test tube, making Scootaloo's blood turn pink, Rainbow's blue and Spike's a darker red. "Now if you remember whose blood this is then the solution I placed in is actually a base DNA coloring. Whatever base DNA you have, it will turn to that color. One of five hundred and seven known. Now with Spike's and Rainbow's known, watch this." She said before pouring Spike's blood into Rainbow's and shaking it a little, making it turn pink, the same color as Scootaloo's. "And that proves it, Scootaloo was always a half pony and dragon. Probably never shown when she was young because it wasn't needed or she hasn't hit puberty yet. Maybe the recent foalnapping accelerated it with her adrenaline running after that. May also explain her eating meat. Meat has protein and most of bodybuilding uses protein. So now, she's going through such a rapid change that she can't control her instinct because it's too quick and her mind hasn't catched up." Lightning nods before translating it to the robed ponies, griffons, and zebra in the room who started to discuss this themselves. "But no known case of such a hybrid has ever been successfully been given birth to." Lightning says thinking out loud. Scootaloo groans as she rubs at her leg. "You're looking at one." "Though it does explain why you were never able to fly on your own before." Lightning says. Scootaloo looks to her new webbed wings. "Maybe." Twilight nods. "He's right. Webbed wings are easier to put more air under it than feathers. That's why dragons are able to get so high in the air." "Also the fact that the bone structure of her wings was different and your build did not have the require strength to achieve sustained flight. Which is why everypony assumed it was a handicap." Lightning adds. Scootaloo looks at her wings before getting up and flaps once before she shot up and hits the ceiling. "OW!" "The force from them is pretty impressive." Lightning observes. "And it really freaking hurt." Scootaloo said from the ceiling. "Rainbow, I think our girl needs a little help getting down." Lightning says. Rainbow flies up and grabs her tail before pulling. "Ow, ow, ow. Watch it." Scootaloo yells. "So do you think she will develop the ability to breathe fire? I don't think so for she doesn't have a fire sack internal organ." Lightning says to Twilight. Twilight shrugs. "I don't know. For now, she's too young so most of the things dragons do is not known yet for our case. Also, since she is female she will be eating a lot. Ever since Spike got greedy growth, I looked up information about all dragons. Females, once they hit puberty, eat a lot of meat to have internal organs and body ready for an egg to be produced and make it easier to birth. Since her mind doesn't have the complete knowledge about her dragon side yet, they will be constantly fighting. You need to keep her fed or she will go feral." Lightning watches as Rainbow pulls Scootaloo from the ceiling and they both float down. "How much?" Twilight brings out a book and measurement tape. "Let's see." She said as Scootaloo lands and gets herself pulled from her tail and head. Twilight hums as she measures her from tail to head. "Okay." She then goes to the book and start to scribble a few things. "That there, carry those, and flip this." She then closes the book and turns back to them. "About fifteen pounds of meat per day." "That isn't a problem as we feed griffons here as well. But just to be on the safe side run a medical scan on her every week and keep an eye out for any new internal organs developing." Lightning whispered the last part to Twilight. Twilight nods. "You're worried about the mating parts, right?" "And a possible fire sack, she could hurt herself and burn down the castle if we aren't careful." Lightning says. Twilight watches as Spike and Scootaloo compare themselves. "Okay, I'll try to do that, but remember, when she does certain things a female dragon needs to do like marking territory and eating, she won't be herself." She said as Scootaloo accidentally hits Spike over the head with tail. "Sorry Spike, guess my tail is a weapon." Scootaloo said as she looks to her tail half covered by her mane now running across her spine to her tail. "I shall inform Kyou Kai who will instruct her men. By the way having trouble with the different language?" Lightning asks. Twilight smiles as she looks to him. "You kidding, I'm having fun." "I have had reports you have been trying to read our books, but have not been able to understand them." Lightning says. Twilight blushes slightly. "Yeah, I've been trying, but no success." "I will arrange for someone to start teaching you and the others if they wish." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "Thanks. Though…" She asks looking to Scootaloo now holding Spike in her tail and lifting him up. "What are we going to do now with her?" "What can I do but continue on being her father?" Lightning asks. Twilight giggles as Spike tries to get out of her tail, but fails as Scootaloo laughs. "Yeah and you know what, you are the best I have seen…well, except my dad." "No, I'm not arranging an escort for you to go to the college yet." Lightning says seeing through her attempt to butter him up. Twilight frowns. "I hate you." Lightning smiles. "There's the Twilight I know. Besides until you understand Stalliongrats, you won't be able to understand any of the knowledge in the college" Twilight groans. "Then could you hurry up with the language?" "All good things are worth the wait." Lightning says. Scootaloo laughs as she bounces up to them. "Hey guys, can we go outside, because I want to really put these to the test." She asks showing off her new wings. "Sorry angel, but today the troops are doing drills and the air troops are occupying the sky right now." Lightning says petting her. Scootaloo groans. "Aww." She shakes herself, making him stop petting her, as her fuller and longer mane whips around. "You may do so tomorrow angel." Lightning says. She looks to him. "That's too long." Twilight smiles. "Her mind's trying to really catch up at this point. Warning, you may experience mood swings. And by that I mean age swings." "Oh, but I had the cook making you lunch already." Lightning says. Scootaloo wags her tail. "Is it meat?" She asks excitedly before pausing. "That was weird." "A few different kinds, including Horker meat, something you have never tried yet." Lightning says. Scootaloo smirks. "Dad, ponies don't eat meat." "But you're a pony dragon hybrid and you have been eating it." Lightning says as a cooking smell starts to sneak in. Scootaloo keeps giving him the same look until she pauses and sniffs the air. She sniffs a few more times before becoming wide eye and flares her wings out and takes off across the ground and out the door too fast, leaving Lightning chuckling. "That's my daughter." "Tell me you bared the kitchen door." Rainbow says. "Of course love. Now let's go get our daughter." Lightning says. Rainbow shakes her head before walking past a dizzy Spike on the ground with Lightning and the scholars out the door. "Had fun Spike?" Twilight asks with a smile as she packed away her equipment. "Please stop the room from spinning." Spike pleads. Twilight just giggles. Daring waited as told in Lightning and Rainbow's room until they returned. After a while, both finally showed up and locks the door behind them. "Well…I'm here." Daring said. "Love, I will let you take it away." Lightning says going to the desk. Rainbow sighs as she walks over to Daring. "So…how much do you care for him?" "Not a day goes by where I don't regret what I did to Lightning." Daring says. Rainbow nods. "And what about your old life? Temples and story writing?" "I can no more stop that than you could be the element of loyalty, but I will cut back on it for Lighting." Daring says. Rainbow smiles. "Even carrying his foal?" "Yes, I will do even that." Daring says very embarrassed. Rainbow sighs. "You must be really be sorry for this kind of decision." Daring nods. "I left him to die. That's the worst thing a friend could do, not even be considered a friend is also worse." "Then welcome to the family." Rainbow says before kissing her. Daring becomes shocked as Rainbow kisses her. Out of the corner of eye, she can see Lightning smirking at them before turning back to his desk. After Rainbow let's go, "So? How was that?" Rainbow asks smirking. Daring licks her lips before looking at her. "The greatest thing I've ever had in a long time." Rainbow laughs as she hooks a hoof around her. "Then it's about to get better soon. Just you wait." "Translation, she wants a three way tonight." Lightning says. Rainbow glares at Lightning. "Shut it you, the mares are talking and no. I just want to enjoy one of my favorite heroes just sleeping near me." "So you are going to watch while me and Lightning…" Daring trails off, now in a full-face blush. Rainbow smirks as she looks to her. "Maybe later, but for now. Just sleep. It's been a crazy day and Scootaloo is the most you can have for a parent. Besides, I think Twilight pulling the blood from me made me tired." "Ok, then let's head to the master bed chamber." Lightning says. Rainbow stretches. "Yeah, I'm ready to hit soft hay anytime now." Lightning hooks a hoof around her now. "Then let's go." Daring becomes a little concerned. "Ummm…I'm still a little uncomfortable…whoa." She yelps as she was pulled along. Rainbow smiles at her. "Relax, this is going to be the best life you're going to have now." "Oh, that reminds me Rainbow. A festival is in less than two weeks from now." Lightning says before kissing her than Daring. Rainbow licks her lips. "And what's festival about?" "Well I think this one will be a celebration of our independence from the Dominion." Lightning says as they arrive at the bedroom. Rainbow smiles. "Yeah, a long overdue one." "They haven't had a festival since a year before my departure so we are going to have a good time. Also we will be having several tournaments. A few for sports, others for a fighting competition and a monster slaying exhibition." Lightning says locking the door after they enter. Rainbow looks to them. "Are you entering one?" "I am the host and Jarl so I can't and most likely those who sign up for the monster slaying exhibition will be mostly Stalliongrad hunters and maybe a few of my sworn swords." Lightning says as he pets both mare's manes. Rainbow purrs while Daring does as well. "That's boring." Rainbow said. Lightning chuckles. "I know, the least they could do is place cup holders in my chair. Then it be slightly less boring. Though I will be personally awarding the prizes to each victor." Lightning says as he maneuvers both mares into the bed. Both mares groans as they settle in the bed. "So, what can we do?" Daring asks. "Enjoy the events, after all we will have to watch all of them." Lightning says covering the three of them with the fur blankets. Rainbow snuggles into Lightning's side. "And the others?" She asks while Daring does the same on Lightning's other side. Lightning wraps his wings around them. "They are our honored guests so they will be joining us in the V.I.P. section." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Great, so what do we do in the meantime?" "Well you and the others will begin your learning of Stalliongrats. While Daring here will get a little help with what she is looking for." Lightning says kissing both of their necks. Rainbow moans. "Traitor." "How, I kissed you as well or do you want more attention?" Lightning asks. Rainbow groans. "No, making us learn Stalliongrats." "You are technically the queen here. You have to learn your people's language." Daring says. "Yeah love." Lightning says kissing her wing's tenderness spot causing Rainbow to yelp. Daring giggles before Lightning does the same to her making her yelp. "Cheater." "Hey, there are no rules in love and war and you agreed to this. Or are you not so daring now that we are here?" Lightning asks. Daring glares at him. "Shut up and just kiss us." "As you wish." Lightning says before kissing them both. Scootaloo lays her head on the arm of the chair. "I'm getting bored." She said while watching the strength competition. "You weren't saying that during the Blitzball tournament yesterday." Sweetie Belle says. Scootaloo huffs. "Because it had flying and amazing maneuvers, this is just…" She said gesturing to the two ponies pushing each other off the stage. "Pushing." "The next tournament should be far more interesting angel. The next one is the fighting tournament." Lightning says. Back on stage, the smaller stallion finally was able to lift the other and throws him off the stage making the crowd cheer. An announcer soon steps up. "Next competition is the fighting competition. Fighters will be using only their skills without weapons, as their body will be the weapon. The first match will be a ceremonial match. Now our first contestant." He brings up a parchment. "The first one is Rangar." He said making the crowd cheer out loud. Scootaloo groans as she slides slightly in her seat. "Getting a bit boring." The announcer clears his throat before looking at the parchment again. "And the next contestant is Scootaloo?" He said confused. Everypony's eyes suddenly turn to the now wide awake filly dragon. "What?!" She yelled. Lightning stood up in his seat. "Hold on, we never signed her up." The announcer looks to the parchment. "It says it right here, Scootaloo." He said pointing to her name. Lightning looks to Scootaloo. "Don't look at me, I never signed up for anything." She said. Lightning looks confused. "Then who did? What do you think angel?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo sighs before getting up. "Let's get this over with. We might even find out who." She said before getting down from the booth. "Let the ceremonial match continue." Lightning says. "Kyou Kai, find out who did this and give me their name." Lightning says quietly. Kyou nods before getting off the booth and heading to the announcer. Scootaloo slowly walks on the stage as the one named Rangar steps up on the opposite side. "Sorry kid, but I'm not going to go easy on you." He said getting into position. Scootaloo shrugs. "Its okay, wasn't expecting any less." She said back as she got into her position. "Fighters begin!" The announcer yells. Rangar charges at Scoots as she tenses up before she jumps making him go under her and smacks her tail onto the back of his head making him stumble. Scootaloo looks at her tail as she taps it against the ground for a quick test. "Nice." She said to herself before looking back at Rangar. Rangar charges again, making Scoots jump again, but this time Rangar catches her tail and throws her away. Scootaloo lands roughly, as she rolls a bit to recover. She looks up at him just in time to see a hoof coming down. Scootaloo uses her tail as a post before pulling herself between his legs, making her disappear. Rangar looks around before he feels something funny. "Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha." He laughs. Scootaloo smirks as she tickles him behind the ears. "Cootchy, cootchy, coo." "Get off me and fight!" Rangar yells trying to throw her off while trying to control his laughter. Scootaloo hangs on to his mane while snaking her tail around his throat and does a quick twist while pushing his flank and pulling his neck in opposite ways, making his tumble to the ground. "How's that?" Scootaloo yells. Rangar quickly brings himself up before slamming himself back down, making Scootaloo hit the ground and making her let go. Rangar quickly gets up and grabs her tail before throwing her across the stage. Scootaloo groans as she tries to get up and looks to see Rangar charging again. She groans harder as she uses her tail to help herself, but knows it won't be fast enough. She quickly moves her tail and gets it under him as he reaches her before she quickly lifts him over herself sending him flying to the ground. Scootaloo uses this time and gets herself up before getting into another stance. Rangar shakes himself before charging again. Scootaloo tenses up before bringing her tail in front of her again. Rangar sees this and slides quickly surprising and punches upward under her, sending her flying. Scootaloo yells as she was launch into the air. She then looks downward as she gained the highest height before coming back down. She groans as she spins slightly making things harder to see before she comes up with something as she sees Rangar looking like he was about to catch her. Scootaloo starts to go along with her spins and then spins downward and by the time Rangar realizes what's going on he brings a foreleg to block her, but then feels her tail hit him hard and he could swear he heard a crack. Scootaloo launches herself off of him and lands, but wobbles around as her eyes were trying to get back to normal. "I got to learn that better." She said dizzy. "Winner, Scootaloo by knock out!" The announcer yells. Scootaloo shakes herself before getting control and sees Rangar on the ground. "Wow. I actually did it." Lightning claps for his daughter while smiling as Kyou Kai returns. "Sir, you might want to see this." She said giving him some papers. "Registration papers. The first one is the one the festival will see, but the other is for the scholars to see how we can improve. Usually, what is going on with the contestant." Lightning pours over the papers before looking to the scholar one. "And guess who's on the scholar in charge of her paper?" "Kyou Kai, arrange a meeting with them later tonight." Lightning says. Kyou nods. "Of course. What about the fight? You know only two lucky contestants are chosen every time we have a festival." "Scootaloo won the ceremonial match, but that's it. She won't be fighting anymore." Lightning says. Kyou nods as Rainbow and Daring fly over to Scootaloo and hug her while audience cheers like crazy. "I will say this, she's a smart one." Kyou said. "Она имеет инстинкты, чтобы бороться. Я также заметил, ваши подчиненные Ou Hon подписал за убийство выставке монстра." Lightning says. (She has the instincts to fight. I also noticed your subordinate Ou Hon has signed up for the monster slaying exhibition.) Kyou shrugs. "He said he wanted to keep testing his skills." "Он имеет большие амбиции и желает стать как опытным , как его дядя. Это просто еще один способ доказать свое мастерство, чтобы нас за него." Lightning says. (He has a great ambition and wishes to become as accomplished as his uncle. This is just another way to prove his skill to us for him.) Kyou nods. "Is there anything else?" "It seems the next generation is starting to blossom and show their skills. After all he already has command of a hundred men." Lightning says. Kyou huffs. "Yes, including yours." "Well let's continue watching the competitions." Lightning says. Later after the champion of the fighting tournament was crowned, it was finally time for the monster slaying exhibition. "Mares and gentlecolts, it is now time for the arena to run red with blood, but whose blood will it be? Let us find out. I give you the opening to the Monster Slaying Exhibition!" The announcer yells. "The First competitor is an officer of the Dragon army, I give you Ou Hon!" The announcer yells. Out from one of the gates walks a young brown stallion wearing full body armor with several metal staff spears on his back and a metal headband holding back his dark purple mane, which is in a ponytail. "Ou Hon has chosen to not fight with a partner folks so as is tradition somepony must spin the wheel to determine what he shall fight." The announcer explains. "Who would like to spin the wheel?" Lightning asks the others in the V.I.P. booth. "Me! Me! Me!" Pinkie yells as she hops over to a large wheel before spinning it so hard she spins along with it. "WEEEEEEEEEE!" The wheel kept spinning as almost everypony held their breath until it landed on a spider image. Pinkie stops moving and looks to the image. "Oh, a creepy crawly. That's easy. Just squish it." "Mares and Gentlecolts, the monster has been select I give you." The announcer starts a powerful magical barrier seals in the inner part of the arena so nothing could get to the audience. "Frostbite Spiders!" The announcer yells as a part of the arena floor starts to open up. "Ugg, I hate these things." Lightning says with disgust as the section opened up all the way. Rainbow looks to him. "Spiders?" "I told about these things once." Lightning says as a large spider leg comes out of the opening in the floor. Soon a spider the size of half of Ou's height. He readies his weapon as it chitters at him. It soon charges at him while somehow making web balls and firing it at him. Ou takes the hits no problem before thrusting his spear and skewering the Frostback spider, killing it. Ou pulls his spear from the corpse before kicking it away before saying. "Next." "Um…yes…um…round 2!" The announcer yells. Soon more chittering was coming from the hole as more legs came out and out comes eight other spiders. Ou keeps still as they come at him before he dispatches them the same way as the first. In the end he ended up with a pile of bodies near him and looked barely phased. "Next." "What's the third and final round, a hoard of them?" Lightning asks Kyou Kai. Kyou keeps looking at the stage. "Third round only. And no, not a hoard." She said as a giant leg came out of the hole. "Just a giant one." "Kyou Kai whether he kills it or not I want that thing burned." Lightning says. Kyou nods as the giant Frostbite Spider came out and actually roared at Ou as he grins. "Finally, a real fight!" The spider tries to bite him, but he moves out of the way and spears it as it came up beside him. The creature roars before swiping at him with one of its legs and hitting him, making him slide a bit back. Ou laughs before charging himself and jumps before spearing one of its legs and hitting the joint. The spider roars as it feels its legs soon separated, making it stumble slightly from the loss. "Impressive, I had to pay attention to see his strikes." Nikolai comments watching with interest. The spider turns around and tries to bite him again before Ou spears its mouth making it bite hard on the steel with no luck of breaking it. Ou grins before pushing his end of the spear downward before pushing upward and piercing its brain before pulling out. Ou smiles as he watches as it falls down dead and puts his spear away. Everypony was quiet until one started clapping. Soon everypony followed his example and the arena was filled with thunderous applause. Lightning smiles as Ou cleans his weapon from the spider blood. "Not bad, not bad at all." He said as the festival crew pushes the spiders back down the hole and dumps a liquid down it before one Mage send a fireball down it and lights it up. "I can already see he has now caught all 12 of your attentions." Lightning says to his twelve highest ranking officers. Kyou smiles. "He's good, but he needs to control that headstrong attitude." "Agreed, but his skills are very impressive for his age." Belcoot says. Kyou shrugs. "Maybe, I'm just worried about that attitude." "He made one mistake." A commander of the dragon army says. "What was that Zhang Liao?" Kyou Kai asks. Zhang Liao was an earth pony with a black mane wearing heavy blue armor with two heavy axes attached to his back. "He should have just avoid the first three attacks then stabbed it through the mouth like he did. He still has much to learn before he reaches our levels." Zhang Liao says stroking his mustache. Kyou slaps him making his moustache a little bent. "He needs emotional discipline." "That as well." Zhang Liao says trying to bend his moustache back into shape. "Dad, you said twelve but I only see eleven of your men." Scootaloo says. "Entei is here as well, but he keeps hidden." Lightning says. "Indeed." A voice said from almost everywhere. "Kyou Kai, call Ou Hon here." Lightning says. Kyou nods before getting off the booth and heading to the stadium and talking to Ou. "Hey dad, what's next?" Scootaloo asks as she lifts Talion and Typhoon hanging from her tail as they laugh. "It not over, that was just the opening fight. Pinkie, you want to keep spinning the wheel?" Lightning asks. Pinkie cheers and goes over to it again. "Ready." Kyou and Ou soon arrive to the booth. "Ou Hon." Lightning greets. Ou nods. "Sir, you wanted me here?" "Sit Ou, I wish to discuss a few things." Lightning says as the next contestants made their way onto the field and Pinkie spun the wheel. Ou sits down. "And what do you want to talk about?" "What is your opinion of the state of the world?" Lightning asks. Ou shrugs. "Frankly, troubled sir." "Oh, give me details." Lightning says. Ou sighs. "Well, the Dominion is still out there probably still causing trouble as it is. The only thing they seem to respond to is brute force." "Go on." Lightning says. Ou tilts his head. "And the movements of the other nations are also a main concern, the Zebras we don't have to worry about. While countries like the Welsh queendom is a major concern as they may in fact side with the Dominion." Ou Hon says. Lightning closed his eyes and was quiet for a time. "You see much for being so young." Lightning says opening his eyes. "From today on myself and the twelve highest ranking officers will be watching you career closely with interest." Lightning says Ou looks a little surprised. "Ummm…thank you sir." "You will remain here with us until the award ceremony for today." Lightning says. Ou nods. "Thank you sir." Lightning nods as the last troll's head flew across the arena. After several more matches were had there was only one monster that hadn't been fought. "Since we are out of competitors, how about you fight once more Ou Hon?" Lightning asks. Ou smiles. "I'd be glad to sir." He said getting up and heading down. "Zhang Liao you will join him." Lightning says. Ou turns to him. "Hang on, I could do this myself." "Zhang Liao will be judging you directly from the field and will only aid you if need be." Lightning says. 'Being judged directly by the young Wyvern of the dragon army.' Ou thinks feeling a bit pressure before shaking it off. Lightning watches as Ou sets himself up while Zhang stayed in the back. "My people, it has been a great competition with many good fights, but alas all good things must come to an end. But we have one last fight, Ou Hon has graciously decided to fight once more today." Lightning announces. Ou lifts his spear up as the crowd chants his name. "But how will he and his partner fare against the Giant Frostbite Spider's natural enemy. A terror from the sands of Saddle Arabia itself. People I give you Arachanox." Lightning yells as ponies start banging on the drums as the center of the arena starts to open up. Ou steels himself as he sees almost a mismatch of body parts of spiders and some other creatures came out of the hole as it growled at him. "Now show us Ou Hon what you can do against a monster that takes a team of level four or greater Stalliongrad hunters to bring down." Lightning says. Ou looks up at this abomination that resembled a scorpion as it easily loomed over him before grabbing one of the corpses of a monster slain earlier with a pincer and ate it in one bite. Ou grins before running at it, intending to destroy its legs, but couldn't get far as it then swipes at him and sends him away sliding. He groans as he gets up. "The king of scorpions is faster that it looks." Nikolai says. "King of scorpions?" Twilight asks. "The unofficial title for the Arachanox." Lightning informs. "Those things can easily match Wyverns and is one of the most dangerous creatures of the desserts." Nikolai adds. "Not to mention it can create its own support." Lightning says. The Arachanox now having its focus on Ou tries to crush him by slamming down its right pincer. Ou dodges and spears the tail as it crashes near him. The Arachanox roars and pulls its tail back as Ou moves around it, to his shock it fires a beam from its stinger that hits the ground. Ou watches as little version of the Arachanox came out of the ground. "Aww…that's cute. Now die." He said before stabbing each one while trying to move out of the way of the big one. "A good move, for each one of those small ones poison is lethal enough to kill an elephant." Nikolai says as Arachanox keeps firing beams into the ground from its stinger. Twilight watches as more come out. "How many can appear?" "No one knows as no one has ever documented their limit. Maybe even an army." Lightning says. Ou keeps killing each little one until he realizes that they would just coming and so he kills the one he's fighting and runs to the Arachanox and starts to swipe at him and even tries to impale him with its stinger. "He's adapting to the situation, now the only question is does he have the power to pierce its exoskeleton?" Lightning asks. Ou then jumps onto its stinger as it comes at him and stabs it to hang on. He watches carefully for any openings as it tries to shake him off. Ou's eyes then widen and narrow as he starts hacking at the stinger. "Very good. You don't need to kill it you just need to cut off its ability to create its reinforcements." Lightning says. Ou finally hacks off the stinger and jumps off and lands on a scorpion and impales it before fighting them while still dodging the Arachanox, intending to finish them all off. As he watched this Lightning started to chuckle, making Twilight look to him. "What's so funny?" "Your evaluations generals?" Lightning asks. Kyou huffs. "Still needs work." "But?" Lightning presses. Kyou sighs. "He's good." "Talon, Belcoot?" Lightning asks. Talon shrugs. "Maybe with a bit of work on timing and I would take him in the army." "Belcoot?" Lightning asks. Belcoot nods his head. "Yeah, I would take him as well into the army, though that spear needs a bit of work." He said spying the little cracks. "Too bad he is Kyou Kai's army. This battle has been decided he lacks the power to kill it. Though the blow he has struck is a devastating one that it will never recover from, but not a mortal one." Lightning says as Ou was smacked into a wall by Arachanox. Ou groans as he tries to get back up. "Damn." As Arachanox closes in Zhang Liao steps in front of Ou Hon. "You have done well leave the rest to me." Zhang Liao says. Ou growls as he tries to still get up. "I'm not done." "You are, your weapon has shattered from that last attack and we cannot afford to lose somepony so promising." Zhang Laio says bringing out his dual axes. Ou keeps growling as he watches Zhang Laio as he advances towards the Arachanox before rushing forward and evading it's pincers with ease and brings down one of his axes. What followed was a loud crash, a quake like shaking, and a huge smokescreen kicked up. Ou groans. "Damn." When the smoke cleared the Arachanox's head was caved in and in a crater as Zhang Liao rips out his axe. Then soon the realization that the Arachanox was dead swept over the populace. After that, cheering swept up over the crowd as Zhang help Ou onto his back and carried him out of the arena. "Now I see one of the reasons they call you the young wyvern." Ou says. Zhang smiles. "Yeah, we do a lot. Ou, do you know why Lord Lightning allowed you to fight that monster?" Ou shakes his head. "Not really." "Experience. Lightning fought thousands of monsters like that and fought in many battles. You have a great natural talent, now you just need to keep training and gain experience and then you will become truly a terrifying commander maybe even a general." Zhang Liao says. Ou look a little surprised. "So how long would that take?" "Only you can answer that." Zhang Liao says. Lightning smiles as he watches as the monsters starts getting tossed into the hole and set on fire as all the rest were. "Well…that's that. Wait, bring me its stinger." Lightning commands as they were about to toss it into the fire. The cleanup crew looks at him for moment before looking at themselves and one grabs the stinger and drags it over to him. Lightning rips out the tip. "Ok, now throw it into the fire." The crew drags it back before throwing it into the pit and sets it on fire. Twilight tilts her head. "So what now?" Lightning walks to Ou. "Keep this as a reminder of this battle and use this experience to improve yourself." Lightning instructs. Ou nods and takes it. "Thank you sir." After that Lightning commenced the award ceremony and thus drew a close to the monster slaying exhibition though the festival continued for five more days. Scootaloo tilts her head as she watches the creature tilts its head at her. "It looks…weird. And yet, it's supposed to be dangerous to ponies?" The shopkeeper looks down at the filly. "Watch this kid." He said before lifting the cage up which makes the creature try to attack him and hit the bars, but when he set it down again, it stopped as it stared at Scootaloo again. Scootaloo becomes a little confused. "But I'm still a pony?" The shopkeeper shrugs. "You're a dragon as well." Scootaloo looks to herself and then back to the leopard. "Maybe." She said putting her hoof through the bars. The shopkeeper goes wide eyed at that. "Kid!" He pauses as he sees the leopard lick her hoof. "Strange, it doesn't act that way towards anypony." "Hey kiddo, what are you doing there?" Daring asks walking up to her. Scootaloo looks to her and smiles as the leopard keeps licking her hoof. "Just playing with this creature." Daring looks to her than the shopkeeper. "How much?" The shopkeeper goes wide eyed. "Are you serious? This thing doesn't do well around other ponies." "Wouldn't be the first exotic pet Jarl Lightning has in his hold." Daring says. The shopkeeper looks to the foal before sighing. "Okay, just…don't come back with missing body parts and blame me. Two fifty." "Done." Daring says. Scootaloo laughs as the cage was opened and then the leopard pounces on her and starts licking her. "Okay, okay, I'm glad to be your friend too." Daring smiles as the leopard then pick her up and throws her onto its back. "Come on kid. You really bring the weird in our life." Meanwhile, Lightning was sitting on his throne with Ice fang in his lap waiting for Scootaloo and Daring to return. Surrounding him was a pack of fully grown Ice wolves and a tiger while not far away was multiple Skyors perched on stands. "So what do you think Rainbow, have fun?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shrugs as she ate some of the cake. "It's okay, but the most fun is those flying games." Lightning chuckles as the Alpha of the Ice wolves walks up to Rainbow startling her a bit. "What's up with this one?" She asks as she backs away a little. "That's Fenrir, the father of little Ice Fang here." Lightning says. Rainbow nods and looks to Fenrir. "Hi…Fenrir." Fenrir stares at her for a bit before licking her face and turning back to the rest of the pack. Lightning smiles as he looks around for a bit. "Have you seen Scootaloo or Daring anywhere? I'm sure that they would love to see Fenrir." "They still haven't returned from the market." Rainbow says wiping off her face as Lightning pets Fenrir. Rainbow smiles. "What do you think they're getting?" "Who knows? I can never fully predict our daughter." Lightning says as he eyes Talion and Typhoon who fell asleep on one of the Ice Wolf's backs. Rainbow smiles as an Ice Wolf grabs the foals off and sets them near another Ice Wolf who was laying on the ground and curled around. "Yeah, who knows what our other two foals will be like?" "That's true, seeing how the Ice wolves have already accepted them into the pack." Lightning says as the door starts to open. Rainbow smiles as she looks to the door. "Well look who's here. About time you…what is that?!" Lightning looks a little confused as well. "Fluttershy, do you know?" Lightning asks as Fluttershy pops her head out from beneath one of the Ice Wolves who were curled up around her. Fluttershy gasps. "A leopard, a snow leopard!" She yells before flying towards it who then growls before she gets close and makes her stop. "It seems to prefer my daughter." Lightning says. Daring shrugs. "This thing is hostile to anypony who gets close to any of them. Guess being part dragon really gives her some advantages." "You can keep your new pet Angel." Lightning says. Scootaloo smiles. "Thanks dad. Now what can we do?" "Prepare to welcome our guests that other Jarls and the High King himself are coming." Lightning says. Scootaloo nods her head. "How many?" "Six and their entourages." Lightning says. Daring sighs as she walks up to him. "And we have to still deal with politics." "No, this is different. This is to discuss our countries next move or more specifically which of the two countries that have sworn their allegiance to the Dominion bordering us and the Qin Empire will we invade." Lightning says. Daring looks a little surprised. "The Dominion I can understand, but the Qin?" "When the Dominion finally declares all out war every country controlled by them will also attack us. This is a preemptive strike to take them out before we begin." Lightning says. Daring sighs. "And how long would Qin take?" "They have already mustered their forces for this. The one we don't invade, they will." Lightning says. Rainbow looks worried. "So what do we do?" "Prepare to receive our guests." Lightning says. Scootaloo lays down on the leopard's back. "Here we go again." "It won't be for a few weeks." Lightning says. Scootaloo shrugs. "Still feels like last time now." "By the way Rainbow, how are your lessons coming?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shrugs. "Still feels hard, but I'm getting it." "О ты?" Lightning asks. (Oh are you?) Rainbow nods. "немного." (A little.) Lightning just smiles until Scootaloo spoke. "Хотя Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, и я на самом деле возвращается его." Lightning, Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Daring all looked surprised at her. (Although Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and myself are really getting it down.) Rainbow laughs a little. "Wow Scoots, that's impressive." Scootaloo smiles. "Zutto hikari no naka kinou made wa nakatta, ashiato o tadottekita hodo, gooru no mienai meiro, ame ni utareta chizu." "How do you know that language?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo looks a little confused. "Which one?" "That wasn't Stalliongrats." Lightning says Scootaloo makes an oh face at that. "That was a song I picked up from a mare out in the market. Joined her for tea and she just started to sing that. I picked it up quick." Rainbow looks to him. "Dragon mind?" "Kyou Kai find this mare now and find out how she knows the eastern language!" Lightning orders immediately urgency evident in his voice. Scootaloo watches as Kyou leaves quickly. "Ummm…what's going on?" Rainbow steps up next to him. "How did she figure out to say another language that quick? Her dragon mind?" "Maybe, but I'm more interested in the mare that spoke a language east beyond the Qin empire." Lightning whispered back. "What are we whispering about?" Seeku whispers from atop of Lightning's throne right above them. "Seeku, what are you doing here?" Lightning asks surprised as the Ice Wolves start growling at her and multiple ponies in black had their weapons either at her neck or poking her. Seeku waves off the one at her flank. "Stop poking me there. You'd only antagonize me. Any case, I came here, remember. I was the one who was supposed to have meat on the train, but somepony got to it first." She said while looking to Scootaloo who was looking sheepish. Lightning did a gesture with his hoof and the ponies in black withdrew their weapons and seemed to vanish. "Next time enter through the front door lest my men kill you in mistake for an intruder." Lightning requests. Seeku shrugs. "Okay." She then lands onto his lap. "So, what are talking about here?" She asks while reclining sideways on his lap. "You were the mare singing that song weren't you?" Lightning asks. Seeku looks at him confused. "Song?" "Zutto hikari no naka. Ring a bell?" Lightning asks. Seeku just sticks her tongue at him. "Maybe." Scootaloo just tilts her head. "Could be Seeku or could be a real pony. The way that mare moved while singing is definitely not Seeku's style. Not…sexy enough." "Let me tell you little Scoots, I can act any way I need. I can even do a nun. Even though it hurts me too." Seeku says with a hoof around Scootaloo now. Scootaloo smiles. "And yet you know a language without even dad knowing?" "I have been all over the place and it's easy to learn a new language. I just rip the knowledge from something." Seeku says smiling. "And most likely leave them brain dead." Kyou Kai says glaring at Seeku. Seeku looks over. "Oh, hello Kyou. How's life?" Kyou clicks her tongue. "Bad since you drained this one." She said while having a mare slung over her back. "What were you thinking?" "I was hungry." Seeku says before getting bonked on the head. Kyou smiles as she puts her sheathed sword back on her. "Well at least I found the mare. Turns out your friend here got her memories as well so that song was probably in this mare's head when she took it." "You wouldn't bring her if she was a resident. A spy?" Lightning asks. Kyou shrugs. "Don't know. All she had was this." She said holding up a golden necklace with a circle crest in the middle of it and a dragon engraved on top of it. "I know this. Give the mare a room under tight guard." Lightning says. Kyou nods and walks off while giving a glare to Seeku who just smiles normally. "Tuck her in, she likes that." Seeku said. "You know she would spit you in half is she could. So please don't antagonize her." Lightning says. Seeku grins. "No promises." "I'm serious Seeku, you should know who is coming." Lightning says seriously. Seeku waves him off lightly. "Oh quiet, didn't say I be anything at any time? When those lords come I will be neat and proper." She said in a posh voice. "You feel it don't you Seeku?" Lightning asks. Seeku nods. "The winds of change are starting to blow again, right now it is a gentle breeze, but soon." "It will whip up into a Typhoon and we will march once again." Lightning finishes. Rainbow just tilts her head. "What the heck are you saying?" "It's something only those who have lived on the battlefield or those who are so attuned to nature can feel." Lightning says. Scootaloo looks around. "You mean that humming?" "No, that is Pinkie in the bath." Lightning says. Seeku twitches her ears. "I still don't get that mare." "I don't think the Spirits of Wisdom do either." Lightning says. Seeku clicks. "So what do we do now? We still have time." "We wait and prepare." Lightning says. Seeku hums. "Boring! Let's do something fun until they come over." She suggested. It had been a week later when they received word of all the Jarls coming to Whiterun to meet. Lightning looks over the papers. "How's the food?" He asks Kyou. "Everything is ready." Kyou says as she observed the hall. He looks to her. "And my family?" "They are being protected. I have Entei watching them personally." Kyou says. Lightning nods. "And the mare, who hasn't told us her name and Seeku won't bother with that either?" "Still unconscious." Kyou says. "And you wanting to kiss me while nopony is looking?" Lightning asks. Kyou blushes heavily. "That was nothing." "I made that last part up." Lightning says. Kyou still was blushing. "You're a bastard." "I couldn't have gotten this far without you Kyou." Lightning says catching her completely off guard. Kyou pause as she just stood there. "Thank you…sir." "Kyou, it's just you and me here right now." Lightning says starting to dress into his Jarl robes. Kyou looks around before looking to him. "Thank you…Lightning." Lightning only smiled. "May I speak frankly with you?" Lightning asks. Kyou takes another look around. "Ummm…sure." "I'm starting to feel the weight of my age." Lightning says. Kyou looks to him. "Sir?" "My body is starting to slow down. The injuries I have sustained over my life are starting to take their toll and don't tell me you haven't seen it. I am not as fast as I once was." Lightning says. Kyou sighs. "Sir." "Kyou." Lightning says. "Lightning." Kyou corrects. "I fear I may have to start leading the men from the rear and not the front soon enough." Lightning says. Kyou takes a quick look outside. "Lightning, maybe you should start. Your family is worried and…I am too." "I know, hard to believe it has been twelve years since we joined Ulfric in his rebellion." Lightning says chuckling. "I remember you calling me mad for joining it and that you were twice as mad for following me into it." Lightning says. Kyou smiles slightly. "Yeah…Lightning?" "Yes?" Lightning asks putting the crown on. Kyou looks away slightly. "Never mind." "Say it, Kyou." Lightning says. Kyou sighs. "I just…I'm sorry." "Kyou, I'm still waiting for you to say how you really feel just like I was a decade ago." Lightning says. Kyou tenses up before launching herself at him and pushes him back slightly. "I love you." 'I have waited more than a decade to hear those words and it was worth the wait." Lightning says as the mirror moved and out walked Rainbow. "You catch that?" Kyou looks shocked as she lets go and backs away. "What the heck?" "Every word." Rainbow says walking up to Kyou Kai who was dumbfounded that Lightning had pulled a maneuver she never saw coming. Kyou glares at Lightning. "What the heck is going on?" "I have known about your feelings for more than a decade Kyou and I knew hearing I was married was slowly killing you. Did you think I didn't notice you were barely eating?" Lightning asks. Kyou blushes heavily. "I…sir!" "High king Ulfric himself was pressuring me to get married and start producing heirs four years before I left. For the sake of my clan, he said. Kyou Kai I talked it over with Rainbow and she accepted. I wanted you to be a part of it." Lightning says. Kyou looks a little confused. "A part of what?" "Oh the family, as a mother to Lightning's foals." Rainbow says hugging Kyou Kai and to her surprise she realized she was smaller than herself. Kyou looks to Lightning and sees him smiling before she sighs. "Okay, I'll do it. But only if Lightning doesn't treat me any different." "Oh, there will be a difference." Lightning says closing the distance and encircling them with his wing before kissing Kyou Kai to her shock. Rainbow giggles before nuzzling them. "This family is just going to get bigger and weirder." "You love it Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "Yeah I do. Now, don't you have a meeting to get too?" "Not yet, first I need a mare to get dressed." Lightning says smirking as he closes the secret passage and seals it with his magic and Kyou Kai smirks before walking over to the wardrobe and pulls out a regal looking dress Rainbow looks a little scared. "Wait a minute, hold on now." She said. "Kyou Kai, I think the Queen needs some help getting dressed." Lightning says smirking as Kyou Kai starts to as well to advance on Rainbow. Rainbow keeps backing up. "Wait a second." "Oh, don't you remember what I told you love, Kyou Kai doesn't usually show mercy." Lightning says sitting down. Rainbow glares at him. "You just want to see me molested, don't you?" "Oh no, Kyou Kai has no interest in mares." Lightning says before Kyou Kai was on Rainbow. Rainbow struggles to pull away and tries to drag herself to him. "I hate you." She said, leveling a glare at him. "Don't let her rip the dress Kyou Kai, it is pure silk after all." Lightning says. Rainbow groans as she then feels the dress. "What the heck is this stuff?" "Pure silk love, it cost me a small fortune and I had to call in a few favors to get it made for the queen." Lightning says. Rainbow stands up in her new dress. "How much?" "Thirty five thousand and thankfully it is a special silk that you have to be trying to ruin on purpose to stain." Lightning says as Kyou Kai finally got the dark blue regal dress on Rainbow. A few knocks on the door got their attention and it opened to find Scootaloo standing there in her once packaged dress. "I can't believe Discord wore this." She said as in her slightly puffy dress stressing against her scales and her skirt flowed with her tail moving around. Scootaloo then saw her mom. "What are you wearing?!" They both yelled in unison. "We aren't done yet love. You're still missing one item." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him. "What's that?" Kyou Kai nods at Lightning as she retrieves a case and brings it to Lightning who opens it and takes out a crown made of gold with deep blue gems. "Where did you get that?" "I have been saving this for years now. This is the lost crown of the first high queen of Stalliongrad. Now it is time for some mare to wear it again." Lightning says placing it on her head. Rainbow looks into the mirror and sees herself changed. "It feels like…I'm losing myself." "It's the mare, not the crown Rainbow." Lightning says holding her. Rainbow leans against him. "Promise you won't lose me." "I'd die first." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "No suicide mission again, please." "I don't plan on it. Now let's go, we have to meet the high king and the rest of the Jarls. Kyou Kai come with us." Lightning says. Kyou nods as they follow him out to the main hall and sees the high king and the other Jarls in the main lobby area. Lightning steps up to the top steps. "My king." Lightning greets as he bows to Ulfric who is sitting on the throne. (We are automatically translating it for you readers.) Ulfric smiles. "Lightning, good to see you again. How's life?" "As well as can be expected. I don't believe you have been introduced. My king, may I introduce Rainbow Dash, my wife." Lightning introduces. Ulfric chuckles a bit as Rainbow steps out from behind Lightning. "About time you married. I was getting worried about losing my best friend to time itself with nothing for others to follow on. And no, war teachings don't count." "Yes, well you need not worry about that as your spy have most likely have already told you from the Dominion I now have foals of my own." Lightning says. Ulfric smiles. "Where are those little rascals?" "Resting my king. Speaking of which." Lightning says stomping his hoof and several severed head fell from the ceiling. "Who wants to die so much they sent assassins to kill my foals?" Lightning asks looking at the other jarls. The Jarls tries to look innocent. "Why are you looking at us?" One asks. "Because before he died one talked. They said they were hired to make sure my influence wouldn't be spread to the next generation as somepony felt threatened." Lightning says as his glare intensified. Rainbow glares almost as hard. "The one rule with us is never touch our foals." "I may not know which one of you were stupid enough to try this, but know I will find out who." Lightning threatened. Ulfric chuckles. "As always, never harm Lightning's closest." "I will let that go for now because we have something important to discuss." Lightning says. Ulfric sits up. "And what's that?" "Which country we invade while Qin invades the other?" Lightning asks. Ulfric frowns. "It boils down to this. We either attack Qin and take out the reinforcement and maybe gain some help or attack the Dominion and stem the tide from both sides." Each one of the Jarls and their entourage take a seat as the meeting got under way. "My king, I propose we don't attack the Dominion directly at this point. Instead we launch an attack on one of the neighboring countries to us so we can weaken the Dominion's allied power while not give them a great enough cause to launch an attack on us directly yet." The Jarl of Solitude, Benawi spoke. Lightning looks to the others. "Any other suggestions?" "Where will Qin strike when we start?" Ulfric asks and everypony goes silent until Lightning spoke. "Ucrane." "I concur with Lightning. It is no secret Ucrane and Qin have animosity with each other, with Ucrane repeatedly trying to overthrow Qin's government from the inside and funding all rebels in its borders for the last thirty years. They didn't even bother to hide it when they started because the Dominion promised them support if Qin retaliated, but now with the legions having to fight through our armies or one of our allied countries to get there they can't send reinforcements in time to help them and most likely has already given up on helping them and are just using them as much as they can." Benawi says. Scootaloo leans over to Kyou. "Why strike there then?" She whispered. "It directly borders the Qin Empire." Kyou says. "With mountains around them that's as high as the clouds?" Scootaloo asks. "Qin can easily get to Ucrane. Those mountains have many tunnels leading through them." Kyou Kai whispers back. "If that is the case, we have two options of nations to hit if we follow Benawi's suggestion, either the island federation or Urreigns." Thongvor, jarl of the reach says. "Kyou Kai." Lightning says and soon maps were brought to the jarls and the high king. "Both prospects have pros and cons." Lightning says. Scootaloo tilts her head. "And the one with less cons wins, unless you can use it to your advantage so that becomes a pro." "He is talking about engaging the nations themselves." Kyou Kai says. "On one hoof we have the island federation whose armies are smaller, but have a good naval force and a decent air force. If we were to engage them it would mostly be a naval campaign with little ground fight, it would also leave our supply lines extended and vulnerable to raids by pirates and enemy ships. But, by taking them the Dominion's naval capabilities will be seriously hurt." Lightning says. Scootaloo mumbles to herself. "Give up on the security and use on army, not good for no supplies and it will a short war." "Urreign, on the other hoof, is bordering us mostly securing our supply lines and has a lot of flat lands making it ideal for our armies, but the Urreign army mostly uses magic to fight and like to fight long range. Unless we can close in and attack them face to face we won't be able to win, but they have little in terms of an air force. Taking Urreign is by far the seemingly more costly invasion, but if we do we will have more natural resources to pull from and deny the enemy more land forces and places to launch attacks on us." Lightning says. Scootaloo grabs an unused map from Kyou who looks on in interest. Scootaloo unrolls the map and takes a look. "More cost, fight mostly close range and magic is mostly used. Yet, more resources and less land to stage from." Kyou Kai points to the country just southwest of Stalliongrad. "Thanks, more supplies might bolster the forces and up the moral because of land gained from Dominion." "In the end do we go for dominance in the sea or do we go for more resources and take out a bigger force?" Another Jarl says. Scootaloo, Lightning and Ulfric looks up at almost the same time. "Land attack." They all said. Ulfric leans forward. "We just need our version of supplies, but also our own citizens. The most they see as victory is land grabs and more resources to use so they don't have to contribute much. Citizens like it when we mostly stay out of their way." "Not to mention we will finally border the griffon empire." Benawi says. Lightning chuckles lightly. "Headstrong and a bit crazy, but that's their strength in war. Unpredictable to know in an instant and hard to stop once they get rolling. Perfect army for some quick strikes. Maybe they can help with leading the charge while we try to sneak, makes things easier on them and once they push through, we take out the remaining forces and do it all over again. Besides, if all else fails, at least we have the old feather duster to help clean up." The jarls share a chuckle at the joke. Ulfric smiles. "Still need a good strike position. Too close to the mountains and get ourselves cornered and complete open field is just asking for your head blown off." "That can be decided later. We need to prepare the armies and gather the supplies." A jarl says. Lightning nods. "Yes, but let's make sure we tell citizens that war is coming, no plans, just war. If the citizens are prepared, we are as well." "Agreed, now on to…" The meeting continued for several more hours before the Jarls went into recess. Lightning sighs as he goes back to Rainbow, Kyou and Scootaloo, who was drawing on a map. "Okay, what happened while I was busy?" Lightning asks laying down near them. "Your daughter is trying to understand the plan on the map." Kyou Kai says. Lightning smiles as he watches Scootaloo strangely draw on the other side of where the plan should be as she mumbles to herself. "Loss of chance, make them move somewhere. Aerial and sea would still be up, but…" She turns to them. "Is most of the Dominion earth ponies?" "Militarily yes, but then there is the orcs and other things they use." Lightning says. Scootaloo turns back to the map. "Mostly earth and other species. Inexperience with air, worry less about that, only high damage as they are inexperienced. Move up? No, the ice caps would block the path and too much resources just to create one. Loss of moral of other military on the other side and some supportive citizens too. Loss of support if they do though. That ain't happening. Sea and air would hold most of them back." She then looks up. "Manehatten. Bombarded and then landed, instead of destroying the buildings, guess of resources they can use, but stop by dad." She looks down to the map again. "Not possible here. We don't have much control, unless other nation agrees to help, maybe rebel factions, no, they won't hurt their own citizens." "They execute their own for the tiniest hint of rebellion." Lightning says. "Sway to our side somehow, not possible with Dominion all over their heads. No, must be shown what we can do, must strike big, make a big firework show, show off that it is possible, citizens would follow and rally another way. Then the attack actually becomes weaker on the front as moral falls, soldiers maybe stop to check on their family, no too headstrong, Silva example as first. Shown gaps in plans of Dominion, only possible with stolen plans and even then there would have to be gaps and be compared to ours and adapted." She turns to them. "With these types of solders, plans would be kept in a nearby camp when the attack starts." "Welsh queendom betrays us, Legions advance early." Lightning says. Scootaloo turns back to the map and draws a line on the broader. "Take the plans maybe, only possible when fighting starts, and even then camp must be found and infiltrated and even then a duplicate must be made. Not enough time unless hidden long enough. Advance early may lower our moral, but…" She turns to Lightning. "Financial. They strike early, they may hit us with all they got first and then wean us out, wasting time when striking at strategic spots based on terrain is more effective. Wasted resources equals wasted money and wasted money equals unhappy citizens funding their operations." She turns to the map again and starts marking possible places on the Dominion side. "Possible spots, maybe. Need a good choke point, once attacked they hold it back and send the attack back out again, never get in unless going in by stealth. Qin using underground network, Dominion doing the same, no, somewhat honorable in terms of types of attack and nothing else. Want to see the enemy die right before them. Maybe…no. Underground tunnels of own, no, too much time and resources. Need land first, once grabbed we have control over mostly everything there. Citizen's moral would boost by a lot." "Disaster has struck the Wyvern rampage everywhere and the Dominion has struck a deal with the dragon, possible connection." Lightning says. Scootaloo frowns. "Troubling, aerial help needed as dragon is tough against most ground attacks." She looks to her foreleg. "Dragon fears most is the weather, use weather to advantage, yes, if dragon attacks, use weather to advantage, but land not like Equestria. Barely any control by ponies here. Unless…" Scootaloo looks to Lightning. "How many magic users can mimic weather and can fly high enough to get past clouds?" "Only the most powerful." Lightning says. Scootaloo turns back to the map. "Only last resort then, if dragon attacks gets devastating then send in the last resort. Maybe use terrain to our advantage, maybe if Dominion doesn't stop assault or have counterassault." "Maybe offer them some dinner?" Daring asks coming up with a plate of meat. Scootaloo throws her quill and stabs Daring's mane. "Only assaults will then be acted on. Have to check up on the patterns. Canterlot, no, bad example, dad attack first. Siege of Pegalopolis, kept going no matter what, full head on assault. Inexperience general though." "Angel take a break." Lightning says picking her up. Scootaloo groans as she placed down near her plate. "I doubt that was much help as you probably knew all of them." "We have been running several scenarios for a long time Scoots. You're smart, but it's harder to predict what the enemy will do. A lot are new to commanding because of their system and that can sometimes lead to unexpected moves." Lightning says. Scootaloo stiffens. "Inexperience, headlong attack as most of the assaults, account for crazy plans of their own. Ow." She rubs her head where Rainbow hit her. "Enough of that, eat. Twilight did say you need this amount every day." Rainbow said. "You got anything to say Kyou Kai?" Lightning asks. Kyou watches as Scootaloo tears into the meat like an animal. "Which one, the war or her?" "The latter, remember you agreed to be a mother to my foals." Lightning whispers into her ear. Kyou sighs. "She's smart, smarter than any other foal her age is and she accounted for almost every possibility including your naval and aerial warfare. The attack you didn't want to do. Most don't plan for anything on the loss of attack side. Even some generals won't think what she thought of." "And what would you say to her if she was your daughter?" Lightning asks. Kyou smiles. "You're the greatest filly a mother could ask for." "Well maybe you will know what it is like to be a mother soon enough, it will take around two years to prepare." Lightning says. Kyou looks at him. "Are you…offering to give me a foal?" "You already agreed to it remember?" Lightning asks. Kyou blushes. "How could I not?" "Let's get to work shall we and you're not the only one, ok?" Lightning asks her, wrapping a wing around her. Kyou nods. "Okay, but maybe after this whole battle. It may buy us time." "Kyou, we are starting immediately tonight." Lightning says. Kyou sighs. "So…after it or before?" "The war won't happen for two years, I expect in that time we shall see if you will be a mother like a few others." Lightning says. Rainbow snuggles up to her other side. "We'll make sure you have the best time of your life." Daring comes up around Rainbow's side. "Just relax and let it flow." "Oh he is giving you extra attention as well Daring." Rainbow says talking more freely now that Scootaloo went off to get more meat. Daring smirks as she looks at her. "Only if he gives the same to you." "Why do I feel my sleep schedule was just greatly reduced?" Lightning asks. All three mares bonk him on the head. "Quiet, the mares are talking." They said. "Since when were you into maretalk Kyou?" Lightning asks now confused. Kyou smiles. "When they started to talk about what you can do at night." "I have no response, I have been completely outmaneuvered." Lightning admits. Kyou pokes him. "And don't you forget it." Rainbow smiles. "So…what are you going to do Lightning?" Daring goes rounds his side. "Take control or let us do the work?" Lightning's ear twitches. "I think we should save that for tonight as Talion and Typhoon have woken up." Lightning says. Rainbow quickly runs off. "Come on Daring!" "Come on Kyou." Lightning says following. Kyou smiles as she follows closely. "I do wonder one thing." (And the fun starts here.) Later that night Lightning walks into his bed chambers tired as he had just got done tucking in Scootaloo. "Okay, Scootaloo's asleep. Had a tough time getting that sketched filled map away from her though." Lightning says before somepony lands on his back. "At least she didn't throw a quill through your mane." Lightning smiles. "Yeah, she has great aim." He said looking at Daring on his back who was out of her clothes. "You aren't wearing your clothes, that's a change." Lightning says smirking. Daring snuggles into him. "Great night coming up, didn't want them ruined." "I see you are really ready for it then. So is it just me and you?" Lightning asks. Daring smiles as she looks over to the bathroom door open and Rainbow steps out clean, but looks back inside. "Come on out, we're waiting." "It's so embarrassing." Lightning heard unmistakably Kyou Kai's voice. Rainbow giggles. "Come on, you have to do this if you want it. Now where's that strong mare?" "Back with my sword and clothes." Kyou says. Rainbow reaches in and pulls her out. "Really, you wear that underneath everything?" She asks pointing to the lace outfit. Kyou blushes deeply seeing Lightning. "Kyou Kai…whoa…you look…great." Lightning says. Kyou blush deepened. "Thanks. Can we get this over with?" She said, trying to look away. "If that's what you wish." Rainbow says grabbing her and starting to remove her lace outfit. Kyou stutters a bit as she feels her move around. "Hey, easy." Lightning smiles as he looks up to Daring. "And you?" Daring shrugs. "Second, Kyou goes first. That's what we agreed on." "Seems like Rainbow getting a little revenge for Kyou Kai forcing her into her queen outfit for the first time." Lightning says as he and Daring watched. Daring chuckles as Rainbow pulls Kyou's panties off. "Yeah, considering that I almost fell into that, but agreed to back off until we were really ready to reveal ourselves." "You know, we may ask you to substitute for Rainbow sometimes since you look so alike." Lightning says. Daring sighs. "Won't that place me in trouble?" "No, because Kyou Kai is in charge of that and she already will know." Lightning says as he removes his robes and the last article of clothes flies off Kyou. Rainbow smiles at her handiwork. "There, ten times better." She said as Kyou tries to cover herself up with her hooves and tail. Lightning then moves behind her and wraps his hooves and wings around her. "You ready?" Kyou tenses a little. "Yeah." Lightning huffs. "Liar. You mares mind giving Kyou here a little relaxant?" Rainbow and Daring moves up to her as Lightning lifts her front half up and exposes her. Kyou keeps blushing as Rainbow and Daring starts to message Kyou on her joints before moving to her muscle. She moans as she feels some of the pressure lifting while Lightning kisses her lightly on the neck. Kyou slowly goes slack in Lightning arms as he finally lifts her up and puts her on the bed. She groans before feeling a weight over herself and sees Lightning draped over, watching. Kyou licks her lips slightly before she feels his lips on hers and kisses back. Rainbow and Daring meanwhile licks at Lightning's sheath now slowly appearing and rubs each other. Lightning moans as he feels himself being kicked by two mares as he starts to slowly glide over Kyou's legs and towards her cunt until she gasps at the sudden touch. Lightning recaptures her lips and continues to press hard against her as he feels more and more of his cock come out. Rainbow and Daring kiss as they continue to work on Lightning as he slowly came out more and more until they couldn't even fit it down their mouth. Soon they settled on licking his sides as he moans from the menstruations and suddenly feels the stuff pole run along Kyou making them both stop and look down. Kyou starts to breathe hard as she sees his long cock run along her and feels his girth, but Lightning kisses her, making her calm down before he slowly moves back and runs along her cunt a few times before piercing her, making Kyou stiffen and arch up. Lightning, Rainbow and Daring all placed kisses and massages as Lightning didn't move until she got down on her own. Kyou sighs deeply as she feels the pain going down before laying back down and opening her wings before looking at Lightning and nods. Lightning smiles and kisses her before moving slowly. Kyou moans as she feels his cock start to move into her as Rainbow and Daring place kisses on both her and Lightning. Soon Lightning started to pick up the pace and make Kyou jump a little at every hit he makes before moving back. It was getting so much that Kyou lifts her legs around Lightning and wrap around him to hang on. Lightning smiles and kisses her before moving harder and making her jump up higher and makes her tense up from the jumps. Lightning chuckles deeply as he starts to kiss her neck and biting it lightly. Kyou moans louder as she feels four different sensations running on her at the same. They all laugh or giggle as Kyou opens her eyes and they see her glazed over. Kyou moans almost quietly as everything built up on her before Lightning grabs on her hips and starts to pound away on her making her trying to breath more deeply until Lightning finally hits her hard and stops moving. Kyou arches a little and closes her eyes as she feels his warm cum flow into her and stay locked in as Rainbow and Daring watches her expression until she drops back down and sighs in relief. Lightning, Daring and Rainbow watches as Kyou finally opens her eyes again and looks at them. "That was…that was…" Lightning smiles as he slowly pulls out. "Amazing?" Kyou tries to nod. "Yeah." They all smile as Lightning finally pulls out his cum covered cock and shows it to everypony there. "Now you can rest, okay?" Kyou nods as she lays back and watches them. Lightning looks to Daring as they all turn to her. Daring smiles before licking his cock a little before moving to the other side of the bed and stands up, but places her front end down. Lightning smiles as he moves to her before licking her cunt making her moan and moving it inside. Daring moans louder before stopping as Lightning stops messing around and mounts her. Daring grunts from the weight and relaxes on the bed while hiking her tail out of the way as Lightning starts to slowly move into her. Daring moans as Lightning starts to move around in her as Rainbow comes up to her and kisses her. Daring's moans were muffled as she kept being kissed while Lightning leans down and starts to kiss her between her wings and her neck. Daring's muffled moans became louder as Lightning just started to pound harder into her, making her jump slightly. Lightning grins as Rainbow presses hard with her hoof onto Daring's wings, causing her to moan the loudest she can in her condition. Rainbow smiles as she slowly moves her hoof over Daring's wing, making them twitch. Lightning smiles as he grabs her wings and slowly massages them while Daring moans like crazy. Daring let's go the kiss and turns her head and looks at Lightning while he stills goes. Lightning smiles as he kisses her head before letting go and starts to hit her head making her move slightly until Lightning hits the hardest and stops at her deepest. Daring moans quietly feeling the warm cum move into her and down her legs. After a while Lightning sighs and pulls out slowly, making Daring moan from the sensitivity. After coming out Daring sways before falling on her side, facing Kyou. "Now that…was the greatest feeling I ever had in my life." Daring said. Lightning sits down as Rainbow sits between Kyou and Daring, checking over the both of them. "Well, it's the most you can always have in your life, so yeah." He said. Rainbow smiles as she covers them with the extra blankets. "Now you two can rest. It's been a long night." Daring looks at her. "What about you?" Rainbow shakes her head. "No need. I don't need it, but you two did." Lightning nods and gets off the bed before heading the bathroom. "You mind trying to clean them up Rainbow?" Rainbow nods. "Sure." She said while starting to clean them up. After a while Lightning came out cleaner and looks to see Daring and Kyou snuggling together and trying to sleep while Rainbow sits up beside them and watches them. Lightning smiles as he comes up on the bed. "You ready for bed, Rainbow?" Rainbow looks at him. "What do you think?" She asks as she lays down and pulls the covers over them. Lightning shakes his head and lays between the two and Rainbow. "So…you ready to have a bigger family soon?" Rainbow giggles. "The more family, the more fun and the weirder which we can really take and handle." She said heading to sleep. Lightning chuckles. "Tell me about it." He said before closing his eyes and wraps his wings around them as best he could and falls asleep. (Okay, hoped you enjoyed that.) A few months later. "Please Lightning?" Twilight asks in Stalliongrats. "Fine, I need to go Winterhold and the college anyways." Lightning says finally giving in. Twilight cheers. "Yes!" Rainbow shakes her head. "Always the same Twilight we know and love." Daring sits near them, her stomach visibly bigger. "Hard to believe this is around the hundredth time" "I have a condition though." Lightning says. Twilight stops her celebration. "What?" "You do what I say and follow my instruction, got it?" Lightning asks. Twilight sighs. "Fine." Kyou chuckles, part of dress was already bulging from her stomach being a bit bigger. "And that is supposed to be the new queen?" "She's not a queen yet Kyou." Lightning says still facehoofing every time he remembers her meeting High king Ulfric. Rainbow giggles. "And think of how many times she met the scholars, still bad about what happened to that one scholar…well not really. He did place Scootaloo into the fight just to see how tough she is." "His punishment is almost over. He will be back to work soon." Lightning says. Kyou sighs. "Hard to believe that somepony would allow this to happened. Even the most experienced scholar knows that a change needs time. Leave that scholar to me and he probably won't survive. "No, he is a valued member of the court. He's learnt his lesson by now." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him "How's Scootaloo anyway? I haven't seen her for a while." "She's been sleeping for the last several days." Kyou says. Rainbow looks confused. "Sleeping for several days? What's going on?" Daring sighs. "Twilight thinks it's the organs starting to change to fit her dragon body parts. Sleeping would cause her to not feel pain more than if she was awake." "I was thinking she was hibernating a bit." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles. "Yeah, the pony part of her would not allow that. Still, something is going to change, last one was most of her dragon parts. What's this one going to make?" "We don't know, this is completely unknown territory for even dragons." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Where's Talion and Typhoon, it's been a while since we sent for them?" "Fluttershy is probably gushing over them like usual." Lightning says. Daring laughs. "That mare really is starting to love everything here now. I wonder if she can control some animals that help in anyway?" "She has tried a little. Not much success, but she is good at being a veterinarian." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Always has been. She was the best doctor if none was close enough." "Yes, my men have caught her in a forbidden place several times too." Lightning says. Rainbow waves him off. "She's always trying to help, no matter who it is and even the animals. This land is new so it would be the perfect place to test her skills as an animal talker." "This is serious Rainbow." Kyou says. Rainbow sighs. "I know, the war is looming over, spies may infiltrate and of course the occasional assassin." She said as Fluttershy walks in. "It's not that, what we keep down there must remain secret." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs and turns to Fluttershy. "So where are they?" Fluttershy smiles before two patches of her mane move and Talion and Typhoon pop out from them. "Hi mommies, hi daddy." They said. "Oh my babies." Rainbow says running over and picking them up. Lightning chuckles as the foals giggles and hug her back. "First few words and still more to show. Though I'm surprised that was in Stalliongrats." Lightning says the last part thoughtfully. Rainbow smiles. "It's been a while since they were here. Of course they would pick it up. Right guys?" The foals nods. "I wonder how has Octavia and Vinyl been getting along." Lightning says. Daring smiles. "Vinyl's been trying to fit in and play some music, both foreign and hers. Octavia is a different matter. She still plays her violin, but Apollo has been really training her for the hard stuff especially during battles." "I highly doubt he would ever let her on the battlefield. I have also heard rumors. Is Vinyl expecting?" Lightning asks. Everypony smiles. "Yeah and Nikolai is really happy that he's constantly on guard, won't even allow other guards to get close now." Kyou said. Lightning chuckles. "That's steel wing Nikolai for you. How is Vinyl and Octavia taking the news?" Lightning asks. Rainbow laughs. "If you called most of the records thrown so hard they got into the walls for Vinyl and more songs from Octavia great, then yeah, they're taking it very well." She then gets slightly confused. "Which reminds me, weren't you supposed to see Umbra and Zagai? It's been a long time since then." "Zagai returned to Whiterun before the festival. Umbra, I have a feeling him and his host are still adjusting to the arrangement. If that's the case we may not see them for a while and then there's his host's reclusive nature." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Pity, these two would probably like to see their uncle." She said looking down at them. "Well shall we head out, Winterhold awaits?" Lightning says. Rainbow smiles as does everypony else. "Still need Scootaloo, I doubt she would be happy if we left her alone." "No need." A voice said from an archway. Looking over they see Scootaloo a little bigger than last time, almost the size of a guard, when they saw her not resting, her tail longer and thicker, legs grown more muscle and less fat as they can see it move with every movement, while her underside and parts of her head still contained parts of her old pony body. "That was a great nap." "Twilight get Spike and Agni. Oh, I have also heard some of your friends have been talking to my sworn swords, any chemistry there yet?" Lightning asks. Twilight blushes. "Not yet, but they're getting there." She said before walking off. Daring smiles as she looks at him. "So when her friends does get together with the sworn swords, then they could take them back to Ponyville and worry about long distance, right?" "Unfortunately no, my sworn swords know that the great war we have been preparing for is coming in maybe less than a decade. I myself will most likely never see Equestria again in my life." Lightning says. Rainbow looks at him worried. "Lightning." "Beside I have a home here with my family." Lightning says as the foals managed to get into his throne with him. Rainbow looks away for a few moments before looking back at him. "Lightning, can you promise us all something?" "What?" Lightning asks as he lets the foals play on him. Rainbow looks around at everypony before back to him. "Make sure that when we're done, we go back. Your new life started in Equestria and it will end there." "I will try Rainbow, but I also have responsibilities here as Jarl. I am king of this hold. Without a worthy successor I can't step down." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "I know, but we have responsibility over in Equestria as well. Your family is here because we are, but we started in Equestria with everything and I want it all to end with us there. For most of us, it all started there. It seems only right to be there when it ends." "Maybe, who can say love, time will tell if it is possible." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "At least make it possible for all of us." "Well, let's get going." Lightning says before whistling, waking up the Ice wolf pack. Multiple heads shot up from a corner and quickly scamper around Lightning before one saw Scootaloo and bowed before her, leaving her confused. "What the?" She asks herself as the others starts to bow as well after noticing her. Lightning set the foals on Fenrir before turning to Rainbow. "Time for the mother to keep them warm." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to Fenrir. "I'm…supposed to ride him as well?" "Oh no, they are riding in the carriage with us." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs as she takes a quick look around and still sees Scootaloo dealing with the bowing Ice Wolves. "Well, after they stop bowing and pack up a little. Let's head out." "You think they are ready to wear clothes or should just be wrapped in blankets?" Daring asks now wearing saddlebags. Rainbow frowns. "You know how we are now. We already know customs here, plus, it's cold." "So shall we ask Rarity to start designing some clothes?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smirks. "Lightning, she has already started." "That's my queen." Lightning says kissing behind her ear. Rainbow yelps and tries to shake it off. "No, it's just she's been stealing samples from the rooms so I gave her some fabric to work with. No point in leaving her like that, ever since she took samples from Eclipse's palace." "You think they are ready?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods. "As long as they stick with us and we promise to keep them safe. They'll be fine." "He meant their clothes." Daring whispered. Rainbow groans. "She's working on the last one, should be ready in a few hours. Think you can prepare until then?" "I say we can eat before then." Lightning says rubbing Daring's stomach. Rainbow smiles as she looks to Kyou who was looking at hers. "Yeah, those little guys might be hungry now." "She's starting to sound like a mother, huh?" Daring whispers to Rainbow. Rainbow nods. "When you have foals, everything changes." "You would know, Equestria's fastest flier." Daring says. Rainbow pushes her slightly. "Oh shut up." "Dad, a little help?" Scootaloo asks. "Coming angel." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Seems Scootaloo still has to deal with being royalty in two ways now." "At least Lightning is intensive. I know full well a lot of Jarls and rulers either can't find the time or don't care enough to watch out for their kids." Daring says. Rainbow sighs as she remembers Eclipse. "Yeah, I've seen one too." "Well at least we found a good one." Daring says her hoof around Rainbow. Rainbow smiles before giving her a small kiss. "Thanks." "Lightning isn't so bad either." Daring jokes. Rainbow chuckles. "Yeah." "Kyou is much smaller than I thought she would be. I at least thought she would be our size and we are considered smallish for pegasus." Daring says. Rainbow nods. "Yeah, maybe…Lighting likes small mares?" "I have heard rumors of her prowess with that sword of hers. The only thing in common they have is impossible." Daring says. Rainbow shrugs. "I guess, now…do you want a special meal from Lightning?" "Lightning has freely admitted if she tried she would kill him." Daring adds. Rainbow sighs. "So…want that special meal?" "Oh, I think you will like it." Daring says. Rainbow smiles. "I already had one." "You don't want to try the new recipe the chefs are trying?" Daring asks smirking. "Oh be quiet." Rainbow says pouting now. Daring bumps her side. "No you." "Rainbow, Daring, we are going to the dining room." Lightning calls. They turn to him. "Coming." They both yell. Later Lightning looked over Talion and Typhoon in their outfits. Talion sporting a fur coat jacket while wearing some cotton clothing for everywhere else. Typhoon had a cloak that he swears is enchanted and, like Talion, she has cotton clothing all over. "I see you are broadening your horizons with Stalliongrad style." Lightning says. Rarity smiles. "Well I have to work with what I got." "Well we shall see you in a few days Rarity, I have to make a trip to Winterhold and Twilight won't stop till I take her to the college." Lightning says. Rarity giggles. "Just make sure that you have fun there." "We will try." Lightning says putting the foals on Fenrir's back before leading them out. Lightning smiles as he sees Scootaloo with just saddlebags. "Where's your coat?" Scootaloo shrugs. "Feel warm." "Angel, didn't you learn anything in Saddle Arabia?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo smirks. "No, I mean I feel warm." "About clothes." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs and brings out another cloak. "You can thank Discord for these, he said mom is sew happy." "I will." Lightning says as she puts it on. Scootaloo sighs as she looks to the foals. "Still can't believe they grew this fast." "What, you want to carry your siblings?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo smiles. "Sure." Lightning stops Fenrir allowing Scootaloo to grab the twins. "Just grab onto her mane guys." He said as they moved onto her back and snuggled into her mane. Scootaloo smiled as she carried them to the waiting carriage before getting in. Lightning smiled as the rest came up. "Our foals, to ride for the first time, a dragon, how many can say that?" He asks Rainbow. Rainbow elbowed him for the joke causing him to laugh. "Come on, can you blame me? We pretty much have a dragon, well more like a Discord type of dragon, who is wearing Chaos's clothing or the dresses she made for Discord." Rainbow giggles a few times. "Dresses for Discord himself?" Lightning grins as he leans over. "He was mommy's little angel." Lightning says before starting to die of laughter. Rainbow shakes her head as Daring and Kyou kick some snow onto him before getting inside the carriage. Rainbow keeps watching for a few more seconds before getting on herself and closing the door. The carriage started to pull away, making Lightning stop and look up and run after it. "Hey!" The trip after that was uneventful as the snow started to fall heavier. "Lightning, isn't the Jarl who rules Winterhold one of those your suspects?" Rainbow asks. "No, he isn't, in fact he and Benawi are my most trusted allies amongst the rest of the Jarls." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Still…who would try to get our foals?" "There are five suspects amongst the Jarls and counting those below the jarls, near a hundred." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "And you think they would go after Daring and Kyou if they had the chance?" "They like living too much for Kyou and it isn't known yet that Daring is one of my mistresses yet." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to Scootaloo as she curls around Talion and Typhoon as they rest against her side. "Any cults that we have to worry about?" "We started uprooting cults here years ago, those who didn't die got the message and fled the country." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs in relief. "Good, I don't want a repeat of Saddle Arabia." "Twilight, we won't be going to the college immediately." Lightning says. Twilight groans. "Then what do we do in the mean time?" "Just wait in the carriage, I won't be long." Lightning says. Twilight groans some more as Lightning left and headed outside. "He's still doing the same thing." Kyou looks out the carriage "It's very interesting, Winterhold, a decade ago this was mostly deserted, but now it is becoming a bustling town." Kyou says. Daring sighs as leans against the walls. "So, what did Lightning do, because this place was still in trouble after I left?" "He merely loaned Winterhold some money and got the king and the army to endorse learning magic." Kyou says. Daring smiles. "That's our Lightning. Always going the extreme." "No, the one who everypony gives credit to, Jarl Korir." Kyou says. Daring grins. "And humble." "And that is what is needed. Do you think you could have you men watch The Pale hold for me?" Lightning asks. "I will do it. At this point we can't have a power vacuum." Jarl Korir says. Lightning sighs in relief. "Good, now if you excuse me, I have get my party out of the stuffy carriage." He said leaving. "Next time, plan to stay awhile, we have much catching up to do." Korir says. "Next time." Lightning promises. Korir smiles at he sips away at his tea. "The land of many and I get him." Back outside, Lightning enters the carriage again and it starts moving towards the college. "Ok done, now next stop, the college." Lightning says. Twilight's eyes light up as Agni and Spike shake their heads. "Here we go." Spike said. "Twilight, remember what I said or we are heading back to Whiterun." Lightning says. Twilight immediately slumps down as Agni and Spike pat her back. Rainbow giggles. "Jeez Lightning, when did you become a buzzkill?" "I take the college very seriously." Lightning says as they stop. Rainbow looks outside and sees just a big building. "This is it?" "Yes. Twilight, remain focused." Lightning says getting out. Twilight sighs before following him as she tries to keep warm. Agni and Spike follow her out as they eye the college. They walk along the path until they come to a gate which Twilight could sense was sealed with magic to prevent intrusion. Lightning touched the gate and the seal dissipated and the gate opened. Everyone followed him as they see a courtyard in the middle of towers as the gate closes behind them and reseals itself. He soon opens a door and they follow him inside to find a few mages. "Welcome to the college of mages." Lightning says as the mages made way for them. Twilight pauses as she sees the mages look at her and Agni and Spike. "Wow." She whispered as she eyed the items on the wall, until she saw a familiar that looked to be made of water. "Don't touch the things on the walls or in cases." Lightning tell Twilight. Twilight slowly follows him as she eyes the many artifacts and books before her eyes lands on one artifact. She then feels something slither up her foreleg before she shakes herself and returns to following him. She shuddered at the dark magic of that skull. After a while they appeared in the headmaster's office. "Okay, now what to start with?" Lightning said to himself sitting down in the chair. Twilight looks around. "Maybe…start with what they were doing in the lobby." "Ah, but first you have to ask the Archmage of the college for permission to access the knowledge here." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "Okay, so where is he?" Lightning walks over and slips on the robes and mantle on a stand not far away before taking a seat at the desk. "You have got to be kidding me." "I'm waiting my apprentice." Lightning says with the biggest smirk. Twilight groans before looking at him. "Can you…teach me?" "Delighted." Lightning says. "Now we have to get you fitted for a student's robes. As they have magic defenses design to protect students from any magical accidents." Lightning says. Twilight raises an eyebrow. "This happened often?" "From time to time, we are dealing with magic Twilight, not to be taken lightly." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "Okay, so where are the robes?" "Go see the Quartermaster, ask anypony and they will point you the way." Lightning says. Twilight nods and heads out, but Agni and Spike doesn't follow her. Lightning watches as Twilight closes the door behind her. "What's wrong?" Agni stares at him while he kept his arms crossed. "A skull actually turned at her. And the other artifacts were actually dragged in their case towards her as she passed each one." Lightning sighs. "Shadow, show yourself." A dark laugh came out as Shadow came out from a dark corner. "Can I help you?" "You finally show yourself, huh? It took a lot of convincing to get Kyou Kai not to have our magic forces deal with you." Lightning says. Shadow sighs. "Lightning, I want to help Twilight, both on your end, her end and my end." "And the fact I'm laying doesn't affect anything?" Lightning asks. Shadow opens her mouth to speak, but then closes it again. "Hold on, I got to deal with something." She said before disappearing into the ground. The three in the room looks confused after she left. Twilight pulls the last sleeve on and looks at herself in the mirror. "So…this is what I have to do to learn." A dark chuckles comes up from behind her and before she could completely turn she was pinned into the wall. "How does it feel, being here, part of my homeland?" Shadow asks close to her ear. Twilight's eyes widen in a mix of horror and fear. "How are you here?" Shadow chuckles. "I was in Saddle Abria, wasn't I? Anyway, how does it feel?" She asks slightly running her hooves under her robes. "H…how does what feel?" Twilight asks. Shadow smiles. "Being here? How does feel to be in new land and learning new things?" She asks, massaging her leg joint. "S…stop that." Twilight says blushing. Shadow smirks. "Stop what?" She asks while moving her hooves more upwards and hiking her robes a little higher. 'Shadow.' Shadow felt Lightning call her right at the edge of Twilight's most sensitive spot. Shadow sighs. "You're very lucky. Just know that I will always be here." She said before letting go and leaving Twilight leaned against the wall, breathing hard before she fell down, still in shock. "If you are done playing, I have a mission for you." Lightning says after Shadow reappeared. Shadow sighs. "You can really suck the fun out of everything, you know that?" "I want you to find the ones who orchestrated and ordered the assassination attempt on my foals." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "Sure, but you know I need payment." "Payment will be rendered when I know whose head I will be collecting." Lightning says. "You really know how to turn me on, but the pay will come from someplace else now." Shadow says. Lightning sighs. "What is it?" Shadow walks over to him and leans close to his ear. "Your student." "No, that is our deal, no one else." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "Relax, I won't corrupt her. Much less fun. I just want to really talk with her a lot, maybe a few pieces here and there, but not much. She's quite interesting as time goes on." She said looking out the window. "Ok. Now I'm interested, originally you just either wanted to kill the mane six or just corrupt Twilight outright." Lightning says. Shadow laughs. "After what happened and learning their involvement in everything I knew I had to keep them alive. Originally it was just for keeping myself alive and another run at conquering the land. But now…" She pauses as she looks outside and sees Rainbow and the others outside of the carriage and looking around. "I want Twilight to succeed. My plans has since been changed to accommodate this. Twilight will get her throne and her lover. And maybe even a bonus at the end, don't worry, it won't be corruption. Do that and the plan is ruined. Now, what do you say?" "I think it's time to find out why Daring was so desperate to get into the forbidden section." Lightning says. Shadow looks to him. "The writer? She's with you? Why on this planet would she need that, unless she took an important artifact?" "From the Dominion itself and the reason why I forbid everypony from that section is because it contains a page from a certain book." Lightning says. Shadow raised an eyebrow. "It would help to know what she has." "That's what I tend to find out, but you mind setting up defenses for that section. I don't want anypony even seeing the page from the Necronomicon." Lightning says. Shadow's eyes widen. "The necro book? It's here?! How the heck is it here?! Nobody is supposed to have it but me." "No, just a page. I've tried destroying it but nothing has worked so far." Lightning says. Shadow clicks her tongue. "That's because you can't dumbass. Only those under me can really mess with it and no, I won't choose you." "I know, but even you don't want to have anything to do with it." Lightning says. Shadow huffs. "That's because we sealed it away. The only time we'll use it is in a grave time for war, when all hope is lost." "Then hell is unleashed on all." Lightning says. Shadow looks at him. "It would already be unleashed. This gives me control over most of the forces. Like I said, a grave war." "An undead war and the last thing we need is some idiot initiating it or some fool trying to control it." Lightning says. Shadow nods. "That's why I only choose those who knows why it doesn't need to be done. And you killed them all." "To be fair that Daedric was trying to use it to start the thing." Lightning says. Shadow sighs. "Even spirits can make mistakes." "Or go crazy with ambition or power." Lightning says. "That too. Do you hate me for that, for bringing the wrong Daedric?" Shadow says. "I don't hate you, it was his mistake that cost him his own life. By way of me cutting off his head. It does make a good thing for the students to study though." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "Let's get this over with." "Oh, last time you were like a little embarrassed school mare." Lightning jokes. Shadow hits his side. "Shut up or I may corrupt Twilight after all and send both our plans off the road." "You're sounding more like Rainbow every time." Lightning says sealing the room with magic. Shadow huffs, but smiles a bit. "I told you, I can be anything you want me to be and all you have to do is ask." Lightning soon found Rainbow in one of the classrooms. "And that is why wind can freeze water if used in the correct way." The teacher says. Lightning smiles as he steps up by Rainbow. "Learning my love?" Rainbow shrugs. "Snippets." Lightning smiles. "And where's the others?" Rainbow suddenly looks nervous and sheepish. "Don't tell me, cafeteria?" Lightning asks. Rainbow walks out and heads across the hallway to the other classroom and finds Kyou and Daring watching on as Scootaloo fed on some meat while Typhoon and Talion watches the students and professor on her back. "And as you can see, dragons would usually protect anything close. Case in point…" He reaches for the foals, but Scootaloo's tail blocks his way. "That. Never attack unless you want to be eaten or bother them too. Heck, don't bother them at all." Lightning looks to Rainbow who just looks embarrassed. "He was talking about water, but when Scootaloo walked in he changed it to dragons." Lightning facehoof and whistles bringing Fenrir. Rainbow sighs as Fenrir comes up to him. "Getting the foals out?" "No, go on boy, protect." Lightning says gesturing to the foals. Fenrir growls before padding up to them and growling at the students before laying down in front of Scootaloo. Rainbow sighs before looking around. "Where's Twilight?" Lightning shrugs. "Must still be dealing with the robes. They are sometimes finicky." "Archmage, there is a mare in the library that is not known to us." A teacher says as Lightning noticed Daring slipped away. Twilight breathes out carefully as she sees herself in the mirror. After Shadow slipped away she didn't bother getting up and only now does she lift a hoof. "Let me help." Shadow said before grabbing her outstretched hoof and pulling her up and then holding her around her midsection. Twilight was caught off guard as Shadow just kept holding her there. "It's time you started increasing your knowledge on magic." Shadow says moving a strain of hair from Twilight view. Twilight looks down at themselves before looking back up at her. "Why are you treating me like this?" Shadow sighs. "Because…you're important to everyone, including me." "What?" Twilight asks. "Oh, I have said too much already." Shadow says before she was gone. Twilight watches as she disappears and finds herself standing upright, but then feels something and looks down to see a black bracelet around her foreleg. She watches it for anything weird until nothing happens and sighs. "Important?" She shakes herself before she walks out. "Why me?" Twilight soon found the library thanks to some directions from the resident and she slack jawed at the sight. "Wha…wh…there are no words." She smiles as she sees the many books that littered the shelves and even some books flying around, possibly placing themselves in the right places. Twilight then walks up to a random shelf and starts looking through the books. "Having fun, my student?" Lightning asks as he walks in. Twilight smiles as she looks at him. "This is the best ever." She said trying to read. "Have you seen Daring?" Lightning asks. Twilight shakes her head. "Not really, I just got here." "I see." Lightning says suspicious. Twilight shrugs. "If I was her, I would check the high end sections." She said trying to still read. Lightning wordlessly walks towards the back of the library and through a pair of steel doors to the more advanced section all the while watching carefully. A mage stood by the gated doors as he watched Lightning carefully. "Sir." Lightning looks to him. "Did you see a gold pegasus walk by here?" The mage just shakes his head. Lightning sighs, but then perks his ears up. "What the?" He asks himself while looking to the gate. Looking closer at the lock he can see it's been tampered with. Lightning glares and immediately goes into the master level portion of the library. "Daring!" Lightning calls. Daring immediately comes out from behind a stack of bookcases with her eyes slightly glazed over with red. "Oh my god, you messed with the seal to the forbidden section." Lightning says facehoofing. Daring raises an eyebrow as her eyes returned back to normal. "What are you talking about? I was just looking for this place, but the lock was already tampered and this red fog was here." She rubs at her eyes. "Really messed with my eyes." "Wait, what?" Lightning asks. Daring shrugs. "Yeah, you think I would put myself in danger after this little guy here?" She asks pointing to her stomach. Lightning immediately charges magic to a hoof and punches the ground what followed sounded like a siren. Daring looks around as she sees some of the ponies moving about outside. "What's going on?" "This is not a drill, repeat, this is not a drill." A voice says as magic seals activate and the statutes start moving. Daring watches as almost everything comes to life. "What the heck is happening?" "We are going on lockdown while I deal with a thief." Lightning says. Daring goes wide eyed at that. "So, what now, I mean me?" "Stay here, if I don't come out in four hours tell the faculty to execute protocol X." Lightning says. Daring nods. "Here? In the forbidden section?" "This is the master level section the forbidden section is further in, but before I go Daring, what were you looking for?" Lightning asks. Daring reaches into her coat pocket and takes out a dark soul gem. "It's filled with magic already, not a soul. I need to know how to give it back." Lightning takes the gem and examines it before bursting into laughter. "I don't believe it, my men have been searching all this time and you steal the contained power that was stolen from Luna and Celestia. Oh, god certainly does have a sense of humor." Lightning says. Daring blushes. "Like me now?" "I always loved you. But now you must leave immediately and tell them if I don't cancel the lockdown in four hours, initiate protocol X, what is in there can never be taken or used." Lightning says. Daring nods and takes the gem and gives him a kiss before leaving. "Make sure you come back or Rainbow might kill me for letting you go." Lightning takes a step before stopping. "It's a page from the most feared book known to mortals Daring." Lightning says. Daring stops for a few seconds before walking on. "Just come back." "I will try, but I can't compromise you that." Lightning says before sealing the way behind her. Daring watches as the seal closes behind her and looks to her stomach. "Your father is either the bravest or stupidest stallion ever." She said before going to find a mage and get the others. "I can't believe I'm doing this." Lightning says walking into the forbidden section passing by smashed Golems and Gargoyles. "At least I know how this one got in." Rounding a corner he can see the entrance to the page has been unlocked and glowing brightly. Lightning shakes his head and heads down. "Unbelievable, they would actually try this. The first line is down they have to get through the next two doors to get to it at least." Lightning heads down further until he sees the second door gone and statue pieces on the ground. "This one must be strong." He said before going through the door into a dark void as the walls were replaced by endless space and the stairs were hanging in the air. The only thing separating Lightning from the void was one foot of concrete stairs. Lightning breathed deeply. 'How did this happen? So much as looking at the forbidden section's entrance should have set off alarms, but the only ones who know it is…three ponies and one is dead." Lightning realized now glaring and he rushes ahead. Lightning rushes through the last door and comes across a large platform with three stands in the middle and pillars all around the edges while still just hanging in the void. He soon spies a pony near the stands as it looks to them, which had two glass shards on two while the page floated in the middle. "So you are the fool that wants power so bad he is willing to risk the world." Lightning says. The cloaked pony turns around and sees Lightning. "Ah, the great master of the college. Great to see you, you like my handiwork back there?" "All you did was cause a big mess." Lightning says. The cloaked pony brings his hood down. "True. I hope the janitor is willing to clean that up. Now, if you excuse me." He said turning back to the pillars. "Only way to get the page is to destroy those shards and the moment you do this room will destroy itself killing both of us." Lightning warns. The cloaked pony looks back at him. "Really, that wasn't in the job description. The guardians yes, but this is troubling. I thought it was just the old switcheroo." "You really think I would leave a page of the most evil book known to morals security be up to chance?" Lightning asks. The pony shrugs. "Kinda. Still…" He said looking back at the shards. "No, you won't do it. You value your life too much isn't that right, heir of the former line of the Dominion emperors?" Lightning asks. The pony chuckles. "Not bad. I was actually counting on how long you figure it out." "The thought occurred to me who would want or need that power. The Dominion is power mad, that's a fact, but even they have their limits and the destruction of that page is a goal we have always shared, but never could accomplish." Lightning says. The pony smiles. "Yep, good work, but you know my reasons, don't you?" "To reclaim the role that was usurped from your family by another greedy noble who seized power." Lightning says. The pony nods. "The way we handle our government. We don't think much of it when we're low and rising to power. But get knocked down and we see the problems." Lightning starts laughing. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Only the young see it while the old try to get back up." "No, it's hilarious you don't even truly grasp what that thing is or why I won't allow any to possess it." Lightning says. The pony looks at him. "And I watched as the forgotten has come back to exact revenge on those that forsaken them." "Shut up, you juvenile little twat!" Lightning says to him. The pony smiles. "So that means I do know. Now then." He said turning back to the shards. "You idiot, do you know what the Necronomicon truly is? Tell me that!" Lightning says to him. The pony taps his hoof against his chin. "The power to raise the dead, but also control hell's minions. Most of them." "Incorrect, that is a legend. The Necronomicon is one of the seven keys to the end time maybe the last in existence. The moment it is made whole and its power unleashed that is it. It is the end of time of existence as we know it. The gates of hell will fly open wide and the demons will pour forth and Armageddon begins." Lightning says. The pony tilts his head slightly. "Why do you think I'm destroying it?" "It can't be destroyed, I've come to terms with it. It is an instrument of god. The final test and trap to see if mortals have truly lost all sense and reason and are willing to sacrifice everything for power." Lightning says. The pony smiles. "Poetic. Still, that's if the pages are all collected and if this one was gone and with no way to get it out of a void to which only you can get trapped yourself in it, then the biggest part of it will never come." "You don't think I have tried that. It can't teleport into the void it is anchored to reality itself. God thought of everything and even then Daedric can walk the void or as some call it oblivion it will never be truly gone." Lightning says. The pony looks at the page. "Pocket dimension and collapse it." "Tried, failed, aging spells, damaging spells, everything. This thing exists outside of space and time, yet is anchored to existence. It is a paradox." Lightning says. The pony looks back at him. "Then why the trap?" "Because there will always be some fool who thinks he can control the uncontrollable this trap is to kill them before they can even read it. Which ironically is not in any known language, but you can understand it." Lightning says. The pony smiles. "Good. Now I don't have to take this." "But unfortunately for you, your accomplishment didn't know about two traps." Lightning says his voice sounding distant now. The pony looks around before sighing and putting his hood up. "You would kill a former Dominion who would help you?" "Not a choice now. You see the final trap is activated. Also, did you think I was stupid, this trap only activates if you did intend to use it. You wouldn't have broken in just to destroy the page. Enjoy the void scum." Lightning says as the pony disappeared. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "That's weird, there is still another presence." "What's weird?" The pony said behind him. "Hello Shadow." Lightning says. Shadow frowns. "Aww, you ruined it for me." "He was banished to Oblivion, where he will never escape. Nice touch by the way." Lightning says scratching her behind the ears. Shadow purrs. "That feels good. The trap will stay active as long as you keep this place alive." "Yeah, now I have to go before the college starts blowing up." Lightning says. Shadow nuzzles him and then starts to leave. "Well we better get going." Lightning nods using his magic to reconfigure the statues as he went and deactivating the sirens. "What were you doing that required you to leave in the middle of the conversation?" He said as the gargoyle finished reformed. Shadow smiles. "Just a little something to motivate." "I see. How much you want to bet Twilight is so immersed in her books she didn't even notice?" Lightning asks. Shadow smiles as she steps out of the section and points. "I've been knowing. That bracelet isn't just for show." "Twilight!" Lightning yells as Shadow disappears. Twilight jumps and fumbles with the book before catching it. "Ummm…yes?" "We went into lockdown while you were distracted." Lightning says pointing out the statues returning to their perches. Twilight sweatdrops and rubs a hoof behind her head. "Heh, heh, heh, oops." "It doesn't matter, anyways I got to go deal with one last thing." Lightning says walking away. Twilight looks a little worried. "Are we leaving once you leave?" "Oh no, you are staying. I enrolled you into the college officially. This will be your, Spike, and Agni's home for the next year." Lightning says. Twilight takes a quick look around. "But…what about the others?" "They will be staying in Whiterun for a good while." Lightning says. Twilight looks to her books before looking back at him. "Can they at least visit?" "Oh, sure they can." Lightning says. Twilight sighs in relief. "Good, because after all this, I don't want to lose them over this." She said showing the book. "Oh and they are going to be harder on you because I have started your training already." Lightning says. Twilight slumps her head down, but then feels slivers of cold running over her. "What the?" Lightning frowns as he sees Shadow appear behind her and hugs her from behind. "Shadow." He said threatenly Shadow smiles as he looks to him. "I'll still do your jobs, but only if I can stay with Twilight." "Watch over her then and remember, you gave your word." Lightning says. Shadow nods and looks to Twilight. "You hear that, we're going to have fun here." "She won't hurt you Twilight, she is not allowed because of her own rules right now." Lightning says peeking Twilight's curiosity. Twilight turns her head to look at her. "What do you mean, rules?" "You have to find out those on your own Twilight." Lightning says before walking to the courtyard. Twilight watches as he leaves before turning to Shadow. "So…are you going to use me as a host?" Shadow smiles and taps her bracelet. "Not with that on, there is no need. I am basically yours when you have it on. So feel free to bring out a whip for some fun with us." Twilight just looks worried. "Why do I have a feeling that Luna just got her kinks from you?" Shadow just smiled. Lightning walked out not looking happy. Rainbow watches as he walks their way. "What happened?" "A breach in security." Lightning says focusing his glare at one professor in particular. Rainbow looks where he's looking. "What is it?" "The intruder knew how to disable the alarms and the weak points of the internal defenses. Only three ponies in existence knew that. First myself, second the architect who help build the section who has been dead for years, and finally the mage who helped with the magical defenses." Lightning says as said professor started to sweat. Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "Really and this one might have been on this whole thing?" "There is no might, isn't that right Professor Linch?" Lightning accuses. Linch sighs. "How does he it? Class, this is your assignment, find out how Lightning figures stuff like this out. Excuse me." He said walking to them. "It is simple logic Professor. Plus, you have always had a thirst for power." Lightning says. Linch nods. "That I do." He said before stamping his hoof down and soon the whole room was blanketed in a smokescreen. "Entei." Lightning says and seconds later the professor was then heard. "Gaww!" The smokescreen was then cleared as the students opens the window and force the smoke out with the wind and finds the professor at the doorway, stuck there. Lightning sighs as everypony watches as he walks over to him and pulls him down to the ground. "You're the worst, you know that?" Linch coughs up some blood. "Yeah, I know. But who's worse, the one who does the orders or the one who gives it? Who should you condemned?" "The one who tried to destroy the world." Lightning says to the severed head. The students watch as the guards takes the body away. "Students, I'm very sorry about that. You're real assignment is to find another way that he could have lived without destroying or harming anypony. You will get your new professor soon. That is all." Lightning says. "Is that common?" Rainbow asks. "No, we loss facility from time to time from the dangers of magic, but it's rare when we have to end one of our owns life." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "Okay, shall we go now?" "First Rainbow, get Twilight and come to my office, Kyou and Daring come with me." Lightning says. Rainbow heads off and everypony else goes with him. "So, it is over?" Daring asks. "Yeah, it remains sealed and the defenses were reset and fixed." Lightning says in his office petting Kyou Kai. Kyou smiles at the feeling. "Any other intruders?" "No, just one." Lightning says kissing the side of her neck. Kyou moans at the kiss as they enter the office. "So, you finish the registration of that princess here?" "Yes, she, Spike and Agni are now officially registered." Lightning says as he takes his seat. Daring looks a bit worried. "You think she would alright here?" "Of course she will." Lightning says as they waited. "No, I want to go back to the library." Twilight's voice was heard. Everypony chuckles as Twilight walks in looking disappointed. "Don't worry, my student. You would be back there soon. Anyway…" Lightning said reaching behind his desk and taking something out. "Here's your key to your room here. It's just one floor down and the room number is written on the key." "Is that all?" Twilight asks curious. "No, we have finally found the soul gem that contained the power stolen by the princesses." Lightning says. Twilight grows surprised. "So…we can give it back to them?" "No, for it is not their power. It is Harmony's and if we return it, it will be to her." Lightning says. Twilight looks down. "Can we at least send it back?" "It will be, Belcross come forth." Lightning says as a smaller version of Belcross appears. "Oh and here is the kicker Twilight, Daring stole it from the Dominion before we met up with her on the train here." Lightning says. Twilight looks to Daring. "Where did you find it?" "Stole it from a Dominion convoy that was lightly guarded." Daring says smirking. "Most likely wanted to make it seem like they had nothing worth stealing." Lightning says. Daring smiles. "And that is the worst mistake you can make when you have multiple thieves on you." "True, now Daring, please give Belcross the soul gem so he can take it to the spirit." Lightning says. Daring nods and takes out the soul gem and gives it to him before he disappears. "Well, at least they can't use it now." She said. "Yes, who knows what they could have planned." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs before turning to Twilight. "Guess, this is goodbye for now. We'll try to see you guys from time to time. Who knows, you might finish before the battle." "That is nearly two years away love and she has requested visits from you all every now and again and I have to come and check on the college every so often as the head of it." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles as she looks to Twilight. "Guess, we're going to be seeing you often." Twilight smiles. "Try to come when I'm not busy." "Ok message received, don't visit." Lightning says. Twilight glares at him. "You know what I mean." "I'm serious Twilight, you will be busy. Far more than when you attended Canterlot University." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "Guess I'm never going to have time to even speak to you guys." "This is why I registered Spike and Agni as well. To take some of the burden off of you." Lightning says. Twilight looks a bit worried. "Won't that mean I have to skip some classes? Because I saw some without familiars." "Yes, but those classes are on things I taught you and by doing this you get access to the larger section of the library, the one you were in was the beginner and novice section. After your first class, you will gain access to the intermediate section." Lightning says. Twilight gasp in happiness. "Yes." She cheers. "Thought that would make you happy. Now, best go get dinner and spend time with your friends here. We will leave after I gather all the report and paper that have yet to be sent to my castle." Lightning says. Twilight and everypony else nods and heads out, closing the door behind them. "Shadow." Twilight said. Shadow comes out from corner as she follows close by with smoke line of shadow. "I won't cause trouble, poke fun, yes, but no trouble. I have to protect you anyway." "Is this a part of what Lightning mentioned?" Twilight asks. "Maybe." Shadow says elusively. Twilight sighs. "I won't get the answer out of you, will I?" Shadow chuckles. "Listen my mare, you will be fine. Don't worry about me, worry about yourself. You won't get by without thinking about yourself once in a while." "So, no then." Twilight says. Shadow moves a tendril of shadow up to cheek. "What do you think?" She asks sensually rubbing her cheek. Twilight just sighs. Shadow laughs in her ear as she just messes with her. Months later, Lightning was busy with court and paperwork for the entire time. The mane five were adjusting to life in Whiterun and Rainbow was once again pregnant. While Kyou Kai and Daring Do gave birth to foals of their own. Lightning and Daring's child was a pegasus with dark golden colored coat like her mother, but had her father's dark red mane and tail, she was named Star. Kyou Kai also had a pegasus foal, he had a white coat with his mother's black mane and tail. He was named Saber by his mother. Scootaloo, Talion and Typhoon laughs & giggles as the foals crawl over them or just play with them. "It's amazing our family has grown this much." Scootaloo said as Star climbs over her who was now stunted in her growth since she didn't grow since a few months ago. "Yeah, kinda happy we locked up all swords while Kyou was giving birth." Lightning says. Kyou knocks him on the head. "You gave me a foal, you had to pay somewhere. No swords, so I settled on crushing your hoof." Rainbow giggles. "Yeah, while Daring crushes his other hoof." "If I remember correctly you wanted this and beside you have your little Saber now." Lightning says trying to finish working. Rainbow shakes her head before looking outside. "You know, Heart's Warming is coming." "Here we call it something different, but yeah the celebration is coming." Lightning says eyeing the pregnant mare. Rainbow peeks over and sees him looking. "See something you like?" She asks swishing her tail around. Lightning says nothing and uses his wing to brush a sensitive spot while making sure the foals were not looking. Rainbow yelps. "Cheater. Anyway, it's getting close, too close as ever and we haven't heard from Twilight for a while. Why don't we go surprise her? I think she deserves it after all she's done." "I doubt she even knows what time of the year it is. By the way, has Daring returned yet from her excursion to a ruin in the Rift hold yet?" Lightning asks. The door was suddenly kicked opened. "Honey, I'm home. And I got presents." Daring sang. Star cheers and tries to run over to her and hugs her hard on the leg. Daring smiles and hugs back. "Hi honey, sorry for being gone for so long." Typhoon looks up to Scootaloo. "Big sis, were we like that?" Scootaloo smiles. "Quite a lot. Especially Talion here who hugs his father's leg every chance he gets." "I do not." Talion says on Lightning's leg. Both Scootaloo and Typhoon laugh. "Then where are you?" Scootaloo asks. Talion just remains quiet looking mad. "What, Talion here just loves his father." Rainbow says. Scootaloo and Typhoon just laugh harder. "I can't breathe." Typhoon managed to say. Lightning signs the last paper before putting Talion on the ground and getting up. "Done." Scootaloo grabs Talion with her tail before bringing him to them and placing him next to Typhoon. "Relax little bro, we're just messing with you." Typhoon pats his back. "Yeah bro, we're just messing." Talion pouts a little before Lightning ruffles his mane. "Relax son. They're playing. Now, let's get Pinkie. We got a big celebration coming up." The family follows as they walk through the hallways as ponies decorate for the upcoming celebration. "Pinkie, you in here?" Lightning called out as the entered the grand hall. "No, but Spidermare is." Pinkie says sliding down a rope in a red and blue costume. Rainbow groans. "Pinkie, wrong holiday. It's Heart's Warming." "She hasn't taken that costume off since Bloodmoon night." Lightning says. Rainbow goes up and rips Pinkie down before tearing off the costume and ripping it to shreds. "No more Spidermare." "Aww." Pinkie whines. Rainbow looks to her again. "Now, the decorations for Heart's Warming." "Providence day, love." Lightning reminds. Rainbow waves him off. "Whatever, now the decorations?" "Already being seen to. Which reminds me, we got a pre-providence day dinner with a few nobles and members of the court." Lightning says as one of his many stewards walked up and showed him a list and Lightning points to something and the Steward nods and walks away. Rainbow sighs and turns back to Pinkie. "Are you up for a surprise for Twilight?" "Oh, is that why a carriage from the college arrived at the front a moment ago?" Pinkie asks. Everypony looks confused. "Carriage at the front…?" Lightning asks before a guard came up to him. "Sir, there is a carriage for you and the others." The guard said. "Bring the purple pony, dragon, and familiar in." Lightning says trying to figure out how Pinkie did it. Twilight smiles as she comes in. "Hey guys." Shadow snores loudly as she sleeps on her back. Spike and Agni smiles as they follow her. "Hey." The foals immediately run to them and jump on them. "Help!" They yelled as they were tossed to the ground. Lightning chuckles. "Yeah, that's what I expected." Lightning says. Twilight smiles as the two foals run all over them. "Sorry, I missed most of their birth." "Its fine, you may have missed dodging swords with Kyou Kai for the first half before we secured them." Daring says. Twilight giggles. "Did they at least crush his hoof?" Lightning's sour look was all the answer she needed. Twilight giggles nervously. "Sorry, but at least, I'm here." Rainbow nods. "Yeah, how's she been treating you?" She asks pointing to Shadow. "I've learnt a lot and I think one of my first acts as queen will be asking High king Ulfric to help us open a sister school of the college in Equestria." Twilight says lowering her hood. Lightning looks a little surprised. "Really, it's that good?" "Our magic doesn't compare and I should know, I was made a princess through my lesson on friendship and magical powers. Though now it feels a little hollow." Twilight says. Lightning chuckles. "Should I talk to Harmony for you and tell her that you said she's hollow?" "I meant the title." Twilight says. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Yet you described yourself and that describes Harmony." Twilight frowns. "Shut up!" "Can you quiet down, I'm trying to sleep." Shadow said from her back. "Oh, did you also hear, Vinyl gave birth to a son as well." Rainbow says. Twilight looks to her. "Yeah, for some reason Vinyl sent a record and portable player to me. Weird, but the music is good. Also talked about her son a lot. Where are they?" "Here we are." Vinyl said while her unicorn son rode on her back while Nikolai walks behind her. "Sorry we're late." "I see little Canticum is loving his mom." Lightning says looking at the white coat with dark blue hair unicorn colt. Vinyl smiles as she looks back at him having a fake kitted headphones around his neck. "Yeah, but he takes after his father." Rainbow chuckles at that. "Oh who are you trying to fool Vinyl, he's a mama's boy." Vinyl grins. "I know, I just wanted to bring down lead wing here." She said nodding her head to Nikolai. Nikolai seemed to not hear her as he plays with Canticum. "Da, da, da, da, da, da, da." He said playfully to Canticum as Nikolai messes with his hooves. "Honestly Vinyl, can't you ever be nice for one day?" Octavia said as her and Apollo came over. Vinyl smiles. "You know I can't." "It's how she shows affection." Apollo says. Octavia smiles. "And that's why I asked, I never want her to change." "You just want her to have several more foals and all call you aunty and play the cello." Nikolai says. Octavia frowns. "Oh shut it and go back to playing." "How did you guess my secret dream?" Apollo impersonates Octavia's voice perfectly. Octavia hits him as Nikolai chuckles. "Simple, she told me when we were at the bar and you and Vinyl were plastered with her." Nikolai says as Canticum grabbed his nose. Apollo laughs as he hugs Octavia. "You must have been drunk when that happened." "I have no memory of this." Octavia says quickly. Apollo nuzzles her. "I know." Twilight sighs as she watches them before realizing Rainbow's condition. "How's the foal coming?" She asks her. "Well Mr. Jarl here got me pregnant again." Rainbow says. Lightning chuckles as he steps up beside her. "You did ask after all this time." Twilight smiles before leaning to one side and making Shadow fall off. "Ow!" Twilight just smirks. "Oops." She said nonchalantly. "Now wake up, the foals want to see their best friend." "I can't, I'm so tired!" Shadow whines clinging to Twilight's stomach. Twilight sighs and jumps up before landing down on Shadow, making her let go before she gets off of her and looking down at her. "How about no…too late." She said moving her head away from Shadow's view before Talion and Typhoon jumps into it. The next thing Shadow knew, she was tied to a stake and being carried off. "Go easy on your aunt guys." Twilight calls. Rainbow smiles as Shadow was carried off. "Hey, think you can check on Scootaloo again?" Twilight nods and heads over to her. "Hey Scootaloo, how are you doing?" "Perfectly fine." Scootaloo says. Twilight smiles before scanning her over and sees something she didn't expect to see yet. "Scootaloo…" "I know, I have gone into heat a few times." Scootaloo says. Twilight sighs. "You at least know what to do when that happens?" "Go dunking my head into freezing water helps." Scootaloo says. Twilight nods. "You know that won't last long." Scootaloo sighs as she lays her head down. "I know. I…actually want him here now." "Scoots, if Lightning knew something was doing that with you he might just mount it's head on the wall." Twilight says. Scootaloo frowns. "And that's why I hate it." "Here, let me give you some tips." Twilight says leading her away. "I don't want to know." Apollo says. Rainbow looks to Lightning. "Are you ever going to allow Tiyries here?" "Debating at this point." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to where Scootaloo and Twilight is. "Still…she deserve it." Lightning says nothing. Rainbow then looks back at him. "Are we missing anypony?" She asks as the others milled about. "A few." Lightning says. "And that would be?" Rainbow asks. "Your friends." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "I think some of them set up shops around town. The Cakes finally got a sweet shop and they are dominating Whiterun, Rarity is about to open a fabric shop next year, Fluttershy will collaborate with the Temple of Kynareth to help heal both citizens and animals." "What about Applejack and her family? I already know Big Mac enlisted again." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "He did, but he asked to guard their property which is some of the farms around the city. They were able to buy out and keep the ponies there to help run the place while running the general store here. Of course, they also made another apple farm here as well and that place is selling like crazy for apples, especially cider." She drools. "Understandable. Apples are not rare, but uncommon here because of the difficulty to grow them." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles and drools more. "Especially the cider. So much cider." Lightning chuckles. "Easy Rainbow, you're pregnant so no cider for you." "I know, I know, just let a mare have her moment." Rainbow says. Lightning smiles. "Tell you what, after you have that foal, let's celebrate his or her birth with a mug of cider." "Oh, we will just be getting started love." Rainbow says leaning into him. Lightning chuckles. "So, want to get the rest of your friends while seeing the city or just let the guards get them?" "What and leave the kids here alone? Let's let the guards get them." Rainbow says snuggling into him. Lightning shakes his head. "You sure, don't want to see the sights and talk to your friends personally? I'm sure the foals would love to see the outside once in a while." "Oh don't worry about that, while you were distracted with work I took them out yesterday." Rainbow says. Lightning leans over to Daring. "Call the doctor." Lightning whispers. Rainbow's ear twitches. "What was that?" "Oh something to make you feel better love, like me massaging your wings." Lightning whispers the last part. Rainbow smiles. "Now that sounds good, want to play after that?" "Can if you want." Lightning says smiling to her. Rainbow grins and leans on him while wrapping her wing around him. "Good, I'm getting hungry." "Alright, I get the message, who else is hungry?" Lightning asks. All hooves in the hooves immediately raise up, except for the guards. "Alright, to the dining room." Lightning says. Everypony immediately runs to the room leaving only Lightning and Rainbow. "Huh, must have been very hungry." "I love you Rainbow." Lightning says walking with her to the dining room. Rainbow smiles and nuzzles him. "Love you too." Lightning nuzzles her back and finds everypony already ready for a meal. "Okay, so what will it be?" He asks as some of the chiefs stand off on one side of the room before bringing out some appetizer for the time being. "And you were a little skeptical at a griffon head chief." Lightning whispers. Rainbow frowns. "That's because most of their food is meat." "And your salad there?" Lightning whispers. Rainbow hits him. "Shut up." Lightning just laughs. "Now tell them what you want." He said eating some of the fruits. As they ate Rarity and Sweetie Belle came in. "Hello my dears." She calls out. Rainbow smiles. "Finally, we are still waiting for the others through." Sweetie Belle looks to Scootaloo. "Hey Scoots, how's it going?" She asks hopping over to her. "Good." Scootaloo says trying to eat some meat. Lightning smiles. "Let's see, we need the Cakes and the Apple family." "The Cakes have orders to the roof so they won't be able to make it." Pinkie says. Rainbow frowns. "Aww, what about the Apples?" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo smiles. "Heard from Applebloom that they can make it at any time." Sweetie Belle said. "Y'all we're here." Applejack calls as she, Applebloom, Big Mac and Granny Smith came in. Rainbow cheers. "Finally, we're all here. Sort of, now we can really eat." "It's sure good to see you Rai…Rainbow you got another one on the way?" Applejack asks. Rainbow rubs her stomach. "Yeah, this stallion kinda helped me along." She said pointing to Lightning who whistled innocently. "I can see your marriage is such a success than." Applejack says. Rainbow smiles as she looks around and sees Daring and Kyou playing with their foals while Talion and Typhoon sits on Scootaloo's head. "Yeah, and it's all thanks to this guy here." She said nodding her head to Lightning now had Star on his head acting like she was climbing a mountain. Saber immediately bounded across the table and started to climb him as well trying to beat his sister. Daring and Kyou giggle as their foals try to beat each other off of Lightning Mountain. Lightning looked indifferent as they played. Rainbow smiles before Star fell off before both Rainbow and Lightning both catch her as Saber looks down to see if his sister is okay. Lightning held Star in his hooves and rocks her back and forth making her smile. Daring smiles before she turns to a servant and tells her something before she heads off and Kyou tells something as well to the same servant who nods and goes into the kitchen. Rainbow holds out her hooves and Saber jumps into it before they both rock them around. Twilight smiles as she watches the foals play with their parents and sighs. "What's wrong?" Shadow asks from beside her. Twilight looks to her. "It's just, they have such a great life, especially with their foals. I just got Agni, Spike, and Luna who visits once in a while in my dreams and then there's you." Shadow smiles as she watches a servant come out with two bottles of milk and gives them to Lightning and Rainbow who then feeds the foals. "You are not alone. I have that feeling as well. But those who make the best out of what they got is considered to be a good pony and have the greatest life they can ever have."\ Twilight smiles. "Thanks." Shadow nods. "Good, now, when's Heart's Warming?" Twilight looks to her a bit confused. "A week, wh…?" SPLAT Shadow smiles. "No reason." She said looking to the sleeping Twilight with her head in the food bowl. "Seems she has really been pushing herself." Lightning says. Agni lifts Twilight's messy head out of the bowl. "Yeah, she's been working hard there, especially making a prototype of the armor. It's her end of the year project." "Ah, I see." Lightning says petting Star's mane. Spike starts to clean up her face. "Yeah, hardly ever gains any sleep with the workload she's on. But one question, who's bright idea was it to have her sleep in a cell like room? There's hardly any room with all of us in there." Lightning chuckles nervously. "Any case, how long has it been since she slept?" "What day is it big brother?" Agni asks. Spike looks to him. "Sunday." Agni looks to Lightning. "She's been up since Friday." Shadow leans over to Spike and whispers something in his ear which makes him look at her shocked before frowning and jumping down and grabbing some quill and paper. "Unbelievable." They heard him mutter. "What, she wants to have you take telepathic notes from her dream?" Rainbow asks. Spike looks to them as he writes. "Nope, get Luna. She thinks they might find it fun." "Oh no Shadow, this is supposed to be her break." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "Relax, she will wake in time for the holiday. Besides, where she is will fit the season." Agni huffs. "Wonder how she's doing now?" Twilight groans as she gets up and then shivers from the immense cold on her. "What the heck?" She opens her eyes and looks around to only see the whole area under what looks like a lot of snow. "Not again. Oh well, if I walk through this, I will bump into somepony soon." After a bit of walking she shivers again as the cold started to get colder on her than normal. "What's up with this temperature?" She kept walking until she saw some ponies heading her way, but could only see them blurred through the snow. "Hey! Over here!" She yelled. The three ponies look over to her and she can see they were wearing some kind of armor on them that was black and blue. One look to the other two behind him and shakes his head before something came out of his back and pointed at her. Twilight looks a bit shocked. "Oh boy." She said before diving behind a snow pile as bullets hit the pile. She then hears more bullets hit away from them and the bullets stop hitting her. She looks up and sees the ponies looking at something behind them. "Snow Pirates!" One yelled. Twilight watches as two more ponies in winter outfits, that almost matched the Stalliongrad outfits, come at the three ponies with the same guns on their backs, shooting at them. They hit one of the ponies leaning against his friend and shot him dead, making the other two fire back. Soon the fight ended as the so called snow pirates went down. She watched them closely as the other ponies watched them as well. But then she saw something that shocked her. The snow pirates got back up again as a machine on its foreleg glowed bright and they started to fire again until the ground shakes. Twilight wobbled in her balance as she watches the other ponies stop their fighting and something cracked behind the snow pirates that looked like a giant grasshopper that was infected and glowing bright orange. "Akrid!" The original one of the two yelled as they all tried to shoot at it, but most of the bullets bounced of it. Twilight keeps watching as the original two ponies try to stay out of the fight as the snow pirates fight the akrid. She then sees one run off to the open ground as one stayed injured on the ground before she sees the one run off get into a machine and starts it up. She watches as the pony shaped machine soon fire something slightly beneath its hooves and starts to glide over the snow. The akrid swipes with one of its long front leg and hits a snow pirate into a nearby cliff and bury him under a bit of snow. The other snow pirate then throws a small circle object, which she guessed was a grenade, and shoots at it and makes it blow up near the akrid's orange point at its front leg and blows it off, making it turn to hard ice before it crashes down near the pony left behind. She then sees the machine glide over to the pony on the ground and yells at him, which she couldn't make out, and the pony hangs on a bar as it glides away from the fight and into the snow. Twilight turns back to the snow pirate as the pony runs at it before slides somewhat behind it and then holds out a hoof and launches something from it that hits the huge glowing tail of the akrid and reels himself into it and starts firing at it before it roars and he launches off it as the akrid tries to get him as he remains turned away at it. The akrid slowly freezes up as its body slowly ices up and becomes frozen solid before breaking on its own. Twilight gets up and starts walking to the pony as he yells into the sky. Twilight hurries slightly before coming up behind him. "Hello?" She asks carefully. The pony quickly turns around with the guns attached to metal arms on its back aimed at her. "Friendly!" Twilight yells as she covers herself. The pony glares at her behind his mouth mask. "Leave NEVEC scum." Twilight looks a bit confused. "NEVEC?" The pony shakes his weapon at her. "Leave!" Twilight backs away before running off and then turning to the way of which the ponies she now knows as NEVEC went. "Where am I?" She asks herself after a while. After a while of more walking Twilight comes across the machine and finds a pony still hanging on to it. She sighs sadly and removes the pony and places him on the ground. After she laid him out peacefully she looks around and spots some tracks heading out more into the snow. Twilight shakes herself before running off into the snow and trying to find whoever made those tracks. After a while of following she comes across a pony just looking out into the landscape off a huge cliff. "Hello?" The pony sighs. "Guess you aren't a threat after all." "Wait, you sound familiar." Twilight says. "Do I know you?" The pony asks removing his helmet revealing Nikolai. Twilight looks a little surprised. "Tell me one thing, where is Lightning Nikolai?" "How do you know about the commander?" Nikolai asks now his gun aimed back at Twilight. Twilight growls slightly. 'Dang it, shouldn't play it too early.' "Look I just…" She couldn't say anymore as a helicopter flew up behind him and open a large door on the side. "Nikolai, let's go! Commander says that the team got the sub." A pony said in the door and in the same armor as Nikolai. "Right and we are bringing along a prisoner." Nikolai says motioning her to get in with his gun. Twilight sighs and walks over to the cliff before jumping in with Nikolai behind her. "Look, just to clarify, I'm not prisoner, I'm Twilight." "Restrain the Alicorn, don't want her pulling anything." The pilot says. Twilight sighs as her hooves and wings were tied. "I won't. I bring you down, I go down in this thing as well." "And the horn, they can teleport short distances at least." The pilot adds. Twilight takes a deep breath before a ring was slipped on her horn. "OW!" Twilight groans as she fell down in pain from the sudden magic block. 'Again huh? I hate this feeling. At least the element is still flowing.' "Ok, heading back. Don't want the DJ having an excuse to yell at us over her property." One of the ponies jokes. Nikolai chuckles. "That and the fact that mare wants me to hear a lot of stuff." Twilight withers on the ground as they all continue to talk. 'Unbelievable that they can joke this easily and why does it feel colder now?' After a bit of flying they suddenly change from a snowy landscape to a flowing sea of water. Twilight leans her head against the wall as she watches the others look outside. "Coming up on the drop point. Might want to suit up now, who knows how cold that water is." The pilot said. Nikolai and the other pony grabbed their gear and opens the door to find a large amount of boats and some submarines waiting in the water. A poke in her flank made her stand up. "Come on, up and at them." Nikolai said. After standing up she then pushed out of the helicopter. "Hey!" She yelled before landing onto a boat. "Ow." "Twilight, glad you could make it." A familiar voice said. Looking up on the top of the submarine was Octavia wearing only a coat. "Octavia? What are you doing here?" Octavia smiles as she starts to lead Twilight to the main sub. "Cook, sometimes a healer. Anyway, I thought you left with some of the snow pirates remember?" Twilight takes a quick look around. "Well…it's a long story. By the way, did you see a blue alicorn, bigger than the average pony?" 'Luna has to be here by now.' "Sorry, no and I don't think Lightning will be all to welcoming with the terms you two parted on." Octavia says. Twilight looks a little confused. "Terms?" "Let's see, sleeping with his wife and stealing from the thermal energy reserve for research ring a bell?" Octavia asks as they finally made it to the sub. Twilight looks shocked a little. "Sleeping with his wife? But I don't…" She pauses. 'Actually, I do like it, but I would never harm anypony like that.' "Hey, tell Vinyl to give out ear plugs and play her music a little louder than usual. Lightning is going to be yelling most of the night." Octavia calls into the sub. Twilight looks around and sees the many boats with ponies filling up on ammo and one other sub that's completely different than all the rest. "What's going on? What did I miss?" Octavia looks out to the many ex-NEVEC forces gearing up. "War, at least against NEVEC. We are mounting an assault on someplace and that's all I will say." A hoof suddenly grabs Twilight's bindings as she looks down. "Uh oh. Yipe!" She yelled as she was pulled into the sub. "What are you doing back here?! I thought you agreed to never come back!" A voice yelled at her. "I brought her here commander. I captured her after a pirate then akrid attack." Nikolai says to Lightning still in the shadows. Lightning glares over to Nikolai before looking back at her. "You will stay here until I figure out what to do with you." Twilight eyes widen at that. 'I can't spend all my time here in a cell or I'll never learn or get out of this place.' "I can help." "Lightning, you know the cells won't hold her. She can pick any lock." Rainbow's voice says before she walks up to him. Twilight groans as she tries to get up. "Look, I'm sorry for anything I might have done, but let me make it up to you." "Bring her to my quarters, we shall talk." Lightning says getting up and Twilight saw the silhouette of his shadow and noticed he had only one wing. Twilight wordlessly follows him, all the while wondering about his wing. After a while of walking, they come across a small room and a lot of paper and screens littered about. After Twilight walks in, Lightning shuts the door behind her. "Who are you really?" Twilight sighs. "What gave that away?" "You're accent. Twilight has a more Brooklyn accent than what you have." Lightning says as Twilight got a good look at the scared part of his back where a wing should be. Twilight looks to the screens, showing something underwater and somewhere in space. "I'm not that Twilight, I'm somepony else. A Twilight from a different universe where we are not on a frozen planet and there is no NEVEC or Snow Pirates." "Multiverse theory the…" Lightning says. "Idea that there are multiple universes with many different themes, but has the same characters. Like a story, change the theme, keep the characters." Twilight finished. "You're more well versed than ours is. The Twilight of here could care less of such theories and only wants to continue her research and gain power." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "Well what do you know, I'm a power hungry buffoon. Last one was not going out much and only caring on making the strongest thing around to use for herself." "Better than Celestia and Cadence at least." Lightning says. Twilight looks to him. "Wait, what about the princesses?" "Princesses, is that what they were in your universe?" Lightning asks. Twilight nods. "Yes…what, are they here?" "Where is the better word to use? I will skip some of the details, but Celestia was a power hungry murderer who killed her own sister when she stood up to her and told her what she was doing was wrong." Lightning says. Twilight looks closely to the screen showing something underwater. "I can still help, you know?" "Not curious about Cadence?" Lightning asks. Twilight looks to him. "Married to my brother then killed him?" She tried. "Yes, but after he failed to bring back a great reserve of thermal energy that she believed was in that location. After being told that it wasn't there she couldn't take being wrong and accused your brother of stealing from her and had him thrown into a akrid nest without weapons, armor, or even his magic and harmonizer and was ripped apart by them." Lightning says. Twilight looks to the window, watching everypony still loading up, tearing up slightly. "What is that, harmonizer?" "Still piecing it together, many theorize it is lost technology left by the species who originally inhabited the planet. Or it was a first colony here that found something and piece it together to form it. All we know is that it heals at a tremendous rate and only requires you to have a supply of thermal energy ready." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "And this…thermal energy?" "An energy source that is harvested from akrids. Though we can't say about long term effects by these devices and I am cautious to use them because of the possibility." Lightning says before a knock on the door is heard. "Play it like you are our universe's Twilight to keep up appearances for now." Lightning says. Twilight nods and clears her throat as she kept looking outside and the door opened. "Yes?" Lightning asks at the door. A guard, dressed fully in his gear, stutters nervously. "Ummm…sir…your wife wishes to see you." Lightning nods. "Tell her I'll be there in a moment." The guards nods and leaves while Lightning closes the door. "Let's get you out and say that your punishment is going on this suicide mission." Lightning said grabbing a key. Twilight smiles before firing away fire from herself and then burning through the tough leather straps on her hooves and wings before the fire fades away and the metal part of the cuffs fall onto the ground. "No need. Tip, place cuffs at the base of hooves and almost at the tips of wings or cover them up completely." "Come on, my wife will want to at least tell you for your counterpart using her." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "I can just hear the yelling now. She can be possibly loud as mine." "Oh trust me. Tell Vinyl to go to level boom." Lightning says to the guard. Twilight giggles. "Really, that's your way of hiding the arguments?" Lightning smiles. "Why not let the coming argument decide that?" Twilight smiles before starting to walk out. "You know, you are just like my Lightning." Not half an hour later Twilight was holding her head in pain. "Maybe I do deserve that." "Oh she is just taking a breather, she isn't done yet." Lightning says. Twilight groans. "What else has she done?" "She also tried to seduce me and take her as my wife so she could gain control." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "No wonder she left." "More like she was shocked I choose Rainbow over her." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "What lead you to Rainbow?" "We started off as a captain taking a new recruit under his wing. From there it proceeded naturally." Lightning says. Twilight smiles before looking to missing wing. "And that? What happened with your wing?" "This? Got it years ago saving a young Twilight from being eaten from an akrid." Lightning says Twilight sighs sadly. "And she repaid you by hurting you and leaving it all behind. I'm sorry." "It was a long time ago and I gave my word to Shining Armor I would look after her if anything should happen to him." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "What are you planning to do anyway?" Lightning sighs. "Well we…oh boy." He stops as Rainbow came back. "Where was I? Oh right." Rainbow says before starting to yell again. Lightning shakes his head as he puts his ear plugs back on before going back to work on the machine in front of him with a suit right beside it. "And that's the mare I married." Twilight lays her head against the wall after the yelling and a few hits to the head. "She can hit, hard." Lightning smiles. "Yeah, she's good like that." He said before tossing her an orange lined suit. "Wear this, it will protect you against the cold and help collect more energy. Just…walk over them and it's collected. Strangely works." "And love?" Lightning says walking up to Rainbow. Rainbow looks to him. "Yeah?" Lightning brings her into a full force kiss and holds her while he leans her back. Twilight smiles before realizing what she should be acting as and frowns. "Yeah, yeah, cutesy cutesy, mooshy, mooshy. Can we get on with…how the heck are you guys still going?!" "Better?" Lightning asks ignoring the comment. Rainbow giggles drunkenly. "Oh yeah, when this is over. I want more." She said poking his chest. "We going for a third?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smirks. "Only if you want another too." Twilight coughs. "Alright, alright, we heard you." Lightning says annoyed setting Rainbow down. Rainbow glares at her. "And you know what, I actually would have maybe allowed you in if you treated us and yourself better. Maybe become a better pony. But now, I want you to watch what you can't have." Twilight huffs. "What do you care? You would only say that if you cared." "Rainbow, best go check on Talion and Typhoon, ok?" Lightning asks. Rainbow huffs and walks away before shutting the door behind her. "How was I?" Twilight asks now putting the suit on. Lightning smiles as he starts to mess with a few things with the device on the table. "Pretty good. Just so you know, she was going to offer this Twilight a chance, but she blew it all." "Wait, you mean?" Twilight asks. "Yeah, all the way." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "I'm sorry." Lightning nods. "No need, your other self is not your fault. Now…there, here." He said tossing her a harmonizer. Twilight catches the device. "I thought you hated this?" Lightning shrugs. "Doesn't mean my own men won't use it. Saved their life plenty of times. Especially with the big ones and assaults on either big weapons or VS's." Twilight tilts her head. "VS's?" Lightning nods. "Giant machines that ponies can ride in or control by remote. Though there is one we really need, the PTX series. Heard it's the best out of all of them and made by the best engineer for VS's." "Lightning, I know when you're not telling me everything." Twilight says. "I don't know what you are talking about." Lightning says smiling and a squee is heard. Twilight sighs. "Still like my Lightning. Now talk." "Oh look, your sub is leaving." Lightning says pushing her out the door. Twilight quickly turns back to him. "Just one more thing, what VS did you use against the akrid that attacked me?" Lightning stares at her before sighing. "The Cakti. Helped with my wing going away when the hull got crushed," Twilight nods. "Where's the armor and weapons?" Lightning nods his head to where they came from. "The sub heading out. That sub is the only one that can get where we need to get too. After that, you and the team will head up and find the space platform for the NEVEC weapon." Twilight was about to say something but the door closed. "Space weapon?" She asks herself before walking out. Once out of the main sub she bumps into Nikolai. "Oh…hello." She tries to say. Nikolai huffs. "Commander told us you're coming with us. Don't do anything you would regret. You betray us again then we're ripping that harmonizer off and leaving you with both the enemy and akrid." "Just like how Lightning dealt with your sister in law." Alexander says. Nikolai looks back at him at their sub. "I need to get the threat from somewhere." Alexander chuckles. "Come on, you'll get the weapons when we get there, but I'll fit some armor on you." He said to Twilight as he steps inside the sub. "Um…one thing." Twilight says. Alexander looks up from the entrance. "What?" Twilight points to the ring. Both Nikolai and Alexander look at each other before looking back at her. "Sorry, but until you need your weapons will you get your ring removed." Alexander said before heading inside. Twilight lets out an angry groan before following them and the door closes behind them. Looking back out the window, she can see Lightning coming out onto his sub and looking to everypony before talking to them. She kept watching until the water became darker as they sunk down into the depths. "So…where exactly are we headed?" "We will tell you later." Nikolai says. Twilight nods before taking a seat next to a window and just watching some creatures and the water get darker as they pass it all by. Twilight sometimes look over to Nikolai, Alexander and Zagai as they grab their weapons and ammo. She even sees a glowing device that seems to be emitting thermal energy. She sighs as she lays her head down and starts to sleep. After a while a shake wakes her up. "Wake up. We're here." A voice before she feels something on her horn and something sliding off it. Twilight goes wide eyed and breathes in quickly as her magic returned. "Don't do anything you might regret." Twilight tries to calm down as the rush faded away and nods. "Good, now you can suit up and grab some weapons." Twilight looks over and sees Zagai next to some armor and weapons already set up. Getting up she walks over to him and he helps place it on while explaining on how it all works. After a while, the submarine stops and red lights came on from the usual clear. "Let's go, remember, don't take off your suit anywhere if you want the water to crush you." Nikolai said as he walks to the airlock. Twilight clears her throat. They all look back at her. "What?" Zagai asks. Twilight points to the lack of ammo clips for her. Nikolai chuckles. "You'll find some when we get there. Work for it." He said before pulling her in the airlock. "You might want to lock your muscles up." He said as the door closed before hitting a button and letting the water fill the airlock. Twilight tenses up as the water starts to crush her slightly and the others start to swim out. She follows close as she tries to swim to an underwater platform. 'What have I gotten myself into?' After a while of swimming they finally land on a metal grate near a door. Zagai, with the help of Alexander turns the dial on the door before pulling it open. Everypony quickly rushes inside and Nikolai closes the door behind them. Zagai then hits messes with a control panel and all the water starts to drain from the large room. Twilight sighs in relief as the pressure was let up. "Okay, let's go. I doubt they would have an alarm here, but watch your step." Alexander said as his weapons points ahead of him as the large door opens up to a long hallway. Twilight follows behind them before looking a side door and stepping inside, she can see containers filled with, what she guessed was, akrid, but dormant. She then sees a rocket launcher and shotgun on the ground. Running to it she quickly picks it up while placing the rocket launcher on her back. No sooner did she did that, the akrid burst out of the tanks and starts to swarm her. Twilight yells in shock before firing the shotgun and hitting two of them and sending to the other side of the room. She was about to fire on the other two before the door opened and Zagai quickly goes to her and picks her up while Nikolai and Alexander dealt with the other two quickly. "Lucky." "How was that lucky?" Twilight half asks and half yells. Zagai points to her shotgun. "You have only a few shells left. Taken by surprise like that and most would fire widely and resort to just banging them with their weapon." "That was…" Twilight stops remembering what Lightning told her. "Old reflexes I was taught." Zagai looks at her curiously. "You were never in battle and definitely weren't trained. I would know." Twilight quickly moves past him. "Come on, that would have attracted somepony." She said as Nikolai moves around collecting the thermal energy. "So what are we doing?" Twilight asks a little annoyed she still hasn't been told. Alexander sighs as they follow slightly ahead of her. "We're stealing a ship. Simple as that." Twilight looks to him. "A ship?" Alexander nods before turning a corner and heading down another hallway with the others following. "Yep, to space." He said as they come across a door that remains locked. "Nikolai, hack it. According to the blueprints, it should be just beyond this door." "Alright, let's breach it." Alexander says as he and Zagai he leaned against the sides of the door. Twilight sighs as she leans with Nikolai and watches his work on his pad on his foreleg. After he hits one more button the door quickly opens and both Zagai and Alexander rush in and takes cover behind a crate. Nikolai and Twilight quickly follows as they all look up to see large cylinder crates moving on a belt system. "Anypony got an idea?" Nikolai asks as some NEVEC guards move around. "Unleash the akrid and use it as a distraction?" Alexander asks. Twilight looks up and sees where the crates are heading and sees a ship outside the window on the wall. "Get in." She said. The others look at her mad. "Who died and made you leader?" Nikolai asks. Twilight glares at them before pulling Zagai into another hallway and around to the same track a little away. "Get in." She said pointing to the crates. "Do it Zagai." Nikolai says Zagai looks to the crates before sighing. "Come on, you're staying with me. You guys get in the one behind us." He said quickly opening one and getting in with Twilight. "Watch them claws buddy." Twilight says. Zagai chuckles as he pulls at the door. "Don't worry, they won't hurt you. Unless you're into that stuff." He said closing the door and taking out a data pad. The next thing Alexander and Nikolai heard was something cracking. "Ow." Zagai says. Twilight smirks as she looks at Zagai holding his claws. "Don't mess with me again like that." Zagai groans as he holds his claws. "Sorry, thought of ending this thing on a funny note." He said massaging his claws. "I still have the shotgun I smacked you with." Twilight points out. Zagai chuckles as he looks to her while the crates finally enter the shuttle. "Took advice I see." "Don't tempt me Zagai, I'll hit your empty head." Twilight says. Zagai smiles. "Hey…sorry for everybody else treating you like that, not Twilight." He said ending with a smirk. "You know I must silence you." Twilight says aiming at him. "Whoa, whoa, come out of the persona you are masquerading as." Zagai says. Twilight kept aiming at him before smiling and placing the shotgun away. "What gave me away?" Zagai sighs. "You not angry half the time. You would have not accepted my help getting up. You would have done it on your own." "Whoa, I am a jerk in this universe…" Twilight stops as the box opens and she sees herself. "Uh oh." Zagai quickly grabs that Twilight and brings her in before closing the door and covering the Twilight's mouth. "Don't even." He said holding a claw to her neck. The Twilights don't seem to register what he said as they seem to be analyzing each other. Zagai watches as the other Twilight reaches out and pokes the other Twilight who is wearing a lab coat with what Zagai thought was armor. The crate suddenly moves again and soon they head onto a track in the silo. Zagai soon pats her down and feels something in her pocket and pulls out a pistol. "Not happening." He said placing it on his empty holster. Twilight sighs and looks outside and sees their crate entering the shuttle. "Can you tie her up completely?" She asks Zagai. "Unfortunately no, we left the ring behind." Zagai says. Twilight sighs. "Okay…" "Who are you?" The Twilight of this universe asks finally. Twilight looks to her before smiling. "Just the one who will help make a difference. As for you, you will regret with everything that has happened to you in the end. Especially with the chances you had before you wasted it." "Huh?" M. Twilight asks. (1) Twilight looks to her and smirks a little. "Did you know, Rainbow would have let you into their relationship if you started to be nice?" "Who needs her, once I have control of this planet I will finally have what I have always wanted." M. Twilight says with an almost crazy look in her eyes that Twilight recognizes Twilight sighs. "What is it you wanted?" "Isn't it obvious?" M. Twilight asks, the crazed look fading. Twilight tilts her head. "Power and control over everything?" "Oh no, Lightning showed me how empty that is. It's just a means to an end." M. Twilight says. Twilight was about to respond when something played through her mind. 'She tried to seduce me.' She sighs. "Okay, you want to have Lightning all to yourself isn't it?" "Of course." M. Twilight says the crazed look returning. 'Now I get it, this version of me has fallen because she can't let go of her obsessions.' Twilight thinks, thinking back to when she casted that spell on her smarty pants doll. Twilight nods before placing her hoof on her head. "You remember anything about the Smarty Pants incident?" "Smarty what now?" M. Twilight asks. Twilight looks out and sees Nikolai and Alexander coming out of their crate. "Okay, what made you love him?" She asks her. Before the two could say anything, Zagai starts to open the door. "Why wouldn't I? I mean I would have to be a fillyfooler not to." M. Twilight says shivering a bit. "I still don't feel fully clean after those nights." M. Twilight adds. Twilight huffs. "Zagai, we're taking her with us." She said getting out before looking around and seeing the three were now gone. "Typical stallions, can't keep still for two minutes." Twilight says. "Oh don't get me started." M. Twilight says as they start a conversation. As it goes on, Twilight sees that this version is not as far gone. She just needed a little self help. "He lost his wing because of that too." M. Twilight finishes a little sad. Twilight stops as she looks to her while gunfire went on in the background. "You really care about him, don't you?" M. Twilight gives her the same look she gave Spike when she catches him not paying attention and she just smiles and squees. Twilight smiles as well before sighing. "Twilight, he saved your life and lost his flight because of it. Rainbow was willing to let you be with him as well. If you want to see him and at least talk to him like a normal pony, change that attitude, who knows, you might…" She couldn't say anymore as red lights starts to bath the room and an alarm sounded. M. Twilight looks to her panicked. "That's the bay door opening. I don't have a suit or a mask." She said panicked. Twilight looks around before grabbing M. Twilight and shoving her into a crate and closes the door. "Stay here." She said before being pulled away by the loss of pressure. M. Twilight watches before seeing them all grabbing a crate each and then placing whatever was in it on their back. "Is that…?" She then watches as they all start to slowly move to the shuttle by the use of the jetpacks. "That's…my design. Why short burst? I placed it on long bursts." Soon everypony landed back on the shuttle and killed the rest of the personnel on board before they close the bay door and Twilight opens the crate. "You okay?" "Why was the jetpacks using short burst, it makes no sense? I mean they are designed for long distances." M. Twilight says going off on a rant. Twilight smiles and turns around, showing her the jetpack. "Want to fix it?" "Those imbeciles can't do anything right, they can't even make a decent chowder." M. Twilight continues ranting as she works on the jetpack with Twilight now hearing a heavy Brooklyn accent. Twilight smiles. "You know, I think Lightning felt that little accent you have is kinda cute for him." M. Twilight stops after hearing that. "Um…r…really?" She asks. Twilight nods. "Yeah, if Lightning still cares about you, he might still have some feeling for you. And he would probably still find some things cute on you. He just never showed it because of that attitude. He probably thought, it wasn't worth it." M. Twilight looks to her. "Can you promise me…he would at least listen once?" Twilight smiles as she looks to her. "Be nice, apologize, well don't. Actions do better and maybe if you appreciate him like he appreciated you Lightning will give you a chance. He's like that." "So you're with Lightning in your version?" M. Twilight asks. Twilight shakes her head. "No, but I made the mistake of not trusting him and it almost cost us greatly. He's already with Rainbow and has a few foals already with two other mares as mistresses. I'm happy for him and I respect him. I'm not with him, but I'm sure he would have a very close friend." M. Twilight smiles as finishes the work. "Can I try?" Twilight pulls her with her. "Fix the other jetpacks and team up with us and maybe we can figure this out." "What others?" M. Twilight says as she had finished all five. Twilight looks a little surprised. "Well, that's…impressive." "It was easier than waiting for the chowder to cool." M. Twilight says. Twilight smiles before picking up a machine gun and tossing it to her. "Then gear up. We got a big mission." "Station firing sequence has been initialized. Docking sequence overridden." They heard a voice as they look out of the cockpit and see the station in front of them come apart. "Docking procedures will resume upon completion of firing sequence." They then watch as the central cylinder start to grow apart and bigger before a countdown begins and starts to fire an orange beam down to the planet and almost make a dome shape explosion. "That's one hell of a weapon." Zagai commented. Alexander nods. "Yeah, the commander wasn't kidding." After a while, the shuttles starts to move again until a voice came over the radio. "We need to verify your docking code. Stand by to transmit." Twilight looks a little worried. "Does anypony have the code?" Everypony looks worried as well back to her before looking back outside. "Repeat. Transmit your code. If you do not transmit your code, you'll be treated as an enemy vessel." Twilight is now internally packing. "Anypony, please tell me you have some codes?" M. Twilight steps up and clears her throat before imitating a guard quite well. "F7K546EFUJFRS4." "Code accepted, we will inform the staff to get ready to load the supplies aboard. Please dock in docking bay 5 and wait." The voice says. Twilight looks to her other half. "How are we going to sneak aboard though? They have different outfits then us and I doubt we would change." M. Twilight smiles. "No need. Now I just need a suit." She said looking around at the dead bodies. "This would do." She said starting to undo everything on the pony. "Head on out, they would think you're just receiving cargo." "Right." Nikolai says a little skeptical. "You know, it was good to talk to some mare who might actually understand me a bit." M. Twilight says as Twilight leaves. Twilight smiles as they all step out. "How are we getting in?" "Ex-NEVEC! They're here!" A guard yells as he runs back to the base. Everypony growls as they ready their weapons. "They must have been alerted and warned their guards to change their outfits." Zagai said. "I'm here." M. Twilight said coming out and sees guards coming at them. "What I miss?" "They have different uniforms up here." Twilight says. M. Twilight looks as all the weapons trained on them. "Grab the data post on the way so I can have a constant connection and get around the station. There is a cargo hold for VS's that will take us inside." She said running down the ramp. Nikolai looks a little skeptical. "Why should we trust her?" Twilight sighs. "Because she wants to see Lightning again and she won't risk hurting her last chance to at least talk to him." Alexander nods. "Well, let's not keep out welcoming party waiting." He said running up the ramp. Twilight and M. Twilight get to the data post as M. Twilight works while Twilight watches her back for her. "So, what work did you do up here?" Twilight asks. "Research, development, etc." M. Twilight says as Twilight shot at a few guards keeping them pinned down. "Got it." She said as the data post rises up and activates. They both run past the guards as Twilight drops a grenade which makes them all get blown over the side. "That was…kinda fun. Playing a different side." M. Twilight said. Twilight smiles as they run to the next post as Nikolai, Alexander and Zagai were way ahead of them. "Yeah, it kinda does, doesn't it?" She said as they reach the next one and Twilight protects her while M. Twilight activates the post. This whole process continued until they all ended up pinned in a cargo hold. "Any ideas?" Zagai asks as he took cover behind the wall as it was pounded by bullets and lasers. Twilight watches the stallion debate about the whole thing before M. Twilight pokes her and points to the cargo behind them. "Try that." Twilight looks confused as she steps up to it. "Try firing your thermal energy into the top bar." M. Twilight said as she fumbles with Twilight's harmonizer and switches something. "Like a weapon." Twilight raises her hoof and fires a shot of thermal energy at the cargo box. "More." She kept firing until the box dings and it starts to open up, revealing a VS. "That's supposed to be in low gravity environments. Like an aquatic animal. Use while flying around the outside and give us cover." Twilight smiles before stepping in the sharp looking VS. "Ready." A voice said before Twilight hits another button and closes the hatch. "Initializing." The voice said as the VS powered up and Twilight takes a few steps before running and then jumping in the open before changing and then flying around and then starting to fire after she turned around. The males watch as Twilight starts to destroy most of the turrets and then work on the walking VS's. "How did she get so good?" Zagai asks. "You do know what you are doing right?" M. Twilight asks from the back seat of the surprising two seater VS. Twilight grins. "Nope. Lightning taught me, when in doubt, try everything and memorize the most important parts." "Watch your walking, you're barely keeping us stable." M. Twilight says holding onto her seat tightly. Twilight mumbles a quick apology before destroying the last VS in the area. "Okay, that's the last of them. Now let's hurry inside." She said walking them to the corridor inside while the others followed close by. After a while they entered the base and came out of the tube corridor that lead them to the firing chamber. "That's the weapon, huh?" Twilight asks as they all stand by a charger. "Can't say, first time I have seen it." M. Twilight says. Twilight sighs in a bit of relief as she felt the thermal flowing through her suit. "That's better. I'm ready to go, you guys?" She asks reloading her guns. Zagai groans before running and then jumping into the firing tube. No sooner than that, they hear bullets and lasers during all over the place. The other stallions shake their heads before running after him and into the tube, leaving Twilight and M. Twilight. "We need to head to the top. That's where the control booth is." She said. Twilight nods before holding a hoof to her ear. "Guys, go up, we need to get to the top." She said before running to the ramp on the side with M. Twilight following right behind her. After a lot of climbing, lot of turrets and VS's they finally get to the booth. "I am never doing that again." Twilight growls as they head inside. "And those stallions are having too much fun." M. Twilight says and Twilight finally noticed she had a short tomstallion style of mane causing her to stare. M. Twilight looks at her while she stared. "What?" "Hum, why is your mane like that?" Twilight asks. "Really, is now the best time?" M. Twilight asks. "Sorry, but you get caught up in the little details too." Twilight says. "Touché." M. Twilight replies. Twilight kept staring until she looks back at the stallion and goes up to them. "How far are we?" A voice suddenly sounded off. "Phase one of irradiation complete. Commencing one-hour cooling period." Alexander tosses her a PDA. "Hack into the mainframe and upload the program from the PDA. Relay as much data as you can retrieve back to the surface." He said as everypony else plugs in their PDA's. "Warning! Security breach. Bypassing preliminary defense. Initiating Level Four action." The voice said. Zagai bangs his hand on the controls. "Damn it! The code's been changed." Nikolai hits a few random keys in frustration. "We're screwed. The PDA set off a security protocol." Alexander glares at him. "Then do something about it." Zagai groans. "Alright! Give me some breathing room!" "All facility compartments will self-destruct as a security precaution." The voice said. "Um…stallion." M. Twilight trying to get their attention while they keep arguing. Twilight pokes her, getting her attention. "Don't bother. When stallions get this involved, nothing can stop them." Zagai then shoves Alexander. "We just might have a shot at taking control of that cannon after all." Alexander looks outside. "What do we need to do?" "All areas outside the cannon facility block will be discarded." The voice said. Zagai smiles as he hits one final key. "The locks are off! Here they come!" They all look outside and see four section of the room rise up. "Launching escape VSs. Evacuate the facilities immediately." "And we are just draining the power here and…" M. Twilight says. "Self destruct aborted." The voice said says as it lost all power and shutdowns. All the males look back at her. "What the fuck…just happened?" Alexander asks as the areas opened up to four VSs. "Mare power." Both Twilights say hoof bumping. The males groan before they look outside and sees the VSs. "What is that?" Alexander asks. Zagai grins. "That, my pony friend, is an operational space VS with GPS integration. We should be able to use them to control and aim the cannon once we're back down on the planet." Both the Twilight look to the four VSs before they realized something. "There are only four." M. Twilight said. "I…might have to stay." "Let's check and see if there is a two seater first then make that call." Twilight says. M. Twilight looks to her before they hear something and sees two VSs coming in and then another VS come in that look like the space VS. "Goddamnit!" Alexander yells as they head out. Both Twilight's look to each before heading out as well. "We need to get the GPS units planetside. We cannot lose those VSs. Understood?" Alexander asks as he rushes into his. "Go, Lightning will need you." Twilight says to M. Twilight. M. Twilight looks to the VSs winding up their weapons as the stallions get into their VSs. "No, I can't leave you here." She said looking back at her. "Don't worry, I have something that will protect me. Besides we both know your knowledge will be invaluable to them." Twilight says tossing her into the VS. M. Twilight looks to her. "Twilight…" She looks to the controls before looking back at her. "Get in. We're dealing with these bozos." "There is the determination to fight Lightning beat into us." Twilight says teleporting into the VS. They look at the small size and one chair. "This will be awkward." M. Twilight said as she adjust sitting on Twilight's lap. "Don't think of that, focus on launchin…is that an exposed fuel tank?" Twilight asks. M. Twilight looks out as well. "Yep, some VSs have those weaknesses." Twilight takes a closer look. "This VS we're in and that one there, what is the series name?" M. Twilight looks at it. "The PTX series. Why?" "I have an idea. Can we knock one of them into that fuel tank and destroy it resulting a chain effect destroying this station?" Twilight asks. M. Twilight looks at her shocked. "Didn't you hear those guys? They need to use the cannon. We can't destroy it." "But didn't we deactivate the gravitational systems?" Twilight asks. M. Twilight shakes her head. "No, emergency systems wouldn't allow that. They aren't destroying it, they're taking it over from the looks of it." "Wait, didn't they transport akrid up here, did they?" Twilight asks out of the blue. M. Twilight looks to her. "Yeah, why?" "Um…we might want to leave now." Twilight says as they heard gunfire coming from where the VSs came from. "We shut off the containment systems, didn't we?" M. Twilight asks with a neutral tone. "Sounds like it." Twilight replies with equal neutrality. M. Twilight looks to her. "Let's deal with them quickly. The guys might have weakened them enough." BOOM "Please don't tell me the akrids are destroying vital systems to get to the thermal energy." M. Twilight says. Twilight quickly activities the VS. "Initializing." The voice said. Twilight quickly moves and turns on the dash and moves around quickly. She then sees some three VSs hanging around a pool of thermal energy. She moves quickly and moves over it which she then collects. "That was a VS. We need to get the grid back up." M. Twilight looks around. "We need to allow the power to collect itself before we could even think of that. It should take a few minutes." "Um…what happens when an akrid ingests large amounts of thermal energy?" Twilight asks. M. Twilight sighs. "Well…they grow slightly bigger and thicker armor." "And if they say…ingest all of the thermal energy powering the cannon?" Twilight asks. "That is oddly specific, but if you can kill it then the energy will spill out and the collectors will grab the energy and funnel it back into the system and…there's one here, isn't there?" She asks. Twilight nods and points to an akrid right in front of them. Both Twilight's watch before the akrid roars in their face and then swipes at them, making Twilight jumps before turning on the boosters and holding them there. "You said, kill and then spill right?" Twilight asks. M. Twilight nods as she holds onto her. "Yeah, just get it in the middle area for maximum collection. This place needs all the energy it can get." She says as everypony started to fire on the crab like creature. The three other stallions starts to dash around as Twilight tried to stay as much as she can in the air. As the four fought on the ground, Twilight saw an orange spot on its back and starts to fire on it before letting the boost go and landing on it. She looks to the arm before hitting a button that releases a chainsaw and revs it up before slicing it into the creature. The creature roars as it runs around before ending up into the middle of the room and getting stuck in the pillars and holes on the ground. Twilight uses the chainsaw and rips open the armor and starts firing into it, making it squeal as the others try to distract it. The akrid suddenly jumps up a little, making Twilight get off the back and straight into another pillar. The crash knocks Twilight on the head and knocks her out. "Twilight? Twilight?!" M. Twilight asks shaking her. She hears her groan before M. Twilight moves her slightly and gets in the seat and places Twilight on her lap. M. Twilight gets the VS up again as the akrid lashes with its claws at them as they move away. M. Twilight starts firing at the weak point as it starts to turn dark red before the akrid squeals before it stops moving and cracking up and getting frozen. After that, the shell cracks open and large amount of thermal energy spill out and the collectors started to get them and starts to power everything up again. M. Twilight quickly moves away and off to the side. "Twilight?" She asks worried while shaking her. Twilight groans before opening her eyes and looking at her. "Nice job." She said smiling. M. Twilight smiles as well before their hatch was opened. "Hey, you two o…whoa." Alexander said seeing the scene before them. "Are we interrupting something?" "You pick up the shotgun I had?" Twilight asks M. Twilight. M. Twilight grins bringing out a shotgun from beside them. "Right here." Twilight smiles and takes it before looking at it. "And now my favorite line 'I have a shotgun.'" Zagai backs off. "I'm out." He said before taking out his PDA and messing with it. The next thing Alexander knew he was hit in the face with the butt of the shotgun, making Nikolai chuckle. "You know, this entire mission will fail if we can't get out of here." Zagai said. Nikolai looks to him. "Have you made contact yet?" Zagai looks over his PDA. "Signal's weak, but it will go through." Soon a garbled voice comes through the radio. "Can you pick up?" They heard. Zagai groans. "Not clearly, but we're still picking you up. We're starting our data transmission." Alexander groans as he got back up. "I'll have to give you the sit-rep now, sir." "Hold on." M. Twilight says starting to mess with the system. Everypony looks to her. "What are you doing?" Alexander asks. M. Twilight sighs before holding up a radio receiver. "Lightning." "Twi…ht I…th…t…you?" Lightning asks coming up better and better. M. Twilight smiles. "Yeah, it's me. Listen, I'm sorry for what I did. It wasn't right. I want to make it up to you. Let me help with the mission." "Men, send her back here. We will need her here soon." Lightning says. Both Twilights smile as they hear that. "Thank you Lightning." M. Twilight said. "Don't thank me yet." Lightning said. Alexander clears his throat. "Anyway, once we reach the surface, we'll be able to target with the cannon there. We were also able to procure some reentry-capable VSs, but now we're trapped inside the facility, and we can't blast our way out without the…" "I'm aware of the situation. I'm working on my end to open up those locks." Lightning said. Everypony looks confused. "Sir…? But…how?" Alexander asks. Lightning is silent for a bit. "Let's just say I have some connections in NEVEC." "Disengaging locks." The voice said. Soon afterward, the grid that came up again, went down as running footsteps came in and four NEVEC soldiers came up to them, but didn't draw their weapons. Talion hopped into another snow bank as he and Typhoon walked around the city in their winter clothes. "So what should we give mom and dad?" She asks after a while. Talion hurries to catch up before walking at her pace as a few guards follow behind them. "Candy?" He offers. Typhoon hits him. "I'm serious. It has to be something good." Talion thinks for a few. "Maybe…" He blushes slightly. "A dance?" Typhoon stops and looks at him. "A dance?" Talion nods. "Yeah, we can put on a show for everypony. Maybe with some good music too." Typhoon opens her mouth to speak before closing it again as she thinks about it. "That might work. But which song are we going to do? Dad probably has heard every single one here and our moms probably heard everything over in our other home." Talion hmms as he held a thinking pose. "Maybe…" He starts before his ear twitches. "Huh?" He asks himself before walking to the upper city with everypony else following him to near the companion's house and sees a stage set up. "What's this?" He asks. The head guard leans over. "A stage for a performance prince." Talion looks at him before looking back at the stage and sees a mare and stallion setting up something. "Excuse me?" He asks running up to them. The guards goes wide eye before running past him and blocks anyway in front of him. The mare and stallion both look to the line of guards as a little colt climbs on top of them. "What were you saying?" He asks. The mare and stallion look to each other before looking back to him. "We were just practicing our lead song for our concert. Why?" The mare asks. Talion smiles. "Does it have a boy and girl part in it?" The mare and stallion look to each other again before looking back at him. "Um…yeah, most of the song in fact. Why?" The stallion asks. Talion claps his hooves. "Yes, this song is perfect!" He cheers. The mare and stallion both look confused as the stallion scratches his head. "Perfect for what?" The mare asks. Typhoon squeezes her way through the guards' legs before popping out and into a snow bank. She then pops her head up. "For our moms and dad. We want to give them a dance and song." Both the mare and stallion look to each other surprised before looking back at them. "And…who's your moms and dad?" The stallion asks. Both the foals pointed to the keep. "They live in there." They both said harmonically. The mare and stallion looked shocked as they look to the keep and looking back at the smiling foals. "One moment, please." The mare said before grabbing the stallion and pulling him away. After they were far enough away they turned to each other. "Did we just get approached by the foals of the Jarl to sing for their parents?" The stallion asks in disbelief. "Yes, I think so." The mare says. The stallion sighs. "So what should we do? We only got a permit for this area for the holiday and then we have to get the heck out of dodge. The Jarl is holding a public celebration in the keep, but these foals want us to help them perform to their parents. What are we going to do?" "We talk to our sponsor first. If he is told of this he might help." The mare says. The stallion snorts. "And if word gets out that we turned down the foals because it wasn't worth it?" The mare sighs. "We'll see. Now then…" She said before walking back up to the foals. "We have to talk a bit more before we can come up with something." The foals brings their heads down as they sigh heavily. "Okay." They said in unison before the guards pick up Typhoon and they all walk off. The mare sighs as they walk off. "Okay, that could have gone better. When foals hear it will take a bit longer or later, it basically means no to them." "Let's hope we can find our sponsor, oh hey, you're helping with the set?" The stallion asks confused. The mare looks back at him with a slight angry look. "Of course, we both have the main part in this performance and we both do our part." The stallion backs off slightly. "Geez, take it easy. It's just you've been a bit tired." The mare shakes herself before picking up a box. "Let's just hurry up." She said walking off. The stallion sighs. "Mares. I was also talking to our sponsor!" He said to himself picking up a box and calling to the mare. "Hold your fire, men. You can trust them." Lightning said as both Twilights and the others aimed their weapons at the NEVEC troops. Alexander looks up slightly before he pushes Nikolai's gun down as some of the NEVEC troops goes past them to the control booth. The one left behind walks up to Alexander. "We can only hold the locks open for so long. You need to get back to the surface, now." Alexander looks to the other troops before looking back at him. "What about you?" The troop sighs. "We'll handle things here." Alexander keeps looking at him before nodding and waves off the others, which makes them run to their VSs and get in. The trooper walks to the control booth as he holds up a hoof to his helmet. "We'll provide support while you target with the cannon from down there." "Thank you. All of you." Lightning said. "I have one more favor to ask you." The soldier stops. "What is it?" "I want you to send a message through NEOS to everypony on E.D.N. III." Lightning said. The soldier inwardly smiles. "I'll see what I can do." Twilight sighs as she guides the VS with everypony else as they fly down to the planet while M. Twilight sat a little happy in her lap. "The cannon's cooling phase is almost complete. It'll probably enter the second phase of irradiation as you enter the atmosphere. Set it to activate as soon as you touch down." The NEVEC soldier said over the radio. Alexander's sigh is then heard over the radio. "Copy that, everypony ready?" Zagai chuckles. "Yes, sir." Nikolai smiles. "Good here." Twilight smiles as she looks to M. Twilight who smiles back. "We're good here." Alexander nods. "Alright, men. We're going home." They all pulled back on the throttle before pushing forward. "Yes, sir!" Everypony said as they launch off to the planet. Twilight chuckles. "Every bit of exciting you hoped it would be if you joined?" She asks M. Twilight. "I think I'm going to be sick." M. Twilight says looking a little green. Twilight smiles. "Well you might to hang on, something is coming up." "There's a minefield directly in the path of your re-entry route. You've going to have to make your way through it if you want to get back." The NEVEC soldier said. M. Twilight looks greener as Twilight moves around while firing all the mines in their path. "Having fun yet?" Twilight asks humorously. "I'm targeting you now." M. Twilight says. Twilight laughs out loud as the radio beeps again. "Calling all Snow Pirates on E.D.N. III. I have a warning of utmost urgency. The military forces you know as NEVEC are planning something that will be catastrophic for all who dwell on this planet. I know this because I used to work for NEVEC. I believed in their goal to bring order to this planet. Now I know that goal was a lie, and their true aims have always been to amass Thermal Energy. That is why I abandoned NEVEC. Now they are trying to awaken the slumbering Over G Akrid that lies beneath the planet surface, and this will unleash massive amounts of Thermal Energy. NEVEC will take all this Thermal Energy and then abandon the planet to its fate." Lightning said. Twilight grins. "We just need some good music for this." She as they start to fly into the asteroid field. "But that is not all. If NEVEC is not stopped, and we do not prevent the awakening of the Over G, then the sudden and terrible introduction of such large quantities of Thermal Energy will set off a reaction that will freeze this planet to its very core and kill everyone and everything living here. For the better part of a century, you assumed that any land you had could be lost at any time, and if that happened, you would just start over somewhere else. But there is nowhere else this time. Our place is here, on this planet. Our ancestors built a place for themselves here thanks to their indomitable spirit and the strength of their resolve. Now it is time to tap into that same resolve to protect what they struggled to build. To all Snow Pirates on E.D.N. III: if you can hear my voice, then I beseech you to put aside your differences and stand with me as one. Let us show NEVEC what happens when they threaten our home." Lightning finishes. "That's Lightning for you." M. Twilight says. Twilight smiles. "Yeah, he can make even the biggest hiders come out and fight to the death if it means for their home." She said as they enter the atmosphere. "Wait, you said that if you had experience with such situations." M. Twilight says. Twilight nods. "Yeah, entering a war is not fun, but Lightning can sure lead an army to what he needs them to do, even civilians to run who are completely stubborn. In fact, I might be side dealing with a war soon." She said as the cabin turns red. "Hull breach detected." The A.I. said. Twilight growls as she tries to level out. "Fantastic. Hold on." The VS shakes as the heavy gravity pulls them down against the atmosphere and threatens to rip them apart. Looking at the side screens, she can see the others losing their parts of their VSs while she lost her arms in the end and then hits the ground hard. Twilight grunts as she hits her head again while M. Twilight hangs on to her. After a while, they finally come to a complete stop. "Heavy damage sustained. Mobility systems inoperable. Touchdown point off target, northwest plus twenty. Surface temperature is minus one hundred fifteenth…one hundred twenty." The A.I. said. Twilight groans as she holds her head. "If I keep hitting my head like this, I want to be paid to do it." M. Twilight looks over the readings. "Already one hundred twenty below freezing. That akrid will turn this planet into an ice cube if what Lightning said is true." "I'm inclined to agree as Lightning doesn't lie about such things." Twilight said. M. Twilight sighs. "Open up." "Ready to open hatch. Unlocking outer shell." The A,I, said. Twilight groans as she slowly moves out as the hatch opens up to show the heavy snowstorm outside. "Anypony still alive?" Twilight asks over the radio. A few crackles were heard. "Zagai here. Going to need a guidance point." "Nikolai here, I'm going to need the same thing as feather brain." Nikolai said. "What was that, lead wing?" Zagai asks angrily. "Quiet! Twilight, you and the other Twilight find a data post. There has to be one around here. We'll use it as our starting position." Alexander orders. Twilight looks around and sees M. Twilight already a bit ahead of her. "Copy that." "Don't forget to take the GPS units. We're going to need them." Zagai told them. M. Twilight digs away snow before taking out her PDA and pressing a few buttons as the data post she dug out, rises up before activating. "You guys got a waypoint?" She asks. "Copy that." They said. Twilight steps up beside her. "So…most fun ever?" She asks with a grin. M. Twilight at that point puked onto the snow. Twilight smiles as she pats her back. "Don't worry. You'll be fine soon." "Just so ya know, I blame you." M. Twilight says. Twilight leans down to her. "Why is that?" "You had the controls." M. Twilight reminds. Twilight smirks. "Do you want to drive next time?" "Yes." M. Twilight says deadpanned. Twilight sighs. "Well, I can move faster like my counter on thermal energy." She pauses. "Wait." She looks down at her counter for thermal energy and sees it going up steadily. "What? How is that possible?" "Oh that can't be good." M. Twilight says looking at it. "Twilight and…Twilight." Alexander yells as the stallions come close. "Are you alright?" Twilight shows her counter. "What is this about?" Zagai grabs her foreleg and looks it over before leaning down to the ground and starts to dig away at some snow underneath them. The others watch in confusion until they see glowing orange coming out of the snow. Zagai then pulls at a huge amount of snow and reveals a flowing thermal energy river. "Over G is causing this. The river is flowing…" He points at it and moves his finger to the dome over in the distance. "There. The Over G itself." "We have the worst luck ever." M. Twilight says to Twilight. Twilight nods, but then steps in the river and watches her counter go up faster. "At least this is one less thing to worry about. We got unlimited energy." Zagai nods. "Yes, but that means we are running out of time. We have to hurry." He said grabbing his weapon and running off. The others run after him as more rivers starts to melt through the snow and they pass a base, which Nikolai and Alexander run in and they come back out with slightly different equipment. After going halfway through the field and more rivers start to pop out and grow wider with pools coming out when they feel a shake, making them stop. Twilight looks around. "What is that?" She asks trying to keep her balance. They all look around and then a large worm like akrid come out of the ground and roars at them. "Undeep!" Alexander yells. "Spread out and hit the circle spots on the side." He said running away while everypony else runs another way. Twilight and M. Twilight run one way before Twilight hits something that made her land on her back. "Ow!" M. Twilight helps her up. "What the heck did you…?" She looks over to the half covered VS in the snow. "Twilight, I think you might like this one." Twilight looks up and sees the half buried VS and hurries up to the VS and starts to dig away at the snow before revealing the same VS they came in on, but smaller and a different color. "Jackpot." "Mine." M. Twilight said as she started up the VS and makes it stand up. "Sorry, but I did help make a redesign on this." Twilight frowns. "No fair." "You snooze you lose." M. Twilight says. Twilight huffs. "Whatever, just get that thing going and shoot those worms. Keep that thing alive, Lightning would like it." She said before running off to the ice wall ahead. M. Twilight smiles before closing the hatch and then activating the boosters and starts gliding all over the place. "Guys, get rid of the snow around anything you find sticking around the ground. It could a data post or more weapons, especially for my VS here." She said as the worm's tail come out of the ground and starts firing something out of the end and around the area. M. Twilight moves around as she fires the gatling guns all the while at the spots on its side until its head came out and then she switches over to that one. Twilight meanwhile has finally met up with the others at the ice wall as they all stand in a pool of thermal energy. "How could all this thermal energy be coming out now and making this much?" She asks as they aim at the worms from away the main snow area. "Either it's the Over G or NEVEC." Nikolai says lifting a rocket launcher over his shoulder and firing. Twilight watches as M. Twilight moves around so quick and in a circle around the worm while firing like crazy. "But now?" Alexander throws a laser rifle for a VS near them before grabbing a rocket launcher from his back and firing as well. "Maybe the Over G is preparing its final form. We have to kill it before it gets to that." They were stopped when the worms roars before falling down into the snow and then freezing up before shattering. Twilight watches as M. Twilight collects all the pools before coming over to them and opening the hatch. "Told you I'm a better driver." She said laying back in her seat. "Yeah, yeah." Twilight says. "And have the better mane style." M. Twilight adds. Twilight shakes her hoof at her. "Now that's a lie." "Oh you're just jealous." M. Twilight says. Twilight huffs and sits down while turning away from her. "Am not." The others just watch as the two bicker. "Report on the situation." Lightning's voice asks through the radio. "Giant bucking worms!" M. Twilight yells into the communicator. Lightning shoves the PDA away from his ear as it squealed. "I see." Alexander sighs. "We've taken up position at the Over G, but there's a barrier preventing us from moving in." Lightning looks confused. "What kind of barrier?" Alexander looks to the wall. "I'm not sure, but it would take a lot of firepower to penetrate it." A dark chuckle is then heard from the radio. "You're gonna need something big." A female voice said. "Who is this? Identify yourself." Lightning demanded. "You want to take down that barrier? We got what you're looking for." The voice said. Twilight turns to her radio. "Applejack?" "Been a while Twi." Applejack says. Twilight stutters. "Wha…what happened?" Applejack smiles. "Same old, same old, you know. Fighting NEVEC, getting some thermal energy for us to live, and, oh yeah, getting this bucking rail gun to you!" "Hey, that's my design!" M. Twilight yells. Applejack huffs. "Buck you. It's ours now. Anyway we got our own reasons for doing this that have nothing to do with helping you. Once that barrier is down, you're on your own." "Just don't get yourselves killed." M. Twilight says with a small huff. A pause is heard. "Did she just say what I think she just said?" Applejack asks. "Eyup." Big Mac says. "Oh yeah. That is some different Twilight than what we are used to." Applebloom said. "Yehaa!" Granny says driving the train. Everypony shakes their head at that. "Granny, calm down, we have get there steady or we're flying off the tracks." Applejack said. "Class G!" Applebloom yells pointing to the side. Applejack rushes to the controls while Big Mac activates the turning controls. When she was lined up, Applejack fired point blank making the worm squeal and then collapse as they sped off. "We are going off the rails on this crazy thing!" Apple Bloom yells as she hung on. The train then wobbled as the force caused it to lift its side while another worm came up on the other making them turn that way before hitting the worm with the barrel and then firing less than a few feet away and righting themselves on the tracks. "Let's not do that again." Applejack said as the gun rotated forward again. Applebloom immediately activates the crane and grabs a shell before placing it in the barrel line before doing it again while Big Mac was on the charger. Applejack sighs and looks ahead of them and sees something you don't see very often. "Ah buck. Move it!" She said before running to the controls. Applebloom grabs a shell off the crane and then throws it down into the barrel line while Big Mac bucks the last one straight into the gun and then moves the new shell into the charger. "Eat this!" Applejack yells, hitting the controls and making it fire the gun, making it hit the mass of worms that were in front of them which then makes them jump the tracks and fly in the air with their back of the train still hanging on. "Turn it!" Applejack yells. Applebloom quickly goes to the turning controls and turns the gun to point to the barrier before Applejack fires the enhanced shell. "Hit the dirt!" M. Twilight yells gliding off to the side. The others follow and then ducks as the shell hits the wall. "Direct hit! Out path is clear! Go!" Alexander yells. Applejack smiles as the train lands on the ground before looking ahead and then sees something. "Buck! It's still not enough. Move outta the way, we are coming through!" She yells as she and the others hangs on to the train now completely off the rails and just gliding toward the barrier. Everypony moves off more to the side as the rail gun then smashes into the wall and crashes straight through it. Twilight looks up as the dust settled. "Now that's one way to get rid of a wall." "Applejack, Applebloom, Big Mac, Granny Smith!" M. Twilight yells as she glides to the wreckage. Twilight and the others run after her and find M. Twilight looking down at the group on the ground with her hatch open. Applejack was just waving her off as the rail gun turns slightly and fires into the mess of akrid ahead of them. "Twilight let's go, they faced tougher, that I know." Twilight said as she runs up to them. "Oh, now that is bucking ridicules!" Applebloom yells pointing towards what was ahead. "Eyup." Big mac agrees. Applejack was just stuck staring at the two Twilights. "Now there's something you don't see every day." "Confounded worms wrecked our toy!" Granny yells. Twilight smiles as she watches the family mess with whatever the rail gun had left and kept firing into the akrid mess. "I hope we meet again Applejack. Your little lifestyle…looks kinda fun." Applejack stares at her and then smiles. "You are definitely not Twilight. The one I know likes to be rough and mean. You're most likely a clone." "Twilight come on!" Zagai yells. Both Twilight look at the stallions, but then looks back at Applejack worried. Applejack just smiles. "It's alright. Just end this thing. After all it did bury our town, so we need some form of revenge. Now go get them!" Both Twilights nods before running off and gliding off to the others and then stops a little away. "Twilight, do you see many big spawners in front of you?" M. Twilight asks. "Yes." Twilight says before M. Twilight takes a deep breath and starts spewing forth every profanity she could think off in her frustration. M. Twilight smiles as she keeps yelling like crazy before she stops. "Thank goodness. Alright Twilight, let me drive for this." "Ahhh!" Twilight whines. M. Twilight smiles as she then glides around and starts firing at every big spawner there is while Twilight catches up with the others and starts helping with the akrid already out and the little ones. "I really wanted to drive that thing on the ground." Zagai chuckles as he grab her and pulls her away before firing right to the side of her. "Just relax, you might have your chance soon." Twilight huffs. "Yeah, whatever and can you please let me go now?" Zagai chuckles. "What? I thought you like being held." A crack is heard and Zegai now has a gun bent over his head. "Do I even need to say the line?" Twilight said. Zagai groans as he holds his head. "Can I even be the least bit romantic here?" "I am taken, I have a mare of my own." Twilight says and everything seemed to stop and stare including the Akrids and M. Twilight stopped the VS to stare at her. "Did…you say mare?" Alexander asks. "Yes." Twilight says. Everything still stopped, even the giant orange eye thing that came out of the wall. "How and who?" Zagai asks. "A mare never tells." Twilight says. Zagai nods. "Okay." He said before taking a rocket launcher and firing it at the giant eye, thus restarting the mess of a fight. Soon after everything was down and all the data post activated with all the ammo collected, everypony decided to stand in the many pools and rivers of thermal energy. "Apparently there are many pathways through this city. Best way is high and through small places." Alexander said looking at his PDA. Meanwhile M. Twilight, having lost her VS, was just staring at Twilight now. Twilight notices the stare. "What?" "Now I know why you like that hair style. Your long hair attracts other mares' attention." M. Twilight says. Twilight just looks confused. "What? Of course not. She just likes me because of our history together. Not many mares like this mane style." "Yeah and a lot of stallions like mine." M. Twilight says. Twilight smiles. "Lightning may like it. You attract a lot more attention because your mane and the overall look contrast each other so that attracts a lot more attention…" Twilight's eyes widen. 'Wait a second.' Twilight thought over the mares Lightning was with. "Short cut, ruffed up and a rough lifestyle. He would definitely like you." She said looking back at her. "What are you on about?" M. Twilight asks an eyebrow raised like Applejack. Twilight smiles. "Lightning would definitely like you now with your mane and everything like that, especially with your rough enough attitude. I think Lightning likes that sort of mares." "R…really?" M. Twilight asks tracing a hoof in a small circle. Twilight nods. "I'm sure of it. Just…be nice, but a little rough around him and maybe nice around everypony else." Nikolai clears his throat. "Um…mares, is this the time or place for this?" Both mares blushes. "Sorry." They said together. Zagai sighs. "Let's go." He said leaving the pool, now full of thermal energy. Everyone starts to follow him as their counters kept stopping at their max number until they enter a new area as spawners and akrids come out and, to top it off, the giant eye thing is back. "Here we go again." Alexander said before firing wildly as he runs into the fray. Talion yawns as he stood on top of the guard's head. "You got any other ideas for a present for mom and dad? It's almost halfway through the week and we still have nothing." He asks his sister. Typhoon shrugs as she makes drawings in the snow. "I don't know, just a simple present is not enough." "Maybe I can help." A familiar voice says behind them. Turning around, they see Daring standing there. Both foals look confused. "Mom, what are you doing here?" Typhoon asks. "Well you have been out for a while and you forgot these." Daring says starting to put scarfs on them. Typhoon snuggles into her scarf. "Thanks mom." Talion sighs. "We still need a present." "You two are just so sweet." Daring says ruffling Talion's mane. Talion pushes her hoof away and tries to fix his mane. "I'm serious. What are we going to give? We already tired with one and that's no good." "You don't need to think too hard on it." Daring says picking him up and putting him on her back. Talion groans. "Come on mom. What can we give them? We've bomb on one." Typhoon then hops onto her back. "Yeah, we already tried with that mare and stallion who sings. We wanted to try that, but couldn't." "Let me guess, unforeseen circumstances?" Daring do asks. Both foals look to each other confused. "Whatever that is, then yes." Typhoon said. Daring chuckles. "Come on you two, how about we get back before your uncle Entei sends out a search party." The foals sighs. "Fine." They said. "Excuse me?!" A voice asks which makes the guards turn and draw their weapons on the mare and stallion in front of them and makes them stop right at the tip of their weapons. Daring's smirk goes unseen as the guards let the two ponies walk up at weapon point. "Hello, did you need something?" The mare nods. "Yes, can we do a private party for your family as a present?" She asks making the foals ears perk up. The two foals then start celebrating on Daring's back and Daring turns to them. "I think that is a yes." The mare and stallion breathe a sigh of relief. "Good, our sponsor will allow this because of the fame we will get. But we want to make some family happy." "Oh, don't worry about that." Daring says smiling. The mare and stallion nods. "Good, we just need to set everything up and those foals." The stallion said. "Don't worry, they will be ready." Daring says. The mare shakes her head. "No, we mean we need those foals to train them a bit. We kinda figure of letting them sing and dance a little." "Very well, but you will have to put up with the guards." Daring says. The mare and stallion eyes the guards still having some weapons out. "I'm…sure we can do that." The stallion said. "Good. You will see them every morning starting tomorrow." Daring says walking off with the guards following. The mares and stallion watch as they walk away. "Can't believe that happened. At least we got some foals to train, you think you could help keep them under control?" The stallion asks. "Oh, I have a way with foals." The mare says smiling. The stallion just chuckles before hooking a hoof around her. "Come on, let's go get something to eat before heading back." After a while of clearing more areas and activating a lot of data post, they finished and stand in more pools. "We can't keep doing this." Nikolai says. "We're tired as it is." He said eyeing the mares now panting in exhaustion. They then see the path leads into a tendril that looks to go to the center. "Convenient." Zagai said. Alexander collects the last ammo pack on the ground and looks to the tendril. "Move out." The radio then beeps. "Launch all your GPS units into the core. The satellite will pick up their signals and use them to target the laser blast." Lightning's assistant said as they enter the tendril. Twilight pants as they run through the tunnel. "How far?" M. Twilight then looks up and sees a hole before launching a grapple on her own and jumping out of the hole. Everypony else follows her as they continue to run up the tendril until they enter the open thermal energy filled area. After jumping down and heading almost to the center, a large amount of thermal energy moves up and moves around like a bundle of vines. "Is that…thermal energy? Living thermal energy?" Twilight asks. "You have got to be bucking me." M. Twilight says. The thermal energy mass then actually roars at them and all the rest of the snow pirates who were in there. "Guess not." Alexander said before firing away with his gatling gun. "I think the ends of these things are the weak point. Fire all you got." M. Twilight rushes to the data post and activates it before running off around the area while everypony else fires away. Twilight backs up towards M. Twilight while shooting as she uses her wings to fly up and get some distance. After a while the ends of the thermal energy started to harden and stone up. "Twilight, attach the GPS unit!" Alexander yells. Twilight quickly dives down and takes out the GPS unit and attaches it to the harden part and flies away and lands near them while M. Twilight got back. "Got it." The radio beeps. "Signal detected. We have access to the cannon's controls. Counting down." Twilight and everypony watches as a bright purple beam and white beam start to come together. "Five, four, three, two, one." The team on the station said. Everypony ducks and takes cover. "Fire!" A bright beam of energy came down and made the creature squeal in pain as it brought it down to an even level with the pool of thermal energy. The leftover red beam starts to recede and then disappear. "Direct hit! All supercore activity has ceased!" The team up at the station said. "I'm glad none of us were hi…" Twilight says before noticing nothing was dying and the Over G seemed to be growing more and was even starting to form a barrier out of the organic material above them. "I've got thermal energy readings going off the charts! And it looks like…like the barrier is being reconstituted!" Lightning assistant said. "Shoot it! Destroy the barrier! Hit it with everything you've got!" Everypony in the room immediately turns their attention away from the regrowing Over G and starts firing at the barrier of ice growing above. While they were firing everypony soon noticed something in the sky. "It's now or never! Bring this thing down on the GPS coordinates!" The team at the station orders as the station burns up in the atmosphere while it came down on them. "Oh no." Twilight and M. Twilight say in unison as they noticed it. "Get clear, the cannon is being dropped on it!" Nikolai calls into the communicator on an open frequency to everybody. "We're outta time! It's gonna hit! Everybody, get outta here! Get outta here now!" Lightning's assistant yells. Everybody started to run to where they came from, but the station soon came closer and closer until it started to make a large force, pushing everyone away and sending some flying. Everybody hangs on to the rocks as they try desperately to hang on. Lightning ran to his helicopter when he hears something and stops. "Commander! We need to go, now!" His assistant yells. Lightning just watches the sky. "What's that screaming?" He then sees many akrid flyers starting to head to the Over G and looking like trying to stop the station from falling. Twilight hangs onto the same rock as M. Twilight as her harmonizer goes crazy with the large amount of thermal energy in the air as she watches the akrid flyers go straight toward the falling stallion. "What the hell are they doing?!" She yells. Then everypony was blinded by an incredible flash of light as the station crashes into the Over G and sends everypony away from the shockwave that ensured and into the air. The station then proceed to crash more into the Over G as spews of thermal energy pop out all over the city as everything breaks up and drops into the earth as the thermal energy starts to flood the place. Soon after, everything was quiet and nothing, but the noise of the wind. Lightning groans as he tries to open his eyes as he lies in the cabin of the helicopter he was in. "Sir? Are you alright?" A soldier of his asks. Lightning groans. "I'm alright." He then looks up. "Why's it so dark?" The soldier looks up as well. "It's night out sir." Lightning looks confused. "Already?" The other soldier looks confused as well, but then climbs out with everyone else and lands on…sand? Looking around they can see everything buried under sand and turned off. Lightning walks over to a PTX and checks its status on his PDA. "The thermal energy's not working…" He said in slight surprise. "Commander! The sun's coming up!" His assistant said a little ways away. Lightning walks over, but then walks through, what looks like, water, until it turns bright orange and gives off particles of light. "What is this…?" Everypony else looks at the sea of thermal energy as it spreads wherever it could reach. Everypony starts to help each other, old hated forgotten as they examine the mystery of the sea. Soon the sun comes up enough and they see an island with what's left of the cannon sticking out of it in the middle of the sea of thermal energy. Lightning's assistant just looks confused. "I can't believe it. Look at it all. What happened?" Lightning looks to him for few seconds before looking back at the island. "We did it. We won." He said before shrugging. "At least that's what I'd like to believe." Soon a noise came from behind them and they see a VS's thermal energy tank on it's back starting to power up and collect thermal energy. "We're back online! Looks like the thermal energy still works!" After a while everybody got transport working started to take off on their own to wherever they need to go. Twilight groans as she opens her eyes and see the sea of thermal energy. She then looks around and sees somepony familiar. "Applejack?" "Hey Twilight clone." Applejack says as Twilight noticed Applebloom was piloting. Twilight groans as she tries to stand up. "What happened?" "Um…you tell us." Applebloom says. Applejack just glares at her sister. "Applebloom." She then turns back to Twilight. "We snatched you out of the sky before you guys hit the ground. You're lucky we have quick reflexes." Twilight smiles. "I guess I am…thanks. And the Over G, what happened to it?" Applejack smiles and points to the large island. "It's not going to get any easier, is it?" Lightning assistant asks him. "When was it easy, but for us, probably not. But the planet has survived and will continue to do so with or without us. This place…sometimes it welcomes you like the warm bed of a lover. And I know how that feels. Sometimes it feels like a cold knife at your throat. For those who makes this place their home, that is how it will always be." Lightning asks as more of the snow pirates starts to leave and even be friendly to everyone they called an enemy. Twilight sighs as she steps up to the side of the helicopter door and then turns to Applejack with worry. "They were others with me. Did you get them?" Applejack smiles and points to Big Mac working on the Nikolai while Alexander, Zagai and M. Twilight were laying down. "Told you, quick reflexes." Twilight quickly rushes over to M. Twilight. "Twilight, time to wake up." She said which only made her groans slightly. "Sorry." Twilight said before slapping M. Twilight and waking her up. "Wha…what happened? Last thing I remember, the station was coming down." M. Twilight said. "Take a look for yourself." Twilight says. M. Twilight gets up and follows Twilight to the door and she sees the island with the cannon sticking out of it. "Whoa, that's one way to end it." Everypony then hears a screech which wakes up everypony else as they all get up and look outside to see a strange flying akrid similar to a manta ray flying past them and out towards the sea. Twilight sighs and turns to M. Twilight. "Now…want to finally talk to Lightning personally?" "Oh boy." Applejack and Applebloom said together. M. Twilight sequels before hugging Twilight and jumping a little. "Would I ever?!" She then turns to Applejack. "Can you get us to Lightning?" "Applebloom, get us there before her bouncing causes us to crash." Applejack says. Applebloom giggles before turning the helicopter towards the shore and hurrying up because M. Twilight was now jumping around. After they reach the shore they slow down and starts to land next to the ex-NEVEC soldiers still in the water. M. Twilight quickly jumps out while Twilight, Nikolai, Alexander and Zagai came walking out. Zagai quickly walks over to Twilight. "Just to be clear, you're not interested in males, right?" He whispered. Twilight brings back out the shotgun with an impression of his head in it. Zagai sighs and back off. "Just so you know, give my version a hug back in your world and tell him thanks for everything." "Ok, but in my version you're an adorable penguin." Twilight jokes. Zagai just looks at her strangely. "That was a joke…right?" "I'll leave that for you to figure out." Twilight said as a portal opens up and Lightning is tackled and hugged by M. Twilight which makes Lightning laugh and hug her back. Twilight smiles at the scene before walking to the portal. "Hey Twilight?!" Twilight looks behind her and sees Twilight and Lightning walking to her. "Yeah?" Lightning smiles. "Thanks for bringing her back to me and singing a different tune." M. Twilight snuggles into him. "Yeah, thanks and I got something for you." She said taking something out of her bags. Twilight watches as she brings out a large roll of paper. "Remember what I said about me doing a redesign on that VS, well…" She unrolls the paper to reveal the PTX redesign, including everything about the important parts used. "You can have it." Twilight smiles before scanning it with her horn and looks back to them. "You can keep it now. I'm sure I can use something on it for my world. After all, Lightning did say he likes the PTX VSs." M. Twilight looks to him. "Really now?" "It might take a few years to get advanced enough to make one, I mean the best we have in technology is…well at this point another armor to some extent and half of the stuff it's supposed to have can't be done." Twilight says with an embarrassed smile. Lightning shrugs. "Well, you can make parts of those things, maybe combine it with your own style and parts and whatever else you need. Who knows when you can use something like that or close to it?" Twilight nods. "Well I can try something, but maybe combine my armor with it." Lightning nods. "Well, how about this?" He said taking out his PDA and pressing a few buttons before, to her surprise, show a blueprint on the ground for her. And it was the harmonizer. "This is supposed to be the mass produced one. Last one before that made you addicted to thermal energy, but this is supposed to be fixed in this. Can you try to make something from this?" Twilight smiles and scans the plans for it before nodding. "I'll see what I can do." After finishing she takes a sample of the thermal energy from the sea. Lightning chuckles. "Think you can take it in your world?" "Worth a shot." Twilight says taking a container and storing it inside. M. Twilight giggles. "Well, good luck no trying that." Rainbow clears her throat getting M. Twilight's attention. M. Twilight blushes a bit before backing away slightly. "Oh…hey Rainbow Dash. Sorry for everything and…you know." She said still backing away. "Come here already." Rainbow says dragging M. Twilight back to Lightning and holding her there. "I'm not saying I'm giving you a second chance yet. We will talk and see." Rainbow says. M. Twilight bends her ears back tries to not look at her. "Ummm…okay." She said quietly. "First step." Rainbow says smirking before kissing her. M. Twilight eeps as she kissed while both Twilight and Lightning looks on in amusement. "Well this is a happy ending." Twilight said. "Though, I won't be kissing Rainbow or you anytime soon." She said looking at Lightning. "Yeah, heard you were a fillyfooler." Lightning says half joking. Twilight smiles. "And wasn't joking about it either, but I may have to be both because I may need an heir soon as the plan keeps going." Twilight says before entering the portal, leaving a smiling Lightning. "I must be good there." He said to himself before looking back at the kissing mares. "Oh, this will be a fun marriage." Twilight jolts awake in her bed breathing a little more heavily. "Well I got through another dream and learned something else about myself." She says before feeling around and then hits something metal. "No way. It's not possible." She said before lifting the covers and finds a canister of thermal energy. "Yes! I can't believe that works. Now I just have to replicate it." She then stops. "But…this is nonrenewable energy, it has to be related to something." She said to herself before shrugging and placing the canister of glowing energy on her back. "Okay, first up, eating time." She started to walk out and finds some guards standing outside her door. "Hi boys, think you can help direct me to Lightning and the others?" The guards look at her surprised before nodding and they start walking off to the throne room and finds most of them eating away. "Hey guys, I'm up." She said cheerfully. Lightning checked a clock. "Took you less time than last time." Twilight shrugs. "Maybe because I knew what to do this time and what to watch out for." "Three, two, one." Lightning counts down. "Mommy!" Agni cheers before running to her and hugging her. Twilight laughs as she grabs him. "Hey Agni, has Shadow been nice to you?" Agni nods and nuzzles her until he smells something. "Geez mom, where did you go? The garbage universe?" Twilight flicks his head. "Of course not, I went to an ice planet and had to use the blood of the creatures to survive in the very cold weather." "Oh, he was not who I was counting down for." Lightning says, "What are you talking abooooooooouuuuttttt?!" Twilight yells the last part as she feels herself pull up to the roof by a rope and hanging upside down. Twilight watches as Star and Saber pulls the rope up and down. "You two." She said smiling now. The foals cheer as they hang their aunt in the air. "Okay you two, that's enough. I think your aunt has something to bring to the table from her trip." Lightning said. Star and Saber let's go of the rope and Twilight yells as she falls towards the ground. "OW!" The foals comes into her vision as they looks sadly down at her. "Sorry aunty." Twilight smiles as she rubs her head. "It's alright you guys. It's great to see you again." The foals cheer as she gets up and sits down at the table. "Blueprints please and another surprised I didn't expect." She said bringing out the canister. "I sense powerful fire magic. Maybe even raw fire energy." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "This is supposed to the lifeblood of that entire planet. The creatures use it, it comes from the lava maybe and it's used as fuel and a heat source for the inhabitants. Soon they found a way to use it to heal them based on the creature in the planet." "I see." Lightning says. Twilight then gets a huge smile. "Plus I had a lot of fun piloting a robot through space and somewhat on the ground." She then looks slightly on the side. "Just because you helped with the redesign doesn't mean you can keep using it." "Hoofbell prize attempt?" Lightning asks. Twilight just looks nervously at him. "Well…" She then stops as somepony places blueprint paper in front of her. "Thank you." She then starts to write on it based on the memories she has and soon draws the PTX and harmonizer. "There." She said before giving out the papers to him. "What do you think?" "Beyond us right now. We shall see in the next few years." Lightning says looking them over. Twilight shrugs. "Or maybe place a few things in my armor based on that. Just the ones that work." "Hoofbell award project." Daring whispers to Lightning. Twilight sighs as she looks to the canister. "Still, why did this leave with me? It was…just a dream…right?" Shadow was whistling innocently. Twilight rolls her eyes before grabbing Shadow and placing her in a headlock. "So…care to explain?" Shadow struggles with her. "Wouldn't you like to know?" Twilight frowns before letting go and getting out of her seat and going to Zagai who was standing guard on the side of the room. "Hey feather brain." "Huh?" Zagai asks confused. "It just occurred to me, where is Hurricane and my sister?" Lightning asks. Zagai looks to him. "Last time was in the city when I was flying over for a scout." He then turns back to Twilight. "And what do you want?" Twilight surprises him with a hug that actually makes him drop his weapon in shock. "Ummm…thanks, but why?" "You looked like you could use one." Twilight says. Zagai still looks confused as he pats her head. "Ummm…thanks, but it looks like you need to say something else." Twilight creepily smiles. "Yeah, I do." She said letting go and grabbing his fallen spear. Twilight smiles as she leaves with it as she hears eerily familiar laughter. Twilight stops as Hurricane rises up out of the ground in front of her. "And where do you think of going with that?" Twilight smirks and whispers something in her ear which makes Hurricane smiles and then giggles. "Okay, I'll do it. Hey feather brain, get over here." Hurricane Calls to Zagai. Zagai just looks a little angry. "What is it with everyone and feather brain? What?" He asks stopping front of them. Hurricane and Twilight smirks as they lift the weapon, making his eyes widen. "Wait a minu…" He can't say anymore as they hit him over the head with the spear, making it bent around his head. "OW! What was that for?!" He yells holding his head in pain. His only answer was Twilight's laughter. "I will never understand females especially mares." He said trying to alleviate some pain by rubbing his head. "And you never will." A mare said entering the room. "You couldn't even do it while you were here without them." "Where have you been? I've trying to get you come here, but now you decided?" Zagai asks. The new mare only shrugs. "Please, I'm staying in your bed, live with it. Besides, it's hard to look for a present in this city nowadays." Zagai looks up interest. "Present? Is it for me?" "No, it's for the hot guard captain." The mare says sarcastically. Zagai huffs. "Hey, be happy I saved you in that alleyway. That can be your present for this season." "Oh and here I was thinking you would be all sweet and romantic." She says using one of the mare's most dangerous weapon, the quivering lip pout. Zagai huffs and turns away. "Not going to work." Twilight leans over to the mare. "It will." Zagai looks back and sees Twilight joining and turns back around. "Nope, not going to work." Hurricane appears in front of him and gives him the same look. "You got to be kidding. Fine! Come here." The mare cheers and jumps into his arms before kissing his beak. "My work here is done. Now for GRANDFOALS!" Hurricane yells. The foals immediately jumps on her and makes her crash to the ground. "Yes! It feels like being buried under a pile of bunnies." Hurricane cheers as the foals starts moving around like crazy on her. "Should we tell her?" Rainbow whispers. "Let her enjoy the moment, then tell her about the next one coming." Lightning whispers back before turning back to Zagai and the mare. "So, you going to introduce us?" Zagai smiles as he sets her down in a seat. "Everyone meet Aquila. Found her when Umbra and I separated when we came over. He let me go out in the city and found her in an alleyway, half beaten and you-know-what stained." "Yes, yes, you overgrown chicken, you saved me." Aquila says. "Sassy isn't she?" Daring asks. Zagai chuckles. "Though the fun part, was finding out who did. Boy that was a mystery adventure. Work with others she worked with and lived with and ended up on her old boss. Two jobs ago, of course. You ask me, that's a long time to hold a grudge." "So the body they couldn't identify they found in Riverwood?" Lightning asks. Zagai darkly chuckles. "Don't mess with my friends." "Just checking." Lightning says as he pets Rainbow's stomach. Aquila smiles as she looks up to Zagai. "And soon, talon breath here offered me a place to sleep in his bed. Things took off there. The problem is he's too romantic when stuck in a small room with a female, isn't that right?" Zagai frowns. "I do not." "He does, it happened to me." Twilight said. "There have been rumors." Belcoot jokes. Zagai frowns. "I do not do that." Twilight looks at him. "We were stuck in a cargo container and you tried to romance me." "That never happened and what is a cargo container?!" Zagai yells. Twilight smiles. "Something to transport materials in a transport, like a train, boat, or airship. And you did it in my coma dream and it's based on your personality. Which means, you do it." Lightning is just sitting there and watching as he tries to contain his laughter as they were picking fun at Zagai. Zagai blushes beet red. "I don't do that." Aquila smirks. "Shower." Zagai was about to say something before being dragged off by Aquila. "Hey, I'm not done." Aquila smiles. "Princess Twilight?" Twilight brings out his bent spear in the shape of his head while trying to eat something. "You taking a page out of Discord's book Twi?" Rainbow asks. Twilight smiles. "After dealing with the singing bird over there, I needed to do something. I am with Luna after all. Besides, the funny part is when I told the Zagai over that this one here is an adorable penguin." "Oh, I want a picture of that!" Pinkie yells. Aquila smirks as she looks down at Zagai. "I'm sure I can find a costume somewhere." She said evilly. "Do it. Do it." Pinkie started chanting. Zagai holds a claw up. "I protest against this." Daring and Hurricane join the chanting. "Still protesting." Zagai yells. Soon most of the hall was chanting it and Lightning was close to caving in and start busting a gut. Aquila smiles as she leans down on top of him. "The votes has been tallied, you lose." "No!" Zagai's yell was heard even by the guards on the city's walls. "I don't want to be a penguin, don't make me a penguin." He begged as he was dragged away. Author's Note (1) Multiverse Twilight Who wants him in a penguin costume? Raise your hand. Flair: *Raises hand with Pinky* Wait, what type of penguin? Emperor or Adélie, your choice. Flair: Hum let's let the audience decide for this. But are we making another chapter immediately or just giving them a chance to decide because they take almost two whole months to review. Flair: How about until December 22, 2014 for the deadline? So we write until they make the decision and then change it up? Flair: Why not leave that part unwritten until the cutoff date? And readers it cuts off at midnight. Oh boy, Pinkie, you got the camera ready? "Which one?" Pinkie asks as she had hundreds of cameras out. *Chuckles darkly* Every single one. Flair: Oh why not throw a penguin party for him while you are at it? Pinkie cheers. "Oh, even better! I'll throw the funniest one ever for feather brain." And I got a host of insults to throw at him. Through Flair, you need to come up with penguin insults. Flair *writing on a list* Should I include a joke involving eggs? Only if you can include his marefriend. Flair: Why, she seems to be the dominant one there. He hates being embarrassed about his sexual life. Flair: I usually don't make those jokes. Time for you learn and this is the best time. Besides, your lost planet joke with the train was a little flat. Flair: I wanted to give Applebloom more lines, in fact note the CMC take a more active role. Maybe even have them tie a giant pink ribbon on Zagai's costume. *Darkly chuckles* Now that sounds fun, since most of their old adventures involve doing that to even the animals like their pet sitting job from Spike. Flair: Ok, I think that is everything. Can you think of anything else? Maybe have Twilight on standby with his bent spear if he starts resisting? Flair: I already gave her a very heavy metal mace. So the bent image of his head in the spear isn't enough? Flair: No that sits on the wall, she will try and reenact that with the club if he resists. *Smiles* Well then, now an explanation on future things happening. With the end of most schools coming up, I'll be busy mostly to study for the exams and I'm bad at math work. So I'll be working pretty much on this and trying to write in the meantime, but will be delayed by then until the exams are over. And even then I'll probably be placed on probation because of my GPA being low. So I've got two things to worry about. Now, this won't hurt the ideas of the next chapter or the future of this story, but it will raise the amount of time needed to write this. As for Flair, I'll let you explain your side. Flair: I have several things eating up my time from family to other personal things that I won't bore you with also I just got Dragon age Inquisition recently. As we enter into Christmas so hope I don't fall off the roof putting up Christmas light and we might have another story coming out soon. And let's hope its fun. Now the word count. For the first time, we hit over fifty thousand words. That's a milestone. Though I doubt we would hit it again in a while. We were running dry and had to remember some old plots we never bothered to place. Flair: That herd of elephants aren't in the script! PINKY! Pinkie just laughs. "Sorry, but I couldn't resist." Flair: What your own office wasn't good enough? Pinkie tilts her head. "I'm bored." Flair: Oh forget it please read and review. Have fun everybody for the long wait if you read this long into this. Placing New Ropes (Clop) A few hours before Lightning yawns as he opens his eyes and sees Twilight sleeping on his chest and looks over to see Rainbow now having her wings around Talion and Typhoon before looking to the other side and sees Scootaloo on her back and snoring a bit loudly. He chuckles and moves Twilight off of his chest before placing a pillow in his place and heads to the bathroom. "Is it seven already?" Rainbow asks. The foals just yawn and nuzzle against her again. "Yeah it is love." Lightning says. Rainbow looked around her eyes stopping on Lightning then going to her foals. "What am I doing here?" Rainbow asks. "I will explain everything a little later, but my question for you is, what do you think of how your daughter looks?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks to Typhoon and sees the little bow on her head. "What's my daughter doing wearing a bow?" "Twilight there dressed her in her pajamas after we gave them a bath." Lightning says. Rainbow growls. "I am going to throttle her." "Don't love, she is only taking care of her as she thinks she should. After all, now that she is also my wife, she bare's responsibility to raise the foals." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs as she takes the bow out. "Doesn't make it look good to have her place a bow on Typhoon." "Well she attended to it because you were asleep from wearing yourself out. Carrying a foal isn't easy." Lightning says walking over and lays his head against her neck. Rainbow groans and throws the bow away. "Doesn't excuse it." "I'll tell her no bows unless she wants them." Lightning says before petting her. Rainbow purrs. "You better." "I will love now. The reason you and they are here is because last night, guards attempted sedition by killing our foals." Lightning says. Rainbow growls. "Did you at least get them?" "Only one remains alive and he is currently in the dungeon. Entei himself is interrogating him." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs. "Good riddance." "But it goes to show there are traitors amongst the guards that need to be weeded out." Lightning says. Rainbow frowns. "You better find them or I'm coming after you." "I intend to, in fact, that is the only reason that one lived in case he had any more accomplices." Lightning says. Rainbow pokes his chest. "You better end it." "You know me Rainbow. No one harms my family and lives." Lightning says. Rainbow smirks. "Dang straight." "Think you can handle the foals while I bathe?" Lightning asks. Rainbow scoffs. "Do you have to ask?" "No, just being polite." Lightning says. Rainbow just stares at him. "Uh huh." "Come here you." Lightning says bring her into a full on kiss. Rainbow yelps into his mouth as she kissed back as the foals start to yawn. She quickly separates and looks to them. "Hey guys, you sleep well?" "Mommy, I'm cold. Can you cover me up?" Talion asks half asleep as Rainbow noticed he kicked off the blanket in his sleep. Rainbow smiles and nuzzles his head. "Sure sweetie." She said covering them up with her wings. "Better?" "Thank you mommy." Talion says before going back to sleep. Rainbow sighs and turns back to Lightning. "Better hurry and wash up. Then start up a hot bath for them." "I will. You going to join them?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shrugs. "Maybe just help them clean up." "I'll be quick." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles as he heads into the bathroom and turns to glare at Twilight. "Wake up and feel my wrath." "No Rainbow, the pie is in the fridge not under the elephant…how did you even get that in here?" Twilight asks talking in her sleep as she hugs the pillow she had. Rainbow rolls her eyes. "Egghead." "Mommy, can you teach me how to fly like you do?" Rainbow hears Typhoon asks and when she turns, she see she is also talking in her sleep. Rainbow smiles and nuzzles her head. "Just open and think fly." She whispered. Typhoon smiles in her sleep as she rubs against Rainbow. 'My little angels.' Rainbow thinks. After a while, Lightning comes out with a towel wrapped around his neck and nuzzles Rainbow. "You and their turns. The bath is ready." "Keep the heating spell on it and let them sleep a bit longer." Rainbow says. "Ok love." Lightning says before pecking her neck with a kiss. Rainbow eeps and tries to keep quiet as most of the bed occupants moans in their sleep as they turned in place. "Lightning…bad place." "I know, just doing it because today will be a busy day for me so please watch the foals for me, ok?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods. "Sure. Just be sure to at least see us at times. It would get boring at times." "I will try my sexy little flyer." Lightning says. Rainbow smirks. "Well looks who's talking." She said tracing a wing down his chest. Lightning chuckles and nuzzles her nose. "Too cute." He said before heading out. "Bye for now love. I'll have the food delivered to you." "I want a pancake breakfast for all of us." Rainbow says. Lightning smiles. "Pancakes it is. Toppings or type?" "Let's go with classic seeing as this will be Talion and Typhoon's first time having them." Rainbow says. Lightning chuckles. "No whipped cream or syrup?" "Butter and syrup is a part of the classic…when was the last time you had them?" Rainbow asks "I think somewhere around…twenty years." Lightning says embarrassed. Rainbow shakes her head. "Ask the chiefs for the classic pancakes. Toppings and all." "Will do love." Lightning says walking to the closet and starts getting dressed in his king robes. Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "You know you don't have to wear that." "Kingly duties." Lightning says annoyed. Rainbow huffs. "Hate those things. Really covers up the most important aspect of you." "What, it doesn't cover up my charming good looks." Lightning jokes. Rainbow smirks. "You know what I mean. The mares' best friend on a stallion." Lightning rolls his eyes. "I think that's reserved for you girls." "You know it." Rainbow says. "I'm starting to dislike this. Back in Stalliongrad I could just wear a crown and some clothes, but here it is always wear the royal robes." Lightning says annoyed. Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "You do know that Celestia and Luna only wore jewelry and things and no robes of any kind were worn." "Yeah, but neither of them were a king or queen." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Yeah, but there hasn't been a queen or king so you can dress how you want. Nopony would say anything." "Actually no, when you see the minister of the area ask to find the laws of Canterlot. Princess Platinum left a law saying the king and queen have to dress a certain way." Lightning says. Rainbow frowns. "Well that's just stupid." "Tell me about it and now I have to work on getting it amended." Lightning says. "Hey! I actually like it." Hurricane said floating through the door. "It made me look sexy." She said putting on a pose. Lightning stares at her. "I'm not trying to be sexy here. I'm trying to be practical." "Come to see your grandfoals?" Rainbow asks. Hurricane floats over. "Of course. I would never leave them alone. Especially after last night's fiasco." She said looking around Rainbow's wing. "Aw, they're so cute." "So how is Daring and little Star?" Lightning asks. Hurricane waves a hoof at him. "Oh just a little fussy. Daring wants some rice for some reason and little Star wants her mother's milk. So…pretty much normal." "Must be thinking about when we spent some time in the Qin Empire." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him. "Oh yeah, what happened to that mare Seeku knocked out? Did she ever wake up?" "Oh, she is up and nearly cut Seeku and a few of my men in half until we wrestled the sword from her. She hasn't spoken once since." Lightning said. Rainbow nods. "And where is she now?" "Still in the dungeons in Stalliongrad. We are giving her just enough food and water to live so she won't have the strength to try anything." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "You're mean." "She nearly killed my men. I would be a fool to not restrain her." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles. "I know, just that you are restraining a mad mare. How would that look on your reputation?" Lightning smiles a bit. "I think it would look good I tried diplomacy." Rainbow sighs. "For the legion." "Oy." Lightning said pointing and serious. "Don't compare me to them." "Ok, but you must do something for me." Rainbow says causing Lightning's eyebrow to raise. "And that is?" Lightning asks. "Take Silva as you third and final mistress." Rainbow says. Lightning smirks. "I thought I already did." "I'm serious on that." Rainbow says. Lightning nods. "Want me to announce it?" "No, but tonight it won't be me nor Twilight in this bed ok?" Rainbow asks. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Okay, just don't be mad if I'm late." "Dad?" Scootaloo asks as she got up groaning and trying to wipe the drool. "Yes angel?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo rolls over onto her stomach. "Can I take Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle to the Ponyville School today? Might be good to be back there again for a bit." "With what happened last night?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo raises an eyebrow. "I'll take some guards." "When the guards are the ones who made the attempt?" "When we have militia there. I'm sure Big Mac and a few of his friends would do. Besides, they want to head to school again and so do I. I have been missing school for some odd reason." She remarked. "Wait a few days and you can Scoots. Besides, school doesn't start up again till next week." Lightning says. Scootaloo groans as she rolls onto her back again. "I'm going to be bored now. Get ready for a dragon pile that just lays around now, doing nothing." "You want something to do? I could arrange for you to aid the servants in cleaning." Lightning says. Scootaloo brings her head up. "I'm not bored anymore." She said quickly. Lightning smirks. "Always the same Scoots we know and love. Smart, but lazy." "Oy." Scootaloo calls out. "Oy yourself." Lightning said back. "I just did. Oy." Scootaloo said. "I'm heading out." Lightning says opening the door. "Breakfast time for me." Scootaloo said rushing out and heading down the hall. "Hi grandpa." She said passing Night Light at the door. Hours later, Lighting was listening to the report from the interrogation. "And that's about it. Plain motive. Still elaborate, but I can guess why they would go after them. No next in line, election time." A night guard said. Lightning inhales deeply as he kept his eyes closed. "Have you identified any accomplices yet?" The night guard shakes his head. "They went into hiding after finding out the assault was a bust." "Who has gone missing exactly?" Lightning asks. "All, but five members of the 17th." The Lunar guard says. Lightning opens his eyes and looks at the guard captain. "Interesting. Bring them before me." Lightning ordered. The guard nods as a pony with a clipboard steps up. "You still need to see requests sir." She said. "Start reading them to me while we wait." Lightning says. The pony flips a page. "I got a few for a factory of different kinds. Another few for a school, private. Got one for ownership of land. Final transfer of large amount of assets from dead family to heirs. And then there's the one for…a dinner date with a noble?" "Noble's name?" Lightning asks. She flips through a few pages. "Fancy Pants and Fleur Dis Lee." "Must be to discuss something with me in private. Send a confirmation and arrange a date. Now pick one and read me it." Lightning says. The pony looks up from her clipboard. "They're in the waiting room if you want. Have the papers and everything." "Call them in after I am done with the five guards as I don't want them to get the wrong idea." Lightning says. The pony nods and walks off as a guard returns with a few ponies wrapped in chains. "The accused sir." "Captain, their names, ranks, and date of their commission as guards." Lightning says. The captain looks over a sheet of paper and places a hoof on the one in front. "Private Reach Fly. Brought in just last month." He said before moving back and placing a hoof on the next one. "Corporal Hard Hit. Brought in last year." He said and moves onto the next one. "Sergeant Low Rock. Brought in two years ago." He said and moves onto the next one. "Captain Tackle Ground. Brought in three months ago." He said and moves onto the last. "And our civilian friend. Noble Crepe Louvre. Been in Canterlot all his life." "And he is a part of the 17th?" Lightning asks raising an eyebrow. The guard looks up. "He's the funds of their group. Supplied all the bits." "I see. So do you realize the gravity of your situation?" Lightning asks. Crepe and guards just stares at him. Lightning stares back at them before getting up and going to them as they keep staring at him before Crepe spits at face. "Go away heathen. Back to where you were born from." He said. "You do realize I was born in Equestria and I am right now deciding whether you live or die like those who tried to kill my foals." Lightning says. Crepe scoffs. "And you aren't worthy of the throne. Only Celestia." "No, I am an enraged parent about to order the first public execution in Equestria in centuries." Lightning says. Crepe huffs. "Then why don't you do it?" "I'm giving you a chance to save yourselves." Lightning says. Crepe scoffs and turns away. "You're just a dumbass." Lightning shrugs. "Have it your way. How about you guys?" He asks looking over to the guards as the night guards take the noble away. The guards looks at him before looking at each and they all sigh. "Conditions?" The captain asks. "Start talking and you may not get the noose." They all start talking at the same time. "One at a time." Lightning warns. "You captain, you will speak first." The captain huffs. "We weren't even there. We didn't even know they were going to do that." "Furthermore, some of us are actually kept out of some circles. They would even stop talking as soon as they notice you." The private said. "Private, you will get your turn to speak, for now it is the captain's turn." Lightning says. The captain sighs. "Even then, we have been noticing our armory has some missing stock. We just can't find until they came in." Lightning look to the side for the lunar guard to either acknowledge or dismiss the missing equipment. The guard was looking over some papers before looking up and nodding. "Continue." Lightning says. The captain nods. "Furthermore, we didn't even realize what was happening until princess Celestia stepped down. That's when most of the talking started." "Can any of you prove an alibi?" Lightning asks. The captain and some of the guards actually start to blush. "You…can ask some of the sergeants of the…lunar guards." The captain said. "I don't want specifics. Can you prove it?" Lightning says getting the message. The captain gulps. "Ask the chocolate cafe. They have our receipts and everything. Has our name, signature and everything. Just ask for the time you need." "Captain, have somepony go check." Lightning orders. The lunar guard nods and walks over to another and speaks to him for a bit before the other guard walks off. "Now, until then, we will all wait right here." Lightning says eyeing each one like a predator eyeing prey. The guards start to sweat as they try not to look at him. After a long time and a wet carpet of sweat, the lunar guard finally came back and the solar guards sigh in relief. The guard whispers into his ear and Lightning nods. "It seems all but one of your alibis were confirmed by this and we even have some eye witnesses. Now private, can you produce an alibi as well?" Lightning asks. The private gulps and really sweats. "At the time of the incident…I was…indisposed." He said blushing hard. "Ask the captain in the tower. He knows." "Clarify." Lightning ordered. The private gulps again. "I was at home. Been there the whole time and just came into work this morning. I…live alone." Lightning raises an eyebrow. "You are jumping around here. Speak the truth or don't." After a brief silence Lightning asks. "Anyone can vouch for you as a witness?" The private starts to shake in fear. "The lunar guard that is posted in the south tower at night. Go ask him. He'll tell you everything." "Captain, go question that guard." Lightning orders, his gaze fixed on the private. The captain rushes off as the private tries to avert his gaze to Lightning. The other guards watches as the two try not to move until the captain rushes back and shuts the door behind him. "Never send me to him again." He said as he pants. "Well, did he confirm the private's story?" Lightning asks. The captain nods slowly. "Yes…in great detail. Seriously, you can write a novel with what he says." "I see, well you all have a confirmed alibi, but I'm not convinced you didn't have anything to do with the renegades, so you will be transferred under a new commanding officer for the time being and she will keep a close eye on you four until the investigation is finished. Captain, call major Silva." Lightning ordered. The captain groans a bit before heading out again and brings Silva back. "Major Silva." He said shutting the door after he looked outside. Silva looks over the guards. "So I'm supposed to watch these guys?" "Yes, the 17th patrol group of the solar guard will be disbanded in disgrace and all the missing members will be hunted down by all guards. Have their pictures and names put on wanted posters and sent to every corner of the county. Offer a reward as well captain." Lightning says. Silva nods. "Of course sir. Anything else?" "Everypony is dismissed, except Major Silva." Lightning says. Everyone in the room starts to leave as Lightning sighs in relief as he sat down after they left. "Why did you want me to stay?" Silva asks. "Rainbow has made a certain demand." Lightning says before sealing the room with his magic. Silva raises an eyebrow. "Yes?" "Silva, how would you feel about being accounted amongst Daring and Kyou?" Lightning asks. Silva tilts her head. "I'm not sure I understand." "Rainbow wants you to become my third and final mistress." Lightning says. Silva stops. "Come again." Lightning nods. "You heard me. How do you feel about becoming my mistress?" Silva starts to blush. "Um…sir…I don't think I'm worth it." "I wouldn't ask if you weren't." Lightning says. Silva gulps as she pushes her hooves together. "Um…well…I think that…um…" "Silva, it is your choice whether or not you accept." Lightning says. Silva presses her lips together. "And if I don't?" "That is your choice. I won't stop you, but I would like you to." Lightning says. Silva keeps trying to look at something other than him. "Well…maybe…I can…try." "You know, now that you accepted, you now bare the responsibility to raise my foals." Lightning says. Silva sighs. "You kinda had me do that for a while." Lightning sighs. "True. Well, you can try this now. It's lunchtime so let's go get something. Have a talk with family too. Might help with your final decision and getting Talion and Typhoon used to their new mother." Silva nervously nods. "Y…yes sir." Lightning nods and gets up. "Come on." He said leading her to the door. "What would you like?" He asks opening it to just hear a snarl and something pass by and catches the guards nearby off guard. "What the…?" "Kill the lurker, watcher and demon!" A voice yelled from down the hall and Lightning looks to see Twilight trying to run after the thing that passed by. Lightning and Silva just stared as Twilight passes by with some spears and trying to throw them with her magic. "Shadow! You got some explaining to do!" She yells as she kept throwing. A heavy growl came from down the hall and they see something like a large bat crash through the window at the end of the hall. "This is new." Lightning remarked as he grabs a nearby sword. Twilight growls as she kept throwing the many spears she kept collecting at the lurker who kept running away from her before hitting it in the back leg. "Yes!" Twilight yells before throwing a final spear at it and hits its head. "There. Now have to find the other two and get rid of these things." She said as a shadow passes over her. She quickly turns around with a spear ready before just seeing the watcher just standing above her ready to strike before its head just slides off and sees Lightning standing behind it with his sword bloody. "Care to explain?" Lightning asks before throwing it over his shoulder and a yelp was heard. Twilight chuckles nervously. "Yeah, Shadow had to do an emergency pull out and they came along." Lightning cocks his head slightly. "So did you get them all?" Twilight looks over the bodies and Silva trying to pass the head of the watcher to another guard. "We are missing the demon." Lightning looks out the window to see it growl at them. "There it is and there it…" He stops as another blur hits the demon and sends it away before Scootaloo takes its place and roars at it. "Goes." He finished with a groan. "Now, now, Scoots, what have I taught you?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo grins. "Make sure to kill them on the first try and be awesome." She said as the demon takes off again and Scootaloo quickly whips around and hits it in the head with her tail and sends it crashing down with a crunch sound. "Anything else?" Lightning asks. Twilight thinks on it. "Well…there is a Dark One, but I don't know where." Lightning grows interested. "Oh, what's this one? Stalks its prey in the darkness?" Twilight shakes her head. "No, more like mysterious and attacks psychically. Seriously, I think one mind raped me." Lightning gives her a look. "I'm serious." Lightning says nothing as she notices it was directed behind her. "There's something behind me, isn't there?" She asks almost groaning. "It looks intelligent." Lightning says. Twilight nods slowly. "Trust me, that's what I got from Zagai." She said before turning her head a bit and sees a hairless leg before quickly turning back around. "Come with me little one, we will get you home." Lightning says walking past her. Twilight didn't look as she hears some extra hoofsteps and soon they turn a corner and she sighs in relief. "Okay, now have to burn the bodies. Bring the dead bodies to one outside and pile them up and clean this area up." She said walking opposite of where Lightning and the Dark One went. "So you know what lady Rainbow asked Lightning to do?" Silva asks dragging a body along. Twilight looks back at her. "Um…not really. What question?" Silva whispered what happened into Twilight's ear. Twilight looks surprised at her. "Really? She asked for that?" Silva nods. "Wow, this is new." Twilight said as they came outside and the guards and Silva threw the bodies onto the demon before Twilight lights them on fire. "Don't ask. Somepony botched a teleport spell and summoned these things." Silva says to the guards who just watching the burning pile in surprise. Twilight sighs as Scootaloo lands nearby. "You okay?" She asks looking to her. "I'm fine Scootaloo." Twilight says. Scootaloo leans over. "And what was this about?" She whispered. "Don't ask." Twilight says walking away with Silva. Scootaloo raises an eyebrow as she turns back to the burning pile. "You really are weird mom." "Which one? Me or Silva?" Twilight asks. Scootaloo looks confused. "Wait, what?" "Come join us for a private lunch." Twilight says. Scootaloo tilts her head as she starts to follow them. "Okay." She said confused. "So?" Rainbow asks when Lightning came in. Lightning smiles. "It's a maybe at the moment. Just trying things out for a while. You okay with that?" "No, I want her agreement and in the bed tonight." Rainbow says. Lightning sighs. "Okay, just give me a moment to grab her and take her out for a bit. Maybe a date, you okay with that for now?" Rainbow starts chuckling before it developed into a full blown laugh. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "What's so funny?" "You at dating. It is almost hilariously bad." Rainbow says. Lightning frowns. "Hey, I'm good with dating." "So…how's it going?" Lightning asks the mare nearby at the table as Rainbow just tries to hold a snicker and the mare just stares at him almost confused. "Right." Rainbow said. "Am I really that bad?" Lightning asks sweat dropping. "Yes." Twilight said walking in with Silva. "You really need to read this." She said giving him a book before helping Rainbow off the bed and starts to lead her out. "A romance novel?" Lightning asks. Twilight smirks. "A Thousand and One Ways to Please your Lover: For Dummies. Oh and one more thing…" She said looking back at him. "You said you would read some of my suggestions and this is one of them." She said giving him the same blank stare he gave when he gave her first books. "I don't think I need this guide after two nights ago don't you think?" Lightning asks. Twilight smiles. "It has stuff for dating too. So get to it stallion or no more bed for you." Lightning mumbles under his breath as he starts reading. Twilight smirks as she leads Rainbow out. "Finally got him back." "Whoa, how long you been holding that grudge?" Rainbow asks. Twilight scoffs. "For a long time. Nopony calls me a dummy and gets away with it." "Twi, before you go, what's a fire snail?" Lightning calls. "For dragons when they need relaxation and massages. This book also has other species." She calls back. "You sure this isn't a fire spirit?" Lightning calls back. "Nope. It's not for spirits." Twilight calls before stopping. "Wait, why do you ask?" Twilight asks. "We got one in here." Lightning says. Twilight glares back at him. "Don't be lying." Lightning points to one on the floor. Twilight looks carefully at it before picking it up and looking closely at it. "How did you get here?" "You tell me." Lightning says looking it over. Twilight shrugs. "Oh well. I'll figure it out later. Scoots may like this." "Just don't let it burn down the castle and how is her other pet doing?" Lightning asks. Twilight keeps looking it over. "The snow leopard, oh, just staying close to her and keeping others away at times." "Uh huh, well I guess I will be…" Lightning stops when his path is obstructed by Twilight's wing. "Try not to screw this up." Twilight said. "Right back to the book." Lightning says. Twilight nods and takes the slug with her. "Yep. Make sure to please her." Lightning sighs as he walks out with Silva. "Come on Silva. Let's hit the city and see what I can do. I at least want to try it this way." "You know this means we won't be sleeping with him tonight." Rainbow says. Twilight smiles. "It's worth it if we get another. Besides, that means Daring would have a new playmate too and she can stop harassing me." "You think so, wouldn't you?" A voice asks before Twilight feels a collar around her neck and gets pulls into the hooves of another pony. "You're my pet." Daring said nuzzling her head. "Daring, off, now." Twilight says. "Yeah." Rainbow said before grabbing the leash and pulls Twilight into her hooves. "Besides, I'm the first one and alpha so she's mine. Told you I get ya." Twilight growls before teleporting out of her grasp. Both mares look to her and now stalks her. "Come on Twilight. Didn't you want to have some fun?" Daring asks with an evil grin. "I got things to do. Now stop or I will sic this one on you." Twilight says holding up the fire snail. They still got closer as Twilight starts backing up. "Come on Twilight. Let's have some fun." Rainbow said. "Oh, fire snail." Scootaloo said walking past and taking the snail. "Thanks mom." She said walking away. "Now I got to go to work." Twilight says throwing the collar at Daring. Daring grins as she catches the collar and runs after Twilight as she rans. "Come back here pet!" Rainbow smiles and leisurely walks as she chuckles. "I love my family. Even the crazy kinds." "Okay, make sure to pay for most things, but not all." Lightning reads as he and Silva sat at a cafe. Silva smiles. "Need help?" She asks as she drank some tea. "I can't believe she has me reading the book that shares her name." Lightning says. Silva giggles. "Well…I have been listening to lady Rainbow on this. You certainly embarrassed her when you gave her the first books needed on spirit magic. And I must say, you deserve this." "That was the same book I started with in my studies." Lightning says yawning. "This book is so boring." Silva raises an eyebrow as she sips as she keeps looking at him. "What do you think she felt when she first started reading? You gave her books for dummies. I would be bored too." "No, this book and she was mostly rejecting the idea I had magic like hers for a bit." Lightning says. Silva sighs and shakes her head. "Oh king Lightning. You have a lot to learn about mares still. Just having a big tool isn't enough at times." Lightning sighs and puts the book down. "Okay, that's enough reading for now. So what do you want?" Silva shrugs. "Whatever is good?" Lightning quickly grabs the book and opens it to a particular page. "Um…well I could start us out with some sandwiches." Silva smiles as she giggles. "You're cute sir." Lightning quickly flips to another page. "Um…thank you." He said trying to follow some lines. Silva laughs even harder as Lightning keeps trying to read. "Oh sir." Lightning groans as he closes the book and puts it down. "Silva, I'm done." Silva raises an eyebrow. "And what would your wife do when faced with a book she got tired of?" "Which one?" Lightning whispers. Silva leans forward. "Your queen." "Throw it across the room into a pile and wait for somepony to clean it up." Lightning says. Silva looks confused. "Are you sure you're talking about Queen Sparkle?" "Defiantly sure." Lightning says. Silva shakes her head. "Want to get out of here?" "Please." Lightning said leaving some bits and taking the book with him as they both start to leave. Silva smiles. "You are cute sir." Lightning sighs. "Just Lightning. You will be calling me that soon enough." "As you wish." Silva says following. Lightning looks her over before sighing again. "Silva, what do you think of me?" "A lot of things." Silva says smirking before leading him away. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Oh and what are those?" "You'll have to wait in order to learn." Silva says smirking. Lightning smiles a bit. "Oh Silva. I can tell this will be a good life with you. Just don't let your work get in the way, okay?" "You are my work though." Silva jokes. Lightning chuckles. "Oh, you will be working hard enough soon." 'We shall see who is on top.' Silva thinks. "So you enjoy being on the bottom for your first time?" Lightning whispered into her ear. Silva moans as she drooled a bit on the bed as she tries to reach for him. Lightning grabs her hoof with one and pets her with the other. Silva tries to look at him as every movement seems to cause her to moan. "Li…" "Shhh, no need to say anything." Lightning says holding her. Silva moans and lays her head on his chest as he kept petting her. "You're adorable my mare." Lightning says as he kept holding her. About a half hour later the door opened and Twilight walked in and got into the bed and snuggled into his other side. Lightning smiles and wraps a wing around both of them. "How was your queenly duties today?" He whispers. "Ruth had to have the guards keep Daring and Rainbow away so I could get some work done." Twilight says. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Ruth?" "I am tired. Now stop talking poofy wings." Twilight says. Lightning chuckles. "I thought they were poofy?" "Shut up." Twilight says. Lightning smiles and nuzzles her head. "Yes my queen." "Good poofy wings." Twilight says. Lightning grins. "Good enough to play with?" "Later." Twilight says yawning before falling to sleep. Lightning sighs and nuzzles her one last time and falls asleep after them. "Good night girls." Silva awoke the next morning when the sun shone on her face. "Morning. Sleep well?" Lightning asks looking at her. "Yes I did." Silva says smiling. Lightning nods. "Good. Now do you need anything for breakfast?" "A quick one then to my duties." Silva says. Lightning smirks. "Does it involve me?" "I am head of your personal guard." Silva says. Lightning grins. "Oh yeah, you are giving me head." He said petting her mane. "Well you don't need to work on your pillow talk that is for sure." Silva says. Lightning smiles and nuzzles her. "Did you have a good time?" "Yes." Silva says noticing Twilight. Lightning sighs as he follows her gaze. "She came in after a while after we were done. Sorry if it bothers you." "No, it is just a little embarrassing." Silva says. Lightning sighs and turns back to her and kisses her head. "You'll start to love it soon. You are going to need somepony to keep you warm at night and I'm not going to be around all the time." "I don't do mares." Silva says. 'Neither did Rainbow until after Daring became my mistress.' Lightning thinks. Silva sighs and gets up. "Thanks for the night, but I better get going." Lightning nods and hugs Twilight. "Sure. Go get em soldier." Silva sighs as she watches them before leaning to them and gives him a kiss on cheek before walking out. "Bye cutie." She said waving her tail at him. "That is Mr. Cutie when we are alone." Lightning says. Silva giggles as she walks out. "Oh sir." "She's a good mistress." Lightning heard Twilight say. "That she is and I can tell you missed me." Lightning says. Twilight sighs as she opens her eyes and snuggles into his side. "You're my first stallion. Of course I would miss you." She said before looking up at him. "Do you still love me?" "I'll give you a hint." Lightning says sealing the room with his magic. Twilight giggles and nuzzles his snout before rolling over and making him on top of her. "Go ahead." "Knew you wanted to." Lightning says mounting her. The guards stood outside the door and yawns until they hear a bang against the door and then multiple ones. "Again?" One asks. "What was that?" A new guard asks. "A sealing spell. The king sealed the room now, not even sound can get out of it." The guard explained. The new guard looks confused. "Why would he do that? There is nopony important other…than…the…queen…oh. That." The guard nods. "Don't worry kid. You get one yourself, you'll understand." "Working hard on an heir, aren't they?" The new guard asks. The guard chuckles. "Or sometimes just fun. I know how much I had with my mare. Now stand straight. He's usually done around…now." "Hey boys." Lightning said walking out. "If she needs anything, make sure you put a rush. She's out of it right now." He said walking away. The guard smirks. "Told ya. Now get a checklist ready. She usually asks for something about…now." He said as he sees Lightning turn a corner. "I need some breakfast." Twilight said peeking her head out. "Give me some pancakes, some of that cake Celestia is always talking about and some milk." She said before heading back in and shutting the door. "Mark my words, this time in two months, she will be expecting." The guard says. "I'm afraid for my life now." The new guard said. "Did you hear the king has commissioned a new armor for the guards? This one will be able to shield from magic according to rumors." The guard said. The new guard looks surprised. "What? How is that possible?" The guard shrugs. "Who knows? He probably found something to help." "If the rumor is true, we will have a good defense from unicorn's we apprehend." The new guard says. The guard shrugs. "Or we will criticized for having that and soon marked for bringing down pegasus's flight and an earth pony's strength. Time will tell on that soon enough." Lightning sighs as he enters the forge. "So how's my wife's armor coming along?" "Do you realize what she has us making?" One blacksmith asks pounding a plate of metal. "I do and armor that can block any spell launched at it to a certain degree." Lightning says running a hoof along the inside of a plate and feels a sigil inside. The blacksmith groans. "But what about just making them like guard armor? This whole body armor is almost counterproductive since we might run out of things to work with here." "Then make a request, this is for the future defense of the kingdom." Lightning says. The blacksmith sighs. "Just make sure she finds a cheaper way since this is cumbersome." "It is only a prototype. You will be receiving additional funding and a few mages will be coming soon to help experiment and make it better." Lightning says. The blacksmith scowls. "I hope so or this might be the end." Lightning chuckles. "Don't worry. My wife is the best at making things work things out." He said before seeing a plan for the glove on the wall and takes it off the wall. "Well…I'll be going now. Got things to do." 'And know the reason this is up here since Twilight is still working on the power. This better not be working off the life force.' Months later, a guard came up to Lightning. "My king, your wife, she's giving birth." The guard says out of breath. Lightning quickly jumps out of his seat and jumps over the guard as he ran down the hall. "Did he have to do that?" The guard asks dazed on the ground. A bit later, Lightning was holding Rainbow's hoof while she laid in a bed. "You okay?" Rainbow glares at him weakly. "What do you think?" "You are in a great deal of pain and giving birth." Lightning says sweating. Rainbow grabs his collar and pulls him close. "You better make this up to me!" She hissed. "Remember what happened last time. You gave birth to Talion and Typhoon and you wouldn't give them up for anything." Lightning says. Rainbow growls before gritting her teeth and growls through them and pushes one last time before she became dizzy and soon falls back into her bed. "Dang it." She said weakly. "Foal?" She asks looking at him. Lightning smiles and pets her mane. "It's fine Rainbow. Our foal is just…" He stops as he looks up and sees all the doctors scrambling around. "Hey? What's going on?" "The foal isn't breathing right now." A nurse said before she went to grab something. "What are you talking about?" Rainbow asks in horror and a few moments later the sound of a foal crying filled the room. "My foal lives." Rainbow says as if recovering from a heart attack. All the doctors sighs in relief and one nurse brings a small bundle to them. "Your foal. Congratulations. It's a little pegasus colt." Rainbow smiles as she looks to the crying colt and sighs in relief as she lays back down again. "My little colt. There, there." She said rocking him. The colt starts to calm down and starts drifting off to sleep. Lightning smiles. "He's handsome. What are we going to name him?" Rainbow sighs. "How about…Windstorm Speed? He is after us and my element is wind and I'm fast." "Sounds perfect. Hey there Windstorm, I'm your daddy." Lightning says leaning in. The colt coos at him as he yawns and tries to reach for him. Lightning chuckles and leans closer and lets Windstorm hug his snout before yawning again and goes to sleep. "Sleep tight my son." He said nuzzling him. Rainbow smiles. "Want to bring the family in?" Lightning nods. "Go get them." He said to one of the nurses who nods. Rainbow sighs. "We can use Talion's old stuff for him. What do you think?" "Maybe. Let's see if he will like them." Lightning says looking closer at his newest son, noting the black coat and white mane. "Huh, he's almost like me." He said making sure he was comfortable. "Aw, how cute." Rainbow says as Hurricane phased in. "Is the foal born?" Hurricane asks. Lightning smiles. "Come see your grandson." He said Rainbow shows Hurricane the bundle. Hurricane smiles and looks closer. "Aw. He's beautiful. I'm going to spoil you too much. Just you wait." "Windstorm Speed." Lightning says. Hurricane chuckles. "Aw. What a great name. Did you tell the others yet?" "Thanks for volunteering to go get them grandmother." Lightning says. Hurricane slouches in the air. "I hate you." "Quickly, so you can see Star, Talion, and Typhoon." Lightning says. Hurricane looks wide eyed before quickly flying away and through the doors. "She really wants us to be family together." Rainbow said hugging Windstorm closer. "No, I just know which buttons to push." Lightning says before chuckling. Rainbow giggles. "I love you Lightning." "Oh what about this one?" Lightning says motioning to the foal in her hooves. Rainbow smiles. "Him too. Just love you for giving me this life." Lightning just smiles as the door soon opens. Rainbow smiles as she turns to the rest coming in. "Hey guys. Look who's going to be joining our family." "Oh." Twilight says walking up. "What is the newest addition to the family's name?" Twilight asks getting a look at him. Lightning smiles as he brings Talion and Typhoon on his back to let them see. "Windstorm Speed. Isn't he grand?" "So that's our little brother." Talion says. Lightning nods. "Yeah, that means you're a big brother now." "And me?" Typhoon asks. Lightning smirks. "Big sister." "Sorry I'm late, Hurricane just informed me." Daring says walking in with Star who Hurricane was entertaining. Lightning waves her off. "It's fine. Why don't you see the new foal?" Daring walks over. "He looks just like you." Daring says. "Dad." Star says. Lightning smiles as he looks to her. "Yes daughter?" Star smiles and peeks over to see Windstorm. "Bro?" Lightning nods and picks up Star and places her on his head. "Yep, you're a big sister now." Star claps at this as Daring starts gushing over her. Lightning sighs. "I love my family." He said to himself as he looks over the whole family looking at Windstorm. "By the way Lightning we got a letter from Spitfire." Hurricane says. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Oh, what about my sister?" "She said she has given birth to her and Kenway's son and thanks you for not killing him at their wedding." Hurricane says showing a picture and Lightning starts shaking a bit. "Twi, restrain him." Rainbow says. "Ah! Mot…" That was all they heard as a magical bubble appears around him and they just stare at him as he tries to shout and points at the picture a few times as he seems to keep yelling. "Is daddy okay?" Typhoon asks. "He is fine. This is how all protective brothers act about a subject you will learn about later in your life." Rainbow says as Lightning was now ramming the bubble. Talion tilts his head. "How long does this go on?" "Until he tires himself out sweetie." Rainbow says petting his mane. Talion nods and soon Lightning quits banging on the bubble and soon it drops. "I'm okay now." "I said they named him Thunder Boom." Hurricane finishes. Lightning starts an eye twitch before sighing. "Fine here." "You sure? Your eye is twitching like crazy when somepony wrecks Twilight's library and throws books everywhere." Rainbow says. Lightning growls a bit. "Don't tempt me." "Twi, bubble." Rainbow says. Lightning frowns as the bubble comes back and soon he was yelling and banging the bubble again. Rainbow sighs. "And that's our husband." She said to Twilight. Twilight giggles as he kept getting angry in the bubble before he soon sighs and calms down and knocks on the bubble and she brings it down. "Better?" "Yeah, I think I'm good." Lightning says inhaling deeply. Both mares smiles. "Good, now you can relax here. I'm way too tired." Rainbow said laying back down. Lightning sighs as he sits down beside her. "No argument here." Twilight smiles as she turns to the rest of them. "Alright, let's go guys. Let's give them some rest." She said leading them out. Lightning smiles as he lays his head next to Windstorm. "Good night son." Weeks later, a guard comes up to Lightning as he sat in his seat and turns to him as he packs the glove plan away into his robes. "Yes?" "We found a village that wasn't on any map and at first we suspected remnant of the dominions legion, but upon further observation, we found all of them looked like locals, but the strange thing is that they all had the same cutie marks." The guard says reading the report. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "That is weird. Anything else?" "No, the report says the will keep observing for now and await your orders." The guard says. Lightning nods and sighs. "Okay then. Let's see…what can I do?" He said to himself thinking on it. "You could send me?" Twilight asks taking some drinks of her milk. "I am still the princess of friendship." "And queen of the country. But I guess you could go and I will follow soon after." Lightning says. Twilight tossed the empty milk carton into a trash can. "Two points. Thanks hubby. I'll see you soon." She said trotting out. "Go as Twilight Sparkle, not the queen." Lightning says. Twilight waves over her shoulder. "You got it hubby." "Ok, can you inform Hurricane she will be looking after the foals by herself soon?" Lightning asks. Twilight nods. "Sure. I'll tell her on the way out." "Yeah, you and your sexy flank." Lightning says smirking at her. Twilight laughs. "Love you Lightning." She said heading out the door. Lightning smiles. "Love you too." He said before getting up and heading to the back to the meditation room. "Ok, if I, nor any of the mane six comes out of that town in thirty six hours, you are to storm it." Lightning says to the captains of four military companies. The captains nods. "Yes sir." They said. Lightning sighs as he heads down and sees the crowd heading down to a building at the end with two ponies that are dull and slightly grey with equal signs as cutie marks. "Why does this always happen to them?" He asks himself as he approached them. "Um…excuse me, but where am I? I'm kind of lost." Lightning says. They all look over and sees their newest arrival. "Welcome." A non greyed out mare said as the rest smiles creepily. "O…k, this is weird." Lightning says. A few of the greyed out ponies approached him. "Welcome to our town. Are you here to join?" One asks. "I don't even know where I am." Lightning says getting a very bad vibe from them. The non grey out mare smiles. "Ah, good. I'm Starlight Glimmer. You are welcome to stay with us for however long you want." "Ok, I'm going to ask this now because this is the vibe I'm getting. Are you каннибалы?" Lightning asks. They all rear back a little. "Excuse, but what is that?" Starlight asks. "Oh, excuse me, I slipped back into my first language. I meant cannibals." Lightning clarifies. Starlight gasps. "We are never such things. That is such a heinous crime in our happy little town. We would never eat one of our own, especially if they are our friends." "Uh huh? So how are you recovering from the war?" Lightning asks. They all tilt their heads. "War? What war?" One asks. "You don't know Equestria was invaded a few years ago and nearly conquered?" Lightning says. They all shake their heads at the exact same time. "No. None at all." Starlight said. "Huh. I guess you don't know Celestia and Luna stepped down and appointed a king and queen to rule then?" Lightning asks. Starlight looks a bit surprised. "Oh my. That can't be true. The only thing we know is that Twilight Sparkle is princess here." "You have my wife here?" Lightning says his look turning into a glare. Starlight and the others looked shocked. "Wife? Does that mean you are the husband?" "I think that is self-explanatory. She asked me to meet her in this area, I think, if she didn't send a letter back every few days after she left. The kingdom is about to start looking for her." Lightning says. Starlight smiles. "Of course. Follow me and we will lead you to her and her friends." She said walking away with all the ponies. "Excuse me, but I didn't grow up in the country and don't understand a few things, but isn't having the same, what is the word, cutie mark wrong or even weird for everypony?" Lightning asks feigning a curious expression. Starlight smiles. "Of course not. This means that you won't have to worry about your special talent and what you have to do. In our town, everypony is equal and same so nopony has to worry about being different and better than everypony else." She said leading him up a mountain trail. "I still don't understand the whole thing. There isn't such a thing in the east." Lightning says causing Starlight to stop. She suddenly turn around exactly one eighty degrees. "Oh my, an east stallion?" "I thought my primary language being different was a dead giveaway. Most ponies notice immediately in this country." Lightning says. Starlight giggles. "Well I'm sorry if we are out of the loop, but as you can see, we are happy, we are equal and we can accept anypony who wishes to join." "Even the Dominion?" Lightning asks confusing Starlight more as he noticed ponies following them now. Starlight still smiles. "Dom…who?" She asks now leading him again up higher. "The Dominion Empire. They were the ones who invaded and were beaten back. They came to enslave, pillage, and kill this country." Lightning says. Starlight looks a bit horrified. "Oh my. Well there were defeated so we don't need to worry about them anymore." "Actually, one legion was defeated, there are dozens of legions so they can invade again." Lightning says making her stop again. Starlight giggles. "Well we are out of the way, but if some defected, we will welcome them with open hooves." "Yeah well, the earth ponies maybe, but they kind of hate your and my sub-breed of pony, something to do with their religion. So most likely, they would rape and pillage and enslave the rest." Lightning says. Starlight smiles. "Oh, they will learn true friendship once they set hoof in our town. Just you wait and see." "Oh and then there is the black hoof auxiliary legions." Lightning says wincing a bit. Starlight still smiles. "Still all the same. They would soon be like us. Equal, friends and even family." Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Uh huh." He said as they enter a cave. "Ok, first, the black hoof Auxiliary are not ponies they are orcs, who, when hungry enough, will start killing and eating each other. So where's my wife and frien…what the buck?" He asks himself as he see the large glass wall of cutie marks. Starlight smirks as more ponies cut off their entrance behind them and she grabs a two prong stick on a pedestal. "You know, we never had east ponies before. But you will be the first to join our quaint little town." "Well I could build a house here. It is a nice out of the way place for some peace and quiet." Lightning says. Starlight gets a bit confused. "Really, you want to join us and be one of our equals?" "Let me guess, you take the cutie marks, don't you?" Lightning asks. Starlight smiles. "Of course not. They choose to give up their cutie marks for equality and peace. So, do you want to give up yours? The wall is waiting." Lightning looks to Twilight and her friends' cutie marks in the middle. "What cutie mark?" Lightning asks. Starlight looks confused. "Excuse me?" "We don't have those in the east." Lightning says. Starlight stayed confused. "But…no, all ponies have their own cutie marks that define them, but here we have being the same all over so nopony is above the other." "You want me to take off my pants to prove it?" Lightning asks. Starlight waves her hoof a bit. "Just the hips." Lightning rolled his eyes and did so, shocking her when he had none. Starlight looks to his blank flank and suddenly smiles. "That means we don't have to go through the process that much. You can join outright. Automatic signed papers and everything. Just need to get a cottage built." "Uh huh. So I never got an answer from any other so maybe you will give me an answer. What is a cutie mark? You don't even have a definition for it." Lightning says. Starlight giggles. "Oh, basically it just defines who and what you are. Whatever you do best, that's your cutie mark. Now, want to join?" "Before I make any decision, I must discuss it with my wife. She has the money. Afraid, I will be tricked into a scam with equestrian not being by first language. Also, do you have monsters around here?" Lightning asks. Starlight waves it off. "Just the usual birds. They love the food we put out…why do you ask?" "Oh, we have giant monsters in the east. Spiders bigger than stallions, trolls, the undead, ect." Lightning says. Starlight smiles. "Well I can assure you that you don't have to worry about that anymore. Just come here and relax and enjoy the rest of your life." "Good, had enough of them in my time as a Stalliongrad hunter?" Lightning says making Starlight curious. Starlight smirks. "I would love to hear about your stories, but you must miss your wife right now, right?" "Yeah, I do. I am worried about her." Lightning says. Starlight puts the stick down and leads him out. "Well come on and let's meet her and her friends." Lightning follows her back down. "I also never got a different answer to a question. You mind answering it?" Lightning asks. Starlight nods. "Sure. What is it?" "Why does almost nopony in this country wear clothes besides teams and the military?" Lightning asks. Starlight shrugs. "Status maybe. But here, you don't have to here. So you can come out without clothes. In fact, we would like it if you would and maybe clean up that mane and tail too. It's a bit scruffy." "It's dirty and where I come from, no clothes on means…" Lightning whispered the last part into Starlight's ear and she gained a major blush. "Oh my. Well…you can learn your new style here. I'm sure you'll love not wearing clothes soon enough." "One moment." Lightning says removing the coat and shirt revealing many of his scars. "You sure you want me walking around like this?" Lightning asks. Starlight smiles. "Oh we can fix those up for you." She said looking over his body. "I'm not so sure. A lot of these were inflected by poisonous creatures and magic." Lightning says as Starlight winced seeing one of his bigger ones. "Well, I'm sure we can either cover that up or even fix it with time. I can find something for you." Starlight said. "I'm willing to try that." Lightning says. "So how did you get all of those?" Starlight asks as Lightning puts his clothes back on. "On the job as a Stalliongrad hunter. We are highly appreciated, but very low life expectancy." Lightning says. Starlight giggles. "Well now you can relax and enjoy the rest of your danger free life here." 'Yeah right. Next thing you know, you will be sacrificing somepony to pagan gods.' Lightning thinks. Starlight smiles as they enter town again and stop at the house he saw them at. "Here you go. I'll let you enjoy being back with her now. Soon, I will have you both with me as soon as your wife joins us as well and we can build your cottage for you." "Ok." Lightning says walking in as the door slams behind him and locks. "Lightning!" All the mares yell at him until Rainbow and Twilight hugs him. "What the heck are you doing here?" Twilight asks. "You didn't send your letter." Lightning says winking so she got the message. Twilight giggles nervously. "Yeah, so how did you get in so easily?" "They let me in. Were shocked to find out eastern ponies had no cutie marks." Lightning says with his ear to the door listening for anypony listening. Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "So…you bluffed your way in?" "More or less." Lightning said fixing his clothes. "Had to strip a bit too." Rainbow glares and growls a bit. "Just to show the cutie mark, which I didn't have." "Oh yeah, I keep forgetting you don't have one." Applejack says causing Lightning to stare at her. "That is it?" Lightning asks before noticing their cutie marks. "What the heck?" He asks looking at their cutie marks closely. Twilight sighs. "She took our cutie marks and got replaced with these. It even took away our special talent. Pinkie is depressed, Applejack can't buck hard now, Rarity can't tell what is good or not, Fluttershy can't even talk to animals too. I still don't know if mine or Rainbow is completely gone yet." Lightning's eye starts twitching and starts inhaling deeply. All the mares' eyes widen. "Now Lightning, let's calm down and take it easy." Twilight tried to placate. "You know what, I changed my mind, public executions are going to make a comeback and where is Fluttershy." Lightning asks his whole body twitching every so often. Both Twilight and Rainbow tackle him and hugs him on both sides. "She's trying to get our cutie marks back. We had her play along since she was already liking this place. Wish I listened to Pinkie. I suffered for that last time." Twilight said. "You, no, I'll kill her myself." Lightning says as they try to restrain him as Applejack tried to help. 'I've never seen Lightning this mad before.' Pinkie thinks. 'It's his family and friends and they have their special life taken from them. What did you think would happen?' A voice asks in her head as she heard a knife being sharpened. 'Oh that makes sense…wait who are you?' Pinkie thinks with no reply. Lightning growls. "Let me go girls. And I'll unleash the power a hundred times of Celestia and Luna's full power on that bitch." "Calm down Lightning. It's going to be ok." Twilight tries to calm him down as Rarity noticed a storm on the horizon. Rainbow groans as she suddenly got on top of him. "Not working. Come on Lightning. At least calm down until morning." "One night, then I go on a rampage. Just pray I leave the village standing." Lightning says getting up and walks over and starts meditating. Rainbow stares at him. "Full on night with no hold backs if you don't." Lightning didn't respond and Twilight walked up to him and waved her hoof in front of his face with no reaction. "I've read about this. He put himself into a trance so he couldn't do anything until the appointed hour. It's a very high level mage technique." Twilight says. Rainbow sighs. "Leave a note in front of his face for when he wakes up. I at least want to leave this town standing and the ponies." "You think he was serious about that?" Applejack asks. "Remember that outburst when we faced Shadow?" Rainbow asks. "How could we forget?" Twilight said. "He practically vaporized the roof off." "Yeah, but was that is full power?" Rainbow asks. They all stare at her. "How do you know?" Rarity asks. "I'm not sure, it's just I have always had a feeling Lightning was holding back on his magic." Rainbow says. Twilight sighs. "Maybe it was to protect us. Just to make sure we didn't get hurt in it." "Yeah. We have never seen Lightning so mad before. Who knows what he will do?" Pinkie says. "And he reach that level of rage where he became calm. That is the scary thing." Twilight says. Rainbow sighs. "The most powerful are at their worst when things are calm for them." "Let us get some rest girls." Rarity says. Twilight nods. "Yeah. Just have to find a way to shut up that megaphone." She said glaring at the four speakers. The next morning, when the five returned, Lightning hadn't moved. "Wow, he's good." Twilight said looking him over. "Way too good." She said before nuzzling him. "Time to wake up Lightning. It's morning." Lightning didn't budge. "Is he…?" Rainbow asks. Twilight pressed her ear to his chest. "No, his heart's still beating." Rainbow sighs in relief before glaring again. "Seriously. Can we stop with these things?" She asks glaring to the megaphones again. Four knives suddenly pierced them and they spark and shut down. "It was getting on my nerves too. I had a harder time concentrating than normal." Lightning said getting up and stretching. "Three hours left, then I start." Lightning says popping his joints. Rainbow sighs. "Are you at least going to let her pay for the crimes?" "Oh, if I don't get her, four companies of the military are in hiding outside the village and have orders to storm it soon if they don't hear from me or any of you soon." Lightning says. Twilight looks worried. "Then she better let us out soon. I don't want the ponies here hurt because they were innocent." "Who is that?" Lightning asks looking to the sleeping stallion. They all look over to him. "Party Favor. He outed himself to save two more ponies who recognizes this whole plan for cutie marks is wrong. I just wish we could have figured this out sooner." Twilight said. "I'm going back into my trance. I will come out of it in two hours." Lightning says resuming it. Rainbow groans. "Where is Fluttershy with our cutie marks?" Hours later, Lightning came out his trance. "Well, let us see if there is any progress." Lightning says before looking out the window to see Twilight talking to Starlight and Fluttershy getting a bucket of water. Starlight smiles as Lightning steps out. "Ah Lightning, good news. Your wife has joined us so we can start immediately on your cottage here for both of you." "Oh you have dear?" Lightning asks pretending, holding in his anger as best he could as the storm drew nearer with each minute. Twilight nods. "Yes dear. I have decided to join this town because it is so peaceful and everypony is just so friendly." "Friendly you say?" Lightning asks Twilight and Rainbow the only ones noticing the twitch in his eye. Twilight smiles like the other ponies. "Yep, ready to join and live my life here." "Isn't that wonderful?" Starlight asks. "Oh, so they will let us leave and get our foal who is being watched by my grandmother and your parents?" Lightning asks. Starlight becomes surprised. "Foal? We would be happy for you to bring them here. We invite anypony who are friends and family." "But you said we couldn't leave." Twilight reminds as Fluttershy gets into position. Starlight hums. "Well, you can send a letter to let them come over. I'm sure we would get even more friends too." "But if nopony can leave, how can I send the letter?" Twilight asks as Lightning was barely holding his anger back when Fluttershy got into position. Starlight smiles. "Message birds. Its how we get supplies too." Fluttershy then throws the water at her. Starlight gasps and moves out of the way as it splashes next to her. "What is the meaning of this?" Party Favor, seeing water on her, goes to wipe it off. Starlight's eyes widen. "Hey, get away from there." She pleaded as he wipes at her cutie mark and reveals her true cutie mark underneath and everypony gasp as Fluttershy does a hoof pump. Soon the townponies start to turn on her. "Hey, I saved you and gave you friendship." Starlight tried to say. "No, this isn't true friendship." Twilight starts to say. "True friendship is when you ask them and they follow you without…" "Shut up!" Starlight yells at her making Twilight cringe and rear back, using her wing as a small shield. Lightning starts to chuckle as the storm came over the town at incredible speed. "Oh, that is not good." Rainbow says. Lightning's chuckles soon turns into full blown laughs. "You know, you can capture my friends and family, taking their cutie marks, that's another thing. But when you talk to me wife like that, that's the last straw with me." He said as his laughter started to go away and soon turned serious. "You want the power of control, fine, but I've decided now. I'm going to kill you." Lightning says with eyes like a predator. "You know Starlight, Lightning here has quite a few anger issues. It's hard to get him mad, but when that happens look out." Twilight says. Starlight watches on in shock as the scars that are shown start to light up and then a bolt of lightning strikes him causing a lot of smoke to be kicked up. All the ponies in town gasps as the smoke clears and they start staring wide eyed at the figure in front of them. Lightning stood there, his clothes burnt away, his eyes glowing with sparks of lightning coming out of the edges and his mane and tail were now pure lightning as sparks of lightning flowed off his wings and on his flank was a silver lightning bolt with fangs on both sides of it. "Take a good look. This is what true power looks like." Lightning says his voice with an echo like sound in it. "Now pay." He said running at her with too fast speeds. Starlight whimpers as Lightning seemingly disappeared as Starlight raised a shield around her in time to avoid a point blank blast of lightning to the body as the ponies had ran off to reclaim their cutie marks. "Wait, I can explain!" She pleaded into the air. "Oh, we are past that and just so you know, I have more power than both Celestia and Luna combined." Lightning says disappearing in a streak of lightning. Starlight starts to cry. "Please, forgive me." She said before an angry face pressed up against her shield. "Does this look like the face of forgiving?!" Lightning yells as he hits the shield before moving away, this time knocking her away from the town. "You know, you will be the first one I used this on in a long time. Now feel the wrath of the king of Equestria." Lightning says before bringing a hoof down and a massive torrent of lightning descended on her. 'Shadow, you best make her pay.' Lightning thinks as he sensed her as the torrent neared Starlight. Starlight screams in fear before something grabs her away and takes her to a plateau nearby as Lightning looks in her direction. "What is the meaning…?" He stops as he sees Starlight being lifted by somepony and holding her close. "You like smiles all around do you? Like everypony equal?" A face covered by a straight mane asks as she lifted Starlight up to her head. "Well…" She said before she pushes her hard smiling face with bloodshot eyes in front of her. "This is your vision. See how smiles would lead to your end vision. The equality of all!" Starlight starts screaming as she struggles in the pink mad pony's grasp. "Let me go! Please!" The pink pony giggles as she tilts her head creepily as she kept giggling with a high pitched tone. "This is your vision. Your true utopia, is it not? Come on, don't you want to see your vision come to life? You have already made it to stage one. This is the end stage." Starlight screams as she tries to look away. "Please! No more!" Lightning just stares as he started to power down as the ponies come back. "I did as you asked. I didn't destroy the town." Lightning says as Rainbow and Twilight were looking him over. Rainbow looks at him carefully. "Are you okay?" "I am fine. This is just the form I take at full power." Lightning says. Twilight smiles a bit. "It's…a good look." Lightning smiles to her. "You want me back, do you?" Twilight pushes her hooves together. "I fell in love with our awkward Lightning, not full powered Lightning." Hearing that, in an instant, the lightning from him faded. Twilight smiles. "Better. I love my Lightning just like he is now." She said hugging him. "Though I got to admit, you radiated power in that form and you finally have you cutie mark." Rarity says before their eyes see it too faded. Rainbow sighs. "Well, he'll always be our blank flank." She said joining the hug. "Oh, I can make it appear at will all I want." Lightning says. Twilight looks up. "So why don't you?" "You are going to have to work to get that answer. Now come on, before the military storms the town." Lightning says. Twilight giggles nervously. "Right after we get our cutie marks. Come on girls." She said as they all run to the vault before Fluttershy leads them to the home at the end and soon some crashes were heard a burst of light before one orb of light went out and to where Starlight and the pony is. "I'm going to go see the vault." Lightning says walking off to the cave. Twilight sighs in relief as she steps out again and sees Lightning heading to the mountain. "Lightning, where are you going?" Lightning didn't hear her and keeps walking up the mountain. Twilight sighs and looks to the others. "I'll go check on him. Just make sure that pony doesn't kill Starlight." She said following him. After he walked in, he noticed the other ponies back away from the vault as he examines it and then to the staff and pulls it to him with his magic. "No way she can do with just magic. There has to be something." "Lightning?" Twilight asks coming into the cave. "Let's see." Lightning says starting to examine the staff and vault with his magic. Twilight looks confused and walks up to him. "Lightning?" Lightning mumbled as his magic continued to flow as his eyes once again started to glow with lightning. Twilight steps up beside him as he kept glowing before he stops. "Lightning?" "Demonic." Lightning says stopping the magic. Twilight looks confused. "What?" "This 'vault' is a demonic magical artifact." Lightning says with full seriousness. Twilight looks surprised at the vault. "What do you mean?" "What I meant." Lightning says before using his magic, forcibly ripping the vault out of the wall and starts dragging it outside. "Um…Lightning? Isn't this a bit extreme?" Twilight asks following. "No." Lightning says. Twilight keeps watching him. "What are you going to do then?" "Purification ritual to destroy it." Lightning says. Twilight gets in front of him. "Lightning. At least think it through." "I have." Lightning says pulling it out of the cave before teleporting past her and onto a plateau nearby. Twilight sighs and sits down as she watches what he's doing. "Just at least be careful." Lightning says nothing as he start to flare his magic creating a circle of blazers on the plateau. The blazers were instantly lit as soon as they were created. Lightning starts meditating as a ring of magic starts to form and Twilight felt kind of magic she had never felt before as the circle completed and then the vault started to emit a red aura that Twilight could feel was pure evil. The vault then shot a red beam at Lightning only for a silver beam to be shot from him, causing them to clash both beams, struggling for dominance and Twilight watched as more circles start to form, this time in the air, creating a dome of magic circles. Soon, Lightning's silver beam started to gain ground and she sees the end of giant swords start to emerge from the circles, forming the dome and soon they shot the swords out and all of them pierced the vault and the red beam almost instantly disappeared and Lightning's beam overcame it and hits the vault in the center. She watches as the vault starts to crack and soon it starts to break apart before it starts to sink into the circle. "Wow, so that's how you banish these things." She said to herself. "No, it was destroyed." Lightning walking up to her, looking like he had gone a week without sleep. Twilight holds him in place with her hooves on his shoulders. "Are you okay?" "Such rituals is a test of wills and drain the energy of the ones doing it completely." Lightning says leaning on her for support. Twilight sighs and hugs him. "You did okay. I guess you are going to sleep for a long time now." Lightning didn't answer as he was already asleep. Twilight smiles and nuzzles him. "Good night Lightning." She said before lifting him with her magic and places him on her back and heads back to town. "Hey Twi…what happened to him?" Rainbow asks. Twilight just smiles. "Oh, just tuckered himself out destroying a demonic vault." "What?" Rainbow asks. "Oh, the vault turned out to be a demonic artifact according to Lightning here. You mind finding the military and telling them they can stand down while I tuck Lightning in?" Twilight asks. Rainbow nods and flies off as Twilight walks over to the house which held Starlight. "Hey, where did Starlight go?" "Don't worry, we got her tied back in the back Twi." Applejack says. Twilight looks around. "What about the pony that got her?" "Disappeared in a black pool underneath her." Applejack says. 'Shadow.' Twilight thinks. Twilight sighs. "Alright. We'll stay here the night and in the morning we'll head back home. You better get some sleep." She said before heading inside. Applejack smiles. "Sure thing Twi. I'll let Rainbow know where you went." "Where is Pinkie?" Twilight asks. "Helping plan the party, celebrating getting their cutie marks back." Applejack says. Twilight giggles. "Oh Pinkie. Oh well. I'll get him to bed. Make sure to get some food in the morning for us and Rainbow. He'll probably be hungry like crazy." "When was the last time he ate again?" Applejack asks. Twilight looks confused. "I don't know. It's been awhile since we got here without him." "Well he didn't eat last night or today." Applejack says. Twilight sighs. "When did Lightning eats like normal ponies these days?" "Point." Applejack says as Twilight takes him inside. Twilight sighs as she takes him upstairs and puts him on the bed before getting in with him and pulls the covers around them. "Good night Lightning." She said nuzzling him and hugs him before falling asleep with him. Lightning awoke two mornings later to Twilight and Rainbow laying on him. "Huh? Guess I should sleep more like this more often." He mused to himself as she moves his wings over them. "Ah, somepony is awake." Rainbow says opening her eyes, looking at him. Lightning sighs. "How long was I asleep?" "Around forty four hours." Rainbow says. Lightning nods. "I see. What happened during that time?" "Mostly Pinkie has been partying with the other ponies." Rainbow says inching closer. Lightning nods. "Anything else?" He asks moving his wings a bit. "Yeah, I missed speaking to you." Rainbow says before kissing him. Lightning kissed her back as Twilight moans and wakes up and sees them kissing. "Hey, where's my good morning kiss?" "Oh, you want me to kiss you too?" Rainbow jokes. Twilight smirks and raises an eyebrow. "You want to kiss me then?" She asks getting closer and moving on top of Lightning's stomach. "And what about me?" Lightning asks. They both look at him. "If you can kiss me better than Rainbow, then I would let you deal with me." Twilight said. "Oh competition then. Rainbow, you are up." Lightning says. Rainbow smirks and lunges at Twilight as Lightning just lays back and watches as Rainbow holds and kiss her down before letting go and giggles. "Alright, how was that?" Rainbow asks. "Good, if a bit dominating." Twilight says. "My turn." Lightning says getting up and walking over before grabbing her in his hooves and leaning her down before starting to kiss her. Twilight giggles into the kiss as she hangs onto him before let's go a bit. "Oh, that's better. Way more romantic. Now I just need a dinner kiss and my kiss life is complete." Twilight said. Lightning chuckles and lets her up. "A dinner date huh? Alright, I think I can do that. Fancy restaurant?" Lightning asks as Rainbow huffs, having lost the competition. Seeing this, Lightning moves to her and does the same to her. "Better?" Lightning asks. Rainbow sighs. "Better. Just you need to make it up to me." "I think one night is all I will need." Lightning says. Rainbow scoffs. "You better." "Oh now, don't be like that." Lightning says starting to pet her mane. Rainbow purrs. "That's nice." "There is my little Rainbow." Lightning says. Twilight frowns. "How about mine?" "Come here you." Lightning says pulling her close with his magic. Twilight smiles as he starts petting her and she purrs. "That's nice." She said leaning in to his petting. "Now both my queens are happy." Lightning says before kissing each one of their noses. They both giggle and Twilight looks to Rainbow. "You know, we should make a hardline treaty immediately with the other queen here." She said nuzzling Lightning and her. "I am willing to negotiate." Rainbow says. Twilight smirks. "Great. The negotiations will take place in Canterlot castle. One agreement on paper and the other in private." She said smirking. "Who needs the paper?" Rainbow says. Twilight giggles. "You're right. We can use blood or some other explicit bodily fluid." "Or we can agree through our husband here." Rainbow says. Twilight smirks as she looks to him. "What do you say Jarl and King Lightning? Agree to our future terms?" "Oh, what are they? Care to give a demonstration?" Lightning says wiggling his eyebrows at them. Twilight giggles. "Oh, exchange of resources, full trading following world trading rules, then there's sharing of the military and militia forces in times of need, and finally, full access to this." She said turning around and showing her flank and wiggling it and her tail in his face. "Whatever you want to do to it." "Oh, but I already have all of those." Lightning says before using the tip of his wing to brush it. Twilight shivers. "Never officially on paper. After all, you are the only one with access to this thing. It's very valuable as soon as I became queen. Now, want to write it all down?" "You are already queen love." Lightning reminds Twilight. Twilight smiles. "Yeah, but queen of the bed?" "That is me." Rainbow says. "I think Daring would contest that." Lightning says. They both huff. "She wants me for a pet." Twilight said. "She wants me to back off." Rainbow said. "Really, then why did I see you two kissing recently?" Lightning asks smirking at Rainbow. Rainbow growls. "Shut up." Lightning and Twilight giggles and chuckle as they all hug each other. "Aw, you can hide it between us. Just let us join once in a while." Twilight said wrapping her wings around them. "Poofy wings." Rainbow huffs. Lightning chuckles and tighten his wings around them now. "Better?" Rainbow just pouts. "Adorable." Lightning says. Twilight sigh. "Come on, our emergency train leaves in a few hours." She said letting her wings fold back and walks off. "Yeah, going to leave two companies here as the defense force and to catalog the area for our maps." Lightning says. Twilight nods as they start to follow her out. "Just as long you allow them their way of living the way they want." "I also decided on Starlight's punishment." Lightning says. "Please don't say execution." Twilight said. "No, she will serve the ponies of this town and if they can forgive her, then her punishment is done." Lightning says. Rainbow looks over to the sleeping Starlight. "And what will she be doing for them?" "What they want within reason." Lightning says. Twilight raises an eyebrow. "And what are the within reasons?" "Nothing sexual." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Ah yes, sexual torture." She said with air quotes. Twilight sighs as she walks up to Starlight and kicks her awake. "Wake up. Your punishment begins today." "I said none of that Twilight. She is basically getting community service." Lightning says. Starlight moans as she tries to get up and blinks awake groggily. "Wha…?" Lightning smiles creepily. "You are going to work off your punishment with community service until the citizens deem you fit for normal living and your punishment ends. If you can do what they want, fixing houses, helping with problems, then maybe you can be one step closer to being free as your old citizens." "Who are you really?" Starlight asks. "Me, I am the king of Equestria." Lightning says before smiling even harder and creepily. Starlight yells out and covers herself as she lays down again. "No! Don't smile! Please!" "Time for us to go girls." Lightning says. Both Twilight and Rainbow nods before following him out and a few guards come in and start to deal with Starlight. "Alright girls, let's go home." Twilight said to the others waiting outside. "On the way, I want to ask Applejack something." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "Sure, just make sure you eat on the train. I'm starving too." "So Applejack, I hear you and Zhang Liao really hit it off." Lightning says causing Pinkie to gasp and get into Applejack's face. "Give me all the details." Pinkie says. Applejack chuckles. "There's nothing much. He just helped with the farming and we hit it off from there." "So when's the wedding?" Lightning asks smirking. Applejack chuckles nervously. "Um…we haven't gotten that far." Pinkie giggles. "Give all the 'juicy' details." "Oh I agree darling. I must know." Rarity says. Applejack blushes. "Um…I'm not comfortable here." "We have a private car." Twilight says. Applejack shakes her head. "Still no." "Come on AJ, you got to tell us. This is your potential husband we are talking about." Rainbow says. Applejack frowns. "We aren't even at the dating stage yet." "Oh, did he give you flowers yet?" Lightning asks with a knowing smile. "Applejack, that is big in Stalliongrad. Flowers are hard to get up there because of the cold." Pinkie says. Applejack stares at her. "How do you know that?" "I took classes while we were there." Pinkie says smiling. "She's right Applejack." Twilight says. Applejack blushes. "Just stay out of my love life." "He has a major thing for you AJ. He asks to be transferred to my guard detail when he heard we were coming here." Lightning says. Applejack huffs. "At least you're honest." "Oh, AJ likes somepony." Rainbow says. Applejack blushes. "Shut up." She said as they enter the train. "You know I said no, but he could come with the second ship transport of troops to Equestria and they should be arriving soon." Lightning says. Applejack was now blushing hard. "He…dang it boy." "You won his heart Applejack and won it well. He has it bad for you. Which is a surprise for he has, for as long as I can remember, been fully committed to his career. How did you win his heart?" Lightning asks curious. Applejack frowns. "Like I said, he just wanted to help out on the farm." "And what did you do?" Fluttershy asked meekly. Applejack sighs. "Invited him over for dinner when done." "And?" Pinkie asks. Applejack frowns. "And basically treated him like family and let him stay for the night." "Sounds like sometime next month Pinkie." Rarity jokes. Pinkie giggles and hugs Applejack. "How do you want your wedding?" "Pinkie." Applejack says. "He is a high ranking military officer Pinkie, take that into account." Lightning says. Pinkie smiles. "Military wedding it is." Lightning smirks as he watch Applejack blushes. Twilight sighs as she sits down. "At least this whole thing's over with. How's the foals?" "Daring and Silva are looking after them with your parents and your brother and sister-in-law will be at the castle when we return." Lightning says sitting next to her and Rainbow taking the other seat beside him. Twilight sighs. "Good. Now we just need to bring the panic level down from me being gone." "Oh, they will be informed we are now married when they arrive, so expect an ambush." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "How do you bring such strange things into our life?" "I didn't, not sure if it will be your brother or sister-in-law ambushing us though." Lightning says. Twilight smirks. "You will have my brother and I'll have my sister-in-law." "You think you can smuggle me past him? Not at full energy yet. My full power form burns my energy very fast while doing that ritual drained me even more. I won't fully recover till next week." Lightning says as Twilight noticed he did look extremely tired. Twilight sighs. "Go to sleep." "I'm awake and with you two." Lightning says bringing them close with his wings. Twilight shakes her head. "Go to sleep." "Oh?" Lightning asks starting to pet both of them, playing dirty. They both purr at his petting. "Go to sleep." Rainbow said. "Why? I got two beauties right here. I don't need to dream." Lightning says. "His flirting has improved." Rainbow says in between purrs. Twilight nods as she leans into his petting. "Yeah. That's the trouble part." "You had me read those books." Lightning reminds. They both wrap their wings around him and pulls Lightning's head on Rainbow's lap and makes him lay down. "Go to sleep." They said. "You got something to offer to convince me?" Lightning asks wiggling his eyebrows at them. They both sigh in exasperation. "Go to sleep. You have been tired for too long." Twilight said. "Not hearing an offer." Lightning says playfully teasing them. Rainbow looks down at him. "How about a full night with no hold backs?" "Hum…nah. I was thinking a day of relaxation and fun for the whole family when we get the gate up and running." Lightning says. Twilight looks to him. "Gate?" "You haven't come across a warp gate in your studies?" Lightning asks. "Only a bit. But it's pretty hard to make them." Twilight said. "Yeah, you need a very powerful elemental crystal powering both." Lightning says making one appear in his hoof. They all stare at it. "How…?" Twilight asks. "It takes a lot of magic to make one. Why do you think I have been so busy and tired lately?" Lightning says. Twilight shakes her head. "Time to take a break. Go to sleep." "Just put this, aw…you want to study it, don't you?" Lightning asks. Twilight sighs. "No, I'm worried about you. Now please go to sleep for our sake." Lightning moved the crystal and one of Twilight's eyes followed it. "Just don't break it, ok love?" Lightning asks. Twilight sighs and takes it. "Now please, for all our sakes, go to sleep. I'm not taking no for an answer." "Care to sweeten the deal with a kiss?" Lightning asks. Twilight rolls her eyes and lifts him up a bit before kissing him. "Better be a goodnight kiss for you." As she tries to move away, Lightning pulls her head back into the kiss and deepened it. Twilight holds onto him as she kisses back and Rainbow pets his head as she watches the train move from the window. "I love this family." "Your turn." Lightning says ending the kiss with Twilight. Rainbow smiles as she keeps petting him. "You have to work for it." "Oh?" Lightning says reaching up and starts massaging her wing joint. Rainbow moans as she leans forward. "Now that feels good, but try harder." Lightning smirks and starts doing both joints. Rainbow smiles and leans into his massage. "That's nice." "How do you know she needs that?" Twilight asks. "Experience of pulling my wing many times." Lightning says as Twilight noticing his wing joints look a little swollen. Twilight sighs. "Lightning?" "Yes?" Lightning asks as Rainbow was now laying on him. Twilight smirks. "When we get home. You are going to get a massage post haste." "Why do you say that?" Lightning asks before Rainbow starts kissing him. Twilight feels around his wing joints. "You've been through too much now. Now, it's time to rest." "Fine." Lightning says after wincing. Twilight frowns. "Lightning Bolt. You will sleep and get some rest and relaxation." "Alright, you win." Lightning says catching Twilight and Rainbow off guard. "Uhh…why now?" Rainbow asks. "My body is over taxed and was trying to hide it." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs. "Yeah right." "Rainbow, look here." Twilight says pointing to his wing joints. Rainbow looks to them. "Dang." "You want to rephrase that last statement?" Twilight asks. Rainbow frowns. "He better get to that spa." "I'm thinking acupuncture." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "And I'm thinking of hoof style." "Acupuncture?" Rainbow asks. Lightning shrugs. "Lightning on the muscles." "Acupuncture, the stimulation of specific acupuncture points along the skin of the body using thin needles. It can be associated with the application of heat, pressure, or laser light to these same points." Twilight says reciting the definition. Lightning pets her. "Good job my wife and student." "Doesn't that hurt?" Rainbow asks putting his head back in her lap after rearranging herself. Lightning shrugs. "A bit, but you get use to it." "You want to hurt yourself?" Rainbow asks giving him a look. Lightning shakes his head. "No, it relaxes your muscles and everything. It'll be fine." Rainbow keeps giving him the look till Twilight whispers something into her ear. "Really, that good?" She whispers. "So I have read." Twilight whispers back. Lightning smirks as he tries to sleep on their laps. When he awoke, he felt the train coming into station. "What time is it?" He asks sitting up. "Time to sneak you out of here. Hold on, going to try an invisibility spell." Twilight says. Lightning yawns and looks around. "Alright, where do we go first?" "You on my back and straight to the castle." Twilight says. Lightning nods and looks outside for a bit. "Huh, seems there's a huge stage in the middle of the courtyard." He said as Twilight places him on her back and starts to walk out. Twilight smiles as she lights up her horn before they all see Lightning disappear into thin air right on her, but they can still see the depression on her. "Alright, let's go." She said as they head out and she turns to one of the guards. "Send word to make a private train for us. Ready for war even. I have a feeling we might need it in the future." She said and the guard nods and walks off as Twilight and the others head off to the castle. "See them anywhere?" She asks the others. "No sign of your brother or the other princess." Applejack says. Twilight smiles as she walks past the courtyard and stops as she stares at the stage. "Um…what are you two doing here?" She asks Talion and Typhoon on the stage. Talion smiles. "About to perform." "With your wives?" Rainbow asks. Talion frowns. "Hey, we are just about to have fun. Besides, it's about to start. Want to stay for it?" "Can't, got to get to the castle." Twilight says. Both Typhoon and Talion look to each other before shrugging. "Okay. Just try to listen if you're curious." Typhoon said. Twilight nods and they all follow her again as they reach the front gate of the castle. "Might as well listen." Lightning said near her ear. Twilight smiles. "We'll leave the window open for you." She said heading inside and the others all walk off to their own things with Rainbow following. "I'm sure you'll be proud of them." Lightning smiles. "I already am." Twilight giggles as she walks to their room and she places him on the bed before opening the window and they hear some cheering. "Guess they're starting. She said now lifting him up and placing him on the couch near the window. "Let's see what they got." She said sitting near him. They both look outside and watch as the sun starts to set and the lights start up. Typhoon bumps against Talion once as he smirks at her. "I don't like walking around this old and empty house." She sang. Talion smiles as they both turn to each other. "So hold my hoof and I'll walk you through my dear." They both start moving along to the strumming. "The stairs creak as you sleep, it's keeping me awake." Talion rolls his eyes. "It's the house telling you to close your eyes." Typhoon smirks as some trumpets sounded from the band behind them. "And some days I can't even dress myself." Talion grabs her hoof. "It's killing me to see you this way." They both nod and grab each other's hoof and starts to make a dance of each other. "Cause though the trough may vary, this ship will carry our bodies safe to shore." They both said. Twilight and Lightning see the mare that use to teach them how to dance and her horn light up before she sends out a blinding light and immediately once it dies down does the view change to something in the mountain and the stage into an airship. "So that's what it was about." Twilight remarks as they keep watching and they hear the band start up and some chorus. Lightning nods. "Yeah, but they never got that far when they performed for us. They never got the spell down. Probably threw them off." Typhoon dances around Talion as he tries to hold in his laughter. "There's an old voice in my head that's holding me back." Talion smiles. "Well tell her that I miss our little talks." Typhoon shakes her head. "Soon it will be over and buried with our past." Talion looks to the park ahead of them. "We use to play outside when we were young and full of life and full of love." Typhoon stops in front of him. "Some days, I don't know if I am wrong or right." Talion bows like a gentlecolt. "Your mind is playing tricks on you my dear." They both hug each as the crowd keeps cheering. "Cause through the truth may vary this, ship will carry our bodies safe to shore." They both said. "Don't listen to a word I say." A mare and stallion joins right behind them. "The screams all sounds the same. Thought the truth may vary, this ship will carry our bodies to shore." They all said. Both Talion and Typhoon step up. "You're gone, gone, gone away, I watched you disappear. All that's left is a ghost of you. Now we're torn, torn, torn apart. There's nothing we can do. Just let me go and we'll meet again soon." The mare and stallion picks them up and places them on their backs as the background of the mountains starts to change to just clouds. "Now wait, wait, wait for me. Please hang around. I'll see you when I fall asleep." The mare turns to Talion on her back. "Don't listen to a word I say." They say. "The screams all sound the same." The stallion and Typhoon said together. "Though the truth may vary this ship will carry our bodies safe to the shore." They all said together. "Don't listen to a word I say. The screams all sound the same. Though the truth may vary this ship will carry our bodies safe to shore." Both Talion and Typhoon jump off before walking up to the stage edge. "Though the truth may vary, this ship will carry our bodies safe to shore." They said as the background shows a large image coming up that looks like a chimera with many wings. "Though the truth may vary, this ship will carry our bodies safe to shore." They said as the airship passes the large mountain image and soon the illusion fades and they were left with the original stage as the lights die down. Lightning starts clapping his hooves as they all take a bow to the cheering crowd. "You know, I can see why they choose that song back then in Stalliongrad." He said as both Talion and Typhoon high hoof each other. "Oh, I want to go hug my foals." Rainbow says with pride. Twilight smiles to her. "You really did have great foals Rainbow." "You will have your own soon Twi." Lightning whispers into her ear. Twilight giggles. "How could I forget? Where's Scootaloo?" "At this point, should be heading home from school." Lightning says before playfully nipping her ear. Twilight blushes. "I forget, did she freak out anypony?" Lightning shrugs. "Not that I know of or she tells me." Rainbow rolls her eyes. "Want me to go check on her?" "Go ahead. I'll try and sneak our husband here into our room without my brother or Cadance finding us." Twilight says. Rainbow nods and walks off. "Sure thing. Later guys." She said walking off. Lightning sighs. "At least I can rest some more." "Let's just hope we down run into…" Twilight was cut off when somepony called out to her. "Excuse me, Queen Twilight?" Twilight turned around and saw a smirking Cadance. "Shoot." Twilight said as she lights up her horn. Cadance holds out her hooves. "Come give your old foalsitter a hug." Twilight makes a blinding flash from her horn before hugging her. "It's great to see you Cadance." Cadance smirks. "Who was that?" "I don't know what you are talking about." Twilight says. "It was Lightning, your husband, wasn't it?" Cadance asks. Twilight looks behind her and trying to look up and down. She spots a suit of armor slightly out of place. "No, I don't have a husband yet. It's still a very much dating phase." She said watching the armor. "Me and Shining have heard what happened queen. You married Lightning to gain legitimacy and to stop Blueblood from becoming king." Cadance says. Twilight waves it off. "No, it's not like that." "Oh that, have you…you know?" Cadance asks. Twilight taps Cadance's stomach as she kept watching. "Well…not really." "You went all the way already, haven't you?" Cadance asks with a knowing smirk. Twilight nods. "Yeah. I did." "Oh my, how was it?" Cadance asks. "I almost went straight. Now I'm bi, so I can get both." Twilight says. Cadance giggles. "My little foal has grown up so much. And even rutting like a horny mare too." "Oh, he fulfill that fantasy of mine upon my request. So have you heard the rumors I will be pregnant soon?" Twilight asks. Cadance nods. "Yes and poor Shiny has been pacing around worried sick." "Please go tell him I am currently not pregnant." Twilight asks. Cadance smirks. "Sure. Now where is your husband?" "I sent him to our room. He has been working himself to the bone. Even the muscles around his wing joints are swollen." Twilight says. Cadance hisses. "Ouch. He is okay, right?" "Yeah, he just needs to take it easy for a bit and maybe see a massage therapist, but he said he would prefer acupuncture." Twilight says. Cadance shakes her head. "Nonsense. It's best to see by hooves." "He grew up in the east remember, different ways of thinking." Twilight says. Cadance smiles. "And it's time to let him experience that way of massages." "Actually." Twilight whispered some details of the art into Cadance's ear. "Oh my." She said. "Still…it's best to learn about new styles." "Maybe you could have Shining take a few. Might help him get it up." Twilight jokes getting a giggle from both. They heard a growl outside the door. "Oh lighten up brother." Twilight says. A head peeks around the corner. "Cadance, may I see you for a bit?" "Oh, now you have done it." Cadance says smirking before practically skipping into the door. Twilight giggles as she hears her brother angrily talking. "You know how much I react when somepony talks about me like that. And you know what I want to do." Cadance giggles. "Oh yes. Let me guess, shower or the pantry closet?" Shining huffs. "Where do you think?" Twilight left and made her way over to Lightning's hiding place and gets him. "You okay?" Lightning smirks. "Wow, he can sure suggest some places. Want to try them?" Twilight sighs. "Maybe. But for now, let's get you to bed. I will get the therapist for later." Twilight says before kissing the back of his ear. Lightning smiles as his ear flicks in her direction. "Oh Twi. Let's go. I am pooped." "Alright. I will send Daring, Silva, and the foals to see you soon." Twilight says leading him. Lightning nods. "I would like that. But I would probably be asleep in bed by then." "I highly doubt that our foals will be coming back soon and it won't take me long to find the others." Twilight says nuzzling his neck. Lightning nuzzles her head. "You know, I need a bit something from you." "Only after you have rested." Twilight says petting his chest. Lightning sighs. "Just…try for me." "I got a plan in motion that I think you will enjoy and if we do that, you won't get to see your foals or the other mares and I know they would be so disappointed in that." Twilight says. "You have gotten good with the guilt trips." Lightning says. Twilight smirks. "I know. Now let's get you to bed and set you up for them." "Yes Queen Sparkle." Lightning says. Twilight giggles and nuzzles him. "Aw, you always know what to say." "The infrastructure of the gate has already been completed. We just need to install the crystal so don't get too attached Twi." Lightning says as he crawls into the bed. Twilight sighs and pulls the covers around him. "I'll bring you some lunch. You stay here, okay?" "Ok love." Lightning says getting comfortable. Twilight nuzzles him one last time before heading out. "You need something, call the guards." "Ok." Lightning says kissing her head. Twilight smiles and turns around before waving her tail like crazy at him. Lightning shakes his head as he smiles at her. He sighs and lays back as he watches outside the window and just watches the sky pass by as a figure flies by. "Welcome home Scoots." "Mommy, your home." Typhoon says hugging Rainbow. Rainbow giggles and hugs both her and Talion. "You guys were so good. Can't believe you two have been practicing that much." Talion smirks. "Yeah, we're awesome." Rainbow smirks and ruffles his mane. Typhoon frowns. "Hey, where's mine?" "Ok." Rainbow says before starting on her as well. Typhoon purrs and leans in to the petting. "Oh, you are so much like me." Rainbow says. Typhoon giggles as Talion hugs her. "That's my sis." "And where is your little brother?" Rainbow asks. They both look to each other and looks back to her. "We don't know." They both said. "What?" Rainbow asks raising her eyebrow at them. They both shrug. "We don't know." Rainbow frowns before hearing some crashing behind them and they see a little colt and guards chasing him. "There he is." They both said. "Come here my little colt." Rainbow says leaning down with her hooves open. Windstorm giggles and runs into her hooves and hugs her as the guards pants as they stop in front of him. "Okay, that colt is crazy." One said. "No, he is just active. Aren't you?" Rainbow asks nuzzling him as she hold him. Windstorm giggles and hugs her snout and kisses it. Rainbow smiles before rasberring his stomach before saying, making him laugh. "Come on you two, your father is back and wants to see you." Rainbow says. They both smile and follows her as they meet up with Twilight with two trays of food and drinks. "Hey Twi, what's on the menu?" "A quick snack before Lightning goes back to sleep. We best go see him, Daring, Star, and Silva are already in there." Twilight says. The foals all laugh before rushing ahead and heads inside and they hear them cheer before some laughing was heard. "Aw, we got a great family, don't we?" Rainbow asks. "Yeah, now help me get the door." Twilight says. Rainbow sighs and opens the door before they see all the foals jumping on the bed and Windstorm being nuzzled by Lightning. "Aw." Rainbow said as they walk in. "Hey Rainbow." Daring says petting Star as she naps. Rainbow giggles as she sits by her. "How is she?" "She is doing well. I just finished nursing her when Twilight found me." Daring says. Rainbow smiles as she pets Star's mane too. "They are so good, aren't they?" "She has been a perfect angel. Yesterday, she threw a water balloon at a guard." Daring says. Rainbow smirks. "Really, what else did she do?" "Bucket of water on the door the day before." Daring says. Rainbow smiles as she looks to Star. "Good girl." "She is like her mother." Lightning says tiredly. Twilight sighs as she kept feeding him. "Yeah, but still like their father." "Speaking of foals, where is Scoots?" Lightning asks. They heard a window slam shut. "I'm back! What's for lunch?" Scootaloo asks walking past their door. "Scootaloo, get your flank in here." Rainbow calls. Scootaloo pokes her head back around the corner. "Oh, there you are. What's for lunch?" She asks walking in and they see a saddlebag tied on her back. "You get done with school?" Rainbow asks as she walks over and pets her mane. Scootaloo nods. "Yeah, finished early today. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle will come later." "Oh Scoots, get this, Applejack has a coltfriend." Rainbow says. Scootaloo looks over to her. "Really, when is the marriage?" She asks smirking. "Sometime next month or so." Rainbow smirks while saying. Scootaloo giggles and looks over to Lightning. "Hey dad." "Hey angel, how are you?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo sighs. "Bored." "Still can assign you chores." Lightning jokes. Scootaloo brightens up. "Not so bored." Lightning chuckles. "I thought not. Oh and we are also going to be bringing over a few sports from Stalliongrad." Lightning says. Twilight smirks. "I don't have to worry about dead creatures, do I?" "No, I mean like the sports the pegasus played in the festival with the balls and rings." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "Good, you keep the creatures away because we don't see killing creatures as a fun sport." "So Scootaloo, you know who Applejack's coltfriend is?" Rainbow asks. Scootaloo shrugs. "I don't know." "You remember the officer that sat with us in the booth and killed that monster scorpion in one hit?" Rainbow asks. Scootaloo sighs. "Him? Really? Him?" "Applejack won his heart. It was a shock to most of our officers." Lightning says. Scootaloo raises an eyebrow. "All right. I'll just forget about the time he asked me about how to kill my kind when needed when you guys get married." "He isn't marrying into our family Scoots." Lightning says. Scootaloo yawns. "He's marrying and getting close to our family. That's what's troubling." "He is a good stallion Scoots, he is just military through and through." Lightning says. Scootaloo huffs. "So letting him know how to kill my species is a good thing?" "He knows how to kill dragons and Wyverns and you seen a demonstration of his strength, you think you can match that?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo stares at him. "Want to place us in a ring?" "No. I asked you a question Scoot, do you think you can match his strength?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo raises an eyebrow. "Yeah, I'm already strong enough." "He wasn't using his full strength Scoots. There is a difference between confidence and arrogance. Remember what arrogance almost cost you last time." Lightning says. Scootaloo huffs and walks away with some grumbling. Lightning shakes his head. "That ego of hers will get her into serious trouble one day." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Where is he?" "In the harbor seeing to the troops and others disembarking." Lightning says. Rainbow frowns. "You know who I mean." "Oh, I left a little surprise in her room." Lightning says. They all look confused. "Surprise?" They all ask. Lightning just smirks. "Does he really think I'm that weak?" Scootaloo huffs as she walks to her room. "I mean, I'm tough. I took that stallion on and won." She sighs as she reaches her doors. "You can head off guys and maybe prepare the construction ponies." She said to the guards to which they nod and head off before heading in and frowns. "Dang it, who left the door open?" She asks herself as she heads to the patio doors and closes them. "Were you always this cranky?" A voice asks behind her. Scootaloo freezes before suddenly spinning around with her tail leading the tail and gets herself caught. "I taught you that, remember?" The same voice that she now sees as another version of herself, but a bit bigger and buffer and for some reason, more pony. "Who are you?" Scootaloo asks pulling her tail back hard. "Tiyries. Your father made a few alterations so you wouldn't be alone." Tiyries says. Scootaloo frowns. "Why are you more pony?" Tiyries sighs. "Unfortunately, this was a spell to turn me into a pony. But when he realized you were turning into a part dragon and pony hybrid, he had to cut the process into a form that could reproduce with you. Hence, more pony than dragon." Tiyries says. Scootaloo looks at him before walking over and looks him over. "Huh, looks fine to me. Still needs work on that tail." "Like this?" Tiyries asks yanking her tail a bit. Scootaloo yelps and glares at him. "Bone head." Tiyries smirks. "Please, you called me better things. Now, do you want try a flight with me or just lay in content next to me?" Scootaloo keeps watching him. "Do you think I'm weak?" "No, but there is always something stronger out there. Your father is one of them. Every instinct of mine tells me not to anger him in anyway les I wish to die." Tiyries says. Scootaloo groans. "Dad, you really mess up my life." She hissed. Tiyries chuckles as he opens his leathery wings and wraps it around her. "Come on, why don't we grab a meal and see where that goes, huh? After all, he gave you me when he didn't have to." Scootaloo looks to him before sighing. "Fine, just let me place my stuff away." "He also told me one thing." Tiyries says as she walks away. Scootaloo looks to him. "What is that?" "I hereby give my consent for you to marry my eldest daughter, Scootaloo." Tiyries says. Scootaloo stared wide eyed. "What?" "He gave his consent and approval Scoots." Tiyries says. Scootaloo blushes a bit. "Dang it dad. You really know how to complicate things." "What was that?" Tiyries asks. Scootaloo sighs. "Nothing. Come on. Let's grab some meat and head off. By the way, have you seen my brothers and sisters?" "Not yet." Tiyries says. Scootaloo smirks. "Good. Because I'm going to enjoy your face when you have to deal with them." "Wait is your eldest sibling here?" Tiyries asks. Scootaloo looks around for her clothing. "Which one? I'm sort of the oldest here." "Midnight." Tiyries says. Scootaloo smiles. "Oh, that guy. No, he's in Saddle Arabia. We actually live here now. He lives in Saddle Arabia." She said getting some of her clothes out of the closet. "Don't know where he is now though." "I thought you two really got along." Tiyries says. Scootaloo giggles. "Yeah, we did. But that's because he had time and everything. Soon he would be busy with politics and I hope he has time to at least see us." "Scootaloo, you're hiding something." Tiyries says. "I…I am worried about father's health." Scootaloo says. Tiyries sighs. "Maybe you should enjoy the rest of his life instead of arguing with him." "I know, it is just I get so angry at him sometimes and I don't know why." Scootaloo says. Tiyries raises an eyebrow before looking her over. "I think I know." "Huh?" Scootaloo asks. Tiyries smiles. "It's your dragon side talking. You're just cranky because of your dragon mind placing dominance. Because the only other fighter capable is your father and your mind knows he's weak at the moment, it wants to take over the dominance of the family." He said tapping her head. "And if I attempted?" Scootaloo asks. "Even weakened, his power is still greater than yours and all his officers as well I am willing to bet." Tiyries says. Scootaloo looks to him. "Can I stop it?" "Yeah, just confront yourself and admit you are not the strongest. It may hurt your pride, but it is the truth." Tiyries says. Scootaloo frowns. "Dang it." "Come on, you can do this." Tiyries says having her face the mirror. Scootaloo still frowns before huffing. "Fine." Tiyries smiles and hugs her with his wing. "That's my dragoness." Lightning smiles as he plays a board game with both Typhoon and Talion. "Okay, you two. You're turn." He said watching their pieces. Typhoon moves a piece and Talion backs her up. "Checkmate." Lightning said moving one piece and knocks down their emperor piece. "I thought we had that covered." Talion says. Lightning smiles. "You left the far middle left side uncovered. Now, again?" He asks to which they both nod. He chuckles as he sets up the pieces again before the door opens and they see Scootaloo walk in with another dragon and pony hybrid behind her. "I see you found your surprise." Lightning says ruffling Talion and Typhoon's manes. Scootaloo nods and walks over to him before looking at Tiyries. "What the heck do I say?" She hissed. "Say nothing daughter. I did it for you so you would be happy." Lightning says. Scootaloo keeps watching Tiyries until he nods. She groans and looks back to Lightning. "I…dang it." Lightning smiles and gets off the bed and walks over to Scootaloo and hugs her. "You have really grown my little angel. No longer are you a little foal, but a grown mare." Lightning says. Scootaloo stares down at him since she was a little bigger, but sighs. "I'm not strong at all." She said finally. "You are still growing my daughter. You have all the time in the world to become strong." Lightning says. Scootaloo closes her eyes. "I'm sorry." "It's ok my daughter. I was hot headed too when I was your age." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs. "So…can I go?" Lightning smiles. "How about a game? Old time sake." "Sure dad." Scootaloo says smiling, feeling happier than she had in a long time. Tiyries smiles as he walks over. "Mind if I play with her as her advisor?" "Go ahead." Lightning says before the game began. "And with that, I call checkmate. Well done my daughter." Lightning says after forty moves. Scootaloo blushes. "I'm not that smart." Lightning smirks. "Did you know that the plans we came up for the Dominion were never released to the public or on paper? You came up with six months' worth of planning in just an hour. You are smart my daughter." Tiyries was just playing around with Talion, Typhoon, and Windstorm since the game ended. "Really?" Scootaloo asks surprised. Lightning chuckles. "Maybe I should make you tactician. They just have to get use to your blabbering when you're thinking." "Dad, I have no training in such thing." Scootaloo says. "That is why I will enroll you in the classes that will be starting up soon at Canterlot University. You will learn and be trained there." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs. "I don't think I can go even if I wanted. On paper, I'm still kindergarten." "If the king orders it, do you think those in the university will object? Besides, you have been homeschooled for a long time." Lightning says. "He's right. You might as well try it out." Tiyries said tickling Windstorm. "Very well." Scootaloo says. "Good, I'll draw up some paperwork for when you need to go, but for now, I'm sure you want to spend some time with your favorite dragon." Lightning said setting up the game again as Talion and Typhoon took their places. "Thanks dad. I love you." Scootaloo says. Lightning nods and hugs her. "Love you too. You'll be a great mare dragon soon enough. Just give it time and maybe you'll beat me." Scootaloo smiles and leaves with Tiyries. "And you were worried about that." Lightning says and Twilight comes out. Twilight sighs. "She's fully grown into her body, but her mind is still catching up. Of course I was worried. She's still a teenage mare." "Give her time. I was just like her when I was a teenager." Lightning says noticing two ponies were with Twilight. Twilight looks to the two ponies. "Oh yeah. Meet the therapist who will be administering the treatments." Twilight says. Lightning stares at them. "Can I still play on this board as you do your job?" He asks them. "Play time is over hun, time for the treatment." Twilight says. Lightning sighs. "Okay guys. Take this into your room. Play against each other for a bit." He said packing up the pieces and board and gives it to Talion and Typhoon. "Ok dad." They say before taking it away and Twilight picks up Windstorm and holds him. "I'll take him to bed. He looks tired. Aren't you?" She said tickling him as he giggles and then yawns after she stopped. "Okay, bedtime for you." "Bye Windstorm, I will see you soon." Lightning says laying out. He coos and waves back before going to sleep on Twilight's shoulder. "You may begin." Lightning says seeing the needles. Twilight soon came back to see Lightning with several needles sticking out of his back. "How do you feel?" She asks walking up to him. Lightning sighs in relief. "A bit better. That had to run some electricity through the needles for some hard muscles." "You feeling better?" Twilight asks walking up and touching his nose to hers. Lightning nods and licks her nose. "Yeah. Really good." "I'm happy to hear you are better now. I just hope nopony interrupts us." Twilight says. "Hey Twi, where's the hard shampoo you use?" Shining asks walking in and stopping at the sight of Lightning. "Under the sink." Twilight says as the next needle was placed into Lightning's back. Shining's coat stands on end for a moment before going down. "Um…thanks." "This is a medicinal technique brother." Twilight says. Shining winces as another needle was placed. "Yeah…um, I got to go." He said before running off. "That's one way to scare off the in-laws." Lightning jokes. Twilight giggles. "He was deathly afraid of needles since colthood." "Oh Twilight, why was my husband running?" Cadance asks walking in. Twilight waves her hoof at Lightning. "See for yourself." Cadance sighs. "I was hoping he would go for the hoof massage." Twilight shakes her head. "Too much damage." "Huh?" Cadance asks. "He has been overworking his magic a lot lately." Twilight says. Cadance walks over and looks him over. "Wow. Must be a lot of damage." She said poking a particular spot before one of the therapist waved her off. "So, what's wrong with my Shining? I was about to play our favorite fun time together." She said gaining a blush. "Needle phobia." Twilight says. Cadance frowns. "Shoot. Guess I will use the guards. You don't mind, do you?" "Actually, after a patrol group tried to kill some of Lightning's foals, we are very strict on them and are weeding out traitors still." Twilight says. Cadance smirks. "Want me to gather information?" "Actually, yes. Act oblivious to the fact Celestia and Luna stepped down voluntarily and make a few insults about me and one less so about Twilight and we will see if any traitors take the bait and try and persuade you into joining their conspiracy." Lightning says. Cadance giggles. "Oh, that will be fun. But don't be surprised if I'm having some fun of my own, okay?" "Just don't get carried away. If they learn you support us, they may try and kill you as well." Lightning says. Cadance smirks. "Ever heard of a succubus?" "Yes." Lightning says. Cadance licks her lips. "Don't even mess with me." "My lord, a report. Lord Zhang Liao has arrived and several documents need to be seen to." A guard says running in. Lightning nods. "Okay, bring the papers to me and have Zhang Liao on standby for a bit." Cadance smiles as she walks away. "I'll keep the guards busy. They love their queen of love." "Sir, Zhang Liao requests time off as soon as he finishes getting the ships unloaded." A new guard says upon entering. "Granted, send for a few official to help with the documents." Lightning says. The guard nods and heads out to which Twilight smiles. "So, you want me to help with papers too?" "Yes, make sure the officials are being truthful to me and it seems Zhang Liao is actually head over heels for Applejack." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "Let's hope they don't insult you or you will hit them in the face just because." "I'm not that much of a hot head my queen." Lightning says. "You knocked a noble for insulting the foals like they were freaks about all the way to the park." She reminded. "Yes, with family, not with politics." Lightning says. "Then there was that time they directly insulted me bring unworthy of being a queen and called me a harlot for doing so and then you punch him out of the window and into the mountain." She reminded again. "You are my wife." Lightning says simply. "And of course that other time when they were challenging you to a duel for kingship and you won by punching them out of the ring. Seriously, lay off the punching." "If I don't punch them, I will have to use a sword love and then they wouldn't survive." Lightning says. Twilight giggles. "Want another time?" "After this, we will get back on what you want love." Lightning says. Twilight smirks. "How about no holdbacks for that one?" "As you wish love." Lightning says as he hears the officials approach. Twilight sighs as the officials come in and stare at Lightning. "It's okay guys. Come on in. My wife will be helping with the paper. Now where is Madam Mycroft?" Lightning asks. "Here." She said holding up some papers. "How is the EUP?" Lightning asks. Mycroft smiles. "Going well. Still, those armors we are given need to be lighten up. It's weighing us down." "Still in the prototype stage and I have decided to elevate you in your position to replace the latest traitor we apprehended. By the way, how is your little brother Sherlock Hooves?" Lightning asks. Mycroft sighs in relief. "He's going so well. About to start school in Ponyville too." "Ah, so that is how he is going to cover his expenses with his experiments." Lightning says. Mycroft sighs. "Unfortunately. Hey, you want to enroll your son, please give us a hundred bits for insurance per day." She mimics the principle. "It's good I make enough per day for that." Lightning shakes his head. "He is brilliant, but lacks social graces and a head for expenses. If we could, I would recruit him into our ranks, but he is a free spirited pony." Lightning says. Mycroft nods. "Good. Now then, shall we move onto another piece of business? Family matters is something private." "Yes, pick any document and we will start with it." Lightning says. Mycroft looks over some papers. "There is the business of shops needed more licenses for trading. Normally, this is done between the trading office and them, but the amount coming in and where it's heading, kinda makes it needed for your approval." "Give me the details." Lightning says. She flips through the pages. "We got shops on fabric, food, tools, magic, library with many books, blacksmith and some regular shops of trinkets and a bakery for some reason." "Give them my approval and watch closely for any inconsistencies as I have already made it known to the nobles, I will not tolerate stealing from the country." Lightning says. Mycroft nods. "Sure. Signature." She said placing a sheet and looks over the rest. "The queen will sign for me and herself as I cannot do so right now." Lightning says. Mycroft smiles. "I can see that. Now the next one is on the subject of this train that the queen here commissioned for. Strange design and features." "That train was designed in case of war. Such a thing would be very valuable in case the Dominion invaded once more." Lightning says. Mycroft nods. "Well, the engine and fuel train car is ready, just need the options and design for the rest of the train my queen." "I will see to that later." Twilight says. Mycroft nods and looks back to her papers. "Also, give this to Spike and Agni." Twilight said to one of the guards. "And have the blacksmith and jewel maker with the mage come in to help make this. This is only for us right now." She said giving a scroll to the guards. Mycroft eyes the scroll. "Something personal. It will only work with us for now." Lightning said. "As you command. Next is…" Mycroft continues reading the documents till they came to the last one. "Now, last, but not least is the strange civilian that was reported in Manehatten." "Clarify." Lightning says. Mycroft looks through the papers. "He was reported to be stopping almost every reported criminal that he walked by and these guys were in the process of crimes." "And?" Lightning asks. "It was also reported that the shadows in the area moved, freak some ponies out when he walked by." She said. "Describe him." Lighting says raising his head. "About three fourths of your size. Wearing eastern clothing. Has a couple of weapons, a sword, a dagger, a bow and quiver with some arrows that the guard surprisingly let him through with. Also, he has a teenage colt walking with him, though he did look sick with something. Slow and everything. Even then, he didn't know the exchange currency so he gave a stall for food some gold that were very valuable compared to us like it was just bits." She explained. Lightning made a move to get up, but Twilight restrains him. "I'll send some guards for him and his brother. Just stay relaxed." Lightning grumbles a bit before laying back down. "Okay then. That was the last one. Anything you need?" Mycroft asks. Twilight smiles. "Can you send for Typhoon to come in?" Mycroft nods. "Sure, I'll have the guards help out." She said starting to walk out with the rest of the ponies. Twilight sighs as she leans back in her seat. "You still going strong Lightning?" "Yes I am." Lightning says as Silva enters. "Ah, the great mare who thought she could stay on top. Do you need something?" Silva blushes. "Well, for one, I need permission to handle defenses around the city." "Granted, if you report to my room tonight." Lightning says. Silva blushes harder. "Fine. Just…geez you are insatiable." "Only for you mares." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "So, you get freedom to do whatever you want to me and what do you want Silva?" "She swore to bare my foals as well." Lightning says. Silva rubs her foreleg. "Um…how about just a loving night?" "That is fine, after all, I enjoy your company." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "She can go first. I know you're going to go crazy on me and maybe need a hazmat crew to clean the room." Lightning chuckles. "Twi, you have gotten better with your jokes." Lightning says. Twilight groans. "The price of living with Rainbow." Lightning smiles. "Yeah, thought so. Why don't you two head to the room and set things up. I still got this." He said pointing to the needles. "Oh no. I will pull those out." Twilight says. Lightning groans. "Go easy on them." Twilight smirks as she pets his head. "Don't you worry. I will." Twilight says before carefully removing the needles one by one with her magic. "Ow." Lightning groans as she and the therapists carefully removes the needles. "Ow. Owwwww…okay. Now that feels better." He moans in relief. "And there we are." Twilight says removing the final needle. "Silva, carry him for me, ok?" Twilight asks. Silva nods and places him on her back as they head out and down the hall. "Didn't you send for Typhoon?" Lightning asks before they see a guard and Typhoon coming. "Oh my little darkling." Lightning calls. Typhoon looks up. "You wanted me dad? And please make it quick. Me and bro are on a final rush." Lightning chuckles. "Yeah, walk with us." He said and both the guard and she walks with them. "Alright, so do you remember uncle Umbra?" "You mean the drunken uncle who yells at squirrels?" Typhoon joked. Lightning laughs. "No, I mean the one you met in Saddle Arabia. Remember him?" "Vaguely a whisper." Typhoon says as she felt herself being picked up by magic. Twilight smiles. "Well your favorite uncle is coming over and with a guest and new family member, possibly. So be mindful. Now another question. How's your necklace?" Typhoon looks to it. "Um…still the same." "Good girl." Twilight says before kissing her forehead. Typhoon blushes. "Mom." She whines. Lightning chuckles. "Have her come over here." He said and Twilight floats her over and he kisses her head too. "There." "Dad." Typhoon whines again. "There you are." Rainbow calls flying up. Typhoon panics and tries to run in midair. "Let me go. Let me go." She said quickly. "Bath time you." Rainbow says grabbing her. Typhoon screams and reaches for them. "Don't make me have a bath. Don't make me have a bath!" She yells before they both turned a corner. "That reminds me, I should bathe as well." Lightning says. Both mares grin. "Bath time." They cheered and hurried up to the room as Lightning paled. "Um…you girls will go easy, right…wait, which means you have to join me." Lightning says in a sing song voice at the end. Twilight moves up to him. "Oh yeah, naked and everything. Maybe a little preview of what's going to happen." "You may have to help me wash, my joints are really stiff." Lightning says. Silva grins. "Oh, there's no problem with that. Right Twilight?" "None whatsoever. After all, we both love him." Twilight says. They hum and nuzzle him as he chuckles. "I am a lucky stallion. Even luckier that you are letting me do anything." He said nipping Twilight's ear. Twilight smirk and her ear smacks his nose. Lightning grins and bites onto her ear and doesn't let go as they enter their room. "I'm not letting go until you say the magic words." His muffled voice said. "Please my sexy stallion." Twilight says turning on the hot water in the shower. Lightning chuckles. "Nope, that's not it and you will get punished each time you get it wrong." He said pulling her ear and grinding it between his teeth. "How about?" Twilight stops when she teleports out of his teeth. "Teleportation." Twilight finishes before smacking his flank. Lightning frowns. "Come on. You must know the magic words next time because I am going to make you say it," "When it is play time. Right now, it is time to wash up. Now come on you silly stallion." Twilight says smiling at him. Lightning sighs and Silva lowers him into the bath and he relaxes against the rim. "Ah, that feels nice, but it would be better to have my mares right by me." "Just getting the cleaning supplies." Twilight says getting the shampoo. Lightning smiles as he looks to her entering the bath too as Silva sits on the rim. "Come on Silva. The water's great." He said splashing her. "The luffa or the sponge?" Silva asks. Lightning shrugs. "Whichever is softer. Now get in here." Silva scoffs. "Hold on." She said taking off her armor. Lightning smirks. "Front row seat." Silva flicks her purple tail into his face. "Ow." Lightning said grabs the tail with his hoof and pulls her in with a yelp before hugging her from behind and helps her take off the rest of the armor. "You're going to pay for that my red titan." He said taking her helmet off and showing her purple mane and red coat before moving onto her chest armor. Silva blushes and glares at him. "Turn back around. You haven't earned that yet." He said making her turn her head around and takes a nip at her chipped ear. "Care to tell?" "No." Silva says. Lightning smirks and lifts her up with his hooves. Silva growls a bit. "Put me down." "You ready to get into the water?" Lightning asks. Silva huffs. "Why do you think I have the sponge?" "What about your underwear?" Lightning asks. Silva clicks her tongue. "I can still wear it here." "You want them all wet?" Lightning asks. Silva smirks. "I'm going to get them mess up anyway since I'm wearing them for our night." "Twi, I think Silva needs to help getting undressed." Lightning says smirking as he lowers her in the tub. Twilight salutes. "Yes my king." She said with her tongue sticking out before tackling Silva into the other side of the tub and he watches them wrestle around. "Should have charged tickets and popcorn. But they're my mares." He said watching the competition. "Got them." Twilight proclaims in victory throwing them out of the tub with her magic. Silva sits up with a glare. "Hey, I was going to put on a show with those. Being wet and everything." "Oh but I have what I want right here." Lightning says and wraps his wings around her from behind before kissing the back of her neck. Silva huff and shivers. "Still needs to make it up to me." "I will my red titan." Lightning says leaning into her. Silva sighs as she leans back into him. "Still needs something here." Lightning smirks as he starts to mess with one of her nipples. Silva freezes up as Twilight starts to clean him up. "Bastard." She hissed. "Just getting you in the mood. After all, I am going to be rutting you soon." Lightning says. Silva blushes like crazy. "Dang it Lightning." Twilight smirks as she moves in front of them. "Come on Silva. It's going to be fun, well somewhat dull for you, but me, I'm going to make the mattress be replaced." Lightning smirks and kisses Silva's neck. "You looking forward to me holding you tonight?" Lightning asks. Silva sighs. "Turn us around. Twi, you can get his back." "Alright my red titan." Lightning says moving a bit forward and then turns Silva around. Silva sighs as he pressed her against the rim. "So, what are you going to do with me?" She asks moving her hooves onto his shoulders. "I was thinking this." Lightning says before kissing her. Twilight smiles as she cleans his back. "Oh Lightning." She said checking his joints. Lightning starts pushing his tongue into her mouth as Twilight start cleaning his wings. Silva moans and wraps her hooves around him before he lets go. "How was that?" He asks nuzzling her nose. Silva smiles and leans back happily. "Pretty nice. Needs a bit more." "That all you get for now." Lightning says smirking. Silva sighs. "So how do you deal with things around us? You know, crazy things." "Used to it, besides I can focus on your sexy flanks." Lightning says. Silva shakes her flanks under him. "Want it now?" "Oh no, you have to wait for the bed for that." Lightning says rubbing the top of it. Silva raises an eyebrow. "Wow, you really want things from us, don't you?" "Yes I want you, but I can wait." Lightning says. Twilight hugs him from behind. "Oh, you can wait, but can you wait for our flanks to be heavily used?" Lightning chuckles. "Just keep cleaning and you'll find out." "Silva start working on his front." Twilight says. Silva nods and grabs a sponge and starts working on his chest. "Yes my queen. Though, Lightning is my commander in this." "No, I am your king." Lightning says smirking. Silva sighs and watches him a bit. "And how would you treat me?" "Like a queen." Lightning says. Silva raises an eyebrow. "Really? Like the queen here?" "You and you will both will be in the bed with me tonight." Lightning says as Twilight scrubs his mane. Twilight leans over. "So, how about anypony else coming in?" Lightning shrugs. "Depends on who it is. One of my other wives and they can join if they want. As for foals and the others, bye." He said waving a hoof. Silva sighs as she moves onto his neck and notices something before scrubbing harder. "Hey, easy." He said trying to hold her hoof. Silva pulls the sponge away. "Huh, what's this?" She asks looking at the scar. "This looks so big." She said running a hoof along his neck. "Knife wound from nethergate." Lightning says. Twilight looks over and feels his neck. "How did I not notice this?" Lightning shrugs. "Who knows? Now, are you done?" He asks sitting up. "Not yet. Sliva, 1, 2, 3." Twilight says dunking him on three with Silva. Lightning looks around until he feels some familiar tingling. "Um…girls?" He asks looking down. Some bubbles come up before Twilight's head comes out. "Tell me something Lightning, do you like things direct or need a little build up around it?" Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Um…direct?" He said confused. Twilight heads down underwater again and he keeps looking around until he freezes up as he grows a bit. "Oh boy. That thing." He said as both Silva and Twilight actually licks him. Silva giggles as she comes back up. "Hey, how do you like the way to end things?" Lightning groans as Twilight keeps licking him. "A bit on." Silva heads back down before he feels some hooves on his chest and gets push onto his back and groans as he looks up. "Girls, can this wait until bed?" He stops as he sees both mares around his length and licking it ever so slightly. "Girls?" He asks again as he tries to get away. Silva sighs. "Okay, let's get him to bed." She said getting up and picks him up and Twilight comes up as well and helps dry him off. Twilight licks her lips as she steps in front of him. "That was just a taste." "You said I was first and how do you dry wings?" Silva asks. Twilight sighs. "I got his wings. Get his face." She said as they switch towels. Lightning smiles. "So you girls are going to be wet and I'm the one dry. I sense something wrong here." Silva rolls her eyes and dries up his face. "Don't worry, we'll be ready. Twi, you done?" Twilight smiles as she peeks around him. "Ready. Now head to bed you crazy stallion." Lightning shakes his head as he sighs and heads out. "What have I done to get such amazing mares?" Both Twilight and Silva smile as they dry themselves off and hear him. "You first. I'll wait." Twilight said working on her wings. Silva nods and heads out to find Lightning on his back and staring at the ceiling. "Oh sexy stallion?" Lightning chuckles as he looks up. "Yes?" Silva pounces on him. "Let's have some fun." Lightning flips them around. "Now it's a good thing I got that acupuncture." He said before kissing her. Twilight smiles as she hears Silva's screams and loud thumping coming from the bedroom as she works on her mane and tail. "Oh Lightning. Making his enemies and wives scream like mad." She jokes and looks through the dress stand nearby and tries to choose between the bow or band. "Now which one?" She hears Silva scream one last time before everything quiets down. "Bow it is." She said putting on the bow and heads out to find Lightning grinning like an idiot and Silva knocked out and snoring. "Okay, where's the second bed?" Lightning sighs and picks up Silva. "I'll deal with her. Told you that connecting rooms would not be a bad idea." He said heading through another door on the side. Twilight shakes her head and gets onto the bed and checks over herself and the bow to make sure they were in place. "At least he like this." She said to herself as he finally comes back and seals the room. "So, what now?" She asks smiling. Lightning looks to her before sighing. "No hold backs, right?" Twilight nods. "Yep, I'm all yours for anything." Lightning sighs again. "Don't take it the wrong way then." He said before walking up to her and grabs her horn. "All right then, being my little plaything for the night, no bed for you for now." He said grabbing her mane and pulls her off the bed and he gets up and sits on the edge. "So, what are you going to do huh?" He asks frowning. Twilight moans and sits up and sees him frowning at her. "Um…well, I was going to…ack!" She gags at Lightning seems to tie a cloth gag around her mouth. "Too long." Lightning said before pushing her onto her side and looks her over. "Maybe good enough, maybe not. Now, one last chance. What are you going to do?" He asks moving the gag a bit. Twilight looks up at him. "Um…well, I was…ah!" She screams as she was pulled by her mane and thrown a bit away. "Too long…again." He said walking over to her. "Chances are gone. Now that you haven't even said anything remotely good, time for my set of things to do." He said lifting her up and makes her bend down a bit. "How about a little less pain for you?" He asks stepping over her and she shrinks back licking his growing length. "Good." He said placing a hoof on her head. Twilight, sensing what he is about to do, takes a deep breath before she gets pushed down all the way as she could go. "Stupid horn." She heard him say as he grabs hold of her horn before using it as a lever and tears up before feeling some magic wrap around it. 'Protective coating.' She thought to herself. Lightning grins as he stands up fully and Twilight could now see him grinning down at her before slamming her face down on his crotch and her muzzle touches his coat before being slammed down again and he stops and groans. "Geez, for an inexperienced mare, you sure have a nice body." He said as he filled her and Twilight groans as she feels the loads of each seed go down her throat before he pulls away and she pants and coughs a bit. "Nope, step one, no mare should cough these out. You're lucky I'm in a good mood." He said grabbing her mane and pulls her to the bed before throwing her to the side of the bed and steps over her again. "Now let's see how good you are. Come on, don't be shy." He said as Twilight just stared at him. Twilight moans as she reaches out with her hooves slowly before he takes her hanging legs on his waist. "Too long." He said before plunging into her too fast and she screams out loud from the intrusion. Lightning chuckles a bit as he looks down at her as she tears up even more and grabs her hindlegs and lifts them up a bit higher. "Come on, you must have taken more. What about those guards you keep talking about?" He asks leaning down. Twilight sniffs as she tries to look at him before her head turned sharply to the side from his slap. "Hey! Did I tell you could cry?!" He yells at her. Twilight whimpers from the pain before being slapped the other way. "Okay, punishment then." He said taking himself out of her and throws her a bit away. Twilight whimpers as she tries to get up, but then feels a weight on her back. "Not a chance now." He said placing a hoof on her head and pushes her down to the ground as he entered her and she screams again. "Dang it. You sure can break ears." She heard him said before finally panting and turns her head to the side and places on the ground and tries to look at him. "Wow, you broke that fast?" He asks letting go of her head. Twilight pants and nods as best she could as he kept going and he hangs onto her flank. "Wish every mare I had was as good as you. They would certainly make this more fun." Lightning said pulling her tail and makes her scream in pleasure before he groans and she can feel her belly start to grow. "Now how do you feel?" Twilight blabs incoherently as he pulls out of her and she falls down on her own. "Come on, get up that was only round one." He orders and she tries to and looks to him with a lot of drool on her face. Lightning shakes his head. "At least I can use that. Now a little clean and then everywhere, shall we my horny mare?" Twilight nods dumbly before crawling toward him and trying to lick him clean as he chuckles and pets her head. "Good mare." "Ohh, I feel like a train hit me." Twilight groans sitting up in bed noticing a wing was around her and rubbing her head. Lightning chuckles as he pushes her down onto the bed again. "You just went through at least five rounds. Congratulations, Rainbow went almost four before passing out last time." He said sitting up and looks around the room. "Maybe we should have a hazmat crew on standby." Twilight giggles. "Yeah." She said licking her stained lips. "Did we really go to sleep like this?" Lightning smirks. "Well, you did. You wanted an all out night so I had to treat you a little roughly. Sorry about that." "How many times did you come into me?" Twilight asks rubbing her stomach. Lightning smirks. "Oh, at least ten times before you passed out and I seemed to be a sort of run on that so eleven and when you woke up again, twenty." Twilight goes wide eyed and looks to her swollen stomach. "Wow, this doesn't equal your account." Lightning chuckles. "Half of it was painted on you." "To the bath you." Twilight says starting to clean the room with a spell. Lightning smiles. "Sure. Just so you know, you kinda became drunk. Just saying." He said getting up and heading to the bathroom. Twilight looks confused and looks around, but doesn't see any drinks. "What did I…oh." She said finally realizing it. "Dang it Luna and Shadow." "You called?" Luna and Shadow asks at the same time opening the door and coming from the shadow. "Have fun watching from my dreams?" Twilight asks. Luna grins. "Who said it was a dream? Look around." Shadow smiles. "Aw, my little Twily is growing up. Soon she would be bringing the guards into one room with her." Twilight frowns. "I would never do that." Shadow points to Luna. "She did." "Only the mares." Luna clarifies. Shadow grins. "You clearly don't know what I made you do back then." Luna glares at her. "If a foal was born back then…" "Oh relax." Shadow said waving a hoof in her face. "You didn't get pregnant from that ridiculous orgy you place out in the nearby town with all your guards and citizens. Seriously, that's the most fun I had next to Lightning himself." She said smiling. "Speak of pregnancy, odds Twilight gets pregnant from this one?" Luna ask. Shadow chuckles and points to Twilight. "Judging from that stomach, if she didn't get pregnant than she has a problem." "Oh, so in your opinion, will it be a colt or a filly?" Luna asks. Shadow hums. "I say, a little colt. Want to bet?" Luna grins. "Then I'll say filly." "I can hear you girls." Twilight calls. Luna smiles. "Well, you want me to help clean things up. Shadow has to talk to Lightning." She said as Shadow goes through the bathroom door and a girly scream was heard. "Wonder if that was Shadow?" She wondered. "Silva, be calm. Shadow won't do anything to you." Lightning says holding her while he pets her in the tub. Shadow giggles as she floats over. "Oh boy. You look like you went a round with a train." She said floating around him. "I won't lie. Twilight is a beast when turned on enough." Lightning says rubbing his jaw a bit. Shadow smirks. "That's alicorn life for you. Now then, I hear somepony's favorite uncle is coming over." "I have been informed already. A little slow on sensing him now, aren't you?" Lightning asks kissing Silva's forehead as she calms down. Shadow leans down close to his ear and makes sure her head is pointed away from Silva. "She will become more reactive as he gets closer." She said before smiling and keeps floating around them and looks Silva over. "You need to work on those foal feeders." "Silva is not a foal feeder." Lightning says as Silva leans into him. Shadow smirks. "Just wait. Now then, I shall introduce the new method of payment." 'After Twilight and Silva go about their duties. I have a few hours to spare after sunrise and the sun hasn't rose yet.' Lightning sends her telepathically through their link. Shadow giggles and floats closer to Silva. "Treat him well. He's a good stallion." She said booping Silva's nose. Silva huffs. "I know that. Now I'm done. I better go." She said getting up and getting out of the tub. "Have fun you crazy spirit." She said heading out with a towel. Lightning stops her with his magic before she could leave. "Nuh uh, I'm going to dry you off." Lightning says. Silva sighs as he walks up to her and takes her towel before drying her off. "Just be happy. It's only for a bit of talking and maybe an hour. She's sometimes needy." He whispered into her ear before drying off her mane and slaps her flank and pushes her out. "Alright, get back to your duties my sexy red titan." 'He felt me up the entire time.' Silva thinks blushing. Silva blushes as she heads out and closes the door behind her and Lightning turns to Shadow with a frown. "So what type of bedding do you want?" He asks heading back into the tube and Shadow moves up beside him and snuggles into his side. Shadow smiles. "None, just wanted to talk. You really can make me shiver just by talking." "And I know when you are lying…you are starting to reproduce, aren't you? That is what you wanted from me all along." Lightning says. Shadow smirks and moves up and starts licking his neck. "Geez, you can really kill the mood, but not right now. I wanted to talk privately and that was the only way to make you kick her out." "I didn't, this is part of her routine. Check the time, it is 5:47." Lightning says. Shadow giggles and keeps licking until she was straddling his lap. "That's good news. Now then, we need to talk about what might happen." She said feeling his chest and moving her hoof down. "I see you still prefer a dark version of Rainbow." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "It's the only one you asked me to do. No one else. I kinda want to try a different form. Have a suggestion?" "No, because I have complete control over you when you are like this." Lightning says before kissing a special part on her neck. Shadow yelps and hangs onto him. "Dang it Lightning. We still need to talk busines…oh boy." She said guiding him. "It has been a while since you came for your payment. I have been starting to think you didn't want another." Lightning whispers into her ear. Shadow sighs and leans her head onto his shoulder. "It's just…I was confused. I didn't know if it was true or not. But please, talk business or I have to go and deal with something else." "Shadow, what is it? You can tell me. After all, we are linked." Lightning says holding her close. Shadow sighs and looks at him before placing a hoof on his head and she sees his eye change. "Make…oh." She said feeling another hoof on her back and another hug behind her. "Good. Now then. First, I have to deal with a mistake I gave to your student. Almost made her broken to never return." She said placing her forehead on his. Lightning hums as he sees the clone pets her head. "I'm sure she has forgiven you. It couldn't have been that bad." Shadow opens her eyes. "I sent her accidentally into a world where Equestria was taken over by another race that treated females of any kind, even female ducks, as lower than animals themselves. The her in that universe was broken, lost her horn to never grow back, wings plucked and being treated as a sex slave to a crazy grown up Spike. I almost lost her." "But you didn't." Lightning says now rocking her. Shadow sighs. "Yeah, at least me and the others locked it up and others like it to rot from the inside. It was doomed anyway. Kinda like a fad. Still, I don't know if she is still forgiving of me. Like I said, I almost lost her and she knows it." Lightning shakes his head. "No, she has forgiven you, because she's your friend and you are hers. You are also family now." He said as another clone comes up besides them and gives Shadow's wings a massage. "That is right." Twilight says walking in. Lightning immediately makes the clones disappear as he spins Shadow in his lap and hugs her. "Hey love. Need a bath and maybe empty yourself?" He asks seeing the wobbling stomach. Twilight rolls her eyes. "Where else? Unless she wants to bathe in it." She said. "I don't need to bath and again, I am s…" Shadow was stopped by Twilight's hoof on her mouth. "That's enough. I forgive you. It was an honest mistake as you didn't know what was in there until I got sent in. But you got me out and saved me. Locked up the universe and made sure the others are too. Now then, enjoy him. Just keep it quiet since Rainbow doesn't know still about you two." She said walking over to a separate area blocked by a stone wall. "By the way, saw those clones. Better than my magical ones." Lightning chuckles as the clones reappear and they work on Shadow again. "And that's why she's my wife. Now see, you can stop with the moodiness. It's time for the news." Lightning says rocking her once more. Shadow sighs. "Okay, the spirits are moving along as your war draws closer. The word around is that some of the spirits will help, but it isn't known on whose side." "Simple, everypony." They heard Twilight. "Spirits don't take sides." "I don't like that. Those that will help are usually guardian spirits and that mean our invitations will be even more difficult." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "I got the papers for you guys. Just need to dress up." She said coolly as another clone appears and goes to work on her other wing. "Oh, that's nice. Any case, the war on the spirit front is coming in. I would think that mortals who became spirits would help." Lightning stops her. "Shadow, you and I both know they will never help as they have long since swore not to after their tribes or kingdoms turned to dust." Lightning says and the clones disappear. Shadow whines at their disappearance. "Well, the more recent ones won't follow that rule. We got more spirits coming in as sacrifice or major magical use that the Dominion is doing for preparing for war." "Shadow, please take no more risks. I don't want you to put yourself in anymore danger." Lightning says. Shadow seems to gain a blush somehow. "Really, you care about me that much?" "Yes. I have grown to care for you." Lightning says. Shadow sighs as she lays down on his chest. "Thank you." "Where's that mare?!" Luna asks poking her head in. "It's been too long." Twilight sighs in relief as she comes out as her stomach was smaller. "Here. About to take a shower. Want to join?" Luna giggles and trots up to her and pulls her to the shower. "Come on." She said pulling the glass door closed. "Now tell me Shadow. What is the other reason you haven't come to me." Lightning says. Shadow sighs. "Busy mostly. Working with Twilight and sending her to these places is sometimes exhausting. I'm not able to get to you for long since I need a body and Twilight was in school the whole time. You never came over." "I never had the chance." Lightning says. "At least we will have plenty of time to work together when you become a spirit." Shadow says and Lightning stops. "Shadow…I'm sorry, but that will never happen. I lack the ability to become a spirit upon my death." Lightning says. Shadow looks worried to him. "But…maybe me and the others can…" "If there was a way, the lightning king would have found it as he likes his halls filled with spirits of those who served as his warrior in life." Lightning says petting her. Shadow whines and nuzzles his neck. "Please don't leave." She whispered. Lightning sighs and rubs her back. "Then let's enjoy the best of it. Her studies are done at the college and I'm staying with her now. She's my wife and just maybe…" He stops as he looks to her. "Just maybe for a bit." "I love you mortals so much. Just when we start to care and like you. You crumble into dust." Shadow says lightly hitting his chest, tears in her eyes. Lightning sighs as he nuzzles her head and then just rubs her back. "It's okay, just let it all out." Shadow cried for many hours into Lightning's chest. Luna and Twilight leaving without another word. Shadow sniffs as she looks up at him. "I need something. Please, just…" She suddenly reaches up and touches his head with her hoof and pumps some shadow magic into him as his eye turns black again. "Just call them. Because I know they are also you, but they help." "Let us spend some time together alone." Lightning says lifting her up and walks into the bedroom. Shadow sniffs as she tries to wipes her tears away. "Can you at least get some? It makes me…feel…at peace for the first few times in my spirit life." "Very well." Lightning says. Shadow sighs as he places her onto the bed as he crawls into it as well and he grabs and hugs her again as they lay down. Shadow sighs as she hugs his side before feeling a hoof between her wings and she looks to see another smiling Lightning and smiles back as he hugs her too and the real Lightning turns a bit and they both surround her with a hug on both sides. "Thank you guys. I really want to enjoy your life with mine." She said snuggling into them as another Lightning stands above her before laying on top of her and wrapping his wing around them like a blanket as he hugs her neck and lays his head on her shoulder. "Thank you." Lightning chuckles. "I know. Just enjoy it and I will make this part of life the best for you." He said nuzzling her. "Shadow, you were once a mortal like I am now. What were you like?" Shadow smirks. "Does it matter?" Lightning smiles and kisses her cheek. "Think of it as my curiosity and wanting to know you better." Shadow sighs. "Okay, in my mortal life I was a prostitute and hidden assassin, mostly prostitute. Why do you think I like it when there's more of you?" "Continue on, Lady Shao Jun." Lightning says catching her completely off guard. Shadow looks carefully at him. "How…?" "I have my ways. I also have a drawing of you when you lived." Lightning says summoning the drawing which was of a pegasus that looked a lot like Rainbow and Daring in body structure wearing a kimono. Shadow stares at the picture before taking it and sits up a bit as the clones let her up. "My old life. Really fun until that war. I just…I just wanted to protect the town. So I did one last job for a going away party to the afterlife and then went to the shrine and then took the spirit's place. He wanted to end his job because he was done and he wanted me to start what he put in place." "But you were killed at the shrine when they went there to burn down the shrine and instead of becoming a water spirit." Lightning stops. Shadow growls as Lightning and clones back away a little. "They…destroyed our way of life. I just wanted to give my last respect and the water spirit gave me blessing to pass on only for them to come in and the shadow spirit came rushing in and took me over before using me and then left the job just like that. I was supposed to follow my family, but that bastard." Lightning quickly grabs her and hugs her and pets her mane. "It's okay. Those days have passed." "You are right. I also hunted down each one of them and made them pay and eventually killed the nameless shadow spirit myself." Shadow says leaning into him. "Oh Lightning, if only we had met in life. How things might have been different." Lightning chuckles as the clones move up again and hugs her too. "Well, I would have married you, gave you a family. And then kill every bastard that harms us or intends to. All you have to do is relax." Shadow's tears swelled again. "Now I remember who you reminded me of from so long ago." Shadow says. Lightning licks her tears. "And who's that?" "Yang Shan. He was a dear friend to me as a foal. It was only after centuries after I went mad that I got enough self-awareness to search. After searching for a long time, I eventually learned he eventually crushed all others and became emperor of the far east beyond the continent you grew up on. I also learnt that he waited all his life for me to come see him one last time like we promised as foals." Shadow says. Lightning keeps licking her tears. "It's okay. Who knows, by the end of it, you may have a family." He said petting her mane. "I know. You showing me this has reminded me of who I was once is all." Shadow says. Lightning smiles. "Good. Now then, relax and enjoy your time with me. After all, you want a family. Let's start off with some simple things because you never had the chance and I'm going to treat you to them." He said before reaching around her and starting to tickle her. Shadow smiles. "So do you know what I also was famed for in my time as mortal?" Shadow asks smiling. Lightning smirks. "Care to enlighten me?" "I had the ability to predict the future in song. Yang, I never got to foretell his future." Shadow says holding him. Lightning smiles. "Really. Well I got a strange family remember? They all have their own ways of dealing with things. Especially Pinkie, she certainly can predict stuff." Shadow smiled when a song ran through her head. 'Awaken from a dream, hills and rivers are as of old on the ancient battlefield, how many ages have past? This road has no end; passions cannot be revoked looking back, our life's ambitions were not fulfilled drinking wine amid plum blossoms, let us make ourselves clear among the heroes of the world, who is a worthy match? With raging inferno on swift boats, you must turn back magnificent were the southland's sons, not vanished, but no longer exists spirits of departed heroes will live forever, not gone, but no longer here. They abide in the mortal world enjoying eternity with heaven and earth.' "Shadow?" Lightning asks. Shadow shakes her head. "Sorry. Just thinking. Now then. How about you spend the next few days with and maybe I'll let you use these guys on me." She said nuzzling the clones. "Nuh uh. They may touch and rub you, but only I get to do that to you." Lightning says smirking at her. Shadow smiles and nuzzles him. "Oh such a sweet pie. But I will be hungry for more and I doubt you alone can fix it up alone. The clones are you, aren't they?" "Oh, I take that as a challenge." Lightning says. Shadow nods and flicks her tail under his chin. "Oh yes. Let's see who last the longest and whoever wins can use the other until they themselves pass out." "Ok, tomorrow night." Lightning says. Shadow giggles. "By the way, if you win, you must use the clones on me." She said booping his nose with her hoof. "Nope, if I win, no clones." Lightning says booping her right back. Shadow frowns. "Aw, I want some." "You got to out last me then." Lightning says. Shadow smirks. "Watch me." "See you then, because today, the warp gate is opening and guess who is coming for a visit." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "Kyou." "Yep and she is most likely going to want a night alone with me after spending nearly seven months away." Lightning says. Shadow nods. "I can get that." "And little Saber's birthday is coming up soon." Lightning says. Shadow giggles. "Should I bring a present?" "I think you should just play with him." Lightning says. "Oh, I says let him ride around on me as I run around." Shadow says. Lightning chuckles. "That sounds good. Now then, I believe you are warranted for a massage." "I haven't had one of those in centuries." Shadow says laying down. Lightning smiles. "I know. Tell me, how long since you ever had one, officially?" "Now I got a stallion doing it." Shadow says feeling his hooves on her back. Lightning nods. "Yeah, you do. But still, how long has it been for you? Even a spirit goes to the spa once in a while." "No, I haven't. It has been around eight centuries or more I think." Shadow says. Lightning sighs. "Well, now you are getting your first official one and you will feel better soon." "I already do." Shadow says. Lightning pets her mane a little before going back to massaging her back. "You really deserve this even after all the things you done." "Well you could rut me here." Shadow suggests. Lightning grins. "That would destroy the competition and make you lose since you are already ready by the start of it." Shadow says nothing and just shakes her flank. Lightning chuckles. "Nope, not happening. Even these guys are no fazed." He said as the clones works on her wings. "Aww." Shadow whines. Lightning smiles. "Come on. Just wait and it will be better. It's the experience before the final act that makes you feel better." Lightning says before yanking her tail playfully. Shadow yelps. "Okay, I want you here now." "Nuh uh." Lightning says going back to massaging her. Shadow sighs. "You tease." "I know." Lightning says smiling at her. The Call of WarSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Trouble is Brewing"Speaking" 'Thoughts' The sun rose and its rays shown through an open window into a sleeping Lightning Bolt's face. Lightning Bolt opens his eyes it already in a glare. Standing up his entire back felt achy. "Note to self, look forward to furnishings arriving later tonight." Lightning Bolt said to himself. Lightning bolt walks out his front door and locks it behind him. "I guess I should go flying to work out the kinks in my joints." Lightning Bolt says. Lightning Bolt takes off and sees something odd to him. The pegasus are changing the weather. "That's strange, back in Stalliongrad the weather changes on its own. So why are they changing the weather?" Lightning Bolt asks himself confused. "The weather does what in Stalliongrad?" A familiar voice behind him asks. Turning around, Lightning Bolt sees Rainbow Dash. "The weather changes on its own in Stalliongrad." Lightning Bolts states again. Rainbow's eyes widened at his words. "Wait, that sounds like the Everfree Forest. How can you live there?" She said surprised. "Easily as you live here, actually." Lightning says. Rainbow crosses her forelegs and stares at him. "Whatever, you still owe me a flight, you know." "Oh, sounds like you think I'm faster than you." Lightning teased. Rainbow growls slightly. "I told you that I'm the fastest pegasus in all of Equestria!" Rainbow Dash yells before landing on a cloud as she preps herself. "Come on, I want a race." She said as she flares her wings out. "Ok, I'm game." Lightning Bolt says, landing next to her. "First one to the huge tree in town win." Rainbow stares at him for a few then turns her head back in front of her. "Alright then, Twilight's library it is." She declares. Lighting looks at Rainbow confused. "Twilight?" Rainbow leans back a bit. "1, 2, 3, GO!" She said quickly and took off. Lightning Bolt takes off right behind her. They both fly neck and neck until Twilight's Library comes into view. Rainbow stops in front of the library and stood proudly. "Ha, I win!" She yells. "I'll admit it you're fast, but I said to the tree, meaning you have to touch it." Lightning Bolt says after passing her and touching the tree. Rainbow gains a shock look on her face and then growls loudly. She yells out and lunges herself at Lighting, sending both of them through the front door and crashing into floor. Rainbow tries to punch Lighting, but Lighting moves himself side to side to dodge her attacks. They kept going until a voice shouted out, "What's going on?!" They both look up to see a unicorn with a pale, light grayish mulberry coat, a moderate sapphire blue mane and tail with moderate violet and brilliant rose stripes, and moderate violet eyes looking annoyed at them. "Rainbow, when did you get a stallionfriend?" The mare teases. Rainbow stops what she's doing and looks down, seeing Lighting with a smirk on his muzzle she quickly gets off and flies off with a huge blush that made her face look like a tomato. "Funny, but embarrassing to her." Lightning Bolt says before jumping up onto his hooves. "I don't think we have meet yet, my name is Lightning Bolt." Lightning Bolt says offering a hoof. The mare looks at him for a few seconds, studying him and then offers her own hoof. "Nice to meet you, I'm Twilight Sparkle, personal portage of Princess Celestia." She said proudly. "Interesting tovarich." Lightning Bolt says before looking up to Rainbow Dash. "You gonna stay up there all day tovarich?" Lightning Bolt asks as Twilight realize that his accent isn't native. Rainbow flies down slowly as Twilight comes closer to study him. "Where are you from? That accent is a dead giveaway." She pointed out. "Ah, I just moved here from Stalliongrad, but I'm originally from Equestria." Lightning clarifies. Twilight brings a hoof to her chin as she hums in thought. "That's interesting." She brings out a notepad from a nearby table with a quill. "Can you tell anything else about that place?" Rainbow huffs and crosses her forelegs, her blush now gone. "That's Twilight for ya. Always studying." "Well, its east across the sea and our weather works on its own." Lightning says. The quill stops as Twilight lowers her notepad to stare at him. "Hey, I was surprised too." Rainbow told her. "Why is it that the weather needs to be control here anyways?" Lightning asks. Rainbow flutters up beside him, but not too close after what happened last time. "The clouds and everything are made at Cloudsdale so they're artificial and needs to be controlled. They have no mind of its own...so to speak." Rainbow intelligently said. "That's odd." Lightning Bolt says looking at her oddly as Twilight starts looking through books. "No…no…no…no…no…ah ha here it is, 'The Workings of Weather'." Twilight says starting to flip through the pages reading. Rainbow chuckles and turns to Twilight. "Forget it Twi. I just told him." Twilight looks up from her book to look at them before laughing nervously and placing the book back. "So I take it you like books then?" Lightning Bolt asks nervously, not really sure what to talk about now with her. Rubbing a hoof on the ground, Twilight laughs softly. "Is it really that obvious?" Twilight said while standing in front of all the shelves of books. They both chuckle nervously. Lightning Bolt then eyes a certain collection of books on the shelf. "You have all the current Daring Doo books?" Twilight backs away a bit, smiling all the while. Lighting raises an eyebrow before he feels his head turned to Rainbow. Rainbow has a huge smile on her face as she spoke, "Daring Do...I love Daring Do. She is like the best pony ever. I have read all of the books in the series and they are awesome!" She yells out with an excited grin on her muzzle. "You know some of the treasures in the books are actually real right?" Lightning asks causing Rainbow to stop flapping in place and land on her flank. "Yeah, the Griffon's Goblet for example is real and one of the griffon's most valued national treasures." Lightning continues. A big grin forms on Rainbow's muzzle as she heard this. 'Treasures of the books are real?!' Rainbow yells in her mind which was already thinking of way to acquire them. "But they are either lost or national treasures Rainbow, so not much chance of you getting one." Lightning informs causing Rainbow's face fall at the sound of that. "So which books do you have Rainbow?" Lightning asks trying to get her mind off of the issue. Her posture turns back to normal and just sits on the ground. "All of them." She said proudly. "Even the newest one 'Daring Do and the Titan's Eyes'?" Lightning asks. Rainbow face slumps and gets close to him, even Twilight follows. "Titan's Eyes? Never heard of it." Rainbow said. "I haven't even heard of it." Twilight follows up. "That's most likely because it was only released a month ago and it usually takes two or three months to be delivered over seas." Lightning informs. Rainbow raises a hoof. "Wait, the Daring Do books are made overseas? I thought that they were made here in Equestria?" Rainbow remarks. "No, they are made in the country next to Stalliongrad and you're in luck." Lightning Bolt says pulling out a signed copy of Daring Do and the Titan's Eyes. "I brought my personal copy with me." Lightning finishes. A blur went by him as his hoof suddenly feels empty. Looking behind him he sees Rainbow holding the book like a mad mare and giggling manically. Lightning Bolt's eyes turn to Twilight and she just shrugs. Rainbow Dash then remembers where she is and nervously laughs. "May I please borrow it?" Rainbow Dash asks. Lighting laughs and gives a nod and says, "Sure Rainbow, you look like a true fan." "So, what should we do now Rainbow?" Lightning Bolt asks with a thoughtful expression. Rainbow looks to her new book and then at him with a smile. "I don't know about you, but I feel like reading this baby." She said while holding the book as a brand new foal. "Ok, take off if you want. I'll find something to do." Lightning says. "Thanks. Well, I got to get going." Flapping her wings she lifts herself off the ground. "See you guys." She then flies out the door, to wherever she wants to read. "So Twilight, anything you want to ask me about Stalliongrad?" Lightning asks. For the next few hours Lightning Bolt answered several of Twilight's question on Stalliongrad until the door opened and a unicorn with a light gray coat, moderate indigo mane and tail, and moderate azure eyes walked in. "Hello there Twilight, might I trouble you for some…" Rarity's eyes landed on the new stallion in the room. "Hello there, who are you?" Rarity asks. Lightning bolt turns around to see the new mare. "I'm Lightning Bolt." The mare's eyes light up at a potential stallion for her. "Hello there Mr. Lightning Bolt. I'm Rarity and I must say that is a very peculiar set of clothes you're wearing." Rarity spoke in a Canterlot accent. Twilight comes down the stairs with some refreshments. "Ah Rarity, I see you have met our newest resident from Stalliongrad." Twilight says. Rarity eyes the clothes Lighting is wearing. "Yes, and Stalliongrad? Do you happen to know any fashion over there? I would love to try some design based from there." "Ah well, this is the current style over there. You see, we prefer functionality over style." Lightning says. Rarity becomes crestfallen. "Oh well, that's a shame." She turns to walk to Twilight. "I was really hoping on making some foreign style clothes." "Well it's kinda to be expected, seeing as about half of Stalliongrad is covered in snow year round, but there are a few fancy outfit for balls and stuff." Lightning Bolt said trying to cheer her up. Rarity did an about face and speed right in front of him. "Did you say ball?" She said with an excited look on her face. "Ah yeah, I attended one or two with lots of fancy clothes." Lightning says feeling a little scared. Rarity lets out an excited squeal and grabs onto his shoulders. "You have to tell me everything. Everything they wear and what they eat. Even the ball itself." Lightning Bolt could already see Twilight getting another scroll and her quill to take notes, causing Lightning Bolt to inwardly sigh before he began. When he was finished Rarity looked thoughtful, contemplating some of the outfits Lightning Bolt described. Rarity lets out another squeal and torts around excitedly. "This will give me some amazing ideas for my next outfits. Oh thank you for this, I'll promise to repay you somehow." She said as she took her hoof into his and shakes them. Rarity inadvertently shakes all of Lightning Bolt before running out the door, leaving Lightning Bolt disoriented. Twilight giggles into her hoof at Lighting's misfortune. "That's Rarity for you. Always on clothes and dresses. You'll get use to her like I got use to Pinkie Pie." Lightning Bolt shakes his head and get focused again. "Twilight the mail service should have delivered my furniture by now. You want to come and see some of Stalliongrad's furniture?" Twilight grabs her saddle bags full of scrolls and quills along with her already written notepad. "Ready." She declares, grabbing her saddle with her magic Lightning Bolt leads Twilight to his house, where there were several boxes on the front lawn. Lightning Bolt franticly starts looking through each one. Twilight looks on quizzically. "What are you looking for? Can I help?" She said as she looks into the box Lighting is looking into. A small bark and caw is heard from it, causing Lightning Bolt's head to shoot up and, with speeds comparable to Rainbow Dash, was over there in a second getting out two cages. Opening on a white furred wolf pup came tumbling out cutely to Twilight's hooves. Twilight bends her head down to the little pup. "Aw, it's so cute. What's the little guy's name?" She said as she reaches out to the pup to pet him. "His name is Ice Fang." Lightning Bolt says as Ice Fang was enjoying the attention he received. Lightning Bolt opened the other cage and a creature Twilight had never seen before flew out. Its body was that of a vulture, but it look like it had an exoskeleton on its chest where feathers should be, its tail looked like it was only bones, and its head looked normal, except for the third eye in the middle of its head. The strange bird landed on Lightning Bolt's shoulder wrapping its tail around the shoulder like a snake would do. Twilight becomes scared and backs away a little. "W-w-w-what is that?!" She yell as she points at the bird. "This is a Skyor, a bird that represents good luck and usually what leads pony to safety when they are lost in the wilderness or blizzard." Lightning Bolt says. Twilight freezes. "How can a bird that looks like that give you good luck?" "Cause it produces a magical aura that most of the time wards off misfortune, has a sixth sense which tells it when danger is close, and many ancient stories speak of the Skyor being a savior. Isn't that right Azure?" Lightning Bolt says rubbing the Skyor's head. Azure squawks and moves his head deeper into his hoof. "Let's start moving some of the furniture into the house, ok?" Lightning Bolt says as he petted Skyor. Twilight lights up her horn with magic and grabs a few boxes and furniture. "Can I help?" She said as she carries a huge amount of boxes and furniture. "Sure, I don't mind. Come on Ice Fang, time to move in." Lightning Bolt says before he and Twilight started moving in the furniture. After getting most of it is in, Twilight said she remembers somepony who would love to meet his pets and took off. She returned shortly with a pegasus with a pale, light grayish gold coat, an ale, light grayish rose mane and tail, and moderate cyan eyes looking very shy. The mare hides her face behind her long mane. "Umm...hello." Lightning looks at the mare for a bit as did Azure. When the mare saw the bird she gasp loudly and flew up to the bird. "Oh my, a Skyor and a wolf pup. I only seen these in books, but to see them in real life is amazing. Can I...?" She asks nervously to Lightning. Lightning Bolt turns his head to Azure and nods. Azure, getting the signal, takes off and hovers near the front of the pegasus. Fluttershy reaches out and pets the bird on its head. Azure squawks happily and lets her pet him. "Oh my, he's so majestic." Fluttershy said with a smile. "I'm Fluttershy, by the way." "A pleasure Miss. Fluttershy, I'm Lightning Bolt. That is Azure and that's Ice Fang" Lightning Bolt says. Fluttershy looks down and sees the wolf pup. She squeals and lands. She then starts petting the pup. Ice Fang was enjoying the new attention as Lightning Bolt finish setting up the Bird Perch for Azure. Fluttershy suddenly gasp as she remembers something. "I just remembered that I have to feed my animals. I got to go." She said as she runs outside. "So Twilight, now that the furniture is put up, what should we do?" Lightning Bolt asked. Twilight's stomach starts to grumble. "Well, by the sound of it, lunch." Lighting's stomach announces the same thing. Lightning Bolt laughs nervously and follows Twilight with Azure ridding his shoulder and Ice Fang following. They make their way to SugerCube Corner. Lightning sees a familiar pink mare. 'Oh boy.' Lightning Bolt thinks, remembering Pinkie. Twilight walks up to the counter and orders something for both of them. Pinkie nods and disappears behind the counter and comes up after a second with their order ready. "Thank you for ordering, please come again." Pinkie said monotone then snorts and laughs at her own voice like her usual self. Twilight and Lightning Bolt walk outside to eat. Half way through their food Rainbow Dash flies towards the SugerCube Corner and spots them. Rainbow files over and flaps in place. "Hey guys." She said raising a hoof. "Greetings tovarich." Lightning Bolt greets as Azure Craws at her. Rainbow eyes the strange bird then looks at Lighting. "Is it fast?" "Azure here was built for endurance not speed Rainbow, but he does still have a good speed." Lightning says. Rainbow appears crestfallen at that information. "Aw, I wanted to race it." She then sits down right next him as she said, "Ah well." She feels something brush her hoof and looks down to see Ice Fang. Rainbow jumps into the air in shock. "What's a Timberwolf doing here?!" She yells while pointing at Ice Fang. Ice Fang grows sad when he hears her words. "This is Ice Fang and he is an Ice Wolf." Lightning Bolt says picking him up and petting him. Ice Fang falls into the petting, enjoying himself. Rainbow calms down and settles back into the seat. "Well he seems like a pup. I guess he's harmless." Rainbow said as brings a hoof to her chin. Ice fang bark and sniffs the cupcake within reach before biting it freezing the whole thing over. Rainbow draws herself back as she sees the cupcake turn itself frozen. "Whoa, what is that?" Twilight also becomes intrigued and brings her notepad up at a new page. "Ice Wolves teeth are magical and can freeze almost anything instantly." Lightning bolt explains as Ice Fang eats the frozen cupcake. Twilight scribbles her notes as Rainbow wow's with surprise. "Dang, I wish I had that when I get injured." Ice Fang, after finishing the cupcake, walks back to Rainbow Dash and sniffs her. Rainbow hesitantly moves her hoof in front of his nose. Ice Fang sniffs the hoof before moving his head into it, allowing her to pet him. Rainbow smiles and rubs the hoof softly. "He is kind of cute." "Wait till you see him fully grown." Lightning says Rainbow stops petting and moves her hoof back a little. She pictures the same wolf except fully grown. Ice Fang looks questionably at her with a smile whine. She shakes her head at that thought and starts to pet him again. 'Can't let anything stop me. Not even a full grown Ice Wolf.' Rainbow Dash thinks. "They are at least twice our size." Lightning continues. Rainbow pulls her hoof back this time and doesn't give it back. Ice Fang whines at the loss of attention and leans his front paws on her back legs. "Though that takes about 40 years though." Lightning Bolt continues adopting a thoughtful position while Twilight jots it all down on the notepad. Ice Fang's whining keeps going as he starts to rub against Rainbow's leg. Rainbow looks at the wolf in sympathy and resumes petting him again. Ice Fang growls in apparition and jumps up right beside her to gain more affection. Rainbow takes the wolf in her hooves and holds him like a foal and starts to pet him there. "Ice Fang always loves getting attention Rainbow, would you like to give him a drink?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods while still looking at Ice Fang. Lightning Bolt takes out a bottle of milk from his saddlebag and gives it to Rainbow. Rainbow takes the bottle and holds it up to Fang's mouth. Fang happily takes the bottle and starts to drink the milk. Rainbow smiles as she feels like a brand new mother. "This is rare. Fang doesn't usually let anypony feed him for the first time without giving them some trouble." Lightning Bolt says interested. Rainbow looks up to him with a smirk. "Looks like I'm better than you at something." She told proudly. "I already said you were faster than me." Lightning Bolt says as Twilight keeps collecting notes when they heard. "What in tarnation!?" Applejack stops in the street, this time with a Stetson hat on her head. "What are those?" She said pointing at the animals then at Rainbow. "Rainbow I didn't know ya cloud be so motherly." She said with a smirk. "Ah Miss. Applejack." Lightning Bolt waves at her. Applejack looks surprised to see Lighting Bolt here by the look on her face. "Mr. Bolt, I knew ya would be behind this. Only the new pony in town would come in with something strange, considering that happens almost every few days." She said as she looks up in thought. Azure caws at her bringing her out of her thoughts. Applejack looks over to the source of the caw and jumps up in shock. "What is that thing?" She said while looking at the weird bird. "Azure, my pet Skyor." Lightning clarifies. Applejack still looks on fearfully. "That thing is a pet?" "Yes it is." Lightning Bolt says, feeding Azure some bird seed. Applejack tries to get closer to them. Once she gets closer Azure flies off of Lighting and lands in front of Applejack. It looks at her with its third eye, almost as if it was peering into her soul before hopping a few times, getting closer before turning its head slightly. Applejack tentatively reaches out with her hoof. Azure helps her and leans forward to help her along. Applejack's hoof finally touches the bird's head and she starts to slowly pet it. Azure caws softly, leaning into the hoof. Applejack smiles and starts to pet as normal as possible. Ice Fang starts pushing the bottle away, signaling he doesn't want anymore. Rainbow pulls the bottle away and gives it back to Lighting. She then starts to pet Ice Fang again. Lightning puts the bottle away. Suddenly Azure stops rubbing its head against Applejack and starts cawing loudly. Applejack pulls back and sees Rainbow struggling with Ice Fang. Ice Fang then jumps off of Rainbow and runs out the door with Azure following through the air. "That's not good." Lightning Bolt says. Everypony jumps up after them and runs out the door. They all keep following the animals until they reach the Everfree Forest. Lighting keeps going, but the mares behind him stop just outside the tree line. Lighting then realizes that he isn't being followed and looks behind him. He keeps looking back and forth as Ice Fang growls and Azure sits on a branch, observing the clearing with its third eye. 'Something is here.' Lightning thinks with a glare. Lightning sees movement on the tree but there was nothing there. Then he saw movement to his left and then his right. He keeps seeing the branches moving, but nothing making them move. Lightning Bolt then sees glowing yellow eyes. "Ice Fang, go wide." Lightning Bolt yells. Ice Fang inhales then breathes out a freezing wind, everything hit by it immediately froze over. What stood out was the new creature frozen like an ice statue. Nothing was in it but Lightning Bolt still glared at it. "This is not good at all." He said he kept staring at the creature. "What is this doing here?" Lightning Bolt says out loud. Author's Note A/N: And here's another chapter. Things are slowing down at the moment, but we will pick right back up again. Writer / Original Idea: Flair the demon dragon king Writer / Editor: Primus And that's that. Expect more on the way. Don't press your luck though. Read and Review. Now It's PersonalA/N: Back again. Now let's write and read. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' Lightning and Rainbow were sitting at a table across from the royalty of Saddle Arabia. "So Clipsy, what are you doing in Ponyville and wearing civilian clothing?" Lightning asks. Eclipse sips some tea that was given to them. "Well, one thing for a diplomat to do to ensure that a treaty is held onto is to spend time in important towns and this is the last one. So I thought of living here now." "With none of your guards?" Lightning asks in disbelief. Eclipse shrugs. "I'm done with my job and the treaty has been made so there is no need to attack me. It would be useless for the whole thing." Lightning moves close to whisper. "Clipsy you are the queen of your country and your foal is the prince. There are still many reason why somepony will attack you and not to mention if you are killed here it might destroy the treaty." Lightning whispered. Eclipse smirks. "I know. A backup government was put into place. A small skeleton crew to run the country until the citizens select a new queen. Only happens in time of great crisis or the family line is dead." "Clipsy has it ever occurred to you that a upstart noble will try and use this as an opportunity to usurp the throne by killing both you and Midnight?" Lighting asks. Eclipse smiles. "I told you the new queen is selected by the citizens, so you must be favorable in the eyes of them. Oh and the nobles can't be on the throne, they get the council, but nothing higher. And the council actually stays the same level, nopony in the council is higher than the other. So nothing is going to go wrong." "And who is to say one won't try a Julius Caesar?" Lightning asks. "They viewed him as a tyrant. But if you're favorable and keep it up then you're good. Besides most of rulers are either killed by the citizens and nopony wants that. Other times were passed through the family." "Clipsy you have such a fantasy view of the way that would work and I'm glad I sent that letter now." Lightning says. Eclipse blinks. "What letter?" "Here is your order, a slice of lemon cake with chocolate sprinkles." A waiter says causing Eclipse to stare wide eyed at the waiter who she recognized as Kite, a member of the Queen's knights, the ruling families of Saddle Arabia personal body guards. Eclipse then turns to Lightning with a glare. "Don't tell me you sent the guards you sent to protect me like a shadow guard?" Lightning motions her closer. "Dolph of Nethergate has been sighted." Lightning says and Eclipse eyes widen in horror. Eclipse sighs and takes a fork with her magic. "I guess that's a good reason." She takes some food and starts eating. "We both know how much the dominion would love to sew of confusion and panic within the alliance and also would see it as an opportunity to invade Saddle Arabia even if they would have to sail for months." Lightning informs. Eclipse sighs while Midnight looks confused. "This is going a war life for us now isn't it?" "Banish the thought for now." Lightning says giving a sober look to Eclipse. Eclipse opens her wing and closes it around Midnight. "I guess it's not good to think bad thoughts at these times." "Clipsy you know the rumor in Equestria, where I have killed several creatures here?" Lightning whispers. Eclipse glares at Lightning, not in anger but in seriousness of the situation. "Yes and I don't like it one bit. You better tell me you have been investigating this." "I used your and my men to find a traitor who is working with the dominion." Lightning whispers. Lightning then turns to Rainbow and leans his head to Midnight. She nods and goes to him. "Come on let's get ice cream." She tells him. Midnight nods for the prospect of frozen milk. When they both left Lightning turns back to Eclipse. "Lord Barrows is the traitor, but we have yet to determine if he is acting with other nobles or alone and we have no real proof yet." Lightning says lowly and Kite listens in to the two. Both of them turns to Kite. She looks to them. "Sorry, but this does involve us. So I am entitled to listen in." "She has a good point." Lightning says. "How about using Apollo to sneak in and find anything? You know how he is with sneaking and stealing. He particularly made it his life." Eclipse asks. "Somepony already did that once and was almost caught but the info they revealed is far greater. They still have more creatures and that's what we are trying to locate so we can snuff this potential inferno before the spark lights it." Lightning says. "Might I suggest something?" Kite quipped. "How about you look to any mines or factories he might have. Usually you do operations in something you own. Someplace you can mess with and create special places. Especially places that either make or mine for that purpose." "The thought has occurred to us but with Nethergate we can take no chances at all." Lightning says. Kite sighs. "Well there goes that plan." Then a thought occurred to her. "How sending Apollo there? He infiltrated a factory once so he knows the in and out of the basic stuff." "The main problem is searching the Diamond mine…that's it. We need help by the only native creatures that love jewels and live underground." Lightning says and his grin showed he was thinking up a devious plan. Both Eclipse and Kit leans in. "Well, who are they?" They both ask. Lightning just grins. Lighting along with Rarity walks over to where she usually digs for jewels with Spike. "Can we go over this again one more time?" She asks. "I wish to get in contact with Diamond Dogs and Rainbow told me you encounter them once." Lightning says. She sighs. "Well, more like whining at them, but they got so annoyed they wanted to let me go. Why don't you go in first and try to talk deals and if they don't comply then I'll come in later." She offered. "Thanks Rarity. Oh and Rarity I really like your way with hats, you think you can make me a few more?" Lightning asks remembering his old hat. Rarity smiles. "Of course dear, I really like to make foreign clothes now because of your talking of the high society balls." "Thanks again Rarity. How much will it cost?" Lightning asks. Rarity starts to rush forward. "Let me grab a few jewels they have and that will be all." "Ok, will do." Lightning says walking in step with her. As he walks away Twilight rises out of the bushes. "What are you thinking? We are not dealing with them again?" She said to herself as she tries to follow them. Of course she didn't notice little Agni following her. For the last few days Twilight had been following Lightning Bolt trying to figure out what he was hiding. Most of the things that she found under suspicion were almost dangerous at best. And most of them were either creatures or something that is connected to one of the foreigners that follows him. Especially the two new stallions at Applejack's farm that took the jobs were even something that she thought were connected to him too. But after a while, she just concluded that they were looking for jobs somewhere else than their homeland. Makes sense since the other lands might be having a problem with employment opportunities that are at least practical. But then there is the fact that Lighting did monster hunting in the past so they had no choice...maybe. She follows closely to Lightning and Rarity as they enter a cave. "I'll go in first Rarity, if I have trouble I'll call you, ok?" Lightning asks. Rarity nods and heads over to sit down at a nearby rock. Lightning then jumps into the hole and falls into the darkness while Rarity lounges around. Twilight starts to get closer until she hears the bushes behind her makes some noise. Looking behind her she sees Agni smiling at her. "Agni, what are you doing here?" She whispers harshly. Agni just tilts his head at her and plays charades. First he plays out Spike and him having a stare down until he got a really bad feeling in his stomach. But that was just his flamethrower being unleashed. After Spike got burnt and knocked out he quickly mimics running to her and doing what she is doing right now, sneaking. "That still doesn't explain what you are doing here?" Twilight almost screeches and pointing a hoof at her. Agni hugs her forehoof. "Did you miss me?" Twilight asks now calming down. Agni nods his head and cuddles some more. Twilight smiles and hugs him back. "Twilight, what are you doing here?" Rarity asks Twilight yelps and almost jumps in the air. She looks over to Rarity standing over her bush. "Oh, Rarity...hi...didn't know you were...here." Twilight stutters out. "Twilight have you been following me this whole time?" Rarity asks. Twilight starts to sweat. "Uh...nope. Just...training with Angi here." She turns to Agni. "Right Agni?" Agni nods his head no. Twilight goes wide eye at what Agni just did. "At least he's honest, unlike you. I'm no Applejack, but I can tell you're lying." Rarity frowns. "Well...you see Rarity..." Twilight begins. Lightning was wandering alone in the dark of the tunnels. "Boy, I hate to see the Canterlot's mines." Lightning says moving until he saw a torch lit and heard the sounds of digging. "Ah, good. Now let's see…" He moves around the corner and sees three dogs digging and coming out with not much jewels. "Ah, this is stupid." One dog with a red shirt said. "I agree. Most of the gems are gone. Especially after that whiny pony took most of our gems." A big burly dog with a gray sweater said. "Can I assume you are a part of the Diamond Dog community?" Lightning asks from coming around the corner. The three dogs' jumps back in surprise and readies themselves. "What, how did the pony get here? We have dogs watching." Lighting raises an eyebrow. "I just walked from one of your tunnel that way." Lightning says pointing where he came from. "Anyways I'm here to do business with you." Lightning says. The dogs' growl. "Are you crazy pony? The last time we dealt with a pony we lost almost all our precious gems." The dog with the red shirt said. "Even if you get something in return?" Lightning asks. The three dogs stop and drools, but then compose themselves. "What are you offering?" The red shirt dog asks. "I normally would offer you just jewels but that is not a good enough reward for this work because it's going to be very dangerous work." Lightning says seriously. The lead dog growls. "Then what are you offering if it's not gems?" Lightning smiles. "How about an entire mine?" The dogs perk their ears at this. "Did you say mine?" They said at the same time. "Yes, plus protection and help from ponies." Lightning adds. The three dogs looks to themselves then huddles together. After a while they look to him again. "What proof do you have that you will give us the mine?" "Do you know of miner's rights of the Equestrian laws?" Lightning asks. The three dogs get confused. "Miner's right?" The lead dog asks. "Yes, it is a law, Celestia made it. It states those who mine legally own the rights to whatever they dig up as long as it is not being actively mined by another even if they don't own the land." Lightning informed. The three dogs look to each other then back to Lightning. "So that means that…?" They ask. Lightning nods. "Yep, you can mine all you want and you won't get in trouble." "Still a dangerous job." They look to the little runt who spoke up. "You mention dangerous work, which means we might die. I'm still not convinced." Lightning raises an eyebrow. "You know the Barrows mines that have many Diamond Dog slaves?" Lightning asks. The little one shakes his head. "Still dangerous." "Rarity can you come and convince them to save their own kind!" Lightning yells back the way he came. The dogs' eyes widen. "The whiny pony is here?!" The dogs yells. "Above ground actually." Lightning clarifies. "Coming dear!" Rarity's voice echoed. "Oh no!" The dogs yell. Rarity walks over to them as they back up to the wall and she followed. She clears her throat and uses some breath freshener. She then clears her throat again and turns to them. "Oh, why won't you save your own kind?! They are your own friends and family and you're going to leave them! Oh, you are horrible dogs! Now please help them!" She whines. Even before the whining they covered their ears and they still pulled at them. "Okay, I'll do it!" The runt yells. Rarity then smiles. "Thank you dearie. Now I'll grab a few gems and I'll be off back to town." She said as she pulls a few gems from the walls and walks off. "I'll replace those as well." Lightning offered. "Don't need to. We get that mine and we'll be swimming in gems. Precious gems." They drooled out. "Ok, I want you to go and spy on the Burrow's mines you're looking for large and dangerous creatures." Lightning said planning everything out. "What kind?" The lead dog said as guard dogs starts to prepare. Lightning brings out a book. "Any that look like the pictures in this book." Lightning says. They take the book and start to look through it. Their eyes widen as they flipped through each page in the book and coming into more and more monsters and creatures. "What...what are these creatures doing in Equestria anyway?" "Lord Borrow is keeping them in cages and planning to unleash them on the country. So you will also be considered heroes if we succeed." Lightning says. The three dogs grin. "You, pony, are making this more interesting." The lead dog said. "But they are not what you have to worry about." Lightning says. The grins turn to frowns. "What do you mean pony?" The runt asks. "Watch out for these. They are more akin to demons then ponies." Lightning says showing them a picture of a Nethergate assassin. The dogs growl loudly. "How about you keep them off us and we'll lead you to whatever you need to take control." The lead dog said. "Because this is a pure stealth mission so the likelihood of encountering them is low, but if you do run don't engage, but if they are there then that means they are guarding something far more valuable." Lightning warns. "Any value to us?" The lead dog asks. "To you most likely not, but we could get it when we take the mine. So no need to rush." Lightning says. The dogs' huffs. "Alright pony. Let's go and get this done. Take us to where we need to dig and we'll get you inside." "I and the others will need to prepare ourselves, besides you can use this job as a way to get several other Diamond Dog clans to join you." Lightning says. "That's true pony. Come back once you're ready. We'll be set to go once you come back." The lead dog said throwing the book back to Lightning and walking off. "The names Lightning Bolt, what's yours?" Lightning asks. "Rover." The lead dog said. "Fido." The large burly one said. "Runt. And that's all you will know." The small one said. "I will see you soon." Lightning says walking back into the tunnel he emerged from. Coming out of the cave system he takes a breath of fresh cool air and looks around. He becomes surprised to see Twilight there with Agni conversing with Rarity. 'What the heck?' He thinks to himself. "Oh, Lightning there you are darling. Did everything go ok?" Rarity asks. "Yeah, they have agreed now if you would excuse me I must make preparations." Lightning says unfurling his wings. "Of course darling. You best do your job well after all." Rarity said as she starts to walk back to Ponyville. Lightning takes off and flies away as Twilight yells. "Wait Lightning!" Lightning was soon out of sight. Lightning landed at the house where Nikolai was staying at and knocks on the door. The heavy thumping puts a strain on his ears and then even more once the door opens. "Hey Lightning!" Nikolai yells over the music. "What?!" Lightning yells. "Hold on a second! Vinyl we have a guest!" Nikolai yells. The music finally stops as Lightning starts to rub his ears clear of the muffling. "Won't work. You have to live with it to fix it." Nikolai muffled voice said. "Nikolai round them up, we move soon." Lightning says with a serious face and Nikolai nods. "Vinyl, Octavia, I'm going out for a bit I'll back soon." Nikolai yells. "K bud, make sure you get back soon. And make sure you come back with some milk too. We're out of two percent." Vinyl told him. "You got it." Nikolai yells in before closing the door. "You get the one on the coast and I'll get the other two." Lightning says. Nikolai nods and files off to the coast while Lightning starts flying off to the farm. Landing at apple farm's entrance he starts to follow the path to see if they are working themselves to the bone like Nikolai had described. He walks up to Applejack who was working by herself. "Hey Applejack." Lightning says nasally covering his nose. Applejack sighs through her mask as she tries to rub all the gunk off her hooves on the ground. "Hya Lightning, now's not really the best time." She told as she looks to the rest of the crap on the area. "I need your two employees for something important." Lightning says in a nasally voice. "Take them! I lost a bet thanks to them." Applejack yells frustrated with the end result. "Thanks." Lightning says leaving. He walks up to the two who were resting against a tree. "Get your things we have work to do." Lightning says. They quickly move as they head back to Lightning's house. Later that night the three stallions were talking in the dark. "Nikolai brought you both up to speed right?" Lightning asks. The two newcomers look over themselves to check over their equipment. "One more time to make sure." Alexander said. "Ok, we have confirmed Lord Borrows is a collaborator with the Dominion and Nether gate is here assisting him. We also have confirmed all of the recent monsters from the Chamleonsaurus to the Diablos were his doing. We also know he has more so we are going to search the only place with enough room for them the Barrow's mine in ten days, but before that. Apollo I have another mission for you." Lightning says. Apollo looks at him as he test his bow opening and close, each time making a sound. "What's the objective?" "Search all of the factories owned by lord Barrows even if just partially and look for anything that might help." Lightning says. "Well this will be fun. Where's the map and first one?" Apollo asks. Lightning hoofs him the map. "The first one will be the farthest one from all them. It's newly built so there may be some construction equipment still on site. I'm sure you can use those." Apollo takes the map and looks it over before packing it away and then pulls up his mask. "Let's get this done." "Alexander we will stay here and Apollo if you are not back on the night of the tenth night we will commence the mission." Lightning informs. "Oh please, I always meet the deadline. No matter what." Apollo smirks under his mask before swooping away fast into the darkness. "Now we wait Alexander." Lightning says as Alexander nods. Ten Days Later For the last nine days Twilight had been digging for as much information as possible on Lightning Bolt. And what she has so far is frustrating. Only the fact that of where he comes from, what power he has, and what he did, but that's not enough for any motive of any kind of why he is here. The fact he hadn't been seen in the last nine days along with those three other stallions also made her suspicious. Hearing a knock at her door she packs away all the notes she has in Lightning and goes to answer it. It was Rainbow Dash when she opens it. "Hey Twi, have you seen Lightning?" Rainbow asks. Twilight shakes her head. "Nah, have you tried his home?" Twilight asks. "Yeah there is no pony there but Hurricane." Rainbow says. "And even she couldn't tell you where he was?" Twilight asks taking some tea with sugar. "She wouldn't say. Twilight...I'm scared that Lightning is involved in something dangerous again." Rainbow says getting worried. Twilight huffs. "Oh please, he's a tough enough stallion..." Twilight was cut off by Rainbow. "He almost died last time, Twilight!" Twilight looks to side. "Still alive." She simply said. "That's was heartless Twilight. After all he has been teaching you magic you could never learn otherwise." Rainbow says. Twilight raises an eyebrow. "He's keeping secrets Rainbow. That's a good reason to be suspicious of him." "And you don't?" Rainbow asks. "You're blinded by your love for him!" Twilight yells. "Now you're just diverting the subject. Twilight, your paranoia is taking control of you." Rainbow counters. "Oh really. Has he at least told you everything he does?" Twilight asks. "Do you expect everypony to tell you every detail of their lives Twilight? He is hiding things I admit but I think he's hiding painful memories. He has already told us he has seen ponies die before." Rainbow reminds. "Yeah and that's what wrong. There is something going on right now and Lightning is in on it. Of that I'm sure." Twilight said confidently. "Oh yeah, he is responsible for all the monsters Twilight, that is why he risked his life and nearly died fighting them." Rainbow says sarcastically. Twilight glares at her. "Get out." Rainbow huffs and leaves slamming the door behind her, leaving the estranged unicorn alone. Twilight sighs and turns her head to the table where she kept the notes, but decided not open them again and heads for the kitchen, thinking that some food will clear her head. As she eats she remembers when she went to see Nikolai to try to learn more but wound up talking to Vinyl after learning he hasn't been there recently. Asking even her shows that even Nikolai hasn't told much, but that may be attributed to the fact that pony doesn't go into personal lives much. But then she remembered what Vinyl told her. "Yeah, he hasn't said much but now that I think on it there was something weird. You see after one of my gigs I got him to join me for drinks and kinda drank him under the table and when I tried to arouse him I noticed his wing moved oddly and when I picked him up with my magic to head home he was far heavier than I thought he would be, of course that could have been from the fact I was half smashed at the time." Twilight thinks heavily on that. That particular stallion is heavier and one of his wings is acting weird under something that is involuntary but should be the same among all the pegasus stallion. That is strange, but the source was shady at best. Especially if it comes from the craziest DJ around. The two other Stallions haven't been around long enough to learn anything either, but they definitely are up to something especially for that darken clothed stallion. Before Twilight could think of anything further she felt something hug her hind leg. Looking back she saw Agni. "Oh Agni, sorry did I wake you?" Twilight asked. Agni shakes his head and jumps up on the table to nibble on some of the food before sitting down on his rump and looking at her. "Ok, but just a little." Twilight says before sending magic into Agni's mouth. Agni smiles while keeping his mouth open and starts to gulp down the magic that is sent down his mouth. Once finished he closes his mouth and licks his lips while rubbing his belly. 'Well at least Lightning gave me you.' Twilight thought. "Okay Agni, why don't you head off for some sleep?" Agni just nods no. "Okay, what, you want to play?" Twilight asks and Agni nods. "Okay, what do you want to play?" Agni runs off to hide. Twilight smiles before closing her eyes and starts to count. "One, two, three, four…" Angi smiles as he runs around the home, looking for a place to hide. Before he ends up in the main room and hides behind the fireplace his flames from his back blending in perfectly with the fire. "Eighteen, nineteen, twenty. Ready or not here I come!" Twilight calls out. She gets and starts to look around the kitchen. Seeing nothing was moved she heads to main room. She keeps looking, checking everywhere she could think. Until she remembers that he loves fire. "Oh, where are you?" She plays out. Twilight starts to head for fireplace. "Oh, I wonder where he is. Maybe he's outside or…" She grabs Agni with her magic and pulls him out of the fireplace and into her hooves. "Right here." She giggled. Angi cheers and snuggles into her coat. Twilight smiles as she looks to Agni. "What was I thinking?" Twilight says when she suddenly remember something Lightning said in a lesson. "So Lightning, when we came looking for you we notice a huge cage obviously used to transport that Wyvern." Twilight says. "Yes, it's like I hypothesized. Those creatures weren't there by natural causes. Which begs the question, where are they coming from?" Lightning says. "You mean you don't know?" Twilight asks. "If I did I would do something about them." Lightning says. "Could that be it? Could he have finally tracked the monsters?" Twilight wondered out loud. Agni looks up at her question. Twilight smiles down at him. "Sorry Agni. Do you want to play more or something else?" Agni jumps out of her hooves and heads for the door. Twilight becomes curious and follows. Agni opens the door by jumping on the handle and turning it before letting go and opening the door. He then heads out with Twilight following. Agni eventually led her to Rarity's shop where she found Rainbow and Rarity talking. Angi runs up to them and jumps up and down. "Hi there little Agni. What are you doing here?" Rarity asks taking Agni in her hooves. "I think he wanted me to come and talk with Rainbow." Twilight says at the door. They both look to the door and Rainbow frowns. "One chance Twilight. That's all you're getting." Rainbow warns. "I think I figured out what Lightning is doing." Twilight says. "Oh brother. You just lost your chance." Rainbow said heading for the door. "I think he found where all the creatures have been coming from." Twilight says freezing Rainbow. Rainbow sighs and sits down still facing away them. "I know he does this, but he does it to protect me and everypony around him. He does it so nopony else has to." "Rainbow there is something else, remember that huge cage?" Twilight reminds her. Rainbow slightly turns to them. "Yeah." "I think Lightning figured out who was behind that as well if he found the creatures." Twilight says. "Knowing him, he's probably going to make sure that it doesn't happen again." Rainbow smiles lightly, but pained. "Rainbow in this time, I have come to realize only somepony with power and influence could do this. So Lightning might be walking into a trap." Twilight says. Rainbow frowns. "He might, but knowing him, he might make it without too much trouble." "Rainbow we have to help." Twilight pleaded. "Wow Twilight, this is a 180 from just a few minutes ago." Rainbow says. "I know, but he did help us through a lot and is now in possible trouble. He helps us, we help him." Twilight pleaded. "Excuse me darling the sentiment is all fine and good but do you know where to start?" Rarity asks while ticking Agni. "No, but we know somepony who does. But first let's get the rest of the girls." Twilight says. "You ready?" Lightning asks the other four stallions. "Why do you think we're here?" Nikolai said. "Alright, Edward, Nikolai brought you up to date right?" Lightning asks. A stallion wearing a hooded outfit with armor plates on his hooves and chest area. A belt hangs on him carrying many pouches that may hold whatever he needs. "Of course. But this better bloody come out right, because I left my ship for this. You know how much I love my ship." Edward said. "It will now, let's meet our friends." Lightning says hopping down the hole. The rest of them looks down the hole. "I am not doing a leap of faith in this." Edward said hearing the roughness of what Lightning is going through. "Oh just do it." Alexander says pushing him into the hole. "Damn you, Alexander!" Edward yells as he falls down the hole. The three others jump down as well after him. Soon they came to stop at the bottom of the shaft and landed on top of one another. "I thinking I landed on something sharp." Apollo said. "That's my weapon." Edward told him. "Good thing it hit your armor." Nikolai says getting out of the dog pile. Apollo gets up and shakes himself free of the dust. "Yeah, good thing." He looks to where he got hit and just rubs at it. "Unless it's a mare, stop rubbing at it." Edward told him as he walks past him. "Enough it's time for business." Lightning says walking towards the light. "Missed pun for 'Don't go into the light.'" Nikolai said. "I said enough!" Lightning yells emerging into a large area. They soon came onto a large amount dogs running and gathering weapons. Lightning saw the three lead dogs and headed for them. "We're here." "Good, we managed to get a few clans to join us for this." Rover says. "Even better." Lightning said smiling. "Just remember, we do this and win, we get the mine." Runt warns. "And free our brethren." Rover says. "If you guys are set let's go to Lord Barrow's mines." Lightning said heading back up the cave system. Rover gives a sign and all dogs starts to follow the ponies to where they need to go. Soon after a few days walk they made it to galloping gorge. "Ok we haven't been spotted yet start digging here." Lightning said pointing to spot in front of him while looking to the large mine system on the side of the gorge. "Dig dogs." Rover commanded and soon the dig dogs were digging away. "Commander Hurricane, I know you know where Lightning went." Twilight says as they sat in the kitchen in Lightning's home. Hurricane takes a piece of pie sitting on the table and takes a bit. "I may, but may not. And even if I did you know I wouldn't tell anything." "Why not?" Rainbow asks. She leans forward. "Because families protect other family members." "But we want to help him because he could be walking into a trap." Applejack says. She throws the piece up in the air and eats it in one go. "And you know as well as I do that he can take care of himself." "But he might be in trouble." Rarity says. "Like I said, he can take of himself. Besides how much can he get himself into?" Hurricane said grinning knowing what she just did. Lightning sneaks into one of the mines of Lord Burrows and surveys the area. He signals some of the dogs to emerge from the tunnel and they moves out to take position. They look over the edge in silence as they watch Diamond Dogs in chains working away with bad conditions on them. "Let's go." Rover said as he moves out. "No wait, there are sentries over there with crossbows. We go now they will sound the alarm. We have to take them out first." Lightning says Rover huffs. "Alright, now hurry and take them out then we'll move to get them out." Lightning nods and turns to Apollo "Apollo you're up." Lightning orders. Apollo unsheathes his bow and loads two arrows. He then let's go and the arrows fly. They both hit both their marks and both ponies collapse. "Now you may." Lightning says. The dogs quickly rush down and starts to head for their own kind. The dogs quickly got to work and starts to unlock the chains and sometimes breaking them with their own weapons. "Alexander go with Rover and assist them, the rest of us will search ahead." Lightning orders. Alexander nods and heads off to help. After he left Lightning turns to the rest of them. "Apollo go scout on ahead and tell us what you find. And if you see Lord Barrows, tell us immediately. We need to take him down fast." Lightning says and the stallion saluted and swooped off. After a few minutes Apollo returned. "I found they but they are guarded by Nethergates and I saw a Dominion Centurion and I recognized him as Levinat." Apollo says. "Are you sure?" Edward asks. "Absolutely." Apollo says. "Leave Levinat to me. I have a grudge to settle." Edward told them. "Move then." Lightning orders and they started moving that way silently. When they came to the cavern they saw many cages with creatures inside them and many Nethergate assassins patrolling and overhead overseeing it all was an earth pony in Centurion armor with a purple rhino helmet. "Okay, Apollo, get all the sentries." Lightning orders. Apollo nods and swoops off. Soon the sentries fell and their bodies were pulled into the darkness. "Done." Apollo said swooping in by them. "Still want to learn that." Edward comments. "Later." Apollo told him. "Ok, Edward you have a few minutes then we start." Lightning says. Edwards nods and starts to walk along the secondary beams to walk over Levinat. Soon reaching over him he jumps off and readies his weapon in midair. Coming down he was about to strike before Levinat moves away and pulls out his weapons and blocks the attack. "Hello Edward." Levinat hisses. "Bloody die, already!" Edwards yells. "Let's go!" Lightning tells his team. They ran out surprising the Nethergate assassins. The nearest one was unfortunately ran through with a sword before he could react by Lightning. Apollo start shooting his arrows killing any that came into his sights as Nikolai was using his agility to start killing Nethergate assassin at random. Meanwhile Edward had taken out his sword and started out a duel with Levinat. "You will die by my hoof today!" He yells at him. "You can try." Levinat said calmly blocking another attack. "Oh, I've been busy, all your crew involved in killing Thatch are already dead and now you're the only one last one now." Edward says pointing a sword at him. Levinat swipes at the sword outstretched to him and then tries to stab him. Fortunately Edward dodges and tries to counter it. "Then come get me." Levinat taunted. Edward outstretches his arm and a mini lightning crossbow bow pierces Levinat's sword hoof making it numb from the nerves dying. "Damn you." Levinat hisses. "I still fight like a pirate and we use anything to win." Edward reminds and redoubles his assault. Levinat swipes away at the sword coming at him and counters each one. "Still can't get me." But he didn't expect Edward to unsheathe a second sword and Edward stared fighting with a dual sword style. Levinat tried his best to defend but he received a gash every so often. "Like I said, a pirate" Edward says faking him out and stabbing both swords though his back and lifts him up before throwing him over the edge and off his swords. Levinat hit the ground hard and was bleeding badly. He started to try and crawl away when he heard a claw slam behind him. Looking back scared he sees he landed inside one of the topless cages. "Fuck." Edward lands besides the cage and knocks on the cage with his sword as he walks by. "Now I would have killed you, but I feel right that you could feel like your own prisoners." Levinat screams were then heard as the creature ripped him apart. "Rest in peace Thatch." Edward says cutting down a Nethergate assassin trying to sneak up behind him. Lightning and the rest of the stallions were finished fighting as the last one fell from the stab he received. "Finally." "What about the creature?" Nikolai asks as the creature still rips apart the body. "It's not going anywhere for now and will provide enough proof for the princesses to act." Lightning says. "Oh, I don't know about that." A voice rang out. "Dolph!" Lightning says with great anger turning to where the voice came from. "Well, well, this is quite a surprise. I didn't expect any of you to be here." Dolph says in an emotionless tone. "What do you mean?" Lightning asks. "Well, you see, Princess Celestia and Luna won't be in a position to do anything after what we just did and Saddle Arabia won't be able to do anything with our little hostage." Dolph says still in an emotionless tone. "Hostage?" Lightning said warily. "Why yes, the young prince." Dolph says causing Lightning's eyes to widen in shock. A knife embeds itself in the wall near where Dolph stood. "That's a warning shot. Next one goes to you. Now let the prince go and maybe we can come to an agreement." Edward warns. Dolph huffs. "I don't think you will considering that I know where he is and…" He couldn't continue as he gets grabbed from behind, immobilizing him. "What the devil?!" "Hiya." He looks behind him to see a glowing blue eye. "How about you tells us where the young prince is and maybe we'll let you go." "Never!" Apollo shrugs. "Have it your way." He pushes Dolph off the second floor and onto the ground below near the cage. The creature slams into the cage bars to get its new prey, but couldn't. Dolph jumps back a little in shock. When he turns back to his attackers to see them crowding up on him. "I'm going to get the prince." Apollo said to them. "Don't bother, I know where they are keeping him. Your being here is a challenge isn't it?" Lightning asks. Dolph just looks nonchalantly in the distance. "By whatever do you mean dear Lightning? I'm just overseeing everything. Nothing personal." "I will see you soon enough. Men we are withdrawing." Lightning orders. The three stallions reluctantly withdrew with Lightning, leaving Dolph slightly confused. They met up with Alexander halfway back. "The Diamond Dogs are free and Rover is leading them out." Alexander informs. "Good, back to Ponyville immediately. Something bad has happened." Lightning says worried about what Clipsy has to say. They trudge back through the mine and to the tunnel where Rover and his dogs were overseeing the escape. "Did you find all of them?" Lightning asks. Rover huffs. "Yep, some idiot brought out every single dog out here to dig new tunnels connecting to the existing ones. Never made it far because of us." "Good to hear some good news but we have a big problem." Lightning says. Rover glares at him. "You better not be backing down on your promise." "No I'm not but their allies have struck and did something to Princess Celestia and Luna which means the Dominion are close to invading." Lightning says worried. Rover calms down and sighs. "So, no mine for a while?" "Maybe we will see, but you best tell all your clans this cause when they invade they either exterminate a majority of a populace and enslave the rest when it comes to anything besides earth ponies." Lightning conveying how serious the situation is. Rover sighs. "Then you need more help." "We all do because they already used your kind as slaves and the only way we escape that fate is if we all band together." Lightning says. Rover grins. "Exactly which is why you need allies that have been getting away with it." "Yeah, that's why I'm asking you to try and rally all the Diamond Dog clans." Lightning says. "I didn't mean our kind." Rover clarified. Lightning just gets confused. "Then who are you talking about?" Rover grins. "We'll help, but only if you get the Changelings on your side." "You know where they are?" Lightning asks. Rover just shrugs. "Of course. We encountered them a bunch of times between Smoky Mountain and White Tail Woods. I'm sure that you could make a little detour there, enter a hive, and cut a deal. When done meet us at our old place because I'm leaving a few dogs here to prepare this mine for us, but still need to move out all the other stuff back at ours. We will all meet at the castle once we're all met and done." "I'll do that, but first there is a matter closer to home I must deal with. I hope we both live through what is to come Rover." Lightning says extending a hoof. Rover huffs and takes his hoof. "Same to you. Now if you'll excuse me. I have to deal some of the dogs getting onto the females." He then turns around and sees something. "Hey! Now's not the time for that!" He yells out. When Lightning and the other four stallions make it back to Ponyville, he notices several royal guards are now here. 'So word has already reached huh, good, will make things far easier for us. I had hoped I wouldn't have to reveal us but I guess there is no helping it.' Lightning thinks. "Geez." Apollo said as he looks around. "This isn't even close to what I had when I was in Stalliongrad." "Are you right in the head?" Edward piped up. "I have to deal with this every day when I was a pirate." "Quiet you two we are about to talk to royalty." Lightning says as they make their way to the library. Entering, after being allowed passage from the guards out front, they came onto the three princesses and Eclipse, who was very much crying, and the mane six with Spike standing in the back making something. Once they entered all of the eyes in the room looks to them making them feel slightly uneasy. Lightning examined Celestia and Luna and could feel their magical aura significantly drained. 'So that's the problem. But the country is as strong as the citizens. I just hope this place can hold it.' Lightning thinks walking over to Eclipse. "I encountered Dolph and he told me everything." Lightning says and Eclipse sadly nods. "Where could they have taken him?" She asks shakily. "Lord Burrow's estate." Lightning says instantly. "What is going on?" Twilight suddenly asks. Lightning sighs and turns to her. "Twilight we have multiple international incidents and a war on the borders at here and back on the other side. Feeling like investigating some more, because I'll tell you now this is a high stakes game where all of Equestria is in the balance?" Lightning says. "Sounds like you know what exactly is going on." Spitfire's voice says behind him. "Indeed I do sister." Lightning answers turning around. "Celestia called you?" Spitfire shakes her head. "In times of great crisis the Wonderbolts are called in for aerial war. The show thing is just a front." "I see, well let me make it completely clear what is happening. The Dominion Empire is making its move to conquer Equestria. One of their three assassin groups called Nethergate has kidnapped the prince of Saddle Arabia in an attempt to block Equestria from joining the growing alliance against them and through most likely soul gems have stolen a great deal of power for Princess Celestia and Luna to cripple both of them for the upcoming war and shake the nation's resolve." Lightning explains. "How do we counter these Soul Gems?" Luna asks. "Gosh, I got a headache." She said as she holds both of her hooves against her head. Spike gives her an aspirin and a glass of water which she takes. "Thanks." "Shatter them before they are used, but since they already stole your magic with them they can use them as batteries to power some form of magic now, maybe even a ritual." Lightning says. "Of course." Celestia spoke up. "Make us look weak also and the country will lose its moral and the will to fight." "Yes, but if you show that you are not out, then the citizens will take a chance and help. They can see that even though you're weakened you still stand strong in times like these. And you don't use magic to help along, just pure will." Lightning said. "How do you know all of this?" Twilight asks suspiciously. Lightning sighs. "To answer that let me reintroduce myself. I am Lightning Bolt, head general of the armies of Stalliongrad, arch mage of the college of Siberia, thane of all seven provinces of Stalliongrad, former level six hunter of the Stalliongrad hunters, and currently one of the leading figures in the alliance against the Dominion empire." Lightning finishes. To say the princess were shocked was an understatement, standing before them was one of the most influential ponies of Stalliongrad and they never knew. Especially Rainbow, who was shell shocked at everything now. "I have fought the Dominion even before we gained our independence from them in Stalliongrad." Lightning continued. "I always knew there was something you weren't telling us. But I never expected this." Twilight says. Lightning sighs. "Well, now you know." He then makes a glaring look at something. "Yet, we are not of the woods yet. Apollo!" Apollo immediately let loose an arrow through the window. On the other side of the smashed window came a pained cry as a thud follows. The stallions immediately went outside as soon as the arrow was let loose, with the others following. Outside they find a stallion in an outfit that Celestia and Luna immediately recognized. "That's one of the ponies who attack us." Luna says. The stallion tries to get, but… "Don't even try it laddie." He looks up to see a lot of glaring faces at him, some with weapons and attacks at the ready. "Guards, I think you know your duty." Lightning says walking back into the library where Ice Fang, Azure, and Agni were playing. Lightning looks upon them with a pained face, knowing that this won't be happening much in the coming days. "Alright guys. Come on." "Wait, I'm coming too. It's my duty to protect the prince." They heard a hurt voice say. Looking at the origin Lightning sees Kite injured. "You're far too injured. If you come you will only die." Lightning warns. Kite huffs. "You really think after that speech you gave to the princesses that I'm going to back down. Forget it!" Lightning walks up to her. "Sorry." Lightning says before knocking her out gently. "I don't like letting ponies martyr themselves." Lightning says. "Lightning there is something you should know before you go." Eclipse says. Lightning looks back at her. "Do you know who Midnight's father could be?" She asks gently. Lightning just nods his head no. "Think Lightning, think hard. Who was the only pony with me?" Lightning starts to remember all the times he has been with her, yet through all that the only pony was… "No." He whispers. "Yes, Midnight is your foal." Eclipse said gently with tears starting to fall. "Why did you never tell me?" Lightning asks trying to stay calm. "I thought it would be easier on both of us if I kept quiet." Eclipse admits with tears falling. "You know how bad a lie would get Eclipse." Lightning said still trying to process all this. "And now this is far worse for Dolph, now it's personal." Lightning said, hatred and rage were clear in his eyes. "Lightning remember what you told me about revenge. You could hurt the one you're fighting for." Eclipse warns. "This isn't about revenge, this is about getting my son back." Lightning told her now walking out. "Twilight I have one of the biggest favors I will ever ask you." Lightning says to her which makes her perk her ears at him. Twilight, wearing her Grand Galloping Gala dress, along with the others, in their dresses, walk through the giant door into one of the biggest ballrooms she has ever seen. Sighing she turns to the stallions. "Okay, you both know what to do right?" "This isn't the first time." Alexander says straightening out the bow on his tuxedo. "I hate dresses." Rainbow says walking past them. "Oh, ho, ho, Princess Twilight, I am so pleased you answered my invitation. You honor me so much with your presence. Why, it is such an honor just to greet you that…" Lord Burrows was then interrupt. "That is enough father, we don't want the princess to feel uncomfortable." A lean blue stallion with blond hair in a red tuxedo with a small blue cape says. "Oh yes, quite right. Oh princess Twilight allow me to introduce my son and heir, Euram Burrows." Lord Burrows introduces. "It is an honor my princess." Euram says with a dignified voice and bows slightly. "Oh um...the pleasure is all mine." She said right back inclining her head. 'Thanks for the quick lessons Luna.' "Thank you your highness." Euram says getting up. "Now I believe you and your friends want to join the party so we'll leave you and your friends to mingle. Come along father." He said walking away. "Oh very right my son." Lord Burrows says following Euram. "Wow, talk about the apple falling far from the tree." Applejack commented. "I know. It's like he hates all of this and just wants it done. Any case…" She turns back to Apollo and Edward. "You two better get into positions." Twilight says. "You got it. Nikolai, Alexander we leave their safety to you." Apollo says swooping into the shadows and starting to climb the pole in darkness with Edward following. Outside, Lightning is stealthily making his way through the underground caverns. 'When I get my hooves on you...oh boy, there will be Tartarus to pay.' Lightning curses. Soon he ends up onto some tracks. "Okay, now the mine that started it all for his family will also bring him down." He starts to walk along the tracks, missing each board to not make a sound in the echoic cave. "Ok, I best keep moving." Lightning says outstretching his wings. He then pushes off the ground before getting into a small flapping maneuver that barely makes a sound and starts to move forward. 'Sure hope they are doing ok.' Lightning thinks. 'What did I get myself into?' That was question running through Alexander's head. 'This mare can barely dance as it is.' He was right on one thing. Twilight is a pretty bad dancer in any style. "Ow." Alexander said quietly as Twilight steps on another of his hooves with Twilight giving another 'Sorry.' to him. The party continued on a little longer until Lord Burrows made an announcement. "Everypony it is time for the entertainment. If you would please follow the guards." All of Twilight's group were not expecting this and just followed along. 'Finally, there is a light up ahead.' Lightning thinks flying right into the light. All the nobles were taken lead to what looked like the top of a large cage. Looking down to all of their shock Lightning Bolt was at the bottom. "Oh, ho, it seems we have a little extra entertainment tonight my friends. Now you may start placing your bets as we unleash the creatures!" Lord Burrows exclaims as a cage door slams behind Lightning, trapping him, and two larger cage doors start to open. All of Twilight's group looks on in shock at what is about to happen as a foot and a claw comes into the light from each of the cages. 'No.' Soon the bodies comes into view. 'It can't be.' Then finally the heads, revealing itself to be two Wyverns. Right now, Lightning had one thing on his mind. "OH, BUCK ME!" He said rolling his head around and snapping it back forward. Author's Note Primus: We're very evil aren't we? Leaving Lightning like that is very harsh in itself. But this whole thing turned out great didn't it? Flair: Oh, this got serious and tense all at once. Primus: Still we hope you enjoyed our little evil cliffhanger. Let's hope you can stay on till the next time. Oh and here is our word count: It's over 9000! Just to note, I hate DBZ, but the memes are good. Wishful Thinking Typhoon groans as she opens her eyes and looks around before she sees Umbra sitting on a chair by her. "Uncle?" Umbra smiles as he leans back in his seat. "Hey little filly. You feeling okay?" "I feel like I have a headache." Typhoon says. Umbra nods. "Yes, that is expected after what you went through. What do you remember?" "A salad." Typhoon says unexpectedly. Umbra sweatdropped as he gives a lopsided smile. "Want some breakfast?" "Where is my brother?" Typhoon asks half awake. Umbra sighs. "He's training with your father. You're going to do the same with me. He also said go to the training grounds when you woke up." Typhoon looks around for a bit. "Now right?" Umbra nods and helps her out. "Come on." He said putting her on the ground and leading her out. "Don't be jealous of your brother when you get out there." "Ok, I'm going." Typhoon says. Umbra smiles as he leads her out and they come across the training yard where Lightning and Rainbow were watching Talion meditate. "Dad?" Typhoon calls. "Hey sweetheart." Lightning says pulling her into a hug. Typhoon pushes him off a bit. "Dad, what happened?" "I will explain later." Lightning says before Rainbow snatches her and hold her close. "My baby." Rainbow said snuggling her. "Mom?" Typhoon asks. Rainbow looks her over. "Are you okay?" "Yeah, feel like I have a headache though." Typhoon says causing Rainbow to start petting her head. Typhoon purrs as Talion awoke. "Sis!" "Yeah brother." Typhoon says. Talion rushes and jumps onto the bench as Rainbow puts her down and Talion hugs her. "Are you okay?" "I'm fine, have a little bit of a headache though." Typhoon says. Talion smiles as he keeps hugging her. "Alright Talion. That's enough hugging your sister back to sleep. Back to training." Lightning said smiling. Talion stops and turns to Lightning. "Yes father." He says as Lightning walks over and ruffles Typhoon's mane a bit. Typhoon looks up to him. "Dad, what happened?" She asks as Talion goes back to his spot and started meditating again. "Magic related. You will come to understand during your studies on it. Now Rainbow, I believe it is time for us to give Typhoon the introductory speech that we gave Talion." Lightning says. Typhoon looks between the both of them. "What?" "Your father has decided it is time for him to teach you both magic." Rainbow says. Typhoon looks to Talion. "So…what am I going to do?" "For now, listen to us." Lightning says before reciting the speech given to everypony that enrolls in the Winterhold College. They both just tilt their head at him. "So what's next?" They both ask. "A live demonstration." Lightning says before pointing his hoof at a target used for archery practice and shoots a bolt of lightning that obliterates most of the target and the remains were ablaze. "Cool!" Typhoon cheers. "Let me try." "You are not yet ready to call upon the apprentice level spell, Lightning Bolt, my excitable little filly." Lightning says smiling at her. Umbra leans over to him. "You do realize that she can't do that, right?" He whispers. Lightning pushes him away. "You got to learn the basics first like calling forth your magic." Lightning says. Talion smiles. "How do we do that?" "That is lesson number one." Lightning says smiling at them. They both cheer and hop around as Rainbow smiles. "Wow, they are excited." "Come on Rainbow, we got to teach them." Lightning says blowing Umbra away with a fan. Umbra tries to swim after them. "Hey! Hey! Hey!" Lightning chuckles as he walks away with his family. Umbra growls. "Bastard! Shut it off!" Lightning ignores him as they leave the room with Umbra still trapped in the fan's wind tunnel. Typhoon looks back at him. "What's wrong with him?" "He can't beat the fan of death." Lightning says smirking. Typhoon giggles. "Uncle's funny." "So you ready to meet with your half brother?" Lightning asks Talion and Typhoon who were dressed. They both nods. "Uh huh." They both said. "But do we have to wear these?" Typhoon asks as she moves the dress a bit looser. "Only for opening ceremony. After the greeting, we will move to the ballroom where you can change into something more comfortable." Lightning says petting her head. Typhoon purrs. "So who is he?" "Your older brother, Midnight." Lightning says. They both smile and giggle as the horns sounded. "Look sharp." Lightning said standing straight as Twilight come out of the back room. "Sorry, had to get fitted for my stomach." She said standing by him. "Don't worry, they have yet to enter the main gate yet." Lightning informs as she takes her seat on the other throne. Both Talion and Typhoon couldn't keep themselves still as the door opened and some guards entered first before Midnight, grown up a bit and in regal clothes, came in. "Mr. and Mrs. Bolt. Pleasure to meet you." He said stopping at the steps to the throne. "And pleasure to meet you crown prince of Saddle Arabia." Lightning says as both he and Midnight were desperately struggling to hold back so to not burst out laughing from this. Midnight looks around and spies a few soldiers in the rafters. "How about we take this to the ballroom? I'm sure everypony is waiting for it." He said as most of the citizens there was chattering a bit quietly. "Very well." Lightning says as he and Twilight got up and lead the way. Midnight smiles as he follows them and sees Typhoon and Talion both grown up before they enter the ballroom. He quickly looks back and turns back to Lightning. "It's great to see you again dad." "Same here son." Lightning says before giving him a hug before anyone could see them. Midnight chuckles and looks to Typhoon and Talion and sees them rush off. "Well, time has passed." "Yeah, they have already begun their training in magic. It only seems like yesterday me and Rainbow were changing their diapers." Lightning says letting go. Midnight smiles. "So what has been going on?" "Mostly whipping these ponies into shape, had to put down a mini rebellion with one of my patrol groups already." Lightning says. Midnight leans over. "Didn't like your rule?" "Too brainwashed to think their former ruler was a goddess." Lightning says simply. Midnight smiles. "So where are they now?" "I had them secretly executed." Lightning says. Midnight looks to him. "I mean the old rulers." "One is around, she has taken to a role in our diplomatic division. The other one is off living in a cabin enjoying herself." Lightning says. Midnight chuckle. "Tell me one thing, how long has the one in the cabin been living without a partner?" "Unknown." Lightning says. Midnight shakes his head. "Took a couple of friends, didn't she?" "An entire patrol group. So four squads." Lightning says. Midnight smiled. "Oh well, at least she will enjoy life." "So how have you been son?" Lightning asks. Midnight sighs. "Here, there, everywhere." "Crazy?" Lightning asks. Midnight laughs. "Yeah, basically renewing the leases with everything we have. Since mom is bogged down a bit, I have go out." He said putting some papers quickly into Lightning's robe pocket. "My agents have sent word you are now the commander of a thousand soldiers." Lightning says acting casual. Midnight nods. "Yeah, but could do with some advisors and strategists. The ones I got are a little slow in some areas. Some of them are past their prime now." "Don't underestimate the old my son." Lightning says. Midnight smirks. "Like you?" "Was going to say like Galleon." Lightning says, his jaw twitched once. Midnight chuckles. "I miss you dad." "You punk." Lightning says making Midnight laugh. Midnight sighs. "Should we get eating or something?" "You're too much like me son." Lightning says as Talion and Typhoon returns, wearing comfortable clothing appropriate for the occasion. Midnight smiles as he looks to them. "Hi Talion. Hi Typhoooooo…" He stops as he sees her necklace. "Um…why are you wearing that?" "Don't ask in public." Lightning says to Midnight, immediately getting the meaning. Midnight then smiles. "Hi Typhoon." "Hi big brother." They say together. Midnight smiles. "So how have you been?" "We can do a little magic now." Typhoon says as Talion summons a very tiny whirlwind. Midnight looks to it with a sweatdrop. "Um…work on that." "They only have a week of learning so far." Lightning informs. Midnight looks to him. "And you told me one time that you figured out how to make a wall in three days." "Take into account the age, Talion and Typhoon are still foals and I was grown mostly. It's incredible for him to even make that." Lightning says. Midnight nods. "Okay, now then, can we eat?" "Sure son." Lightning says before they finally enter the ballroom. Midnight sighs. "Okay, what threats?" "I recently had the nobility informed they are to wear emblems, signifying their rank or for those in the military, their rank somewhere on their clothing." Lightning says. 'Ah, dad wants to test my observation skills.' Midnight says. Talion smiles as he grabs Typhoon and pulls them away to the dining table. "Come on big bro." Talion calls. Midnight smiles following, taking in every emblem or military rank he saw. "What do we got to eat?" Talion hums as he looks over the food. "Only good things are these chocolate." "No, they are cream brother." Typhoon says. Talion looks to Midnight. "What do you like?" "You eat little brother. I'll take care of myself." Midnight says smiling at him. Typhoon giggles and grabs some sandwiches. "I got mine." She said eating away before stopping. "Tastes like expensive poop." "Eat where dad is eating sister." Talion says. Typhoon looks to him. "He's at the meat section." Midnight grabs a piece of chicken from a tray nearby. "Tip, if you have sharp teeth, use em." He said taking a bite and looking around the room again. "Come on sis." Talion says trying to get her to go over where their mom was. Typhoon sighs and puts the sandwiches down. "Coming." She said getting off the tables and following him before someone steps in front of her. "Excuse me, can you at least clean up the mess?" A pony asks as he looks down at her. "You know, you are talking to king Lightning's daughter, right?" Midnight asks. The pony looks to him. "Yes, but could you young ones at least clean up the mess." "You know the last time somepony talked down to his daughter, I believe it made Lightning mad and he is looking at us, don't turn around." Midnight says whispering the last part. The pony huffs. "At least clean up." He said through clenched teeth. "Come on sis, take it to the garbage." Talion says. Typhoon smiles and picks up the sandwiches and throws them in the trash. "Happy?" She asks smirking at the pony. The pony nods slowly. "Yes." He said walking away. "Mark that one to be watched." Lightning whispers to a pony. The pony nods and walks away. "So dad, what else has been going on here?" Midnight asks chewing at his food. "Mostly preparing for war." Lightning says. Midnight nods. "Same here. Still working on the town." "You been keeping up your studies?" Lightning asks. Midnight groans. "Hate it, but yes." "Scenario 38 is?" Lightning asks. "Enemy has mistakenly taken a hill far from any natural water source. Solution, surround and besiege and slowly take it until they make a mistake and then swarm in and finish them." Midnight says. Lightning smiles. "Nice. Work on it. The second one could have been just let them starve to death. Ponies can only survive for three days without water and their food won't be a substitute. Now then, let's enjoy the day away." He said before chomping on a cookie. Talion quickly jumps up and takes the cookie. Lightning raises an eyebrow and grabs another before Typhoon does the same. "Alright you two, give daddy the cookies." "Nope, eating. Mommy told us to." Talion says. Lightning twitches an eye as they chomp down on their cookies. "Give daddy the cookies." "No." They both said before taking another bite. Lightning tries to smile. "Okay, here's how this is going to work out. You run away while I try to chase you." He said before they look to each other and put the cookies in their mouths and run off with Lightning chasing them. "Give me those cookies!" He yelled after them. Midnight chuckles and looks to Twilight. "So how's…what was her name? Um…my other mother?" "Twilight." Twilight says. Midnight smiles. "I know you're name. I meant my other mother." "You mean Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asks. Midnight nods. "Yeah, her. How is she?" "Over there laughing her flank off at that little show." Twilight says. Midnight giggles as he sees Rainbow still laughing her flank off. "Wow, things have changed. But why did you mention your name?" He asks looking to her with a look. "In case you forgot." Twilight says. Midnight sighs. "At least times here hasn't changed much." "And you look good. You remind me a little of your father, nephew." Spitfire says joining them. Midnight looks to her. "Hi auntie." "Hey my little nephew." Spitfire says before nooging him. Midnight chuckles and hugs her back. "How are you?" "Good, my boy is resting with your other siblings." Spitfire says. Midnight tilts his head. "You have a son?" "Yeah, he is a little ball of energy." Spitfire says. Midnight smiles. "He must be great. Mom sends her regards to everypony here." "Must be disappointed not to see Lightning." Spitfire jokes. Midnight chuckles. "Try jumping off the walls worried." "Oh, you're still her little baby colt, aren't you?" Spitfire teasingly whispers into his ear. Midnight groans. "Yes." Spitfire starts cracking up hearing that. Midnight sighs. "Oh well. Who else am I going to meet?" "General Kyou Kai of Stalliongrad is also here." Twilight says. "What, Lightning's number two?" Midnight asks surprised. Twilight nods. "Yes and…there was Daring Do and Silva." Spitfire chuckles. "Yeah, Silva was a bit shocked at that. And then there's you." Midnight looks a bit shocked. "So he didn't do it for the rule?" "You mean marrying your mother?" Twilight asks. Midnight shakes his head. "No, I mean he didn't marry you for the rule." He asks Twilight. "Oh no, I asked him to marry me so Equestria wouldn't fall into civil war. If not for that, we may never have married." Twilight says. Midnight sits a bit. "So it was never for love, just political?" "Well on my part, I guess I fell for him, but without realizing it, I buried it deep within my heart and when Luna told me the situation through a dream that it was my duty I brought the matter to High King Ulfric." Twilight says. Midnight just blinks. "You have been in love with my dad even before I met you?" "I'm unsure. I can't tell when these feeling came about." Twilight says. Spitfire chuckled and ruffle his mane. "Hey, fact of the matter is, she loves Lightning and he loves her as well. Let's live in the moment. Like they are." She said pointing to Lightning who had Talion and Typhoon in his hooves and having both cookies in his mouth. "Oh don't look now Midnight, but you are getting a few looks from the young mares." Twilight says. Midnight looks to the crowds and quickly looks away blushing a bit from the mares giggling. "I kinda like to know where um…Rainbow…came from. I kinda like those types." "Cloudsdale, like me." Spitfire says. Midnight sweatdrops. "I think I would look at it myself. Now where's that ramen?" He asks quickly walking off. "Saving that in the private room. Your father will be introducing that with the next trade shipment." Twilight whispers. Midnight stops as some of the mares get closer. "Is there a private room I have?" He asks quickly. Lightning suddenly leans over. "Behind the thrones. Private room." Midnight quickly rushes over and heads into the room as the guards cover the door. "Very like my brother." Spitfire says smirking. Twilight giggles. "Yeah, just as shy when he first met Rainbow." Lightning chuckles as he finishes the cookies and the twins glare at him. "Oh just get more." He said to them. They both huff and walk away. "Cheater." They called. "Having fun?" Rainbow asks. They both huff at her as Lightning chuckles. "Oh yeah. Had lots of fun. How are you feeling with all this trouble?" Rainbow shrugs. "Fine." Lightning smirks. "How about I get you to a private room and a chief for your food?" Rainbow looks to him desperately. "Please." "Ok, but you have to grab the foals." Lightning says. Rainbow quickly grabs the twins and they both yelp before Rainbow rushes out and heads to the rooms in the back. Lightning smiles as he follows. Twilight smirks. "Have fun Lightning dear." Lightning smirks as he smacks his tail in her face and she frowns at him before stopping and looking at his flank. "Twi, you're staring again." Spitfire said. "It's so firm." She whispers. Spitfire smirks and leans close. "Yeah and tough enough to send us crazy." She whispered. "Yeah." "Alright, talk. I know your mother sent you here for other things." Lightning said sitting in a chair and sipping at some tea. Midnight sighs and leans back in his seat. "It's the papers I gave you." Lightning quickly takes out the papers and looks them over. "Huh, soldiers at borders. Need reconnaissance." Midnight nods. "Yes, but the area is too used to us. She needs ones that are completely new to the area and tell us how the area looks like. Soldiers and everything." Lightning sighs. "Problem is we need to blend in and look normal. Which means…we need to place them in the culture of the area." Midnight sighs. "Buy a slave?" Lightning nods. "Yep. And I hate it. Entei, two squads of Specters." Entei looks up from his meal. "Yes sir. But we need something more plausible. Something more into the area. Which is…how is it?" Midnight looks to him. "Middle class, some businesses and farms. Still, scouts report slave auctions. Mostly the nobles of the area and surrounding ones are coming in." Entei looks to Lightning. "I need a good young noble. Know anypony?" Lightning thinks on that. "Maybe…I don't know. Most of the noble stallions and younger ones may be corrupted by this." "What do you need help with?" Talion asks looking up from his meal. "Hum…ah, I know. Eurum is young." Lightning says a plan forming. Entei nods. "Yes, that might work. He is completely new to the area, right?" Midnight shrugs. "Well I haven't seen him much. And mom makes me see most of the nobles around so if I hadn't seen him, then those towns might not have as well. Why not making it more convincing and send a younger brother, say he's buying a slave for him?" Lightning nods. "Yes, young noble, training his younger brother in the ways of the culture. That would definitely work and we save a slave in the process or two if given the money." Lightning suddenly feels a shiver from his back. "Your son, right?" He heard whispering in his ear. Lightning smiles. "Talion can go, learn what he's up against if the time comes." Talion looks up with some bread in his mouth. Umbra growls. "I need to speed up your daughter's training. Don't worry, its stealth and some attacks in case of one." Lightning nods. "Granted. Entei, get the squads together and send a letter to Eurum about this situation. Have him come over. I need to go talk to my foals for a bit. Thanks for bringing this Midnight, it's going to really help with some training I'm giving them." Midnight smiles. "No problem." "I'll be back soon son." Lightning says walking out. Midnight watches as he leaves. "Sure thing dad." "Kai." Lightning says in his study alone. Kai comes in as she held a frown. "Yes?" "First, come here." Lightning says pulling her into a hug and kisses her sneaking his tongue into her mouth. Kai smiles into the kiss and giggles a little before she lets go. "Cutie. So what do you need?" "You know what I will need." Lightning says going protective father. Kai sighs. "I'll try to watch, but I'm going to need a pretty good makeup artist. Then there's the clothes." "Not you specifically, send Entei and all his ghosts here." Lightning says. Kai sighs and nods. "Sure, give me a sec." She said sitting down. "Also, when all the foals are tucked in and sleeping. I want you, Daring, and Silva to report to my chambers." Lightning says. Kai smirks. "Wow, you want all of us?" "Yes, yes I do." Lightning says before kissing her. Kai giggles into the kiss. "You sure are making us blush at times." Lightning smirks. "I know, I'm awesome." "You are good." Kai says leaning into him. Lightning smiles and heads back to his desk. "Get them now. We got some big things in front of us." "I know. We won't get much sleep for a while." Kai says before nuzzling his chest. Lightning holds her and puts a hoof on her head and kisses her forehead. "Such a good mistress." "So son, you have a mare of your own yet?" Lightning asks the next morning at breakfast causing Midnight to choke on his food a bit. Midnight swallows the food now. "What makes you think that?" "Just asking?" Lightning says curious about his reaction. Midnight glares a bit. "Hey, my life and my business in love life." "Just asking son." Lightning says, Rainbow sending him a smirk. Midnight frowns. "There is no one." He said quietly. "Oh?" Lightning asks. Midnight sighs and pokes at his food. "How's…um…those earth ponies? What was their names?" Lightning just sat there waiting with a smile. Rainbow snickers into her hoof. "Apple Bloom." She whispers his way. Midnight nods. "Yeah, her. Wonder what's going on with her?" He asks without noticing. "Rainbow?" Lightning asks after leaning over. "Got it." Rainbow says walking off with a smirk. Midnight looks at her. "Where's she going?" "An errand needs to be ran." Lightning says as Talion and Typhoon walk in sleepy. Midnight smiles as he looks over to them. "Hey guys. What are you doing here?" "Need food." Both say in unison. Lightning chuckles. "Come and get it. We got exotic food now." Both foals climb into their chairs and look to the food before starting to eat. Lightning smiles as they start trying the noodles as Midnight smiles too. "How long has it been since you left Saddle Arabia?" He asks. "Not two months ago father." Midnight says. Lightning smiles. "Yes, but have you seen anything different than last time you came here?" "Well the Queen's Knights ran an inquisition to the people's shock on how many heretic death cultists were found and convicted." Midnight says. Lightning smirks. "Good. Now how about here?" "I'm just here as an envoy to help maintain our relationship with Equestria." Midnight says sounding official making Lightning smile. Lightning nods. "Very good. Watch that tone though." "I try." Midnight says smiling as he shrugged his shoulders making Lightning smirk at him. Lightning chuckles. "Good boy. You still got a lot to learn." "I know. So father will you teach me?" Midnight asks. "Thought you would never ask." Lightning says smiling. Typhoon hums as she looks up. "Learn what?" "Everything I have to teach. Now finish up you two, we have a magic lesson today and I will start instructing you my son on what you want today." Lightning says. Midnight grins. "Great. Now let's hurry." He said eating again. Lightning chuckles as Twilight enters and takes the seat next to him. "The foals give you or Rainbow any trouble last night?" Lightning asks. Twilight sighs. "No, just this one kicking." She said putting a hoof on her stomach. "Oh, any unusual hunger for a certain food?" Lightning asks before nuzzling her. Twilight smiles and nuzzles him back. "Yeah, you my stallion. What did I see in you?" "Knowledge of magics you had no inkling that existed?" Lightning asks smirking. Twilight giggles. "And what made me fall in love with you?" "My wild and exciting ways?" Lightning asks. Twilight smirks. "Maybe that thing that keeps you moving?" She suggested moving a hoof down his back. "My heart?" Lightning asks leaning into her shoulder. Twilight leans over to his ear. "That flank." "And here I thought you loved my kind heart." Lightning says inhaling her scent. Twilight grins. "There's that. You did treat me to a box of chocolates." She said hearing him sniff her. "You're using a new shampoo and you want another?" Lightning asks. Twilight nods. "Sure. Might be good." "I also hear you have been requesting peaches." Lightning says smiling. Twilight smirks. "You smell like them." "Only because Rainbow had me switch out for that one because she is craving them." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "Can you?" "Don't tell me you are also going into heat like Rainbow in her pregnancy?" Lightning whispers. Twilight giggles. "No, just want a bath with you. Maybe using that new shampoo." "Ok. Next time, ok?" Lightning asks petting her mane. Twilight smiles and kisses his cheek. "Love you." "Good, now eat for we have a magic lesson with the foals after breakfast." Lightning says smiling at her. Twilight smiles. "Oh, what are you teaching?" "The basics Twi." Lightning says. Twilight tilts her head. "Can I watch?" "You are going to be my assistant since Rainbow is running an errand." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "Thanks." "Now eat your pancakes my queen so we can start soon." Lightning says. Twilight giggles and nuzzles him before eating away. After everypony had finished, Lightning lead them into a prepared indoor practice field. "Ok, where did we leave off last time?" Lightning asks, thinking. Talion holds up a hoof. "The crazy thing about how it's all connected?" "Ah yes, energy." Lightning says as he drags a chalkboard on wheels to behind him with his magic. Twilight points to him. "Have you been taking lessons with Pinkie?" "No, I had one placed here. This is a training area for new recruits and visual aids help teaching." Lightning says. Twilight rolls her eyes. "Pinkie." She said under her breath. Lightning's ear twitched. "Anyway, let's begin." He said picking up a piece of chalk with his magic and starts writing on the board. "Wait, what about form six and beyond?" Twilight asks. "A little more advance Twi. Let them get a grasp on these five then we will move on to those." Lightning says. Twilight clicks her tongue. "Should do six." She said under her breath. "Alright, alright. The sixth way to manipulate your magical energy is known as the herbology tree of magic. Basically, it is the magic one use on plant life. Tricky because plants are living things so sometimes they can be stubborn or refuse to do as asked." Lightning explains. "Like you." Twilight quipped and made the foals laugh a little. "Ha ha." Lightning says. "Now besides the sixth, which do you want to learn first? Fire, water, earth, air, or my personal favorite, lightning?" Lightning asks. "Shocking that he likes that one." Twilight said with a smirk as the foals laugh again. "Oh, why not give the foals an example of your favorite one and burn down that target dummy on the range?" Lightning asks. Twilight smiles as she goes over before making a fireball form in her hoof and throws it at the dummy before it bursts into flames. "By the way, there will be one that you may not mention at all. And your tail is on fire." She said going back to the foals and sitting down. Lightning licks his hoof and puts out the flame with said hoof, giving off the illusion to them that he put out the fire himself. "Avoiding that one because it is too advance for this stage Twi." Lighting says. "Whatever you say hot flank." Twilight says. "Back on track, which one you two want to learn about first?" Lightning asks. Typhoon raises her hoof. "How about Shadow?" She asks as Twilight raises an eyebrow at her. "Too advanced, that is number eight." Lightning repeats again. Typhoon slouches in disappointment. Talion looks sadly to her before raising his own hoof. "Fire." "You will learn it soon my little filly. Your daddy just wants to make sure you're ready." Twilight says petting Typhoon. "Very well." Lightning says. Typhoon whines. "But I want to learn it." "Your father made me go through this this same thing when teaching me little one. Trust me, you will find them very valuable when it comes to learning that one. Think of these as the stepping stones to it." Twilight says petting her mane. Typhoon just whines and slouches some more. "Come on, you play games when learning this magic." Twilight says intriguing Typhoon as Lightning draws the rune for fire on the chalkboard. Typhoon looks up to her. "Really?" "Yeah." Twilight says smiling. Typhoon smiles a little as she looks back to the lesson. "Okay, you think you two can try and create a little fire ball?" Lightning asks as they both stood in separate magical seals drawn on the floor. Talion thinks on focusing his magic before making a fireball appear in front of him as it held in midair like a campfire. While Typhoon was struggling to make one before making a tiny one appear in front of her that wavered. Lightning walked over to her and puts his hooves on her shoulders. "Relax, don't try and force it. Fire doesn't like being forced." Lightning says. Typhoon breathes carefully before sighing and makes the fireball bigger, but still wavering. "Ok, now throw them at the targets my foals." Lightning says. Talion holds the fireball in his hooves before pitching it to a dummy and makes it go up in flames. Typhoon thinks on it before making the fireball move on its own and then suddenly it drops and runs across the ground and slither across the ground before making it behind the dummy and rise up and hit it. "Good, both of you. Most can't even throw them a few feet at first…or slither across the ground like that. How did you know to do that? Lightning says encouraging both. Typhoon shrugs. "I don't know, it just…felt natural to me." "You have a lot of raw talent with your affinities, that is why, but don't let that go to your head." Twilight warns. They both just look to each other with troubled looks. "Now let us keep practicing." Lightning says. Talion looks to him. "Water?" "We train in one at a time, keep practicing your fire magic you two. Twilight, supervise while I begin Midnight's lesson." Lightning says. Twilight nods as Lightning walks up to Midnight. "Alright, you ready?" Lightning asks. "Yes father. It seems magic flows strongly in our blood." Midnight says as the temperature around them dropped dramatically. "My boy has the affinity of ice huh?" Lightning asks mirroring his son's new smirk. Midnight chuckles. "Yep, mom helped out a bit." "Surprising as she was ironically has an earth affinity." Lightning says. Midnight shrugs. "Guess earth and lightning makes ice." "No water and wind do my son." Lightning says sounding like he was back at the college in Stalliongrad. Midnight lightly freezes his hooves to the ground. "Oh shut up. At least I got some experience so it's time to get to the good stuff." "Is that anyway to talk to your teacher? Didn't your mother teach you manners?" Lightning asks teasing. Midnight chuckles. "That went out the window when you two had me." "I guess so." Lightning says snickering before both broke out in laughter. Twilight smiles as she watches them laugh. "How's it going you two?" She asks turning back to them. "We figured out where his lack of manners comes from." Lightning says. Twilight grins. "Yeah, good looks from Eclipse and attitude from you." "You think I'm bad, huh?" Lightning asks. Twilight giggles. "Bad flanked maybe." "Trust me, step mom and dad is nowhere near as ill-mannered as mom." Midnight says. Twilight chuckles. "Wow, does he take after you more or her?" She asks Lightning. "Well he got my good looks." Lightning jokes. Twilight grins. "Yeah, looks that only those good fillies fall for." "Quite literally if he tried, right son?" Lightning asks. Midnight frowns. "I'm trying not to." "See, he does take after me." Lightning says. Twilight smirks. "Yeah, being shy and trying to stay hidden." "Oi." Both father and son say in unison. Twilight chuckles. "Told you. He likes to be you with being hidden." "Moving on." Lightning says before starting Midnight's lesson while Twilight goes back to the other foals. Twilight giggles and leans down to them. "Your father is kinda coo coo? Isn't he?" "I thought that was all of you stepmom?" Talion asks. Twilight nuzzles him. "We are moms and always will be. And no, he's the only one. The stuff we do is kinda sane by his standards." "You mean none of you are insanely genius?" Talion asks remembering what his father told him. Twilight thinks on that. "Actually, I might, but he's next in line." "You are pretty smart." Talion says. Twilight nods and looks to Typhoon to see her struggling. She sighs and puts her hooves on her shoulders and focuses the magic. "Try and find a funnel point instead of all over." She then leans down. "Careful on treating other elements like shadow." "Yes stepmom." Typhoon says trying again making a bigger fireball. Twilight frowns as it reaches her hooves. "Try and keep the distance. It protects you against licks of flames, but not itself unless you are good enough." "Ok." Typhoon says pushing it further away. "I smell a snack." A voice from the door says. Twilight's eyes widen. "Shut it off. Shut it off." She said quickly to them. The foals looked confused as Agni entered. "Mommy!" He called rushing over and hugs her. Twilight sighs in relief. "Thank goodness. Next time, don't come in like that." "Whatcha doing?" Agni asks. Twilight smiles. "Teaching the foals here fire magic. Don't eat it." She said glaring at him. "Oh, but you feed me yours as a snack." Agni whines a bit. Twilight smiles. "That's right and you will get only mine so don't go eating around the other users like crazy." "Oh mommy." Agni whines cutely making Twilight smile. Twilight sighs. "Alright, go sit down and I'll feed you later." "Ok…oh, I should go out. Belcross is waiting and he is too big to fit through the door." Agni says. Twilight nods. "Go on. Spend time with him and Spike." "Ok, go spend time with big brothers. Belcross we can go." Agni calls walking out and soon huge footsteps were heard walking away. Twilight sighs in relief. "Okay, how fa…" She stops as she sees Typhoon's fireball size. "Maybe we should cut back a little." "Talion, try not to make it bigger, could blow up in your face." Lightning calls. Talion looks a bit confused as he looks between his and Typhoon's fireball size. "Um…sure dad." He calls back as Typhoon tries to decrease hers. The remainder of the lesson was teaching both how to use the spell properly as Lightning and Midnight kept discussing something Twilight couldn't make out. "Alright, you got that?" Lightning asks Midnight. "Yes stepmother." Both foals say. Twilight bonks them slightly. "Mom." "Uh hum." Twilight hears Rainbow clear her throat. Twilight blushes slightly. "It's awkward calling me stepmom." "Only if your foal calls me mom too." Rainbow says. "Mommy!" Both foals call rushing over to her. Twilight smiles slightly. "Why don't you play with them? Lessons are almost done anyway." Rainbow smiles and whispers something to the two before they smirk and grab a few pillows Rainbow had brought. Twilight backs up. "Um…what are you doing?" "Pillow fight!" The foals call before starting a barrage. Twilight eeps and runs off. "I'm pregnant!" "It won't hurt and so was I!" Rainbow calls getting Twilight on the flank with a pillow. Twilight eeps and keeps running off. "Watch it!" "Attack my adorable troops!" Rainbow calls. Twilight yells as she runs by. "Lightning! Help!" "Use your magic, you have telekinesis." Blitz says. Twilight yells as she runs off out of the room and the foals and Rainbow chases her out. "I hate you all!" He heard her yell. Lightning chuckles as Midnight thinks over what his father said. Twilight and Rainbow watches as Lightning, Midnight, Typhoon and Talion and the rest of the soldiers prepared their bags. "Be careful guys." Rainbow said. "We will mom." Talion says hugging her leg. Rainbow smiles as she hugs him back as Twilight walks up to Lightning. "Make sure you come back for the foal. We all need you here." "I know." Lightning says before nuzzling her again. Twilight hums as she nuzzles him back. "Love you." "Love you too." Lightning says. Twilight kisses his cheek before Rainbow does to same to him and he smiles and nods before they all left through the portal, leaving them behind. "Want some peanut butter and jalapeño sandwich?" Rainbow asks. "Please." Twilight said as they both walk off. Lightning breathes in the air as he looks around as he looks around the exit of the portal. "It's nice to be back, even for a bit." Midnight chuckles. "Yeah, mom has been wanting to see so when these guys are going in, she'll come over and meet you." Lightning smiles. "Good, now where exactly are we?" Midnight walks over to the door. "The emergency bunker of the city. We barely use these anyway." Lightning smirks. "Smart." Midnight shrugs as he opens the door and heads outside. "It's nothing compare to these." He said before they all see the line of walls and guards along the perceived border. Lightning whistles as Talion and Typhoon gasps at the long line of the border. "Not bad. Not bad at all. I'm sure you are making sure of any tricks coming through, correct?" Midnight nods. "Yep, can't be too careful. Now let's go to the command tent. There you can outfitted and brought to speed on what's going on around here. Where's the other stallion anyway?" He asks walking to the large tent in the camp nearby. Lightning looks back to the bunker. "Any minute now. But let's get Talion outfitted." He said following him with Talion and Typhoon looking around at everything. "This is so cool." Talion said. Typhoon nods. "Yeah, look at all the guards and everything." Lightning chuckles as they enter the tent. "Yes, many are amazed when first see the famous Saddle Arabia guards and live to tell about it. Isn't that right son?" He asks Midnight. Midnight smiles as he steps up to a large map. "Yep, though you still be careful to look where you tread. Now then, get some food and drinks, place your bags away for now and then I'll tell you the current layout." Lightning nods before leading the two foals who were still looking to another area of the camp, guided by the guards and soon camp to an empty one with just four beds. "Alright you two, place your bags down and let's get a meal for now." He said putting his bag down. "Okay." The two said as they put theirs down and follow him. "What are we having?" Talion asks. Lightning smirks. "A little Saddle Arabian style cuisine. With some foreign curry on the side." They stick their tongue out. "Sounds bad." Typhoon said. Lightning shrugs. "Hate it or like it." He said grabbing some containers and quickly grab some food and put them in while still walking from the mess area in the middle. "We'll eat in the command tent. Don't worry, I'll give you the condensed version of the plan needed." He said leading them back into the tent. Midnight smiles as they enter. "So you ready to talk plans?" Lightning nods as he give the food containers to the twins. "I'll tell them a less complicated version." Midnight nods as Lightning starts to eat. "Okay, as you can see, we have a pretty good border so that's no chance of an invasion for a while. Now for the recon mission, we are going to disguise Talion and that noble. We'll also give you a few good guards that can blend in well for the looks and protection. As for the slaves, we got a few bags of bits ready and some goods to make him look like a trader. High end stuff in fact so they won't complain as long as the bits roll in. Traveling by a first class cart, we'll get you through the gate and end up here." He said pointing to a large town in the middle of a few smaller towns. "This is where the auction is and where they would be staying. Try to find some good slaves and different types so as to not arouse suspicion. As for getting out, once you have what you think is good enough, then all you have to do is head back and trade the goods along the way. We won't need it anyway. Once you see the border, run for it. We got control of the border on one gate completely so they won't hit you guys on site once you try to make a run for it. We can't take chances." Midnight explains. Lightning hums as he keeps eating. "Ah, good, but may need to disguise Talion a bit more than normal since they might have been watching my family. As for Euram, he can easily just wear the clothes and blend in. Now the guards, who do you got?" Midnight smiles and whistles out of the entrance. "Come in." Lightning looks back to see ten guards dressed in the Dominion's armor. "Yours?" Midnight nods. "Yep, new recruits from the Shadow organization. They are skilled with guarding high ranked VIPs and keeping their senses around the area." Lightning raises an eyebrow before throwing his fork quickly to them and one of them catches it without flinching. "They'll do." He said before guzzling his food. Midnight smiles. "Now all we need is the noble, Euram. You can give him the rundown and we'll prepare everything for a quick go. They'll leave first thing tomorrow morning after getting their disguises on and getting the licenses written down so it can be even more legal." "Understood." Lightning says. Talion looks up from eating his meal. "So what now?" He asks as Typhoon finishes up hers. Lightning smiles. "Now, I give you a talk about what you might see and what you can and can't do. We're free to go?" He asks Midnight. Midnight nods. "Yeah, you guys can head back to your tent." Lightning nods as he leads Talion and Typhoon out as Midnight sighs. "I just hope this works." He said to himself. "So…I can't really do good things, can I?" Talion asks after he and Typhoon got a talk on the culture and what to expect. "Not out in the open, but all the slaves bought, we will smuggle them out and free them." Midnight says after he came to them with some clothing for the seamstresses to fit on them. Typhoon looks worried. "So…what would happen if I get caught?" Lightning growls silently. "Well, you would treated as much as a regular slave would and then I would come over, kick some ass and may inadvertently cause the war early here." Midnight chuckles nervously. "Yeah, let's not make that happen." Typhoon looks even more worried as Talion groans a bit from the seamstresses working on him. "Do I have to wear this much? It looks stupid when it's this." He said lifting up his clothing and shows some oververly made designs. "Unfortunately my son." Lightning says. "Well at least I'm used to something like that. What did I miss?" Euram said walking in. "Euram, you will be briefed by Midnight here as I help Talion finish getting ready." Lightning says. Euram nods as Midnight leads him away and they start talking. "Can you come daddy?" Talion asks. Lightning shakes his head. "No, they would recognize me on the spot. I have no choice but to stay. Don't worry, Euram and the guards will keep you safe. Now let's see how you look." He said as the seamstresses pull away and show him Talion wearing an almost robbed suit. "Not bad. Drags a little though. Can be easily fixed. As for you Typhoon, you will be…" He stops as he sees Typhoon having a black skinsuit partially on. Typhoon looks at him confused. "What? Uncle gave this to me. Said it could help my powers and when I need to stay hidden." Lightning stares at her before sighing and facehooves. "I am really giving your uncle a talk once we get back home." Typhoon frowns a bit. "He's not that bad." Lightning rolls his eyes. "Please, you haven't seen what he can do…and did." He said shivering from his first encounter. Typhoon just looks at him. "It can't be that bad." Lightning looks to her a bit harshly. "Don't bring it up." Talion looks confused. "What could he have done to make you like this?" "You'll understand when you're older." Lightning said quickly. They all just look at him weird as Lightning was trying to act normal. "Okay, we're done and all he needs to do is get dressed up and get the licenses and you guys can head out." Midnight said coming back in with Euram. Lightning looked like he was having second thought. Midnight looks to him worried. "You okay there?" "No." Lightning says flatly. Midnight sighs. "Do you want to back out now?" "I can't. I said I would help you son." Lightning says seemingly torn. Midnight looks away a bit. "If it matters, this may happen soon enough. Why not start now?" "Because if we delay, we can try and convince those who are on the fence to side with us and between us, the alliance isn't fully ready to fight the war yet." Lightning says. Midnight nods. "That's why we are taking account of first strike positions so when it does, we can take quickly down and mess up their plans and buy us a few days when the war starts." Lightning sighs. "I'm going to go see your mother before my parental instincts make me call this off." Lightning says. Midnight sighs. "Sure. She's at the palace. The next supply wagon can take you back." "Do not tell her I am coming." Lightning says. Midnight smiles. "Don't worry, I won't tell a word." Eclipse sighs in her room when there was a knock at the door. "Come in." She said watching out the window. "You are still looking outside like always. Didn't I tell you about assassins?" Lightning asks walking in. Eclipse looks around and sees him smirking a bit. "Lightning." She said almost quietly. "Hey Clipsy, most of your security off duty?" Lightning asks closing the door. Eclipse smiles a bit. "No, needed to think a bit. You are here for the recon force, aren't you?" "No I can't go, but our son wants use his step brother." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs. "Of course, with your face plastered all over the Dominion Empire. That I can understand." Lightning walks over and hugs her. "You miss me?" Lightning asks. Eclipse smiles and hugs him back. "Yes, I really have. I have been quite bored without you around." "Our son has really grown up." Lightning says. Eclipse nods. "Yes, he wants to be his hero. Doing the best to make everyone happy." "He is our pride and joy." Lightning says. Eclipse giggles. "Yes, I still can't believe we had him by accident if you think about it. What did happen before we did it?" "You received the news of your brother and knew what it meant immediately and later that night, after we talked for a bit, you said. Make me feel like a mare for it will be possibly the only time in my life I will ever feel it." Lightning says. Eclipse blushes. "Ah yes…that. Now I remember." "Midnight is also our headache, isn't he?" Lightning asks. Eclipse giggles. "Yeah, he is a hooful. Though he is also your son so you had a part too." "Not that much." Lightning says with remorse. Eclipse smiles sadly as she hugs him tighter. "He will always be your son. And he knows it as well. You always had a part to play in his life as well. You made him realize who his father is, his hero." "Thanks Clipsy." Lightning says. Eclipse then grins. "Now then, how about we…" "No." "Aw, come on." Eclipse whines. "Your laws." Lightning says. "…ah, good point." Eclipse says. Lightning chuckles. "Though, as long it doesn't go too far, I'm not against cuddling for a bit." "Oh, yes king of Equestria." Eclipse says smirking. Lightning laughs as he leads her to bed before they both lay in it. "You know, Midnight might be after a filly I know." Eclipse giggles. "Oh, do tell." "A country farmer." Lightning says getting Eclipse very interested. Eclipse smirks. "Why I didn't know he goes after simple ponies. What's she like?" "Well." Lightning says before starting to tell her. Eclipse giggles all the while at the many quirks of poor little Apple Bloom who didn't know what was going on. "He can't even talk to the harem fillies and mares. I'm surprised she got his attention." "Kind of reminds me of me. Not too interested in most mares like that, but when a mare catches his eye, they catch his eye." Lightning says. Eclipse giggles. "I wonder what he thinks of her now." "Flowers and a blush tell you?" Lightning asks petting her. Eclipse purrs. "Not much." "He is in love." Lightning says. Eclipse giggles and nuzzles him. "Just like you back then." "Maybe." Lightning says cuddling her again. Eclipse keeps giggling as they cuddling. "I love you Lightning." "I still do even if we can never be together." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs in relief. "Want to sleep for a bit?" "Only if you can use your hypnotizing to make me or I will just be worrying about the kids." Lightning says. Eclipse smiles gently as she pets his mane. "They'll be fine. Just have faith in them." "I just worry. They are my kids." Lightning says. Eclipse keeps petting. "And that's why we have faith in them when they leave from our sight. That they can do it and can be all right." "Midnight, I can, but Talion is not even six." Lightning says. Eclipse nuzzles him to calm him down. "As would every parent and try to do their foals' work themselves when they could do it. Most who live on their own can make it through the problem. You have to let him go one day anyway." "He isn't old enough for this. I only started teaching him magic." Lightning says making her smile. Eclipse leans down to look at him. "What are you teaching?" "Lesson one was on fire." Lightning says looking into her eyes. Eclipse grins and grabs onto his head. "Gotcha." She said as her eyes change. Lightning sweats. "Shit." He said quickly as he closes his eyes. "Too late. Now sleep." Eclipse says smiling. Lightning keeps his eyes closed tightly before snoring out loud as he rests his head against Eclipse's chest. "Nighty night." He said sleepily. "Ug…what happened?" Lightning asks awakening. Eclipse smiles as she sat on the side of the bed. "You fell into my eyes again. I made you sleep, so don't worry." "Like I asked?" Lightning asks. Eclipse nods. "Yes, I put you to sleep. Now, shall we get some food and talk some more?" "So something I bet your spies haven't told you yet. Twilight, the queen of Equestria is now with foal." Lightning says. Eclipse raises an eyebrow and smiles. "Oh, how much did you do?" "She went seven times one time on her request." Lightning says. Eclipse giggles while blushing. "Lightning, you are a stallion among colts." "So when do you think your queen's guard will realize somepony is in here with you?" Lightning asks. Eclipse grins. "Oh, not for a while. Now, breakfast?" "Getting room delivery." Lightning says spying the chess board. Eclipse sighs as he gets the board. "Alright. What do you think is going on over the border?" "Mostly both sides' soldiers and guards starting each other down. So you improved your game since we last played?" Lightning asks. Eclipse smiles. "Very well. Let's play." She said taking her place on the black pieces. "Alright, so how has Midnight's studies in magic been going?" Lightning asks moving his pieces. Eclipse smiles. "Going well, he's almost halfway through the whole line of studies needed." "His ice nature was a surprise." Lightning says. Eclipse grins. "Was surprised too. Never excepted any mage, much less him to have that nature." "Sub elements are not unheard of, but are quite rare and at times incredibly powerful." Lightning says moving a pawn. Eclipse nods. "Yes, quite amazing things can happen. Such as holding a popular look in public." "You're slipping Clipsy, you used to be able to keep up with me while talking." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs. "I guess I have a few things on my mind." "You hide it well, but you're worried about Midnight as well." Lightning says. Eclipse looks sadly down. "Just like you. I worry everyday he's out there, but I hope everyday he comes back to me and at least say something that tells me he's okay." "When did we get so old?" Lightning asks. Eclipse smiles. "When we have our foals." "Feels like yesterday when your brother was still alive and we just got done with a party." Lightning says. Eclipse sniffs a bit. "Yes, but I'm glad I met you. You were the best thing to happen to me…next to Midnight." "Well technically, I gave you him." Lightning jokes. Eclipse giggles as she still cries a bit. "Thanks for being there Lightning." Eclipse says moving a piece to block him. "Now I believe that is checkmate." Lightning says moving his knight. Eclipse smiles as she looks to the board. "Food now?" "Aren't we waiting for the servants to bring them oh great queen?" Lightning asks. Eclipse grins. "Any minute now." She said before hearing a few knocks. "And there's our food." She said heading to the door and opens it to find the cart pushed in by a few ponies before they leave. "Shall we?" She asks holding up a fork as Lightning comes down from the ceiling. "Want to make a wager on how long it takes your guards or Queen's knights to realize there is an intruder?" Lightning asks smirking as he joins her in eating. Eclipse nods. "A few hours. Now, let's eat." She said grabbing some cake. "Nu uh Clipsy. You know the rules, filling foods first, then you get your cakes and stuff." Lightning says smirking. Eclipse pouts cutely. "Meanie." She said putting the cake down. Lightning just starts feeding her. "Oh relax and enjoy yourself." Eclipse keeps pouting before smiling. "I am already." Eclipse says. Lightning chuckles. "You should visit us some time. Rainbow would love to see you again I bet." Lightning says. Eclipse smiles. "Yes, she would be, though my job is here. I need to take care of my country as well." Lightning nods. "I understand. But please try and visit." Eclipse nods. "I'll try. Now let's enjoy this meal." Lightning chuckles before looking out the window. "First light." Eclipse smiles as she watch the sunrise framing Lightning. "Yes, first light." Lightning sighs. "They leave at first light. It's been almost an hour so they should be reaching the town soon and if all goes as plan, will be doing paperwork for the licenses and everything for most of the day." "Come on, after we eat, we will go to the library. We have uncovered a few more artifacts since you last visited it." Eclipse says trying to get his mind off it. Lightning smiles. "Daring would be jealous. Yeah, let's finish this." "Turn around so I can change." Eclipse says. Lightning smirks. "It's nothing I haven't seen. Come on, let me watch." "Then it will take forever to change." Eclipse jokes. Lightning chuckles. "Oh Clipsy. Just go change. I'll wait." Eclipse shakes her head as she walks behind some walls. "Oh Lightning. Always the kidder." She said as he sees her form change. Lightning waits until Eclipse came back in more function over formal clothing for royals. "Finally convinced them to go with that huh?" Lightning asks. Eclipse sighs. "And you won't believe the amount of hoops to go through. Shall we go see the artifacts?" "Lead the way." Lightning says leaning against her side. Eclipse giggles as she wraps a wing around him. "I wonder, what would have been if you stayed?" "Nothing would have changed probably, only your brother not dying would have changed this." Lightning says. Eclipse nods. "Not bad of a living though." "You know, I take that back, you would have probably roped me into being a member of the queen's knights." Lightning says. Eclipse giggles. "And I would have you as my lover either way." "Now that might have happened and you would have more that Midnight." Lightning says. Eclipse smirks. "Yep, a lot of them." "But then the question of succession would come up." Lightning says. Eclipse stops for a bit. "True, might be better if you gave me just one." "But then again, some might feel better if you did have multiple heirs after what happened to your father and brother dying of an illness." Lightning says. Eclipse looks to him. "So does that mean…?" "Clear it with the council of elders." Lightning says. Eclipse pouts and slouches. "I hate you." "It's to protect you Clipsy. Put it forward if you like to strengthen our nation's ties and just in case you and Midnight fall ill and die like your father and brother. That thought and chaos that would come from that without a proper heir should make them have little problem with it seeing as I am Midnight's father as well." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs. "We'll see. Now come on." She said leading him out and surprises the guards. "Don't even." She said to them. "Or one of the mare royal guards will most likely kill you for failing in your duties." Lightning adds. Eclipse giggles at some of the shocked faces. "I love surprising them sometimes." "So to the library while you get the council of elders to convene?" Lightning asks. Eclipse nods. "Yes, might take a while so enjoy looking at the artifacts. They usually like few hour long meetings." "Also, maybe we should stop by your magic academy and I may give a lecture on the subject to the students." Lightning says. Eclipses chuckles. "Might be fun, but have to set things up and it might take a while. So enjoy some time with the old pieces of rock." "Hey, that is archaeology." Lightning reminds making Eclipse smirk. Eclipse rolls her eyes. "Just get in there." She said pushing him into a room. "Enjoy." She said closing the door and walks off. 'I can't believe they added two new floors to the library.' Lightning thought as he read an ancient scroll. He chuckles to himself as he hears the door open and sighs as he feels anger and intent to kill. "Hello Alenia." Alenia growls as she sees him. "What are you doing here heathen?" "Reading or has that escaped your notice." Lightning says. Alenia keeps growling. "I mean here in this palace or heck, even this country. You are not supposed to be here." "I'm here because my son and your prince asked for my help to provide a few ponies that the Dominion know little to nothing about so they can infiltrate and spy or scout on them, whichever term you prefer." Lightning says. Alenia huffs. "Then head back to the command tent. You are not needed here at the palace." "I'm here so I can't call it off as he asked for his six year old stepbrother." Lightning says. Alenia stares at him. "Still that crazy father." "Also there is another reason I am here." Lightning says putting the scroll back. Alenia raises an eyebrow at him. "And that is?" "Your queen is worried what would happen in case she and Midnight die so she is currently talking to the council of elders about attempting to have more foals." Lightning says. Alenia glares at him fully now. "And you want to be that stallion." "No, she requested me as I am Midnight's father and to strengthen Saddle Arabia and Equestria's ties as I am now king of it." Lightning says. Alenia growls slightly as he looked a little smug. "And what are you going to do now?" She seethed. "Waiting for your queen to see what the elders think, but I bet they will agree after what happened to the last two kings." Lightning says now no longer smugly. Alenia sighs as she looks away. "Don't hurt her." "I never do…so, do you think the queen's knights are ready to fight this war?" Lightning asks soberly. Alenia keeps looking away. "Is there ever a true answer?" "You sound like me and the other veterans of the liberation of Stalliongrad." Lightning says. Alenia scoffs. "You try protecting somepony full time without sleep for a few days." "So how did the inquisition of the death cult go?" Lightning asks. Alenia sighs. "We took out almost all of them. There will always be somepony out there with the idea, so yes, mostly all of them." "I doubt they will rise again any time soon. Maybe in the next century if that." Lightning says. Alenia nods. "Make sure you don't touch anything." She said walking out. "You think you're ready to lead your soldiers into battle?" Lightning asks. Alenia stops and looks at him. "Are you?" "I have experience. You are one of the youngest members and haven't been in a war yet." Lightning says. Alenia growls silently. "I'm ready." "I'm going to be sending over notes on formations and battles the Dominion has fought. If you study them, it will help you greatly." Lightning says. Alenia huffs. "Whatever." She said heading out the door. "Alenia, even if you don't like me, read the material. There is an old saying. If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself, but not the enemy, for every victory gained, you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle." Lightning says. Alenia frowns as she closes the door behind her. Lightning sighs as he goes back to reading. "The queen requests your presence." A soldier says. Lightning looks back at him. "Got it." He said putting the pottery down on the stand again and follows him to the meeting room. "Let's hope this doesn't go sou…" He stops as the doors open and sees Eclipse in a bit of raunchy dancer outfit. "Sou…sou…" He stutters. Eclipse giggles as she dances around a bit. "South my dear? You are heading that way soon." She teases. "I…" Lightning composes himself and clears his throat. "I suppose this means the elders have agreed." Lightning says. Eclipse giggles. "Yes, our, sort of, marriage is done. Though the choice of honeymoon is yours." "To your room?" Lightning asks. Eclipse grins before Lightning realizes that Eclipse picked him up and was actually running down the hall too fast. "When did you get this fast?" Lightning asks. Eclipse chuckles. "Been holding this." "You know I could have teleported us." Lightning says entering the room before the guards could register what their queen was wearing. Eclipse smiles. "Now where's the fun in that?" She asks putting him down. "So you going to do a dance for me?" Lightning jokes. Eclipse gains a red tint on her cheeks. "Do you want me to?" "I think you should decide my sexy bat queen." Lightning says. Eclipse smiles as she starts to lead him to bed. "And what are you going to plan?" "You have been waiting for nearly twenty years so you decide." Lightning says. Eclipse grins and places him on the bed. "Okay, you get a true dance from the queen herself." She said backing off a bit. "Oh this I must see." Lightning says smirking. Eclipse smiles as she starts to dance around and gets close to him. "Tell me, how much have you thought of me? How much have you dreamed of me?" "Quite a bit." Lightning says watching her. Eclipse hums as she turns around. "And have you ever done anything in your imagination and dreams?" "Yeah." Lightning says. Eclipse smirks as she moves backward to him while still dancing. "Tell me what you did." "Nu uh, you first." Lightning says smirking. Eclipse pouts cutely as she looks over her shoulder. "Oh, my dreams first? I believe it's the stallion's turn on this." "Hey, got to give something to get something." Lightning says before using his wings to pull her into his lap. "Can you finish your dance from here?" Lightning whispers into her ear before lightly nibbling on it. Eclipse moans and nuzzles him. "Unless you got more plans." "Finish it if you can. Then tell me your fantasy and I may make them come true." Lightning whispers into her ear as he casts a sound proof spell on the room. Eclipse grins. "Never stopped." She said as her flanks still moved. Lightning smirks knowing she was trying to turn him on. Eclipse giggles and moves a bit more closer. "Do you even have a fantasy with me there?" "I do, but I want to make your fantasy come true first." Lightning whispers into her ear. Eclipse smiles and nuzzles him as she stopped dancing and just seem to be hugging him. "Mine huh?" "Yes lover." Lightning says petting her. Eclipse purrs as she leans into his petting. "I missed you Lightning." "As did I." Lightning says before turning her around and kissing her. Eclipse smiles into the kiss as she pushes him onto the bed before letting go of the kiss. "So…how should we?" Lightning says nothing before flipping their positions. "Well, first you have to tell me one of your fantasies." Lightning says now on top. Eclipse grins. "Oh, a take charge stallion. Well, I have always dreamed of us going back to when we first did it." "Alright." Lightning says before starting to remove her outfit. "Finally done." Earum says sighing. Talion looks up at him. "So do we have every paper needed?" "Yes we do." Euram says. Talion looks around. "Can we go now? I'm getting bored." "Yes, let's." Euram says leaving the office with him. Talion sighs as he looks around a bit before Euram leads him to their cart and they get in and ride off. "You okay sis?" He whispered. "Cramped, but fine." Typhoon whispers from his shadow. "Do you two want to go straight to the auction or look around a bit at the other shops?" Euram asks. Talion whispers a bit to Typhoon, who came out of his shadow after the door closed, before looking to him. "Auction, let's get it done." Euram smiles. "We won't see some of the sights then. We still have time. Lesson one." He whispers the last one. Talion looks to him. "Oh, see what other wares there are before throwing the bits in." "That and look out the window to see a reason we are fighting." Euram says as the twins look out to see a rich looking earth pony instructing guards to beat on a diamond dog that looked to be a slave. Talion gaps at the sight. "But…why them?" He tries to ask. "Because they are enslaved and that is what they mostly are about." Euram says. The twins keep staring as they pass by before stopping at what looks like an artifact shop. "Come on you two." Euram said as he steps out with Talion and Typhoon hiding in his shadow again. Euram walks in and tries to ignore the mare tied to the wall nearby as Talion looks to her a bit before catching up with Euram as they look around. "No wait, this place has recent things. Excuse me, do you know a place which sells much more ancient artifacts?" He asks the stallion behind the counter counting a large amount of gold. "Across the street. Feel free to use the mare on the way out." He said too engrossed in the gold. Euram nods as he starts to walk back out with the mare looking pleadingly at him, but Euram shakes his head and frowns as he walks past her and Talion looks sadly at her as he tries to keep with Euram. "Well, at least I can find something here." He said to himself as they cross the street with the guards flanking their sides. Talion looks away from another beating down the street. "This is scary." He whispered. Euram sighs. "This is life." He said before hearing some yelling. "Get back here!" They all look over to one of the alleys and sees a mare with a collar rush out and was looking behind before hitting the guards straight on and was knocked down from hitting them. "Ow." She groans as she holds her head. "Excuse me, is there a reason you just dirtied my clothes?" Euram asks trying to sound as snobby as possible. The mare looks up before gasping and trying to get up and run the other way before being tackled to the ground by a few Dominion guards. "Gotcha you bitch." One guard said tying her up. Euram raises an eyebrow. "How much for her?" He calls out. The guards were struggling to keep the mare under control. "I don't think you want this one. Stay still!" He yelled hitting her in the head and makes her stop for a bit. Euram huffs. "I have an eye for things that are valuable and that one is. How much?" The guard growls as he kept restraining the mare tighter. "You want her, you can get her at the auction." He said before dragging her away. Talion looks up to Euram. "You want to buy her?" Euram smirks a little. "Slave holding cells are kept so far in town and under heavy guard. She made it almost to the edge if it hadn't been for us. She knows what we need. Come on, the auction is about to start." He said leading them away into the cart and was pulled off to the center of town. "Don't be trying anything crazy. We are going to be watched as we do this, so let me do the talking." He said making Talion nod as Typhoon groan as she comes out of his shadow. "Dang, it's a bit stuffy in there." She said stretching. "Remember, we have to buy as many as we can to work your father's new farmland." Euram says. Talion nods as he looks outside to see more ponies and slaves being dragged along to the center of town. "How many could we get? What's the prices?" Talion asks. "Come, we can look them over most before they auction off those who they are keeping in reserve." Euram says. Talion nods as Typhoon jumps back in Talion's shadow and follows Euram out as the cart comes to a stop near a large stage with a concrete building. Talion keeps looking around as they enter the building and almost loses his composure at the sight of cages like animal cages on the walls and some hanging from the ceiling and each one had mostly females of almost any race, but mostly mares. Euram hums as he looks them all over. "Hum…most are good, a bit young. Ah, there you are." He said to himself as he spies the mare who ran before. "You will be the first." He said leaning down to her and she growls at him. "Yeah, you'll be good." He said to her as he walks off and looks at all the rest as Talion resists the urge to open the cages. "Tell me, how much for most of the mares and zebras?" Euram asks the nearby stallion standing guard and caretaking them all. The guard huffs. "Average price, around a hundred gold each. You want something exotic, we got griffons with their feathers plucked, and a few dragons with their fire sacs cut out so as to not burn you, diamond dogs, and yes, those zebras for their fertility and, in my opinion, bigger assets if you catch my meaning." He said chuckling. "The highest is the dragons with them around a thousand. So there's your range." Euram hums as he looks to them all. "Well I am going to be buying a lot. How can I buy these ones or at least reserve them?" "Talk to the one in charge of the auction." The guard says pointing to the office. Euram nods and leads Talion who was looking closely at one of the mares before rushing after Euram and they find the office and heads in. "Who can I speak to need to buy the slaves immediately?" Euram calls out. "No need to yell." A fat stallion says, looking like he was doing the books, say. "Are you the one in charge of the auction?" Euram asks. The fat stallion huffs. "Gee, what gave you that idea?" He piped as he still does the books. "Sir, I was wondering if we could buy some of the slaves before the auction officially began as we are on a very strict schedule and need to buy many slaves to work on a new farm." Euram says. "I see." The fat stallion says putting down the quill. "So how many you need?" The stallion asks getting up. "We need to buy in bulk basically." Euram says making the stallion see money and he smirks. "Well if you can't stick around for the auction, I guess there is no harm doing it early. So where should I show you and your son first?" The stallion asks. "Son?" Euram asks before getting he was referring to Talion. "Oh, no, no. He isn't my son. He is the son of a friend of mine who owns the farm. Some official business came up, making him unable to come himself and asked me to run this errand for him and take his son along to help give him a glimpse into the world of business." Euram says. The stallion chuckles. "I see. Well he must be wealthy to buy most of our merchandise." "And even with this, he says he still should go under budget." Euram says. The stallion grins as he hears some gold hitting the ground in his mind. "Well then, how many of them do you want and what type of species?" He asks sitting down again. "As many as I can get with the chest of gold we brought was his exact words." Euram says clapping his hooves as two guards then open the door and seemed to have a hard time bringing in a chest from what looks like the weight of it. The stallion grins even more as he hears the clinking. "Oh, show me and I can come up with how many you can get." "Right here." Euram says tapping the middle of the office and the guards start moving that way before stopping to take a breather halfway from the weight of the chest making the stallion grin even more because of how much the chest full of gold most weigh. Euram smiles as the guards reach the middle of the room before opening it and some jewels and gold spilled out as the stallion laughs from the immense amount of valuables. "With this, you can have our whole stock. I'll even piss off a few nobles, but I'll give you the reserved ones that were already taken." "Just tell them that you couldn't refuse the order and if they have a problem, take it up with the military as the slaves working the farm will be producing food for logistics in future campaigns." Euram says knowing that the nobles won't question the legions on that matter. The stallion chuckles as he keeps looking to the chest. "You want anything else to go along with those slaves?" "No, we have everything else ready." Euram says. The stallion chuckles and tosses him a scroll after writing in it as he goes to the chest. "Here. Now you can take every single one." "May I have your name as my friend may want to do more business with you again soon?" Euram says. The stallion keeps chuckling. "Name's Placus Lollius Caepio. I have new stock next month if you want those." "I will inform my friend. I suppose you will want to see your guards load them all personally?" Euram says knowing from the reports, this stallion might be greedy, but he ensure his men do their jobs, he gives them on the basis of his pride as a businessman and his honor. The stallion nods as he looks at a few gold pieces. "Yeah, knowing those idiots, they would like a feel before they give them up." "Yeah, my friend said he doesn't want damaged goods either." Euram says. The stallion huffs. "I'll tell them to back off then." "Thank you." Euram says before all of them left and watched as the slaves were being loaded into prison carriages or tied to the back of them. Talion looks up to him. "Home?" "Yes. I'll see to the arrangements." Euram says as the stallion left after his men finished and left. Talion sighs as he looks around. "What now bro?" Typhoon whispered to him. Talion keeps looking. "Maybe just walk around." He whispered back and starts walking around the square and sees it wasn't as extravagant as Canterlot, but held a Winterhold feel to it. "Not bad a place." Soon two stallions walk past him that gave a weird feeling and looks back to see them head into the office. "And what are you doing?" Talion asks walking over and peeks into the window. "What are you bastards doing here?" The fat stallion asks looking to the two. "The government aren't too happy with your recent contributions." One of them says. The fat stallion huffs. "So what? I still pay you and its fine. I make the payments." "Well maybe you need to pay a little more." The same stallion says. The fat stallion growls. "Listen, I make the tax payments every time. If you don't want them, then you should fix those papers." The same stallion was about to say something else when the door is kicked open by a pony that was wearing the same outfit. The fat stallion surprised by this, reaches for a dagger and one of the two stallions already in there, throws a hidden dagger into his throat. The fat stallion chokes as he held a hoof to his bleeding throat and falls down. Talion gasps as he saw him fall and sees the two stallions look to him and he quickly got down and was about to run when the third one held a hoof up to his lips and does a quiet, shh before turning to the two others. "What are you two doing here?" The third pony asks. The stallions comes out and see them. "Getting our payment needed. He didn't pay enough." One said. "He paid the taxes on time and the right amount." The pony says not sounding happy. "And who are you to decide that?" The other stallion asks. "Your superior." The pony says before grabbing the one who didn't throw the knife and starts stabbing him with his own hidden knife. Talion watches in shock as the pony let's go of the body and it slumps to the ground. "Now then, head back to the office and do some paperwork. I'll speak to you later." He said to the other stallion. "Sir…sir, what about the kid?" The stallion asks intimidated. "Leave the kid, he is uninvolved. Unless you want to die for your insubordination instead of the second chance your skills have earned you?" The pony asks. The stallion quickly rushes off as the pony turns to Talion. "Try not to be too curious kid. Might get you into the wrong place at times." Talion, seeing the pony walk away, goes to the nearest guards and tells them what happened, causing them to pale. The guards quickly run off as Talion watches them rush off and pull the stabbed stallion into the building and closes the door. "What just happen bro?" Typhoon asks still in his shadow. "I'll let you know once I figure it out." Talion said walking off. "Ok, explain to me what happened exactly." Lightning tells his children as they sat in a room in the Saddle Arabian royal palace. Talion rubs his hooves together. "Well, these two guys went into the office and they talk about tax payments and then killed him." Typhoon rubs the back of her neck. "And then this new pony comes in and kills one of them and walks off after scaring the other guy back to their office." "I see, what did they look like?" Lightning asks. "They each wore inconspicuous cloaks, but they did have this on them." Talion says drawing two fangs intersecting. Lightning hums. "Anything else?" "They used this knife." Typhoon says producing the knife used to kill the one who ran the auction. Talion looks at her. "How did you get that?" "Took it when they left it behind." Typhoon says. "This, my foals, is the dagger used by one of the three assassin groups in the Dominion. You were lucky they spared you." Lightning says taking the dagger. Talion tilts his head. "Assassin groups?" "I will explain to you when you get older, ok? For now I'm just glad you're safe." Lightning says hugging them. They smile and hug them back. "We love you too daddy." They both said. "Ok, we will be spending three more days here so who wants to play with their big brother?" Lightning asks. They both raise their hooves expectantly. Lightning chuckles and places them on his back. "We're off." He said laughing and heads out of the room before quickly bumping into Midnight and Eclipse. "Oh, last stops." He said and the twins quickly jump down. Midnight smiles as he sees them. "Hey guys. Great job on the recon." "Isn't there something else you want to say to them Clipsy?" Lightning asks. Eclipse giggles. "Okay then, your father here, is right now, sort of, married to me now. And you might having more brothers and sisters soon." "I meant…" Lightning stops when he sees her snuggling the twins. "Oh forget it." The twins struggled in her grip. "Dad, help us. We're being squeezed alive." Typhoon calls and reaches for him. "You two are adorable." Eclipse says. Lightning chuckles at their predicament. "Look at the bright side. We got another mommy here." "What?!" They both yelled. "That is technically correct." Eclipse says before putting them down. They both stare at them. "How?" They both ask. "That doesn't matter as now, don't you two have to go ambush your big brother?" Lightning asks making them smirk. Midnight backs up. "Wait, what?" Both twins tackles him and they all start rolling around with them all laughing. Eclipse smiles as she looks to Lightning. "Happy family, aren't we?" "Not many rulers can say that." Lightning says leaning against her. Eclipse wraps a wing around him. "Shall we retreat to our room for a bit?" "Midnight needs to spend time with his siblings." Lightning says. "Exactly, room time." Eclipse teases. Lightning smiles as he leads her away. "Where they go?" Midnight asks before Typhon tackles his head. "So how did you two like your visit with your stepbrother and his mother?" Lightning asks as they enter Whiterun in a carriage. "My lord." A messenger yells running up. "Yes?" Lightning asks. "Lady Twilight went into labor while you were away." The messenger says. "Driver, to the castle. Double time!" Lightning calls in stalliongrats. The twins yell out as they were now tossed around the carriage. Lightning bust through the front door, having run all the way up the stairs. "Guard…where is…my wife?" Lightning asks between breathes. The guard happily points to a set of double doors. Lightning races through the doors, not bothering to rest. A few minutes the twins came through the doors out of breathe. "How is dad so fast?" Talion asks breathing hard. "Oh, his endless training and great skills." Twilight said as she lays down on the bed with a bundle next to her. "Come meet your little brother, Devotio Sparkle." Twilight says. Lightning was watching his colt with a smile. "Devotio, spell huh?" Twilight giggles. "You did help choose." "He has my coat color and a white mane with streaks of red." Lightning says. Twilight smiles as she leans in a bit. "Take a quick look at his eyes." She said gently pushing Devotio to him. "Golden and it seems splotches of red are in them." Lightning says surprised when he quickly opened Devotio's eye and closes them "Yeah, our little alicorn is unique." Twilight says as Luna enters. Luna smiles gently as she walks up. "He is beautiful." She said looking him over. Twilight nods as she pulls Luna in with her magic. "Yes, he's also your son as well." "Oh." Luna says completely caught off guard and smiling. Lightning chuckles. "Now you have your own son to call your own. We are all mother and father to the foals." "Which means Talion and Typhoon, attack your lunar mother." Twilight commands. Luna screams as she was tackled by the twins and laughs as she tries to grab them. "Shh, you three. Devotio is sleeping." Lightning reminds. Luna grins and picks up the twins and runs off. "You got it." "I best let my sister know and you should let your family and the rest of the elements of harmony know." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "Yeah, thanks for letting me have this life." "You're not the only one happy." Lightning says before kissing her nose. Twilight giggles and nuzzles him. "Yes, now your family has grown even more." "Ok, go on now queeny and make an appearance in Equestria and have them announce the birth of our son and go see your family about it." Lightning says. Twilight nods and kisses him. "Watch our son." "I will. I expect them here before night, ok Twi?" Lightning asks. Twilight nods and kisses him another time before letting go and walking away. "See you later. Call for an assembly in Canterlot." Twilight calls to the guards and heads to the portal. Lightning smiles as he rocks Devotio and the door opens and in walks Twilight with her parents, her brother, and sister in law. Twilight smiles as she goes over to him and takes Devotio out of his hooves and rocks him now. "Meet Devotio Sparkle. Our new prince and heir to the throne of Equestria." "Hey there little guy." Shining says looking at Devotio. Devotio coos and opens his eyes and looks to Shining. "Gah." He said almost making a throwing motion. Shining smiles and touch his hoof with his, causing Devotio to giggle. Twilight smiles as she keeps rocking him. "Great foal, huh?" Lightning smiles before he collapses asleep. "Looks like my husband has overworked himself again." Twilight says sighing. Cadance smiles as she looks Lightning over. "How long does his sleep last?" "He'll awaken in about ten hours or so." Twilight says as Devotio starts crying from hunger. Twilight blushes as she looks to everypony. "Um…excuse me, I have to feed him." She said carrying the crying Devotio away. "I want one Shining." Cadance whines. Shining freezes up as he looks away. "We'll…um…talk about it when we get back." "No. No more talking. I want one now." Cadance says willfully. "She is right brother. As king, you must produce an heir." Twilight calls from behind a curtain. Shining blushes heavily as he swears. "Um…I don't know…um…" "Shining." Cadance says giving him the pout he could never resist. Shining groans. "Fine. When we get back." "Ya." Cadance cheers. They all laugh as Shining pouts and slouches. Night Light then clears his throat and turns serious. "Queen Cadance, this may not be the best time, but a scouting party recently found the remains of the banished and disgraced Blueblood, your brother." Night Light says. They all look to him as they gained a worried look. "Who did it?" Twilight calls. "It is unknown, but it looked like the wild life got him and the rest of the nobles that were banished for treason. It seems without their bits or servants, they couldn't survive." Night Light says. Twilight scoffs. "Can't believe it. They couldn't even lead a simple life. At least we don't have to deal with them anymore." "To be fair, your husband did banish them to the wastelands." Shining reminds. Twilight chuckles. "Oh yeah. Yeah, he did." "So I am still blown away by that portal of yours. Are we really in Stalliongrad in the east?" Shining asks. "In the middle of it. Literally we are in the central plains of it." Twilight says. Lightning still snores as they all look to him. "How does he do that?" Velvet asks. "Eastern magic is truly incredible big brother." Twilight says before going on to try and explain the formulas and construction that went into it, but losing them completely. Velvet then smiles. "So who wants some food?" "Oh that reminds me, we should call for Kyou Kai or she might kill one of you, thinking you are an intruder." Twilight says. "They're fine." A voice said above them. They all look up to see Kai hanging above them messing with a puzzle box. "Oh good, you know. Now, I don't have to worry about you killing them." Twilight says. Kai hums as she still didn't look at them. "At least we don't need to introduce ourselves. Time waster." Twilight chuckles a bit. "Alright Kai. Come on down. Say hello to your new member of the family." Twilight says coming out after finishing feeding Devotio. "So what is his name?" Kai asks coming down. Twilight smiles as he shows him. "Devotio Sparkle. Our new prince of Equestria and heir." "I see." Kai says looking at him before booping his stomach with her nose. "Everyone, meet Kyou Kai, a general in the Stalliongrad military." Twilight said rocking Devotio. Devotio coos and reaches for Kai as she boops him again and tries to grab her nose. "She can also kill any of you in here before you even realize you're dead. Now Kai, can you help me with Lightning. He overworked himself again." Twilight says. Kai sighs and goes over to Lightning before placing him on her back. "Always working." "Like you." Twilight says. Kai smiles. "I sleep." "Uh huh, when?" Twilight asks sticking her tongue out. Kai grumbles as she takes Lightning away who now proceeded to wraps his forelegs around Kai and snuggles into her. "So soft." He mumbled. "I know." Kai says smirking where nopony could see or hear them. Lightning keeps mumbling as she carries him out and Twilight follows with Devotio in her hooves. "He deserves to sleep with his new son." She said passing everypony else. "I want to go see this city, don't you love?" Night asks Velvet. Velvet nods. "Oh yes, might be great to see new sights." "I shall arrange for a group of guards and translator to come with you then as they speak and read a different language." Twilight says before exiting the door. They both smile and head out as Shining was still slouching and Cadance was still looking at him expectantly. "May I see a training exercise by the guards?" Shining calls. "The guards, big brother, are a part of one of the three armies of my husband. They are the dragon guards." Twilight says. Shining looks to her and follows her out with Cadance skipping merrily behind him. "Dragon guards?" "Dragon army and Kyou is their general, so I will request you get to sit in on a training exercise." Twilight says. Shining smiles a bit as he keeps following until Kai came back and leads him the other way. "Whoa, they were…" Cadance stops to think about what is the correct term. "Brutal and efficient are the words you are looking for." Kai says. Cadance smiles and nods. "Yes, that's it. The highest level in fact." "They should be, I trained them." Kai says monotone. Shining blinks at her. "Wait, what?" "I am their general." Kai reminds. Shining keeps blinking as Cadance smirks at him. "He doesn't like a mare getting on top." "That feeling is useless." Kai says as her remark felt like a stab to Shining. Shining groans and slouches more. "Would you like to go to the arena? They are holding monster fights today." Kai says. "Monster fights?" They both ask. "Yes, it is a way for somepony to make a name for themselves. We capture monsters in the wild and let volunteer fighters fight them." Kai says. Cadance looks worried. "Won't that hurt the population?" "Do you care if a species of giant spider dies off?" Kai asks. Cadance chuckles nervously. "Um…extinct species." "Come with me." Kai says leading them to the arena. Both Shining and Cadance were surprised at the arena as they came to it and the creatures still roaming around inside. "This is amazing." Cadance said. "Magic and design keeps them in the arena and out of the stands. The match against these giant spiders is about to begin. One of my young officers is fighting today." Kai says. They watch as a young soldier step into the field and soon the spiders ran at him before he started to use elemental magic and his axe to chop them down. "He is a battle mage from the college here to continue his studies and start his military career." Kai says as he splits the head of the last spider. Shining gaps at the sight of the all the killings. "That much…in that time." "It was only six." Kai says. Shining looks to her. "Those big spiders?" He asks pointing. "Yes and those are the average ones. The giant one is not scheduled to fight today." Kai says. Cadance smiles a bit as she looks to her. "How many creatures?" She asks carefully. "Quite a few. Would you rather going to see the races than this?" Kai asks. Shining now nods dumbly. Kai leads them to a huge race track on the edge of the city, where teams of two were strapped to heavy looking chariots which were weighed down with heavy weights. Cadance raises an eyebrow. "Weights?" "Yes, each team must have great strength and stamina to pull the chariots the whole race and dexterity to do so effectively." Kai says. Cadance smiles widely as she watches the eight chariots were now sent off and pulled as she watches them move almost as fast as the Wonderbolts. "This is well done. What else do you have?" "Many other things, but most of them are not running right now." Kai says. Cadance leans over. "What are they called?" "Aren't you nosy." Kai says. Cadance grins. "I try." "So Shadow, how do you feel?" Lightning asks petting her head. Shadow moans and nuzzles him. "Great. Thanks for accepting me like this." "So you take a peek at the newest foal?" Lightning asks. Shadow smiles and looks to him. "Beautiful foal. You did a great job." "No, Twilight did as she bore him." Lightning says looking at her, still in her Shadow Rainbow form. Shadow grins. "But you supplied the start of it all." "So Rainbow caught you in this form yet?" Lightning asks. Shadow shakes her head. "No, I was in the walls in the bare form when she got into the room. Now enough about that, how's the former slaves doing?" "Most are working on farms across the central plains being cared for, but I decided to appoint one to be my son Talion's caretaker." Lightning says. Shadow raises an eyebrow. "Caretaker, who?" "Nu uh, that would be telling." Lightning says. Shadow smiles a bit. "Well…what about me? What are we going to do before all this war things?" "I'm already petting you." Lightning says. "You're sure about this?" Rainbow asks looking at Daring. Daring nods. "Oh yes, he would love this. Now, you remember the moves?" "You sure Eclipse isn't playing with us?" Rainbow asks again as Daring sends a guard to go find Lightning. Daring grins. "Yeah, she isn't. She told me that he loved the show." "You got that from a letter?" Rainbow asks skeptical. Daring chuckles. "Oh yeah, she's very descriptive." Rainbow looks unconvinced. "I doubt that." Daring looks at her with a smirk. "Do you remember her acts?" Rainbow stares at her. "Oh yeah." "Hey Daring, what do you ne…" Lightning stops, seeing what his wife and mistress were wearing. Rainbow waves shyly. "Hi Lightning." Lightning just blinks. "Wha…" Daring grins. "Yeah, a little gift from Eclipse." "But…" Lightning tries to talk before Daring leads him to the bed. Daring smiles gently as she puts him on the bed. "Just enjoy the show." She said walking back to Rainbow. "So we going for another foal Daring?" Lightning wisecracks. Daring rolls her eyes at him. "Oh shut up Lightning and enjoy the show. We practice for a bit for this." "Jarl Lightning, a message from High king Ulfric." A royal messenger says. Lightning groans as he opens the door. "Yes? What's it about?" "The heir to Urreigns and the High King have come to an agreement." The messenger whispers into his ear. Lightning yawns and rubs his eyes. "Good. Give him my thanks for agreeing and putting a treaty into the country together. Also, tell him I like to hold a banquet with the heir. Give him a bit of a thanks." "He wants you there to meet the heir because you will leading the campaign." The messenger says. Lightning groans. "Of course he does." Lightning says. "Lightning? What it is?" A voice calls from inside. "I'll tell you in a moment." Lightning calls. "Okay." Somepony called back before a thump was heard. "Thank you, take a message back informing the high king I am on my way." Lightning says. The messenger nods and runs off. Lighting closes the door and looks to the two mares on his bed long ago last night were they relieved of that dancer outfits. "You two are curious. I can tell it within your eyes." Lightning says walking over as they keep eyeing him. "Alright, you both know we plan to invade Urreigns soon. Well it turns out that the late ruler married twice. The second was with a dominion noble mare. At his death bed when the heir came to see his father they denied him entrance to the capital and later sought to kill him. My spies recognizing an opportunity spirited the heir away and a few weeks ago the heir entered Windhelm and began talks with the high king. The king seems to have agreed to aid the heir changing our war from a conquest to one of restoring the rightful heir." Lightning says. Daring yawns. "So what now?" "There is more to the story. My spies have reported that the current ruler is practically a figurehead and his mother and family have usurped control." Lightning says. Rainbow hisses. "So the plan is what?" "This is an unusual situation. I'm not sure we can call the current ruler a usurper because of this." Lightning says sighing. Daring yawns again. "Well it's been too long. It's too late anyway." "You know him calling me means that I will soon be ordered to march." Lightning says. They both groan and lay against the bed. "Now?" Rainbow calls out. "Not yet love, but in a month or less." Lightning says petting her. Rainbow still groans. "You knew this day would come Rainbow, stop belly aching." Daring says. "Hate it still." "Rainbow, while I am gone, you have a duty to uphold." Lightning says. Rainbow groans as she puts her head against him. "And I'm not liking it." "You don't like your duty is to watch over and raise our children as their mother?" Lightning asks making Rainbow's head raises immediately, realizing what implications her words held. Daring sighs. "Just try and come back once in a while. I don't think anypony would like it if you lived the rest of your life out there." "You know that one can't predict how a war will truly go Daring." Lightning says as Daring rolls over and smirks before kissing Rainbow. Lightning raises an eyebrow as he watches them. "Um…if this is a privilege to see you two like this, it has to be more." "No, just taking Rainbow off guard." Daring says getting up. Lightning sighs. "I'll try to be there for important things. Deal?" He asks Rainbow. "You will have to run the fief for me love with the other official as Kai will be coming with me along with the Dire wolf army." Lightning informs. Rainbow sighs. "Fine." "Good girl." Lightning says petting her. Rainbow purrs sadly as she leans against him. "Look at you, not even twenty nine, a wonderbolt, ruler of four fiefs, three in Equestria and the central plains of Stalliongrad, and the mother of three healthy foals. Rainbow you truly are a wonder." Lightning says lovingly. Rainbow keeps purring. "Only because you are there." "Take good care of the foals, ok?" Lightning asks. Rainbow sighs. "Okay." "You are a good mother and a great wife." Lightning says. Rainbow frowns a bit. "Am I?" "Yes, you are. Better than what I deserve." Lightning says leaning onto her. Rainbow looks to him and sighs. "I love you Lightning." "I love you too." Lightning says before kissing her and turns to Daring. "And you too." Lightning says before kissing her. Daring smiles as he lets go. "Oh Lightning." "Your second duty is to keep Daring here in check, ok?" Lightning asks. Rainbow chuckles a bit. "With her collar fetish, that's a bit troubling." "You won't do that for the sake of the foals. She won't while I'm away. Right, Daring?" Lightning asks. Daring quickly puts the collar away. "Um…sure." "Good girl." Lightning says before raspberrying her neck. Daring laughs as he keeps raspberrying and kissing her neck while Rainbow smiles. "Lightning?" She asks. "Yes?" Lightning asks. Rainbow sighs. "You better go tell everypony else. Give them each a night to remember." "Unfortunately, I have to go see the high king. I will give them that night after I return." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "Come back safely." "It's a quick trip. Especially with the new roads the high king has made." Lightning says getting up. "Oh, and girls." "Yes?" They both ask. "I really enjoyed your dance last night." Lightning says. They both blush and smile. Lightning's carriage stops in front of Winterhold's main gate and Lightning quickly gets out and walks at a brisk pace to the city, his armor not seemingly impeding him. "Sir." One guard said seeing him at the keep's entrance. "Announce my arrival so the high king knows I have arrived." Lightning commands walking through the gate. The guard nods and rushes in and heads past him to announce him. "Jarl and King Lightning." He calls out. Lightning enters quickly and heads straight for the war room, knowing that is where the high king would be. Upon entering, Lightning bows. "High king." Ulfric sighs. "Enough bowing for now. Now isn't the time." "It is only right, one should bow to their liege." Lightning says before getting up. Ulfric chuckles. "At this moment, no." "I have been briefed on the gist of the situation." Lightning says. "Aye. After all, it was your agents that smuggled the heir and rightful ruler out of Urreigns in the first place." Ulfric says. Lightning chuckles. "I wouldn't say my agents." "They are your men." Ulfric says. "Very well, they are mine." Lightning says. "And they were able to save my life." An adult female voice said around a small corner. Lightning turns around to see a dragoness walking around it. "Well, that is a surprise. I didn't expect a female as all my messages read heir, not heiress." Lightning says. The dragoness chuckles. "Yes, well, I told them to keep it quiet." "I see, you must be quite persuasive for them to leave out that detail." Lightning says eyeing her like a hawk. The dragoness chuckles almost manically in her own tone. "Silver tongue." Lightning stares at her. "No, seriously, silver tongue." The dragoness said sticking out her tongue and shows it had faint specks of silver before pulling it back in. "And as you can see, my form is another enticer." She said showing her weirdly proportional body as it held a more hourglass figure than the usual dragon form, even for a female. "Most males fall for me, no matter the species. Though it could be said for some to resist." She said looking to Ulfric. Lightning, to her shock, gives a dismissive wave at that. The dragoness snorts some smoke in his direction. "You don't like my form?" She asks annoyed that he didn't even bother looking. "No, it's just it take more than looks to even make me interested." Lightning says, shocking her again as he looks at the map as Ulfric laughs. "Never encountered anyone like him huh?" Ulfric asks. The dragoness snorts again. "Your head guard eyed my flank a lot longer than he should have." "And yet one of my jarls and the general didn't even spare you a second glance." Ulfric says smirking. The dragoness was still growling in her throat and snorting smoke in Lightning's direction. Lightning waves his wing, sending it back at her. "I can divert one army to invade Urreigns, high king." Lightning says. Ulfric shakes his head a bit at his actions. "You still need another to disguise or distract them should anything go wrong and they usually do. Remember Riften?" Lightning tries to look innocent. "So the guard spotted my food wrappings. I had to take him out." Ulfric chuckles. "And then you had to take out the training grounds. We could have used those men." "If they weren't useless at everything except being cannon fodder, I might agree." Lightning says. Ulfric keeps chuckles as he shakes his head. "Just so you know, even in battle, you would sometimes make a brash move. Now then, two squads, one seen and the other in between." "High king, enough jokes please." Lightning says as a general. Ulfric waves a hoof. "Yes, yes. Now let's get this plan done." "Leave it to me…I suppose I should take the heiress as well." Lightning says. The dragoness huffs. "How else would you take the throne in the end?" She asks sarcastically. "Listen closely. You will do as I say and not contradict my orders, understand?" Lightning asks. The dragoness was on the other side of the room looking at a few maps. "Yes, yes. Whatever you say." She said waving a sharp bladed tail at him in a dismissive manner. "Good, then we leave immediately." Lightning says before bowing to Ulfric and glares out of the corner of his eye to the dragoness. The dragoness huffs and puts the maps down and walks out after giving a small wing bow. "I thank you for your hospitality." She said dignified and calmly before walking out into the main hall. "By the way, the north map needs to be updated. The allies of yours has moved up a city each." She called out. Ulfric just grins at Lightning who was frowning. "I like her." He said and only made Lightning roll his eyes. The carriage ride had been one of silence since it started five hours ago and all the while, the dragoness was messing around with a pot and ingredients that look like they were for alchemy. "Have you ever heard of strange tales of the city?" The dragoness suddenly asks as she cooks the pot a bit with her flame. Lightning says nothing. The dragoness shakes her head a bit as she dips her black claw in the stew. "You don't talk much, do you? Nothing personal or casual and just all business?" "I am focused on the task at hand and running several battle simulations in my head." Lightning says. "The statue speaks." The dragoness said dipping her claw again and then proceeds to burn it a bit before stopping and looking satisfied. "I was worried you might have grown a few cracks, but it seems you didn't." Lightning sighs and looks at her. "You are good at manipulating, but I am not so easily manipulated." Lightning says. The dragoness snorts smoke into the pot and quickly closes it with a lid and proceeds to burn it. "I made you talk when you didn't want to." She said simply. "So what do you think of your half brother?" Lightning asks. The dragoness huffs. "Truthfully, he's kinda a bit slow at times. Fast at others. Though being king, not so much. I doubt he could do much politics, but can cause quite a stir as we have seen." She said before looking up. "So you don't know he is only being used and his family from the Dominion are using him as a figurehead as they continue to usurp the rule of the country?" Lightning asks, stunning her into silence. She then sighs. "I knew he was too smart for that plan, or the means to carry it out. Of course he was being used. Can you tell your assassin to come down? Her presence up there is giving me trouble and I don't want to mess up the concoction." "First, Entei is a he, not a she. Second, if you see him, his code demands he kills you." Lightning says. The dragoness held a small smirk at the corner of her muzzle that Lightning can clearly see. "But he won't." "He could easily. He has already had more than twenty opportunities." Lightning says. The dragoness laughs for a bit. "I like those that give challenges sometimes. Though this ain't one. Besides, why do you think I am making this potion? For sport?" "To tell the truth, potions are my weakest field in my magical studies." Lightning says. The dragoness holds up a claw. "I expected as much." She said picking up the pot and opens the lid and holds it outside the carriage. "Though, strange things can be revealed." She said bringing it back in from the moonlight as it glowed slightly blue and blows fire on her claw till it was red hot. "And even stronger ones has risen as they use advantages that are not counted as cheating in a sense." She said placing the pot down before throwing herself at him and holds his head away and proceeds to scratch her red hot claw on his neck, making it sizzle from the heat. "Only a few seconds." She said calmly as she defended herself from the knives by catching it in the guards of her tail behind her. "Are you done? This isn't the worst I have been burnt." Lightning says monotone, surprising her again by his willpower as most ponies consider this torture. The dragoness huffs some smoke at him before pulling her claw away. "Done, but not the process." She said sitting back in her seat and throws the knives back up into the ceiling. "Next phase and final one." She said dipping her talon in the pot and takes out a powder from the liquid before blowing it at him and throws some on herself. "I'll see you later." She said before Lightning fell asleep on his side with her following. Lightning groans as he gets up and sees himself in a moonlit lake area. "Not bad a place." He said to himself. The dragoness huffs as she walks past him to the lake edge. "I needed to talk to you without other ears hanging around us." "So you guessed the true reason for my silence. You're far sharper than you let on." Lightning says. The dragoness chuckles. "Yes, with my figure, dimwitted males just see me as a bimbo and that gives me an edge as I play a little with their irrational thoughts." "The act helps as well. Tell me, has anyone comforted you from when that Dominion family barred you from even seeing your father on his deathbed?" Lightning asks. The dragoness sighs as she sits down on the side of the lake. "Dragons fall, dragons lay, most don't lie in dirt, most go up in flames, following others, not following fools. Only when they feel their energy, do dragons fall completely." She sang in a somewhat operatic tone before turning to him. "Dragons go up in flames and let only their bones remain. Preventing scavengers from gaining dragon powers and magic." Lightning walks up to her and hugs her. The dragoness looks to him before wrapping a wing around him. "Penitus." She said simply. Lightning looks up to her. "What?" The dragoness smiles. "That is my cover name. You can use that in the public. My real name is more feminine and in a dragon tongue. Can't speak it unless you have dragon magic and no, taking it won't count." "Penitus." Lightning says. The dragoness holds his head with both talons. "No, this." She said before touching her head to his and Lightning gasps as he felt a rush of feelings go through before she lets go and smiles. "Now you know my real name." "I see." Lightning says looking into her eyes. The dragoness nods as the moonlight washes over them and makes her previous scales change multiple colors before stopping on white and then fully black. "If you're wondering, potion accident. That was one alchemy set I could never touch again. Though I did sneak into the alchemy labs once in a while." She said smirking as her purple eyes showed merit in them. "Listen, you mind taking it easy when we get back to my fief? My wife won't take your flirting well most likely." Lightning says. The dragoness giggles. "I have to keep the same image. Don't worry, you'll get the same act as back at Winterhold." "Also, I should warn you, my adopted daughter is a dragon pony hybrid like your brother." Lightning says. The dragoness raises an eyebrow at him. "Really now? I wonder how that happened." "Do I need to give you a lesson on the birds and the bees?" Lightning jokes. The dragoness chuckles. "I already got that embarrassing motion from my parents." Lightning sighs. "Do you want to know what the Dominion is doing to your people?" Lightning asks. The dragoness huffs as she looks to the lake again. "Your high king is very chatty." "So you know they are imposing unbearable taxes and just looking for a reason to send them to work in the mines as slaves." Lightning says. The dragoness nods as she wraps her tail around him. "Yes and there may be more planned out for them. We need to hurry." "No, what we need are three things. Speed to move before the usurpers can muster the army against us all at once, your charisma to get your people to rise up, and a little luck that we may be well on our way before a legion comes to secure the country and enforce their tyranny." Lightning says. The dragoness sighs. "Yes, but at least we can see how things might be in the meantime." "Alright, we ready to get out of here?" Lightning asks. The dragoness smiles and nods. "Yes and here's one way." She said before turning to him and then kisses him that made him close his eyes for a few seconds before opening them to realize he is back in the carriage. "Was that really necessary?" Lightning asks in a monotone voice not missing a beat. The dragoness yawns as she gets up. "Yes, it allows me to see you well in the midst of battle or from far away." "Great, I can look forward to you trying to seduce me every step of the way then." Lightning says sarcastically. The dragoness chuckles a bit darkly as she looks to him and he can see her eyes change color once before changing back. "I would happily follow you guys. You seem fun." Lightning exhales and puts his face in his hooves. The dragoness rolls her eyes. "Oh relax." "I don't like her already." Twilight says. Lightning pinches the bridge of his eyes together. "Yeah, the feeling is mutual." "At least she won't bother us much, right?" Silva asks. Lightning looks to her. "What do you think?" "I have instructed my soldiers to keep her under wraps, now come on you." Kai says pulling Lightning along. Lightning groans as he was pulled. "Where are we going?" "Did that satisfy all five of you?" Lightning asks. They all hum approvingly. "So Silva, you are the only mare not to bare a foal yet." Lightning says. Silva sighs happily. "I hope I get one from this." "Speaking of marriage matters, Applejack finally said yes to Zhang Liao." Twilight says. "Oh, do tell." Rainbow says. Twilight smiles. "Well, after a few dates, he finally asked around about how to propose marriage and he did. Though he did overspend on the ring, didn't matter to Applejack as she wanted to know if he was adaptable. She was doing a test all along on him." She said smirking. "Anyway, on the final date, he popped the question and she immediately said yes after just one word. They haven't decided on a marriage date yet though." "How is her family taking the news and I mean the whole family?" Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "Apple Bloom, well she's happy. Big Mac is being the same protective big brother as he always been. Granny Smith, indifferent and breaking out the old dress she had worn. As for the other Apple family members, they are quite happy they got a strong apple bucking family member into the whole family again." "Do they know he is a high ranking military officer?" Lightning asks. Twilight shrugs. "Only by Applejack finally telling them. Big Mac is now a bit afraid, but trying to hold up a good front." "Oh, the old, my superior officer is now my in law." Daring says smiling. Rainbow smirks. "That happened to you?" "Nope. Only child." Daring says. Lightning chuckles as he wraps his wings around them. "Now then, what do you girls want to do? Lay here and sleep well? Go outside and enjoy the day on a date? Or have great battle?" Twilight grew a little serious. "Lightning, I may need to speak to you about something close to that last one." "Ok." Lightning says seeing her serious expression. Rainbow wraps a wing around her. "Geez Twilight, don't you ever be happy?" Twilight then grins. "Only when he does something, you know…." She said looking to Lightning. "Ok Twi, what is it?" Lightning asks. Twilight giggles. "Oh, just this thing that makes us all happy." She said moving a hoof under him. "This part." She said smirking. "That makes me really high happy." "I meant the war part." Lightning says. Twilight sighs, losing her happy mood. "Meet me in my temporary lab later. Yes, I set one up here." "Come here miss grumpy." Lightning says massaging her wings. Twilight eeps as she freezes up a bit. "Lightning." She squeaks. "Oh, look who's the big bad queen now girls." Lightning says smirking. Twilight blushes heavily at them as she tries to glare. "Shut…shut up!" She tries to yells under the massage. "Who's a sexy queen?" Lightning asks smirking. "She is." All the other mares say as Twilight blushes even more. "Now tell me." Lightning says having her right where he wanted her. Twilight groans as he hugs her against his chest. "It's your new equipment." "The stuff that is still isn't even really in the prototype stage?" Lightning asks. Twilight turns her head at him. "Present for you. I got something special for you." "Oh, like special like the way I treated you." Lightning teases. Twilight rolls her eyes. "Just meet me in the lab later." "Who here thinks Twilight hasn't relieved enough stress?" Lightning asks. They all raises their hooves as Twilight frowns a bit. "Later Lightning." She said waving him off. "Sorry, majority rules." Lightning says rubbing her stomach. Twilight pouts cutely and crosses her hooves as she puffs up her cheeks. Lightning smirks as he lays her back on the bed. Twilight was still pouting. "Pushy." She said. Lightning smirks as he mounts her again. "So what do you want to show me?" Lightning asks leaning against her as they walk to the lab. Twilight smiles a bit before worriedly looking at him. "When do you leave for any battle in the coming time?" "Soon, as in within the month do I and Kai will leave to campaign." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "Okay, then I'm glad I got this done. Mine has always been ready, but as you know, I have been using it as a testing platform. Yours however was never made by the blacksmith, I did. I knew, to keep you safe, I couldn't trust the blacksmith even though he was doing it. However, I added a few things and now it's time to try it on. Here, got your skinsuit. Wear this first and then place the armor on in parts and it should take care of itself." She said showing his skinsuit in her magic. "I'm sorry, your sexy flank is distracting." Lightning jokes. Twilight giggles as she gives him the skinsuit as they stop in front of the lab door. "Wear it. Your armor is inside. I'll be waiting." She said walking inside and closing the door behind her. "Another one of your kinks Twi?" Lightning jokes. "Nope. Precaution." She called from behind the door. "Oh, not letting me get to you right now, huh?" Lightning calls putting it on He revived no answer and heads inside after he zipped up his suit and finds the lab as a cruder version than the one in Canterlot. "Better make sure to make a dedicated version for like a whole wing when we get back." He said to himself before spotting his armor hanging from a stand and starts to put it on. "Twi?" He asks and still gets no answer. "Weird." Lightning raises an eyebrow as he keeps splitting apart the armor and sees it start to lock together before finally grabbing the helmet. "Let's hope this works." He said to himself before putting it on and feels it lock into place. He then tilts his head as he hears a rumbling and looks to another door and raises an eyebrow at it. "Hello?" BOOM Lightning was surprised as he was punched into the lab door and out of it and then out of the hallway wall and finds himself in the air before righting himself with his wings and finds another same looking armor coming at him with a punch. "Hey!" He yells before being punched again downward and then feels himself get heated and sent upward before it dies off and sees Agni on the wall readying another flamethrower. He looks back to the armor flying where it punched him and sees the purple wings. "Oh, a test huh?" He asks himself before grinning. Twilight chuckles loudly as she flies toward him while readying a fireball in her hoof and sends it to him while preparing another flaming hoof in her other hoof as she came closer. Lightning smiles as he sends the fireballs away before trying to grab her hoof and then realizes it went lower than expected and hits him straight in the stomach before it sends him down in altitude a bit. He looks up in time to see a large flaming strike coming at him and only felt it hit his head and sends him straight to the ground. "Ow." Twilight huffs as she lands nearby. "Agni!" Agni grins as he jumps down near to them and punches the ground and making the ground heat up before it explodes from right under Lightning, making him yell out and fly up a bit before he rights himself in the air and sends some lightning strikes at them to which they either dodge or get scrapes from it. "Oh you want to play that game." Lightning says before extending his left hoof and a light blue glyph appears under Agni. Agni looks down as Twilight spins in a circle and makes fire appear around her in a fire tornado and Agni tries to move before frowning as he couldn't moves his feet before making fire build up on his paw and then slams it into the ground and makes the ground crack up and makes the light die down before he starts running around them. "Not happening." Twilight calls out as she sends the tornado at him. Lightning frowns before lighting up a shield glyph in front of him and was surprised when it went right through but it seems to phase past his armor. "What?" He asks himself as he looks to the metal plates. Twilight smiles under her helmet. "Magic redirection and collection system are working well." She said before flying up again at him with another flaming hoof. Lightning chuckles as he dodges her hoof and sends another at her before she catches it and starts hitting him on his side with her elbow while trying to hit under his chin with her hoof before he grabs her and throws her away as she rights herself in the air. Twilight turns to him while sending fireballs at him as it pushes him back a few while he sends some others away. "Come on. Is the best the great Lightning can do?" She teases. Lightning raises an eyebrow at her as he kept trying on sending some fireballs away. "You want me to try everything at you?" Twilight backs off as they both hover in place. "Short of killing or hurting me greatly." Lightning shakes his head before Twilight sees the clouds starting to form above them. "Alright then. Here it comes." He said before moving his hoof down and Twilight eeps as she dodged a strike from the clouds which almost hits Agni nearby as he digs under the ground. Twilight smiles at his actions. "Good. Now the real fun begins." She calls out as she flies toward him as she seemed to form a flaming spear in her hooves. Lightning frowns as he forms a lightning shield in front of him only for Twilight to change the shape of the spear into something that looks like a sword and brings it upward on him and Lightning tries to move the shield before feeling a big nick on his leg as the rest hit his shield. Lightning growls a bit as he brings his hooves together and forms a lightning sword as well before they start striking each other. "Come on Twilight!" Somepony yells from the window. Lightning quickly looks to the window and sees Rainbow. "Kick his flank!" She yells as the whole family and even the foals were there, cheering Twilight on. "Mom, down here!" Agni calls. Twilight giggles as she keeps striking away as Lightning tries to comprehend why they choose her side when he feels a tug on his tail and only has a second before being pulled downward and then upward and then flung downward as he tries to flex his wings to gain some air before feeling something hit his back and makes him arch his back and freeze up before he was launched up into the air. Twilight grins as she brings the sword up. "Going down." She said before hitting him straight on and sends him down again and Agni sends him up again and soon it became a game of ping pong as Twilight starts to hover downward before hitting him one last time and sends him into the ground. "Game!" She cheered as she got rid of her fire sword and lands next to Agni. Lightning growls as he got up and races toward them and tackles Twilight as she tries to hit him in a hoof to hoof fight before they both ended up standing up as they try to hit each other as Agni runs around them while spitting fire onto the ground and makes a circle around them. Lightning grins as he saw an opening and trips Twilight before feeling himself spun around and then gets hit his face as Agni starts fighting him and even going as far as to kick him as Lightning feels some punches on his back and grabs Twilight's hoof and Agni's foot and smacks them together and sends them away as he backs off. They bring shake themselves off as they all stare down each other before Agni punches the ground and makes the ground crack up under Lightning before it drops into a crater and Lightning fell down before blocking a few strikes by Twilight and ducks as Agni tries to kick from behind and starts fighting both of them as he kept switching between them. Twilight soon drops low and hits him in the stomach again and makes him bend over a bit before punching him in the face and sends him looking the other way as Agni hits him in the face and makes him look back to Twilight and soon was being sent back and forth between the two before Lightning grabs both of them and starts hitting them faster than ever before kicking them both away in one go and sends them to the other side of the walls of the training ground now destroyed. They both groan as they pull themselves out of the wall and sees Lightning charging something up as lightning strikes him from the dark clouds above. Twilight frowns as she runs at him and starts charging up her fire magic and makes fire swirl around her as Agni shots some fire breath at Lightning only for him to dodge and get collected by Twilight before he charges another big flaming talon and readies to punch as Lightning brings his hooves up and Twilight gets her fire sword ready before they all clash in the middle. BOOM All the soldiers and civilians, seeing the action and the massive explosion, take cover as the shockwave makes some of them take a flying lesson while Rainbow and the others take cover and ducks as the windows shatter around them before everything goes quiet and they look to see three bodies lying down in a crater almost unconscious looking until they all rolled over on their backs. "So…you made this armor personally huh?" Lightning breathes out. Twilight hums as she reaches a hoof up and presses something on her neck and makes the helmet split in two and collapse in on itself as it collects on the neck area. "Yeah, I made it personally so when I make a prototype of an improvement, you can get the completed version immediately since yours and mine are almost the same. The other soldiers would have to wait before a more efficient model comes out." Lightning nods as he makes the same motion and makes his helmet split as well as they all look to the clouds now dissipating. "That was a good way to say good luck." Agni laughs a bit. "More like, let's just see how strong you really are." Twilight giggles as she reaches a hoof out to them and Agni grabs it before Lightning places his on top of theirs. "Yeah, can't believe I held up that well." Lightning nods. "Yeah, just one thing, you forgot." Lightning says. Twilight hums. "What is it?" "They are not teleportation proof." Lightning says and next thing Twilight knew, she was teleported out of the armor and into Lightning's hooves. Twilight sighs as she rests against him. "I'll add the sigil for that." "Oh, I see you were wearing something skimpy under it." Lightning says smirking. Twilight rolls her eyes as he rubs her flank that was covered by her own skinsuit. "Please, you are wearing your own and I peeked a look. Nice big spot and may have to restich your own suit." "Oh, says the mare who wanted to keep going when I reminded her of work." Lightning jokes. Twilight chuckles. "Come on Lightning. At least tell me how the armor is." "Good, but still needs a few field tests before we can deploy them in a battlefield." Lightning says petting Twilight's flank as Agni had left to sneak into the kitchen again. Twilight sighs. "It will be done in time before you leave. I'll get this done and soon, you would unstoppable on the battlefield. Besides, I'm going to need to expand my lab. Want to fuel my resource needs? I may be able to speed things along and make a research division. Private, of course." Lightning smiles. "Anything for my mare. Now, shall we get out of these things, get a bath and heal up and grab some dinner?" Twilight grins. "Please." "Ok and don't rush it Twi. Let's keep it as our secret weapon to unleash on the Dominion when the true war starts and speaking of food, after you bathe, shouldn't you go see our little prince and see if he is hungry?" Lightning asks. Twilight nods. "Yeah, probably a good idea. Though he did enjoy the show." She said looking over to the rest of the family watching from the hole in the wall. "Think he's proud of us?" "Oh boy how, long is that going to…you know what, just call the mason." Lightning says sighing. Twilight chuckles nervously. "Yeah, sorry about that. I had to give a surprise attack on you with the armor." "Kai, remind me, what are the walls are made out of again?" Lightning requests. Kai chuckles. "Granite mostly, with a variety of rocks to give it its color." Kai says. Twilight raises an eyebrow at him. "What's that about?" Lightning looks back to her. "Twi, you punched me through hard granite." "So?" Twilight asks. Lightning groans as he sits up a bit. "Granite is harder than enhanced concrete. Which is used in most skyscrapers and they are still standing without chipping. Punching through it or sending a body through it…yeah…that's not happening unless you are a…Power Pony I think they are called. Granite and going right through it with ease, how?" Twilight smiles and lifts his armored hoof. "Servos. Can make it like lifting a hundred pound weight to something like ten pounds. The machine does most of the work. You just have to give your regular strength and it would be amplified by almost ten to one." "Sounds powerful…and dangerous." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "That's why I'm making these armors specific to a pony. And we are choosing the pony who goes in. We are the first. Now we just have to find some trustworthy ponies." Before they could continue, Devotio cries out. Twilight sits up and looks in his direction. "Coming honey!" She yelled before teleporting up to them and takes Devotio. "Shh, you hungry? Let's get something to eat." She said walking away with him. "Nurse him love." Lightning calls before eying the hole and sighs. "I wish I knew a spell that could fix this." Lightning says. Kai grins as Lightning collects Twilight's armor and walks up near them. "So, want to remodel or make it like it was before?" She asks him. "Leave that to Equestria's queen." Lightning says. Kai rolls her eyes. "You still got your ass kicked." "Since when were you demoted to sidekick?" Lightning jokes. Kai huffs. "Shut up. At least we know our queen can hold herself up. She did hold her own against you so we can worry less. Also, she kicks some good flanks. She did take you down." Lightning holds up a hoof. "We took each other down." Kai says nothing else and drags him away. "She taking him to train?" Rainbow asks. Silva and Daring smirk to each other. "He got beaten by his own wife. What do you think?" Silva asks Daring. "Well if he trains up before going off, I will feel a little better." Rainbow says. Daring smiles. "Well, at least we can be sure one of us can hold up well with him when we fight. Who knows, maybe our queen can take him down if he goes crazy." Rainbow chuckles as she walks past. "Isn't that all the time?" "Daddy's funny." The twins said from her back as they held Windstorm. "Who wants food?" Silva asks. "We do. We do." The twins and Daring call out while Star just coos and raises a hoof. "I got Saber." Silva says. Saber coos and laughs as he wiggles around on her back. "Oh, who is a good foal?" Silva asks. "Gah." Saber said and hugs her neck.
Moving In"Speaking" 'Thoughts' The conductor pony comes up to Lightning Bolt and says, "Ticket please." The black pegasus gives him his ticket to Ponyville. After the conductor left Lightning Bolt keeps looking out the window watching the scenery roll by. 'How did I get roped into this again?' The black pegasus asks himself as he continues staring out the window until the train stops at the train station. After disembarking onto the train station he hears someone yells, "Apples, get your fresh apples." The black pegasus faces where that came from and sees an earth pony with a light brilliant gamboge coat, pale light grayish olive mane and tail, and moderate sap green eyes wearing a light brown Stetson hat selling apples. The pegasus's stomach then rumbles and he glares at it before walking over to the earth pony. "Howdy stranger. Want to buy some apples?" The mare asks. "Yes, how much?" The pegasus asks. "Two bits each." The mare replies. "I'll take a dozen then." The black pegasus says taking out 24 bits to pay the mare. "Thank ya kindly, mister. I'm Applejack." She said holding out a hoof. "My name is Lightning Bolt, Miss. Applejack." The black pegasus says. Applejack catches the foreign accent in his voice. "Ya don't sound like you're from here. Where ya from?" Applejack asks. "Well I came from Stalliongrad, but I used to live in Equestria." Lightning Bolt clarifies. "Why did ya do that?" Applejack asks, her curiosity peaked. "Well a few things happened and it wasn't by choice." Lightning Bolt says. "Well I got to get moving tovarich. Need to buy a new home." Lightning Bolt says taking notice of the time. "Hope ya have a great time, bye." Applejack said as she waves as she puts the apples in his saddlebag. Lightning Bolt waves back and walk off. After passing a few house he realized he didn't know where town hall was. Lightning Bolt aimlessly walks getting increasingly frustrated until he hears a whistling sound. He looks back and forth until he is hit by something sending him into the ground. "Ow." He says as he hears a female voice chuckles nervously. "Sorry about that. I was trying out for a new trick for the Wonderbolts." A mare voice said nervously from his back. Lightning Bolt looks up to see a pegasus with a light cerulean coat with a rainbow colored mane and tail and moderate cerise eyes, on his back. "Let me help you." Rainbow said getting off of him and lending a hoof. Lightning Bolt takes it being held up by the mare then stretching his wings to make sure they weren't hurt by that crash. "I'm Rainbow Dash, fastest flyer in Equestria." Rainbow said while striking a pose in midair. "Fastest flyer huh? Surprised I'm mostly uninjured from that crash." Lightning Bolt says. "Are you questioning my speed? Cause I can fly circles around you!" Rainbow yelled as she got in his face. "No, I'm just stating a fact." Lightning Bolt says sarcastically Rainbow stares down at his dark red eyes. She then smirks. "I like ya." She then flaps her wings a bit and pulls back a little. "Want to fly with me? You seem fast and I need a fast flyer." Rainbow Dash says with enthusiasm. "I would, but I'm kinda lost and need to get to town hall to buy a house before nightfall." Lightning Bolt says. Rainbow's smirk falls into a frown when she heard that. "Oh...I'll show you. Just follow me." She told him as she starts to fly off to town hall. Lightning Bolt shrugs before spreading his wings and takes off, keeping up with Rainbow Dash's speed to her surprise. Both land beside the town hall. Lightning Bolt looks up to it and saw it was a fairly modest building. "Well here you are, town hall. I got to get going, still practicing for the Wonderbolts." Rainbow said as she flew off. "Interesting mare there." Lightning Bolt says to himself before walking in to the town hall. After about an hour of paperwork and payment he walks out with the deed to his new house. Lightning Bolt walks down the street reading the Deed and insurance papers. Apparently his house was next to a river that if any damages are caused by the river is on his head. He then bumps into someone else then hears a gasp and looks up and sees a earth pony with pale light grayish raspberry coat, a brilliant raspberry mane and tail, and light cerulean eyes. "Hi there!" The pony yells. "Ah, greetings tovarich." Lightning Bolt greets. The pony looks at him questionably. "That's a funny word. Tovar-itch? Oh well, I'm Pinkie Pie. Party planner extraordinaire and I'm here to welcome you to Ponyville. So welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome to Ponyville. Welcome, welcome, welcome, nice for you to be here. Welcome, welcome, welcome, enjoy your time here. Cupcake?" Pinkie said at a thousand miles per hour, holding out a cupcake on her hoof. 'This is one strange pony.' Lightning Bolt thinks and cautiously reaches for the cupcake. Lightning Bolt grabs it and looks away from the mare for a second and finds her gone. "Huh?" "Welcome to Ponyville!" Pinkie yells again from behind him causing him to jump into the air and hang from a low cloud. A light gray mare looks down to the stallion hanging from her cloud with crossed eyes. "Hi there, mister." She said weirdly...to him of course. 'These different accents are kind of hard to understand.' Lightning bolt thinks. "Hi tovarich." The mare looks at him questionably. "What was that? Any case, my name's Ditzy Doo, but everypony calls me Derpy." She then looks to where he's hanging from. "Aren't you going to let go?" She asks while pointing to his hooves. "Tovarich is another way to say friend or comrade and I guess I should." Lightning Bolt says flapping his wings and getting onto the cloud. Lightning Bolt sees her eyeing his cupcake. "Would you like it?" Derpy's eyes went wide and she grabs the cupcake without another word. Biting into the cupcake with her eyes close, she tasted the mini-cake. Her eyes opens up again as she starts to chew slowly to find out what she's eating. She then spits it out, covering the cloud in breadcrumbs. "This isn't a muffin." She said while pointing to the vile offender. "It's a cupcake. Didn't you notice?" Lightning Bolt asks. Derpy shakes her head and throws the cupcake behind her. "Nope." A gasp is heard as they both look down and see Pinkie clutching the cupcake as if it is a real pony. "NOOOOOOOOOOO! Who would throw away such a masterpiece?!" Pinkie then looks up to the cloud and sees Derpy and Lighting. "Oh, that explains it." Pinkie then drops the half eaten cupcake in a nearby trashcan and hops away. 'That was weird.' Lightning Bolt thinks. "So, I'm Lightning Bolt Miss. Derpy." Derpy holds out a hoof. "Nice to meet you." She said as one of her eyes looks upward. Lightning Bolt shakes her hoof with his. "Maybe I'll see you around Derpy." Lightning Bolt says taking off and flying away. Lightning Bolt flies off, occasionally looking at the map he got from the Town hall and eventually found his new house, a two story building built next to a river. "Well, home sweet home I guess." Lightning Bolt says before entering the house. Author's Note A/N: This a collaboration between me and Flair the demon dragon king on Fanfiction. So go easy as he hasn't been on his profile for a long time. The reason is because of the upload not allowing him to place a document on the site. So he asked me to handle the upload while we do the story together. Now we are placing it on this site. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. Well that's the first chapter. The real action or maybe the beginning of it all begins in the next one. So sit back, read, and enjoy. Now we're off to make more, bye. Oh and read and review.
One Goes In and One Shall Come Out"Speaking" 'Thoughts' It has been a few weeks since Ice Fang froze the creature and Lightning Bolt is still debating if he should tell them about the creature that was frozen. He went through the pros and cons of telling and eventually came to a conclusion. He had to tell them. If the creature or creatures are this close then they need to be warn, but he needs to tell only the ones that matter. He thinks it over; Rainbow Dash was debatable but because she was one of the three ponies that followed him and his pets she was a must. The same went for Applejack and Twilight Sparkle. Ice Fang and Azure slept quietly next to him as he went through the list ponies to tell. Yet, as he went through the list he came up with the same ones to tell. Lightning grabs his saddle bags just in case and leaves some food for Ice Fang and Azure. He walks out the door to the start the messaging. Lightning Bolt spreads his wings and flies into the air, feeling more at home as it had started to snow the last few day. He then spots Rainbow Dash's house and flies towards it. Landing with a crunch from the snow collected on the cloud, he starts to walk to the front door. When he reaches it he looks around and realizes that this cloud house is actually custom made and not one of the readymade houses, it even had a rainbow waterfall system. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he raises his hoof to knock on the door. He heard no movement from behind the door, so he leaned in closely to the door and heard some snoring. Lightning Bolt then sighs before banging on the door this time hearing movement. 'I sure hope Rainbow Dash didn't forget we're supposed to go flying together this morning.' Lightning Bolt thinks. A groan is heard from behind the door and then opens up. A rainbow mane covered head pops out with an angry look in her eyes. "What?!" Rainbow yells at her possible mail mare. "Did you forget Rainbow?" Lightning Bolt asks. Rubbing her eyes with a hoof she groans out loud. "Forget what?" She asks in a groggy voice, with a faltering smile. "We are supposed to go flying together today." Lightning Bolt says noticing the time is 10:00 a.m. Rainbow stops rubbing her eyes and goes wide eye. She then zooms back in and shuts the door in Lightning's face. He then hears furious showing and brushing, possibly for teeth, and then quick flaps of wings. The door opens again, this time a Rainbow Dash ready for work. "Ready." More like a statement then a question. "Shall we?" Lightning ask extending a hoof. Rainbow looks at the hoof, unsure to let him lead, but then reaches out her hoof and holds onto his. Lightning smiles and extends his wings, ready for a flight as Rainbow does the same. Lightning lifts himself off the ground with a few flaps, carrying Rainbow with him. Rainbow slowly follows him with a smile that starts to form on her muzzle and flaps after him. Rainbow Dash thinks over the last week how she had bonded with Lightning Bolt so well. He was funny, athletic, and treated her with great respect and caring. He was a good friend but she couldn't help but think he was hiding something, especially after he went into the Everfree forest last week. 'She is starting to get suspicious of me. I'm glad I've decided to tell her and the others about the creature, which should dispel some of it.' Lightning Bolt thought. Lightning Bolt flew through the snow with a smile. Rainbow, taking notice of this, notices he's happier than usual. Lightning spots a bench on the ground and flies toward it with Rainbow following. They land slowly sending snow pieces in the air. Lightning lets go of Rainbow and sits down on the bench with Rainbow sitting right beside him. He looks at her uneasily with that usual smile of his. "So why did we land?" Rainbow asks. "Well I wanted to tell you ab…" Lightning Bolt was cut off when somepony yells, "Rainbow Dash!" Looking in the direction they see three fillies coming towards them. "Rainbow Dash…" Scootaloo trails off as she sees the stallion with her idol. "Who's he?" She said pointing to Lightning. "Oh him, he's a new pony in town and a friend Scootaloo. Lightning Bolt this is Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle this is Lightning Bolt." Rainbow Dash introduced. "Wait," Sweetie Bell asks out. "You're the one Rarity has been talking about? I can't get her to shut up about you." "Yeah…I kinda think I shouldn't have told her about the Stalliongrad Ball." Lightning Bolt says laughing nervously. Sweetie Bell stares at him like the annoyed filly she is. Lightning Bolt just rubs his hoof behind his head and nervously laughs. "Sorry about that tovarich." Lightning says causing all three Fillies to look confused. The three fillies tilt their heads to side, making Sweetie Bell get rid of her annoyed face and turn to one of confusion. "Oh, tovarich is a word from the Stalliongrad language. It means friend or comrade." Lightning Bolt clarifies. "Ohhhh." All three of them said in unison. "Hey, maybe learning new languages from other counties will help us get our cutie marks." Apple Bloom says. "Yeah, quickly! To the library!" Scootaloo ordered as all three rushed off. "Cutie mark?" Lightning Bolt asks Rainbow Dash. Rainbow looks confused at him for asking that question. 'How can he not know?' She then looks where his is supposed to be, but sees his clothing blocking the view. She then looks back up at him. "A cutie mark is what represents us and our special talent. Like mine is for speed and awesomeness. Though not necessarily in that order." She waves offhoofedly. Lightning Bolt looks thoughtful. "I've heard of such things but only in legends, never actually seen one." Rainbow looks surprised. "Legends, what do you mean?" She leans back to rest herself. "We don't have these things in Stalliongrad, but what you described pops up in a few legends, mostly on the heroes of the legends." Lightning Bolt says starting to notice the cutie marks on the other ponies. Rainbow leans a little to the side to hear more. "Who are the heroes of the legends?" She asks looking at other ponies passing by, not really paying attention to the two on the bench. "Well mostly those who were chose to be the representatives of the guardian spirits of the elements. I think I have a book with a few of the legends if you want to look at it." Lightning Bolt says. Rainbow shakes her head and looks at him. "Nah, I'm not an egghead like Twilight." "They're like Daring Doo, in fact some of Daring Doo's books were based off of those legends." Lightning suddenly rears back as Rainbow shot in front of his face. "Did you say Daring Doo?" Lightning gets a little scared from Rainbow's fanlike acting. 'Note to self, if you want Rainbow in front of you, just say Daring Doo.' "Y-yeah so do you want to read some of the legends that inspired some of the books?" Lightning Bolt asked nervously and realizes the position they were now in. Rainbow nods her head and leans in more. "Ah, Rainbow take a quick look at the position we are in." Lightning Bolt says. Rainbow quickly looks at themselves then blushes hard. She quickly scrambles back on the other side of the bench. "Sorry, sorry, sorry, I didn't know, sorry." She sputters out. "Its ok, you just got a little too excited is all." Lightning Bolt laughs nervously. Rainbow still remains red and nods nervously. "Yeah, can you tell me the legends?" She starts to looks away and rubs her hoofs together, trying to get her dirty mind back in place. "I would take a long time to do that. We would probably be here till next week." Lightning says. Rainbow still looks away, but stops rubbing her hoofs together. "How many are there?" She asks. "In total 397 different legendary heroes each with usually 3 to 8 stories to their legend." Rainbow stares at him wide eye. "I grew up listening to all the stories, so to me it's not much, but I guess to you it would be a lot." Rainbow still stares at him wide eye. "So shall we go see some of the others?" Lightning Bolt ask, noticing other ponies starting to stare. Rainbow shakes herself out of her stupor and looks around. Seeing the other ponies staring at them she nods to Lightning. Both pegasus take off and fly to Twilight's library. When they reach the library tree they go to the front door and knock. A clopping of hooves are heard as the door is opened by...a dragon? Where are the hooves? "Hi Spike." Rainbow Dash greets and Lightning Bolt waves. Spike the purple and green dragon smiles. "Hey guys. Twilight and the others are inside. Can you handle them, I don't want to deal with frilly fu-fu stuff." He said like a typical boy. Lightning Bolt clears his throat making Spike remember his gender. Spike glances to Lightning before remembering what gender he is. "Oh sorry Lightning, but I'm still like a baby, not fully grown like a stallion, so..." He trails off there. Spike then runs passed him to avoid any more embarrassment. "Well shall we?" Lightning Bolt asks as the three fillies from earlier speed pass them with multiple books. They lift their hoofs and take off a little to get the fillies some room. They both stare as the fillies run off with books in saddle bags. "I'm surprised that those fillies want to read language books. You must have done something." Twilight voice calls from inside the library. Lightning Bolt laughs nervously. "I may have said one foreign word to them." Lightning Bolt says as the other ponies in the room notice he was holding Rainbow Dash's hoof with his. Twilight sighs and looks at him, noticing that he was holding Rainbow's hoof. "Let's just hope that they bring it all back because they emptied out the whole language shelf." She warns them, standing in front of two empty shelves that were devoid of books. "I only saw them carry out six, how is two rows missing?" Lightning bolt asked confused. Apple Jack started snickering. "Ya be surprised at how much stuff the Apple bags can hold." Applejack piped up. "Almost as surprising as you and Rainbow Dash holding hooves." Rarity teased. Rainbow blushes hard and let's go then flies right next to Fluttershy. Lightning blushes as well but tries to remain normal. "Oh it's so adorable. Next thing you know I'll me making their wedding outfits." Rarity says already getting ideas. Rainbow groans and facehooves. "Rarity stop, okay. We are not dating." She told her. "Anyways are any of you wondering what happened after I went into the forest chasing Ice Fang and Azure?" They all nod their agreement and wait for him to speak. Lightning closes the door behind him then walks to the circle. "Well like I told you Skyors have a sixth sense for danger. Well Azure detected a natural predator. A very dangerous predator." Twilight takes out the same notepad, scribbled with her notes from last time. "And what predator is that?" She asks. "Hold on." Lightning Bolt says taking out a book entitled 'A guide to dangerous predators.' Twilight rips the book from his hold, making him fall flat on his face and hoof stuck in the air. She studies the book with a train eye. "This will definitely help with my study." "Ah, Twilight I kinda need that for a reference." She couldn't hear him as she reads the book intensely. Lightning sighs and reaches for the book only to retract it as he hears a...growl? He raises an eyebrow at her actions and turns to the others. They are giggling and snickering into their hoofs. "Twilight actually got possessive of a book because we got turned bad and wouldn't give it back." Rainbow explained. "Twilight at least find the chamiosaurus in there, ok?" Twilight huffs and turns back to the page he mentions. Lightning gets surprised that she can read that fast. When she reaches the page she gives the book to him. Lightning places the book in the middle of the table so all of them can see the picture. The picture has a large creature with razor sharp teeth and claws with glowing yellow eyes. Rainbow wow's, Applejack whistles, Rarity looks at the possibilities of color, Fluttershy hides behind her mane to hide from the creature that she thinks may pop out of the book, Twilight keeps writing on her notepad, and Pinkie just stares at it with her usual smile. "This thing is a vicious predator that stalks nearly anything. They can turn invisible, its fangs and claws rend flesh from bone, and the worst thing is that there is never one, and there is always a pack of them." Lightning Bolt says. Fluttershy eeps and hides even more. Rainbow huffs and smirks for a new challenge. The others just stare on. "I found one and with their monstrous appetites they'll soon move from the Everfree forest looking for more food and the closest place for that is Ponyville." Twilight scribbles something in her notepad with her quill. "What can we do?" "Only one thing…it's either us or them." Lightning says. Everypony in the room shot their head to Lightning at what he said. "WHAT?!" "I'm not joking. If they aren't killed they will kill and devour all of Ponyville." Twilight looks at him with a glare. "How do you know this?" "Cause I have faced them before and lost a few friend to them and have the scars to prove it. For a time I was part of the Stalliongrad Hunters guild they were the one who protected Stalliongrad from dangerous creatures." Twilight's expression soften at the sound of that. Being forced to do something is not the best life. Fluttershy shed tears for the loss of life but knew sometimes killing some animals is the best course of action. Twilight gets a new scroll and starts writing. "What are you doing Twilight?" Rarity asks. "Sending a letter to princess Celestia she should be informed of this." Twilight says. She finishes writing the scroll and rolls it up. "Spike!" She calls out. Spike walks back in the library with an annoyed look on his face. "Don't tell me, letter right?" Twilight nods and gives the scroll to him. He sighs and blows green fire on the scroll, making the scroll's smoke go out the library and in the direction of the Canterlot. Canterlot Princess Celestia and Luna were working on some documents when a royal guard ran in with a letter. "A report your highness, more ponies and animals have gone missing near the Everfree forest." Celestia and Luna looks up from their work to look at the guard. Celestia takes the letter with her magic and reads it to herself. "As of counts of ...mostly near..." She brings the letter down and stares straight ahead. "Near the old castle." She said with a monotone voice. A scroll then comes into existence in front of her from green smoke, telling her that it is from her faithful student. She quickly grabs the next letter to hopefully take her mind off of the report. How wrong she was. Celestia sighs and brings a hoof to her head. "Why now? Why all this?" Luna takes the letter and reads it. Dear Princess Celestia, We have reason to believe that the Everfree forest is now home to a new predator called the Chamiosaurus. This was confirmed by a former Stalliongrad hunter pegasus that is now a resident in Ponyville. I request immediate assistance for he says unless they are dealt with soon then they will leave the Everfree forest and descend onto Ponyville. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle Celestia turns her facial features back into the steel gaze everypony knows. "Get Shining Armor and tell him to get as many guards as possible to defend Ponyville by any means necessary, but make sure that the daily activities are not disturbed." She told the guard sternly. A new letter appears and Luna grabs it out of the air and reads it. Dear Princess Celestia, The pegasus I mention in my last letter has just left and says he is going to hunt the Chamiosaurus pack in the Everfree forest soon. I am unsure what to do right now I need your advice. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle Luna reads as the Royal Guards run out of the room to find Shining Armor. Celestia brings a letter and a quill up from a nearby table and starts writing. My faithful student, You must not do anything as your brother and guards are going to be there to help defend the town. For now let the pegasus do what he needs to do as he probably has more experience. Your teacher, Princesses Celestia She then rolls up the parchment and sends it away with magic. "Let us hope it will be enough, right sister?" Luna asks Celestia nods and looks at both the letters her faithful student sent. "Nothing seems to ever enough at these times." She forlornly told. Lightning Bolt's Home Lightning Bolt enters the door and walks through the door into the basement where a suit of armor and equipment are on a mannequin. "I had hoped I would never have to don this armor again." Lightning Bolt says to himself as he discards his clothes and starts putting on the armor. Ice Fang and Azure come down the stairs to see their master and friend wearing his old armor. Azure grabs the helmet with its feet and carries over to him and places it on Lightning Bolt's head. Lightning looks to Azure with a smile. "Thanks Azure." Azure caws softly for his master's safety. Lightning bolt transcends the stair and in the doorway is Rainbow Dash. Rainbow comes in with a sad frown after noticing the armor. "Do you have to go out there, alone? I'm sure once the guards are here they can help defend and help you get rid of them." She says. "They will know nothing about them. Remember the Chamiosaurus can turn invisible and the pack will tear through them before they know they are there. They just don't know how to fight them or have the equipment to do so. If I don't go Rainbow then Ponyville may be doomed." Lightning Bolt says rubbing her head with his hoof. Rainbow looks past him to see Ice Fang and Azure looking on with worry then leans back to Lightning. "Are you going to take those two?" She asks as she points to Ice Fang and Azure. "If I don't make it back you will need something to warn you when they are near. So Rainbow please take care of them for me." Lightning Bolt says. Rainbow steps a little closer. "You're talking like you aren't coming back." She said a little accusing. "I won't lie there is a good chance that will be the final result of this hunt. But that is the nature of a hunt, you never know when you are gonna be killed." Lightning Bolt says. Lightning suddenly feels a tightening around his neck. "Please make me a promise." Rainbow asks. "What is the promise?" Lightning Bolt asks. Rainbow tightens her grip around him. "Make sure that you come back." She lets go and encourages Ice Fang and Azure to come with her. Ice Fang walks over to her, but not before nuzzling his head against Lightning's leg, then hops onto Rainbow's back. Azure hops in front of Lightning and gives a nuzzle to Lightning on his head and then hops next to Rainbow. "Make sure." She told him firmly. "I promise, I will comeback Rainbow Dash, I promise." Lightning Bolt says and Rainbow Dash lets go of him. Lightning Bolt walks outside and his helmet's visor slides down and he takes off into the sky. Not long after the rest of the mane six arrive to find Rainbow with Azure and Ice Fang. Azure looks away and glides a short distance to Applejack's back. Applejack gives a grunt from the extra weight. Rainbow sighs sadly and picks up Ice Fang in her hooves. Ice Fang whines sadly as he feels his master already in trouble...in his mind. Edge of Everfree Forest Lightning Bolt lands on the outskirts of the Everfree forest. Looking back towards the town he thinks back on everything that has happened to him in town. Yet, he knows he has to do this. "Time to get to work." Lightning Bolt says entering the forest. Using the magical sensory of his visor he starts tracking all signs of the chamiosaurus pack. He bends down after a while examining a foot print, his visor raises so he could see it with his eyes. 'The tracks are recent and this blood beside it is still fresh.' Lightning Bolt thinks as his visor lowers back. He continues on as he starts to go over the landscape. 'Let's see, forest for concealing, but not good for silent movement. Rocks, good for making them think that your position is somewhere else, but not good for hiding. Mountain, good for air strikes, but not good as a long term stay.' He thinks over everything he needs about the surrounding area for an eventual fight. Then he checks his equipment. His standard gauntlets on his front hooves had blade and lightning mini crossbow configurations, he had several weak explosive grenades, and several tripwires and parts for traps. 'Those mages really outdid themselves with these gauntlets. It's too bad the lightning mini crossbows can only fire ten shoots each.' Lightning Bolt thinks. He sighs and goes on. He eventually comes across a large clearing. Stepping through the middle he stops, growling comes from all around him. Lightning chuckles and readies his blades. "At least this made my job a whole lot easier." He looks around counting all of the creatures in the shadows. "This is easy." He then gulps, but holds firm. "I hope." Lightning Bolt unfurls his wings and activates 4 of his grenades and drops them to his hooves. The chamiosaurus charge him and Lightning Bolt takes off as all but one is caught in the blast killing them. He looks down and sees the kill count. He groans as he sees that one survives. "Ublyudok." He lands with a loud thud that made the creature aware of his presence. The beast roars and charges, blood lust in its eyes. Lightning Bolt holds up his left hoof and fires his lightning mini-crossbow. The lightning arrow goes through the creature's mouth and tears out the back of its head. The creature slides to the ground, sending bits and pieces of itself in its wake. It finally stops short of Lightning with its jaw open. Lightning raises an eyebrow at this. "That was too easy." He said to himself then clamps his hoof over his mouth in shock as he realizes what he said. He groans and holds his hoof to his head. "Why did I just say that?" 'But I know it's true, this was only a hunting party. There was no alpha or even a nest. Time to continue the hunt.' Lightning Bolt thinks before continuing the hunt. He keeps walking through denser and denser forest until he reaches a mountain side. He frowns and looks around, then spies a cave entrance guarded by a single chamiosaurus. He looks around for more, yet doesn't see them. He hmmms in thought as he tries to figure out how to take this challenge on. Lightning Bolt sets up several traps with his equipment and moves far away. Lightning Bolt then rushes the chamiosaurus and moves close to it before he uses his blade function and stabs it through throat and drags it into the bush and making it cry out for help right behind his traps. Lightning Bolt then moves as quickly and quietly as he could as he hears the pack coming. Once at a safe distance he just waits and watches. The pack growls as they come out of the cave, looking and sniffing around they start to step closer to the location where Lightning left the dying chamiosaurus. Lightning sat calmly as they start to walk even closer, their feet crunching the snow underneath them. They finally reach the trap as Lightning brings the blade out. Soon explosions are heard and the yells of pain and chunks of the chamiosaurus fly everywhere as only a few remain alive and most were badly hurt. Lightning comes out of the bush with a steel gaze. He surveys the area and finds that the traps got them all. He chuckles and sheathes his blades then walks into the cave. 'Now all that's left is the alpha.' Lightning thinks as he enters the camber and sees a lot of eggs. Lightning looks at the eggs and taps one. He pulls his hoof back as slime hangs on. Shaking his hoof, "Ewwww, that's gross. Don't they clean the eggs before they plant it somewhere, I mean come on." He said exasperated. 'Now I have no choice. I got to torch the whole cave to ensure none of them hatch.' Lightning thinks before dodging to the left as a tail crashed down on where he was. Looking where it came from he saw a chamiosaurus three times bigger them the ones he killed and had a spiked tail and horn growing out of its back. 'And there's the alpha.' The alpha sneers and launches his tail at Lightning Bolt. Lightning Bolt throws himself to the left narrowly avoiding the tail. Lightning starts to run around and stays close to the eggs as any pack member wouldn't want to lose their next generation. He leaves behind a trap as he stops in between the attacks. The alpha was mad, its attacks becoming more and more wild. Lightning Bolt sees his chance and fires a Lightning arrow that hits the Alpha in the left eye, blinding it. As the lightning arrow digs into its eye the arrow that sends out a shock throughout its body making the Alpha cry out in pain. The arrow then finishes its charge and disappears. The Alpha growls, madder than ever. Before Lightning Bolt could move the Alpha slashes its left claw at Lightning Bolt, slashing the armor on his right hind leg and cutting into him. Lightning Bolt bites down so not to scream in pain as he hits the wall from the attack. 'This is bad, if this continues it'll kill me.' Lightning thinks before noticing a large stalactites over the Alpha. 'Only one chance.' Lightning thinks before unloading all his remaining lightning arrow into the stalactites. The arrows hits the bases of the stalactites, sending shocks throughout the rock formation. The connection at the base weaken and sends cracks through the stalactites making it comes apart. The formations come down onto the head of the Alpha, skewering through the head and making it go silent. Lightning Bolt breathes heavily as he struggles to his feet. He slowly treads over to the Alpha a looks at it for a second. "As my right as the hunter I claim my trophies." Lightning said before unsheathing the blade attachment and cutting out several teeth and a few of its horn and placing them into his saddle bags. Lightning Bolt heads to the exit and looks back at the eggs and the dead alpha noticing also several bones now. Lightning Bolt then fishes out his final grenade. "I guess this is a good of use of a fire grenade as I'm gonna get." Lightning Bolt says before throwing the now activated grenade and limping out of the cave. As soon as he exits the cave he hears an explosion and then smells smoke. "Hunt complete." Fluttershy's cottage Rainbow sits on the couch in Fluttershy's home as Ice Fang sat on her lap. She pets Ice Fang absentmindedly as she waits for Lightning to come back. Fluttershy flutters over with a tray of some of her herbal tea and foal bottle of milk for Ice Fang. She places the tray down on the table next to the couch and looks at the sad atmosphere created by the two changed beings. Rainbow takes a quick sip of the tea before going for the bottle and giving it to Ice Fang. Ice Fang whines sadly and takes the bottle in its, sucking slowly. Fluttershy sits down right beside them as Rainbow feeds Ice Fang. The door to Fluttershy's cottage opens as Twilight and Applejack comes in with Azure riding on Applejack's back. Rainbow chuckles as best she could. "Looks like he likes you AJ." "Yeah would da though. But Rainbow are you ok? You're obviously sad." Applejack says. Rainbow brings her head down and looks down at Ice Fang. Ice Fang keeps sucking on the nipple of the bottle as slow as ever. Azure glides over to Rainbow's side and nuzzles her gently. "Yeah, I'm just worried." Rainbow says. "You're worried about Lightning Bolt, aren't you?" Twilight asks. They stay there shocked as a tear falls down Rainbow's face. In all the time they know her, Rainbow never cries, except seen by Fluttershy. The door opens again, but nopony notices. The tear falling down her face is stopped by a hoof. Rainbow looks up and sees Lightning without his armor and equipment. Her breath is caught in her throat as she looks at him. Ice Fang and Azure suddenly launches themselves at him, sending him to the ground laughing. Lightning Bolt gets up when Ice Fang and Azure gets off him. As he gets up Twilight notices that his hind leg is covered in blood. Twilight gasps at the sight of the bloody leg. "Lightning, your leg!" She said as she pointed to his leg. Fluttershy gasp and runs off to get her first aid kit. Lightning groans as he places some weight on his leg, making him wince. He lifts his leg to alleviate the pain until Fluttershy comes back. He then looks at Rainbow. "I always keep my promise." "So is it over, are they dead?" Twilight asks as Fluttershy starts bandaging him up. "Yeah, all of them are dead." Lightning says. Fluttershy places antibiotic on his wound, making him hiss slightly. "The eggs are destroyed so there is no chance of more coming." Fluttershy starts to roll the bandages around his leg as Rainbow leans against him, Ice Fang in his lap. After Fluttershy finished bandaging him up, she got up. "Now you better stay off that leg for the rest of the night." Fluttershy says. Lightning looks at Rainbow. "Looks like I need a flying buddy just to get around for the night." Lightning smiles. Rainbow smirks at his usual behavior. "I'm not going to do that forever just so you know." She jabs a hoof in his shoulder. Lightning hisses and grabs his shoulder. "Watch it Rainbow, I'm still tender from the fight." Rainbow chuckles nervously. "Sorry." Rainbow says nervously. "It's ok." Lightning Bolt says and Rainbow Dash, for the first time, actually got a look at him without his normal clothes. The first things she noticed is that he had a few scars on his body and had no cutie mark at all. "Whoa, no cutie mark. How do you know what your talent it?" Rainbow points to his flank. "I told you earlier Rainbow we don't have those in Stalliongrad." Lightning says. "Hey, since you're gonna need some help moving around for the next few days. How about you stay at my place?" Rainbow asks trying to hide her embarrassment. Lightning looks at her in shock. "Are you sure you don't mind? I mean you could just drop me off at my home because it's only one night." He said as he tries to hide his blush. "I don't mind at all." Rainbow reassures as Twilight is writing a new letter to inform Princess Celestia the danger has passed now. Twilight rolls up the finished letter and looks at Rainbow and Lightning. "I can add a cloud walking spell for Ice Fang here." She said as she pets Ice Fang, with him enjoying the attention. Twilight charges up her horn, covering it with magic to prepare the spell. When she is ready she points it to Ice Fang, making him whimper a bit at possible pain. Twilight fires the spell, covering Ice Fang with a magical aura. Ice Fang whimpers a little, but then calms down. Twilight finishes the spell as the aura over both of them disappears. Ice Fang quickly looks over himself to check if anything is missing and then yips happily to find nothing wrong. "That will last about a week." Twilight said with obvious exhaustion. "That's good because Lightning Bolt has to stay off his leg for a week." Fluttershy says sounding like a doctor. Lightning sighs heavily from relief. "Thank goodness. If I had to stay in bed for a whole week, I might go crazy." "Like Rainbow, you have to fly." Fluttershy says. Lightning's eyes widen and covered his face with his hooves. "I'm so stupid." "We are in the same boat then." Rainbow says placing her hoof on his shoulder. Lightning looks at her confused. "What do you mean? This happen to you before?" He said as he pointed to his bandaged leg. "Yeah, kinda got hurt while practicing a trick. Hurt my wing and was in the hospital for 3 days." Rainbow says. Lightning smirks. "How long did it take you to get bored?" "She was bored to death before we left." Twilight says. Lightning laughs out loud. "You... you couldn't last at least a night, can you? I've been in these before." Lightning says then sighs. "On a few times I was laid up for a month." Lightning clarifies. Rainbow's eyes widen when she heard how long. "Wow, did you try to at least get of there early?" "No, a few times a wing and two legs were bandaged up." Lightning says. Rainbow gets off the couch and turns to him. "Come on, we got to get going before nightfall. You don't want to be flying blind." "Anypony have a saddlebag I can borrow?" Lightning Bolt asks. Fluttershy shoves a saddlebag in front of him. "Here you go." She says enthusiastically. "Thank you." Lightning says as she helps him put it on. "Ice Fang get into the saddle bag." Lightning says. Ice Fang yips and jumps straight into the bag. He then reappears with his head and paws showing. Then his tail comes out, wagging happily. "Ok now, stay in there." Lightning says as he take the hoof Rainbow Dash offered. Rainbow smiles and starts to hover in the air with Lightning following. "Let's go." Rainbow said. They both start to fly out the door and straight to Rainbow's house with Azure following. Author's Note A/N: Next chapter up and running. Writer / Original Idea: Flair the demon dragon king Writer / Editor: Primus And that's another chapter into the mix. See ya next time. Read and Review.
Family Fun and the Troubles of Autographs"Speaking" 'Thoughts' Lightning is on a couch sleeping peacefully as Rainbow walks in. Rainbow stares at the stallion on the couch as she chuckles quietly as to not wake him. She carries a bucket of water on her wing and moves the bucket over him and tips it. Lightning wakes up suddenly as he was flailing around in the water like he was drowning. He turns and glares at the laughing mare in the room, his mane all in his face making it impossible to see his eyes. Lightning spits out the water in his mouth to the side obviously annoyed by her. "Ha ha." Lightning says sarcastically as Rainbow stops laughing. "Kinda hard to believe it's been a week hasn't it?" Lightning asks, shaking his body, sending water everywhere, even onto Rainbow. Rainbow stops laughing and slowly gets up with Lightning doing the same. She stares at the spot where the bandages were once. "Yeah, hard to believe." Rainbow said to nopony in particular as she was lost in her own little world. "Thanks again for letting me stay for the week even though you said it was only for a night." Lightning says. Rainbow didn't hear as she kept looking at Lightning, not his eyes through. "Rainbow my eyes are up here." Lightning says getting her attention. Rainbow blinks a few times before looking at him sheepishly. "Heh, heh, sorry." She nervously rubs a hoof on her leg. "I don't usually acts like this." "It's fine." Lightning says and walks over to Rainbow, limping a little. "So what should we do today?" Rainbow looks outside to see the town starting their day to day activities and the guards patrolling as usual since the attack. "How about a flight? Celestia knows you need it." She spreads her wings near the door that leads to the outside world. "Sounds good." Lightning says following her. They both head outside, leaving their pets in the cloud home. They all look at each other. Tank blinking slowly as ever, Azure remains unmoving, and Ice Fang starting to drool. He goes over and licks tank before starting to pant. Lightning and Rainbow spend a few hours flying before landing in Ponyville. They both notice several ponies running past them. "Hey what's going on?" Lightning asks. "The Wonderbolts are here." A pony passing by says. Rainbow freezes as she hears this. Lightning looks over to her worriedly. "Rainbow, you okay?" He said, scared at her sudden freezing. Rainbow grabs the next pony running past her, still unmoving. "Where are the Wonderbolts landing?" The stallion she grabbed struggles against her grasp. "At the town center." Rainbow drops the stallion as he takes off, trying to get away from the mad pony. Lightning reaches a hoof over to her before she speeds off, leaving a few ponies tumbling from the backlash of winds. "I guess I'll go back to check on the pets." Lighting says. 'Among other reasons.' He thinks to himself before taking off. Rainbow is flying across the ground as she reaches the speed that is almost needed to perform a Sonic Rainboom. Once she reaches the town center she comes a halt without trouble. The winds that were following her sped past, blowing everything in their path. She spots the Wonderbolt's captain, Spitfire, standing on town hall's steps and she did not look happy. "WHERE IS HE?!" Everypony who have trained with her covers their ears, unlike the ones who didn't and suffered the full blast. "WHERE IS LIGHTNING BOLT?!" Everypony in town looks to Rainbow, who is still awestruck. The crowd starts whispering among themselves because of this. "Why is she looking for Lightning Bolt? Is he her former Stallionfriend? What is their relationship?" Rainbow Dash heard the whispers from several ponies as Spitfire follows the crowd's eyes and spies the pony she trained. "YOU!" Rainbow shakes herself out of her stupor and points to herself. "YEAH YOU! WHERE'S MY BOTHER?!" You can bet a big collective gasp is heard. "W-w-well h-he's r-right behind m…" Rainbow Dash stops when she sees he was not there. Rainbow's home with Lightning Bolt Lightning has just changed into his normal clothes and is now resting on the couch. "That's everything, you have your orders." Lightning says. "As you wish." A voice says behind him. The sound of the curtains blowing was soon heard, signaling the one who spoke had gone. Lightning sighs and breathes in the fresh air of home. The pets were going crazy and Lightning just lets them have their fun. Ice Fang is gnawing on Tank's shell with Tank looking at Lightning with a confused look...or is that the look of 'help me'? Couldn't tell. Lightning just shrugs as he didn't know, thinking that maybe Ice Fang is just going on instincts. Azure just stayed on his perch, watching the spectacle. "Nothing like a life of relaxation, huh buddy?" He said as he looks to Azure. Azure caws his approval and relaxes along with him. Why don't you guys make a bet to say how long this is going to last. Lightning whistles and Ice Fang runs and jumps onto his lap. As Lightning pets him when suddenly he hears the door slam open. Slowly turns his head around to see a pony wearing a Wonderbolt uniform. There is only one thing on his mind now. 'Oh crap.' He then turns to his pets quickly. "Retreat everypony, RETREAT!" Lightning yells as Ice Fang runs off to Azure as he jumps onto his back. Azure flies as soon as he gets on and picks up Tank on the way. They all flew out the nearby window, leaving Lightning behind with Spitfire. 'Traitors.' Lightning thinks as he gets off the couch and starts backing up, looking for a way out. He finds none but sees Rainbow behind Spitfire with a slack jawed expression. Spitfire slowly marches up menacingly to Lightning, her eyes full of anger, all the time looking at him in the eye. "You have a lot of explaining to do mister!" She pokes an accusing hoof to his stomach. Lightning Bolt laughs nervously. Then she did something he didn't expect. Spitfire's eyes start to tear up and she grabs her little brother in a hug that almost felt comforting if it weren't for the fact it felt like she was trying to crush him. Spitfire cried as she laid her head on his shoulder. "You idiot." She softly cried to him. "Why do you have to get yourself in so much trouble? Answer me that." She demanded. "I think I inherited our father's luck. But it is good to see ya sister after almost two decades." Lightning says returning the hug. Rainbow still stood there shock. Not even Tank, still being carried by Azure, bumping onto her head can knock her out of it. "Rainbow don't just stand there come in." Lightning says. Rainbow shakes her head and walks inside, followed by their pets. She gets closer as Spitfire lets go of Lightning. "So you're the brother of Spitfire, the captain of the Wonderbolts?" She is still trying to wrap her head around the fact that she has a relative of the Wonderbolts captain in her house. I guess she doesn't need those posters now. "Yeah, she is my sister." Lightning says. Spitfire looks to her brother. "Where have you been all this time?" "Well after the incident I wound up on the shores of Stalliongrad half dead and with amnesia." Lightning says. Rainbow raises her hoof like a student in class. "What incident?" "Some jealous member of the Wonderbolts, whose name shall not be mentioned, took my brother out on the guise of a training exercise and threw him into a hurricane." Spitfire says, her anger rising again. Rainbow's eyes widened at her words. "Why did that happen?" "Cause he was jealous of Lightning when he was doing so well." Spitfire says. "Also didn't help when you somehow got me drafted into the Wonderbolts while I was still a foal." Lightning says, causing Spitfire to laugh nervously "Yeah, though I still wish I got him when I found out about what happened. I would have torn his dick off and gave him a new hole." Spitfire said. Rainbow blushed and Lightning Bolt sighs. Azure lands on Lightning's shoulder and wraps his tail around him. "Oh sister, let me introduce my pets." Lightning says. Spitfire yelps as she feels her leg being bit. She turns to see Ice Fang on her leg, her front leg freezing where he bit. "Ice Fang release." Lightning says sternly causing Ice Fang to release Spitfire immediately and run over to him. Spitfire starts to rub her leg, but then forgoes that plan and just smashes her leg on the table, sending ice pieces everywhere. "That's better." She said as she rubs her leg. "Azure, he is a Skyor while Ice Fang is an Ice wolf." Lightning says. Azure caws and Ice Fang yips happily causing Spitfire to smile. "Hi there." Just then her stomach rumbles heavily. She blushes and turns to them nervously. "I guess I didn't eat on the way over. Oh, and if you're wondering, I found about you through the newspapers." "Would you like to stay for dinner sister?" Lightning asks. Spitfire's stomach decided to answer for her, making her blush of embarrassment. "Rainbow shall we get start then?" Lightning says as he turns to Rainbow. "OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH." Rainbow says going into fanmare mood at the prospect of Spitfire staying for dinner. "Ah, Rainbow." Lightning says. "OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH." "Rainbow!" Lightning yells trying to get her attention but causes Rainbow to freeze in place and remain stuck and in place. Lightning sighs and walk over and carries Rainbow to the kitchen she didn't move like she was a statue. Spitfire looks at them for a few before turning to the pets with her usual look. "That is weirdest fangasm I have ever seen." The pets merely looks at each before turning back to her, the same look on their faces as her. Lightning puts Rainbow down before getting ready to try and snap her out of it. Lightning grabs a nearby large bowl fit for a pony her size and places it under her. He then flies up and punches the cloud above Rainbow. The cloud sends out a few droplets of water, then brings a downpour. 'Thankfully she showed me how to control the weather here.' Lightning thinks with a smirk as Rainbow gets out of her shock after being washed in ice cold water. She huddles herself as she thinks to herself, 'Got to remember to warm that up.' Lightning lands besides the wet mare and remarks, "Great for the fire in the kitchen and also waking others up." Rainbow looks at him with a glare. "Jerk." "Would you prefer staying out there in that state embarrassing yourself to my sister?" Lightning asks, turning his head to look at her but freezes when he sees her soaking wet. Her mane cling to her resulting Lightning's expression to become slack jawed. Rainbow tries to shake herself off and sends the water onto Lightning. "You're right, but let's get done with dinner, all right? I really want to impress her." She said as she walks over to the cloud fridge but stops when she sees him stunned 'Oh, quite interesting.' Rainbow thinks with a smirk before turning around and smacking him in the face with her tail, bringing him out of it. "I think she already likes you Rainbow." Lightning says shaking his head while walking up behind her. Rainbow quietly gasp as she heard that, but then her breath catches in her throat feeling a hug from behind, courtesy of Lightning. "I guess, but then again, I did keep you from your sister." "I've been separated by her for almost 20 years Rainbow. Besides if she didn't like you she would have already hit you over the head for asking such a question." Lightning says. Rainbow looks down. "Still..." Rainbow stopped when Lightning tightens his hug. "She likes you Rainbow. Would I lie to you?" Rainbow turns around, still in the hug. While this was happening Spitfire was spying through the door and a smile form on her face. She then slips back to the living room before either notice her. Rainbow and Lightning soon laid out the dinner on the cloud table, seemingly able to leave it on top as a regular table. Lightning pokes his head into the living room once they finished. "Spitfire, dinner is ready." He finds her playing with Ice Fang as he yips happily running around her. He laughs at the sight of Spitfire trying to catch him, only to fall down on her flank from dizziness. Spitfire sends him an annoyed look and walks into the room and sits on a chair while Lightning and Rainbow do the same as Azure flies in and onto Lightning's shoulder and Ice Fang sneaks under the table. Rainbow seeing this looks under the table to see him at her legs. "Get out from under there. Come on, hop onto my lap." Ice Fang yips and did as she told. 'They really do seem like a couple.' Spitfire thinks as a mischievous idea came to mind and Lightning starts taking a drink. Spitfire lifts her drink and swirls the liquid around. "So, how close are you?" "To what?" Rainbow asks as she pets Ice Fang. Spitfire smirks. "How close are you two together? Especially when do I hear the flapping of little wings." She nonchalantly drinks from her glass. Lightning's eyes widen and does a spit take and coughs several times while Rainbow was too stunned for words. Even Azure and Ice Fang turn their heads towards Spitfire who had a smirk. A few seconds later Tank slowly waddles in as slowly as ever. Seeing the smirk on the new guest's muzzle and the shocked faces of his owners and friends, he did a one-eighty turn and waddles back into the living room. "We don't have that kind of relationship!" Both Lightning and Rainbow yell in unison. Spitfire takes another sip of her drink. "Sure sounds like it." She remarks. "I don't even know how to respond to that." Lightning says as Rainbow looked down in deep thought and very embarrassed over what Spitfire implied. Spitfire finally laughs. "Relax big bro, I'm just joking." "Somehow I'm not fully convinced." Lightning says as Rainbow starts blushing harder. Spitfire calms down and looks at her happily. "Let's just enjoy dinner and we can talk about this later." Dinner proceeds without another incident and they all are in the living room Spitfire was starting to get used to Ice Fang. Ice Fang barks and lowers himself to the ground, ready to pounce. Spitfire does the same and waits for him. Ice Fang jumps at her only for Spitfire to dodge to the side, sending him to the ground. Ice Fang then yips as he feels his tail being bitten and being lifted. He looks around to see Spitfire as she places him onto the couch, with her taking a seat with him. Ice Fang then jumps onto her lap and settles there. "Finally got him huh sister." Lightning says as both he and Rainbow looked pretty amused. Spitfire smiles as she starts to pet Ice Fang. "Yeah, he's real sweet, I'll tell you that." She looks at Ice Fang as he starts to fall asleep. Before anyone could say anything else there was a knock at the door. Rainbow looks confuse, but gets up and walks to the door. Opening it she sees Twilight in her hot air balloon. "Hey Rainbow, listen Princess Celestia has ask us again to do the Hearth's Warming Play again, but this time she to include the husbands and the children that are usually left out. She has also asked me to ask Lightning to play as one of the husband for the great job he did. Think you two are up for it?" Twilight asks. Spitfire hears this and just smirks at Lightning as he facehooves. "Sure I think we can do it." Rainbow says. "Don't I get a say in this?" Lightning asks. "I think you were right Lightning, you do have father's luck." Spitfire says. Lightning just groans out loud. "Why me?" Rainbow chuckles. "Why not?" Twilight smiles and pulls the cord on the burner to send her down. "Great, I'll send Princess Celestia a letter later to tell her the good news." Twilight calls up to them as she and the balloon descended. "I think the Wonderbolts will be attending the Hearts Warming play in Canterlot this year." Spitfire says causing Lightning to groan again. Lightning falls onto the couch, facing down. "I hate my life." His voice muffled by the clouds. Rainbow walks back to the couch and sits next to Lightning and pets his head. After several minutes Lightning finally raises his head. "So sister when do you want to go see mom and dad?" Lightning asks. Spitfire face darkens. "Maybe tomorrow afternoon." Spitfire replies. "I'll meet you in town square tomorrow after I get a few things ok?" Lightning asks. Spitfire nods. "Okay." She then picks up Ice Fang like a foal. "See you later, little guy." Ice Fang licks her nose, making her giggle. After that she puts him down and leaves. "So what was that all about?" Rainbow asks. "It is family business, but you can come along if you want to Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow keeps petting his head. "If it will help you through it then yes, I will come." "Thank you." Lightning says. Rainbow then hugs him as best as possible. "No problem." Lightning and Rainbow go to the town center to see Spitfire signing a few autographs. "Hi sister." Lightning says walking up to her as Rainbow walks up to Scootaloo. Spitfire looks up from her signing to see her brother. "Hey bro." Everypony who was getting autographs turns their head to Lightning only to swarm him for a signature too. "Easy, easy!" Lightning yells out from the hungry crowd. After signing the autographs Lightning had to drag himself to Spitfire while Rainbow asks Scootaloo. "Hey Scootaloo, you know that me and Lightning there are gonna be in the heart warming play in Canterlot and well this year it will involve Commander Hurricanes husband and their first born so you want to play that part?" Rainbow asks as Scootaloo's eyes widened as she heard this. "Me...Work…with...the Rainbow...Ahhhhhhhh." And there's the classic faint. "I'll take that as a yes." Rainbow says before going over to Lightning "I swear those ponies are more vicious than piranhas." Lightning says. Spitfire giggles at his words. "Now you know what I have been dealing with." "I think I prefer hunting creatures that can rend me to shreds." Lightning says. Rainbow laughs at him. "Come on, this is your life now. Live with it." Lightning looked like he was about to curse audibly until Spitfire says. "Shall we go see them?" Spitfire asks as Lightning calms down and says, "Yeah." After a bit of flying they finally reach a graveyard. Spitfire sighs as she sees a certain set of tombstones. "Here we are." Spitfire says. "I thought we were gonna meet your parents." Rainbow says. "Oh." Rainbow says in realization as Lightning wordlessly goes up to the graves and lays a bouquet of flowers on them. "Hi mom. Hi dad it's been awhile since my last visit." Lightning says. Spitfire comes up beside him. "Don't worry, I'm here too." Author's Note A/N: Next chapter up and running. Writer / Original Idea: Flair the demon dragon king Writer / Editor: Primus And that's another, wait for more as we I keep doing this. At certain times, my life outside of this comes in and so does his, so you may have to wait until that is finished. So Read and Review.
Play Time"Speaking" 'Thoughts' "Alright, let's go over the scene where Commander Hurricane comes home." Twilight says as Lightning Bolt, Rainbow Dash, and Scootaloo hold their scripts. Rainbow clears her throat. "Ten Hut." Rainbow ordered. Rainbow looks to her husband, the strategist of the Pegasus, and to her first born. They both snapped to attention in front of her before falling into a laughing fit. "Welcome home honey." Lightning greeted. "Hi mom." Scootaloo said as she hugs her. Rainbow closes the door behind her before returning the hug to her daughter. "I take it negotiations didn't go well?" Lightning asks. "I kinda lost my temper at the beginning and all three of us wound up arguing and it went nowhere. I really think I should have sent you. It might have gone somewhere if the always cool and collected strategist Razor Wind went." Hurricane says half serious and half flirts. Razor stands proudly. "I have been known to clear the negotiations quite easily." Hurricane smiles. "That includes shoving a sword in their face until the deal goes through?" "The men always love to hear about how that negotiation went with those pegasus barbarians you went to negotiation with for map information and wound up recruiting them into our ranks. It's also the award ceremony after that we met for the first time." Rainbow recalls. "I like it we when dad talks about the bar fight during it." Scootaloo says laughing out loud. Lightning chuckles. "Yeah, those were the good days. But you know what's better?" He asks her. Rainbow smiles. "What?" Lightning smirks. "Being with you." "Alright good job guys you got the scene perfectly." Twilight says while Scootaloo seems a little grossed out. Rainbow huffs and sits back in her seat. "I still can't believe that you have to be my husband in this. I don't even know why Princess Celestia wants a husband and a foal, if possible, to play too." "Well they always were a part of the story if you read the book on it. They are mostly cut from the play to save time. But this year it seems she is going all out recounting the whole story. By the ways Scootaloo you did a great job." Lightning says. Scootaloo smiles and hops next to Rainbow. "Thanks, but I don't know to stomach the lovey dovey parts." "When that happens turn around and act like you're snickering." Lightning advises. "Yeah, the crowd will buy that and there are a few scenes in the play where you do that anyways." Twilight reassured. Scootaloo nods and leans against her sister. Rainbow wraps a hoof around her and holds her close. "Don't worry, because you will get it all. Just follow our lines and if can't remember, improvise." "Yeah everything will be fine." Lightning says before they could continue the rest of the cutie mark crusaders opened the door to their car. "Scootaloo Canterlot is coming into view." Applebloom says. Scootaloo jumps up and runs to the open window. When she pokes her head outside she sees the high valued Canterlot. "Wow." Oh yeah, she did become breathless at the sight. Lightning smiles as Applebloom and Sweetie Bell join her. Rainbow watches the three fillies as they become amazed at the sight of Canterlot. She looks over to Lightning to see him walking towards her. "You sure you're ready?" Rainbow asks him. "I'll be fine with the acting. It's the ponies in the crowd I'm worried about." Rainbow suddenly grabs his head and hugs it. "You'll be fine. I know it." Rainbow sweetly said to him. Lightning taps her side a bit. "Can you let go now?" Rainbow sheepishly smiles and let's go. "Sorry." Twilight sees this before leaving the car and goes where the other girls are practicing. "Alright girls, how are we doing?" Twilight announces as she enters the car. "We are doing fabulous darling and Applebloom and Sweetie Bell are doing great as well. How is Lightning, Rainbow and Scootaloo doing?" Rarity says. "They really got it down. Oh, by the way Rarity make sure you keep their measurements close by for wedding attire." Twilight says. Rarity giggles as she hears the gossip. "I just knew that Mr. Lightning Bolt would be would get together with somepony soon. Who can't resist the good looks like that?" "I'm surprised it was Rainbow Dash though." Applejack says. "Well they aren't actually together yet. They are both the same type of pony and sometimes have trouble putting their emotions to words." Twilight explains. Rarity suddenly gasp with surprise. "IDEAAA! What if we get them to reveal their feelings for each other in the play?" Twilight shakes her head. "That's as bad as when the crusaders match made Big Mac and Cheerilee." "They did what?" Fluttershy asks. Twilight looks confused at her. "You didn't see the housed moved with a giant hole dug in front of the Boutique?" "Ah no, I was tending to my animals and too busy to notice." Fluttershy says as the rest of the girls brought her up to speed. Fluttershy blushes. "So Big Mac would have been married if they didn't bother with them? That's horrible, especially with just seeing each other and nothing else." "So anyone else surprised the Lightning Bolt turned out to be the little brother of Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts?" Twilight asks. Rarity shot up to her. "He's the little brother of the captain of the Wonderbolts?!" And faint. "She didn't know?" Twilight asks. Fluttershy shuffles her hoof across the wooden boards of the train. "Well, she has been busy with some orders that she didn't come out, not even to our spa meeting." "Ah." Twilight says as Applejack revives Rarity. Applejack grabs a bucket of water and prepares to throw it. "This always work on her." She dumps the water on Rarity, making her wake up with a scream. "Ah, I'm wet. No, my mane, not my beautiful mane. I can't live without it!" She runs to the bathroom to dry herself off. A few minutes later she returns. "So what was this about Lightning and Spitfire being siblings?" Rarity asks. "Lightning is Spitfire's little brother." Twilight explains. "But I don't get it why would he not tell anyone or even let her know where he was?" Rarity asks. "That's a good question and only one pony knows the answer to that." Twilight says. They walk to the other car and sees Lightning trying to get Scootaloo back in from the outside. "Help me Rainbow or we're going to be foalless!" Rainbow rushes to him and helps pull her inside. After that they all sit down with Rainbow belittling Scootaloo. "...And don't you do that again." 'I think they are starting to take their roles a little too serious.' Twilight thinks. Twilight turns to everypony in the car. "Okay, we report to the same building as before. I will go and tell Celestia that we are here." After that everypony, except Twilight, heads to the theater. They arrive to find a few Ponies already there including Derpy who is waving at them. Lightning waves back as they all went to the dressing rooms were, but this time Lightning had his own dressing room because he's a stallion. He put on his own costume a black variation of the pegasus armor with a cloak underneath it. This was to set the strategist apart from the other soldiers so they wouldn't be mistakenly sent into direct combat. Lightning looks over himself. "This is very cool. Too bad it isn't better than my armor." He said to himself. 'So this is the armor of my ancestors funny it just feels like...' Lightning's thoughts were interrupted when Derpy opened the door. "Show is starting soon." She says and closes the door. 'I guess I better get going.' Lighting thinks putting his hood up and walking out of the dressing room. Walking into the backstage hall he sees the mares of the play come out of their dressing rooms. When he sees what Rainbow is wearing he becomes amazed. His jaw slightly drops and afterwards Scootaloo comes out wearing what looked like a light foal version of the pegasus armor. Lightning walks over slowly to Rainbow. "So where do we begin?" He asks nervously. "You and Scootaloo hang back until we get to the scene where commander hurricane goes home. Why don't you talk to some of the other actors until then?" Rainbow suggests before she clears her throat and walks towards the part of the stage where she will enter from. Lightning smiles and turns to Scootaloo. "So who do you want to talk to?" Waving his hoof to the multiple actors in the hall. "I'll go talk to my friends see ya." Scootaloo says before walking over. Lightning sigh and walks over to the other stallion actors playing the husbands. The actors turn to him as Lightning walks over. "So you're the Lightning we've been hearing about." One of the actors said. "Yeah. Who are you?" Lightning asks taking note the Earth pony wore a farmer's clothes while the unicorn wore the robes of a student of magic from Princess Platinum's time. "I'm Arcane." Said the stallion wearing the costume for Princess Platinum's husband. "I'm Apple Field." Said the one wearing the costume for Smart Cookie's husband. "And I'm Razor Wind." Lightning says seeing as they were getting into character. The stallions chuckles. "Yeah, we also know your real name. So don't try to hide it. Any case, I think your part will come up first, then ours in about a few minutes." Arcane said as he looks at the clock. "Got it." Lightning says waving over Scootaloo signaling it's almost time as he heard Spike start narrating. "Once upon a time, long before the peaceful rule of Celestia, and before ponies discovered our beautiful land of Equestria, ponies did not know harmony. It was a strange and dark time. A time when ponies were torn apart, by hatred." "During this frightful age, each of the three tribes, the Pegasi, the unicorns, and the Earth ponies, cared not for what befell the other tribes, but only for their own welfare. In those troubled times, as now, the Pegasi were the stewards of the weather. But, they demanded something in return. Food that could only be grown by the Earth ponies. The unicorns demanded the same, in return for magically bringing forth day and night. And so, mistrust between the tribes festered, until one fateful day, it came to a boil. And what prompted the ponies to clash? 'Twas a mysterious blizzard that overtook the land, and toppled the tribes' precarious peace." Spike narrates as actor reenact the events. "The normally industrious Earth ponies were unable to farm their land." Spike narrated as a plant withered in its hoof. "The Earth ponies were freezing." Spike narrated as a home was blown to pieces by the winds and the ponies inside shivered. "The home of the Pegasi fared no better. The Pegasi were hungry." Spike narrated as a pegasus tried to eat the fake fur on top its helmet. "And the unicorns were freezing and hungry." Spike narrated as a scene in a dining dictated this. "Even the unicorns' magic was powerless against the storm." Spiked continued as a door reinforced by magic was blown open. "Each tribe blamed the others for their suffering, and the angrier everypony grew, the worse the blizzard became." Spike narrated as the actors fought on stage over food. "And so it was decided that a grand summit would be held to figure out a way to cope with the blizzard." Spike narrated as the ponies were all headed for the same building. "Each tribe sent their leaders." Spike narrated. "Daughter of the unicorn king, Princess Platinum." Spike narrates as trumpet sounded and Princess Platinum enters. "Ruler of the Pegasi, Commander Hurricane." Spike narrates as trumpets blew and Commander Hurricane entered. "And finally leader of the Earth ponies, Chancellor Puddinghead." Kazoos were blown as Chancellor Puddinghead entered. "Perhaps the three tribes could finally settle their differences, and agree on a way to get through this disaster." Spike narrated as all three took off their headgear before starting to yell at each other. "All I wanna know is why the Earth ponies are hogging all the food!?" Commander Hurricane accuses. "Us?! We're not hogging all the food, you are! Oh wait." She then smiles. "You're right. It's us." She then goes back into her accusing self. "Well, it's only 'cause you mean old pegasus-us-uses are making it snow like crazy!" Chancellor Puddinghead accuses. "For the hundredth time, it's not us! We're not making it snow! It must be the unicorns! They're doing it with their freaky magic!" Commander Hurricane says redirecting the blame. Platinum gasps. "How dare you! Unlike you Pegasi ruffians, we unicorns would never stoop to such a thing! Humph!" Princess Platinum insults. "Well, if you non-earths aren't gonna stop using your weirdo powers to freeze us all, then I'm just plum out of ideas." Chancellor Puddinghead says. "What a shocker. An Earth pony with no ideas." Commander Hurricane insulted. "Commander Hurricane, please cease with the insults!" Princess Platinum pleaded. "You're not the boss of me, your royal snootiness!" Commander Hurricane insulted. "I beg your pardon?! I am a princess! I won't be spoken to that way!" Princess Platinum. "Well, I'm leaving first!" Commander Hurricane angrily says. All three leaders continue arguing as they leave through the door. The curtain fell then rises to show the pegasus's home "And the blizzard raged on. So the summit of the tribes did not turn out as well as hoped, and the three leaders returned home to lick their wounds, and basically complain." Spike narrates before the curtain rose revealing a pegasus stage. "Atten-tion!" Commander Hurricane yells, sending Private Pancy slipping down the snow covered stairs. "Well? Aren't you curious about how it went?" Hurricane angrily asks. "Oh! Commander Hurricane, sir! How did it go, sir?" Private pansy asks. "Horribly! Those other tribe leaders are so disrespectful! Don't they realize that we are a mighty tribe of warriors, and should not be crossed? We have got to break ranks with those weak foals! Now if you'll excuse me I have others to inform of this." Hurricane says before entering the keep. Hurricane walks past the barracks and into her living quarters. "Commander Hurricane, tired from her experience, goes to see her family." Spike narrates. "The meeting didn't work out?" A voice asks when she steps inside. Out of the shadows stepped Commander Hurricane's husband, the grand strategist of the pegasus tribe. "Strategist Razor Wind." Spike introduced as Razor Wind walked into the light. "Mother is home!" A voice yelled before running passed Razor Wind. Hurricane grabs the foal running at her and hugs her. "Hi sweetie. You were good for daddy?" Commander Hurricane asks. "Yeah, I was we played together all day and had a lot of fun." The little filly says. "The first born of Commander Hurricane and Strategist Razor Wind, Typhoon." Spike narrates. Hurricane looks to her husband. "To answer your question, the meeting didn't go well. Now we may have to find new land." She said as she still hugs Typhoon. "What happened?" Razor Wind asks. Commander Hurricane chuckled nervously and sets her daughter down. "Let's just say that no more meetings are going to happen between us all." She said as she walks to him. "What happened?" Razor Wind asks sternly. "I kinda lost my temper at the beginning and all three of us wound up arguing and it went nowhere. I really think I should have sent you. It might have gone somewhere if the always cool and collected strategist Razor Wind went." Commander Hurricane says. "That includes shoving a sword in their face until the deal goes through?" Razor Wind finished. "The stallions always love to hear about how that negotiation went with those pegasus barbarians you went to negotiation with for map information and wound up recruiting them into our ranks. It's also the award ceremony after that we met for the first time." Hurricane recalls. "I like it we when dad talks about the bar fight during it." Typhoon says laughing out loud. Razor laughs and looks to Hurricane. "But do you know what the best part is?" Hurricane looks to him as well. "What?" Razor walks closer. "Being with you." He finishes. The audience whistles and cheers at this, though a certain Wonderbolt captain felt her protective sibling instincts kick in, but she suppressed them. Typhoon see this, turns around and snickers. The curtain falls then rises to show the unicorn's home Princess Platinum walks in shivering. "Clover the Clever! I need you!" Princess Platinum yelled out. "Yes, your majesty. Did the other pony tribes see reason as I predicted?" Clover the Clever asks. "Those other tribes are impossible! I, for one, can no longer bear to be anywhere near those lowly creatures. The unicorns are noble, and majestic. We will no longer consort with the likes of them!" Princess Platinum says before walking through a door with Clover the Clever following. "I take it that the meeting didn't go well?" A young filly dressed in regal clothes walking to them asks. "The first born of Princess Platinum, Silver." Spike says. "Well kinda, yes, by the way Silver where is your father?" Platinum asks slightly worried. "He's doing another experiment." Silver answered. Platinum sighs dramatically. "Not again. If he continues then something will hap..." BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM "Don't worry, that was just on the table, nothing else!" A voice calls from behind a smoking door. Platinum sighs. "That's what I get for marrying the unicorn magician with an insatiable thirst for knowledge." Platinum says as the door opens and out comes a unicorn completely covered in dust "The husband of Princess Platinum and one of the heads of the castle mages Prince Arcane." Spike narrates. Arcane coughs a dust cloud. "That's what I get for mixing two spells that just amplifies an explosives spell." He coughs out another dust cloud. "Dad I think you should stop messing with the explosive spells." Silver says. Arcane smirks, but not before coughing out another dust cloud. "Where's the fun in that?" He remarks. The audience chuckles at this. "Dear..." Platinum started tapping her hoof. Arcane shakes himself off and tries to cough out the dust. "Yes...?" He asks uneasily. "What have I told you about blowing the castle up?" Platinum asks so calmly that it is scary. Arcane chuckles nervously. "Don't destroy all of our priceless goods by a simple experimental explosion." "And what did you do?" He hung his head. "Made a simple experimental explosion." He said miserably. "And?" Princess Platinum asks. He sighs. "Harmed some of our priceless goods." Platinum glares at him for a few minutes before sighing. "What am I gonna do with you." Platinum asks to herself. Arcane smiles like the village idiot. "Love me?" "Sometimes I think I'm too lenient with you." Platinum says facehoofing as Silver was laughing at the exchange between her parents. Platinum sighs once before turning to them all. "Well in any case, we have to find some new land. I fear that this one is lost." "Did we at least make any headway with the other tribes?" Silver asks. Platinum shakes her head. "I'm afraid not. They are really stubborn for their own good." "More like you're too stubborn for our own good." Silver muttered under her breathe. Platinum turns around and starts to head for her quarters. "Now then, let's pack up and head off." "What about Grandfather?" Silver asks. Platinum nods as she keeps walking. "Yes, the whole family is coming." "So only Grandfather Gold and Clover the Clever is coming along?" Silver asks. "That's right." Princess Platinum verified. Before they could continue a guard rushes in. "Princess Platinum I bring terrible news!" The guard yells. Platinum groans out loud. "Now what?! What could be worse than leaving the entire kingdom behind?!" She yells. "Your father King Gold the Kind has passed away." The Guard regrettably. Everypony in the room freezes. Then Silver turns to him. "What?" She said quietly, almost not believing it. "Your father King Gold the Kind has passed away from illness. I'm sorry your highness." The guard says. Arcane walks over to his wife and hugs her. Arcane nuzzles Platinum. "I'm sorry." "Father always did say he would never leave his home here." Platinum says with tears and nuzzles into her husband as Silver also started to cry. He hugs Silver as she nuzzles them. "We can always stay." The curtain falls then rises to show the earth ponies' home Chancellor Puddinghead comes down the chimney. "Wouldn't it have been easier to use the door, Chancellor?" Smart Cookie asks. "Maybe for you, Smart Cookie. But I am a chancellor. I was elected because I know how to think outside the box. Which means I can also think inside the chimney. Can you think inside a chimney?" Chancellor Puddinghead asks. The audience laughs at her logic. "Uh..." Smart cookie says a little dumbfounded. "I didn't think so." Chancellor Puddinghead says her face covered in soot. "Ugh." Smart Cookie groans. "Ohmygosh. Hold on to your hooves, I am just about to be brilliant!" Chancellor Puddinghead says very energetic. "That'd be a first." Smart cookie says under her breathe. "I have decided that the Earth ponies are gonna go it alone!" Chancellor Puddinghead says. "Aw, so you mean the other tribes didn't come around? Shoot... I really thought we could get through to 'em if we..." Smart Cookie began. "Don't worry about them. We're the ones with all the food, right?" Chancellor Puddinghead asks knowingly. "Actually, we're all out." Smart Cookie informs. "Fine, then we'll have to go somewhere new where we can grow some new food. And with me as our fearless leader, what could go wrong?" Chancellor Puddinghead says opening the door and getting hit with a mini avalanche of snow. "Where should I start?" Smart Cookie asks sarcastically as two earth ponies dug their way through the snow to enter the cabin. The stallion and filly both shook their bodies to get any excess snow off. "Husband of Smart Cookie, Apple Field and their firstborn, Apple Pie." Spike narrates. "I am super-duper excited! Aren't you excited Applefield? We get to go on a great journey to find new land! How about you Apple Pie?" Apple Pie raiser her hoof and opens her mouth, but before she can say anything, "Great! Let's pack up and start moving." Chancellor Puddinghead said pointing in the opposite direction of where they actually go and not allowing Apple Pie to speak. Smart Cookie looks to her leader, Pudding Head in exasperation. Then turns to her husband and daughter. "Yes, I deal with this every day." "No wonder ya'll so tired every day." Applefield says as Apple pie looks confused. "Wait, what's going on?" Apple Pie asks. "Chancellor Puddinghead says we are setting out to find a new land." Smart cookie answered. "Oh..." Apple Pie said as she heard that...then, "WAIT, WHAT!" "Don't question it just go with it." Smart Cookie says as Chancellor Puddinghead opens the front door and gets buried under snow again. Smart Cookie sighs and walks off to the storage closet. "I'll get the shovel." The curtain falls again and Spike comes out onto the stage. "We will now take a brief intermission. Please feel free to get up and stretch your legs." Spike says before retreating behind the curtain again. Backstage Lightning adjust his costume as the other stallions do the same. "I still can't believe that we're doing this." He remarked. "Cheer up Lightning, you're doing great so far." Rainbow says. Rainbow helps set the wing holes on his costume. "A few more scenes and we are done." "Yeah, besides ya'll are doing great. I took a peek during your scene and it was almost like you both weren't actin." Applejack says. They both chuckle nervously as they know what she is talking about. "Well, we practiced, that's good for us." Rainbow told her. "Sure, that's all it is." Applejack says before leaving with both Rainbow and Lightning blushing. "Are you excited guys?!" Both of the blushing ponies yelp as Pinkie appears behind them. "We get to do the real action scenes now." "Throwing snowballs?" Both asked now not blushing. Pinkie shakes her head like crazy. "No sillies. The traveling. I thought you knew that Rainbow?" "How is that an action scene?" Lightning asks confused. Pinkie snorts and giggles. "Because you are doing some action." She said smartly. Lightning just looks at her awkwardly. "So do you think I got that accent well enough?" The earth pony asks Applejack. Applejack nods. "Yep, ya got it down to the pitch and tone." "I feel as though I could do better." She pats his side. "Nah, ya're good enough." "Very well done." The unicorn actor says to Rarity and Sweetie Bell. Rarity tries to brush the little dust off of her costume. "Yes well, we must prepare for the next bit." "Certain in five minutes." Derpy says before going back to the props. "Who was it that gave Derpy the job of overseeing the play anyways?" Lightning asks. "Celestia, don't question it." Rainbow told him. "So like Pinkie?" Lightning asks. Rainbow stifles a laugh with her hoof. "Yeah." "Curtain in 2 minutes." Derpy calls. "I guess we're up." Lightning says. The curtain rises to show the pegasus traveling scene The curtain opens up and Razor Wind, Commander Hurricane, and Private Pancy are flying with Typhoon riding on Razor Wind's back. Razor Wind looks at the map. "The map shows that we're not much farther." "Are you sure?" Typhoon asks looking over his shoulder. "Stay alert private, you never know where are enemies are." Hurricane says. Razor nods as they kept flying. "Yes, just past the mountains ahead." "Ok. Hey daddy, look at mommy." Typhoon says as Razor Wind sees Hurricane fighting a cloud. Razor goes up to his wife. "Is everything okay, honey?" He asks carefully. Hurricane laughs nervously and Pancy is giggling at the scene. The heavy winds of the snow storm suddenly brings down a tree with a crash. "YIPE!" Pancy yells, making her jump into Hurricane's forelegs. Razor Wind's mouth turned into a grin and Typhoon was laughing at this scene. Hurricane huffs and let's go, sending Pancy falling before she caught herself with her wings. The curtain falls and then rises to show the unicorns Platinum hops around the snow to avoid it, but the snow has already melted and wetted her outfit. "Ah honey what are you doing?" Arcane asks. "Trying to avoid getting my outfit wet." She said as she hops around even higher, but it made things worse. "You do remember you know levitation spells right?" Arcane asks. Platinum stops and brings a hoof to her face. "Why didn't I realize that?" She asks herself. "Because you were so focused on the problem you couldn't see the solution." Silver says causing everypony to look at her surprised. "You are gonna have a sage like knowledge one day." Arcane says and Clover felt pride at the knowledge and wisdom her student possessed. Platinum blushed in embarrassment and levitates herself with the others following behind her. Clover just shakes her head. 'I've been doing that ever since we left.' That is true since she is at least the correct height off the ground just so that the naked eye can't see it. Arcane then pulls her along with a magic tether from his horn. The curtain falls and rises to show the earth ponies on a mountain path Pudding Head walks through the snow as she looks through a map that has two holes for her eyes. "We are almost there!" She yells out. Cookie and her family tries to follow as the snow feels like it's getting deeper. "She said that four hours ago." Apple Pie says back with her parents where Pudding Head couldn't hear them. Apple Pie stares at the map on her face. "Why does she have the map on her face anyway? She doesn't know where she is going if she can't see the map." "I'll speak to her." Smart Cookie says sighing afterwards. "Hey dad I have a question." Apple Pie told him. "What is it?" Apple Field looks at her daughter, wondering what question she could have lingering in her head. 'I just hope it isn't a stupid question.' He hoped. "If we are going to an undiscovered new land how do we have a map to there?" Apple Pie asks. Apple Field stops and then facehooves as a sound effect went off in the background. The crowd laughs from the obvious logic. The curtain falls. "And so, each leader encountered obstacles along the way, but eventually, they all arrived in a new and wondrous land. Nopony had ever seen paradise before." Spike narrates. The curtain rises again showing the pegasus on a cloud "This is the new land we've been searching for!" Commander Hurricane says. "What a view... I can see my future house from here." Private Pansy says. Hurricane is then given a flag by Razorwind and she plants it in the cloud. "I proclaim this new land to be... Pegasopolis!" Commander Hurricane proclaims. "I've never seen such jewels! This ruby is dazzling. This whole land is dazzling. I'm double dazzled! In the name of the unicorns, I hereby dub this land Unicornia!" Princess Platinum proclaims. "Shouldn't we check if there is any locals first?" Silver asks. "Just let your mother have her moment for now." Arcane says. The earth ponies are standing in a field as the other groups remained oblivious. "The air! The trees! The dirt. This dirt is the dirtiest dirt in the whole dirt world!" Chancellor Puddinghead says wallowing in the dirt. "And fertile, too. Perfect for growing food." Smart Cookie says as Applefield examines the ground. "In the name of the Earth ponies, I think I'm gonna call this new place... uh... Dirtville." Chancellor Puddinghead announced as she planted a flag pole in the ground. "How about Earth?" Smart Cookie asks. "Earth! Congratulations to me for thinking of it." Chancellor Puddinghead proclaims again. "We found our new home!" Commander Hurricane, Princess Platinum, and Chancellor Puddinghead yell all at once getting each other's attention. Upon seeing each other the three leaders start arguing much to the frustration of their families and friends. Cookie Cutter brings a hoof to her ears as they get louder. Clover just brings a book out with her magic and starts to read it. "Do you have an extra book to borrow?" Razor asks. Clover just gives him another book. "Thanks." And so they read. Not a minute later a snowball hits Razor wind in the face. Looking up he sees Puddinghead held down by the rest of the earth ponies and his wife and Platinum were about to start hitting each other with their hooves. "Please hold this while I try and stop this before it gets worse." Razor Wind says giving the book back. Razor quickly tackles Hurricane, leaving a confused Platinum behind. "Hurricane, we don't have time for this! While you two were auguring the storm has gotten worse and now we need to find shelter!" Razor never yells to his wife like that unless it was something important. Hurricane was cut off guard by this. Arcane also tries to restrain his wife but is having difficulty. "A little help here Clover." Arcane calls. Clover sighs and places the book back into her bags and starts to restrain Platinum. Meanwhile Hurricane tries to pick herself up, only to be push back down, this time with her wings pinned. "Promise me that you will at least be rational for this new land." That wasn't a request that was an order. "Alright." Hurricane begrudgingly says surprising the other leaders. Razor lets go and lets his wife stand up. "Now we have to find some shelter because the blizzard is getting worse." He looks around and sees a cave on the mountain side. "We can take shelter there." He told everypony as he pointed to the cave, soon all three tribes in in the caved huddled around a small fire. All of the families were huddled amongst themselves to keep warm due to the small fire. "Anypony have any more blankets?" Cookie asks trying to warm up her daughter. "Here use my cloak, as one it is part of the winter uniform, so it will keep you warm." Razor Wind says removing his armor and cloak. Hurricane grabs the cloak from him. "Are you crazy?! They're the enemy, not our friends!" She yelled to him. She then wraps the cloak around their little Typhoon. "Here you go. Keep that away from your father's stupidity." "Hurricane do we need to have another talk?" Razor Wind asks in a sweet but scary voice. Hurricane freezes as she hears the tone. "Well...I...uh...I uh..." She stutters. "Whoa, somepony who can make the great Commander Hurricane speechless." Platinum says mockingly. Hurricane immediately grows mad and glares at Platinum. "You won't be saying that with my hoof down your...!" She feels a jab to her side. Looking to the jab she see Razor looking at her with a glare of his own and pointing at Typhoon. She seemed a little scared by her mother's sudden outburst. Hurricane immediately calms down for the sake of her child. "I'm sorry honey. Mommy's having a rough day." She said as she hugs her daughter. Razor Wind wraps his cloak around the shivering Apple Pie. Hurricane moves Typhoon closer to the fire as Platinum does the same. "Please, Commander Hothead." Platinum says. "It's Commander Hurricane." Hurricane says annoyed. Platinum clears her throat. "Please, Commander, could you just stand back and give me my royal space?" Platinum asks with a little sarcasm. Hurricane huffs. "My little Typhoon needs her warmth to stay alive and she is definitely not sharing it with a has-been princess." "I beg your pardon. I am Royalty you two bit barbarian." Platinum insults. Hurricane's head shot up with an angry growl. "Two bits?! I can assure you that a lot of bits went into this armor to protect their leader!" She hits her armor to prove her point. "A hunk of metal for those who can't even act like a proper mare." Platinum says. Hurricane then points her hoof to her. "At least I act like a leader who isn't afraid of snow." "How dare you." She points at the dirt. "You see this invisible line it outlines my territory." Platinum says pointing her hoof at the ground. Hurricane smirks and steps over the line. Hurricane's smirk grew seeing Platinum get angrier. "Private, outline our territory." Hurricane ordered. Pancy just shakes with fear making her armor rattle. Hurricane sighs and draws her territory, into the others. The other rulers follow suit and start drawing lines. When Platinum and Hurricane line's crosses each other they growl. Pudding Head didn't know what was going on so she just followed the others example. Not a good idea for her as they were about to brawl. They then start arguing over a rock as the entrance freezes over. The leaders didn't notice, but their families and assistance did. They all huddled in one corner of the cave as the wall finally covers the entrance. Then a whiny is echoed throughout the cave as the leaders continue to argue. "HURRICANE!?" Razor Wind yells getting his wife's attention. Hurricane looks over to her husband and then sees the ice wall of the entrance. She tries to move, but couldn't. Hurricane looks down and sees her legs starting to freeze up. Pudding Head and Platinum were too engrossed to notice that they too were icing up. Hurricane looks over to her Razor pleadingly. "Help." Almost a whisper. Razor flew towards his wife but was hit by a blast of freezing wind that froze him and her as soon as he embraced her. "Mommy! Daddy!" Typhoon yells out. She tries to run to them, but was held back by the other children. "Don't Typhoon! You'll freeze too!" They both yell. "Let me go I got to save them!" Typhoon yells before being restrained by Private Pansy. Pancy hugs Typhoon tightly as to not let her go. "You won't do any good by being frozen like them." She said softly to her. "You need to let us handle this." "I don't think that's possible." Smart Cookie informed as Puddinghead and Platinum froze completely with their husbands as well, which happened without the notice of the rest of them. Pancy eeps and hugs Typhoon to the point of choking. "Okay, we can't help them." She said fearfully. The assistances gathered around the children as the ice grew closer until they heard a noise overhead. They all look up to see three blue spectral horses flying in a circle hovering overhead. They all shiver in fear, except for Clover who recognized what the spirits were. "They must be windigos! My mentor Star Swirl the Bearded taught me about them. They're winter spirits that feed off fighting and hatred. The more hate the spirit feels, the colder things become!" Clover says. "Then...this is our fault. We three tribes... we brought this blizzard to our home by fightin' and not trustin' each other. Now it's destroyin' this land, too." Smart Cookie says. "But what about my Father, he never hated any of the other tribes. He was the biggest supporter of peace and harmony between the three tribes." Typhoon says. Clover looks on sadly to the frozen ponies. "I heard of his methods. Maybe his way of talking actually made him seem as bad. It probably goes to anypony that acts with hatred." "And now our bodies will become as cold as our hearts...all because we were foolish enough to hate." Clover says. "Well, I don't hate you. I actually hate Commander Hurricane a lot more than I hate you guys." Pancy says. Typhoon looks at Pancy angrily before remembering what Clover said. She then calms down and just stares at her. "That's my mom you're talking about." Typhoon says with a huff. "Oh sorry." Pancy says. Typhoon sighs. "It's okay, I know how she acts to her soldiers." "Actually, I don't really hate her, I just really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really dislike her." Pancy says getting a chuckle out of everyone but Typhoon. Typhoon looks to her frozen parents again. "Yeah, but that's what she is and what will be..." She turns to look at everypony. "...and I'm proud to be their daughter." "You should be." Pancy says. "Well, I don't hate you guys either." Smart Cookie says with the others agreeing with her. "No matter what our differences, we're all ponies." Smart cookie finishes. As the ice is about to completely freeze them over Clover the Clever's horn unleashes a burst of magic blowing the windigos away. "What was that?" "I didn't know unicorns could do that." "I didn't either. Nothing like this has ever happened before. But I know it couldn't have been just me. It came from all three of us, joined together, in friendship." "All through the night, the three ponies kept the fire of friendship alive by telling stories to one another and by singing songs, which of course became the winter carols that we all still sing today. Eventually, the warmth of the fire and singing and laughing reached the leaders, and their bodies began to thaw. And, it even began to melt their hearts." Spike narrates and soon the ponies who were frozen start to thaw out. The children run to their parents to hug them and they soon joined the rest at the fire again. "The three leaders agreed to share the beautiful land, and live in harmony ever afterwards. And together, they named their new land. Though when Platinum and Hurricane started to fight their husbands quickly intervene." Spike narrates as the cast raises a flag of Equestria before the curtain falls again. The cast comes out from behind the certain and takes a bow as the audience cheers and gives a rousing applause to the actors. Spitfire smiles as her brother enjoys the attention. She looks to her side to see the rest of the officers of the Wonderbolts cheering. 'Maybe it's about time I ask him to return to the Wonderbolts.' Spitfire thinks as the curtain closes for the final time. Backstage "So you coming to the after play party?" Rainbow asks through the door as Lightning was changing out of his costume. Lightning places the costume back in the dresser. "Yeah, I might as well." He closes the dresser door. Lightning walks out wearing his usual clothes and he and Rainbow Dash walks along with the rest of the cast to the party. The party was held in the living room area of backstage, able to hold many ponies at once, the room was repurpose and now adorned with many party supplies and food and drinks. As the party went on, Spitfire walks in and goes over to Lightning and Rainbow. "Hey Lightning." Spitfire calls. Lightning's ears perked up and turned around to see his sister approaching. "Yeah, sis? What's up?" He asks. "I just wanted to say hi, oh, and I brought the rest of the officers of the Wonderbolts with me." Spitfire says as they all walked in. "Oh is that all?" Lightning says as Rainbow Dash was getting excited. "OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH!" Rainbow starts chanting. "Rainbow." Lightning says getting her focus off them on him getting her to stop. Rainbow starts to laugh nervously. "He...he...sorry." "I see all our practicing has allowed you to be able to snap out of that easily." Lightning says. Rainbow blushes hard and tries to turn away from sight, but still takes some peeks every now and then. Soarin walks by fast after spotting a pie. Lightning looks at him weirdly then turns to his sister. She just shakes her head as a way of saying 'Don't question.' "So still has the obsession with pie?" Lightning asks. Spitfire sighs and does a facehoof. "I told you not to question." "He had that before I left remember?" Lightning asks. Spitfire groans out loud. "I don't want to deal with anything that involves pie and Soarin. So just drop it." "Alright I won't bring up those incidents. So sister you look like you want to talk about something." Lightning says. "Yeah." She looks at the other ponies listening in on the conversation. "But I want to do this in private." She tips her head to one of the dressing rooms. Lightning looks at her questionably before turning to Rainbow. "You can stay here for a bit right?" Rainbow didn't move an inch. "Rainbow?" He pokes a hoof at her side, making her fall down like a wooden statue. Lightning sighs and grabs a glass of cold water and throws it onto her. "YOW! Cold!" Rainbow yelled as she shot up, soaking wet. "Now that you're awake Rainbow I'll go see what my sister wants." Lightning says walking passed her after Spitfire. Rainbow shakes the rest of the water off and looks over to the food table to find some snacks, but ended up with finding Soarin's face in a pie. Her eyes slowly drifted back to the dressing room door where Spitfire and Lightning went to talk privately. Her curiosity getting the better of her, she walks over to eavesdrop. "So sister what did you want to talk about?" Lightning asks. Spitfire sighs and sits on her flank. "Well...I'm just wondering if you want to rejoin the Wonderbolts." Lightning sighs. "I'm sorry sister I must decline." Lighting answered. "What?" Almost a whisper came from Spitfire. "I no longer think being a Wonderbolt is the life for me." Lightning says. "Why, you used to love it all the time." Spitfire spat out. "There is a saying sister. Time changes everypony. My time in Stalliongrad pushed me to the limit and change me so many ways and opened my eyes to so many things. I'm not the little foul that dreamed of being the greatest Wonderbolt." Lightning say. "But..." She tried to plead then sighed. "I guess you're right." "Sister look on the bright side. We are here now we can be a family again." Lightning says while smiling to ease her worries. Spitfire smiles as best she could. "But it won't be all day like a real family, but I guess everypony changes and grows up someday." "Yeah time waits for no pony." Lightning says. Spitfire then looks to the door. "By the way, did you proposed yet and whens the wedding?" Rainbow flinches back as she hears this and thinks that Spitfire can see her. All Lightning did was blush like a tomato. "Is it that obvious I like her?" Lightning asks. Spitfire smirks. "You're my brother. Do you really want that answer?" "Yes." Lightning says. Rainbow leans her ear against the door harder to hear correctly. Spitfire walks over to the door and opens it, sending Rainbow flat on her face. Rainbow looks up with an embarrassed smile and looks around. "This isn't the bathroom?" She asks dubiously. Lightning's face grew redder. "How much did you hear?" Lightning asks. Rainbow gets up and dust herself off. "Since the beginning." Not looking at both of them. Spitfire closes the door to not allow anypony else in. "So...ah...what are your feeling on the last part?" Lightning asks trying not to make eye contact. Rainbow feels a shove, making her hit Lightning. Lightning catches her and breaks the fall from ever happening. Now they can't help but look into each other's eyes. "So...ah...would you like to go out on a date sometime?" Lightning asks blushing hard. Rainbow blushes heavily. "Yeah...I would like that." Spitfire smiles and leaves them to their time alone having gotten all the answer she needs. Spitfire walks out with a smile and one of the Wonderbolt officers approached her. "So judging by that smile can we assume he is coming back to the Wonderbolts?" The Wonderbolt says delighted that Lighting is coming back. Spitfire walks by, keeping the smile on her face. "Nope." "Then why are you smiling?" The Wonderbolt asks confused. Spitfire turns to him. "None of your business that's for sure." "Mam, I am your assistant." The Wonderbolt reminded. She frowns at his persistence. "This is my business and so is Lightning's, so don't even bother going to him. You do and I'll make sure that you fly around the course until your wings cramp and you have find a way out of it before you end up on the ground below!" She threatens. The Wonderbolt cowards from her and hides behind his hooves. "Sorry sir, it won't happen again." He told her, scared out of his mind. She nods hard once. "Good." "Hey where's Dashie?" Pinkie Pie asks. Twilight looks around backstage and finds nothing. "I have no idea." She told the others. They see Spitfire walk by with a smile on her face. "Maybe Spitfire knows." Pinkie says bouncing towards Spitfire. Spitfire bumps into somepony that strangely makes a squeaking sound. "Hi there! Do you know where Dashie is?" Spitfire looks at her with eyebrow raised until she recognizes she was one of the actors. "I presume you mean Rainbow Dash?" Spitfire asks. Pinkie nods like crazy. "Yeah, where is Dashie? Is she hiding under your wing?" She said as she lifts Spitfire's wing. "Ah no, she is currently talking to my little brother. I say how they were developing feelings for one another and knowing my brother he most likely was having trouble telling his feeling so I gave them a little push." Spitfire says pulling her wing back. Pinkie looks confused. "How hard a push? Like a regular push or a super heard push like this?" She gives Spitfire so hard a push that she went flying back into the wall that made a hole in the wall. Spitfire climbs out the hole looking shocked. "Ok first how did you do that and second to answer your question. Basically I had him admit his feeling for her to me while she eavesdropped. Now that that awkward part is over maybe their relationship will proceed normally." Spitfire clarifies. "First question is me being my usual Pinkie Pie self. The second one is thanks." She hops off to who knows where. "She scares me." The actor who played Applefield said to Applejack. Applejack just shrugs. "Who doesn't she scare these days?" She said offhoofly. Pinkie Pie appears before her friends. "Oh who wants to eavesdrop on Dashie and Boltie?" Pinkie asks. Twilight looks apprehensive. "I don't know Pinkie. That's an invasion of Rainbow's privacy and Lightning's too." "Oh I wonder if they're kissing yet." Rarity says before squealing at the thought. Twilight turns to Rarity. "We can't spy on them." "Yes we can." Twilight turns back to Pinkie to see her dressed out in her spy outfit. "We got the gear." She said putting the night vision goggles on. "Pinkie." Twilight was about to scold her but Pinkie dragged her and the rest of the Mane six to the door to eavesdrop. While the cutie mark crusaders were left confused. "So Scootaloo what do you think of Lightning Bolt, is he cool to you?" Apple Bloom asks trying to change the subject. Scootaloo eyes lights up. "He is just as cool as Rainbow Dash. While we were rehearsing I started to think of him as a real father." She said admirably. "From the sounds of it he and Rainbow Dash are gonna get together. What are your thoughts on that Scoots?" Sweetie Belle asks. She stops being bug eyed and turns to them. "I don't know exactly." Was her only reply. With Rainbow and Lightning "So Rainbow what would you like to do?" Lightning asks while thinking he heard something at the door. Rainbow blushes and looks away. "How about a flight for now. I'm not the one for dinner and all that." She rubs her hoof across the ground to stave away the embarrassment. "Yeah we could do that." Lightning says before bringing his hoof up to his mouth to signal her to be quiet so he silently walks to the door. "So...where should we go?" He said trying to keep up the ruse. "Maybe to Cloudsdale but..." Lightning stops mid-sentence and opens the door as the rest of the Mane Six tumbles in looking sheepish. "...maybe they have a recommendation." Lightning finishes. Rainbow's astonished look turns to anger. "I thought that we agreed to never spy on each other for secrets after the Foal Free Press incident. Now I find you guys here doing the same thing." "It was Pinkie's idea!" Rarity immediately shouted. Rainbow walks to the mess of a spying group and moves everypony out of the way, leaving Pinkie huddled on the ground. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself?" Pinkie looks around quickly and sees the food table. She grabs a pie as Soarin dives in for it, only to bang his muzzle on the table. "Surprise Attack!" You can guess what happens next. "My cover has been blown!" Pinkie yells running away. "PINKIE! YOU GET YOUR FLANK BACK HERE, RIGHT NOW!" Rainbow yells out as she flies after her. Everyone has a good laugh at this although Lightning was trying to suppress his own laughter. Hour later on the streets of Canterlot Rainbow finally stops chasing Pinkie and is walking with Lightning to a hotel the actors were staying in because the train wasn't running anymore that night. Lightning gets some more of the pie that Pinkie hit Rainbow Dash with out of her Mane. Rainbow watches as he eats the pie of course. "Hey, can't let a good pie go to waste." Is the classic remark. "Thanks for walking with me to the hotel Lightning." Rainbow says ignoring the pie running down her face. Lightning warmly smiles. "Think nothing of it. Why don't you go on ahead? I have to take care of a few more things." "Ok, but could you bring some hot apple cider they are selling. I kinda left my bits at home." Rainbow says sheepishly. "Sure." He laughs a bit as she walks inside then he turns serious. He walks along and eventually into a furnace room. From there he uses his wings to get into the raptors where the shadows hide him perfectly. There he waited. Lightning hears a door open and then a clack on the rafters of where he's at behind him. "Perfect now I just need to find him and take him out." Lightning heard a voice on the nearby rafters say. "Oh and who is this somepony." Lightning says before moving to another rafter as he heard the pony jump on the rafter he was on. The pony started to get a shaky voice. "I don't have a name yet, but I know where he is." "So is this your first assassination job?" Lightning sarcastically asks throwing his voice using a trick he picked up hunting. The voice started to sound shaky. "Y-yes sir." "Pity. Because this is the memento of the last assassin." A piece of cloth falls to the ground. "I'll try to find the name sir." The newbie assassin says nervously. "Unfortunately you have three options: kill me, die by my hoof, or be killed by your superiors for failure." Lightning says. "Please sir!" The newbie assassin says scared. "So which option would you prefer?" Lightning asks. Silence follows. "You made your choice." Lightning takes out a small dagger. He walks over to the assassin. The new assassin didn't feel a thing as tears fell from his eyes and he dropped to the ground dead. Lightning Bolt just looked over the dead body and sigh. "I truly wished we lived in a world where this sort of thing was not necessary." Lightning says with sorrow. "Sir would you like me to take care of the body?" A new voice says. Lightning sighs. "Yes, just make sure that he's buried with his family present. He at least deserve that." "Sir it's not my place but you did him a mercy. You ended him quick and painless. If his employers had been the ones who did it they would have made an example out of him and his death would have been long and painful." The voice says. "You're right. But this does prove something." Lightning says. "And that is?" The voice asks. "Those creatures weren't there by natural means. Somepony deliberately put them there and this kid was not from Equestria meaning a foreign country. Which also means there is a traitor in this country and to make sure the creatures were never noticed while transporting them means it is someone with much money and influence. After you deliver the body I want you to start digging and find who was responsible." Lightning says. "Of course." The voice says. Lightning then left the building. Later he knocked on the door of the Mane six's hotel room. Rainbow opens the door to find Lighting. "Hey there. Where's my Apple Cider?" "Right here." Lightning say holding of a mug full of hot Apple Cider to Rainbow wearing an innocent smile. He feels his hoof empty after a moment after and finds Rainbow chugging the mug down. "You want to come in?" Rainbow asks after she finishes. Lightning nods his head. "Sure." Lightning says before walking into the room. Author's Note A/N: The next few chapters after this one is going to be slow. Probably by month instead of week. Reason is I have to get ready for college and that might get in the way of stuff. So not a lot of updating for a while when this is up. Once I'm in then the regular schedule can come back...or slow down by another week because...hey it's college. Writer / Original Idea: Flair the demon dragon king Writer / Editor: Primus And that's another chapter and the beginning of many delays. Sorry again but its best this way for a bit. So does the great Flair have anything to say to our readers? Flair: I just want to ask who saw the assassin attempt coming and can you guess what will happen next? Please place your answers in the reviews. Flair over and out. See you next time readers and remember to, Read and Review.
Life of the Party“Speaking” ‘Thoughts’ (Translation) The snow crunched under the hooves of the Ponyville residents as they boarded the train back to their home town. "Well this was fun." Lightning said as he steps on board. "I hope they don't call on me again." "Oh why not, you play the role of Razor Wind well?" Rainbow asks. Lightning scoffs. "I just don't do well in front of crowds. Especially when they watch your every move. It's unnerving." He shivers at the thought of it. "So Lightning, I heard you were a Stalliongrad hunter and that you were the one who saved Ponyville from the creatures Princess Celestia sent guards to help deal with." Scootaloo says. She suddenly feels herself pick up and placed on somepony's back. "Yep, but the job is never easy." "Can you tell me a story from those days on our way back to Ponyville?" Scootaloo asks while getting a grip on Lightning. Lightning chuckles lightly. "Sure kid." He said as he ruffles her mane. When the rest of the ponies from Ponyville heard this they all followed him to the car all wanting to hear the story. "Now which one would be a good story?" Lightning asks himself as he thinks it over. "Oh how about my first hunt of a Barroth." Lightning says. All of the ponies look confused at the name. "I guess none of you would know about that creature." Lightning says taking out a book. Looking closely Twilight recognizes it as the book that Lightning showed them the Chamleonsaurus with. Flipping through the pages Lightning finally showed them a picture of the creature. It looked sort of like a tyrannosaurus with a bolder growing from its head. Next to it was a scale showing how big it was compared to a normal pony. The scale showed it to be bigger than most houses. "You hunted that thing alone?!" Scootaloo yells. "Oh no Scootaloo, I was part of a team when in this hunt. I was a part of the assault part of the team. We had about eight members in this team. Two ranged attackers, a trap expert, a scout and tracker, and four assault hunters." Lightning clarified. "You see, the Stalliongrad hunters got a request from a village in Saddle Arabia to come and hunt a Barroth that had been destroying entire crop fields and attacked a few villages. I was selected for the hunt along with the seven other hunters. The one in charge was a level 4 hunter name Bangorn the Hammer. He was a veteran of the hunter and his great strength was well known in the guild." "We all boarded a train to Saddle Arabia. On the way there each Hunter did their own thing, one of the ranged hunters was doing maintenance on his equipment, and Bangorn was giving a briefing on our target. Most of the other hunters were listening because this was their big time hunting a colossal monster. While I sharpened my own weapon." Lightning says. "This wasn't the first time I tangled with a monster of this size. In fact it was the fifth. I had experience on two hunts similar to this. The other two I encountered them while hunting a pack of smallish monsters or going out to retrieve some supplies for a guild mate. Let’s just say both of those monster and I have a history." Lightning continued. "So you encounter something like this on a regular basis?" Twilight asks intrigued. "On some hunts, but those two, ever since our first encounter, we keep running into one another thirty seven encounters with both and neither of them have killed me or I killed them." Lightning says. Twilight's quill stops moving when she hears how much he encountered. "Those two are a dangerous breed. The first encounter I had with both was when they were juveniles now they are full grown." Lightning says. Twilight tries to write again as she listens. "Both are of a wyvern subspecies. As you know a Wyvern is considered a kin to dragons but lack most of the intelligence and are more like a wild animal than a dragon. Neither of them can fly though thankfully their specific subspecies of Wyverns adapted to be ground creatures. But they still are very dangerous." "But I'm getting off track, back to the story." Lightning trying to continue. "We arrived in the city in Saddle Arabia and I and the veteran Range hunter accompanied Bangorn to speak with the equivalent to a mayor and got all the details. While we did this the other five hunters were preparing their equipment. The next morning hours before the sun rose we set out to find the monster." Lightning says. "After many hours our scout/tracker spotted the monster and we put the plan into motion. We all started to dig a pit fall big enough to stop the Barroth. After an hour of digging we covered the pit up after our unicorn trap maker was done setting up an additional surprise for the Barroth. The range hunters and our trap maker took cover behind a boulder. Our scout/tracker pegasus took to the air to keep an eye on the Barroth. And I and the rest of the assault team set out to confront the Barroth." Lightning says. "We all walked until we came to the Barroth who was wallowing in a mud pit. Each one of us unsheathed our weapons and held them until we charged the unsuspecting Barroth." Lightning says. Rainbow 'hmmms' in thought. "How did you hold the weapons?" "Ah good question you see some geniuses developed magic gauntlets that allow us hold our weapons with our hooves while also making it to where we don't need walk on all fours." Lightning says. Twilight scribbles some notes. "Interesting." Lightning turns to Twilight. "Uh...she won't be stalker like to me, because this is getting kind of creepy?" He asks the others. "Don't worry about Twilight." Rainbow says. "Ok, anyways, we readied our weapons and charged the unsuspecting Barroth. The Barroth was caught off guard but quickly recovered and charged us. Throughout the fight we used the monster's size and clumsiness to our advantage as one of our team slipped underneath its stomach and started slicing at its stomach with his two blades." Lightning says. Twilight pauses in her writing. "How can you cut something that big and tough? It's like throwing a rock at a train and it still comes at you." "Ah, but like our gauntlets weapons and armor are also magically reinforced. It can differ from weapon to weapon even some bladed weapons are magically infused so their cutting power are multiplied several times, shields can have barrier magic that can also multiple the users strength multiple times over, and blunt weapons can have enchantments that can have them hit with the power of a train. But these enchantments can't be constantly used blunt weapons impact enchantments put a strain on the body and each enchantment only has a limited amount of power until it needs to recharge." Lightning clarifies. Rainbow counts on her hoof before she realizes that she doesn’t have appendages and gives up on understanding ever single word. "You lost me. But I kind of get the idea." "Ok so the hunter was slicing the bottom of its stomach which caused the Barroth to roar in pain. The Barroth then swung its body around, its tail hitting another of the team. Thankfully his shield took the worse but was now pinned under its tail. But Bangorn used his great hammer to hit the Barroth in the head, chipping the boulder like head, getting its attention and it raises its tail allowing me and the hunter who was attacking the Barroth's stomach to help retrieve our guild mate from the position he was stuck in." The train car suddenly bucks upward from a slight raise on the track. Everypony yips at the sudden bump and then settles as the train keeps going. That would give them the feeling of being in the story. "After that my two guild mates started to pull out and I went back and used my long sword to attack the back of the Barroth's legs causing it to fall over. This gave me and Bangorn the time needed to run as well. Shortly after we started running we heard the Barroth chasing after us." "We ran and ran until we got back to where the rest of our team was hiding with the Barroth right on our tails. At the final moment we made a made jump. When we landed we skid to a stop and the Barroth feel into the pit we had dug. He was buried up to his stomach and was being electrocuted by the trap our trap maker had set." "From there our range hunters shot multiple capsules into its face. The Barroth struggled for several more seconds before it collapsed onto the ground dead asleep." Lightning told. Twilight looks over to him. "Asleep? I would think that after what the creature went through that it would die." "Ah, you see what was shot into its face was tranquilizer smoke. With the wounds we inflicted plus the trap it didn't had the strength to continue to struggle and resist the gas." "Ah." Twilight goes back to writing. "After that we secured the Barroth for transport we used the train's mobile platform to take it back to Stalliongrad. And that was the tale of my first Barroth hunt. But the Hunter who got hit he was in the hospital for a fractured rib." Rainbow subconsciously rubs her chest from the thought of the injury. "That must have hurt the whole way home." "He was lucky he had that shield or we would have had to bury him there." Rainbow smiles lightly. "At least he survived." "Yeah and last I heard of him he was a level three hunter." Soon they all got confused. Scootaloo taps Lightning's head from his back. "What does the levels mean?" "Oh, it's the guilds ranking. New members are level zero and level six is the highest." Lightning answered. Scootaloo taps his head again. "How does a number help with this?" "It shows your abilities. The Barroth is considered a level three monster. So if you’re a level three you should be able to handle it." Lightning explained. "And you were?" Rainbow asks curtly. "That is a story for another day." Lightning says. Rainbow becomes slightly disappointed. The train came to a stop as it pulled into the station. Lightning steps out and smells the cool crisp air, telling him that Heart's Warming Eve is coming up. 'I should get Rainbow a gift but what?' Lightning thinks as Scootaloo rode on his back. He turns to Scootaloo to ask her. "What does Rainbow appreciates the most in her life?" "Besides Apple Cider, Zap Apple Jam, and the Wonderbolts, I have no idea." Scootaloo says. They both shut up as Rainbow comes out with the rest of the gang. "So Rainbow what are you gonna do with Lightning for Hearts Warming Eve?" Rarity asks. Rainbow blushes at the sound of it. "What do you mean?" She asks nervously. "Rainbow we all know you like him and Spitfire told us she gave your relationship a nudge." Rarity says. Rainbow huffs. "Yeah...a nudge." She said bitterly. Pinkie looks like she was contemplating it. "What kind of nudge I wonder." Pinkie...wondered. Pinkie turns to you. "Do you know?" The others look at her confusion. "What are you doing Pinkie? There is nopony there." Pinkie turns back to the others. "I'm just asking the readers, since they saw the whole thing." They turn to where Pinkie is looking and see nothing, but the snow covered town. Lightning inches up to Rainbow and whispers. "Is this normal?" Rainbow leans to him. "Almost every second of every day of her life." "Let’s move away very slowly." Lightning whispers as they started sneaking away. Pinkie kept staring at the town as the others left quietly. "So Rainbow do you want to go on a date at the Hearts Warming Eve party the town is holding or should we have our own private party?" Lightning asks. "When did this happen?" Scootaloo asks from Lightning's back. Lightning freezes as he forgot the filly on his back. Rainbow stared wide eyed at Scootaloo. Scootaloo becomes impatient. "What date?" "W-w-well...you see...I kinda asked Rainbow out on a date after the play." Lightning asked embarrassed. Scootaloo just stares. "You are going to kiss her, right?" "K...k...k...k...kiss?!" Lightning stutters uncontrollably. Rainbow suddenly grabs Scootaloo and places her on the ground. "Wellyoumustbetiredaftertheplay, soyoubestgohomebye!" She said rather quickly. Rainbow then grabs and drags Lightning through the sky away from Scootaloo. Scootaloo just smirked. "They so have it bad for one another." Scootaloo says with a smirk. As the two flyers went through the air, Pinkie still stared into thin air. "Come on readers, answer. What kind of nudge?" "What's that?" Pinkie says. "Oh, ok author." Pinkie says before bouncing away. Lightning and Rainbow flew through the air as fast as they could to get away from the frustrating and embarrassing questions. Rainbow flew the still flabbergasted Lightning to her home. Lightning turns to Rainbow. "I'm sure she was just joking." "Maybe but if you're my stallionfriend we might do it eventually." Rainbow says and Lightning's face burned red. "Rainboooooooooooow." Lightning whined. "I can't help it you set yourself up for it." Rainbow retorted. Lightning groans. "I give up." He sighs. "So what shall we do now?" Lightning says trying to change the subject. Rainbow stops in midair. "I don't know. How about a flight?" "But if we do then everypony will bombard us with questions because, knowing Pinkie, she'll tell everypony she meets." Lightning informed. Rainbow nods. "Yeah. That’s her almost every day." "So Rainbow what would you like for Hearts Warming Eve?" Lightning asks. Rainbow's wings locks up as her mind does too and she fell. Lightning rushes downward and catches her as she was about to fall onto the ground. Lightning sighs and sees that she's knocked out and decides to go home. Lightning propped her on the couch and left to pick up his pets from Lyra. Landing in front Lyra's and Bonbon's home he starts to hear animalistic sounds coming from inside and so he knocks on the door. "Hang on!" A female voice comes from inside followed by more animal sounds. "Get down now. I have to get the door." Lightning just stood there listening when Lyra opened the door. "Hey there." A dog jumped behind her as she just acted as if they weren't there. "Come to pick them up?" "Yeah, I'm here to pick up Ice Fang and Azure." Lightning says. Lyra nods and turns to the animals inside. "Ice Fang, Azure, Lightning is here!" A sudden blur crashes into Lightning, sending him off typing screen. "I guess I'll be going." He said off screen. "Ok, see you around Lightning." Lyra yells. Spike pops his head out the door next to her, with a helmet on and Tank flying into him. "Hope he can handle them better." Later Lightning is looking through a furniture store at a drink dispenser used for a bar. Azure was on his shoulder while Ice Fang sitting by his leg. Taking the box of the drink dispenser he brings it to the counter. "How much buddy?" He hears nothing as he reaches into his bags and gets the bits and sees the cashier looking at Ice Fang and Azure. "Yes they are foreign pets." Lightning tells him. The cashier shakes his head and looks at him again. "Sorry sir, we don't get much animals like that, but this is the town of weird and crazy." "So how much?" Lightning asks. The cashier takes a look at what he has. "Hundred and fifty bits." Is the simply answer. After paying for it Lightning heads straight home to conceal the gift. He then flies around looking for Pinkie knowing he is gonna need help to surprise Rainbow. "Hi Lightning!" Pinkie Pie says appearing behind him. Lightning jumps being surprised by Pinkie again. "Pinkie I need a favor." Lightning says after calming his heart. Pinkie smiled widely. "What favor?" "I need you and the rest of your friends to keep Rainbow Dash busy while I set up a little surprise. But don't tell Twilight the real reason cause we both know she can't keep a secret." Lightning says. Pinkie giggles and snorts at the accusation. "Yeah, I know how that feels." She then frowns and shakes her head side to side. "She failed to keep Spike's secret." "Yeah, but I need to talk Applejack before you get her, ok?" Lightning says. Pinkie nods once. "Okie dokie lokie." She then zoom off, leaving a dust cloud of herself. "One day I will figure out how Pinkie Pie does this." Lightning says before flying towards Apple Family farm. Yeah, good luck with that buddy. We tried for ages till we gave up. "Shut up, you shouldn't be talking to me like that." Sorry. Landing in the Apple Farm he sees the Apple family bucking trees, except for Granny Smith on her rocking chair, rocking back and forth...doing...nothing. Lightning walks towards Applejack. "Hey Applejack." Lightning announced. Applejack pauses in her apple bucking. "Hiya Lightning. You need something?" "Yeah two things, but right now I need to buy a few barrels of Apple Cider." Lightning says. Applejack wipes her forehead and waves a forehoof to the direction of the barn. "Come this way. Ya can pay later." "I have the bits now actually." Lightning says. Applejack smiles. "That’s mighty fine, but we have the check the barrels individually to see how much, because we mark it by type and amount of time since it was placed in there. It keeps it fair." She informed. "Ok." Lightning agrees. After walking a bit they end up at the cellar door near the barn. "Watch yourself, these stairs are a bit old in themselves." Applejack warns. "Gotcha." Lightning says before descending the stairs. The old wooden stairs creaks as the two ponies descend the stairs. Reaching the bottom they come across barrels lining the walls and a table in the center. There was about twenty barrels in all much to Lightning’s surprise. "Dang. This is a lot." Lightning exclaims. Applejack laughs a little. "The good ones are in the back." She said as she points to the dark back wall. Lightning waits as Apple Jack goes through the process of determining the best barrels of Apple Cider and brings them forward. Applejack heaves a small barrel of cider from the back end of the room onto her back. "This is the best one we got in a small 'party size' as Applebloom likes to call it." She lays the barrel near the table. "Only fifty bits for this thing or do you want the large version for a hundred?" "I'll just take three small ones." Lightning says. "Sure thing." She starts for two more. "Just one question, why are you buying these?" She asks, trying to start a conversation. "Well you see it's for a present for Rainbow Dash." Lightning says. Applejack smiled sweetly. "Ah, I see. Don't ya worry, I'll keep my mouth shut." She exemplifies this by zipping her hoof across her mouth. "I got to say, her knowing my feelings for her really is a weight off my chest." Lightning says. Applejack hauls the last barrel near the table. "As it should be." She then drops the barrel near the others and leans into him menacingly. "If anything happens to her that hurts her in anyway, so help me..." She threatened as she pushes a hoof on his chest. "Don't worry I have no plans of doing that. You know it's quite nice here in Ponyville. It's so peaceful and relaxing I think I could spend the rest of my life here. Don't get me wrong I love Stalliongrad but the place has always pushed you to the limit." Lightning says. Applejack turns back to her normal facial expression. "Good." She holds out her hoof. "Bits please." Lightning left a small bag of bits as he and Applejack carried the barrels up to the surface. Applejack sets the last barrel down and goes back down for the bag. Coming out she looks into the bag to find a large amount then needed. "The price is one hundred fifty bits, not this much!" She went back up the stairs only to find Lightning had already flown away with the barrels and Applebloom waiting for her. "We sold party size didn't we?" She asks. "Yeah, but he overpaid." Applejack says. "Huh, maybe that’s why Lightning said buy ourselves something nice this year." Apple Bloom says thinking about what Lightning told her. Applejack was speechless at this. Pinkie Pie then showed up with a few of her other friends. "Hi Applejack!" Pinkie yells at her, making her snap out of it. "Oh, howdy Pinkie, Rarity, Twilight?" Applejack sounding confused half way through. Rarity and Twilight shakes their head. "We're confused ourselves." Twilight said. "Well I thought we could all have a bit of fun together. Fluttershy is already getting Rainbow." Pinkie told them. Now they are all confused. "What is this whole thing about Pinkie?" Rarity asks. "I wanted us to have some fun maybe plan a party as well." Pinkie says. "That doesn't sound half bad." Applejack says. Twilight and Rarity nods as well. "Okay then." 'Typical Pinkie.' They both think. Fluttershy and Rainbow soon arrived and soon all six traveled into Ponyville for some fun. A few hours later Rainbow arrives back home the sun already setting. She humms as she looks around. "I wonder where Lightning is." She asks herself. She walks in and finds the lights off. "That’s weird I remember leaving the lights on." Rainbow says to herself. Rainbow flips the light switch near the door and finds, to her surprise, Ice Fang was right in front of her. Rainbow looks confused. "Hey Ice Fang. Do you know where Lightning is?" Ice fang points to the kitchen with his nose. Rainbow smiles and ruffles his head. "Thanks boy." Rainbow looking inside sees Lightning with a few tools finishing installing a drink dispenser. "Hey Lightning." Rainbow calls out causing Lightning to shoot straight up hitting his head. Lightning turns around holding his head looking sheepish. "Ah, ha, ha, Rainbow I didn't think you would be back yet." Lightning said rather nervously. Rainbow smirks. "Maybe you shouldn't have Ice Fang be the guard dog." Ice Fang's sneezes loudly, freezing a few clouds in front of him. He blinks and tries to get rid of the ice frantically. "Yeah." Lightning laughs nervously. Rainbow looks to the new item he brought. "What is this thing?" "A drink dispenser." Lightning says. Question marks appear in Rainbow's mind. "What...?" "A drink dispenser. I knew you loved apple Cider so I kinda bought you a drink dispenser so you can have Apple Cider whenever you want." Lightning says as Rainbow faints when he finished. "Rainbow if you wake up you get to have Apple Cider." Lightning says eliciting no response from the cyan pegasus. Lightning sighs as he lifts her up and take her to her bed and covers her up while he went back to the living room. Lightning shuts off the drinking lines and packs up everything. After all the tools are packed he sat on the couch and let his pet join him. Ice Fang jumps onto his lap as Azure glides over to his side. "Guess we can't have a date or anything, right guys?" They both look at him with sympathy. Lightning soon fell asleep after almost an hour of petting his pets and thinking. In the morning Rainbow walks into the living room to find Lightning asleep on the couch. Ice Fang and Azure's head shot up at the sound of somepony coming in. They turn their heads behind them to see Rainbow coming down the stairs. She spots Lightning asleep on the couch and walk over to him. Lightly touching him she pushes him slightly. "Hey Lightning, wake up." She said softly. Lightning begins to stir and slowly opens his eyes. Rubbing them he slowly sat up. "Rainbow?" Lightning asks Rainbow smile and puts her hoof on his shoulder and helps him up. "So what happened?" Lightning asked groggily. She laughs softly as it was still early in the morning. "You were asleep, that's what happened." "Oh buck, I didn't mean to fall asleep." Lightning says. She waved a hoof in offhoofedly. "It's no biggie. What were you going to show me before all this?" "The drink dispenser that I filled with Apple Cider from Sweet Apple Acres." Lightning says. Rainbow starts to whirl around ready for a faint, but not before Lightning catches her in mid fall. "Come on Rainbow not again." Lightning said warningly. She chuckles a bit. "Sorry. Let's go enjoy some. I've always wanted Apple Cider whenever I wanted." She commented. "I thought so that's why I got it for you as a present for Heart's Warming Eve." Lightning says as they walked into the kitchen. Rainbow hugs him suddenly and runs over to the dispenser with a mug in hoof. "Where's the on button?" "Just put the mug under the dispenser." Lightning says and Rainbow does it that makes the mug filled with fresh Apple Cider. "Whoo hoo!" Rainbow then chugs the whole mug down and refills for another. "Rainbow the amount is limited." Lightning informs. Rainbow looks sad at that point, but perks up that she has some Cider and so she finishes the almost filled mug. She then looks to her savior from cider heaven. "Thanks Lightning." "No problem at all." Lightning says. "Oh by the way Pinkie and the rest of us are gonna have a Hearts Warming Eve party." Rainbow says. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Really, I guess I should expect that from the party pony." "Yeah so...um...want to be my date?" Rainbow asks nervously. Lightning slides a mug of Apple Cider to her like a bartender. "Sure." "Great it's a date then." Rainbow says taking the mug and chugging it down. Lightning smiles. "Great, let's go get ready." "Let me just do a few flybys and I'll be ready." He nods. "Okay, make sure that you're there before it starts." "What do you mean you're walking in the door with me?" Rainbow says. He chuckles deeply. "Yet, I'll be waiting by the door for you. I only have little stuff to do." "Like inviting your sister?" Rainbow asks with smirk. He just smiles curtly. "Something like that, just don't go fan mare on them." "I make no promises, but I will try." Rainbow says. "Then you better get going and finish your jobs around Ponyville. Party will start soon." Lightning says. "You kidding I'll clear the sky in no time." Rainbow says. Lightning turns around. "Yeah, yeah. I bet I can finish my end before you." "You’re on." Rainbow says taking up the challenge. She then flies off, leaving Lightning behind in the kitchen. He just stands there when the doorbell sounded. "And there's my only job." Lightning says opening the door. "Hey Spitfire." Lightning says. "Hey bro." Spitfire says. "You know we got the party down in Ponyville, so can you bring the others and yourself. Rainbow would love it." Lightning says. "Yeah I can do that. So have you gotten into her bed yet?" Spitfire teased. "SPITFIRE, I don't do that!" Lightning yells. Spitfire laughs loudly as she teased him like old times. "I still remember that you would try to get every mare that came to you when you were a Wonderbolt. That was trouble, but fun for us." "I was a stupid foal back then, now I'm a wiser stallion." Lightning retorted. Spitfire nods teasingly. "Yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that. Those urges will come back." "That won't come back sister. Stalliongrad changed me." Lightning says. She sighs as she hears this. "I know, I just wish that things can go back to the way they were. We were a pretty good family then." "Maybe. But time waits for no pony." Lightning says his hoof caressing her face. "By the way when are you gonna get married?" Lightning teased Spitfire. She blushes hard. "Private and its best you stay out of it." Spitfire rebutted. "Oh look whose blushing now big sister." Lightning teased. Spitfire lashes at his outstretched hoof. "Don't turn the tables on me!" She yelled. Lightning laughs. "Come on, let's get going." Spitfire says. "Ok sister." Lightning says as they went out. Spitfire and Lightning flies around for a bit. Much to Spitfire's surprise Lightning kept up with her quite well even when she was going fast. "How did you get so fast?" Spitfire asks. "I've been away for almost two decades sister you think I would always stay the same speed?" Lightning asks. "I guess not." Looking ahead of them, she can see the landing spot. They fly through a few clouds until they come to a cliff or as they know it the Wonderbolts' real base, not the garrison in Canterlot or even Cloudsdale everypony thinks is their base. Lightning looks outside again and reminisces on the old days. "Feels like the old days." I just said that. "Yeah it does I think you're the only non wonderbolt besides the princesses that know the true base of the Wonderbolt." Spitfire says. Lightning shoves a hoof in her direction. "Hey, ex-Wonderbolt, ex-." He reminded. "Still not a Wonderbolt though." Spitfire teased. Now Lightning smirks. "Yet, I know the way around and some codes and that." "Yeah that’s why you're allowed here, now could you hang out in my office while I get a few of the members together." Spitfire says as she opened the door for Lightning. He nods and walks in. "I hope you still have that ball that you use to bounce on your nose from back then." "Stress relief." Spitfire corrected. Lightning chuckles. "I call it play time." Spitfire slams the door behind her. Lightning still chuckles. "Still the same sis I know and love." Spitfire shakes her head with a smile at that and walks down the halls to the barracks. Walking in the locker room, she finds the others packing up their suits from today's training. Spitfire whistles getting their attention. They all snap to attention and stand in front of her in a straight line. "Sir!" They yelled at the same time. "At ease guys, we are going to a party tonight and no, not one of those Canterlot parties." Spitfire says. They all suddenly cheer out. "Finally I can let loose!" Soarin cheers. "I can drink to my heart's content!" Fleetfoot yells. "And I don't have to shake hooves every single second!" Rapidfire finished. "So casual wear everypony. Well that’s all, if anypony needs me I'll be with my little brother." Spitfire says, turning to leave. "Oh, Lightning is here?" Fleetfoot asks almost excitedly. Spitfire nods at her. "Yeah, he's here, just don't try to make him come back." "I wasn't thinking that. I was at the play and saw how he changed. I want to see if he has a marefriend yet." Fleetfoot says with a smirk. Spitfire looks up in thought. "I think that he's about to make it official or have already got her." Spitfire says out loud. "Then maybe I can still get him." Fleetfoot says with that same sly smirk. Spitfire shakes her head. "Doubt it. He may already have her." "Fleetfoot please we're together." Rapidfire says with a facehoof. Fleetfoot giggles from embarrassment. "Oops, my bad. Sometimes I just forget." Rapidfire sighs as most of the Wonderbolts sweat drop on the back of their heads. "Let's just get ready. We're going to have a lot of fun tonight." Spitfire told them. With that said Spitfire leaves and goes back to her office. There she finds Lightning sitting in her seat behind the desk, bouncing a ball on his nose. "Hey sis." Lightning said not breaking his concentration. "Hey Commander I..." Spitfire's assistant stops, seeing Lightning sitting at the desk. "Pardon me, I must have the wrong room." The assistant says. "Over here." Spitfire calls out. "Oh commander." He looks to Lightning then back at her. "When did somepony take your position?" The assistant asks. Laughter suddenly erupts from room as Lightning doubles over. "Just about now." He said busting a gut. "That, my assistant, is my little brother." Spitfire says. "Now that you mention it I remember reading a report about you meeting your brother again. Oh that reminds me commander you need to sign these fifty reports." The assistant says dropping the paper onto the desk with a crash, few pieces of paper flying and floating off the top. Lightning looks at the stack and whistles. "Dang sis, you do this every hour?" "Not anymore I hereby transfer commandership of the Wonderbolts to you." Spitfire says. "Oh no you don't, I have to be a member of the Wonderbolts first and I'm not a member anymore." Lightning countered. "Then I hereby welcome you back into the Wonderbolts." Spitfire retorted. "Oh no you don't, I have to accept being back in the Wonderbolts and I declined." Lightning retorted. "You know what,” Spitfire takes the stack and gives it back to the assistant. "You deal with it. Finish early and you can go the party. Come on, little bro." Lightning jumps down after placing the ball back into a drawer and walks out the door with Spitfire following. The assistant just blinks from the recent conversation. "What just happened?" He said to nopony in particular. Both siblings hoof bump with a smirk on their faces. "We still got it." Lightning says. "Yeah we do. Now let's get out of here before he figures it out." She said. "Hey wait a minute!" The assistant yells and Lightning and Spitfire start running and later flying away. They both laugh as they caught up with the other Wonderbolts on their flight path. "That was awesome! Just the look on his face was priceless!" Lightning laughs out. "Ah, Lightning, good have you back." Soarin says. "What?" Lightning turns to him confused. "I'm not back on the team if that's what you're saying. I'm just here like a visit." He corrected. "I meant just having you back." Soarin says. "Ah." Lightning says. "So you are going to the party?" Fire Streak asks. Lightning nods. "Yep, and this will be fun. I heard that Pinkie will get some alcoholic drinks for big ponies and there may be a pie as well." Lightning says with a smirk before outstretching his wing which acted like air brakes and every Wonderbolt, but Soarin eyes widen. "RACE YOU THERE!" Soarin yells as he speeds off. Everypony but Lightning was spinning from it. Lightning then speeds up again and tries to catch up to him, leaving the others behind with dizziness. Lightning is waiting at the door as the rest of the Wonderbolts arrived. Spitfire looks around and doesn't see Soarin. Then looks to Lightning. "Where is he?" "Inside." Lightning said simply. "This pie is delicious!" They heard Soarin yell from inside. Everypony shake their heads at his behavior. "Typical Soarin. Doesn't he ever calm down?" Fleetfoot asks. Everypony looks at her with an eyebrow raised. "Seriously?" Everypony said. "This is Soarin." "He he." Fleetfoot chuckles embarrassed Rapidfire sighs and facehoof. "What am I going to do with you Fleetfoot?" "Love me?" Fleetfoot says sweetly, quoting the play. Rapidfire sighs and waves her over. "Let's just go in." Lightning watches as they all go inside. "You guys go on ahead. I'm waiting for somepony." Lightning says. "Ok." Spitfire says as they enter leaving Lightning alone. Lightning waits by the door as everypony inside enjoys the start of it. Soon a cyan pegasus comes flying in, heading for him. She stop in front of him. "Hey Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow looks at the party behind him. "Looks like you beat me. Fair is fair." "Shall we Rainbow?" Lightning asks. "Yeah." They both go inside to find the party in full swing. DJ Pon-3 was the DJ and was being helped by a pegasus as most of the party guests are on the dance floor and Soarin was eating a pie. Lightning narrows his eyes at the stallion helping Vinyl. He then turns to Rainbow. "What do you want to do?" "I don't really care right now." Rainbow says catching Lightning narrowing his eyes at the stallion helping Vinyl Scratch. "Why are you looking at him like that?" Rainbow asks him. "I know him from somewhere." Lightning said out loud and thinking. "You know where?" Rainbow asks. "How did you know that’s what I'm thinking about?” Lightning asks. Rainbow shrugs. "It's what most ponies think when they narrow their eyes like that at somepony. I have seen it in Daring Do books too." "Ah that's it. He's a former member of the Stalliongrad hunters, a level three." Lightning said as the memory came back. Rainbow takes a closer look at the stallion. "I don't know what to look for. For now let's just enjoy the party and you can speak to him later." Rainbow says. "Yeah, you’re right Rainbow, let’s just have fun." Lightning agreeing with her. They both step out onto the dance floor for some crazy dancing, as the dancing song everypony wants is on its way. They dance for a while until both Lightning and Rainbow walk to the table to get some refreshments. Grabbing a cup of punch they are surprised by Pinkie's head popping of the bowl. "Hey guys! Enjoying the party?" They set the punch back down and look at her. "Pinkie why are you in the punch?" Lightning asks. Pinkie holds out another cup of punch that came from inside. "To give punch." "But you're in the punch itself." Lightning says. Pinkie still has the goofy smile on her face. "Exactly." Rainbow leans over to Lightning. "Just roll with it." She whispered. "I think we shouldn't drink the punch." Lightning whispers back taking the punch. Rainbow nods and places hers back with him. Pinkie stayed still as they back away slowly. She looked confused but shrugged it off and started dancing in the punch bowl. Lightning looks to Rainbow after they got far enough away and dumps their cups into plants that are nearby, thereby making them wilt instantly. "That is the weirdest pony I have met and I have met a lot." Lightning says before adopting a thoughtful look and looking at his cup. “This reminds me of the parties the Stalliongrad hunters used to throw, with heavy drinks that can kill a plant in an instant." Lightning says soberly. Rainbow smirks. "Nopony can throw a party like Pinkie so I doubt that there is any party in the world like that." "Oh you have never been to a hunter's party. Pinkie's good but they've had 200 years of practice and there aren't just ponies but griffins as well." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs. "You obviously don't know Pinkie that well." She then takes out a bag of bits from nowhere. "Hundred bits." "Ok you're on. I'll get a few hunters to come here one day and we'll show you how we party." Lightning says. Rainbow places the bits back somewhere. "Then I'll need Pinkie for a bit." As if on cue, Pinkie pops up right beside her. "You called Dashie?" Pinkie asks. Rainbow nods. "You need to throw a party that will beat Lightning's hunters’ parties. Think you can do it?" Pinkie looks thoughtful. "Any rules?" Rainbow looks to Lightning. "No extensive property damages that isn't in the party area." Lightning lays out. Pinkie zooms off to her room to plan the party, but not before yelling out. "No problem!" Rainbow smirks as the pegasus from earlier walk towards to the refreshments. She nudges Lightning, grabbing his attention and nudging him over. "Now's your chance." "I wouldn't recommend the punch friend." Lightning says getting pegasus' attention. The stallion raises a knowing eyebrow. "Why is that?" The stallion places the cup down and looks to his old friend. “Cause a pink pony was literally in it earlier.” Lightning says causing the pegasus to scoot away from the punch. “Как ты мой друг?" The pegasus asks. (How are you my friend?) "Не плохо, как насчет вас, я вижу, вы в дружеских отношениях с ди-джеем?” The Lightning answers. (Not bad, how about you, I see you're friendly with the DJ?) The stallion looks over to Vinyl. "Да, я искал работу, и в итоге оказался содействии DJ Pon3, самый большой DJ вокруг." He said wistfully. (Yeah, I was looking for a job and ended up as the assistance of DJ PON3, the biggest DJ around.) "Своего рода шаг вниз от всех опасностей охоту." Lightning Bolt saying noticing the confused looks on the other ponies faces from them speaking a different language. (Kinda a step down from all the danger of hunting.) The stallion looks around too. "Позволяет получить за кулисами, мы привлекая внимания." (Let’s get backstage, we're attracting attention.) "Na kakoy stadii?" Lightning asks seeing only a room. (What stage?) The stallion scoffs. "Как вы думаете, виниловые играет?" He asks rhetorically. (Where do you think Vinyl is playing?) "Vot zdes'." Lightning says pointing with his hoof. The stallion raises an eyebrow. (Right there.) "What?" Lightning asks. "Backstage..." The stallion draws out. Lightning then follows the pegasus with a confused look. They end up behind the curtains close to Vinyl's DJ station. Thankfully she can't hear anything they might say. "Вы уверены, что она не слышит нас?" Lightning asks. (You sure she can't hear us?) The stallion looks to Vinyl. "Она носит наушники на голову, чтобы получить музыку прямо и подпрыгивая голову сейчас. Что вы думаете?" (She wears headphones on her head to get the music right and is bobbing her head now. What do you think?) "Хорошо, дайте мне ваш отчет." Lightning says his attitude changed to serious. (Ok, give me your report.) "Да, я разыскал его к благородному имени Лорд курганы. Он очень богат, жир, и жадные жеребца. Я также узнал, что он был обмен письмами с дворянами власть империи. Он не лучший в заметает следы, но недавно кто-то был помогать ему в этом." The stallion says. (Yes, I tracked it to a noble named Lord Barrows. He is a very rich, fat, and greedy stallion. I also found out he has been exchanging letters with the dominion empire's nobles. He is not the best at covering his tracks but recently someone has been helping him with that.) "Что-нибудь еще?" Lightning asks looking thoughtful. (Anything else?) "Я получил взгляд на его последнем письме он упоминает других существ. Но не было конкретным." The pegasus says. (I got a look at his recent letter it mentions other creatures. But was not specific.) Lightning nods. "Достаточно хорошо. У вас действительно есть письмо не так ли?" (Good enough. You do have the letter right?) "К сожалению, нет, но я сделал его копию." The pegasus says. (Unfortunately no, but I made a copy of it.) Lightning smiles. "Я бы подумал, что вы перешли бы его любовное письмо и взят реальный. Это хороший трюк." He smiles back on the memories. (I would have thought that you would have switched it with a love letter and taken the real one. That's a good trick.) "Я бы попробовал, но у меня была причина бежать из охранников приближается и если бы я убил его у них есть мой получили подозрительные и как вы знаете, мы не можем позволить себе, что в этой точке." The pegasus says causing Lightning to nod. (I would have tried but I had to escape cause of the guards coming close and if I had killed him they have my have gotten suspicious and as you know we can't afford that at this point.) Lightning sighs as he held out his hoof. "Ну, дайте ему." (Well, give it.) "У меня нет его со мной. Это было слишком опасно, и я оставил его с моим оборудованием в укрытие. Но я открою вам следующее утро сэр." The pegasus says. (I don't have it with me. It was too dangerous so I left it with my equipment in a hiding spot. But I'll get it to you by the next morning sir.) Lightning places his hoof down slowly. "В этом есть смысл. Что-нибудь еще?" (Makes sense. Anything else?) "Я боюсь, что мы, возможно, придется ссориться с Пустоты Ворота убийц прежде, чем мы закончим." The pegasus informed. (I fear we may have to tangle with The Nether Gate assassins before we're done.) Lightning facial features grow sharp and scans the crowd for anything. "Где и когда?" (Where and when?) "Я не воевал любое еще, но я заметил Дольф говорил с Господом курганы." The stallion says. (I haven't fought any yet, but I spotted Dolph talking to Lord Barrows.) Lightning eyes widen and turns back to him. "Нам нужно, чтобы получить их как можно быстрее." Lightning says seriously. (We need to get them as fast as possible.) "Я согласен сэр, но позволяет останавливаться на дату и сестры выглядят, как они беспокоились." The pegasus said with a smirk. (I agree sir, but let’s stop here, your date and sister look like they're getting impatient.) "Согласованные Николай." Lightning says his face changing to a less serious one. (Agreed Nikolai.) They both walk back and find Rainbow and Spitfire getting impatient and looking around. They spot the stallions walking towards them. "And then she says ‘Pinkie could throw a better party than the Stalliongrad hunters.’" Lightning said as a way of covering up their information. Nikolai chuckles. "Yeah right." They both shared a good laugh. Then Rainbow narrows her eyes. "Oh she so can." She says getting the two stallions attention. Lightning smirks. "The bet is still on, wait for it." "Oh this I want to see." Nikolai says with a smirk. Spitfire walks up to the stallions. "So you're a friend of my little brother, huh?" She asks. Nikolai nods. "Yes, a pleasure to meet the sister of Lightning." She stares at him for several seconds. "A pleasure indeed." Spitfire says turning back to her little brother. "Who is he?" She said dryly. "A former member of the Stalliongrad hunters like myself." Lightning says. "Uh...uh." She turns back to Nikolai. "You've been watching him right?" "No, this is the first time I've seen him in this country." Nikolai lies very believably. Spitfire turns back to Lightning. "I'm convinced." "So you two having a good time?" Lightning asks. They both nod their heads as they look around. "Yeah, this is a pretty good party." Spitfire said. "Meet a stallion yet? If not Nikolai is on the market." Lightning teased. Spitfire cheeks became red as her mane, while Nikolai had a little blush. "Shut up." Spitfire growls to her brother. Lightning chuckles followed by Rainbow. "Now who's teasing sis?" Lightning taunted. Spitfire grumbles and turns away. Lightning and Rainbow start to calm down as a slow song start to play and the lights dim down. They both look at each other as the couples start to head to the dance floor. Lightning offered a hoof to Rainbow and lead her to the dance floor. Twilight and the rest of the Mane Six saw this and move towards Spitfire and Nikolai. "She's got it bad for him." Twilight says. "Are they together now?" Rarity asks. "I think that’s a safe bet." Spitfire says with a sincere smile. Lightning and Rainbow both move in sync as they dance to the music. Both looking at each other, not noticing the world around them. "Yep, definitely in love." Applejack says. Soon the song ended and Lightning and Rainbow walked back to their friends. Lightning address the group. "So you guys..." He stops as Vinyl starts up a club mix. "I love this song." He then runs off and starts to dance to the beat of the music. Rainbow's smirk shoots after him. "Lightning always did love music." Spitfire says. Everypony else starts to head for some back alley club style dancing while Nikolai heads back to Vinyl to help some more. Everypony is dancing like crazy, even Pinkie who is hopping all over the place. Then the doors swung open, making everypony stop in their dance move to see the princesses in the doorway, even Pinkie who is stuck in midair, staying still, not even falling, and the record scratch is heard over the speakers, stopping the music. "Awkward." Lightning says. "Princess Celestia!" Twilight exclaims happily. Everypony immediately bows down as Pinkie bows down in midair. Lightning and Nikolai don't bow and just looks curiously. Nikolai walks over and pokes Pinkie with his hoof causing her to start spinning in midair. Rainbow hits Lightning on his side without even looking up. "Bow down idiot. That's the princess." She whispers harshly. Celestia snickers seeing Pinkie spinning in midair. "She's technically not my princess." Lightning says. "It's alright Rainbow Dash." Celestia said to Rainbow, trying to contain her laughter. "You can all rise. I don't think Pinkie wants to vomit all over the place." Pinkie still spun in place. "I'm getting dizzy." Her spinning voice said. Nikolai grabs Pinkie making her stop and fall to the ground. Pinkie looks over to him. "Thanks you mister." "No problem." Nikolai says walking back to Vinyl to help her. "So what do we owe the honor of your visit?" Twilight asks. "Well I'm here to see two ponies, Spitfire and Lightning Bolt." Celestia says. They overheard this and walks over. "How can we help you your highness?" Spitfire asks. "You see a recent exploration has uncovered the long lost city of Pegasopolis. The city in which Commander Hurricane and Tactician Razorwind established after Equestria was founded and in it is the tomb of both those great pegasus. As such it only seems right that you two be included in exploring the tomb seeing as they were both of your direct ancestors." Celestia says. "Hold on a second!" Pinkie yells out. She takes a glass of water and drinks before doing a spit take, making a few ponies in front of her grumble. Rainbow eyes widen and her jaw drops. Lightning and Spitfire facehoof. "Princess you know that has been a family secret ever since we decided to stay out of the Equestrian politics." Lightning says. Celestia's eyes widen. "Oops, my bad. We probably should have talked in private." She said sheepishly. "Yeah that would have been nice." Lightning says. "But anyways I want you two to go help explore the tomb seeing as it is your right and you also your family still owns the rights to all of Pegasopolis." Celestia says. Lightning feels a hoof on his side and looks over to Rainbow. "So...you're..." She tries to said, but is bewildered. "Yes the direct descendant of Commander Hurricane and Tactician Razorwind." Lightning says. Everypony faints at that moment, except for the princesses, Lightning, Spitfire, and Nikolai. Lightning sighs. "This is one of the reasons I hate letting others know Princess." Lightning says annoyed and Spitfire just nods and Celestia just blushes from containing her laughter. Author's Note I have nothing to say, but maybe Flair has something, Flair? Flair: Primus: Guess not. And there's another. Now Flair, do you still have anything to say? Flair: Lord Barrows and Dolph of Nether Gate are from a video game can anyone tell which game it is? Please submit your answers in the reviews. And remember, Read and Review.
Time to Hit the BricksRemember to enjoy and criticize all you want. Hope that doesn’t open the flame wars. And enjoy the music, I know I did. “Speaking” ‘Thoughts’ Lightning and the other ponies of the exploration are in the middle of the Crystal Mountains. All of them are wearing winter gear. Lightning himself was wearing his usual clothes and a black fur cloak. Spitfire looks to the fur cloak. "I hope Rarity didn't faint from the sight of you wearing that." "Why don't you ask her?" Lightning says as coming up behind them was the mane six along with Vinyl Scratch and Nikolai. "Huh." Spitfire looks over to Vinyl and Nikolai. "Why are they here?" "Somepony wanted entertainment." Lightning says dryly. Spitfire raises an eyebrow. "Who exactly needs entertainment out here?" "Somepony named Stone Sight I think." Lightning says. "No, it was Rock Head." Nikolai joked causing Vinyl to laugh. Spitfire groans as the others catch up. "Let's just get to the temple. I'm sure that the dig team is getting impatient." She rushed ahead to stay ahead of the babble. Soon they all arrived at the city and all of them looked over it and took it all in. "So this is the city of my ancestors." Lightning says thoughtful. Looking over the city it was easy to tell that even though built into the mountain side most of the buildings were intact. Lightning passes the dig team waiting at the entrance. "Well, let's start excavating." "The entrance has been uncovered already. We were just waiting for you." An earth pony says. Lightning looks to them with a bored expression. "Don't you want to keep digging further and find valuable things that can be yours if touched first?” Lightning asks. "My stallions are scared that it is haunted and I for one feel it would be disrespectful to both Commander Hurricane and Tactician Razorwind." The mare says. "Respectful and thank you for respecting my ancestors." Lightning says. The dig team sighs a breath of relief, while leaving some tools for everypony. Lightning and Spitfire each grabs a pickaxe and starts going into the temple. It was pitch black in the temple that links to the tomb. "Can somepony give us a light?" Rainbow asked. The unicorns of the excavation uses a spell to light up the area, giving light to inscriptions and pictures on the walls. "From the looks of it it's telling the story of Equestria's founding. But wait, what is that?" An archaeologist pony asks pointing at a giant ice like monster carving in the wall. Twilight takes a closer look at the picture. "Lightning do you recognize this creature?" "It's an Ice Spirit of Malevolence. In ancient Stalliongrad history many used to exist. Very powerful and deadlier than most creatures you will find." Lightning informed. Twilight hums in thought then looks ahead of them. "I think we found the tomb." She said to everypony slowly as she looks upon the giant door. Lightning steps forward as several ponies try to push it open with no luck as it would not budge. "What's the problem?" Lightning asks. The ponies step back as they contemplate the problem. "These doors are too heavy for us. We need more equipment for this." "Or we could solve this puzzle." Pinkie said as she stood over a pedestal that has an inscription written on it. "She's right this was made by pegasus so one must look from above." Lightning says taking off towards the ceiling and looks down to see the floor had a few different colored places. Lightning instructs several ponies to stand in specific spots and up rises five pillars to the side and the door opens. He flies to the pillars for a better look at them. "It's hard to make out, but these four seem to be in code but this one. It looks like a message of support to future descendants from Tactician Razorwind!" The archaeologist said in surprise. Spitfire and Lightning both fly up to the pillar. "Cooooooooooooool." They drone out. "I can't make it out entirely but I think it is saying he was worried about all his future descendants. Which is very likely because almost all records point to him being a family stallion after marrying Hurricane." The archaeologist says. "Looks like you got the family attitude." Lightning said to Spitfire. "He said after marriage Lightning, I bet you'll be the same way." Spitfire says. Lightning turns red and tries to choke the life out of Spitfire while shaking her back and forth. Everypony just shakes their head at the brother and sister relationship. "Lightning." Rainbow says annoyed causing Lightning to stop. Lightning huffs and let’s go of Spitfire, causing her to drop a few feet, yet still remain in the air. "Ah, shall we continue?" Nikolai asks. A sharp sound comes from inside the tomb as they look at the pillar some more. "What was that?" Fluttershy asks as she hides behind Applejack, pretending to be a mouse and, as you can guess, she failed miserably. "Infestation most likely. In some ancient tombs in Stalliongrad giant spiders tunneled into them and made the place their home. Really hated those things." Lightning says as Nikolai shudders at the thought of them. Fluttershy eeps and wraps around Applejack, making her wobble from the sudden weight. "Spiders!" She squeaks out. "Yeah, huge things, the normal sized ones are a little bigger than Big Mac. Some even shoot poison. But the giant ones give a wyvern to fight over them any day." Lightning says shivering at the thought of them. "Same here." Nikolai said agreeing. Applejack chokes as Fluttershy tightens her grip. "We...should...probably...stop...ack...talking...about them." She manages to get out as she lost air. "Yes, lets." Lightning says grabbing a sword he brought. Nikolai just nods. The others try to get Fluttershy off of Applejack as Lightning and Nikolai clear the tomb. Going in they checked the first room and even the ceiling but nothing was in there. "Clear!" Lightning yells. "Clear!" Nikolai yells as well. The ponies walk in as Fluttershy was no longer holding onto Applejack. "It might have been the wind, still keep an eye out for traps." Lightning warns. Everypony nods as they look around for anything out of the ordinary. Pinkie then kicks a rock onto the floor ahead and several steel spikes raised up from the ground. Everypony steps back and stops from the sudden surprise. "Ah, a trap for all non-pegasus." Lightning said dryly. All the pegasus start to lift the non-flyers across the trap as they waited patiently. "It seems that they wanted only pegasus to reach the chamber." Lightning says landing Twilight across from the spikes. Twilight turns around as Lightning heads back for more. "Think that there will be a trap where we can't all cross?" "Without wings to fly,” He sighs. "...most likely." Lightning says as they moved to get to the rest of the group ahead. In the next room they saw another sealed door but on the wall was a life sized picture of Commander Hurricane and Tactician Typhoon pushing a button together. Spitfire and Lightning look at each other then goes to the obvious ancient button on the wall. A beam flows down and traces them then nothing happens. "What happened?" Spitfire asked. "I think it scanned us. Maybe it's looking for somepony who looks kinda like our ancestors.” Lightning said, thinking out loud. Spitfire looks at the picture again. "Well you fit Razor, but we need Hurricane." Her eyes then widen and she turns to Rainbow, making her confused. "Rainbow come over here a second." Lightning yells at her, getting the same idea. Rainbow slowly obeyed and came up right beside them. "What is it?" "We are gonna try switching out you and my sister for this." Lightning informed. Rainbow nods as Spitfire steps away. Rainbow takes her place as her and Lightning prepare to press the button again. The beam scans again. Nothing happened for several seconds until the part of the wall Lightning and Rainbow were touching swung around taking them to the other side, but closes the entryway behind them. Rainbow smirks. "I might be a great ancestor and don't know it." "Very funny Rainbow." Lightning said in a monotone voice. "Lightning, Rainbow, can you hear me?" Spitfire's muffled voice came from the other side of the wall. "We're ok sister." Lightning calls back. They could shuffling from the other side. "I don't think we can find another way in. You will probably have to go on. We'll wait for you." Spitfire told them before they heard shuffling. "Ok, we'll see you there." Lightning called be before turning to Rainbow. "So shall we see what's on the other side of this tunnel that supposedly opened for only Hurricane and Razorwind?" Lightning asked. Rainbow gives him a deadpan look. "What do you think? We can't head back or wait for the others." She said sarcastically. "I love that about you Rainbow." Lightning says. She huffs and continues onward. Lightning was left behind with a confused face. "What did I say?" He asks unknowingly. Couples all over the world suddenly had the feeling of shaking their head at somepony. "I compliment her and she gets mad at me." Lightning says out loud following her. Now the couples had an irritating feeling to shake their heads. The two pegasus follow the tunnel and push open the end of the tunnel and see that they are at the resting place of Commander Hurricane and Tactician Razorwind. Looking around Lightning sees the inscription of the ancient language on a huge stone tablet behind the two coffins. Lightning walks to the coffins and looks at the tablet after taking a few seconds at the coffins. Rainbow looks to Hurricane's coffin as Lightning looks to the tablet. Rainbow touches the coffin of Commander Hurricane. The coffin lid suddenly started rumbling. Lightning twists around with his weapon drawn as Rainbow backpedals away from the coffin. The coffin lid shot up suddenly and a specter like mist flowed from the coffin. It had glowing silver eyes which looked at Rainbow first then looked at Lightning. The mist suddenly floats up to Lightning as fast it could making him reel backward from the sudden rush. The mist looks at him for a few moments before it flies to Rainbow and then right into her. Rainbow then groans as she falls to the ground. Lightning rushes to her as he keeps a lookout for the mist. Suddenly Rainbow's head shot up with her eyes glowing silver. "This is an interesting feeling." Rainbow's voice now sounds otherworldly. "Rainbow or are you a spirit?" Lightning says his eyes narrowed. Rainbow turns to him. "You, you will learn lover." The now not-Rainbow said cryptically. Lightning recoils back. "What?" "Oh why so surprised, we are married lover." The possessed Rainbow says with a smirk and dripping with lust. Lightning's mouth is left open at what the possibly possessed Rainbow said. Rainbow smiles sweetly. "Close your mouth darling, a fly might make a nest in there." The possessed Rainbow closes his mouth with her hoof. Lightning quickly backs away. "Look I think this is a case of mistaken identity." Lightning said as he starts to sweat heavily. Rainbow gains a frown. "Whatever do you mean? We have been married for a long time and have a foal together. How could there be a case of mistaken identity?" She asks bewildered. "Ok, what do you think my name is?" Lightning asks trying to get a grip on himself. 'Who knew that a possibly ancient ghost can make me blush by just a mistaken identity?' Rainbow looks at him funny. "You have to be joking dear." "Seriously what is my name?" Lightning asks getting more redder on his cheeks. Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "Okay..." She said slowly. "Well, your name is Razor." Lightning blinks a few times. "My name is Lightning Bolt." Lightning says dryly now realizing what's going on. Rainbow raises a hoof. "No, your name is Razor." "What year do you think this is?" Lightning asks picking up lines from books he read on possession. Rainbow looks up in thought. "About almost two decades after we colonized the new land." "That was almost 4000 years ago." Lightning said as his blush went down. Rainbow looks at him weirdly. "No, I'm sure it's..." Lightning grabs her head and makes it face the coffins and giant stone tablet. Rainbow looks at him again. "So?" "You came out of the one with the lid off." Lightning says. Rainbow looks at the tombs again and goes to Hurricane's coffin. Looking inside she gasps as she sees the body inside which had been reduced to bones. "No, it can't be possible." She said in disbelief as memories came back to her. "It is Commander Hurricane." Lightning says placing a hoof on her shoulder. Rainbow, or now Hurricane, turns to Lightning. "So I'm actually...actually..." "A ghost." Lightning finished and places his hoof back down. Hurricane looks to him as best as she could. "How could you be calm about this? I'm a ghost." "Not the first one I dealt with. The place where I grew up we had incredibly dangerous monsters: giant spiders, spirits, ghost, etc. But truth be told I'm on the verge of an internal panic attack." Lightning says trying to keep calm as his heart hammered in his chest. Hurricane looks over her new body. "Who am I?" "You possessed the body of my marefriend, Rainbow Dash, although she looks a lot like all the paintings of you." Lightning says looking thoughtful. Hurricane looks at herself more closely. "Now you mention it, I kind of do." Her eyes then widen. "Marefriend? That must have been...awkward." "Not really." Lightning says. Hurricane finally calms down. "You do realize that you are talking with your possessed marefriend like this is normal." "Yeah I do, because you and I, Commander Hurricane, have a connection." Lightning says. She looks at him curiously. "And that would be?" "I'm your direct descendant by how many generations I can't say." Lightning says. Hurricane smiles. "Finally, I'm a grandmother. I've always wanted grandfoals.” "Actually you were alive when your three foals had colts and fillies of their own." Lightning says. Hurricane turns to him with the biggest smile on her face. "I just love grandfoals, especially spoiling them while the parents try to stop me." "Hard to stop the great Commander Hurricane, one of the founders of our country." Lightning says laughing a little. Hurricane laughs with him as her multiple echoing voice channels throughout the tomb. "You got that right, grandson." "Unfortunately, besides me and my sister, our line is dead." Lightning says sadly. Hurricane than gains a downtrodden expression. "Well...that's disappointing." Lightning then looks to Razor's tomb. "My grandfather won't pop out and get me too, right?" He asks as he stares at the tomb. Hurricane looks to her husband's tomb. "No, and if what you say is true then he possibly up there at the tavern enjoying a good drink and storytelling with his friends and family." "I bet he feels a little lonely because he's missing something." Lightning says. Hurricane turns away from the tomb to look at him again. "What would that be?" "You." Lightning says. Hurricane goes quiet for a few moments before looking up. “You are so like your grandfather. He said something like that before we left for the new land." "I guess it runs in the family." Lightning while smirking. Hurricane then looks around. "So how do we get out of here?" "Let me see." Lightning says before chanting a few words and a path of light appears with hoof steps leading the way out of the tomb. Hurricane smiles at him. "Impressive." "You're not curious how a pegasus can use magic?" Lightning asks. "I'm a ghost, which I didn't think was possible when I was alive, so who is to say there are other things in this world that we think are fact, but turn out to be untrue." Hurricane says. "I think I'm starting to get where some of my logical thinking from." Lightning says a little surprised. Hurricane walks onward. "And your grandfather has the hotheadedness. Perfect match, don't you think?" "Weird, the stories had it the opposite. You were the headstrong one and Razorwind was the cool and calm tactician that was one of the smartest ponies of his time." Lightning says. Hurricane laughs loudly. "They just love their commander." "So grandmother, what are your plans? The world has changed dramatically since you were alive." Lightning says. Hurricane looks at the temple walls as they walk. "I don't know exactly." Lightning peeks over at her. "So in other words, you are going to plan this along as you go." Hurricane turns to him with a smirk. "You got that right." "Sounds a lot like my sister." Lightning says with a slight smile. The two soon came to the exit of the path and the room is pitch black only the path of light provided any light. Lightning noticed a liquid in the platform beside the entrance upon smelling it he reared back. "That’s oil. I wonder." Lightning says before a small fireball appears on his hoof which he drops it into the oil. This causes a chain reaction that illuminates the entire room revealing huge piles of gold, jewels, statues, and art. "Ah so this is where it ended up. I remember that Razorwind worked hard after we founded this town to bring it great prosperity. This resulted in all the treasure here. So this is the result of all of Razorwind's hard work." Hurricane said. Lightning stood before a pile of gold and jewels. Past experience telling him that something will happen if he at least touches it. "I already know what I'm gonna do with this, but first what traps would he put in?" Lightning asks bluntly. "Oh, only one. The one that would ensure no one but the family would get this. The quick sand trap." Hurricane says and pushes a brick on the wall and as the brick goes into the wall a quite audible locking sound was heard throughout the room. Lightning looks to where she press the button. "Hope that disables the trap." He says to her as he reaches for a gold coin to confirm how much it's worth today. "This is probably high quality gold." Lightning says as the metal shines bright from the fire. Hurricane comes up beside him and gives him a jeweled necklace. "We did find a large deposit of gold and other valuables in the past." "I'm gonna use this to restore this city." Lightning says. Hurricane just smiles and says nothing. She then looks around for a way out while Lightning tries to pick up a few samples of the treasures in the room. He then sees a gold necklace with several colored jewels in it sitting on a pedestal. Lightning walks over to it the pedestal. Hurricane then sees Lightning approaching one of her jewelry. "That would be what your grandfather gave me." "I see. Grandmother how long are you gonna possess Rainbow Dash?" Lightning asks as Rainbow's health came to mind. Hurricane looks at herself. "Let me try something." Hurricane closes her eyes and then she slumps down on the ground, a mist coming out of her mouth. Rainbow’s body then struggles to get up with a groan. "What happened?" Rainbow's real voice asks. Lightning looks at the area curiously until he sees the same mist floating right behind her. "You were possessed by my ancestor Commander Hurricane." Lightning says as the mist formed into Commander Hurricane. Rainbow looks around until her eyes widen and she looks behind her. She scrambles back from the sudden shock. "What the buck?!" "Ah...Rainbow look what you're leaning on." Lightning says as Rainbow hits a pile of gold. Rainbow looks behind again and sees the gold. "WHAT THE BUCK IS GOING ON?!" Rainbow yells. "I'm the ghost of Commander Hurricane and we are in the treasure room." Hurricane says. Rainbow's breathing quickens as she tries to process everything but fails and faints. Lightning sighs as Hurricane looks on in surprise. "This is who you chose as your marefriend?" "Considering all that just happened to her I think this reaction is natural." Lightning says. Hurricane pokes Rainbow a few times. "When will she wake up?" "In a few seconds." Lightning says with a mischievous smirk as he lifts his hoof and it glows slightly as a sphere of water starts forming over Rainbows head. The water ball drops, making Rainbow sputter as she woke up. Rainbow's mane was dripping wet and Lightning just stared at her. He gains a blush on his face as Hurricane looked on curiously. 'Interesting.' She thought with a smirk. "So what happened?" Rainbow asked and Lightning points to Hurricane who waves. Rainbow sighs and faints again from seeing a ghost. Lightning looks annoyed and this time shakes Rainbow awake. Rainbow finally wakes up and hangs on to Lightning's forelegs. "I'm awake! I'm awake." She said. "You gonna faint for the third time?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks around and then turns to him deadpanned. "What would a normal pony do in this?" "Faint, but you're not a normal pony Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow gets onto her hooves as Hurricane finds a way out and Lightning helps Rainbow up. "Easy there." Lightning tells her. "So what now?" Rainbow asks. "We find the others then we start getting out of here for now. But how do you feel after being possessed?" Lightning asks concern in his voice. Rainbow turns to him shocked. "I was possessed?" She said shocked. "Yes, by my ancestor. Thankfully all she did with your body was walk around on it. So you remember nothing because that’s a common side effect of it." Lightning says. Rainbow looks over herself to make sure that Hurricane did nothing and sighs in relief. "At least she didn't harm my body." "I am too." Lightning says. Rainbow smirks at him. "I can see that you care about me and wants first dibs." Lightning suddenly hugs her. "I truly do Rainbow." Rainbow gasp as Lightning hugs her. "I'm not all for mushy and lovey stuff, but..." She hugs him back and closes her eyes. "...I think I could get use to this." Hurricane smirk watching this. 'So like me and Razorwind.' Hurricane thinks. Hurricane then points her hoof to some bricks on the wall and clears her throat causing Lightning and Rainbow to separate with blushes. Lightning eventually walks up and starts pushing against a few brick until a click was heard and a wall opened up. "Well..." Hurricane asks with a smirk as voices are heard from the opened up wall, now a hallway. "They're getting closer, want to wait for them or go and see them?" Lightning asks. Hurricane looks around and to the treasures. "Want to show them all this? I'm sure they can place it under your name." "I think the entire team should get credit, but I wonder, you and Razorwind were very specific on a lot of things. One would think that you would plan and leave an armory in this place just in case." Lightning says thoughtfully. Hurricane just lowers her head to the floor. Lightning stays thoughtful as Hurricane smirks before turning back into a mist and disappears overhead as the rest of the team walks in. Spitfire walks in first and then faints at the sight of the treasures, followed by everypony else. "Oh for the love of...!" Lightning yells before walking over as he and Rainbow wake up the others. Soon the whole group spends their time looking over the whole room as Lightning looks around for the weapons room. Then he remembers that Hurricane looked down before leaving. Looking at the floor Lightning sees an ancient symbols for love and wife. Lightning then looks over at the pedestal with Hurricane's jewel encrusted necklace. "Is it that simple or is their more?" Lightning asks to himself. One of the archaeologist moves a few gold piles away and reveals a second pedestal. This one held a diamond in the shape of a heart. A third pedestal was found behind some art. Lightning takes a closer look at the second pedestal. He looks at the pedestal and touches it too hard causing the pedestal it to move. Lightning looks around again and sees multiple spots on the floor with crevices connecting them. The others were curious at what Lightning was doing until he placed the pedestal he had onto one of the markings and it sank down slightly and a click was heard. He then goes to the other pedestals and moves them along too. Yet the first one he looked at didn't budge. The last pedestal had a bust of Hurricane on it. Lightning touches the chin and the entire head moved upwards with any resistance. Underneath the head was a switch. Lightning presses it and the room starts rumbling and part of the floor starts sinking turning into stairs. Everypony in the room gets closer as the stairs hits its final place. Lightning starts down the stairs. "Don't wait up for me." He told them starting to walk down the stairs. "Oh no you don't, you're not going without me." Rainbow and Spitfire yells in unison before turning to each other staring. Pinkie leans over to Twilight. "Awkward." She said quietly. Spitfire and Rainbow walks down the stairs after Lightning. The others just shrugs and looks around the room some more. Lightning walks carefully down the stairs as the lights sources start to decrease. He reaches the bottom and walks around before smelling oil again. Lightning throws a fireball at the smell and the room lit up like the treasure room. Only this time an assortment of weapons and armor is lined on racks and walls. But what caught Lightning's attention was the symbol on the wall. "How can this be here?" Lightning asks with wide eyes in amazement. Looking around he notices that some of the weapons and armor are just like back in Stalliongrad. “What does this mean? Could both Hurricane and Razorwind have been members or was it just one of them?" Lightning thinks out loud. "Your grandfather did like to hunt." Hurricane said to him as she appeared near him, looking at one of the weapons and armor. "Do you know what that symbol means?" Lightning asks. Hurricane didn't look away. "He said that the one on the wall is for the one who slew the Ice spirit of Malice." Spitfire and Rainbow finally made it to the bottom of the stairs seeing Hurricane, but thankfully Spitfire didn't react like the fainting goat when she saw her grandmother. "Oh Spitfire, by the way meet our ancestor, Commander Hurricane." Lightning says when he noticed her and Rainbow. "Hey there." Spitfire didn't pay no mind to her as she has already noticed the interesting armor. "Really you see a ghost and you don't really react?" Lightning asks with disappointment from not seeing her freak out. Spitfire turns to him deadpan. "After hanging with you for a while and in Ponyville, nothing is normal." Lightning shrugs as Rainbow walks over to an armor. It was a black and red armor cloak with silver bracers. "Found something you like?" Lightning asks. Rainbow feels the armor with her hoof. "Can I take this?" She asks to thin air or rather Hurricane as she appears right beside them. "I don't see why not. You're going to be family one day." Hurricane says with a smirk. Rainbow blushes, but then sighs as she can take the teasing now. "Yeah...one day." She looks over to Lightning as she thinks about it, but he was looking at another armor to notice. Under it the inscription said it belong to Razorwind. "Hey grandma." Lightning called. "What is this armor?" "That is the armor Razorwind wore." Hurricane says floating over to him. Lightning lightly touches the armor, feeling the material. "Made from...?" He asks. "Durasteel, probably the last armor of the tacticians from my time." Hurricane says. Lightning puts his hoof back under him. "I don't think I'll be wearing this for a while or ever." "I think that Razorwind would be happy to know his armor is being taken care of by family at least." Hurricane says. Lightning smiles. "Yeah, and if you are going up there too, make sure to buy a drink and tell him it's from his grandson." "You're not going to get rid of me so easily. I'm sticking around until I am sure you don't need me around." Hurricane says with a slight frown. Lightning turns to her. "I wasn't even thinking about it." He looks around the whole room. "The move might take a while though." "Good luck getting those diggers to come down here now that we know Hurricane's ghost is haunting the tomb." Rainbow says Hurricane turns back to her. "I could have a little fun." She said as she giggles a little. "We need to move this out of here Grandmother and scaring them will not help us do that." Lightning says with a sharp gaze. Hurricane gains a downtrodden expression. "Aw, can't I have a little fun?" She pleaded giving the puppy dog eyes. 'Oh no, the mare's greatest weapon. Must resist, must resist, must re..., dang it.' Lightning thinks before sighing. "Ok a little but just down scare them off." Lightning said. Hurricane then jumps and floats up a little. "Yay! I have been wanting to try out some haunting tricks that I have seen. You mares want to see me in action?" She asks Rainbow and Spitfire. "I could use a few laughs." Spitfire says. "Me too." Rainbow added. Hurricane grin increase and starts laughing menacingly while rubbing her hooves together. Lightning sighs and starts for the stairs to bring everypony else down. "Mares." He just said. The other ponies were impressed with all the weapons and armor there was and nearly died of fright from Hurricane and her fun. Rainbow and Spitfire try to hold in their laughter, but couldn't hold on any longer when Hurricane showed herself to everypony on the room and nearly gave some of the ponies including Applejack a heart attack. Luckily Lightning asked Fluttershy to remain upstairs and told her they were going to be pranked. Fluttershy giggled a little as she heard the plan. Lightning just smiles and helped with the most important items. By the time the sun was setting they barely had removed half the treasure and only a few weapons. The team decided to stop for the night and get some sleep. Chrono Cross: Scars of Time Lightning was laying atop a building using a knife to carve the bone of the Alpha Chamleonsaurus into a flute. When he finished he started to play, sending the music all over the land and camping ground. Rainbow lands behind him but didn't say anything as he continued to play. Then Hurricane appears beside her as he continues to play. "Razor was something like this, you know." She said to Rainbow. "How so?" Rainbow whispers. Hurricane smiles as the memories come back to her. "He would play music to our children and grandchildren. Even the public loved it so much that they suggested that he be in a musical group." "Lightning is certainly a pony of many talents." Rainbow says Hurricane brings a hoof to her chin. "He certainly is." Spitfire flies in behind them. "Where did Lightning get a flute?" Spitfire asks. Hurricane smirks. "Lightning is almost as resourceful as his grandfather, using whatever is around him to his advantage. I saw he made the flute from just a bone." "He truly has changed. He no longer needs me to watch over him does he?" Spitfire asks downtrodden. Hurricane places her hoof on her shoulder, making Spitfire look at her. "Family always need each other, whether they know it or not." "Maybe, but when I found out he was still alive I expected him to be the same little foal he was when he disappeared not the stallion he is now." Spitfire says. Hurricane turns and walks away, but not before saying, "Time changes everything." "That’s exactly what Lightning said. Maybe it is time I start growing up more and start thinking about the future." Spitfire says before following. Rainbow chuckles before heading for her bedroll. "You need a stallionfriend first." She said as she wandered off. "Like you have my little brother?" Spitfire teases. "Normal for me, not for you." Rainbow didn't even turn around. "Haha." Spitfire says sarcastically before disappearing. Rainbow roamed around for a few minutes before she heard the music change and went to see Lightning Bolt again. When she came back to him the music made her feel like she was in a brightly lit flower field and not near a temple in the dark. Lightning finishes the song and she walks up to him. "Shouldn't you be sleeping?" Lightning asks. Rainbow doesn't even question Lightning's knowing. "Shouldn't you? I doubt that there is anything around to harm us." "I find the night calming and soothing. That's why I'm out here relaxing." Lightning says as Rainbow lays down beside him. Rainbow turns to him. "Are you going to take everything from here or only the important parts?" "No, I'm gonna restore this city back to its former glory." Lightning said as he looks at the flute. She turns back to the darkened view, showing a moon that lights the landscape. "And live here maybe?" "Maybe one day, but most likely not, cause I want to be close to you Rainbow." Lightning said fondly. She smiles as she leans against him. "How close?" She said as she smirks. "Well, I'll let that be a surprise." Lightning says with a smirk before wrapping his wing around Rainbows body. Rainbow laughs as she starts to rest up against him. Lightning only smiles at her as he wraps a hoof around her, keeping her close. From a length away, Hurricane watches with a smile and walks off. "He is so like his grandfather." She said to nopony. Rainbow moves her head a bit to him. "Can you play that flute music again?" She asked sleepily. "Alright." Lightning says picking up the flute again and starts playing it. Suikoden V: Moonlit Night The music starts to carry across the area, making everypony feel at ease. Rainbow soon fell asleep as she listens to the soothing music. The ponies at the camp below fell into a rhythm as the music reaches them. Vinyl is lying next to a fire with her assistant Nikolai. "This isn't my usual music, but it's ok." Vinyl says. Nikolai picks at his bowl of his food. “He always did like to play." He said to himself quietly. Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Twilight are laying in their makeshift beds when they hear the music. Fluttershy brings her head up and then moves her head from side to side to the music. "My, this music is so lovely." Rarity says sleepily. Applejack brings her hat down onto her face and lays down again and enjoys the music. Twilight doesn't say anything as the music puts her to sleep with a smile on her face. Pinkie sighs and flops down onto her bed with a great smile on her face. Spitfire is walking to the makeshift beds she and Lightning will sleep in when she hears the music. She smiles slightly and sits down on her bed as she listens in. As the song ended Lightning smiles at the sleeping mare. "Sleep well Rainbow." Lightning whispers and kisses the top of her head making her smile in her sleep. Author's Note A/N: And that's another chapter for you. Read and Review.
Time to Change...or notA/N: And another...I really need to come up with more stuff to place here. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' It had been several weeks since Pegasopolis was fully excavated. During that time Princess Celestia had announced it was found and it was to be restored to its former glory. While most of the money from all the treasure is being funneled into the restoration of the city, Lightning had used a small amount to expand his house. Celestia also let it slip that he and Spitfire were the direct descendants of Commander Hurricane and Tactician Razorwind much to their displeasure. Although they think that Celestia probably did it on propose. Thankfully she never mentioned Lightning's location. As such everypony already knew where Spitfire was so most of the blunt from it went to her much to Lightning's amusement. In the last week though both Rainbow and Lightning have been teaching Scootaloo to fly. "Okay, try again." Lightning told Scootaloo. Scootaloo jumps into the air and flaps her wings very fast and manages to stay in the air for more than thirty seconds before landing again. Rainbow smiles at her hang time. "Great job, Scoots. A little more than last time." "Three times better to be exact." Lightning says as Scootaloo smiles. "Kinda reminds me of when I first started to learn how to fly." Lightning says. Scootaloo flaps her wings a little. "How did you do?" She asks like the little filly she is. "I couldn't even stay in the air for five seconds before I slammed face first into the ground." Lightning says blushing from embarrassment. Rainbow snickers as the thought comes to mind. "At least I was good, right Scoots?" Scootaloo was laughing which brought a smile to Lightning's face. 'She should enjoy what she has, they all grow up so fast.' Lightning thought to himself. "Hey Lightning, what's with the serious face?" Rainbow asks. "Oh um...just thinking is all." Lightning says. Rainbow shrugs as it is none of her business and goes back to training. "Alright, try again." After several more minutes of practice Scootaloo had finally been able to stay in the air for a full minute. Soon Sweetie Bell and Applebloom came running up to Scootaloo. "Scootaloo want to come crusading with us? We're going to get our Cutie Marks in demolition." Applebloom asks. "Wait, what was that?!" Rainbow asked Lightning's eyes just went wide at the statement of demolition. Applebloom and Sweetie Bell becomes confused. "Demolition. We're going to get our cutie marks in it." Sweetie Bell told them again. "You are gonna have somepony supervising right? I mean that can be dangerous." Lightning says. Applebloom smiles innocently. "What do you think?" "You don't." Lightning says start to sound like a parent. Sweetie starts to get the idea. "Ah, come on." She whines. Lightning winces from the high pitched whine. 'She is the sister of Rarity.' He then gives them a look and all three start laughing nervously seeing as their normal tricks aren't working. "Can we please? We want to know if it is our Cutie Marks." Scootaloo begs them. "Tell you what, if you can get an adult who knows about it then you can. But for now no." Lightning says getting a downtrodden look from all three fillies. "But in exchange I'll take you three out to get any dessert you want." Lightning says with a sigh. The three fillies squeal and jump up in excitement and then runs off to the direction of Sugarcube Corner. Rainbow leans toward Lightning with a smirk. "You're going to regret that." "I already am." Lightning says following after them. Soon at Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie and the Cakes works diligently to fill the orders of the CMC, who have made possibly the largest order in the history of sugary sweets. Wait, it's already taken? By who? Pinkie! Somehow that doesn't surprise me. Lightning just sat at a table doing a facehoof. "Why did I agree to this?" He then remembers the suggestion for a cutie mark. "Oh yeah." The order soon arrives and the CMC dig in. Lightning smiles at them having fun and laughing with each other. 'Maybe it’s not so bad being with foals.' Lightning thinks. Then the bill arrives courtesy of Pinkie with a smile. 'Or maybe not.' He thought with despair. After Lightning had paid the bill the CMC ran off laughing to have some fun with full bellies. Lightning started to walk back to his house. On the way he stopped to see Twilight reading under a tree. "Hey Twilight." She didn't listen. "Twilight?" Still hidden hear. "Twilight!?" Lightning yells at her causing her to jump into the air. Lighting looks to the book. "What are you reading?" "Oh Lightning Bolt you scared me there and this is a book of Starswirl the Bearded." Twilight says. Lightning sits right next to her. "What is it about?" "His later years. I'm reading up on it because Princess Celestia is sending me something by him." Twilight says. Lightning smiles. "I wonder what it could be." “I don’t know she didn’t say.” Twilight said thinking about the possibilities. “Which reminds me, how is the unicorn magic books from Stalliongrad coming?” She asks, stars in her eyes ‘Why did I promise her those?’ Lightning berates himself. “I have yet to hear back from my supplier.” Lightning answered. Twilight lost the stars as they went on their way to the next 'seeing stars' pony. "Oh, well they'll be here one day. Oh that, I can be sure." She said with hope. “Well I better get home and feed Ice Fang and Skyor.” Lightning says as he got up and started to leave. “Ok, see you tomorrow Lightning.” Twilight calls after him. “Bye Twilight, tell Spike I said hi.” Lightning says as he waves to her. The next morning Lightning awoke with a yawn to find Ice Fang sleeping on top of the covers. “Morning boy.” He said, scratching Ice Fang’s ear waking him up. After Lightning did his daily routine he feeds Lightning and Skyor, Hurricane’s head pops out of the wall in front of him, making him squeal like a filly for a few seconds. “Grandmother please, stop doing that.” Lightning says annoyed with the classic ghostly scares. Hurricanes giggles from the picture moment in front of her. "You know I can't resist the temptation to scare somepony since the temple. Besides that was the funniest sight next to my Razor's scream." “So you mind watching over my pets while I go see Rainbow?” Lightning asks, ignoring the last comment by her that almost made him gag. “Sure no problem I just love your pets.” Hurricane said as she tries to hug Ice Fang but passed through him. "Oh poo. That's still one thing I can't do." “Thanks Grandmother.” Lightning says putting on some aviator goggles. He then proceeded to fly out of the door to Rainbow's house. But when he arrived it was not there. “Huh where's Rainbow’s house?” Lightning asks to himself. Spotting a passing pegasus coming his way, he calls out to him. "Hey buddy." The pegasus turns his head to Lightning and stops in front of him. "You need something?" Lightning takes one last look to where Rainbow's home should be. "Yeah, have you seen Rainbow's cloud home around here?" “Rainbow Dash’s cloud home?” The pegasus asks confused. "She lives on the ground near Everfree taking care of the animals." The pegasus says before flying away. “What?” Lightning asks himself before flying to the only house he knew that fit that description, Fluttershy’s cottage. Landing in front of the home he sees everything as normal as ever like Fluttershy is still there. CRASH Except that doesn't happen in her home at all except when Discord was there and he is not. Running to door Lightning knocks carefully. Rainbow answers the door by poking her head out. “Hey Lightning.” Rainbow says looking sheepishly. “Rainbow, are you ok?” Lightning asks looking behind her and sees the chaos that would make Discord proud. “Yeah I’m fine it’s just all these animals are giving me trouble. Sorry, I’ll have to cancel our plans Lightning with them acting like this.” Rainbow said sadly. “Do you want some help Rainbow?” Lightning asks concern evident in his voice. Another crash sounded from inside. "Nah, I'm good." Another crash. Lightning held a deadpan look. "Rainbow Dash, what is going on in there?” Twilight’s voice called. Looking behind him Lightning saw Twilight and Spike coming down the path. "What you guys doing here?" He asks suspicious of them “We are here to see Rainbow Dash.” Twilight says. Lightning gives them a bored expression. "What's going on then?" Twilight becomes confused. "What do mean, what's going on?" Lightning points to the sky over Ponyville with his hoof. "I'm no weather expert, but I don't think that clouds are supposed to be squares and in a checkered pattern." Twilight chuckled nervously under the glare Lightning was giving her then shakes her head to the real situation. "Yeah that would be Rarity." Time seems to stop for Lightning and he swears he heard glass being smash...oh wait that's inside the Discordian home. He takes a deep breath and start visibly shaking with anger. “What did you do?” Lightning asks sounding dangerously calm. Twilight nervously rubs a hoof behind her head. "Well...while Spike was taking a seven hour bubble bath..." "Wait, did you say seven hours?" Lightning asks as he held hoof up. Spike laughs nervously and hides behind Twilight. "Yeah." He said meekly. Lightning brings a hoof to his chin. "I have been wondering why I have low water pressure and amount. I thought it was because of it being an old home." He then stops and stares at Spike with a death glare meant only for his hunts. "You're armor after I'm done with you." Lightning said in a low whisper. Spike yelps and tries to hide behind Twilight some more, but fails. That tail is a little too long. “But first things first.” Lightning says focusing on Twilight again. Twilight rubs her hooves together. "First I need to check something, come with me." Lightning looks back to Rainbow but sees that she went back inside again. "I promise to get you back to normal again Rainbow." He takes off behind Twilight as she went back into town. After visiting Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie the three went back to the tree and after every visit Lightning seemed to just get more angry which was the first time Twilight ever saw him angry than she could remember. "Lightning calm down we can fix this." This just angered him more. "We, oh no, there is no we. You brought this upon yourself and them, so you fix this on your own. Of course this is what I would like to say, but for the sake of Rainbow and my other friends I will help. Now what do you do exactly to fix a personality and cutie mark?” Twilight brings out the book that was giving to her by Celestia. "Normally we could lock them up and try to rehabilitate them, but we don't have time." She flips through a few pages. "This has to have some answers." Lightning looks over her shoulder and places a hoof on a certain page. "An unfinished spell Twilight, because that one doesn't even rhyme. Wait Twilight tell me you didn’t tell me you did not cast a spell without knowing what it does?” Lightning asks, scared of the answer. Twilight blushes. "Well...ummm...you see..." Lightning stops dead only twitching an eye every so often. Until, "You're a bucking idiot Twilight. I mean even a green as the grass beginner knows not to cast a spell unless they know what it does it is the basics. In fact it’s the basics of the basics. You could have endangered everypony because of this and even then why Celestia give you an unfinished spell knowing you would read it..." He stops as a thought came to him. "I'm the idiot now, no wait I wasn't part of this when you did this so that means I'm not an idiot, unless that means I'm an idiot for not noticing it sooner, but it seems everypony was also affected because they don’t seem to notice a radical change and are just going on with their lives. Could it be? Ah, yes, that must be the reason why I’m unaffected. I have no cutie mark, simple as that.” Lightning droned on. Twilight stared at him as he did his long version of an explanation. "Why didn't you just say that?" She exclaimed. Lightning grins. "Because it's more fun that way and allows me to see other reactions and cause that is part of my thought process out loud." “So just cast a counter-spell to switch them back.” Spike says trying to throw in his two bits. “Oh. There is no counter-spell!” Twilight says. “Yeah, unfinished spell, remember Spike.” Lightning reminds. “Why don't you just use that memory spell you used to fix everypony when Discord was here?” Spike asks. “It's not their memories, Spike. It's their true selves that have been altered!” Twilight says continuing to flip through the book. “Zecora’s cure for the cutie pox?” Spike asks getting a confused look from Lightning. “That won't work either...” Twilight says disheartened and gives the book to Spike. “Well,” He sighs. "Maybe it won't be so bad. Maybe our friends will grow to like their new lives.” Spike says earning him a glare from Lightning. “No, Spike. They're not who they are meant to be anymore. Their destinies are now changed, and it's all my fault.” Twilight says depressed. Twilight starts singing, but was cut off. “Twilight do you think that is appropriate for this situation?” Lightning asks. ‘What is it with these ponies and suddenly breaking out in song?’ He thought to himself. Twilight blushes as she tries to compose herself. "Sorry, but what can we do?" Lightning picks up a nearby picture of Twilight, Rainbow, and the others from a nearby table. "All I know is they remember some aspect of us. That can help since they are still our friends." “That's it, we just have to remind them of their true selves.” Twilight exclaimed agreeing with him. Lightning pauses and thinks over the idea. "That's wonderful, but who should we get first?" “Fluttershy, cause Rainbow needs the help badly.” Twilight proposed hand Spike the Elements of Harmony's chest, before they go out the door to look for her. Balloon landing area After a bit of searching the two found Fluttershy about to pay to leave Ponyville and go back to Cloudsdale. Before either of them could move forward a mighty roar unlike anything the ponies of Ponyville have ever heard rang out through the air, but familiar to Lightning as the memory of that particular sound came to his twitching ears. "Twilight I have a job to do and I need to do it. I'll go check it out. But Twilight, if anything happens to Rainbow then so help me..." Lightning says letting the threat hang, scaring Twilight a bit. She nods as her eyes mirror her emotions. "Good." Lightning says before running towards his home. Twilight sighs as she walks to Fluttershy to try and reverse what she did. Lightning reaches his home and shoots passed Ice Fang, Azure, and Hurricane and into the basement grabbing several things including a sword. They all come down to see what has him riled up. "Okay, I'll bite, what is it?" Hurricane asks. "A monster I'm gonna have to fight." Lightning says strapping the sword to himself. Hurricane sighs. "What monster and where?" "Don't know and Everfree forest." Lightning says. She looks about the weapons and armor that he has. "So how are you going to prepare?" "Well I'm low on equipment seeing as how I use most of my explosives and my lightning crossbow energy months ago." Lightning says. "Idiot." Lightning glares before heading back up the stairs. The rest follows as he grabs the last few items he needs. He walks out the door and flies off to the Everfree forest. Landing in it he sees the normal stuff that happens. Namely the weather happening on its own and animals fending for their own. Lightning walks into the forest and after several hours comes across several dead ponies and a smashed cage. "Guess this time you guys weren't careful enough." Lightning says. Passing the kills, he starts to come into deeper and deeper forestry, making the whole area darker. Lightning was still following the obvious trail of destruction, soon reaching the old castle. "That's weird, but I have seen weirder places." He said to himself. Lightning heard a roar and a tower of the old castle collapsed. "If the princesses blame me I'll show the monster." He said as the tower hits the ground with a crash. "Please don't let this be a Wyvern." Lightning prayed to himself as he continues on trying to be as stealthy as possible. Walking in through a busted window he hides behind the many derbies until a large claw foot comes crashing in the middle of the room. Looking up he can see a black Diablos that has a body similar to a dragon except for the large horns on the sides of its jaw. Smelling around he can smell a particular scent that would make trouble. 'Oh great, a Diablos female in heat. That's even worse. Thankfully though there is only one of them, but still maybe I should have gotten my friend for back up with this.' Lightning thinks as the beast stomps around. The beast lumbers about, making a ruckus and destruction of the castle. 'Let’s see, what isn't destroyed.' He looks around and then sees a high balcony. 'That works.' But the Diablos then smashes her head into it making it collapse to the ground. 'Now that's just not fair.' The beast crashes through a wall leaving Lightning in the room alone. Lightning crawls out from the rubble and follows the Diablo’s path and finds in the old throne room. The black beast nowhere to be seen. 'That’s not good.' Lightning thinks before his eyes widened and feels his back stabbed by something. The force of the stab sent him flying through the old throne. Breathing hard he picks himself off the floor and uses the wall as a support as his blood poured from the wound in his back. 'That was careless of me.' Lightning chastised himself as the wyvern roared at him, blood dripping from one of its horn and its feet gripping the wall, holding it up. "I guess I have no choice. I have too many thing important things to do and a few mares to go back to. Seal release!" Lightning yelled and a magical circle appeared around him before shattering. "Round two." Lightning says as lightning channeling through his front hooves. The mares rushed through the dredged Everfree Forest looking for Lightning. After Twilight became an alicorn from her discovery and told the rest what happened before all of it, they quickly rushed out looking for him. But not before Rainbow shook her back and forth while yelling how she could allow him to do that. They soon came across the bodies of the ponies that Lightning found earlier. Fluttershy quickly hides behind Applejack as Twilight studied the bodies, looking for a sign that Lightning was here. "These ponies have been dead for at least a day." Twilight says studying them closely. Rainbow, being barely a stranger to the dead, takes a closer look. "How do you know?" "Because rigor mortis has set in." Twilight says. Rainbow pokes one of the bodies and finds that it is hard to move it. "Rigor Mortis is one of the recognizable signs of death, caused by chemical changes in the muscles after death, causing the limbs of the corpse to become stiff and difficult to move or manipulate. In ponies, it commences after about three to four hours, reaches maximum stiffness after 12 hours, and gradually dissipates until approximately 48 to 60 hours after death. So they have been dead before Lightning left to investigate the roar and more importantly WHAT WOULD NEED THAT BIG OF A CAGE!" Twilight yelled pointing at the giant portable cage. Everypony hasn't noticed the huge busted cage in the middle of the clearing, but now they do. "And Fluttershy, turn away." Twilight says seeing a half-eaten body of a pony. "O-okay." Came the meek reply. They all soon continued on after Applejack pointed out a pony's track following the path of destroyed trees. They soon came into sight of the old castle where they faced Nightmare Moon when a blast of lightning erupted from the inside of it. Rainbow becomes wide eyes as the lightning can only mean one thing. "Lightning.” She said to herself quietly. She then rushes and flies off to get there first. 'Don't you dare die, Lightning.' Rainbow thought. The others of the mane six follow as two more blasts of lightning erupt from the castle as a second tower collapsed. Lightning was flying through the air being chased by an angry wyvern. Lightning then spins in the air blasting it in the face with lightning. The wyvern turns to the side and tries to block the attack, but makes it worse. Lightning uses this time to fly out of the corridor and clung to the place above the doorway with a smirk. 'Payback time.' He thinks. The wyvern comes into the hallway and tries to find the little pony that escaped her. Lightning blasts it in its back that makes the wyvern screech loud and swivels around, sending the tail smashing into the walls. Lightning launches himself off the wall as the wyvern's tail slams the place he was. He flips in the air shooting lightning blasts at the wyvern before landing on the ground. 'Great vision starting to blur, getting harder to stay on my hooves and my wings are starting to go numb.' Lightning says as he felt all three effects. The wyvern screeches loud as ever right in his face. Lightning moves backward to prepare for another strike. He launches another blasts but his aim was off from his blurred vision, allowing the wyvern to dodge but part of its wing got hit by the blast as it went by and into the wall damaging the already greatly unstable castle again. Outside the mares ran closer when another blast came out of the castle, making them stop for a bit before running again. The Mane six arrive in time to see Lightning bleeding badly and looking out of breath and barely even able to stand fleeing out into the castle courtyard. "I guess it's all or nothing here." Lightning says, his magic aura flaring to where it was visible to all, scaring the wyvern a bit and making all the Mane six's eyes widen. Twilight's eyes grows surprised that Lightning is able to make this kind of a charge of magic. Rainbow looks on in worry, almost ready to jump in there and get him out. Rarity fainted just to not see the horrible end result. Fluttershy tries to look away, but takes a peek from under her hooves every time as she lies on the ground. Applejack remains slack jawed in wonder. Pinkie...well...she's sitting in a folding chair eating some popcorn, drinking some soda and waving a flag that says, "GO LIGHTNING!" As for the wyvern, she is now wishing that she never has never been born...and hears her laundry calling. The wyvern tires to hightail it out of there, screaming out in fear in her own language that would probably go like this. "OH, SWEET MOTHER AND FATHER UNDER SIXTY FEET OF GRAVE! HELP ME! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!" "O rex fulminis Servientis. Et impii in tenebris rapit lacrimae processit, et disperdes inimicos meos." Lightning chanted in a new language as he brought his front hooves to the front of him, a sphere of pure lightning forming. Twilight gasped as the magic aura increase more over. "Bestia fulminis!" Lightning finishes chanting before hurling the sphere of lightning at the wyvern. Halfway to the wyvern the sphere exploded outward and took the form of a head of a monster that snapped its jaw down on the wyvern. The wyvern let out an incredibly loud pain filled roar before being obliterated and the lightning head flew passed the castle, grazing the final standing tower before exploding in the air. Lightning's magical aura slowly dissipated leaving him gasping for air. He turns his head and sees the Mane six and waves but freezes when he sees the now alicorn Twilight. "Ok either I'm hallucinating from blood loss or Twilight is now an alicorn. And there goes one of my internal organs." Lightning says to himself before collapsing, causing the Mane six that were conscious to run over to him. Author's Note The foreign language was Latin. "Oh servant of the lightning king. That tears through the darkness and devours the wicked come forth and destroy my enemies." "Beast of Lightning!"
Who's Smarter"Speaking" 'Thoughts' Lightning slowly starts coming to. The first thing he noticed was he was laying on his stomach on a bed. "Hello? Anypony there?" He called out to the room. He noticed that his throat felt dry and so he coughs from it. He heard somepony clear their throat. Turning his head Lightning sees Rainbow Dash, not looking too happy. "Uh, hi Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow looks at him stark raving mad. "You bucking IDIOT!" She yells in front of him. "Why do you say that?" Lightning asks trying to seem innocent. Rainbow slams a hoof right by his head. "You went off to kill a monster all by yourself, not even taking Nikolai along to help! What's more is that you became so injured that Twilight had to put you into a coma for a few days." Rainbow vented. "And most importantly..." She leans in. "YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU COULD USE MAGIC!" Rainbow yells in Lightning's ear. 'Oh no.' Lightning thinks. He sighs and turns away from her. "I didn't want to cause too much of a ruckus. I only use it and the most noticeable kinds in an emergency." He explains. Rainbow didn't look happy and the glare she wore was starting to make him sweat. 'She's got a worse glare then my sister.' Lightning thinks starting to get more and more afraid of his marefriend. Lightning gets surprised as he sees tears falling down Rainbow's face. "You idiot." She whispered. Looking closer Lightning noticed bags below her eyes. "Rainbow how long have you been sitting in that chair?" Lightning asks seriously. Rainbow moves the hoof on the bed to his hoof. "Since you were placed here." She said to him quietly. "Rainbow come here." Lightning says softly. Rainbow lifts her head up to look at him and gets off to chair to get closer. Lightning brings his front leg up and uses it to hug Rainbow the best he could as he brought her closer to himself. "I was worried the whole time I was here and they brought you in. It was the scariest thing, not seeing you wake up." Rainbow said to him. "Rainbow everything is okay. I'm awake now aren't I?" Lightning says. Rainbow looks over him, seeing all the bandages and splints. "Yeah, I guess you are." "So how long have I been asleep?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks to the clock as if it was the calendar. "About three days." "Ah, that explains the stiffness. Wait, who else know I'm in here?" Lightning asks a thoughtful look on his face. Rainbow looks up at the ceiling finding it very interesting suddenly. "Hurricane and that's about it." "Rainbow I know you're telling me the truth when you avoid eye contact, who else?" Lightning asks. Rainbow sighs and looks at him. "Hurricane sent a letter to Spitfire." She said ashamed. "Ok that's all I need to know." Lightning says starting to get up. Lightning then freezes as his brain processed the last name. "WAIT WHAT?!" He screams. Lightning frantically starts to try again to get up but Rainbow tries to restrain him and keep him on the bed because he has yet to recover. "Stay down. You haven't healed yet." She struggled. "I can take that because I rather be injured then dead after Spitfire gets here." Lightning says as it soon he started struggling worse. Rainbow struggled until she feels a cold feeling through her. "Let me try this." She hears. Lightning immediately freezes in fear and slowly turns his head to see... "You really are like Razor aren't you?" Hurricane said to him, looking over the shoulder of Rainbow. "Oh thank goodness you not..." Lightning stops as soon a new mare enters. "Hello brother." Spitfire says. Lightning screams in terror before flopping onto the floor and tries to crawl away from everypony. Lightning almost made it to the window to jump out of it but Spitfire stomped on his tail keeping him in place. Lightning hits the ground hard, making him oomph. For a few seconds Lightning tried to scurry away but go nowhere. "Can any of you mares go easy?" Lightning asks chuckling. "Spitfire maybe you should go easy..." Rainbow stopped when Spitfire leveled a glare at her. "Help me." Lightning whispered, fear evident in his eyes. Rainbow and Hurricane looks at each other before turning back to Lightning. "No." They both said. Hurricane then gets closer and right in his face. "You need to learn your mistakes." "I think the hole in my back took care of that lesson." Lightning says. Causing Rainbow's eyes to widen. "He has a point Spitfire, if you punish him now his wounds will open back up." Rainbow says worried Spitfire tightened her glare. "He had worse." She shot back. "A hole through his back that almost hit his spine?" Rainbow asks glaring at a now nervous Spitfire. Spitfire looks at Rainbow for a few seconds before sighing and letting go of his tail. "I guess that is bigger." She said quietly, almost to the point where anypony can barely hear it. "D-d-d-did you j-j-j-just back d-own-own-own-own?" Lightning stuttered and shocked. "Oh, she's a keeper." Hurricane says floating by. Spitfire nods slowly. "I guess I have been more protective of you since the accident, sorry." "No you're the same as when I was a foal." Lightning says before getting bopped on the head by Spitfire. Spitfire turns around after that to cover up the blush. "Shut up." "Love you too." Lightning says before being bopped on the head again. This came curiosity of Hurricane. "What did she just say?" She said like a mother. "Oh, I almost forgot, Twilight wanted to talk to you about the magic you used and..." Rainbow starts glaring at thin air. "Discord is staying with Fluttershy again." Rainbow finishes. Lightning looks confused. "What's so bad about that? He's turned good...didn't he?" "I don't like or trust him after our first encounter." Rainbow says, continuing to glare. Lightning sighs and tries to get up. "Rainbow, you have to accept some things and this includes Discord. Even you know that." "How do you even know about Discord?" Rainbow asks. "Uhh...Spitfire told me the story about him when I was a foul." Lightning said hastily. 'Did I?' Spitfire thinks trying to remember. Rainbow nods. "That makes sense." She then glares at him. "You were in Stalliongrad. Tell the truth." "I was about 7 when that happen. I remember Spitfire told me about it after she visited the royal garden in Canterlot." Lightning says as Spitfire face shows remembrance of this. Spitfire nods as she agrees. "Yes, it's all coming back to me now. If I remember correctly you were very curious about him." "Oh ok, sorry." Rainbow says. 'That was too close she is really suspicious of me and now she knows I can use magic.' Lightning thinks. "Well since you're awake and have enough energy to move around like that you're coming with me." Rainbow says before starting to drag Lightning off by the tail towards Twilight's house. Lightning waves goodbye to Hurricane and Spitfire as he is dragged away from them. "See ya later you two." Lighting cheerily said. 'At least I don't have to put up with them any longer.' "See you both at dinner." Rainbow yells to them. Hurricane raises an eyebrow as they leave them. "Too much like Razor." She commented, before turning to Spitfire. "So let's work on getting you a stallion." Hurricane says, making Spitfire blush heavily and ready to leave with her own version of a Sonic Rainboom called a Fire Rainboom if that's possible. Lightning looks around as the ponies of town are looking at him like he has grown a second head. "You should really lose more weight." Rainbow struggled out as she drags him across the road. "You guys told everyone I can use magic didn't you?" Lightning asks suspiciously. Rainbow shakes her head as she lifted Lightning to his hooves. "Only Twilight." She answered. "She seriously need to learn how to keep a secret." Lightning says starting to walk. Rainbow shakes her head more. "She can't even keep a Pinkie Promise once when Spike asks her to." "I don't think I want to know." Lightning says as they reach the library. They reach the front of the library as a book with stick arms and legs came dancing out, leaving the two confused and scared. "Let me guess Discord?" Lightning asks. "Discord stop!" Twilight yelled from inside. "Yep." Lightning says as Rainbow charges through the door. They both get inside to find Discord snapping his claws, changing everything to his end and only Fluttershy is playing along. "Rainbow, Lightning help me here." Twilight says Before anypony could do anything Discord snaps his claws making everything back to normal. "There." He said. "Rainbow don't attack." Lightning says stopping Rainbow. "Forget it, he's dead meat!" She yelled as she charged him. Taking a lesson from Spitfire, he stomps on Rainbow's tail stopping her. Rainbow looks back at him, glaring. "What's that for?! Discord is messing everything up and Fluttershy is doing nothing." "Rainbow Discord is a spirit of chaos you can't engage something like that head on and besides he only does what he does for fun isn't that right?" Lightning asked Discord is randomly picking his ear with his clawed paw holding one of his nails that grew back from another paw. "I'm sorry, I'm busy." He said absentmindedly. "Anyways if he did anything to you..." Lightning pauses and goes up to Discord and grabs his goat beard pulling him down to eye level and giving Discord a glare that actually scared him for a second. "I would break him so badly even his magic wouldn't be able to fix him." Lightning threatens. Discord drops what he's doing, which a large claw is smashing onto the library floor, destroying the area. "Right." Discord said unconvincingly as he raises a claw. "I would never hurt anypony at all." He promised as he crossed his claws behind his back. Lightning takes a hold of one of Discord's fang and rips it out of his mouth, causing Discord to yell in pain. "That hurt! That hurt?" Discord asked greatly confused. Discord snaps his claws making mirror appear before him. He examines his fangs and sees that none of his teeth were ripped out. "How...?" He started. "Besides I know someone better at chaos magic." Lightning says baiting Discord. Discord snaps a newspaper from Ponyville Press. He flips through it as calm as ever. "I don't see any other chaos bringer in here." He then throws the paper behind him, making them change, in a cloud of smoke, into paper butterflies. And now Fluttershy is fawning over the new creatures. "Pretty." She whispered. "I never said she was on this side of the world." Lightning says. Everypony and draconic freezes as they hear the pronoun. "Hang on a moment." Discord said after a few seconds. He snaps into existence a glass of water and drinks the glass and throws the still holding water behind him, making an explosion that sends a few papers flying. He then does a spit take that sent a tidal wave after everypony and sends them washing away to the other side of the room. "Are you so surprised that there are more or that the one I think is better than you a female?" Lightning asks. Discord shakes his side to side once. "No, I just can't believe that she didn't search me out. Come on, I'm a catch. Even Celestia is starting to fall in love with all this." He exemplifies this by flexing his arms and tries to make an arm muscles flex out, but only makes such a weak arm muscle show that it flops down limply and just swings there. "She's married and has three kids." Lightning says. Discord goes wide eyes and then snaps a crying version of himself in a fetal position, holding a blank picture, but it turns out to be a viewing screen. "That would be me, if I was desperate." He then snaps the viewer away. Lightning pulls out a newspaper on the front page was 'Wanted female chaos magic user for a good time.' Under it was a picture of Discord winking. "Still want to say that?" Lightning says. Discord grabs the paper with an extender grabber and throws it into the fireplace. "That's nothing." "It says you placed the ad." Lightning says. Rainbow comes up to him and whispers, "Where did you get the paper?" "I created it with Chaos magic. The one I mentioned was a teacher of mine in the art of magic." Lightning whispers back. Discord snaps a cotton candy cloud and lets it fall chocolate rain. "Three, two, one." Pinkie burst in and starts drinking the chocolate rain. Discord snaps a glass and fills it up with the chocolate, but it fills up in the opposite direction. "Still, how is she? Creating chaos like me, maybe?" "Mostly teaching is what she is doing, whether it be her kids or students. The number of chaos magic users are increasing Discord." Lightning says. Discord snaps in a cotton candy cone and swirls the cotton candy cloud onto it. He proceeds to eat as he said, "Well that's disappointing." "That she is better than you and can actually teach?" Lightning asks. Discord shakes his head, sending cotton candy everywhere, which Pinkie licks up. "That I'm not unique anymore...or maybe have been unique." He adds as a forethought. "You are still unique. You're a spirit of chaos, not just another chaos magic user." Lightning clarified. He snaps a therapist chair in the middle of the room and lies on it. "Still, knowing that there are chaos users around really messes with my head." He shows this by turning his head upside down. "Well you're not the first chaos user as long there has been magic a species could use there has been some form of Chaos magic." Lightning says Finally Discord got frustrated. "Can't you see? I'm miserable now, because..." "Because?" Fluttershy asks. "I'm not the only one using Chaos magic. I use to love it when I was the only one doing it." Pinkie sets up a therapist chair near him and wears a monocle and a beard on her muzzle and then brings up a notepad and prepares to write. "Tell me about your mother." Pinkie asks. Discord lies down on the couch. "Well she was..." "As fascinating as this is I called Lightning here to talk about his ability to use magic." Twilight says annoyed that her books were destroyed and some pages are on fire and now she has chocolate milk all over the floor and a destroyed floor to buck. Lightning turns away from the funny show in front of him to see Twilight grabbing every book on foreign magic. "I agree, let's begin." "Let's go into the basement so we won't be interrupted by them." Twilight says before leading Lightning away with Rainbow following. They went through the basement door to find the basement littered with science equipment and test tubes of chemicals. Coming to rest on a center table they awaited Twilight to set up her recording equipment. This also included a notepad, a magic meter, an EKG, a hazmat suit, and a decimation chamber. "So what do you want to know?" Lightning asks a little concerned with all the extra test devices. Twilight just brings up the notepad. "First do use the magic willingly or it comes out by instinct?" "I used it willingly." Lightning answered as Twilight started to hook him up to machines. He looks to the devices he's being plugged into. "This won't shock me would it?" Pinkie pops out from under the table. "Nope." She then goes back under and disappears. "I swear either she is a chaos magic user or a creature of chaos like Discord." Lightning commented. Twilight sighs as the memories of that day she went to study Pinkie came flooding back. "I know what you mean, but Pinkie is just that, Pinkie. There is no clear answer to her." She informed as she finished hooking him to everything. "Furthering my analysis." Lightning added to his last hypothesis. Twilight proceeds to turn everything on. "Best not to dwell on it. I lit on own mane and tail on fire when I got really frustrated from her Pinkie Sense." "That is a sign of affiliation to fire." Lightning says. Twilight shakes her head and shows her wings. "I think I'm on a more celestial magic type." "Not really, after that outburst a part of your magical nature was revealed to you." Lightning says sounding like a professor. Twilight looks at him deadpan. "Back off stallion, I'm a scientist." She retorted. "Besides who's the one hooked to the machines?" "I'm sorry where your degree is?" Lightning asks making Twilight stutter. Twilight then gasp as she comes up with an answer. "I've been placed here by Celestia because of my extensive studies and knowledgeable areas of all." She answered proudly. "So where is your degree that says you graduated a magical school and are qualified to give lectures on the advance magical course?" Lightning asks as Twilight goes silent. "Trophy room." She said simply as she pointed to a door on the side of the lab. "Must be pretty small then." Rainbow says before laughing. Twilight glares and opens the door with her magic, blinding everypony in the room with the vast amount of awards and medals won from various areas and competition. "I started winning them since I was four." "Ok then tell me Twilight what is the basic theory behind elemental magic?" Lightning asks. Twilight raises a hoof, but then pauses as nothing comes to her. "I...I don't..." She then points accusingly to Lightning who is smirking at her. "You're using the type of magic used across seas aren't you?" "Somepony give Twilight a prize, you're right, the eastern land have developed magic that anypony can use." Lightning says catching Rainbow's attention. Twilight huffs and turns to her machines, then comes up with an answer from just the word elemental. "Matter can't be neither created nor destroyed so all magic must follow the basic elemental principle of balance." "That is a basic principle of all magic, but Elemental magic relies on drawing on the forces of nature itself." Lightning corrected. Twilight groans with a frustrated face and just gives up. "I give up." She turns on the machines, but 'accidentally' hits a higher voltage setting, shocking Lightning. Lightning doesn't really react. "Like for me for example I am a natural lightning element user so this really doesn't affect me." Lightning says as Twilight realizes what she did and Rainbow jaw goes slack. Twilight then goes dead pan and fires an ice spell freezing him in a block of ice. "I was getting tired of his smartflank attitude." "Cause he knew more than you at something?!" Rainbow yells in her face obviously angry. Twilight pushes away to give herself some breathing room. "If he was a kind stallion he would have ended this trivial pursuit and stop questioning. Besides I need him still for this first test." "You better make it fast then Twi cause the ice is already starting to melt." Rainbow says as Twilight notices it too. Twilight flips a switch and activates one of the machines which then makes the other machines follow in unison. "Come on." She prayed. The machine starts to spit out readings most didn't really make sense to Twilight. The ice soon starts to melt faster as the machine continues it's scanning of him. The testers finished as the last of the results papers come and the ice finishes melting, leaving an angry Lightning. "What was that for?!" Lightning yells his red eyes bearing down on Twilight who laughs nervously. 'Since when did Lightning learn the stare?' Rainbow thinks. "Well?" Lightning says angrily Twilight suddenly brings up a result paper in front of her face as a way to hide. "Oh look, your magic is very much off the charts." "That's cause your comparing it to just unicorn exclusive magic. Elemental magic gets its power from nature itself meaning what, Twilight?" Lightning asked still mad. "Um...that your body contains pure nature magic?" Twilight asks. "Correct as such the amount I can naturally hold is greater than what normal unicorns can hold because it's not reliant on my own energy." Lightning says. Twilight looks to other test papers. "Your normal day to day functions are the same as ever, heck a little better, almost like a bodybuilder." "That's mostly from training and a healthy diet." Lightning informs. She looks to the last paper showing brain waves readings. "Hang on a second..." She takes a closer look as the others lean in too. "What?" Lightning asks starting to get worried. Twilight shows them the readings. "It shows that there are two brains types of brain waves instead of one." "Obviously an error." Lightning says. 'I can't believe she detected that.' Lightning thinks. Twilight flips the reader again and takes a quick scan. "Not by this it is. This is not an error at all." She then turns back to him. "Let's try a magical scan." She quickly told as she lit up her horn. Twilight thoroughly scans Lightning but comes up with nothing abnormal. "I don't understand." Twilight says. "See an error." Lightning says. Twilight then gasp with an idea. "Maybe because you are naturally resisting it. A simple sleep spell would do." She readies her horn with a knockout spell that places anypony under for a few. "Oh no you don't I noticed where you scanned for a few extra seconds." Lightning says before running for it leaving a blushing Twilight. "I was looking at your stomach, not your...that part!" She yells out as Lightning starts flying away at high speed. Rainbow glares bores into the back of Twilight's head. Twilight feels the glare on her. "What?" She asks annoyed. Rainbow shakes her head and flies off after Lightning, but not before a message. "Next time, leave personal stuff out of the questioning and don't you dare look at that part again." "B-but...I" Twilight was trying to form a sentence when Rainbow asks, "By the way how big is he? " Twilight opens her mouth without thinking "There is a saying that for male pegasus, it's all in the wing size." Twilight eyes went wide from what she just said. Twilight raises a hoof to explain but comes out of her mouth. "Thanks Twi, but once again DON'T ever look him there again or I'll personally rip those wings of yours off and we'll see if you can still be a princess or not." Rainbow warns before going after Lightning. 'This is so Discord's fault.' Twilight thought before she sighs and looks to her large amounts of papers that littered the floor. She then sees the brain wave scan again. "That's something weird, I know it. What are you hiding from us Lightning Bolt?" She said to herself. After several hours Rainbow managed to find Lightning resting in a tree in the Everfree forest. "You're crazy you know that right?" She asks knowingly. "Flying at such speeds while still recovering?" Lightning asks laying on the branch with his eyes closed as Rainbow landed gently in front of him. She shakes her head. "No, everything you're doing and being so close." "To you or something else?" Lightning asks as she gets closer. Rainbow smirks as she gets the meaning. "I was going to say the Everfree Forest, but yeah, to me too." "What can I say, I feel most comfortable here and I can't help getting close to you." Lightning says getting up and walking over to Rainbow. Rainbow leans onto Lightning when she is finally close enough. "Let's go on a real date, ok Rainbow?" Lightning asks. Rainbow snuggles close to him. "I'd like that." She whispers. "Let's go shall we then?" Lightning asks, spreading his wings. Rainbow takes a look around where they are. "But where and at this hour?" "It's still dinner time and the pony who own the fancy restaurant in town owes me a favor so just follow me, ok?" Lightning asks. She looks to the town and tries to see the fancy restaurant buildings. "What happened that made him owe you a favor?" "Actually it's a she and she had an infestation problem. I missed one Chamiosaurus because she had trapped it in the basement..." Lightning says. Rainbow gets up off the branch and stretches her wings. "Well if it can be free, that's even better. Let's go." She takes after him as Lighting leads the way. The night was peaceful as Lightning and Rainbow landed in front of the restaurant. Walking in the front door Lightning greeted the owner. The mare smiled at Lightning and waved and asked the waiter to seat them. The waiter led Lightning and Rainbow to a table next to the window. He gave them both menus before he headed to the kitchen. "So Rainbow have I ever told you how you're beautiful to me?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks up from her menu. "Don't start that kind of stuff. I'm not the kind to listen to all that sappy lovey dovey stuff." She informed. "I'm just asking Rainbow. Besides I know that and that's a thing about you I love." Lightning says. She looks back to menu. "Well then to answer the question, no you haven't...much." "Rainbow what you like to drink?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks over the types of drinks they have available, but nothing good for her pops out. "Maybe just water. If I can, a little soda." "Pick anything you want Rainbow it's all on me." Lightning says. "Then just a soda for me. I need something to end this night." Rainbow places the menu down and looks around the room. "Surprising that nopony is bothering to take a closer look at us." "Look around Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow looking around saw they were the only ones in the restaurant besides the staff. She takes more of a look around and tries to find anypony at their tables. "Where is everypony?" "The restaurant is closing the only reason we are being served is because the owner owes me a favor." Lightning says. The waiter came back. "Have you made your order?" After both Lightning and Rainbow ordered they just stared at each other until Lightning spoke. "Listen Rainbow I'm sorry for keeping secrets." Lightning says. Rainbow shakes her head. "Don't worry about it. That's passed and I can accept anything else that comes my way." "You're not curious if I have any more secrets?" Lightning asks. She shakes her head again. "No, I'll get them as they come. Better that way for me." Lightning stares her in the eyes before a bittersweet smile form on his mouth. "I really know how to pick em. Rainbow is there anything you want to know?" Lightning asks. "You avoided this question last time. So what was your rank in the Stalliongrad hunters?" Rainbow asks. Lightning sighs. "You had to remember that. I was rank six when I left the guild. That is the highest rank and there is never more than five members at a time but the requirements for the rank are so great that most consider it the legendary rank." Lightning says. Rainbow leans back in her chair. "Still crazy that you got this far." "Yeah I should have been dead a hundred times over but I'm still alive for some reason." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles lightly. "I meant in ranks, not how many times you're supposed to be dead." "I said former sixth rank Rainbow I'm no longer a member of the Stalliongrad hunters." Lightning says. She turns to the kitchen. "I wonder when our meals arrive." "It's coming now." Lightning says spotting the waiter. The waiter comes over with two dishes balancing on his hoof. 'And they thought I was ambidextrous.' Rainbow thinks. The dinner proceeded with no words as both pegasus just ate and looked at one another. After finishing and Lightning paying they left the restaurant. Eventually they found themselves on a cloud over looking Ponyville. "Rainbow..." Lightning started. She turns to the stallion beside her. "Yes." Lightning sighs and turns to her. "What do you really think of me, like truly?" "I think you're a wonderful stallion who is more than willing to put your life on the line for others even if you're a little hard headed and keep a few too many secrets about your past." Rainbow says moving closer to Lightning. Lightning looks down to his forelegs. "That's...good. I appreciate that you think of me that way." "I'm also happy to call myself your marefriend." Rainbow says leaning on Lightning being careful to avoid his injuries. "Rainbow there is something I want to do with you right now." Lightning says. Rainbow turns to look at him wide eyed. "Uh...if you're suggesting what I think you're suggesting then you might want to wait." "Not that Rainbow, this." Lightning says before kissing Rainbow. Rainbow becomes wide eyed and shocked before falling into the kiss quickly and leans into him more. A little ways away Twilight sees this and smiles before turning away and flying off. They both release their kiss and become mesmerized in each other's eyes. "Rainbow, I love you." Lightning simply said. "I love you too." She said back before kissing him again. Canterlot Castle A guard approached both Princess Celestia and Luna. "Your majesties." The guard says. They both look over from the mountains of paperwork, literally by the way, in front of them. "Yes?" Celestia asks. "We have received a letter from the federation." The guard says bringing out the letter. They send the piles of paperwork away to the side of the room as they grab the letter with their magic. Dear Princess Celestia and Luna, The Federation has received your letter and has decided to send a few representatives to see if you are truly serious in forming an alliance with us. I hope you understand why we are doing this seeing as the empire has shown signs of unrest and preparation for war. Queen Eclipse of Saddle Arabia herself has volunteer to come herself for this important meeting. Signed High King Ulfric of Stalliongrad. Both the princesses look at each other as the message came to mind. "You are sure that we have to do this?" Luna asks her sister. "Undoubtedly. It's no secret the Empire has always wanted to take over Equestria and with their unknown magic and armies that outnumber our entire population many times over. We must have allies." Celestia answers. Luna nods and turns back to the mountains of paperwork they have left. "I am surprised that High King Ulfric of Stalliongrad replied personally though." Celestia added as a forethought. Author's Note And that's another chapter. Read and Review.
Old FriendA/N: And we're back. Sorry for the fast and slow updates. I'm in college right now so everything is hectic. Trying to rush and buying time is not easy. Especially since I suck at math. Now does Flair have anything to say? Flair: Not really no. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' Lightning was standing with Rainbow as he watched Twilight's inauguration ceremony all the while pulling at the outfit Rarity made. 'I absolutely hate formal clothes, but I like the hats Rarity made for me and Rainbow.' Lightning thought. Rainbow bumps him in the side. "Stop fidgeting like a foal. Besides you wear clothes all the time." Rainbow whispers. Lightning made one more adjustment before he stopped messing with his clothes. "I wear comfortable armor, not formal black tie." He commented. "Look it's almost over, then there is a party." Rainbow whispers. "A formal party." Lightning whispers back a little depressed. "Oh, grow up." Rainbow quipped. "We have to meet nobles, like what was the name of the prince nopony cares about?" Lightning asks as he brings a hoof to his chin. "Prince Blueblood?" Rainbow answer. "Yeah, Prince Bluebrood." Lightning confirmed...wrong. "Oh, joy bunnies." Rainbow Dash whispered joining his opinion on it. The ceremony finally ended and they were escorted to the party room. Inwardly all Lightning could do was groan. The room was filled with the richest ponies in the city and shaking hooves with Twilight. Even Twilight was getting tired of it. Luckily Celestia steps in and takes over for all the hoof shaking. Afterword Twilight spent some time with her friends while Lightning actually starts eating at the concession table. "At least the food is good." He remarked. The mares were then approach by a very fat elderly stallion. "Oh ho ho ho, my Lady Twilight you look absolutely lovely." The stallion says. Twilight turns to the stallion as well the rest of the group. "Who the hay is that?" Applejack whispers. "Some noble we have never met. I believe he is Lord Burrows, the owner of the northern gold mines." Rarity whispers back. "Ah...thank you...sir." Twilight said back. "Oh, not at all Princess Twilight. A complement of so low quality to you is not even worthy of acknowledging." Lord Burrows says. Lightning seeing him, glares, knowing him full well from the description Nikolai gave him, but kept his cool knowing that he was his only lead to Dolph and the rest of the Nether Gate assassins. He stayed at the table still watching them just in case. "Who we looking at?" Lightning screams like a filly then turns to Spitfire behind him. "Grandma was right, you do scream like a filly." She put out, commenting on his scream. Lightning glares at his sister before turning his attention back to Lord Burrows. "To answer your question a stallion who I will stuff and mount on my wall if he makes a pass on Rainbow." Lightning says with anger. Spitfire looks to the lord. "I don't think he's going after Rainbow." "I think you're right. He seems to be buttering up the newest princess." Lightning says turning around and his jaw went slack jaw after he noticed his sister was wearing a dress and not her uniform. "What the heck in Tartarus is that barf?" "What, it doesn't look good?" Spitfire asks looking irritated. "No, it looks good, it's just I never saw you wear a dress. Grandmother must have made some major headway in convincing you to find a stallionfriend." Lightning says smirking. Spitfire frowns at the proposal. "No, grandma didn't have anything to do with this. Besides, this is my other formal wear for parties." "So she hasn't been pestering you nonstop about that?" Lightning says his smirk growing. She hung her head down. "Unfortunately." Lightning pats her reassuringly on the back. "Don't worry sis. There is a stallion for you out there." She glares back at him for that. "That's not what I hoped you say." "I know I just said that to get a rise out of you, but sis, serious question." Lightning's face turned serious. "Yes?" Spitfire asks. "Are you a fillyfooler?" Lightning whispers into her ear. She turns red and turns him around then slams his head into the punchbowl. Everypony bears witness as she tried to drown him in the bowl. "You going to never ask that again, are you?" She asks calmly as she lifted his head out of the bowl. "Until I get a serious answer, yes." Lightning says. This earned him another turn in the punchbowl. Spitfire lifts him out again. "I won't give up until you answer." He told her as he tried to get his breath back. Spitfire sighs and let's go. "Just go with your marefriend because you're not worth it." Lightning looks at her worriedly. "Hey, what's wrong?" He then frowns. "Show's over folks, go back to your hoof shaking." He told the other partygoers. They grumbled at the loss of the show that only comes from Ponyville. And when I say Ponyville, I mean it. I mean, that town is the only place in the world where anything interesting happens. Not including Canterlot, of course. "Come on sis, what's wrong with you?" Lightning asks again. Spitfire sighs again and kicks up some dust left behind on the floor. "Nothing, it's just…" "Just…" Lightning speaks on with a raised eyebrow. She turns to him. "You have a better life than me. Look at what I got and it's got me stuck on one thing in my life. Sure the Wonderbolts are good and it pays well. But after a while, it just doesn't have the flair it use to have. Like doing amazing tricks and stunts. Now everything is a blur of routines and repeats. Yours on the other hoof is better because of the creatures you have to fight and deal with. Since you can use different strategies to deal with them instead of the same thing." Lightning gains a frown at what she implicated. "You think its fun sis. It's not I risk my life on a daily bases. I never know if the next second is my last. The only thing constant is my fear. What I wouldn't give to be free of the responsibility to just fly like you and the others do having fun." Lightning said wistfully. Spitfire tears up at that notion. "I meant you keep getting the rush and sometimes if you like it, the thrill of it. I don't have that anymore. It's like walking by something that attacks you every day since you were born and now you can shrug it off with a sidestep or a flick of the hoof because it's routine." "There is no thrill for me sis. It was for the first few hunts but the first time I saw somepony die in front of me on a hunt, it stopped being fun." Lighting says sadness evident on his face. Silence came out of them as the party went on in earnest. "I'm sorry." It was faint, but it was there. Lightning says nothing and just wraps his sister in a hug. "Listen I don't know if this helps, but I picked up a few moves that can never be shown because it's an attack style. You can use it on your own time and not in front of an audience. They would just bring the thrill down. Deal?" She wipes the tears from her muzzle. "Deal." She envelops him in a hug once more. "Oh." Luna says watching the two siblings. "I remember once when we were like that." She said to herself as she looks to Celestia still shaking hooves. "Like what sister?" Celestia asks as she looks to her little sister. Luna didn't even realized that she was close enough. "When we were young as young mares back in the day." She told her as Luna shook a hoof. At least they trust her enough now to shake a hoof. "Yes, simpler times." Celestia says a little sorrow in her voice as she remembered times long passed. "Back when we could mess around and have a little fun instead of worrying of how to run a country." "Oh that reminds me sister, isn't the Queen of Saddle Arabia supposed to arrive tonight?" Luna asks as she looks around for her. "Yes, a little later, but soon little sister." Celestia says. After a time Lightning and Spitfire stopped hugging and tried to enjoy the party and then went over to see the mares from Ponyville after Lord Burrows left. "Hey girls, did that lordy Mcblob leave you alone for the rest of your lives now?" "Ah, hey Lightning." Rainbow says as Lightning and Spitfire come up next to her. "How did the drowning go?" "Well, I think I sprouted gills." Lightning joked. "Really?!" Pinky exclaimed as she popped out from behind Rainbow's head before starting to check him all over for gills. "Pinkie." Twilight says annoyed. "Not now, checking for gills." Pinkie says rather quickly. "Pinkie, can you let go, this does not look good." He was right as the position they're in is not one to be shown in public. Pinkie was on Lightning's stomach while he was on his back. Not a pretty sight for some...though some left not for the embarrassment. "He was joking." Spitfire says blandly. "Ah, ah." Pinkie was peeking in Lightning's mouth for some inside gills, who looked annoyed. "Soootppp Pinnnnnkkee." He said with his mouth open. Pinkie lets out a huff. "No gills, come on!" She said to nopony. Lightning pushes her off and messes with his jaw back into place. "Thanks a lot Pinkie, now I won't eat right for a week." He complained as he finishes his jaw moving with a crack. "Ah, that's better." He sighed as he rubs his jaw line. "So what did that fat stallion want? Don't tell me he made a pass on any of you." Lightning says. "Oh no, he just complimented us a lot is all." Twilight informed. "Then he wants something." Lightning says. Rarity looks around and sees the Canterlot ponies and rich ponies from other countries milling about, but keeps sweeping a glance to Twilight. "As the new princess they will want to earn favors from you to advance themselves." Lightning says sounding like he had experience. Twilight rubs a hoof against her head to alleviate some pressure. "I thought they were just being nice. I guess this is how Princess Celestia feels." She said as she looks over to the sun alicorn. "And it sounds like you had this problem before." Spitfire spoke up. Lightning looks back at her then back to the others. "Yeah, I'm used to it because the nobles of Stalliongrad relied on the Stalliongrad Hunters to keep their lands safe from monsters. A lot of times we see them being buttered up for wealth or power." Lightning says. "Oh, this is going to take some getting used to." Twilight moans. "It never gets easy." Lightning says before everypony hears trumpets being blown. "Presenting the Queen of Saddle Arabia." A crier announced as a dark purple pegasus, with batwings instead of the normal feather wings, red eyes, and black mane wearing a regal bright purple with red lines, to highlight her eyes, gown, walks in with an escort of Saddle Arabian soldiers. Celestia and Luna walks toward the queen as everypony clears a path for them. Lightning just stares wide eyed at the Queen walking towards them. "Good evening Princesses of Equestria." The Queen greets the older ruler as she slightly inclines her head down. The co-rulers bow slightly in return. "And good evening to you. We have been expecting you." Celestia greets back. "That is something I didn't expect." Lightning whispered quietly. "What do you mean?" Rainbow asks as the Queen surveys the crowd and her eyes fall on Lightning. 'She better not do what I think she's going to do.' "Please excuse me Princess Celestia and Luna, I have just spotted a familiar face." The Queen says before making her way to the table of the Mane Six, Spitfire, and Lightning. Lightning had tried to slip away but Spitfire held him in place by his tail. 'Oh buck.' He thought forebodingly. "Greetings, I am Queen Eclipse of Saddle Arabia." Queen Eclipse introduced herself, her escort still flanking her. "Hello there." Twilight spoke. "I'm Princess Twilight Sparkle. It's a pleasure huh…" She stops as she realizes that Eclipse stayed focused on Lightning, who was hiding beneath the table, even going as far as getting a little close to him. "It's been a long time Lightning." Eclipse said soothingly. Lightning groans and comes out into the limelight. "Hey Clipsley." Lightning says shyly as he receives stares from all the other mares at the table. Even the whole room went silent that you could hear a pin drop. PING Everypony looks to the sound and sees Luna with a pin on the ground. She looks back at them with a weirded out expression. "What? You were all thinking the same thing. I just wanted to see that it would work." "How dare you address the Queen in such a manner?!" Her guard escort says angrily before suddenly stopping under the weight of Lightning's glare. "That's enough. He is allowed to talk to me as such. He is one of the only two who can call me that." Eclipse says in her regal tone. "My apologies my Queen." The guard says backing away a bit. Lightning sighs heavily as everypony looks on in shock at what he called her. "You know, this isn't how I wanted how see you again. I'm still expecting a full convoy following you. Remember that escort one time?" Eclipse laughs with a hoof over her muzzle. "How could I forget? You're the only one that choose to try to beat me in my own game and the whole convey lost all their bits to you." She giggles a little more remembering their reactions. "Those were the fun days before you became Queen of Saddle Arabia." Lightning says longingly. "Would somepony explain what is going on?" Spitfire asks with the mane six having their jaws slacked, even Celestia and Luna had their jaws slacked a little. "Oh, it's simple. Lightning Bolt and I used to see each other." Eclipse says like it was a regular thing to tell. "Why do you have to be so blunt with that? I swear you do a 180 when it comes to politics." Lightning says. Eclipse laughs slightly. "Come on Boltie, you know how I act. How else did you put with me?" She teased. "Pain pills and natural muscle relaxants." Lightning jokes. "And what natural muscle relaxants they are." Eclipse follows. "An herb that is grown in Stalliongrad." Lightning answers bluntly. Eclipse looks at him with a sultry expression. "Well, how about the other relaxant you had with me?" "That was one time." Lightning says angrily before his eyes widen at what she had tricked him into revealing. Rainbow looks at him shocked. "Lightning...did you two…?" She said afraid of what he's implying. Lightning stares face down at the ground before repeatedly slamming his head into the table. "Oh, that trip to the spa was wonderful." Eclipse adds with a smile. Everypony facefualts. "Are you serious?!" Rainbow and Spitfire yell as they got back up. "It is part of my shame." Lightning says sulking in the corner that made him look like he had depressed lines on him. Eclipse laughs out loud. "Oh, I just love teasing you. Just like the old days." Lightning said nothing as he still sulks in the corner. "So did you really go out with my stallionfriend?" Rainbow asks. Eclipse smiles. "Nah, we were just good friends. Like brother and sister." She said casually. Pinkie Pie looks at the authors doubtful. Don't look at us Pinkie, we're just spicing up the story. Besides turn back to them. "What is she looking at?" Eclipse asks. Lightning leans in. "The first rule around here is when it comes to Pinkie Pie, don't ask questions about what she's doing or talking about. Just go along with it." "I see, so want to come to my room tonight?" Eclipse teased, causing Lightning to start stuttering and Rainbow to pull him away. Eclipse stared confused at them. "Oh come on, am I not attractive?" Rainbow shot a glare at her in response. "He is mine." Rainbow says with a glare. Lightning just looks at Eclipse with a shrug. "So could you elaborate on Lightning's past? He hasn't revealed that much." Twilight asks. "Oh I would love to..." Eclipse is cut off by a Saddle Arabian soldier that comes up to her. "My Queen the prince is requesting to see you." The soldier informs. Eclipse groans out loud. "Can't I spend time with the ponies I want or is the world against me?" "The prince? You have a son now?" Lightning almost yells as Rainbow hugs him tightly. Eclipse sighs and walks off. "Excuse me, I have to deal with this." She looks back at Lightning. "Maybe after we can catch up." Rainbow squeezes him harder. "Not happening sister." Eclipse shrugs. "Pity, I was hoping of making my famous sweet pie that you love." "Sweet pie?" Lightning says sounding tempted. Rainbow looks at him inscrutably. "Are you kidding me? What haven't you done with her?" "She is talking about a desert Rainbow." Lightning informs. Rainbow looks to the queen confused. "Really? This is getting more confusing by the second." Lightning scoffs. "Welcome to my world." "Has she always been like this?" Spitfire asks. "No, she used to be much worse. Oh, by the way Eclipse, meet my older sister Spitfire." Lightning says. Eclipse raises an eyebrow. "Charmed." "Likewise." Spitfire says cautious of Lightning's ex sizing her up. "Oh I like you, so much like Lightning Bolt when on a job." Eclipse says. "That raises the question, how did ya'll meet?" Applejack asks. "Oh well back when I was just a princess I was being escorted back to the capital after participating in a festival when we were attacked by a large monster. Many of my guards were devoured in a matter of seconds and as the creature bared down on me out of the blue Lightning comes and stabs the monster through the back of the neck. After a bit of fighting Lightning slew the monster saving me and the rest of my escort. After that I insisted on him accompanying my escort and I back to the capital." Eclipse says getting next to Lightning and Rainbow while everypony was preoccupied with the story. "Privacy space here." Rainbow told her as she got too close. "Oh, but you are so much fun to mess with and maybe you and I could spend a night in my room." Eclipse suggests. "Hmm." Rainbow hummed. "Tempting, tempting. Okay." She finally said with a shrug. "Now she is coming onto you." Lightning says with a smile. Eclipse smiles. "Great," She clapped her hooves together. "I'll see you two tonight...and maybe your sister for more fun." She added as an afterthought. Spitfire's jaw just slacked. "Okay, but you better not be thinking of what I think you're thinking." She warns. Eclipse looks innocent. "What am I thinking that you are thinking what am I thinking?" "Now comes the mind games. Remind me how you got your country in such a favorable position?" Lightning asks. Spitfire glares at the queen. "What you are thinking that I think you're thinking that you think I'm thinking is getting me and the others into your bed." Lightning throws his hooves into the air. "And I'm being ignored." "Like a slumber party?" Eclipse says innocently. "I'm going to do some heavy medication, that's illegal drugs for you guys." Lightning yells. Spitfire throws a hoof in her direction. "One hoof out of line and I'll get you. I don't care if you're the bucking queen." "I'm going to throw myself off a cliff. With my wings tied." Lightning yells. "Oh, I'm going to like you in there." Eclipse says grabbing Lightning out of Rainbow's grasp. "Am I still being ignored or did you guys just paid attention to me again." Lightning asks. "How did you do that?" Rainbow asks confused. "Oh, Lightning I could never ignore you." Eclipse says turning her head towards him. "Oh no, I know that old trick you are not going to get me with it." Lightning says facing away. "What are you talking about Lightn...?" Rainbow stops as she stares into Eclipse's red eyes. "And now my Marefriend is under your spell. Just perfect." Lightning says blandly. "So when do you want us there?" He said sounding defeated. "Just come with me now you'll get to meet my son." Eclipse says happily. "Fine, but first undo your spell on Rainbow Dash, ok?" Lightning asks. She sighs. "Fine." She blinks once. "Happy?" Rainbow blinks rapidly and rubs her head. "What happened?" "I only did that because of our past together. Got that?" She told him angrily. Lightning surprised her with a hug. "You're still a good friend." She still held a frown, but then hugs him back with a smile. The guards look like they were about to speak but a glare from their Queen kept them quiet. "Psst...Sister." Luna whispers. "Yes Luna." Celestia whispers back. "Can we exploit the past relationship of those two to get our alliance?" Luna whispers. Celestia looks at her with frown. "We don't exploit others like that. We do it right." Luna looks at her with a similar glare. "And what is right sister?" Celestia sighs. "What we know is right in our hearts. It's not up to us to place the right way into others, but rather have them find their own path. Whether it be right or wrong." "At least ask him to try and advise her to approve us." Luna whispers. "Well you do this." "What?!" "Your idea, your problem. You still need to learn about politics. So do the easy way or hard way, note that both have consequences." Celestia spoke with experience. "Fine I will ask him discreetly." Luna says before making her way to the table. Lightning lets go of Eclipse and stands on his own hooves again. "I hope you didn't make any change to that pie. Still love that damn thing, sent my taste buds tingling." She giggles. "I can assure that nothing has change, unlike you." "Hope you don't mind." Lightning asks with care. Eclipse smiles. "Not at all, in fact I like it. It's very becoming of you. But I'm surprised you aren't wearing that hat of yours anymore. You loved that thing." Eclipse says reminiscing Lightning subconsciously reaches to his head. "Yeah, that thing saved my life and looked cool while doing it. The ultimate badflankery." Luna finally reaches the table. "Lightning Bolt, a word please." "Sorry girls, I'll be back in a second." Lightning says before leaving with the princess. They both stop towards a balcony that overlooked the city of Canterlot. "Do you know why I wanted to have a word with you?" Luna asks as she looks to the city skyline. "I presume it has something to do with my relationship with Eclipse." Lightning says, gone was his joking tone. Luna nods. "Yes, I want you to persuade her to give her approval to Equestria." Lightning leans up on the balcony terrace. "You do realize that it is better to let them make their own minds rather than using something close to them. That's like blackmail." He threw a stare to Luna. "Something I don't do." "I'm not asking anything much just put in a good word." Luna requests. He sighs. "Like I said, no using others or anything. It's not right. Let her make up her own mind." He then smirks. "Besides, she's smart, she can catch on to what others are doing. Comes with the job. Taught her a few things to look out for too." Luna gains a frown at the situation that was deteriorating fast. "You sound just like my sister." Lightning hops off the edge and starts to head back inside. "Then listen to a friend and family member." He finished leaving Luna on the balcony. She sighs and looks into the night sky. Lightning makes his way back to the table to catch Eclipse telling an embarrassing story about him. "Clipsley." Lightning says whining a little. They don't notice the cheeks turn red rose. "Come on Lightning. You love telling others stories about you." Eclipse stated as a pure fact. "I don't tell stories about my past much anymore Clipsley." Lightning says as he pouts. Eclipse puffs her cheeks. "Oh, poo. And here I was hoping to tell about the time you had to…" "Don't say it!" Lightning says sternly. She shot him a pitiful look. Lightning sighs then Eclipse says. "Dress up like a jester." "Gah!" Lightning yells. Eclipse laughs out loud as the others followed. Lightning just groans, thinking that this is the worst day of his life. "Why me?" He asks to whatever is up there. "Oh, don't be like that." Eclipse says walking up to him. He shot a glare in her direction. "Then what do you want me to be like?" "The stallion I came to love." Eclipse says touching her nose to his. Lightning held himself there, but then nuzzles her back. "Still too long and too late Clipsley." "I can dream." Eclipse says before Rainbow tackles Lightning away. Rainbow gives her worst stare possible to him. "You're crazy." Lightning gives a smirk. "Who do you think you're talking too?" She gives a low growl. "And throwing yourself to another mare?!" "Who is almost like a sister?" Lightning asks. "Besides you're the one who has my heart." He says in a low voice. Rainbow sighs to herself and gets off of him, but as he gets up Rainbow swings a punch to him right in the nose. Lightning groans in pain as he recoiled from the blow. "OW! My poor little nose. I guess I deserve that." "You two make a good couple." Eclipse says. They both shoot a glare in her direction, but whether she sees it or not could not be told. "Now it's getting late so let's head home." Saddle Arabian Embassy Lightning, Rainbow, and Spitfire follow Eclipse to a very expensive looking home. It looked like one of Canterlot's snob's home. At least this mare has taste. A very good white with purple cloth hanging from the roof and vines growing from the bottom. Flower beds filled with all types, including some rare Saddle Arabian flowers, through to find it in all of that is hard enough, on both sides of the pathways leading up the mansion with a small pond in all the sections. In the middle of the courtyard is a circular three level fountain with Saddle Arabia's countries in separate blocks inscribed on the bottom blocks for an easy map read. On top of the fountain stood the queen's cutie mark that had a candle light inside. "I see they really went all out with your symbol." Lightning commented. "Oh yes, they really work hard on it Ligh..." Eclipse was cut off when somepony yelled. "Mommy!" A black blur came barreling down the path and right into Eclipse as she stepped back a bit to minimize damage. What was revealed from the blur is a young foal about seven or eight years old. And from the look of wearing that ordinary outfit of just a small shirt and pants, this foal didn't like being spoiled. "Did you have fun mommy? Did ya? Did ya? Did ya? Did ya?" He asks widely. I didn't say he wasn't hyperactive. "So this is your son Clipsley." Lightning says amused. He stifles a laugh as the little foal snuggles into his mother's fur. Eclipse seems to bite back a comment. "Young prince." A voice calls as a group of tired guards crawled to them. Lightning stares at the exhausted guards for a moment. "How far did he have you chase him?" The guard at the front raises his head to speak, but gives a glare from being tired beyond relief and then crashes back down on the ground. "Yeah, it's pretty hard for earth ponies to keep up with a pegasus." Lightning says with a smirk. "Don't push your luck." A guard spoke up. Spitfire came around to see the little prince still snuggled in. "He is kinda cute and seems a little familiar." The voice triggers a recognition in the prince. He brings his head out and sees Spitfire of the Wonderbolts standing in front of him. "OH MY GOSH! SPITFIRE!?" "Oh, looks like your international sister." Lightning teased. She hung her head down. "Just what I needed." She then brings her head back up. "That's right tyke. Spitfire of the Wonderbolts standing right in front of you." "Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm meeting..." The Prince stops suddenly "Wait sister?" The prince asks looking at Lightning. "Oh my gosh, Lightning Bolt, one of the greatest Stalliongrad hunters ever!" The prince yells. "And you got an admirer." Spitfire tells his brother who is being attack by a seven year old. And by attack I mean by questions. "Oh my gosh is it true you took on an entire herd of stampeding monsters? What is your preferred weapon? Can you sign your trading card for me? Is it true that you slew a legendary Wyvern?" The prince starts rattling off questions. Eclipse then covered his mouth with her hoof. "Now Midnight these are our guests. Plus Lightning is a good friend of mine." Eclipse informs her foal. "Aw mom!" He whines. Eclipse looks to Lightning and the others sadly. "Sorry, but it looks like he won't stop till he gets answers." Lightning offers her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'm good with foals. To answer your question in order: Yes, a long curved sword, I will, and yes." Lightning answered all. Midnight stares at Lightning with wide starry eyes. "Wow, I have actually spoken with the Lightning Bolt, the greatest hunter ever!" "I wouldn't go that far Midnight." Lightning says. "Can we continue this inside now? It's getting a little chilly. I didn't know windy mountains can get this cold." Eclipse asks of them. "It's because you're used to the desert Eclipse." Lightning says as they all walk inside with Rainbow face showing how surprised she was to hear Lightning was so famous. After they were inside Eclipse disappeared into the kitchen. All the rest of them went into the living room to wait for her as Midnight went to his room to get his card. "Not half bad a place. She can give the princesses a run for their bits. This is part of the emissary Canterlot has for Saddle Arabia is all. It's so nice so that the ambassadors don't feel insulted." Lightning explains taking a seat on the beanbag chairs. The mares stared at the choice of seating. "Bean bags?" Rainbow asks. "They were invented in Saddle Arabia and are the chairs of their country. The other seats are most likely for guests." Lightning explains. "That's an interesting fact." Spitfire spoke up as she plops down on a bag only for it to be filled with and let out slowly as she descended. "This whole thing has to be out of a funny comic." Close, but no Spitfire. "It's all about how you sit on it sister. You need to be gentle and it feels like a cloud." Lightning instructs. Midnight finally came down with a card in his hooves. "Can I have your autograph?" "Sure Midnight." Lightning says signing it. Looking at the card he saw it was of him wearing his old hat and drawing his sword. "Never thought that I would see myself like that again." He takes a closer look. "Still a badflankery hat." "Lightning!" Eclipse shouts from the kitchen with a bowl of dough in her hooves that she was stirring. "Not around Midnight!" "Sorry Clipsley." Lightning says. "Thanks Lightning Bolt." Midnight says as he took the card back. "Oh I'm so going to hang this. Where did I place that wire?" He said to himself as he walks off. Rainbow is trying to lay on the beanbag chair, but fails miserably. "Let me help." Lightning told her. He grabs hold of her sides. "Like a cloud Rainbow, treat it like laying on a cloud." He moves her around to where she can lay comfortably. Finally Rainbow settles on a spot. She looks up to him. "Thanks." Lightning smiles. "No prob." Midnight comes walking in as a familiar aroma hit the nostrils of both Lightning and Midnight. "SWEET PIE!" They both yelled. 'Whoa that was in sync.' Rainbow and Spitfire think at the same time. Both the boys rush into the luxurious kitchen and plant their faces on the oven window. "Sweet pie." They drone again as they drooled. Eclipse smiles at the two antics and continue with some side dishes. The two continued to stare at the cooking pie. "Keep staring boys and you won't get any." Lightning quickly composed himself. "Sorry about that." Lightning says. Rainbow walks into the kitchen curious at the dessert that got Lightning to act like that. She steps up right besides Eclipse as she puts some vegetables into a bowl of some kind of dough. "It's a healthy form of pancakes that is from vegetables and the healthy version of pancake batter. Took me awhile to find the right ingredients. Now I guess you want to learn why those two are after the pie?" "Maybe." Rainbow says embarrassed. Eclipse laughs silently. "It's just like Lightning says, it sends your taste buds tingling." She sends a flick of her tail to hit a wooden board with a bowl on it behind her on kitchen island to sends to contents into the cooking pot in front of her. "That and I'm the best cook around." "Can you teach me? Since Lightning loves it I may want to make it one day for him." Rainbow says shyly. Eclipse leans in while stirring in a certain way. "Are you sure it's because of him going to live with you one day and by that I mean marry?" "What?!" Rainbow yells causing Eclipse to laugh. "Admit it, I can see it between you two. The ultimate version of love." She then brings a hoof to her chin. "Or is it the luckiest, could never tell." "We are seeing each other." Rainbow says. Eclipse smiles. "Thought so. Never let him go Rainbow, sometimes the one you find can be your last." With that she returned to her cooking. "And yes, I'll teach you later." "Something happened between you two didn't it?" Rainbow asks causing Eclipse to stop. After a few seconds she answered. "I made a choice many years ago Rainbow." Eclipse says sounding a little sad. "What was the choice?" Rainbow asks as she sends her eyes to see Lightning and Midnight having a staring contest, with Lightning failing with tears in his eyes. "It's...complicated and I would rather not talk about it." Eclipse said with pain in her voice. Rainbow nods and looks to the cooking material. "So the pie?" She asks in hope of changing the subject. Eclipse's attitude suddenly brightens and makes her turn to Rainbow. "Of course." After a while the sweet pie was finished. Everypony sat on the bags in the dining table as they all chowed down to the sweetest thing they have ever tasted. "Great as I remember it." Lightning commented with a big piece in his mouth. "Yeah, mom, this is the best one yet." Midnight said with a big smile that could rival Pinkie. "So you think I can make it?" Rainbow asks. Eclipse shrugs. "Eh, close enough to like it." "Rainbow did you get her to teach you?" Lightning asks curious if she can make the make the pie. "Yes I asked and she agreed." Rainbow says embarrassed. "Clipsley, you said you would never teach anypony your recipe." Lightning says surprised. Eclipse smirks. "Well, since you are going to live with her forever it's best to enjoy a good meal." "Clipsley." Lightning says some emotions in his voice. She said nothing as she drinks from her cup. Out of all of them it was surprisingly Spitfire that ate the most of the Sweet pie. "So sister what did you think?" Lightning asks with a smirk. Spitfire places her fork down and wipes her mouth with a napkin. "Eh." She shrugged. "Where can I buy more of these?" Lightning says as Spitfire thought about it. "Buy one of what?" Eclipse asks. "Sweet Cakes!" Lightning and Midnight yell before looking at each and laughing. Eclipse shakes her head at the two of them. "This can only be made not bought. You know that better than anypony Lightning." "I was only saying what Spitfire was thinking." Lightning says as Spitfire's face went red from embarrassment. "Lightning, I swear that if you weren't over there, I'll pummel you to the ground." "Love you too big sis." Lightning says. "Idiot." "Oh you want me to come give you a hug?" Eclipse asks suggestively. "Back off." "Oh maybe I should take you to one of the bedrooms." Eclipse teased. "What did I say back at the party?" "You said maybe." Eclipse reminded. "I hate you now." "I love you too." Eclipse says mimicking Lightning. "Hey that's my stich." Lightning says. "Too bad." Eclipse said gaining ownership of his line. "Ok, hey Midnight want to hear a story about your mother when she and I visited a town on the border for an annual hunt with the lords?" Lightning asks. "You wouldn't dare." Eclipse says her eyes narrowed. "Well you see…WOAH!" Eclipse tackles him and then carries him away upstairs where she ties him up quickly and locks him in her room. She sighs and came back down where the others had a look of shock on them. "He started it." "Technically you did mommy." Midnight says. "You're supposed to be on my side not against me." She argued. "But you just foalnapped one of my heroes." Midnight says. She sighs. "There are some things you can't hear. Even the embarrassing ones." "So what was he talking about?" Spitfire asks with a smirk getting close as Rainbow sneaks upstairs to find Lightning. Eclipse sighs and sits down. "I'm not talking about it." "Oh, come on mom." Midnight says but Eclipse says nothing. "She got drunk and flirted with a stuffed Manicorn." Lightning's voice was heard. Everypony turns to Lightning on the stairs with a roll of rope around his neck. "I didn't know that you carry rope like that, you must really like bondage." He said with a smirk as he fiddles with the roll. Eclipse face lit up in a massive blush and Midnight just looked confused. "What's bondage?" He asks. "You're too young to learn the meaning just yet." Spitfire says before covering his ears. Eclipse turns red mad...or is that a heavy blush. "You embarrass me in my own home, taint my foal, and speak thine words around him. I would have you gilded if you weren't my friend." She threatens carefully. "The only reason I do it is because you are my friend." Lightning says with a smirk. Eclipse suddenly brings out a humongous bat from behind her...wait...where was she keeping that? "Uh...where did you keep that?" Lightning asks as he pointed to it. Eclipse gains a most malevolent grin. "In case of emergency, bring bat. Like pesky friends." 'Oh, dear.' Lightning thinks and a second later he was flying away from the house as Eclipse chased him. The others left behind just stared at the weird scene playing out in front of them. Eclipse slams the bat down on a flower bed as Lightning hops to it. He then goes to the fountain, but Eclipse doesn't hit him there. Instead she flips a switch on the bottom of the fountain that turns on the pump to maximum output. Lightning slides down the fountain to end up in hot water. Eclipse readies the bat for a home run and swings hard onto Lightning, knocking him out. Eclipse breathes heavily as Lightning lays there under the water. She quickly brings him out and places him on her back. Walking inside she finds the others in a state of shock. "He started it." She said like last time. Spitfire sighs. "He really did this time." She said as she brought a forehoof to her head to block out her eyes. "Oh, bat, I get it." Midnight says flapping his bat like wings. Everypony shakes her heads at the foalish like behavior. "I'll place him in the guest room. Want to join me Rainbow?" Eclipse asks. "Only to make sure you don't do anything to him." Rainbow warns. They both went upstairs leaving the two background characters in the dining room. Spitfire turns to the little prince. "So, what do you want to know of me?" She'll regret that. Midnight just smiles as he prepares to bombard her with questions. Author's Note And that's another chapter…I have got to come up with something else other than this. I doubt you guys will give me ideas. So as always, Read and Review.
House AdventuresA/N: Here we are again. But because of college I am brought down in work so I barely have time to write or rather type. So both of us are trying to find time. Now again, Flair anything to say. Flair: Guess not again. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' Lightning awoke with a killer headache. "What happened last night?" He said groggily as he rubs his head with a hoof. A throat clearing was heard. Lightning looks around to find Rainbow in front of him with Eclipse right behind her with a first aid kit. "She really wacked you and, frankly, I think you deserve it." "Hey, I reserve the right to act like that with her." Rainbow scoffs. "Yeah, act." She said bitterly. Lightning sighs. "Rainbow, you're always the one for me. Nopony else is right for me now. Right Eclipse?" "Correct." Eclipse says, sounding a little sad. Rainbow suddenly gets frustrated and pulls at her mane. "Okay, now you have to tell me what is bothering you. I'm tired of all these secrets!" That would surely ring out through the house, even though most of it is fabric. Lightning looks shocked at the sudden change in attitude, while Eclipse just sighs and brings out the equipment she needs and places it on the bed. "We once were seeing each other Rainbow Dash." Eclipse says. Rainbow freezes and then slowly looks to Lightning who has a somber expression. "It's true." He then looks to Rainbow with the most saddest frown she has ever seen on him. "I'm sorry Rainbow." He told in a whisper. "You said once, what happened?" Rainbow asks, almost afraid of the answer. "You see, it happened after my brother died. As the last living heir to the throne the duty fell to me to rule. I could have denied it and given the duty to one of the nobles so they could become king, but I chose to rule so my ponies wouldn't suffer a civil war." Eclipse begins as she brings out some alcohol onto a towel. She starts dabbing it onto Lightning's head making him wince. "Then why didn't you marry? I mean Lightning could have been your king." Rainbow says. "There is a law in Saddle Arabia Rainbow. It states that when a female inherits the throne she may never marry. This was to insure no noble could usurp a female ruler through marriage." Lightning explained, as Eclipse ran some gauze on his wound. "In the end when it came time to choose between Lightning and my country so…" She sighs. "I choose the country." Eclipse says, as she picks up a bandage. Lightning looks to Eclipse longingly. "I'm proud of her making the choice because sometimes the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Yet, they sometimes work the opposite way, but that nevered happen." He with a far away expression. Eclipse finally finishes as she places the bandage on him. "That decision haunts me to this day, but I'm happy Lightning moved on and found you Rainbow." Eclipse looks to Rainbow with a smile. Rainbow looks at the floor for a bit before looking up. "Do you still love her?" She whispers. Lightning looks to her carefully. "How much doubt do you have Rainbow? About me." "Sorry, I'm a little suspicious by nature." Rainbow said as she went over to him. Lightning smiles lightly. "It's okay, come here." He said as he holds out his hooves. Rainbow accepted the hug and squeezed him tight, maybe a little too tight. "Rainbow...too tight." Lightning chokes out. Rainbow smiles menacingly and does the hug tighter. "Rainbow…" Lightning chokes out again. Rainbow suddenly climbs into the bed with and lets go of the hug to lighten the squeeze. "I thought of having a little fun." She said while smiling and giggling a little. Lightning looks at her surprised. "Did you just giggle?" Rainbow moves her eyes back and forth. "Ah, no." She sheepishly said. "It was adorable." Lightning says snuggling into her. Rainbow smirks and taps his side to try to shut him up. "Try harder." She hits harder and that earns her a wince. "You said harder." Rainbow smirks. "Ok, bad choice of words." Lightning said laughing a little. Rainbow looks to him. "Is it always going to be like this every time we're in bed?" Lightning smirks and brings her in closer. He looks over her shoulder to see that Eclipse has already left. "You know, we're alone." Rainbow becomes wide eyed and blushes. "Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?" Lightning gives a raised eyebrow. "What are you thinking about, I was thinking about snuggling here for the night?" She then becomes red as a tomato. "Well, I...ah…" "Now you're just being adorable." He commented before nuzzling her nose. Rainbow was taken off guard by this late move. Before either could do anything else Spitfire walked in. Seeing the two in bed together all Spitfire could do was back out of there slowly and close the door behind her. Leaving the two lovers in a awkward situation. "Well that killed the mood." Lightning grumbled. "Don't worry I still love you." Rainbow said before they fell asleep. Spitfire stood outside the bedroom door after seeing the akward moment for just checking up on his brother. 'At least I have more ammo to use against him now.' She thought as she went to her room, but bumps into Eclipse on the way. "Eclipse." She regarded. "Oh hey, want to come to my room?" Eclipse teased. Spitfire brings a hoof to her face, but then looks to Lightning's room. She turns back to the smirking queen. "Sure why not. I got nothing else tonight." She said rather bored at the prospect of dealing with Midnight or rather annoyed. Eclipse becomes surprised at the answer. "Wow, I didn't expect you to accept. Well...follow me." She said nervously. Spitfire followed the now nervous queen to her room and finds something that would put the Princesses rooms to shame. Almost every part of the room has been decorated to fit the colors on the queen herself. The floor a light pink, the bed a dark purple, and the walls a mix in between. "Okay, now I want to live here." Spitfire whistled. Eclipse smiles and hops onto the bed. She turns to Spitfire stuck at the door and taps on the sheets beside her. "Come on, more than enough room." Spitfire sighs once again and walks over the the plush bed that, once she hops on, is sinkable. "Oh yeah, definitely living here." Eclipse giggles into her hooves. "So what do you want to do?" She asks with a smirk. Spitfire stares at the ceiling. "Can I get a massage, I have huge headache and the wings are sore like after a show." Eclipse loses her smirk as the tone hits her. "Okay." She said carefully. Eclipse flips Spitfire over and starts on her back. "What's wrong?" Spitfire looks back at her confused. "Don't give that look, I know trouble when I see and hear it. What's wrong?" "I don't know you nearly well enough to open up to you." Spitfire says. Eclipse runs her hooves a little harder around the wings. "And if you keep bottling things up then they might explode at the wrong pony." She warns. "Fine," Spitfire sighs. "I'm sad to see my little brother has grown up so much without me." Eclipse smiles as the family card comes into play. She moves her hooves to Spitfire's spine. "Well, family always look out for each other, but they want to remember the good times, so they keep treating each other from that certain time period." She said psychologically. "But that is the problem, I didn't get as much time as you normally would. I thought I lost him when he was nine and now he is back a full grown stallion and is close to marrying from the looks of it." Spitfire states sadly. Eclipse moves her head down so that Spitfire can see her face without moving much. "Then you would see more good times as you two are living here now. Either in Canterlot or Ponyville." Eclipse moves back up and massages closer to her neck. "Wait, how do you know about Ponyville?" Spitfire asks now suspicious. Eclipse smirks. "A good diplomat always knows the surrounding area." "But how did you know he lives there?" Spitfire asks. Eclipse smirks again. "And they also know about the famous ponies in the area too." "You have spies in our country don't you?" Spitfire asks bluntly. Eclipse moves to her wings making Spitfire moan quietly. "Ask that question to Lightning. He taught some of them." Spitfire eyed her and was about to go see Lightning, but Eclipse stopped her. Now she was trapped under magical hooves. "Not yet, you would be even more sore, even if you didn't get the message. So stay here for the night and you'll be better than ever." Spitfire was half-tempted to go against her advice, but then just relaxed and stayed where she is. "Okay, just hurry up." Eclipse surprises her with a small kiss to her wings, making Spitfire yelp from the contact. "It seems that pegasus wings are more sensitive than bat wings. Of course I knew this because of that night I spent with Lightning. Now how did those pressure points go again." Eclipse says instilling much dread into Spitfire. Spitfire yelps and moans as each pressure point was touch, push, and provided much needed relief. "What do you mean 'with Lightning?'" Spitfire manages to squeak out. "That's a secret." Eclipse whispered into Spitfire's ear. Spitfire tries to glare angrily at her, but fails as the massage keeps on coming. "It is not...whoa...a secret if...mmmmm...family is involved." She moans. "Oh, then tell me all about your personal life and everypony you have dated an..." Eclipse left off there as she moves her hooves around her wings. "W-w-what does that have to..." Spitfire stops abruptly in realization. "Wait, you don't mean you and him..." Spitfire leaves off. Spitfire feels the hooves stop moving as the words hit Eclipse. "Lightning and I have gotten very close Spitfire, but that didn't mean we really did anything. The closest things we have ever done is cuddle together in the same bed and a few light kisses." "Stop, stop, I don't want to hear anymore." Spitfire pleaded. Eclipse stops massaging and flips Spitfire over. "Fine, but now you owe me. Tell me a story." "Look, I have never been in that type of relationship. I devoted myself to the Wonderbolts." Spitfire says. Eclipse looks at her when tears started to come out. "Spitfire, love and family are two of the biggest things next to friendship. If you don't have either of the three, then don't be a living being at all. At least try to find somepony or you will miss your chance when it comes and then the days of finding somepony will be lost forever to the sands." She finishes with tears falling down her cheeks. "You speak from experience don't you?" Spitfire asks. Eclipse lays down on the bed sheets with sadness. "I lost him." She simply said. "I lost Lightning to a important decision, but it's better to be lost like that than to the sands." "Ponyfeathers, we make a pair, a Queen who has loved and lost and a flyer who has never loved at all." Spitfire commented with a smile to cheer the queen up. Fortunately, it worked. "Yeah, I guess we do. " She smiles. "It's getting late, want to sleep here?" "Fine." Spitfire answered. "Now I have slept with you and your sibling." Eclipse says. "Watch it." Spitfire warns. "At least you're back to your old self now." Eclipse lays in the bed and pulls the covers around her, but not before leaving it open for her. "Come on in. Enjoy the warmth." Spitfire rolls her eyes at the teasing queen and settles in besides her. "Don't you dare try anything." She warns. Eclipse laughs deeply and warps her hooves around Spitfire. "Only if you want to." She whispered. Spitfire breathes out deeply and starts for dreamland. Eclipse stares at the fiery peguese in her hooves and thinks about the fact that she won't let go of the past life. Eclipse contemplates the idea of the pony finding a date. 'Absurd.' She thinks humorously to herself. 'She'll never go for it or even let go.' Eclipse looks to the window and sees the moon shining bright. 'That's for tomorrow. Now off to dreamland.' She said to herself as she goes off to sleep. In the morning Spitfire slowly opened her eyes and gets her bearings on the room. The first things she sees is dark purple. very, very dark purple. "Oh no. Please don't tell me that it happened." Spitfire told herself. "What happened?" Eclipse asks. Spitfire looks up to see Eclipse looking at her concerningly. "Please don't we did it?" Spitfire asks. "Did what?" Eclipse asks innocently. Spitfire jumps out of the bed and goes through the door of what she assumed was the bathroom. "That's the closet!" Eclipse tells her. Spitfire runs out of the closet and goes into the door next door to head into the bathroom. "Bathroom." Eclipse calls. A shower started inside as steam start to pour out from under the door. The door opens again as Spitfire peeks her head out. "Sorry, but I have to start the day early and get stuff done. You don't mind do you?" Eclipse gives a smirk. "Only if you allow me a chance in there too with you." Spitfire goes wide eye at the suggestion and was about to retort, but was cut off from laughter from Eclipse. "Kidding, go on." She said with a giggle. Meanwhile Rainbow opens her eyes and finds herself sleeping on a bed with Lightning's wings wrapped around her like a blanket. She smiles and snuggles into him, but the movement woke him up. "Ah, what happened?" Lightning says trying to get a bearing. Once he opens his eyes fully he sees Rainbow snuggled onto his chest with a very happy smile. This causes Lightning to get worried. "Oh dear." Rainbow looks up at him with a smile. "Hey there. Have fun last night?" She asks trying to hold back a laugh at the look on Lightning's face. "Did we do..." Lightning was cut off my Rainbow's hoof covering his mouth. "No, but we can later if you want." Rainbow says about to laugh. Lightning starts to sputter out incoherent words, but was stopped again by Rainbow. "Take a deep breath and…" Rainbow couldn't take it anymore. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. You should have seen the look on your face. Hilarious." Rainbow laughs pointing at him. "Oh and I was about to accept." Lightning says turning the tables on Rainbow. Rainbow stops laughing immediately. "Well, about that...I was just...kidding." She offered meekly. "Uh huh." Lightning said not convinced and raising his eyebrows. "I…but...you..." Rainbow said, trying to form a sentence. Lightning smiles and stops her from embarrassing herself even further by nuzzling her nose. "Oh, calm down." He stops nuzzling. "I was just joking. Unless you weren't?" He asks with a smirk. Rainbow hits his side with a forehoof making him wince. "Jerk." "Love you." Lightning says with his tongue sticking out. "Careful I might bite your tongue." Rainbow playfully warns. Lightning cuts her off as he kisses her. He pulls away after a bit. "How about now?" He asks. "Oh I have a few ideas, but let us get some food." Rainbow says getting off the bed. She shivers as the warmth leaves her. Lightning sighs and follows after her. "How's the wound on me?" He asks as he scratches around his wound. Rainbow looks back at him and looks at the wound. The bandage area seems to have bleed none at all as the bandage isn't red and no swelling has occurred. "Doesn't look all that bad." She told him. Lightning shakes himself and starts to head for the door. "Good, I'll make some food and then head for a shower. You can go first." He told Rainbow as he heads for the kitchen. "Don't blow anything up!" She calls after him. After taking a shower she finds that Lightning had made her breakfast and nothing was destroyed much to her relief. "What's for breakfast?" She asks as she looks at the spread. "Pancakes." Lightning says as they heard Midnight yell. "Yay!" Rainbow smirks as a disheveled Midnight comes into the kitchen. "Did somepony say pancakes?" "Me." Lightning says. "Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. Eating food made by the famous Lightning. I think I'm going to faint." Midnight said breathlessly. Lightning chuckles at the energy from the young one. "Well get showered and everything then you can eat." "Ah! No fair!" Midnight whines. Lightning gives a dark look. "Shower or no food for you." He said in a dark tone. Midnight hurries up back to his room and soon they hear the shower running along with furious scrubbing. "Wow, you sounded like a father." Rainbow commented. Lightning sighs. "To deal with foals, you have to act like a parent. Not easy mind you. I even have to do it with you sometimes." Lightning says mumbling the last part. "What was that?" Rainbow ask suspiciously. Lightning looks around quickly. "Nothing." He said rather quickly. "Go take your shower." Rainbow says not amused. Lightning looks down. "Yes, mam." As he passes Rainbow she gives him a quick kiss on the cheek raising his spirits up a bit and making him leave with a smile. After Lightning comes back from shower he sees his sister not looking happy. "What happened?" He asks bored of the situation already. "Let's talk about the spies of Saddle Arabia." Spitfire says. Lightning's eyes grows wide at the what she just said. "I just remembered, I got to meet Eclipse in the library, bye!" He said quickly and left, but can't get a few feet with Spitfire's hoof on his tail. "Nice try, but what is this about spies?" Spitfire says in a scary tone. Lightning sighs and tries not to look at her. "I trained some of her soldiers as a going away present for when I had to leave. I figured that she might need somepony like that one day. I was good like at one time and was use to it." He finished. "Could you identify them?" Spitfire asks. "Not anymore it has been years." He answered. Spitfire huffs and lets go of his tail. "If I find anypony that is spying on me, I'll bring them to you." "Ok sister." Lightning says. Spitfire thens smiles brightly. "Now let's eat." Breakfast started and proceeded like a normal breakfast until somepony threw a muffin and thus starting a food fight. Midnight threw his syrup covered pancakes at his mother who dodged and threw her own back at him. Midnight couldn't get away fast enough and then was covered from head to hoof with syrup. Rainbow uses her finished plate as a shield against the oncoming projectiles of delectable taste. Lightning just sat there still eating as the thrown food passes by him. Once he was halfway done he picks his plate up and sends it to his sister. Who takes the hit and makes her fiery mane look like she took some a chocolate rain shower to it. Eclipse then sees the state of Spitfire and starts a small laugh that was joined by Midnight who was picking pieces of food from the messy table. Rainbow joins in on the fun, but Lightning just leans on the table and smiles. Spitfire sighs and looks to everypony as the food fight was forgotten. "How many showers are in the building?" Spitfire asks as she licks the syrup that ran down her face. "Exactly 4, but the 5th one is just a bath." Eclipse says. Rainbow looks over to Lightning with a certain look in her eyes. Lightning got the message and got went off to the bath with Rainbow following a little later. Eclipse looks on in amusement. "That solves one of the bathrooms. Now we can get our own. Let's get cleaned up." She stops as she sees Midnight eating and sucking the table for more food. "Honey, what did I tell you?" "To not eat off the floor like a Diamond dog?" Midnight asks. "And what are you doing?" "What you told me not to do." Midnight says with a guilty tone. Eclipse sighs. "Go get cleaned up." "Yes mommy." Midnight says walking away. After he was gone, Eclipse turns to Spitfire. "Good foal, but tries to be like the other foals in Ponyville I have heard about. Definitely not like the foals here. Wants to have fun and not deal with fancy parties or bits. Literally, he won't touch a bit or ask for them. Good foal, wrong place to be one." "That might be a good trait for him when he inherits the throne." Spitfire says. Eclipse smiles. "Yes, I suppose it is. Though he does escape the studies required for the throne, but goes for normal school work that you would have here for a regular job." "He will being going home with you when you do." Spitfire says. Eclipse smiles. "We have our own private teacher." "Is the tutor competent?" Spitfire asks. "Have something against teachers?" "A lot of teachers, when it comes to royalty, view the world through the eyes of centuries ago." Spitfire says. "They have been updated and also with the standard law made by Celestia for education. I have included on all studies including my little prince the standard needed including how to run a country like ours." "I see so I heard you are a representative to decide if we get a alliance." Spitfire says. With all the seriousness now in place Eclipse stops smiling. "Yes, and trust me when I say that this country needs the alliance. Without it the whole land would fall. With war on my borders too we need to work together." She licks a stray syrup line from her muzzle. "Maybe after this we go after the griffins because of their military might." "What is your recommendation so far?" Spitfire asks. "Sorry." Eclipse gets up and starts for her bathroom. "Princesses eyes only. You can take the guest room's bathroom." Spitfire goes to the shower and thinks over what she has learned. She has heard of the oncoming war for when she was walking around the party and overheard from a couple guards. What most ponies didn't know is that when war or trouble comes in then her and her team will be called in to fight. After all Celestia herself commissioned the Wonderbolts to be ready for war in the idea that they were just a performing team for the general public. 'Are we ready?' Was the question that kept running through Spitfire's mind. In a way she was glad her little brother didn't rejoin the Wonderbolts. Finishing up she drys up and left to meet up with the others. Walking downstairs she finds the others waiting for her with everything they had when they came over. "Is it about time to go?" She asks. "Yeah, Clipsy has things to do that concern her country." Lightning says. "Thanks for the food and stay and also for the sweet pie." Eclipse smiles and pulls out a container. "Thanks and here, some leftover sweet pie that was in the oven." She suddenly feels nothing on her hooves. Looking down she finds it gone. Looking over at Lightning she finds him giggling like a mad pony over the container. "Hee, hee, hee." Lightning's excitement died when Spitfire snatch the sweet pie. "Hey!" Spitfire huffs through her nose. "You have had enough. Besides I have never tried it so no pie for you." The sudden look on Lightning made him look like a broken mirror as depressed lines formed above him. "Why me?" He groans. Rainbow chuckles as Spitfire shot off the ground at full speed with the pie. Lightning became even more depressed as she left but then perks up and smiles over to Eclipse. "Told you she would take the bait." He told her. Eclipse smiles back and hoofs him another two more containers with the sweet pie. "I guess her old antics will never cease to amaze me." "I know, I'm just that good." Lightning says without noticing Rainbow taking both pies for herself. "Now I'll just take a quick bite and...huh." He looks at his hoof to find it gone and then over to Rainbow who quickly flies off home to enjoy the greatest pie in the world as in her head. "At least we live together. Makes things easy." Lightning said to Eclipse as Rainbow disappeared behind some clouds. "Well I better go. See ya, Clipsy." Lightning says taking off. Eclipse waves after him. "Bu, bye. Make sure to come again." She said as Midnight came out the door. Midnight looks for Lightning only to see him disappear behind some clouds. "Aw, I wanted to get a picture with him. At least a updated one and not yours that's old." "Don't worry you'll see him again soon." Eclipse says snuggling her little prince. "And what do you mean old?" Midnight now wishes he stayed in his room. Author's Note And this is another. Flair anything to say. Flair: I enjoyed writing this did you Primus? Yeah I did and it was funny too.
Finally Getting Into ItA/N: Great to be back and writing. Flair got his computer working again, so the chapters are back. Now let's begin where we left. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' One month later Rainbow and Lightning stared down each other over the table as the last piece of the pie sat between them. "The last piece. We both know that each of us want it." Rainbow says. "I might be willing to part with it for something." Lightning teases with a lusty smile, though she didn't know it was fake. Rainbow blushes hot red as the thought came to her. "No way. I am not doing that." "Oh you don't want to kiss me. I'm hurt Rainbow. I think I might cry." Lightning overdramatically says with fake sadness. Rainbow blushes more as now embarrassment takes hold. "Bucker." She says as the piece of pie slide to in front of her. She looks at it for a while before looking to Lightning who only has a smile on his, this time sincere. Rainbow smiles back before taking the pan and starts to dig in. After she got half way through it she peeked over the pan and sees Lightning trying to hold his laughter. Rainbow raises an eyebrow as she looks over herself to check anything amiss, until she breathes out cold air. "Boo." "AHHHHHHHHHHH!" Looking back she sees Commander Hurricane laughing like Lightning. She glares at both before flinging the rest of the pie at Lightning, who caught it and sends the pie into his mouth. "Thanks." Lightning said with his mouth full. "Oh, thanks Grandma, I haven't laughed like that in a while." Lightning says after swallowing the pie. Before Rainbow could say anything else the doorbell rang. "If it's Twilight again, don't answer it." Lighting told her. Rainbow got out of her chair and headed to the door and opened it to find Twilight. Rainbow's muzzle formed into a smile. "Lightning its Twilight." Rainbow calls. "I thought I told you not to answer it!" Lightning called from the kitchen. Lightning then makes his way to the front door. "Let me guess, you want to learn eastern magic right?" Lightning asks. Twilight laughs nervously. "This is the seventh time you have asked." Lightning says annoyed. "Come on, I got a thirst for knowledge and you know I won't stop." Twilight said. "Fine, but there are some ground rules I want to set down first." Lightning says exciting the new princess. "So what are they?" "One, you will infer to all I say and no back talk. Second, you will not try to pull rank while we train. And finally, you will study any material that I give to you even if you disagree with it." Lightning says sounding like a strict teacher from the academy that Twilight attended while a filly. Twilight smiles back. "Okay, when do we begin?" Lightning gains a smirk. "Follow me and Rainbow you come too." Lightning says moving back into the house and whistles getting his pets attention. They came to a closest that both Rainbow and Twilight have passed several times and Lightning says a few words in a different language before grabbing the doorknob and, to both of their shock, the doorknob to the opposite side of the door and opens it. "You coming?" Lightning asks looking back at them. They both walk forward mindlessly as the new room it lead to a massive room with many bookshelves. The library expanded to the dark, unlit areas of the largest room than the Canterlot Library has. "This is my Library of Magic, every tomb, book, scroll, etc., if it's either magical or a record of magic theories and formulas. I have scoured all of Stalliongrad, made deals and everything to acquire all of them. Some I even found in old ruins of Saddle Arabia." Lightning says as Twilight and Rainbow took it all in. "Wow." Twilight whispers. "Now, before we start, come with me." Lightning says, walking to the center of the room where a large beautiful crystal ball sat on top of a jewel encrusted stand shaped like different creatures on top of one another. "As is tradition all who start their education of magic in the east must use this artifact and determine their element alignment." Lightning instructs. Rainbow goes towards the artifact without question and looks it over. "So what elements are there?" She asks him. "Fire, Wind, Earth, Water, and Lightning. Every creature falls under these categories and none may possess more than one." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to the artifact again. "Cool." She taps the ball. "So how does it work?" "Very complicated but it you want the basics it simply shows your element in the crystal ball. But if you want to learn more of the inner working I will supply with a book on it later." Lightning says Rainbow stands in front of the crystal ball. "Give that to Twilight. I want an element here." ZAP "Ow." Rainbow looks to the offender who was the ball. The crystal ball interior changes to have a green wind inside it. "Congratulations Rainbow, you have Wind." He then looks to the side. "Though that was a no brainer for you. Twilight come on now, time to see your element." Lightning says. Twilight walks to the ball as Rainbow moves away and starts to look around. Twilight reaches the ball and slowly reaches forward before receiving a shock. "Ow." The wind suddenly died down and nothing happened for several moments until the crystal ball interior looked like an inferno. "Called it!" Lightning said with glee. Twilight stared inscrutably at the ball. That time she got mad at Pinkie wasn't just a fluke. "Now that we know your element type I can properly prepare for your first lesson until then." Lightning says lifting hoof and a book flew off the shelf and floated in front of him. "I suggest reading this book thoroughly." Lightning says as Twilight read the cover. 'The Dos and don'ts for fire magic users, a reference guide.' 'A dos and don'ts. He gave me a dos and don'ts.' "Who do you think I am, a foal?" Twilight yells. "Twilight you agreed you would do whatever I told you to do in exchange for teaching you, remember?" Lightning asks unfazed by the yell. Twilight growls before leaving with the book with a stern glare at him. Lightning stares back with no emotion that unnerved Twilight slightly, but not enough to break the glare. Lightning waited until she left did he turn to Rainbow while waving another hoof in the air. Several books came off the shelves. "So Rainbow, what do you want to learn?" Lightning asks. Twilight walked into her house and gives a sigh. 'I can't believe he's making me do this.' She thinks. "Hey Twilight, want some tea?" Spike asks from the kitchen wearing a 'Kiss the Cook' apron. "Thanks, Spike, I'm going to need it." Twilight says. Bringing out a tray that has a cup of tea and some sugar he places it on the center table. Twilight levitates some sugar into the cup then starts having the spoon stir the tea. "Chapter 1, An Introductory. Fire, among all of the elemental magic, is the most dangerous and has the highest probability to hurt the user if used incorrectly." Twilight voices starts to decrease in volume halfway through the sentence. "While at time one of the most powerful offensive magic it also one of the hardest to control. In addition user of fire magic should not practice in places with lots of flammable material unless unavoidable for it can easily cause them to combust from either a magical spark or the heat of the flames." She looks around at the library. "Spike?" "I heard what that book said." Spike bring out a bucket of water and a fire extinguisher. "I'll head to the store to buy five more. Knowing you and your luck, this will lead to trouble." He said as he grabs some bits and leaves. Twilight watches him leave and then turns her attention back to the book. "It is always best to practice with the supervision of an experienced elemental magic user for they can most likely can keep it under control." She then thinks over it. "I am so not asking Lightning for help. Besides he's lightning not fire. Where am I going to find a fire user?" She sighs and reads on. "Chapter two, Magical Fire Colors and their Meanings. Magic fires come with several different colors and meanings. Each fire has its own properties and effects, for example the Blue magical fire is cold and can freeze objects if strong enough. Because of the different colors fire magic has also been used for communications since ancient times." Twilight reads before seeing an index with the color of a magical fire and its starting page. Twilight just flips to the next page. "Red, the most basic and the most alike to its normal counterpart. Not much is different from red magic fire and its counterpart except it is a little hotter depending on the power behind it and it will affect almost anything with non-magical shielding to it. Red is what almost all magical fire users first create when they start and is flexible being the primary magic used for entertainment at nights during celebrations before the invention of fireworks, although some countries like Stalliongrad still prefer it over fireworks seeing as it also raises the temperature when used." Twilight reads. "Blue is the flame of the cold. Its properties is borderline ice magic cooling or freezing instead of burning. This is out of all fire magic is usually view as the strangest seeing as its very nature is almost completely opposite of the non-magical counterpart. This flame was first discovered by the earth pony Albenac who later became known as the cold flame in...Huh?" Twilight read not understanding the phrase for the date. "Ah, let's skip that until later." Twilight said to herself. Twilight kept reading till she hears Spike calls entering the door. "I'm back." Spike calls out. "And I got the fire extinguishers." He told her as he carried five boxes of fire extinguishers. Twilight looks over to him as he opens and drop each of extinguisher right by her. "Thanks Spike, you can have the day off now." Spike smiles slightly. "Thanks but, I'm not going to leave you here with possible fire magic coming out of you that you are now learning. By the way where did you get that book, the princess didn't send anything?" Spike asks. Twilight smiles at him before giving a hug. "Thanks Spike." She let's go of him and returns to her book. "Twilight you didn't answer my question." Spike says noticing her evasive response. "Don't worry it Spike. Besides I don't peek into your diary that is full of fantasy of Rarity." Twilight smirks. "Wait, you did what!?" Spike yells. Twilight laughs and grabs him into a hug again. "Kidding, but you get my point right?" She asks him. Spike sighs and lets her get back to reading. A few hours later after the sun had set there was a knock at the door. "Spike, can you get that?" Twilight asks. Spike walked to the door and opened it to see Rainbow Dash. "Hey Spike, is Twi here?" Spike pointed behind him. "Yeah, into another book again." Rainbow looks over and sees the stuff around her. She giggles into her hoof at the amount of extinguishes around her. "Geez Twi, you have extinguishers to put out your house three times over." "In preparation for fire magic Rainbow. So why did you come over?" Twilight asks. "Oh, Lightning asked me to tell you to meet him just outside the Everfree forest an hour before sunrise for lesson one." Rainbow informed. "Humph." Twilight groaned. "How did your reading go?" Rainbow gains a thoughtful look. "Well..." "So what do you want read?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smirks and goes over to him reading the title of each of the books. It wasn't until she ended up right up in front of him did she stop. She gives a sly smile before kissing him full on the lips. Lightning goes wide eye and falls into the act. After a few seconds she moves back and takes a book right by her. "I'll start with this." She told him as she walks to a table. Lightning was stuck in the same position he was left in from the kiss before he moves a hoof and moves it over his lips. "I picked a really good mare." He said to himself. Lightning was standing outside the Everfree forest dressed in a cloak waiting for twilight as he listened to the sounds of the forest. The insects, birds, the beasts in the forest, and, of course, the forest itself. Soon Twilight arrived, looking like she didn't get as much sleep as usual. "Ah good, you arrived. Now that you're here we can begin lesson one." He then notices Twilight sleeping halfway through his speech. Lightning frowns and walks over and shocks her a bit. "Twilight!" Lightning yells jolting her awake. "Yeow!" "Now's not the time to sleep. It's time to train. Your brother possibly went through the same thing so buck up and live up to your family name. Now follow me." Lightning says walking into the forest. Lightning lead the tired Alicorn through the woods Twilight getting spooked every once in a while until they came to a small hill with a bag by the base of the trunk of the only tree on it. "Ah here we are." Lightning says. "This is where we will truly begin your training. Now Twilight tell me how many spell were in that book I gave you." Lightning says. Twilight goes wide eye for a bit. "Uhh...two?" Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Did you read that thing or didn't you?" "I didn't finish it because I was afraid I would be too tired for any of this to sink in." Twilight says embarrassment. After a few moments Lightning spoke again. "Good judgment Twilight, safety and knowledge is important, but lack of sleep makes you unable to concentrate as well and also makes you very forgetful. That was a test and you passed." Lightning says. Twilight smiles as she looks down from embarrassment from not finishing the book. "Thanks. So, no spells yet, right? How to control?" "Yes, no spells yet for first you must achieve awareness of something first or you wouldn't be able to channel the magic. Now this is done by spending weeks if not months alone in the wilds." Twilight's face became one of horror as Lightning continued. "But that is the old way the way first pioneered by Albenac the cold flame five thousand years ago. Since then a spell has been developed for students to first feel this with a teacher of this. Now Twilight, you are going to have to trust me completely for this to work." Lightning says. "So what does it involve?" Twilight asks looking afraid. "Just lay down here under the tree and close your eyes." Lightning instructed. Twilight looks to the almost dead looking tree and complied. Walking to it she lays down next to the bag and closes her eyes. "Now what?" She feels a hoof touch her horn. "Just listen." Lightning says. Twilight did as he said and soon she heard the sound of dripping water and soon she could see it in her mind. "Listen to the heartbeat of the earth mother of all life on her." Lightning says. Twilight soon felt what she could only describe as tiny shockwaves that felt like a pulse. "Feel the wind, the breath of all life." Lightning says as Twilight felt the gentle breeze blowing on her. "Listen to the flame, which gives warmth and protection." Lightning says. Twilight then heard the sounds of a small fire burning, the cracking of wood as the fire was roaring with life. "Listen to the storm that rages in the distance." Lightning says. Soon Twilight heard the scheduled storm back in Ponyville raging its lightning cracking and the thunder booming. "Now Twilight Sparkle, child of the flame, awaken." Lightning says the last part seemed to fade out and at that moment Twilight could feel everything around her. She could even scarcely feel the aura of the trees as it painted her mind in a beautiful canvas of colors bringing tears to her eyes. "Beautiful isn't it?" Lightning after he lets go of her horn. "I have no words to describe it." Twilight says opening her tear filled eyes. Lightning smiles. "I'll let you enjoy this. We can start the real stuff next time later this afternoon." Lightning says getting up and turning around to head out, but Twilight voices catches him. "Is this how you see the world around us?" Twilight asks. "Yes, but only here, where nature is its own master and no pony controls it. That is why I prefer it here." Lightning says. "Lightning?" Lightning turns around only to be grabbed in a hug. "Thank you." She whispered. Lightning smiles and hugs her back. "Anything for a friend." He let's go of the hug and prepares to fly. "Why don't you enjoy some of the new sensory skill you got? I'll see you in the afternoon." He flies off toward Ponyville after he finishes. Twilight continues to look at the world with closed eyes until she realized lightning didn't take the bag with him. Eventually her curiosity got the better of her and she opened the bag to see a canvas and some art supplies with a note. Capturing your vision of the world when you first see it is a tradition in learning this, but it is your choice. Twilight smiles lightly and prepares the art supplies before closing her eyes and starts to see the life around her. It was the afternoon as the scheduled storm still raged as all the mane six, except Twilight, and Lightning were in Twilight's library playing a board game while they waited for her. Lightning looks to the pieces on the board as he picks up a piece and moves it three blocks ahead. Where he lands on makes him groan out loud. "Hah, Canterlot Square with a hotel on it. You owe me two thousand bits. And that means you have to declare bankruptcy." Rainbow boasted. Lightning groans and gives everything he got. Spike sits by them as the banker and declares it. "No second vote. Rainbow wins." Lightning then smiles. "At least this is somewhat fair. The game is based on chance." Rainbow smirks. "Again?" Lightning huffs. "Fat chance." Rainbow smiles. "Sore loser." After packing up the game halfway through a knock came at the door. Spike goes to open the door and finds Twilight with a canvas in her magical grasp and an umbrella overhead. "And lo and behold the prominent student returns." Lightning announces. Twilight uses her magic and places the umbrella away and as she walks to the central table she packs up the game and places it to the side. "Twi is it true you and Lightning here went to the Everfree forest?" Applejack asks. She then sits down and looks to everypony in the room before looking to Lightning with a smile. "Yes, and I'm glad he did, because he showed me something that really belongs somewhere." She then shows the painting to everypony. Everypony 'wows' at what she made. Even though the painting was a mess of colors it somehow showed that same forest and hill she was on with different colors from the forms of life around it. "I see you followed that tradition." Lightning says with a smirk. Twilight surprises everypony when she starts to cry. "Lightning, you really shown me something special and for that I'm sorry for how I treated you." "Ah, it's no big deal, but now it's time for lesson two." Lightning says. Twilight nods and prepares herself. "Okay, let's go." "This place should be good enough. Now Twilight one of the most basics and important things is the breath the breathing of a fire user is the most important thing." Lightning begins to instruct. Twilight begins to breath but does it a little too fast. "Not like that. You must be even and at a relaxed pace." Lightning warns. Twilight follows and start to breathe right. "Now channel what you learned earlier and concentrate on the unlit wood in the fireplace." Lightning instructs. Twilight begins focusing on the wood and breathing right. Nothing was happening so she increased her concentration and squinted her eyes. Finally some smoke starts rising. "Stop, stop, Twilight relax, you can't force this magic just focus on the wood like you did when I showed you." Lightning warns. Twilight relaxes at the fear that it might go out of control. She tries again and finds the wood. Within a few minute a flame started to spread across them. "Okay Twilight, let go." Lightning said as he carefully watches the fire. Twilight pulls back in her mind and when back with her body she opens her eyes to see the fireplace lit. "Excellent job. Now remember, once the flame is lit you can only guide it, not control it. You try it and it will fight back." Lightning warns. "Wow, Twilight is now a walking lighter." Pinkie says. Applejack looks to Pinkie with a glare. "Pinkie that sounds insulting, you do know that right?" "But she lit the fireplace." Pinkie says cheerfully. Applejack still glares. "Pinkie you make it sound like she light up anything flammable." "Oh she can now if she isn't careful." Lightning informs. Twilight sighs. "I'll try my best." "That's why you should wear this." Lightning says holding out a golden necklace with a strange symbol in the middle. Twilight takes it with her hooves and holds it. "What is it?" "A firebrand. Its function is to help those who are starting to learn fire magic so their powers don't go out of control." Lightning instructs. Twilight smiles. "Thanks." She says putting it on. "Now Twilight lesson three will be tomorrow and it will be a demonstration mostly." Lightning says wrapping his cloak around himself. Rainbow gets bundled as well as they both prepare to head out. "I'll see you tomorrow Twilight. So Rainbow what do you want to eat?" Lightning asks. "Really, at this time and weather?" Rainbow said pointing to the door. "This is nothing, trust me on that." Lightning says with a reassuring smile. "Alright, how about the cafe? The one with the overhead awning. For some reason I want to be outside." Rainbow asks. "Alright it's your choice." Lightning says as Spike closes the door behind them. "Wow, Twilight your opinion has really change about Lightning Bolt hasn't it?" Spike asks. Twilight looks to him with a small smile. "Part way. But I was really telling the truth when he showed me something special." "Oh, tell us all about it." Rarity practically begged. Twilight looks to her confused until she got the message. "Don't tell me you girls think that I'm falling for him?" "Welllll..." Applejack says extending the word. Twilight shakes her head. "In no way that I like Lightning in that way. Besides he's with Rainbow." "Ok, ok, Sugarcube." Applejack says. Then next day Lightning was in the middle of a field surrounded by stands for torches with several royal guards and the three other princess and Shining Armor not too far away as he waited for Twilight. Twilight, the rest of the mane six, and Spike soon approached. Lightning made no motion as Twilight and the rest of her friends went over to the princess. "Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and brother what are you doing here?" Twilight asks. "Lightning Bolt requested us to come and oversee this trail in your training to using elemental magic." Princess Celestia says as Princess Luna was hopping around a bit. "Oh, I'm so excited, I have never seen eastern magic before." Luna says. Twilight looks around the cleared area. "Yes it is amazing." She commented. "Now Twilight I believe Lightning is patiently waiting for you." Celestia says. Twilight sighs and starts to head where Lightning stood. "Let's get this done." She told him. "Twilight, this is a very serious part in your training. Today you gain your partner spirit who will be with you throughout your entire life." Lightning says. Twilight perks up at this. "A partner spirit, that sounds good. So what do I do?" "First remove the Firebrand and set that torch right there. I will take the ritual from there." Lightning says with full seriousness. Twilight carefully starts to take off the Firebrand necklace and gives it to Lightning who takes it. She then sets the torch ablaze. Lightning then begins to chant as he starts lighting more torches systematically. "Aprire oh porta di fuoco al regno del re del fuoco e portare avanti quello che è destinato ad essere il compagno di vita di suo apprendista tariffa. Lasciate che questa unione sia benedetto dai cinque spiriti dominanti e lasciare che i loro destini sono intrecciati in modo sempre dice che le leggi degli spiriti. Vieni avanti lo spirito del fuoco." When Lightning finished the last torch was lit and red lines started tracing the torches forming a spell circle and the fires of the torches increased several fold and then starts to spin surrounding Twilight and Lightning in a tornado of flames that colors seemed to dance around them before forming into an egg like shape in front of them and then explode into the air in a pillar of fire that disappeared soon afterward. At the ground where the pillar rose from Twilight saw a small is a small, bipedal like creature it has a long, thin snout. It's stubby firearms lacks claws, but has a single claw on each hind foot and flames coming out of its darken colored back. It looks around before it's almost closed eyes landed on Twilight and bounded up to her like happy dog. Twilight becomes worried because the flames on its back were still firing, but when it reaches her and starts to rub against her it felt cool. Twilight soon smiles rubs the little guy's head who starts to enjoy the sensation. "Congratulations Twilight you now have your partner. Now the spirit is your responsibility you must raise it and help it grow strong." Lightning says. Twilight smiles and lifts the little guy with her hooves like a foal before hugging him. "I will." She said. In the crowd Lightning saw Shining Armor restrained by several royal guards. Most likely rushed to save his sister trapped in the fire. "Relax captain, her affinity is fire. They won't harm her in this case." "Ohhhh Spike, guess who has a little brother now?" Twilight calls. Spike starts to walk to her and the little bundle in her hooves before he huffs. "What can this little tyke do? I'm a dragon, what can he do?" The creature puffs it's cheeks in agitation before letting loose a cry and a flamethrower like attack from its mouth that burns Spike and leaves only his head covered in soot and ash and a small flame on his frill on his head. Lightning walks over to Spike. "Never underestimate a spirit Spike." Lightning says licking his hooves and putting out the fire. "So Twilight, what name will you give him?" Lightning asks. "I'm thinking...hmmm..." Twilight thinks about the name while the creature snickers at the bad condition Spike is in. "How about Angi? Would you like that little guy?" She asks the creature. The creature, now Angi, chortles out squeals of happiness and accepts the name. "I think that is a yes Twilight. Oh and at this point they eat magic for nourishment." Lightning informed. Twilight goes worried a second. "Would this mean I am going to drain of magic if he feeds?" "A little cause this helps them develop and it only lasts a few months." Lightning says. "If it comes to it I can send Twilight some magically filled crystals for some substitutes if needed." Celestia offers. "She has to feed it her magic as part of a parental like bonds." Lightning says. Celestia smiles before coming over and looks to Angi. "Well just know this Twilight. We will be here for you if you need help." A squeak captures their attention and they turn to Angi who looking at Celestia with awe. Celestia smiles and nuzzles the little one and gives a nod to Twilight. Twilight nods back and turns back to Angi. Lightning was walking through town with Rainbow. "Ah what a nice day. The sun is shining, Ice fang and Azure are doing great, Eclipse and Midnight are in town, and everything is good." Lightning said to himself. It wasn't until he went a few more steps did he turn and see Eclipse and Midnight waving at them with their bags around them. Lightning stares for a few more seconds before, "I'm out of here." He zooms off, leaving Rainbow in the dust, literally. "What just happened?" Rainbow asks. Author's Note A/N: Well there it is. See we weren't gone, just busy. College for me so too much work. While Flair had a busted computer. Now that I got a small break and Flair's computer is fixed, chapters are flowing back in. Translation: Open oh door of fire to the realm of the fire king and bring forth one who is destined to be the life partner of his fare apprentice. Let this union be blessed by the five ruling spirits and let their fates be forever intertwined so says the laws of spirits. Come forth Fire spirit.
Humor A La ModeA/N: Next stop. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' It was a groggy morning in Manehatten as the dock workers were starting to start their morning shift as they notice a large ship coming into port. Looking beaten and battered from an old style wooden ship is expected, but never this much. As the ship was anchored to the port passengers started departing and sailors were unloading cargo as the Captain sees off a large earth pony and a unicorn who departed the ship. The unicorn looks around the area with one eye glowing blue from under his blacken hood and mask. Unfortunately for anypony looking they can't tell what his coat or mane looks like under all the clothing. Wearing many padded leather armor that overlapped each other as they hugged his body to act as a sound reducer. A black cloak hung around his neck area and on his back which waved slightly in the wind. Blackened leather boots wrapped tightly around his legs, while a belt of tools hung on his sides. A metallic folded bow hung on his back under the cloak which has a quiver along with it. The Earth pony besides him is also looking around. A red coat and brown mane adorned him as the loose pants fluttered slightly in the breeze. "That whole trip reminded me why I hate traveling by sea." The earth pony says to the unicorn. "I hear ya Alexander. I was feeling slightly sick, but I got used to it. Comes with my profession." Apollo told Alexander. "Yeah, now if only we can find him I would like to sample some of Equestrian cuisine." Alexander says drooling slightly. "I could go for some food as well and there he is." Apollo says seeing a waving Nikolai. Alexander rubs his hooves together. "Alright let's go, I'm starving." He said bounding off. Apollo shakes his head and follows soon after. "Hey Nikolai, great to see you again." Apollo greeted. "Apollo, Alexander, I see you two made it across the sea without trouble." Nikolai says. Alexander stares at and then turns to the boat. "Actually I ended up with seasickness." "I didn't." Apollo quipped. "Nopony cares." Alexander shot back. Nikolai sighs and shakes his head. "Oh, how much I miss you guys. Come with me you two, let's get you some food." Nikolai says. Alexander pumps a hoof in the air. "Finally, I'm starving." Later at a cafe "So you both got the message?" Nikolai asks after checking if anypony was listening. Apollo pulls down his mask and starts to take a sip of the tea. "Why did you think we came here?" "You ready to deal a pre-emptive blow?" Nikolai asks as he showed them a hidden dagger. Apollo smirks. "I'm an archer, always ready." Alexander smiles and shakes one of his leg, making a metallic sound. "Of course, I'm not leaving this guy alone. He's gets into more trouble than it's worth." "Good, after this we'll head to Ponyville, we can easily get Lightning Bolt to give you both board." Nikolai says. Apollo looks intrigued. "Ponyville, couldn't they come up with a better name? Something of an old language." "Different country Apollo. By the way what's the word from Zebracus?" Nikolai asks. "I'm glad to report that Zebracus is ready to fight and more tribes are joining them and subsequently the alliance." Apollo says. "Good, now let's finish up and get this over with." Nikolai said finishing up his meal. "Oh, this should be interesting." Alexander says with a smirk. Nikolai smiles. "Doesn't everything we do?" A few days later "So Rainbow how are you?" Lightning asks hoofing her a cup of hot coco as they laid next to the fireplace. Rainbow drinks some coco before responding. "Never better really, but it's good to finally relax and live with life." "Yeah, so Rainbow I was wondering if we could..." Lightning was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Now who could that be? I'll be right back." Lightning says getting up to answer the door. Walking over he opens the door to find Nikolai, Alexander, and Apollo. "Hey guys. Welcome to Ponyville." Lightning greets. Apollo pushes past him and into the kitchen. "Yeah, yeah, where's the fridge?" "Hey, I have a guest here." Lightning says. Apollo looks to Rainbow. "Hey, nice to see you." He then turns back to Lightning. "Fridge?" Lightning just covers his face and points to the kitchen. Apollo looks in the direction and starts to go for the raid. While Alexander just facehooves and heavily sighs. "Why me? Why did I get saddled with this stallion?" "Guys I'm happy to see you but I currently have a guest, an important guest." Lightning says exasperated. Alexander sighs and looks to him. "Sorry, but we barely ate and drink on the way here." "Ok fine, but Apollo watch out for..." Lightning was cut off by a yell. "The ghost of commander Hurricane." Apollo jumps back into the living room with his bow drawn. "What the heck in Tartarus…!" He yells out. "No shooting your bow in the house." Lightning yells. Apollo looks to him with a glare. "Lightning I have faced down psychopathic patients over at an asylum with me being hunted by a ghost along the way, but why do you have this one here?!" "Meet my ancestor, Commander Hurricane." Lightning says sighing. Both the newcomers turn their head to Lightning, eyebrows raised. "I found her in a ruin of the first city around these parts. And now she's living with me." Hurricane snickers. "Oh come on grandson, you sound like you hate it." This just bought more raised eyebrows. Apollo puts his bow away as it folded into itself and looks to Rainbow. "Do you deal with this every day?" Rainbow sighs and takes a drink before turning to the fire. "And every prank." "Yeah but it's good to have family around. Oh and Nikolai how is your job going?" Lightning asks trying to change the subject. Nikolai subconsciously rubs his ears. "Other than a muffled ear from the heavy beats she plays at night, going fine." "Oh, then you need to go and have your ear cleaned out." Apollo says. Nikolai still rubs at his ears. "Nah, it's not being clogged, it's trying to get use to the music she plays. Hassle." "Are you sure?" Alexander asks as Lightning and Rainbow sneak out the window. Nikolai glares at him. "Stay with her for a night and check your ears in the morning." "What do you think Lightn…?" Apollo stops seeing Lightning gone with the mare. He looks around and sees an open window. "Huh, just like me when the guards are chasing." "Where did he go?" Alexander asks. Apollo sighs and heads to the kitchen. "Probably to enjoy his marefriend. Want to join me for a drink Commander?" "I wish I could, but sadly can't drink." Commander Hurricane says sadly. Apollo then smirks. "But you must know some recipes of the finest and hardest drinks." "Ah, no, I never been in the kitchen except when I snuck in to get an extra helping when I was a private." Commander Hurricane says embarrassed. Apollo raises an eyebrow. "Really, even after you married and had a foal, you never went into the kitchen?" "I had several servants to do that because I was so busy." Commander Hurricane clarified. Apollo then smiles. "Well come follow me and I'll teach you." "Not much use remember a ghost." Commander Hurricane says. Apollo huffs. "I was hunted by a ghost that made herself tangible." "You what?" Commander Hurricane asks. Lightning sighs after seeing they weren't following. "They are my friends, but they can be so annoying when in the same room together, sorry Rainbow." "Friends of yours I assume?" Rainbow asks. "Didn't I just say that?" Lightning quipped back. "No you just said you know them." Rainbow says with a playful smirk. Lightning smile back. "Grounded." Rainbow frowns, but then smiles. "Flapper." "Only for you." Lightning teased getting a blush out of Rainbow. Rainbow turns in front of them. "Perv." "Once again only for you. But I'm sorry about that, now you want to go do something fun?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks ahead of them. "What's there to do?" "We could race for a bit." Lightning suggests. Rainbows smiles and then quickly takes off in the air. "Hey!" Lightning shouted. Nikolai was sitting at the table with the two other stallions. "So what are you two going to do for work in the mean time?" He asks Apollo shrugs. "Don't know, but your job sounds a little good." "Yeah my job is full but I may know somepony who could help get you two jobs." Nikolai says getting up. "See you Commander." He called to the now tangible ghost who was having the time of her afterlife, eating. She waves showing she acknowledged this before going back to eating. "Now you two follow me and be on your best behavior." Nikolai says emphasizing the last part with an all too familiar glare to them. They snapped to attention. "Sir." "Good." Nikolai says leading them away. After a short walk they came to the apple family's farm where they saw four foals playing together. "Here we are. The Apple Farm." Nikolai told them as they walked up to the door. "Hey Applebloom." Nikolai calls. "Hey there Nikolai." She called back before going back to play. "Is your sister home?" Nikolai asks. "Should be." Applebloom turns and calls back. "Thank you." Nikolai calls as Apple Bloom is dog piled by the other three laughing. He walks up to the door and knocks. "You two are going to like these jobs, but I recommend some other clothing." He said while looking to Apollo. Applejack opens the door. "Hi Applejack." Nikolai greets as Apollo starts to look over himself. Applejack looks behind him and sees the other two stallions. "Hey Nikolai, who and what are they here for?" "Well you see these two stallions are old friends who need help finding a job and I was wondering if you could use some extra help." Nikolai says. Applejack smiles. "Well it just so happens that we do. I need somepony to handle the animals and another to help with the bucking." She looks at the two stallions carefully. She first speaks to Apollo. "You look like you have a good for details, but that also helps with hoof eye coordination. You're on the bucking." She then looks to Alexander. "You look a little high society, but still have that rugged look. You're on the animal caretaking. Both of you will start tomorrow and we will see how it goes." "Thanks Applejack, I owe you one for this." Nikolai says gratefully. Applejack just waves a hoof at him. "It was nothin, but remember, if these two can't keep up then it's back to finding some jobs. No promise if I can give again." "Oh they work and if they get lazy let me know." Nikolai give them a crazy look that made them shiver. "Uh, yeah we will do good job, right Apollo?" Alexander said stressing out the last part. Apollo starts to sweat under his hood. "Uh, yeah, we will do a good job, as we always do." He forced out with an extreme smile. "That's good. Just don't mess this up, because I doubt that I could find you guys another job." Nikolai says with a smile. They both nod frantically as more sweat started to fall. Applejack looks on in amusement as the stallions started to really act pleased. "Well, now like I said, come back tomorrow before six in the morning and we'll get you started." "Oh and feel free to work them into the ground, they could use the exercise." Nikolai says smirking at the corner of his mouth. The two stallions stop and whimper from the pain they will endure. 'What did I get myself into? This is worse than that time I broke into the bank to steal that necklace, which was lousy, too much dogs. I hate dogs.' Apollo thinks to himself. 'Oh, boy. This is going to be a lousy work life now. I wonder what Lightning does, because he looks well off and too much free time. Didn't even look tired. I loath you Lighting Bolt.' Alexander thought. "Sorry to leave you with them Applejack, but I have to get to my own work." Nikolai says. Applejack smirks. "Surrrrrrre, work." Nikolai looks confused. "What's that supposed to mean?" Applejack giggles into her hoof. "Nothing, nothing. Best be going now." Nikolai nods and heads out, leaving the two doomed stallions behind. "As for you two." A silent yelp came from them. "Time to show you where you work and how." Nikolai lands in front of Vinyl Scratch and Octavia's house and knocks on the door. Vinyl quickly opens the door and jumps into his hooves. "What's up N?!" She shouts over the loud bass. "Vinyl this is when I always come in to work and you seem more eager to see me than usual." Nikolai says a little confused. Vinyl laughs deeply while head banging to the music. "Just enjoying my number one employee. I thought you could use some fun time after all the hard work you did! So come on in and enjoy the house party!" Vinyl yells while getting off and heading back inside. "I'm scared to ask if Octavia is here." Nikolai says. "Oh don't worry your pretty little head, Octy isn't here she is in Canterlot right now!" Vinyl ensured Nikolai Nikolai raises an eyebrow. "Might I ask why?!" He said as he walks inside. Vinyl finally turns down the volume so they can talk normally. "Something about finding another concert place for her quartet...band…I don't what she called it. I usually just zone out." Vinyl said having her trademark smile. "Ok, first its ensemble, second this is why ponies say your marriage is on the rocks." Nikolai jokes on the last part. Vinyl fakes gasp. "I don't believe you Nikolai, trying to gain a mare while that mare is married. How dare you?" She spoke in a Canterlot voice and a hoof to her head, which was downright fake. "Oh, but Vinyl, you know you're a shameless flirt and came onto me while Octavia was drunk." Nikolai jokes back. Vinyl grins. "Yeah, but keyword drunk. Meaning she doesn't remember. Plus it kinda spices things up." "Oh, yes I remembered when she suggested a three way. Oh, how scandalous for her group." Nikolai says mimicking her Canterlot accent. Vinyl couldn't hold it anymore and started to laugh along with Nikolai following after a while. "Oh boy, you sir have always been A-Okay in my book." She then puts a hoof to her chin to think. "Then again, my booking is pretty filled." "Oh, ho, Octavia having you work overtime? How many scandalous things will she do?" Nikolai joked. Vinyl now just smiles. "Nah, I got a lot places over at the dance club at the edge of town, then the last few over in Canterlot. It's going to be pretty tough without my number one employee on stage with me." Nikolai pops his neck. "Then said employee best get to work then." He says stretching his wings. Vinyl raises a hoof. "Just one more thing." Nikolai waits patiently. Vinyl then takes off her glasses to show her red eyes. "I just want to say thanks with helping out everything, even with Octavia on her work. I really meant it when I said you're my number one." "Thanks Vinyl and to tell the truth it doesn't seem like work to me cause you make everything fun." Nikolai says with a sincere voice. Vinyl turns the volume up without looking and gives him a slight kiss on the cheek leaving him bright red. "Then let's get to work!" There's the Vinyl he knows, though he doesn't know what to think with his mind being blank. "Y-yes mam." Nikolai says starting to lift the needed equipment. Vinyl snickers as she puts the glasses back on and starts to edit her soundtrack. While Nikolai tries even harder than usual to get the equipment moved to the right spot for transport. Meanwhile Alexander and Apollo were hard at work. "They sure are working hard." Applebloom says carrying baskets of apples on her sides. "Yup." Big Mac says with a hay twig in his mouth. "Oh, this is horrible." They heard Alexander shout. Applejack snickers some more into her hoof. That was the third time he said that. "Bet ya that he quits by the next day or few hours." She said to Big Mac. "What's the bet this time?" Big Mac asks. She smirks. "The loser has to clean up all the poo from all the animals with their hooves. No shovel. And they must handle them from picking up to compost by hoof." "You're on." Big mac says shaking his hoof with hers. "I want in." Applebloom spoke up. They both look to the little filly with resentment. "Uh, you're not old enough to make bets." Applejack said trying to steer her away from the silly bet. Applebloom then pouts. "Me and my friends makes bets all the time." "That's different." "How?" "This is a bet just between us and last time we did this Big Mac hurt his back. So I went with something that harmless." Applejack remembered and then thinks. "Well maybe not completely harmless. Twilight did tell me that poo does have something else other than good fertilizer and it's not good." Apollo's ears perk up at that. He smiles subtly and continues bucking apples. Meanwhile, Alexander continues to clean the biggest and fattest pig he had ever laid eyes on. "By gods, what do they feed you?" The pig just rolls in the mud some more away from, making his job even harder. He sighs and looks around at the other pigs. "Great, at this rate I'll never get this done." Applejack smiles. "Looks like he's giving up now." She then sees something that surprised her and the rest of the siblings. Alexander actually takes some of the feed and lays out a trail near a large pool he used to clean the brush. As each pig went on the stairs he pushes them into the belly deep water, pig height of course, and takes out the brush. "Now I can clean." Big Mac sent a smirk at Applejack. "Looks like you better get some perfumes from Rarity, young sis." Applejack starts to worry at this. She hadn't felt this worried since she didn't win a single blue ribbon at that rodeo competition. "Oh no." While this was going on Apollo takes a look around the farm as he turns to buck the tree. 'Nice open area, lots of shadow opportunities, great place to train. Yeah, I think I'll stay in this town.' He then looks to the three siblings watching them. 'Lightning I now know why you choose to come here.' "Darn pigs!" Apollo heard Alexander yell. He turns to see Alexander chasing the small pigs that jumped out of the pool. He then looks to the siblings and sees Applejack wiping the sweat from her forehead and giving a smirk to her brother. 'Oh, all fear the mighty Alexander who is defeated by mere piglets.' Apollo joked in his head. 'This would be a great story to tell his kids, but who would want him now that he can't get pigs to stay still.' He laughed to himself then his muzzle forms an evil smirk. Later as the mood was completely overhead Vinyl was still rocking out in a club as Nikolai went to get drinks for them. "Two Vodka Specials." Nikolai orders. The bartender takes out a large white bottle and starts to pour it into two shot glasses and then place an olive in each. "Fifty." He simply said. Nikolai hoofs over the bits before taking the drinks and moving with them backstage and coming up behind Vinyl. He hoofs over the shot glass to Vinyl who lets the system play in auto. "To us Nikolai. May we swim in bits." And with that she prepares to drink in one go. Nikolai laughs. "Yes, to us. Both of us something weird and fun." With that they drown their shots, olive and all. "Thanks now, I'll get back to… Is that Tavi in the crowd waving at me?" Vinyl asks shocked as she stood over the set. Sure enough Octavia is in the crowd. Nikolai quickly leaves from the stage and heads for her to get backstage. Going through the crowd was tough, especially since everypony was sweaty from their party night. Once he reaches her he looks back and sees how far he went. He then turns back to Octavia who had a slight smile on her face. "Before you ask, let's get over there!" She yelled over the music and crowd. "You got it boss." Nikolai says as they start making their way through the crowd. Once backstage Nikolai led Octavia to where Vinyl was stationed. Vinyl looks to over to them and then back to the crowd. "Alright everypony, this is going to be one of the last few songs for tonight. So I ask for one thing. Party hard!" A cheer rose from the crowd as the new song came into play. Vinyl then hits the auto switch and heads for her roommates. "What are you doing here Octy?" She asks. "My ensemble and I finished up early and I decided to come see you." Octavia says. Vinyl trademark smirk appears. "Aww, you did miss me didn't you honey?" "More like making sure you were working and not just messing with...Nikolam...Nikolie." Octavia says having trouble with her roommate's name. "Nikolai, boss." Nikolai said to her. "I'm sorry I just have a hard time pronouncing foreign names." Octavia says. "I think it's kind of cute." Vinyl added. Nikolai blushes red from his boss calling him cute. "It's nothing, really." He said as he rubs the back of neck. "I was talking about Tavi's pronouncement of your name but that too." Vinyl says with a smirk. This didn't help with the blush any better. "I gotta go…check the wires...yeah, check the wires." Nikolai said looking around frantically and then rushing off. "Your cruel you know that?" Octavia asks. Vinyl smirks. "I know." Octavia groans and facehooves. "Why did I ended up living with you?" Vinyl then slided up by her side. "Cause you love me." She said hugging her. "Just be sure your back in time to get enough sleep for our radio show in the morning." Octavia says with a huff. "Heh, heh. You got it Octy." She then sauntered off to her set. "Stop calling me that!" Octavia yells. "Not happening Octy!" Vinyl calls back. The next morning as Apollo and Alexander were working they hear the radio from the porch nearby. "Hello listeners and welcome to the Vinyl Scratch. I'm your host the turntable temptress herself DJ-PON3." Vinyl Scratch says. "And I'm her co-host Octavia." Octavia wistfully said. "Well listeners we have an interesting new development. The Princess Celestia has felt that we could use a more pegasus point of view so meet our newest co-co-host Nikolai." Vinyl Scratch says. "Um, hey guys great to see you...well talk to you...even though I can't see you...I'm no good at this. How did you convince me to do this again?" Nikolai's voice said over the radio. "A simple kiss just like when you came over to start working." Vinyl said to him. "I think Octavia is still mad about when you forced her to kiss me." Nikolai says sounding a little scared. "Heh, heh, yeah she sure does look steamed." A pause followed. "Oh, she completely red in the face. Does this mean we got love in the room?" "Don't even go there." Nikolai and Octavia said at the same time. "Oh looks like they are already a couple." Vinyl says. "Keep going like this Vinyl and I may have to quit." Nikolai declared. "You can't do that, I have you under contract." Vinyl said inflamed. "Wait, what?" Nikolai and Octavia ask in near unison. A large pause followed. "What?" Vinyl said. "Since when do you know about contracts?" Octavia asks. "Since we started this." Vinyl says. "I'll admit I'm both surprised and impressed." Nikolai says "You coming on to me Nikolai?" Vinyl said sultry like. "Oh, you offering?" Nikolai asks causing a pause. "And since when did you become like a common stallion? I thought you would more of a gentlecolt." Octavia spoke up. There was sound of something hitting wood. "Oh good lord, Vinyl is rubbing off on me." Nikolai says. "I pray for your life now." Octavia said in sympathy. "What, I like this flirty side of him." Vinyl says. "Gets me flustered and hot." "Vinyl there may be some foals listening to this. Celestia told us to keep this show at newspaper level." Octavia warns. "Oh you mean talk about nothing, but untrue gossip?" Vinyl asks as a drum roll is heard in the background. "When did you get that?" Nikolai asks. "The black market." A pause follows. "Kidding. I just got from a buddy of mine from the last gig we did." "That aside, Vinyl stop corrupting Nikolie." Octavia says. "Still can't get my name right huh?" Nikolai said. "Sorry. I'm trying here, but your name is foreign to me." Octavia apologize. "So is you two to me and that's cause I was born in Stalliongrad." Nikolai said back. "You hear that listeners. We got a stallion from the toughest place on the planet." Vinyl said to her audience. "Ah, debatable, there are places that have flowing rivers of lava." Nikolai clarifies. "Yet, it's still rank on the top of the list. Some ponies just are too lazy to go even further than normal or is that fear?" Vinyl said. "Though I will admit all the creatures here are nothing compared to some of the creatures over there." Nikolai says. "Wait, I don't want you two scaring the young ones listening to this. Let's move on." Octavia warns. "Ok, so what was planned for today's show anyways?" Nikolai asks as paper was shuffled. "Oh right let's bring in our special guest. You know her you love her my best friend Spitfire." Vinyl introduces. The sound of a door opening played in the background as hoofsteps were followed after it. "Hey guys and Nikolai great to see you here." Spitfire said. "Oh, this is awkward. The sister of my best friend is here in the studio." Nikolai says worried. "Wait, what?!" Vinyl screeches making a squeal sound from the radio. "Oh, you didn't hear Vinyl? My brother Lightning Bolt is back. You remember him, the little colt you use to mess with." Spitfire says. "Thanks for the heads up Spitshine." Vinyl says. "But it was actually Nikolai here and his 'best friend' thing." "You mean you don't remember the ruins?" Nikolai asks. "Yeah, kinda fuzzy about that trip." Vinyl says. "Vinyl don't you think it's a little rude to call that to our guest." Octavia spoke up. "That's my nickname for her though." Vinyl whines a bit. "Why did I come to work today?" Nikolai said. "Same reason I did probably." Octavia said following him. "Because we are all roommates?" Nikolai asks "That might be one reason." Octavia said. "Though Vinyl has a sick sense of humor." "Hey Nikolai, how would you like to spend some private time with me after this?" Vinyl asks. "See what I mean?" "Unfortunately. Vinyl I think we should focus on the interview." Nikolai says. "Heh, heh, you guys sure are funny." Spitfire said to them. "Not as funny as you and your brother. I heard stories of you trying to drown him in a punch bowl at a party recently." Nikolai says. A pause hits here. "Yeah, but that changed to something serious that I don't want to talk about. It's private." Spitfire told him. "Ok then, Vinyl any comments from you?" Nikolai asks. "Got nothing here." A pause hits the radio waves. "What now?" "Uh miss Spitfire how does it feel to have your brother back?" Octavia asks. "Feels great and at the same time, annoying." Spitfire informed. "Really that's a surprise. Cause whenever you came up in a conversation Lightning had nothing but praises to say." Nikolai says. "That's my little brother. Too proud and crazy." Spitfire said. "Isn't that for all siblings, the younger looks up to the older?" Nikolai asks. "Yep, except he tries to get all the mares. Want to hear about one of them?" Spitfire nonchalantly said. "He has an interest in mares?" Nikolai asks sounding a little surprised. "What stallion doesn't at his age? He would really go after them. Once he was in the Wonderbolts, oh boy, the janitors we went through." Spitfire said. "I've never seen Lightning interact with a mare unless it was business in Stalliongrad." Nikolai says. A pause hits them. "So he was telling the truth." Spitfire said quietly. "Personally happy to hear that was starting to think he didn't trot that way." Nikolai says. "Yeah, good thing. I still missed that funny colt." Spitfire said with longing. "Blah, blah, blah, this isn't a drama show here. It's a talk show and we need exciting stuff." Vinyl said with boredom. "Vinyl you really need to work on your manners. I'll schedule you with the center after this." Octavia said. "Didn't they ban Vinyl though?" Nikolai asks. A pause hits the room. "Shoot." "How did you even pull that off Vinyl?" Spitfire asks. "Eh, the doc said that I was untrainable, mutter a few words that I can't say on the air, and then threw the clipboard out the closed window and busted the door open, sorry I meant bucked the door open, and then yelled 'I quit!' to almost everyone in the building and then left." Vinyl told them. "Wow that is both scary and impressive." Octavia says surprised. "I'll admit, Vinyl was always a hardhead." Spitfire said. "Yeah. I sure am." A pause hits then a few snickers came along. "Hey!" A cacophony of laughter came about as both Octavia and Nikolai laughed to their hearts content. "Hah, hah, very funny you three." Vinyl says. "Okay this is now something I'm going to do if it means embarrassing Vinyl." Nikolai quipped. "One more word or anything of the sort and I'll rip the contract." Vinyl shot to him. "You won't do that. You need me for gigs and 'other things.'" Nikolai shot back. "N-N-Nikolai that is highly inappropriate!" Octavia yells. "Octy, I think you just got his name right." Vinyl says surprised. "I pride myself on making sure that names I get right are for the important ponies in my life." Octavia informed. "Say it again." Nikolai says. "Nikoleu." Octavia says The sound of hoof meeting face sounded through the room. "And we're back to square one." Vinyl said through her hoof. "At least we made progress." Nikolai says as Spitfire laughs in the background. "Geez, I thought about coming to talk about my life, but it sounds like you guys don't need me for this radio talk show to work." Spitfire said. "Still think we need a bear that plays the Tuba." Nikolai says. "See what I mean. Don't need guests if you're this funny." Spitfire said. "But then where will I hear embarrassing stories about Lightning Bolt?" Nikolai asks "Oh yeah, how about the time when Lightning tried to get his first mare during his acceptance into the Wonderbolts, he played the romance book card." Spitfire remembered. "Oh, do tell." Nikolai says. "Oh, I remember that." Vinyl says. "Okay when Lighting was finishing up high school he met this mare that just wanted to get a job and be done with her life. Lighting would try really hard to get her attention using almost every move in a romance novel. I mean, he literally read the romance novels to see what he can do. Though in the end the mare did went with him once, but he came back looking like he saw a ghost or something. Still don't know what caused that. After he stopped chasing them like that forever. Now he uses his real charms and it seemed to have worked with Rainbow." "I'll have you know Rainbow that I just got upstage by a fillyfooler at that incident." "Still the funniest things he did to get her was hilarious. Like actually using the clouds to spell out 'Will you go out with me?' It was like he was asking her to marry him." Spitfire finished. Lightning's face slams on the table. "Just kill me now." His muffled voice says while Rainbow sat by snickering. Her stallionfriend was a romancer? This will be one for the blackmail books. "When are you going to shape some clouds into words for me?" Only a muffled yell answered that. Vinyl was laughing her flank off and almost falling off of her chair, while Nikolai and Octavia were snickering. "That doesn't sound like him at all with the way I know of." Nikolai said. "Well this is before you knew him." Spitfire says. "Oh, well look at the time. Sorry Mare, Stallions, and Foals that is our show for today. I'm Vinyl Scratch." Vinyl says. "I'm Octavia." Octavia says. "And I'm Nikolai." Nikolai says. "See you next time on the Vinyl Scratch." Vinyl said ending the show. Author's Note This is another chapter from the great duo here and as you can see two more are in play in this grand chess game of war. But for now you get humor. If anyone can guess what Apollo is based off of you get a free virtual cookie. First one to answer wins.
Family is ImportantA/N: Get yourself back up from that cliffhanger and start seeing the action again. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' Lightning was slammed hard against a wall. 'Ok I think that one dislocated my wing.' Lightning thinks as he tries to get up. A roar sounded from the direction he was thrown from. Lightning turns to it and sees the two Wyverns ready to strike again. Lightning groans again and tires to run around the arena to dodge their charge. Unfortunately they got him with a swipe one of their tail. 'I'm really starting to hate this!' Meanwhile with the spectators Rainbow was having a hard time watching this. Bets were thrown around casually as the other ponies not in her group watched on. Twilight was sickened by how some nobles treated a pony's life. When the best holder came to them Twilight gave him a glare. "Listen I don't condone this at all. But since nopony betted on him." She lifts a large bag of bits and gives it to him. "All of it on the pony!" Everypony else in the group places their bets on Lightning as well and cheers him on. "Come on boy! Get them! Show them what you can do!" Alexander yells as he looks at the ceiling for his companions. 'Come on.' "Come on Lightning!" Rainbow yells at him as she leans on the bars. Lightning looks up as he runs around again. "At least I have some supporters. That's helpful." He then gets hits again by a tail. "It would be more helpful if I can heal." He groans out. The black Wyvern with a bat like face then trapped him under its claw and brings its eye close to him. "You remember me don't you?" Lightning asks. It then sniffs his body before roaring out and readies to stomp down again. Lightning rolls out of the way of the falling claw and starts to run again. 'I can't keep this up. But why did that Wyvern sniff at me? To recognize me?' Lightning thinks barely avoiding the other Wyvern snapping its jaw at him. The Wyvern that held him down roared at the other one before they both looked at him. Lightning held his ground and waited for the attack that will never come. 'What are you waiting for?' The first thing that came to his mind was the tight feeling on his legs and something covering his face. Midnight groans and tries to get up but falls because of his tied legs. 'Ow. Okay, what did mommy say about this?' He then rubs his head against the ground to get the thing off of his head. Soon the cloth sack covering his head was pulled off and now he can finally look around...or lack thereof. He was in a dark room where the only light was from the doorway cracks. He then looks to the rope holding him and struggles to pull at least one apart. 'Come on. Just like mommy said.' He tries and tries, but gives up after realizing that the ropes were too tight. He then sighs and lays back down on the cold concrete ground. Then after a while of waiting for nothing he hears something scratching against metal. 'What the…? That sound like...' He starts to crawl as best he could to the sound until he finds a cage in the corner of the room holding a little creature that almost like a dragon. 'Wait, that's a Wyvern!' The little Wyvern in the cage looks over to the noise coming at it. In the darkness it can make out a pony shaped creature that has all its legs in one bundle. "It's okay." The creature said to him. The Wyvern pulls back a little from the voice. "It's alright. I'm in the same amount of trouble as you." Soon the dark shape came into the smallest sliver of light from the door, revealing a small pony. The spectators were becoming restless as the Wyverns hadn't made an attack for ten minutes now. The crowd started to yell and almost ready to throw things at them to get them moving. Even Lightning's group were confused. "What the heck is going on? I thought they were ready to kill into tiny pieces a few minutes ago." Twilight asks Alexander. Alexander shrugs. "Don't know. This has never happen before. Usually when you meet one, even by a passing glance they would kill you outright." He looks to Lightning who had sat down after a while and started to heal himself as best he could. 'Damn, I need help with my wing for this.' He looks to the still unmoving Wyverns and then back to him wing. He then hears a growl from one of them and he looks up. He sees one of them growling to the other who then stops. The other Wyvern then looks to him and walks over to him. The crowd soon starts to lean in at a possible kill while Lightning's groups watches in horror for the possible bloodshed. While in the arena Lightning freezes at this point, knowing that he can't do anymore besides rest. 'Great, dead by Wyvern in a sports arena.' The Wyvern's clawed hand reaches down toward him as he awaits his death. Yet, that never came. He felt the claw touch his wing lightly and snaps it back into place. Lightning groans from the sudden pain that was replaced with relief. The claw left his wing as Lightning looks up. The Wyvern just stares at him inquisitively. "Thanks." The Wyvern nods before heading back to the other one. The crowd yells at the action and turns to Lord Burrows who looked incredibly angry himself. "Get some guards to enrage them." He commands a guard right beside him while his son just stares angrily at his father. Lightning sighs and finishes most the healing he could do by hoof and looks to the two Wyverns just looking around. 'Why?' He then sees a guard readying an arrow at the Wyverns, which makes him run at them. The Wyverns look at him in shock and back up a little at the pony coming at them. Lightning jumps at them and starts to jump from place to place before reaching a shoulder on one of the Wyverns and catches the arrow. "Bad move." Lightning says throwing the arrow back at the archer and a yell was heard seconds later. He looks back to the Wyvern he was riding on the shoulder as they both look at him surprised. "You spared me, you helped my wing and that makes you okay in my book." He told them. He then takes a look around the cage and sees that gaps in the cage were too small for him, yet when he looks up he sees it connected to a central chain. Following the chain comes to a winch system by Lord Barrows. 'I need somepony else for that, but I can't give away the order, otherwise they will surround it.' The crowd was completely outraged at this point as the fight was never going to start. They started to yell and throw things into the arena, which completely furiated Barrows. He turns to the nearest guard and yells, "Get this fight started somehow, I don't care what!" "What do you two say for a good old jailbreak?" Lightning asks the Wyverns They look at each other before turning back to him with devilish grin. "Let's cause some trouble for them." Lightning said with a grin of his own. Midnight now stood carefully in front of the little Wyvern as he still tries to find a way out. "I can help you, you know?" The Wyvern stares at him. "Just get me out of these ropes and I'll get you out." Midnight said trying to get the ropes as close as possible. The Wyvern looks at the ropes before it starts to chew away. After a while, some snaps were heard and Midnight could feel his legs free. "Yes!" He then covers his mouth. 'Remember, if you find yourself in an escape plan, the main thing is to be quiet.' That's what his mother told. He looks around for a bit before seeing that it didn't cause much trouble and goes to work on the cage. "Your turn." He looks to lock and sees that it is just a standard cage lock built in to the cage. "Amateurs." He reaches up to his mane and pulls out a bobby pin which makes some of mane fall down. "Thank you mommy." He then goes to work on the lock while the Wyvern looks on in interest. As he moves the pin to the lock an explosion was heard. He fumbles a bit before smiling and turning back to the lock. "That's my friends here to save us." He told the little Wyvern who smiles. Lightning shoots more lightning at the caged top damaging it more as both Wyverns use their claws to climb the walls. The crowd has started to leave the area, but couldn't as the doors were locked. "Sorry everypony, but this where I leave you all to enjoy the show with volunteers now." Barrows tells the crowd as he turns to leave. "Damn." Alexander curses. "We can't let him get away. Now!" He yells to the ceiling. "Father, you cowardly…oh, never mind." Euram says unlocking the door as his father was pushed to the ground by two stallions. The crowd quickly leaves with many stories to bring him down in the noble world. "Now that end is taken care of. Would one of you two gentlestallions please pull the lever on that wall there? It's a bit locked and my father may have the key." But before anypony could do anything one of the Wyverns finally tears through the caged top. It starts tearing a bigger hole in the caged roof as more of Lord Barrow's guards start come in to try and stop the Wyverns. Though a lightning strike got to them as the Wyvern grins at its helpless targets. "Not up in here!" Lightning yells from below who has now started to ride on one of the Wyverns. The nearest and unluckiest guard is then grabbed by one of the Wyvern's jaws. The Wyvern crushes and chews the guard armor and all before swallowing him. Lightning's group cringes from the attack. "Okay, that was something I did not want to see in my life." Rainbow said watching the escape. The guards seeing this start running. "Dolph you were sent here to help, so help!" Lord Barrows yells. Apollo hits Barrow's head hard on the ground and knocks him out. "Shut up, loser." Edward pulls the lever after breaking the lock which raises the cage. "Come on out with your friends, Lightning." Suddenly members of Nethergate start to run in. "Twilight, take the girls and run! Edward, Nikolai and Alexander find the prince. We'll take care of them." Lightning yells as the bat like headed Wyvern finally reaches the top. Twilight and the girls run out of there with Euram following them. While Edward, Nikolai and Alexander all split up and try to find the prince in this mansion. Lightning lands next to Apollo who was still standing over Barrows. "We can't let them take him or we lose a valuable asset." Apollo warns. "You go and fight, I'll stay. Can't do much after that fight." Lightning said as he flexes his wing a little, but it still hurts. "Roger that." Apollo says dragging the prisoner away to a corner as the Wyverns are fighting or eating the Nethergate assassins, depending on your point of view. Lightning stands in front of the unconscious Barrow as Apollo rushes into the fray while taking out his bow and shooting three arrows at once. Lightning looks back to Barrows. "You know, you are going to get a punishment worse than death after this." "This way, my father transferred many guards to here this night." Euram says. Rainbow flies right in front of him. "Give me one reason why should we trust you?" "You don't, I do this for my princess." Euram says running again. "So you don't even offer an excuse?" Pinkie asks. "No I don't." Euram says. "Ok then lets trust him." Twilight says. Rainbow growls before following them again. "Fine, but one hoof out of line and I will treat you the same way they treated your father." "I'm nothing like my father or soon to be jailed father." Euram said as he turns a corner. "Then ya, lead the way." Applejack says. Euram comes to a stop at door in the dark part of the castle. "Here we are." He opens the door to a dark room. "They're in here somewhere." A snap comes from inside. "Got it." A squeaky door opening sound comes from inside. "Midnight are you in here?" Rainbow asks. "Rainbow?" A voice asks. "You're here, quickly we got to get you out of here." Rainbow says heading inside. "We might have a problem with that." Midnight said, his voice getting closer. "What are you, tied up?" Fluttershy asks. "No, he has a little friend." Pinkie Pie says seeing a second shadow. "Pinkie, that's ridicu…" Rarity trails off seeing the baby wyvern. "Aww. Who's the little one?" Fluttershy asks. "I don't know, he was just in here with me." Midnight says as they start hearing fighting right outside the door. "In the words of my great grandmother. Let's get out of here." Midnight said heading for the door. Midnight is greeted by the sight of Alexander power bombing a guard onto his head. "Hey, nice power bomb." Midnight said casually. Alexander looks to the prince. "Finally, I've found you. Now let's get out of…" He stops when he sees the baby Wyvern. "So that's why they stop fighting him." He concluded. "Oh young prince there you are. Would you be so kind as to come here now?" Dolph's voice says at the end of the hall. "Prince stay behind me." Alexander whispers to him. "Now prince come with me. You wouldn't want something to happen to your mother now would you?" Dolph asks. "Mom?" He asks shakily. "He's bluffing young prince he doesn't have your mother." Edward says walking up. "But…?" Midnight hides by the baby Wyvern who growls at new pony trying to hurt his friend. A sword flies past all of them and embeds itself right beside the head of Dolph. Nikolai comes out right by Edward as they stare down at Dolph. "That's a warning. Leave and you might have a chance." "And miss seeing Lightning or taking the prince, I don't think so." Dolph says rushing forward barely avoid each stallion's attacks and grabs Midnight and heads for the front door. "Dang it!" Nikolai yells as everypony chases after him. Meanwhile Lightning finishes off a Nethergate and throws him into the open arena. "Buck off." He looks to Apollo shooting as many arrows as he could to finish them all off. While the Wyverns were still biting, clawing, and stomping them all to nothing. "Apollo I'm going to be right back." Lightning says walking out the door. "Yeah, sure, help yourself." Apollo said firing off another arrow. Lightning walks into the main hall just in time to come face to face with Dolph holding Midnight. "Well, well, if it isn't Lightning." Dolph says. "Midnight!" Lightning yells. "Lightning, help!" Midnight yells back struggling against his grip. "One chance Dolph let him go and I'll let you live." Lightning says Dolph chuckles. "Now, why would I do that? I'm having more fun this way." Lightning growls before he sees something behind Dolph. "Lightning!" Edward yells as he throws one of his swords to him. Lightning catches as Dolph does the same and prepares his. "Last chance." "Come on Lightning, where is the fun in that?" Dolph asks. "You know Dolph, I think I should reintroduce you to somepony?" Lightning says. Before Dolph could question this he feels a claw swipe rip across his back causing him to scream out in pain. "I think you remember my spirit partner Belcross." Lightning says as Midnight uses this chance to escape Dolph's grasp and run to Lightning. Looking back Midnight sees a huge blue and purple creature standing on two legs with large clawed hands and lightning coursing across its body. "Belcross protect the young prince, I'll take care of this one." Lightning says and Belcross moves over to that side with Midnight and away from Dolph. "Now we're even. If you hadn't made this personal I would have captured you, now I'm going to finish you." Lightning said walking up to him, bearing the sword. "Yeah, I guess the party has to end sooner or later." Dolph says withdrawing two daggers. "Let's go out with a blast." Lightning lunges forward only for his thrust to be stopped by Dolph's daggers. "You would have made a great soldier Lightning. Too bad you have joined the wrong side." Dolph taunts. "You're far too arrogant." Lightning says coursing some lightning magic through the sword giving Dolph a nasty zap, making him disengage with his daggers. "Bastard." Dolph said before lunging again. "What's wrong Dolph, you seem a little bit slow today." Lightning mocks dodging his opening attack and parrying the second before slamming the hilt of his sword on Dolph's wounded back. Dolph yells out in pain. "You're the most terrible pony I have ever met." Dolph says grunting. "You're only say that because I don't fear you and you are scared of me." Lightning says disarming him of one of his daggers. Dolph grins. "True, but do they fear death?" Lightning raises an eyebrow before throwing his last dagger at Midnight. But Belcross giant clawed hand slams in front of the young prince and the dagger bounces off of it. For a moment Lightning does nothing, but then takes a deep breathe. "You know I don't get mad easily. In fact there are very few things that make me mad. But that Dolph, just did it. Because nothing make me angrier than attacking my family and you dared to attack my son!" Lightning said yelling the last part in pure rage. Dolph went wide eyed at what he just said. 'Midnight...his own son. Now I'm in trouble.' "I ah...got to deal with something...later." Dolph says, but barely avoided being impleaded, but doesn't avoid the punch sending him sailing across the room leaving an imprint where he hits the wall. "Get up Dolph, I'm only getting started with you." Lightning says with a very calm but creepy voice. Dolph tries to rise, but is kicked up before Lightning starts releasing punch after punch to his face. "Never...touch...my...family!" Lightning yelled with each punch. At the end Lighting takes the sword and runs Dolph through the chest before withdrawing it and walking away. "You know this ain't over." Dolph whispers. "There will be more." "True, but it's yours and Nethergate's end." Lightning says walking to Midnight. Dolph breathes his last as he finally slumps on the ground. Lightning reaches Midnight as Belcross dissipates into thin air. "Come on, let's get that cub back to mom and pas and let's go home." "A...are you really my dad?" Midnight asks, his voice a little shaky. "Yeah...I am." Lightning says hugging the young foal. A scratch gets his attention as he looks down to see the baby Wyvern. "Ok little one, we'll go." Lightning says smiling. They all soon got up and head for the showing area again this time with nothing bad happening. All the Nethergate assassins were dead and the guards were captured. Walking over to the two Wyverns, they look at him for hope, he steps aside for the young one to see his family again. The Wyverns let out their own cry and nuzzle their hatchling. Soon the ponies starts to leave with Apollo carrying Barrows over his back. The Wyverns let out a final cry to Lightning. Looking back he can see the bigger one nod to him and so he nods back before leaving. Soon the royal guards arrive with Shining Armor. The young princess embraces her big brother as the guards' starts to head inside. "Let the creatures go if you find them!" Lightning yells to the guards heading inside. "We have two traitors to deal with." Shining Armor says looking at the unconscious Barrows and his son. "Correction, one traitor big brother. Earum here is innocent, he even aided us." Twilight says. Shining looks to him and looks him over as the young heir starts to strip all of his clothes leaving the bare essentials on. "Never wanted to be a part of all this." He takes off his family crest necklace. "And never want to be ever again." He readies to throw it before feeling a hoof stop him. He looks to Lightning taking the crest. "Barrows has stained the family name, but I'm sure the heir can fix that. Being smart in helping us was a big decision. Once ponies see that...well..." Lightning holds out the crest. Earum looks at it for a few moments contemplating Lightning's words. Finally he takes the crest and places it back on. "Let me make things right." Lightning smiles. "You just started." "Well then I still have to deal with a traitor." Shining Armor says interrupting the conversation. Apollo drops the body without care. "I'm done here, I'm heading back to the farm to relax." Apollo said as the walks away. "Oh, didn't I tell you Applejack fired you and Alexander because she lost a bet." Lightning says trying to hold a snicker. Apollo freezes before walking backward to Applejack. "Hire me back. You made the bet based on Alexander staying or not for a few hours." "Actually it was both of you." Applejack says with an embarrassed look. "Forget it Apollo, you, Alexander, and Edward are going to be really busy for a while." Lightning says as Midnight lays on his father's back. They look to him with confused looks. "And what are we doing?" Edward asks. "You are to go back to your ship and set sail and send this by messenger hawk." Lightning says hoofing him a letter. Edward smirks and then whistles. "A messenger hawk is never more than a whistle away." A hawk then lands on his back. Tying the letter on the leg he whistles again in a few tones and soon the hawk is off. Lightning facehoof. "You as an admiral are supposed to read letters with that emblem." Lightning says "Why didn't you say that before laddie?" Edward says laughing nervously. "Oh never mind, come here." Lightning says before whispering something into Edward's ear. "Now go to your ship and set sail." Lightning orders. Edward nods before walking off. "Let's hope you come to my ship next time. She's quite a beauty." "Yes, yes, the Jackdaw is quite a ship." Lightning says bored of the same conversation. Edward chuckles and just continues away. "Now come on, let's get you home. Your mother is worried sick." Lightning says to Midnight who just smiles at his father. Eclipse sips some more tea as she sits down, waiting for everypony' safe return. Spike brings out some more treats for her while she looks down at her warm tea and sighs. "You know," Spike pipes up. "I'm sure they're fine. Lightning handled worse." Eclipse just keeps looking at the tea. "It's not that he can't make it, it's the fact that Midnight is his son I'm worried about. Plus the fact of how this will change his relationship with Rainbow." "I don't think it will be affected that much." They both look to the door to Lightning with Midnight and Rainbow playing around behind him. "She took it rather well." Lightning said smiling at his son. "Mommy!" Midnight yells at he runs to Eclipse. Eclipse hugs his fiercely as she cries out in happiness. "I'm never letting you out of my sight again." Midnight giggles. "Mom, I actually busted out with a friend. Thanks for the lessons." Eclipse looks confused. "Friend?" "He means a baby Wyvern." Lightning explains. "Apparently Barrow was holding the parents hostage too with the threat of their hatchling in danger." "I don't care, as long as my son is ok." Eclipse says hugging Midnight tighter. Lightning smiles and starts to leave. Rainbow follows after looking at them for a few more seconds. "Lightning don't you think you should stay I mean he is your son as well." Rainbow points out. "Midnight didn't need me. He escaped during the whole thing and rescued the Wyvern. After all he's still got Eclipse. So it's all well and good for him." Lightning explains. "It's all well and good? Lightning let me tell you I grew up with only my father so I can literally can say I know what I am talking about when I say Midnight wants to know his father!" Rainbow starts out explaining and yells the last part in Lightning's ear. Lightning looks back at her. "And yet it was better if Midnight didn't know. All the stuff that happened to him would have been worse if Dolph knew that Midnight was my son. Plus I don't want to see him get more hurt." "It's far too late for that. Eclipse already told the secret. Now it doesn't matter either way. So the least you owe that foal is to be there for him now!" Rainbow scolds Lightning. "Lightning." Eclipse said softly. "Yes Eclipse?" Lightning asks turning to her. Eclipse smiles at him. "Lightning we would really love it if...well...if you could be a father for us. The father you were always meant to be." Lightning smiles, but then turns to Rainbow. "Are you okay with this?" "Hey, that doesn't mean you're married to her. So be a father to Midnight." Rainbow says. Lightning smiles at her and then turns back to Eclipse. "Okay, sure." Lightning then feels something land on his back. "So dad, what about Aunt Spitfire will she be around?" Midnight asks. Lightning smiles then starts laughing evilly. Everypony looks at like he's gone bonkers. "Well now, what do you say about surprising her huh? Probably give her a good fright." Eclipse sighs. "Now I know where Midnight gets that mischievous side from." Eclipse says facehoofing. Lightning just keeps laughing evilly and soon Midnight joins. "Like father, like son." Rainbow said to her with pity. Spitfire was talking to Hurricane about the upcoming war when the doorbell rang. And kept ringing incessantly. "Alright, alright, hold your horseshoes." Spitfire says before muttering under her breathe. "I swear to Celestia if this is Soarin again I'm going to..." Spitfire stops opening the door and seeing Lightning. "Hey sis, I got a little surprise for you." Lightning says in a sing song voice. "What is it?" Spitfire asks letting out a sigh of relief. "I like you to meet your nephew Midnight." Lightning says as Midnight pops onto Lightning's head. "Hiya Auntie!" Midnight yells. Spitfire just stood there shocked with her mouth agape. Midnight seeing his opportunity took a picture of Spitfire. "That's a keeper." He said as it came out. "Yeah, all joking aside you really are an aunt to Midnight." Lightning says as Spitfire snapped out of it and looked back and forth between the two, comparing them. Seeing the same grin and glint of mischievous in their eyes proves it. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" "You done with the death shriek?" Hurricane asks with an annoyed look as she comes up behind her. "Now where's my little grandson?" She asks as her face changes to one of happiness. "Midnight meet your ancestor, Commander Hurricane, one of the pioneers of early Pegasus culture." Lightning says as Midnight stares at Hurricane with wide eyed wonder. "Cool." He drones out. "Hurricane meet Midnight, my son and the crown prince of Saddle Arabia." Lightning says. "Hello sweetie. Oh, I'm going to spoil you to the ground." Hurricane coos. "He doesn't like that Hurricane, he prefers doing things for himself from what I have seen." Lightning says proud of his lifestyle. "I don't care, he is my family." Hurricane says picking him up and hugging Midnight. "Yeah family. Sounds good, doesn't it sis?" Lightning asks. Spitfire was still frozen in horror. Lightning sighs and blasts her with some water magic. "Wakey wakey sis." He said as she started coming to. "What happened? Oh Lightning I just had the craziest dream." Spitfire says. "Was it about Midnight being my son and your nephew?" Lightning asks. "Yeah, how did you know?" Spitfire asks. "Cause that wasn't a dream." Lightning clarified as he pointed to Hurricane hugging Midnight. Spitfire sighs and looks down. "Great. Now I have to deal with him." "What's wrong, I always thought you wanted our family to be bigger?" Lightning asks. Spitfire sighs again and looks to Midnight. "I do, but…" "But?" Lightning asks. She turns to him. "I want somepony of my own as well." "Sister are you seriously considering dating?" Lightning asks surprised. "Wooooooo whoooooooo! Finally I can get her into finding a stallionfriend!" Hurricane cheers. "Don't spread it around." Spitfire says. Hurricane grins. "Oh, don't worry I won't." That's her saying. "Any potentials you have in mind aunty?" Midnight asks Spitfire blushes. "Just one for now, but I'll tell you later." "Is it someone I know and please tell me it's not Soarin?" Lightning says as Midnight jumps on Spitfire's head. Spitfire scratches behind Midnight's ear. "No not him. I hate that guy and his pie crazy ways. But it is somepony you do know. And he's a shipmaster." Lightning blinks a few times. "No, you can't mean Edward Kenway!" Lightning yells. Spitfire looks at him confused. "Well yeah, what's wrong with him?" "Note to self: blow up the Jackdaw and Edward." Lightning says writing that down in an actual notepad. "Oh, like Tartarus you will!" Spitfire yells tacking him and leaving Midnight in the air for a bit before falling. "Say grandmother?" Midnight asks. "Yes dear?" Hurricane said as she walks up by him. "Are Dad and Aunty playing?" Midnight asks as Spitfire piles drives Lightning in the stomach. "Yes they are." Hurricane says as Lightning flips Spitfire. "Oh just like old times." A voice says as Lightning had Spitfire in a headlock. They both stop and looks to the voice user. "Hey Vinyl." Spitfire says as she gets out of the headlock and puts Lightning in her own. "I guess something's never change." Vinyl says. Spitfire gains a mischievous grin. "Oh Vinyl you want to hear something interesting about Lightning here?" Spitfire asks. "Sister don't you dare." Lightning warns but was block by Spitfire's headlock going tighter. "Oh sure what is it?" Vinyl asks. "You want to know who Lightning's first crush was." Spitfire asks. "Sister please don't." Lightning pleaded. "Who is it? I wondered when we did that radio show." Vinyl said as she sat down. "Well I'll give you three guesses and a hint each time you guess. Your first hint is she's a unicorn." Spitfire says. "Hmm...Twilight?" Vinyl guesses. "Nope. Ok, second hint she lives in Ponyville." Spitfire says "Lyra?" Vinyl guesses. "Nope. Ok, final hint. She has a blue mane and wears glasses all the time." Spitfire says. Vinyl goes wide eye. "Is it...me?" She said as she points to herself. "Yes, you are Lightning's first crush." Spitfire says as Lightning is starting to turn blue. Vinyl points to him. "Ummm…" "Aunty I think dad is suffocating." Midnight says walking over to them. Spitfire turns to look at Lightning. "Oh sorry." She lets go as Lightning starts to cough. "I can't believe you told her. It's like when you told the world, Vinyl likes the accordion." Lightning says hiding his face. "Hey!" "Sorry Vinyl, but it is true." Lightning said. "Ok, I will give you that, but only because of what your sister just did." Vinyl says. "So yeah, I did like you back then, but I passed on. I like somepony else now." Lightning explains. "Oh, no problem I already have my eyes set on somepony else." Vinyl says. "Oh, those rumors of you and Octavia are true then?" Spitfire asks. Vinyl grins. "Maybe." "Wow, I feel sorry for Nikolai then. He really has a thing for you." Lightning says. "Oh, does he?" Vinyl says with an evil smirk. "Yeah he was a big fan back in the day. Though I think he hasn't like it that much now." Lightning explains. "Oh, we'll see about that." Vinyl says. "A lesson for you son. Me and sis, maybe devious, but Vinyl is on a whole different level." Lightning says turning to him. Midnight looks to Vinyl. "So are you a music pony?" "Of course little…wait...you called him son." Vinyl says registering what he said. Lightning nods. "That's what a father calls his foal." Lightning says. Vinyl then has her mouth agape. "Whoa…I didn't know you were a father. Who was the lucky mare?" "I'm not married Vinyl and the mare is Eclipse, the queen of Saddle Arabia." Lightning clarifies. Vinyl's glasses fall on her nose and showing her eyes slightly. "Dang. I almost feel sorry for you." "What's that supposed to mean?" Lightning asks almost mad. Vinyl quickly shakes her hoof at him. "Oh no, I didn't mean bad for you...well...actually I meant that you didn't marry her. You get the ultimate experience in life when you have a foal and married." "I am going to tell you the reason now. The laws of Saddle Arabia wouldn't allow it Vinyl. You want details, look up the laws pertaining to Queens and marriage." Lightning says. Vinyl whistles. "Man, I feel sorry you. Not being able to marry...wow." "Yes, Vinyl?" Lightning asks annoyed. "It's just not being able to marry when you already have a foal. But doesn't it allow you marry her now?" "Ok, to clarify I didn't know Midnight was my foal till earlier this night." Lightning says. "Yeah, but does it allow you marry her now?" "No, the laws state a Queen can't marry when she becomes Queen." Lightning says. "So how does she pass on the throne if she can't pass it on to a possible foal?" "The law doesn't say anything about having kids only that they can't marry." Lightning says. "So you can still have kids with her?" "Yes, but it wouldn't be right now. Personally I'm shocked Rainbow is taking this so well." Lightning says. Vinyl sighs. "Well, I did come here to check up on Spits, but got a great story instead." "It's foreign customs and policies Vinyl unless you're a diplomat, no need to research them extensively." Lightning says. "Heh. Well how about we get inside. I'm getting hungry." Vinyl said as her stomach growls. "Sure Vinyl, come on in." Lightning says as everypony entered. "So Lightning why is Midnight a bat sub-breed?" Vinyl asks as she munches on a sandwich. "Oh, the entire Saddle Arabia royal family is that. Oh, and a little tip the legend of them being able to hypnotize with their eyes. Completely true if you make direct eye contact. I know from experience with Eclipse." Lightning says. "That's how you got Midnight?" Hurricane asks. "Oh, no, no. She didn't use that for that, but since he is so young let's change the subject." Lightning says looking at Midnight. "So when did you leave?" Spitfire asks. "Before Eclipse became Queen, which was before Midnight here." Lightning says. "And after that?" Spitfire continues. "The revolution of Stalliongrad that expelled the Dominion Empire from Stalliongrad. Which was the first time in over a thousand years Stalliongrad was independent." Lightning says with a sober tone. "So what is going on now?" Vinyl asks. "The Dominion is gearing up to invade Equestria." Lightning casually says. "And you're casual about this why?" Vinyl asks. "Cause it was only a matter of time or did you not know that they were pressuring your princesses to surrender to them?" Lightning asks. "Did they?" Hurricane asks. "Yeah, most of the Western world knows the Dominion is preparing a huge military campaign to conquer as much as they can and sadly after reviewing everything. I'm sure they will need only one legion to conquer the entire country." Lightning says. Spitfire sighs. "Well let's hope that we can survive." "At this point it's doubtful. I mean your military is practically a joke. You have only four thousand Royal guards who mainly just stand around. The country hasn't experienced war in millenniums so your ponies don't know what to expect. I mean all your recent threats have warranted six untrained mares. If I didn't know better I would think this whole place was a joke." Lightning says holding his head like he had a headache. "Are you okay dad?" Midnight asks. "I'm fine son." Lightning says rubbing the top of Midnight's head. "We aren't that bad…are we?" Spitfire asks unsure. Vinyl shrugs. "Kinda. You send six mares for almost everything going on here. It really is a joke." "Untrained civilians too." Lightning adds. "Yeah and their only defense is 'friendship' and the elements of harmony. It's hard to believe they lived this long." Vinyl says "Vinyl how would you like to be a consultant pony for the upcoming war. You speak more sense than most nobles." Lightning offers. Vinyl laughs a little. "Yeah, it seems the regular citizens knows more than nobles on everything no matter what it is. Even the politics. But no, too much hassle and no time for music for me." "Then a request. The princesses are obviously going to ask me to help defend the country from the impending invasion now that they know I am the head general of Stalliongrad. I'm going to need so help from the celebrities to get as many ponies as possible to join the armed forces for us to stand a chance." Lightning says. Vinyl's glasses came dangerously close to falling off her face. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Back up you're what in Stalliongrad?" Vinyl asks. "The head general, meaning when it comes to military matters I'm the second most influential in all of Stalliongrad." Lightning says. "And why the celebrities?" Vinyl asks. "Star power helps motivate civilians. I mean who are they more than likely going to listen to a foreign general or their favorite DJ?" Lightning asks. Vinyl slams her hooves on the table startling everypony. "You think I want to send my fans into war? Besides, no fans if I do." "And if the Dominion conquers Equestria then no fans and you'll either be a slave or a trophy wife to an officer." Lightning says. Vinyl winces. "No way! I'm not going to be a sex slave! Fine, I'll do it, but only when the war is in and after a while." "You mind sending the same message to Octavia, because a mare like her is highly prized to be a trophy wife in the Dominion." Lightning says. Vinyl grits her teeth. "Okay, but once the war is in we are not going anywhere and staying home." "That may not be a good idea in case you need to flee." Lightning says. "I meant when not in danger at home. And if they are coming then we will run." "Smart mare." Lightning says gesturing to Vinyl while looking at Spitfire Spitfire looks offended. "What are looking at me like that?" "All I'm saying she is smart for knowing what to do if the Dominion comes. But we on the other hand don't get the option." Lightning says. Spitfire glares at him. "Does that mean that only stallions should fight because of the whole trophy thing?" "I said we don't get the option meaning we will be on the front lines." Lightning says facehoofing. "Still what are we going to now?" Spitfire asks. "Until the princesses decide something we can't do anything." Lightning says. Spitfire sighs and takes a sandwich. "Well what about now? While we wait." "We rely on our friend in the nobility Euram Barrows to try and hurry things along." Lightning says. "Well let's finish eating up and go there." Hurricane said as she takes another cupcake. "I have other business to attend to. Besides he has things under control." Lightning says. "And what other business is that?" Hurricane asks with a coy smile. "I will tell you on one condition." Lightning says. "Yes grandson?" Hurricane follows. "Restrain Spitfire because she'll try to hurt me. When I say this." Lightning says. "Okay dear." Hurricane said as she goes over and holds her down. "Let me go." Spitfire said threateningly. "Ok. I know you don't want to hear this sister. But to have a chance at defeating the coming invasion we need all the residence of Equestria and I mean everypony. That includes the Changelings." Lightning says. "What?! Don't tell me you are going to do a treaty with those bugs!" Spitfire yells as struggles in Hurricane's grip. "Ok sis, I will give you an option. A: We either get their help." Lightning pauses. "Or?" Spitfire asks. "Which Dominion legionnaire would you prefer to be the trophy wife of?" Lightning asks. Spitfire says nothing for the moment and turns to the side. "Fine. Go get their help. It can't be worse than that." "That's the spirit sister. You may let her up now Hurricane." Lightning says. Hurricane let's go and goes back to seat and keeps eating. "When are you going?" She said as she takes a large piece of cake. "Sometime this week. I have a few appointments to keep." Lightning says. Hurricane smiles. "Then you best be off." "Hey, hey, I said a few appointments. That includes spending time with my son and talking to Rainbow about the future of our relationship." Lightning says the second half under his breath and as fast as possible. Hurricane smiles. "I'm sure that Rainbow will help you through this. Now the best things to do is do the relationship stuff sooner than later and then you can play." She said looking at Midnight. "Can you wait little one?" "Hurricane, it's almost midnight." Lightning says and Hurricane snickers. "Yes, yes, a fine pun, but seriously it's about time for him to go to bed and Vinyl I'm sure Nikolai is back at your home by now and I'm sure you have a lot to talk about with one of my commanders." Lightning says. "But dad," Midnight started. "Mom has been training me for late night wakerupers. Said the political stuff that I can help with kinda sometimes go late into the night. So she's been training me by having me stay up till midnight and then wake up around or before six. I'm already use to it. But I can stay for little while longer." Lightning blinks a few times before saying. "Midnight follow me, we need to have a word with your mother." Lightning says starting to walk out the door. Midnight looks confused at the others before following along out the door. "How long before you think Lightning starts to yell at Eclipse?" "Probably in about one minute." Eclipse is sitting by the fireplace with a cup of tea with a peaceful smile on her muzzle. She was content and happy the way Lightning was reacting to Midnight. Then she heard a knock on the door. Opening it she finds Lightning standing there with Midnight. "What's this about making Midnight stay up till midnight?" Lightning asks calmly. "Oh, Lightning...um...good evening." Eclipse says nervously. "Let's talk." Lightning says walking in and dragging her along. "Midnight, avenge me!" Eclipse yells as she is dragged into a room and the door is heard locking behind them. Midnight just stands there confused as he closes the door behind him. "This is going to be one those weird things isn't it? Probably will take all night. Oh well, better get some sleep." He said to himself as he headed to his room. "Eclipse how could you…!" Lightning proceeded to yell at Eclipse for well into the night from there. Only stopping when he fell asleep. Author's Note And that's it for this chapter my fine fellows and ladies. Please wait while we work on the next one.
Now It's More Fun and Ten Times More Funnier (Clop)A/N: Back again. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' Lightning is standing outside Rainbow Dash's house and he sighs before knocking on the door. "Rainbow you there?" The door creaks open to see Rainbow standing behind it with a slight smile. "Hey Lightning." "Rainbow can I talk to you?" Lightning asks. Rainbow steps aside and lets him through. "So...how's was the night?" "Long. I spent most of it lecturing Eclipse when Midnight told me she only let him get six hours of sleep." Lightning says. Rainbow looks away like she was hiding something. "Well…" She draws out. "It may help in the long run." "But it can also stunt his growth or cause health problems." Lightning says. Rainbow scratches her head. "Yeah, but then again his body is going to that age where it won't matter. He'll be sleeping longer and staying awake in a shorter amount of time. In other words, puberty." "He isn't even ten yet Rainbow." Lightning informs. "Some eggheads found out it actually starts at around eight." "Rainbow didn't you want me to be a father to him?" Lightning asks. Rainbow sighs and looks at him dead in the eyes. "Yes, but as you said he has a lot of experience. Plus being raise in the lifestyle Eclipse did he has gotten used to it. But that doesn't mean you start changing things right away, especially big ones." "Ok I'm getting off topic. I wanted to talk to you about something." Lightning says. Rainbow raises an eyebrow noticing he had bags starting to form under his eyes. "I'm all ears." "You know that when this all starts to pick up speed there won't be any time to ask, but I was wondering if we can make our arrangement permanent." Lightning asks nervously. Rainbow stood still, shocked at what he said. "Are you...asking me to marry you?" "Yes." Lightning says starting to feel awkward. Rainbow smirks. "Say it." "R...Ra...Rainbow w...w...will y...y...y...you m...mar...marry m...me?" Lightning stuttered. Rainbow smiles so true that she could have sworn it would have stayed that way forever. "Yes, Lightning. I will." "W...wait just like that?" Lightning asks shocked. Rainbow giggles just like the only other time she did. "Yes dummy. Unless you are now backing out?" She asks faking hurt. "No, I just surprised I had a plan and everything to woo you but that was nev…" Lightning was cut off by a sudden bad case of coughing. Rainbow's eyes widen from the surprise coughs. "Lightning! Are you okay?" She asks as she goes over to him. He keeps her at foreleg's length until the coughing subsides. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. It's not the first time this has happened." Lightning says. "Wait this has happened before?" Rainbow asks. "Thanks Rainbow for accepting my proposal. There is one other thing I want to talk to you about though." Lightning says trying to change the subject. Rainbow looks at him worry. "What is it?" She asks. "Well I was wondering would you be interesting in adopting a filly." Lightning asks. Rainbow looks surprised. "Adoption? But we are perfectly capable of having foals, why adoption?" "Well there is a filly I kinda consider a part of the family to us." Lightning says. "And who is that?" "She is an orange little pegasus that's your number one fan." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles at that. "Okay, but if it comes to it, will you give us a foal?" "Oh, Rainbow I didn't know you were so willing." Lightning says with a smirk. A knock to the head later. "You had to ruin the moment didn't you?" "Oh come on, you set yourself up for that." Lightning says sticking his tongue out at her. Rainbow huffs then gives some alluring bedroom eyes. "Maybe we can skip everything and go right to the fun part." She said sultry like. "Rainbow, adopt first, fun later tonight." Lightning says causing her to pout. "Well, let's get things done. You have your list and I have mine. Anything else to talk about?" Rainbow said getting ready. "Nope, except to mention you look great like always." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs and looks proud. "Don't I always." She then looks at him worried again. "That cough won't happen again will it? I don't want you dropping out of the sky because of it." "Oh, don't worry about it." Lightning says with a smile. Rainbow noticed it was fake but said nothing on it as they took off. "Just be careful." She yells to him as goes to town. Lightning sighs and starts to take off for the orphanage. 'Why did I slip up like that?' Lightning berates himself mentally. Scootaloo is sitting on her bed messing her scooter because the wheel was way off balance. And she was covered in tree sap. "Of all the times to lose control of my scooter, it had to be in the one area where sap is leaking." A purple mare walks into the room. "Oh Scootaloo could you come to the office?" The mare asks. Scootaloo sighs and places the tools and scooter down on the bed before walking, sorry I meant struggling, to the office because of the sap. 'This better not be about one of the crusades.' After she reaches the office she sees the one that runs it, an olive green mare. "Scootaloo take a seat." She says. Scootaloo follows her orders. "Am I in trouble? Again?" "I'm afraid you won't be able to stay here anymore." The mare says. Scootaloo becomes shell shocked. "WHAT! But if I can't stay here, where will I go? I can't survive here!" She then thinks about it. "Actually, Canterlot streets is a lot more livable than Ponyville, at least that's what the foals over there say." "Scootaloo you're going home with your new father and mother." The mare says amused by the reaction as evident on her muzzle. Scootaloo looks at her for a few, before a pie was tossed at the mare. "That's for tricking me like that. You know how each of us feels and yet you pull something like this. I'm starting to feel like the real owner who at least treats the foals here kindly. They come to me for answers!" "Oh, I think she takes after her new mother, don't you think?" Scootaloo heard a familiar voice behind her. The mare wipes off the pie from her face and looks to Lightning. "Unfortunately, I got the answer all over my face." Scootaloo turns around to see Lightning. "Hey." Lightning said simply. Scootaloo smiles. "So you're my new dad?" "You got it and now introducing your new mother." Lightning says and seconds later the door opens and Rainbow walks in. "YESSSSSSSSSSSS!" An orange blur crashes into Rainbow knocking her to the ground. "I think she's happy, but what, no hug for your dad?" Lightning asks with mock hurt. Another orange blur crashes into him after leaving Rainbow. "Okay, that will do." Lightning said laughing. "Please take care of Scootaloo." The olive green pony says trying to clean off the pie. "Okay, and enjoy the pie." Lightning said as he left with Rainbow and Scootaloo. "Where did she even get the pie?" The mare asks herself as she licks the pie. There was a knock on the door of Lightning's house. "Coming." Hurricane calls. After opening the door the one at the door screams a death scream, destroying the spectral's ears. "Scootaloo there is nothing to be afraid of." Lightning says. Hurricane removes her hooves from her ears and looks to the little foal with two bags right beside her. "New foal?" She asks with no care. "Yes and is Spitfire still here?" Lightning asks. "In the shower." Hurricane says and then gets a big smile. "Come here little one. Come hug your new grandmother." "Ok, please come with me we have to something to discuss." Lightning said. Hurricane pouts. "You're no fun. Fine." She then looks to Scootaloo. "We are going to spend a lot of time later. And be ready to be spoiled." She said in a sing song. "Rainbow, Scoots, help yourselves to the fridge I will be back soon." Lightning says walking up the stairs with Hurricane. "Let's empty this place." Lightning heard Rainbow say to Scoots. After reaching the second floor, he opens the door to his strategy room. "I need your help with something." "To tell your sister that the mare you have been seeing accepted your proposal?" Hurricane asks. "Ok, you are really good at reading ponies." Lightning says. Hurricane smiles and shrugs. "I'm a grandmother, it comes with it." Lightning sighs. "Can you go get her? It isn't proper for a brother to walk in on his sister bathing." Lightning says. Hurricane chuckles. "Sure, like you're not going to see it, but it is not right." She said walking to the bathroom. A yell is heard seconds later and a Spitfire clad in a towel walks into the strategy room to see Lightning looking over the very detailed sculpted table map in the middle. And did she looked pissed. "You better have a good reason to have her interrupt me during bath time." "Actually yeah I do. I have been thinking of taking my relationship with Rainbow to the next level for a while now." Lightning says as Hurricane closes the door. Spitfire looks surprised. "Really now, so now you're going to marry her?" "Yeah I am." Lightning says. "So you want advice?" Spitfire asks. Lightning sighs and turns to her. "Yeah, and I need to everything you got." "Well first..." Spitfire was cut off when Lightning says. "Oh I proposed and she accepted." Spitfire stops and then sighs. "Okay, I'm all out of advice." "Oh you're such a well of knowledge sister." Lightning says sarcastically. "I have a lot of experience in getting somepony, either gender of course, and…" Spitfire stopping when she notices both Lightning and Hurricane snickering. She growls. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. I was bored and there was a lot of off time." "Oh sister, I didn't know you swing both ways." Lightning says before he and Hurricane burst out laughing. Spitfire gets red in the face and just turns around from them. "Ok, but seriously sister. I talked to her and we decided to adopt a filly who was pretty much family to us already." Lightning says. She turns to him surprise. "Really, a foal already?" "Yeah, she is downstairs right now getting some food." Lightning says. Spitfire starts to head back to the bathroom and then comes out without her towel, but clean and dry. "Let's see the little one." "Yes let's go see your new niece." Lightning says almost missing a step walking down the steps. "Hey grandmother." Spitfire whispers. Hurricane leans over to her. "Yes, I know. I saw it too." "So he has been acting a little strange lately." Spitfire whispers back. Hurricane sees Lightning stumbles again. "Yes and I'm worried about him." "Hey, distract him and the filly, I'm going to talk to Rainbow Dash and see if she noticed anything." Spitfire whispers and Hurricane nods. Reaching the ground floor Lightning goes to the kitchen to see Rainbow and Scoots cooking something up. "Hey girls, what's cooking?" "Oh, nothing much." Rainbow says as Spitfire walks in. "Oh Scoots, meet your aunt Spitfire of the Wonderbolts." Lightning says. Scoots looks to the leader of the Wonderbolts. "Cool." "Don't forget about me." Hurricane says coming out of the floor and pulling Scootaloo into a hug. Scoots tries to get away at first, but then calms down and hugs back. "I'm going to spoil you to death." Before Lightning could interfere he hears a howl and the sound of small claws sliding across a wooden floor, before a wolf comes in through the door. "Hey there boy, have a good nap?" Lightning asks Ice Fang. Using this opportunity Spitfire walks up to Rainbow. "Hey you mind if I talk to you in private?" Spitfire asks. Rainbow looks confused. "Sure. What's up?" Spitfire lead her away to the room Lightning called her to not a few minutes ago. "Has my brother been acting strange?" Spitfire asks. Rainbow looks back in thought. "Actually yeah. He had a really bad cough attack earlier." Spitfire's eyes narrow. "He also stumbled twice down the stairs. That is not normal." Spitfire says. Rainbow looks to her worried. "What's wrong with him?" "I'm not sure. I'll call a doctor for in the morning until then act like nothing is happening." Spitfire says. Rainbow nods and heads back down. "Let's hope that he makes it." "Oh, I just remembered, don't you have a pet Rainbow? Where is he?" Spitfire asks and Rainbow eyes widen. "Oh my gosh, Tank! I got to go get him!" Rainbow yells before zooming out the door. Spitfire whistles. "Not a bad speed, I think she is almost ready to join the team. Maybe after the war." Spitfire says. Spitfire heads back downstairs to tell Lightning what happened. Lightning yawned as he stretched his wings before picking up the sleeping Scootaloo and taking her up to one of the empty bedrooms. He tucks her in before leaving but bumps into Rainbow outside the door. "Come on it's time for bed." She says. Lightning nods and heads to his bedroom with Rainbow following close behind. "Ah...Rainbow, what are you doing?" Lightning asks after they enter his room. Rainbow starts to act weirdly as her eyes start to change to a sultry like look. "Well you did promise me tonight." She said as she closes and locks the door. "Oh I see. Well I guess I did promise you." Lightning says with a smirk leaning towards her. (Clopfic incoming, to skip ahead go to the next bolded line) Rainbow smiles and leans against him more while leading him to bed. "We should really enjoy this." She offered. Lightning nods, but then coughs a little. "Yeah." He said weakly. Rainbow looks at him worried. "You know. You don't have to do this if you're not well." Lightning shakes his head no. "No Rainbow, I want to do this to make you happy. I'm really just following you. Now forget about my coughing fits and tell me what you want and I'll do it." Rainbow looks at him for a few more seconds before sighing. "Alright then, let's start off with this." She moves in and starts to kiss him. Lightning immediately falls into the kiss and starts to kiss back with more force. Not wanting to be outdone, Rainbow gets on her hind legs and leans against him, placing more force into the kiss. Lightning moans as the rush of heat and pleasure runs through him. Rainbow smiles and licks his lips making him open his mouth to accept the incoming tongue. Rainbow soon feels Lightning leaning up on his hind legs and starting to push against her to the bed. While that was happening she runs her tongue all over the inside of his mouth, trying to dodge his tongue. Lightning moans some more and soon makes Rainbow land on the bed, still not breaking the kiss. After a few more minutes they stop to catch their breath. "That was..." Rainbow tried to say. Lightning smiles. "Amazing?" Rainbow nods as she barely could talk. "Yeah...where did...you learn...this?" Lightning gives a shy look to the side. "Eclipse." "I'll admit." Rainbow finally has enough air in her lungs. "That mare knows her stuff." Lightning starts to lean in to her. "Then let me show you some more." He concluded before starting to kiss jawline making her make an 'eep' sound. Lightning keeps kissing the jawline working his way down to her neck which finally makes her moan. Lightning spends some extra time there just to hear those lovely voices. After a while he moves down to her collarbone and starts to nip at it. Rainbow starts to wrap her forelegs around him to keep him close, but Lightning was having none of that. He keeps moving downward and reaches her nipples where he starts to lick and nip at them making Rainbow moan even louder. Thinking quickly, Lightning cast a sound spell and blocks the room with his magic. 'That should dispel any visitors.' He then goes back to work on Rainbow who was panting but then starts to moan again from Lightning's treatment. Lightning then moves on to the next nipple and the next, working his way downward to his prize. Rainbow struggles to keep from moaning now, but then realizes that treatment has stop. She looks down to see Lightning staring at her petals. "What's wrong?" She asks worried. Lightning looks to her and smiles. "Nothing." Lighting goes back to work and first sniffs the petals which gives him a tasty aroma. He then proceeds to lick the outside, not even touching the lips of the petals yet. Rainbow starts to moan from the pleasure and heat she needs. "Please, Lightning." She pleaded. Lightning smiles and then runs his tongue over the petals for bit to get a taste for what is to come before diving into her tunnel. Rainbow arches a little from the sudden intrusion, but then calms down a bit, yet that only lasted a little while before Lightning started to move around hitting every spot he could. Moving around the warm tunnel to him felt like comfort. He opens his eyes slightly and sees Rainbow whitening on the bed. He then looks down to see her precious pearl winking at him. He inwardly smiles and takes his tongue out for bit, leaving Rainbow panting and gasping for air. "Why did...you stop?" Rainbow asks through her heavy breathing. Lightning chuckles. "Just admiring you and seeing how great you are." "Just keep going." Lightning grins and goes after something different. He just gives one lick to it and that is enough for her to shake in pleasure. He smiles and goes again, not letting up and not letting her have a break. He even goes as far as biting the nub and rolling it around in his teeth. The sensation was being to get too much for Rainbow so she did the only thing she could do at that point. "AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Lightning closes his eyes so as to not get blinded by her sweet juices, though he didn't let go of the nub and still rolls it a little from time to time as she lets loose. After a few seconds she stops and relaxes as Lighting let's go of the pearl. "That was incredible." She said breathily. Lightning crawls up to her so he was on top of her, face to face. "It's about to get better." Rainbow feels a warm feeling accompanied by a feeling of a long piece of flesh that ran along her leg before touching her favorite spot. Feeling the warm schlong at that spot made her tingle with excitement. "Ready?" Lightning asks as he looks to her with worry. Rainbow smiles sweetly before kissing him. After a few moments she let's go. "Just go slowly." Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Slow for you? That's a first." Rainbow lightly hits him. "Don't ruin it." Lightning winces from the slight pain. "Just kiss me if it hurts too much okay?" Rainbow nods and closes her eyes to await the pain. She then feels the warm flesh run against her before pushing against her tunnel and allows him through. She takes a deep breath in as she feels the schlong run along her sides of her warm tunnel. After a bit she feels him hit a barrier that makes him stop. She opens her eyes and sees him looking at her for permission. She gives a nod which allows him to rear back a little before pushing in as hard as he could. Rainbow grunts from the great amount of pain erupting from her lower area as a little trickle of blood runs onto the sheets. "Rainbow, you okay?" Lighting asks with worry as Rainbow starts to breath hard. Rainbow looks at him despite the pain. "Yeah, give me a minute." Lightning stayed absolutely still as Rainbow gets use to feeling. After a few minutes Rainbow kisses him and lightly bucks against him to get moving. Lightning complies and starts to move back before moving forward at the same speed. He keeps doing this, going deeper and deeper, until he hits the cervix of her tunnel. Rainbow breaks the kiss and looks down to see at least a half of foot out. "You're really big, you know that right?" Rainbow asks as she looks him. Lightning blushes red. "I'm from Stalliongrad Rainbow. Everything is big there." Rainbow giggles. "What are you waiting for? Get that big thing in me now." Lightning smiles and kisses her before starting to move again, each thrust hitting the end making her jump a little from the force. Each and every thrust Lightning did felt like heaven to her as one of them finally hit a little sweet spot, making her cry out. "AHHHHHHHHHHH!" Lightning keeps going as his pleasure starts to increase, but Rainbow was just writhing in pleasure as each thrust sent her into another mini-orgasm. Lightning keep hitting the same spot once he figured out where to hit, yet he felt something start to give. After a few more thrust he starts to get close. "Rainbow...I'm not going to last much longer." Lightning grunted. Rainbow cries out in another pleasure filled orgasm. "Do it. Do it inside." She was able to breathe through. Lightning gives a hard thrust and feels his hip meet hers. Looking down quickly he sees his great cock pushing up against her belly and making a distension. Every thrust he did made the distension move up and then flat against her stomach. Rainbow cries out from the immense pleasure she got from the intrusion past her cervix as she looks down through blurred eyes and sees the same thing Lightning does see. Lightning keeps thrusting until he gives one final hard thrust with a grunt that made a wet slap sound through the room and the cock pushing against her womb. Rainbow's body locks up as she feels her final orgasm as she feels a warm sensation running into her accompanied by a throb and a pulse every time she feels something going into her. She looks up wide eyes at Lightning as he looks down at her. They both kiss as Lightning's cum still fills her up to the point of over flooding her and leaking out, but couldn't since he was inside past her cervix, sealing the cum into place also making it distend a little from the great amount flooding in. They keep kissing until the cum stops flooding and release from the kiss, panting from exhaustion. Lightning starts to move back but Rainbow locks him into place by wrapping her hind legs around him. "Don't. I want to feel this...for a while." Lightning pants as he tries to get his breathing back. "So...sleep like this...for tonight?" He said in between pants. Rainbow nods as Lightning moves back against her and carefully turns around so she rested on top of him and moves up to rest against the pillows with her. He then covers them with the sheets and they both start to fall asleep. "By the way...where did you learn that spell?" "Alexander." Rainbow giggles and cuddles into him more. "Good night...Lightning." Lightning looks down at her as she starts to fall asleep. "Night Rainbow." He whispers. Lightning lets the spell fall from the room and falls asleep after her. The Next Day Lightning awoke to the great stream of light peeking through the close blinds and squints. After he got use to the lighting he looks down as he felt a warm body covering him. Seeing Rainbow still implied on him brought a happy smile to him, but he then tries to figure out how to remove himself from her without waking her up. After wiggling around a few times she grunts and wakes up. Seeing Lightning, she quickly kisses him. After a few seconds she let's go and smiles. "Morin'." Lightning smiles back. "Morning to you too." He then looks down at where they connected. "We are going to have to separate you know?" Rainbow smiles and slowly lifts herself up making a slurping sound as she moves off of him. After getting the long schlong out of her she sees it covered in both of their juices. She smirks as she turns to Lightning. Lightning looks confused as she looks at him with that smirk. "What are you doing?" Rainbow's smirk turns into a smile as she bends down her head to get close to the slightly limp cock. She then proceeds to lick it tasting the cum. She licks her lips getting use to the taste. "I'm just returning a favor. Not bad flavor for a plus." She swallows what she had in mouth before moving back to the now growing cock and starts to lick the rest of the cum of it. Lightning groans in pleasure as Rainbow works on him, leaving him a mess...well messier. When the long pole was clean Rainbow places the head into her mouth making Lightning moan out loud from the warm feeling. Rainbow licks the head inside her mouth before heading down, every few inches giving a lick along the side of it. After getting to a foot deep she stops from getting to her limit. She opens her eyes and sees the same half a foot left like last time. Rainbow then moves up off of it before hitting the head and then heads back down hitting the limit again. Lightning groans as he feels the pleasure start to rise again. Rainbow goes faster and faster as the rest of the inches start to disappear into her mouth even passing the medial ring. Passing her gag reflex she finally hits the bottom and pauses there. Lightning pants and looks down to see Rainbow all the way down leaving a bulge along her throat. Rainbow reflexively swallows, squeezing the cock and making a pulse feeling run along it. Lightning places a hoof on her head, making her inwardly smile. She heads back up until she reaches the head again before letting Lightning push her back down hard. She chokes from the sudden fall but she didn't let up. She heads back up again only for Lightning to press her down again. They both continue this pattern as the distance starts to get shorter until Lightning was basically thrusting into her mouth. Rainbow just sits there as that happens and inwardly smiles. Soon the thrusts were getting harder and even shorter. "Rainbow...I can't hold on." He warns. Rainbow holds her hoof to the one on her head as Lightning starts to groan more loudly. After a while he gives a hard final thrust that sent her pressed up against him. She tries to claw at his legs as her breathing was gone and she only feels the onslaught of cum going into her. Every warm cum came with every throb and pulse from his hard cock as she was filled up. Lightning keeps going giving a light thrust every now and again. Finally the stream stops, leaving them both a sweaty mess. Lightning looks down to see her eyes close and not breathing much. He quickly grows worried and pulls out leaving cum strings attached to him and her. "Rainbow, are you okay?" Lightning asks as he starts to soften. Rainbow opens her eyes and swallows the remains cum and saliva from the experience. "Yeah...I'm okay." She then looks to herself and then him. "We both need a bath." Lightning worries start to lessen as he slowly gets out of bed with his schlong retreating into him once again. "Yeah, let's get that done." Lightning starts to head to bathroom that was connected to their bedroom. "By the way, you were great." Rainbow told him. Lightning looks back at her. "Thanks, you were too." He then keeps walking, but hears a slight sloshing sound. He looks behind him to see Rainbow's stomach slightly swinging. Rainbow giggles and walks up beside him. "You really filled me up there. I think it would really be a while before I stop swinging like this." She said as she leans against him. Lightning smiles and leans back before heading to the bathroom again. "Well, you asked and I gave." Rainbow blushes as they enter the bathroom. "Yeah you sure did. What are we going to do after this?" Lightning thinks about that as he starts up the shower. "Maybe just grab some breakfast before planning it all." He enters the shower after the water to warm enough. Rainbow nods and follows him into the shower and starts to clean everything they did last night from their coats. While having a small amount of fun. (Okay you can read on ahead now if you skipped it. By the way, it's the next day.) Everypony was waiting at the table for the two lovebirds to show up as the warm food rested on the table. "I noticed I couldn't even enter." Hurricane says. Spitfire looks to her confused. "What do mean? You're a ghost." "I know but it was like I was hitting a wall." Hurricane says. Spitfire grows more confused. "Where?" "Doesn't dad know magic?" Scootaloo asks feeling a little odd on the word father. Hurricane nods. "Yes and his is extensively on hiding and hard attacks." "Huh?" Scootaloo asks. Spitfire sighs. "She means that he has magic that caters to a hiding style and a hard style attack magic." "That went completely over my head." Scootaloo says. Both Hurricane and Spitfire facefualts on the ground, but Hurricane went through the ground. After a few seconds they both came up with Hurricane rising out of the floor. "You really need a crash course in magic. Isn't one of your friends a unicorn?" Spitfire as she rubs her head. "I'm a pegasus and she hasn't really started learning magic." Scootaloo says as the new couple comes into the room. Everypony at the table looks to the entrance to the kitchen. "Well look who decided to join us. The newly wedded couple, in honeymoon form of course." Spitfire said to lighten the mood. "Hey, sister I see you're still here. Aren't you suppose to rejoin your team today?" Lightning asks. Spitfire shakes her head. "Not until this afternoon." "I see. Sorry I won't be able to see you off. I have business of my own to take care of." Lightning says putting on his hat and cloak. "Where to? And aren't you going to have breakfast?" Hurricane asks as she points to the warm steaming food. "No, unfortunately this can't wait. We are racing against the clock as we speak." Lightning says. "So where are you going?" Scoots asks. "Don't worry about that, but while I'm gone, obey your mother ok?" Lightning asks hugging Scootaloo. Scootaloo hugs back. "Sure dad, but make sure you don't get placed in the hospital again." "Ok, I will." Lightning says putting her down before nodding to his sister and Rainbow before leaving. "See ya girls." He then stops. "Whoa, I just realized that only girls are living in my house now except me." He then starts to leave again. "Oh well, best not to dwell on it." "Still a funny one like his grandfather...and a bit of a perv." Lightning flew over the clouds passed as fast as he could for the next few hours passing Canterlot on his way. 'Maybe get the queen in the throne room, no that wouldn't work until we have a small deal, but what to give her? No honesty is what is needed here.' Lightning thinks as he landed on the Foal Mountain. He looks around before seeing a cave. "Okay, let's see." He thinks over a diplomatic plan. "Don't do anything to attack and don't give them a reason too. Yeah, that should work." He then starts to head for the cave. 'Now, warrior caste society, so have to infer to a few things.' Lightning thinks walking into the cavern. He keeps going in and after a few turns into a few more cave lines he realizes that nothing is out of the ordinary. "Where are they? Usually you would keep watch on a town border." 'Ah, they already know I'm here.' Lightning thinks with a smirk. "I seek an audience with your Queen." Lightning says out loud to anypony in the cave. A few chattering were heard as some changelings appears from the ceiling. "Nice hiding spots." He said as he sees some holes big enough for them. 'Well, they are bugs.' He looks them over and sees the same appearance as from a book he read. A cross between an insect and a pony they had holes all over their legs and both had a blue or green armor exoskeleton around their barrel. A crooked horn with holes in them too and blue eyes that had no pupils. All making up the appearance that these species were something to be feared. "Show me or I will challenge the queen to a duel and we both know your duel won't stop until I kill her." Lightning says. The changelings looks at each other before going deeper into the cave. Lightning follows after them as they don't look back. 'This better work.' He thinks to himself. They soon came to a huge double door. Lightning wordlessly walks passed them as they take up positions on the sides of the door. He opens the giant doors as he sent electricity coursing through his forelegs to the shock of the changelings. On the other side of the door, he sees a large cavern that has green slime covering the walls and some areas of the floor. All around changelings were working to keep the hive up and running similar to a bee hive system. But at the other side of the cavern is the queen sitting in her makeshift throne. Looking like the rest except that she was as big as the princesses and had green eyes that looked hypnotizing and a dark green mane and tail. Lightning walked towards her whistling a small tune like it was an everyday occurrence to do a treaty as all the changelings watched in shock at what he just did. The queen was also in shock as he just walks to her calmly. Normally ponies would be at least be afraid. "I assume you are Queen Chrysalis?" Lightning asks. Chrysalis looks him over for a few before laughing out loud, making an echo with her double voice ring throughout the cave system. Lightning just looks too confused at what she was doing. 'Laughing, but why?' She then calms down and looks to him again. "You can power down. I don't really have a warrior system in place, just a protective system for my children. By the way it was funny the way you walked in." She grins showing her toothed fang. "I see, so you have heard the rumors?" Lightning asks. Chrysalis turns to serious expression. "Yes, being connected to my children, I have an extensive knowledge of current events." "And you know of the Dominion Empire's imminent invasion." Lightning asks. Chrysalis leans back against the throne. "Yes, but what are you doing here, me and my children was about to leave anyway?" "You know there is no place to run, they intend to conquer the world. The only reason you beat Celestia was for the past few months they were secretly using an item called a soul gem to drain their powers." Lightning says. Chrysalis looks off to the side. "Then it wasn't a real fight. That's just insulting." "It's only a matter of time before they hunt you down." Lightning says. Chrysalis huffs. "So what do you want me to do?" "Join the Equestrians in the defense against the incoming invasion." Lightning says. Chrysalis raises an eyebrow. "Why do you think my hive will just join? Besides the war and death." "Self-preservation to start and maybe a deal." Lightning says. Chrysalis leans forward. "What deal?" Lightning smirks. "Well I can arrange something with the princesses for your help and everything." Chrysalis leans back again. "Anything else you can offer? You know how basic we are." Lightning leans on one side and smiles. "Yes, and I got the perfect thing." All the changelings in the room lean toward him for the answer. "A strip club." … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ... "What?" "I can get you a highly valuable real estate location in Canterlot's underground red light district and you can do whatever you want with it." Lightning says. Chrysalis blinks. "A strip club? You're giving us a strip club?" Lightning chuckles. "Yeah, lust isn't different from love is it?" A couple of minutes passed before Chrysalis starts laughing loudly making all the changelings look at her. "You know about Changeling culture more than others, you know that right?" She laughs out loud. "Yeah, I am after all..." Lightning was cut off when a female Changeling spoke up from the ceiling, "Lightning Bolt, Grand general of Stalliongrad, the secret representative of Stalliongrad to see if Equestria is worthy of to be a part of the alliance being formed, and one of the Dominion empire's greatest enemies." Lightning looks up to see a Changeling with a different foreleg than usual, which was completely metal. "Hello there Seeku. Long time no see." Lightning said. Seeku buzzes downward to the floor. "Well you don't look any different either, except for that little scar on your cheek." She then smiles. "Still looking cool as ever." "Things happen old friend. So why didn't you ever tell me I had a son?" Lightning asks. Seeku shrugs. "I didn't know either. But congratulations." "Well, we will catch up later, right now business." Lightning says as he turns back to the queen who was smiling at them. Chrysalis leans on a forehoof. "Well you two are pretty chummy, but we still have a deal to go through." Lightning nods. "Yes and I was wondering if you can use a teleportation spell into the Canterlot throne room." "I never placed a teleportation point. I didn't think it would be necessary after I got control of Shining Armor..." Chrysalis says but then thinks. "But I still remember the room. It wasn't that hard after living there for a while." "I see, so what is your answer?" Lightning asks. Chrysalis gets up from her throne and starts to walk to him and Seeku. "Let's go." She said to him as her horn lights up in a green glow. "It might not be a good idea to go there right now. After the last assassination attempt by the Dominion they are bound to attack anything." Lightning says interrupting her. Chrysalis just gives a toothy grin. "Please, as long as you're with us then we're good. Now let's go." Her horn lights up more. Lightning's eyes widen. "Wait, let me just…" ZAP ZAP The three appear in the room outside the throne room in the castle of Canterlot. "Send a letter...first...dang it." "Oh, this is going to be just as bad as that incident in the outpost in the fang cliffs isn't it Seeku?" Lightning asks. She sighs. "Unfortunately. I just wish that my queen stops being so hasty about everything." "Can you let me go in first?" Lightning asks. The sounds of weapons and armor fills the air as the guards surround them. "I don't think that's necessary at this point. We are still wanted by the ponies." Seeku informed as she looks around. "One second." Lightning says slamming a hoof infused with lightning on the ground shocking almost all of the guards into unconscious. "Now we can go in and like I said, let me go first." Lightning heads to the door and kicks it open. "Honey, I'm home!" "Amusing." Celestia says on her throne with Luna right besides her trying to contain laughter. Lightning just smiles. "Eh, I was just felt like it. Anywhoooooo...allow me to welcome the Changeling queen Chrysalis and one of her higher drones Seeku." He announces as he throws a hoof over his shoulder. "Why are they here?" Celestia asks. Lightning grins. "Just made a deal without your approval so you have no choice now and speaking frankly you need their help." Lightning says turning serious at the last part. Celestia seems to be thinking it over before sighing. "Fine, what did you three agree to?" "I bought some real estate secretly a while back and I promised it to them." Lightning says. Luna raises an eyebrow. "What real estate?" "Underground part of Canterlot." Lightning says and Celestia and several conscious guards blushes a bit. Luna smirks. "You brought them a strip club?" She turns to her older sister. "Told you that any form of love would do." "Bingo." Lightning says. Celestia looks at them for few before sighing and covering her face with hoof in an effort to cover the blush. "Fine, give them the deed and they can have as much Changelings as they want there, just make sure that a few of my guards are there too. Also why did you buy a strip club in the first place?" "An early protocol, a cover for a secret meeting location and the deed isn't with me and payment after service is rendered." Lightning says. Luna tilts her head to the side that made question marks appear above her head. "What?" "What are you curious about?" Lightning asks. Luna sighs. "So you mean to say that you just bought the place for a secret meeting and nothing else?" "You forget I was a secret representative of Stalliongrad for your alliance." Lightning says. Luna just looks at him. "So nothing else?" "Why else would I need that?" Lightning asks. Luna looks at him surprised. "You really are an honest stallion aren't you?" "I am the second most influential pony in Stalliongrad. So that statement is not completely true." Lightning says grinning. Luna smiles. "So you did have some fun?" "Being a general and all I did for Stalliongrad's independents in Stalliongrad also made the High King make me into a noble for all my services." Lightning says. Luna's smile grew. "So you admit to having a little fun in that strip club?" "No, I had no time and I already have a mare." Lightning says. Luna leans back against her throne with a frown. "Why didn't you just say that in the first place?" "Because giving you the run around is a little fun." Lightning says smiling. Luna glares at him before firing a spell at him. Lightning looks confused as he doesn't feel anything out of place. "Was that supposed to do anything?" Luna grins and taps the top of her head. Lightning almost does the same thing before feeling a large amount of heat coming from it. He then realizes his head is on fire. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!" Lightning yells out as he runs around the room in a useless circle. Seeku blasts him with her magic sending him into a wall taking out the fire. "Thank you." Lightning says dizzy and spinning around before falling to the ground. Seeku just shrugs. "No problem." Chrysalis sighs and turns to the princesses. "Now back to business. Where can I place my hive?" "Just keep them out of my mane and we will be fine. Oh and Lightning Bolt I want to talk to you about something." Celestia says. Lightning shrugs. "Sure, just let me…" "Lightning Bolt in the face of the oncoming threat I hereby ask you to take the post that has been vacant for millenniums. I wish you to take the position of general and we will grant you full authority in the matters of war." Celestia orders. Lightning just lets that hoof that wasn't there a few seconds ago hang there. "What?" "You heard me." Celestia says. "Well that was earlier than expected." Lightning says. Luna giggles a little. "You wanted that position ever since you came here for a long time didn't you?" "No, I knew you would ask me given my experience and your ponies' lack of." Lightning says with a commanding tone. Celestia just shakes her head. "Well your order and position was just given so get to work. And by the way, Chrysalis you get your whole hive underneath the club." "As my first course of action, I hereby petition to move the capital to a move defensive location." Lightning says. Chrysalis and Seeku blanks out and almost facefualts. "Are you telling us that we can't get our strip club?" Seeku asks. "Seeku, you know full well how I work. You'll get the club, but I'm saying temporarily move the capital to somewhere like Pegalopolis or another defensive position." Lightning says. Luna raised a hoof. "I vote Pegalopolis. It held up after all this time and so did the traps." She then turns to her sister. "And you remember how well it was back in the day." Celestia sighs and leans back on her throne. "The only problem is moving the nobles. You know how they are." "Tell them you are moving the court there temporarily in an event to honor the ancestor and that the surrounding land is unclaimed and so who will be decided to manage them and or own them there as well. As well as the traitors who were found guilty and their lands seized and titles revoked. The nobles see it as their chance to expand their influence and gain wealth." Lightning advises. Celestia leans on her hoof. "How about we add to that?" Lightning just tilts his head. "Your family owns the land of Pegalopolis and the traitorous' nobles' assets since you took down some of them so, and by an old law, it's also yours, but we don't tell them that." "Very wise, also we should hold a grand festival and donate all the proceeds to the defense of Equestria." Lightning says. Both princesses just raise an eyebrow at him. Lightning then groans from their reaction. "Fine, we'll say it is for the future businesses that they own." The princesses then smiles. Both Chrysalis and Seeku leans to each other. "The nobles here are really stupid, aren't they?" Seeku asks her queen. "You would not believe it." Chrysalis told her as she looks outside. "I'm sorry, I'm used to the Stalliongrad nobles they are quite competent in defending their lands." Seeku says. "They have to be because of the dangers of the land. Oh, I also should bring the Wyverns and my pets to the festival to show the ponies some really dangerous inhabitants outside Equestria." Lightning says. "Oh, I've never seen a Wyvern before." Luna says. Lightning smiles. "Then you would really love the Wyverns I know. They're a little cute in their own little way." Luna looked excited and that was evident from the way she couldn't keep still. Celestia chuckles. "Calm down sister." She then looks sharply at Lightning. "We have some planning to do and hope the stupid nobles follow." A spear fell. "Yes, I acknowledge that nobles are a little stupid." A throat clearing. "Okay, a lot stupid." "Also, princess I think it is time for a recruitment campaign to increase the military's numbers. Even with all four thousand of the royal guards they would be completely overwhelmed in a battle with a single Dominion legion." Lightning says. Celestia nods. "Agreed, but after we got everypony at the festival. They won't know the trouble until they see it. Plus they'll chicken out when they still have all their stuff. You won't know what you have till it's gone." "So you want to announce it at the end of the festival then spread word to all the communities of Equestria?" Lightning asks. Celestia nods. "Yes, but after you show the creatures and we don't have them run off." "Very well, but I suggest making posters to convey the message of the recruitment of the cities for after the festival." Lightning says. "Yes and only after the festival. Now what else is there to talk about?" Celestia asks. "I would suggest having the posters being made in secret by trusted ponies so they can be distributed right afterwards." Lightning says. Luna nods. "My sentiments exactly. Though, still anything else to talk about then the festival?" "No, but since I'm here I will convey the news myself. I got engaged yesterday to Rainbow Dash the wielder of the element of loyalty." Lightning says. Luna claps her hooves together. "Congratulations! So you want us to preside over the ceremony?" "Sure, but we have yet to set a date for it though." Lightning says Luna gets off her throne and heads for the library. "I'll get the book and get ready." "That is all for now. Princess with your permission, I will be off for I have many more things to do to prepare for this war." Lightning says as he walks to the door. "You guard." He says looking at the only guard to remain conscious from his earlier lightning attack. The guard groans as he tries to get used to being awake again. "Yes?" He said groggily. "As general I am giving you your first order. Gather all those royal guards who are currently off duty and tell them to make for Pegalopolis and to prepare. Also you are to report to me as soon as I arrive there." Lightning orders. The guards looks at him surprised. "Wait, what? General?" "Stand tall Sergeant." Lightning says before continuing to walk. "But I'm a Private." The guard says. "I think you were just promoted." Celestia says. The private, now sergeant looks to her. "What's going on?" Lightning lands in front of his house and is about to go inside when he heard giggling from inside. Lightning then knocks before opening the door. "Rainbow, Scootaloo, and Hurricane I'm home." Lightning calls. A few yelps were heard before Lightning sees all of the Mane Six, Hurricane, Eclipse, Vinyl, and Octavia were at the table with tea. Lightning smiles sweetly. "What's going on?" He said with his sing song voice that made him seem like a maniac. "Oh Rainbow invited us all over to tell us you proposed to her yesterday." Twilight says holding Agni. "I see then. Where is Scootaloo and Midnight?" Lightning asks. "Oh they are upstairs playing along with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell." Eclipse says. Lightning nods. "I see. Then I have another bit of news to add. I just came from Canterlot and Princesses Celestia and Luna have named me the first general of Equestria in millenniums. You hear me Nikolai?" Lightning yells the last part. Nikolai jumps down from the rafters. "You really are a bit of a powerhouse now. Don't go crazy." He said as he walks over to the kitchen. "Nikolai you are about to get busy as I'm going to put you in charge of training the new Pegasus recruits and royal guards." Lightning says. "Yeah I know." Nikolai says in a serious tone. "Oh Rainbow after informing the princesses about our engagement. Princess Luna wanted to preside over our ceremony." Lightning says. "Sweet, but what are we going to do in the mean time?" Rainbow asks. "Well for starters we are going to Pegalopolis for a festival the Princesses will be holding to honor our ancestors and will be moving the court there temporarily." Lightning says. Everypony looks surprised. "So the rebuilding is done?" Eclipse asks. "It has been for a few months and from the messages I have been getting many ponies, mostly pegasus have moved there." Lightning says taking a seat next to Rainbow. Rainbow looks at him surprised. "Already open to the public?" "It was never closed." Lightning says and then turns to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, how have the Wyverns been?" Lightning asks. She perks up as her name is called. "Oh, they have been the cutest family I have ever seen. Mostly humble and only eat a little now because of the location, but still cute." She gushes. "Could you bring them along to Pegalopolis for the festival?" Lightning asks. Everypony at the table just stops. "What?" "The princesses also feel it's time for a wakeup call for the citizens of this country." Lightning says. "WHAT?!" Then Lightning grins. "Oh, and all of Pegalopolis belongs to my family and the traitorous nobles assets and money too. Cool huh? In short, Rainbow this makes you and Scootaloo nobility of both Equestria and Stalliongrad." Lightning adds sipping the fresh cup of tea. And of course Rainbow faints. "Hope there isn't a foal in there yet, don't need that young one feeling the things she's going through." Hurricane said. "Too soon grandma, oh and you're coming too as an honored guest." Lightning says. Hurricane smirks. "But I'm a thousand year old ancestor. That's makes me one of the most honored ponies." "So all of you are coming, are you not?" Lightning asks. Everypony looks to each other before looking back to him. "Are you kidding, of course?!" Everypony said. "Good. Scoots, Midnight please come down here." Lightning calls. Hoof falls were heard as both Midnight and Scootaloo came down. "What's up dad?" They both said, making them both look at each other. "That's still weird." Scootaloo said. "I just wanted to see my children. Come here." Lightning says hugging them. They both hug back as they smile. "When are we going to the festival?" Midnight asks. "Soon we will be leaving soon for it. Oh, Rarity I have a request for you." Lightning says. Rarity perks her ears at him. "Yes dear?" "Can I ask you to design our wedding outfits and some clothes for us and Scootaloo for the festival seeing as how we are the nobles in charge of the area?" Lightning says. Rarity gives a devilish grin. "Oh don't worry, I'll make you three the envy of the entire noble culture." She then jumps up and gives a cheer. "This will be great payback for all of them!" She hangs in the air for a few. Everypony around the table just sweat drops. "This is going to be interesting." Twilight says as Agni snickers. Weeks passed and word had spread throughout all of Equestria that the Princesses had announced a new nationwide festival to honor the ancestors of all. They would even be hosting the festival being held in the recently restored city of Pegalopolis. Even the news of new land opening up attracted a lot of nobles, of course they were disappointed when they realized that it will open in an auction halfway through the festival. Nevertheless they stayed because they have nothing else to do. Rainbow and Scootaloo were a little uncomfortable with being not only nobles in charge of Pegalopolis and the surrounding lands, but the ones holding the festival in Pegalopolis itself. Lightning though tried to ease it the best he could. One of the greatest attractions of the Festival was the three Wyverns from across the sea on display at the festival, but none saw them feeding as the princesses, Lightning, and Fluttershy felt like they couldn't handle that yet. When the halfway mark reached, the nobles rushed to see if they can get the land they want. Unfortunately Lightning came out and told them that it was not going to happen for the princess had given him orders, citing he saw what happened in Stalliongrad is almost the same thing happening here. "Are kidding me!" You can bet how devastated how they were and how glad Lightning and other lower classes felt when that news came out. They soon switched to talking to him about possible favors and business opportunities. Lightning asks them to speak to him about them in private as it was not something to speak about in public. Now it was the sixth day of the festival and the next to last day of the festival and a new noble had arrived and requested to meet with Lord Lightning. Lightning waited in a greeting room that had elements of Stalliongrad decor like how Lightning requested in the blueprints. The doors soon opened and in walks the young Lord Euram Barrows. "Ah, Lord Barrows I have been expecting you one day." Lightning greets. Euram glares at him. "I never want to go by that name ever again. Call me Euram from now on." "As you wish." Lightning says holding up a piece of paper that read. 'I'm trying to sound official in case anypony is listening.' Before it erupted into flames. Euram looks around the room. "Nice place." "The truth is I had only seen it a day before the festival started. So tell me did you examine each one of the factories in the Barrow's name like I asked you?" Lightning asks. Euram sighs and sits down in the chair opposite of the table. "Yes and what I found confirms that my ex-father is greedy bastard." Lightning puts his hind legs up on the table and tries to relax. "I see, well then I will tell you something that the Princesses are keeping quiet for now. I have been appoint General of Equestria the first in Millenniums. As such to combat the threat we are about to go on a huge recruitment drive and as such we will need to replace the armor of the royal guards with efficient armor and arms as well as supply all the recruits with both weapons and armor. I want you to have your factories to keep producing the weapons and armor that your father was going to gift to the Dominion." Lightning says. Euram raises an eyebrow. "You know, what you just told me sounds like something I read one time in my off time. But okay, it will give the Dominion something to bitch about." Lightning's interest was piqued. "What did you read?" Euram looks up in thought. "Something called Log Horizon." Lightning smiles. "I have to give that a read sometime. So Euram how much do you know about marital skills and the art of war?" Lightning asks. Euram tilts his head to the side. "Only a few for if I'm foalnapped." "I see, then I will have to teach you a few things, but that's for later. For now, I want you to take position as the head of the nobles and merchants who will be producing arms and armor for the military. I have ran the numbers a few times and have come to the conclusion that all of your factories, even working nonstop, won't be able to produce enough on their own." Lightning says. Euram grows serious and leans forward. "How do you intend to deal with the upstart nobles not agreeing to this?" "Oh, they will agree cause I will tell them upfront that if the Dominion conquers Equestria that they will lose all their livelihood." Lightning says grinning. Euram looks at him for a moment before smiling. "You're evil, you know that right?" He jests. "Stating a fact doesn't make me evil and by doing this they are being patriots in the country's eyes and will put them in the good graces of the Princesses and I believe Shining Armor and Princess Cadance are arriving." Lightning says looking out the window. Euram looks out the window too and see the chariot carrying two ponies. "This festival just got better by your plans and news." He then turns to Lightning. "Every. Single. Time." He then grins. "And it gets funnier too." "With this I think yours and my houses will be great allies don't you think?" Lightning says. Euram laughs out loud. "Keep up the funnies and surprising news and it will be fine." "Well, I must go greet the new arrives, as the noble of these lands, care to join me?" Lightning asks. Euram grins. "Embarrass some nobles while you're at it and I will. I really love seeing their faces fall at that." "Now, now, we are greeting the princess and prince of the Crystal Kingdom." Lightning reminds. Euram still grins. "I know, but if a noble comes up will you embarrass them? I don't mean the rulers, just the nobles." "There will be time for that later Euram, for now we must do the painfully boring part of our noble duties." Lightning says as they exit the room. Along the way they run into Rainbow and Scootaloo. Rainbow was dressed in a more winter version of her grand galloping gala dress with her hair tied back while Scootaloo was wearing an orange and purple dress winter dress. "Ah, Rainbow, Scoots, I thought you were with your friends." Lightning says. Rainbow glares at him. "Don't ever leave us again. We had to deal with the nobles because they tore us away. Deals here and business there. Don't ever do that again." "I'm sorry, it had to do with what's to come." Lightning says. Rainbow looks at him sharply. "And what's that?" Lightning moves closely and whispers. "The war." Rainbow calms down and sighs. "Okay, so what do we do now? I'm getting bored." "Princess Cadance and Shining Armor have arrived we have to go greet them." Lightning says. Rainbow blanks out. "Don't tell me it's because of the noble's ways?" "Ok, I won't tell you, but know Cadance doesn't like to be formal when she gets to see Twilight faster so this will be quick." Lightning says smiling. Rainbow sighs. "Okay let's go. I really need to eat afterward though, I'm getting a craving for hot and spicy hayfries." "Don't worry the evening feast will be after this, but if you want I can have one of the servants get you some?" Lightning says. Rainbow looks around before sighing again. "Fine, might as well. And tell them to hurry up, I'm really getting hungry, listen." A growling was heard at that moment. "Those nobles really know how to not show their hunger." "Trust me, I know." Lightning says followed by a snicker. "My lord I was wondering where your standard is?" Euram asks curiosity evident in his voice. "Oh, I have yet to receive the Standard given to me by High King Ulfric when he made me a noble." Lightning says. Euram grows surprised as the princesses and prince are walking over. "Didn't he try to change the nation into a racist nation?" "The High King was very patriotic about those living in his country. At first he saw only the ponies who were born there as the true Stalliongrad ponies, but after a few talks with me I made him realize all those who lived there were his ponies and were the countries citizens." Lightning says. Euram whistles. "Wow, so what happened to the last empire?" "That was the Dominion we kicked out and achieved Stalliongrad's independence." Lightning says. Euram chuckles. "No wonder they hate you." "Oh I could tell you stories of how they turned the entire country against themselves." Lightning says. Soon afterward the princesses and prince meets them. "Hello everypony, how are you all doing?" Celestia said as she looks at the downed nobles and smiling. "Ah, your highness I'm sorry I didn't see you there. We were on our way to greet Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor." Lightning says. Celestia grins. "No need, because they are right here." She said as she moves to the side to reveal the two high rulers. "Greeting Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor." Lightning and Euram greet. Cadance smiles. "Hello you two and what good 'nobles' you are. Helping the other nobles try to get land, but couldn't because of orders." "I see so you both have been informed as well?" Lightning asks reading in between the lines. Cadance grins. "Yes, and I just wish I was here earlier, but I guess the after reactions will have to do." "Yeah, and no offense Shining Armor but your military in the eyes of somepony from across the sea is a joke and to survive what is coming I have been placed in charge with all matters of military." Lightning says. Shining glares at him. "You try having control over an army in a nation with barely any war." "That's why I said no offense. I apologize, but in Stalliongrad we are blunter in the military." Lightning explains. Shining just looks to the side. "Just fix them up. Now let's just enjoy this festival." He said walking away. "Oh, have you met Commander Hurricane yet?" Lightning asks stopping Shining Armor. Shining stops mid step. "She's dead. There's no way she's here." "Guard, please show him the way." Lightning says with a smirk on everypony's face except Shining Armor and Cadance who were confused. Some guards appear from behind Lightning and the others and started to walk with Shining and Cadance to where Hurricane stayed. "Now that's dealt with, let's have some fun. And maybe get some food too." That evening, the feast was the most amusing yet. Though the usual sitting placement is nobles at one area while lower classes sit in the bad areas or considered to be bad. Lightning decided to use round tables spread throughout the eating area to discourage class hate. And the nobles will have something else to bitch about. His family just see it as his way of getting revenge on the nobles. Now the funny part was when Shining Armor and Cadance came back white as sheets and keeps mumbling 'Ghost.' over and over again. Lightning smiled seeing his family happy, but missed his sister who wasn't able to attend. "You guys know what I want to see right now?" He asks Rainbow and Scootaloo. Rainbow and Scoots just look at him. "Seeing your sister?" Rainbow tries to answer. Lightning shakes his head. "No, not just her, but everypony that is family and friends." Rainbow and Scootaloo just looks to each other getting worried faces on them. The next morning Lightning and Rainbow awoke in their bedroom. Today was the announcement to all the nations of the imminent threat. 'How will they react? Will they panic or will they choose denial and say its one big joke?' Lightning thinks getting lost in thought. Rainbow rolls over to the side of him shaking him out of his thoughts. "You okay?" "I'm fine." Lightning says obviously out of it. Rainbow frowns. "Yeah, not working, now what is wrong?" She said seriously poking his side. "I'm trying to figure which steps to take when depending on if the ponies either panic or slip into denial after the announcement." Lightning says after sighing. Rainbow snuggles into him to ease his mind a little. "Well, if you show the right stuff, lower classes will follow, they know what is out there, and they just need proof. The nobles on the other hoof need a lot of yelling." "Oh, I have a plan for them." Lightning says with an evil smirk. Rainbow just smiles. "When did I get such a good stallion?" "The moment you decided to marry me." Lightning teases. Rainbow chuckles and starts to get out of bed. "Well, now we have to deal with the last day of the festival, so let's make it the best." She said as she heads for the bathroom. "I intend to. So Rainbow, how have your friends and our daughter been doing?" Lightning asks. The door closes. "Surprisingly well. I'm shocked at how they took it so well." Rainbow's muffled voice spoke through the door. "I see, so how are you adjusting to a noble life Lady Dash?" Lightning teases. Rainbow peeks her head out the door. "Well, keep the other nobles away and I'll be fine." "So how are you fairing with having ponies being your servants and the guards looking after you?" Lightning asks. A servant delivers a towel to Rainbow which she takes. "Still bothered with it, but I can try to get used to it. Thanks, by the way." "Well they are here to help to make our lives easier seeing as we are tasked with overseeing the land. Speaking of which we still have to choose a mayor for Pegalopolis." Lightning says. Rainbow starts the shower. "Well, why not one of your friends, they were used to something of a ruling style." "My friends have many other duties like training and making a real military. Besides we need somepony that knows the laws for the position." Lightning says. The sound of water hitting all over the shower comes from inside the bathroom. "I know just the egghead to take care of that then. And I think that Celestia have been wanting to give her a kingdom of own one day." "Rainbow we can't have a princess be a mayor that is a lower rank, but you have given me an idea." Lightning says. "MOM! DAD!" Scootaloo's voice was heard from her room. Both Rainbow and Lightning rushes out to her with Rainbow quickly covering herself with a makeshift towel. Soon after a while they reach her room and Lightning kicks it open. What they saw has them facefaulting and sliding into the room. "Can you tell these mares that I don't want to be prettied up and wear a dress?" Scootaloo asks as the servants worked on her to get ready for the day. 'Seems Scoots has more adjusting to do than Rainbow.' Lightning thinks. The family walks outside as a guard comes up to them. "Ah, Sergeant how are you this day?" Lightning asks. The Sergeant stands at attention. "Fine sir, but the nobles are getting restless." "Just try to have the guards keep it under control the Princesses will soon make the announcement." Lightning says. "Sir." "Well let's get to the stage." Lightning says. Rainbow and Scoots starts to follow as everypony gathers at stage that was constructed for the festival. After they reach it they all stand in the middle as the princesses start to stand right beside them. Scootaloo was with Applejack and the rest of her immediate family behind the curtain as her parents stood in between the four princesses. "Greetings all who are attending the final day of this festival to honor those who came before us. Today we are on air to all across Equestria and even to the Crystal kingdom with an important announcement from all the princesses and without further ado I present Princess Celestia. "Lightning says through the megaphone which was a giant cone. Celestia steps forward to the megaphone and clears her throat. "My dear ponies, I talk to you all now bearing an important message. As you may have heard in whispers and rumors of a recent attempt to usurp the throne by some nobles. This is not completely accurate. They were traitors, but they didn't seek to rule themselves. They were collaborators with an Empire from across the eastern sea. The Dominion Empire. Not eight months ago we received a message demanding our imminent surrender to them. Our answer was no as such all the signs point to an imminent invasion of both Equestria and the Crystal kingdoms. After having counsel with many advisors and those who have been to the east we have determined that the royal guard alone does not have nearly enough strength to fight this invasion so I am asking all able bodied Stallions and Mares to enlist in the reforming Military for the sake of our homes, families, and friends." Celestia says pausing to let the ponies react to the news. Immediately the nobles start to leave while the lesser classes stay behind. "This is stupid." "I have more important business to deal with." "Like I'm going to join." Lightning whistles to the forest around them. Suddenly outburst two large wyverns that slam in front of the nobles blood dripping from their mouths. The nobles were terrified and moved back to the audience as the two Wyverns moved around the audience and stood next to the stage. Lightning smirks. "See now, this is what you may have to fear. But I think I can show you something different." He whistled again. "Meet a creature that is slightly different." From behind the audience came a little Wyvern after releasing a sharper cry of its own and started to walk to the stage. "Meet these Wyvern's child." Lightning says as the Wyvern jumps onto Lightning's back. "Haven't come up with a name for them, but we're working on it." "Awwwwwwww." A mare from the crowd said as everypony looks to her. "What, he is cute." "Now for this upcoming war I have meet with all the other princesses and we have unanimously decided to appoint a general. The first since the time of founding of Equestria itself. He will have complete authority in all manners of warfare. Please welcome General Lightning Bolt, the lord of Pegalopolis and the surrounding land." Celestia says introducing Lightning Bolt. Lightning steps up again with the Wyvern leaving him for his parents. "Like the princess said, I'm the general and I'll do anything to save this nation. I'll be making big changes, but it will be used to help this nation prepare and fight for the upcoming war." "Bullshit!" Everypony looks to a noble stallion in the front of the crowd. "You just want us gone!" Soon the whole noble crowd was yelling and following what he said. The Wyverns roar to quiet the crowd and so they did. "But if the Dominion should win they will massacre a great many, enslave the rest, and seize all the lands. Where is your business then?" Lightning says effectively shutting the nobles up. "That is all, now we will leave you to listen to Octavia's ensemble." Lightning says with a happy grin that actually scared everypony. After he said that, he and everypony on the stage came off with Octavia's ensemble came on board and started to set up and play. Most of the crowd that mostly consisted of the lower and middle class, while some of the noble class stayed and grumbled. "I'm happy that's over." Lightning says. Rainbow's stomach decided to growl at that point. "And now, we can eat." Lightning adds. "I will have the servants send word to the kitchen." Lightning says. Everypony's stomach then growled as well. "Maybe change that to a whole feast for twenty. Tartarus knows we need it." Lightning says sending the servant ahead. Lightning was looking out on the city now that night had taken over. He sighs as he had just finished talking to several nobles about manufacturing weapons and armor. And after all he has done and said to them he had very little hassle as they were making a profit. Rainbow came up behind him with a plate on her back. "Come on, you need to eat after all that." "I'm fine, Rainbow how are you?" Lightning asks. Rainbow sighs. "After everything I still need to get used to it." "Don't worry about it. So what about the wedding, when shall we set a date?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smiles and puts the plate onto the table. "How about a month from now? That should be enough time." "Alright, I'll make room on my schedule for that date and we will plan it to be the best wedding." Lightning says. Rainbow kisses and starts to leave. "I'll be waiting for you later okay?" "Sergeant." Lightning calls. The guard walks in. "Sir?" He said sternly. "I trust the royal guards enjoyed themselves?" Lightning asks. The guard stood still. "I wouldn't know about that sir. Just that we guarded the festival." "I gave most of them the week off." Lightning says. The guard then looks confused. "Sir, if I may, where did you send them?" "To the festival of course." Lightning says. The guard looks to the side a bit. "I see. What else did you need?" "Spread word all guards are going through a new boot camp." Lightning says. The guard nods. "Yes sir." "Dismissed." Lightning says taking his seat back in the armchair facing the fireplace. The Sergeant left the room. "Seeku you there?" Lightning asks. A Changeling jumps down the ceiling. "Always." "How is your clan doing with their strip club?" Lightning asks. Seeku smiles and jumps on the table and leans over his chair. "Well, they are very satisfied with the lust and love they are receiving and nopony in that comes in notice the difference between the Changelings and regular ponies. You were really smart with that decision." "I see, Seeku your being here, would that mean you are the selected agent to help me until the invasion begins?" Lightning asks. Seeku jumps onto his lap, straddling him. "Well, my queen does want to live. So she appointed me as the ambassador and general." She said while stroking his cheek. "I have a secret assignment for you then." Lightning says not fazed by her behavior. Seeku leans in close to his ear. "And what is that?" She whispers. "I want you to hand deliver a letter to a ship hidden amongst the islands of the southern half of eastern Equestria. This letter is for no ponies eyes, but the recipient, who is also the Steward of my house in Stalliongrad. Inside it is details and orders to send certain numbers of my personal soldiers and Sworn Swords." Lightning explains. Seeku then turns and leans back into him. "So where's the letter?" Lightning gets up causing her to fall to the ground and walks over to the fire and grabs a pair of tongs used to move the wood around in the fire and uses them to pull out a black metal cylinder and sets it on the stone ground to cool. "Here." Seeku walks up to him and leans on him. "So, what are you going to do now?" She asks stroking his cheek again. "I'm going to start doing paper work now and will be up most of the night with it. Seeku take it now while we have time. We both know we are going to need everything we can get to face the Dominion." Lightning says. "I can tell you're feeling unwell. We Changelings always have that emotion reader." Seeku warns while almost kissing him. "You have your orders." Lightning says. Seeku backs away from him and takes the now cold cylinder and starts to leave. "Anytime you need me for something just call. Anything you need, even crazy and lewd, just call." She told him as she jumps out the window. Lightning shakes his head and starts writing on paper the orders and a code of conduct for the military. Author's Note And that's that so now we can some rest, and I hope you enjoy some teasing and lemons, just don't take too much of it. You guys know how lemons are. Flair: Man that was both fun and took a lot of time to do. What are you going to do when writing this stuff? Make it short like one hundred words, nope. That's an insult to injury. Flair: Isn't this our biggest chapter yet? Should be by the word and page count. Flair: Ok, only one last question, how do you readers feel about Rainbow and Lightning adopting Scootaloo and being nobles now? Especially when it's almost like Log Horizon, which is in fact an anime. We pulled almost the same move as the anime like the one halfway through the series. See it and you'll see what we are talking about. And don't try to skip to it, you'll have to understand the story behind each episode for the reason otherwise it won't make sense. Like a plan being separated into two episodes and only revealed when needed or after it happens. And yes, we are turning it almost like an anime, just expressions and certain actions as you just read. Flair: Till next time. See ya.
It BeginsA/N: And welcome to our next chapter. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' It had been at least almost three month since the festival and many Stallions and Mares from across Equestria and the Crystal Kingdom had enlisted and were being trained just outside of Pegalopolis. Lightning was talking to Euram in his office about the latest shipment of weapons and armor that was to be delivered. "So when can we expect them?" Lightning asks. "Within the week." Earum says. Lightning nods and looks over to the recruits in the courtyard being drilled. "Let's hope that we can train these guys." "So what is the progress on training, oh sorry retraining the Royal Guards?" Earum asks. Lightning grins. "Seeku?" She appears from a nearby tree and lands on his back. "Yes dear?" She asks teasing him by biting his ear. "Start the test with the training." Lightning said as he sat down overlooking the courtyard. Seeku grins. "Sure." She looks over to the trainees and sees a few guards look up at her. She nods and they nod back. They suddenly change into their changeling form and mock attack by hissing. The guards around them stumble back a little before leaping into action. "Enough!" A voice shouts. Everypony looks to the voice while the changelings get out from under them and goes to deal with another business. "That was terrible! The worst reaction time and type, ever, I have ever seen in my life! You want to protect your land and citizens then work harder! The empire is faster and better than the changelings themselves, no offense, and all they did was protect their species and infiltrate! You really are a disgrace!" Nikolai shouts. "That's our drill sergeant for the pegasus." Lightning says as a knock on the door is heard. Lightning goes to it while Seeku just rides on his back a little. "Seeku?" "Nope." He opens the door to find Rainbow standing there. "Hey Lightning." She then raises an eyebrow at Seeku. "Can I question that?" "She is a Changeling representative. It has been kept secret from the public for now." Lightning says. Rainbow still has an eyebrow raised. "Then why is she acting all lovey dovey to you?" She asks as Seeku nuzzles him. "That is a part of her nature and I just mostly ignore that, but give a little attention so she can feed off of it." Lightning says. "Huh." Rainbow sighs. "Anyway, I just saw that drill. Nice work there, but I kinda expected that coming from you." Lighting smiles. "Seeku's idea actually." "I see." Rainbow says. "That is all for now you two we will reconvene later." Lightning says getting up and walking over to Rainbow who he nuzzles a bit when Seeku jumps off of him and starts to leave with Euram. "How have you been?" "Hungry and feeling a little achy." Rainbow says as her stomach growls. Lightning smiles. "Then let's get some food." Rainbow nods and was about to head out, but was stopped by Scootaloo in the doorway. "I'm getting bored." "Oh, why don't you spend some time with your dad?" Lightning asks. She looks at him deadpan. "What can we do now? We're basically preparing for war and nothing fun is popping up." "What about arranging a visit from your friend and your step brother?" Lightning asks. Scoots sighs. "Fine, anything better than just messing with my scooter." "Ok Scoots, and I have been told by some of the guards you have been playing with the little Wyvern." Lightning says. Scootaloo just shrugs. "He's more fun than any other pony I know. Plus he's learning how to fly now and his parents want him to try it with weights and that's me." "Scoots, can you understand them?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo just looks confused. "Yeah, I mean they just speak normally unless they roar. I don't know what everypony is talking about when they say they are just mindless beasts. They're actually pretty smart." "Scoots not everypony can understand what they are saying. You have a gift." Lightning says proud of her. Scootaloo grows surprised. "Really, cool. But the play time. I'm still bored." Lightning ruffles her hair and lets her ride on his back. "So Rainbow how has the staff been treating you since they found out?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks confused. "Found out what?" "Wait, the doctor didn't tell you after the checkup you got him to do on me and I turned into him checking the whole family?" Lightning asks. Rainbow tilts her head. "Yeah and?" Lightning leans close and whispers something into Rainbow's ear. "I'm what?!" Rainbow yells. Lightning smiles as calmly as he can. "That's right Rainbow. We're going to have a foal." Rainbow seems a little woozy and Lightning held her to support her. "Congratulations Rainbow, why don't you rest now?" Rainbow nods weakly and goes to sleep. While Scootaloo stood still. "You still with me Scoots?" Lightning asks as some servants took Rainbow to their room. "So does this mean I'm going to have a baby sister or brother?" Scootaloo asks. Lightning nods and starts to walk to the dining hall. "Too early to tell, but do you have names in mind just in case?" Scootaloo hummed while thinking. "Don't have to say it right now. Just think about it. Now while the servants take care of Rainbow let's get some food ourselves." Lightning said as he rubs his hooves together. As they walked to the dining room they saw Vinyl Scratch and Octavia working on something. "I'm telling you Octy we need to bring in Jephery more on the show." Vinyl says. Octavia looks deadpan at her. "And how would he be able to help the show?" "Just think of the reactions of the guests." Vinyl says. "Vinyl, Octavia." Lightning greeted. Vinyl smiles widely. "Hey L, where's Nikolai? I've been wondering where he is the whole time. Can't seem to find him." "Oh he's…" Lightning was cut off when they heard. "You call that flight speed I've seen snails move faster!" "Drilling the recruits." Lightning finishes. Vinyl smile turns into a frown. "Oh, well just tell him that we have to do another show." She asks as she picks up some equipment and walks away. "So I trust you have made yourselves comfortable? I didn't expect Nikolai to have me let you stay here so he could still work with you and do his duty. You must have really made an impression on him Vinyl." Lightning teases. Vinyl just looks at him with a glare. "Yeah, yeah. Just remember what I said." She then walks into another room. "So any talk about their plans Octavia?" Lightning asks. Octavia fiddles with some wires. "Plans?" She asks as she tries to place some wires into one of the equipment. "I have never seen Nikolai take anything as seriously as his duties before. I have been thinking about it and the only reason I can think of is he is in love." Lightning says as Scootaloo hops off his back and makes for the kitchen. Octavia smiles with pain. "Yes, but he's been showing up later and later. It's really hurting her." "I think I will give Nikolai a little time off." Lightning says remembering Vinyl's emotion. Octavia nods. "That would be best, but now leave us to our work and I don't think that Vinyl will see anypony else now besides me." "Should I tell him to bring flowers?" Lightning jokes. Octavia glares at him. "Okay, okay, let me get some food and I'll talk to him after that." "Appreciated." Octavia says. "Oh, and thanks for preforming at the festival." Lightning says. "Just get out of here." After a half hour Lightning walks out into the courtyard where Nikolai was making the pegasus recruits do wing ups with heavy packs. "Nikolai." Lightning says with his commanding tone. Nikolai looks at him for a moment before turning back to the recruits. "Thirty more and no breaks afterward!" He then walks over to Lighting. "Yes?" "Take the rest of the day off and go see Vinyl I'll take over from here." Lightning says. Nikolai tilts his head. "Are you sure? I mean, I'm the best at this." "That was an order soldier." Lightning says sternly. Nikolai sighs. "It has been awhile since I've seen them. Maybe I do need a break." As Nikolai leaves the recruits give a sigh of relief. "Who said you could stop!" Lightning yells. Nikolai walks to the door where Vinyl and Octavia were given rooms and knocks. "Who is it?" Vinyl yells out from behind the door. "It's me." Nikolai says. The door was then opened by a very angry Vinyl. "What do you want?" "I came to see you." Nikolai says. Vinyl huffs. "Yeah and all the other times, were a visit too." "Sorry, I was kept very busy." Nikolai says. Vinyl noticed that Nikolai had bags under his eyes. "Nikolai?" Vinyl asks, this time softer. "Yes." Nikolai says shaking his head. "When was the last time you slept?" Vinyl asks. "I think Tuesday." Nikolai says. "Nikolai, it's Friday and I know you weren't asleep yesterday." Vinyl says losing her anger. Nikolai shakes his head again to stay awake. "So what do we do now? Lightning gave me the day off." "I see, I have an idea about what we can do." Vinyl suggests reaching behind her. "What?" Nikolai asks before he gets hit over the head with a frying pan knocking him out. "You take a nap." Vinyl says. Octavia was inside leaning on a table. "Was that necessary?" "Hey, he had it coming and you know he is so stubborn." Vinyl says looking to the unconscious Nikolai. Octavia sighs. "Sometimes I wish that you weren't so rough." Vinyl gives her his trademark grin. "Hey, it's how I roll and I mean roll. I'm on top." "Come on help me get him on the bed." Octavia says. They both lift him up and start to head for the bed while Vinyl stays behind and lies with him for comfort. "Just don't do anything weird." Vinyl wraps her hooves around him. "Don't worry about it, but can you get some food for him when he wakes up, I may fall asleep as well right...about...now." And so she did. "You two deserve each other." Octavia says smiling and heading for the kitchen. The next few days Lightning had to juggle training the recruits, doing paper work, and teaching the officers he had selected from the guards and recruits with basic tactics and strategies and the Dominions strategies and tactics. To be frank, he had a rough few days. "I give up!" A little too rough. Seeku drops from the ceiling onto one of the chairs in front of the desk as paper files everywhere. "Too rough?" "No, I can't keep doing all of this and focus on the others I'm covering for. I need a Steward." Lighting said as he leans back in his chair. Seeku smiles and jumps over the desk and onto his lap, straddling him. "Or something else, but I did find somepony and he is coming over any hour now for an interview. But it seems like you need a relaxant." She informed as she leans into the crook of his neck. "Seeku, I am a married Stallion, I won't discard that oath." Lightning says trying not to blush. Seeku chuckles and strokes his cheek. "Yet, I still feel something coming from you and I'm feeding off of it. Explain that." "Seeku you are a friend, I don't feel that way for you." Lightning says firmly. Seeku leans back a little and continues staring at him. "You're no fun, but who am I going to feed off of if you're not here?" She asks rubbing one of her hooves against a particular area with a grin. "You have several hundred recruits you can choose from." Lightning says grabbing her hoof. Seeku frowns. "They are not tasty enough. Everypony is different and you and some others are good enough. Besides, you remember that one time?" She asks as she gets in close enough to kiss him. "I remember you came close to tricking me, but nothing else." Lightning says using his wings to spin the chair and throwing her off. Seeku huffs and looks back at him with a sadistic smile. "Well I can do better, all you have to do is ask, and after all I am a bit like a vassal to you." She informed as she swings her tail side to side almost showing something off. "Seeku I'm married. I'm not doing that." Lightning says with a serious voice. Seeku huffs again and stops swinging her tail a little. "Well now you're no fun anymore. I liked you better back then." She looks off to the side to the fire. "I just wish I can experience that again." "You have the memories for it and you know there is a pony for you out there." Lightning says. Seeku sighs and this time jumps onto his lap, but this time just leans her back into him. "You tell me who is prefect for me and won't hate the changelings outright." She asks as she leans her head back right beside his. "I have a few potential stallions I think you would like." Lightning says leaning his head a little into hers to comfort her. "Now come on Seeku we are like siblings." Lightning says and Seeku smirks and transforms into Spitfire. Lightning just frowns. "Not funny." Seeku then transforms into Rainbow. "Now it's just weird." She then transforms into Eclipse. "It's not getting funnier." Seeku then transforms back to her normal self. "Better." He said with a smile. Seeku gives him a small kiss on the lips and then gets off of him. "Now it's weird and wrong again." "I know, but its fun for me like that." Seeku says laughing and transforming into a brown unicorn as somepony knocks on the door. "Come in." Lightning calls out after he checks himself over for anything not suited for a visit. In walks a dark blue unicorn with glasses. "Good evening Lord Lightning Bolt. I am Silver Script and I was ask to come here by a Ms. Seeku for an interview to be a Steward." Silver Script introduces himself. "Ah, greetings Mr. Silver Script, please pull up a chair." Lightning says. Silver Script does as he's told and looks around. "I must say, nice place." The transformed Seeku gives Lightning a file containing Silver Script's information. Lightning flips through the file. "Not bad credentials, but I measure ponies on ability not credentials so I will allow you to work for a few days and I will measure your ability." Lightning says. "I promise not to disappoint, sir." Silver Script says adjusting his glasses making it glint. Lightning notices an expression not seen on most ponies, but only for a second when the glint happened. "Okay then, you will start in the morning. Tell the inn I sent you and they will give you a room for a few days." Lightning says. Silver nods and starts to leave. "Thank you sir." He leaves out the room and closes it behind him. Leaving two particular beings in the room. "Now that that's done." Seeku transforms back to her original self. "Now where were we?" She jumps back onto Lightning's lap again. Lightning frowns at her forwardness. "Again huh? I'm going to throw you off if you don't get off." Seeku smiles sadly. "Alright. I'll leave you alone for a few days, but be sure to give me something when I come back. I have something to do anyway." She then gets off him and grabs her things. "I can see what drew you to him." Lightning says stopping her. Seeku looks back at him. "What do you mean?" "He has absolute faith on his abilities and his magical power even suppressed it's significant." Lightning says. Seeku shrugs. "Well that's your pony for now, don't know anypony else, but you can you think of giving me something?" "Where did you find him?" Lightning asked. "He was down on his luck drinking after being fired from a company who is having trouble." Seeku says. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Well lucky for us. Now what did you want?" Seeku smiles lightly. "Can I at least have a kiss from you? I need something to keep me going for the few days." "Fine." Lightning says getting up and kisses her on the cheek. Seeku frowns. "A real one." Lightning frowns at her and sighs. "Okay, just one." He then kisses her on the lips for a few seconds before letting go. Seeku sighs happily and starts to leave. "Alright I'm good. See you next time Lightning and you better have this stallion." Lightning sighs and sits down again. "Just know that we can't be together." Seeku looks back at him with a sad smile. "I've known for a while, but at least you're happy." Lightning looks to her with the same sad smile, but pained for a friend. "I just hope he's good for you. Though at least you can have fun with him he is really uptight and a workaholic and we both know how you love messing with those types." Lightning says and an evil smile formed on Seeku. Then Seeku's evil smile turns back to sad. "I'll miss our times together. You were actually the best stallion I've met." "Because even though I knew you were a changeling from the start I didn't treat you any differently?" Lightning asks. Seeku nods. "Yes, and you treated me like any other mare. Which in your case is like a good gentlecolt." "With any luck after this war ends your kind won't be looked upon like they have been by the Equestrian ponies. Oh and that reminds me, have we received any word from Rover and his clans?" Lightning asks. Seeku thinks for a few before remembering. "Oh yeah, he agreed to join after the news of the queen joining the alliance." She then looks at him more carefully. "See ya, Lightning." "Be safe." Lightning says. Seeku sighs and takes something out of her bag and throws it over to the table. "A little gift for the both of us, but still good for you alone and with your mare too." She then turns and leaves. "See you later." She said closing the door behind her. Lightning face turns red when he sees the 'gift'. "NOT FUNNY, SEEKU!" Lightning yells after her. Seeku's laughs were heard out in the hall as she walks away. Lightning sighs and just packs up his things for the night and walks to his room. Upon entering his bedroom he sees Rainbow dressed in a bathrobe reading a Daring Do book. Seeing Lightning she looks away for a bit. "Hey Lightning, how was your day?" Rainbow asks. Lightning sighs. "Well, other than the usual now, I got a new employee and Seeku really played with me." Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "Play how?" Lightning looks off to the side. "Well she left a little gift that is for couples for when they…" Lightning trailed off with a blush and rubbing his hooves together. Rainbow gains a blush. "Why was she carrying that?" Lightning looks to the side. "She's always been a prankster with a unique sense of humor." Rainbow closes the book and places it on the stand next to her. "Are you sure that it wasn't for you and her getting together? Even a regular changeling won't act that way for some emotion food." "She is unique, a lot of changelings work via a hive mind but some of the more powerful ones thinks for themselves and have their own personalities. Of course given their species and how they grow up it's easy for us to consider them weird at best." Lightning says joining her on the bed. Rainbow looks to him sharply. "Lightning, when we got married we promised not to lie to one another, now the truth." Lightning sighs. "Okay, Seeku actually likes me enough to be on the level of wanting to make me her mate. But I made it clear early on I didn't feel the same way. Combine that with her personality and you get this situation." Lightning says. Rainbow then smiles. "Thank you. I actually feel sorry for her now, you know?" Lightning turns to her sadly. "I actually do too and I have something else to say." Rainbow waits for that. "I kissed her. She refuses to feed while around here and forced me to feed her a bit." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "Something tells me that there was something more to that." Lightning nods to that. "Yes, but you may have to ask her after a few days. She's gone for now." "Oh, where is she going?" Rainbow asks. "That, I don't know. To keep all our preparations hidden I am working on the ponies and she is the agent in charge helping prepare of all the non-pony forces." Lightning says putting his ear on Rainbow's side. Rainbow smiles. "Thanks for telling the truth." She said as she places a hoof on his head. Lightning says nothing and just listens. "What are you doing?" Rainbow asks. "Trying to see if I can hear our foal's heartbeat yet." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles and kisses him on the head. "Well the doctor said you could possibly hear it now, but I can't bend down and reach it obviously." "I hear a little thumbing sound." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Really?" "I trained my sense of hearing for when I was a Stalliongrad hunter. I can't tell you how many times it has saved my life." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles. "Well, as cheesy as it sounds, it's helping you find new life." Lightning's other ear then twitches. "Huh?" Lightning says. Rainbow looks worried at him noticing the other ear. "What is it?" "I thought I misheard before, but I hear three heart beats. Yours and two others." Lightning says getting surprised. Rainbow's eyes widen. "So I have twins?" She asks shocked. "Most likely, congratulations." Lightning says opening his eyes smiling. Before either could react they heard a clawing at the door. Lightning gets up and opens the door to see Ice Fang run in holding Tank in his mouth. Ice fang had grown a lot in the last few months now twice his previous size. "Guess what you said about him was true and thanks for bringing Tank. I haven't seen him in a while." Rainbow said the last part to Ice Fang. Ice fang lets Tank off on the bed where Rainbow and Tank rubbed noses before Ice Fang jumped onto the bed himself. "Hey, leave room for me." Lightning joked. Rainbow sticks her tongue out at Lightning. "Sorry, but you have to sleep on the floor like a good little dog." Ice Fang whines. "I think he wants all of us to keep you warm Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow stares at him as Ice Fang rubs against her. "Why does it feel like the family is only getting bigger each day?" "Because it is and you're a noble and the wife of the head of the house. In Stalliongrad a noble house or if you prefer clan is basically one big family. Speaking of which we received an interesting letter today Rainbow." Lightning says remembering something. Lightning leaves his stuff on the bed and goes for the desk before remembering that it was in his outfit. "What is it?" Rainbow asks searching through his bag for the gift Seeku gave him. "Here it is." Lightning says withdrawing a letter from the pocket of his outfit and hoofs it to Rainbow, stopping the search. Rainbow opens it and reads it. "It's from my father. He says he is coming for a visit." Rainbow says. "I see your father is coming for a visit. I guess he was finally able to tear himself away from his job." Lightning says. "Yeah, Dad has a full time job. It prevented him from even coming to see our wedding." Rainbow says sadly and Lightning wrapped her in a hug. Rainbow leans into him. "Just to change this tune, what exactly did Seeku give you?" She asks trying to change the subject. Lightning frowns. "Well, let's just say it's for getting it on longer than ever for me." Rainbow blushes red. "You remember our wedding?" "I don't think Princess Luna and Celestia will ever forget it from even another thousand years from now." Lightning says with a smirk. Rainbow smiles. "Yeah, and I still remember everything up to point and a little beyond." Lightning smiles. "Well, I know how to make your father happy for going through his own daughter's wedding." "Oh?" Rainbow asks interested "It is a surprise love." Lightning says and Rainbow huffs like a little filly. "Now don't you be a spoiled little filly Rainbow." He then thinks about it. "Actually I like that one time we did that." "Watch it mister or you're sleeping outside for the next week." Rainbow says. Lightning looks hurt. "But you liked it." "That is beside the point." Rainbow says. Lightning grins. "And what point is that?" "Oh just go to sleep." Rainbow says laying down and Ice Fang snuggles up beside her with Tank. "Alright Love." Lightning says laying down on the other side of the bed thinking she's still a little mad. "Get over here silly." Rainbow teases. Lightning laughs a little and snuggles up to her. The next morning Lightning had the servants and chefs preparing for Rainbow's father's arrival. Rainbow directed them all on what he likes and how. Lightning tried to lead her away, but nothing would stop this mare. Lightning just shook his head while he stood with Scootaloo as Nikolai, Vinyl, and Octavia walked up to him. "So what's happening?" Vinyl asks. Lightning looks to them for a moment before turning back to the head mare. "Well, in short, Rainbow's father is coming so Rainbow is controlling everything for his arrival." "Ah, then an elder of the house is visiting then?" Nikolai asks. "By marriage, yes." Lightning says. "Ah, so you think he expects this kind of welcome?" Nikolai asks. "I have read her letters to him. She never mentioned we are nobles now so he probably thinks we are just working here." Lightning says and then he gains a grin. "I think I want play a little prank to him, but let me speak to Rainbow first." "My lord I advise against this as your Sworn Sword." Nikolai says. Lightning turns to him with a sadistic grin. "Come on, what's the harm, plus it's better than saying outright when he comes here." "The harm is Lady Rainbow's anger being greater than a thousand suns." Nikolai says. Lightning turns and leaves to Rainbow. When he reaches her he talks to her for a few minutes before Rainbow looks surprised and then brings a hoof to her chin. After a while she nods yes. Lightning smiles and then whispers to her while she nodding to every single piece of it. "I got a bad feeling about this." Nikolai said to anypony listening. An older light blue Pegasus with a prismatic mane and tail lands in front of the keep. He is approached by a maid almost immediately. "Greetings sir, welcome to the Razorwing Keep, sir. Are you Rainbow Dash's father?" The maid asks. Stormy Wing notices something off about the maid but can't place a hoof on it. "Yes I am, where is she?" "Oh, she is currently overseeing the dining hall. The lord of the lands didn't want her doing anything strenuous after finding out she was pregnant." The maid says. Stormy eyes almost bulged out. "Did you say pregnant?" "Yes, it was discovered after she was given a physical." The maid explains. Stormy feels like he got hit by a rock...or a train at high speeds. "Take me to her now." He said sternly. "As you wish, sir." The maid says leading him through the keep. Stormy walks through the keep seeing many different antiques and artifacts he only sees in books. It was almost like being in the princess's castle. "Who's the stallion she's with that got her pregnant?" He asks. "Oh, her husband." The maid stiffened from the tone, but composed herself. Stormy finds it weird that she just said only the word husband. "What's the name of the stallion?" "Lightning, sir." The maid says a bit nervously. Stormy was getting impatient when they came upon the door. "Here we are, the dining hall." Stormy then notices a guard that's been following them from looking around. "Don't mind him, he's for the guest's protection." The maid informed. Stormy Wing pays no heed and enters the room and sees Rainbow directing the rest of the servants. "Yes, right there. The lord of these lands is having an important guest tonight." Rainbow says in her own maid outfit. "Rainbow!" Stormy calls. Looking around Rainbow's eyes spark a bit. "Oh, father." Rainbow says walking up to him. Stormy looks over her clothing. "So you're the head maid or something?" He asks awkwardly. Rainbow shakes her head no before seeing something. "No, red roses and without thorns, not yellow with thorns!" She yells to one of the servants who quickly follow it. She then turns back to him. "Sorry no, but since I'm with foals the lord doesn't want me to strain myself." Rainbow says. Stormy's eyes widen. "Did you say foals?" "Ah...yes, you see my husband has great hearing and heard my own heart and two others although they were small." Rainbow says. Stormy didn't know what to say. "I guess I missed a lot." He then gets confused. "But what are you doing here? I thought you love flying?" "Well my husband obeys the orders of the princesses and is helping us prepare for war." Rainbow says. Unnoticed by Stormy, Rainbow sees the guard place his spear sideways. "I see. So you married a guard?" He asks. "A soldier father." Rainbow corrected. "Huh." Stormy looks around. "I expected you to get somepony simple like in a weather team." "You know how love is father." Rainbow says. Stormy looks down a little. "I know Rainbow. I just wish she was here to see her little baby girl grown up and...well living a life." He said trying to smile. "I know dad, but she is in a better place." Rainbow says. Stormy smiles back before hugging her. "I missed you my little princess." "I missed you as well father." Rainbow says hugging him back. Soon Rainbow breaks the hug. "We'll catch up later, but now I have to still prepare for the guest." She then sees something else. "Hey! Not those bowls the other ones with silver swirl patterns!" She yells as she walks over to them. "Sir, the lord of the keep would like to meet you." A guard says as Stormy notices the guard from earlier was gone. Stormy looks around before nodding. "Okay, lead me to him." The guard nods back and starts to walk to the head office. Inside the office Lightning was reviewing some of Silver Script's work. "Very nice. He'll make a fine pony to place paperwork on and run some of the land." He says with a grin. Lightning then hears a knock on the door. "Enter." The door opens to a light blue Pegasus and a guard. "You can leave us." "Sir." The guard said before leaving and closing the door. Stormy looks over the lord sitting in the chair. "You are Rainbow Dash's father Stormy Wing correct?" Lightning asks. Stormy nods. "Yes, and I see you took her health into consideration." "It was only right sir." Lightning says getting up. Stormy's eyes narrow. "Who are you?" Lightning just smiles. "Mr. Bolt sir." He said holding out a hoof. "A pleasure. I must admit I didn't expect a young stallion to be the lord of this city or the lands surrounding it." Stormy says. Lightning just shrugs. "To be honest I didn't either. Now onto the matter with Rainbow Dash." He said as he starts walking out the office. Stormy smiles and follows. "Nope, not like the nobles I meet." They walk back through the keep. "So tell me Mr. Stormy, what is your opinion of the announcement the princesses made?" Lightning asks. Stormy sighs. "To be honest I don't know. I'm just a factory worker in the cloud factory. All I want is my Rainbow safe." "Ok, let me rephrase the question, what do you and your fellow workers think of the Dominion Empire invading?" Lightning asks as they turn a corner. Stormy looks to the cases holding weapons. "Trouble really. Destroying our very livelihood and killing us, nothing is more evil. Some of the more hot headed workers submitted their resignations and went to the recruitment office as well. I don't blame them for wanting to protect their home. If I was a little younger I might do it as well." Stormy says stopping on a sword. Lightning stops as well and looks at the sword. "Ponies do want to protect their love ones. Still the older generation does it by helping out back home. Those clouds you're making help keep the water supply spread all over the nation and in the coming war our food and water supplies will be critical." "Thanks for saying that." Stormy says. Lightning smiles. "No problem." He then points to the direction they were walking. "Now, onward!" Stormy smiles seeing his behavior. "Are all young nobles like this?" Lightning turns around and walks backward. "Only to help lighten somepony's mood and bring a little life back to them." Stormy Wing chuckles at this stallion. "So has Rainbow told you anything about her husband?" Lightning asks turning back around. Stormy tilts his head to the side. "Only that he's under orders from the princesses and a soldier." "I see. I think the dining hall should be finished by now." Lightning says walking towards the dining room. Stormy grows confused. "But isn't it where you have an important meeting with somepony and I would think that Rainbow might be somewhere else." Lightning chuckles. "Oh Stormy, you might want to take a peek inside." Stormy was confused but follows anyways. He opens the door to find Rainbow standing there with a smile in a noble dress and an orange foal in a less noble dress, but still noble. "Hey dad, say hello to your daughter and granddaughter." Rainbow said as she couldn't hold a smile anymore. "Meet my family, sir." Lightning says joining them. Stormy jaws drops. "So..." Rainbow nods. "Yep, I'm actually nobility and the lady of this house." Rainbow says. Stormy's jaw drops even further. "How...?" "Well I didn't expect the princess to make me a noble and general." Lightning says. Stormy turns his attention his Mr. Bolt. "So you're..." Lightning nods. "Yep, I'm Lightning. Name's Lightning Bolt pleasure to formally meet you honored guest." Stormy looks around. "So all this is for me?" "To be honest," Lightning spoke up. "The planning and the party, that was Rainbow's, while the whole fool you thing was mine, sorry." Scootaloo ran up to Stormy. "Hello grandfather." Scootaloo says. Stormy was just in shock as he looks to the young one in front of him and then Rainbow again. "If you're wondering she was adopted. I am in fact pregnant." Rainbow spoke up. Stormy picks her up. "Hey there, little one." Scootaloo then goes deadpan. "Can you put me down, I'm just doing the act." Stormy then looks to couple who sweat drops. "Yeah, she has a bit of my personality." Rainbow said rubbing a hoof behind her head. Stormy just stares at them for a few seconds before bursting out laughing. "This is definitely your foal, adopted or not." Scootaloo turns to her parents. "You hear that, even he knows I'm like Rainbow." Stormy just keeps laughing harder at that statement from the foal. "This is definitely the best day of my life now." He laughs out loud. "Come on, the chefs had prepared lunch for us." Lightning says. Stormy puts Scootaloo down and walks to where they sit down. "How did you gain this high end nobility thing? I mean, I have seen other nobles, but you are definitely the top ones." "You know the news of the traitorous nobles? Well for my part in bringing them down I was rewarded quite a lot of their former lands and assets. That and as a direct descendant of Commander Hurricane herself my family owns the city and the surrounding lands." Lightning says. Stormy whistles. "Wow, and who asked who for marriage?" "I asked Rainbow to marry me." Lightning says as the food is brought out. Rainbow chuckles. "Actually it was more like me making him ask me. That reminds me how's the house moving coming along?" She asks Lightning. "We are talking moving things from across the western part of the eastern continent and then the ocean. It will take several more months." Lightning says. Rainbow just smirks. "I mean my house Lightning, my cloud house. You know how I love that place and so does Tank." "Oh, that is easily done, just say it and I will hire a few pegasus to move it here." Lightning says. Stormy looks on in surprise as these two talk about heavy stuff naturally. "Well make it happen and at least make it connected to the keep so I and Tank don't have to strain ourselves much. Besides I got a lot of stuff in there that's valuable." Lightning chuckles. "I know, like the last Daring Do book I gave you when I came here." Rainbow blushes. "How could I forget? You really changed all of our lives that time. Plus now looking back at it, you still haven't gotten any farther in my elemental studies." "Ah, thank you for reminding me. I have been meaning to add some of those books into my library." Lightning says. Rainbow then looks over to her father. "What's wrong dad, you better hurry up and eat before it gets cold?" "I'm trying to keep up with your conversation." Stormy says. Lightning chuckles. "Trust me, barely anypony can follow what we say." "Oh, grandson!" Lightning face blanks. "Oh, no. Not her." He said with worry. "Dad, meet the ghost of Commander Hurricane." Rainbow says as Hurricane came out from one of their meals. "Hello there." She said as her head was in a salad. "Welcome to the Razorwind Keep. I hope you enjoyed your stay so far." "Grandma, out of the salad." Lightning tells her getting annoyed. Hurricane then floats upward with a frown. "Still no fun. You need to be like your grandfather." "Grandma we have a guest. My wife's father." Lightning says trying to eat. Hurricane turns to the new stallion. "Hello handsome. Pleasure to meet you. Names' Hurricane, Commander Hurricane, once great leader of the pegasus forces back then. And you are?" "Stormy Wing, Rainbow Dash's father." Stormy says uneasy because of her saying handsome, and that's from a few thousand year old ghost. Hurricane floats up close to his wings. "Yes I can see how you got that name. My, my, they sure are big and strong, great for flying in big winds." "Grandmother you are spoken for aren't you?" Scootaloo asks. Hurricane floats up in front of Scootaloo. "He's dead dearie. And he would want me to live on without dwelling on the past." She said theatrically and somewhat fake with...where did that spotlight come from? "But since he is my grandfather as well isn't he your family?" Scootaloo asks. "She has you there Grandma." Lightning says. Hurricane smiles as she floats above the soup. "An old pony can't have some fun? Come on, I'm entitled to something that has past me by in my ghost age." She then turns to Stormy and slithers by him. "Like a stallion." "Grandma, aren't you overseeing the preparation for the foals room upon your own request?" Lighting asks desperate to get rid of her. "Wait, foals as in more than one?" Hurricane asks. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Yes, we discovered that last night...why?" Hurricane facehooves. "Great, now I have to tell them to make another room connection." She turns to Stormy. "We'll talk later sweetie." Hurricane said in a sultry voice and then flies through the walls to head to the rooms. "Thank Luna she left, that was getting disturbing." Rainbow says. Lightning picks at his rolling cherry. "I know, just think what would happen if your dad and my ancestor got together?" "Don't put the image into my head." Rainbow says. "I don't know, I may enjoy it. It has been a while." Stormy intrudes. Rainbow blushes bright red. "Dad!" Stormy looks at her with a smile. "Come on Rainbow, I have been a little lonely and the house has been empty with just me. I could use somepony with me." "Why don't you move in with us here at the keep?" Lightning suggests. Stormy smiles. "I may just do that and maybe move the factory a little since there is a lot more reserve water and everything we need around here. Plus I get to see my little angel now and again." "Ok, just let me get in contact with Cloudsdale and I will arrange it." Lightning says. Stormy nods. "Please do, while that's happening I may visit that ghost." "Ok, getting weird again." Lightning says. Stormy grins. "Can't blame a stallion for having a fetish." "Not in front of the foals' dad." Rainbow says covering Scootaloo's ears. "Don't bother. Another foal came in with a sex book with weird fetishes from the orphanage. One of the fetishes is a ghost fetish." Scootaloo informed. Lightning facehooves and says. "I hope the rest of the foals won't turn out like this." Stormy laughs. "Boy, you two are the roughest and toughest family with seeing almost everything there is." "And the older members of the house aren't helping." Lightning says. Stormy chuckles. "Well you have a lonely stallion and a slightly lonely ghostly mare. What would think would happen?" "Hopefully nothing, considering that you are both family now and that is just wrong." Lightning says. Stormy gives Rainbow a hurt look. "Would you deny me a chance with a little love Rainbow?" "I thought you swore never to marry again after mom." Rainbow reminds. Stormy sighs and starts to pick at a salad. "Yet, being lonely after such a long time takes its toll. A pony can only handle so much." "You have a family." Rainbow says. Stormy looks to her again. "Yes Rainbow and it used to be just you. Now that you married that family has immensely grown. But the loneliness always come back to me. Sometimes I actually wish I have another pony again." "We can talk about this another time, for now let's just enjoy the meal." Lightning says. Stormy nods and stops picking at his food with the others following. It was two nights later when Lightning called Silver Script to his office. "Silver Script, I have been reviewing your work and I have decided to make your employment full time." Lightning says. Silver smiles. "Thanks you sir. I won't let you down." Lightning leans back in his chair and relaxes with his hind legs on the desk. "Not like you won't. That old job probably had you doing almost the same thing." "Actually no sir, I was forced to work on the assembly line instead my job because my boss didn't like me." Silver Script says. Lighting huffs. "Nobles?" "No, a factory overseer." Silver Script says. Lightning sighs. "Well nothing you can do anything about it now. Now you can head back to the hotel and get some rest. I would have a lot more work tomorrow and we will see about getting you a permanent living arrangement here. " "Thanks you sir." Silver Script says starting to leave. "And remember, it won't get easier at this point." Lightning warns. "I look forward to the challenge sir." Silver Script says pushing up his glasses. Lightning chuckles. "Well let's hope that I can be ready for my end too, you're dismissed." Silver Script leaves and Azure squawks on his perch. Lightning turns to the lucky bird. "I know you sense something Azure, but he's a good enough pony with the right mindset." "Oh and what about me?" A female voice asks behind Lightning. Lightning chuckles. "So that's why, but then again you shouldn't left the window open." Seeku giggles a bit and jumps onto his lap. "Did you miss me?" She asks teasingly as she licks his cheek. "So do you know what happened while you were gone?" Lightning asks trying to wipe off the saliva. Seeku giggles and turns around to leans back into him. "Well I heard some talk about how Rainbow's father came in and you guys played some type of prank on him. You won't believe how the servants are chatty." "Did you also hear the other news?" Lightning asks. She turns to him. "Congratulations Lightning, guess we won't be together after all." She sighs and leans in the crook of his neck. "Two foals. Hope you have plans to deal with them." "Hurricane is already overseeing the preparations for their nursery and rooms for them as we speak." Lightning says. Seeku sighs and almost starts to look like falling asleep against him. "Anything else that requires my attention on you?" She said softly. Lightning rubs her head. "Your still family to me Seeku. In fact, why don't you just join the house?" Lightning asks. Seeku starts to tear up. "Because, you are the only one who treated me differently. Better than any other pony I have been with." She turns to look at him. "And that means the whole house will follow your ideas. And that brings me to this question." She sighs and starts to hug him. "Can I stay in your keep as a vassal after this ends?" "Seeku I want you to join the family, not be a vassal or a Sworn Sword, but a part of the family." Lightning says. Seeku finally lets the tears and chokes on each breath. "Thank you." She then kisses him on the cheek to show her gratitude. Unfortunately at the moment Rainbow walks with some food for Lightning and sees the two. Seeku stops the kiss and they both look to the door and see the shocked pony. "Rainbow, I swear that this is not what it looks like." Lightning pleaded. Rainbow looks at them for a few minutes before shaking her head and walking toward them. She places the food onto the table before walking around to them. "Well this does prove something that has been on my mind for a while." Rainbow said as Seeku got off of Lightning. "You explain to her." Lightning says to Seeku. Seeku looks between the two before sighing. "Rainbow Dash, I have actually cared for Lightning more than I expected. More so than it was allowed. Our time together back then really changed my outlook on ponies in general and on him." She sits down as her legs couldn't hold her anymore. "I have fallen in love with him Rainbow. Almost to the point of really being with him. Hope you won't hate the both us just because of this." She looks to her pleadingly. "And?" Lightning adds. "He has no romantic feelings for me and now that you are with foals I…have no intention of coming between you two." Seeku adds crying now. Rainbow looks between the two before sighing. "Do need his emotions or can you live off others that doesn't include his?" Seeku sighs. "I can go with others if you want me gone." Rainbow looks at her before looking to Lightning. "What about you?" "Seeku is a good friend and pretty much family to me Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow lets out a breath of relief. "Alright, she can still stay with us." Seeku immediately perks up and starts to wag her tail like a dog. "But only if you bring this whole lovey dovey thing between you two down to a minimum. We don't want the wrong image being sent out." Seeku giggles. "So just in private?" She asks excited. Rainbow just nods. "Yes and the bigger parts with me there. Celestial knows what might happen if word gets out that I'm allowing this." "I guess that means it's settled, welcome to the family Seeku." Lightning says. "Yes!" Seeku jumps onto Lightning laughing and kissing him repeatedly on the cheeks while they spin around. Rainbow clears her throat stopping Seeku who laughs nervously before changing into her unicorn disguise. "Well I have things to do and ponies to see. Have a great time you two." She turns to leave but stops before the door. "Just out of curiosity, have you used my gift Lightning?" Lightning just burns hot red. "Nope." He quickly answers. Seeku looks disappointed a little. "Pity, I would have loved to see that." She said with a perv grin. "Get out of here before I reconsider." Rainbow says. Seeku huffs. "You are turning into the same amount of fun as Lightning, hope the foals don't come out that way." She said to them as she leaves. "At least now I can work." Lightning says turning back to his paperwork. "I don't think so." Rainbow says now straddling him and blocking his view with a grin. "Oh, so that's why you came to see me." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles. "Yep, and to talk about Seeku, but I didn't know she would be back now." Rainbow then has a thought. "Maybe I should invite her back for a little fun it you like since you allow her to do that to you." Seeku, who is on the other side of the door, hears this and giggles before coming up with some ideas. It was weeks later and Lightning was talking with Nikolai, Apollo, and Alexander. "So they are coming along better than expected?" Lightning asked shocked. Nikolai nods. "Surprisingly, they want to protect their land better than any other nation I have ever seen. These ponies are resilient. The only ones who had to quit were those who gain significant injuries during training." Lightning looks down at the field where the recruits were being trained. "Seeku?" Seeku jumps off a tree and onto his back. "Yes?" Lighting concentrates on the recruits. "Start the drill." Seeku nods and looks over to the field. The few guards looks up unnoticed. Seeku nods and they change. But before they could change completely they were under several guards and pulled at the limbs. "Good! Now get back to training." Nikolai, who was training them, shouts to them. "Ok, how are they doing with their new arms and armor?" Lightning asks as Seeku nuzzles him lightly. Apollo looks over to another area where the recruits were wearing a more armored version of the royal guard's. "Well, it's not hard for the royal guards since it's slightly based off their design, but the civilians were pretty quick to get used to it, but not as much as the guards." "They are used to appearance over reliability. They will get over it when the armor saves their lives. Also we have received something I ordered specifically from our suppliers. We finally have some of our artillery. Apollo gather some of the archery and crossbow ponies you have been training for a demonstration." Lightning says getting up with Seeku still on his back. Apollo nods. "You got it sir." He then heads off for the artillery bunker for one of his favorite archery weapons for a fixed point. "Stallions, and mares, today we will start your education in a new form of long range weaponry." Lightning says in front of a large number of different ponies before pulling off a sheet to reveal an anchored Scorpio. "This is a heavier version of a crossbow. Designed to punch through heavy armor and destroy light placement weapons on the field into little pieces." The crowd of recruits and guards looks impressed. "And now, we will train each and every one of you on it. Just know this, you will be given one style of fighting, but taught in all manners of fighting just in case you have no more ammo, your weapon is useless, or being overrun and you have nowhere to regroup and get your weapon." Lightning says and then turns to the changelings setting up the targets on the other side of the field. "Now after the changelings finish setting up the targets, Commander Apollo will demonstrate its power when in the hooves of a trained expert and no they are not targets." Lightning says. After a few minutes the changelings clear the field and Apollo grabs the controls. Apollo wordlessly shoots the Scorpio and it tears through the shield and the dummy it was attached to and propels it a fair distance away. "Now you see the power of this piece of light artillery." Lightning says. "And now it's your turn to learn this powerful weapon inside and out. Just don't aim at the keep when you fire, trust me you don't want the Lady mad at you." Lightning shivers at the memory. "Commander Apollo take over from here." Lightning says after getting himself back together. Apollo picks a random pony from the crowd and he steps up. Apollo gives him a quick rundown on how to set it up and how to fire. After a few minutes the recruit fires the weapon but misses by a large margin. Apollo bangs a hammer on the recruit's helmet, citing "Get it through your head." as the recruit's head rings. As this happens several more Scorpio are being brought by wagon to train more ponies. When Lightning and Seeku got back in the keep Rainbow met them at the front door. "Lightning, what is that being fired at the field you have been preparing for the last week?" Rainbow asks as she looks upon the field. "Scorpio, a light mobile artillery weapon." Lightning says. Rainbow raises an eyebrow as one of the arrows hit a target and sends it into a tree. The crowd cheers, but then stops after Apollo bangs the head of the launcher and tells them to get back to work. "Looks strong." She then looks at the one who entered with Lightning. Lightning raised a hoof. "Before you ask, she likes riding my back." Seeku cuddles into him. "He's really comfy especially with his poufy wings." Rainbow was about to raise a hoof before she hears a large whistling sound. She looks outside the window and sees Scootaloo cheering out loud as she rides the young Wyvern. "Come on Tiyries, faster we have to beat them!" She yells out as they chase after the larger Wyverns. "I think our daughter is having fun." Lightning says walking up beside her. Rainbow sighs. "Well this is my mindfuck of the day." "Oh you want me to join you later?" Seeku asks. Rainbow glares at her for a moment before realizing that she can't argue with her. "Fine, just don't come between us much." They both look at her surprised. "Wow Rainbow. You really are agreeing to this type of thing more than ever." Lightning notices. "Are you sick?" Seeku asks feeling her forehead. Rainbow moves her hoof off her head gently. "No, it's just that there is no arguing with you when everything is going crazy. I find it better to just go with the flow." "Rainbow come with me, I think you need to lay down." Lightning offers. Rainbow sighs and starts to follow him to their bedroom. After getting inside Seeku jumps off of Lightning and lets him help Rainbow into her bed. She noticed that her stomach has gotten slightly larger, but barely noticeable when standing. "It seems you have progressed in your development." Lightning says looking her over. Rainbow smirks. "Well a lot of time has passed." She unconsciously rubs a hoof over her stomach. "Let's hope they don't come out when the war starts. I don't them to see destruction as their first image." "There is still no sighting of the Dominion's ships. We still have time." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Good. Now Seeku?" She asks as she turns to her with a smile. "Rainbow you don't know what you're asking for and she, for all of her behavior, doesn't trot that way." Lightning says. Rainbow turns to him with a smirk before turning back to him. "Can you keep Lightning company while I rest?" "Um...Rainbow we are the only ones in here." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles a little. "I know, but I feel the need to rest. You can take it into your office, just make sure nopony sees it." She said starting to fall asleep. "Ok, Rainbow you rest." Lightning says leaving with Seeku. "And Seeku?" Seeku turns back to Rainbow. "Go easy on him." Rainbow said with a smirk before falling asleep with light snores. "Seeku, I'm calling for a doctor in the morning." Lightning says as he closes the door. "For Rainbow or yourself, because you're hiding how you are feeling from her?" Seeku asks as they start to walk back to the office. Lightning sighs before coughing a little. "You noticed." He said more like a statement than a question. "You may be able to fool the inhabitants, but I know that this environment, that is being completely controlled, is like being in a desert with no water for those who are so in tuned with natural energies." Seeku says. Lightning nods and steps inside his office. "That's the problem Seeku. Ironically, the land I'm trying to save is killing me." He said as he sat down in his chair and turns to the fire. "How ironic you are away from your homeland for so long and become powerful and when you return it is punishing you." Seeku says as she gets in the chair with him. "Yeah, so any luck tracking down the soul gems Nethergate used to drain princess Celestia and Luna's powers?" Lightning asks as he leans into her. Seeku sighs. "No luck in that department." She informs wrapping a hoof around him. "Not even Apollo said anything about getting a contract to steal something that valuable too. I wish we knew where it was just to end this fight sooner." Lightning said they look to the fire. Seeku nods and then gains a thoughts. "Isn't the princess's power considered elemental magic?" "No, it's not and I know where you're going with this, but once contained in a soul gem the power can't be synced without coming in contact with it." Lightning says. Seeku smiles. "But what about a weapon and then sending power of the weapon into your target like a poison?" "Looked for that as well, nothing. They have plans for those gems, but I don't know what yet." Lightning says. Seeku sighs and leans into him too. "Lightning you know as well as I do that all soul gems can be transferred to anything. It's just a matter of the type for how much power can be held and how long and, sometimes how powerful." "I know, but they haven't used it yet, so I think they are planning something." Lightning says. Seeku sighs. "Well what are you going to do for now? Rainbow's sleeping and you look like you need something, but this one I can't figure out." "I have an idea to make Rainbow feel better, could you grab that pouch beside the fireplace for me?" Lightning asks as he starts writing a letter. Seeku nods and takes the pouch from the fireplace with her magic and brings it over to his desk. "What are you going to do?" She asks as she turns the chair around and starts a light from her horn. "Ok, take a pinch of the contents of the pouch and throw it into the fire." Lightning says sealing the envelope. Seeku shrugs her shoulders and takes a pinch of what looks like ashes and throws it into the fire turning it emerald green. Lightning then throws the letter into the fire. (Line) Twilight was tucking in Agni when she heard Spike belch something. "Twilight you got a letter and you won't believe who sent it." Spike calls. Twilight goes to him and takes the letter. Dear Twilight, My First Student of Equestria I am writing to inform you of a few things. First the work I am doing up at Pegalopolis is going far better than expected and Rainbow and I are expecting twin foals. I would like to invite you and all your friends to pay a surprise visit to us as Rainbow hasn't been feeling the best and Scootaloo is a little lonely. Hope you can come, Lightning P.S. Make sure you feed Agni more during this time because of puberty. Twilight rereads the letter before looking up at Spike. "Pack your bags Spike we are going on a trip." Twilight says with a smile. Spike just looks confused. "Wait, what? You're taking me now?" Twilight looks offended. "I take you on trips all the time." Spike crosses his arms. "No, you say 'Watch the library, Spike.'" Twilight sweat drops and rubs the back of her head nervously. "Well you're coming now Spike." Twilight says trying to forget those times. Spike sighs and starts to head to the storage room to get their bags. "Now she notices me." He said to himself. Lightning sighs and leans back in his seat again. "Now we wait for the doctor and the surprise." Seeku gets in the seat with him. "Let's hope it's a good one." She said while leaning on him. "Oh, Rainbow will love it." Lightning says with a smirk. A few days later Rainbow was still sore from having to receive a shot a few days ago. She was still unhappy with Lightning from calling the doctor. "Of all the things he had to do, it had to be this." She said to herself as she rubs her sore spot which was her flank. "Um, Lady Rainbow." A maid says walking up to her. Rainbow looks to the maid. "Yes?" "There is a few guests for you." The maid says. Rainbow gets confused. "Guests? Who are they?" "They said it was a surprise." The maid says. Rainbow sighs. "Fine, bring them in." She covers herself up as best she could while sitting up in her bed. "They said they want to meet you in the greeting room." The maid says. Rainbow sighs. "Fine, help me out." She said taking off the covers. The maid helps her up and walks her to the greeting room. Along the way she notices banners along the pillars. "What's going on? Are we expecting somepony?" She said as she looks to the maid. "I think you will understand why after you meet our guests." The maid says. Rainbow says nothing else and keeps following. After a while they reach the greeting room. The maid pushes open the door to a dark room. Rainbow walks in trying to find the lights before they came on. "SURPRISE!" Everypony cheers as they pop out of the tables and banners that read 'Congratulations on your twins.' And all that after Rainbow thrown a dagger at Spike who moves his tail out the way and almost gets struck in between his legs. He lets out a sigh as he tries to move carefully. "Applejack, Big Mac, Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applebloom, Spike, Sweetie Belle, what are you doing here?" Rainbow asks. Twilight steps up having a wrapped gift floating behind her. "Lightning told us how you were feeling down so we came here to cheer you up." Pinkie then pops up besides Rainbow. "Yeah, and when he told us you were expecting twins I knew that I had to throw a baby shower!" Rainbow then looks around and sees all the decorations. "Party Cannon?" Pinkie then brings up the Cannon. "Yep, you know I never leave home without my Party Cannon." She fires the Cannon and covers up an unfinished table, which was being worked on by a maid, with party supplies. The maid glares at Pinkie before walking out the door, her work somewhat done. "Oops." Pinkie said rubbing her forelegs together. Rainbow waves the maids off showing they didn't have to keep cleaning for now. The maids leave as everypony looks in surprise. Rainbow turns to them after the last one leaves. "Hey, it was hard for me to adjust too after getting into noble status." "Oh yeah, I'm a little surprised is all." Applejack says. Rainbow shrugs. "So is everypony, like my father was." "Your father is here?" Fluttershy says. Rainbow nods. "Yep, he moved here after realizing he can still work here and see his only daughter. Plus he wanted to spend time with Hurricane. Our family is getting really weird." "Yeah wooooooooo!" Scootaloo's voice was heard as one of the windows opens up and an orange filly jumps in with a leather flight suit on her. "Thanks for the ride Tiyries. See you tomorrow." She calls to him which he roars back in response and files off. Rainbow just sighs. "See what I mean?" "Scootaloo!" Applebloom and Sweetie Bell yells. Scoots look over to them. "Hey guys, give me one second." She then turns to Rainbow. "Okay mom, how was that landing?" Rainbow smiles. "A little better, but you need to move with the momentum not control it. Remember what dad said." "Controlling something is harder and less effective than working with something." Scootaloo recites. Rainbow nods and Scootaloo turns back to her friends who were left gaping in shock. "Close those mouth girls we still have a fly problem." As if to enunciate that a fly flew past Scootaloo. "Like that one." A maid takes out a fly swatter and goes after it. "Get back here you pest!" A maid yells chasing the fly with a flyswatter. Everypony looks on in confusion. "Okay, I am officially lost." Applejack voices everypony's opinion. "Come on everypony, let's have some fun!" Pinkie Pie says who was actually following everything that was going on. All the ponies start having fun and catching up with each other. "And that's when the pie fell on the arrogant guards head." Rainbow finishes her story. Every one of her friends giggles as she finished. "Boy howdy, you sure are living the life." Applejack said. Rainbow nods and looks over to her daughter who was about to tell something, but then the door was kicked opened. "Honey, I'm home!" Rainbow looks over to Lightning with Seeku riding on his back. "Hi sweetie." Lighting grins. "Hey love. Hope you're enjoying the party." He said as Seeku got off of him and went towards Scootaloo. Seeku picks up Scoots. "Hey there, my little changeling." Scoots just frowns. "You know I'm not a changeling so put me down." Seeku shrugs and lets go of her, and by let go I mean let go. Scoots lands hard on the floor. "Hey!" Seeku shrugs in the air. "You didn't say how." Hurricane then rises out of the ground. "You have to be careful with your wording Scoots." Scoots just huffs and crosses her forelegs. "Now where is that handsome stallion?" Hurricane asks pushing her hooves together. Rainbow chuckles. "Dad would be here any minute now." Just at the moment Stormy decided to enter. "Hey there princess and hello beautiful." He said to Rainbow and Hurricane. Hurricane floats over to him and snakes around him. "Hello, my potent stallion." Hurricane said stroking his chin. Rainbow sighs as those two just tease each other and Seeku went back to Lighting and lands on his back again. "Mmmmmm. Poufy." She said as she was in heaven. Everypony just looks on confusion. "Scoots, what's going on?" Applebloom asked bewildered. Scoots just sighs and relaxes at one of the tables and places her hind legs up. "Well, for starters, the ghost is Commander Hurricane and the other stallion is Rainbow's dad while the changeling is Seeku and an ambassador to the non-pony species. Now, Hurricane and Stormy, Rainbow's dad, are really looking for somepony so they went for each other which is why grandfather has a ghost fetish. As for Seeku she has a slight attraction for dad so she constantly cuddles with him and mom is allowing it because of Seeku's and dad's history together and she was adopted into the family as my aunt." "Ok, a changeling, Rainbow what were you thinking?" Applejack asks madly. Rainbow takes a bite of a big cake. "Lightning got a treaty with the changelings so it's all good with Seeku as the ambassador." Scoots then shrugs. "And besides the Wyverns are with us, which is why I was riding one of them, which is their son." She then blushes a bit. "And I maybe fallen for him. He's a very sweet talker." She said looking to the side. Lighting and Rainbow facehooves. "Scoots, you know you can't." He said to her. Scoots shrugs. "Grandpa is having a relationship with a ghost, who's to say I can't be in a bestially relationship with a Wyvern?" Hurricane giggles as she snakes around Stormy who was grinning. "She's got you there grandson." "You are not helping." Lightning says. Scoots sighs. "Come on dad, our family is crazy enough. You got mom and a changeling after you and grandfather has grandmother, who is a ghost, is trying to be together, who says I can't be with Tiyries?" Lightning looks to her sternly. "Look I just…" He then sees a letter blocking his view. "What?" He takes the letter from the guard and starts to open it. Reading it his face became graver. "I have to go to my office. Enjoy the party everypony." He said getting up and leaving while Seeku floats above him and lands where he was. "That is not a good sign." Rainbow says and Seeku nods. Scoots sighs. "Well, looks like fun time is over." She then leans her head back against the small chair and starts to sleep. "Might as well get the most rest as I could. Celestia knows we need it." "This just seems to get crazier and crazier." Twilight says. Seeku sighs. "You would not believe it around us. You could spend a whole day here and not figure out what's going on." Twilight just holds Agni tighter. "Let me guess, the Dominion?" "He wouldn't have left if it wasn't important and involved them." Seeku says. Twilight sighs and starts to stroke the top of Agni's head. "Well, let's hope we're ready." It was late into the night when Lightning heard a knock on his door before Rainbow entered. "Want to talk about it?" Rainbow asks. "Dominion ships have been sight off the coast." Lightning says. Rainbow grows worried. "How much time?" "They haven't landed so they are only scout ships which means a month at best." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs and places a hoof over her expanding stomach. "Looks like you two will be born into a war filled land." She said to them. "Yes, they will, but Rainbow..." Lightning trails off looking away. Rainbow looks up at him. "What is it?" "You're going to have to run the lands alone for a while." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "We knew this day was coming." She looks to the window. "Can you intercept the ships and take them down slightly? Get us more time." "No, I can't, I have an idea to delay them, but it won't buy us much time and the only way we can win this is an incredibly risky strategy." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles slightly. "You're not going to tell it are you?" "It doesn't matter if they know or not because they will figure it out soon enough. I will use a defense in depth strategy, every piece of food, every piece of metal, every map, every document will be taken and we will evacuate each city while holding the enemy as long as we can." Lightning says. "You would take it that far? Evacuating each city back to one point? Won't they take us out in one hit?" Rainbow asks. "Rainbow, I counted each recruit and guard, you know how many we have?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shakes her head no. "Twelve thousand." Lightning tells her. "That's enough for guerrilla warfare." "Do you know how many one dominion legion consists of?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shakes her head again. "Forty thousand to fifty thousand soldier professional soldiers. Soldiers that can clean their teeth with an entire squad of royal guards." Lightning tells. Rainbow's eyes widen before coming to a realization. "But the nations overseas, what about their help?" "They use a healing magic to put each legionary back into tip top condition whenever they make landfall and the nations themselves are preparing their own forces to face the dominion. That is why I hope and pray we face only one because it means the Dominion is tied down in a cold war like setting with the other nations so they don't invade while they launch this invasion. If there are any more than that we will be wiped out completely and they will have conquered key nations that oppose them overseas already." Lightning says. "Are things really that bad?" Rainbow asks. "Anypony who isn't a fool will see how bad it is after are start instituting the steps for this. We can't win a straight up fight, but tell me Rainbow what do living things need to survive?" Lightning asks. Rainbow walks up to him. "Food, water, and shelter. The three basic survival needs." "Exactly, and when you have an army, these three things become a matter of life and death. As such we will deny them the first two and as much as the third." Lightning says. Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "Destroy the cities?" "No, I will leave those standing and the water, but I will do something to the water." Lightning says. "Poison?" "Yes. Without a place they can get it from naturally their supplies will quickly be exhausted. When they are so weak from this that will be our opening and only opportunity to win." "And if they have something to purify the water?" "How many will die before they do that and how great will be their fear of our water supply by then?" Lightning asks. "Are they that normal as possible?" "They may be professional soldiers but they are still living things." Lightning says. "There is another thing worrying you isn't there?" Rainbow asks. "I worry they will bring a certain type of their Auxiliary legion with them." Lightning says. "What are they?" "Just pray Rainbow that none of my fears come true." Lightning says. "What are they?" She said more sternly. "You wouldn't know them, but they go by different names. Goblins, Uruk Hai, or most command Orcs. Think the most twisted aspects of living creatures give a form as a race." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "So what now?" "I want you to run the lands and be prepared to receive refugees and keep a close eye on the food supplies." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "Well let's hope you're also here for their birth." "I might be, but I might not Rainbow." Lightning says getting up. "Where are you going?" Rainbow asks. "I'm leaving tonight with all the officers and soldiers." Lightning says. Rainbow stops him. "When exactly?" "Now." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Well you better get moving." She then leaves out the door and closes it behind her. Nikolai was putting on his armor when Vinyl came in. "Hey Nikolai...what are you doing?" Vinyl asks stopping midway through the sentence. Nikolai sighs. "I just got a report and the general is mobilizing the entire army." Nikolai says. Vinyl sighs. "When are you leaving?" "Now." Nikolai says putting on his helmet. Vinyl starts to leave. "Just when things were getting better." She said as she leaves out the door. "The main reason I'm going Vinyl is to protect you from them. I can't do that here." Nikolai says. "Just get out of here!" Vinyl said as she closes the door. Nikolai leaves through the door while Vinyl was being held by Octavia unseen by Nikolai. Suddenly he was grabbed from behind. "What…?" He turns to his captor. Vinyl cries into his armor. "Just come back to me, ok?" Vinyl asks. "I swear I will." Nikolai says. Vinyl lets go of him and lets him leave. That night every soldier and royal guard left Pegasopolis. They did what no Equestrian had done in a millennium, they were off to war. Author's Note Okay we're done here, and yes the war is here. Sorry for being bad at the end, but we were tired at that point so sorry. See ya next time.
Let the Wind FallA/N: So let's start the war and end this long tirade. Oh and the name Sliva and Silva will be mixed up a little. Just letting you know because even I don't know where all the names are and I forgot when I posted this what the name was supposed to be. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' After three days of forced marching four thousand soldiers and two thousand guards reached Manehatten. All around them they saw ponies going about their regular day, but less than the normal amount. "I thought the order to evacuate was given already?" Lightning asks. "General." A stallion called running up. "I'm sorry sir, but the Mayor refused to heed the order till he could talk with you." The Sergeant says. Lightning groans out loud before saying, "Very well. Ponies, while I am gone you are to proceed with building fortifications." Lightning orders. "Yes sir." The officers say. Lightning turns back to the direction of the town hall. "Let's go Nikolai." "Sir, I understand you have full authority when it comes to military matters, but why must we evacuate the entire town?" The mayor asks. "Besides my ordering it, this is the only port large enough to land an invasion force. All the other eastern ports are far too small." Lightning says. The mayor sighs. "How do you propose of getting out all the ponies in my town? They are quite stubborn to be honest. Always asking for a taxi. I'm sure that can be a measure for stubbornness." "They are loyal to the princess right?" Lightning asks. The mayor nods. "How can they be not?" "Then tell them this is on the princesses' orders in order to keep them safe." Lightning says. "Hold on, before you do that, ask all engineers and carpenters to aid us in building the fortifications. So that they can help defend Equestria." Lightning says. The mayor sighs before starting to walk out. "Let's hope they can leave their own homes, but the homeless needs some help." "Mayor one last thing." Lightning calls. "Yes?" The mayor asks. "Tell them to make for Pegalopolis, which is where they will receive refuge." Lightning says. "You are the lord of those lads, aren't you?" The mayor asks. "Yes. Talk to either my wife Rainbow Dash or my steward Silver Script and they will make all the preparations." Lightning says. The mayor nods before walking out again. "Let's give that message." The Mayor soon calls all the ponies of Manehatten to in front of the Town Hall. "My dear ponies, I have news. On the orders of our beloved princesses we have been asked to evacuate for the eventual invasion by the Dominion Empire." The mayor says. "What?!" "Why would leave our homes?!" "They can't be that tough?!" "Let the guards handle this, they're good enough?!" "Silence!" Lightning yells in his commander tone making all the ponies take notice. "The truth of the matter is the invasion force will be much larger than the assembled army." Lightning informs, the light gleaming off his black armor. "So we just leave everything we got?!" "No, take everything from your money, possessions, and especially your food." Lightning says. "Anything else, before we leave our lives behind?!" "All we ask is for the engineers, carpenters, and any volunteers aid us in building the fortifications that will help protect your country." Lightning says. The crowd starts to depart, just leaving the volunteers and other helpers. "Alright, all the remaining ponies, follow Commander Nikolai here, he will assign you to groups to help coordinate construction." Lightning says. Nikolai steps up while Lightning and the mayor leaves, leaving Nikolai shouting orders. "Okay that part's done, now onto the next." Lightning said. "Sergeant, get me the Wonderbolts and several other pegasus who know how to work the weather." Lightning orders. Rainbow Dash was finding it hard to cope with running the entire land while her husband was away. Though it had been only four weeks since Lightning and the army left. Rainbow sighs as she signs the last paper and places it onto the head high stack. "How does Lightning do it?" "My lady Silver Script reports he is done managing the housing for the refugees. Also Princess Twilight asks if you are available for an afternoon tea." A guard says. Rainbow looks to her work and then back to the guard. "Tell her I can be there in an hour, I have to deal with something." "As you wish my lady." The guard says leaving Rainbow alone and she looks to the wall where there was a painting of herself, Lightning, and Scootaloo. "At least she's still here." She then gets out of the chair and starts to leave carefully because of her pregnancy. "Might as well see her, can't do no harm." Rainbow finds Scootaloo in the library where the tutor Lightning had hired was teaching her. "Now can you tell me where Princess Celestia fought Luna before she sealed her away?" The tutor asks. "At the old castle in the Everfree Forest." Scootaloo says. The tutor nods. "Close, it's called the castle of the two sisters." She then notices Rainbow. "Oh, Lady Rainbow, have you come to see me about something?" "No, I came to check up on my daughter to see how she was doing." Rainbow says walking over and rubbing Scootaloo on the top of her head. Scootaloo blushes red. "Mom." She whines. "So how is she doing?" Rainbow asks. The tutor looks to the pile of papers near her. "Surprisingly well. I looked over her old reports from the school in the next town over and can't figure something out. She does well here, but not over there." Rainbow looks over to Scootaloo with a smirk. "Oh, I know why. Crusading much, my daughter?" "I don't know what you are talking about." Scootaloo says looking away. Rainbow chuckles and hugs her. "Okay, there's your answer." The tutor smiles. "Which one, her words or how it was said?" "Take your pick." Rainbow says. The tutor chuckles. "Well we're done here anyway. You can go now Scootaloo, but remember to study the history." Scootaloo starts to pack away her things. "Yeah, yeah, as long as I get time to myself." She then leaves with Rainbow about to follow, but the tutor stops her. "A word, Lady Rainbow?" "Yes?" Rainbow asks. The tutor sighs and starts to pack away her papers. "Scootaloo was being more away from the lesson more than usual. I fear that something is going on." "I think she just wants to spend time with her friends. After all, Lightning took the Wyverns with him." Rainbow says. The tutor looks to her confused. "Why bring in the Wyverns?" Rainbow kicks her herself for letting that slip. "Nothing, anyway she probably just wants to play with her friends more, seeing how the war is coming here. Speaking of which do you know any of the talk of the refugees?" Rainbow asks. The tutor nods sadly. "Yes, and boy are they miserable. Leaving your home and everything you know just to live through something that is almost unstoppable is trouble enough." "Hmmm, I think I should talk to the mayor of Manehatten to assure the refugees this is only temporary. Maybe we can get them to do some work so they can use the energy and feel better." Rainbow says. The tutor nods and smiles. "I think that would be best and maybe I'll let more time for Scootaloo so she can play. Somepony of her age deserves time with her friends in times like this." "Maybe you can have sessions with all three." Rainbow suggests. The tutor smiles evilly. "Then pay me an extra two times." Rainbow looks at her shocked before the tutor laughs. "Just kidding, I'll stay on the same pay." "You will have to take that up with my husband for that." Rainbow jokes with her. The tutor smiles and places the bags on her back. "Well, we're done for today anyway. See you tomorrow Lady Rainbow." "See you later White Scholler." Rainbow says walking towards the garden. Rainbows arrives in the garden to find most of the workers working on keeping the flowers from dying out. "Hello there Rainbow. So nice to see here." A voice said. Rainbow turns to see Eclipse behind her. "Eclipse, I thought you and Midnight left for your country." Rainbow says. Eclipse smiles. "Well me and Midnight decided to stay because most of the operations now are run from here. So I will be at a moment's notice if Lightning needs me for anything. I also have six of my Queen's knights here with me and Kite has healed up quite a bit." "I see, so are you joining us in afternoon tea?" Rainbow asks. Eclipse claps her hooves together. "Let's go, just know that I love caramel tea with basal leaves." Lightning looks out from the fortifications at the sea as a storm as fierce as the pegasus could make it. "Okay, storm's done and water level is rising." He said as the water started to flood the town from the helpers covering and closing the storm drains. Though it only flooded the lower dock and dry docks. Lightning heard somepony coming up. "Ah, there you are general." A familiar female voice says. "Hello sister." Lightning says. Spitfire smiles as she comes up by him in an armored version of the Wonderbolts uniform. "Rough winds, but can you take it?" "No one is leaving their positions, this storm is not only to stall the Dominion, but it also is our opening move and hope it will sink a few ships." Lightning says. Spitfire frowns as she looks to the rough horizon. "And what about your ships, when are they coming?" "We are not receiving reinforcements from other countries. They are helping us by bogging down as much of their military as possible." Lightning says. "So destroy their original docking port and work your way down to here?" Spitfire asks. "No, the legion has a set way of doing things one is they don't split up their forces to land in different locations." Lightning says. Spitfire looks confused. "So they land all in one place?" "It is tradition and in the empire transition equals honor and elevating themselves in the political arena." Lightning says. Spitfire huffs. "Here we called that idiocy." "They are hesitate to change, but their military power can't be…" Lightning was cut off by a violent cough attack that spouted blood. Spitfire goes to him in alarm as he falls down. "Lightning! What's happening?!" "I'm ok." Lightning manages to say rising to his hooves, but falls down again. Spitfire frowns. "Yeah, you are so okay." She said sarcastically. "Don't tell anypony about this." Lightning says. Spitfire looks around for a bit before turning back to him. "What's going on?" "This land is making me sick Spitfire." Lightning says finally rising and standing. Spitfire looks surprised for a moment. "Then the land your saving is killing you, why would stay here, especially since you just married to Rainbow and you know how she loves this place?" "Duty and family are my reasons sister." Lightning says moving beside her. "So I'm included in that?" Spitfire asks. "Why wouldn't you be sister?" Lightning says. Spitfire smiles but then frowns again. "But the land is killing you how?" "Spitfire everything here is being controlled. The Wind, the Fire, the Earth, the Water, etc. This constricts the flow of energy in the lands. I have grown so accustomed to feeding on the energy of the elements. Along with the rest of the eastern countries." Lightning says. Spitfire turns around and looks to the land they are protecting. "I may have an idea where you get some uncontrolled power, but I will have to look into it. Just keep working on the war and I'll handle that." "The only place I have been able to recover some energy is at the Everfree Forest." Lightning says. Spitfire smiles. "Yet, you don't know the whole story. You remember that Rainbow and her friends gave up their elements right?" "In the Everfree Forest, but Spitfire I want you to disregard that all together, I need you here." Lightning says. Spitfire nods. 'I have to know more about that tree, if it can control the forest then it may help us in some way.' "That was an order Spitfire." Lightning says before they hear a horn from the clouds above and Lightning dons his helmet. "All units to position, all units report to your positions. Prepare the trebuchets to use fire pots ammunition. All Scorpio teams prepare to fire." Lightning shouts his orders. Soon large movement came about as the soldiers and guards start to head to their positions. "Sir, we have a small problem!" "What is it sergeant?" Lightning asks. The sergeant looks to the problem and sees many ponies around it. "For some reason the Scorpios are melted enough to not move, we can't even fire the damn things." Lightning looks as well. "There's no way it can happen. We are in the rain, there is no way that it can melt." The sergeant looks up to him. "That's what we thought too, but looks like somepony took a fire to it. They are melted in the right places to make it not work." "Who was last seen with them?" Lightning asks. "A purple unicorn sir, but we can't find him." The Sergeant says. "Nothing can be done now, all Scorpio teams grab your crossbows and weapons and position yourselves with the rest." Lightning ordered as they started to see the first of the ships. The Sergeant looks to the ships as well. "You heard him! Move your asses!" He shouted to the others. "Spitfire get up there with your team and take two squads and start raining bolts of lightning down on them." Lightning orders. Spitfire nods and files up to two squads in the air. She speaks to them for a few before they all flew off into the dark clouds and headed for the ships. On the Flagship a pegasus walks onto the deck. "Captain, how long till we make landfall?" The pegasus asks. The earth pony captain was looking into his spyglass at the docking area. "In about a few hours, so ready everything we got." He then sees something on the docking line and changes the lenses. "Hello what's this?" "What is it captain?" The pegasus asks. The captain hoofs him the spyglass. "Take a look for yourself. I think you would throw it over the ship when you see it." The pegasus looks confused and takes the spyglass before looking through it. He looks along the coast and see the one thing that would make him throw the spyglass overboard. "What are these ponies doing? Do they know what we trying to do for them?" He sees defenses that would have made his emperor proud and many ponies at many positions. He then throws the spyglass overboard and turns to the captain, but before he could comment a lightning bolt struck the ship next to them setting it ablaze and starting to sink it. The pegasus looks to the captain. "Evasive maneuvers! This storm is going crazy!" "The gods seem to be favoring them." The captain says calmly. The pegasus grabs the captain by the collar. "Just get these ships moving, we can't die here!" He then throws him to the wheel while he went inside. The captain remakes his collar and takes the wheel. "Ass. Evasive maneuvers! All hooves to your station and ready the trebuchets!" He shouted to his ship and the others in range. Soon the order started to ring out across the fleet. Lightning watched as several ships were struck by lightning bolts through his binoculars. He chuckles as they try to dodge the 'chaotic' lightning bolts. "Sorry boys, this is one storm you can't move out of." He said to himself. "Alright ponies, take aim, they are coming into range of the trebuchet inside the hour." Lightning says. The soldiers and guards starts to ready all the weapons they got while some engineers work on fixing the Scorpios. "We need another one over here!" "I need a reloader!" "Everypony shut up and get to your stations, your right stations!" After several hours of dodging lightning bolts and trebuchet fire some of the first ships start to come close to the port. "That wasn't natural at all. Those lightning bolts shouldn't have been hitting us that much. The gods really must be with them." The captain said to himself. The first ship landed was bombarded by crossbow bolts. The sailors didn't last long and the soldiers who escaped over the side soon were shot as well and their blood started to turn the ocean red. The next ship was then bombarded by trebuchets and destroyed before it could reach shore. The sailors who jumped off couldn't handle the rough seas and was smacked against the sea barriers on the docks. "Sir, it is almost nightfall, we have to pull back our ships or we will start crashing into the cliff face and the reefs." The captain says. The pegasus smashes his hooves onto the railing, almost destroying it. "Fine! Just make sure that we can send a team on the land to take them out." "Yes sir, we will try." The captain says eyeing his damaged railing. "General, it seems they are pulling back." Sergeant asks. "Are you sure?" Lightning asks observing the sky and then checking the time. The Sergeant looks through his own binoculars. "Yep, they are turning around. Possibly back out to sea for a bit." "Signal Captain Spitfire and her troops to pursue a bit, but not too far then return, also have a few units assemble, we plan a night ambush." Lightning informs. The Sergeant nods and heads off to deliver the orders. Lightning looks to the retreating ships contemplating on how to do the ambush. "Must have really underestimated us or something, but then again the 'gods' were on our side." A few small boats were rowing towards the land. "I can't believe what happened today." A legionnaire says. Another one by him huffs. "You can't believe it? I can't believe we lost some ships to the sea and the barbarians didn't do anything." "I tell you, the gods are against us because they are now with them." A legionnaire said behind them. "It must be the new general. Not only is he a foreigner, but a pegasus too. That is what has displeased the gods." Another legionnaire remarks. "Quiet back there, we are getting close. Now listen, the rocks here are very wet so don't slip or we will you lose you to the sea." A legionnaire in the front said to them. After the only the creaking of the oars came from the boat until they reach land. Once they made it on to land they took count and realized they had lost two rowboats to the sea. "Great, now we are in even more trouble." A legionnaire said. The head legionnaire looks back at them and then turns forward. "We can't let that stop us, let's keep moving." After a bit of walking they come across a flooded dock with the city lights shining through the storm and fog. "Are you sure these barbarians are the same ones who attacked us? They look advance." "Oh, I don't know about that, maybe our crossbow bolts will answer that question for you." A voice calls before several crossbow bolts rained down on the legionnaires, killing several of them before squads of ponies charged in with spears on all sides of them. The ambush was quick and in the end only one legionnaire was alive. "Take him to the general." The Sergeant commands. The soldiers picked him up after tying him, leaving him struggling as they walked to the general. What the legionnaire noticed was that not only earth pony were here, but also the unicorns and pegasus. "How can you barbarians be in favor of the gods? They only respect the earth race!" "General we brought you a survivor." The soldier says moving near his tent. "Very good. You are dismissed." Lightning says turning around. The legionnaire held his breath in fear. "Lightning Bolt." He whispers. "So you think the gods are who are behind this storm, huh? Very interesting." Lightning says getting an idea. The legionnaire growls. "Of course, who else can weld that kind of power?" Lightning smiles to him creepily and then looks through his binoculars to the ships in the bay. "You know that your friends over are really getting a break." He then turns to him with that same smile. "I wonder what they would think if they saw you working for us?" "I refuse." The legionnaire says. "Alright, but I will take this then." Lightning says taking the legionnaire's helmet. "Sergeant!" Lightning calls. The Sergeant comes running and was commented by their very good guest. "I'm surrounded by inferior races." Sorry, did I say good guest, I meant the stupid one tied up. "Sergeant, I want you to ask the men a part of the ambush to give the helmets they looted off the body temporarily." Lightning says. The Sergeant nods and leaves leaving them alone again. "You know how I was asking you would be on our side?" Lightning asks the legionnaire. The legionnaire huffs. "I still refuse." Lightning chuckles. "I wasn't asking. Besides your dead friends don't actually need their armor now do them? I'm also surprised at how long did you go unnoticed by the rest of the Legion? I mean mares can't join the Legions and will be executed in horrific fashion if they are found out." Lightning says. The legionnaire stood shock still until she sighed. "My brother. He's the one you're looking for. He just couldn't join at that point, so to save my family I did." "So you disguised yourself as your brother and took his place huh?" Lightning ask. The legionnaire nods sadly as she looks down. "Knowing that he's still alive is the best thing that kept me going." "And now that life is over. They will assume you all died when they see all of your helmets hanging from the flagpole tomorrow and if they find you alive a doctor will examine you and discover you. You will be tortured then executed and your family will be next for this deception and dishonor to appease your gods that you are so fond of." Lightning says. The mare then looks to the direction of the ship. "So what next, are you going to do the same?" "I haven't decided yet. I will after you make a choice. There is only two ways to save your family now. Either I kill you and burn your body so they will never know or you join me in exchange for smuggling your family out of the Dominion." Lightning says with a smirk. The mare then starts to think. "Do gods exist?" She said out of the blue. "Yes, but not the ones your country worships. It was not Zeus or Poseidon who caused that storm or lightning to rain down. They are more of statues with words that you follow. It was a few squads of pegasus." Lightning said. The mares looks to him. "How can they control it?" "A unique magic here in Equestria. Watch." Lightning says moving over to the cloud in his office and punches it making the cloud rain. The mare stood still are she watches the rain fall. "Not only does it do whatever a cloud does, but it also makes a very comfortable bed and I should know." Lightning finishes before getting on it. "See, but only the pegasus can do this naturally, but the earth and unicorns need a spell for that. And you thought earth ponies can be a head race. If the citizens back home there know about this...oh boy! That's a mass exodus if I ever seen one." The mare stood still as she was still thinking. "Why are telling me all this information, knowing I could run back with a complete armor and tell them everything?" "A few problems with that. A: You would have to go through me and B: Even if you did, you would be considered a coward or a deserter and you would be flogged to death and they would discover you are a mare." Lightning says. The mare sighs. "Untie me?" She asks. "Alright." Lightning says cutting the ropes. The mare gets up and shakes off the ropes and then looks to him. "You know, you are a crazy stallion." "Maybe or am I a genius at warfare?" Lightning asks. The mare looks to him questionably before darting a kiss at his cheek which makes him blush. "I say crazy based on that blush." She said with a smile and giggles a little. "Welcome aboard captain." Lightning says with a smirk. The mare then frowns. "But I'm still considered a recruit." Lightning then groans surprising the mare. "Doesn't anypony get a promotion when they hear it? I mean, do I have to hold up a sign saying you have been promoted with an arrow pointing to that pony? I swear the next pony who gets a promotion and doesn't realize it, I'm going to take up drinking hard cider, and the old ones, not the reluctant ones." Lightning was left huffing after he finished. The mare looks to him confused. "Do always go into a rant?" Lightning then looks to her. "Only on a good day. But seriously take a look around you, this country has had no wars for millenniums. The only ones who do are me, my personal stallions, and now you seeing as those scars on your left hoof is a sword scar and is old meaning you have been on a campaign or two." Lightning says. "H...how...?" The mare stammers. "It's a general's job to be observant." Lightning simply says looking out of the window to where the ships were. The mare looks out as well. "So what now?" "We hold as long as possible, by the way, what is your name?" Lightning asks. The mare smiles. "Silva, Silva Light." Lightning raises an eyebrow at the weird combination of words. "One word from my mother and one from my father." "I see." Lightning says before writing a letter and sending it out to the sea in a bottle. "And that was?" Silva asks. "You may find out after the war." Lightning says. The entire court of Equestria was abuzz with nobles and royal guards in Canterlot. "I can't believe after seven days of besieging Philadelphia they still haven't left." A noble says. Fancy Pants turns him. "Please, they want to rule and they have no other chance to go back in my mind so they have to stay." "What about General Lightning Bolt and his troops?" Luna asks silencing the court with her Canterlot voice. "I have an urgent report." A messenger runs in. Princess Luna looks at him. "Well, we're waiting." "General Lightning Bolt reports they can no longer afford to hold the city and are falling back." The messenger says. An uproar occurs at that as almost everypony from Manehatten was yelling. "So we lost that city! What was point of trying to protect it then?!" "Silence!" Celestia yells. As they quiet down Celestia sighs. "The one reason he stayed to defend the city was to gain an idea of what we are facing and how they go about planning things. Especially since that we get a few hits in to whittle down the forces." "I have a report." A new messenger arriving yells. Celestia turns to him. "Well what is it? Next town to evacuate, I presume?" "No, all he says was stage one is complete, moving to stage two." The messenger says causing both Celestia and Luna to nod to each other. "Everypony we are evacuating Canterlot and moving the court to Pegasopolis." Celestia says causing the coward to shout in surprise. "What for?!" "We held here long enough!" "Canterlot was not made with being besieged in mind, we are abandoning it because it will not hold under a siege." Luna says. "And as so, everypony in Canterlot is to move all valuables and food, which is every food, to Pegasopolis. Make sure that you don't leave anything that might help the Empire." Celestia says. "But everything here looks good enough even if we take them! How about that?!" Celestia grins. "Do not worry, for my sister and I have for plan for that." The disgruntled nobles left to obey the princess orders. "Messengers report back to general Lightning Bolt we have received both messages and are proceeding with the plan." Celestia says. The messenger nods and heads off again. Leaving only the princesses as everypony left. "We have to either open the vault or leave it." Luna spoke up. "Lightning suggested we open it and hide the royal treasury. That is why those two are here for." Celestia says as two creatures' moves in the shadows. Lightning and his troops were moving south from Manehatten, encountering town after town, deserted of all ponies. "General if I may ask, why did we retreat when we could have held on in Manehatten?" The Sergeant asks. "A few reasons Sergeant. Can you tell me what they are?" Lightning asks. "One reason was that you received word that the evacuations had been completed and the other objectives involving them had been met." The Sergeant says thinking and not completely sure. "Correct Sergeant on the first reason why I did that, any ideas on the other?" Lightning asks. The Sergeant shakes his head. "No sir." "Because they were about to start to attempt landing their legion elsewhere. I wanted them to land there." Lightning says. "Because we have messed with the town?" The Sergeant asks. "Yes, there is that, but if they land more southwards they will have less land to cover." Lightning says with a smirk causing the Sergeant to become confused. The general of the Dominion stood in Manehatten. It had been three days since they had landed. For the first two days the Legionnaires were dying from the poisoned well water until he finally relented and let a unicorn purify the water, but he was also unhappy with the fact they found no food and also found the legionnaires he had sent ashore before had all been treated with respect and buried so he couldn't rile up his troops over that. "Sir, a report." A scout says. The pegasus sighs. "What is it?" He asks. "Sir, we have scouted to the south and found all paths are clear but to the west. It is completely inaccessible by the ground portion of the army as a landslide has blocked the path." The scout informs. The pegasus growls. "So clear it, we need our army to move on the capital." "Sir, according to a map we found, moving west from here impedes us and will take long to reach the capital while heading south won't." The scout says taking out the map. The pegasus rears his head on him. "What?! Give me that!" He said snatching the map. The pegasus pours over it. "Very well, in two days our entire legion will have disembarked, after that we head south." The pegasus says after throwing it back to the scout. The scout nods. "Yes sir, I'll tell the others." It had been two weeks and the legion had start moving south. Along the way they stopped at several towns to try and stock up on supplies and plunder, but found none and that the water source was also poisoned. "They must be smart barbarians." A legionnaire remarked for which he earns a hit over the helmet, making it ring. "No, they aren't smart, but they knew we were coming." Another legionnaire says. "I heard a rumor they even destroyed Nethergate." A third legionnaire says. "Shut up back there!" The general said. "Why are we even listening to this pegasus?" A legionnaire asks. "Because he was appoint as a general by the heir of the house of Julius." Another says. "That's it! Have those three flogged to death!" The pegasus yells. The three troops were immediately dragged out of the march and tied to trees. The rest of the troops just keeps marching on, not even bothering to look over at them as their screams rang throughout the area. "I swear that the next one who starts talking will be next in line for flogging!" The pegasus yells to them, scaring the troops. The Legion marched for the rest of the day before starting to make camp. In the middle of this a flag pole broke and fell in front of the pegasus' hooves. "Sir, it is an omen the enemy will be doing a night raid." A centurion says as the other troops back away from the pole. "Ba, I have no time for this superstition." The pegasus says going back to his tent. As they watch the general go into his tent the centurion turns to the rest of the troops. "Remain vigilant, he may not believe, but we do so large shifts, go." "I gave no such orders. Flog him to death as well as any who undermine my authority." The pegasus yells as he peeks his head out of his tent. The centurion was dragged away as the other troops went about their business, not noticing one slip away. Not too far away hidden was Lightning and a portion of the army. "You are sure of this?" Lightning asks. "Yes sir, I saw it myself." A changeling informs. "Good work join up with the hidden changeling unit under Canterlot." Lightning orders. The changeling nods and runs off to the before stopping. "Oh and the general really loves flogging." Before running off again. "Captain, Sergeant." Lightning calls. They both step up to Lightning. "Yes." "Sir." "Prepare the troops, we are going to do a night raid. Get the pegasus to make tonight very cloudy with a very high chance of high winds along with it. As for the others, have them prepare torches." Lightning says. "Too much verys sir. But we will." Silva remarks with a smile. "Oh and captain where a different armor tonight don't want the troops to mistake you for the enemy." Lightning says. Sliva smirks. "And where is the extra armor?" "Sergeant help her with that." Lightning instructs. The Sergeant blushes. "Ah, sir, wouldn't a mare be better to handle that?" "I meant take her to the armor Sergeant." Lightning clarifies looking at the map. The Sergeant blushes even more as the mare looks to him with a smile that said 'What were you thinking about?' "Yes sir." He said walking away and trying to not look at her. "Alright troops, we will proceed up the river to the enemies' camp for this raid. I repeat raid, this is not going to be a full on engagement. In fact, that's what the torches are for." Lightning says. Sliva steps up beside him as she retires one of the strings. "My side is all set. Don't know about the Sergeant." "He will be fine." Lightning says as the Sergeant joined them. "All set. When do we go?" The Sergeant asks. "All troops, move out." Lightning says before leading them into the forest. The troops starts to follow him and his two head soldiers as they start to walk into the river while the winds start to blow. 'We are marching through the river instead of alongside it. Either way it is not likely the Legion will be able to predict this. Launching a surprise attack by traveling up such a rapid stream. Besides this gale will easily drown out the sound of our march. Then we set fire from the windward side when we attack from behind. Every element has been recalculated in his mind.' Silva thinks as the army stops for a second and she sees an archer shooting. A second later they continue and she sees the body of a legionnaire that looked to be gathering water before being shot by the arrow. She stops for a moment to empty the bucket before placing in a bush quietly and continues on. She then notices that Lightning had gone up to the body and from the looks of it got him out of the stream, closed his eyes, and said what looked like a prayer before continuing with the march. Soon after that the troops started to exit the stream. Lightning nods to the four officers he had brought and they start to spread their four units into a loose formation. A legionnaire was sitting on a log with a blanket wrapped around him. "Can't believe that I have to stand watch in this godforsaken land. Who knows what's out there? Oh, where did he go? Oh, he got eaten by a monster we have never seen, nothing to be worried about. Yeah right." He then sees lights appear in the forest before he sees Lightning's troops. "What?" He said quietly. Only then did they move slowly and then more quickly did he start running back toward the camp. "Trouble! We have an enemy raid!" The Legionnaire yells before being overtaken and the force runs past him without hurting him. "What?" He asks himself as he stops with a confused expression. "It's a raid!" More Legionnaires yell as were they running to engage but were quickly slain. "Set the fires!" Lightning yells and the troops start throwing most of their torches. After a few minutes of skirmishing Lightning yells. "Disengage, break for the forest, double file!" The troops immediately obeyed and started running in a line in pairs of two's. "General!" A Legionnaire yells. "The wind is blowing the fire to the main camp. We can barely stop it." The legionnaire says as the pegasus face was the picture of rage. "Hah! I knew it! I knew my order should have listen to, but no, the general wanted to do it his way! Well, look at you now!" The centurion from before yells to them. "Execute that centurion immediately!" The pegasus yells. An arrow was shot to the centurion's heart as he smiled. "Still worth it." He said before closing his eyes. 'That was amazing. I never was a part of such an efficient raid before.' Silva thinks as the troops continue to run. Silva then looks to the front where Lightning was. 'Now I see why you are one of the Dominion's most hated and yet most feared enemies.' Silva thinks. After a while they stop in the deep forest as everypony takes a breather. "Alright everypony, take five and we'll be moving out again soon." Lightning said. "General where will we be going next?" A soldier asks. "West, along the rail tracks. We will be crossing into Canterlot's area." Lightning informs noticing it was an unfamiliar purple unicorn stallion. "Finally, we can get some familiar land under us." The soldier said in relief. "Alright, all officers report to me, except Apollo. Apollo, go make sure we are not being followed and kill any nearby enemy scouts." Lightning orders. Apollo nods and walks into the woods pulling his mask up. Lightning then turns back to the troops. "Alright now four minutes. Make the best rest you can get." All the ponies rested and one noticed the purple unicorn from earlier walking into the woods. "Hey come join us. We got some good apple cider, hard ones at that." A pony calls. "I will soon, I got to take a wiz first." The unicorn says. The pony shrugs. "Fine, but there won't be much for you when you come back." He calls as he takes swig of the cider. Once in the woods and away from prying ears the unicorn starts running. He soon comes upon a small clearing and waits. After a minute a hooded pony comes out with a bag over his back. "Report." The hooded pony said roughly. "They are pulling back to the Canterlot area." The unicorn says. The hooded pony nods. "Anything else?" "The general seems to have a plan but tonight's raid was not a part of it." The unicorn says. "I see I will rep…" The hooded stallion was silenced when an arrow pierced his throat. Apollo sat in on tree branch he shot the arrow and prepared another one. "I hate traitors, always ruining my day. Just like that brother one time." He said. The unicorn turned around horrified. "As for you spy, Lightning has no further need of you after he let you steal that map." Apollo says letting his arrow fly and killing the unicorn. After the two fell he walks over the unicorn and takes everything he had and was about to turn back. But before he completely turns around he looks back to the hooded pony. Curiosity getting the better of him he goes over to him and takes the bag off of him and then lift off the hoof. What he saw made him lift the pony on his back and starts to carry the pony back Lightning. Back at the camp Lightning and Sliva were sitting together and taking sips of cider. "I never knew apple cider was this good. Where can I get more?" Silva asks as she held the mug. Lightning smiles. "A friend of mine back where everypony in this country is makes them. Finest apples they say. I can get you more once we get back." Silva nods and looks around. "Where's the Sergeant, he should be enjoying this with us?" Lightning looks around as well. "Probably with his buddies getting drunk." A few gasps were heard as Apollo carried a pony on his towards Lightning. Everypony stops, in some cases spitting into their small fires making it flare up a little from the alcohol in the cider, and stares at the pony on his back. "I see your hunt bore fruit." Lightning says not sounding surprised. Apollo throws off the pony onto the ground. "Not exactly the fruit I was expecting though. Just know that this not your unicorn." He pulls off the hood of the pony to reveal the Sergeant under it. Lightning quickly gets up as does Silva. And he did not look happy. "Burn the corpse." Lightning commands coldly, shocking most of the troops. Apollo nods and goes to the fire taking the body with him. He throws some more wood into the fire making it burn even more. He then throws the Sergeant into the fire, hood and all. "I should have known something was off when he didn't bat an eye during the first day." Lightning says obviously mad. "Lightning?" Silva asks carefully reaching a hoof out. "Break camp troops, the enemy can't be far now." Lightning orders, anger being clear in his emotion as he walks away. Silva decided not to question anything as she and the other troops packed everything they had and put out the fires except the one burning the Sergeant. All the troops looks at his body for a moment before following the line. And soon, suspicions arose for the new captain. "You think she's still with them?" "I don't know at this point." "Maybe we just kill her now and not take any chances." Silva heard this and quickly runs up besides Lightning for comfort. "Do not spread rumors troops. She has several reason why she won't betray us. One of them being that I have sworn to protect her family. If you still have suspicions see Commander Apollo on some details or you can take your chances with me." Lightning yells. Silva smiles subtly as she continues to walk along the path. "Thank you, Lightning." She said quietly to him. "Don't, because there is no need to thank me. Now troops, double time." Lightning orders starting to quicken his pace. After three more weeks the Dominion arrived in Canterlot to find it completely deserted. The pegasus stands in the middle of the street as he looks over the map from the welcome center and the map from his informant of the castle. Soon a legionnaire comes out of one of the buildings. "Sir, we have been over every building and there is no food and nothing of value. Even what looks like the banks has its vaults wide open and bare of all currency except for this letter that we can't understand?" The legionnaire says holding out the letter. The pegasus takes the letter and looks to the wording. 'Of course, these fools don't know Equestrian.' He then reads it over that slowly made him red with anger. "What is the meaning of this?!" Hello to whoever finds this and can hopefully read this If you are looking for the court and all the valuables and food, look north to Pegasopolis and tell that worthless and pathetic general of your forces that his spy and the traitor are dead. I await to take your head at Pegasopolis. Signed, The general of Equestria. At the bottom there was a crudely drawn picture of a pony with one of its bottom eyelid pulled down by its hoof and its tongue sticking out. P.S. Never was good at drawing. The pegasus was incredibly red in the face and screams in anger as he takes a nearby crossbow and starts shooting the Tartarus out of the letter while his troops looks on from amusement. A week later a maid ran into the office Rainbow was in out of breathe. "L...Lady R...Rainbow. L...Lord Lightning…Bolt h...has re...returned." The maid said in between breaths. Rainbow stops what she's doing and immediately gets out of her chair. "Help me." Though with trouble. The maid goes to help with her as her stomach was almost big enough to restrict movement. "He's at the front gates right now I gather. So we still have some time." The maid said as she drapes one of Rainbow legs over her shoulder and lets her down. There was soon a knock at the door and in came Scootaloo. "Hey mom can you take a break?" Scootaloo then sees how fast she was trying to move. "Mom stop moving that fast! Do you remember what Eclipse said?" She yells running to her. "I'm going to the front gate Scoot, your father is back." Rainbow says as Scootaloo helps her. Scootaloo and Rainbow make their way to the front gate and runs into Twilight and Fluttershy. "Hey Rainbow...where are you going?!" Twilight started yelling halfway through the sentence as both mother and daughter tried to hurry up. "Lightning has returned we are going to see him!" Rainbow yells back. Twilight and Fluttershy tried to dissuade her as they continued, but wound up giving up halfway and helped her. The last month had been especially hard on Rainbow as the keep became the place of the court and several nobles took up residence in it as well as the princesses. The number of refugees also kept increasing as from what Silver Script had told her that most of the east and all of Canterlot and Ponyville had fled to Pegasopolisas refugees. Most were extremely sad, but thanks to the combined efforts of her, Silver Script, and, of course, Pinkie Pie, they cheered up greatly. But the news that the Dominion was capturing more and more territory had a negative impact on the refugees, but whenever news came that Lightning Bolt had struck them and hurt them, arrived ponies were overjoyed. Soon the four friends and family reached the front gate and they found Lightning talking to a mare in armor as she gave nods to whatever he was saying. "Lightning!" Rainbow calls. Lightning immediately stops talking to Sliva and turns his head to the source and see Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo and runs to them. "Hey girls!" He immediately nuzzles them as they do the same except for Rainbow as he kisses her. "Great to be back." A growling sounded out from below them and they turn to Lightning's stomach. "Guess I didn't eat for the last three days." "You haven't been because of your moodiness." Silva spoke up. "Rainbow meet Captain Silva, one of my soldiers, scratch that, newest officer." Lightning says. "Pleasure." Silva says with a bow removing her helmet. Rainbow looks over to Lightning. "Where did you find her?" She asks as Sliva puts the helmet back on. "A former Dominion Legionnaire. I was surprised when she was brought into my office during the siege of Manehatten." Lightning says. Rainbow's eyes widen before looking around. "Okay first, how did you get her on our side? And second where the Sergeant is?" "I burned the traitor." Lightning says calmly. Rainbow stares at him for a few before sighing. "And Sliva?" "She has several reasons to be loyal. Especially after I received a messenger bird with news her family is safe in Stalliongrad now." Lightning says. Sliva smiles as she hears this. Then Lightning's stomach growls again. "I think it's best to get some food now." "Come on you." Rainbow says pulling him away. "Captain, I leave you in charge of seeing our troops get fed as well." Lightning calls. Sliva nods and starts to head back to the troops while Lightning was pulled away by his wife. "Honey, what do we have for today?" Lightning asks. "A feast the nobles insist we have at least once a week. They all probably also want to hear about the raid you did at the border of the forest near Baltimare" Rainbow says. "Daddy, are the Wyverns with you?" Scootaloo asks. "Sorry Scoots, but they are with Nikolai and Alexander." Lightning says. "But aren't they with you?" Scootaloo asks. "No, they are on special assignment." Lightning says. Scoots looks down for a bit before perking up. "Okay, let's get some food, I'm hungry as well." When they arrive in the dining room they were greeted with a round of applause from all of the nobles and the princesses as well as friends and nobles. Lightning looks around as he sees all the ponies that either helped or brought him trouble. "What the?" He asks himself. "Welcome back general." One called. After that the feast proceeded with Lightning sat next to the princess. "So Lightning…" Luna started. "We are entering stage three, the most crucial and risky stage." Lightning says. "How can you be sure the enemy general will come?" Celestia asks. "I left some incentive for him in Canterlot." Lightning says with a smirk and then chuckles a little. Celestia looks at him questionably. "What's with that laugh?" Lightning laughs a little as he remembered what he placed on the letter. "Just a little doodle." They both seemed confused before Lightning returns to a serious expression. "We need to hold for one week if we can do that we will have one." "What are you planning Lightning?" They ask him. "I can tell no pony my plan, not even you two." Lightning says and they hear a hoof slam on the table making everypony look to the source. They see Shining Armor was the one who did it. "What's wrong Shining Armor?" Lightning asks as he leans on a hoof. "How dare you insult the princesses saying they can't be trusted?!" Shining Armor yell. Lightning just wore an expression that said 'Really?' Shining almost growls while Candace tries to calm him down. "The princesses deserve to know the plan that has their country in a tipping point!" "Oh, I'm sorry Shining Armor it sounds like you think you can order around." Lightning says. Shining stares at him with a glare. "When the country I'm protecting is being under attack then yes." "No, you can't, in fact technically you have no say in Equestrian matters, Prince of the Crystal Empire." Lightning put extra emphasis on the title. "I'm still captain of the royal guards." Shining almost growls. "And I am the general of the entire military including the royal guards. Besides I have small control of the Night Guards as well, and who is the captain of them, right Luna?" Lightning reminded. "That is Shadow Bolt. She is currently here too." Luna says pointing to a night guard by the door. "I will meet with her later to discuss the upcoming battle." Lightning says making the night guard captain nod. "Anyway like I said Shining Armor, I outrank you in power and rank as you are the prince of a client state." Lightning says. Shining just glares at him and then realizes something. "Wait, where is that Sergeant you took from my guard?" "Your guard was a traitor and died a traitor's death before I burnt the corpse. Which makes me wonder how many of the guards was in on it, especially with high level access to information?" Lightning asks shocking everypony at the table. 'Come on, show that emotion.' "Are you implying that I am a suspect?" Shining Armor asks anger evident in his eyes. "No I'm not implying." Lightning says before taking a drink. "Good you better…" Shining was cut off when Lightning says "I'm saying all of the guard is now a suspect especially the Captain. Because even if he is not involved he is still guilty of negligence for letting a traitor be in the royal guards ranks." Lightning says. Shining glares back at him. "How were we supposed to know about the Dominion until you came along? If you didn't come then this probably..." "It's your job to know any potential threats captain!" Lightning yells cutting off Shining Armor. "Enough you two!" Celestia yells making everypony look at her. "I just file on that Sergeant and what I found troubles me. Apparently he comes from a poor family and worked under a unicorn noble's factory. His father works in the factory and his mother in the office of it. After the noble shut down the factory the place was set on fire many lives were lost. The noble apparently took out an insurance fraud on the factory to gain more money, but never gave compensation to the ponies' families lost in the fire. The Sergeant was one of them and by the looks on things he only join to get revenge on the other races. After all, he is an earth pony. Even though the noble was found guilty it seems he didn't let go of that hate." "I'm sorry my princess, but this foreigner has not only insulted your honor but my own. Therefore I challenge him to a duel." Shining Armor says. "He's dead." A voice said. Everypony looks to Seeku as she took some meat. "You really don't know Lightning do you?" "I refuse." Lightning says bluntly. Shining slams another hoof to the table almost cracking it. "Careful, that's a few thousand year old table." "I believe that where you come from, you must accept the challenged or be dishonored." Shining said. "No, you're half right. If you had a point I would, but you don't. In fact you have been here or in Canterlot for the entire war. Unless you have been out there fighting you have no right to criticize any soldier." Lightning says his tone changing halfway through to like he was scolding a little foal. Shining growls and leave, slamming the door behind him, leaving Cadence behind as she just looks down to her food. "His temper was not yours, you have nothing to be ashamed of." Lightning says as the door opens and Silva enters. Silva walks up to Lightning. "Sir, your orders have been carried out, General." Silva says. Lightning nods. "Good, why don't you have something to eat for now? I must see Silver Script and Apollo about something. I will see you at the war council tomorrow." Lightning says getting up and kissing Rainbow and nuzzling Scootaloo before leaving. Everypony watches him and Sliva taking his place with everypony still silent. "Anypony want some meat?" Seeku asks as she still digs in making most of the ponies in the room almost barf and turn green. Lightning enters the war room of the keep and locks the door behind him. "Are we ready to begin?" Lightning asks. "Yes sir." Both Apollo and Silver Script say as Lightning turns around. "Then let's plan the defense for the decisive battle." Lightning says. Author's Note Okay now that's done. I may need time as the exams for me are coming up, but I'll place little by into the stories as time goes on. Flair: *smiling evilly while looking over maps with pieces on it* And Flair has gone mad, anybody got a strait jacket? *Pinkie walks in* "You sure that's what is wrong with him?" Pinkie! Get the buck back into the story, the universe will try to kick you out. Pinkie: But I want to know what happens next. So I can plan a party. I even got the party cannon. That's it! *Grabs duct tape and wraps Pinkie before making a portal and throws her back in.* Okay that's done. Now the universe can't punish us. Flair: And the Dominion will charge the first line of fortification. *moves a few pieces* Wait don't tell them, not yet. Flair: Hey I'm planning here. *pulls a curtain concealing himself and the maps and pieces* Now we got that covered as well let's wait for the next...please.
War Sometimes Breeds HopeA/N: Okay onto the next. Disclaimer: We don't anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' "My lord, I must say, while this plan is bold it is also risky." Silver Script says. "I know, but the general is a novice to war and everything up to this point was in preparation for this battle." Lightning says. "I agree with lord Lightning, we have everything in place. All we need is to not panic in battle and we will be fine." Apollo says. "This will be just like the battle of Luminous pass." Lightning says. "Except this time we are leading instead of being the commanders of one thousand troops." Apollo says. "Silver Script when the siege starts, I want you with the refugees in the tunnel system we made out of the tomb of Commander Hurricane and Strategist Razor Wind." Lightning says. "I'm sorry my lord, I can't do that. I will be with you on the frontline." Silver Script says straightening his glasses causing Apollo to look at him and Lightning to raise an eyebrow before smiling. "Very well then." Lightning says walking to the door and unlocking it before leaving. The next morning Lightning looked out from the first of three large checkpoints built in front of Pegasopolis and wrapped around it in between two vast bodies of water. Lightning and all his officers were surveying the three checkpoints or the three walls as the populace and those who worked on them jokingly named them. "Captain I want a Scorpio placed in between every grove up here and a trebuchet every two groves until you start to get into the water parts for the outermost checkpoint which we are standing on." Lightning says. "What good will that do?!" Shining armor says mad while walking up in his old royal guard armor. "Not now Shining Armor, I am planning the defense of the city." Lightning says. "No I'm taking charge as captain of the royal guards it's my duty to protect the royalty and my right to command." Shining Armor says. "Shadow Bolt, who did the princesses give full military authority to?" Lightning asks. "You sir." She said. "And as one who is on equal standing with Shining Armor in rank have the authority to make such a claim as Shining Armor?" Lightning asks. "No sir." Shadow Bolt said. "Then I am taking command as my right as a prince." Shining Armor says angrily. "Shadow Bolt, are we in the Crystal Kingdom?" Lightning asks. Shadow looks around. "No, you are in your own land." "And those lands are in the sovereign lands of Equestria. So that title has even less meaning here Shining Armor." Lightning says. Shining glares at him as the workers still place the armament. "In truth Shining Armor I consider Shadow Bolt far more capable than you as a captain." Lightning says as they start walking again. "What did you say?!" Shining yells as they continue to walk. "She knows her limits in both authority and capability you do not." Lightning says. "She hasn't seen much." Shining said following them. "Shining Armor where does your authority end?" Lightning asks, his tone still calm as he surveyed the wall as they move atop it. "Never ends." He growls. "And does that include the Dominion?" Lightning asks. "Put only six trebuchets starting here three groves apart." Lightning orders as a stallion right by them writes it down. "Yes it does." Shining said. "Then by all means go out and arrest them. When they send your mutilated head back to us we will bury it and write on the tombstone 'Here lies a stupid captain who didn't know his limits.'" Lightning says. Shining growls at him. "Guess who else is an idiot for doing this? You brought all of the empire in one spot and gathered everypony here." "Exactly." Lightning says with a smirk. "Y...You wanted them to come here?! Are you mad?!" Shining Armor yells. "Yes, I wanted this, I wanted them to have to travel down the east coast through the center, and then northwards to here while relying on only their own supplies for food. Which have either ran out or are at bare bones." Lightning says. Shining glares at him. "You still have brought them here and you said they are tough, like the first time you told us about them." "Tell me Shining Armor, what do living creatures need to survive." Lightning says before looking out to the water. "Captain bring a third of the special supplies for the other wall to this section of the wall." He orders Shadow who nods and writes it down as well as the stallion. "Food, water, and shelter." Shining answers. "And when one has a large group, especially an army, then providing enough food becomes a matter of life and death." Lightning says. Shining still growls. "Still brought them here, what happens when they break through?" "They won't if we do our jobs right. But if they do I already have a contingency plan in place." Lightning says. "And what's that?" "Only three others besides me know of it to keep it secret from the enemy. Cause if they discover it, it will mean death for all the civilians." Lightning says "You know what, just give me a crossbow and I'll get the general." "You will not leave this city or the parameter of these wall." Lightning says as an unbelievable pressure came onto Shining Armor. "What is this?" Shining Armor asks starting to feel the fear. "This is what it means to be in the presence of a true general." Lightning says as suddenly the pressure disappeared. Shining Armor started to get up. "Captain Shadow." Lightning says. "Yes?" Shadow asks. "It is now your duty to keep Shining Armor here in the city and parameter of the walls. If he ties to force his way out your orders are to kill him." Lightning says. Shining looks at them as he feels true fear. "I will sir." Shadow said. "Another reason why I think she is far more capable Shining Armor she understands the true scope of the situation." Lightning says as he and everypony, but Shining Armor and Shadow Bolt leave for the opposite end of the outer wall. "The reason why he gave that order is because you know the layout of the city and have been with us as he decides where to place the armaments on the outer wall. If you go off on that stupid quest of pride of yours the enemy will torture the information of both out of you and endangering everypony." Shadow says. Shining just then decided to lay down and places his head on the wall looking over the land. "Not even going to say anything?" Shadow asks. "I have never exploded like that before. Why now?" Shining asks himself. "Because nopony ever challenged your authority because it was your right in the guard, but unlike you I volunteered to be there at Manehatten. I saw with the rest of the troops there the carnage and the death wrought by war. The general probably didn't even know I was there, most likely because I was station at the other end and I was there as a volunteer not a captain of the night guards. On the third day, that is when it started being a nightmare. The ships started coming loaded with catapults armaments and fired on us. The ponies not two feet from my right I had gotten to know quite well were gone in a moment crushed by a bolder hurled by the Dominion." Shadow Bolt says. "Why did this happen?" Shining still asks himself. "Because just like the general said, one night when I was on my way to visit the graves of those friends I lost on the third day. It's the greed and corruption of the Dominion. The ruling class is almost completely corrupt and will do anything for money and power and because their economy is so bad because of the corruption the only way to do that is by invading other lands plundering them and then enslaving the populace." Shadow Bolt says. "You know, that when you look at it like that, it's because of them they can't get it together." Shining remarks. "Like you?" Shadow asks. Shining Armor freezes. "You know the general is different than us. He is a product of war. Equestria hasn't had war for since the two sisters came. We let them decide everything. But I think those days are over. In a way if you look at it this war is blessing because it is a wakeup call to us." Shadow Bolt says. "I really wish we only had the death of war." Shining said. "That is impossible. When a pony asked the general after the third day if they win this war will that be it no more fight the general said. No, war is born from different ideals, viewpoints, and interests colliding. We can no more end war permanently then we can stop breathing or be perfect." Shadow Bolt says. "Well war did spur the economy at times, guess it is better to have it, but still how about a death only war, not enslavement and stupidity." Shining said. "You do realize you just described yourself again? The general used a word for that type of war as well the most evil of all wars, a genocide war." Shadow says. "Still how about a war that only involves a death. Why won't you answer it and just jump around it." Shining asks. "Because it won't end there. Your thinking is the thinking of a foal. There is an army out there, a group of tens of thousands of ponies who have come to, rape, pillage, and kill. Even killing one won't change that. This isn't some threat that can be magicked away with the power of friendship or the power of love." Shadow Bolt says. Shining just blushes. "That was just…" "A fluke." Shadow Bolt finishes. Shining then gets up. "It was a chance. But what is here?" "Hope." Shadow Bolt says looking to Lightning and the other officers as they help some tired workers. Shining then walks away. "Where are you going?" "Drink, want to join?" "I know what the special supplies are and I am not needed for the placement of the armaments so one glass." Shadow Bolt says following him. Late at night four days later every officer gathered in the war room and surprisingly Shining Armor came and didn't say anything rude or disrespectful, but Lightning seemed to be waiting for somepony. The door eventually opened to reveal Earum Burrows. "Okay, let's get this started." Earum said having files on his back and throwing them onto the table. "Excellent. I will now announce who will be the commanders of each wall. The first wall will be commanded by Captain Silva, the second Lord Earum, and the third will be jointly commanded by Commander Apollo, Shadow Bolt, and Shining Armor." Lightning says. Shining looks up as his name was called. "Sir?" "You have matured a bit from earlier this week Shining Armor." Lightning says. Shining Armor shrugs. "Nothing a drink will help with." "Now each wall has a special feature built in to them for easy access to each other. Under no circumstance is anypony allowed to go on the ground in between the walls. If you do it means death." Lightning says. "Right now according to the scouts the Dominion Legion is only a day away now. That is right, they will arrive in the morning. But fear not, according to our spies in the Legion, there are only five thousand coming our way. Since we are facing a brand new legion there was only ten thousand to start with. So, yes gentlecolts, they are hitting us with half their legion, while the other half are currently spread thin holding forts made in a hurry and Manehatten and Canterlot. According to the orders we intercepted the Legion was supposed to just take Canterlot and capture the two princess then send a message and hunker down to await two veteran legions that would act as both backup and the rest of the occupation force. Fortunately, the enemy general also new to command doesn't know that and is a novice at war. For those who don't understand this is the best possible situation we could find ourselves in given the condition." Lightning says. "We have a total of two thousand troops counting the army, the royal guards, and Lord Lighting's house's personal guards." Silver Script adds. Lightning nods. "Yes, and with those numbers and plans we got we can pull this off. Now any objections before we begin?" The room was quiet. "Good. Now your orders are to relax and go see your families, convey that to all troops." Lightning says leaving and was followed by Spitfire. After walking a ways away Spitfire finally spoke up. "Brother, you have to tell your wife." Spitfire says stopping Lightning cold in his tracks. Lightning sighs and turns to Spitfire. "Spitfire she doesn't need to worry more than it is, especially since she is almost to her due date." "But brother..." Spitfire says concern evident. "Tomorrow begins the siege that will decide everything. Sister, get some rest." Lightning says walking away. 'Brother you take on far too much burden just like father did.' Spitfire thinks watching him walk away After a bit of walking Lightning comes across Scootaloo's room which has been expanded to the size of almost the same of the princesses' room back in Canterlot. He sighs, 'Can't hurt. She needs have somepony to talk to.' He knocks on the door as shuffling was heard from inside. The door opens and an eye peeks out. The door instantly closes and an unlocking sound was heard before the door opened. "Hey father." Scootaloo says sounding a little happy. Lightning smiles. "Scoots, what did I say about that?" Scootaloo smiles and giggles. "Hey dad." Lightning chuckles. "Better. Can I come in?" "Ok." Scootaloo says letting him inside. Lightning steps inside and sees how much the room has changed. The initial room was just bare and only had the basic noble foal furniture and a few books on the shelves. Now the shelves were filled to the brim with books. Toys were placed around from the time of playing, but had since collected dust. While pictures littered the tables, but what caught Lightning's eye was the picture on her end table with her and the little Wyvern. The colors used were blue and some colors of the rainbow. Lightning smiles at his daughter who still thinks the world of her mother. "What would your mother think when she sees this?" Lightning asks. "Oh she has and she was speechless." Scootaloo says causing Lightning to bust out laughing. "You are just like me when I was a foal." Lightning says. Scootaloo giggles before heading to her bed which had a few books. "So what did you want to talk to me about?" She asks as she looks over the monster book. "I just wanted to see you." Lightning says walking over and notices there was a book on tactics and the other strategy. "Where did you get those?" Lightning asks. "Oh, Nikolai gave them to me. He said I might find them interesting." Scootaloo says before going quiet. "They are coming tomorrow aren't they?" Scootaloo asks. Lightning nods sadly. "Yes, but there is something else I wanted to talk about." Scootaloo looks over to her picture on the end table. "It's about the relationship with him, isn't it?" "It currently isn't possible with a Wyvern. They are creatures who thrive in the outdoors and are free spirits. Their lifespans are also much longer than ours. When we are all dead and gone they will still be around." Lightning says. Scootaloo puts her book down before closing her creature book. "I know, why do you think I have the book on them? It's just he's a little better than what I seen from other colts and I don't care what he is." "He will leave you one day." Lightning says. "What?" Scootaloo asks. "I told you they are free spirited creatures. They move every few decades. They can't stand being in one place for too long." Lightning says. Scootaloo puts the book on the creatures under the rest. "So don't even bother and don't bother see him?" She asks as she lays down. "No, cherish the time you have with him and don't leave regrets." Lightning says. She looks to him. "I thought you said it wasn't a good idea to be with them." "I'm talking about dedicating your whole life to them. They are the most stout ward friends and companions if they choose to be." Lightning says touching a part of his armor where a fang hung and sitting on the bed with her. Scoots looks to him for a few before looking down again. "Who did you have?" "It was an old Wyvern. I was a young and stupid colt and I was alone in the sea, hadn't even washed ashore on Stalliongrad yet. I was saved by that old water gut. She took me to the shore of an island and kept me fed and warm. But then not half a year later pirates attacked seeking to kill her so they could harvest her. I don't remember much after that except at the end a huge tidal wave swallowed up the little island and all of us. When I awoke I found myself on a Stalliongrad beach after a few minutes of searching I found her. She had already died from wounds she received from the pirates. I wept my heart out over her and this fang fell out her mouth. It is all I have left of her." Lightning finishes. Scootaloo just looks away. "I think it's best if I don't see him if all this happens." She said starting to cry. "No, Scootaloo to have somepony or something like that then lose them is far better than to never have them at all. For they are always here." Lightning says touching where her heart is. Scoots sniffs and wipes a tear. "Dad...I can't stop thinking about him and yet, I know about the problems. If I know about it then why do I want to pursue him anyway?" "Its love Scootaloo, but it might not be the love like your mother and I have. Love is like the life on our world. There is so many different types of life everywhere from the sky to the deepest depths of the sea." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs. "Can I at least try?" "There is no harm in that. Just remember that he may not feel the same way as you do." Lightning says holding her. Scootaloo starts to sniff and cry as the thought hits her. 'Does he even know?' Lightning rubs her head. "Time for bed Scoots." Lightning says. Scoots gets up and starts to head under the covers while Lightning puts away her books, stopping at the old creature book. "I wonder where I place the Wyvern book. Oh yeah, it is in my office drawer on the left top side of my desk." He said to himself as he placed the books away. "Good night, dad." Scootaloo says trying to not laugh and smiles. "Good night, my little angel." Lightning says walking out the room smiling to himself. Lightning walks to his bedchambers and opens the door to see Rainbow laying there reading something. "Hey there honey." Rainbow looks at him and says nothing. "Rainbow if we raise the purple flag during the siege..." Lightning trails off while removing his armor. "I know the contingency plan." Rainbow says with a sad tone. Lightning looks shocked a little. "How did you…?" Rainbow points upward. "Her." Seeku drops from ceiling as she looks sadly at them. "Sorry brother." "You have nothing to be sorry for." Lightning says removing the last of the armor. Rainbow places the book she was reading onto the end table. "Why are you so crazy in this?" "Yeah, you yourself said this is be greatest situation we can be in." Seeku adds. Lightning heads to bathroom as he keeps talking. "Still we need a backup just in case." His voice goes through the door. The room is quiet except for the sound of water running for a while until Seeku speaks. "You have that feeling again don't you?" Seeku asks and the water abruptly stops. "Always." He said. "What feeling?" Rainbow asks them. "The unshakable feeling of a catastrophe will happen." Seeku tells her. Lightning walks out. "Ever since we entered the first wall's gate I have had this feeling. Not to mention that there was a report I kept from the war council." Lightning says. Seeku starts to help Rainbow easing a cramp. "And what was that?" She asks. "After the general executed the centurion, around a thousand troops were in an uproar, but instead of killing them he assigned them to the third and final fort they built down the coast. This made no sense to me at all, but then two weeks ago I got a report. The entire fort had gone dark. No signs of movement nor any reports from it." Lightning says. Seeku pushes and massages on a certain spot on Rainbow. "What do you think it is?" "I rather not say. Because there is a side of me that thinks that if I don't acknowledge it, it will not come to pass." Lightning says. Rainbow just stares. This was the first time she had seen Lightning afraid. "How about we get away from all that? Did you at least see Scoots?" She asks as Seeku moves a muscle around. "I saw her. Rainbow…" Lightning trails off. Rainbow nods. "I know, it's even affecting her time around everything. I think it's best to either end it or embrace it." "Not that, if my worst fear does come to passed I will stay and fight to my last breathe while you and all the rest flee to the Crystal Kingdom." Lightning said. Rainbow frowns. "Lightning you skipped that subject, the one about our daughter. Now what to do about it?" "I already gave her advice on it, but this might be our final night together." Lightning says. "I'm out." Seeku said as she hurries to the door. "Stay." Rainbow commands making her freeze. Lightning turns to her. "Still the last night. Want to spend it the last night as a family or with each other?" "Family. Seeku go get Scootaloo and have Spitfire get my father and Lightning's grandmother and then send the guard for Eclipse and Midnight." Rainbow says. Seeku hurries out to collect them. While Rainbow starts to get out of bed. "Help me." She said to him making Lightning hurry out of bed to steady her. "Now where to is the question." Lightning remarks as he slowly sets her down. "Next to the fireplace in your office." Rainbow says. Lightning nods and starts to help Rainbow out to his office. After getting outside they meet Seeku and a very tired Scootaloo. Lightning just shoves his head that said 'Follow us.' After a bit of walking they come across his office and step inside. "Seeku, light the fire for us." Lightning tells her as he places Rainbow in a slight distance away from the fire. While Scootaloo goes to his desk. Seeku manages to light the fire, bathing the room in an orange glow. Lightning lays beside Rainbow as Scootaloo comes back after finding out the drawer was locked. Soon Spitfire entered with Stormy Wing and Commander Hurricane. "So what's the meaning of this meeting grandson?" Hurricane asks. "Tomorrow is the beginning of the siege and Rainbow wanted to spend it with the family." Lightning says. Hurricane nods and sits down behind him. "So only spend it here?" She asks. Stormy sits down beside her. "Looks like it." The family was soon interrupted by Eclipse opening the door shocking Lightning to her being in the keep. "Eclipse what are you still doing at the keep?" Lightning asks. "Oh, I never left the country." Eclipse says as Midnight walks in sleepily. "Midnight? How long were you two living here?" Lightning asks. "They arrived not long after you left." Rainbow says making room for Midnight. Midnight walks over to Rainbow and sits down right beside her, but also walking around groggily. "Do remind me why?" He asks. "Because your mother won't go back to her throne." Lightning says. "Guilty." Eclipse says with her tongue out. Lightning huffs. "Loser." Rainbow hits him over the head. "Watch it. She's family." "Do not remind me." Lightning says. "Because you know?" Rainbow asks. Lightning didn't answer and rubs Midnight's head. Eclipse sits by him and wraps her hooves around him. "You're still a funny one. Don't you at least have a smile now and again?" "Eclipse if you ever will listen to me do it now." Lightning says. Eclipse looks at him. "Alright I'm looking and listening." "Take Midnight from here when the siege starts." Lightning says. Eclipse looks to Midnight as he snuggles up against Rainbow. "To protect him, then yes." "Thank you." Lightning says. Eclipse nods and snuggled into him. "Such poufy wings." She said as she runs her hooves along his wings. Seeku smirks. "I think you and I will get along just fine." 'Great, now there are two of them.' Lightning thinks as his wings were pulled and snuggled by the both of them. The defenders of the city line up on the walls. Lightning took position on the first checkpoint with Captain Silva as they watch for the Legion's arrival. "Tell me Silva, do you harbor any sorrow from killing those who were once your comrades?" Lightning asks. Silva looks back to the soldiers around the walls. "After seeing this, not really." "But did you at first?" Lightning asks. Silva looks back to where the Legion would appear. "None at all really. They take everything and not anything will be able to stop them. When I was growing up I wondered why the citizens stayed under them. Threats, maybe, but then it comes down to how strong and big they are there in comparison to the citizens. Though there is one thing, why when they know their problems?" "Because certain nobles want to keep the status quo. Those who we are really fighting, not the citizens, but those nobles who can't change with the times." Lightning says. Silva sits down as the ammo was brought. "Why do they even stick to the old ways? What's the point?" "They fear change, it's as simple as that." Lightning says. Silva looks back to the keep. "Can we show some light to the citizens and slowly to the nobles?" "Not without them retaliating with their legions." "And it will slowly bring them down." "There is hope, you know of Benawi?" Lightning asks. Silva tilts her head slightly. "Somewhat." "He was amongst a faction in the Dominion who secretly longed for change. Even though he is no longer in the Dominion he still keeps contact." Lightning says. Silva nods. "So he places suggestions in the mind, in a sense?" "In a sense. Prepare yourself, they are here." Lightning says seeing a column of soldiers. They see somepony come forward. "You should leave now! Surrender and maybe we can come to an agreement!" "Soldier, let me see that crossbow." Lightning says. The soldier gives him the crossbow and loads it with an armor piercer. "Thank you." Lightning then takes the crossbow and aims. "Here is your answer!" Lightning yells before shooting the bolt through the head of the officer. The officer falls to the ground as the rest of the troops move back through the trees and hills. "So be it general!" A voice calls from the column. Lightning gives the crossbow back as they watch them retreat for a bit. "They won't be gone long. Tell the soldiers to prepare for a night attack and load the trebuchets and Scorpios and everything else. This is going to be one heck of a battle." To general Lightning's predictions the Legion did attempt a night attack, but because of lack of communication and coordination they were not able to scale the first checkpoint. The Dominion general was so furious he ordered the execution of the officer in charge of that. The sun rose on the second day and the Dominion was making some strange movements. "Sir, any ideas what this means?" Silva asks. "Prepare the unicorns to use magic barriers as strong as they can at a moment's notice." Lightning instructs. Silva nods and turns to an officer near her. "Do it and tell the others." "All others, prepare because they are making another charge with siege ladders." Lightning says. The other soldiers rushed with their crossbows and to the mounted Scorpios. "Silva, let's hope that you can actually kill them." Lightning said to her. A crack was heard making Lightning look at Silva loading a crossbow. "I already hated them. Come on, they rape and hurt others and that didn't sit well me on the first day, even before." She fires the crossbow into an arch and makes it into the trees before a cry was heard. "Plus, I always wanted to get them back for doing that." For several hours both sides exchanged fire before they managed to get a few ladders up and climb to the top. The Legionnaires met a wall of spears, but before they were finally repelled the defenders suffered several casualties and a few Scorpios were destroyed. "Sir, I have our losses for today. We lost over a hundred with several more injured and we lost nine Scorpios, six being on the left side of the wall and three on the right." Silva reports. Lightning nods. "Alright, see what you can scavenge and if you can repair them. Then see about the injured and dead. It's night now so use the special function of the checkpoints to transport them." Lightning says. Silva nods and heads off to relay the orders. Leaving Lightning to think of more pieces of the plan. 'Four more days.' Lightning thinks. In the tunnels the four princess were doing their best to keep the spirits high. "Keep moving everypony, we're almost there." Celestia said to them as the last of the refugees entered the prepared living quarters in the tunnels before sealing the tunnel behind them. After the tunneled sealed every single one of the princesses rest against it and sighs as they slid down. "Now that part is done. What was next?" Luna asks. "Now we wait sister as the lookouts watch for a signal." Celestia says. Luna looks to refugees as they rest on the heavily prepared beds. "Well let's hope that nopony starts something." Luna said as some of the nobles start to look around with slight fear. "Great, now let's hope that the claustrophobic doesn't freak out." "I wonder how Rainbow and the other pregnant mares are." Twilight says. Celestia nods her head to the mothers helping them. "They are probably getting tips on how to deal with it. After all, expectant mothers and mothers stick together when it comes to the foals." Twilight nods and then looks around the room. "Uh...Princess?" Celestia looks to her student. "Yes?" "Where did anypony find this much metal and make it into this?" Twilight asks as the metal room sunk in. "This was a part of the ancient catacombs, how it was made has been lost to history." Celestia says. Twilight taps a hoof against one of the walls. "Nice make, better than what we have. Wonder if Hurricane can tell us about it?" "Trying to get information from her is like trying to get water from a stone." Eclipse says said bringing a smile to them. Luna laughs once. "You tried it didn't you?" "Seventy or eighty times." Eclipse says giggling. Every other princess giggles as well. "Now that is funny." Celestia said trying to control herself. "So it's the second day and Lightning says that we will win if we can hold out for four more." Luna says. Twilight looks around. "Well we have enough supplies and a...water filter system for a keep? What? What is this place?" "I think we…" Celestia stops when she notices something. "What the?" "Sister is that...?" Luna asks. "Yes, Luna the same symbol on that book." Celestia says getting up and going to the book on the stand. "What are you talking about Princess?" Twilight asks while Eclipse looks suspicious. "Oh nothing." Celestia says placing an invisibility spell on the wall where the symbol was. It was the third day of the siege and just as Lightning had predicted the Dominion were now fielding trebuchets which were opening with a barrage before the legionnaires charge. Thankfully most of the barriers the unicorn defenders made held against the barrage, but unfortunately they were too tired to help fight the Legionnaires after it. At the end of the day the Dominion Legion had made much progress as many were killed and more were injured while several more Scorpios and a few trebuchets were destroyed. "And that is the report sir." Silva says and Lightning kept staring out to the Legion camp with a scowl. "Sir?" Silva asks. "Silva, tell the second wall to prepare to activate the special feature when we raise the blue flag. Tomorrow something bad will happen and we won't be able to hold the first checkpoint." Lightning orders. Silva nods and heads off to relay the orders, but stops when she hears Lightning ask, "Silva, what do you know of the black hoof auxiliary forces?" Silva shrugs. "Rumors sir. They were talked about as ghosts in the mists." "They are coming." Lightning says. Silva doesn't say anything as the fear was written on her face, yet she goes to the wall at a much slower pace. "I want all defenders of the first wall in front of me now!" Lightning yells. All the troops stationed on the wall immediately starts to run to him as they reloaded anything on the way with what they could. "Ponies, get all the special supplies of the first wall and gather them here and move all still functioning Scorpios and trebuchets to the second wall." Lightning orders. They all set out and gather everything they could as they knew time was running out. The next morning start out like the third as barrages of trebuchet fire and most of the unicorns used their magic to create barriers. But after an hour of it the trebuchets stopped firing and there was no charge. The defenders were confused, but Lightning was watching through the binoculars watching for something though the morning fog blocked most view. Then he heard a horn he couldn't forget and out of the fog comes a moving tower. "What is that?" A defender asks. "Trebuchets take aim." Lightning orders keeping his eye on the tower. All the trebuchets on the second wall started to take aim and then to Lightning's horror, two more towers came out of the fog. "Damn it, they have three. All defenders those are siege towers, they are all jam packed with enemies, destroy them at all costs!" Lightning yells. The trebuchets operators started to aim to the towers. "Focus all fire on the one on the right." Lightning orders and they were relayed by the communication officers of the first and second walls. The trebuchets started to fire on the towers and make pieces of the wood and metal fall down on the troops below. As they made it halfway one of the trebuchet shots destroyed the top and what flew out with the debris wasn't ponies. "All defenders bring them down immediately!" Lightning yells, his voice having an all new sense of urgency. "Captain, have the right side raise the blue flag now that the siege tower over there is no longer usable to scale the wall." Lightning orders. Silva nods and heads off to tell the flag bearers. "Right side raise the blue!" Her voice was heard yelling as the blue flag was raised on the right. "All units kill the ones moving the towers and the wheels!" Lightning yells and the defenders stopped shooting the towers, but the ponies pulling them and the wheels and their connections. After a bit of firing they had finally destroyed some wheels and made one tip over killing some of the troops nearby. The third and final one was about to make landfall on the wall though. "Sir..." Silva began. "I see it, reroute half of our troops, here in the middle, to the left and tell them to prepare for hoof to hoof." Lightning orders. Silva relays his orders with a yell. "Half of the troops in the middle to the left! Prepare for close combat!" The defenders started moving to the left as the last of the right made it across the sections that lifted up between the walls and formed a bridge. "You ponies come with me. Silva take command." Lightning ordered he ran to the stairs of the command center of the first wall. Silva turns to the rest of the troops under her command. "Keep firing! Keep them back long enough!" All the ponies with melee weapons were right in front of where the siege tower was going to open and everypony was nervously waiting for when the battle will begin. "Ready!" Lightning yells to them as the door slowly opens before slamming down almost on top of them. "Now!" He yells as monsters in armor that the ponies had never seen before come out. "Just hit the gaps in armor!" Lightning yells. The next thing to happen was that a melee erupted as ponies desperately fought for their lives but were being pushed back. Soon more ponies arrived carrying casks. "Now throw them onto the tower!" Lightning yelled covered in sweat as he decapitated one of the bipedal monsters while a spear was thrust through his shoulder. The ponies throws the casks and they busted on impact with the tower covering the side of it in a black liquid. Inside the tower some of the liquid seeped through and land on one of the monster. "What is it?" Another asks wiping the liquid off. "Smells like...oil!" The one soaked in it yells. Outside on the wall. "Now burn you monsters." Lightning says conjuring a fireball and throwing it onto the oil lightening up the tower in a blaze. The creatures start to run and roll around to put out the fire, but most were burnt alive in the tower as it soon starts to fall apart. "Now there are not many left, kill the rest of them." Lightning order as the defenders with renewed vigor pushed back the monsters, cutting down the last ones on the wall. Lightning sat down taking a breather and yanks the spearhead out of his shoulder. "Sir look there." One of the defenders says. "What is it?" Lightning asks looking only to see a large wave of both Legionnaires and those monsters charging with siege ladders. After a few seconds Lightning finally say, "All troops raise the blue flags, we are falling back to the second wall!" Everypony soon pulls back as some raises the blue flag. Halfway through Lightning stops and looks back while everypony else keeps running. He smirks as the enemy starts getting on top of the wall. "You may have taken the first line, but you still have three to go." Lightning says to himself as much as the enemy. The troops soon pass him and he still waits. 'Come on.' Lightning then starts running again and as soon as he made it to the next wall he yells, "Lower this side of the bridges and all Scorpios and ranged defenders, as soon as you see them, start climbing into the wall fire. All trebuchets just start firing and don't stop. Don't mind if you can't see the enemy on the other side of the first wall." Lightning orders as Silva runs up to him. "Sir, what do we do now?" Silva asks, almost out of breath. "Nothing has change captain, only the position of us. But it also puts the enemy at a disadvantage now." Lightning says. Silva looks confused. "How?" "To use their ladders they have to go on the ground in between the walls which is nopony land." Lightning says with an evil smile. Silva looks to the land. "Wide open spaces?" "You shall see." Lightning says. Silva questions no further and takes a crossbow and opens fire. "They're right about one thing. It is like shooting fish in a barrel." She said as two arrows went flying and hitting her two targets. "This why I also had the front of the second wall be built differently from the first. They might be having a hard time seeing the enemy because of the only way to see is through that little slots but..." Lightning stops as arrows fly overhead of everypony. "They can't hit use unless it is through the slots as well if we do something stupid like stick our heads over the wall's top." Lightning says. Silva huffs. "I'm starting to think of how the Empire could get stupider." "But the second wall is also the most heavily fortified. They break through here they won't have as hard of time with the final wall. Not to mention our ammo is limited and we have no idea how many of the auxiliary force has arrive to reinforce them." Lightning says as Earum walks up in armor. Earum salutes. "Ready here, just say the word." "Take it easy my friend, we are at a great position for now." Lightning says. Earum then eases himself and smirks. "I know I just can't wait to see those guys' faces." "Don't, the only reason they haven't overran us is that they are having a hard time getting face to face with us. We have to keep them at a distance to win." Lightning says. Earum looks out to the no pony land. "Well let's hope we can hold out." He then ducks as an arrow flies where his head was and embeds itself into the wall. "Bugger almost took my head off." "Keep your heads down and keep firing troops." Lightning calls. The arrows kept flying for the rest of the day. In the middle of the night Lightning called the two commanders of the second wall to talk Earum and the newly arrived Spitfire. "Ok, we face a problem tomorrow, if the Dominion does what they have been doing they will bombard us with the trebuchets, but we need to be able to see them getting started to be able to have the unicorns put up their barriers to protect us. Therefore we need a few pegasus with incredible eyesight to scout for us." Lightning says. Everypony nods as they get their squads together. "Spitfire, it pains me to say this, but they will most likely be shot down when they sound the signal. Tell them upfront this might be a suicide mission." Lightning says. "I understand." Spitfire says looking back at the potential troops and then going to them to deliver the news. As Lightning was trying to think Silva walks in and is about to speak when an explosion is heard. "What was that?" Silva asks. "That was somepony entering the nopony's land." Lightning says smirking. Silva looks outside to see a pony stepping on something and then blows him to pieces. "Whoa. That's an explosive if I ever seen one." "That is why I said anypony who sets hoof in the land in between the walls will die." Lightning says. Silva ducks as an arrow flies through. "Still need to deal with the archers." "That is why I said no lights in the nights so they can't take potshots." Lightning says. Silva takes off her helmet a bit and runs a hoof through her mane. "Well let's hope that the land doesn't run out until everything is set." She said before placing the helmet back on. "We have to only last two more days then we will." Lightning says. "Why that when their food will run out?" Silva asks. "No, we'll know that when we start hearing the screams of Legionnaires at night." Lightning says. "Huh?" Silva asks. "Those of the black hand auxiliary are orcs and they eat meat. If they get hungry enough they will eat each other." Lightning says. "Never have a war and low on supplies with meat eaters." He then thinks about that. 'Shit, sorry Scoots, didn't mean it like that.' "And the Legions allow this?" Silva asks. "They are more effective and are cannon fodder so they look the other away." Lightning says. "Still stupidity." Spitfire said walking up to them. "They don't even think plans through these days?" "That's mostly because of inept leadership, not many of their generals are in command for long for fearing that the legions might start thinking that maybe they would make a good emperor." Lightning says. Spitfire raises an eyebrow. "And why is that?" "Experience, which is how several generals or nobles became emperor of the Dominion." Lightning says. "So now what? Keep firing?" Spitfire asks. "No, we hold. If we can last for two more days and nights we can win." Lightning says. They both look to him. "And what's at the end that will make us win?" "You shall see." Lightning says. Spitfire looks to Silva. "Don't worry about that. He's like that and he's very good at it...though a little rough." "I know after that raid before we discovered the traitors. I saw him in action. That raid was not planned we were just going to keep moving, but when he got that report from a spy we set out and I bet you heard from the rumors what we did." Silva says. Spitfire nods. "Ghosts in the Mist, ponies say." "Everything was perfectly calculated in his mind from the start he made the pegasus make it very windy and we marched in the stream to conceal the sound of our movements. Then we attacked with the wind at our backs. The legion never saw it coming. Your brother is truly an amazing stallion." Silva says. Spitfire chuckles. "Well you can act all friendly if you want, but you'll never get far." "Huh?" Silva asks. Spitfire giggles. "Find a changeling named Seeku and ask what I meant. You'll figure it out then." "I have no idea what you are talking about." Silva says. Spitfire looks to her blankly. "You really don't know anything about getting together do you?" "What, no, I didn't mean anything like that." Silva hastily says. Spitfire looks to her. "So you do because you answered a little fast?" Silva just hides her head and Spitfire laughs. "Oh, my gosh. You do! This will be fun." "I hate you." Silva says. "I hate you?" Spitfire asks. "I hate you, mam." Silva says. Spitfire smiles. "Better. Now, back to work." "Yes mam." Silva says embarrassed. Spitfire giggles as Silva walks off. "You're evil sister." Lightning said. "I know." Spitfire says with pride. Lightning shakes his head and looks back to the map on a nearby table. "Just make sure she doesn't get distracted by this." The fifth day the legion started to bombard with their trebuchets, but thanks to the sacrifice of two pegasus the unicorn defenders were able to put up the defenses in time. The black hoof auxiliary troops started to charge on the ground to set siege ladders, but ran right onto the mines killing many as they approached. Spitfire looks to wall as cracks were forming. "How much longer Lightning?" "Instead of worrying about that worry about them." Lightning says. Spitfire sighs and throws something she got from pouch into the army, but nothing happened. "Grenade?" Lightning asks. Spitfire shakes her head. "Something better." A few seconds later a lightning bolt crashed where she thrown the thing taking out a lot of troops and frightening others. "We pegasus have a little something in our eye that makes us see a special light. Fine tune it, make it stronger, and train to look for it and you got a locator or target piece." Another lightning bolt came down. "I see a signal for a strike then." Lightning says. "Strike for what?" Spitfire asks. Another bolt. "What that was called was an artillery strike." Lightning says. Spitfire nods and throws him four more. "Go nuts." "The lightning may frighten the Legionnaires, but the Orcs won't scared because they don't believe in gods." Lightning says. Spitfire shrugs. "As long we get something and thin out the ranks." "The moment the orcs arrived they were the ones to beat." Lightning says taking a spear and stabbing an orc trying to climb over. "Troops over here, we got some of them climbing up." Lightning says stabbing another one. The battle dragged on and on as noon came around. At that point some parts of the wall were chipping away with more troops holding them back at those points. "It seems they are pulling back." A pony says. "You should surrender now! That wall won't last and you know it! Quit while you still got some honor in you!" A voice yelled to them. Lightning sighs and throws one of the spheres into the direction of the voice. A lightning bolt came down a second later, making some of the enemies yell out in pain. "How's that for a surrender?!" Lightning yells back. "I will enjoy skinning you alive!" The general yells. "Have fun with that in your head because you can't get us!" Lightning yells back. Spitfire looks thoughtful. "What is it sister?" Lightning asks looking to her. "That voice sounds familiar for some reason." Spitfire says. Lightning looks back before taking a trebuchet and placing a sphere in it before firing. "I think you may be right, but it feels off so I don't know." A bolt came down on where the sphere landed. "Sir the sun is starting to set." Silva says walking up. "Good and tell all the troops to start boiling some oil tomorrow, we are going to have a barbecue." Lightning says. Spitfire smiles. "And what's the menu, chef?" "Orcs. Tomorrow is the final day Spitfire and because of that I fear that we will be fighting all night tomorrow, not just all day." Lightning says. They both nod as they go to deliver the news. "Don't get yourself killed!" Lightning calls to them. The next day, much to the defenders surprise, there was no bombardment of trebuchet and instead all the orcs charge onto the field with siege ladders and a battering ram. Lightning didn't smile, unlike the first gate, he had not had the ponies' place boulders behind the gate to seal it shut. "Prepare to start when I give the command." Lightning says and a pony yelled the order down the stairs inside the wall. The orcs continue the charge even under the barrage of arrows and bolts. The orcs soon reach the walls and start setting up the siege ladders and starting to small the door with the ram. "Now!" Lightning yells and the pony yells that down the stairs. Soon boiling oil starts to flow from the little pockets over the gate and the rest of the wall. The orc scream in agony as they are drenched in the boiling oil. This causes the charge to halt until the oil ran out. Soon the orcs and now legionnaires start to charge again. "Now ignite the oil." Lightning says. Archers launch flaming arrows and ignites the oil all along the foot of the wall. The screams of all of the orcs and legionnaires being consumed in the fire was heard all along the walls. The fire caused the Dominion to stop their charge again and fall back. "Earum thanks to you gathering all that oil we are still holding them back." Lightning says. Earum chuckles. "As long I got to see their faces when that happened I'm good." "Earum in case I don't get a chance to say it later. Thank you for everything my friend." Lightning says. Earum nods. For hours the Dominion made no mores as the fire spread across the ground in between the first and second wall. At times the fire set off the last of the remaining mines in between the first and second walls. "What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for the fire to die down and let it clear the rest of the mines?" Lightning wonders out loud. More explosions went off as the fire kept spreading until it spreads to the entire land. It was a true sight to see like a mote of fire. All the night the fire burns as the armies stood at a stalemate. "This is an unforeseen result. Maybe the gods truly are with us." Lightning says. "Maybe." Apollo says walking up. "Apollo, I stationed you at the final wall?" Lightning says. Apollo shrugs. "It was getting boring so I decided to scout and see. Turns out that the army is preparing another charge with everything." "Not even the Orcs will charge through that inferno we have time." Lightning says. Apollo nods. "Well we have to try to thin them out. How about from behind?" "No, this is where the design of the defenses works against us. We can't sneak around them they have us completely sealed in." Lightning says. "You prepared in case the enemy launched a naval attack didn't you?" Apollo asks. "Yeah, if he was experienced he would have built and then sent ships to assault us so we couldn't focus all on one spot." Lightning says. Apollo nods. "Makes sense. So what do we do now?" "Tomorrow is the day we are holding out for." Lightning says. Apollo smirks. "Can't wait." In the refugee halls the civilians were getting anxious. "What can you see?" A pony calls to the sentry watching through the opening. "A lot of light. Must be one heck of a fire over there." The sentry says. The ponies gather around to try to see while some stayed behind knowing it might be a while. Twilight looks through some of the books left behind trying to ignore the refugees. "Some of this stuff is really advance. How good were these guys?" "We will have to leave it if the Dominion breaks through Twilight." Eclipse says. Twilight puts some books back. "Well might as well read some of it while we have the chance." "You will have all the time in the world to do that later. The least you could do for the ponies out there fighting and dying for you is take some interest." Rainbow says walking up with the aid of Applejack and Rarity. Twilight glares at her. "I'm trying not to think about death Rainbow. "Some might be allowed to do that, but being a princess you have to think about the entire country." Rainbow says. "Wow Rainbow, darling you have really changed since you got married." Rarity says. Rainbow shrugs. "Well you rule a kingdom and it comes to you." "Technically you rule lands." Fluttershy meekly corrects. Rainbow tilts her head. "That's true. Lightning and I does own the land and the old nobles' assets too." "Oh my gosh, I never threw you a congratulatory party." Pinkie says. Rainbow looks confused. "Which one? The foals or the lands?" "For becoming a noble and getting the lands." Pinkie says. Rainbow smiles. "Maybe later." "I'm not very good at it Rainbow." Twilight says. Rainbow looks to her sympathetically. "You'll get used to it, just need more time. Come with me." Rainbow says as she led them to a room where various nobles and the princess Celestia and Luna were discussing the escape plan. Rainbow made Twilight join them and she left to go back and lay down at her bed. As the moon rose to the height over the walls the defenders were once again exchanging arrow and bolts with the Dominion. "Here we go again." Lightning said to himself as he fires an arrow. "General, the fire is started to die down." Silva says. "That is fine, it has bought us a heck of a lot of time. Signal Captain Shadow and Shining to send over reinforcements and give us a barrage of trebuchets." Lightning says. "Yes sir." Silva says before running over the flag holders and the red flag was raised and one of the bridges was lowered and Silva ran across it. Soon many more bridges were lowered and defenders start running across as the trebuchets started to be loaded. The night went on and with it the fire finally started to die down and go out. Lightning looked around as he walked across the wall. The defenders were tired and were starting to reach the breaking point. Looking back to the wall they were leaving Lightning could see more and more stone fall. "Okay, one more day, just one more." He said to himself. When there was only patches of fire still burning the orcs and legionnaires charged again. Everypony quickly hurries across and only when the last pony makes it halfway across the bridge does the wall fall. The bridges start to fall apart behind them and the last soldier makes it with seconds to spare. Of course when the orcs steps on another land mine do they stop...or at least try to with some loss. The rest of the night the orcs were kept being sent across the ground and die. But Lightning knew that there wasn't even a fifth of the mines in between the second and third walls as there was in the land between the first and second ones. "We don't have much time. Get everything we got here ready, we are in for a bigger battle." Silva says to all the officers in the area. Lightning just stands there looking to the east. "General?" Silva asks. "We did it." Lightning says. Silva looks out to the land. "Huh?" Lightning says nothing as the sun starts to rise. "Prepare all those who can still fight to sally forth and meet the enemy!" Lightning yells shocking everypony there. Silva looks to him shocked. "Sir?!" "You heard me, now is the time to finish this battle and destroy the remainder of over half the enemies invasion force." Lightning says. Silva was about to say something when they all heard a horn blown. "I see another force approaching, their flag is red and black with a purple bird at the top, a white wolf at the bottom and what looks like a dragon in the middle!" A pegasus with binoculars yells. "Because the reinforcements have finally arrived." Lightning says. Meanwhile with the Dominion legion. "G...General it's the flag of the demon of Stalliongrad Lightning Bolt!" A scout reports obviously scared. Upon hearing that the legion started to panic. "General what should we do?" An officer asks as even the orcs were starting to show signs of fear. The pegasus just stares at the flag and then turns to the wall. "Soldier...give me that spyglass." He said coldly. The pegasus is hoofed the spyglass and looks over to see the defenders massing with renewed vigor and looked like they were preparing to charge. He looks around the front line and sees a few ponies just looking at one as it gave orders from the look of it. The pegasus huffs and throws the spyglass right back to the soldier, hitting him in the face and knocking him out. "I want all forces to prepare to charge. All elite teams in the middle with me. We are ending this." "But sir, the encroaching army of the demon from our flank. After taking the first wall we removed the boulders blocking the gate and left it open." An officer says. The pegasus reels on him with a mad look. He then goes to the officer and snaps his neck making him fall right in front of everypony. "I want all forces for a charge. Any more objections?" He said coldly. "No, I refuse to take part in your insanity any longer." A voice says. The pegasus general turns around and to his shock sees the orc's commander. "This has gone on long enough and I refuse to let my brothers and sisters die for this stupid war." "I thought they were just beasts." "When did they get so smart?" "We're going to die." "How dare you." The pegasus says drawing a sword. "Brothers to arms, this one intends to knife us. We will kill him and offer his head to this land's rulers in exchange for our survival." The orc commander says drawing his weapons before roaring. "What are you waiting for, kill them?!" The general commands, but his troops were already afraid. "Cowards! They'll kill you anyways." It was already too late as the Orcs had started to cutting down the general's bodyguards and a legionnaire arrived and yelled. "I have terrible news, the demon's army has already engaged our flank and is tearing through them!" The legionnaire yells and the general uses the distraction to slip away Meanwhile on the wall Lightning looks down the not so sided army. "Anypony have some popcorn?" He asks right out of the blue. "Sir!" Silva yells. "Fine, fine, I will stop the jokes. Raise the bridges and the black flags!" Lightning yells exasperated as somepony hit the master bridge control in the third wall and the ponies holding flags raises the black flags. "I still want popcorn though!" Spitfire says. Down with the Legion, things were going mad...well as well as that orc ripping a pony's head off, another hitting them with a club, and of course the Diamond Dogs and changelings who appeared from the ground and some parts of the army...wait what? "We're ambushed!" A legionnaire cried as he tussled with a changeling before it blasted his face with magic, forever silencing him. A legionnaire who was luckily standing to the side of the whole battle makes a historic choice. "I'm leaving!" He runs towards the winning side and that meant the mine field...which blew him up...bad choice of direction and path. He could have join them...maybe. The legion was in complete chaos as the orcs had rebelled, the diamond dogs and changelings had ambushed them, their flanks was being thoroughly shredded by the demons army and the defenders had somehow lowered the bridges and were charging. The chain of command also fell apart as the general kept running and yelling for the legionnaires to charge. The changelings then came face to face with the leader of the rebelling orcs. "Word is you want to survive and plan on offering the general of the legion's head to the rulers to secure your lives." Seeku says as she steps out of the group. "Yes, we are." The leader says stepping forward, his face half covered in blood. "No need for that, stick with us and the general of this army will grant this wish." Seeku says. The orc looks suspicious. "How will we know he keeps his word?" Seeku grins. "Look at us, you think we would be accepted before this?" "Fair point. Very well, brothers and sisters, move out." The leader says. As the legions were getting crumbled under the sheer weight of the attack almost all the forces were gone. After a few minutes into the attack Lightning met up with Seeku and the orcs. "Seeku where is the coward of a general?" Lightning asks not blinking an eye at the orcs. Seeku nods her head to the rocky terrain on the side. "Must have climbed, maybe forget he's a pegasus." "Silva, take command, I'm going after him." Lightning says spreading his wings and taking off. Silva looks to the battle to see it very dwindling. "Yeah...not much to command for at this point. Alright everypony you wanted this, charge!" Lightning went over the rock wall that made the valley behind and looked around. Seeing a blood trail he takes a closer look. He sees a pony in a legion general's helmet and flies down and slams in front of the pegasus. "You know, that has to be one of the biggest failure for the empire." Lightning said to him. "So who are you really? A former Wonderbolt perhaps?" Lightning asks. The pony chuckles with pain. "You got the Wonderbolt down right. Nice detective work." "How could I forget the biggest failure of the Wonderbolts, the one who only got his position through blackmail and his family's name?" Lightning says. The pony looks to him. "Do I know you? You seem familiar. Except, do you have a twin?" "Oh, I'm surprised I didn't think you would bother to remember somepony you tried to kill using a hurricane." Lightning says with a smile. The pegasus looks to him with surprise. "Oh Lightning, good to see you. How's life?" He asks happily. "Pretty good seeing as my defense has completely devastated your army and how my personal forces are slaughtering your flank as we speak." Lightning says throwing off his helmet. The pony looks around. "Nice place to end it huh? But weird, I didn't know you were the general. Though that letter with the crappy hoof writing should have been a clue with that face, nopony draws a face like then you." He said as he throws off his helmet as well next to Lightning's. "Let's cut to the chase, the defeated general of a legion always dies. I'm here to see you keep to tradition." Lightning says unsheathing his swords. The pegasus smiles. "Yes, there is that tradition. Though a new one sprouted while I was here." "Unfortunately, no exceptions." Lightning says slashing with his swords making the pegasus tries raise his sword to block. Everything from there was like it was in slow motion as Lightning's sword slowly cut straight through the pegasus's sword. "Goodbye filth." Lightning says as the general's body shoots blood into the air from the deadly cut in his neck. Lightning then grabs his head and carries it to the edge of the rock wall. "Legionnaires!" Lightning yells getting everypony's attention. "Here is your general." Lightning says throwing his head to them. "You have two options, lay down your weapons and surrender or die at the hoofs of the defenders of Equestria or my army that is charging from your flank!" Lightning yells. The Legion army looks to each other and then the head before throwing their weapons down. The defenders and the army gives a mighty cheer in victory. "Captain Shadow Bolt and Captain Shining Armor, you both are to go to the citizens and spread word of our victory." Lightning orders. They both run off the mountains as the rest of the legion were tied and walked away. As they were walking away a bowl of popcorn appeared in front of Lightning's face. "You did say you want some." Spitfire said smiling. Lightning smiles before suddenly spitting up blood and collapsing. The last thing he heard was Spitfire yelling his name. When Lightning awakes, he finds himself in bed in a familiar room. 'My bedroom...great.' He tries to sit up, but feels a pain run through him. Looking down he can see multiple bandages running across him. An itchy feeling comes his chest and he sees it was heavily patched. 'Not there guys, not there.' He thinks to himself. Lightning starts channeling his magic to quicken the healing process. Not a few minutes of doing this the door opens and Nikolai, Apollo, and Alexander enter. They see Lightning awake and rush over to him. "Boy, you wake you fast." Apollo says. "How you feeling?" Alexander says. "My lord you're ok, right?" Nikolai asks. Lightning smiles as he still runs his magic. The three see his wounds, which were visible, slowly starting to heal. "What happened after I collapsed?" Lightning asks. "We arrived soon after you had collapsed and we convinced Lady Spitfire not to speak of it, so the Legionnaires didn't have second thoughts about their surrender. Currently Seeku and captain Silva are handling the army and defection of the orcs." Nikolai informs. "Orcs defecting. Never thought I would see the day." Lightning says. Apollo chuckles. "Getting more and more creatures on our side. You must be a smooth talker with their leaders." "No, the Orcs defected because the Legion's late general was partially insane." Lightning says. Apollo smirks. "How much insane?" "I'm unsure, took his head before I could fully measure it. Speak to one of the changelings if you want full details." Lightning says. Just as Alexander was about to say something they heard, just outside the door, yelling. "He is awake isn't he, then I will see him!" An old hardy voice calls. "Duke please, he is still recovering." Another voice says. "Is that who I think it is?" Lightning asks. "Ah sir, it is…" Alexander was cut off when the door was kicked open and in walked an earth pony stallion twice as big as Big Mac with a large gourd tied around him. "Duke Hyou." Alexander finished. "Lightning, finally awake I see." Duke Hyou says before laughing. "Duke, I did not expect to see a general from the Qing Empire and one of my biggest allies." Lightning says. "I was at your castle in Stalliongrad to pay you a surprise visit when your female general told me you were away from Stalliongrad on an important mission when your letter arrived." Duke Hyou says before laughing hardly. "Do you even have permission from your emperor to even be here?" Lightning asks. "Now why would I sweat little details like that, now come, let's have a drink. I heard your children will be born soon." Duke Hyou says smiling and showing off his unusually sharp teeth for a pony. Lightning chuckles. "Okay, but I can't with me like this." "None? You were in far worse condition when we first had a drink together." Duke Hyou says uncorking the gourd and takes a sip. Lightning laughs. "Ok, maybe just one shot." Lightning says taking the gourd that Duke Hyou offers and taking one drink of it. "Dang, it has been awhile since I drink some quality sake." Lightning says. Hyou laughs. "You really have been away from drinks since you got here didn't you?" "All they have is wine like from Prance and you remember your first reaction to that." Lightning says. "Practically dirty water." Hyou spits. "So I take it you met my wife." Lightning says causing Hyou to burst out laughing. "My lord, when Duke Hyou and lady Rainbow met...well...she punched him in the face." Nikolai says causing Lightning to join Hyou in laughing. Lightning stops laughing after a while. "So what did you do that made her punch you?" "Oh, I asked her if she was fat." Hyou says causing Lightning to laugh again. "Oh, that is so you Hyou, as blunt as a battering ram." Lightning says. "Lightning!" A voice yells. Turning his head he sees his wife standing in the door. "Rainbow, my love!" Lightning yells with false cheer. "You just called me fat, right?" She asks enraged. "No, I didn't I was laughing at Duke Hyou's obviousness." Lightning says. Rainbow walks up by Hyou before kicking him hard, sending Hyou to the wall. "Never call a pregnant mare fat." "So Rainbow, are you feeling well?" Lightning asks. Rainbow walks over to him. "Other than relocating the refugees to somewhere near the lands now, fine. Apparently they destroyed Canterlot, Ponyville and everywhere else. Mostly the huge buildings that looked important. So now we have to deal with those refugees and find them a home here." "No, we will donate a portion of our treasury to start rebuilding both." Lightning says getting up. Rainbow holds him down. "You're still healing." Lightning grins. "Not really." He rips off the bandages and shows barely any scar from his wounds. "You have to show me how you do that one of these days." Hyou says. Lightning waves him off. "Yeah, yeah, now let's deal with the refugees." "Well, they aren't causing much problems right now." Rainbow says opening a window showing the city was celebrating. "I see, so you are just making plans for now then." Lightning says. "Yeah." Rainbow says looking out to the new banner flying over the city. "That's our standard love." Lightning says petting her mane. Rainbow giggles. "Don't start. We still have to deal with the money problems. And Hurricane have some explaining to do about the hideout." "No need, I already know the secret." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him. "I meant about how it was made and used for because hiding out wasn't it." "Like I said, I'm already aware and know. Because they are very close to the underground world of the ancient beneath the earth ponies." Lightning says. "As for the money issue I will reach into the treasury of my lands in Stalliongrad if need be. Now I believe there are three who claim to be my sworn swords?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks confused. "Sworn Swords?" "Individual of quality a noble or ruler has recognized that has sworn fealty to said lord or ruler. Like myself and Apollo." Nikolai explains. Rainbow looks backs to them. "What about Alexander?" Rainbow asks. "Alexander is a lord who agreed to become a commander in my Dire Wolf army." Lightning says. "I see." Rainbow says following most of it. "Now Rainbow let us go meet them and see our ponies shall we?" Lightning asks walking away. "Lightning wait." Rainbow says walking after him after he was already out the door. The three stallions watch as they leave. "So how long till he realizes that the throne room got a hit?" "Our lord cares little for thrones, you know this Apollo." Nikolai says. Apollo shrugs. "I'm trying to make funnies here. Give me a break, it's been a while since the war. Besides don't you have a mare to see, I believe you promised to accompany her." Apollo reminds with a smirk. Nikolai eyes widen before he runs off. "Well, shall we go as well Lord Alexander and Duke Hyou?" Apollo asks. "Sounds like fun." Hyou says before laughing. Lightning and Rainbow enter into the greeting room. There they see a wild looking griffon holding a spear, a blue earth pony stallion with a brown mane wearing brown and blue leather armor and a large two hoof sword strapped to his back, and a brown unicorn mare with a dark green mane and wearing what looked like a battle dress and had a curved sword strapped to her back. "It has been awhile my friends." Lightning says. All three nod and the earth pony says. "I apologize for not getting here sooner my lord." "Belcoot, there is no need for that, everything went according to plan." Lightning says. "It was a fierce battle." The griffon says. "Yes, the residents of this land adapted quickly to the defensive war so far Zagai." Lightning says. "I personally wish you had called me sooner my liege. I have dedicated myself to serving you and your family as a bodyguard." The mare says. Lightning smiles. "Hazuki, we went over this. Your fierce devotion would have stood out too much for the stealth and observation. Oh where are my manners, I must introduce you to my wife. Rainbow this is Zagai, former undefeated Gladiator and commander of one the three commanders of my Dire Wolf army which is one of my personal three armies. The earth pony is Belcoot, escaped gladiator and general of my Dire Wolf army. And last, but most certainly not least, Hazuki, prodigy swordsmare from the east, bodyguard to our house, and one of the three commanders of the Dire Wolf army." Lightning introduces and all three bow to her and say. "My lady." Rainbow looks surprised. "Wow. Nice to meet you all." She then turns deadpan to Lightning. "Can we get going?" "Rainbow, that is rude. These are individuals who have dedicated their lives to us and friends." Lightning says. Rainbow then turns on him madly. "So you don't care about me?!" "No, I'm not, I'm just saying they are also the ones who came and saved us." Lightning says. "Ah yes, that is right, my lady is pregnant." Hazuki mutters to herself. "At least I have seen how to deal with some though not far." Rainbow glares at him. "You didn't answer my question completely." "Rainbow, I married you. If I didn't love and care for you I wouldn't have married you." Lightning says trying to calm her anger. Rainbow keeps glaring at him before calming down. "Sorry Lightning. I didn't what came over me." "I understand love. You are under a lot of pressure." Lightning says petting her mane. Rainbow giggles as her mane was petted. "That's nice." "Now where is our daughter?" Lightning asks. "Up here." A voice said. Everypony looks upward to see Scootaloo hanging from one of the beams. She gives a sly smile. "What's up dad?" "Apparently you angel." Lightning says. Scootaloo rolls her eyes. "Overused answer dad. Try something else." "Ok." Lightning says walking over and punches the beam, causing it to shake making Scootaloo to fall and be caught by Lightning who proceeded to pet her mane. "Stop getting yourself into trouble Scoots." Scootaloo squirms out of his grip. "Don't do that, I really like my mane this way." "Ok, ok. So have you met the three sworn swords?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo looks over to them. "I was up there for a while. Heard everything." "Then you shouldn't have any issues in going and introducing yourself should you?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo sighs before walking up to them. "Hello my name is Scootaloo, yadda, yadda, yadda, hope you protect us well." Scootaloo says in a disinterested way that causes Lightning to facehoof. "Sorry about her." Lightning says. "Oh, the young lady is adorable." Hazuki says to Lightning's surprise. "This is new." Scootaloo said to herself. "Most guards would be revolted that I said it like that." "Hazuki isn't most bodyguards." Lightning says. Hazuki then remembers something and fishes something out of her bag. "Here you go, try this." She hoofed over a bottle of something to Scootaloo. "Hazuki, what is that?" Lightning asks as Scootaloo takes a sip and then another after another until she was chugging the bottle down. Hazuki giggles. "Just a little something I whipped up in my spare time." The whole keep then heard Lightning yell, "Hazuki!" followed by maniacal laughing. After an hour of chasing Hazuki around and keeping the bottle away from Scootaloo, Lightning lays down and sighs. "Okay bottle's away and Hazuki is placed somewhere away from Scoots. Everything is good." He lays his head down and start to take a nap, but Rainbow nudges him. "Come on, we have work to still do." Rainbow says. Lightning sighs. "You're right love." Lightning says getting up. Lightning slowly moves as he got used to getting more rest later, but he followed Rainbow to his office. "So what do we have?" He asks sitting in his chair. "Well there is the issue of those orcs, as you called them, and the legionnaire prisoners." Rainbow says. "Ah, yes, I'll deal with the orcs first. Guards, have somepony fetch Seeku." Lightning calls to the door. Lightning was about to head out before looking up. Seeing nothing he heads out again with Rainbow following. From the ceiling, Scootaloo drops down on the carpet and heads to the desk. "Your tools better work Apollo." She wished. She tries to open the drawer and feels it lock again so she fishes out two pickers and gets to work on the lock. Feeling that she missed a tumbler she curses herself before trying again and misses another tumbler. "How does he make it look so easy?" "That is because he has had a ton of practice, my little angel." Scootaloo hears. She freezes in her lock picking and sees Lightning smiling at her. "Ah...hi...dad." Scootaloo says. "Let your old man show you a trick." Lightning says and pushes the drawer down and it slides away to reveal the contents. Scootaloo blanks on this. "What? How...?" Lightning chuckles at her expression. "Just remember that you can't hide anything from your father." Scootaloo still looks at the drawer with the same expression. "Well, don't look a gifted horse in the mouth." She takes the book before leaving. She then turns around back to him. "You might want to check the lower drawer." She then leaves after that. Lightning chuckles, closing the drawer before locking it and checking the lower drawer. Inside was supposed to be his letter opener and an old ring that served as a marker. His eye twitches as he slams the drawer back in. "Apollo!" "You called?" Apollo asks dropping from the ceiling. "Put them back." Lightning says sternly. Apollo raises an eyebrow. "My lord, I have no idea what you are talking about." "The letter opener and signet ring. I need the ring back at least to give the letter the Skyor symbol." Lightning says. Apollo keeps staring at him before smiling. "That little foal is a tricky one." He said fishing out the items from his pockets and throws it to him. Lightning catches them. "You know you are not allowed to steal from the house unless I say you can." Lightning says putting them back. Apollo shrugs. "Hey, I'm bored, give me a break. Plus, I need to make sure my skills aren't forgotten." "Now we need to prepare. Tell Belcoot to prepare both the battalions he brought, we are going to start the final stage of the plan and start liberating the places that are under Dominion control." Lightning says. Apollo looks to the map on a board. "Where to start is the question now." He starts to leave to send the message. "Don't hurt yourself now. We had enough of that." "We will start with the Canterlot area and then move east and then up the coast. Ending at Manehatten." Lightning says. Apollo give a hoof wave as he closes the door behind him. "Good luck. Scootaloo, where's my lock pickers?!" Lightning walked right back out the door to a waiting Rainbow and an empty hall. "Spitfire told me everything while you were out." Rainbow says. Lightning feigns confusion. "Whatever are you talking about?" "Lightning, do I have to bring up our wedding vows?" Rainbow asks sternly. Lightning sighs before saying. "I guess it doesn't matter now, you already know." Rainbow taps a hoof on the ground. "I'm waiting." "You already know the details love. I didn't tell you because I didn't want to worry you." Lightning says. Rainbow stares at him for a few before sighing. "You really have a knack for getting into trouble don't you?" "I have my father's curse and yet I turned it into a blessing by using it as opportunities." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "And those blessings?" "For starters you." Lightning says bringing her into a hug and starts to pet her mane. Rainbow purrs at the sensation and hugs him back. "And another." "My standing in Stalliongrad and now Equestria." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles. "And the other?" "I don't think we have all day." Lightning says. Rainbow pouted. "No fair." "I'll tell you another day, for now we have to meet with the orcs." Lightning says laughing a little. "You better." Rainbow says as they saw Agni run past them and ducks into the office. "What the?" "Ten! Ready or not Agni here I come." Twilight's voice was heard. They both look to Twilight as she looks around the hall before ending up before them. "Sorry guys. He really likes to play." "No need, Belcross was a lot like him when I first became his partner." Lightning says as he and Rainbow separate. "Belcross, is that your elemental partner?" Twilight asks. "Yes he is." Lightning says nodding his head towards the office. Twilight smiles and opens the door. "Where are you?" Lightning and Rainbow giggle as they continue down the hall. Soon Seeku came to see Lightning. "Brother the orc chief would like to speak with you." Seeku says. Lightning nods. "Lead the way." Seeku leads Lightning, as Rainbow deals with her own business, to a camp outside of the city where the Orc chief was waiting. "How long was I out for?" Lightning asks looking around. "Four days." Seeku says. "I see. So chief I believe you want amnesty for you and your clan right?" Lightning asks. The orc nods. "Yes, we had enough trouble throwing our lives away. We want a fair war, not a slaughter." "So you wish to offer something in return for this?" Lightning asks. The orc nods again. "Yes, our allegiance to your side of the war. We would we be under your command as long as we're treated fairly." "I think that is acceptable. So how many are you?" Lightning asks. "Originally there was five thousand of us. Now there is only around three thousand." The orc chief says. Lightning nods. "They really love throwing 'cannon fodder'. Well don't you worry, I won't order that. For now rest up I see you have many wounded." "Thank you." The chief says. Lightning waves it off and him and Seeku start walking towards the prison. "What's the progress with the prisoners?" He asks. "Silva is talking to them now, trying to appeal to their logical side, seeing as most of them will be executed because of the incredibly strict military code the Dominion has." Seeku says. Lightning nods and stops before an iron door. "Open it." He tells the guards. The guards immediately do so and salute as they enter. "I'm telling you, you have to listen to me or you will not survive in this time now." "Captain, how is it going?" Lightning asks surprising Silva. She sighs. "Terrible. The stallions think that a mare shouldn't be bothered to talk to them only be under them, in both ways mind you." Lightning gives them a look and they seem to reel a bit. "Let me make your situation perfectly clear. This mare is the only thing between you and a noose." Lightning says using his general aura to emphasize the point. The stallions cringes. "You know our traditions. We're still under it and by it we're done for, so why won't you follow it?" One of them asks. "Really, you all want to die for that general? What did he ever do besides beat your comrades to death for talking or voicing an opinion?" Lightning asks. A stallion huffs. "He got us far. That's enough for us." "He only got you that far because I allowed it." Lightning says. The stallions look to each other before laughing. "Yeah right, we got far because we're strong." "Tell me do you know who I am?" Lightning asks. One of them huffs. "You must be a lowly soldier that the general sent because he's too scared." "No, I am the general and my name, you should know all too well because it is Lightning Bolt." Lightning says and slowly the look of fear and panic started to spread across each of the officers faces. "Crap." "Whelp, we're dead." "Anypony got their homes in their minds now?" "Now you understand your situation even better, so I will cut to the chase. If any of you were truly loyal you would have committed suicide rather than be captured." Lightning says. "We'll do it you know? We're sticking to our traditions." "Even if it means following the lead of a pegasus?" Lightning asks. The stallion growls. "That lousy general should have been killed in the beginning of the war." "You might have stood a better chance without that crazy inept general." Lightning says. The stallions raises an eyebrow. "You just confirmed what I said." "No, your traditions and teachings say all who comment suicide will forever be with their general in the afterlife." Lightning says. The stallion huffs. "With him, please." "Talk about a no win situation." Another officer says. "Yes, your ancestors will be so proud when you show up lead by an inept pegasus." Silva says understanding what Lightning was doing. The stallion on the right looks to her. "You know, I'm trying to figure out what you are doing here?" "I'm here for my family's sake. My brother is not the healthiest pony and he was too young so the training would have killed him." Silva says. "To protect one's family and country. That is what the legions were founded for." An officer says with a sober look. "I know the feeling, I have a little brother." Another says. Two of them bangs their heads on the table. "What were we doing?" One of them looks up at Silva. "Hey, sorry about that mare under us comment." "Now, I think you all have a decision to make. Captain I leave the rest to you." Lightning says turning to leave with Seeku. Silva nods and turns to them. "So what are you going to do?" She asks sitting down. Lightning and Seeku closes the door behind them. "What else we got?" "So that was the demon of Stalliongrad." A soldier says from the cell. Seeku looks to him. "You still have that reputation you know?" "How else would you explain how a small rebellion turned into a war of independence that an empire, that hasn't known defeat for three hundred years, lost?" Lightning asks. Seeku tilts her head. "Well, we still have some stuff to deal with, so let's go." "Not today. We won't be making that move until later." Lightning says. Seeku nods. "Well let's go and deal with the battalions." Lightning shakes his head. "I just said not today, let the troops rest Seeku." Seeku looks to the cells. "Well, I'm going to…" "Don't use them as a food source." Lightning says. Seeku giggles. "Come on, you know of my fetish for large groups." Lightning then drags Seeku out of the prison with Seeku saying something about certain fetishes. "Guards, no changelings are to enter the prison. Especially this one. As such triple the security." Lightning instructs now outside with Seeku. The guards follow the order while Seeku yells no too much. "Oh shut up, you still got me...shit." Lightning realizing what he just said. Seeku grins. "So what fetish do you want to start out with?" "Take it up with my wife or sister." Lightning tells her. Seeku smiles. "Oh I will." She lifts herself up with her wings and prepares to fly. "I'll ask your wife first. I'm getting a bit hungry." She then flies away to the keep. "Oh, I feel sorry for Seeku right now." Lightning says seeing her fly into a window. He then saw a chair being thrown out the window. "Oh dear." He looks to the chair. "That chair was imported from Stalliongrad." Seeku then flies out and down back to him. "She didn't agree." "You knew she was moody from being pregnant." Lightning reminds. Seeku shrugs in the air. "Yes well, I was hoping Rainbow a little lusty from that condition. Some pregnant mares do get a little forward sometimes." "Well Rainbow isn't one apparently, now I best go see her before she destroys a room." Lightning says. Seeku laughs. "I'll get you there. I'm bored at this point." She picks up Lightning and flies him to the broken window. "Good luck with your mare. I'm going to ask your sister." "She is your sister as well." Lightning says. Seeku shrugs. "I still need to get use to everything." Seeku waves goodbye. "See ya." "Rainbow, I came to see you and Seeku went to bother my sister." Lightning calls walking into the room through the window. Rainbow was panting hard as she stilled looks toward the window. "You...and her...with that many types...no way." "Give her sometime and she will adjust to being siblings and will stop." Lightning says. "She's a changeling." "And they never do that with family." Lightning informs. Rainbow huffs. "She's madly in love with you. She's still going to try something." "That is why I plan to set her up with a stallion soon." Lightning says. Rainbow then smiles creepily. "Oh don't do that, I wonder how good she'll be?" "Love, do I need to call the doctor again?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks confused. "Doctor? I would like a bed." She said rather cheerily. 'And we hit the lust phase.' Lightning thinks. "Careful love, you don't want to hurt the foals." Lightning says. Rainbow then looks to him expectantly. "You offering you handsome stallion?" 'Anger, then lust. Got it.' Lightning then sighs. "Rainbow, dear?" Rainbow smiles. "Yes, you ready to go to bed and maybe get Seeku as well?" "No, I think just the two of us spend some time together and don't you remember, we scheduled a visit with the doctor to examine you and check on how you're coming along." Lightning says. Rainbow grins. "Only if you give me something later." Lightning sighs. "Let's go to the doctor." Rainbow follows him, hopping every now and again. Later that night Rainbow and Lightning return and Rainbow's flank was sore from getting a shot that got her hormones under control. "Okay, what happened when I in the mood swings?" Rainbow asks rubbing her flank. "You were asking for a threesome with me and Seeku and you threw a chair out the window, my best one in fact." Lightning says. Rainbow's eyes widen. "Don't tell me Seeku heard that?" "Oh no, she went to bother my sister before that." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs with relief. "So what about my anger phase?" Lightning nods his head to the direction of the office. "Like I said, my chair. Then you went into a lust phase and tried to have fun a lot like Seeku." "Oh thank Celest…" Rainbow abruptly stops. She looks down and sees water on the ground under her. She looks up to Lightning and sees the shock on his face. She then collapses as the contractions hit her. "We need the doctor and wet nurse!" Lightning's voice was heard as the last thing for Rainbow. It was several hours later in the hospital as Lightning and the entire family were there waiting to hear the news. The rest of the mane six showed up when a maid found them and delivered the news. After that it was like a domino effect as more and more ponies and one griffon showed up. Lightning was wearing a hole into the floor with his constant pacing. "Calm down bro, your worrying is not helping anything." Vinyl says. Lightning turns to her with a face of worry. "Vinyl, not helping." "My liege, the staff know what they are doing." Hazuki says. Lightning glares at her. "Says the mare who gives hard drinks to foals." He shoots back. "My lord, you know the staff is good. You personally hired each of them." Nikolai says. Lightning then turns on him. "That still makes me worried." "Take it from a mare who has experienced it. She will be fine." Eclipse says. Lightning then reels to her. "Everypony is different." Before it could continue a unicorn nurse walks out. "Mr. Bolt you may now see her." Lightning walks into the room and finds a very tired looking Rainbow, but with two bundles right beside her. "Hey there love, how are you?" Lightning asks. Rainbow laughs tiredly. "Better now. Come see our new family." She waves him over. "Let me introduce you to your son and daughter." Rainbow says as Lightning checked the bundles and found a blue unicorn boy with a red mane and a white pegasus girl with a rainbow mane. "How?" Lightning looks to his unicorn son. "How did he become a unicorn? We're both pegasus." "My mom was a unicorn." Rainbow says. "Ah." Lightning says with a smile and rubs her mane. Rainbow purrs. "That's nice. When can I leave?" "The doctors want to keep you a few days to make sure no complications occur with you or our foals." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to her beautiful bundles. "One of them probably will be like you and the other like me, but appearances will trick us. The war is over right?" "No, we crushed half the legion, but we still have to take back the occupied land of Equestria and then I may be called back to where the real part of the war will happen on the eastern continent." Lightning says. Rainbow lays back down. "How long?" "Not long, the command structure has collapsed and with my two battalions of my Dire Wolf army we will sweep them away." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles painfully. "Just don't take too long." Lightning nods. "You know, I want to know how your father got with your mother later. What did he see?" Rainbow laughs a little. "Maybe the same way we did." Lightning turns to the nearby nurse. "Can I stay the night and the others allowed in?" "You can stay, but only family is allowed in until a certain time." The nurse says. "Then could you call them in?" Lightning asks as he keeps petting his wife's mane. The nurse gives a nod and heads off to tell the news. Lightning then turns back to Rainbow. "You know, I just realized, I wonder if Hurricane is done with the rooms?" Rainbow asks. "We can ask her." Lightning says. Everypony soon walks in. "Now where are my grandfoals?" Hurricane asks cheerfully. "Our grandfoals." Stormy said walking up beside her. Hurricane looks to him. "Don't flatter yourself." She then turns back to the couple. "Now, grandfoals?" "Shh, they are trying to sleep." Lightning says pointing to the bundles. "Ohhhh, let me see." Hurricane said quietly. Lightning moves a bit away as the ghost moves up to the bundles. "Oh, they are so cute. I'm going to be spoiling so much." Both Lightning and Rainbow shakes their heads at her ideals. "Hey dad." Rainbow says. Stormy walks over to them and looks at the foals. "Good foals Rainbow. Probably the best thing you have ever done." He smiles. "Your mother would be so proud." "Yeah and take a look at your grandson." Rainbow says. Stormy moves the bundle slightly and sees a unicorn horn. "So then…" "Mom is still here with us." Rainbow says before falling asleep. Lightning keeps petting her mane. "Looks like it's time for everypony to leave and get some rest. I'll stay and watch them and Stormy, I want to talk with you later." Stormy nods and leaves with Hurricane. After everypony looks at the foals and gives their congrats they leave back to job. Lightning turns back to Rainbow and his two foals. "Don't worry guys. You're going to be safe." He said as he laid his head down and falls into the deep sleep with his family. Author's Note Okay we're done here. Flair: It was a lot of work, but we finished it. Pinkie: You also didn't take too many breaks either. Pinkie...you know what...you can stay since you've been breaking all laws of time and space. You would make The Doctor freak out or proud. Pinkie: Oh, I also brought a mare to see you both. Who? *Rainbow Dash walks in looking mad.* Rainbow: All right who is the one who decided to make me pregnant? *I point to Flair.* *Flair slowly points to Wolf.* Rainbow: eeny meeny miny mo. *Rainbow stops at Flair* It was his idea for you and Lightning to get together in the first place. Pinkie you have popcorn, without butter of course? Flair: Rainbow I just want to say a few things before you decide to do anything. Rainbow: One chance to not screw up. Go. Flair: Are you not the sister in law with your hero? *Rainbow nods.* Flair: Are you not a ruler of lands and did we not elaborate on your parents? *Rainbow nods again.* Flair: My final argument is *starts scratching her ear making her collapse in bliss* *Looking at Flair before pushing him away with Telekinesis* Trust me you don't want to do that ever again. *Eats another popcorn.* Flair: That was a distraction while I get him. *Pulls out Lightning Bolt* Lightning: Where am I? Flair: Doesn't matter, your wife is over there and I think she needs you to love on her. Let her maul Flair here. I believe in justice the right way. Pinkie: But you're the one who wrote her starting to show symptoms of being pregnant. *Glares at Pinkie who has a party cannon aimed at him.* Hey, Flair started the idea of being pregnant, I had no choice, but to follow. Flair: Sorry folk we are kinda having a technical *Flair was cut off by an explosion.* Is that the Tardis? *Pinkie munches on more popcorn.* Pinkie: This is getting good. Want some? *Gives to Wolf.* I am stunned the Tardis is here. He's breaking a little rule. *The Tardis opens and Doctor Whooves and Derpy come out.* Doctor: Now where are we? Flair: And the chaos grows. It's almost like, wait a minute... *Picks up the phone and dials.* Discord pick up. Discord: Hello, chaos bringer here, how can I help you? Flair: You have already done enough, now end this and we will have you appearing the next chapter. Okay now that's a deal. *Discord squeals.* Discord: Yes! Finally. So say it and so shall it be. Flair: We will be back soon after we sort this out folks and remember read and review. This is a cluster fuck. And I say more popcorn. *Pinkie gives him some.* Thanks, see ya next time.
Retaking Our Homeland*Eating popcorn.* This is getting good. *Pinkie eats some popcorn too.* Pinkie: You got that right. Fair: Ok, the Tardis left with the Doctor and Derpy. Rainbow was taken back to the keep by her husband, and I put up the anti-discord barrier. *Flair checks off on a list as he talk* *Shaking head.* Pinkie want to head back or do something here, because we're in a blank slate and we could do anything? Flair: You also have to throw Rainbow that congratulation party. *Pinkie smiles.* Pinkie: Well I could hang out here until I show I up. Flair: Suit yourself now on with the show. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' It had been a week since the twins were born and now Stormy Wing was watching over his grandfoals as Rainbow rested in her room. 'I can't believe my little girl's foals. I can hardly believe it.' He thinks. Hurricane floats up beside him. "They're beautiful aren't they?" "Yeah, this one reminds me of my late wife." Stormy says. Hurricane looks to the little unicorn. "What got you two together?" She asks Stormy. "Well it was when I was young. I still lived in Cloudsdale, I was new to the weather team and she was the one in charge of keeping us organized and on schedule. Not the easiest thing for a team of mostly teenage pegasus who think they know everything." Stormy says. Hurricane moves around him. "So your wife was a unicorn on the weather team because?" "I never learned the full details, I think she just applied for the job." Stormy says. Hurricane frowns. "You didn't ask when you got married." "It was no longer important at that time." Stormy says. Hurricane keeps frowning until she smiles. "Same here. Didn't ask Razor what he did before the military." "Wasn't all pegasus back then all in the military?" Stormy asks. Hurricane looks to the foals. "A lot, but not all." "You know I always wondered what life like then was and did your husband really keep the peace between you and Princess Platinum?" Stormy asks. Hurricane nods. "You bet, she was a hooful, but with him it was manageable." "So how big of a snob was she?" Stormy asks. Hurricane grins. "So much that one speck of dirt isn't safe from her." Stormy just chuckles before looking back to the foals. "You must be really proud of your descendants." Stormy says. Hurricane leans into him. "Oh, I definitely am. But we got off topic, what made you attracted to her?" "Well how it started was I had done some stupid stunt and wound up in the hospital. She was the only one who visited me while I was out of action." Stormy says. Hurricane smiles. "Florence nightingale effect. Female nurses fall in love with their patients, but it also goes to the female visitor, especially the only one." "And the fact the entire team knew she was a little sick. I was touched she took time out to see me even though she was sick." Stormy adds. Hurricane grows suspicious. "What was she sick from?" "An incurable genetic disease that I could never pronounce." Stormy says sadly. Hurricane hugs him as he hugs her back. "Try to. Maybe I can figure something out just in case it can be passed on." "No, the doctor said Rainbow didn't inherit the disease and it's extremely rare." Stormy says. Hurricane looks to the foals. "Can it be skipped to the next generation?" "The doctor said it skips around every ten generations or so." Stormy says. Hurricane smiles sadly. "So I guess you can be happy that it won't show up until ten generations later?" "Hopefully we will have a cure by then." Stormy says. Hurricane nods. "So how are the new parents? Resting from the war and the labor?" "Well my daughter is, but I think my son in law is still hard at work." Stormy says with sweat drop. Hurricane huffs. "Of course. I got to get him away and spend some time here." "He will be leaving soon you know." Stormy says. Hurricane looks agitated. "I know. He has to spend time with his family or this will mean nothing in the end." "I think I understand what kind of stallion Lightning is now." Stormy says. Hurricane looks to him. "Care to share with the rest of the class." "He is the kind who will do anything to provide and protect his family." Stormy says. Hurricane smiles. "That he is, but he is still missing time with family." "Maybe, but we still are at war." Stormy says. Lightning was in his office signing the last of the paperwork and looks out the window. 'Tomorrow is the day I set out to finish this.' Lightning thinks to himself. He then sees a shooting star shoot coming towards the keep, before stopping at the front and disperse, revealing Discord in a Hawaiian shirt, sunglasses, and a straw hat. "Aloha, anypony home?" Discord yells. "Up here Discord." Lightning calls. Discord looks up with a cheeky grin. "Lighty my boy, can you let in?" "Just use the front door, the guards won't stop you and if you want to mess with somepony, Celestia and Luna are in the meeting room looking bored." Lightning calls. Discord smiles widely. "Yes, I got permission. Later." He snaps his fingers making him disappear and appear again in front of the guards. "Mind taking my bags to my room? Thank you." He snaps his fingers before they could answer. Lightning sighs and was thankful he was currently exempt from court matters as that was what was boring Celestia and Luna. Not a few moments later did he hear, "Discord!" that brought a smile to his face. "Go Discord." He said to himself. "Sir, we are prepared and will be moving out tomorrow." Silva says walking in. Lightning sighs. "Good, rest up and spend your last night here however you want. You'll thank me later." "Yes sir." Silva says walking out and closing the door behind her. Lightning sighs as he leans back in his chair. "Well now, let's see. One last night, I guess I'll spend it with them." He gets up and heads out. Lightning walks for a while and runs into Scootaloo. "Hey, there angel." Scootaloo smiles. "Dad, no more angel." "Why?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo huffs. "I'm getting tired of angel. It just doesn't fit now." "Why you're a lovable little pegasus. That is what a lot of parents call their pegasus foals east." Lightning says. Scootaloo grins. "We're in the west." "Doesn't matter now, why are you outside your mother's room?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo looks to the door. "Well she was sleeping the whole time and about the whole day, so I thought I check up on her." Lightning picks Scootaloo up and puts her on his back. "Then let us go see her." Lightning says. They walk in to find Seeku tending to Rainbow as she read a book. They both look to them. "Hey, you two." Lightning smiles back and gets on the bed with them while Scootaloo hopped off his back and onto the bed. "Hey mom." Scootaloo said as she rested right by her. Rainbow rubs the top of her mane. "Hi sweetie. How are you?" "I'm fine, I just wanted to come see you." Scootaloo says. Rainbow hugs her. "Well that was nice of you. And you Lightning?" She asks as she looks to him. "Do I need a reason to see my wife?" Lightning asks smugly before petting her mane. Rainbow giggles as her mane was petted. "That's nice." Seeku stands off to the side before starting to leave. "Why can't anypony pet me?" She asks quietly. "I promised to introduce you to somepony Seeku. Oh and if you want a laugh go to the court right now." Lightning says. Seeku smiles sadly. "Yeah, yeah. I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything." She closes the door behind her. "Dear, what did you mean by that?" Rainbow asks. Lightning looks to her. "I promised to find her somepony instead of sticking to me." "No, not that, the court, what about it?" Rainbow asks. Lightning smiles. "Sent Discord there." Lightning started to sweat under the glare Rainbow was now giving him. "Lightning?" She asks too sweetly. "Yes?" Lightning asks sounding unnerved. Rainbow puts Scootaloo to the side and then grabs him by his mane, pulling him to her. "Why did you send Discord to the courtroom?" "Because it was that or let him run wild." Lightning says meekly. Rainbow stares at him before letting him go, letting him put his mane back to normal. "Just don't try it again. Send him somewhere else if you can." Lightning sighed in relief that Rainbow took it so well. Scootaloo looks to them. "Is anypony worried about Seeku? I mean she seemed a little down." "She has been for a while. I think she hasn't adjust to being a part of the family yet." Rainbow says. Lightning looks to them. "Or just lonely. What do you say to some family time with her? All of us, including the foals." Lightning grew quite at that last comment looking as if he was thinking and had just remembered something. Rainbow sees his thoughtful look. "What is it?" "Tomorrow we ship out to liberate the rest of the kingdom." Lightning says. Both of them looks to him. "So, one last night. As a family?" Rainbow asks. "For a while, yeah. That is why I rush to finish my paperwork early to see my family." Lightning says smiling to them. Rainbow smiles as well. "Scoots, go get the rest of the family. We are going to have a fun time for this last night." "Don't strain yourself love, you are still recovering." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles as she gets out of the bed as Scootaloo was gone to get the rest of the family. "I've recovered enough to move on my own. Now let's go." "Rainbow." Lightning says concerned. Rainbow looks to him agitated. "Lightning, I have been bedridden for a whole day and you know I can't stay in one place. Now let's go." "At least let me carry you." Lightning says getting off next to her as well. Rainbow sighs. "Fine." Lightning lays down so that Rainbow can lay on his back. After she was on him Lightning got up and started walking to the garden. "I thought she said the kitchen?" Rainbow asks as she snuggles into his wings. "Huh, they are poufy." "You say something love?" Lightning asks. Rainbow snaps out of her snuggling. "Uh, yeah, nothing, so why are we going to the gardens?" "I thought it would be the best place. Nice scenery, plenty of space, and fresh air." Lightning says. "Huh." Rainbow looks ahead as they exit into the garden. "Now we just need everypony here." "If I know our daughter she will be here soon with them." Lightning says seeing Belcoot in the garden. Rainbow looks to the stallion in their garden. "Who's that? I can't see him that well." "That is Belcoot, he is the general of the battalions of my army that came to reinforce us." Lightning reminds. "Got the rest." Scootaloo said as the rest of the family came out behind her, including the two foals in their grandparents' forelegs. "My Lord and Lady." Belcoot greeted just noticing them. Lightning turns to him. "Hello there Belcoot. I'm sorry, but I'm here to spend time with my family." "Oh course, my lord. Excuse me, my lady." Belcoot says before leaving. Lightning tries to keep his smile until he leaves. "Nice guy, but annoying. Now let's have some family time." "He seems devoted and you did make him a general." Rainbow reminds. Lightning shrugs before heading to the middle of the garden. "Well he is good, but still annoying. Now, family time." He said laying down. "We will be talking about that later." Rainbow says getting up and walking over to the bench. Lightning tilts his head a little. "Well I won't be here tomorrow so best ask me when it's bed time. Now, Scoots, how was your day?" Scootaloo shrugs. "Been reading the book. Noticed something interesting." "What's that?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo lays down on the grass. "Well I kinda found the explanation for the Wyverns leaving every decade, but I'm going to have to ask them just in case." "Ok sweetie." Rainbow says. Lightning suddenly feels a weight on his back and looks to see Seeku on him. "Poufy." She said as she snuggles into his wings. "I can't believe you actually were right." Rainbow says. Lightning looks to her as Eclipse joins Seeku into snuggling into his wings. "What part?" He asks. "His wings are like pillows." Rainbow says as Lightning's eye starts to twitch. Lightning stares at her as his wings were pulled. "Where did you hear that?" He asks his eye twitching. Rainbow points to Seeku who points to Eclipse who points to Rainbow. He grind his teeth making a grating noise. "Who started it?" They keep pointing at each other causing Lightning to sigh. "You know what, forget it." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs in relief. "Ah, ha! Gotcha!" He said pointing to her. Rainbow frowns as Lightning walks over to her. "Come now hun, enough of that, let us enjoy our family time." Lightning says, noticing Spitfire was taking a closer look at the foals. "Like the foals, sister?" "How can I not like my niece and nephew?" Spitfire says happily. Lightning shrugs. "I don't know, maybe if you hate me." Spitfire walks over and smacks Lightning on the head. "That was for saying something stupid." Spitfire says. Lightning rubs his head as she laughs a little. "Okay, that was stupid. Now, how's our grandparents here?" "Do you want a second helping of that?" Hurricane asks. Lightning shakes his head. "No, no, I'm good." "That's what I thought." Hurricane says. Stormy chuckles as the little foals awake. "Looks like the little ones are awake." "Hey there you two." Lightning says softly walking up to them. The two foals look to their father and laughs as they see something funny. Rainbow walks up besides Lightning to look at her foals. "What are they laughing about?" He asks. "Who knows?" Rainbow says. Hurricane clears her throat and points to Lighting's back. The parents both raise their eyebrows as they look to his back and see Seeku making funny faces at them, especially since it's her changeling form. "Ah, Seeku, playing with your niece and nephew?" Lightning asks. Seeku giggles as the foals continue laughing. "I think you could say that." She then transforms into Lighting. "Hi there little ones." She said in his voice. The foals looks confused and looks between the two until they look to the real Lightning and point and gives the motion to be picked up. Lightning smiles and picks them up. "Looks like they can see through that one Seeku." Lightning says holding them. Seeku giggles and picks up the other one. "I guess I need to work on that." The little one in her hooves start to fuss around. Rainbow walks over to Seeku and looks at her daughter. "What's wrong, you don't want to be held by your aunt?" Rainbow asks. The little one motions for Rainbow to pick her up. Rainbow reaches out as Seeku does as well. When the little one was enough away she flaps her little wings and flies off with their unicorn son casting a spell and transparency himself through his father's hooves and runs off. Lightning looks at the rest of the family. "Yeah they are definitely going to be hoofuls." He says as Rainbow tried to fly after her daughter. "Everypony grab them. I'm sure Pinkie told you how she handled the first day of the taking care of the Cakes's foals." Everypony rushes after the two foals as they either run or fly away. Rainbow and Seeku flies after the daughter as she happily flies off. They reach out to grab her only to pause as she puts the brake on flying and they went right past her. They look back as the little flies off in another direction. Down on the ground the son runs around going through almost everything as his spell was still active. "How did he figure that kind of spell in a short amount of time?!" Eclipse yells as she tries to grab him, but her hooves goes right through. "He didn't, I think he is going on instinct." Lightning says opening a door that his son ran through. Everypony on the ground followed while in the air their daughter went through an open window with Rainbow and Seeku following. "You know that little newborn changelings sometimes fly around like this and then forgets and then need to be retaught." Seeku said as they go through the same window. "Thank you for reminding me professor." Rainbow says sarcastically as she struggles to keep up. 'She is still recovering, I best end this quickly.' Seeku thinks charging up her horn. The little foal laughs as she flies through every nook and cranny in the ceiling of the halls playing hide and seek with her family as the servants watch in amusement. Suddenly she feels herself stop. She tries to flap harder until she feels somepony holding her. "Gotcha." Seeku said in a victorious tone. The filly looks to Seeku as Rainbow finally catches up out of breathe. "Here you go, one little pegasus filly." Seeku says hoofing her to Rainbow. Rainbow takes her daughter as she looks to the little one with a stern look. "You really are trouble, you know that right?" The foal just tilts her little head and laughs. Rainbow sighs and holds her close to not let her go away again. "Let's see how the others are doing." She said to Seeku as they fly away to find the others, but see them in the hall walking to them. The unicorn foal was in a magical sphere as it slowly rolls towards them with Lightning walking close behind. "You really are trouble, you know that?" He said to the foals as Eclipse walks on the other side keeping the bubble afloat. "And you said learning spells like this would never come in handy. Just think of how you had to handle Midnight when he was young." Lightning says to Eclipse. Eclipse huffs and looks to the side away from him. "I had servants." Lightning smiles. "Spend time with your family, isn't that what you said?" "He's got you there mom." A voice says from above. Looking up Eclipse sees Midnight laying on one of the beams. Eclipse frowns. "What are you doing up there?" Midnight shrugs. "I knew that the little one was going crazy trying to fly through everything so it only makes sense to fly past me if I don't grab her first." "Seems Midnight is better at gauging his step brother and sister than you are." Lightning says. Midnight shakes his head. "Nah, I pulled the same thing with our servants back home. Boy were they tired." Lightning sees Rainbow approaching with their daughter and he waves her over. "Either he's smart or know tactics. I should probably make him general one day." Lightning said out loud. "Ah, no, he's going to be king." Eclipse says. Lightning smirks. "I know, just messing with you. Now what to do with you two?" He said looking to the foals. "I think it's time we decided on their names." Rainbow says as Scootaloo comes up to them. "You know that this isn't fair. She can fly and I can't and she's a newborn." Scootaloo said glaring at her little sister who bonks her on the head with a laugh. "Ow. She hits hard." She said as she holds her head. "Scoots, you've gotten a lot better at flying. You almost have no need to be taught by me or your father anymore. Also you deserve that." Rainbow says patting her on the head. Scoots glares to her little sister. "Not cool little sis." The little foal giggles as the orange pony looks at her funny. "So any ideas for their names?" Lightning asks. Everypony around him shrugs. "How about Typhoon?" Hurricane said coming up behind them with Stormy panting behind her. "Those little buggers are fast." He said. "After your daughter, huh? But it's not a bad idea. What do you think Rainbow?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods but then looks to Hurricane. "Are you sure you want to name her that? It is your daughter's name after all." "I'm sure, after all I think Typhoon would be proud." Hurricane says looking to her granddaughter. Rainbow nods and looks down to the little foal in her hooves. "So what do you think? Want to be named Typhoon?" The little foal, now Typhoon, claps her hooves together laughing all the while. "We got a winner." Rainbow said smiling. "Now for this little guy." Lightning says looking to the one in the bubble and thinking. "How about Talion?" Lightning asks. Eclipse looks to him surprised. "Wait, isn't that one of the famous general back home?" "No, that was the name of the wraith walker who saved the entire eastern nation from the evil necromancer Saurodon." Lightning says. "So what do you think little one? Want the proud name of Talion?" The little unicorn hops around in the bubble making it spin a little. Lightning smiles and then looks to Eclipse. "You might want to stop it slowly otherwise he would trip and spin in there. Plus, that's another winner." "Talion and Typhoon, huh? Unexpected names, but good ones." Stormy says walking up. Lightning smiled, dispelling the magic sphere and catches Talion who just smiles. Lightning just held him till Belcoot walked up. "Sir, there are something that came up. It appears we have to push up the timetable again." Belcoot says. Lightning sighed before saying, "Understood. Sorry, Talion, we will have to play later." Lightning says. Talion hops out of his hooves and jumps onto his head and hangs on. "Oh come on, you can't leave your mother." Lightning said trying to pry him off. Talion still holds on and whines at him. "Talion, you have to stay here and I got some important jobs to do." He finally pries him off and gives him to Rainbow. "Make sure he doesn't stick to my back." He said walking away. "Don't worry Talion, your dad will be back soon." Rainbow says holding him as he whines and reaches for him. Hurricane comes into his view. "Come on little one, let's play with your ghostly grandma." "I assume you have already assembled both battalions Belcoot." Lightning says. "Of course sir. Although I couldn't convince Duke to stay, he insists leading the vanguard." Belcoot says as they walk out the doors. "I have no problems with that. When it comes to the vanguard, no pony is more qualified to lead than Duke Hyou." Lightning says as they see the troops beginning the march. "Yes sir. By the way what about that female captain, will you have her remain here?" Belcoot asks. "I said I will help fight and I can't do that here." A voice says behind them. They looked behind them to Silva closing the door behind her. "Silva, good you're here. Now we can get started." Lightning said looking to the table with everything about the war in front of them. "Where do we begin sir, the prisoners said that two thousand legionaries are holding the Canterlot area." Silva says. "We will march directly at the legionaries holding the Canterlot area. No longer do we need to run and fight with guerilla tactics. The two battalions of my Direwolf army are more than enough to take back everything and we also have many soldiers of Equestria joining us on this march." Lightning says. Silva looks to the map as well. "So when do we march out?" "Now. Soldiers, raise the proud banner of the Direwolf army." Lightning orders to the soldiers near the door who went out to the flagpole as he puts on his helmet. "Silva, send a message to the Orcs. Ask the chief to march with us." Lightning orders. Silva nods and heads out. "Yes sir." "Sir, permission to speak freely." Hazuki asks. "Granted." Lightning says. "It's good to be back in business." Hazuki says grinning. "Yes it is, now let's start the march for the liberation of Equestria." Lightning says. "Sir, permission to have Vinyl and Octavia make the official announcement over the radio?" Nikolai asks. "Granted, we want the enemy to know we are coming this time." Lightning says. Nikolai smirks and heads out. A guard walks into the audience chamber that was being used as the temporary court of Equestria. "Princesses, I have news from general Lightning Bolt." The guard says. Everypony looks to the guard. "Well, what is it?" Celestia asks. "General Lightning has declared the army is to march now for the liberation of all Equestria." The guard says. Discord bites in a popcorn he thrown into his mouth. "Well this just got entertaining." He throws in another popcorn. "I see, Captain Shining Armor and Captain Shadow Bolt, I want you both to accompany General Lightning Bolt on this operation." Celestia says. They both nod and head out, leaving the court behind. "Sister, I feel like I should go as well." Luna says. Celestia looks to her before looking to the guard. "Take her to the war room." "Yes princess." The guard says leading her away. Discord leans by Celestia. "You sure about this, she's your sister after all?" He asks throwing more popcorn into his mouth. "She feels like she must help directly. I can't stop that. But what about you why aren't you helping?" Celestia asks. "I'm a spirit of Chaos, as such I can't take sides in conflicts unless they are against me directly." Discord says giving some popcorn to her. Celestia takes some popcorn with her magic. "That makes sense." She throws some popcorn into her mouth. "This is good, where did you get this?" Discord shrugs. "Just two ponies in another plane of existence." "What?" Celestia asks. Discord looks to her. "Two ponies in another plane of existence. They are really good at what they do, though one of them doesn't know the rules of existence that much." Celestia looks to him. "You're weird, wait what am I saying?" Discord just smiles and bites down on another piece of popcorn. The ponies in Pegalopolis were going about their lives with huge smiles on their faces. They had won and the city was no longer under threat of attack. They were especially happy with the foreign soldiers that arrived to back them up. They finally felt the fear that had plagued them for months now starting to vanish. "Good afternoon Equestria. It's me the DJ temptress herself." Vinyl's voice was heard from the radio. "Vinyl, before you get to into that we have today, we have an announcement to make." Octavia says. "Yeah, announcement first, glorifying second." Nikolai says. "Hey, watch it commander. Just cause you're a big shot in the military now doesn't mean you run this show." Vinyl says. "Well excuse me for placing in my two bits. Unless you don't want me at all." Nikolai jests. "Now, now, you two save that for after the show." Octavia says. "Fine." Vinyl says huffing. After a few seconds of silence Nikolai spoke again. "Um, did I miss something while I was away?" Octavia sighs. "Just a little missingness like any other mare who has a husband in the war." "And the fact I took her to my bed a few times while you were gone." Vinyl says. Nikolai is heard stuttering. "Wha...what?" "Vinyl, we did no such thing!" Octavia yells. Vinyl laughs. "Ah, it's great to be back." "Yeah, I missed you too Vinyl." Nikolai says. "Like I said, after the show, now the announcement." Octavia said. "Oh right, attention. All members of the Direwolf army is to assemble outside the first gate in a standard formation. Equestrian first through fifth company has the same orders. All other soldiers you are assigned to defend the city and the citizens inside of it. I repeat, General Lightning Bolt has ordered the commencement of Operation: Retake Equestria." Nikolai says, his tone every pegasus soldier knows all too well. As if driven by an unseen force all the soldiers belonging to those who were called immediately started heading for outside the city. "Wow, that's some commanding voice you got there. I wish you would use it more around me." Vinyl says. Nikolai laughs. "I think I got some armor lying around for us to play in." Octavia groans. "I thought I told you after the show. You can play trainer and trainee after this." "I think somepony is jealous. What's wrong Octy, want to join us and maybe have Nikolai order the both of us around?" Vinyl asks in a sing song voice. Octavia begins to sputter. "Wha...what makes you think that? I just don't want this on the air." "Oh don't be shy Octy, you can join us." Vinyl says. "Vinyl, I think that's enough teasing. Anymore and she'll pass out." Nikolai says. A thunk was heard. "I hate you both." Octavia's muffled voice said. "Oh, by the way Octavia, I've going to set you up on a blind date." Nikolai says. "What makes you think I would even go along with it?" Octavia's asks. "Cause if you don't I'm sure Vinyl has a few pieces of blackmail she is dying to use." Nikolai says. Octavia huffs. "You better not Vinyl because I don't even want to go." "Let's see, oh this one is good." Vinyl says while making a sound like she is going through a box. "Don't you dare Vinyl." Octavia warns. "Oh perfect. Now if you don't go along every newspaper will get a copy of this." Vinyl says. "Where did you get that?" Octavia asks. "Wow." Nikolai says "I have my sources." Vinyl says. "Vinyl I will do whatever you want, I'll be your maid, and I'll sleep with you, heck I'll even listen to your music. Just don't send me on that date or make that public." Octavia pleaded. "Your choice Octy, the date or the publication of this." Vinyl says. Nikolai chuckles. "You're evil Vinyl." "I know." Vinyl says. Octavia sighs. "Fine, I'll go on the date." "Don't worry Octavia, I didn't set you up with anypony bad." Nikolai says. "And you can still join us if you want." Vinyl said. "Vinyl, let's not push our luck here." Nikolai says. "Oh you want to have two mares, you naughty stallion." Vinyl said. "Why would I want two when I have you?" Nikolai asks. The radio went silent for a few moments. Then there was the sound of clapping. "Good job Nicolai, you made Vinyl speechless." Octavia says. "I just think that she's use to one night stands after her shows." Nikolai said offhoofedly. "Oh you didn't know. I know for a fact Vinyl has never been out on a date." Octavia says. "Oh, Octavia shots fired at Vinyl." Nikolai says. Vinyl huffs. "You two are perverted as me." "Wait then then how does she know all about those things she talked about?" Nikolai asks confused. Vinyl giggles a little. "She ended up in one of my shows that turned into a slight orgy one time, just on the side of the place and hidden, but there." "I was asking about you Vinyl." Nikolai says. Vinyl's giggles turns into a laugh. "Well I did get a book as payment for a concert, what a rip off that was, but it was a sex book and it had everything about it. So I decided to poke fun at Octy with everything it had." "Vinyl why on this good earth would anypony give something like that as payment!?" Nikolai yells. Vinyl giggles. "I don't know, but it was good payment in the long run." "I'm going to hunt that pony and hurt them brutally. So if you are listening I'm giving you a head start." Nikolai warns. Octavia giggles. "Vinyl's right, you're a good stallion to date." "Somepony is jealous." Vinyl says in a sing song voice. Octavia huffs. "I am not jealous." "So jealous." Vinyl says. Nikolai laughs a little. "Yes she is." "I said I'm no..." Octavia was cut off when a timer goes off in the background. "Whoops, time is up for me. I got to go for the operation." Nikolai says. A door opened and then closed in the background. "Well that's it for Nikolai ponies, we don't our lead handsome stallion here, but you still got us." Vinyl said. "There, there, Vinyl he'll be back." Octavia says. Vinyl huffs. "I know, now back to our regularly scheduled programming." A shuffling of papers were heard. Lightning was walking with his officers as the army started marching south. "Silva, how are you holding up?" He asks. "Good, sir. The Chief is marching with commander Zagai and a few squads of the griffon troops." Silva says. Lightning nods. "And the griffins? How are they to this change?" "They are your troops I suspect they are more than capable to these lands." Silva says. "Good. By the way Nikolai I heard your broadcast. Very...what's the word?" Lightning asks Silva. Silva smiles. "I believe the word you're looking for is raunchy." Lightning smiles as Nikolai blushes. "Yeah, that's it. Very raunchy show." "Yeah sorry about that." Nikolai says. Lightning laughs. "Don't be. It's best to make something like that in these times. Though that comment about owning some training armor, was that true for your torture session with Vinyl?" "Oh no, I don't own that. I was lying through my teeth." Nikolai says with a smile. Lightning grins. "Really, I thought you would like that type of thing with the way you train?" Nikolai just stares flabbergasted. "Don't fall behind commander." Lightning says as Nikolai stared at them. Nikolai shakes his head and hurries to catch up. "Not funny general." "I thought it was." Silva says giggling. Lightning laughs with as he catches up. "Yeah, I now wonder what else he likes to do to his trainees." "I'm never going to live this down am I?" Nikolai asks. "Nope." Apollo says walking up. Nikolai puts his head down as he keeps walking along the path. "I hate you all." He said passing them. "Oh cheer up, we will forgot all about it in a month." Alexander says. Lightning laughs. "Not me, I don't forget a thing." Apollo snickers. "I don't either. How do you think I sometimes take what I want?" "Ok, ok, that's enough picking on Nikolai, the scouts are back my lord." Hazuki says. Lightning looks to him. "And what did they find?" "It seems that the Legionnaires holding Canterlot are massing in the valley below it just as you thought my lord." Hazuki says. Lightning nods and turns forward. "Well let's show them how we clean things here. All Direwolf army assume line formation, Equestrian soldiers form on their flanks." Lightning ordered. Nikolai smirks. "Well let's get our capital back." The army marched for nearly another week before they reached the Canterlot area and could see the legionnaires in tone long columns of their testudo formation. When the army reached the same field Lightning took a deep breath as the army got into formation. He then exerted his general aura and yells, "Soldiers hear me now. I have no over glorified speech prepared for you for it is unnecessary across the field stand the enemy. A remnant of the Dominion's defeated legion. The enemy that has pillaged the lands and has invaded your homelands. Now we will crush them and retake Canterlot then the rest of Equestria! Now starting from the left! All troops charge in succession. Now Charge!" Lightning yells. Duke Hyou smiled as he placed on his mask and grabbed his glaive. He then roars and leads the first wave of the charge. "Is that the Echelon formation?" The orc chief asks as he watches in amazement. "Yes, a remarkably high level move. Especially when it's the Echelon assault tactic." Hazuki says. "Yes and to actually use it in battle is beyond the vast majority of tacticians." Silva says in amazement. The orc chief remains silent as he watches. "Um, could somepony explain to those who don't know what is happening?" Luna asks. "Oh, certainly Princess. You see how the enemy formation is arranged in a long line so not to be able to be flanked?" Nikolai asks. "Um...yes." Luna says. "Well when a line formation such as that is hit by an Echelon assault, a shock wave is generated through their ranks diagonally. Those who are hit are moved back three steps and the next two steps. Those who are hit by both four steps. These movements will pass through the enemy ranks like a wave, cause small distortions to the troops formations. However even a small disruption like that is enough to disturb the enemy's cohesion and at that exact moment, your charge hits the enemy head on. Thereby once again causing another shock wave to pass on. So long as the shockwave is able to pass on through the enemy ranks without interruption and the attacks are able to follow in succession then an Echelon assault will be extremely effective. Or so most theorized. At the end of the day though it is considered too impractical for actual use for it was far too difficult to actually use in real battles. But that didn't stop lord Lightning, he trained his Direwolf army to use this stratagem and that is why almost all the practical Dominion legions' field formations are helpless against the Direwolf army because the entire strength of the legions are centered around formation and cohesion. This attacks that very thing taking away their greatest strength." Belcoot explains. Luna nods. "I see. Well when does this attack end the battle?" "Depends on the enemy commander's reaction." Lightning says as he observes that Duke Hyou's wave was tearing through the legionnaires opponents and starting to make the legion formation collapse. "It's about two minutes now ma'am." A night guard said right beside Luna. "Take a seat princess Luna, battles like this can go on for hours before a conclusion is reached." Lightning says. Luna sits down with the rest of the commanders as they watch the battle to retake Canterlot takes place in the lower valley. "Well just standing up will get boring a little." Luna said as she lays down. After fifteen more minutes the legion looked to be close to collapsing. "It's time. Belcoot, Zagai, Hazuki, Alexander go down there and take direct command and finish this." Lightning orders. "You got it sir." Alexander said as he and rest of the commanders went down the path. "The battle is decided. Nikolai, Shining Armor, Shadow Bolt, Apollo take two companies and go secure Canterlot." Lightning orders. Nicolai nods. "As you wish." He and the others take their companies. Lightning turns and starts walking away. "Sir, the battle isn't over, where are you going?" Silva asks. "Into the tent. I am no longer needed. The moment I sent those four into the battle was the moment I signed the legionnaires' death warrants." Lightning says entering the tent. He immediately collapsed onto the ground as exhaustion overtook him. 'Come on my body, just last a little longer.' Lightning thinks. Silva watches as her general enters his tent and then turns back to the battle, unaware of the turmoil that faced Lightning. "You all noticed it too didn't you?" Belcoot asks. "Yeah, our lord is gravely ill." Hazuki says. "With this place it's no wonder." Zagai says. "As such we can't afford to dally, we have to crush the enemy immediately." Alexander says as the four near the battle lines. Upon reaching the battle lines the troops parted and immediately let them through. "Here we go. First to take the commander's head gets the first cup of alcohol when we get back to camp." Belcoot says as they unsheathed all their weapons and charged. To the unfortunate Legionnaires who were in there path it was like the doors of Tartarus were thrown open and all the horrible monsters were unleashed upon them as Belcoot and Hazuki's swords cut through them like they were paper. Zagai thrust his spear, though the momentum of his spear never decreasing as if they were not even there. And finally Alexander easily sent them flying with his bare hooves. The commanding Centurion himself turned to run but the four were already on him. Zagai steps forward as the centurion crawls backward. "You really think other species don't work well together, well the opposite of that thought will be the last thing you see and it will stick with you in the afterlife." Zagai then thrusts his spear through the heart of the centurion, effectively ending his life. With the death of their centurion the Legionnaires lost the will to fight and started to surrender. The four officers then oversaw the disarmament and incarceration of the legionnaires in Canterlot as the soldiers cheered for their victory. "It seems Zagai beat you to the enemy commander Duke Hyou." Lightning says. Hyou shrugs. "What he is and said makes him the most appropriate for that battle, but next time I will claim the commander's head myself." "We will see, none of my sworn swords are the types for losing to others either." Lightning says. "So with this battle the legion has less than three thousand holding the rest of Equestria." Duke Hyou says. "Yeah, now that Canterlot is retaken we will continue east and then up the coast." Lightning says. "So why did you send a small contingent of soldiers to recapture the nearby town Ponyville if I remember correctly." Dyku Hyou says. "Most of the ponies sent there are originally from there. This way it will remind them why they are fighting and raise their moral." Lightning says. Hyou huffs. "Never fight on foreign land for you may lose the battle. Isn't that a rule for war?" "Why do you think I studied the land considerably and even lived here for some time?" Lightning asks. Hyou frowns at him. "So you just lived here for the war and nothing else?" "Originally yes, but things have changed. I have a personal reason to fight once more. If I live long enough I will become what the Dominion feared most of all. A general that can destroy all their ideals of their superiority. If not I'll leave everything up to the next generation. I have hope and confidence they can handle it without me." Lightning says with a smile. Hyou smiles and nods. "Good, now I can worry less about you." "You're no young stallion yourself Hyou. Your almost twice my age." Lightning joked. Hyou chuckles. "Yes, that's true. Now where do we go now?" "Like I said we make for the east in a few days. But first I have some personal issues to deal with. You mind giving me some time alone with my sister when she comes?" Lightning asks. Hyou waves him off. "Sure, sure, everypony needs time with family." Lightning was about to reply, but a knock on the door was heard. "Enter." Hyou says. Spitfire enters the room and Hyou just smiles and walks past her. Hyou closed the door behind him leaving both the siblings alone. "Sis, you mind sitting down?" Lightning asks. Spitfire sits down onto one of the cushions laid out in front of the low table. "So what do you want to talk about?" "It's about the identity of the late legion general. What I'm about to say will not leave this room. Understand?" Lightning asks. Spitfire nods. "Got it, so what about him?" "He was a former wonderbolt. More specifically he was the one you wanted to get your hooves on." Lightning says Spitfire growls. "You should have let me take care of him." "I killed him to end the siege and if it was made known that he was a former wonderbolt, think how much backlash you and your team would receive." Lightning says. Spitfire frowns. "That's why I wanted to handle it. We dodge press all the time." "Not like this sister. They would have been all over him as the defeated evil enemy general." Lightning says with air quotations. Spitfire huffs. "Still wanted a piece of him." "It's better this way. You didn't have to soil your hooves with that scum." Lightning says. Spitfire huffs. "Still wanted him." Lightning weakly smiles. "Feeling any better?" Spitfire asks causing Lightning's smile to drop. "No, if anything my condition is deteriorating." Lightning says. Spitfire's face turns stern. "We need to destroy the tree or at least speak to the spirit because it controls the forest. The only way to save this land too is also to speak to the spirit." "How do you know about the spirit here?" Lightning asks very spacious. Spitfire smiles. "Well, when you first mentioned it I read up on a few books in the Canterlot archives before we got out of there. And surprisingly it spoke of two spirits, one for the harmony and the other for the chaos. Of course, Discord is not the one for chaos, he's just a piece of the chaos spirit." "I know for a fact that that was covered up by Celestia and Luna. Which means you been risking your life to find that out." Lightning says. Spitfire giggles. "Everypony was evacuating. I'm sure that nopony minded that I took a peek in the restricted section." "You realize that that is where Celestia is getting most of her power from. She even has bamboozled the entire country into thinking she raises the sun." Lightning says. Spitfire grins. "I know, but it was for a good reason." "What reason could there have been for enslaving the elements and stealing the guardian spirits of this lands power?" Lightning asks. Spitfire sighs. "A more direct connection. When one goes out of balance then the other balances it again. But this only happens in close proximity. Have you noticed that the elements only worked when they were close?" "Because they are pieces of what you would call the collar of the harmony spirit. There is no chaos in them. Chaos is needed for the world to function properly. All that is here is the suffocating control of everything. Celestia did this so she could have total control of everything here." Lightning says. Spitfire shakes her head. "No, she originally did it to take down Discord when he got separated from the Chaos spirit. The Harmony spirit let her take the elements to take down Discord, but after that the spirits went quiet. Celestia couldn't do nothing, but to keep the elements until they were needed again. After Twilight and the others showed up she found viable users for the elements and keep them safe." "Spirits don't allow that. The only exception to that is if a deal was cut between them." Lightning says thinking out loud. Spitfire sighs. "Well actually this spirit did. The Harmony spirit let her take the elements because the Chaos spirit was going out of control and needed another way to handle it than just staying in one place." "No, even with that spirits don't do that. We are missing something." Lightning says. "Universal law?" Lightning's eyes then shot open and formed a glare. "That's it. There was a third party involved." Lightning says getting up and walks to the door. Spitfire watches as he leaves. "Um, where are going?" "To see Princess Luna. She will be able to shed some light on this matter." Lightning says leaving the room. Spitfire just watches as he closes the door behind him and looks back to the table. "You're still serious at times, I'll admit that." Lightning walks to the Canterlot court where Luna and several guards were. "Princess Luna, a word please." Lightning says. Luna looks up from some papers left behind and sees Lightning. "Um...sure. Would you excuse us?" The guards leaves, leaving the two alone. "Princess, what happened the night before you became Nightmare Moon?" Lightning asks bluntly. Luna looks to him with a blank expression. "Same as any history book will tell you, I was jealous." "Ok, I'll be more specific. Who came to see you?" Lightning asks. Luna shrugs. "Normal guards and servants, oh and I had a night court too." "Luna, King Sombra, and the fact the spirit of Harmony gave you and your sister the elements without even forcing you to make a deal." Lightning says causing Luna's eyes to widen. Luna shakes her head. "That's ridiculous. We took care of him long before Discord." "I'm not speaking of him specifically, but what caused him to become what he was. I learnt all about who he was from a first hoof source from the Crystal Kingdom. His is a sad tale." Lightning says. Luna raises an eyebrow. "Go on." "At first he was just a normal unicorn with a gift for crystal base magic. But he fought an evil version of himself and lost. Thus becoming the monster you fought. In truth though the real Sombra drowned long before you fought him." Lightning says. Luna shrugs. "Well then it was too late to save him so we did him a favor." "But who or what caused the creation of the evil counterpart?" Lightning asks. Luna shrugs with her hooves. "Another version of Nightmare Moon, maybe?" "Tell me Luna, was there anything odd or unusual about the night before you became Nightmare Moon?" Lightning asks. Luna just stares. "Other than the fact the sun and moon stopped moving with the moon on top, nothing." "You sure no unusual occurrences or ponies?" Lightning asks. Luna huffs. "Please, anything weird is sort of my specialty. If something came by me that is something I haven't seen before than I would remembered." "Even an unusual shadow?" Lightning asks. Luna thinks back. "Well with the moon in the sky it really brought more shadows than normal." "There's the unusual circumstance." Lightning says. Luna just looks confused. "What?" "Each major event had something unusual. The evil Sombra clone, the fact the spirit of harmony didn't force you into a deal for a piece of its power, and the unusual number of shadows the night before you became Nightmare Moon." Lightning says. Luna looks to him. "What are you saying?" "Something is moving in the shadows. Both the guardian spirits knew it. As such they needed a threat that would be too much for you and make you seek out a greater power." Lightning says. Luna looks to the side. "So what is out there?" "I don't know but now that I think about it. When I was at your old castle I noticed some unusual shadows moving. I thought it was the Wyvern, but now. I think we have a malevolent shadow spirit on our hooves." Lightning says. "Spirit of chaos?" "No, chaos is not evil. We are dealing with a different spirit. A malevolent spirit of shadows." Lightning says. Luna raises an eyebrow. "You already got an idea on what it is?" "Judging from what I learnt from the Crystal Kingdom and what I saw in your old castle, yes. But there is one detail that will confirm or destroy this notion. Luna what exactly happened when you turned into Nightmare Moon?" Lightning asks. Luna looks to him sternly. "Like taking a back seat in a train car and having somepony else take control while you do nothing, but watch." "No, what happened right before that? Were you enveloped by shadows?" Lightning asks. Luna nods. "Then that confirms the notion. After we finish liberating the east coast we will have to g…" Lightning was cut off by a savage bout of coughing with blood coming out of his mouth. "Lightning!" Luna yells. After Lightning stops coughing he starts wheezing. "I'm fine." Lightning struggled to say. Luna shakes her head. "You're not." "I am breathing so I'm fine." Lightning says. Luna huffs. "Yeah, and that blood isn't." "Look if the soldiers knew their general was not doing well then morale would plummet and they would start questioning orders." Lightning says. Luna nods. "You still need to go to the infirmary." "What's effecting me is not something your medical ponies can treat." Lightning says. Luna shakes her head. "No, but with this line of question I think I know what is." "What do you think it is?" Lightning asks leaning against the wall for support. "You need more magic, your type of magic." Luna said as she sits right by him. "Halfway correct. What I need is natural energy, which I can't get here unless the spell that enslaves nature to your will is dispelled." Lightning says. Luna huffs. "Who say we're controlling it?" "You control the weather, the plants, the animals, and you've lead on your citizens into believing you even control the movements of the sun and moon. We both know the last part is a lie." Lightning says. Luna sheepishly looks away. "Well partly true. We merely give the acceptance to move it, everything else is run by itself." "So the ponies of Cloudsdale aren't making the clouds for the weather?" Lightning asks with a smirk. Luna chuckles nervously. "Actually, they artificially make them, just faster than letting nature handle it." "You're a poor liar, you know that?" Lightning asks starting to get up and walk away. Luna chuckles still. "Only on good days." Author's Note Okay, that's it for that. Flair: So Discord what are your thoughts on the new threat? Discord: Well, not much. Okay they left early so read and review and see ya next time.
How to Spend Time and Destroy It (Clop)Okay, we're back. Just so you know, we started this before the season finale. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' Lightning was lying in a bed with an ice pack on his face trying to relax when he heard a knock on the door. Lightning sighs and takes off the ice pack and sits up. "Come in." He says. Silva opens the door and walks in with Zecora. "Sir." Lightning looks up. "What is it Captain Silva, I thought I already dismissed you for the day?" Lightning asks. "You did sir, but there is somepony here who insists on meeting you." Silva says. "Who?" Lightning asks. Zecora looks him over. "You are the pony I need to see, for my home is in Everfree." "A zebra, I didn't expect to see one of you here." Lightning says. Zecora smirks. "My home in Everfree is in need. You are the one to help all that bleed." "Hold on, what is this about the Everfree Forest?" Lightning asks. Zecora lays down her bags on the table nearby. "Legion are in my area of residence and must be taken from the forest's presence." "Whoa, slow down, what are you talking about?" Lightning asks. Zecora takes out some bottles of different colors. "Your enemy I have seen in my domain, but must be taken out before they become like acid rain." "Do you know how many?" Lightning asks rubbing his temples. Zecora mixes some potion and shakes them together. "None that I have been able to count, but placed the number at almost like a regular bank account." She throws the bottle at him after she finished. "Whoa!" Lightning ducks as much as he could in the bed as the bottle breaks above him. "What did you say and why did you do that?!" He say after all of the green potion got onto him and he popped back up. "I think she means a thousand sir." Silva says a sword now at Zecora's throat. Zecora chuckles despite having a blade at her throat. "Yes I do, but you must go before you are blue." "Sir, should I execute her for this?" Silva asks. Lightning shakes his head. "I think I would rather follow her words." He quickly gets up and feels different. "Whoa. What did you do?" "A little something from my homeland that should help you get into the program." Zecora says. "I see, a thousand legionaries, what are they doing there? They have no known fortifications there." Lightning says thinking out loud. Zecora chuckles. "Nice rhyme, now you must go to the forest ahead of time." "What are they doing there?" Lightning asks. Zecora shrugs. "I don't know, but like I said you better go." "I can't do that to the whole army without some concrete information or proof." Lightning warns. Zecora grins. "Then look to the entrance for the answer to that sentence." "However, a thousand legionaries is a significant number and can possibly flank us." Lightning finishes. Zecora smiles. "Then you need a guide who knows how to turn them upside their heads." "I have also committed most of the Everfree Forest to memory, but you're coming along. Nikolai tell Duke Hyou to take half our forces and proceed with the operation. The other half will join us to the Everfree forest." Lightning says to the pony outside. "Yes sir." Nikolai says running off. "So what is at the front gat…?" Lightning stops to do a double take. "Is that my wife and her friends down there!?" Lightning yells. Zecora pats his head. "Calm down and maybe they will tell how they skip town." "Keep going like this and I'll have captain Silva throw you into the prison with the legionnaires." Lightning warns. Zecora chuckles and heads back to get her stuff while Lightning headed to the entrance by jumping out the window and using his wings to glide down. "Hey everypony, what are you doing here?" He asks as he stops in front of them. "Well for one..." Rainbow was cut off by a unicorn foal grabbing onto Lightning's leg. "Talion missed his dad and two, Zecora sent us a message saying something was wrong with the tree of Harmony." Rainbow finished. "Tree of Harmony?" Lightning asks hugging his son. "Yeah, didn't I tell you about when we had to return the elements? It was a little before you proposed to me." Rainbow says. Lightning nods. "Yeah, but what about the tree?" "Zecora said she would fill us in once we get here." Applejack says. "I guess I also should bring you up to speed as well." Lightning said before motioning them to follow him. Lightning lead them into the castle and told them about the notion he came up with that Luna's statement confirmed. "So all this time Luna, Sombra, and Discord are connected in some way?" Twilight asks. "The signs were there. You just had to know what to look for. I also believe the malevolent shadow spirit is hiding in what remains of the castle of the two sisters." Lightning says. "Then what are the legionnaires looking for in the Everfree Forest?" Rainbow asks. "That is unknown at this point. I'm going to lead half the army to the Everfree Forest as a move to prevent a flanking maneuver by the legionnaires, but the real goal is to see what they are up to." Lightning says petting his son. Rainbow looks to the city. "Then we better get ready to head out." "Whoa, whoa, who said you six are going?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smirks. "Our elements, our rules." "Um...my army, my rules." Lightning counters. Rainbow leans in to him. "And they are possibly going after the elements and that's our problem." "And you're in no condition for this. You're still recovering from childbirth." Lightning says unintimidated. "She flew here." Twilight said smirking. "After all, pegasus actually heals a little faster than other ponies." "You stay out of this!" Both yell at Twilight. Twilight bends her ears back as she took a step back. "Well excuse me for helping." "I say you are staying here!" Lightning yells turning back to Rainbow. Rainbow glares at him. "And I say we go, like I said, our elements, our problem. Plus we know how to work they better." "Don't feel bad Twi, they are just having a lover's spat." Applejack says. Twilight glares to Applejack. "Not helping." She hissed. "Twilight I don't think that was appropriate. Applejack was just trying to help." Rarity says. Twilight glares to her. "Just shut up and let them do their thing." "Well, I never." Rarity says turning away from Twilight and leaves. Twilight huffs and turns back to the arguing couple. "You are not going and that is final." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles evilly. "Yeah, not happening." Lightning raises his eyebrow. "And how are you going to force me to let you come?" Lightning asks. Rainbow grins. "Only we know where to look." "Ah, but you forgot I scouted the Everfree forest and the moment I find the legion I find it." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs. "Please, we had trouble finding it in the one place nopony would look." "Oh, so it's near the valley in the Everfree forest?" Lightning asks with a smirk. Rainbow shakes her head with a laugh. "Yeah, not close enough. Take us there and we'll tell you." "Rainbow, there is no way in Tartarus that I am letting you come." Lightning says sternly. "How the heck did you convince me to let you come?!" Lightning yells as he and the troops walked towards the Everfree forest. Rainbow laughs. "The mare is always right." "Ok, no, because if that was true Seeku and Eclipse would have a field day with us." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles. "I wish it was." Lightning grumbled under his breath as Princess Luna came up to Rainbow. "Lady Rainbow a word." Luna says in her Canterlot voice. Rainbow rubs her ears. "OW! Luna not so loud!" She yells over the ringing. "Sorry, but seriously a word." Luna says lowering her voice. Rainbow nods and pulls off to the side with Luna while still going in the same direction of the group. "So what's this about?" Rainbow asks. "Have you noticed anything odd about your stallion?" Luna asks as they move further away from the group. Rainbow nods. "Well he's spending more time away from me, but I was chalk that up to the war." "I mean about his health?" Luna asks. Rainbow sighs. "Yeah, he trips up more and seems out of it sometimes. I thought it was just stress." "A few days ago when he was talking to me he started coughing and actually spat up blood." Luna whispers. Rainbow looks to her. "What's going on with him?" "Rainbow, I think he's dying." Luna says. Rainbow stops completely. "Why?" "The magic of this land is tearing him apart." Luna says. Rainbow looks through the trees and sees Lightning directing more soldiers ahead. "Is there a way to fix it?" "Maybe, but it may mean the end of our way of life." Luna says. Rainbow looks to her confused. "Way of life how?" "Well..." Luna was interrupted by Hazuki. "Lady Rainbow, Princess Luna, please rejoin the rest, you're being left behind." Hazuki says. They both look to her and nod. After she disappeared through some trees Luna whispered to Rainbow, "We'll continue this later." Rainbow nods and they rejoin with the main body of the army. Rainbow now just stares at her husband with concern, now noticing the dark outlines under his eyes that were almost invisible due to his fur colors. 'Lightning.' Rainbow thinks. "What's wrong Rainbow?" Fluttershy asks. Rainbow shakes herself out of her thoughts. "Nothing Flutters." She said with a smile, though pained. "Rainbow I know you well enough to know when you are hiding something." Fluttershy says. Rainbow shakes her head dismissively. "I'm serious Flutters, there's nothing wrong." "Doesn't seem like that." Pinky says from behind her. Rainbow takes out a ball. "See the ball Pinkie?" Pinkie immediately went into dog mode and lays her front end down and wags her tail. "Go get it girl!" Rainbow yells throwing it ahead of them. Pinkie barks and heads for the pink fluffy ball. Most of the soldiers just stare as the pink pony takes the ball in her mouth and shakes it around like a ragdoll. "What...?" One soldier asks. "I find that insulting." A diamond dog soldier says. Rainbow shrugs. "Number one rule around here is when it comes to Pinkie just go with it." "I just find her weird." A changeling soldier says. Fluttershy giggles. "You and everypony else." 'It's strange, not a year ago nopony would have associated with either Diamond Dogs or Changelings, but now.' Rainbow thinks. Fluttershy giggles as Pinkie starts to hop around on everypony's heads to head to them. "Good girl." She said petting Pinkie's head. Pinkie snapped out of it and puts the ball away. "So Dashie, what is wrong?" Pinkie asks. Rainbow sighs and doesn't say anything and walks on. "Does Rainbow seem a little down to anypony else?" Rarity asks. The rest of the group nods and follows as well. "Whatever it is, it's mostly have to do with whatever Luna and she talked about." Twilight said. "And I'd bet that it has something to do with Lightning from the way she was looking at him." Applejack says. Fluttershy looks to the two. "Oh, I hope they're okay." "Sis, you really shouldn't be spreading rumors like that." Big Mac says walking up. Applejack looks to him surprised. "Big Mac? What are you doing here?" "I enlisted in the army at the beginning of the war sis." Big Mac reminds. Applejack looks surprised. "Wait, you were on the farm the whole time. How did you enlist?" "You have really been out of the loop for a while sis. I haven't been back to the farm since I went to get granny and took her to Pegasopolis. " Big Mac says. Applejack glares at him. "Just don't get hurt, you know how Applebloom looks up to you." "Applejack I have been fighting all this time." Big Mac says. "Corporal McIntosh report back to you squad." Somepony calls. "Yes sir!" Big Mac yells back and hurries back to his squad. "Mcintosh?" Fluttershy asks. "That is his full last name." Applejack says. Fluttershy giggles. "Funny name." "Seriously, none of ya knew my brother's full name?" Applejack asks. The others look away sheepishly. "Well, when you get a nickname like that it's kinda easy to say only that name then the full name." Rainbow chuckles nervously. "I'm disappointed in all of you." Applejack says. Rainbow smirks. "Well you don't call him by that name either." "But at least I knew it." Applejack countered. Rainbow smiles. "And yet you don't use it. The purpose of a name is to call them by that name, an identity. You don't use it then it's not their name." "His first name is Big. I mean after a while that gets confusing and his last name is a mouth full. And would you like it if everypony called you by your last name Dash, Pie, Sparkle?" Applejack asks. "Parents do that." They responded. "And we don't mind." Twilight finished. "I give up." Applejack says and raises her eyebrow. "Fluttershy why are you wearing your tree disguise?" Applejack asks. Fluttershy blushes. "Trees all around. Nopony bothers me." The rest of the mane six exchange looks and then stare back. "Dear, a moving tree is highly unusual even here." Rarity says. "Then why are the branches moving?" She asks looking up. "That's the wind, Fluttershy." Twilight informs. Fluttershy shakes her head and sees one of the branches moving closer to the group and points. "Winds don't go that far." She whispers fearfully. The tree is then hit by a bolt of lightning setting it ablaze. Looking in shock all six turn to see Lightning not looking happy. "All troops defensive march formation!" Lightning orders. Everypony immediately forms a defensive cover around everypony as they continue. "And get her out of that costume!" Lightning yells. "You heard him sugarcube." Applejack says. Fluttershy shakes her head fearfully and then gets lifted up in a purple glow. "Sorry Shy." Twilight apologized as the tree was removed and thrown away. "We'll get it on our way back." Rarity says as they carry her along. They marched for several more miles before Lightning asked. "So which way now?" He said looking over the large clearing with the castle and gorge. Rainbow pointed to castle and everypony walked forward until she moved it to the bottom of the valley making take a turn down the steps. Lightning look to his grinning wife as everypony grumbled about directions at this point. "How far are we from the old castle of the sister?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smiles. "Actually you're here. The castle ahead is the castle of the two sisters. Where did you need to go again?" "I don't like it. It's far too close for what is about to happen." Lightning says. Rainbow looks confused. "What's about to happen?" "Death, for this is war Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow shrugs. "We need some of the army to get to the tree and do whatever needs to be done. While..." "No, Rainbow this isn't for that. We are here to either kill or capture the Legionnaires." Lightning says sternly. Rainbow glares back at him. "You are not going to last here much longer if you keep this charade up." She starts to poke him in the chest. "We are going to go to the tree and figure things while you take care of the legion. Capiche?" "Captain Silva." Lightning calls. Silva perks up from her name. "Sir?" "Take a detachment of troops and escort my wife and her friends back to Canterlot." Lightning orders. Rainbow growls. "Lightning I know about the sickness." "You have your orders Captain." Lightning says walking away. "Lightning!" Rainbow yells. "Come on Lady Rainbow, you heard him." Silva says escorting her away. "When this is over we are going to be finished!" Rainbow yells after him. 'Unfortunately Rainbow, I doubt I will see that.' Lightning thinks his vision becoming blurry. After Silva had taken Rainbow and her friends away he called over Nikolai. "Nikolai, a word in private." Lightning says. Nikolai nods as they walk to the side. "Nikolai you know what is going on with me right?" Lightning asks. Nikolai nods as he looks to Rainbow and the others going back to Canterlot. "And unfortunately it might have ruined your marriage." "Nikolai if what I have predicted comes to pass, open my artifact vault in Stalliongrad and read the hundred black scrolls in there in order and take over my three armies as grand general. Also give my wife one last message. I have lived my life the way I have chosen and did so with honor and duty. Duty at times is our greatest burden and our greatest comfort. I had to choose between saving this country and our family or a possible cure that we didn't even know for sure would work. The choice was obvious for me and I am sorry for and pain and trouble I have caused you. But know, you and our children were one of the few great joys I have ever had." Lightning says. Nikolai smiles. "Permission to speak freely?" "Denied, for I will not be dissuaded. I have made my choices and I must live or in this case die with them." Lightning says. Nikolai shakes his head. "Then sorry about this sir. ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR BUCKING MIND?!" "We do our duty general. We do our duty." Lightning quotes the words Nikolai had said so long to him in the revolution. Nikolai huffs. "Know this Lightning, one day that attitude of yours will lead you astray, probably sooner than later. We all made an oath to protect this country and ours, but also the ones we follow. You are included." Nikolai then grins. "Besides, I think I know of a way." "Nikolai you know me and you know that the game we are playing in the stakes are bigger than the both of us. For the stakes are the world. I will not jeopardize the world and all of its beings of it for myself." Lightning says walking back to the army. Nikolai stands there as they all walk away, but sees Luna coming up the rear. "Princess Luna, a word please." "Stupid Lightning and having to do things his way. What about other ways for once." Rainbow says angrily. "Ah, my lady, I see you don't fully understand your husband yet?" Apollo says appearing behind them. He then catches a knife heading for his head. "Still need to work on speed and reaction." He said as he throws it back. "Sorry, Commander Apollo." Silva apologizes. Apollo chuckles as he lowers his mask. "So what pissed her off?" He asked looking to the fuming pegasus. "General Lightning is having us escort her and her friends back to Canterlot." Silva says. Apollo then scowls. "I see, then he truly doesn't plan on living through this." Apollo says. Upon hearing this Rainbow stops. "He's a bucking idiot then. Apollo, who's the more stupid, the one who asks for help or the one who denies it?" She asks quietly. Apollo exhales. "I know him all too well. He refuses to jeopardize any plans to save this country or its ponies even if it means he himself dies. He is not selfish enough to care about his own life. He holds far more value in everything else than his own life. In that way I think he is one of the greatest fools of all, but I also respect him deeply." Apollo says. Rainbow huffs. "Let's just go home." "What, you giving up on your husband, just like that? Was your love so shallow that just because he made you mad you say to Tartarus with him?" Apollo asks. Rainbow turns to him. "He resigned himself into being a martyr now. It won't matter at this point. Besides, he's probably attacking the legion now so I can't even get to him." Apollo smirks. "So you do want to go and help him and yet you just turn around and leave him?" Apollo asks. Rainbow glares at him. "Got a completely idiotic plan that will probably get us killed?" "I got no plan. We are dealing with a spirit of harmony and a malevolent spirit of shadows. We have to deal with both of them to save Lightning. So you tell me, is your love so shallow you will just give up on him or will you risk everything on a next to zero percent chance to save his life?" Apollo asks just waving her off from atop a tree branch. Rainbow keeps glaring at him until she smirks. "Why do you think I let go so easily?" "Isn't that what you're doing? Just walking away?" Apollo asks. Rainbow looks to him before laughing. "Jeez, you don't know much about mares do you?" She then calms down. "After Luna told me what was happening to him and listening in on how his powers work when Twilight studied him...closely." She said glaring at her which made Twilight blush and laugh nervously. "I went back and forth between Luna and Nikolai, coming up with a plan between them. First, since Luna and Celestia already had a connection with the spirits of Harmony and Chaos she would be the logical choice to speak to them, while Nikolai kept an eye on my stupid husband. Second, Luna would tell the spirits to let go of the forest area, since the area is already so weaken and us ponies from here can barely touch them. The reason Zecora feels right at home is because she is from another land right?" Zecora nods as Rainbow continues, but Apollo laughs, stopping her. "That's funny Rainbow, but you got it reversed. This is the only place in your country that isn't controlled by the magic Celestia is using from the spirit of Harmony to control." Apollo says. Rainbow smiles. "But the magic was given back and control of it too when we gave the elements back. That's the reason the vines of chaos went back into the forest." "Incorrect, if that was the case then your country would be like this forest, but it isn't the tree that is most likely the way to return the power, but it's like a mailbox in a sense so why hasn't the spirit awoken and retaken it's power?" Apollo asks. There was a long silence before Twilight said, "Something is keeping the spirit dormant." Rainbow nods. "And that's why I told Luna to at least tell the Harmony spirit to give up control on the forest." "That's just it Rainbow, it doesn't control the forest and it can't hear the sisters because it is dormant. Now I wonder what could be doing that." Apollo says. Rainbow shakes her head. "When we returned the elements the vines went back to wherever they came from, but they were made of chaos and can't be destroyed. So they just stayed there while the Harmony spirit tried to keep it at bay. Both the Chaos and Harmony spirit knew something was up so they tried something to get more direct, but it didn't work, now we're kind of asking them to let us take those reigns." "Ah, you're still thinking of this as two opposite forces balancing each other." Apollo says. Rainbow huffs. "Yes, I know, they are actually working together to stop the third spirit that is set out on destroying everything instead of keeping balance. But that means something is awake in there. Whether the Chaos or Harmony, the forest will be completely released and we can't do much there since our magic is no good in that type of world." Apollo sighs. "That's just it Rainbow, it's your magic type that is killing him." Apollo says. Rainbow frowns. "I know, but he said he gains magic from the area around him. And he held this long enough in completely controlled land. Spending all he needs here in a free land then it would possibly help him." "Yes, but your magic is all about control. So let me put it bluntly. If you awaken the spirit of Harmony then you lose all of that. You won't be able to control the weather, plants will grow on their own, animals will take care of themselves, and you will pretty much live in an Everfree like environment. But that's only if you can take care of what is keeping the Harmony spirit dormant." Apollo says. Rainbow looks to the forest. "How was the vines been able to keep back Apollo?" "Because something wants to keep a certain few away." Apollo says. Rainbow smiles. "Something about them seems off. Because they were delivered by Discord and he's made from the Chaos spirit then they shouldn't have caused harm or lasting impressions. Unless something changed them." Rainbow says. "Hmm...sounds like Sombra or Nightmare Moon." Apollo says. Rainbow nods. "Yes, and Harmony and in turn the elements were the thing to keep a little balance even though we had trouble. Something held us back when we were about to give it back, but Harmony took them which means some fragment is alive like Discord is, only connected." "Yeah, six to be exact." Apollo says looking at them. Rainbow shakes her head. "The elements were channels to send the power through, without it we're nothing but a few celebrities...well four celebrities, one princess, and one lady of a land. But still we can't do much without them and unfortunately that's all we were able to do. Luna and Celestia had the most connection and they are still connected in some way so they were the ideal candidates. Besides, if the land was freed, we would be liable to die from anything at that point and Twilight's magic would drain faster even though it's a huge amount. That's why I wanted to leave and leave Luna and Nikolai to handle things from there." "I see you still don't get it, huh. The elements are a focus opposed to the collar Lightning thought they were. The real power came from you six." Apollo says. Rainbow shakes her head. "And then we would send Lightning his death certificate. Yes, we may be part of Harmony, but we can't do much and turn off the land that easily. In fact we just know how to fight together and with the elements, nothing more. Learning this would probably take forever. I wanted to go the safe way as possible. We need a speaker and Luna has the floor with that. We are just the politicians, so to speak. If you want us to go back then starting writing the death warrants." "You don't really have a choice anymore. It seems the spirit is starting to make a move against you six now. So it's do or die girls. Either you destroy this spirit or it will destroy you and corrupt and take everything you hold dear now." Apollo says getting up and loading his bow. Twilight turns to Rainbow. "This is your choice Rainbow, we will follow whatever you want to do." The others nod as they look to her. "Is it really coming?" Rainbow asks. "You tell me." Apollo says as several trees started to turn black and started to move side to side. Twilight groans. "Not again. Pinkie! You're up." "Um...I don't think the laugh song is going to help." Pinkie says looking to the trees. Twilight groans again and gains a blank expression. "I hate my life." She said as she fired a lightning spell to the trees, destroying them. "Like I said, you six don't have a choice now. Captain you and your troops get them to that castle. That is where the spirit is." Apollo says. Silva nods and begins to head back with the rest following. "Let's go get the lord back." "I said the castle. Lightning is not there." Apollo says. Silva looks to him as they pass by. "We finish this and we will get the lord back. Now get hopping and start shooting." "Alright, I'll hold it here as long as I can. You just get those six there." Apollo says drawing an arrow back. Silva nods and looks to the rest. "Let's hurry, we might still make it." She takes off running with the rest behind her. Apollo watches as they leave until they disappear into the darkness. He sighs and, without looking, aims his bow behind him and let's go of the arrow, making it hit a tree coming at him. "I faced worse trees. You try going through the same asylum I went through." Then the shadows formed into a large ogre like form. "Oh great, I guess I'm going to have to take you seriously." Apollo says, notching another arrow. The soldiers and the mane six were running when they heard an explosion coming from where Apollo was. Silva shakes her head and continues on. "He's faced worse, we have to hurry before this gets worse than worse." "What did Apollo mean when he said that thing wants to destroy us now?" Rarity asks. Silva never took her eyes off the forest as trees tried to grab them, but misses by a long shot. "The spirit is bent on destroying anything standing in its way for destruction and unfortunately like Discord is to Chaos, you six are to Harmony and that spirit wants them both gone." "I still don't see…" Rarity was cut off when a pony from behind yelled, "Look out!" The stallion pushed her out of the way but was unfortunately crushed by a giant branch. The mane six stops and gasps, but the others pushed them on as they couldn't stay. "That's what I meant. It just doesn't want you gone as in no more harmony, but also dead." Silva said as they continue to run. "Look up ahead. It's a manticore." A pony says as a manticore burst out of the tree line. "Fluttershy!" Twilight yells to her. Fluttershy looks to the manticore and realizes one thing. She takes a spear from a nearby soldier and puts it through its brain as they run past. They continue to run, but the mane five look to her. "He was already gone." She said sadly. They looked back and see it change into a black version with several spikes protruding from its body. "I see what you mean. What tipped you off?" Twilight asks as she looks back at it. "Its eyes were dead." Fluttershy says crying a little. "We can't stop now. It looks like this entire forest is infected." A changeling says keeping an eye out with its enhanced vision. Silva looks to the mane six. "What else did you face when you first got here?" "Well there was a…" Twilight was cut off by the changeling again. "Captain, incoming! It looks like several corrupted birds are coming at us." The changeling yells. Twilight puts up a shield as the birds came crashing down into them, spreading a black pool of liquid. "My instincts tell me not to touch that." Twilight yells as they continue to run. "Captain, more are coming from behind. It looks like five times as many as the last group." The changeling says. "This is bad. My shield barely held last time." Twilight says. The changeling looks to the two pegasus behind him and they nod. "Captain make it count." The changeling says sadly. "Wait...what are you...?" Applejack asks looking back to see the three take to the air. They watch as the three attack the flock and thin them down and stops them from advancing. "They can hold, but not long. We have to keep moving!" Silva yells before an explosion of green magic happens behind them and Silva just goes silent. "Captain Silva?" Twilight asks carefully. "Just make their sacrifice worth it." Silva says. The mane six nods to each other and runs again. Silva stays behind for a few seconds before catching up. "How far?! You know this area best." She asks them. "We should be halfway there." Rainbow says. Silva looks to them flabbergasted. 'Halfway, we barely survived the first half.' She thinks in despair. She shakes her head as the real consequence came to her. 'Can't let that stop me.' "Oh, look the ground is moving, it must be a giant mole." Pinkie says hopping as fast as the group ran as the ground beside them was humped up like something was moving under a carpet. Twilight looks to the mound. "Yes there is something under there, but moles aren't indigenous to this area, not even Ponyville or Canterlot." The hump shot ahead of them and out of the ground bursts a huge black ogre like creature with no eyes and rows of razor sharp teeth. Silva's eyes widen before Twilight shot a light spell into the dark ogre, making it try to wave it off as it was blinded. "Slide! We're at the cliff!" Twilight yells. "You go on ahead, we'll deal with this thing." A soldier says. Twilight growls. "We're not losing another!" She yells before encasing everypony into a bubble and sending them rolling down the cliff. While Twilight stayed in the middle and keeps firing light spells at the creature. The creature just shrugged them off and shot a beam from its mouth that vaporized a lot of trees near them. "We need to distract that thing." A unicorn says using his magic to cancel the magic bubbles before casting a teleport spell on the mane six and Silva, teleporting them behind it. The mane six watches as the unicorn fires a spell to grab the ogre's attention and runs off after it tried to get him. "Keep moving." Silva tells the others. The soldiers slip through the ogre's legs as they make it across the bridge. "Come on." Pinkie calls waiting for them. The soldiers were about to start crossing the bridge but more ogres burst from the ground. A soldier looks back at them then at the ogres and then takes his weapon and cuts the bridge supports destroying the bridge. "Captain, it's been an honor." The soldier calls. Pinkie and the others watch as the soldier tries to run around and cut ogres. Silva pulls away as he disappears into a fog that appeared. "We have to hurry." She tells the others as they keep watching the fog. "Hey!" She yells getting their attention. "We have lost many thanks to this thing, but we can end it, now let's go." She said running with the other quickly following. Fifteen minutes ago Lightning and the army came to a horrifying sight. Every legionnaire that had been here were brutally killed with a few dark ogre like things lying dead on the ground as well. "Sir, what does this mean?" An unnerved soldier asks. "It means we just found a graveyard." Lightning says. "And the graves are still not empty." Apollo then lands beside him, his cloak a little in tatters. "Lightning, we have a problem." Apollo says out of breath. "No shit, Apollo." Lightning says. "Oh, you mean you know that a malevolent spirit of shadows is trying to kill your wife and her friends as we speak?" Apollo asks genuinely surprised. "WHAT?!" Lightning yells too close. "I thought they were heading back to Canterlot! Why is the spirit going after them now?! It's not time to take over from my calculations." "Well you see I kinda talked to the spirit of chaos. Don't ask how I did it because Discord made me swear not to reveal how. And it kinda told me that the elements of harmony are really just focus lens for the real pieces of harmony which are in the souls of Rainbow and her friends. As such they are the key to reawakening the spirit of harmony and thwarting the malevolent spirit of shadow's plans permanently." Apollo explains and every word seem to make Lightning twitch more and more. "Apollo?" Lightning asks calmly. "Yes?" Apollo asks leaning in. Lightning grabs his hooded collar and pulls him close. "Remind me to send you to another asylum, this time a true haunted one." "Oh, did I forget to mention it is trying to kill them right now?" Apollo asks with a smile. Lightning growls. "And bring your old friend back from the dead as well so she can haunt your ass again." "I don't think you have time for that and to help your wife." Apollo says still smiling. "Belcoot!" Lightning yells. Belcoot shakes himself out the scene in front of him and walks right next to Lightning. "My Lord?" "Take command. Hazuki, Zagai, Alexander and Nikolai you're coming with me." Lightning orders as he drags Apollo along by the ground. Apollo looks to him and smiles. "Does this mean I'm coming too?" "Don't push me Apollo or I'll use you as part of the ammo in our next siege." Lightning says. Apollo hmmms. "Shutting up now." "Double...no...triple time it." Lightning yells, dropping Apollo and takes to the sky with Hazuki, Zagai, Alexander and Nikolai following by either air or land. Apollo watches as he leaves and notches another arrow into his bow. "Everypony duck, I don't know what I'm doing!" He tells them as he fires in a random direction and hitting a tree, making it go up in flames as darkness come out from around the burning tree. "Ready yourselves! I had enough trouble by myself." Lightning just screams in anger as he shoots a lightning spell that leaves a ten foot wide and deep crater. After shooting that blood starts running from his mouth. "Sir! Control yourself. Wasting more magic is not the answer." Hazuki yells from the ground. "I'm going to level this entire forest if I have to get to my wife." Lightning says flying forward anger visible in his movements and his sporadic burst of lightning spells. Hazuki watches as he hurries along. "Huh, so he does care." She fires a fire spell at a nearby tree getting too close. "No, no touching on the first date." She scolded as she rushes to catch up. "You things are annoying me." Zagai says ripping through branches with his strength. "You think you got it bad enough!" Alexander yells as he uses his earth pony strength and heaves a small tree from its roots and throws it to its friends. "I'm destroying things with my hooves!" He yells to Zagai. Lightning fires another bolt as blood started to spill more from his mouth. "Guys, quit skipping through the forest! We have a group in trouble." Apollo, who is keeping up with Lightning, hops through the trees. "Heads up, seems a few of the escort detail soldiers are ahead with more of those ogres." Apollo says. Lightning sees a few soldiers trying to hold their own against the ogres and, in a bout of anger, flies straight to the ground sending an electrical storm everywhere as the soldiers dives to the ground, making the ogres die from the bombardment. "Where are they?" He yells to the soldiers as the ogres fall. The four soldiers point to the castle, making Lightning and the others to either fly or teleport to the castle. The soldiers watch as they go inside before the ground rumbles and more ogres pop up. "Shit." They suddenly fall apart and Hazuki walks up and sheaths her sword. "I guess I'm going to be in charge of getting you four home safely." Hazuki says. The soldiers nod as they look behind her. Hazuki looks behind as well. "Well, I guess I can go for a little touch." She said to herself as more mounds and ogres came out of the trees and ground. The mares get into the castle and start looking around. "Where is the thing?" Twilight asks looking into every doorway, deciding on where to go. Rainbow looks around for something different. "Where's Luna? She's at least supposed to be nearby." "Doubtful, the general ordered her under constant surveillance and to come nowhere near here before we departed Canterlot. He said something about not letting the past repeat itself." Silva says brandishing her sword and shield. They look to her. "What past?" Twilight asked accusingly. "She means Nightmare Moon." Pinkie says swinging on a chandelier. Twilight looks at Pinkie, not even questioning how she got up there. "Why Nightmare Moon? Luna is more in control than ever at this point." "The spirit is what change Luna into Nightmare Moon to begin with." Pinkie says now swing from chandelier to chandelier. Twilight groans. "Then how do we find this spirit? All of us went around this castle a hundred times when we each showed up here and none of us found anything remotely close to the spirit." Rainbow suddenly stops and is wide eyed. "Because it's a spirit of shadows. It's all around us." Rainbow says backing up to Silva. Everypony followed her example as they tried to stay in the most brightly lighted area. "I meant the Harmony spirit and Chaos spirit. Not this one." Twilight said as she tried to light the place up. "Wait don't do that, the brighter the light the darker the shadows. Even our own!" Silva yells wide eyed, tossing the shield away as it casted a shadow. Twilight stops and tucks in her wings as everypony else did what they could make the least amount of light. "It's no good, there is no way to get rid of every shadow." Twilight said as the shadows creep in closer. "Wait." Rainbow slowly looks to their shadows. "Where would be the best place for it to hide?" Rainbow asks. They look to her. "You are not suggesting we go in the shadow Lady Rainbow?" Silva asks as she tries to back up more. "No, I'm asking where would we least suspect?" Rainbow asks. They tilt their heads. "The light?" Pinkie tried. "No, what is the closest to us?" Rainbow asks a little scared. They look down to their own shadows. "We have to stay apart." Twilight said. "Twi don't move." Applejack says not moving. They all stayed still as the shadows crept closer. "What do we do then? How do you fight something you keep making?" Twilight asks, sweat forming on her head. "Your shadow moved when you didn't." Applejack says. Twilight slowly looks down and sees herself, but her head has a smile and sharp teeth...in the middle of the head. She yelps and flies upward to not touch it. The shadow's head area then has two red eyes. "What the heck?!" Twilight yells. Applejack looks to hers. "Some of us can't fly." She saw her shadow's tail become undone. "Twilight, look up at the ceiling." Fluttershy says. Twilight looks up and sees the shadow coming down like syrup falling. She floats downward as they did their best to dodge their shadow. "What do we do?" Rainbow looks around. "Barely anything." Her shadow now has horns and spikes coming out of it with red eyes and fangs. It also look pregnant like she did. "What?" The shadow reaches for its pregnant belly and digs in with its hooves and pulls out the foals. "No!" The shadow laughs as it crushes the foals. "That's not real, Lady Rainbow! You already had your foals and they are safe back home." Silva said to her as her shadow brought up its hooves to the head and removes it as it also grows fangs and red eyes. "Now that's just disgusting." The shadow shrugs. "Oh, do me, do me." Pinkie says looking to her own shadow. It starts to look like her alternate personality, Pinkamena. "Cool. Hi there." Pinkie waves at it enthusiastically. The shadow waves back with less enthusiasm before bringing out a knife and grabs what looks like the Cakes's foals. "No wait!" The shadow brings the knife down and slices through the foal's stomach slowly and carefully. "No, don't do that. Then you won't anypony to play with you anymore." The shadow then starts dismembering them with its red eyes and fangs. "Things are getting worse by the moment." Rarity says as she looks to her shadow. It just sits there, looking like her. "Well, I guess mine doesn't have much to go on." She watches as another shadowy figure comes right by hers and sees that it looks like a small dragon. "Spike?" The Spike shadow gets down on one knee and shows a box. "Oh, that's so sweet." Her shadow looks at Spike for a moment before bringing its head up like a Canterlot pony and sends Spike away with a kick. "No! I would never do that!" Her shadow looks to her and grins. It sends more shadows to the Spike shadows and covers it up. "Stop it!" "That's everypony, but me." Fluttershy meekly says as she looks to her own shadow and see a bunny like shadow. "Angel?" The bunny shadow starts hopping around, but her shadow just stands there. She watches as it reaches into the wing area and pulls out a knife. "No." The bunny shadow stops moving and watches as the knife comes down on him. "Angel!" The shadow then brings out more animal shadows as it starts to knife away at everything in sight. Fluttershy cries as the image haunts her. Applejack looks to her shadow. "You know that undoing my tail is not my worst nightmare." The shadow was then join by Big Mac and Applebloom. "What are you doing?" The shadow Applejack grabs a scythe. "Wait!" The shadow swings the scythe and cuts off the heads of both her siblings. The shadow laughs as another one comes in. "No, not her." She watches as her shadow cuts Granny Smith's head off. "Stop it!" Twilight looks around for her shadow and sees it on the wall next to her. "What are you going to do?" All seven of the mares' shadow then, in unison, started laughing. "What's so funny?" Her shadow smirks as it looks to her friends. Twilight looks and sees most of them sobbing over their image. She then growls and turns back to her own. "Why don't you come out and face us like real ponies. Unless, you're too much of weakling, relying on tricks to get us." The shadow continues laughing and just points up. Twilight looks up and sees the ceiling now had red eyes and fangs and had a male figure. "What?" She whispers to herself. "I do so love to play with my victims before I finish them." The giant shadow says in a distorted voice. Twilight huffs. "You still haven't broken me." "Oh, I have a special plan for you. I believe a second mare of darkness would be so amusing to watch." The shadow says. Twilight raises an eyebrow. "Second mare?" "Yes it was so easy to turn Luna and you. I can smell it, all that rage, fear, hatred, and jealousy. Nice job on that last one by the way, didn't have to do anything. But when I turn you, you will be far more powerful than Luna ever was." The shadow says. Twilight smirks. "Yeah right, like I would join." "I never said join. I will kill your friends one by one and make you watch. Slowly breaking you down until you have no strength to resist." The shadow says. Twilight looks to the side and sees her own shadow looking upward at her master. "Do you deal with this every day?" "You still don't understand do you? I am every shadow here. If I want to I could easily crush each one of yo…" The shadow stopped when it heard a bell outside the front door. "Now who would be ringing a bell while I'm monologuing?" The bell rings again and the shadow notices that its shadow tendrils keeping the door sealed are weakening. "What!?" The shadow roars. A few knocks came to the door to the tune of 'Shave and a Haircut, Two Bits.' "Who is it?" Pinkie asks cheery again. "Charley Temple. Open the door." A voice said with a bored voice. "Oh, must be my quarterly edition!" Pinkie said running to the door and opening it. "Give me my magazine." Lightning walks in with a smile and twitching every once in a while. "Hello. Nice to meet you all, how you doing?" He said with a fake smile. "Oh you know being psychologically tortured by the spirit." Pinkie says. Lightning chuckles. "Good. How is my wife? You are playing nice, right?" "L...Lightning?" Rainbow asks. "Oh Rainbow, where is this spirit?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smiles nervously. "Ah hum! Busy here!" The spirit said loudly. "Oh hi. Die!" Lightning roars before sending a torrent of lightning up, vaporizing the entire roof. "I hope you like the new redecorating idea." Lightning says before vomiting blood. "Lightning!" Everypony yells. "Ha, ha, ha, ha. So the magnificent Lightning is dying. This makes things easier." The shadow said laughing evilly. "Don't be so smug, you over glorified shadow. Light is about to illuminate the room." Lightning says falling over. Rainbow goes over to him as Lightning hits the ground. "Lightning?" Twilight looks around. "What did he mean by light illuminating the room?" "I like to know that myself." The shadow said curious. "Then just look up. Even if it's night there is always light." Lightning says. The shadow appears on another wall away from everypony. "What are you talking about?" Soon the dust started to clear and light started to shine through. "The moon." Silva says. The shadow looks up as well. "Shit." "You forgot your type of spirit loses power when exposed to the outdoors." Lightning says weakly and smiling. Rainbow cradles his head as the moon shines through the room. "You idiot." She said smiling. "Rainbow don't worry about me. Finish it now that it is weakened or it will go after our foals." Lightning says. Rainbow nods and places him down. "Come on girls. Let's get rid of him." She told the others. "But how what are we supposed to do this, the darn thing is formless." Applejack says as the shadow hisses. "Hey, I resent that comment." The shadow hisses. Applejack turns to him. "Ah, shut up. The mares are talking." "You already know what to do, just follow your instincts." Lightning says as Silva joins his side. Rainbow turns to the rest and they smirk. She then turns to the shadow. "You're not that good when it boils down to things." "I'm far more powerful than any of you. Enough of this for you all die now!" The shadow yells before lashing out with the shadow trendies at them. The six dodge them as Twilight starts charging her magic. "Come on girls, together." Twilight says. Soon every one of them got together as Twilight's eyes start to turn white. "You're done." Suddenly the cutie marks of all six mares start to light up as they glow with a new magic. The shadow hisses at them as light floods the room. "Fools, you don't even know what you are doing!" As the mares gets covered in a bubble of white magic the ground starts to be covered in a white magic light. Lightning looks down as the magic reaches him and Silva. "What?" Silva said. "What's happening Captain?" Lightning asks weakly. Silva looks around as the ground under them becomes bright white. "Something is happening on the ground. It's being covered and Lady Rainbow and her friends looks like they are about to attack." "Then all is well." Lightning says getting quieter. Silva watches as Lightning grew still. "Sir?" He doesn't move. "Sir!" She yells shaking him. "Lightning!" "Captain, tell me everything that happens." Lightning says. Silva looks to the mares as the bubble got bigger. She then looks to the shadow as it tries to hide anywhere it could. "Silva?" "The magical bubble is getting bigger and the shadow looks like trying to hide." Silva says. After a while the bubble started to form a white beam that shot upward before collecting at a point. The shadow hisses as it tries to get away. "Now there are attacking." Silva says as she holds Lightning to know he's still there. "Is there white wings coming from the magic yet?" Lightning asks. Silva soon sees another figure form from the collecting beam. "I think it is now, sir." Silva said. Lightning smiles. "Good." The figure from beam rears up as it took the form of a dove and charges. "No! You will doom everything!" The shadow said desperately. The dove hits him, but that's where everything stops. Everything stops at that point. Not even the magic or dust still flying around doesn't even move. Everypony is at a standstill as if time stops as barely anything happens for a few seconds. After a while a white portal opens up in the middle of the whole battleground. "Why do I have to be the one to get them?" A figure said as it steps out of the portal. "I mean, I do a good job, keep everything nice and fun. But do I get any thanks? Nooo." The figure sighs and looks around. It then reaches out with trendals of magic coming from its body and grabs Lightning and Silva. "Need you two." It then reaches to the bubble holding the six mares. "And you six as well." It moves the still bodies and bubble into the portal. The figure sighs as it drop the trendals of magic and heads back, but not before looking to the shadow. "Nope. Not yet." With another trendals of magic it touches the spirit and makes all traces disappear. The figure sighs again and heads through the portal, closing it behind it. Time then starts again and six more ponies enter the room. "General, are you here?!" Hazuki yells. The rest look around as field worthy of a battle laid before them. "What the heck? What happen? Where is everypony? Where's the general, the mares, and the damn spirit?" Zagai yells. Nikolai looks to a pool of blood near him. "I think what we need is time and patience." The rest look to him as if he's gone mad. The mares just got out of the magical bubble, land on something hard. "Where are we?" Fluttershy asks looking around. Twilight looks around as well. "Well this is something I have never seen before. In either books or guides." She said looking around the white room. Rarity looks to the room as well. "Could use some redecorating. White would get drab real fast." "That's insulting you know. I am the architect that designed this place." A voice said behind them. The turn around and see a large chimera like creature. "Discord?" Fluttershy asks. "No, I am the spirit that he came from though." The chimera said with a female voice. Everypony looks to each other before looking back to her. "Are you sure, miss?" Twilight asks. The chimera turns to them shocked. "Hey, I'm not female here." The spirit said with a double voice in a male tone. Twilight then realizes what's going on. "She's a spirit of chaos, the voices changes between all types known to any kind on this planet." The chaos spirit grins a toothy grin. "Very good, except spirits only have genders if we want. But you can identify me as a female for now. Now onto business. Harmony! Wake up! We have guests!" She yells to the other end of the room. A dove pops its head out of a little birdhouse in the corner. "Is it over, did they defeat it?" The dove asks. The chaos spirit scoffs. "You know as well as I do that it's not time yet." She said as she floated over to a throne militarizing out of thin air. "Then why did you wake me up?" Harmony asks irritated. Chaos huffs. "We need them to know something's and also give them what they need." She looks to the almost dead Lightning. "And maybe a deus ex machina." "Wait, is that? Oh that will not do. We can't have him mad at us over this." Harmony says. Chaos reclines in her throne like Discord does on a good day and by that I mean reclining on the side. "Plus, there's our clean floor. We can't have that dirty." Rainbow, seeing Lightning, wordlessly walks over to him and just hugs him. "Rainbow, is that you?" Lightning asks very weak. Rainbow nods and then looks over to the spirits. "Please, help him." She pleaded. "Kinda out of jurisdiction, for he has already made a pact with a spirit." Harmony explained. "And we should be hearing from him soon enough." Chaos says turning her chair upside down. Applejack holds her head. "Would ya quit it, we already have enough trouble concentrating with Discord!" "I don't mind meeting his mother." Fluttershy says with a smile. Chaos claps her hands together. "I like this mare. Would you like to talk over chocolate milk?" Fluttershy looks surprised. "You like chocolate?" Chaos nods. "Of course, it was little Dissy's favorite drink during childhood." Pinkie tries to hold in her laughter. "Dissy?" She then bursts out laughing as the name hits her. They all suddenly silenced with the sound of lightning crackling outside. "He's here." Harmony says. They look to a portal opening as lightning shoots out and courses through the room before combining into a blue eye. "Oh quit it Fulgur. That show is millenniums old." Chaos yells to him. The eye didn't respond as it just looked at Rainbow and Lightning. "What are you looking at?" Rainbow asks. "Rise Lightning Bolt, your duty is not yet fulfilled." The spirit says shooting lightning at Lightning. The lightning coursed through him for a few minutes and Lightning's eyes shot open along with a sharp inhale of air followed by coughing. "Lightning!" Everypony yells. Harmony sighs. "It's good to see other beings happy." "Harmony, Chaos, you will return that realm of the world to normal now." The lightning spirit orders. They shrug as the ponies' coverage around Lightning. "Fine." They said together. "Lord Fulgur?" Lightning asks getting up. "Yes?" Fulgur asks. "Why did you bring me back? I was face to face with death himself. This will put you at odds with him as all spirits know he hates when others disrupt his job." Lightning says. "Please, I play cards with him every weekend. He'll be fine. Besides we're all informed of everything needed from Minerva. She knows...well everything." Fulgur said. "Lightning who is this?" Twilight asks. "This is Fulgur, the king of the lightning spirits and a grand level spirit." Lightning says. Twilight looks back to Fulgur. "Then when you mentioned death, it means…" A dark cloud seeps in from the ground and soon a hooded pony rises out of it. "Shoot, I was too late." "Meet the angel of death. The one who shepherds the souls of every living creature to the other side." Lightning says. "Wowza!" Pinkie yells and edges up to him. "Hello death. What do you really look like? I always wondered when Twilight showed me that picture." "Hello Pinkie, what is this, our tenth meeting?" Death asks. Pinkie shakes her head and brings out a list. "I say around fifty." She said reading the long list. "What!?" The six other mares yell. Pinkie looks to them. "Oh, I'm buddy, buddy with Deathy here. Yet, he always kept that hood up and I wonder what's under it. Let me look." She reaches for the hood, but stops as a blade blocks her way. "Now, now, Pinkie, you know the rules for me." Death said placing the scythe back in the shadows. Pinkie pouts cutely. "Meany." "Now while this has been informative, I think we should leave the spirit world. And death you imitate Rainbow when you come for me next time or I will blast you with everything I got." Lightning says. Death chuckles evilly. "Yeah, yeah. Go back home." Death then sinks into the shadows as they dissipate. "When I get back I am going to drink this memory away." Lightning says. "Save some for me." Twilight says rubbing her head. Applejack looks to the remaining spirits. "I got the hardest cider known to Equestria. Come to where I'm staying and I'll hook ya up." She said to her friends. Chaos chuckles. "Don't be strangers now." Harmony frowns. "And quit dying." "It was what you did that killed me, so you don't get a say in that." Lightning reminds as a portal opens up. Harmony huffs. "Not my fault you can't take me. Maybe you should find another marefriend." "He's married." Rainbow says. Lightning then stops and facehooves. "Oh dang it." "What?" Rainbow asks in a confused tone. "You have a piece of her in your soul because you're an element of harmony and thus she is insinuating that technically she is with me because of that." Lightning says. "Burn." "Burn." Pinkie and Chaos said at the same time. "Forget the drinks, I will just beat my head on a wall." Lightning says. Harmony smirks. "Not if I'm there to stop you." "I hate you Harmony." Lightning says. Harmony just sticks her tongue out. Twilight leans in to the upside down Chaos. "I thought she was about harmony?" "She is, but she is still a child." Chaos whispers. Twilight looks to the little dove. "That's a child?!" "By our standards. After all, you mortals are so short lived." Chaos says. Twilight looks at the dove for a few more before heading for the portal. "This can count as the scariest and weirdest day ever in our lives." The mane six and the army soon returned to Canterlot now that the threat of the Legionnaires in the Everfree Forest was eliminated. Lightning had been avoiding Rainbow all the while back and looked like he was mostly in thought. He soon asked Rainbow to meet him privately in a room in the castle after they got back. Lightning laid in front of a lit fireplace as he waiting for Rainbow, all the while staring into the flames. He then heard a knock on the door. "Come in." Lightning says. Rainbow enters with a downtrodden look on her face. "Hey hun." She said sadly. "Hey love. We need to talk. I specifically need to apologize." Lightning says. Rainbow looks up in surprise. "Uh...you sure you're my husband?" "Yes, as a soldier and a general I have sacrificed many things friends, soldiers, places. But there is one thing I can't sacrifice no matter what. I couldn't let you come into harm's way Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow frowns at him. "So what's this have to do with you apologizing?" "I couldn't let you come into harm's way so I tried forcing you away recently." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs. "More than forcing away." She said to herself. "Yes and I just wanted to say I'm sorry and I understand if you want to leave me." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him with a glare. "Mr. Bolt, do you remember what I said back there?" "I know. I've decide to leave you everything here. After I finish the Legion I will be leaving Equestria forever." Lightning says. Rainbow keeps glaring until she sighs. "You're still the same stupid stallion I'd married." She then smiles. "But you're my stupid stallion." "Huh?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smiles lovingly. "Would you bring them in please?" She said to the door. The door opens to find Hurricane and Stormy with their foals. "You know that if you leave I think Talion would hate me forever and I am all about keeping loyalty between everypony. If I divorced you, what kind of loyal mare would I be?" "I don't deserve you Rainbow." Lightning says sadly. Rainbow giggles. "Then how about you stop thinking about others for a moment and think about yourself. You would never get by in your whole life without thinking about yourself for once." "You've been talking to Nikolai about my past haven't you?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smiles. "Actually everypony. They are all worried about you and they know how to deal with it, but you don't. So we have been trying to leave thoughts to you on it." Lightning looks confused. "What?" Rainbow looks to him. "You didn't see all the subliminal messages?" Lightning shakes his head. "No." Rainbow facehooves. "Then you're more of an idiot than I thought." "I'm still regaining my eyesight here." Lightning says. Rainbow knocks him upside the head, knocking him down. "Like I said, idiot. You need to start listening more." "Yes love." Lightning said in pain as he stayed down. Rainbow lays right by him as Hurricane and Stormy places their foals right beside them. "We'll leave you two alone now." Hurricane said as she and Stormy leaves and closed the door behind them. Lightning and Rainbow looks to each other as their foals move around them. "You really need to work on your social skills." Rainbow randomly said. "What can I say I'm not really up to my average? Also Rainbow, I have decided to let Duke Hyou take over freeing the coast and will be sending most of the remaining army to reinforce him since without my eyesight I won't be as much help." Lightning says feeling the foals rub up against him. Rainbow scootches over next to him so Lightning was spooning her. "Then it's a great excuse for us to spend more time together." "I have no objections to that. But two questions, first how are you and your friends taking the deaths of the soldiers that sacrificed their lives to protect them?" Lightning asks wrapping a foreleg around her. Rainbow snuggles more into him. "They understood what was happening after Fluttershy rekilled that manticore. They know what is going on since the war started so they're fine. And Pinkie is just going to have another chat with Death it seems so..." She trails off there. "And you?" Lightning asks. "Lightning I have been more worried than ever at this point and yet I still see the dead come in. I can handle it." Rainbow said nuzzling him. "Ok and my second question. Even if I can't see it I can feel that the weather is no longer under the control of the ponies. The realm is starting to feel like a natural place. So how are ponies taking this?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shudders. "They're adapting and Celestia and Luna are trying to keep the population from going out of control. We'll be fine, ponies lived in this type of situation like you have so we can take it. But for one thing is that the clouds we make are still under control, they just act like nature clouds. Twilight noticed that her magic reserves are slowly recovering, but not as fast as before so it's still there. Applejack has been working on the fields and noticed that the trees and plants needed less care as they can handle themselves so really more season time now. Fluttershy also saw some animals leaving to live their own life without ponies, but she understands. Some stayed with her so she's happy with that." Lightning smirks. "I wonder how they will react will they learn they don't have to do winter wrap up." Lightning says chuckling. Rainbow giggles. "Yeah, thought about that. It was trouble anyway. Now we can do less work and enjoy the time of the holiday here again." "You will still have to work, just on different things. Like no more scheduled weather so you will have to just learn to adapt and endure it like our ancient ancestors." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Yeah I guess. Still we have some control just not much on that." She feels Typhoon curling up against her. "Why don't we rest here for a bit? I think everypony here needs it." "That sounds good." Lightning says wrapping all of them in his wings. Rainbow curls up more as Talion joins his sister. "Can you pet my head like before." She asks him as her wings wrap around their little ones. "Guide my hoof Rainbow." Lightning says reaching out. Rainbow feels his hoof and holds it as she guides it to her. "Remember that I wanted to leave then I wouldn't like this at all. Now does this say something about us? I would say yes." She finished with placing his hoof in her head. "I think it says we are both idiots for love." Lightning says petting her mane. Rainbow purrs. "Thanks for staying with us." "No, thank you for staying with me." Lightning says. Over the next few weeks Scootaloo joined her parents in Canterlot and the family spent the entire time together. Meanwhile Nikolai lead most of the remaining army to reinforce Duke Hyou who had already taken back a fourth of the coast. "Dad, how long would this war take here?" Scoots asks him. Lightning smiles as he was lead around by Rainbow with a blindfold over his eyes from Apollo. "Not much longer." He said to the direction of her voice. Scoots smiles. "So what are we going to do, the whole city is back up so there's plenty to do?" "There are still many repairs to do, but what do you say about an estate here?" Lightning asks as he feels Scootaloo climb onto his back. Scootaloo smiles. "An estate, like a home?" "Yes, like our keep in Pegasopolis." Lightning says. Scootaloo looks around. "But why here? Rarity once told us of how these citizens go about their day and besides, what's wrong with our home?" "Nothing, but there may be times that require us to come here and would you prefer to stay in a home of ours or a hotel which may not have vacancies?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo looks sheepish. "Guess the estates wins. By the way dad, you look cool with that blindfold." "Thanks my little sunshine." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles. "Dad!" Scootaloo whines. "You said I couldn't call you angel so I'm working on a new nickname for you." Lightning says. Rainbow starts to chuckle. "He's right sweetie, got to learn to take it as they come." Scootaloo huffs as Lightning just chuckles. "Dad, where are the Wyverns?" "They should be with Duke Hyou by now. I had a part of the army hold Baltimare with them to secure the landing of our reinforcements." Lightning says. Scootaloo looks down as she lays down on his back. "Oh." "They will be back with the army soon sunshine and they will return as victors." Lightning says. "It's not that I'm worried about." Scootaloo said sadly. "He'll come home safe sunshine." Lightning says. Scootaloo smiles lightly. "I know he will." "Then maybe I'll use some magic to turn him into a pony for you." Lightning joked. "Dad." Scootaloo whines. "Besides, I just like him like the way he is." "I was joking sunshine." Lightning says. 'But it's not a half bad idea.' Lightning thinks. "I know." Scootaloo retightening his blindfold. "So sunshine, how are you adapting to the changes?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo grins. "I'm already a tough filly. I'm good." "I know you are, you are mine and your mother's girl." Lightning says. Scootaloo smirks. "Not really your filly." "Oh, oh, you wound me my filly." Lightning says in mock pain. Scootaloo bops him on the head. "Boop." Rainbow just smiles at the two as she feeds the baby foals. "Come on you two. Time for solid food." She said holding out two mushes of food. "Rainbow you're already trying to wean them off your milk?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shakes her head. "No, just getting them solid food or semi-solid food. I'm still giving them my milk." "Ah, so trying to mix it then." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "One or the other." "I see, I noticed our little Typhoon is spending less time in the air. You think she is entering the stage where she forgets how to fly?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks to him. "I thought you couldn't see." "I can't see Rainbow but remember my hearing is very good and with my eyesight temporarily cut off it is even better." Lightning says Rainbow chuckles embarrassedly, but soon composes herself. "Yeah, little Typhoon is flying a little less so maybe." Rainbow says. Scootaloo looks over to the foals as they ate. "Looks like it working." "Hey sunshine, you ready to be an older sister?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo smiles. "How do I start?" "I think that is a question for your cool aunt." Lightning says. Scootaloo looks to her mother. "What does he mean?" "He means that she is experienced in being a big sister." Rainbow says petting Talion and Typhoon. Scootaloo looks confused before realizing what he meant. "Oh, he means us." "Yeah." Rainbow says. "Double chocolate chip frappe ventie." A server said as she places the drink on the table. "Thank you." Rainbow says taking the drink. "So Rainbow, how is Luna doing ruling Canterlot while her sister makes preparations to return the court here?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smiles. "Oh, bored as ever. Plus the fact more nobles are returning and demanding more stuff than ever." "Well at least they seeing her as a more legitimate ruler than window dressing." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs. "Guess what Luna is wishing now?" "More chances in politics?" Lightning offered. Rainbow chuckles. "Nope, she wants to be ignored again." "Grass is greener on the other side." Scootaloo says. "Correct sunshine." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles. "Now she just wants things back to the old ways." Scootaloo looks around. "Where should we find a home?" "Rainbow since I can't see, you and sunshine will have to decide, but I recommend looking at some of the estates some nobles sold before they fled to Pegasopolis." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Okay, but somepony has to carry the foals and you are in no condition blind." "That is why we hired servants and give them very good wages." Lightning says. Rainbow frowns. "Then where are they?" "You just had one get you a drink remember?" Scootaloo asks. Rainbow looks to the server. "I thought that was the cafe server. I must be losing it." "You're just tired love. Let's not go house shopping today. We don't need it yet as Luna has put us up in the castle for now." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "Yeah, just tired. Can we walk around for a bit before heading back?" "You guide me and I'll go anywhere with you." Lightning says getting up. Rainbow smiles tiredly. "Good, let's go." She turns to a nearby servant. "Can you carry our foals for us? I don't think anyone of us is in a good condition to carry them." "Of course my lady." The unicorn mare says taking the little ones. Rainbow turns to Lightning. "Let's go." She said taking him by his hoof. For a few more weeks the family spends time together and found a sold estate which they bought and paid a crew to come and repair it. Princess Celestia and Twilight soon arrived in Canterlot, thus easing Luna's burden and then the news came. The army lead by Duke Hyou had liberated all of the coast and Manehatten and were returning to Canterlot. A special news report was also given across the airwaves. "Hello Equestria, this is the Vinyl Scratch." Vinyl says. "And we have a special announcement." Octavia said. "Yes we do. It is official Mares and Gentlecolts, but let us have the returning hero tell you about it." Vinyl says. "Vinyl, I'm no hero, just a commander." Nikolai says. Vinyl chuckles. "To us, you are a hero, now speak good sir." She said in a snooty accent. "Very well, the war is over Equestria, we have won. The Dominion's legion has either fallen or surrendered and all of Equestria is liberated from their control. But it was not without a price. The lives you once knew where you controlled the weather, the plants, and animals has come to an end. A last desperate act of the commander that held Manehatten." Nikolai says. "So no more control?" Octavia asks. "We have control of our daily lives, but you will have to learn how to go with the flow of nature and how to live with it. Just like those who live on the eastern continent." Nikolai says. "But Rainbow and her friends have some control, so why not we still?" Vinyl asks. "Well that's not completely accurate. There is still some control but that is resident magic floating around. But good news for you pegasus living on clouds, you will still be able to keep your homes. You're just going to have to ask for some unicorns to help supply magic when reshaping them." Nikolai says. "So our living is lessened than ever. Boring." Vinyl said. "Look on the bright side we don't have to manage everything anymore so we have more time to goof off or do what we want." Nikolai says. "Not so boring now. Want to hit the sheets later?" Vinyl asks. "Vinyl, I thought you would prefer to go out to a club and celebrate." Nikolai says. "Not after I got a personal stud here." Vinyl said. "Oh that reminds me. Octavia I hope you'll put on your best for your date. Just be sure to make a list of everything you got." Nikolai says. "List?" Octavia asks. "Just do it, but meet him at the cafe in Canterlot, he'll be wearing something fancy." Nikolai said. "Oh, I want a picture of this." Vinyl says. A thud is then heard. "I was hoping you both had forgotten." Octavia says. "Hold on a second. Come to think of it, Nikolai, your wings look a little shinier." Vinyl says. "Uh...gotta go." Nikolai said quickly as he left with the door slamming behind him. "Get back here you!" Vinyl yells as the sound of the door slamming again was heard. After a while silence was heard. "I think they're gone." Octavia said. "Well, looks like we're done for today. See ya next time and I better stop Vinyl from killing our co-host." Celestia, Luna, and Twilight looked at Lightning who now had his blindfold removed. "You're surprised I told Nikolai to not mention the spirits or that you had control over the elements?" Lightning asks. Celestial frowns. "A little bit of both and Luna not mentioning her conversation." "I did this for a few reasons. First, how would the ponies feel if they knew a single spirit was behind both Sombra and Luna becoming Nightmare Moon and it is still out there although severely weakened?" Lightning asks. Celestia glares at Twilight. "I thought you and the others killed it?" She harshly asks. "Don't take that tone Celestia, they would have if not for the spirit's politic interfering." Lightning says harshly. Celestial glares back to him. "What do you mean political interference?" "There is a whole different level of rules when it comes to, Celestia. Twilight, with her studies in my kind of magic, should understand it." Lightning said glaring her down. Celestial stomps a hoof down. "So why have the spirit not been killed?!" "Don't push me Celestia, even though I'm weakened I'm still more powerful than you are in your current state. So if you want the answer, take it up with the guardian spirits Chaos and Harmony." Lightning says unfazed by her anger. "Trust him." Celestial looks to Discord who appeared behind them. "Mothers know best." "Oh Dissy. I didn't know you were on our side." Twilight says with a smirk. Discord sputters as the name hits the room. "Wha...where did you hear that?! Nopony is to know that name!" He ordered as he pointed a finger at her. "Chaos told us." Twilight says as Luna was snickering. Discord frowns. "I am going to have a few choice words with mother." He brings out a long list. "Now which ones should I use?" "How about you don't go there because she'll do something worse to you." Lightning says. Discord stands proud. "Please, I'm her son, sort of. She respect me after all these times because I'm grown up and a full grown adult." Lightning smiles. "So why do you have an 'I'm mommy's little angel' shirt?" "What!?" Discord yells looking down to see the shirt. Twilight and Luna goes into full on laughter as Discord tries feasibly to rip off the shirt, even dragging himself across the floor as he pulled. Lightning chuckles as he watches the comedy. "Shirt, five bits. Magic to place it on Discord, ten units of chaos magic. Watching Discord get embarrassed from his mother, priceless." Lightning commented to himself. "Your evil, but the fun kind." Luna says nuzzling him. Twilight calms down and looks to them. "Married Luna, he's married, so I suggest you stop doing that." "Oh right sorry." Luna says heading back to her seat. "Now the second reason is so nopony uses this as motivation to start rising up against you two." Lightning says. Celestia looks to him. "Why would they rise up against us? Nopony mentioned the sun and moon so we're good." "Because Celestia, I can have easily told them to reveal the truth like what they were planning on doing. That includes you lying for all these years that you control the sun and moon." Lightning says giving her a hard glare. Celestial glares to Luna who chuckles nervously. "Don't blame your sister, me and my sworn swords figured it out long ago." Lightning says. Celestial snarls. "This meeting is adjourned for now." "Um...what meeting Celestia?" Lightning says with a smirk. Celestial says nothing as she gets up and starts to leave with a scowl on her muzzle. Lightning's smirk falls as Celestia left. "She's going to be trouble for this nation if she doesn't get that ego in check." Lightning says seriously. Luna scoffs. "Please, you don't know our sister. She would rather find diplomacy with creatures that know only war than do it in their way to stop a war and gain peace." Twilight looks interested. "What's the tactic for that?" Luna shrugs. "Fight their toughest fighter and win. Then you get control over their nation." "That only works if you have the power to back it up afterwards because what is to stop the side that lost to get mad and not abide by the agreement?" Lightning asks. Luna grins. "We cover the toughest pony up in guard armor and send them to fight. And then afterwards say we got thousands more like them." "So all you do is bluff?" Twilight asks. Luna giggles. "Every single piece of politics is like a game of poker. Whoever has the best poker face wins." "Well that plan is useless now thanks to a recent event." Lightning says. The princesses groans. "We know Lightning." Twilight said exasperated. "I was speaking of the changeling invasion. You know how they completely overwhelmed your guards." Lightning says. Luna rubs her head. "Don't remind us." "Yeah and have you noticed how your ponies don't bow to you like they used to?" Lightning asks. "War is on the mind. No time to now and we don't say bow or die." Luna quipped. "No, it started before that." Lightning says. "Celebrations with the princesses." Twilight offered. "Celestia lost in one on one combat with Chrysalis." Lightning reminds. "Okay, got it off." Discord said holding a pair of scissors and tattered pieces of shirt around him. "Discord tell me, how do you feel now that Celestia has been defeated in one on one combat?" Lightning asks. He shrugs throwing the scissors towards Twilight. "Honestly, sad because I can't mess with her like I use to." "Now put yourself in the position of a normal citizen and you learn the pony that you thought is a goddess lost in one on one combat." Lightning says. Discord crosses his arms. "Disappointed, if you can make god bleed, others will stop believing in him." "Twilight, Luna, your opinions if you were in the same position?" Lightning asks. Luna leans on a hoof. "Worried." Twilight puts the scissors away. "Sad for them." "Exactly on all three point of views and she is nowhere near as strong as she used to be. So how long will she be able to keep up this Goddess act?" Lightning asks. Luna shrugs. "Probably as long as me. But not Twilight since she was a regular unicorn once so the citizens won't want her to back down." "Ah, but add the fact that even some of the royal guards are starting to question it." Lightning says. Luna looks blankly at the guards at the doorway who were blushing. "Then the nation is doomed and it will fall and end up where we were in the war." "No, what we need is a strong central government that doesn't deceive the populace into thinking themselves gods or goddesses. It also might be close to choose an heir to Equestria. Without access to Harmonies power time is returning to you both." Lightning says. "Until you're back again baby. Miss you, want you, need to go." Twilight randomly said. Everypony looks to her weirdly. Twilight blushes. "Sorry, random song that came with the conversation, can't get it out. Any case, who would be an heir? All the way up to now it has been a complete rule with a monarchy. Neither Celestia nor Luna have any foals so that's out. I don't have anypony so that's out as well. And we can't pick a citizen otherwise they destroy the nation with the war still in their mind." Lightning, Luna, and Discord exchange looks and then look back at her. "Why are you looking at me?" Twilight asks. "She is technically royalty as her brother married the princess of the Crystal Kingdom." Lightning says. Twilight's eyes widen. "Wait, there is no way their foal will rule here. They rule the Crystal Kingdom and in turn their foal too." "I said brother married to the princess Cadance. Think that over for a bit." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "They have to watch over the Crystal Kingdom. They can't do that here." "Twilight I'm suggesting you my thickheaded student." Lightning says. Twilight looks at him for a few. "Discord, wash pan please." "It could work, my sister did publicly acknowledge you and make you a princess of Equestria." Luna says. Discord snaps a wash pan into existence as Twilight takes it with her magic and drops it on Lightning's and then Luna's head. "Twilight seriously, we are a having serious discussion of this kingdom's future. Whether you or Celestia like it or not, both her and Luna will age like any other pony now and will die most likely in our lifetimes." Lightning says rubbing his head. "Um..." Luna pipes up. "Actually we will." Luna says defeated. "Well maybe your lifetime Twilight, not mine because as a general I'm in war a lot and am in constant danger." Lightning says. Luna then perks up. "Oh, this means that I can pursue a relationship, Twilight want to be with me?" She asks cheerily. Twilight looks at Luna in shock. "My Luna, I never knew you trot that way." Discord says grinning. Luna shrugs. "I found mares better and understanding. Besides, I had my eye on Twilight ever since she saved me." "Um...sorry to tell you this Luna but I'm into stallions." Twilight says nervously. Luna smiles. "You'll never know until you try it." "That also technically not a no." Discord says. Twilight looks between the both of them until she looks back to Lightning. "You had to say that they are not immortal anymore." Lightning grins. "Give her an answer Twilight, I don't think she'll stop." Twilight huffs before looking to Luna. "I guess maybe a little." She said smiling lightly, but not much. Luna giggles. "Oh, this is going to be so much fun." "So the three of us agree she is the best candidate?" Lightning asks. Everypony nods except Twilight who started to shake before fainting. "Luna don't violate her while she is out, ok?" Lightning asks. Luna cutely giggles. "No promises." "Luna." Lightning says smiling. Luna smiles. "Fine. Just let me hold her." "If you do that at least take her back to her room." Lightning says. Luna grins. "Don't worry, I will." She said as she lifted Twilight up with her magic. "Well I best go see my wife and let her know." Lightning says. Discord smiles. "Take this for your wife, Mother knows you need it." He said snapping his fingers and giving Lightning a bag. "What is it?" Lightning asks. Discord grins with his snaggle tooth. "Something to spice up your life with her." "What is it?" Lightning says raising an eyebrow. Discord groans. "Your wife was right, you are a thick head. It's a gel to increase sensitivity! There I said it. I'm out of here." He snaps his fingers and heads wherever he went. Lightning stayed silent until Luna said, "Can I have a bottle?" She asks pointing to him while Twilight floated by her. "Take the whole thing, Rainbow and I don't need it." Lightning says. Luna claps her hooves and takes the bag as well. "Oh, I'm going to have so much fun." She said as she left through the door with both her packages. Lightning jumps out the window and glides down to the courtyard and starts walking. "Okay, princesses dealt with, now what?" He said to himself. "Oh yeah, gotta spy on Octavia's date for fun." Lightning says taking to the sky again. Over at the local cafe the gray mare sat as she waited for her blind date. "Oh, where is he?" "Sorry I'm late, I had to pick up my tux from the dry cleaners." A voice says behind her. She looks behind her to see Apollo in a tuxedo and wearing a hat. "Who are you?" Octavia asks. "Oh sorry, my name is Apollo. My friend Nikolai made me come on this blind date." Apollo says removing the hat and bowing. Octavia looks to the dark wearing pony. "Well, you're something." "Wait, haven't we met somewhere?" Apollo asks. Octavia looks him over. "Maybe, but not to me." "I think we met at a bar one time." Apollo says. Octavia shakes her head. "Not really, I haven't been to any." "No, I'm pretty sure. Oh wait, you told me your name was Octavia and you are a part of an ensemble." Apollo says. Octavia racks her memories. "It's coming back little by little." Apollo leans in and whispers. "And after the fifth round that you slept with three other mares in college." Octavia goes wide eye as she slaps him. "How dare you!" "Hey, you told me that. Their names were Sapphire Shine, Musical Cord, and Forest Runner." Apollo says rubbing his cheek. "Yes, ok, those were my three best friends in college." Octavia says noticing ponies staring who immediately turn away hearing that. "Remember now?" Apollo asks in a quieter voice. Octavia nods. "I do now." "Sorry for embarrassing you." Apollo apologized. Octavia waves him off. "It's okay. Let's just enjoy this date." "I must admit I'm at a lost. I've never been on one of these." Apollo says. Octavia lightly smiles. "You're lucky. I have been on a few. Luckily, this is a light date, so act like you're just visiting a normal pony. It'll help." "Ok, so you told me a bit about yourself, but I never told you anything about myself so ask me any question." Apollo says. Octavia smirks. "Sit down, order something and then we'll talk." Apollo complies. "You know some ponies are watching us right?" Apollo asks. Octavia smiles. "After that show, they have been. And maybe one on your end." "No, I mean I spy an electric blue haired unicorn and a pegasus down the street." Apollo says. Octavia huffs. "I know. They were following after the show." "I think I spied my boss earlier too." Apollo says. Octavia giggles. "I guess we are alike in some ways." "You work for Lightning Bolt as well?" Apollo asks. Octavia shrugs. "In some ways, I just do a radio announcement." "Oh, you're were a part of the show that helped get information to all of Equestria." Apollo says. "Wait, you mentioned you work for Lightning?" Octavia asks. "Ah yeah, basically I'm a scout and a commander." Apollo said. Octavia leans her head to the side. "Do you think I could see you in your commander outfit?" "I kinda handled the part of spying with the changeling like Johnny over there." Apollo says as a changeling flies by with groceries. Octavia looks surprised. "Groceries?" "Oh yeah, to get their help the princesses gave them some real estate here in Canterlot." Apollo says waving at Johnny who waved back. Octavia raises an eyebrow. "What kind of real estate?" "Underground portion of Canterlot." Apollo says. Octavia blushes bright red. "They got a sex club?" "I didn't say that." Apollo says whistling. Octavia looks at blankly. "That whistling says something different." "I'm not saying anything. I just said where it was." Apollo says. Octavia looks to the changeling as it heads down the lower levels. "The only thing down there is the black market and sex clubs. What else that a creature with shape shifting powers be doing?" "They are changelings, they mostly feed on love. What type of love is not an issue to them?" Apollo says. Octavia smirks. "You just told me what they are doing." "Technically it's a strip club. You would not believe how long they can go on about that place." Apollo says. Octavia smiles and huffs. "I would bet. Been there once?" "No, not my kind of place. I prefer somewhere with some class. The music hall is a nice place to go every once in a while." Apollo says. "Oh." Octavia becomes surprised. "Really now, you're not just saying that because of my job." "Nope, I'm serious. I also want to go see the art museum here now that I have some down time and the war is over and the art has been returned recently." Apollo says pulling out a brochure. Octavia looks him over as she sips some tea. "You're a little laid back though." "Huh?" Apollo looks to see that he placed his hind legs up. "Whoops, but I'm already tired so sorry, but they're staying." "I must say I'm kind of relieved when Vinyl and Nikolea set this up, I was expecting a less dignified stallion." Octavia says. Apollo smiles reading the brochure. "I have some things a mare likes, but I'm more rugged than others." "Oh yeah, Mr. Spy." Octavia says sarcastically. "We prefer the term undercover agents." Apollo says. Octavia giggles, but then gains a thought. "Got a knife?" Apollo grins. "Rule number nine, never go anywhere without a knife." He said giving her a throwing blade from his leg holder. "Oh, what's the others?" Octavia asks taking the blade. "Rule one, never talk about the fine details of your work. Rule two, never tell any rules other than one and nine except to colleges." Apollo says. Octavia smiles. "I like a stallion with something they can live by." "Oh, usually most ponies are turned off by that." Apollo says. Octavia leans to the side. "Then they are not right for you." "Maybe so, any other questions?" Apollo asks. Octavia nods. "Yeah, quit spying!" She then throws the knife towards Vinyl. Nikolai lifts the table and the knife lodges into it. "Not a bad throw." Nikolai says lowering the table and taking the blade. Vinyl places the dish she had back on the table again. "You can say that again." She takes another bite of hayfries. Apollo whistles at the throw. "Not bad, although that knife was designed to fly in a curved angle." Apollo says. Octavia huffs. "Please, I just wanted a distraction." "Run?" Apollo asks. Octavia shakes her head. "Nope, getting another." "Wait, what?" Apollo asks. Octavia smiles. "Nice placement of a knife." Apollo stares at her for a few moments before bursting out in laughter. "Oh, we are going to get along great." Apollo says. Octavia smiles before throwing the knife she got towards Lightning hiding in the trees nearby. He ducks out of the way for the knife to embed itself into the trunk. "So would you like to go to the art museum or the music hall?" Apollo asks. Octavia looks at him for a few before giggling. "How about a walk? I had enough of museums and halls for a while." "That sounds fine, I hear there is a nice park outside of Canterlot." Apollo says. Octavia takes one last sip before leaving some bits and gets up. "Let's go. Oh and here's your other knife back. I don't know why you carry so many, but almost one of each." She said holding out a knife "I really like you." Apollo says taking the knife. Octavia pushes against him teasingly after he got up. "Watch it big boy. You'll get this one day." "Oh, ho, you are good." Apollo says smiling. Octavia smiles and walks off with Apollo following, but not before looking back at the rest of them. "Give me the knives back after I get back." He quickly catches up to Octavia who was waiting for him. Lightning sneaks up behind Nikolai and Vinyl. "I see you two been playing matchmaker." Lightning says. They turn to him with Cheshire cat grin on their faces. "You betcha Lighty." Vinyl said. Lightning holds up a picture and Vinyl immediately goes quiet. "You're not the only one who has blackmail." Lightning says with a toothy grin. Vinyl lunges for the picture, but Lightning moves it out of the way. "Where did you get that?!" She yells. "Like it, I have a whole photo album of stuff like this of you and Spitfire." Lightning says with a smirk. Vinyl immediately stiffened. "Please don't." She pleaded. "I'm not going to do anything Vinyl, now I'll leave you with Nikolai. And Nikolai be sure not to keep her up all night." Lightning jokes. Nikolai blushes bright red. "Sir." He partially groans. "What, you like you're drinking games." Lightning says. Nikolai huffs and looks to Vinyl. "Come on, let's go." He said leaving. "Oh and Vinyl, ask about his third left feather and what it does to him." Lightning calls walking away. He then hears a yelp come from their direction and then a slump. Lightning just laughs as he walks away as Vinyl has a huge grin on her face over Nikolai breathing breathlessly. He then thinks about where to head next. 'Let's see, princesses and date is done so there has to be something else. Rule of three has to be here.' He thinks to himself. He then feels something latch to the back of his head. "Hey Talion." Lightning says. Talion chirps. Lightning grabs him off the back and looks to him. "Did...you...just chirp like a changeling?" "Seeku." Lightning says annoyed. Talion giggles as he squirms around. Lightning sighs as he places him on his back and starts to head back to their room in the castle. "Seeku you have really done it now." He said landing in their room. "Some Lightning call me?" Seeku asks dropping from the ceiling. Lightning turns to her. "Seeku I...what are you doing?" Seeku smiles as she twirls a hoof over his chest. "Nothing, just being myself." "Tell me, what have you been showing my son?" Lightning asks. Seeku giggles cutely. "Don't worry, I'm not that deprived. He just he heard me talking to the others in chirping tones so he imitated it. We were even surprised it was talk able chirps." "Don't teach them something that will get Rainbow angry at us." Lightning says. "Yeah, you better not." A familiar voice say behind them. They look over with Lightning sweating and Seeku grinning. Rainbow stood there as Talion cheers at his sister in changeling chirps. Seeku giggles. "Those chirps will come in handy one day." "That better be all he imitates from you." Rainbow says. Seeku brings a hoof to her chin. "Now that would be a sight to see." "Stop now, Seeku." Lightning says. "I wonder what the best way to burn a changeling is." Rainbow says. Seeku giggles and hugs them both. "Oh come on, I'm just joking. Isn't that what families do or is it just brood?" She asks as she looks at them with a hurt tone. "Brood humor isn't the best for Rainbow when it come to her foals." Lightning says. Seeku looks to Rainbow as she glares at her. "Look Rainbow, we're family. We help each other and be there for each other." She then smiles. "That also means having fun at times." "Only when my foals aren't around." Rainbow says. Seeku shrugs. "How was I supposed to know he would pick up on the chirps?" Talion chirps. "Yeah, you said it buddy." "What did he just say Seeku?" Lightning asks creepily nice. Seeku smiles. "Oh, just how incompetent his parents are." "I can understand changeling chirps remember?" Lightning asks. Seeku giggles. "I know, he said he didn't even know either." "No, no, no, that is not the words he used." Lightning says. Seeku tilts her head. "So what did he say?" "I will not repeat it in, what language is the official language here again love?" Lightning asks. Rainbow glares down to Seeku as she backs up. "Equestrian honey, but what did he say?" Lightning whispers in her ear and she smacks Lightning. "What, that is the translation?!" Lightning giggles. "Yeah, we got you there." Seeku hugs Rainbow's head. "Silly mare." "You are in trouble missy." Rainbow says. Seeku looks to her. "Rainbow I take care of you and the family. Isn't that enough, plus I make things fun, right Talion?" Talion chirps. Seeku grins. "See, he agrees with me." Lightning's jaw just slacked. "I'm living in a house of craziness." He groans out. Seeku giggles. "I thinks its insanity now." "You will refrain from teaching him the chirping language anymore." Lightning says. Seeku looks to him grimly. "Trust me when I say you need a changeling speaker. This is a language known only to changelings and it's hard for growing and fully grown adults to learn." "Rainbow wasn't joking about the burning Seeku." Lightning says. Seeku shakes her head. "I'm not joking either. Didn't you not get the dark spirit?" "Hey Rainbow, you want a full translation?" Lightning asks. "Ok, ok." Seeku says tired of everything now. She then starts to leave. "Just because you have something doesn't mean you don't need more. It just means that's it's time to pass on." She closes the door behind her after that. "Remember there is a changeling meeting/feast at eight." Lightning called. "Yeah." Seeku's faint voice said. "Oh, wait Seeku, something interesting happened." Lightning calls. There was no answer. "Seeku?" Still nothing. "I guess you don't want to hear Apollo is on a date." Lightning says. Still nothing. "I guess she's really down about something." "What was that about Apollo?" Seeku ask from behind the door. "How do you do that?" Lightning asks. Seeku sighs. "It's just who I am Lightning, but I don't want that date emotion." "Oh, that reminds me. Seeku here." Lightning says holding out a photo. Seeku looks at the photo. "This is the stallion?" "Yep." Lightning says. Seeku takes the photo with a pained smile. "Lightning, can I ask something from you and Rainbow?" "Yes." Lightning says. Seeku looks to him tearing up. "Can I spend some time with the both of you as something a little more? I think this might be the last time we will see each other like this." "Wait, what?" Lightning asks. Seeku leans into him. "Lightning, drones takes love from many ponies, but higher ups stick to whoever it is for them to be mates. I think he might be it, I can feel it, and it's just that I want the two of you to at least spend some time with me like you promised." "Rainbow, you think Spitfire will like to look after her niece and nephew?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods. "Well yeah, she really liked them, but why?" "We are going to spend time with Seeku." Lightning says. Rainbow looks shocked before calming down. "Okay, I'll get her and set up a date." "Oh, Rainbow." Seeku says wiggling her eyebrows. Rainbow growls. "Don't push it or you won't get anything." "Worth a shot." Seeku says starting to get happier. Rainbow sighs and heads off to find Spitfire. "Sunshine! You up to go seeing your aunt for the evening." Lightning calls. Scootaloo hops down from the ceiling. "Yeah, I know what you are going to do." She then smiles. "Have a good time Seeku and hopes it's the best you got from them." Scootaloo then leaves and heads in the direction of her mother. Seeku sighs as she leaves. "I really love this family." She then looks to Lightning. "Thanks for this." "No problem, now where did I put those quartex crystals." Lightning says shifting through some of his magical things. Seeku smiles. "Quartex crystals?" "Yeah this is going to be a wild night and those will change our appearances so it doesn't come back to bite us." Lightning says continuing to shift through the things. Seeku giggles. "Are you sure? I mean this form alone is great to feel." "You want the guards looking for us in the morning if we get in too much trouble?" Lightning asks. Seeku looks to the newspapers on a table which has the headlines of the war being over, but with every non pony species in a group photo with the rest of the army. "Changelings are accepted, how would this hurt us?" "I mean the three of us get thrown in prison for disturbing the peace and any other laws we happen to break." Lightning says with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Seeku's smile soon turn into a toothy grin. "What are we going to do?" "The shorter answer is what we aren't going to do." Lightning says. Seeku laughs maniacally. "This is going to be fun." "Yes, it will be now we need to talk Rainbow into this." Lightning says joining her in a smile. Seeku scoffs. "She is too much of a goody two hoof. I think that she thought you meant a night in here." "She is not that good, but we will have to talk her into this as she has not tried this." Lightning says still shifting through the magical items. Seeku nods. "Well she'll show up in three...two...one." "Okay, got Spitfire to agree." Rainbow said walking in. "Rainbow, Seeku has something to talk to you about something. Found them!" Lightning yells. Rainbow looks to Seeku who has a large grin. "So what is it?" "Rainbow we are going to have a grand night tonight." Seeku says pulling her closer. Rainbow blushes from the close contact. "Really, then what are we doing?" "What aren't we hun?" Lightning says bringing out three weird grey crystals. Seeku looks them over. "How long does these last?" "A week at max, but can have the effects reversed whenever you want. Now hun, these crystals are used by my undercover agents. They can temporarily change your appearance and even into one of the two other subclasses of us ponies." Lightning says. Rainbow gains a worried look. "We're breaking laws, aren't we?" "Mostly disturbing the peace love. Now tell me you have never wondered what it is like to be a unicorn." Lightning says smiling at her. Rainbow blushes from embarrassment. "I kinda wondered." "Well, now is your chance and we get away with an incredibly wild night and no lasting consequences." Lightning says. Seeku looks to the both of them and smiles. "Thanks for this, but after we get back here can we do something as ourselves?" "Ok, as long as there are no lasting consequences. Now how do you work this thing?" Rainbow asks looking at the crystal Lightning was offering her and poking at it. Lightning chuckles. "Just envision your form as a unicorn, I'll handle the rest." Lightning says. Rainbow nods and closes her eyes. "You better not make me end up hideous." "You could never look that way love." Lightning says as the crystal begins to spin and Rainbow is surround by a grey aura. Soon the aura dissipated and revealed a blue unicorn with a gray mane and tail. "Did it work?" Her voice said in another tone. Lightning walks around her inspecting her. "Your choice was so specific, what inspired it?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks herself over. "A mare I knew in flight school. She had a grey hair color and wanted to know how it would be like." "It's not her specifically, right? We don't want others to be arrested." Lightning says worried. Rainbow smiles. "She has a red coat color, not blue. That's who they would be looking for." "Ok and I must say you look great Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles. "Thanks. Now it's your turn Seeku." "You know the drill Seeku." Lightning says setting down the now rainbow colored crystal and picking up another grey one. Seeku nods and closes her eyes. "Tell me why she couldn't have just changed her appearance than with this crystal?" Rainbow asks as the crystal rises and spins. "Don't want to take the chance of a guard to try casting a spell that will nullify that ability of hers getting the changelings in trouble." Lightning says as the grey aura surrounded Seeku. The aura dissipated to reveal a purple earth pony mare with a golden mane and tail. "Old identity I used back in the day." "I remember it was how I first met you Golden Tongue." Lightning says placing the now light green crystal beside the rainbow one. Golden chuckles. "Well it was the first time I had true fun." Lightning smiles and closes his eyes. Soon the crystal spins and he was covered in a grey aura. After a while the aura dies down to reveal a brown earth pony with a purple mane and tail. "Ok, now let us use different names so no pony truly suspects us." Lightning says. Seeku shrugs. "Well mine is Golden Tongue so I'm good." "Ok, I'll be Grey Field." Lightning says. Rainbow thinks for a moment. "And I'll be...hmmm...how about Switch Taker?" "Sounds good, oh and Rainbow, a little heads up the crystal implant how to use unicorn magic when one uses them to turn into unicorns." Lightning says walking up to her. Seeku smiles. "Same thing for pegasus." Rainbow smiles. "Cool. When do we head out?" "We teleport first, so where do you to want to go? Los Pegasus, Baltimare, Fillydelphia, or do you want to stay in Canterlot?" Lightning asks stowing the crystals away. Rainbow grins. "Canterlot, heard from Apollo that running from guards is fun when you see them confused and looking in the wrong places." "Oh, this is going to be a night to remember." Lightning says as he and Seeku had the biggest smiles. Seeku giggles. "I love you both, just remember, we come back here for another last thing tonight. Plus, is his address on the photograph?" "He is currently in Stalliongrad, I will introduce you myself as my adopted sister Seeku, after all that is what family is for." Lightning says as Rainbow noggies her. Seeku smiles. "Thanks. Now let's go." Luna places Twilight on the bed and the bag on a nearby dresser. "Oh, my head." Twilight groans out. "You feeling ok?" Luna asks. Twilight nods as she looks to Luna. "Fine, just tired now." Luna lays down near her. "Well you just did take a fainting spell. Did you practice with Rarity?" She asks with a humorous tone. "Luna!" Twilight yells before falling off the bed. Luna grabs her before she hits the ground and places her back on the bed. "Easy Twilight, I'm here. Now what is it?" "What are you doing in my room?!" Twilight yells. Luna blushes. "You did agree and I promise Lightning Bolt that I wouldn't do anything, just a little holding." "Wait, what?" Twilight asks trying to figure this situation out. Luna looks to her. "You agreed to try a mare on mare relationship, remember or do you not want to?" Twilight doesn't move for several minutes. "Twilight?" Luna asks poking her, causing her to fall over and start foaming at the mouth. "Twilight!" Luna said rushing to her. "Okay, what do I do?" She said to herself in a panic. "Think mare, think!" She yells hitting herself. "Idea!" Luna yells running out the door and returning with a bucket of water which she throws onto Twilight. "Yipe! Cold!" Twilight yells as she shot up. She wraps her hooves around herself to stay warm. Luna blushes red as she places the bucket down. "Sorry, only thing I can think of." Twilight wraps her wings around herself to get warmer. "Next time, look at a book." Luna looks down. "Sorry, but I need to know, do you want me here?" "You wouldn't leave even if I told you to, would you?" Twilight asks and Luna shakes her head. "Fine, what do you want to do?" Twilight asks as she suddenly felt a new heat source. Turning her head she sees Agni against her. Luna smiles sadly. "At least he do can a lot more than I can." Twilight picks up Agni and holds him close as he heats her up. "Thanks Agni and no Luna. You can do the same thing as him. Just wrap your wings around me for a start." Luna nods and sits down beside her and wraps her wings around Twilight. "I hope that I do well here." Agni boops Luna's nose with his nose making her giggle. "He can sure make others cheer up." She said smiling and wrapping her wings a little tighter around them. "Agni is good like that." Twilight says as Agni cheers. Luna giggles. "What was another time?" "I was mad at Rainbow one time for Lightning hiding secrets. After she left and we played he led me to her and we made up, but only a little." Twilight said leaning into Luna. "And why did he have secrets?" Luna asks. Twilight gains a pained look. "To protect us and I wanted to know. I was so stupid back then." Luna nuzzles her on the head. "No, you are not Twilight. You just wanted others safe, but you couldn't do that without knowing what was going on." "Yeah, but I feel sad he felt he should bear the burden alone." Twilight says. Luna sighs. "Yes, most soldiers and fighters know the consequences of war and doesn't want others to have them. They think it would be too much especially for us. We haven't had war in a long time." "He was right in a sense. If it wasn't for him, my brother would have probably have lead the royal guards on a charge against the Legion." Twilight says embarrassed. Luna smiles. "Yes he would have. But like his smart and cute sister he knows when to stop and listen." "Before or after most of the guards were slaughtered?" Twilight asks. Luna looks to her sadly. "When he realized what he was facing and by then it would be too late. Get that thought of him going to Death out of your head. It's not good for you." "And he is the co-ruler of a kingdom?" Twilight asks. Luna blushes. "Cadance fell in love with him. He fell back. Nothing could stop that. The kingdom was an after bonus that none of us knew would come." "That reminds me of a question Lightning asked me. Why did they change the name from Crystal Empire to Crystal Kingdom and why are Cadance and Shining Armor, Princess and Prince instead of Queen and King like they are supposed to be?" Twilight asks. Luna sighs. "Tradition from us. We have been princesses since the start, didn't bother to change it." "Well it makes sense because you share power. If Celestia took the title queen it would mean she has all the power and you are only her little sister." Twilight says. Luna nods. "She needed help too in politics and I can handle numbers better than her. So we shared the load and rule together since we took over. But enough about that, how about you?" "You mean the whole fact that you and Lightning and most likely will be followed by his faction in the nobility which grew incredibly powerful and large during the war, putting me forth as the candidate for the next ruler of Equestria?" Twilight asks irritated. Luna steadily moves a strand of hair from Twilight's face. "I'm sorry Twilight. I truly am, but circumstances have forced us to do this." "You mean what he said was correct, without Harmony's power you are aging again?" Twilight asks surprised. Luna tears up as the thought hits her. "Twilight we have been on hers and Chaos's power for a long time to keep this nation afloat and to prevent another tragic outcome from happening. That also meant we were immortal to deal with it, but now without their power we can't do what we have been before and our images have been ruined over recent events. So we can't rule much longer if we wanted to. So yes, we are mortal again. No, that is all we have ever been, it was pride and arrogance that made us think otherwise." She finished as she cries now. Twilight looks at Luna as she cries freely. "Luna." Luna looks to the mare through her blurred vision as she soon feels something wrap around her midsection. "I'm sorry that all happened to you." "No Twilight, don't be. Those events have brought me great wisdom and to tell the truth, now that I no longer have either spirit's power running through me. I feel free or liberated in a sense." Luna says leaning into Twilight. Twilight smiles. "I'm glad." She looks to Luna as the tears stop. "Immortal is forever, forever is pain, but from pain grows wisdom." She quoted. "Oh Twilight, I didn't know you studied plays." Luna says smiling. Twilight blushes. "I read books, I was going to end up on it eventually. Plus it was for an assignment back in school when I read that quote." Luna giggles and nuzzles her on the nose. "Silly filly." Twilight smiles as she teased her. "I think I'm starting to like this." "Oh, does that mean…?" Luna is cut off. "One step at a time Luna." Twilight says smirking. Luna smiles. "Wasn't a no and doesn't like you are going to give it up." She said in a sing song voice. Twilight hits her lightly on the chest. "Watch it or I may stop now." She teased. Luna laughs as Twilight joins as well with Agni laughing with chirps a little later. "Okay, so that little feather is the most sensitive thing on you?" Vinyl asks as they sat down on the couch waiting for Octavia. "Damn it, Lightning." Nikolai says under his breath. Vinyl grins. "You sure it's the most sensitive thing because I can think of another spot?" "That brings me down in a bought of pure pleasure and ease. I mean seriously, that special ability I got it from is incredibly handy and useful, but that…shutting up now." Nikolai says. Vinyl giggles. "You want to know mine since I know yours?" "Wait, you're not curious about that little rant?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl shrugs. "Of course I am, it's only fair first to exchange something like this. So do you want to know or not?" "Ok, I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested." Nikolai says. Vinyl grins. "Touch me here." She said pointing to her shoulder. "Either one would do." "Ok." Nikolai says poking the right shoulder. Vinyl fell into a spasm as she landed on Nikolai's lap. "Now you see why I like it when you hold me down. That's a great spot to do it." She said in ecstasy. "Oh, this is going to be an interesting and great relationship." Nikolai says leaning down. Vinyl watches as he comes near her. "Wait, what are you...?" Nikolai captured her lips in a kiss quieting her. Vinyl moans as he became a little rough, pushing harder against her. She pushes him off to catch her breath. "What the heck man? Just because I like it rough doesn't mean all the time." "Oh, I thought you wanted me take a more active role in our relationship now that the war is over." Nikolai says. Vinyl smiles. "I do, it's just that...well...let's ease into this. I was worried it would be a onetime thing with you out there in the war so I made it the best in a shortest amount of time we had." "Ok, I'm fine with taking it slow. After all you're worth it." Nikolai says. Vinyl grins. "Good and you know it. Now about that rant?" "Ah...ha...ha...oh look it's time to make dinner." Nikolai says getting up. Vinyl knocks him back onto the couch with a hit the muzzle. "Don't even move from there stallion. Rant time, explain." She said glaring at him. "Ah...ha...ha...I think it is better to show you why I'm called Steel Wing Nikolai." Nikolai says as he extends his wing and reveals what looks like an illusion spell dissipates, revealing Nikolai's wings are metal instead of feathers. Vinyl looks to the metal wings in awe. "So are you a pegasus?" She asks as the feathers click against one another. "Yes, as you know eastern magic is a little different from your western magic. There are ponies like Lightning who have incredible power over elements as well as other forms of magic, but a greater majority's magic manifests in different ways, a lot of the time physically. Mine manifested later in my life as these wings." Nikolai explains. Vinyl moves her hoof across the warm metal bone. "So is everything underneath it wires and stuff?" "No, completely organic under there. They are not cybernetic prosthesis implants like in your sci-fi stories." Nikolai says. Vinyl whistles as she moves her hoof down to his back. "Just like that pony in one comic where he gets in a terrible terrorist attack and loses almost everything. Doctors got him back together as a cybernetic like trooper. Everything about him was cybernetic, but partly organic in some." She stops as she reaches the connecting joint. "Does it hurt?" "No, it's like poking my shoulder." Nikolai says. Vinyl blushes. "So is there anywhere else?" "Only my wings were affected by the magic. Vinyl you want to see their cutting power don't you?" Nikolai asks as Vinyl started to get an evil grin. "Yes please." Vinyl said excitedly sitting a little ways away from him. Nikolai sighs. "Ok, we need more fire wood cut anyways so just bring in a few logs." Nikolai says. Vinyl hurried out the door and quickly came back with a few logs in her magic. "Five woods. Go nuts." "Please set the first one up." Nikolai says. Vinyl places the first one upright in the middle of the room. "Okay, show me what you can do." She said sitting down a little ways away. Nikolai swings his left wing at it and returns it to its previous position. "Done." Nikolai says. "You didn't do anything." Vinyl says. "Why don't you try picking it up with your hooves from the top." Nikolai suggests. Vinyl raises an eyebrow and picks up the log only for the cut portion to stay on the ground. "What?" "A perfect 180 degree horizon cut. You pick up such precision maybe not to that degree, but you pick up the precision as a Stalliongrad hunter or you die." Nikolai says. Vinyl whistles. "Dang, didn't know it was that bad." "Yeah, three out of five recruits usually get eaten in the first month." Nikolai says. Vinyl cringes. "Ouch." "Now for the rest." Nikolai says using his wings to cut the firewood. Vinyl watches as she places the wood only for it to be cut in a second. "Dang. How long have you had this?" "Years now. When I first got them I almost had to relearn how to fly and do some major strength and stamina training because they are much heavier than normal wings." Nikolai says. Vinyl looks to his back. "What about the connecting joint?" "They remained the same for some reason or maybe increased in strength. I am unsure because the joint is also covered in metal although a little more flexible." Nikolai says. Vinyl looks to him before hitting his back hard, making him stumble a bit. "Must be really tough." "Actually you get used to it. The biggest pain is that the illusion spell I had on them. It doesn't match the length of my wings so it was a big pain not touching anything with them accidentally or somepony walking or flying into them." Nikolai says. Vinyl looks to the tip of the wings. "Is that a claw?" "No. just an edge." Nikolai says folding the wings back into place. Vinyl then gains a smirk. "So the feather...?" She asks. "I think it has a concentration of nerves that send a pleasure signal to my brain." Nikolai says walking into the kitchen. Vinyl follows him after placing the wood away. "Have anypony else touched it?" "Besides doctors?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl nods. "Lightning had to know somehow." "I suddenly collapsed one day after something hit that feather so they rushed me to medics and they examined me." Nikolai says opening a shelf. Vinyl pulls out a bottle of juice from the fridge. "And then what about others touching it?" "I usually threatened to slice them to bits with these wings of mine." Nikolai says extending a wing to her with two cups on it. Vinyl takes the cups and fills them. "So you didn't have a chance to be with anypony?" "Not really, besides it all worked out. I got to meet you." Nikolai says as he folds his wing again. Vinyl smiles as she gives him a cup. "Yeah you did. When can you hope to really settle down?" "Ah, that is a good question, but Vinyl can you seriously tell me you feel you can settle down at this point?" Nikolai says taking a drink. Vinyl takes a sip. "No, not with another impending attack on us. Two questions though, will you head back to finish them and what about the spirit?" "How did you hear about the spirit?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl shrugs. "You be surprised how much those guards talk after one drink." "Vinyl do me a favor and repeat after me. Ack ta no ba so da ha." Nikolai says. Vinyl gets confused until she realizes what he meant. "Dude, I read comic books, you are not wiping my mind." "That isn't a memory spell Vinyl. Just please repeat the words." Nikolai says. Vinyl sighs. "Ummm...ack ta no ba so da ha. Now what?" "Ok, you're not possessed or being manipulated with a spell." Nikolai says with a sigh as the windows slam shut making Vinyl jumps. "Oh don't worry about that. That sentence banished all of the spirits and spells in the house for a while." Nikolai says. Vinyl then becomes shocked. "Spells?! Dude, some of my equipment runs on it and it was expensive to get them like that! Like almost ten grand of bits, each!" "It is only temporary. You can easily restart the stuff in a few hours. Besides we are dealing with a Shadow spirit here. Do you want there to be a chance it is in here?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl hits in the neck. "Don't scare me like that. And you could have told me." "The language is pretty much dead even to spirits and if the spirit knew would he have allowed you to say that? Especially since the spell only works with unicorns." Nikolai explains. Vinyl sighs and walks away, after Vinyl places the cup down. "Just don't treat me like something else." "Now why would I do that, you are my mare." Nikolai says walking up and massaging her shoulders. Vinyl stiffens as she feels the hooves moving around. "Don't...don't...oh boy. Bastard." She moans out. "You are really tense up here. Let me fix that." Nikolai says. Vinyl moans a little louder as she feels him massaging harder. "You are a bastard." She moans to him. "But I'm yours, now let's go to the couch so you can lay down while I massage you." Nikolai says. Vinyl complies as they slowly moves to the couch and lays down. "Why are you doing this?" Vinyl asks. "Because I want to do something for my mare. Now the shadow spirit it's still out there because it still has a part to play. In other words Spirit world politics, but it is very much weakened and can't do any of the things it did for a while and we kinda destroyed the rest of the castle of the two pony sisters as well after we took everything of value so it couldn't use the location again as its lair." Nikolai says. Vinyl sighs as he hits that spot. "You mean it doesn't exist anymore?" She asks breathlessly. "Yeah we demolished it. Good practice for our siege equipment though" Nikolai says laughing a bit. Vinyl laughs once before yelping. "Watch it." "Sorry." Nikolai says. Vinyl feels the pressure being lifted up from her back. "What...?" "You feel better?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl gets up and moves her shoulder around. "Better, where did you learn that?" "Me mum taught me that." Nikolai says. Vinyl smiles. "I think Octavia is a little late, why don't we hit the hay. I'm beat." "Sounds goo..." Nikolai was cut off by incredibly loud music from outside. Vinyl frowns. "Now what?" She said going to the window. Nikolai looks out the door and sees a lot of lights and maybe a huge bonfire as it looks like a huge party was going on. "Was there a party planned for tonight?" Nikolai asks with a slightly raised voice. Vinyl huffs. "I don't know, all I know is that I won't be able to sleep." "Don't you know any sound proof spells?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl groans. "Too much magic now and so little for every part of the house." "Then which room would you prefer, mine or yours?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl blushes. "Ummm...mine. It's...a little bigger than yours so..." "You're such a bad girl." Nikolai says closing the window. Vinyl gets even redder. "Shu...shut up." She said nervously as she turns away and rubs her foreleg with another to ease her nervousness. "Come on Vinyl, I will just hold you tonight." Nikolai says. Vinyl looks to him before looking away for a bit. She then heads for her room, all the while not looking back at him. Nikolai walks into her room with her and the door is locked behind them with a blue aura lighting up around the door frame. Octavia and Apollo are enjoying looking up at the stars with an unopened bottle of wine in between them. "So what do you think about this date?" Apollo asks. "It was quite good surprisingly." Octavia says. Apollo grins. "Even if I kept taking stuff?" "I didn't see you take anything." Octavia says. Apollo then smiles. "Still need to train you. Might want to read that list you have." "Slow down big boy. Not till the fifth date." Octavia jokes. Apollo chuckles and turns over to see her turn as well. He then sees something. "Are we on a hill overlooking the valley below?" "And looking up at the stars above, it is really a romantic scene." Octavia says. Apollo smiles. "Stay like that." He goes over to a nearby bag and searches through it. "What is that?" Octavia asks moving slightly. "Don't move." Apollo warns her. Octavia doesn't move. "Found it." He pulls out a sketchpad and a pencil. "Oh, you going to draw me?" Octavia asks. Apollo blushes. "Yeah, hope you don't mind. I just find good things to draw like what I saw when you turned over." "Just don't draw me like one of your Prance mares." Octavia jokes. Apollo chuckles. "I don't do that much Prance stuff." "Oh and here I thought all spies were from Prance." Octavia jokes. Apollo laughs as he starts drawing. "That's a misconception." "Oh, so you all don't eat stinky cheese and have funny accents?" Octavia teases. Apollo laughs out loud. "No, for one the cheese is for looks and the funny accents is just normal to them, but I'm not from Prance, just visited." "I know just teasing you. Tell me how did you and Nikoloi meet?" Octavia asks. Apollo chuckles as he draws the landscape. "Work on that name. Stole from him by the way." "And you got away with it?" Octavia asks. "Heck no! He hounded me for four days and nights before finally cornering me. We would have killed each other if Lightning didn't intervene. After that the three of us became good friends." Apollo says. "I see." Octavia says. Apollo smirks from behind his sketchpad as he drew out her lower body. He chuckles as he continued. "He had something I needed that sounded like it belong to my friend from long ago, but it was just a copy of it. So it was useless." "It sounds it would have gone bad if not for your friend over a fake." Octavia says. Apollo stops drawing. "She was already gone, either leaving me or dead. All I knew is I didn't see again." "Did you love her?" Octavia asks. Apollo shakes his head. "Yes, but she was more a daughter or a little sister. An outgoing, not listening daughter or sister." "You miss her greatly don't you?" Octavia asks. Apollo sighs and lowers the sketchpad. "Yes, at some times I do. But I got over her after a while." He starts drawing again. "I see, so being a commander must be exciting." Octavia says trying to make small talk, but Apollo just stops. "No." He lowers the pad to glare at her. "It's a living nightmare every day. Watching your own die under your command is not exciting, but a horror show in real life." "I'm sorry, I didn't know." Octavia apologizes. Apollo sighs and continues to draw. "It's okay. Now I'm almost done." He starts on the ground below her. Octavia stays quiet as he finished drawing. "Done." He shows her a complete pencil sketch of her laying down on the grass with the starry sky and mountains in the background. Yet, the most important thing he spent more time on her as it almost looks real. "You're good." Octavia says impressed. Apollo smiles. "Thanks." "So can you hear that?" Octavia asks about the sounds they had been hearing for hours. Apollo nods. "Yeah, it has been going on for a while." He looks over to the noise and sees a light coming from behind the buildings. "I'm willing to bet Vinyl is there." Octavia says as they saw fireworks start to light up the sky. Apollo chuckles. "I would bet." "Think Nikolea is there as well?" Octavia asks. Apollo shakes his head. "I doubt it." "If Vinyl is there?" Octavia asks. Apollo then smirks. "Then he is." "Should we go check?" Octavia asks. Apollo shakes his head. "Nah, either their good in their home or just going crazy. Besides do you have a knife?" "No, I took four of yours." Octavia says. Apollo smiles. "Can you give me one?" "Here." Octavia said giving one back. Apollo takes it and places it in his knife holder. "Why don't I walk you home now?" "Oh, what a gentlecolt." Octavia says. Apollo rips out the sketch and holds it out for her. "Take it. It's yours." "Thanks." Octavia says taking it. Apollo smiles and packs everything up. "Let's go, don't want to stay out late here." "Why is that?" Octavia asks. Apollo slings everything on his back. "The night brings many things." "Like you?" Octavia asks. Apollo grins. "I like the night when I go out and steal to keep up my skills." "With all of this?" Octavia asks. Apollo chuckles. "Just some stuff that looks fun to take." "Come on lets go, shall we." Octavia says getting up. Apollo nods and follows her into the streets. "You think somepony will mug us based on that stuff on your back?" She asks. "Oh, don't worry about that." Apollo says pointing to the guards running around everywhere. Octavia looks as well. "Guess so." She then looks down an alleyway with Apollo. "Although they find a way, always. Build a better mousetrap and the mice will find a better way to find a way through it." "Indeed. Now you know what to do." A voice said behind them. "You seriously want to...wait I know that voice." Apollo says turning around with a knife in hoof. He turns to see a brown earth stallion with a purple mane and tail with two mares behind him. "Lightning, what are you doing?" "Who's Lightning? I'm Grey Field." Lightning says. Apollo grins. "You forget to change the tone of your voice." Lightning moves his throat. "Better?" Lightning ask a voice a little deeper. Apollo nods. "Better. Nice disguise by the way, but what are you doing?" "Having fun." Seeku says doing her unique snicker. Apollo smiles. "By breaking laws. I thought you three would have had fun in the bed." "We didn't plan it, but has gone completely out of control and the guards don't know what they are doing at this point." Rainbow says with a huge smile. Apollo looks to them with a grin. "So like my life back in the day?" "Oh no, not yet at least. Half the town isn't on fire yet." Lightning says. Apollo burst out laughing. "Oh, touché sir, touché." Apollo manages to say. Lightning smiles. "Well we didn't know it was you, it was too dark. And we just said fuck it, let's mug them and have fun. We got out of tighter situations before." Apollo nods. "Yeah, you did. Now get out of here before somepony can alibi us talking together and I don't want her to get into trouble." "Ok, see you tomorrow." Lightning says leaving with the two mares. "I'm happy to see him smiling again. He hasn't really smiled since the war started." Apollo says. Octavia looks to them as they leave. "Well let's hope they have the time of their lives." "Oh, knowing Seeku they will. I was dragged on a few outings." Apollo says. Octavia shakes her head. "I feel you. Now let's go home." "Yes my lady." Apollo says bowing and leading the way. Octavia giggles. "How about instead of leading me to my home, how about your home or is it in an attic?" "Oh, ho, ho, very funny." Apollo says deadpan. Octavia smiles. "Never mind, let's get to my home and have some fun. I'm sure that Vinyl is doing the same to Nikolet." "What kind of fun do you want, because I still have the wine?" Apollo asks. Octavia shakes her head and walks again with Apollo following. "No wine, just a little sleep with each other. Nothing much." "Oh, you're so forward." Apollo teases. Octavia scoffs. "I just want somepony to be with me that isn't trying to molest me." "Ok, ok, just teasing. Ok, let's go." Apollo says. Octavia smiles. "Well don't wait up." Apollo chuckles and catches up. Chaos and Harmony both played some poker with Fulgur and Death in their white spirit world. "You think we should have told them about the dark spirit?" Chaos asks as she looks to Harmony to see a twitch. Death moves a card over with his boney hoof. "Not really, they would have to figure it out." Fulgur huffs...as best as he could with himself as an eye. "Well, at least Lightning will be there to help." "If not, what is in the box the harmony six should have taken care of?" Chaos says, her card floating in front of her. Harmony shrugs and pecks a card and moves it over. "Spoiler, it's supposed to be their castle, but I can change it since Twilight Sparkle will become queen of Equestria for the good of the kingdom." Fulgur looks to her with a raised eyebrow look. "Castle? For them? Are you kidding and what are you going to change the box into?" Harmony looks to him. "Yes, a crystal castle since they became interested in crystal after Sombra and what I'm changing the box into is yet to be seen." Death sighs. "You really are a child aren't you?" "Hah, she's a brat." Chaos huffs. "She's been trouble since we gave those princesses part of our power." Fulgur turns to them. "What do you mean, give the power? You did it because everything went out of control." They both looked sheepish as they cover their cards. "Well they were out of control too. The dark spirit was corrupting little Luna." Death leans on a boney hoof. "So you sent your Discord to evaluate the problem? You do realize that it just increased little Luna's dark side. You made things worse." Chaos looks annoyed. "Hey, I wanted to know how it was out there. I didn't know it would make things worse." Fulgur sighs. "You really push the timetable. Did you know what you thinking before this?" Chaos turns away. "No, because I was worried. I didn't want to lose this world." "So what about Celestia, I can sense a dark feeling growing in her. Is she in danger of becoming the second dark mare?" Death asks. Both Harmony and Chaos looks to each other and then back to them. "That remains to be seen. She is on the tipping edge and I fear for her and her friends and family." Harmony said sadly. Fulgur looks to Death. "Has Minerva said anything?" "No, she is silent on this matter. What about your warrior Belcross, he is Lightning's partner, does he have any insight?" Death asks. Fulgur closes his eye and makes a sighing sound. "Not any more than we do. Have any information been heard on this matter from your recent souls?" "None are particularly talkative besides the usual things. Although I still find it humorous when I inform Equestrians that Celestia isn't a goddess." Death says. Everyone at the table chuckles. "Does anyone here have an idea who Twilight will chose as her first mate in her harem?" Chaos asks trying to steer the topic and peek at a card. "I don't have any interest in mortals reproducing." Fulgur says giving Chaos a little jolt. Chaos yelps as the shock hits her. "Fine, I'll stop peeking." She materialized a mirror behind Death and Fulgur trying to not be seen. They both sighs and send a destructive spell at the mirror. "We have eyes around us, don't bother." Death said placing his cards down showing a flush as the last one on the table finished flipping. Fulgur sighs. "Don't pull anything in that world without our supervision and help. You would need it." He flips his cards and shows a three of kind. Chaos nods. "You got it, but that doesn't mean I'll send my little Dissy after it." She reveals her cards as a straight. "Bingo." Harmony says showing a royal flush. "Wrong game Harmony." Chaos says. Harmony looks to her cards. "So did I win?" All other spirits push the chips towards her. "Cool. Now what?" Fulgur produces a magic cloud showing an image into Lightning's end. "Let's not look there and wait till tomorrow. For now, we wait." He said dissipating the cloud. Chaos sighs as she drinks her chocolate milk. "Let's hope this ends in what's considered the right way." Harmony looks to her. "Since when is something considered right? They are all something other than good or bad." Chaos shrugs. "Wanted to end this scene on something ominous." The rest just looks to her weird while she just grins. Lightning and friends went to someplace else after their meet up with Apollo. After that they slipped passed some guards and back to the castle. It was a glorious night that neither of the three would forget. "Ok, that was great." Lightning says getting the crystals. Seeku giggles. "Yes it was, especially that party." "You still feeling a little buzzed from the cider Rainbow?" Lightning ask activating the crystals. Rainbow nods. "What happened after the first few minutes? I was buzzed out." "Good thing it was the second half of later the night." Lightning says as the grey aura engulfed them. Rainbow frowns. "What happened?" "A lot, but don't worry, Lightning didn't let you go too crazy." Seeku says as the auras fade and they are back to normal. Rainbow sighs in relief. "That's good. Now what did you want?" "First you might want to take off the dancer's outfit." Seeku snickers. Rainbow looks down at herself and rips off the revealing outfit. "Now what is it?" Seeku smiles. "Even though it was a good night, I still want to spend time as us, here." "I'm fine with that, Rainbow?" Lightning asks. Rainbow sighs. "What exactly are we doing?" Seeku grins. "By my perverted grin it should tell you something." "Not too perverted please." Rainbow requests. Seeku soon calms down. "Rainbow, I have been lusting after your husband ever since I met him. Now would you at least allow me to be with him for the night? It's only this one night." "You really want him to get you pregnant when you are going after another stallion?" Rainbow asks. Seeku shakes her head. "No, not pregnant, just time together. Besides, who knows what that other stallion will do?" Rainbow looks to Lightning, unsure what to do. "Very well Seeku." Rainbow says after thinking it over. Seeku smiles. "It's alright, I'll treat him well. You can join if you want." "I don't trust you alone with him, so yeah, I'm joining." Rainbow says. Seeku turns to Lightning. "Shall we?" "I feel like I'm getting no sleep tonight." Lightning says getting red in the face. Seeku giggles. "Don't worry, you'll be sleeping plenty after this." "Who says that?" Rainbow asks nudging Seeku. Seeku looks to Rainbow with a perverted grin. "Oh, you want him to do it to you too?" Rainbow blushes. "Not to get pregnant again, but yeah." "Ohhhh, have a horrible feeling about this." Lightning says worried for his life and later soreness. Both mares look to him grinning. "We know." Sex scene time. Scroll down to the next bolded line if you want to skip. Lightning went to lock to door while Rainbow went to the bathroom to prepare for another wild night, in another form. Seeku looks to Lightning as he places an extra lock to make sure it's secure. "How do you want to start?" She asks almost shivering. Lightning sighs and retightens the lock to make sure. "Well, what do you want to go as?" Seeku smiles sweetly. "Myself. Just me in my changeling form. I don't want it to be any different." Lightning chuckles. "There were times when you wanted to do this in funny forms. Not yourself at all. Now that I think about it, you really got what you wanted from our time in the office, didn't you?" Seeku giggles. "Yes I did. Now get that handsome piece of meat over here." Lightning shakes his head and goes over to the bed. "You two better not give me a stroke, heart attack, or broken bones or a certain muscle." Seeku laughs as the thought hits her. "No promises, but we'll make it the best event you would ever have." "She's right." Rainbow finally exits the bathroom and heads over to the bed to them. "Even though I would hate it because I'm giving permission for another female to be with you, I would at least try to make it worth it because she's family and friend." Lightning smiles. "I didn't know you would be accepting for this." Rainbow frowns. "I may not, but at least it would end this whole thing." They nod at her. "Yes, but at least it's easier on our minds." Rainbow gets up on the bed. "So let's begin. Seeku you can go first since this is important for you and I'm inclined to agree." Lightning looks to Seeku. "So what do you want to start with?" Seeku smiles gently and moves next to him. "How about this?" She then kisses him gently as she moves a hoof to his chest. Lightning moans as her fangs grinds against his lips, almost cutting it. He then feels her hoof rubbing him roughly making a makeshift massage. After a while she pulls away and breaths out. "That was amazing. More so than I ever felt in the past." Lightning chuckles as he holds her hoof. "It will get better if you want it." Seeku smiles as she places a hoof over his. "I'd like that." Lightning quickly pushes her onto the bed and goes over her. "Well then let's begin." He then kisses her on the lips making her moan as she feels his rough lips pushing onto her hard. He then slowly moves downward reaching her neck. The hard shell on her makes her feels almost nothing, but she still feels her small amounts of nerves firing at the feeling of him kissing hard, knowing that it would be hard to feel. She feels appreciated that he would try to make things feel good for her. "Lightning." She moans out. Lightning then stops and heads down to her pussy and sees how it looks different. "Always wondered." He said to himself. He then dives in and starts licking around the area making Seeku moan even louder. Seeku closes her eyes as she feels Lightning licking her lips and almost going in. She opens her eyes to see Rainbow smiling above her. "Hope you like it." Rainbow said. Seeku nods as she can't say anything and moans again as Lightning hits a good spot. Lightning pulls away and licks his lips before latching on and pushing his tongue into her. Seeku moans louder as she feels Lightning pushing hard and going everywhere. She hisses her changeling hiss as he begins sucking her, sending her juices everywhere on his face. Seeku slowly wraps her hind legs around him to keep him there as she slowly bucks upward into him. Lightning inwardly smirks and sucks hard while running his tongue deeper and even biting her outer lips. Seeku is at this point gone feral with her changeling nature and resorted to hisses, screeches and clicks. Lightning soon feels the juices starting to flow faster so he redoubled his efforts and bites down hard on her lips. Seeku screeches so loud that they swear that the ponies outside can hear it and sends a torrent of cum onto Lightning, making him drink in an effort not to drown. Seeku breathes heavily as unwraps her legs from Lightning and rests. While Lightning kept licking his lips and crawls right next to her. "How was it?" He asks after kissing her on the corner of her lips. "Amazing." Seeku breaths out. Lightning smiles. "I'm glad, want to continue to the main course?" Seeku nods and tries to get up. "Rainbow, help her and let her get on top of you. Besides, you're already wet from the show." Rainbow blushes and sticks her tongue out at her before helping the weak Seeku onto her. "Just relax and we'll walk away from this satisfied." Seeku nods as she rested her head next to her. She soon feels a warm long flesh run against her ass cheeks and still going. 'That's how long he was?' She then feels the long flesh pull back and poke at her pussy. "Ready?" Lightning asks almost pushing the tip in. Seeku breaths in carefully. "Just let me do this." Her horn lights up and Lightning's dick gets covered in a green glow before fading. "Now you can't get us pregnant for the whole night. Now have your way with me." Lightning smirks and places his hooves on her hips. "One..." He pauses in hard, as Seeku screams in pain. "Sorry, but it would have been worse if I waited till three." Seeku nods against Rainbow's shoulder as tears of pain rain down her face. Rainbow kisses the tears away as they waited for her to get use to the pain. After a while Seeku breaths out deeply and moves back a little. Lightning smiles as he starts moving in a little before heading back out again. He keeps doing this, going deeper and deeper until he hits a wall he knows is either pleasurable or painful. Seeku moans as every thrust he gave gives her a good feeling she can get used to. His long and hard tool, the veins running along her wall as they throb. It wasn't until that he starts hitting her cervix that she notices something. She can still feel more outside. She looks to Rainbow as Lightning kept battering away at the wall making her yelp each time it keeps going deeper. Rainbow kisses her as she feels the feeling of Lightning's dick run into Seeku along her own stomach, with their juices running onto her pussy. She moans as she feels the heat of both of them in many ways. Seeku suddenly screams in pleasure as Lightning fully fell in all the way and made a wet slapping sound as he becomes flush against her. He soon keeps hitting her in short thrust, making Rainbow moan as she felt his dick poke at her own stomach from Seeku's womb. Seeku just keeps moaning at different levels as Lightning didn't stop pounding her, making wet slapping sounds every time he hits the end. "Faster. Harder!" Seeku moans out. Lightning complies and starts giving everything he had and pounding so hard that she became swollen and red. She grits her teeth as she feels something coming and she wanted it. She looks to Rainbow before biting her neck making Rainbow scream out in pleasure as Seeku bit down hard. Lightning pulls Seeku off of her and presses her against his chest. Seeku leans her head back before biting into Lightning's neck making him give the final hard thrust. Seeku moans loudly through the bite as Lightning filled her and her cum mixed with his. After a while Lightning kept filling her up and had calm down enough to give a few thrust now and again to keep her high. Seeku moans as she holds Lightning's hoof as he held her. She feels her stomach start to give way and peeks an eye open to see her womb expanding past the bump that showed outward from her flesh. After a while Lightning tapered off and pulls out after Seeku let's go of him. Pulling back he can see his still hard dick pulling some cum out with it and landing on Rainbow. He soon plunges into Rainbow making her become wide awake and start moaning like crazy. Lightning gave no break as he holds into her hips and started to pound away like a mad stallion. Seeku licks her lips as she looks down to the euphoric high mare and kisses her. Rainbow kissed back, not knowing what to think at this point. Seeku smiles inwardly as Lightning hit his limit and feels the large dick poking at her swollen belly through Rainbow. Lightning groans and soon starts to cum as he was still sensitive from the last session and fills up Rainbow. Seeku's grin widen and pulls the moaning Rainbow away from Lightning and brings his cock up to their face as he still cums, making a huge mess on them. Seeku grabs the cock and points it to Rainbow who starts to suck on it like foal would to a mother. Seeku then pulls Rainbow back before taking it herself and starts to swallow his cum that refused to stop. After a while she pulls back and pranch kiss Rainbow making an even more of a mess as Lightning kept cumming all over them. After a minute Lightning finally stops and lies down on the pillows. Seeku and Rainbow joins him a few seconds later still covered in his cum. "That was amazing. I didn't know that you got that big or came that much." Seeku said as licks some of the remaining cum on her lips. Rainbow licks at some on hers, left behind by her kiss with Seeku. "Didn't know she had a fetish for this." Seeku giggles. "Well now you do. And I love the cum, so much in fact." Lightning sighs. "Well, you either can go wash up or stay in the same mess. All I know is I gotta rest because that four hour session tired me out." Seeku licks at where she left the mark on him. "I'll stay, too tired to move." Rainbow rubs at hers. "Same here, way too tired." Lightning shrugs. "Have it your way. Now did you have the best night ever Seeku?" Seeku nods as she continues locking away the mess. "The best ever and I don't think my future mate will top it." Lightning smiles sadly. "Good, I'm glad you were able to enjoy it. Let's get some rest and wash up in the morning." They all soon close their eyes from exhaustion. "Is the spell on me over?" Seeku smiles. "Yes and everything you already spilled out won't get us pregnant." Rainbow breaths out a sigh of relief. "Good. Good night you two." "Night." Lightning said wrapping a wing around her. "Goodnight." Seeku said as Lightning wraps a wing around her. 'Please don't let it be the one.' She thought with dread. Scene over. Author's Note Well that's that, now we may work on another fic so updates will be slow. Watch out for us. Flair: Maybe a few days slower, but I say this is still our main fic right now. Now anything else we need to deal with? Flair: No I don't think so… *cut off by a ping* Hold on I got an email from Pinkie Pie. And it says? Flair: Ok, Dear authors, I am writing on the behalf of Vinyl and Octavia. *looks to Primus* I have a bad feeling about this. *Looking over armory list.* Let's see, what do I have. Flair: Now that the war is over you no longer have an excuse for delaying the next chapter of the new legend. So you better get to work on that. *looks to Primus* What does she mean by that? *Looks back to list.* I think my swords are somewhere on this. Flair: If not I have been paid to bring many angry ponies to your location. I was paid in sugar. *Looks shocked.* Why? We need to plan the other story and need time. Flair: I think we need to build a fortress just in case. I have some characters on ice from a long time ago that help. And they will since one of them is me. Also which legend is she talking about? The Vinyl Scratch or this one? Flair: Well since it was on behalf of Vinyl and Octavia I believe it is the Vinyl Scratch. Oh wait there is a P.S. What does it say? *Going to computer for iced characters.* Flair: To all the reader please post question in the next Vinyl Scratch for the hosts to answer. Every question I get a dozen cupcakes as part of my new contract. *Looks up at Primus* Did she slip that in when we revised her contract? We did a contract? Flair: Wait, you didn't then how come we have a contract with her in the archives? *Looks through the archives.* Must have been working or asleep. Found it. *Looks it over.* Dear god, what did you agree to. Flair: I thought you handled that I never dealt in the legal part. No, I always make sure it's fair and…Pinkie Pie. She slipped in the contract on us. I need to talk to her and redo it. Nothing happens without me knowing it. Flair: We are being made fools out of. We better be on the lookout or she'll somehow get ownership. *Smirks.* She'll never get us. Besides we would write her out forever plus I got characters that can handle her. Flair: You sure, cause she scares me? Quite badly. *Grins.* I have seen worse back then with my other characters. Oh here they are. *Seven characters appear as anthropomorphic creatures in the shadows.* Flair: You heard the request everyone and everypony. Please send any questions you have for the three hosts of A New Legends: The Vinyl Scratch in the review section of A New Legends: The Vinyl Scratch chapter 2. You better listen because it's even being hated on for a rip off...I think, just down voted because of a bad rip off. Let me tell you something. This is a parody and makes fun of both the story and show. Let us have fun with it.
Talk About a Rough Day (Clop)A/N: Okay, after a while of waiting welcome to the next chapter. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' It had been nearly half a year since the invasion was finally defeated and ponies, diamond dogs, and changelings were adjusting to normal life again. The military remained, despite Celestia's protests it was no longer necessary and only the royal guard was needed. "Okay that's the last paper. Wait...last?" Lightning asks himself as he looks over his empty desk. "I'm done." He said in surprise. "Sir, I have those recruitment reports you wanted." Silva says walking in wearing a new black and red armor with the old symbol of the three original factions of ponies. "Thank you, Major." Lightning says getting up with a little frustration. Silva chuckles. "You finished for the first time and now you got more and now you're getting frustrated again, huh?" "Yes, Major Silva." Lightning says getting some coffee from the coffee maker in his office. Silva giggles. "Enough with the major sir. I get that enough from the soldiers, but I can let it fly." "We still to be a little formal since we are on duty." Lightning says offering Silva a cup. Silva takes sip after getting it. "So what can you expect the next few days?" "Well Celestia has really been trying to get the army disbanded in the last month so I'm expecting her to put it forward again soon, but besides that I'm going to go see my kids. You should come too, they really like you." Lightning says getting up. Silva smiles. "You sure, I'm just a soldier?" "They like you Silva and who knows they might be leading armies beside you. I also want you to help teach them a few things as they grow up." Lightning says. Silva raises an eyebrow as she starts to follow him out. "And what do I teach them? If I recall, you didn't allow Seeku to teach your kids their language." "She was teaching them cuss words in the language I will allow her to teach them when they are older." Lightning says. Silva looks surprised. "You know Changeling?" "Yes, I do. You would be surprised how many times I have come across their forgotten written language in ruins. That purple on the bookshelf in my office is an ancient spell book completely in their written language." Lightning says. Silva smiles. "So what do you want me to teach?" "I want you to teach them about the Dominion and aid me in teaching them about war." Lightning says before drinking some coffee. Silva then looks concerned. "Are you sure? I mean teaching them this early about the war?" "Not yet, I mean after they have grown a bit like with Seeku." Lightning says Silva smiles. "You watched her grow up? Since when has she grown up?" "I meant my foals, not Seeku." Lightning clarifies as they walk out the door and start walking down the hall. Silva chuckles. "So you want them to grow up with the likes of Seeku?" "Seeku is a good pony, she just not the greatest role model." Lightning says. Silva smiles as they got to the foal's door. "And you still want them to grow up with her?" "She is family." Lightning says. Silva nods and opens the door to see the foals playing with Rainbow while Scootaloo was off to the side reading her Wyvern book. "Then you better tell her that." She said. "I will soon enough, but for now let's go in there and see them." Lightning says pushing her in before entering himself. "Hey dad." Scootaloo said, not taking her eyes off the book. Rainbow smiles as she looks to him. "Hi honey." "Hey dear, you are looking well today." Lightning says walking up to her and picking up both Typhoon and Talion. Rainbow nods. "Yes, but I think Scootaloo has something to say to you." She said looking to her. Lightning walks over to Scootaloo after he let Typhoon and Talion climbed up onto his back. "What do you need princess?" Scootaloo sighs and closes the book. "Well I found out something about the Wyverns that the book doesn't tell." "What is that princess?" Lightning asks as Typhoon and Talion walk up and down his back. Scootaloo looks to him. "Turns out that their instinct is really tradition." "How so?" Lightning asks smiling. Scootaloo looks to the window. "First the book was made based on a group of Wyverns and all without a lick of sense between them, basically wild animals. Once I had a chance to talk to Tiyries and his parents, it turns out that they leave an area so it doesn't become barren from their presence. Soon once the land becomes equal again they come back. They have at least five spots to go to, all in a cycle. But here's the rub, if one stayed and the environment was helping it then that one can stay." "I see." Lightning says as Talion climbs on top of his head. Scootaloo nods. "Yeah and that's what I wanted to talk to you about." "What exactly do you want me to do princess?" Lightning asks smiling. Scootaloo takes another deep breath before looking to him dead in the eye. "Can he stay? His parents will allow it if you do." "I always planned on him staying for you princess." Lightning says rubbing her head. Scootaloo smiles and hugs him. "Thanks daddy." "No problem princess." Lightning says as he hugs her back. Scootaloo sighs and let's go. "Guess I don't need this thing anymore." She said taking the book. "Want it back?" She asks him. "Just see it gets to the library princess and I think your little sister wants to play." Lightning says as Typhoon walks on his snout. Scootaloo giggles and hold out her hooves and Typhoon jumps in them. "Hey sis, want to play?" Typhoon responded very cheerfully as Rainbow walked up to Lightning and playfully elbows him in the side. Lightning rubs the spot where she hit. "What?" "Oh nothing you softy you." Rainbow says with a smirk as Talion starts playing with Silva. "So Rainbow, you back up to your standard now?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks confused. "What do you mean?" "Your speed. You were weakened greatly from giving birth to our foals." Lightning says rubbing her mane. Rainbow purrs. "Yeah, I'm back. Can race Applejack now and keep up with her." "Oh, so you back to training for the Wonderbolts?" Lightning asks Rainbow shakes her head. "No, took the test for the reserves and passed. Now I can do things a little easier, but I still do things that may get me into the Wonderbolts themselves." "Oh, doing a few things behind my back, huh?" Lightning asks playfully. Rainbow chuckles. "Thinking of a few things for us, but before that I finished with my things, but I still have one more." "What is that?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smiles. "Joining the Wonderbolts on their show, not the military." "Oh, you want to perform, huh?" Lightning says nuzzling her. Rainbow smirks. "I can do a special performance for you." "Maybe later love, for now we should play with our foals since we have no work to do." Lightning says smiling. Rainbow looks surprised. "No more paperwork? You're done?" "Only thing left was the new personal files. Nothing that needs immediate attention." Lightning says rubbing against her. Rainbow smiles. "Great, you have first watch." She said laying down in a beanbag chair. "I see you like the gift Eclipse sent us." Lightning says before playing with his foals. Rainbow smiles. "Like you said, comfy." She said trying to get a good seating. Lightning played with the foals till a soldier opens the door. "Sir, pardon the intrusion, but Celestia has called a secret session of the court with only herself and those who obey her absolutely. It looks like she is trying to pass something." The soldier says. Lightning sighs. "As expected from Celestia, she won't give up until she gets what she wants. I can assume that word has already been sent to the members of my faction in Canterlot correct?" Lightning asks. The soldier nods. "Yes sir, they will try to hold the session and if possible get rid of it." "Sorry Rainbow, Celestia has cut our family time short." Lightning says walking to the door. Rainbow sighs and gets up to go to her foals. "When would she learn?" "It may take disposing her and installing Twilight as the Queen for her to stop. I wonder how Twilight and Luna are faring against her through." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Knowing those two, I think they are too busy kissing each other." "We may have to get them back into the court and ending their so far three month vacation." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles. "Yeah, I think they had enough time to relax and enjoy each other. If I didn't know better I would think they are on a honeymoon." "I'll see you tonight at dinner love." Lightning says walking away with a smile. Rainbow waves him goodbye. "Bye love." Lightning and Euram walks towards the throne room, but two guards bar the way. "What is the meaning of this, the court is in session and we are members?" Euram says. "The princess had said only certain members have entrance." The guard said. "The princess needs one other prince to agree to that so if you two don't move I will see you both incarcerated for insubordination." Lightning threatens. The guards doesn't move. "Only if the princess agrees." "I don't have time for this. Seize them." Lightning orders and several soldiers heed the order allowing Lightning and Euram to pass and enter the court. Euram huffs. "I'll say this, still loyal." "Celestia has her royal guards, but the army and all other related branches like the wonderbolt take orders from me." Lightning says before they enter the court. Euram shakes his head. "Yes loyal and blind. Let me ask you," He said getting louder so everyone could hear. "The guards protect the princess from anything that might hurt her, but what would they do if the thing hurting her is herself?" He asks looking to Celestia. "Nothing, because they are completely obedient." Lightning says. "As such the military was necessary for a time no longer is and is actually hurting the authority of the royal guards and are abusing their power with no pony holding them in check." Celestia says. Lightning clears his throat. "I beg to differ." Lightning says making the entire court aware of the two new arrivals presence. "The military is not running around with their heads cut off, it is in fact controlled under me and a chosen few." He said to the court. Celestia glares at the two new arrivals. "Furthermore the royal guards never leave the capital unless an emergency arises. While the military is based all over the country protecting and patrolling it against both crime and external threats." Lightning says. Celestia growls under her breath. "And you are not part of the court so you have no say in this matter." "Tisk, tisk, tisk, Celestia I became a part of the court when you named me a noble and the Burrow's family head is also a part of the court as you only punished his father for the crimes and left the house untouched." Lightning coolly counters. "Besides if you won't listen to ponies who you consider not on the court then listen to those who are." "That's your cue." A voice said behind the door. "What? Oh right." Twilight opens the door and steps in. "Hello, Princess Twilight Sparkle here for the court." Celestia narrows her glare at the smiling Lightning. "Greetings princess Twilight, did you have a relaxing vacation?" Lightning greets. Twilight blushes. "You could say that." She said looking slightly over to Luna behind her. "Ah, Princess Luna it is good to have you back as well." Lightning greets. Luna nods. "And good to see you as well. Sister, how are you?" She asks cheerily. "Good, Luna could you help me with this and get the unneeded military dissolved?" Celestia asks sounding more like an order. Luna shakes her head. "No, I have a better idea." She whistles and the Night Guards drops from the ceiling. "Escort the Solar Guards out of here and close the door behind you and make sure nopony else comes in. We need all the outside influence out." "You heard her, please escort Mr. Lightning Bolt and Mr. Euram Burrows out." Celestia says trying to manipulate Luna's words. A night guards huffs. "We only listen to Princess Luna. Any other words from other ponies are forgotten." Celestia doesn't look happy as the solar guard are escorted out and several more nobles enter. "Unbelievable, betrayed by my own sister." She said. "Now, I believe the issue is once again whether or not to disband the military. May I remind many of you that the military has a good portion of the country's ponies employed and is the main factor in peacekeeping and the main factor that protects the country. I would also like to remind many factories and several of the noble houses have greatly invested their businesses in supplying the military. So if the military is disbanded several noble houses will be ruined financially and many ponies will be left jobless and I don't need to tell any of you how that will affect the country's economy." Lightning says. Luna leans over to Twilight. "Calculations on how many are now with us?" Twilight sketches some numbers on a notepad she had. "About ninety percent are with us on this issue." "I see, so we can count on the greedier ponies to be with us because if our economy takes a hit they will lose money." Luna says. Twilight nods. "Thank Equestria for greed." "That is a rare statement." Luna says. Twilight chuckles. "Trust me, it gets bad when the whole thing gets out of control. Lightning just wants the presence to be there for if the Dominion decides to attack, nothing more, nothing less." Lightning sat down and waited for any response. "I vote on keeping the military." One noble said. "Keep it." Another said and soon the room was filled with agreements. Soon a majority had voted to keep it with more votes rising to Celestia's shock. Lightning smiles and looks to Twilight who was keeping track. "Final tally?" He asks. "Almost ninety percent in favor of keeping the military." Twilight says. Lighting smirks and looks to Celestia. "Well, looks like the bill is vetoed. Now I want to put forth another vote. This issue has been brought up more than ten times. I issue the vote of whether or not to stop this vote for some time" Lightning says with a serious face. "I'll vote yes because I'm tried coming here every time for that bill." A noble says leaving. Many nobles soon casted their votes. "Final tally, eighty eight percent in favor to stop bringing up this issue as such we will not discuss this issue for eight years." Twilight says. Lightning sighs in relief. "Finally, okay what other votes we got?" "That was the only issue, the court has nothing left." A noble whispers to him as Twilight looks through possible issues to vote on. "I can't find any issues as such the court shall go into recess for now." Twilight says. The nobles start to leave, leaving Celestia, Lightning, Twilight and Luna. "Now that we're alone." Lightning stated. "Let's deal with a more personal issue." "Sister we have an important issue to discuss with you and by now I am sure you have noticed. We are aging again." Luna says. Celestia huffs. "Why do you think I'm trying to get back to the old ways?" "Celestia, you and Luna are no longer immortal so it is time you named an heir to Equestria." Lightning says reading a spell book and checking a tome on translating the language it was in. Luna nods. "I have to agree with him. Sister, I was stuck on the moon for a century and when I came back I had to make changes. Now you have to as well. Tis only fair." "Don't be ridiculous, I don't need an heir. I will always rule." Celestia says her eyes flashing black for a moment. Luna learns to Twilight. "Did you notice?" She whispers. Twilight nods and Lightning is now slightly glaring at Celestia. "Celestia it is time you accepted the fact you will one day die. To pick an heir now is to pick the one you see as most worthy to succeed you. If you don't pick one we will have another court session to decide if it is necessary or not." Lightning says closing the books. Twilight sighs as she looks over her old teacher. "Something wrong. This is not the Celestia I know." "I don't need an heir." Celestia says. "Celestia I have met with many of the nobles and we have decided to put forth Twilight as our candidate of heir to Equestria." Lightning says. Celestia scoffs. "And what of us? Trash to be thrown away?" "No, you will rule until you die." Lightning says. "And that includes Twilight, sister." Luna said. "We just made her like us without immortality at the time. We can still rule, just under her and you can do things you were previously unable to do." "She is not included. She is ruler of the crystal kingdom." Lightning says. Luna looks confused for a second. "Wait, what?" "She is the ruler of her own separate sovereign kingdom. Meaning she has no say in Equestrian matters and can only inherit the kingdom if you, Celestia, and Twilight all died. The only other one who could inherit this country is duke Blueblood. The reason I say duke is even though he is royalty he does not have any true claim to the throne. I refuse to call him a prince even though he demands it from everyone." Lightning says. Luna nods. "I see now. I thought you were talking about Twilight." Lightning sighs. "Well that's a wasted explanation. Anyway you see our case?" He asks Celestia. Celestia refuses to answer for a time. "Fine." Celestia finally says. Twilight looks a little surprised. "Now that's a little like the Celestia." Celestia walks away mad. "At least she agreed." Lightning says. Luna sighs in relief. "Congratulations Twilight, you will soon become Queen. How do you feel?" "Like someone needs to smack me." Twilight says. "Luna, she needs a pinch." Lightning says. Luna giggles and bites Twilight on the back of her neck who yelps. "Ow." Luna smirks. "I think she's awake now." "Thank you Luna." Lightning says. Luna grins. "She really loves bites more than pinches." "Luna." Twilight whines blushing. Luna giggles. "Can't help it, you're too cute when you blush as well." "So Twilight, did Rainbow write and tell you she is now in the Wonderbolt reserves and our foals are doing great?" Lightning asks trying to change the subject. Twilight tries to squirm out of Luna's grip. "Yes and actually I and my friends plus the town helped her study for the test." "I can't believe she somehow she hid that from me without my notice." Lightning says. Twilight sighs as Luna let's up on the hug, but still holds on. "She actually wanted to surprise you." "Well she definitely did. So how is Spike and Agni doing?" Lightning asks. Twilight smiles. "Still trying to see whose flames are bigger." "I see, so has Agni gone through his first from change?" Lightning asks. Twilight shakes her head. "Not from what I have seen." "I see, so have you kept up your studies in fire elemental magic?" Lightning asks. Twilight nods. "Yep, through all the books you gave me." Luna looks up from her snuggling. "She really has been working hard since our vacation started." "Nullam et si quis vobis intelligunt studiis celebratum est." Lightning says. (1) Twilight smirks. "Good afternoon to you too." "Ipsum" Lightning says. (2) Twilight smiles and snuggles Luna back. "Thanks." "Multo adhuc non contentus esse discipulus cognoscere." Lightning says. (3) Twilight frowns. "Thanks a lot. You ruined my good mood." "Notitiam investiget finiendum. Dein studium transferendum est commissio magia liber sine adiutorio." Lightning says levitating the book he was studying earlier to Twilight. (4) Twilight takes it and looks it over. "What language?" "Ah, that is part of your assignment. You must research and learn. Oh and your access to my library is still valid." Lightning says taking the other book with him. Twilight smiles before feeling something run down her back. "Luna." She hisses. "To Lightning and Rainbow's estate here in Canterlot?" Luna asks. Twilight glares at her before smiling. "Maybe we should ask them first. I don't think they would like to come to a messy bed." "Ok, let us pay a visit, I bet you also want to see their foals." Luna says. Twilight smiles. "Yeah, let's follow him." Luna smiles as they begin following Lightning. When they finally reach the entrance to the estate Lightning finally speaks. "Did you need something else?" Lightning asks. Twilight blushes. "Your estate in Canterlot?" "This a visit to the family or library?" Lightning asks. Twilight coughs a little. "The library is after for a little reading while we want to see the foals." "I'm sure Rainbow will love to see you." Lightning says opening the door. They walk in and start walking down the hall. "So how have you been Lightning?" Twilight asks. "Good, Celestia was a big pain because she wanted to go back to the old ways which is impossible." Lightning says walking after them. Luna nods. "Yes and I doubt that we can go back to the old ways even if we wanted to." "Not anymore, especially after I have gain so many allies and power here." Lightning says hearing a few ponies. Twilight smiles. "And how are they?" "Good." Lightning says opening the dining room door to see Spitfire, Rainbow, Silva, and the foals. "I'm back and guess who followed me." Rainbow looks to see Twilight and Luna. "Oh hey you two." Rainbow calls. Twilight waves a little. "Hi Rainbow, came to see everypony." Lightning walks over. "Sister what are you doing here?" Lightning asks. Spitfire shrugs. "An invitation from somepony." "Oh seems Rainbow has become very good at keeping things from me." Lightning says. Spitfire chuckles. "How do you think she keeps you pleased?" "So why wasn't I informed sister? As head of all military related matters in Equestria I should be informed of all who join the Wonderbolts even if they are reserves." Lightning says. Both the mares' chuckles. "It was a surprise." The both said. "No more surprises like this sister, it makes both our jobs harder and gives you more paper work." Lightning reminds. Spitfire smiles. "And fun." "So sister will you be joining us for dinner?" Lightning asks as Typhoon and Talion start climbing on her. Spitfire laughs. "How can I pass up the chance for a free meal?" "I see your niece and nephew still love you." Lightning says as Talion makes his way through Spitfire's hair. Spitfire laughs. "Yeah, they are ticklish though." "Seems Talion is trying to navigate the jungle known as your mane." Lightning jokes. Spitfire chuckles. "I wasn't the only one with a long mane too." "At least I know how to clean mine Ms. Soap only for her mane." Lightning jokes. Spitfire huffs. "At least I use soap." "Oh Spitfire there is a new invention going around called body wash that cleans you better." Lightning says. Spitfire smirks. "Maybe you should use it." "I bathe regularly. Ask Rainbow, she joins me every once in a while." Lightning says. Spitfire looks to her. "How many times does he actually cleans himself instead of dunking himself in the water?" "Almost every time after he saw to me." Rainbow says blushing a little. Spitfire sighs. "Looks like you win." "Spitfire it looks like you have a protégé now." Lightning says seeing Talion now on top of her head. Spitfire laughs and brings Talion in front of her. "So did you have fun?" Talion smiles and opens arms insinuating he wanted a hug. "Aw, of course you can have one." She said hugging him. "I see you are really bonding with your nephew and it seems your niece is interested in your wings." Lightning says as Typhoon is messing with the feathers and Rainbow and Silva are talking to Twilight and Luna. Spitfire laughs and bring Typhoon in for a hug as well. "Hugs for all." "You look good sister. I see you haven't been overwhelmed by your increased work yet." Lightning says. Spitfire let's go of the foals as they run off. "Yeah, the paperwork is decreasing too." "I am thinking of sending your team back to off duty status." Lightning says. Spitfire then grows sad. "Then you won't see me." "No, you will be going back and doing shows and stationed back in Canterlot." Lightning says. Spitfire then brightens up. "You really are family. Like letting your daughter be with that Wyvern." "No comment." Lightning says. Spitfire smiles. "Come on, you gave your daughter a love life." "So Spitfire how are you doing with the admiral?" Lightning asks. Spitfire shuffles a bit. "He's okay. A little uncaring, but he means well." "So tell me how many times?" Lightning whispers. Spitfire sighs. "Around fifty." "I'm surprised you are not having a foal of your own yet." Lightning whispers. Spitfire nods. "Yeah, but he's careful." "I'm glad for you sis, so when is the wedding?" Lightning asks. Spitfire sighs. "We haven't decided yet." "Let me know when you decide. I want to help in any way I can for my sister and good friend." Lightning says hugging Spitfire. Spitfire smiles as she hugs back. "Thanks and those fifty, some were on the same night." Lightning stares at her. "Okay a lot in one night." "Let us not talk about that around the foals ok?" Lightning asks. "You can talk to me about that though." Seeku says walking in. Lightning groans. "Great, wing lover is here." "Hey, I came for dinner and to see my favorite little nieces and nephew." Seeku says happily. Lightning shakes his head. "And I still remember what you did." He said subtly showing his bite mark on his neck. "Yeah, sorry about that. It will disappear soon enough." Seeku says nervously. 'Not really.' Lighting sighs. "Well is there anypony else needed here?" "That is the entire family. So where are Nikolai and Apollo?" Seeku asks. Lightning shrugs. "Don't know, but I bet there with Vinyl and Octavia." Nikolai moans a little with an ice pack on his face. "Vinyl why did I let you talk me into drinking that mixture of vodka, beer, rum, and mead?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl shrugs. "I don't know. I'm lost myself." She said holding her own ice pack. "At least we are together." Nikolai says. Vinyl chuckles. "Yeah, but weren't we supposed to go somewhere?" "Not that I can remember and both Octavia and Apollo are on a date." Nikolai says trying to feel for her with his hoof. Vinyl smiles. "Do you know how many they have been on up to now?" "I think in the seventy's now." Nikolai says finding her forehoof not holding the ice pack. Vinyl sighs and grabs onto his hoof. "And how many have we been on?" "With or without counting doing work on them?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl smiles. "Without." "Around thirty full dates, twenty nine bar outings, and a few private lunches." Nikolai says. Vinyl chuckles. "Yeah and I still remember carrying your flank back here a few times." "And I remember loving the smell of your mane." Nikolai says. Vinyl giggles. "Yeah, though I didn't use some shampoo in a while so that was my natural smell." "That is why I loved it." Nikolai says starting to feel his ice pack being lifted. Vinyl smiles as she lifts his ice pack. "Good, how do you feel now?" "Head feels like it is still splitting open, but at least the view is nice." Nikolai says scooting closer to Vinyl's head. Vinyl sighs as she leans closer to him. "Aww, thank you. You're not bad yourself handsome." Nikolai smiles before kissing Vinyl and lying beside her before Vinyl puts their ice packs back on their faces. "Still need work on that." She said. "Hey I can't help you're the first mare I have ever had a relationship with." Nikolai says a little defensive. Vinyl chuckles. "So you didn't have anypony else?" "No, I kinda failed horribly in the category of flirty with strangers." Nikolai says. Vinyl sighs. "Well how are you doing in that category now?" "Still a flop. The only reason I can do it with you is because I got to know you first." Nikolai says. Vinyl looks to him. "And that's how you start out. Why didn't you do it then?" "Many I failed incredibly hard, last time I tried and really humiliated myself." Nikolai says sounding sheepish causing Vinyl to smirk. "How did that go?" "Pain, humiliation, and I had to pay for fire damage to the pub." Nikolai says sounding ashamed. Vinyl raises an eyebrow. "Fire damage?" "Let's just say juggling hoops on fire was not the best idea." Nikolai says. Vinyl chuckles. "Really, was your mare part of the circus?" "No." Nikolai says very dejected. Vinyl nuzzles against him. "Don't need to for me so you're okay." "Thank you." Nikolai says leaning into her. Vinyl sighs. "Well my headache is gone, yours?" "Still going strong, but I think that is because I tried and down it all in one gulp." Nikolai says. Vinyl chuckles. "Now you know better than to listen to me." "But I want to believe in you because I love you." Nikolai says in a tone somewhere in between whining and flirting. Vinyl smiles. "Well you should learn on what not to believe." "I thought rule one was Vinyl is always right? Like when we stealthily toilet papered Blueblood's private residence." Nikolai says. Vinyl chuckles. "Yeah and rule five is always have doubt." "Of everything, but Vinyl." Nikolai jokes. Vinyl smiles. "Octy made it." "We are talking my rules, not Tavi's rules." Nikolai says starting to smile. Vinyl giggles. "And I was talking about the house rules." "Oh I thought there was just three and it ended with you casting a sound proof spell when I go into your room at ni…" Nikolai says cut off when a hoof covered his mouth. Vinyl glares at him. "Don't even." "Ok you're right, took the joke too far." Nikolai says. Vinyl nods. "Good now get some rest. We have to visit your buddies." "Oh do I have to?" Nikolai whines playfully. Vinyl sighs. "Yes and take some headache pulls in case it gets too big." "But, I want to stay here and snuggle with you." Nikolai half jokes. Vinyl sighs. "I need to make some food since Octy isn't here and you're out too." "Thank you bassey." Nikolai said. Vinyl looks to him. "Bassey?" Nikolai shrugs. "You like bass music." "Try beats." Vinyl offers. "Bass Beats?" Nikolai asks. Vinyl thinks for a moment. "That kinda works." "We'll keep brainstorming. Oh do you remember Octy's pet name for Apollo?" Nikolai asks before laughing. Vinyl shakes her head. "What is it?" "I believe it was darkywarky." Nikolai says continuing to laugh. Vinyl giggles. "Where did that come from?" "Octy, not the best nicknamer, isn't that right little scratch?" Nikolai asks the small tabby cat. Little Scratch meows back. "So Bass Beats. You going to make any jokes about me petting Scratch?" Nikolai calls. Vinyl holds a hoof to her head. "I think I need that ice pack again. Too many names to deal with and so alike. My head is full." "Ok, I'll stop teasing for a while." Nikolai says still smiling. Apollo and Octavia walk out of the music theater were Octavia and her ensemble had just finished playing. "As good as ever Octavia." Apollo says. Octavia smiles. "Thanks, but what part did you like?" "The solo when the lights focused on you and tell me, is the disguise really necessary?" Apollo asks. Octavia grins. "What do you mean by that?" "Are you ashamed of me or something?" Apollo asks. Octavia shakes her head. "No, just wanted to try a new look." "And avoid the mob of fans which currently have the other members of your ensemble bogged down?" Apollo teases. Octavia giggles as they look to the street below. "Learned from the best." "How do you think your roommates are doing, after all when we left Vinyl had four different kinds of alcohol out?" Apollo says. Octavia shrugs. "No idea, but I can guess. Lots of ice packs. Need to move." She said getting up and moving around the ledge of the building. "You know you adjusted a little too well like you have had some experience in this before." Apollo says walking over. Octavia smiles. "Yeah, you try getting around fans." "So we really going to go see the general Octy?" Apollo asks. Octavia nods. "Yes of course. Think you know a way to sneak in?" "Twelve ways to sneak in there eleven of those will result in either imminent death or capture." Apollo says. Octavia looks to him. "And the twelfth?" "Lead through the foals' room and when Lightning starts for that you will wish you were dead." Apollo says. Octavia shrugs. "If he doesn't kill us, and I know he won't, we'll get in." "Best way is through the front door for us." Apollo says sneaking his hoof around her. Octavia grabs onto him. "Don't even, you're not at that level yet." "What, I just want to give my marefriend a hug." Apollo says innocently. Octavia smiles. "I know, but still you are not allowed for that yet. Especially with me in this outfit." She said gesturing to her outfit that was like Apollo, but more reveling. "Oh and here I was going to sneak this into your outfit." Apollo says holding up a new cello bow. Octavia looks to it. "How the heck would you sneak that in my outfit, it's too big?" "It's all about misdirection." Apollo says getting in close. When Octavia looked back at his hoof the cello bow was gone. Octavia glares at him. "Sneaky bastard." She said feeling around her outfit. "I love you too." Apollo says pointing to the front of her outfit. Octavia sighs and takes the bow from the front before placing it on her back. "Now I do to." She said smiling. "So am I allowed to kiss you?" Apollo asks smirking. Octavia still smiles. "Wait until we get to Lightning's and then after we talk to him, you have permission to kiss me." "Ok." Apollo says before following Octavia. After a while of walking on the rooftops they made it to Lightning's estate and waited across the street from the home. "Okay, now what?" Octavia asks. Apollo walks up and knocks on the door. Soon a maid opens the door. "Hi, were called here by then general." Apollo says. Octavia blanks. "Really?" "You forget what my position is Octy." Apollo says as the maid allows them entry. Octavia shakes her head. "I just wanted some fun, you know, something different." "Tell you what, I have an idea for a job, want to come with me when I do it?" Apollo asks as they walk inside. Octavia smiles as she walks along. "Sure, might be fun." "It will be." Apollo says as they walk into the dining room. Octavia sighs and looks around. "Hello everyone." "Evening." Apollo greets. Lightning looks over to his new guest. "We were wondering when you would show up. Where are Vinyl and Nikolai?" "Right here." Vinyl calls entering with Nikolai still having an ice pack on his face. Lightning chuckles as he looks to Nikolai. "What happened to you?" "A drink I can only call a suicide." Nikolai says. "Oh, so Vinyl mixed all four together?" Apollo asks. Vinyl chuckles as Nikolai groans. "Yeah, it was fun watching him." "You drank it too." Nikolai says. Vinyl chuckles as she rubs the back of her head. "Yeah, but a bit." "So Vinyl I see you are taking care of one of my top men." Lightning joked. Vinyl nods. "Yeah, but he's a downer sometimes." "Oh that is surprising because I can practically taste your love for him." Seeku says walking over. Vinyl smiles. "He's an idiot, but he's my idiot." "Oh did he tell you about his flirting abilities yet?" Lightning asks. Vinyl smirks. "Dreadfully so." "Just don't let him near any hoops on fire." Apollo jokes. Vinyl giggles. "Don't worry I won't...though I might have fun." "Vinyl no, I know you like fire, but we don't want to burn down Canterlot." Octavia says. Vinyl grins. "And where's the fun in that?" "You are a pyro aren't you?" Lightning asks. Vinyl looks up proud. "The greatest pyro. How do you think I do my shows?" "Hey, I have been handling the effects lately." Nikolai says. Vinyl frowns at him. "And I order them, who wins?" "You do." Nikolai says defeated. Vinyl smiles. "And don't you forget it." "Hey Vinyl, how are you doing?" Spitfire asks walking up. Vinyl grins to her. "Just fine Spits and you?" "I'm doing great. My little brother is about to take the Wonderbolts off wartime status so we can get back to doing shows." Spitfire says. Apollo chuckles. "Tired of the war already sir?" "The war is currently not here Apollo." Lightning reminds. Apollo raises an eyebrow. "And yet it's still happening across the sea and on it. The war is still active." "We are in a cold war scenario right now Apollo. The real war will begin soon." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him. "What real war?" "I'll tell you later my love." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs. "You better." "Don't worry I will." Lightning says petting her mane. Rainbow purrs. "Now when can we have dinner?" "Just waiting for you to ask." Lightning says before everyone sat down for dinner. After a bit of waiting the servers come out with a large meal that almost looks enormous for not everyone to finish. "Wow. You really went all out." Spitfire said a plate was placed in front of her. "I take care of my family and friends sis, you know that." Lightning says. Spitfire grins as she looks to her meal. "Then let's eat." Lightning just smiles as Rainbow had already started. "Let's." He said digging into his own as the others followed. Scootaloo smiles slightly as she digs in her own, but then hears something. "Dad, did we forget somepony?" She asks stopping her eating and trying to listen. "The only others who would show up are either not in the country or on duty." Lightning says as he listens for the noise as well. Scootaloo looks confused as she tries to listen. "Yeah, but do you hear flapping of wings, big ones at that?" Lightning nods. "And what do you think it is?" Scootaloo listens for bit. "Either one of the Wyverns or Celestia since Luna is here." "That is no Wyvern wings." Lightning says his eyes narrowing. Scootaloo then hears the sound getting closer. "Whatever it is, it's getting close." "Rainbow it looks like we have an uninvited guest, why don't you take our guests and the foals and retire to a different room." Lightning suggests as Belcoot, Zagai and Hazuki enter the dining room. Rainbow nods and gets up after picking up her foals and walks everyone out to a secondary dining room, leaving Lightning, Belcoot, Zagai and Hazuki. "What is coming here sir?" Zagai asks. "I don't know, but let's give them a proper welcome." Lightning says. After a while of waiting the sound of wings came close to the window up above them and stops. "Get ready." Lightning said. Then the window smashes open, sending shards onto the floor and the table still full of food and a hayburger that Hazuki was about to eat, making her throw it away. "Dang it." She said as she turns her attention to their visitor. "Hello Lightning Bolt, so great to see you. I believe you owe me something." A pegasus pony said covered in black and dark clouds. "Have we met because I always pay my debts?" Lightning mocks. The pony chuckles deeply and darkly as he lands slowly onto the table. "Nice spread, mind if I have some, of course you wouldn't." He said taking some of the meat and eating it in one bite. "So spirit, have you came to die for what you did?" Lightning asks as lightning coursed through his eyes. The pony laughs out loud sending his dark laughter through the home. "Now, now Mr. Bolt. You wouldn't want your friends to get hurt." He said as some tendrils of shadow peeks out from the dark areas of the room. "Now listen to what I have to say." "How about I tell Belcross not to destroy you like he is about to and you don't do something to upset me and the king of the lightning spirits." Lightning threatens. The spirit scoffs. "Please, even he wouldn't allow me to die. Want to know why?" "Oh, do tell and just so you don't get any funny ideas." Lightning says and the shadow spirit suddenly found itself being crushed by a giant hand. The spirit growls. "Know this Bolt, kill me and this war will never end." "Oh somepony else stupid enough to get involved in this war like we are. Belcross loosen your grip, but don't let him escape." Lightning says. The spirit huffs as the force was loosened on him. "Know that I am not against you, not yet. Yet, you must know that something else is coming." "It's in the dominion isn't it?" Lightning asks as if he already know the answer, but dreaded it all the same. The spirit smirks. "And one that even the high and lowest spirit fears." "Shadow spirit, I will let you go if you swear the oath of bonds." Lightning says. The spirit raises an eyebrow. "And if I don't?" "Belcross ends you." Lightning says, darkness leaking from his eyes for a moment. The spirit grins as he sees the darkness. "I just needed to be sure." "Then swear it." Lightning says. The spirit smiles as the cloud leaves the pony who blinks a few times. "What happened? One second I'm gathering plants, the next I'm on a table. Am I in a mob house?" The pony asks as he looks around. "Oblitus." Lightning says and the pony fall unconscious. The spirit's laugh is heard from the dark cloud above them. "This is why I will never impede you. I learned that after I was banished from that castle. Now Mr. Bolt, I will never stop you, in fact your journey through this will help me immensely." "You are to never attack the elements or their families as well." Lightning adds as Zagai picks up the unconscious pony. The spirit chuckles deeply. "They are needed as well in this endeavor, in fact that little foal is special. She would be a fine mare for the cycles to come." "I will say this once, you touch any of my foals, and I will end you." Lightning says, lightning and darkness running through his eyes. The spirit just laughs. "This is rich and I thought you were just a lightning user. Now I see that you are also part of mine. How do they say, don't let it control you? I want you to do the opposite when you see it." "Funny, that's what the last Daedric lord said before I took his head and put it on display in my academy." Lightning says, the magic now gone from his eyes as he opened a portal to a field in the room and Zagai tosses the unconscious pony through. The spirit's cloud's wisp comes close to his face. "You will do it, don't deny it. That lord was a failed product of mine, you however will be my finished one." "You overestimate yourself shadow. We both know you are greatly weakened and I would crush, you know if I didn't have some use for you in the war." Lightning says with a stoic expression. The spirit huffs. "Like I have been hearing, you are stubborn. Listen and listen good, you need to use my gift. Don't and everyone you know will be with your new friend." "Oh I intend to use you shadow, but I don't trust you." Lightning says starting to walk away. "Oh and assume the form of a pony, no need to startle the elements, my wife, or one of my soldiers." Lightning adds. The cloud then forms into a large demonic earth pony. "And you shouldn't. I never intend to be your friend or your mate. I just want something and you are the key to it. Now I believe that I am needed elsewhere." He said as a portal leading to white area shows up behind him. "Watch out for your new friend. That one is a killer in many ways." He said floating into the portal before it closes after he gets in. "My lord are you sure about this?" Belcoot asks following. "If I could afford it than I would have eliminated that shadow permanently, but what he confirmed, the worry it will cause me will take years off my life. No one is to know what we have learned there. Meet with each one of the other sworn swords and tell them the details in secret for things just grew far more dangerous." Lightning orders. Hazuki takes an untouched hay burger that was on the table and takes a bite. "Yes sir." She said with her mouth full. Zagai silently nods while Belcoot hesitantly nods as well as they then disappeared. Hazuki was then left with Lightning as she kept eating. "Do you think you will need to use his power?" She asks. "No, I will lead shadow on until the spirit's usefulness is used up then you will finish him with that spirit slaying sword of yours. So retrieve it as soon as possible." Lightning says. Hazuki nods. "You got it sir. Want some?" She said holding out some hayfries. "No thank you, this whole affair has killed my appetite, also remind me to have somepony come tomorrow and replace that window?" Lightning asks. Hazuki nods. "Sure, still I wonder what the spirit said by needing to be somewhere else." She said scarfing down a whole plate of hayfries. "Nothing good will come off it that I know." Lightning says before entering the second dining room. "Sorry that took so long, but it has been dealt with." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs in relief as she leans back. "Can we now eat in peace?" "Yes you may, I will retire to the study for a while." Lightning says before moving his head and Hazuki takes her place guarding the door before Lightning leaves. "Something went down." Nikolai says with a serious expression. Rainbow groans. "Unbelievable. What happened?" She asks Hazuki with a serious expression. Hazuki remained silent at her post. "You best go see him my lady. He seemed very upset and distressed." Apollo says. Rainbow sighs and gets up. "Enjoy your meal everypony." She said closing the door behind her. Lightning was sitting in his chair and pouring a glass of his secret stash of alcohol. "What else can go wrong?" Lightning asks downing it in one gulp. As if somepony was listening Rainbow actually kicks opens the door making it break some hinges. "Oh right...that." Lightning says then starts writing something down. "Just one more thing that needs to be repaired." Lightning says before slumping back into the chair. Rainbow huffs as she walks over. "What happened?" "The last thing here in Equestria I wanted to see paid us a visit and I couldn't finish it because of circumstances." Lightning says pouring himself another glass. Rainbow knocks the glass away as she sits on the table. "That's my good glass." Rainbow sighs as she looks him over. "What exactly happened that doesn't allow you to kill him now?" "He told me something that I suspected, but wished wasn't correct and as such offered to work with us to eliminate it." Lightning says. Rainbow raise an eyebrow. "Work with us, him?" "It Rainbow, I don't know the ge…oh that figures." Lightning says. Rainbow looks confused. "What is it?" "When the spirit left it said, I don't intend to be either your friend or mate. Which means it's most likely female." Lightning says. Rainbow smirks. "And who do you think it is?" "The shadow spirit love." Lightning says. Rainbow shakes her head. "I mean who could the spirit be?" "Do you mean what is its disguised form?" Lightning asks as Rainbow moved closer. Rainbow nods. "Yes, who is it?" "I have no clue love. All I know is I need some help with all this stress." Lightning says sounding extremely tired. Rainbow smiles. "I can take care of that, you just need a little more energy than that." "I'm open to any suggestions." Lightning says. Rainbow grins. "Great, but I hope you're ready for being in a little mess in your office." "I don't mind my love." Lightning says getting out of his chair and walking over to her and petting her mane. Rainbow purrs. "Then let's get started." She said before lunging at him. "So it's been over an hour, what do you think they are doing?" Twilight asks. Luna and Scootaloo smiles as their enhanced hearing picks up some thumping and moans. "I think they are busy having a little meeting." Luna said smirking. "Is it me or is our lord really working on producing heirs?" Nikolai whispers to Apollo. Apollo shakes his head and grins. "He has a few things in his office that will not allow that. I think the lady just wanted to help him with the stress. He has been getting stressful lately." "We will have to speak with Belcoot and his team later in private to get in on the loop." Nikolai whispers back. Apollo chuckles. "I think that will be hard. Those guys are stone hard in their talk." "Hazuki?" Nikolai asks giving him a look. Apollo nods. "And the others as well. They can barely talk, even when alone with each other." "Still let us try them first and if not them then we will see our lord." Nikolai whispers. Apollo chuckles. "Really and walk in on his important meeting?" "You want to get blasted?" Nikolai asks shocked. "Do you?" Apollo asks grinning. "No." Nikolai says moving away from Apollo. Apollo smiles. "That's what I thought." "Thanks love." Lightning says, his wings around her as he petted her mane. Rainbow smiles as she snuggles against him. "No problem, I'm your wife after all." "Love, I think I may need to return to the east soon. Will you come with me?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks confused. "The east?" "Across the sea where Eclipse's Saddle Arabia, Stalliongrad, the Dominion, and many other countries are." Lightning clarifies. Rainbow looks concerned as she gets off of him in his chair. "Why there?" "That is where the war will be fought." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "How long?" "Soon, I have a few loose ends to tie up. Besides the lady should at least see all of the lands she rules." Lightning says. Rainbow lays down near him. "How long do you have to be there?" "For the war maybe. I have no idea how long it will last though." Lightning says getting out of the chair and lying beside her. Rainbow sighs as he wraps a wing around her. "I don't know, I don't want to leave everypony." "It won't be forever love." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "I know, I just don't want to leave everypony." "Love I won't force you to come with me, but at least with me I can protect you. The dominion know you are my wife by now and will stop at nothing to kill you and are foals." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him. "Then what about the others, our family?" "They will try and kill everypony just to spite me." Lightning says holding her close now. Rainbow sighs one last time and hugs him. "Only if all of us comes with you, will I go." "I wouldn't have it any other way my love." Lightning says before kissing her. Rainbow smiles as she gives a kiss back. "So can we bring Twilight and the others as well? Knowing the Dominion, they attack all the contact between us." "Sure, I'm also sure High king Ulfric would be happy to meet the next in line for Equestria's throne." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles. "Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I wonder what Twilight will think?" "Probably fascinated by the country's culture and will want to go learn from the magic academy in the country." Lightning says. Rainbow still laughs. "Yeah and probably bother them nonstop." "Oh she will need to get permission from the headmaster. Can you guess who that is?" Lightning asks. Rainbow frowns. "Yeah, princess controlling Celestia." "No, I'll give you a hint, he is a stallion, he is a pegasus, and he is married to you." Lightning says smiling. Rainbow grins. "You sly bastard." "I told you once I was head of the Stalliongrad magic academy my rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Oh boy, will Twilight hate that." "I think she won't mind when she sees the library. Oh Rainbow I need a good laugh you mind telling again about that time you and the other elements took Twilight to a bar and when a stallion came up to her she talked all about studying?" Lightning asks Rainbow giggles. "Okay, when we were at the bar a stallion came up to Twilight who was actually studying the drink she had and when he used one of those classic deadlines she immediately went off on him by lecturing on how to actually pick up a mare from a book she read. The stallion was just staring at her as she talked and when she wasn't looking he walks...backwards to the door and the bartender said that he said he will never come here for mares or go after the librarian types again. Twilight can such a stallion killer. It would hard to actually find one for her if that keeps happening." Lightning starts chuckling. "Thanks love, you always make me feel better." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Like I said, I'm your wife." "Now what can I do to return the favor?" Lightning says getting closer. Rainbow laughs a little as she pushes him away slightly. "Down boy. Just tell me a funny story. You already paid me back for the first one." "Which one, I have quite a few to tell?" Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "The funniest you got." "Funniest. Funniest." Lightning says pondering his memories. Rainbow sits up. "Take as long as you need." "Help me narrow it down, who do you want to hear of?" Lightning asks. Rainbow thinks for a few before coming up with something. "Eclipse and the stuffed manticore." A few seconds passed in silence and Lightning burst out laughing. After several minutes Rainbow looked on with amazement as he hasn't stopped laughing and tears were running down his eyes. Rainbow shakes his head and hits him lightly. "Come on, tell it." Lightning struggles to catch his breath still chuckling. "Ok, sorry. Well it all started when we got to this inn." Lightning starts. 10 Years Ago "Okay, here we are. We can rest here for now." Lightning said stopping in front of a large building. "Thank goodness." A guard says. Eclipse brought out a bottle. "Hey Lightning, want to have a drink with me?" Lightning shakes his head and walks in with the others following. "Nope, got to have a clear head in the morning. Who knows what's in here and out there?" "Oh come on." Eclipse says hooking her wing around Lightning. "It will be fun." Eclipse adds. Lightning chuckles as he makes a small snuggle into her wing that only she can notice. "Not for me. Remember that I'm part of your guard." "Not officially." Eclipse says her eyes starting to shine. Lightning sighs. "Clipsy, I have to protect you and I can't do that if I'm drunk off my ass." "Oh come on, one glass won't affect you." Eclipse says looking into Lightning's eyes before stumbling over her own hooves. "You already had some didn't you?" Lightning asks sweating a little as she almost had him in her hypnotizing spell. Eclipse laughs nervously. "No, of course not, this is a brand new bottle." "Then why did you stumble and why do you have a drunk stallion's blush?" Lightning asks as Eclipses tries to get up, but slips and starts sliding on the wet floor. Eclipse then starts sliding and crashes into a bucket full of soap. "Okay, maybe a little drunk." She said with a bucket over her head and a janitor glaring at her. "Where did you even get the drink?" Lightning asks as Eclipse starts wobbling back to him. Eclipse then sliding around him like a skater. "That traveling merchant we passed a few days ago." "But you didn't buy anything." Lightning says astounded. Eclipse giggles a little drunkenly. "That you saw, oh a party." She said sliding over to the large open doors on the side which had a large amount of ponies, griffons inside. Lightning sighs and leans over to a guard. "Get some rooms and I'll handle the princess." "Don't you mean try?" The guard asks. Lightning glares at him. "Just do it. Knowing the princess, she is probably drinking that bottle and more." He said walking after the drunken princess. "Every day is a good day whenever you have something to drink." Eclipse starts singing drinking from the bottle. Lightning sighs and starts dragging her away. "Come on Clipsy, more drinks this way." Eclipse giggles as she continues to drink. "Yep…hic…I can see it." She said eyeing the bar. "Come on Clipsy, there is a mini ice box upstairs." Lightning says before feeling she had slipped through his grasp. "Weeeeeeee." She cheers drunkenly and then slams into the bar, startling the bartender. "The heaviest…hic…you got." She said tapping a hoof impatiently with a lopsided grin. "Do not fulfill that order." Lightning calls frantically as he hurries to them. The bartender looks between the future queen and the guard far behind her. "Sorry ma'am, but I have a policy of not embarrassing or killing my patrons." He said to her only to see her gone. "Oh hey, you…hic…come around here…hic…often?" Eclipse asks holding onto the leg of a stuffed Manicorn nearby. Lightning facehooves. "Great, now she is in the flirty stage." "Oh Lightsy…hic…there you…hic…are." Eclipse says spotting him causing Lightning to groan. Lightning grabs onto her leg and starts dragging her back out and, after asking what room they have, back to their room. "Let's get some rest. This is a going to be a bad morning…for you." "Oh Lightsy…hic…you are so forward. I have been…hic…waiting so long for you to finally…hic…take me." Eclipse says. "Wait, what?" Lightning asks shocked. "And I had to watch her the rest of the night without sleep." Lightning says. Rainbow stares at him surprised. "So what happened after that?" "She awoke with a migraine and I had to go an entire day without resting while we traveled." Lightning says laying his head on Rainbow. Rainbow sighs. "So she really hasn't changed much, has she?" "Yeah, but I think being queen and having Midnight really changed her." Lightning says. Rainbow leans back against his desk. "Do you still miss her?" "Maybe a little, but I have you and you're the best thing that ever happened to me." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "After this, why don't we go see her? I think even the foals and Scoots would like to see Midnight as well." "I think that is a good idea love." Lightning says. Rainbow nods and gets up. "Okay, let's go. I think the others are waiting long enough and I'm getting hungry." Lightning smirks as gets up as well. "And that little meal you had wasn't enough?" "Ok, it was good, but I want some solid food, besides it went past my tongue so I couldn't taste it." Rainbow says smirking back. Lightning blushes. "You really know how to rile me up." He said heading back with Rainbow. "That I do." Rainbow says smacking his flank before he opens the door. Lightning yelps a little and glares at her. "Rainbow." "Oh I'm sorry Mr. General, but I thought you had to be prepared for anything." Rainbow teases. Lightning huffs. "Keep talking like that and I'll shut it up." "Oh you know where I am and you also know that you can do that to me anytime." Rainbow says walking in front of him. Lightning smirks. "Anytime you say?" Lightning asks before smacking her flank. Rainbow yelps. "Yep, anytime and anything." She said a little hot under the coat. Lightning smiles as he walks past her. "Then get ready for another tonight." "Looking forward to it love." Rainbow says running her hoof along his wing. Lightning shakes visibly as he slows down a little. "I'll be doing everything for tonight and you will take it all, how about that?" "Don't go that far, I'm not ready for more foals just yet." Rainbow says. Lightning smiles at her. "I know, I got a few things to help with that." "And I also have a show to do tomorrow so don't go too far love. You also have to watch our foals." Rainbow says. Lightning chuckles. "Okay, I won't do things that will make you not walk right, but you won't even like it then." "I'll tell you what, you can go all out with me tomorrow night love." Rainbow flirts. Lightning grins. "Now that is a good offer." He said coming up to the dining room. The guests were talking to one another while Spitfire and Seeku played with the foals. "Sorry that took so long." Rainbow says. Luna smiles. "Oh, no worries. We understand, right Twilight?" She asks smirking to a blushing red Twilight who was mumbling something. "So Tavi, got any fives?" Vinyl asks. Octavia sighs and throws down two cards, leaving her with nothing. "Not the best at cards, are you?" Apollo asks. "Better than you." Nikolai says drawing a card. Apollo glares at him. "And yet I can beat our commander." "And you wonder why we don't let you gamble in casinos." Nikolai says putting down a match. Apollo chuckles. "That you do." Lightning looks to the table. "Any food left?" "Yes sir, we had the servants keep some food in the kitchen for you two." Hazuki says. Lightning sighs as he and Rainbow sat in the chairs left. "Okay, then let us eat and then we can discuss the plans for everypony here." "Oh you mean the performance that Rainbow will be participating in tomorrow." Luna says. Lightning shakes his head. "Yes, another secret that she has been keeping from me like the rest of you." "I also sent the rest of our friends' invitations and tickets to it." Rainbow says smiling. Lightning slams his head onto the table. "Unbelievable." "So little brother, you will be watching my adorable nieces and nephew during the show." Spitfire says. Lightning groans a little. "Joy." Talion pokes his head out of the top of Spitfire's mane. "Go get him little Talion." Spitfire says. Talion jumps out and lands onto the table before running to him and nuzzling him. "Hey there Talion." Lightning says picking him up and hugging him. Talion giggles and hugs back. Lightning smiles as he hugs him before Typhoon was in front of him as well. "Hi honey." He said picking her up and hugging her as well while he smiled broadly. Rainbow smiles looking at Lightning. His stressed out and depressed mood seemed so far away now. "So how much did you and my little brother do?" Spitfire whispers. Rainbow giggles. "Enough to fill me up halfway." "Oh…oh, should I be expecting a new foal soon?" Spitfire asks. Rainbow shakes her head. "No, he took something that killed his side for a bit and he can get back up if he wants." "Oh you mean you are planning to have more soon then?" Spitfire teases. Rainbow smiles. "Not right now, maybe one day after everything is over." "So you want to have a big family?" Spitfire continues to tease. Rainbow smiles at the thought of a big family. "Yeah, but like I said, not right now. I don't want any more born into the thought of war. So what about you planning, to have any foals of your own?" Rainbow starts teasing back. Spitfire blushes. "Around the same thing as you." "Oh best get on that." Rainbow teases. Spitfire hits her side as Rainbow laughs. "Shut up." "Yes captain." Rainbow says with a mock salute. Lightning sighs happily as he lets go of his children. "Scootaloo you okay? You have been quiet and just staring into space." He said looking to her. "I'm fine dad." Scootaloo says walking over to him and hugs him. Lightning smiles and hugs her back. "Good princess." He then leans close. "How much did you hear?" He whispered. "What did I hear?" Scootaloo says innocently. Lightning grins. "Yes, I know those ears of yours were leaning towards our way. Now how much?" "I only heard mom's moans." Scootaloo admits. Lightning chuckles as he rubs her mane. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get used to it with you and Tiyries." "Dad!" Scootaloo whines blushing. Lightning just looks innocent while grinning. "What?" "You are a piece of work." Scootaloo says playfully punching him. "I know princess." Lightning says as both Talion and Typhoon tackle Scootaloo. Scootaloo giggles as they try to hold her down and jump on her. "Come on guys, that's enough." She giggles out. Lightning smiles as Rainbow returns with food. "Well I just embarrassed our foal, anything else you want to do here?" He asks eating. "Nothing else for the night." Rainbow says. Lightning turns to the others. "How about the rest of you?" "Um…you mind if I have access to your library?" Twilight asks. Lightning nods. "And you Luna?" "I'm with her." Luna says. Lightning smiles. "Just don't mess up the books. Now what about you guys?" He asks Vinyl, Nikolai, Octavia and Apollo. "I'm good." Nikolai says his wing around Vinyl. Vinyl smiles. "Me too, just need to head home." Octavia sighs. "Same here with this stealer. Give me back my bits." She said the last one to Apollo. "I don't know what you are talking about." Apollo says innocently. Octavia scoffs. "That money bag is bigger than it was a few seconds ago." "What are you talking about Octy, I don't have a money bag." Apollo says as Octavia felt a new weight. Octavia smiles. "Good and make sure you don't do it again or it's the roof for you." "Wait, didn't Apollo move into the attic?" Nikolai asks looking at Vinyl. Octavia nods. "Yes he does, but the roof is better since it might rain tonight." She said smirking. "Wow, only Tavi can turn a spy into her plaything." Vinyl says. "Undercover agents." Apollo and Octavia both say. Lightning chuckles and turns to the rest. "And how about you guys?" "Mind if I stay the night little brother?" Spitfire asks. "I don't mind sister. Hazuki please introduce her to our best guest room please." Lightning says. Hazuki smiles. "Of course sir." "Thank you Hazuki." Lightning says. Lightning then looks to his foals. "Who wants to visit Midnight and aunty Eclipse?" Typhoon and Talion started hopping up and down on Scootaloo. Scootaloo grunted as both of them hopped. "Get… them…off me." "Ok you two, let's give your big sister a break." Lightning says waving his hoof causing the two foals to float in midair. Rainbow chuckles. "Still never gets old." Lightning smiles and moves his hoof to Rainbow's direction and the foals float to her. She takes them out of the air and holds them close. "You two have to learn self-control." "They are only foals, love." Lightning says picking up Scootaloo. Scootaloo giggles as she hugs him. "Yeah, remember me?" "Come on my little princess, time for bed." Lightning says letting her get on his back as he walked. Scootaloo looks to him. "What about visiting Eclipse?" "We will be going east soon to visit the eastern continent." Lightning says after they left the dining room. Scootaloo looks surprised. "We're going to the east? When?" "Not for a little while, but you should pack for both hot and cold lands." Lightning says as he walks to her room. Scootaloo still looks confused. "But who is also coming?" "The family, your mother's five friends, and some of their families." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs. "Anypony else?" "You want your friends, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom to come?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo blushes. "And somepony else." "I said the family Scoots." Lightning repeats. Scootaloo looks to him. "So…?" "You can be as dense as your mother at times. He is coming too." Lightning clarifies. Scootaloo smiles and hugs him. "Thanks dad. It was just that of what you thought about us before that got me worried." "The bit about me turning him into a pony so you can marry him and have foals of your own?" Lightning asks walking in her room. Scootaloo shakes her head. "I mean when I just wanted him like he is now." "We will see later princess, but now it is time for you to go to sleep." Lightning say putting her in her bed. Scootaloo brings the covers around her. "Dad, I just want him like he is and not a pony. I don't care that he's a Wyvern, he was like that when I started to like him, but if it comes to it he will make that decision." "Ok princess." Lightning kisses her forehead. Scootaloo smiles. "So who exactly visited you?" "Uh hu princess, no more talk, it is time to sleep." Lightning says walking over to the door before turning off the lights. Scootaloo frowns. "You're no fun." She said pulling the covers around her and laying her head on a pillow. "Night my little angel." Lightning says closing the door. Scootaloo sighs. "Night dad and thanks." She said before falling into snores. Lightning smiles and walks to his and Rainbow's room. Opening the door he sees Rainbow in her sleep attire on the bed. "Hey love." Lightning says approaching the bed Rainbow smiles as he comes in. "Hey, the foals are sleep. What about your end?" "Scootaloo is sleeping peacefully and will be getting ready for our trip soon." Lightning says getting on the bed and nuzzling her. Rainbow nuzzles back and smiles. "Good, so when do we leave?" "Not for a few months at least love." Lightning says. Rainbow smirks. "Then why did you tell her to pack? It sounded like it's in the next weeks." "I said we are in no real rush. So you and the rest of the Wonderbolts have a special routine?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods. "Yeah and after all we've been through we deserve something of our own time so Spitfire thought of having me perform some cool tricks as a test also." "Oh I see, well whatever you have planned I'm sure me and the foals will enjoy it." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "That I'm sure of. Now what about that stallion you were supposed to introduce to Seeku?" "Oh, the only Stallion who has near equal rank in the Stalliongrad military. He is also was a general in the Dominion's legions, but in the final battle of Stalliongrad's liberation I convinced him to join us because he truly loved Stalliongrad." Lightning says. Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "That place was getting destroyed that badly?" "Yeah the war was taxing on us, but we have recovered and repaired the damage. Oh and he is a very honorable stallion so think how much Seeku will drive him crazy." Lightning says. Rainbow laughs a little. "I can bet. Want to bet how long before he goes insane?" "Seeku won't go that far if she intends to take him as a mate, but what would their kids be like?" Lightning asks pondering the question. Rainbow shrugs. "Don't know, but if I had to guess they would probably be like a unicorn with wings coming out later. I think you should have some guards around them if they are born." "Um love, Changelings lay eggs." Lightning says. Rainbow shrugs again. "I know, but isn't it the same word when they come out?" "Hatch love and where is Ice Fang and Azure?" Lightning asks. Rainbow then gains a weird smile. "Oh, somewhere." She tries to shrug off. "Oh you been playing with them or have they been playing with the foals?" Lightning asks as he hears the door opening. Rainbow shakes her head and hits him lightly over the head with a smirk. "Think lead head, when was the last time we have seen them apart?" "Well when I see them they are usually playing with the foals. Talion in particular really has taken to Ice Fang." Lightning says. Rainbow still has a smirk. "And when they were alone?" "I haven't seen them alone." Lightning say right before he feels something jump onto him. Rainbow smiles as she looks to Ice Fang. "Hey boy, did you have fun with Azure?" Ice Fang just gains a slight coloring on his cheek fur. Azure then squawks as she flew in and landed on her perch. "Hey there boy." Lightning says as Ice Fang jumps onto the bed. Rainbow smirks as she turns back to Lightning. "Now you get what I'm saying?" "Hey boy you want to go see your dad Fenrir soon?" Lightning asks playing with Ice Fang a bit, not hearing the question. Ice Fang yips as he jumps a little while Rainbow sighs. "You hate it when other species like each other, don't you?" She asks. "What are talking about Rainbow? Oh and just a little warning Ice Fang's dad Fenrir is fully grown and do you remember how big the Ice wolves get?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods while gaining a frown. "Yes I do. Lighting, what do you remember what you thought of Scootaloo and Tiyries getting together?" "Was against it because I knew that he would leave her one day." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "And now?" "I have accepted it. Now come here love. I promised I wouldn't go all out tonight, but I never said I wouldn't hold you." Lightning says. Rainbow scoots away a little. "Oh what is this?" Lightning asks smirking. Rainbow looks to him with a mad expression. "Lightning, do you hate others getting together?" "No I don't." Lightning says. Rainbow jerks her head to Ice Fang and Azure. "Then why are you ignoring that?" "I don't mind if they do that." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs in relief, but then didn't look at him. "Then why didn't you answer?" "Because I knew Ice Fang would be excited to hear that. I mean look at him." Lightning says as Ice Fang is bouncing everywhere. Rainbow smiles. "You didn't want the bed messed up, didn't you?" "Only if it is me and you doing that." Lightning says petting Rainbow's mane. Rainbow giggles a little before him hitting upside the head with a serious expression. "What I was serious?" Lightning says rubbing his sore jaw. Rainbow huffs. "I know, but don't you ever hate relationships and couples that are just weird by first look again." "I don't understand them, but I don't hate them. You know Rainbow I don't think you have preened yourself lately, maybe I should help." Lightning says moving closer. Rainbow huffs and opens her wings to him. "Go ahead and never do that again okay?" "Ok love." Lightning says before he immediately starts rubbing a sensitive part of Rainbow's wing. Rainbow hisses as Lightning pulled out an old feather. "Easy." "Like this." Lightning says rubbing her wing making her shiver in pleasure. Rainbow nods shakily. "Yeah, like that." "Don't worry love, I'll take good care of you." Lightning says kissing the side of her face as he kept rubbing. Rainbow smiles as he keeps pulling out some bad feathers. "Did we forget anything?" "About how pegasus wings are very sensitive in certain parts?" Lightning asks cheekily as he finishes her left wing before moving on to the right. Rainbow shakes her head. "Anything we missed from everypony." "Not that I noticed." Lightning says unintentionally exposing his wing to her causing her to smirk. Rainbow starts to run her hoof and teeth across his wing as he does hers. "What about the spirit, who's this friend?" Lightning squeaks a bit before collapsing on the bed. "A thing I hoped to never have to fight." Lightning barely manages. Rainbow giggles. "And maybe it's just a regular pony." "No it's not." Lightning says seriously. Rainbow looks to him. "How do you know?" "Let's not go into that yet. So how do you want me to hold you?" Lightning asks smirking. Rainbow smiles as she shakes her wings a little before folding them. "Close to you as possible." She said laying down. "How is this?" Lightning asks getting snout to snout while smiling. Rainbow turns around. "Like this." "Ok." Lightning says wrapping his forelegs around her and pulls her into himself. Rainbow smiles as she closes her eyes. "Goodnight Lightning." "Goodnight my beautiful and wondrous wife." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles and soon falls asleep with Lightning following her. "Unbelievable, anyway it's done." The shadow spirit said coming into the white room. "Oh you finished already?" Harmony asks. The shadow spirit nods. "Yes, I gave him the warning." "I see Belcross nearly destroyed you." Chaos says. The shadow huffs. "And almost broke the bones of that pony." Death shakes his head, but everyone just sees his hood move. "And missed that soul, oh well. Harmony, you better finish that box of yours. I think something in Tartarus has more power now." "Wait, you mean the true Tartarus or Celestia's replica?" Chaos asks. Death huffs sending out a small dark cloud. "Both. One for the true war and one for something that Celestia had sealed away with some past help." "Leave it to Celestia to bumble and make somespirits job harder." Harmony says. Chaos sighs. "Now I fear for Dissy. He is still looking around that legend." "Maybe you should call him back to spend some time with y…I have to go, something just died." Death says dropping into his cloud and disappearing. Harmony sighs as she feels that death. "Boy I hate that. Now what our other friend?" "Oh Mr. Electric Eye, he isn't here right now." Chaos says. Harmony's wings flutter a bit. "Then where is he? He knows this is important since it is his champion." "Probably talking to the other spirit kings or queens about their next move and the maneuvers of their champions." Chaos says. Harmony sighs. "That's a problem. Minerva talked again and this time she said their part is a long ways off." "Harmony, I think the kings and queens are not telling us something and it seems that Lightning already suspected and I only confirmed it. I think they know more than they are letting on." Shadow says. Harmony groans. "Great, more trouble. Can this get any worse?" "Have you learnt nothing Harmony? You never ask that." Chaos says. Harmony shrugs. "I know, that's what makes it a little fun. But still, what will come over? We know Celestia's part, but ours? We don't even know that." "We shall see, but I wonder how much of the dark arts Lightning has delved into?" Shadow asks before chuckling in a female tone. Chaos smiles. "You really want him to change don't you?" "Forget the princesses, he would make the most powerful dark pony ever with all his power and dark emotions." Shadow says before chuckling at the thought. Chaos sighs. "And that's why I told Harmony to tell the princesses to tell Dissy to watch over that family for 'suspicious activity'." She said the last part in air quotes. "Think she will actually listen?" Harmony asks preening her wing. Chaos nods. "Oh yes, she's a little gone and hates him so it's enough. And don't you try to get him Shadow like you did back in the day for us." Shadow chuckles. "Don't deny that you didn't like it." "Is she serious?" Harmony asks. Chaos nods. "Unfortunately, I couldn't walk right for a century." Shadow laughs out loud. "You got to admit you have a kink for gangbangs." "And here I thought you were a lesbian." Harmony says. Chaos shake her head. "She had a kink for almost everything, but the most disgusting and killing ones." "But she only went after females." Harmony says. Chaos looks to her. "And as she put it, more fun than males and kinks to use." "And the fact she only raped the females?" Harmony asks fascinated. Chaos scoffs. "Don't tell me you are liking this?" "No, I seriously always thought she was a lesbian." Harmony says defensively. Chaos huffs. "Well like she said, more fun than males and more links to use on them. For some reason most of the kinks are for females." "Wait then, wouldn't that mean she will try and rape Lightning's wife to get to him?" Harmony asks. "Oh thank you for the idea." Shadow says. Harmony is then hit by a light ball of some kind, knocking her off her perch. "Great job Harmony. Shadow you know the rules here." Chaos said looking to her. "No rules against planning." Shadow says grinning. Chaos glares at her. "Shadow..." She said threateningly. "Oh maybe I should rape both of them. I have always thought of having a child of my own." Shadow says before getting hit with the same light ball. Chaos scoffs. "You do that and we will never win both of these wars. Do this and not only Lightning will get you, but we will as well." "I'm thinking after the war." Shadow says getting back off the floor as her clouds dispersed a little. Chaos groans. "No, we need them even after and I don't think our friendly eye friend would like that." "We shall see who he chooses." Shadow says smirking as she takes the form of a dark version of Rainbow Dash. Harmony groans as she gets back on her perch. "I don't think that's possible. He's very loyal like her and able to sense these types of things." "You know how manipulative and persuasive I can be." Shadow says smirking. Harmony frowns. "And you know what will happen to you if you do. Maybe you should try to get in the family like their friend Seeku did." "I never said how I would get to him." Shadow says disappearing. Harmony groans. "Unbelievable, she can never go through with it…unless Lightning will take her if she can accept herself into the family." "That or she gets herself a new dark pony the likes of which has never been seen before." Chaos says pondering if Shadow would be worth the trouble she will cause. Harmony shrugs. "As long as she acts a little kind and be accepted into his family we would have no trouble. But if she breaks it up then we have to put her down and reform her. She's shadow, not evil." "Of Malevolence." Chaos reminds. "Ok, got that name from the mortals for what she does to amuse herself." Harmony reminds. Chaos sighs. "We'll have to keep watch over her actions then." Harmony nods and then turns to her slowly. "So…how many did you have to go through?" Chaos sighs. "Let's just say I had enough milk to feed all of Equestria ten times over." She said making Harmony's eyes widen and gets her thinking. 'I wonder if I can try that.' Twilight groaned as she poured through another book and, although found a few interesting facts and spells, found no way to translate the book Lightning had given her to translate. "This is impossible. I can't find any sort of translation for this." She groans out. "What about this book?" Luna asks holding up a book with a Changeling on the cover. Twilight immediately takes it and looks through it quickly before throwing it away. "That was just anatomy. I will never get this done in time." "What about that?" Luna asks pointing to the table of context. Twilight looks through it only to find more anatomy. "Still the same...wait, is that book the only one left?" She said pointing to the purple book standing alone. "On changelings?" Luna asks. Twilight sighs and takes it down. "We searched on everything that is about Changelings and they are all marked by that book. Maybe Lightning doesn't have it her...hey, the language is here!" She said excited. "Thank goodness I was afraid we would have to search the whole library." Luna says with dread as she looked at the rest of the large and possibly bigger than the Canterlot's library. Twilight immediately goes through the book as she sat down near a table. "Wow, this has everything. It's like a dictionary of itself." "What do you mean?" Luna asks. Twilight grins and shows it to her. "See, the words are in Changelings, but the definition is in Equestrian." "Who wrote it?" Luna asks. Twilight looks through the first few pages. "Looks like...Lightning?!" "Well it figures as he looked like he was translating the book while talking to my sister." Luna says. "I'm still surprised Changeling's have a written language." Twilight says. Luna shrugs. "How else would they write their history?" "But I haven't ever seen them write it even on a sign of somewhere that belongs to them." Twilight says. Luna smirks. "Why Twilight I didn't know you have been to the lower part of Canterlot." Luna says. Twilight blushes. "Well I wondered what they were doing." "You went in didn't you?" Luna asks moving closer. Twilight shies away a little. "Yeah and met Chrysalis." "Did you get a job done?" Luna asks. Twilight blushes and turns away from her. "A little, but I backed out." "Oh that's good, I am the only one allowed to give you one." Luna teases, tracing her hoof on Twilight. Twilight coughs a little as she shivers. "Luna." She whines quietly. "You know you love it." Luna says smiling. Twilight's breath got caught in her throat. "Luna, please." "What? We are alone here." Luna says leaning in. Twilight shivers a bit more. "Luna, I have to study this." "You can study later." Luna says kissing Twilight's neck. Twilight shakes all over now. "Please Luna, not here." "Oh don't be stingy." Luna says before continuing her assault. Twilight breathes out shakily. "Luna..." Luna pulls Twilight onto the floor now licking her neck. "Please..." Luna starts licking around her nipples before playfully biting one. "Ow!" Luna keeps licking around each nipple getting Twilight more and more turned on. Twilight suddenly comes to her sense and pushes Luna off. "Luna that's enough." "Oh come on." Luna says disappointed. Twilight sighs as she gets back up. "Maybe later, but now I have study this." She said looking to her book. "Oh maybe I can find something erotic here in this library to do with you later." Luna says. "On second thought, let's go to the prepared guestroom. After all, I have to go see Rainbow's show tomorrow." Twilight says. Luna whines. "You're no fun. You know I want to take you here and now." Twilight uses her magic to drag Luna out of the library with the two books as all the other books started flying back to their shelves. 'Why did I agree to be her marefriend again?' Twilight thinks. Luna giggles as she grabbed a book before it landed on the shelf and read a random page. "This has some things we could do." "Luna keep this up and you are sleeping on the couch for a week." Twilight says. Luna pouted cutely. "You're a terrible mate." She said with a hint of playfulness. "Yeah, yeah, now come on." Twilight says closing the door behind them. Soon Luna's giggling were heard before Twilight yelps before moaning. Lightning awakes the next morning to find himself alone in his bed. Getting up he pops his joints and wings before walking to the shower. "Wonder where Rainbow went?" He asks himself groggily. When somepony clears their throat Lightning looks up to see Rainbow who is washing herself. "Sorry love." Lightning says more awake now. "Well since you are here, help me." Rainbow instructed. Lightning blushes before walking into the shower with her and helping her out. "Listen, thanks for helping me out yesterday." He said working the soap into her coat. Rainbow smiles. "Like I said last night I am your wife." Rainbow says as she enjoyed him doing her work and noticing he felt her up a bit. She giggles as she turns to him. "You really want to feel me don't you?" "No, just getting prepped for what you promised me tonight." Lightning says getting to her tail. Rainbow smiles. "We'll let do the show and then you can have fun." "Oh you are looking forward to it as much as I am I see." Lightning teases finishing and Rainbows starts washing it off. Rainbow chuckles. "Doing anything you want to me, how could I not?" "Oh Rainbow you are such a bad mare." Lightning teases starting to put soap on himself. Rainbow shakes herself off before stepping out of the shower. "Only as much if you want or do you want me to be completely innocent?" "Oh the latter would have been adorable if you did it when we started dating. Oh and Rainbow please wear the Wonderbolts uniform later tonight." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles. "Want to rip it apart?" "Oh no, I'll enjoy every moment of you taking it off right before we do it." Lightning says smiling all the while. Rainbow smiles. "Don't want to use me all you want to the point of ripping clothes off?" "Oh I do, but you know how to make taking off clothes sexy." Lightning teased reminding Rainbow of their past experiences. Rainbow blushes. "Well we need a new schoolmare outfit. The last one's skirt is ripped." "Oh you mean when you role-played as a delinquent?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smirks. "No, when we played schoolmare with a rapist." "Oh and how you tried so hard to resist my advances." Lightning sarcastically says. Rainbow giggles. "More like resist outright while you just went to town on me, also going through the outfit for the first few minutes." "And you were against wearing a skirt at first." Lightning teases. Rainbow blushes. "If it gets you higher than ever I'll take it." "Oh Rainbow, don't forget to check on your best dress for balls, we have to attend that party Earum is holding." Lightning says. Rainbow nods and heads out. "Sure, just make sure that you're ready as well." "Oh down worry that sexy flank of yours, I will be ready." Lightning says. Rainbow stops at the door before shaking her flank at him. "And it's all yours tonight." "Yeah, we are both looking forward to it." Lightning says sparking a bit from the shower. Rainbow giggles and closes the door behind her, leaving Lightning chuckling as he stops sparking. After a few hours Lightning had the foals with him as he waited his sister and wife. "Okay, you three ready for the show?" Talion and Typhoon were just climbing all over him. "Yeah dad I am." Scootaloo says as the Direwolf soldiers remained vigilant. Lightning smiles. "Good, but you didn't hear anything right?" "Hear what?" Scootaloo asks. Lightning smiles as he waits for the others near a park in Canterlot. "Good." Spitfire and Rainbow finally came out in the uniforms. "Hello beautiful, oh and hey Spitfire." Lightning whistles. "Yeah, yeah flirt later little brother, we have a show to get to." Spitfire says as Rainbow smirked. Rainbow bumps into Spitfire softly. "You just don't have your own stallion to talk to you like that." "I do, he just calls me a saucy lass, now move it move it." Spitfire says blowing her whistle. Rainbow immediately files off before Spitfire files after her. "Seems your mom's training at the academy is still sticking with her." Lightning says. Scootaloo smiles. "Yeah, she really was devoted." "Is devoted princess, now let us go and watch the show." Lightning says. Scootaloo nods as Typhoon and Talion hangs on his mane. "Yeah, but where? We're in the park of Canterlot." "Where else, to the stadium princess." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs and walks over to the large stands with him and the others. They walk to the box seats where you could see the best. "Want something Scoot?" Lightning asks as they sit down. Scootaloo looks over to the small concession stand. "Candy and popcorn. What else?" She said with a smile. "Ok look after your siblings and I'll be right back." Lightning says setting them down as Ice Fang jumped up to join them. Scootaloo smiles as she looks over to the ice wolf. "Hey there Ice Fang. Where's Azure?" Scootaloo was answered when Azure lands on her back. She smiles as she tries to rub her head. "Hey girl. How's it going?" Azure just squawks as an answer. Soon Lightning returned with what Scootaloo asked for. "Here you are Scoots." Lightning says setting the snacks container down. Scootaloo smiles. "Thanks dad. And guess who came over." "Ice Fang and Seeku." Lightning says as Talion and Typhoon climbed back onto him. Scootaloo looks confused before looking to Azure. "Seeku?" "What gave me away?" 'Azure' asks. Lightning smirks. "Cause Ice Fang and Azure are in love with each other and you want to try it. Besides Azure is on a small search for me." "Ah." Seeku says disappointed before transforming back to normal. Scootaloo grunts from the extra weight. "Seeku…" She grunts. "I'm getting off." Seeku says getting off. Scootaloo sighs in relief as Ice Fang whines as he lays down. "Good, but I think you just broke his heart." She said working out her muscles. Talion scratches Ice Fang, cheering him up a bit. "I think he will be ok." Lightning says smiling. "So what are you doing here?" He asks Seeku. Seeku just smiles. "I'm here to watch my sister do her show." Seeku says. Lightning smiles and leans back a little. "Then sit down, the show is about to start." He said as Scootaloo eats some of the popcorn. The show soon started and Scootaloo really enjoyed herself while Talion and Typhoon seemed to be more interested in playing with Ice Fang. Lightning chuckles while Ice Fang yips as both the foals try to ride him. He sighs and turns to Seeku who just keeps looking at the performance with the same expression. "You okay Seeku?" "Just waiting for sis." Seeku says as if studying the show. Lightning smirks as he sees her concentrating expression. "Trying to learn new attack moves?" "No just trying to figure out how they proclaim the Wonderbolts could beat us in air combat with moves like those." Seeku says. Lightning smiles as he looks back to the performance. "This is just flying around. They can actually do air to air combat like hoof to hoof on the ground. Crouse, they can't match us, can't they?" "No." Seeku says before leaning close to Lightning. "And we would completely own them with the hive." Seeku whispers. Lightning frowns. "Seeku, you know that they can't attack." "Just saying that the hive is superior." Seeku says. "Can you two shut up, I'm trying to watch mom." Scootaloo piped up. "Oh she is on." Seeku says turning back to the show. Lightning smiles as he watches his wife as she does many tricks that almost looks near impossible without some of the training he gave after she asked. "That she is." He said watching some errors, but nopony seems to notice. Rainbow, Spitfire, and all the rest of the Wonderbolts come together for the finale. "Here it comes, the big finish." Lightning said grabbing some popcorn from Scootaloo who glares at her. The Wonderbolts attempted the Buccaneer Blitz which really got Lightning's attention. "Okay this is surprising." Seeku looks on as well. "Yes, this is partly dangerous. Ready to head out just in case?" "I am." Lightning says unfurling his wings just in case. The Wonderbolts started the first part of the act and started to fly around each other. Lightning grabs a hold of the foals as they started to watch. Then the Wonderbolts started to fly with each other as they still fly and start to spin in place. After they reached a certain height they started to free fall and fly straight back down to the ground, almost making a sound cone appear as they fell. Seeku grabs onto Ice Fang and Scootaloo. "Now the important part." A burst of Light was then seen before each one shot up leaving a trail of colors, making Lightning and Seeku placed everypony down and sigh in relief. "Now that was nerve wracking." Lightning said. Soon they were flying around and they saw Rainbow pass their sky box and Lightning caught the part where Rainbow blew a kiss. Lightning smirked at that as he held the foals who were getting sleepy. "It's okay guys, let's just go see your mother and then it's time to go home." He said leaving the box and heading down to the waiting room for the Wonderbolts. "Wow that was tiring." Fleetfoot says entering the room. Spitfire smiles as she enters the room. "Great job team, a fine piece of work." "Yes, sister you really impressed your niece and nephew." Lightning says. Spitfire smirks as she turns to him. "Really now, how are they looking now?" The foals were already climbing on her. "You tell me." Lightning says. "Oh look at the little foals." Fleetfoot says walking up to Spitfire and the others. Spitfire smiles as she lets her look. "Yeah, they're great aren't they?" "They better be. Now come to mommy." Rainbow says walking in. Talion and Typhoon cheer as they jump off of Spitfire and immediately run which she grabs them in a hug as soon as they close. "Hope you two like the show." "The Buccaneer Blitz was a hoof biter for a lot of us Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow looks apologetic to him. "Sorry, but we wanted to surprise you." "Oh you did, also sis I think you should arrange a competition with the changelings as I hear a few say they could out fly all of you." Lightning says. Spitfire huffs. "Yeah right, like they could hope to beat us." "Oh so you will take that challenge then?" Lightning asks. Spitfire smirks. "Heck yeah, I do." "Ok, all that you need to do is figure out a fair competition." Lightning says as the rest of the female Wonderbolts fawn over the foals. Spitfire thinks of a few things. "Maybe a hoof to hoof fight?" "Think about something that involves flying. Like the team is best known for." Lightning says. Spitfire smiles. "I'm sure I can think of something. Now let's grab the foals and get out of here before they get smothered by the others." "You got it sister. One moment, atten hut!" Lightning yells as every wonderbolt, but Spitfire and Rainbow stand at attention. Spitfire chuckles as they all fall in line. "That's one way." "It's good to be a general." Lightning says as Rainbow walks over with the foals. Rainbow smiles as she lets the foals onto her back. "Thanks, I don't know how long they would have survived." "Don't mention it, now at ease." Lightning calls before they leave and meet up with Scootaloo, Seeku, and Ice Fang. Rainbow smiles as she spots them. "So what do you think?" "Mom you are the coolest!" Scootaloo calls. "Hey what about your cool aunt?" Spitfire asks. Scootaloo looks over to her blankly. "Yeah you were cool too, but mom was cooler." "Hey." Spitfire mock whines causing Seeku to snicker and playfully elbowing her. Seeku smirks as she looks to her. "Now you have to earn Scootaloo's love again. Think you can to that?" "Easily, seeing as she and her younger siblings are staying with me tonight." Spitfire says. "Rainbow!" A country accent calls. They all turn to Applejack and the others. "Hey girls. So how was it?" Rainbow asks. "You were great, woo hoo." Fluttershy cheers quietly. Twilight smiles, but then frowns as Luna hugs her from behind. "Luna." She scolded before turning happy again. "Any case that was a great show." "Yes darling you were spectacular." Rarity says. Rainbow becomes embarrassed. "Thanks girls. I was kinda worried from the beginning, but I'm glad it turned well." "Well? It was super duper ruper." Pinkie says bouncing everywhere. Rainbow chuckles as Pinkie bounces on everything, not making damages. "Yeah, I guess it was." "I see all of you showed up." Lightning says. Everypony smiles. "Of course, why wouldn't we?" Twilight said. "Since you are all here me and Rainbow are planning on going on a trip to the eastern continent, would you like to come along with us to see other countries?" Lightning asks. Everypony soon looks worried. "But isn't that dangerous?" Fluttershy asks. "We are keeping away from countries near the Dominion's borders so it would be safe. After all do you think I would endanger my family?" Lightning asks. Everypony shakes their heads. "Not really." Twilight said. "Then how about it? You will get to see the world beyond the borders and for the future queen you will get to meet many of the rulers and can start making friends and allies." Lightning says. Twilight turns to rest. "What do you girls think?" "Queen?" Most of the elements ask. Twilight and Luna suddenly become nervous. "Yeah, I'll be…sort of…taking over Equestria from Celestia." Twilight said. "As in when Celestia retires from the throne Twilight will inherit it and share power with no other pony as such will be the queen of this land." Lightning clarifies before any of the girls could jump to the conclusion that Twilight was planning a coup. "What?!" They all said. "The details to that are being kept under wraps, but I will tell you all the details in private if you wish." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "Yeah, I can help as well. Besides, have you noticed that Celestia is acting different than normal?" "Let's continue this elsewhere, I believe that lunch at our estate would be good, huh Rainbow?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods. "Yeah, I'm getting hungry. Want to come girls?" "Free food!" Pinkie yells. Rainbow smiles. "I'll take that as a yes." "Well then I'll run ahead with Seeku to get the staff to prepare the food, ok?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods. "Fine with me, fine with you girls?" "Well Rainbow you certainly married a gentlecolt." Rarity says. Rainbow chuckles. "Yeah, I got a good husband, but also a good stud." "Rainbow you are embarrassing me." Lightning says before he and Seeku took off. Rainbow giggles as he flies away. "Yeah, that's what I wanted." She said even though he left. "I see ya'll got him tied around your hoof now." Applejack says as Fluttershy played with Typhoon and Talion and Scootaloo hoof bumped the other members of the cutie mark crusaders. Rainbow smiles. "Yeah, plus we got a plan tonight." "Well we best start walking, my niece and nephew seem very tired." Spitfire points out. Rainbow nods. "Yeah, let's get out of here. I think some passersby want to listen to the queen thing." She said starting to leave after picking up Talion and Typhoon. Rainbow then looks around for a bit. "Twilight...where's Spike?" Twilight smiles. "Well he's right..." She looks over to where he's supposed to be, but doesn't see him as her smile fell. "Celestia damn it! I left him behind again after I promised him I won't!" She said almost hitting herself. Fluttershy then became worried. "Oh my, I hope he's okay." "Left behind again. I'm really starting to hate Twilight now." Spike said as he finished the last book sorting. He then smirks as he turns to Agni. "At least she left you too." Agni just stretches out and breathes out a puff of smoke as he awoke from a nap. "Look at that, lazy boy is awake." Spike teases. Agni jumps off the seat and strolls over to the fireplace. "What you up to?" Spike asks before Agni starts consuming the fire. Spikes grows surprised. "Whoa. So that's how you eat." Agni burps lightly after finishing the fire and walks towards the ladder Spike is standing on before looking up to him and bouncing up and down while squeaking at him. Spike gets annoyed. "What is it?" Agni keeps doing it till Spike finally comes down and is hugged by Agni. Spikes becomes surprised and hugs him back until he realizes what he was doing and immediately throws him off. "What the heck?" "Big brother." A quiet voice says before Spike feels Agni hugging him again. Spike freezes in place as he feels Agni hugging him. Spike sighs and hugs him. "Okay, I guess I'm a big brother." Agni smiles as his flames on his back turn from red to a golden color. "Spike I'm back, sorry about that." Twilight says walking in on the scene. Spike immediately throws Agni off of him. "Hey Twilight. And I'm not forgiving you for leaving me." "Oh were you bonding?" Twilight asks happily. "Big brother." Agni says again in a quiet voice. Spike sighs and goes back to a comic back while Twilight gasp. "Oh my gosh, Agni's first words." Twilight says squeaking a bit, picking up Agni. Spike groans and continues reading. "Yeah and now he can bother me more." "Oh yeah right, I know you are happy his first words were of his big brother." Twilight says. Spike huffs. "Yeah and now I have to deal with a 'little brother.'" Twilight just smiles at Spike's attempt to hide his pride. "Well come on Mr. Number One Brother, Lightning invited us over for lunch." Twilight says. Spike pouts and places the comic book on the central table. "Fine, but can we not bring Agni?" "We have to Spike, after all there is no one to look after you is there?" Asks Twilight as she tosses Agni lightly and catches him. "Besides Rarity will be there." Twilight says. Spike raises an eyebrow. "So?" "Oh are you out of your crush with Rarity?" Twilight asks. Spike huffs. "Of course. After so long and not really caring even one bit I just don't care at this point." "Oh got your eyes set on a female dragon?" Twilight asks. Spike breathes out a puff of smoke. "Yeah right. There isn't any around anyway." "Agni, Spike seems depressed, can you say he is the best?" Twilight asks. "Big brother is bestest." Agni manages. Spike puffs out smoke in his direction. "Yeah, one of the best at not getting anypony." "Oh Spike don't be like that. Do you want to come on a trip Spike? Lightning has also invited us to come see some of the eastern countries for a vacation. Who knows you might meet your special somepony or dragon." Twilight says. Spike shrugs. "Why not? Better than being stuck here." "You hear that Agni, all of us are going on a vacation soon and it might be like your and Spike's time at the beach with me and Luna." Twilight says. Spike raises an eyebrow. "When did you go to the beach?" "I watched you from the room every so often while I was sick for the first part of the trip and also saw the sand castle you, Agni, and Luna made." Twilight says. Spike is still confused. "When did we go? I don't remember that." "You feeling ok Spike?" Twilight asks looking a little worried. Spike just rubs his head. "I can't remember. I can't remember anything. It just has me in here while the rest of you left me." "Here let me remind you." Twilight says casting a memory spell on him. Spike shakes his head as the spell finished. "Oh yeah, now I remember. Agni you covered my head in glass!" "Sorry for flaming you big brother." Agni says. Spike huffs. "When do we go?" "We have to do a few things here first, but for now Lightning has offered us lunch." Twilight says setting Agni on her back with Spike. Spike frowns. "Then let's go. I'm way too hungry." Twilight smiles as Agni hung on to Spike as she walked to the estate to meet up with all her friends. "And that is why Twilight is the successor to Equestria's leadership and not Bluebrood." Lightning says. Applejack just looks over the small sheet of paper she was given before throwing it to the table. "So when do you place Twilight in this?" "When Celestia steps down or dies." Lightning says. Rarity looks concerned. "I don't think she will step down. She is too into her life of being a princess." "I know, but who said it will be her choice." Lightning says. Fluttershy looks shocked. "You're going to plan a coup on her?" "I never said that." Lightning says. Pinkie gets confused. "Then how would you get her to step down?" "We will do that in years to come. Now Pinkie why are you letting Typhoon bounce up and down on you?" Lightning asks. Pinkie giggles as she bounces as well. "Cause it is fun to bounce." "I see so how are you doing since we last saw you?" Lightning asks. Pinkie giggles as she bounces off of him. "Just at the Sugarcube Corner, working and spreading happiness." "I've been working on the farm. It helped that Big Mac came back home after a few months after the war ended." Applejack says. "Ah yes, I remember signing the paperwork for him to be transferred to the reserves." Lightning says. Applejack sighs in relief. "Thanks for that. I don't think Applebloom can make it without her brother." "He served his country well Applejack it is the least I could I do for Sergeant Macintosh." Lightning says. Applejack looks surprised. "Sergeant huh?" "Yeah he was promoted to be in charge of the reserves of Ponyville." Lightning says. Applejack smiles. "Well now we need to worry about the others and Celestia." "So Fluttershy what about you?" Rainbow asks. Fluttershy smiles and shrugs. "Other than the animals ready for another fight and a run, we're fine." "I meant how you are doing." Rainbow asks her foal hood friend. Fluttershy smiles. "I'm fine, but a little worried now." "About what?" Rainbow asks as Talion was climbing on Fluttershy. Fluttershy frowns. "When we leave for the east." "That isn't for months Fluttershy, you have plenty of time to prepare." Rainbow says walking to her friend. Fluttershy shakes her head. "I don't mean that, I mean what will happen when we get there." "Vacation of course." Lightning says. Fluttershy sighs and looks away. "Just forget it." Talion was rummaging through her hair poking out his head every once in a while, but Fluttershy remained down. "What's wrong Fluttershy?" Rainbow asks walking up. Fluttershy sighs. "Just that every time I have to deal with everypony here with the thought of getting hurt and that can happen anytime now." "Don't worry Fluttershy." Rainbow says as Talion climbs to the top of her head. Fluttershy sighs and takes Talion off of her head before giving him to Rainbow. "I'm going home." She said leaving. "Oh come on Fluttershy, stay with us. Let us have some fun like the old days." Rainbow pleads. Fluttershy huffs. "Fine, let's just hurry this up. I think my animals might worry." "Fluttershy, are you ok dear?" Rarity asks as Azure flies into the room. Fluttershy nods as she sits down on a pillow on the floor. "Yes, I'm fine." She said dismissively. "Ok, I bought the time of some the local spa workers, so girls sit back and relax." Rainbow says. Rarity looks surprised. "Oh a spa brought to us. What could be better?" "I thought you would all would enjoy it. That includes you Spitfire." Rainbow says. Spitfire smiles. "Joy, when do they come over?" "Oh they are waiting in the next room for you all." Rainbow says. Rarity immediately rushes off. "Hooficure here I come." She cheers. Fluttershy gets up and smiles before following Rarity. Rainbow smiles before seeing the others following them and heading into the other room, leaving her, Lightning, Twilight, Luna, Agni and Spike. "Aren't you two going too?" Spike asks as he and Agni are eating from a bowl of snacks. "In a second, what about you Rainbow?" Twilight asks. "I still can't stand somepony other than one to touch my hooves." Rainbow says putting a hoof around Lightning. Lightning smiles. "Don't worry. They mean well. Just try to enjoy it and you will feel better." Rainbow gives him a look. "Only because you said so." Rainbow finally says. Lightning grins. "Good, now why don't you follow them? I'll meet up later." Before Rainbow could respond Luna and Twilight pulled her into the other room, leaving Lightning chuckling as she tries to resist. He then turns to Spike and Agni. "What about you two?" "I and Agni will be play a bit with Talion, Typhoon, Ice Fang, and Azure." Spike says. Lightning smiles and walks through the door. "Great, happy that you are now liking him." Spike looks to Agni who is just smiling at him. "Big brother the bestest." Agni says. Spike just smiles as he tries to hide it. Lightning looks over the mares as they enjoy the mini spa that came in. "So how's the spa?" "It's good." Rarity says resting on the massage table as a spa pony massages her. Twilight smiles as she gets her mane and tail done. "Oh yes, the best in a long time." "And how are you doing my wife?" Lightning asks smirking. Rainbow still struggles to let the spa pony touch her hoof. "Not liking it." Lightning walks over and puts his hooves on her shoulders relaxing her a little. "Better?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods a bit before feeling something scratch her hooves. She starts to squirm a bit before relaxing. "Still doesn't feel right." "Just endure and see if you like it." Lightning says. The other mares smile seeing the scene. They then continue giving the hooficure as Lightning held down a tough struggling wife. Luna giggles as they worked especially on her mane and tail. "Why do you hate it?" "I have never like anypony touching my hooves really." Rainbow says. Luna smiles. "And your husband?" "I got a black eye a few times before she got use to me doing it." Lightning says laughing a little nervously. "I can't help it. It is a natural reaction for me." Rainbow says. Lightning nods. "Everypony has one. Looks like yours is your hooves." "Ohhhh, what's yours?" Pinkie asks as the spa pony's brush snapped when it was used to attempt to brush Pinkie's mane. Lightning looks surprised before sighing. "Wings." "Oh yeah they are." Rainbow says smirking. Lightning frowns. "And it's the worst for me." "Sounds like Rainbow has personal experience with them." Fluttershy joked. Lighting huffs. "Well what's yours?" "That's a mare's secret." Fluttershy says shyly. Rainbow smirks. "It's her tail." "Rainbow!" Fluttershy squeaked embarrassed that she told. Rainbow smiles. "Well we're telling ours its only fair." "So how is the married life Rainbow?" Applejack asks. Rainbow shrugs. "Nothing different, just a status change." "Am I really that menial?" Lightning asks somewhat depressed. Rainbow looks to him worried. "No, I mean just that nothing changed except that we're recognized as married couple and some laws and stuff changed around us. Nothing else and our relationships remained mostly the same." "Ok, I get it now. I was thinking you didn't feel you had the same influence as me. After all you are the best thing that ever happened to me." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "I know, but now talking about it. We haven't shown our married to dad." "We will on the trip across the sea. It's going to be quite the trip so we should plan a few activities to keep ourselves occupied." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "Wonder where Grandma and dad are? I haven't seen them in a while." "I asked them to help run Pegasopolis while we are away." Lightning explains. Rainbow then relaxes. "Good, I wonder how they're doing." "Silver Script sends me regular reports and is helping." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles. "You know that's not what I mean." "Well Hurricane is happy because the garrison and the main training field of the army is there so it is like the good old days and your father is enjoying being in charge and help arrange all the ponies who were out of work because we lost the ability to control the weather." Lightning says. Rainbow frowns. "Yeah, but for some reason me and the others still got our abilities, just lessened." "If you think about it and remember your link to Harmony it is not too hard to figure out." Lightning says. Rainbow then remembers. "Oh yeah, now that is completely useless since it's just us. Though it does makes us more famous. That's even more trouble." "What, you not happy that you six are some of the most famous mares in Equestria and have already cemented your places in history?" Lightning asks. Rarity sighs. "If you call orders up to the ceiling then yes." "Well it ain't so bad for me and my family. We have several investors and we have expanded our farm by quite a bit and had to hire help to keep up with it all." Applejack says. Rarity huffs. "Great, who else has it better?" "I kinda don't like all the attention." Fluttershy says trying to hide behind her hair. Rarity sighs in relief. "At least I'm not the only one." Lightning then gets confused. "What I'm trying to figure out is what earth ponies can do? I mean pegasus can control the weather and unicorns got the magic, what's the earth ponies way?" "Wait, what about Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow asks. Lightning looks to her. "We're talking about Pinkie Pie, the paradox in a stable world. I mean, that comb broke when it touched her mane and she met Death, who she has over for tea." "I meant how she has been with the popularity boost." Rainbow says. Pinkie giggles. "Nothing different. Just the same old Pinkie Pie." "Ok, so what about Twilight, some of my sources claim you have been feeling a little in etiquette in your role as a princess." Lightning says. Twilight blushes. "Well, I have been reading up in how to." "The role you have now is not something you can learn from reading a book Twilight. It takes experience and in the end the thing you need most to guide you in your choices is right in here." Lightning says tapping his chest over his heart. Twilight huffs. "Well I need something to start me off." "Start with the rulers of Maretonia coming to visit soon." Lightning says. "What visit?" Luna asks. "Oh you mean Celestia hasn't told you yet?" Lightning asks. Luna growls. "Great, now I have to deal with this. What else has she scheduled?" "She didn't schedule it and it will be in one week." Lightning says. Twilight groans. "Great, now I need to prepare for everything. Where are they coming to, the castle?" "Crystal Empire, your brother and sister-in-law will be receiving the word of it either today or tomorrow." Lightning says. Luna looks surprised. "So they get the information and not us?" "She will most likely inform you soon as well and Twilight at the last minute." Lightning says. Luna scowls. "That is not the proper way for anypony to act, even her." "Well it is kinda last minute for her as well. She is rushing everything that is how I found out so easily." Lightning says. Luna huffs. "I may need to have a small word with my sister." "Normally I would approve, but given the circumstance I say just let her be." Lightning says surprising all the mares. "That is a surprise brother, you and Celestia have been at each other's throats for the last few months." Spitfire says. Lightning shrugs. "I know, but at times like these and what we're going through, I say let's give each other a break." "Ok, I won't talk to my sister about it." Luna says. Lightning smiles. "Good, now we just have to get Twilight to the Crystal Empire and hope for the best." "Hold on there, we have plans for the next few days. So we will have to wait on that." Rainbow says. Lightning looks to her. "Do tell." "I will give you the complete schedule later." Rainbow says smirking. "Sometimes I feel like you're the real head of the house." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "I'll let you have some say in our schedules if you want." "Save the flirting for later you two." Spitfire says. They both laugh a little. "Come on sis, you know you want some of your own too." Lightning said. "Not while I am enjoying this great wing treatment." Spitfire says as two mares worked on her wings. Rainbow giggles. "So you don't want Edward?" "He's at sea right now and don't talk about my personal life, the last thing I want is rumors flying around. I got enough of that already." Spitfire says. Lightning strikes. "How so?" "The gossip section of the newspapers. You should see some articles." Spitfire says. "I have been told about a few, especially of me and Rainbow here. I am all about freedom, but they are just making up things to sell papers." Lightning says. Spitfire looks interested. "What did they write?" "They tried to paint me and Rainbow as rebels for not agreeing with Celestia. We even had a protest outside the estate. I had to call in a favor with your royal guard captain to get them to leave for disturbing the peace." Lightning says. Twilight looks confused. "Why didn't I hear about this in the newspapers, you're royal guard favor?" "Seems that several nobles didn't like it either and because of that the Lunar Guard went and told the editor and chief of the newspaper that since it was their gossip article that caused the problem that if they publish like that again they will be held responsible for egging on the civilians and inciting incidents." Lightning says. Luna smirks. "My guards are always intimidating. Watch out if they come to your door." "They know from experience how effective my soldiers are from the war and the reason I called the guards is because with them the civilians would have dispersed, but with my soldiers they might have caused an incident. My soldiers will protect us because they are loyal to me and not afraid to put down insurgents effectively and brutally." Lightning says. Everypony but Lightning and Rainbow winces. "That's disturbing." Applejack said. "On the note of insurgence, do you really want to attempt to assassinate me?" Lightning asks with a serious face, freezing a spa pony that came up behind him. The spa pony quickly runs out, leaving everypony with shocked faces. "You really going to let her get away?" Twilight asks. "She didn't attempt anything so I will not pursue. I will also let her know discreetly I let her go." Lightning says. Luna looks intrigued. "How so?" "I'll just slip a letter under her door. As for the rest of you, a bonus comes with your silence on the matter." Lightning says to the other spa ponies. They all nod before going back to their work, making Lightning smirk. "Good." After the spa treatment was over they all went to the lounge of the estate. "So how many of you will be staying with us for the evening?" Lightning asks. Twilight and Luna looks to each other before back to him. "Well we need to go back to the library with Spike and Agni." "Oh I think that the foals and the pets will be disappointed losing their playmates." Rainbow says. Twilight looks to the couch where Spike and Agni were playing with Ice Fang and Azure. "Maybe for the night." "You can use the same room as last night, now what about the rest of you?" Rainbow asks turning to the mares. Fluttershy shuffles her hooves together. "Well I need to get back to my animals, I think I've been gone too long." "Oh, but what about the foals here hugging your hooves?" Rainbow asks. Fluttershy looks down and smiles. "Okay you two, time to let go. I'll come back soon okay?" "One night won't hurt Fluttershy." Spitfire says. Fluttershy nods sadly. "I know, but I have been gone a while. It's best I get back." "Fluttershy. Just look at those darling faces of the foals, you really want to make them sad?" Applejack asks. Fluttershy looks down to see the foals looking up at her sadly. "Okay, maybe tonight." "Well I can stay with Sweet Bell for one night." Rarity says as the Cutie Mark Crusaders run past playing. Applejack shrugs. "Guess I can stay as well since Applebloom is here." "Great, let us get you all rooms." Rainbow says. "Oh this is like a sleepover." Twilight says gleefully. Luna grins. "Which type?" "Oh I wish I had my sleepover reference guide." Twilight says making both Rarity and Applejack slump a little. Luna leans over to them. "What happened?" "We will tell you later." Rarity says. Applejack sighs as she remembers. "Let's just say that we had to relocate a tree." "Oh that sound interesting." Luna says. Applejack nods. "Yeah and the worst to all of us. Had to really work out our differences." "Oh should I get the pajamas and sleeping bags?" Pinkie asks. Twilight jumps next to her. "Yes you should, can you bring more for all of us?" "Uh, I think me and Lightning will stick to our bed." Rainbow says. Twilight jumps up and down a little. "That's okay. We can still have the most fun ever." 'I feel a sense of dread from this.' Lightning thinks. Twilight smiles as she hurries to her room. "Let's go, I really want to get this right." She said as she also wrote in a notepad about what she remembered. "Well we already had work done by spa ponies." Rarity says. Twilight strikes that off the list. "Okay then, spa related activities are out." "What about the foals?" Spitfire asks. Rainbow looks to the foals as they ride Ice Fang. "Going to sleep is what they are doing. It's late and they need to sleep." "Ok so who is tucking them in?" Twilight asks. Rainbow and Lightning smiles. "Us of course." Rainbow said. "Hey I want to help too." Spitfire says. Lightning chuckles. "Then come on, it's time for bed." "Come here you two." Rainbow says picking them up. Lightning smiles as they start to walk to the foals' room. "Hope they don't come to us at night." "Don't worry, there aunt will be there if they need anypony." Spitfire says. Rainbow smiles. "Good, we got a big night planned." "Just don't keep anypony up all night." Spitfire jokes. Lighting chuckles. "Don't worry, I'm sure you got earplugs for that." "Or Mr. Magic here has a spell up his sleeve." Rainbow jokes. Lightning smirks. "I'm sure I got something." "So already shooting for a fourth kid, huh little brother?" Spitfire jokes. Lightning shakes his head. "No, just promising the best night of her married life. Besides my side is killed." "So Rainbow, you stopping at just Talion and Typhoon or you planning on giving them younger siblings?" Spitfire asks. Rainbow frowns. "No just that I don't want more born into war." Lightning slows his pace. "Rainbow I have a confession to make." Lightning says. They both look back to him. "What did you keep from me?" Rainbow asks with a serious face. "I'm don't think that I will live to see the upcoming war's ending." Lightning says. Spitfire becomes confused. "What do you mean?" "The Dominion has eighteen veteran legions. What we defeated was a newly formed one. So even with all the countries we have assembled to fight them, their army is still massive." Lightning explains. Rainbow looks to Spitfire before looking back to him. "And what does that have to do with you not seeing the ending?" "Wars are long and drawn out. This one could take generations to finish." Lightning says. Now both of the mares becomes worried. "Then why not go after the veterans' one after the other and lower the moral?" Spitfire asks. "That is just it, they will replace those easily and then there is the countries that will either side against us or will turn on us." Lightning says. Spitfire sighs. "And how many countries are left?" "To tell the truth, we got 6 countries either undecided or I'm suspicious in their loyalties. Oh and one country divided on whether or not to support us, which is the country where Duke Hyou is from." Lightning says. Rainbow tilts her head. "But he's nice enough and really supportive. Why is that bad?" "It's the country itself. The politics are in three camps on this matter. One, the camp Duke Hyou is in, is those who will support this war, second is those who will support the Dominion, and finally there is those who want nothing to do with it whatsoever because the Dominion doesn't bother them at all. Thankfully though I am friends with a few of their generals and most importantly their emperor himself." Lightning says. Spitfire shrugs. "So what's the problem? Seems like that's a small win there." "The problem is because of that they can't supply us with many armies and if the war starts turning south then the other political camps will gain power and make it even harder on us. The only thing I am certain of is if we get the Griffon kingdom to join us then we can fully count on them." Lightning says. Rainbow looks confused. "Didn't Eclipse say that she got the Griffon already?" "We have them all, but officially they like to drag the negotiations out a bit. I should know the prince really likes to cut deals in his or the kingdom's favor. Makes his dad really proud." Lightning says. It was now Spitfire turn to look confused. "So who is the prince?" "Magalgor the Silver Wind. He and I have been good friends for years. In fact if it wasn't for his help, the revolution of Stalliongrad might not have happened." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "So can you help with the treaty with him?" "He is already helping so we are now succeeding two provinces of the Dominion that are bordering them after we conquer them. He also helped us bypass the bureaucrats and make the appeal directly to the king." Lightning says. Spitfire smiles. "You know that the Griffons are the toughest when it comes to war. Heck with claws, if we got something that makes us carry them like than with hooves we might win with them." "I know, this scar here I got from the prince when we fought the first time we met." Lightning says pointing to a claw scar on his left shoulder. Rainbow was about to speak up again. "Sir!" A voice said behind them. "Yes Belcoot?" Lightning asks turning to him. Belcoot stops in front of him panting. "You would not believe what we have found." "What?" Lightning asks. "Ok, ok," Belcoot starts still panting. "So we were in the vault in the mountainside right? Well while we were searching the vault for anything that the refugees left or need to prepare just in case of another event like that we found something. Apparently the vault is not just a bunker just for emergencies it also has an armory." "What kind of armory?" Lightning asks. Belcoot smiles. "Just what you except, swords, armor, shields, but the biggest thing is in the far off corner. Apparently this machine actually fits around somepony like a belt system and you would not believe what it can do." "Give me the full debrief later in private, for now I have to help put the little foals to bed." Lightning says. Belcoot nods. "Okay sir, but meet us in the lobby, it's the best place at this point. We got a surprise for you." "Ok." Lightning says before him, Rainbow, and Spitfire start walking again. "So like I was saying earlier love, if we have more foals it will most likely be during the war." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "So there is no avoiding it is there?" "I'm sorry." Lightning says moving closer to her. Rainbow leans on him. "It's okay, I just wanted them to know something else other than war." "They will love. They will know a loving family and peace. After all they will have you." Lightning says petting her mane as the foals ride on her back. Rainbow smiles. "Thanks Lightning." "Hey what about their loving aunt?" Spitfire asks. Rainbow chuckles. "Yes you are with us too." "Thank you for the recognition." Spitfire says. Lighting smiles. "Yes sister, you will get the recognition…when they grow up enough." "Oh what, you want me to teach Typhoon how to fly like an ace?" Spitfire asks. Lighting chuckles. "No, just teach her how to be herself." "Yeah, I'll teach her how to fly unlike lead wing here." Rainbow jokes elbowing Lightning playfully. Lightning looks offended. "Hey. I do not have a lead wing." Spitfire laughs at this. "We are a seriously interesting family." Spitfire says. "Oh just wait till you marry Edward and he joins in." Lightning says. Spitfire huffs. "Oh please, nothing will change. We are too use to this stuff. Like Rainbow and her friends with all the disasters." "Oh, you haven't been to a pub with Edward yet have you?" Lightning asks. Spitfire chuckles. "Yeah, I have and boy does he fight." "Yeah, starts out nice and peaceful drink then the next second the entire bar is brawling." Lightning says. Spitfire smiles. "And the best part is he let me have a few hits." "Did you smash a bottle in somepony's face?" Lightning asks. Spitfire chuckles. "More like smash one coming up behind me and trying to do a sneak attack. He doesn't realize that I have to dodge paparazzi like that." "Well enough about that, we are here at their room." Rainbow says. Lightning smiles and opens the door. "Let's get them to bed." Rainbow and Spitfire walked in. "Come on my little ones time to sleep." Rainbow says. Spitfire smiles as she takes one of them as well. "Let's hope we can place them to sleep." "Oh it's quite simple." Lightning says picking up Talion. "How?" Spitfire asks. "Rainbow has a lullaby that puts them to sleep." Lightning says. Spitfire smiles. "Well sing it." Lightning leads Spitfire outside and closes the door. "She is kinda embarrassed when it comes to singing it." Lightning explains. Spitfire frowns. "Well, now that's just not fair." "I'll tell you what, when you have a foal of your own I'll get Rainbow to teach you it." Lightning says. Spitfire is then confused. "Won't she still get embarrassed?" Lightning smirks before closing the door. "Just wait." He said through the door. "Ok, just like Derpy taught me." Rainbow says clearing her throat. "Stars and moons and air balloons, Fluffy clouds to the horizon. I'll wrap you in rainbows, and rock you to sleep again. Teddy bears in pink, ducks and lambs of white, Don't you cry dear I'm here now, I'll be your night light. Stars and moons and air balloons, Fluffy clouds to the horizon. I'll wrap you in rainbows, and rock you to sleep again. Smiles to cure the frowns, twirling and tumbling in laughter. Some Day life will always be, Happily every after. Never more will the storms come, To destroy your little world. Never more will the waters rise, till the mountains no long touch the skies. Stars and moons and air balloons, Fluffy clouds to the horizon. I'll wrap you in rainbows, and rock you to sleep again. I'll wrap you in rainbows, and rock you to sleep again." Rainbow sang. The foals gently went to sleep as their eyes close. Lighting smiled as he stood right by her. "Nice work love." He said quietly. "When did you walk back in?" Rainbow ask quietly with a huge blush. Lightning chuckles as he slowly leads her out. "Before you sang." "Rainbow that was beautiful." Spitfire says wiping a tear running down her face. Lightning looks surprised. "I thought I locked you out?" "You never fully closed the door. It only locks out other ponies when you fully close it." Spitfire says. Lightning hits himself lightly. "Dang it." "Don't worry Rainbow, I won't tell a soul." Spitfire says. Rainbow sighs in relief before closing the door behind them and turning to Lightning. "You better go see this big surprise before bed tonight." "Rainbow, you mind teaching me the song?" Spitfire asks as Lightning nods and walks away. Rainbow smiles. "Sure, come on." She said walking away with her. Lighting sighs as he enters the lobby before seeing Belcoot, Alexander, Hazuki and Zagai, except that Zagai was wearing something around his waist. "So, what's this new machine?" Lightning asks as he goes down the stairs. Belcoot smiles as he steps up to Zagai's machine around him. "We have no idea what the original purpose is, but this we can figure out, this is not made for ponies or those that don't have fingers like Zagai does." "Ok, show me what it can do." Lightning says taking a seat on a stone bench. Zagai sighs as he takes some handles before pulling the trigger on them and launching some spikes to the wall that sends him to the hit point as a cylinder piece on his back gives off steam and a whining noise as he moves away and hits the wall stopping there. "Apparently this is also for holding some sword like weapons that are collapsible, but we found they break easily, which is why there are almost six slots for them." He said letting go of the trigger and falling to the ground. "I can see the usefulness of them, if we can reverse engineer them." Lightning says. Zagai starts taking off the machine. "Well that's a good idea. Griffons can take close to this original design, but you ponies have to take something entirely different." "We will see what the R&D division can come up with. Send all of them straight to them." Lightning orders. Belcoot shuffles. "That's another problem. There are only two we found, fully loaded with their blades of course. We can't really take apart much." "Send it anyways, the unicorns will use a scanning spell." Lightning says. Alexander starts helping Zagai take off the machine. "Let's hope we can get this done before you set out. Maybe you can surprise them. The looks on their faces." "We shall see, now if you excuse me I have to see to my family and our friends." Lightning says walking to the lounge. Hazuki smiles as they pack the machine in her bag. "Going to go crazy tonight sir?" She said with a knowing tone. "If that is what Mrs. Rainbow wants, all I can do is oblige her." Lightning says smiling. Hazuki giggles but then grunts. "Guys, this is heavy, why don't Zagai wear it again, it works for him." "Here." Alexander says taking the device. Hazuki sighs in relief. "Thanks, now let's get to that department and get this done. I really want to try this before we set out for the east." She said heading for the door. "How is that possible when our R&D division is in Stalliongrad?" Zagai asks. Hazuki grins. "Lightning is in charge of the military here in the country, but that also grants him access to the military division of the R&D here in Canterlot. It should be near the university and kept under guard." "He meant the one Stalliongrad Hazuki. I don't want this to fall in Dominion hooves." Lightning says. Hazuki nods. "That's why me and Zagai and anypony else that is with us will watch them and stay in one room for the whole thing. Besides the military part of the R&D building have some memory wipers in a certain room." "Hazuki." Lightning says warningly. "Fine, fine, send back Alexander with them. He has been on assignment for over a year now and probably wants to see his foals." Hazuki relents. Everypony smiles. "Good, now let's get that out of here and take the other as well. No choices with it here." Lightning said. "You got it." Alexander says taking the boxes and walking out with them. Lightning sighs and starts walking again. "Okay, back to your assignments and somepony watch him until he leaves the country." "Got it. I'll tell the men to shadow and watch out for him and send Edward a message bird to inform him." Belcoot says. Lightning chuckles. "Yeah the only pony who could watch over somepony in the sea." "I also have heard he is dating your sister." Hazuki says. Lightning then stops. "Oh boy, he gets married to her, I'll have him for a brother. That's worse than Pinkie Pie on coffee." "Maybe he will mellow a bit." Belcoot says. Lightning looks to him. "Do you really know Edward?" "Hey it's possible if we beat him over the head for an hour before wiping his memory then installing a fake identity." Belcoot jokes. Lightning throws a vase at his head, knocking him out. "Don't joke that easily." Hazuki casts a spell that repairs the vase and sets it back before dragging Belcoot off. Lightning sighs as he leaves with the others following Hazuki out. "Now that is over with, time for a big night." Lightning finally walks back into the lounge to see most of the mares in pajamas and around sleeping bags. "Everypony having fun?" "Very." Scootaloo says. Lightning looks to her. "Scootaloo, you should be in bed." "I'm going to stay here tonight, I already got permission from mom." Scootaloo says. Lightning scowls. "Rainbow." He growls. "Let her spend time with her friends." Rainbow says walking up to him. Lightning then starts to sweat. "Oh Rainbow, didn't see you there." "I was waiting for you. See you in the morning girls." Rainbow says dragging him away Lightning becomes afraid as he was dragged to their room. "Scootaloo, cover your ears." After getting to the room Rainbow lets him go. "Please set up that spell while I'm in the bathroom." Rainbow says. Lightning sighs as he sat down on the bed and started to chant. Rainbow smiles as she closes the door behind her. The door soon shines a light blue tint before going back to normal. Lightning waits on the bed till he hears the door open again and turns to see Rainbow dressed in her Wonderbolt uniform. "You requested it and so it is here." Rainbow says. Lightning surprised look turns to a smile. "Thanks Rainbow. I thought you might be a little mad." "No, I know that was fatherly instinct kicking in. Now I believe I made you a promise?" Rainbow asks. Lightning grins. "So how far are you willing?" Rainbow jump onto him. "You tell me." Rainbow says before kissing him. Lightning smiles as he kisses her back. "Do you have to return that costume?" "This is no costume, it is my uniform and I plan to get a ponyikin to put it on when I am not wearing it so no ripping it like my school mare outfit." Rainbow says smiling. Lightning pouts. "Now that's no fun. Did sis give you something I could rip?" "No ripping tonight, maybe next time." Rainbow teases. Lightning grins. "Can I go all out for that too?" "We will see, now I thought you said you wanted to undress me." Rainbow says winking at him. Lightning smirks. "Depends, how tight is that thing?" "Why don't you find out?" Rainbow teases. (Start of the clopfic. Go to next bold line to continue for the story.) Lightning chuckles as goes for the zipper on the front of her outfit. "How hard was it to get on?" He asks pulling it down. Rainbow smiles as she feels some pressure being lifted. "Your sister said it's easier to get off than on." Lightning smiles and pulls the zipper all the way down to the end. "Then let's begin." Rainbow sits up and lets up pull the outfit of her very slowly from the top. She pulls her forelegs away as the suit is pulled off and lets it fall to her waist. Lightning smiles and starts to tug at the leggings and pulls the rest of it off before throwing it off to the side. "Now the fun can really begin." He said grabbing her and flips her around so she was under him. Rainbow yelps a little as she was turned around and landed on the bed. She then looks up to see Lightning with a look on his face that she hasn't seen since she helped him in his office. She started to breath heavily as she feel his long throbbing dick running along her belly as it still grew. Lightning breathes heavily as he goes close to her ear. "Want to struggle, go right ahead. I will have fun breaking you." He said before licking her neck. Rainbow tries to do as he said, but couldn't with his grip on her shoulders as he held her down. She then feels his dick start to pull back as she got a worried look on her face. Lightning then thrust in hard making her wince from the sudden intrusion, but it was made easier from her excitement. Lightning then holds her by the neck as he started thrusting into her and grins widely. "Oh this is fun." Rainbow chokes, but then realizes that Lightning was holding back a little so he doesn't kill her, but gives just enough pressure to feel it. Rainbow grunts and chokes as he kept thrusting hard and fast, hitting her barrier and making it looser. Lightning smiles as he started to hit harder on it and started to feel the pressure give away and soon entered her all the way. "Yes." Rainbow struggles to look down and sees the bulge of his dick as it throbbed from under her skin. It then started to move as Lightning kept going harder and faster than before. Rainbow feels his grip on her neck tightening and soon feels his breathing becoming quicker and deeper. Lightning grins as he looks down at her and leans down to her ear again, thrusting harder than before. "When I'm finished with you, you will be filled to the brim and have that womb so full you can't move without me. In fact you can't live without me doing this every night and filling you to the max. Now take it slut." He said before biting her neck and pulling her to him. Rainbow tries to scream as she feels his throbbing dick stop thrusting and starts to fill her up, leaving her stock frozen still. Rainbow feels his grip on her neck loosen as he bites harder as she feels his dick release his cum with every throb and twitch inside of her. Rainbow gasps as she feels him start to pull out as it still cums inside of her before feeling it leave her and starts to paint her body. Rainbow lays still he painted her body with his cum, leaving her a complete mess. And through it all she was able to cum too much since he entered. After the contest stream stopped he flips her over and dragged her to the edge of the bed, leaving her hind legs dangling off the edge. "Lightning..." Lightning enter again with no warning leaving her screaming in pleasure as she's still sensitive from the last entry. She soon feels him going hard and fast like last time, almost sending her forward if it wasn't for him hanging onto her flank. Lightning hits her flank every so often, sending out screams from Rainbow as he keeps hitting from both parts. Lightning then feels a tightening from his dick. "Here it comes again." He said breathlessly. Rainbow gasps as she feels him throbbing hard. "Cumming." She feels the strong stream run into her that makes her balloon out even more, now lifting her off the bed a little. Lightning then pulls out and starts to rub himself as he paints her back now, completing the covering. "Good slut." Rainbow pants as she comes down from her high, but then sees Lightning's cum covered dick in front of her. "Light...mmmmmm." She couldn't say anymore as Lightning thrusts into her mouth all the way, sending it all the way to her stomach. Lightning sighs before taking hold of her head and started to thrust widely sending her head back and forth and making her mane whip along as well. Lightning groans as he feels her warm throat clench around him. "I'm going to fill up every part of you. And here comes the third course." He said before grunting and sliding in all the way as he cums straight into her stomach before pulling out after a bit and starting to cum directly onto her face making her blind from all the cum on her. He chuckles darkly as he goes back behind her. "Still one more." He said taking hold of his dick again and pushing it to her backdoor. Rainbow barely gives a reaction as he struggles to go in before succeeding and pushes in all the way he could. Rainbow groans as she feels a new sensation as she starts to feel him thrust wild with abandon into her ass. "Lightning..." Lightning grabs hold of her mane with his hoof and pulls her backward so she was looking at him upside down. "Yes slut?" He asks still thrusting into her. Rainbow pants heavily as she licks the cum around her lips. "Harder." She said relenting to him. Lightning grins as he goes harder than ever making her moan as he kept pulling on her mane. Lightning was a bit surprised at her flexibility, but then dismisses it as he feels a tightening in his loins. "Yes." He said before cumming inside of her again and making her balloon up even bigger from all the past loads. "Now that's done." He said pulling out his cum covered dick. "Where do you want it now slut?" He asks rubbing into her cum covered coat. Rainbow pants as he shows his dick to her and starts to rub it in her face. "My...wings." Lightning grins as he keeps rubbing his dick. "Give them to me." Rainbow obliges and shows her almost covered wings to him as he takes them and starts to rub them all over his dick. "Yes, so soft and smooth, don't you think slut?" Rainbow moans as she lets herself be used. Lightning smiles as he groans from another one coming. "Get ready slut." He said before cumming into her wings and painting them all over, now leaving no spot on her untouched. Lightning sighs as he looks her over before grabbing onto her tail and drags her off the bed and pushes her against the ground with her ass in the air. "Now for the main course." He said before entering her again. 'The main, what's for dessert?' Rainbow thinks as she moans lightly from him going deeply into her. Lightning grunts as he pushed her head down into the ground as she pounded her cunt harder than ever. "Come on slut. You can do better than that, give me something." Lightning said making a hard thrust that made her jiggle throughout her body. Rainbow moans louder as cum went flying from that slap. "Light...ahhhhhhhh!" Lightning grins as she cums. "Good slut, here's your reward." He said as he cums again into her and this time, doesn't pull out. Rainbow moans as she comes down from high and let's herself fall to the floor after Lightning pulls himself out. "There, now where else do you want it? I can go all night." Rainbow moans as she struggles to stand up. "In...in..." Lightning smiles as he rubs her flank, spreading the cum around. "Yes?" Rainbow groans and turns herself to him. "Here." She said before opening her mouth. Lightning smirks and stands up. "Good slut. Now I can call you bitch." He said before thrusting into her mouth and leaning over her head as he took hold of it and starting to thrust like crazy as Rainbow grunts and chokes from the intrusion. 'Bitch, yeah, I'm a bitch. Nothing more than a cock sleeve for my master.' Rainbow thought as she swirls her tongue around his cock as it thrusts inside her. She soon feels the weight press down harder and his breathing getting deeper. "Here it comes bitch. Take it all." Lightning said before slamming into her mouth and letting his load loose into her. Rainbow chokes and stayed still as she feels every throb and cum run down his cock and through her throat. Lightning sighs before pulling out and letting her fall to her side. "Who's the bitch?" He asks standing over her. Rainbow moans as she looks to his still hard cock. "I...am." Lightning smiles. "And don't you forget it. Now get up." He said grabbing onto her mane and pulling her up. He then shows his cock to her face. "Clean it." Rainbow tries to lick it before he puts his cock into mouth and she closes her mouth around it. "That's it, keep going bitch." He said moving back and forth from her mouth. Rainbow moans as he pulls out again and lets her lick it all over, slathering it with salvia and more cum. "Bitch!" He said slapping her sending her to the ground. "I said clean it, not make it messier." Rainbow struggles to get up, "Master I..." "No!" Lightning yells hitting her again, sending her to the ground. "Now that dirtied up my cock again, I can think of another place to put it." He said grabbing onto her mane and pulling her up. Rainbow moans as she lets herself be pulled up and slammed against the wall with her facing him. "Punishment time." He said going into her cunt once again. Rainbow tirelessly moans as she tries to stay awake. 'How can he still be going?' She was jolted by her thoughts by a slap to her face as Lightning looks to her mad. "Look at me bitch." He growls making her look at him. "Good, now let me enjoy this while I see that look fall away." He said now grinning as he grunted with every thrust he made into her. Rainbow then remembers what she promised. 'I promised him this night...' "Ahhhhhh." She cums, breaking her thoughts before collecting them again. '...and I will let him enjoy me. I'm his wife and I keep those promises.' She thinks as she licks around her mouth and swallowing the cum. Lightning grunted one last time before slamming her into the wall and kissing her despite the cum covered lips. Lightning pulls back from the kiss and smiles lovingly as he stays inside her and keeps cumming into her. "I love you Rainbow." Rainbow smiles as she feels herself being filled up, probably for the last time. "I love you too Lightning." She moans as he stops cumming and pulls out, making a mess come out onto the ground. He helps her down to the ground and sets her up against the wall before sitting beside her. Lightning chuckles as he looks over the room. "Boy did we make a mess." Rainbow smiles as she sees cum everywhere. "Yeah." She then licks some of the cum off of her and swallows it. "But it's good." Lightning smiles as he feels some blood flowing again. "Easy Rainbow, I'm done for the night." Rainbow giggles. "Guess I now figured out most of your fetishes. But cum swallowing, really?" Lightning shrugs. "Hey, I facefuck you and cum, of course I would like it." Rainbow smiles as she leans back. "Sorry about the slut and bitch names and hitting you." Rainbow shakes her head. "No need, you needed this night and I wanted you to enjoy this to the fullest. If it means being abused like that I'll take it." Lightning hugs her. "Thanks love." Rainbow sighs as she hugs back, sending the cum all over them. "No problem. Now let's get a bath. I think some of this stuff is hardening." Lightning smiles and brings her up. "Let's go 'bitch'." Rainbow smiles as well as she follows him into the bathroom. "Yes 'master'." They both laugh as they clean themselves from the nightly activities and notices it has been almost the whole night when they come out and look to the clock. "You knew the sheets are messed up, want to sleep in them?" He asks looking over the bed. Rainbow grabs the sheets and pulls them before placing them to the side and pulls out another set from a low drawer nearby. "For one night uses before the maids come in." She said bringing the sheets over. Lightning looks surprised as he helps her set up the temporary sheets. "Wow, they are prepared for anything huh?" Rainbow giggles. "Yep, even expected this. But I don't think they would have expected you to go this far. You completely covered me." Lightning smirks. "Fetish for cum covered mares." Rainbow smiles and places the last sheets on. "Really and the abuse stuff?" Lightning shrugs. "You live a life like mine, you would want this type of stuff." Rainbow nods and lays down in the sheets while Lightning did the same. "Let's get some sleep then. Hope you had fun." Lightning smiles and wraps a hoof around her before pulling her close. "Don't worry, this was one of the best nights next to the school mare night." Rainbow giggles before resting her head against him and falling asleep. "Goodnight Lightning." Lightning sighs and rested against her. "Goodnight Rainbow." (You can stop now.) The next morning Lightning and Rainbow walked into the lounge to see all the mares sleeping peacefully and Spike, Agni, and the pets were sleeping on the couch. Lightning chuckles as he looks to Spike having his tail curled around Agni like a mother cat to her kitten. "Now that's sweet." He said quietly. He looks over to Rainbow who has an air horn in her hooves and covers his ears. HOOOOOOONK "Yipe!" Spike yells before falling off the couch with Agni tumbling after him landing on top of him, making him puff out a flame that singed Ice Fang's tail that made him whine and yips as he runs around to put out the small burn. All the mares likewise screamed and jumped out of their sleeping bags. "Rainbow that was evil." Lightning says smirking. Rainbow chuckles darkly. "I know, I still want to play some pranks like the good old days. Like that time I and Pinkie made Spike have the hiccups and he sent every piece of parchment he had to Celestia and so we pranked Celestia too. That is the number one prank." "Oh man, we really are too alike. Our difference is I messed with trolls and walrus in Stalliongrad." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "What did you do?" She asks as the mares all packed up and Spike and Agni helped Ice Fang with his tail. "Oh a flash bang to blind them or set a pitfall with meat on the top for them. It was really stupid as they could easily have killed me." Lightning says. Rainbow bumps against him. "Then you are really like me, stupid meets stupid." "I thought it was loyal to a fault meets loyal to a fault." Lightning says smiling. Rainbow smiles. "That too. Now, you are all ready to go home?" She asks turning to their guest. "I need to do my hair first darling." Rarity says. "Scootaloo, does Rainbow always wake you up like that?" Apple Bloom asks. Scootaloo shakes her head and yawns. "No, actually I go in a morning flight with Tiyries every once in a while. It helps get the blood pumping." "So Scootaloo, any luck on your cutie mark yet?" Sweetie Bell asks. Scootaloo looks to her blank flank. "Not really. I still don't know what to do to find my cutie mark." "What is for breakfast?" Applejack asks. Lightning looks to the nearby dining room. "Well the usual. Pancakes, waffles, eggs, some sandwiches, coffee, but you have to ask for that, and cereal." "You are really living your dreams and in style now Rainbow darling." Rarity says. Rainbow blushes. "Yeah, but sometimes it gets a bit too much." "I know the feeling." Twilight and Luna says almost in sync. Lightning nods. "Well for now let's eat for a bit and talk a while as we do." "Come on my sister-in-law and let me tell you a few tricks to help not be so overwhelmed." Spitfire says. Rainbow smiles as they both walk to the dining room. "I really need that." Lightning smiles as he looks to the rest of them. "Okay, let's eat." He said following the two mares. It was barely a week later when Celestia requested that Twilight and the rest of the elements come to the Crystal Kingdom to meet with the rulers of Maretonia. "Seems like only yesterday I was saving this place from being totally destroyed. Hey, you guys remember that?" Spike asks leaning on the crystal statue of himself. Everypony rolls their eyes. "Yes Spike, and you wouldn't shut up about it." Lightning said. "Shh. We don't want to be bombarded by fans." Rainbow says as she walks by Lightning who was wearing clothes that concealed his head and most of his body. Lightning chuckles. "Yeah, yeah. Now what has Celestia given you to do?" He asks Twilight. "I'm to unfurl a banner apparently." Twilight says looking a little down. Lightning frowns. "Let me guess, smile and wave and look like a ponyikin in a window." "Pretty much." Twilight says. "Note to self, speak with Luna on this after speaking to the Duke and Duchess." Lightning says. Twilight sighs as she walks to the stairs. "Now if you excuse me, I have to go to the balcony and prep the banner." "Oh look, it is the captain of the Lunar Guard, I will be right back." Lightning says walking over to her. Rainbow and the others sighs before heading for the living area they were giving for the day. Lightning had a deep scowl on his muzzle as he walks over to the guard who was now sweating profusely. "General Lightning...sir. How can...I help?" She asks nervously. "I believe that Celestia called Twilight to see her right now. Can one of your guards handle the banner?" Lightning asks. She shakes her head sadly. "No, unfortunately she had some crystal and solar guards watching that area. We can't get close enough. She knows about Luna's plan for this." "I see, then just use one of the soldiers here. Celestia and those guards have no authority over them." Lightning suggests. She shakes her head again. "With the news against you and the army it would suicide at this point. Almost a fourth of Equestria are against you and...these guards have to right to kill them if they get too close." "Oh, so she wants to play that game, huh? Give this to Luna to get to Celestia." Lightning says handing her a headset. She looks confused. "What is it?" "It is just something that will let Celestia hear a certain record I will be playing." Lightning says walking away. Lightning sighs as he enter the area where the others were staying and rested against Rainbow as the rulers came over and did their business. "I swear, if Celestia does this to Twilight again, we are speeding this whole queen thing up." He said after a while. He soon left to a room and sat in it alone with a record player with a specific record on it ready to be played while wearing another head set, only this one had a mic as he watch the bottom of the crystal kingdom's castle through a magic device. He waited till he saw Luna give Celestia the headset and she puts it on. "Hello Celestia how are you doing?" Lightning asks nonchalantly. Celestia almost growls but keeps her composure. "What are you doing?" She asks quietly. "Now, now, Celestia don't be so hostile, after all we work together to assure this country's best interests. All I wanted to do is let you listen to this record." Lightning says before playing the record. It was of the Vinyl Scratch show where the hosts talk about what really happened in the past and revealed Celestia stole all her power and enslaved many things to try to obtain absolute power. "Get the message?" Lightning asks after shuts it off. Celestia frowns. "Don't you dare play that or I will find you." She said quietly as Luna took over for a bit. "And do what, attack me in front of everypony and the rulers fueling the fact you have grown unfit for the throne?" Lightning asks. Celestia growls under breath. "What do you want?" "I believe there was a mix up in the ceremony. As a princess of Equestria only job is unfurling a banner really mocks the rulers as a whole. When it is the job of a low ranking guard or soldier." Lightning says. Celestia glares around her. "You want Twilight here." "I am only suggesting it because it makes you also look bad to the Duke and Duchess. Oh and by the way, two of the Solar and Crystal guards are out of order. Might want Shining Armor to correct that so nopony notices." Lightning says. Celestia huffs. "Bastard." "Been called worse Celestia and someponies are starting to notice you haven't come back yet. Best get back to the stage." Lightning says. Celestia quickly takes off the headset and throws it away before placing on the most convincing smile she could muster and walks up to the rulers to continue the business. Lightning sighs as he takes off his headset and leans back in his chair. He then smirks. "Perfect blackmail." He said to himself. Lightning watches as Celestia calls over Shining Armor and says something to him before pointing towards the misaligned guards. Lightning chuckles as Shining panics a little and puts a little more speed in his steps as he hurries to them and, after looking back to the visiting rulers, sets them in line before sending a unicorn guard up to Twilight. The unicorn teleports away and soon Twilight flies down to the other royalty. Lightning smiles as he sees her smile genuinely and gets up to leave. "Does the heart good to see others happy." Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Applejack were playing with the little foals when Rainbow sees Lightning walk in. "Where were you?" She asks giving Typhoon to Fluttershy. "Just had to check something. Oh look, Twilight is with Celestia, Luna, and Cadence saying goodbye to the Duke and Duchess." Lightning says looking out the window. Everypony goes up the window and sees Twilight happily bowing to them as they walk away. Rainbow smirks as she turns to him. "You had something to do with this didn't you?" "I have no idea what you are talking about." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles as she nuzzles him. "Thanks Lightning, Twilight really deserved that." "Still no idea what you are talking about, but I won't turn down being thanked." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs as she grabs the foals before placing them in Fluttershy's mane and leading her out. "Come on, let's go see Twilight and see what she thinks." "You go, I will watch the foals." Lightning says. Rainbow grabs him. "Oh no, you are coming with us." She said starting to drag him. "Besides, they won't leave Fluttershy's mane." "Ok, ok, I blackmailed Celestia to do that." Lightning finally admits to his smirking wife. Rainbow then smiles. "Good, but you still need to come down and see how Twilight is doing." She said dragging him again. "If I do that Celestia might just order her guards to attack so I am staying here Rainbow." Lightning says planting his hooves and not let himself be dragged any further. Rainbow huffs. "You do have your own guards waiting outside." "Yeah and the Lunar Guard's captain tells me the Solar and Crystal guards are about to start picking fights." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Fine, but you need to get out of here somehow." She said letting him go and starting to leave. "Oh don't worry I will. I'll see you in the castle later love." Lightning says before leaving himself. Rainbow sighs and chuckles. "Oh Lightning, what you wouldn't do for your friends and family?" She said as she started to follow the others. They all wait outside of the meeting chambers until finally the Duke and Duchess leave followed by Twilight and the other princesses. "So how did it go?" Rainbow asks. "Mostly it was talk about what is expect of Equestria and the Crystal kingdom now that we are in the alliance." Twilight says. Rainbow smiles. "How did it feel to be useful?" "Good." Twilight says. Rainbow smirks. "Talk to Lightning later when you get the chance. I think he's acting like Apollo now for his safety." "Gotcha." Twilight whispers back. Luna suddenly wraps a wing around Twilight. "So...first meeting...how was it for you?" "It was ok. Better than smile and waving. I mean what princess does that for only around five seconds? That's sound like the job for the crier. But still, it felt good to be useful again than a ponyikin in a window." Twilight says. "So Twilight, what now? Do you want to spend time with your brother and sister-in-law?" Applejack asks. Twilight sighs as she looks to Cadance and Shining. "Yeah, but for a little while. Still need to read up on my studies so I can't stay long. Left the book behind." Luna giggles. "You, leave behind a book? My word, is the world coming to an end?" "Very funny Luna." Twilight says. Luna laughs and nuzzles her. "You better get going. Your family is waiting." The Duke and Duchess enter their room. "So It has been a while since I seen you your highnesses." Lightning says. The Duke groans as he quickly throws off his headdress. "And so long since I wanted that thing off. I swear I'm getting a headache by it alone." "I know, Princess Celestia wants everything her way." Lightning says sharing his groan. The duke nods. "Yes, I could feel that coming off of her." "So I was told you two were to pass on the last few confidential reports of the alliance to me." Lightning says. The duchess nods before reaching into her dress and pulls out a few papers. "Yes, and you might want to read them." "Thank you my lady." Lightning says taking them and putting them away. The duke sighs. "I noticed that other purple princess was on the balcony and just waving at us before coming into the room with us, why?" "She is the recently appointed heir to Equestria and Celestia isn't liking that so she is trying to distance her from the politics." Lightning says. The duke scoffs. "Of course she is. How did you get her into the room?" "Oh let's just say I have dirt on her and the means to let the entire country to hear it and that would destroy any remaining image of being a paragon of good she has left." Lightning says smirking. The duke chuckles. "You were always evil with rulers." "Only the ones trying to be tyrants." Lightning says. The duke sighs. "How is the war here?" "Over, the legion was the defeated and we have convinced many to join and they are really helping train any recruits." Lightning says. The duke smiles. "Good and the same with us on gaining recruits." "So you are going on a recruitment campaign then?" Lightning asks. The duke nods. "Yes, the war will eventually come and we will have to defend and attack. Right now, we got peace, so the best way to handle this is to gain more recruits." The duchess sighs. "So I hear that you are coming to the east?" "Soon I will leave. I will be bringing some ponies and my wife and children." Lightning says. The duchess smiles. "Just know that if you need someplace to stay if you pass by, you are always welcomed back at our home." "We will." Lightning says. The duchess nods before looking to the sun and pushing against the duke and gets him attention. "Excuse us, we have to leave for our ship soon." The duke said getting the headdress on. "Yes, I have to go as well so neither the Solar or Crystal guards sees me." Lightning says. The duke grins. "Still acting like Apollo. Hope you didn't take my earpiece again." "I don't steal from my friends." Lightning says before leaving. The duke and duchess watches as leaves, closing the door behind him. "He took the necklace didn't he?" The duke asks his wife. The duchess just points to a necklace on the table. "Still good as ever." She said. After a few hours Lightning walks in to see Rainbow and her friends. "Okay, so what else is left?" "Well you can tell us where you went." Rainbow says. Lightning smirks. "That's classified." Rainbow shakes her head. "Of course. Now we have to go home with Twilight. She's finished with her visit." "Yes, so you want to go to our home in Ponyville, Pegasopolis, or Canterlot?" Lightning asks. Rainbow thinks for a few seconds. "Well Pegasopolis is doing fine without us. Ponyville has seen better days, I mean nopony has been there for a long time. And Canterlot is still set. How about we head to Canterlot then at least a month after that we head back to Pegasopolis." "What are you talking about Rainbow, everything is in great shape." Applejack says. Rainbow looks to her. "I know, it's just that we haven't seen Pegasopolis in a while and I think we need to head back soon." "I think she means why not go back to Ponyville for the month." Lightning says. Rainbow glares at him. "Then send some ponies to fix up your home. It's been abandoned since we got Pegasopolis." "I already did love plus we have your cloud house moved back there." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Thanks, guess we can move there again. Where did my house get moved to exactly?" "The exact place it originally occupied." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Then how about we go back to Ponyville?" "Sounds good to me, I think we could use a break." Lightning says. Rainbow turns back to the rest of them. "Then I guess we are coming back." "Oh, it will good to see my home town." Scootaloo says. Rainbow smiles. "Yes it will be. Now let's go, Twilight is probably waiting for us." "Yeah, let's go." Lightning says picking up Scootaloo and placing her on his back. Soon everypony was leaving for the train station and finds Twilight there. "Hey Twilight, where's your marefriend?" Rainbow teases. "She had to go back to Canterlot with Celestia." Twilight says as Agni runs up with Spike holding treats in their arms. Rainbow smiles. "Well good news, I'm coming back to Ponyville." "Really?" Twilight asks surprised. Rainbow nods. "Yeah and might stay for a long time. Considering that all of us needs a change of pace." "Well I know all the ponies will be happy to see you and Lightning return. After all you two have become some of the greatest heroes from Ponyville." Twilight says. Lighting chuckles. "That's a good change of pace." "So Lightning, what did Rainbow mean by asking you about why Celestia changed her mind?" Twilight asks, before the train whistle blew making them unable to finish the conversation. Lightning smiles as he goes onto the train. "Come on, don't want to be late." The others soon followed before the train left the station. Not long after the train left Solar Guards arrived. "Where is he?" One of them asked. "Where is who, guard?" Shining Armor asked walking up. The guard growls. "The general, we have orders and a warrant to arrest him." "On whose authority?" Shining Armor asks as the guards now realize who they were talking to. The guard huffs. "The head guard gave the order." "Since when does the head guard have the authority to go over the guard captain's head?" Shining Armor asks. The guard glares at him. "When he has orders from Celestia." "If the princess had ordered that, she would have told me that." Shining Armor yells at them like he was scolding raw recruits. The guards try to remain unfazed. "Talk to her." "She left hours ago." Shining Armor says. The guard shrugs. "Then go to her if need be. We just follow orders." "When did the head guard give these orders?" Shining Armor asks. "Around the time when the rulers left." A guard said. "Celestia had already left by then. Your orders are to find the head guard and detain him for questioning. Oh and do you fools realize that Lord Lightning Bolt is the head of the military which we technically fall under. If we arrest him without a justifiable cause it will not only earn us and the princess resentment from the nobles, but they can spin it and make Celestia look like a tyrant!" Shining Armor yells at the guards. The guards' steps back as he yells out. "Sir…we just…" "Lightning may not do things we or even our princess like, but know this, he is doing what he thinks is best. He is also become the teacher of our newest princess." Shining Armor says in a more calm tone. "Sir, last we all heard you were at each other's throat, what changed?" A guard asks. "During the beginning of the reconstruction, while he was still blinded from an incident, we sat down and talked." Shining Armor says. "Okay, let me first say that blindfold rag is pretty cool." Shining said as he sat across from Lightning in his living room. "I don't wear it for fashion, it is to help me recover my eyesight." Lightning says bluntly. Shining shrugs. "Still, having a rag style blindfold is better looking than bandages. Have a little fun with them." "Shining Armor, what did you really come here for?" Lightning asks. Shining sighs. "I want to apologize for my past actions." "I see, you want to know why I did what I did since you don't fully understand them?" Lightning asks. Shining nods. "Yes, I need to know." "Ok, I will say it plainly then. What I did and will do is for Equestria itself." Lightning says. Shining sighs. "Yet, what about Celestia, I follow her and I'm still serving?" Lightning shakes his head. "Shining Armor if Celestia dies, would it mean the end of Equestria?" Lightning asks. Shining shakes his head. "No, she's immortal." Lightning sighs. "Nothing on this world is either immortal or eternal. Time washes away everything." Lightning says. Shining glares at him. "Name one thing that is immortal. I'm sure the princesses are immortal." "Does that include your little sister or Cadence?" Lightning asks instantly. Shining growls. "That doesn't include them." "Then neither of Celestia and Luna are either, because they are alicorns and age like all other living creatures. Now Shining Armor, answer my question. If Celestia dies would it mean the end of Equestria?" Lightning repeats. Shining sighs. "After that, then yes." "Don't be so foolish or conceited Shining Armor!" Lightning yells causing him to recoil. "This country, no, this land, is not the ruler, it is the citizens. It is the duty of a leader to protect his people." Lightning lectures. Shining glares. "Then who would rule?" Lightning sighs. "Living creatures don't always need an absolute leader Shining Armor, they are capable of ruling themselves." Lightning says. Shining scoffs. "This land doesn't have that, now who is capable of ruling other than the princesses?" "Shining Armor answer me this. How long do you intend to keep acting like a follower and not the ruler of a kingdom?" Lightning asks striking a chord in Shining Armor. Shining huffs. "Be your own pony. That's what dad always said before I got shipped out." "Your father sounds like a wise pony. So do you understand the true weight of your position yet or do you want me to fully explain it?" Lightning asks. Shining shakes his head. "No need at this point. I'll be going now." He said getting up. "Don't leave yet Shining Armor. You have begun to understand, but we still need to talk about the future of your kingdom." Lightning says. Shining glares at him again. "Then who is supposed to rule?" "I'm not talking about Equestria. I'm talking about the Crystal Kingdom." Lightning says. Shining tilts his head in confusion. "What?" "Your kingdom is the Crystal kingdom. When will you and Cadence finally accept your true roles as King and Queen and not just Celestia's subordinates?" Lightning asks. Shining shrugs. "As soon as Celestia gives us permission. One of the terms to rule is that we don't become that." "And that is what I am talking about!" Lightning yells causing Shining Armor to be taken back again. Shining huffs. "And if we go against her then we are considered enemy of the country." "Tell me Shining Armor, what is more important, pleasing Celestia or doing what is best for the subjects of the Crystal Kingdom that have recognized the two of you as their rulers and not Celestia?" Lightning asks. Shining scoffs. "And we might lose the country around us and soon the Kingdom would be lost because we are still trying to get back up to standards." "No you won't, the Crystal kingdom is a recognized sovereign land even by those of Equestria. Celestia has no true say in how it is ran. If she tries to do that, it would only be an act of tyranny and if she does that, it would just go to show she is no longer fit to rule." Lightning says. Shining sighs. "Then I have to start that." "Armor have you noticed it as well? Celestia has never truly recovered from her fight with Chrysalis. Every day I feel her power waning more and more." Lightning says. Shining looks to him. "So where do I start?" "Take the titles, you both need to show your citizens that you are their true rulers and not just puppet rulers for Celestia." Lightning says. Shining nods. "Yes, but after that?" "Lead your people with love, wisdom, and courage and if you are ever unsure of what to do let what is in here be your guide." Lightning says placing his hoof over his heart. Shining chuckles. "You really want to play things close to the heart." "It was the last advice of a good friend who is now gone." Lightning says. Shining stops chuckling. "I'm sorry." "Don't be, it's just the words of an old soldier recalling an old memory." Lightning says his voice a little more sober and quiet. Shining sighs. "I can go now, right?" "Never forget Shining Armor, what truly matters most." Lightning says. Shining nods before leaving. Shining Armor shook his head, clearing the memory. "What are you still doing here, I gave you an order and you guards." Shining points to a group of Crystal Guards. "Go with them and make sure they do as ordered." Shining Armor instructs. The guards nods before leaving with guards. Shining sighs as he looks to the train down the tracks. "Be safe sister." Shining Armor said before thinking. 'Maybe it is time for a change if Celestia can't even keep her royal guards under control. I guess I should talk to Cadence about what to do next and not as a guard captain and a princess.' Twilight peeks her head out and sees Ponyville approaching. "Almost there guys." Lighting smiles. "Well, I think we have some good stuff in my place. Want to come visit there first?" "I for one want to see my home." Rainbow says picking up Tank. Lighting sighs. "Okay then, go right ahead. You deserve seeing your home again." "Oh, you are not getting off that easy Mr., you are coming with our foals." Rainbow says. Lightning sighs. "Of course. But what are we going to do?" Rainbow smiles. "Let's get together at Twilight's place after we check up on our homes." "As you wish love. So Scoots, you want to fly up to our cloud home or do you want dad to carry you up there?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo crosses her forelegs together. "Mom of course." "Sweetie I will be carrying Tank and Typhoon." Rainbow says. Scootaloo sighs. "Fine, dad." "Ok Scoots you can ride on my back then." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs before climbing up on his back. "Well let's head there once we stop." "What is wrong Scoots?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo looks to him. "Do you remember what was happening when we last in Ponyville?" "What, that was a long time ago. It doesn't matter anymore." Lightning says. Scootaloo frowns to him. "And yet, someponies still think of us bad." "That is because they don't understand, are blinded by an absolute loyalty, or don't wish to see the truth. And you know that anypony who messes with you will feel my wrath." Lightning says the last part deadly serious. Scootaloo chuckles. "Boop." She said hitting him lightly on the head. "So don't worry about them Scoots." Lightning says. Scootaloo smiles. "Okay dad. Just don't kill them." "They'll live if I just send them to the hospital." Lightning says. "Dad!" Scootaloo whines. Lighting chuckles. "You asked and I will give, maybe a little too much, but you are my sweet princess." He said ruffling her mane. "Don't be too hard on your dad sweetie, he is just being protective of you." Rainbow says. "Oh you mind if we go surprise Nikolai, Apollo, Vinyl, and Octavia after we go see our cloud home?" Lightning asks. Rainbow chuckles. "Only if you scare them a bit." "We can a bit." Lightning says. Rainbow starts chuckling darkly as she rubs her hooves together. "This is going to be a great evil experiment." "And they say I'm evil." Lightning says. Author's Note Translation: (1) Oh good afternoon, then if you have kept up your studies you should understand this. (2) Very good. (3) Don't be satisfied with this, you still have much to learn my student. (4) The search for knowledge never ends. Your next assignment is to translate and study this book without the assistance of magic. Okay that's it for that. Almost 30,000 words from the google drive file. Now that's tough. Flair: That is will also be our last update for a while as for a while our updates will be slower. Care to explain to our readers why. Flair: I believe it is because school is starting back up right? Yes, but that barely impedes me with this. Flair: When I say slower I mean a few days longer before an update. Yes that's correct. Which means we are not stopping, but taking longer with the times I'm sometimes busy. But I'll try to manage. Flair: Well I don't believe there's anything left to say. Pinkie: Does this mean you have entered Twilight's kingdom episode? Ahhhhhh….well it will be different considering what we have set up. Pinkie: So you have. I'll say this, no Rainbow Power. That was most stupid way to handle everything now. Plus it was ruined with the commercials for the movie. Flair: I pretty much agree with the Fiery Joker when he called it their Hasbro toy power and psss…Wolf bring up the contract since she is here. *Grins evilly.* Pinkie, meet my family or who I considered them to be. *Pointing to the shadow.* *Primus yawns as he steps out of the shadow.* Primus: Now I can talk? After all this time? Be happy you can talk. Pinkie: Oh hey Primy. *Facepalm.* Of course. Primus is a dimensional and time traveler. I sometimes envy him. Flair: How is Pinkie still so calm and, Pinkie, what is this? *Puts the contract on her desk* And how did you convince us to buy that desk?! *Primus looks it over.* Primus: I don't know about this Pinkie, but my Pinkie is like Garrett in Thief. Flair: She must be superior to your Pinkie then because of what she is doing to us. *Primus chuckles.* Primus: Of course she is, but this one is much more on the traveling type. Flair: Now Pinkie, explain this! *points to the contract that seems bigger than a second ago* *Looks surprised.* Discord, cut that out! *Discord is sitting in the corner having tea.* Discord: It wasn't me. *Pinkie smiles brightly.* Pinkie: Well I merely traveled here while you two were out and placed them in your files after getting your signatures. Flair: And the reason it keeps getting bigger? *Twitches* *Pinkie giggles and snorts* Pinkie: Simple, you're making a big deal, so it's a bigger deal. Flair: Wolf I will be right back. *Flair walks into the next room and muffled cursing is heard seconds after the door shuts.* *Sighs.* Pinkie, why would you do this? You know we care about you and everyone else. This makes that harder on us. Pinkie: Because without things like this, the readers and you would get bored. *Sighs and turns to Primus* I remember that, first few stories I did had something like this, but they didn't pan out. *Flair opens the door* Flair: Wolf I have found a solution. Do tell. *Walks up to the side of Pinkie's desk wearing a flamethrower on his back.* Flair: The flamethrower will solve this! *Burns the desk and contract to ashes before burning the ashes to ashes.* *Smiles* Ashes to ashes… Primus: We all fall down. Flair: No Primus, the next line is dust to dust. *Looks to Pinkie who still looks happy.* Then all fall down? Because by Pinkie's grin, that means we are in trouble. Flair: Don't worry I set up a barrier that forces her other personality to separate from her and stay out. Though I personally like her straight hair. *Looks to him a bit weird.* Well that's your side. I personally just like Chrysalis. Flair: I'm talking hair style and speaking of which where is she? *Darkness start to fall around the room from behind Flair.* Pinkamena: Right here. Flair: I meant Chrysalis, but I also have a plan for you my favorite killer pony. *A little nervous* *Pinkamena grins* Pinkamena: What is it? *Holds up a knife.* You're dead. *Chrysalis comes up behind him and wraps her hooves around him.* And found my pony or incest. Flair: I have captured some of the greatest and scariest horror movie killers I have ever known and put them in a gauntlet for you to show you are the fiercest killer ever for all nonbelievers. That way they can no longer deny you. *Pinkamena huffs* Pinkamena: Really, I just want to have a party and fun times. You look real good for that. Like I said, you're dead. Flair: Oh did I mention when I told them about you they called you a hasbin for being a pony? *Pinkamena grins* Pinkamena: Only if you give me a night with you afterward. Flair: Really, you are insulted by them and that's all you have to say. *Opens a grate* What do you have to say to Pinkamena Freddy Krueger? Freddy: I do better in dreams, she does it by number, hah! Flair: I think he just challenged you. *Closes the grate and Pinkamena doesn't look happy.* *Pinkamena sighs and brings the knife up to his neck* Pinkamena: Fine, but after this, you owe me. *Opens the grate and jumps in* Flair: Ok and wouldn't you like a list of all how are down there and their known fears? *Pinkamena grins creepily as she looks to him* Pinkamena: No, makes things more fun. Pinkie: That's my…well me! Flair: Ok, oh and here, free flame thrower for this. *Hands down the flamethrower* *Sighs* Well that's done for, but I think she wants something different from you. Flair: Ok and requests for weapons or items? *Smirks* Yeah, your tool. Flair: I was asking Pinkamena. Oh and I think I saw a Xenomorph and a Yautja down there earlier so keep a heads up ok? *Knife was tossed up before coming back down.* Pinkamena: Talk one more time and it's your number, but for something entirely different like my second number choice. *Flair says nothing and hands down the master control and manual for it before closing the grate.* *Chuckles.* Dude I read up. Her second number was a stallion where she made him played the xylophones on his own bones and gave him a blowjob while he was doing that. *Chrysalis giggles.* Chrysalis: And you know killers sometimes gets lonely. Like that xeno who has her tail at your neck. Flair: I like Xenomorphs and this is my pet I raised her from a chestburster, didn't I girl? *Scratches the top of the Xenomorph's head* *Grins and grabs the tail.* You remember Calder? Flair: Yeah, why? *Starts stroking the tail, making the Xenomorph collapse to the ground.* For some reason, most of the weird and killer looking creatures come to me and the females too. Flair: Oh come on, I am raising her to be an empress so she can unleash her species on earth and take it over and did I just say that out loud? *Chuckles.* Yeah, but one thing, according to Xenomorph culture, you beat them in anyway and you are not the family in any way then the one that beats them is considered the master. So technically… *Xenomorph now rubbing against leg.* She's with me. *Flair inhales a little too calmly before opening the grate again.* Flair: Hey I'm looking to kill a human, any of you have any ideas on how to make it as painful as possible! Freddy: Stalk the dreams...arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Jason: Mumph…mumph…mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! *Drowning noises were then heard* Yautja: Roarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! *Soon silence rang out.* That's three. Dude, give up and live with it. You are not getting a good idea until she comes out. Oh wait, here she is. *Seeing Pinkamena climb out with a bloody knife in her mouth.* Flair: How many did you kill? *Pinkamena spits out the knife into her hoof.* Pinkamena: All of them. Flair: All fifteen so fast? *Pinkamena's eyebrow raises* Pinkamena: There were only fourteen. Flair: What? Crap. Keeping a lookout guys? *Everyone around him nods.* Flair: Did you kill a creature that looked human but had buzz saw blades sticking out of his head? *Pinkamena shakes her head.* Pinkamena: Not really. Though that is cool. Flair: Oh no, the hell lord is loose. Where did I put the cross and holy water? *Flair looks around for them* *Pinkamena looks to Wolf* Pinkamena: Is he always like this? Sometimes, but you get used to it. Flair: Ah ha, found them and the bible, come at me now Hell lord. This time I won't just capture you! *Clear throat.* Flair: What? *Points behind him.* *Flair looks and sees him in the doorway.* Flair: Yeah that's right, Fornicus, Lord of Bondage and Pain, come get some. The power of Christ compels you! *The cross starts shining a holy light causing the hell to hiss.* Fornicus? I always wondered where the word fornication came from. But, you use that compels you part when you have him down. If you don't he just comes too close to the user. Flair: He's from the movie, Cabin in the Woods. *Starts reading from the bible and Fornicus seems to be in pain.* *Sighs and looks to Primus.* Get all of us back your private home. We need somewhere to go now. Good luck man and see ya next time. Oh, you too readers. Flair: Oh are you thirsty, have some holy water! *Chuckling* And he's busy having fun. Primus. *Primus opens a portal under them by slashing the area.* Wheeeeeeeee! *Everyone falls through as the portal closed* *Pinkamena sits next to Pinkie* Pinkamena: Is it always this fun? Pinkie: Not always, but it is never dull. *Pinkamena nods* Pinkamena: Want to head back to your bed? Pinkie: I thought you had plans with Flair? *Pinkamena shakes her head* Pinkamena: With that thing, made him tainted. I need something purer, you kinda fit the bill. So, your bed? I'll make it good. Pinkie: You know he did most of this to try and impress you and wouldn't that be technically doing yourself? *Pinkamena grins creepily while lovingly at the same time* Pinkamena: Not really, we're apart and different beings now. So…we're good. *Flair collapses nearby with his clothes in tatters and unable to move* Flair: It took all I had, but I beat him back to hell. *Pinkamena pets his head* Pinkamena: Good for you. Now come on Pinkie. *Grabs Pinkie and falls through a portal on the ground before closing* Flair: I wonder how long it will take for them to find out that the effects of my barrier stop working when they leave the area. *Portal opens right by his head and Pinkamena pokes her head out* Pinkamena: Pocket dimension in this one. *She then goes back in and the portal closes* Flair: I guess all I can do now is say read and review. *Passes out with swirls for eyes* Pinkie: I can't believe you left a defenseless creature behind, are you going soft? Pinkamena: Only when there's a better creature that I can do bigger stuff too. Besides I have been horny for quite some time. *An alarm goes off in Pinkie's pocket* Pinkie: Oh my gosh, I'm late for a pre party preparation! *Rushes through a dimensional door* *Pinkamena sighs before going through another portal and falling in front of Flair* Pinkamena: You're lucky day. You get to spend time with me. *Flair eeps*
The Fortune, The Trip, The Change (Clop)*Falls from a portal, dropping into the room.* Boy those girls know some sex life. You okay Flair and not made into cupcakes by Pinkamena? *Flair is missing* *Looks around.* Pinkamena! Please don't make him into cupcakes or this story will either die or put on ice! *Pinkamena sticks her head out of a door* Pinkamena: I'm not doing that. *Sighs in relief.* Then what are you doing to him? Pinkamena: That is private! *Slams the door* *Grins.* Aww, young love. *Sits down and waits for them to finish before Pinkie drops in.* Pinkie: Hey I'm back and I threw a huge party! *Smiles.* I'm sure of that. Do you know what they are doing in there? *Nodding his head to the door and gives a knowing smile.* Pinkie: Well let us start. *Looks to the door.* We should probably wait for Flair. He takes the lead and I handle the filler and most of the talking. Pinkie: I will channel him and help you. *Pinkie puts on a bucket hat* *Chuckles* Let's go. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' Celestia spring up from her bed sweating. "Sister." Luna said barging in. "Oh Luna I had the most awful dream." Celestia says. Luna nods. "Yes and I have seen it. You know what this means." "That your stuffed animal will get up and turn me into a little doll and force me to have tea parties with it for the rest of eternity?" Celestia asks. Luna looks confused. "What, of course not. My Twilight doll will never do such a thing." "You renamed your teddy bear Twilight?" Celestia asks. Luna grins. "Not my teddy bear sister, my pony doll that was named Wane from the moon. Though that name isn't good for a girl name so I named her Twilight." Celestia looks confused before a potato chip bag and a crate of bananas both with legs walk in. "Discord! Cut that out! I have enough problems." Then from the ceiling drops a giant spider and it looks at Celestia with all its eyes. Celestia screams and shoots up from the nightmare. "Come on!" "Sister are you ok?" Luna asks walking in. Celestia sighs in relief before looking to her sister. "Luna, did you rename a doll you have to Twilight?" "No, his name is Mr. McMuffins the fourth." Luna says. Celestia sighs in relief again. "Good. Now did you peek in?" "Peek in?" Luna asks. Celestia sighs. "My dreams." "Oh, yes sister, your first one was not a dream, but a vision. The second and third one I advise you to lay off the bananas and chips before bed." Luna says. Celestia subtly moves the bags and box under bed. "We need to deal with this as quickly as possible." "What do you want to do?" Luna asks. Celestia narrows her gaze. "Call a meeting, I will tell everypony there. Only Cadance and Twilight will come in." "So royalty only?" Luna asks. Celestia nods and gets out of bed. "Get that letter sent out first light. I need to prepare." She said walking past her. "Then shouldn't we include Shining Armor because he is royalty by marriage?" Luna asks. Celestia shakes her head. "No, they don't need to be involved in this. There is enough on everypony's plates now." "Sister do you have a thing against stallions?" Luna asks. Celestia glares at her. "Of course not. Now get ready for tomorrow, we have something coming and it's not pretty." "Much like those chips in your mane." Luna says walking away. Celestia yelps before rushing into the nearby shower and scrubs herself to death, leaving Luna giggling while heading back to her room. "Oh sister." Lightning smiled as he sat to the side as he watched Typhoon and Talion playing with the Cake's foals. "Does anypony know if there are other foals in this town?" He asks the Cakes. "No, our foals over there are the only ones." Mr. Cake says. Lightning sighs. "Pity, it would have been better if there were more for them to play with." "I still can't believe that Rainbow is a mother. It only seems like yesterday that she and Pinkie were just hanging out in here planning a new prank." Mrs. Cake says. Lightning chuckles. "I know, yet she is playing pranks like the old days. Things haven't been changing here, has it?" "They changed a little, not too much, but a little. Because of the repairs, we even were about to get this new and improved oven." Mrs. Cake says. Lightning smiles. "I'm sure you can bake more at this point. I'm thinking of just buying treats from you guys now. Only with you two and Pinkie does the treats taste good." "Somepony call my name?" Pinkie calls. Lightning laughs a little. "It's okay Pinkie. I was just thinking of just buying treats from here now." "Oh, which one?" Pinkie asks balancing several different trays with different treats. Lightning smiles. "Whichever one I need at any time. Maybe from now on, your store is my sole provider of treats for my family and staff and maybe the guards once in a while." Mr. Cake thinks over the increase in business and faints either from excitement or being overwhelmed just by the thought was unclear. "I think you broke him." Mrs. Cake said smiling. Lightning laughs out loud for bit before poking him slightly. "Yeah, I sometimes have that effect on others when I need some business. So, what do you think?" He asks her. "I think we will need to hire more help and expand soon." Mrs. Cake says. Lightning smiles. "Okay, how about this? I give you some bits to place a store in Pegasopolis and if that takes off then more bits for a place in Canterlot?" "Are you offering to sponsor Sugar Cube Corner!?" Pinkie yells excited. Lightning grins. "Keep making treats like this and I will. Besides my wife is bored of eating fancy candy. She wants something close to home." He said taking another cupcake and eating it. "Well we have a lot of planning to do." Mrs. Cake says. Lightning nods. "Yes you do, now I need at least two dozen chocolate cupcakes, both the cake and frosting itself, with half without frosting and I'll be on my way." "Right away. Pinkie wake up my husband and then assist me ok?" Mrs. Cake asks. Pinkie salutes and grabs Mr. Cake before dragging him into the kitchen. Soon a splash was heard along with slapping. "Wake up! Come on!" More slapping. "That's because I felt like it." Even more slapping. "That's because the readers want me acting like Deadpool that one time." "I'll watch the foals while you work." Lightning says Mrs. Cake smiles. "Thank you, now if you'll excuse me." She said getting up and heading to the kitchen. Lightning walks over to the four foals and starts playing with them. "Okay you guys, what do you want to do?" The four foals exchange looks before lunging at him and starts wrestling with him. "Help! I'm being attacked by loveable balls of fluff!" Lightning cries out laughing. An hour later Pinkie emerged from the kitchen. "Ok, the food is ready." Pinkie says. Lightning smiles. "Good, can you get me down?" He asks as he hangs from a bunch of steamers from the ceiling. "Ok." Pinkie says before walking over and helps him down. Lightning sighs as he pulls the last streamer off. "Okay, now I know not to mess with the Cake's foals. Those two are evil." "I saw they only did half the work." Pinkie says smirking. Lightning mock glares. "Yet, they planned it and my foals went along with it. Who loses?" "Nopony." Pinkie says bouncing back to the kitchen. Lightning sighs and takes the cupcake boxes in his saddle bags before getting Typhoon and Talion on his back. "Okay you two, time to head home for now. Say goodbye." Talion and Typhoon wave goodbye as Lightning starts walking. Lightning walked through Ponyville with the foals as he makes his way to where he would meet Rainbow. "Now you two, stop digging into that box. That's for all of us when we get there." Lightning says feeling the rummaging around as he sees Rainbow coming into view. Rainbow smiles as she sees the foals looking sheepish. "Tried to grab a cupcake didn't they?" "Yeah, so how was your day?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shrugs. "Well we still need to wait for the others. Isn't that right Tank?" Tank blinks slowly. "Yo, Lightning, Rainbow." Vinyl called as she and Nikolai walked up. They both smile as all of them sat down. "Hey guys. Where's your pet?" Lightning asks looking for the cat. "Oh napping at home." Nikolai says. Lightning grins. "Let's hope she's not ripping up the drapes." "Lil Scratch would never do that." Octavia says as she and Apollo walk up. Rainbow smirks. "You sure? Opal always do that when Rarity isn't around." "Now, now, love no need to start talking about that." Lightning says. Rainbow just looks to him. "You know it's true." "Now then Rainbow, you know that dear Opal will never do that." Rarity said coming up with Opal riding her back with Sweetie Bell walking right by her. "Hey Rarity and Sweetie Bell." Lightning greeted. Rarity smiles as Sweetie Bell runs to the foals now running around Tank. "Hello dears. How are you doing now?" "We are doing great." Rainbow says as Applebloom and Scootaloo walk up. "Hey guys." Scootaloo said as Applebloom joined in the running. "Hey Scoots, how was school?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo shrugs. "Boring, those tutors you got me already taught me all of what Miss Cheerilee is teaching now. And that was a few years ago." "That's my girl." Lightning says ruffling her mane. Scootaloo just pushes his hoof away. "Cut that out dad. I'm bored now." "I got a treat for you Scoots." Lightning says taking off the saddle bags. Scootaloo frowns. "Yeah, what can cheer me up?" "Cupcakes." Lightning says showing the two cases. "Oh, that sounds good." Twilight says walking up with Agni, Spike, Ice Fang, and Azure. Lightning opens the box and tries to stop the foals from getting the cupcakes early. "Yep and it's all for this picnic." Applejack walks up with Fluttershy with Angel and Winona. "Howdy ya'll." Applejack says. Everypony looks to them. "Hiya, now we need Pinkie and Gummy." Rainbow said laying down on the large blanket. "Somepony call my name?" Pinkie asks coming out from underneath the blanket. Rainbow frowns. "And Gummy?" Gummy peeks his head out of Pinkie's tail before falling onto the ground. "Oh, you would not believe what Lighty here offered. He offered to sponsor Sugar Cube Corner and we just have to keep making sweets like we are now." Pinkie said. Rainbow smiles and bumps Lightning's side. "You big softy." Lightning smiles. "It's just you're getting bored of our candy so I thought of getting a store in Pegalopolis." "Sure it is." Rainbow says. Lightning chuckles. "Of course it is. You stopped eating the sweets we had." "Oh sure it is and I'm the element of sloth." Rarity says. Lightning just looks offended. "Just be happy that I'm doing this, otherwise I would have left it like it is." "Oh Lightning, just stop trying to hide the real reason." Rainbow says. Lightning huffs. "So then you tell me what is the real reason if you know." "You have a big and generous heart." All ponies, but Twilight says. Lightning looks to Twilight. "So what do you have to say?" "No need to say when the answer is obvious." Twilight says. "So you have learnt a bit more on politics." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "Yeah, since Luna sent me those books on everything the government is about here. And then she later sent me the books on other types with a monarchy style." "Twilight…" Lightning begins but was cut off by Twilight. "Experience is better than book learning." "So you did pay attention." Lightning says after several moments of silence. Twilight smirks. "Of course I did. Why wouldn't I when I need to take over some things?" "You also have kept up your studies in magic. I can sense your connection to the magic is more refined and powerful." Lightning says. Twilight nods and looks to Agni. "Yes and I believe that Agni is following as well." "With gaining the ability to speak, he has truly come a long ways." Lightning says. Twilight smiles as she picks up and hugs Agni. "Yeah and he's getting cuter by actually calling Spike big brother." "So what does that make your phoenix?" Lightning asks. Twilight shrugs. "Don't know, but a family can always have many brothers and sisters" "Ok, now everypony get a cupcake while they last." Rainbow says. Soon afterward everypony was digging in to their cupcake and soon goes off to play with that foals and animals, leaving the couples behind. "So you are going to sponsor the Sugar Cube franchise?" Apollo said chuckling a little. "Oh Lightning, when will you conquer all of the franchises in Equestria?" "I'm not like the other nobles. Oh and have you heard somepony bought out Duke Bluebrood's business and now he is having a little financial trouble." Lightning says. Apollo chuckles. "Yeah, he's really looking for more bits." "Rumors have circulated that he was also recently robbed. Oh and Octavia is that a new bracelet?" Lightning asks. Octavia covers the gold bracelet with the long tight sleeve she had. "No." She quickly said. Lightning smiles at Apollo who just grins at him. "So I bought something, so what?" "No crime against that." Lightning says smiling. They all start to laugh as they grab most of the cupcakes left behind and eats them as some of the foals grabs them as well. "What about the kingdom, you have been away from a while? Have they been okay without you?" Nikolai asks. "The Dominion is still holding the same stance as they continue the cold war like state for now. That is good news for us as we are not ready just yet." Lightning says. Nikolai nods. "Good, now we have to deal with the recruits over in Pegasopolis." "We need not worry about them any longer as the experienced legionnaires we recruited are hard at work training them and our friends here are working around the clock producing more weapons, armor, and siege weapons." Lightning says. Nikolai leans over to him. "What about that new weapon?" "Alexander left with it." Lightning says. Nikolai grins. "When can we use that thing?" "See the R&D department when you get back." Lightning says. Nikolai groans. "Aww, I wanted to use it." "It would be pointless for us Nikolai, which is all I will say on it." Lightning says. Nikolai sighs. "Well, maybe once we get over there it may be the best thing ever. When are we going again?" "Ask your lady." Lightning says. Vinyl leans over to him. "Don't know." "He means Lady Rainbow love. I have sworn my service to Lightning Bolt and his house so when Rainbow married him she became the lady of the house as such it is only proper for me to call her my lady." Nikolai explains. Rainbow chuckles. "And I'm getting tired of it." "Get used to it love, you signed up for it when you married me and I don't plan on letting one of my four greatest treasure go." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him. "Four?" "You, Scootaloo, Talion and Typhoon." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Thanks, but now you have to deal with your kingdom. Don't we need to check on your assets?" "There is no need for that." Nikolai says. "After all, Lightning left his greatest and deadliest retainer back there." Apollo says with a serious face. Rainbow looks to him. "Who?" "The only one I have never beaten." Lightning says no sense of kidding or humor in his voice. "Who?" "You will meet her when we get to my home base." Lightning says. Rainbow nods just looks confused. "Now I'm lost." "You don't need to understand it fully yet. Just know she is far more skilled than either me or Nikolai and she almost killed Lightning." Apollo says. Rainbow sighs. "Now we just need to ready ourselves for the adventure. Why can't it be closer?" "Well it is…" Twilight was cut off by Spike belching. Spike catches the scroll and opens it. "You're needed in Canterlot Twilight. That's all it says." "Is Celestia up to her old tricks again?" Nikolai asks. "I don't think so." Lightning says. Twilight sighs and prepares her magic. "I'll be quick. See you guys in a bit." She said before disappearing. Lightning sighs as he looks to the castle in the distance. "So Celestia may have another plan. Do you have those politicians ready Nikolai?" "They are still in Canterlot." Nikolai says. "Good, inform them Celestia just called Twilight and to keep an ear out and to be ready to move if need be." Lightning says. Nikolai nods and whistles. Soon a large falcon nears him before he ties a letter to its leg and steps back as he pointed to the city in the distance. The falcon takes off and flies just as fast. Rainbow watches as it leaves. "It's fast alright." "No need to race it love." Lightning says petting her mane. Rainbow purrs. "You know I love going fast." "We can race anytime, after all you have yet to beat me." Lightning teases. Rainbow pushes against him. "Shut up." Lightning chuckles as he messes with her a little more. "I'm really starting to hate you with that racing thing. Want to end it now?" "Maybe later Rainbow, I don't think the foals would like us both leaving." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles as she looks to them. "Guess you're right. I wonder how long it would take for Twilight to get back." A burst of magic sounded behind them as Twilight appeared with a dejected look on her face before using another spell and teleports everything and everypony into her library. "Don't tell me Celestia blocked you on the queen idea again." Lightning said. "No, we have a new threat and she chooses to send Discord to deal with it." Twilight says. Lightning looks to Nikolai and Apollo and they nod before disappearing that makes Vinyl and Octavia fall down. "Guess Shadow was right. But it makes sense to send Discord. What's the new threat?" "Hey, where are you two going?!" Vinyl yells. Lightning sighs. "Told them to check up on what this new threat might be by sending out our spies in the area. Now what's the new threat?" "He is an old enemy of Equestria and he is stealing magic." Twilight says causing Lightning to go quiet. "Twilight, that's about half of Tartarus, who is it?" Lightning asks. "His name is Tirek." Twilight says before explaining his backstory. Lightning sighs. "Now we're in trouble. He can really suck away any magic and that's the problem. Discord is included." "Wait, he can do what?!" Twilight yells at what Lightning says as he looks to be in deep thought. "Yeah." He said after a while. "Any magic here is good for eating." "Lightning I know that look in your eye. It is the same look you had when you decided to try and destroy that shadow spirit." Rainbow says. Lightning sighs. "Yes and I'm not lying at this point. I may have to fight him since I'm under a different kind of magic." "Lightning, I also know that look means you are not telling everything." Rainbow says. "I don't know anything for sure, but I am unsure of what I am sensing. That is if it is even Tirek." Lightning says. Rainbow looks confused. "What do you mean sense something?" "I don't know. That is why I'm going to be gone for a few days to look into it personally." Lightning says. Rainbow groans and lays down again. "I hate it when these things happen." "I won't be gone love. Twilight, mind watching out for Rainbow and my foals while I am gone?" Lightning asks. Twilight sighs as she sat down. "Probably the only meaningful thing I could do." "Twilight prepare yourself, I have a feeling that something big is about to go down." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "Yeah, I'll prepare the town and everything. Maybe use those unused bunkers we have under the town." "I mean magically." Lightning says throwing her an amulet. Twilight catches the amulet. "What's this do?" "That's a focus amulet, it will allow you to tap more easily into your elemental magic and cast spells using it. I'm giving it to you because you are ready for the next step." Lightning says. Twilight smiles and puts it around her neck. "Thanks, but what about you?" "I won't need it, I have already mastered that level." Lightning says heading outside and flying away. Twilight sighs as she taps the amulet once more before looking to the others. "Alright, let's get prepared and the town." "Ok, so how do we tell them without causing a panic?" Vinyl asks. Twilight smiles slightly. "A party, what else?" "Twi, I think you have been hanging around Pinkie a little too long." Applejack says. Twilight giggles. "You hang around Pinkie Pie for a while, then you realize that she's the best at gathering ponies together." "I'll go tell Big Mac to get the militia ready." Applejack says. Twilight shakes her head. "No, he takes the pony's magic and that's only the magic from here. We can't have them start for a fight. We need to prepare to run just in case." "I was thinking the weapons Big Mac keeps stored in the barn." Applejack says. Twilight shakes her head again. "No weapons, when all else fails, run." Lightning stood on top of a mountain nearby Ponyville. "Shadow, I know you are here." Lightning says. A tendril of shadow came out of the darkness and comes up against him, almost sensually rubbing against him. "You are good." "Cut that out and answer me. What is moving beside Tirek?" Lightning asks. The shadow sighs and steps out of the darkness in a pony form. "Sunt sicut homines, qui non vere fun elephantus Meger iusto, utique in hac, et Umbra." (1) "Why are you in the form of my wife?" Lightning asks a little mad. Shadow smirks and rubs against him. "Tolle coniectatio." (2) "Forget it and just tell me I have work to do." Lightning says. Shadow smiles and licks his cheek before moving back to the shadow. "Have fun. Haec quoque in tenebris solus tellus." (3) "I said tell me what is moving!" Lightning says as black lightning tendrils block Shadow's path. Shadow sighs. "Commodum viderit." (4) "Ok then, tell me who Umbra is?" Lightning asks. Shadow walks back to him with a neutral face as she stood in front of Lightning. "Signum dabo illud mihi." (5) "So who is the one from Tartarus that is using Tirek as its cover?" Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "Locutus sum, et Umbra." (6) "Is it a creation of yours?" Lightning asks. Shadow shakes her head. "Sed longe aliud reiciatur profundissimo putatur spiritus, sed magis aliquid aliud." (7) "Then where is it now, because we have an appointment, for I am not about to let it complicate any plans of mine." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "In cultis placet. Tamen neminem invenit, ubi oportet respicere debet dedisco." (8) "I see, just perfect. Belcross." Lightning calls and Belcross appears. "I'm going to be unable to contact you or the rest of the lightning realm, so watch over Shadow here as she is the only one who can hold onto this for me." Lightning said before forcibly removing a ball of pure magic from himself causing him extraordinary amounts of pain and bringing him to the ground. Shadow looks at him with pity as she leans down and rubs his head as she places a hoof over his magic ball. "Suus 'okay. Nisi tu paululum recessisset ab eo." (9) "I know and if you try anything Belcross and the orb will destroy you." Lightning informs as he himself takes a slightly darker and sinister appearance. Shadow nuzzles him as she places the orb on her back and seals it away with her shadow. "Ego experiri. Mr Lightning: Quod oculus non vult esse mortuum. Pars autem est, eum non scintillant tenebris." (10) "What, you mean use the same strategy Twilight used when she was hit on at that bar?" Lightning jokes. Shadow chuckles darkly which brings a slight twinkling in his ears for some reason. "Tu es equus stulta. Sed facere quod facere optimum, et finis eius est in eo, ut nuper facit." (11) Lightning says nothing as he is engulfed in darkness and disappears. Shadow sighs as she lays down next to Belcross. "So, how are you doing?" She asks him. Belcross just growls at her. Lightning appears at the top of a chasm surrounded by a thick mist and several sounds in the fog. Lightning starts walking down the path into the chasm which has no fog in it. "Have you forgotten?" A voice said making him stop. "Qui custos est deerrare confu adsum." Lightning says. (12) "Then you have forgotten like the others that have come before. You have earned the right." The spirit said. Lightning continues to walk down the path till he comes to a temple at the bottom. "This is new." He said going through the front door that was busted. "You are quite fun. Met my other half?" A voice asks as Lightning entered a large foyer that looks like it belonged to a mansion, and the weird thing about it, it was clean and new. "I see you are Umbra. So what is your relationship with Shadow?" Lightning says. Umbra chuckles. "Nothing really. I just see her as a complete likeness of me because of her shadow powers." "Well then enough beating around the bush." Lightning says blasting a corner with a dark magic attack forcing Umbra out in the open. Umbra comes out as a pony about his size. "Now that's no fun." He said before blasting his area with dark magic. "I don't have time for fun, I have a plan in motion and you are a liability so it is time to go back to Tartarus." Lightning says smacking the magic away. Umbra sighs and starts to walk closer to him. "Are you really that shallow? Going without a good enough purpose?" He asks as he starts to suck all the shadow in the area into his. "Funny, coming from a coward. I have been feeling your energy since I arrived on this continent and all you have done is hide and made no moves. You're pathetic and if that is the limit of your desires and ambition then you might as well have stay in your cell." Lightning says as his eyes turned black. Umbra stops in front of him. "And yet, what are you?" "I have no reason to tell you see as what you are." Lightning says as the dark energy encased a hoof and formed into a claw and slashes and cuts deep into Umbra's chest. Umbra tries not to move in front of him as he was slashed. "Lighting, let's just talk for one moment." "I have no use for you and you are a liability, as such we have nothing to talk about." Lightning says jumping back as a magic circle appears beneath Umbra. Umbra recognized the circle and quickly jumps away scared seeing as it almost dragged him back down to Tartarus. Umbra sighs as shadows starts to close his wound. "Then I will tell you at the end, whether you or me is going to die in this." He said before throwing most his shadows to him as tendrils. "You really want to go that route because if I kill you, that is it, you cease to exist." Lightning says raising a dark wall blocking Umbra's attack before disappearing into the shadows. Umbra just stares at him. "I really don't want to. We both know how this will end." He said as a dark cloud started to swirl around him. "Oh no you don't." Lightning says and the cloud dispersed. "No leaving." Lightning says. Umbra sighs and walks to him again. "Just listen to me and I'll allow you to kill me." "You have two minutes before I destroy you." Lightning says. Umbra stops right in front him. "Don't attack, don't react or at least try to." "One minute and forty seconds." Lightning says. Umbra then smiles. "That's all I need." He said before actually kissing him making Lightning go wide eye in shock. Lightning throws Umbra off. "Ok, you just canceled the rest of your time out." Lightning says. Umbra sighs and turns around, showing his back to him. "I know, but that was all I needed. Congratulations, you got something special." "Yeah and that is why I am here. My plan is to protect all of it." Lightning says shoving the claw through his throat. "Nothing personal." Lightning says. Umbra just smiles as dark blood started to pour from his wound in front of him. "I know, just remember, I did this for all of us." He said through the shadows and thoughts. Lightning pulled his claw out and ended his suffering. He watches the body disappears and a crystal was all that was left. Lightning picked it up and put it away. 'I won't dishonor you.' Lightning says starting to walk out of the temple. Lightning sighs as he steps out from the forest line and sees the devastating destruction. "Wow and I thought I did worse." Lightning says before teleporting back to the mountain to see Belcross and Shadow hadn't moved. "It is over." Lightning says. Shadow grins. "You should had seen it. Twilight really did a number on him." "So she defeated him?" Lightning asks waiting for her to hand it over. Shadow smiles and brings a shadow tendril which then has the orb peek out slowly before just staying on top of it. "Yes, but in a way I never would have expected." Lightning took the orb and shoved it back within himself. As he suffered from reintegrating it, the darker and more sinister features started to fade. "Anything else happen?" Lightning asks after he recovered. Shadow grinned. "Just that your wife's magic was taken before Twilight returned it and Twilight's pet has grown." "What about my wife's magic?" Lightning asks looking angry. Shadow just shrugs. "Harmony probably gave it back because her color returned, yet the way they defeated him is a good one." "What happened?!" Lightning yells and storm clouds started to form overhead. Shadow then just smiles. "She and her friends got together and fought against Tirek and Twilight's little pet changed and combined all their power and sealed Tirek. Great thing to see, all that power." "Belcross you can go now. Shadow come with me, we are going to visit Celestia's prison." Lightning says his eyes black again. Shadow grins and jumps on his back. "This will be fun." Belcross nods before disappearing as Lightning teleports away with Shadow. Lightning and Shadow make their way through Tartarus. "Been a while since I was last here." She said as she rode his back. "You mean Celestia's knock off prison?" Lightning asks. Shadow giggles. "No, just sightseeing." "Which one is he?" Lightning asks. Shadow looks over to the central platform. "A troubling one, a little foal." "The centaur?" Lightning asks. Shadow nods. "Yes, he was a stubborn foal back then and he still is now. What he had was a tantrum." "Shadow, when I am done, take his body and put it on ice. I may find a use for his ability to absorb magic later." Lightning says before walking up to the cage. "Tirek right?" Lightning asks. Tirek looks to him as he adjusts the worn out cloak as his chains clanked against each other. "Who wants to know?" "A pony with a grudge." Lightning says as Tirek now saw the darkness in Lightning's eyes. Tirek huffs. "Now that is nice. What sent you here to talk to me? Want to free me for another run at Equestria?" "Oh nothing sent me, I came of my own free will and my grudge is with you." Lightning says before tearing the cage from the floor and throwing it aside with his magic. Tirek frowns as he shows his chains. "Still have these. Doesn't mean that I'm free." "You misunderstand still, huh. You hurt my wife and unlike the princesses I don't forgive such things." Lightning says his dark energy warping his voice a bit before he created dark magic weapons and skewered Tarik into the floor. "AHHHHH!" Tirek groans. "What the heck? You'll just kill me even though I'm trapped here?" "Oh, this is just a rest area, I'm sending you to the real thing." Lightning says a little calmer. Tirek glares at him. "Real thing?" "Celestia nor Twilight could send you to the true Tartarus and you are a loose end and I don't like loose ends." Lightning says before stabbing him in the face killing him. Tirek face fell as Lightning pulls his weapon out. "How would you get his power now?" Shadow asks coming up to him as he dispelled the weapon. "He is dead, but his body, once dissected and examined, will tell me everything." Lightning says. Shadow rubs up against him. "So he's done, now what?" "You take his body and freeze it so nopony knows he is gone until it is too late and we leave so nopony even suspects." Lightning says moving away a bit. Shadow giggles. "Okay, I'll help you, just because you are so cute. Yet, what happened with Umbra?" "I killed him as well." Lightning says remorselessly. Shadow sighs. "He did something, did he? I heard he does that." "I wish I ripped out his tongue before I even started." Lightning says sounding a little sick. Shadow just smiles. "If he does that, he must have a reason. Just live with it." "I'm leaving now. Lay low and follow us when we leave the country." Lightning says. Shadow watches as he leaves as her shadows starts to swallow up the dead Tirek. "Remember, when he did something it was for the good of something that is important at the time, no matter how bizarre it was." "You just like gay stuff don't you?" Lightning asks. Shadow giggles. "Silly, I like almost all types of kinks, except for the disgusting ones, that ruins it." "That was disgusting for me." Lightning says. Shadow shrugs. "Hey, your likes, your dislikes, your business." "I swear, sometimes you sound like my wife." Lightning says. Shadow quickly morphs into the shape of Rainbow. "I can be for you." She said in Rainbow's voice. Lightning does a double take and sees the dark version of Rainbow Dash before shaking his head and teleporting away. "So got him with that last one." Shadow says before laughing. Lightning takes a deep breath as ended up back on the same spot he was before he got to Tartarus. "Why do they go after me?" Hearing no answer he extends his wing and flies down towards his home. It had been nearly two days since he had left and he was tired and needed some rest and relaxation. "I need a vacation." He said as he lays down on the couch. Lightning slowly starts closing his eyes and opens them again and sees Rainbow and closes them again before he registers what is in front of him and shoot straight up with eyes open. "Rainbow?!" Rainbow giggles. "Who else?" "Uhh, sorry, I am just so tired I haven't slept in two days." Lightning says trying to lay back down. Rainbow smiles and jumps on top of him, making him yelp. "Then I'll help." She said laying down on him. 'That would be appreciated." Lightning says. Rainbow nuzzles him. "Good." She said as she covered them up with her wings. "But when you wake up, you have to tell me everything." "Only if you tell me everything as well." Lightning says falling asleep. Rainbow nuzzles him one last time before falling asleep as well. Lightning awoke the next morning and yawns. He then tries to get up, but feels a weight on his back. Craning his neck around he sees Rainbow sleeping peacefully on him. He smiles and carefully slides her off so she landed right next to him before he got up and went in kitchen. "I love and hate my life. And this is a love part." He said to himself. "What do you love?" Rainbow asks behind him. Lightning quickly turns around to see Rainbow. "Well, you for starters. Waking up next to you, knowing you're still there." "Come here you." Rainbow says. Lightning chuckles as he hugs her. "See, this is a part I love." "Now what happened?" Rainbow asks letting go of the hug. "I had to track it over almost of Equestria and finally into a temple." Lightning says sounding tired. Rainbow nods. "And once you got it?" "I fought it and killed it, but before I killed him he kissed me." Lightning says almost gagging. Rainbow stifles a laugh. "He kissed you, why is that?" "He was...I don't know, insane or gay." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles as she got laughter under control. "Anything else?" "No, so what about you?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shrugs. "You know, same old, same old." "And the craters close by, the hole through the nearby mountain, and the scorch marks and burnt down foliage?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smirks. "New lakes, new cave, and new land to plant." Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Like I said, same old, same old." She said still holding the smirk. "Tirek attacked didn't he?" Lightning asks. Rainbow giggles nervously. "Yeah." "What happened?" Lightning asks. Rainbow rubs her hooves together. "Well, first he stole the magic of each of us one by one, Twilight fights him in an epic duel, she gives up her power and frees us, including Discord who betrayed us, and of course we fought back by Harmony giving each us a random elemental power, but I think it's tied to how we live and work. Though it did hurt for everypony else because it probably isn't their element or not ready. She filled us up with too much. And that crystal box was actually the chest for it and then it repaired Twilight's library with something special after we killed him." Lightning inhaled deeply and walks out the kitchen and into the basement. "Lightning you ok?" Rainbow calls. After a few minutes Rainbow hears metal clanking and soon sees Lightning with many weapons attached to him with an angry face. Rainbow sweats. "Uh...Lightning? What are you doing?" "Going to meet Mr. Tirek." Lightning says. Rainbow looks worried. "Didn't we kill him?" "Twilight doesn't kill love, he is probably in a prison somewhere." Lightning says. Rainbow then pushes him downstairs again with an angry look on her face. "Don't even." "Nopony messes or hurts my family especially my wife." Lightning says stopping himself halfway down. Rainbow growls. "And I do the same. So don't even go." "Why not?" Lightning asks. Rainbow keeps glaring at him until she slowly looks down and leans her head against him. "I don't want to lose you." She said quietly. "Rainbow." Lightning says dropping a few of the weapons. Lightning keeps looking at her until he sees her shaking. "I can't...I can't lose you again...not again." She sobs out. Lightning wraps his hooves around her and sighs. "Ok you win." Lightning says. Rainbow inwardly smiles, but stays like she is on the outside. "Let's...let's go home." She said hiccupping. "We are home love." Lightning says starting to pet her mane. Rainbow giggles once before hiccupping. "My home idiot, the foals are waiting for you and I will too." "Ok, let's go see them." Lightning says not stopping. Rainbow keeps hiccupping until she started to purr. "Lightning." "Yes love?" Lightning asks just holding her while he pets her mane. Rainbow smiles. "Carry me there." "If you ask me to I will to make you happy. Just let me put the weapons back first." Lightning says. Rainbow hiccups once more before falling down as though she fell asleep. Lightning grabs her and places her down slowly before taking the weapons back down to the basement. After that he comes back up and places Rainbow on his back, who had a smile on her face. He smiles back and heads outside before taking off slowly as to not drop her. Lightning soon arrives at Rainbow's home where he slowly opens the door to find the foals being watched over by Twilight and Fluttershy. "Hey girls." He said quietly. "Oh Lightning, your back." Twilight says. Lightning nods and walks inside and sets Rainbow down on the couch. "So what did Rainbow mean by something special about your library?" He asks Twilight. "Oh it is half covered in crystal now and the inside has been renovated like a castle and mansion." Twilight says. "I see your battle with Tirek really did you good. I can see your aura now has the symbol of fire." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "Yeah, plus Agni changed. I was so proud when he helped us." "So what does he look like?" Lightning asks. Twilight smiles as she looks to the window. "Well he's bigger, his snout's is more blunt, and the amount of flames that can be on his back has increased along with having flame spots on his head, plus he seems to like standing upright." "I see. So does he still call Spike big brother?" Lightning asks. "Oh yeah and now he can really talk, not just say a few words." Twilight says. Lightning grins. "Is he starting to annoy either of you?" "Oh no, well not me. He is just so curious and wants to learn." Twilight says. "Sounds like somepony else." Rainbow and Lightning say in unison. Lightning looks to Twilight. "You know that's you." "Hey." Twilight says smirking. Lightning chuckles. "So where's the little guy?" "He is currently with Spike and they are helping Rarity." Twilight says. Lightning smiles. "Has he gotten over her?" "Yeah, he is over her now, he gets jewels every time he works." Twilight says. "Make sure he doesn't try and eat your new tree." Lightning jokes lying next to Rainbow. Twilight giggles. "Yeah, but he knows it's his home." "Just make sure he does start eating in his sleep." Lightning says. Twilight looks a bit confused. "He starts eating in his sleep?" "It could happen like sleepwalking." Lightning say wrapping his wing around Rainbow. Rainbow looks to him. "So can it happen with yours as well?" "No, I'm talking about my experience with an animal." Lightning says smiling as Rainbow had blown her cover. Rainbow just frowns. "You are now on my hit list." "Oh that is too bad, I was thinking of carrying you for a while longer." Lightning says. Rainbow scoffs. "Now I'm starting to hate you." "Come on love, I knew you weren't asleep this whole time. So don't be mad." Lightning says rubbing her wing's sensitive part. Rainbow shivers. "Lightning. Cut that out." "Ok, I'll save that for later." Lightning says stopping. Rainbow sighs in relief. "Now you can deal with your foals." "They're our foals love. So you excited for our trip?" Lightning asks. Rainbow grins. "Yeah, I can't believe that we are going. Oh and the foals are going to jump you from above." "Ok, I'll let you handle getting everypony together and ready while I handle the foals." Lightning says turning around and catching the foals. Rainbow smiles and looks to Twilight. "So you and the others ready?" "It will take some time." Twilight says. Rainbow nods. "Then you girls better get ready. The date is getting closer." "So Rainbow how are we going to get there anyways?" Twilight asks. Rainbow looks over to Lightning who was being held down by his foals. "Hey Lightning, how are getting to the east?" "Oh, my friend Edward will sail us there on his ship, the Jackdaw." Lightning says wrestling with the foals. Rainbow nods and looks back to Twilight. "So now we know." A few months later all the ponies and griffon were waiting at a cafe waiting for Edward. Spitfire was especially anxious. "Where is he?" She asks after a long wait. Zegai shrugs. "If I were him I would jump down right about now." "He is probably just getting the Jackdaw ready for passengers." Lightning says who was playing old maid with Nikolai, Apollo, Hazuki and Vinyl. Spitfire sighs. "And how long does that usually take?" "Oh you have to deal with paperwork, deal with port authorities, load supplies, and repairing any damage." Edward says walking up. Spitfire smiles as he walks up. "Is that all? So are we ready?" "Yeah we are ready." Edward says lowering his hood. Spitfire grins. "Great, so we can head out now?" "Yeah, let's go, we have a few months before we arrive in Saddle Arabia." Edward says. Lightning and the others starts to grab their bag while Spitfire looks confused. "Saddle Arabia? Why there?" "That is our next stop." Edward says. Spitfire sighs and grabs her bags. "Let's go." She said following the others. "Put the bits down and give them back." "What are you talking about, we didn't bet." Vinyl says. Spitfire huffs. "I'm talking the nobles who just passed by." "Sister let's just go." Lightning says. Spitfire shakes her head. "Fine, but those nobles will have somepony's asses." "Sister." Lightning says pushing her along. Spitfire sighs and walks with him. "You're really not caring about the consequences are you?" "No, I care about not dealing with trouble before we leave." Lightning says. Rainbow smirks as she looks ahead to the boats. "Leave it alone Spitfire, once you get Lightning's friends going, you can't stop them." "Kind of like Vinyl and drinking." Spitfire says. Vinyl chuckles. "You know it Spits. Now let's get on this boat, I'm ready for an adventure." "Edward, please tell me you are rationing the rum for everypony." Lightning says. Edward chuckles. "Of course, otherwise there wouldn't be any for me." "Double the guard on the rum for that one." Apollo says gesturing to Vinyl. Lightning chuckles. "I'll get that done. Though, I may sneak a few." Apollo scoffs. "Please, I'm the only one who could do that." "How about I tie you both to the mast for the voyage." Edward says. Lightning chuckles darkly. "And you won't have fun beating me in a sword fight." "Can we not cause a scene?" Nikolai asks. Edward laughs. "And where's the fun in that?" "Admiral, I would like to remind you we have to leave." Belcoot says carrying a drunk Hazuki. Edward laughs. "How much did she have?" "You are already two days behind." Belcoot reminds. Edward groans. "You try dealing with paperwork." "Yes, have you tried doing it without drinking?" Belcoot asks. Edward huffs. "And hated it." "Come on captain, let go." Spitfire says lifting her hat. Edward grins. "Only if you come with me to my room." "Save that for later captain." Lightning says. Edward gives a mock frown. "You're no fun." "Come on captain, let us see your ship." Spitfire says pulling him along. Edward laughs. "Easy, over there." He said pointing to a large ship in the last dock. "Ah, the Jackdaw, it's good to see this again." Zegai says. Edward smiles. "Yes it is. Now everypony get on and my quartermaster will help you to your bunks. Sorry, but the most recent upgrade I could get for living space would be at least common beds." "I'll stay in the bird's nest." Zegai says. Edward smiles and walks onto his ship. "One less bunk. Who else wants to stay somewhere else?" No pony spoke up. "Okay, everypony on board. The less time we spend on the land the more time we got on sea." All the passengers boarded the battleship which soon set sail. "Cast off, we got a long trip!" Edward calls as they sail out of the dock and bay. It was a few months later when the Jackdaw sighted a Saddle Arabia port. "There it is." Lightning said as his family stood over the railings near him. "Saddle Arabia." "You doing ok Granny?" Applebloom asks. Granny groans. "I'm okay youngin." She said waving her off as she leans over the side. "How...mmgh...longer until we get back to land?" "We will be docking soon from the looks of it." Applejack says. Granny still groans. "That's good. Why did I agree to this?" "A paid vacation." Applebloom says. Granny looks to them looking green...well greener. "I still should have stayed in my chair." "Look on the bright side Granny, we are almost there." Applejack says. Granny nods slowly. "Good, I'm sick of boats." Lightning shakes his head before looking back to the approaching dock. "Oh we have a greeter." He said seeing somepony waiting at the dock in a queen's knight uniform. "Haven't we seen that armor before?" Rainbow asks feeding the foals. Lightning smiles. "Of course, who's the highest authority in Saddle Arabia?" "Eclipse knows we are coming doesn't she?" Rainbow asks adjusting the bottle for Talion. Lightning nods. "Yeah, remember she has spies back home. They probably overheard us talking about coming here. Oh well, better take it, she doesn't take no for an answer." He said as the boat came into dock. "That and you see your eldest foal Midnight." Rainbow adds. Lightning smiles. "Yeah, that too." "It will be good to the foals to see their eldest sibling." Rainbow says rubbing the foals' heads. "Kind of hard to believe they are almost a year old already." Spitfire says. Rainbow nods. "Yeah, plus both of them are already walking." "And wrestling." Hurricane adds. Rainbow chuckles as Typhoon tries to hold down her father while he just stands there with an amused expression. "True, wonder what else they would start doing?" "Who knows?" Spitfire says. Lightning chuckles as Typhoon pulls at his wing. "Ok dear, why not get some sleep?" "What about Talion who is riding on Agni?" Twilight asks. Lightning smiles. "Let him have fun." Agni walks over to Twilight. "So how are you Agni?" Twilight asks. Agni smiles as he slowly sets Talion down. "Fine, after a while of getting use to the rocking." "Darling it is so hot." Rarity says, using a fan to try and cool herself down. Agni shakes his head. "Then you better prepare in these lands." He said smirking. "Enjoy the heat while you can because it is cold in Stalliongrad." Lightning says using his feathers to tickle Typhoon's nose. Agni shrugs as Typhoon sneezes. "I make heat, so I'm good." Rarity groans. "Well it's a good thing I pack for almost every occasion." "Oh and remember other cultures so be on your best behaviors." Lightning reminds. Everypony looks to him. "So what do we have to do here?" Fluttershy asks. "Well it is kind of improper for anypony to not walking around without clothes." Lightning says. Rarity becomes excited. "Oh, this will be my country." "Which is why all of us and the crew are in clothes even though it is hot." Lightning says as only the ponies from Equestria had no clothes on. Rarity rushes to her bags. "I'll see if I can make some basic clothing then I'll really work on them once we rest." "We will need to hit up the market for clothes." Lightning says as Rainbow grabs Typhoon. Rarity's face falls. "Aww, at least let me give some clothes." "That is why all of you are coming with us." Lightning says. Edward comes down near them. "Well we better get going, for some reason, these guys don't like me docking here. Maybe for another important boat, I don't know. So everypony off and I'll place the boat in a holding area and meet up with you." "You could pay the port cost." Nikolai says. Edward nods. "Yes well anyways, everypony off and handle the business you need." He said getting off the ship and talking to somepony. The passengers walk up to the Queen's knight. "Oh Kite it has been awhile." Apollo says. Kite smiles. "Hi guys, I'm here to escort you to Eclipse, but you may want to wear these, especially the mares." She said taking out some cloaks. "I see will we also get to see the prince?" Lightning asks. Kite nods. "Yes, he is probably studying up on his mother's regimen in the palace." "Has he been informed of our arrival?" Lightning asks. Kite giggles. "No, Eclipse wanted a surprise for her son about his favorite guardian." "Oh it will be a surprise." Rainbow says finishing putting on the cloak. Kite smiles. "Yes, now is everypony ready?" As she sees them adjusting the cloaks. Everypony follows her and were treated to an ordinary day in Saddle Arabia and noticed the towers had a spherical shape at the top. "What's that?" Applejack asks looking to the spheres. Lightning immediately holds a hoof to her mouth to quiet her. "Try to not speak, the mares here are not as free as Equestria. Anyway, that's the shape of their towers." "Well unless they have a higher status like me." Kite says. Scootaloo looks around and sees most of the mares covered up, while the stallions are just wearing suit like clothing. "Am I allowed to speak much dad?" She asks quietly. "Children can sweetie." Lightning says. Scootaloo nods. "Then why are mares here not respected that much?" "They are highly respected, but they have a code of conduct here." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs. "And the stallions, how they different from Equestria?" "A little more disciplined and have a little more of consequences to their actions like a thief will have his hoof chopped off if he is caught stealing. Eye for an eye, tooth for tooth kind of thing." Lightning says. Scootaloo nods. "Okay I get that, must have been Eclipse that kind of switched things around because it looks like there are still in the old ways?" "It's a part of their culture sweetie." Lightning says. Scootaloo looks around before feeling something or lack thereof. "Why does my pack feel lighter?" "That is because this stallion sought to steal from you." Apollo says having the stallion in a strangle like hold who was struggling to get free but to no avail. Scootaloo frowns. "Can I have my stuff back?" "One second." Nikolai says punching the stallion in the stomach causing him to slump and Apollo let him go and hoofed the pack back to Scootaloo. Scootaloo smiles. "Thanks and I won't cause an international incident by hitting this guy would I?" "No need to waste the energy sweetie, just leave him on the street." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs and walks away with Kite. "Now that's a bit of fun gone." "He said that because some of his friends are watching and he doesn't want them to mark you." Kite says. Scootaloo looks around and sees some stallions glaring at her. "Okay, duly noted." "And if they make a move then it will start to get bloody." Kite says. Scootaloo nods. "Okay, try not do anything that might provoke them." "No, I mean their blood would be everywhere if the stories of those three are to be believed." Kite says. Scootaloo looks to her. "What stories?" "There are stories from the Stalliongrad revolution. Some are of how those three massacred an entire platoon in one night." Kite says. Scootaloo looks interested. "The reason they did that?" "They are supposedly to be reinforcements for a flanking maneuver in a battle. They never showed up and the legion never found out till it was too late and they were destroyed." Kite says. Scootaloo looks surprised. "So they aren't praised for that because?" "It was never confirmed and they already have numerous other achievements." Kite says. Scootaloo looks back to the stallions tending to the one they took down. "So are they good or bad for us?" "Good for you, because one of them is your loving father, bad for anypony stupid enough to threaten you." Kite says. Scootaloo looks at her and then ahead. "So this the market? Looks different from what I excepted." She said as she looks at many open stalls with ponies and some griffons milling about. "Oh this isn't the market. The market is over there." Kite says pointing to a large building. Scootaloo looks between the two. "So we get our new clothes?" "I have orders from the Queen to bring you straight to here." Kite says. Scootaloo looks back to Lightning. "So what do we need exactly?" "To see the Queen as she has ordered it." Lightning says shaking his head. Scootaloo looks confused. "Then what clothes...wait, you mean meet her here?" "To the palace." Kite says smiling. Scootaloo just looks around dizzy. "Carry me and don't wake me up till we're there." She said before fainting. "I got you." Lightning says picking her up and placing her on his back. Rainbow smiles. "So confused that she faints?" "No, she is just overwhelmed." Lightning says standing next to his wife. Rainbow giggles. "Or maybe trying to figure out everything." "Yeah love." Lightning says leaning closer before they head to the palace. Rainbow smirks as she looks over the palace. "It looks like the one in Canterlot, just bigger." "And a different design." Twilight pointed out. Lightning looks to her. "How do you know of Eclipse's embassy in Canterlot?" "She has her own embassy in Canterlot? I was just pointing out it had a different design." Twilight says. Kite smirks. "You better prepare for a glomp sir." Lightning smiles until he looks to the palace again and sees Midnight standing in front of him. "And by glomp, I mean hidden running." Lightning smiles and picks up Midnight. "Hey there." Lightning says as they enter the palace. Midnight waits until the door closes behind the whole group does he looks back to Lightning. "Hey dad." "Hey son, like the surprise?" Lightning asks. Midnight nods. "Yeah, even mom is surprised at this." Lightning smiles and rubs Midnight's head. "You ready to spend some quality time with your family?" Lightning asks. Midnight giggles. "Yeah, can we play now? I'm bored with all these notes." "After we see your mother in her throne room and you want to see your two younger siblings?" Lightning asks. Midnight looks confused. "Two, Scootaloo is on your back and she's the only one, is she?" "Oh than who are these two?" Rainbow asks with Talion and Typhoon on her back. Midnight looks to them and slowly grows surprised. "I got new brothers and sisters?!" "Yeah, a little over a year old." Rainbow says smiling. Midnight jumps for joy and lands on Lightning's back which wakes up Scootaloo. "Yippee! More brothers and sisters!" "Huh, wha, Midnight?" Scootaloo asked groggily. Midnight hugs Scootaloo getting her by surprise. "I got another brother and sister!" He said oblivious to her choking. Lightning chuckles a bit before saying. "Ok son, that is enough, you're choking your sister." Midnight looks at the blue Scootaloo before letting go. "Sorry sis." "Oh hey there Midnight." Applebloom greets. Midnight smiles nervously and blushes. "Hey...Apple...bloom." "Oh, what is this?" Kite asks. "Ms. Kite." Midnight whines. "Come on Kite, time to meet your queen." Lightning says moving them along much to Midnight's relief. Kite giggles and follows him with everypony else. Soon they reach a large door with was covered with many pictures and cloth. Lightning grins as he looks to Kite. "Eclipse doesn't have anything to deal with today does she?" He asks. "Yes, she has a full day, but made time just for you." Kite says. Lightning laughs and kicks opens the door. "Honey, I'm home!" Eclipse sat there on the silver throne, the walkway had a fountain on each side with water running down the groves. "Now that's appropriate." She said with a smile. Lightning laughs. "Of course it is. Nice to see you again Eclipse." "Same here, but I don't think the officials and a few of my Queen's knights like the last comment." Eclipse says. Lightning shrugs. "Well that's their opinion, besides you free up time for us, so technically your fault." "Yeah, yeah, I see you also have my son with you." Eclipse says as Midnight runs to his mother's side. Lightning smiles. "Yeah, he's really excited as you can see." "Yes, his hero is here." Eclipse says. "Who does he think he is, talking to our queen like that?" An official says. Lightning tries to ignore that and keeps smiling. "So you and Midnight got things planned for us?" "Yes, but I have to do a few more things before that then so Kite please escort them to some guest rooms." Eclipse says. Kite nods. "Of course ma'am. Come along everypony." She said walking out with them. Lightning walks away smiling with the rest. "Thanks Clipsy." He said walking out. "The audacity." A queen's knight says about to charge. "Enough." Eclipse says stopping him. The knight turns back to her. "Why should I? He disrespected you." "He is one of the only two who may talk to me as such, now next order of business." Eclipse says. Lightning sighs in relief as he held a stupid grin on his face. "You wanted to them to charge didn't you?" Rainbow asks. "One move." Lightning says as they walk down the hall. Rainbow looks to him. "What?" "Lightning would have defeated them right?" Kite asks. "Correct." Nikolai says. Rainbow bumps into him slightly. "You're crazy." "Says the black belt." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles. "You offered to train me." "And I taught you a few fighting moves." Lightning says. Kite stops in front of a hallway which had many doors on both sides that leads to a dead end. "Here we are. All the rooms are the same, so I'm sure you can pick your own with your family and all. Now will there be anything else?" "Well if you could get all of them some clothes so your guards won't harass them." Apollo says. Kite nods. "Of course, I'll see to it that it will get done. Though, I'm sure that a tailor is out of the question since you have many with you, so I will see if I can get ready made clothes." "Thanks, so Octavia want to come with me to see a few acquaintances?" Apollo asks. Octavia shrugs. "Sure, let me place my bags and then after some clothes we can head out." "That is fine." Apollo says following her into a room. Lightning turns to the rest of them. "Okay, pick out your rooms and once you get your clothes then we can head out." "So they got any clubs around here?" Vinyl asks heading to a room. "Sorry Vinyl, but no they don't and stuff like that can get you in trouble around here." Nikolai says following her. Vinyl slouches. "Aww man. So what can I do here?" "You can spend time with me and I can buy you that." Nikolai says. Vinyl smiles. "Okay, but you better be good." "I will and you will get a taste of some good alcohol." Nikolai says Vinyl gives her usual grin. "Good." She said closing the door behind them. "Seems like somepony is making it official like us love." Lightning says smiling. Rainbow smiles. "That's good, now we need our own room. The foals needs a little rest." She said holding the tired foals. "Well we do have plenty to choose from." Lightning says as they walk into one. Rainbow smiles as she looks over the room. "Looks basic for one pony each." She said looking over the one bed. "Ah, may look that way, but looks can be deceiving." Lightning says walking over to a chord and pulls it and two more beds appear from seemingly nowhere. "I don't know how they do it, but it is very impressive." Lightning adds. Rainbow looks a little surprised. "Wow, let's get the foals to sleep and maybe once they wake up we can head out with the rest." She said walking to one of the beds and placing them down. "Nah, let's spend time with Midnight and Eclipse. It will do the twins to spend time with their older brother." Lightning says as she lays them down. Rainbow looks to him. "Is she ready for us to spend time with her?" "Give her some time, she has to deal with her own court." Lightning says. Rainbow starts to bundle the foals up. "So when is she ready?" "Hard to say. She doesn't rush any court affair for any reason. She is both dedicated and diligent when it comes to ruling her country." Lightning says setting Scootaloo down on another bed. Rainbow sighs. "So when can you expect her to finish?" "Hard to say, I don't have any informants in her court." Lightning admitted. Rainbow shrugs and then heads to the main bed. "Well I need a little rest." She said laying down on the bed. "Wake me when you need me." "I will just get some rest." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles as she opens the covers. "Come on big boy." Lightning smiles and walks over. "Want me to give you a message as well?" Lightning asks. Rainbow sighs and turns over a bit. "Go right ahead." "Ok." Lightning says starting to message her back. Rainbow moans lightly as Lightning moves her hooves around. "I wonder how the others are doing." Apollo is inspecting some of his tools while he and Octavia wait. "Fine everything okay?" Octavia sighs in relief as she came out of the bathroom. "That feels so much better." "You smell nice too." Apollo says. Octavia blushes a bit. "Thanks, how are you faring here?" "Well it seems that the petty thieves have made some strides since I was last here judging from what nearly happened as we walked here." Apollo says. Octavia walks over to him as she dries her mane with her towel. "And what do you mean by that?" "Those punks are not true thieves not like me and recently you. They will steal from anyone and will kill if you get in their way." Apollo says. Octavia huffs. "You're right, that isn't a true thief. Unlike somepony I know." She said walking up to him. "No, a decade ago they were in the minority and were scared to run the streets at times. What has happened to the guild here?" Apollo says thinking. Octavia starts to rub her hooves over his shoulders. "Why not forget that for a moment and come with me?" "We can't leave the room yet. Without clothes the guards will harass you, especially because of their rules and you being a mare and then I would have to knock them around a bit and we would have a lot watching us the rest of our stay here and that would ruin the stay for us. Especially with them all tense because they know a war is coming soon." Apollo says looking out the window. Octavia huffs. "I meant here and..." She pulls him off the chair and drags him to the bed before throwing him on it. "You talk too much, really that was a mouthful." "What about you, want to have some fun with your unicorn, huh?" Apollo asks. Octavia smiles. "Her, I except that she would be out like a light right about now." She said before crawling over him. "I meant me." Apollo says not resisting. Octavia smiles as she gets close. "Just hold me close and start kissing me. Nothing too big for now." Apollo grins. "Anything you want." He said before hugging her and kissing her full on. Nikolai chuckles as he looks over the sleeping and snoring Vinyl. "Oh well, at least I can stay with you." He said getting in with her and pulling the covers over them. "Wowza! This is an awesome room!" Pinkie said as she rushes around with the Cakes standing at the doorway with their foals. "What's this?!" Pinkie said looking at a chord before hanging onto to it and pulling it, making two more beds appear. "Cool. A bed maker." "Pinkie, maybe you shouldn't mess with everything." Maud Pie drones to her. Pinkie smiles as she keeps looking around. "Aw come on Maud. This place is the coolest and it's my job to figure out its secrets." She said as she takes out a magnifying glass. "Besides, places like this always have a secret room." "Rest for now Pinkie." Maud says. Pinkie comes close and stares at her. "Rest? Pinkamena Diana Pie does not rest." She said proudly. "Then conserve your energy." Maud says. Pinkie huffs. "Fine, but so are you. Tis only fair." She said in a mock Canterlot accent. Maud just stares. "Okay." She said going to a bed. "So Maud, I guess you have no problem seeing as you wear clothes." Pinkie says. Maud looks to her with the same blank stare. "I never really had a problem since I needed a place to put Boulder." "I wonder how our parents and other siblings are." Pinkie voices a concern. Maud shrugs. "Whatever problems they got, I'm sure they're fine. We faced worse." "Like that time you took on that huge rock monster?" Pinkie asks. Maud starts to lay down before pulling the covers over her. "Yep." She said before laying her head on a pillow. "Wait what?" Mr. Cake asks. Mrs. Cake just smiles as she goes to another empty bed for the foals to sleep in. "It's Pinkie dear, don't question it." Mr. Cake just sighs. "For once I would like something rational. Wait, this is Maud Pie, the same rules have not been established!" Maud produces a rock from her pocket and places on a pillow before pulling the covers over it. "And it's gone." The whole Apple family looks over the one bed. "Whelp, Granny is obvious here. She gets the bed, but where does that leave us?" Applejack asks. "Um sis, what is that cord for?" Applebloom asks. Applejack looks to a cord hanging from the ceiling before pulling it, making two more beds appear. "Well this solves our problem. Okay, Granny gets the main bed, Big Mac gets his own, and me and Applebloom gets the last one. Sounds good?" "Well I have no objections." Granny Smith says. "Ehyep." Big Mac said placing his bags onto his bed. Applebloom jumps onto their bed. "This is going to be so cool. I can't wait to play with Midnight again too." Applejack had a knowing smile, but says nothing. Rarity and Sweetie Bell looks around the five star room. "My word, this is extravagant. Just look at this fabric." Rarity said running her hooves across the cloth walls. "The color, the fabric, the stitching, you can't forget the stitching." "Sis, do you need a moment alone with the curtain?" Sweetie Belle asks. Rarity scoffs. "Please, what I am interested in is that bed." She said running over to it. Sweetie Bell sighs. "And another way for my sister to ignore me." Sweetie Bell just stand to the side till Rarity was done. Rarity sighs as she 'takes' a few samples for her inspirations and places them away. "Okay Sweetie Bell, now let's get cleaned up and ready for a big day." "Um sis, what is this cord?" Sweetie Bell asks. Rarity looks to the hanging cord. "Probably a server cord, pull on it and a server or servant will be called." Sweetie Bell looks interested and pulls on it, expecting a servant, but instead of that, two beds appear, shocking the sisters. "Or maybe a bed caller." She said after a while. "Well this place is interesting." Sweetie Bell says. Rarity nods. "Oh yes, begs the question, what else does this place have?" "Let's not be rude guests and start ransacking the place ok?" Sweetie Bell asks. Rarity blushes and moves the fabrics a little deeper into her bags. "Quite right." Sweetie Bell just shakes her head. Twilight stares at the large room. "Spike, you still with me?" She asks after a while. "Yeah and Agni is here as well." Spike says. Agni looks at the cloth covered walls. "I think I would burn this down." "Agni please don't burn anything." Twilight says. Agni keeps looking until he spies a marble fireplace. "Found my spot." He said walking to it. "For food or sleeping?" Spike asks. Agni lays down on the cold marble after placing his pack to the side. "Both, at least you two would be safe." "Oh Agni, your flames only burn if you want." Twilight says walking over and petting his head. Agni looks to her worried. "I don't want to burn you mom." "You never have and having a fire nature you won't." Twilight says. Agni keeps looking at her until he lays his head down again. "I still don't want to take the chance." "Agni listen to your mother. You won't hurt me." Twilight says sternly. Agni flinches and looks away. "Okay, I'll take the chance." Twilight pulls him out and hugs him. "See, it's not hurting me." Twilight says. Agni hugs back as he tears up a bit. "Why do I hate this?" He said quietly. Twilight smiles and just rubs his head. "Why? Why do I hate having this in the first place?" Twilight nuzzles him. "You're just growing up, it's normal. Don't worry about it, me and Spike will help you through it." "Thanks mommy." Agni says hugging back. Twilight smiles and let's go. "Now, me and Spike have to get cleaned up and unpacked and then we would figure out our next move." Spike smiles as well. "Yeah, don't worry. I know I had to help Twilight here through some rough patches. I'm sure we can help you." Agni smiles. "Thanks big brother." Spikes blushes. "Yeah, I'm not sure how that would work since you're bigger than me." "But you are older so you are big brother." Agni says. Twilight giggles. "Can't argue with that logic." "Speaking of siblings, shouldn't you send a letter to the princesses? You did say you would send the next letter once we arrived." Spike reminds. Twilight gets a surprised expression for a moment. "Oh right, I'll write it myself." She said taking a parchment and a quill. "Now let's see." She said to herself, holding the quill over the parchment. "Dear Luna and Celestia, I was able to make it with my friends and family to the Saddle Arabia. This place is exactly as you said it would be, but it is even more so. Right now I have yet to leave on any activity until I get some clothing and until then I will write about this place in more detail. But for now, just be careful and wary of the citizens here. Your faithful student and princess, Twilight Sparkle." She said finishing the letter before rolling it up and sending it away with magic. "There, letter sent." "Come to think of it, has any princess been here yet?" Spike asks. Twilight looks out through the nearby window. "I don't think so, not to my knowledge." "Then you are a trailblazer mommy." Agni says. Twilight smiles. "Guess I am. Now let's get ready and hope an international incident doesn't come out from it." She said rushing into the bathroom. "Let's try and enjoy ourselves." Spike says. Twilight peeks her head out. "And since when did we have something to enjoy only for it to blow up in our face?" "That time you tried to mix a potion from the black potion book you found in Lightning's library only for him to tell you later it was a very advance one after the explosion turned you blue with green hair and me white with yellow spines." Spike says. Twilight blushes. "That's what I'm talking about, now get ready for a big day." She said closing the door behind her. "Right…going to sleep." Spike says laying down on a bed. Agni chuckles. "Big brother, I don't think that's what she meant by getting ready." "The sun is starting to set and if what we know about deserts is correct it will be freezing soon." Spike says. Agni groans. "More cold. Now I'm glad I'm not in the frozen north." "Remember we are heading for Stalliongrad and it is cold there." Twilight says. Agni moans and lays down. "Great. How long do nights last in a desert?" "Same as Equestria." Twilight says closing the window and starts a fire in the fireplace. Agni eats some fire before laying down next to it. "I'll need to sleep here for now and see how a night goes then we can sleep like one big bundle." "Ok Agni." Twilight says rubbing her head against his. Agni smiles and nuzzles back. "Goodnight mom." "Night Agni." Twilight says walking to her own bed. Agni quickly opens his eyes to find that the room was dark and empty. "Mom?! Big brother?!" He quickly gets up and runs around into the bathroom and finds it empty as well. He then heads outside and goes to another room. "Auntie?!" He called to Fluttershy. Not finding her he then runs back into the hall. "Is anyone here?!" "My dear and poor little Agni." Agni notices a small tone in the voice and quickly turns around and fires at the direction of the voice, but finds it sent into the wall. "Easy now, don't want to hurt yourself in your dream." The figure said as it approached him. Agni backs up a little. "Who…who are you?" The figure smirks before it takes form of a bipedal dragon with spouts of flames coming out of its body. "I'm disappointed you did not recognize me. How do you not know your own spirit leader?" Agni becomes surprised as he stared at the now crouching dragon. "What is going on, where is everyone?!" The dragon chuckles in her ever present female tone. "They're fine my dear. Just sleeping. The mind can have many tricks and fun added to it. But what are you feeling right now? Pain, can't be anger, maybe death?" Agni growls. "Shut up!" The dragon looks a bit astonished. "My word, didn't your mother teach you manners?" Agni's flames fires out of his back as he charges up a shot. "Send me back!" The dragon sighs. "My dear, I can't do that until you meet the one thing that will hurt your mother. You can come out now, he's locked in his dream." The dragon said walking away. Shadow comes out in her form as now Twilight. "Quick fun fact, spirits have many agendas, both good and bad, but they always do it for a purpose." She said in Twilight's voice. Agni growls as flames start coming from his mouth. "Stay away from mommy." Shadow smiles warmly to Agni which had a creepy vibe to it. "Oh my dear, she will be a part of this, whether you or her like it or not. Besides, I might have fun." She said letting out a dark chuckle. Agni shoots a fire ball at her, but it just goes through her. "It's just a warning dear, but know this should happen and for the safety of even your big brother and your other family. Just know, I'm doing this for everyone." Agni keeps staring at her before a part of the ceiling collapses between them. "That's all I have to say. You can tell uncle Lightning about this, but no one else." "Shadow." A deep voice echoed. Shadow groans. "I'm done here, I won't torture the kid any longer. Besides, when one tries, many will follow. By the way, will Lightning be pleased at your first words." She then notices Agni still in his spot. "Get out of here kid." She said before launching shadow tendrils at him. Agni screams as he quickly gets up in his spot at the fireplace. He pants as he looks around and sees Twilight and Spike looking worried at him. "Agni, are you okay?" Twilight asks walking to him. Agni keeps panting before he remembers what he saw and quickly gets up and runs out. "Agni?!" Twilight yells going after him with Spike following close behind. As he runs through the hall the others open their door and see the chase happening. "Yay, a chase scene!" Pinkie yells before running after them with everypony else following. Agni comes to Lightning's door and slams it open. Lightning groans as he looks up from his bed and sees Agni standing there with the others standing behind him. "Agni? Guys? What's got you so rattled up?" Agni just pants. "We need to talk." "Is it spirit related?" Lightning asks yawning. "Shadow." Agni said. Lightning immediately looks awake and starts to get up much to Rainbow's displeasure. "What's going on?" Rainbow whines. Lightning has a stern gaze on him. "Rainbow can you take the foals and go with everypony else to another room? I'm going to need this room for a while." He said walking to their suitcases. Rainbow groans as she gets up. "Why?" Lightning sighs. "Shadow." Rainbow stood still before getting out of bed and taking the foals carefully. "Come on Scoots." Scootaloo groans and gets out as well before walking out with her and closes the door with only Agni inside with Lightning. "Shadow, in here, now." Lightning growls. Dark tendrils come down from the ceiling and comes together on the floor before becoming the shape of Twilight. "Hello, welcome to the Shadow hotline, how may I direct your call?" Lightning sends her an ice cold glare. "I thought I asked you to lay low and not do anything." Lightning says. Shadow chuckles. "You said don't harm the friends and family. I didn't harm anyone…yet." "One more thing like this and I will destroy you." Lightning says, Shadow inwardly smiling at the anger she felt. Shadow sighs. "Tell him." She told Agni. Agni looks to Lightning as he glares at Shadow. "Well…a fire spirit in the shape of a dragon came to me and locked me in my dream and did it for Shadow here to tell me that mommy will be a part of this, whether any of us likes it or not." "Hold on." Lightning says drawing a circle in the air which for some reason, quickly shows a lines and soon a circle forms before he draws something inside of it and places his hoof down. "You know, I didn't sense a spirit like us from it." Shadow says. "Interesting. Shadow disappear, Twilight is coming." Lightning says looking like he was thinking. Shadow quickly sinks into the dark as the door opened and Twilight runs in and hugs Agni. "Are you okay?" "Twilight we got research to do." Lightning says. Twilight looks up at him. "What do you mean? What's wrong with Agni?" "He had a vision or was contacted by this." Lightning says motioning to the magical image. Twilight looks to the image. "What is it?" "Unsure, thus we must, in the words of the one who began teaching me magic, we must do research." Lightning says in a fake old stallion voice. Twilight just looks confused. "So what's the circle for?" "A spell that helps others visualize things for others." Lightning says. Twilight looks at the image inside. "Is this what Agni had a nightmare about?" "I believe so because I asked him to think on it." Lightning says. Twilight studies the figure carefully. "Well first look says we got a dragon figure, walking bipedal, and has flames coming out of it. Another spirit?" She asks looking over to him. "Possible or we could be dealing with a demon or monster." Lightning says. Twilight looks worried to Agni. "Agni, what happened in there?" Agni takes a small step back. "I…I…I can't." Twilight starts walking to him. "Agni, what happened in your nightmare?" Agni now takes a larger step back. "I can't, I promised." Twilight now looks really worried. "Agni, this won't go away unless you tell." "A spirit's word is their bond Twilight. If he promised he couldn't tell us even if he wanted to." Lightning says. Twilight's gaze soften as she stops in front of Agni. "Can you ever tell me?" Agni shakes his head and starts crying before he was hugged by her. "It's okay, if you can't tell then its okay. At least it's not big like I would die, right?" She laughs out. Agni nervously laughs with her as he looks to Lightning who was looking worried at her, unaware of the peril lying ahead. Twilight then calms down and looks to Lightning. "You got any books on this?" "I have an entire library, but I wonder, why now?" Lightning asks out loud. Twilight looks back to Agni, the same worry in her eyes. "Tell me this, are you going to be okay?" Agni nods. "Could it be that we entered Saddle Arabia?" Lightning thinks out loud. Twilight shakes her head with a smile. "I was like that once and still am. Anyway, go be with your big brother and we'll figure this out, okay?" Twilight asks Agni. "Is it all a part of those who study magic and still constantly want to learn more?" Rainbow asks. Twilight looks to the door. "Rainbow, what are you doing here?" "This is my family's room. I just stepped out a moment with the foals so Agni and Lightning could talk." Rainbow says. Twilight blushes. "Oh…yeah. Can you take Agni out to the others? Me and Lightning has to study something." "You can do that in the morning." Rainbow says. Twilight looks to Lightning who was still thinking. "Okay, come on Agni." She said getting up and leaving with him. Rainbow nods before putting the foals back in their beds before going to Lightning. "Come on Lightning." Lightning snaps out of his thinking pose and walks to her. "Sorry about that hun." "Let's just go back to sleep. I was in the middle of a nice dream." Rainbow says. Lightning smiles. "What was it about?" "You, me, and a tropical island with a waterfall." Rainbow says. Lightning grins and gets back into bed. "Then let's hope I can join." Rainbow pulls him closer. "Better." Lightning chuckles until he fell asleep. Rainbow smiles and falls asleep with him. Agni leans against the fireplace wall as it was still lit and he keeps taking bites out of the flames as he watches Twilight and Spike as they slept. "Mom." He whispered quietly. A shadow tendril comes down behind him until it stroked his cheek. "Relax my boy, she's not going to change yet, but soon." "You leave her alone." Agni says. Shadow chuckles. "Can't, the events to come must happen. I have to do this." "You will not change her." Agni says mad. Shadow sighs. "My boy, my young naive boy, there are things you can't stop." "I can protect her from you." Agni says. Shadow gives a grin from the shadows. "I'll tell you this, you might like her changed." Agni growls at Shadow as she disappeared. "Bitch." He cursed. The sun soon peeks out over the horizon and into the window, sending them into Twilight and Spike. Twilight moans and gets up before looking around. "Morning Agni, did you sleep well?" Agni puts on a smile. "Yep, no more nightmares." "Good and you feel better sleeping with mommy again?" Twilight asks rubbing his head. Agni nods. "Yeah, it wasn't that bad of a cold snap so I can sleep with you guys now." "Yeah, it wasn't as ba…" Twilight was cut off by a horn echoing through the entire palace. She rushes to the door and opens it to find the others having their doors opened as well. "What's going on?" "Ah, got to love the way they Saddle Arabians wake the palace up." Lightning says sarcastically as he walks up with Nikolai, Vinyl, and Octavia. Twilight's face blanks. "That's a wakeup call?" "Mostly for the Queen's knights and the royal guards." Lightning says. Twilight groans. "Anything else we need to know that would make us think we are under attack?" "Hug the wall, the royal guards are on parade." Lightning says leaning against a wall. Everypony ducks back into their rooms or against the walls as guards rush past them that almost packed in the whole hall, but soon passed. "Well that's something." Twilight said coming out of her room. "Unlike what you are used to, these royal guards are battle hardened and take their jobs very seriously." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "So what's next, we get ready and head out for the day?" "Oh, planning going out naked here?" Lightning jokes. Twilight huffs. "I said get ready, not step out and hope for the best." "So where is Apollo partner?" Applejack asks. "He went out to check something." Octavia says. Lightning gives a knowing chuckle. "Well, everypony dress up in what you got from Kite or your most concealing outfit, like Octy here, and let's head down the dining room. I'm sure Eclipse has a fine meal ready." "You heard him lover boy." Vinyl says grabbing Nikolai. Nikolai chuckles. "All right, all right, but only if you wear something around the same." "I so hope Kite gave Vinyl the dancer outfit as a joke." Lightning says after they left. Octavia giggles. "Really, is that even allowed here?" Lightning looked like he was going to say something but stops and remains silent. He then perks up and starts walking again. "Well, I got mine." He said putting his cloak on and heading away. "Ask the guard here when you are ready to head to the dining room." He said pointing to the guard at the end of the hall. "Anypony else get the feeling isn't telling us something?" Octavia asks. Everypony left in the hall nods before heading back into their rooms to dress up. Lightning walks with Rainbow as they carry the kids. Upon reaching the door Lightning stops and he starts trying to hold in his laughter as he sees most of the mane six and Vinyl in dancer outfits. "I am so giving Kite the next drink she wants." He said after a while. "You find this funny partner?" Applejack asks a little mad as Fluttershy was trying to hide from embarrassment. Lightning grins. "Nope, just a little payback for disobeying me when we were in the forest." "So you like it?" Rainbow asks. Lightning shrugs. "A little." "Maybe I should request one." Rainbow says freezing Lightning. Lightning shakes himself before looking at her with a small grin. "I'm sure Eclipse would oblige and maybe teach you how to properly use them." "Ok, a little too much information dad." Scootaloo says from his back. Lightning chuckles. "Just having a little fun sweetie. Now, where's our host for this morning?" "Waiting in the dining room." Eclipse voice comes from the other side of the open door. Lightning smiles and heads for the table. "Hiya Clipsy, how's it going now?" "Good, though somepony wants to see you." Eclipse says smiling. Lightning still smiles. "Now I wonder who that could be." He asks knowingly before he feels something on his head. "Hey dad." Midnight said looking upside down at him as he leans over his head. Lightning takes Midnight off of his head before hugging him. "Hey kid, you've been good for your mother?" "You know it. Hey sis, little sis and bro." Midnight says. Scootaloo smiles as the foals cheers a little. "Hey bro, I've been wondering, what do you do for fun around here?" "I get little free time because of all my studying." Midnight says. Lightning shoots an accusing glare at Eclipse. "Eclipse, do you want me to repeat what we talked about when I learned he wasn't getting enough sleep?" Eclipse blushes from embarrassment. "Applejack, this outfit is hugging me a little tight." Applebloom said pulling at the waist. Midnight hearing Applebloom, turns to her direction and stops before falling off his father and landing upside down. "Wha…why uh…I uh…" He stutters as he looks at her. Lightning chuckles. "What's wrong son, dress caught your tongue?" Applebloom gains a blush as Midnight kept staring at her. "Why is he staring at me like that?" Eclipse chuckles at this. "Sorry, Kite please come in here." Eclipse says. Kite comes in with a smirk. "Yes my queen?" She asks looking over to the two blushing foals. "Get some proper attire and not dancing outfits." Eclipse says. Kite chuckles. "Right away ma'am." She said walking away, still trying to contain her laughter. "I am sorry for the actions of my youngest Queen's knight." Eclipse apologizes. Applejack nods. "Thanks, but why did she do that?" "Those are dancer outfits mostly for…" Lightning whispered the last part into Applejack's ear causing her to go wide eyed. Applejack then blushes before leaning over to Applebloom. "Sugarcube, make sure you don't wear something like this again, got it?" "No arguments, it is too tight anyways." Applebloom says. Applejack leans a bit closer. "That's the whole point, never wear it again." She whispered. Rarity spins a little. "I don't know, it feels like I'm a ballerina." Twilight just grumbles. "Well I hate these types, get me a cloak any day." Spike holds out a cloak for her. "Thanks." She said taking it in her magic. "Rarity, don't wear that outside unless you are going to dance for money." Nikolai says. Rarity then frowns. "Well I never, at least I have some ideas for some new dresses." She said lifting a foreleg and looking at the large amount of cloth hanging there. "He means that is what that outfit is for." Lightning says. Rarity huffs. "Please, dancing should only be for the joy and passion of dancing, not money." "Ok, I am going to say it, that outfit is either for prostitutes and girls in a harem." Lightning whispered the second half to her. Rarity glares at him. "Then why would Mrs. Kite give them to us?" "A, there is a harem wing to the palace and b, for humor." Lightning says. Rarity growls. "Unbelievable, now I'm regretting this trip." "That is why Eclipse apologized for Kite." Lightning says. Eclipse still has a smile. "Still have to admit, it's funny seeing Midnight like this." She said looking at Midnight who was still staring at Applebloom who was hiding slightly behind Applejack. "Oh, does Midnight have a crush?" Rainbow asks. Lightning chuckles as he pokes him lightly. "Looks like it. Come on boy, wake up. You're going to scare your foal friend away." "Dad." Midnight whines. Lightning smiles as he looks to Applebloom who is now peeking out a bit more, but still has a huge blush on her face. "Um…Midnight?" "Y…y…yeah?" Midnight asks while Scootaloo mouths 'You can do it bro.'. Applebloom steps out and slowly walks it him. "So…a foal friend, or is there something more?" "I...I...I..." Midnight starts stuttering. Lightning feels two elbows to both sides of his ribs. "He defiantly takes after his father." Eclipse says. "You got that right." Rainbow says as Typhoon stares at Eclipse. Eclipse looks to over to Typhoon. "Is she wondering what I am?" "No, but technically isn't she your stepdaughter?" Rainbow asks. Eclipse stares at Typhoon and brings her head in close to her before Typhoon latches onto her muzzle and hangs on as Eclipse brings her head back up. "I could say yes, besides, we are family." "She likes you." Lightning says. Eclipse smiles. "I know a happy foal when I see one." She said taking Typhoon off of her muzzle before giving her back to Rainbow. "You two have made wonderful foals." "Where is Talion?" Lightning asks looking around. Rainbow looks around as well before seeing something that made her smile. "Eclipse, how well trained are your guards?" "They always put Celestia's guards to shame." Eclipse says proudly. Rainbow then laughs out loud confusing everyone except for Lightning. "Then you better train them some more, Talion just took a few daggers and a few arrows." She said looking to Talion who was sitting on a ceiling ledge with some items near him. "Looks like an earth pony is climbing up there." Twilight says. "Oh, I know that old stallion, he gave me directions after I left my room to get something." Pinkie says. Everypony looks confused at her. "And what did you get?" Lightning asks. "Cheese for myself and milk for the Cake's foals." Pinkie says. Lightning shakes his head. "I'm done questioning your motives now." "I…I…I…" Midnight kept stuttering. "I think you broke him sis." Applejack says. Applebloom smiles as she starts to lead him to a seat. "Come on Midnight, let's get you a seat and you can recover." Rainbow smiles before turning back to Eclipse. "You should really train the guards, if they can't stop a foal from taking their stuff then they're worse than the royal guards back home." "To be fair, Talion can become intangible." Lightning interjects. Rainbow still smiles. "And yet, you can still see him. Now who wins?" "Talion, because even though you can see, you can't touch." Lightning says. Eclipse huffs. "Unbelievable. Foiled by a foal." Soon the door opens. "I apologize my Queen, but I caught this foal." The old earth pony wearing similar armor to Kite's said while holding Talion. "Thank you Galleon." Eclipse says. Rainbow smirks. "Well, at least not all your guards are bad." "Hi Galleon, it has been a while." Lightning says. Galleon gives him a tired old smile. "Hello Lightning, good to see you again." "You know this stallion?" Twilight asks. Lightning nods. "Yep, meet Galleon, one of the oldest members of the Queen's knight." Galleon chuckles. "Please Lightning, you're making me feel old and about to keel over." "I'll take my son off your hooves." Lightning says. Galleon smiles as he gives Talion. "You got a sneaky son, a loving daughter, a stuttering son and a mysterious daughter." He said the last one while looking at Scootaloo. "How did you know about him being Midnight's father?" Eclipse asks a little shocked. Galleon looks a little shocked himself. "So Lightning is the father? I thought Midnight was just saying dad for laughs." Eclipse facehooves. "I can't believe I screwed up again." "You kept it a secret for more than a decade at least." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs. "Still revealed it." "My Queen, is there anything you need?" Galleon asks. Eclipse looks to him. "Yes, bring…the cloth." She said ominously. "As you wish my queen." Galleon says before leaving. Eclipse smiles. "Galleon has always acted like a grandfather to me." Eclipse says. Lightning looks confused for a bit. "What's the cloth?" "Ah! Not the cloth!" Midnight yells running behind Applebloom. Everypony now to him before back to Eclipse. "What's the cloth?" Lightning asks. Eclipse sighs and was about to speak before Galleon steps in with a box. "I have it my queen." Eclipse nods. "Thank you." She said taking the box. She sighs before opening the box. "The cloth is a little something special. Usually when we want to…" She reaches into the box and pulls out a large white cloth. "Have a little time to ourselves or something special. Observe." She brings the cloth around Typhoon, making her disappear behind it before tapping it a few times before pulling it away to find that Typhoon is gone. Rainbow grows shocked. "Hey, give me my daughter back!" Eclipse smiles. "Of course I'll give her back." She said bringing the cloth around her. Rainbow looks to the cloth. "Don't you…!" Eclipse pulls the cloth away to see that she disappeared as well. "Clipsy, where is my wife and daughter?" Lightning asks. Eclipse smirks. "Same place where you're going." She said wrapping the cloth around him and Talion before tapping and pulling it away to find they are gone as well. Everypony else backs away before Eclipse rushes to Applebloom and Midnight before covering them too. "Wait mom, don't…!" Midnight yells before Eclipse also pulls the cloth away and sees them gone too. "Where are they?!" Applejack angrily demands. Eclipse grins. "Come and find out." Applejack growls before launching herself at her before Eclipse wraps her in the cloth and then flings it open to nothing and Applejack gone. "Who's next?" Eclipse asks having the same grin. "Oh me! Me! Me, me, me!" Pinkie yells shaking a hoof in the air. Eclipse opens the cloth to her to which Pinkie rushes in and gets wrapped up before Eclipse opens it again and she's gone. "Next in line please." "Wheeeeeeeee…owie." Pinkie yells as she hits the ground in a large forestry area that was a bit foggy. "Cool. Hello!" "Very interesting place don't you think Rainbow?" Lightning's voice was heard nearby. "It's a bit creepy, but it is kind of cool." Rainbow responded. Pinkie smiles and follows the path till she reaches a stone table where a large amount of food was laid out and the others were seated. "Hi guys! What is this place?" She asks taking a seat. Midnight huffs. "Mom knows how much I hate place, I think she did this to wake me up." "Oh do tell son." Lightning says. Midnight sighs. "We found this place by accident. Mom found the cloth in the basement where nopony goes anymore. When she used it as bed sheets for my bed one time I got covered up in it and ended up here. Somepony was sitting at the table here, telling how he used to live in some type of palace and soon his wing was forgotten and abandoned while even the door was locked to the main hall. Soon he ended up here and decided to live here for now on. Mom found me later after figuring out the cloth trick and brought me back. When we went back for the stallion here, he was gone, but he left a note saying, always have others with you to cheer you up. Still think this place is creepy, I mean, look at this fog." "Interesting, I am feeling powerful magic here akin to a Daedric." Lightning says as they start hearing a yell. Looking up they see Twilight. "I hate my life!" She yells before she lands on the table sending everything everywhere. "Ow." She moans in pain. "Lightning, you know these types of things better than me, what is this place and how is it connected to the cloth?" She said just lying there. "You want the full very complicated explanation that will require a very good understanding of higher mathematics and level four magic knowledge in teleportation, warping, enchanting, and camouflage magic or the short and less complex version?" Lightning asks. Twilight groans as she gets up and off the table as the food and items float away to be replaced as they leave and enter from the fog. "Short version." "Basically we are somewhere between worlds. Specifically our world, the spirit world, and possibly the oblivion." Lightning says. Twilight looks around and the stuff floating around. "So, a pocket dimension?" "Very good my student." Lightning says. Twilight looks around before seeing an archway. "What's this way?" She asks herself walking through it and disappearing into the fog. "She'll be back, everypony, look to my left." Midnight said. Everypony looks and sees Twilight coming out of the opposite archway where she looked confused. "Looks like a replaying pocket dimension where only you could go to an area and stay there and makes you come back to it if you try to leave." "There were other areas, but they weren't there after me and mom went into this place a second time." Midnight said. Twilight keeps looking as she sat down at the table. "Wonder what else this place has?" "Looks like the thing that lived here has abandoned it so it shapes itself in accordance to who enters." Lightning thinks out loud. Midnight shrugs. "Or he died after all his time here. He told me that his mind was broken. I didn't know what he meant until I saw a younger version of him looking a bit scared and grabbing some food before leaving. I guess he finally gave in." "Interesting, let me try something. Belcross!" Lightning calls, but nothing happened. "Strange, he is not able to answer my call." Lightning says. Twilight then panics when she realizes what Agni is. "Agni!" She yells before hearing another yell coming from above them. Twilight quickly flies up and catches Agni before floating back down. "Thank goodness, I thought I might have never see you again here." She said nuzzling him. "That was weird." Agni says. "Seems the only way to enter is through the cloth itself." Lightning says. Twilight smiles as she places Agni in chair. "Where's big brother Spike?" As if one que a yell is heard from above. "Ow." Spike yells as he landed on the table. "Okay, whose bright idea was it to have the portal here over a stone table?" "Seems the portal transport time varies among species as well as the location." Lightning says. Spike groans as he gets up before sitting in his own seat. "Then how come we always have the worst timing and placement?" "This a reason you wanted me to visit you Eclipse?" Lightning asks. "Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Eclipse cheers as she drops in with all the rest of them. She soon lands behind him. "Sorry, what was that?" "You know, you all left without getting your new clothes." Kite said carrying a large bag behind her. "You going to answer Eclipse?" Lightning asks. Eclipse smiles as she heads to her own seat. "I wanted to show you all that there are many secrets and only those that would trust you well enough would give you the opportunity to see it. For now, I wanted you all to have your own meals. Just call it out. A cold chocolate frappe please." She calls and soon a large cup floats in with the drink. "Do you want to know what I think this is or just play around?" Lightning asks. Eclipse groans. "You're such a downer Lightning. Go ahead and tell them." She said drinking. "A daedra's playground where they drag victims and toy with them before killing them." Lightning says. Eclipse ignores the gasps as she continues to drink. "Me and Midnight have been coming here for a while now, there is no daedra here." "Show the victims." Lightning says and nothing happens at first before several cages of light are revealed and hundreds of ponies and other creature that look like they are made of mist inside of them. Eclipse sighs as everypony looks shocked. "And me and Midnight have gotten use to them, we usually allow them to eat with us. You see ponies, this land has many horrors and many deaths, but out of those brings light. Bring another table for our victims." She calls for the last one. "Belay that, bring forth the jailer!" Lightning says glaring. The prisoners seem to be terrified by that statement as Lightning gets up. "You really can ruin a good time." A figure said as it came out from the archway behind Eclipse who looked disappointed. "See I don't care at this point. You could have eaten and left and I wouldn't bat an eye." "Your soul for their freedom." Lightning says not taking his eyes off the monster. The monster keeps looking at him. "Which ones, your friends and family or my prisoners?" "All." Lightning says as the fog starts to clear revealing a thousands of bones everywhere. Everypony, except Lightning, Eclipse, Midnight and Kite scream as they jump onto the table. The monster sighs. "Take it." He said simply. "Wise choice. If you hadn't backed down your head would be next to the Daedric lord's that I slew." Lightning says this time shocking the monster. The monster huffs. "You know how I started out? Do you?" "You were created from the angst and suffering of the Daedra's victims and were forever tasked to be their jailer and torturer." Lightning says. The monster sighs before walking over and sitting at the end of the table. "Poor naive boy. These monsters and emotions has to start out somewhere. How about I start from the beginning. I was once a lonely stallion living far from a city. A great city mind you. Now the problem was that when I went there they saw me as a monster already because of my father. He had magic, but only the dark would accept him and nothing else, but he was a kind stallion. After my family died I vowed to show that I'm different than what others think I am. This table here, it is not transported from somewhere else, it was carved by my own hooves. No magic, just me, a hammer and a chisel, right down the last flower pattern on it. Yet, they still saw the same thing. That became apparent when I tried to host a dinner party near my home where I carved the table and chairs, nopony came, not even the creatures of the land that isn't pony. I hoped and waited, until the land took me as I waited too long for somepony to come. Now I got it all, visitors come in and have dinner here, unaware of the curse I was placed under when I died. These victims are the ones that stayed to eat and enjoy the company, and now I'm living the thing I wanted most. Yet now…now I'm wishing I never had all this in the first place. Probably would have been better off as a hermit helping weary travelers." Lightning listen to the story with his eyes closed. "You know what you have to do to break this curse and be free right?" Lightning asks. The monster sighs leans back in his chair. "Yes. I was hoping…that at least one day…somepony would come and see something different." "And that feeling is powering the curse which the Daedra placed on you. Now with it finally gone it is time to end this and finally be free. Break the table." Lightning says. The monster smiles as it takes the form of a stallion with dark colors. "Thank you. You're different than any other pony I have met, even these two are vastly different than you." He said pointing to Eclipse and Midnight as a hammer and a chisel comes out of the bones as everypony else gets off the table and moves near Lightning. "No, I know what is like to be alone and longing for a place to call home. You never got the chance to find yours." Lightning says. The pony closes his eyes as a tear fell from one of them and the chisel was placed at the center of the table. "Thank you my boy. Maybe one day, you can change something that should have never happened." He said before the hammer was brought down on the chisel and the table broke in many places as it fell apart. "Goodbye and thanks again." He said before disappearing. "Be free, son of Sobra, lead your friends on to the other side." Lightning says. The souls started to whisk away, one by one as the bones started to disappears too with each soul. "Lightning, I'm sorry for the deception, but I knew only you can hope to end this." Eclipse said as the land slowly started to reveal itself. "Eclipse, take them and leave now, the true battle begins." Lightning says. Eclipse looks down as some white cloths start to appear and then wraps around each pony before moving on to the next as they disappear. Only when it reached Lightning did he smile at the broken table. "I'll never let your story die." He said before he was taken by the cloth and dropped into the dining room at the palace. Eclipse sighs. "Look Lightning, when I saw the land, I knew you had to be the one to deal with it. Not because it's a monster, but because it's a being in need of help. I knew you were the only one who could help him." "Give me the cloth Eclipse, one last thing needs to be done." Lightning says. Eclipse takes the cloth from Galleon and gives it to him. "Time to close the doorway like the palace did to that pony a long time ago?" "Goracho." Lightning says and the cloth bursts into black flames. Everypony watches the cloth burn as all the pieces burn away. Some of them with a sad smile on them. "Lightning, I'm sorry for all this." Eclipse said. "Did you find anything else?" Lightning asks. Eclipse sighs. "No, that was the only thing we have ever found that even relates to this matter. I'm sorry." "Then there is no need, for there are no more Daedric artifacts here." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs and looks down. "Enjoy your breakfast everypony. If you need me, ask Galleon." She said walking away. "Clipsy, walk with me." Lightning says walking with her. Eclipse keeps looking down as they walk away into the halls. "That had to be the creepiest and saddest adventure we have been on." Fluttershy said. "At least it had a good ending." Twilight says now fascinated by the term Lightning used for the cloth. "What did you want to talk about?" Eclipse asks as they sat on a bench in the middle of a large makeshift garden. "Why did you not alert me the moment you found it?" Lightning asks. Eclipse sighs. "Because when we did find it, we were already away from the war after you finished it, you were blind and had to deal with the foals. I couldn't place anymore deadly burden on you." "No, I wasn't, Midnight told me when he was younger. That coupled with you were in Equestria all that time with me." Lightning says. Eclipse looks to him. "Lightning…I didn't want to destroy the good times and family you have. I destroyed you when you had to leave and I allowed it. I couldn't bear to see you hurt again and revisit that life." "You are an idiot you know. I never once hated you or anything." Lightning says. Eclipse smiles a little. "Yes I know, I'm the most stupid mare you ever met. But still, you being hurt with a life like he had, I couldn't let you fall into that when you were coming out of it." "You never leave that life behind Clipsy. The reason I remain in that darkness is so you and the others can live in the light." Lightning says. Eclipse giggles once. "And yet you don't even follow your own words. Nopony deserves to be alone, not that Daedric or even you. Lightning…you don't have to be in the dark anymore, not without somepony there for you." She said wrapping a wing around him. "I'm not alone in it anymore Clipsy, but it is not a place for you or any other thing should be." Lightning says looking at her as one of his eyes turn black. Eclipse looks a bit worried. "Then lead us and we would help, this is a loved one's curse and we would gladly take it for you." "No, where I will go you cannot follow. Midnight needs at least one parent in his life." Lightning says as he forces the dark in his eye back. Eclipse groans a bit. "You do such a better job than me, maybe better than I could ever hope. Maybe I should leave Midnight with you. I'm no good at this. All I do is have him study or get him into very big trouble like the cloth." "No, what he needs is his mother not his father. With you he can have a bright future. With me he won't." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs. "And with you he can learn some things I can't teach." "Somethings are better lost. I learnt magic like that because of my insatiable thirst for knowledge. I will also take them to the grave with me." Lightning says. Eclipse nods. "I know that, I just meant things that a father and a son would know together." "Eclipse it is awkward enough to find out his hero is also his father. I still notice a pause before he says father. Besides he has already learnt what I would teach him through you." Lightning says. Eclipse wraps her wing tighter around him. "Then you would allow your son to grow without a father figure?" "He doesn't need me Clipsy. He had you. I don't even think I am worthy to call myself his father because I wasn't there for him most of his life." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs. "Do I need to remind the talk you had with Rainbow?" "This is different Clipsy and besides he has a responsibility to become a king." Lightning says. Eclipse looks to the palace. "Lightning, you are making it sound like he shouldn't have a father at all." "No, you know how some of your citizen's are about their nationality. Some downright hate foreigners in general. If word got out that his father is not from Saddle Arabia at all some would not support him and start to work towards either independence or usurping the throne." Lightning says. Eclipse looks back to him. "So you want to be gone from his life, forever?" "No, but I just don't think I can fill the role of a father. Eclipse, I see two Queen's knights coming and they are the two overly patriotic about their nationality ones." Lightning whispers the second part. Eclipse nods and gets up. "Come on, let's get out of here before they think different." She said walking away. "My Queen." The mare calls as the two approach. 'Dang it, they spotted us.' Both Lightning and Eclipse think. Eclipse sighs. "Knights. Come along Mr. Bolt. I'm sure your family and friends are waiting." "As you wish Clipsy, oh and I have been meaning to say this to you since we last encounter to each other, fuck off Zahhak." Lightning says to the stallion. Zahhak growls. "Nice to meet you too sir." He said struggling with each word. "What are you doing here you foreign barbarian?" The mare growls. Lightning shrugs. "What, an old guard can't come to see how his old charge is doing?" "You insolent barbarian, how dare you refer her royal highness in such a manner, I ought to…" The mare stops feeling a sword at her throat. "Watch it Alenia, last time you challenge me I destroyed you in front of everypony and your commander chewed you out for doing such a thing." Lightning says holding his sword, the tip touching her throat before he withdraws it. Alenia growls. "I loath you Lightning. You are a disgrace among soldiers." "Oh, go whine somewhere else." Lightning says walking away with Eclipse. Zahhak sighs. "He's still the same. Let it go." He said to Alenia walking away. "I can't believe you still put up with those two." Lightning says. Eclipse looks back to them slightly. "They are the best at what they do, I didn't say best attitude though. Look Lightning…I'm sorry for the deception, but know that Midnight needs a father in his life, all foals do. If you aren't there for him, my life will be all he knows and nothing else. I want him to explore and search, but that drive isn't there, not without you to unlock it. He needs you…I need you." "When the war starts that will be impossible, you know that." Lightning says after several moments of silence. Eclipse nods grimly. "But, at least he would have the time the way it was meant to be for that brief period. Give him that time." Lightning says nothing and finally nods. Eclipse smiles as they continue to walk. "Thank you Lightning. You also have made a choice that also makes it possible for us." "Just prepare for the worst." Lightning says. Eclipse swishes her tail over him for a few seconds. "If I can help give the best for my family, I can surely prepare for the worst." "I'm not giving you a second child." Lightning clarifies causing Eclipse to whine in displeasure. Eclipse huffs as she turns away from him, pouting cutely. "You're no fun." "You are good, but I can still see right through you like the day we met." Lightning says smirking. Eclipse smiles as she still faces away from him. "Can we at least spend some time together?" "Ok, put on a normal mare's outfit and meet me on the courtyard later tonight, we are going to pull that old trick that not even the Queen's knight have figured out." Lightning says. Eclipse giggles. "And this is one of the reasons I fell in love with you." "Other reasons are my good looks, my wit, my intelligence, and the fact that I keep you from doing anything too stupid or embarrassing while you are drunk." Lightning lists off. Eclipse smirks and points her hoof at him. "And another is that tool you have." "Oh, I forgot one." Lightning says smirking. Eclipse chuckles. "Yes, yes you did. And boy how could I not forget that night? Probably the best I ever had with you." "Oh no, not that, this." Lightning says rubbing a certain part of Eclipse's wing. "Eeep." Eclipse squeaks. "Oh you crazy stallion. How I missed this." She moans. "That is all you get for now." Lightning says stopping. Eclipse sighs in relief. "Now that feels a little better. And now I'm wondering what else you have planned." She shakes herself before walking again. "Let's go. The others are probably worried and…I'm sorry for the artifact." "It's in the past, don't give it another thought, but knowing my student, she will want to know everything on those kind of artifacts." Lightning says. Eclipse looks a bit worried. "Don't you have a book on everything about the Dadriacs you may have given her?" "She's not that far along and she, like myself, has an insatiable thirst for knowledge. That's why I mainly learnt magic, how to forge, martial skills, and skills in warfare." Lightning says. Eclipse now looks even more worried. "Lightning, I know deviled into the dark arts somehow. You know that Twilight will follow." "No, she won't if I tell her what will happen to Agni if she tries, seeing as their connection is stronger than even mine and Belcross' by far." Lightning says. Eclipse smiles. "Then I hope for the best. After all, family is important to that mare." "It is a better course than forbidding study of it like my master did." Lightning says. Eclipse smirks and then clears her throat. "Lightning, I forbid you to read these texts, it is too dangerous. You would not want to fall into the dark like our neighbor next door who we put down last week." She said in her mock voice of his master. "Yeah, yeah master." Lightning says in a mock tone. "One more thing." Eclipse says in her mock voice before smacking him on the head. "Ow, did you have to imitate him that accurately?" Lightning asks holding his head. Eclipse smirks. "Always do research. Get that through your head." She said in her mock voice before giggling. "Oh I miss that stallion. Always funny and always had a story." "And ate lima beans which gave him horrible gas." Lightning adds. Eclipse waves her hoof in front of her face. "Oh, I can still remember that. All the air fresheners." "Why do you think I wore an air filter?" Lightning asks. Eclipse chuckles. "Come on, the others have to be panicking right now." She said walking away. Twilight poured over the books she had on hoof right now, but couldn't find anything that even sounded like what Lightning said. "It has to be somewhere." "Looking for the creature Agni saw my student?" Lightning asks. Twilight looks over to Lightning who just entered the common room with Eclipse. "Umm…yes actually. Agni has been a bit more worried than usual." "Your left ear and wing twitches when you lie my student." Lightning says. Twitch. "What are you talking about?" Twilight asks with the best smile she can muster. "You will not find a reference to Daedric artifacts in any of those books. The entire east knows the dangers of such items and even the Dominion does want them used." Lightning says. Twilight groans. "Great. Just when I want to know more." "Some things are best left forgotten my student." Lightning says. Twilight huffs. "And if it keeps nagging at you?" "It is dark magic and most of the time evil." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "Can I least see a book?" "Twilight you know your connection to Agni is so great." Lightning says. Twilight looks to him. "And what does that mean?" "And that connection is through your magic starts turning dark it will start poisoning him because of your connection is so strong." Lightning says. Twilight stops and stares at him. "What?" She whispered. "Dark magic is practically poison to spirits still developing and you share magic through your bond so…" Lightning says letting her fill in the blanks. Twilight looks down. "He'll die." "Exactly, besides you have yet to reach that level in your studies in eastern magic. Now let's see if we can learn anything on that creature." Lightning says. Agni watches as Lightning sits down on the opposite couch and grabs a book as well. "Oh mom." A dark chuckle sounds out behind him, but nopony seems to notice it. "As such a first seed will be planted and the rest fall into the ground by it. Then they will sprout and bloom into something beautiful." 'Shadow.' Agni thinks and he sees a red eye appear in his shadow. Shadow chuckles. "Plans are put into place far ahead of their original time to start. And this plan was executed beautifully. Now all I need to do is sit back, relax, and read a good book while the show begins." 'How have the other spirits not destroyed you yet?' Agni asks. Shadow's eye looks to him almost sultry like. "Listen my dear sweet boy, the reason this is happening is because it is. No one can stop it, not even the grand high spirit. And if I succeed then all will be well. Maybe you'll like the new life. Living under constant reign while she feeds off every dark force. Probably even take the heart of that little dragon…" "Shut up!" Agni yells before firing a fire ball at the shadow which makes Shadow disappear with the eye. The only thing he can hear after that was the cold laughter ringing through him. "Twilight, I think the creature is taunting Agni somehow or he is hallucinating." Lightning says. Twilight looks worried as Agni eats the flames to not let the room burn. "Agni, are you okay?" "Y…yeah, I'm fine." Agni says as his left ear twitches. Lightning notices this and when Twilight looks away and back to the book he mouths 'Later.' to him. Agni nods and looks to his shadow again before sitting down near the wall. A few days later Lightning was in a familiar bunch of ancient ruins that he had made a hideout out of years ago. "Shadow, get out here right now." Lightning ordered as he paced back and forth. Shadow chuckles darkly before coming out of the dark wall in his room. "Can I help you?" "Stop your plot now or I will destroy you." Lightning threatens. Shadow smiles. "Lightning, do you remember what I said, kill me now and this war will never end? Well, you do that and you will die, along with the rest of you. I just want the safety of everyone here…after all if everyone dies, who will I have to play with?" "Don't play with me Shadow. I won't let you condemn my student to that path. I have walked down it." Lightning says. Shadow smirks. "And yet, you still don't know your student very well, do you?" "Better than you, what, do you want to stop assisting?" Lightning asks. Shadow giggles and walks around the room. "Now I didn't say that. I have to help you in some way. By the way, the body is ready for you. And the life you had, greatly influenced how you dealt with it. Your young student, she has a lot of potential." She jumps onto the bed and forms into Rainbow. "Both ends of the spectrum." She said in Rainbow's voice. Lightning facehooves. "Tell me, did you do this just to put me in this position?" Lightning asks. Shadow shrugs. "I don't know. I may consider this a bonus. After all it has been so long for me." "Interesting, because from what I have heard you are a virgin." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "Want to be my first then? I can be anything you want, even another species." "Oh my god, this is Eclipse all over again….stay as Rainbow." Lightning says worried she would turn into Eclipse. Shadow looks a bit surprised. "Really, as your wife and not that mare named…?" Lightning holds up a hoof. "Don't say it and don't change into her." Shadow looks around for a bit. "So…you really are going to do this?" "Do I have a choice?" Lightning asks. Shadow gets up a bit. "Actually you do. This is completely voluntary." "Ah, but would you accept a different payment for stopping your assisting of this creature so it can be killed?" Lightning asks. Shadow smirks at him. "Maybe, maybe not. In the end I always get what I want one way or another." Shadow says and then sighs. "Anyway, I will give you this for free. That creature was something different yes, but there some underlying layer of something. I don't what it is, but it's there. Now, I require payment for my services to help you and as for the creature, which is free." "What am I paying for?" Lightning asks. Shadow chuckles. "Me helping you out, Tierk's body, and, of course, an aid in the war. That last one requires a little extra." "I'm not going to enjoy this, am I?" Lightning asks. "I'm not so sure of that." Shadow says smiling while touching his cheek and to her inward surprise, darkness covers his eye on that side. "Whether you enjoy this or not, is your choice." Lightning sighs and holds a hoof to hers. "Just don't change me. I don't think my family can bare it." Shadow smiles lovingly. "Wouldn't dream of it." "At least I decided to come here to meet you." Lightning says. Shadow nods. "Yes and…thanks for this. No one has shown me this much compassion." "Oh and here I thought you raped Luna to make her Nightmare Moon?" Lightning jokes. Shadow smirks. "A little, but it was some ghost stallions that I made. Lifeless husks that don't have a soul. And don't worry about her relationship with your student, she's still a virgin." "Your one to talk, also you mimic everything about Rainbow perfectly?" Lightning asks. Shadow nods. "Yep, now how do you want her? The take charge mare or the timid and eager to be raped mare?" "Ok, two things first, when she puts up a tough front and actually is scared or nervous her tail twitches to the right." Lightning says smirking. Shadow looks back to the tail before fixing that. "Anything else?" She asks as she tests out her new twitch. "Oh, Shadow is nervous and scared of big bad Lightning and second, I know every one of her sensitive places on her." Lightning says his smirk growing. Shadow gets a bit nervous as she shuffles her forelegs. "So the shy and timid Rainbow?" "Let's go with Shadow." Lightning says before jumping on her. You know what's coming. Lightning immediately attacks her by kissing her hard and stroking her wings. Shadow moans as she starts to breath heavily from the multiple sensations now running through her. She starts to kiss back as Lightning keeps the pressure up and forces her back into the bed. He soon let's go and licks his lips hungrily. "I'm going to enjoy this." He said as one of his eyes were already dark. Shadow moans in anticipation and soon feels something hard hit her. She looks down to see his large dick, but it was being covered in a shadow swirl. Lightning didn't notice it or care and places it right at her entrance. She moans again as she feels it move around outside her. Lightning pants heavily as he leans down to her ear. "If you get more pain than ever, do whatever you can to lessen it and kiss me." He said before plunging in. Shadow grunts and hisses as she feels the large dick fill her up. The pain now being subsided by her natural powers, but also by feeling it move around a little, bringing some shocks of pleasure. Lightning smiles as he keeps moving back and forth in her as Shadow now moans happily as she leans back into the bed and grabs the sheets. He grunts as he fills her up with every thrust into her, making her grunt and moan. Soon she feels it hit something hard inside her as he kept rutting away at her new barrier. Lightning looks to Shadow who nods before he moves back all the way before going back in again and moving a little more inside. Shadow screams as she feels shocks coming from the hard hit before he moves back and does it again, moving even further in. She keeps screaming out in pleasure until she feels him stop inside her. Panting heavily and looking down, she can see a large bugle from her stomach that twitches with every throb. Lightning smiles at her. "The dark did give me a few tricks to help." He said as Shadow tried to figure what he said before she feels herself being lifted. She looks behind her to see another Lightning with the same appearance, right down the last scar. "Clones, got to love them." Shadow breathes out in anticipation as the clone Lightning lied down on the bed and placed her on top of him, while bringing his dick to her plot hole. She groans in some pain before the real Lightning kisses her and the clone slips in. She moans into the kiss as she feels the two dicks move inside her. Lightning's sighs as he let's go and lays her back down. "Now we got find a better use for that mouth." He said as another dick comes into her view. She smiles before taking it into her mouth and the clone Lightning puts it all the way inside, making choke and gag before he pulls out enough to let her relax. "Now meet our cover ups." He said as more clones appear who were slowly stroking their dicks pointed at her. She counted at least ten of the cover ups and not the ones already in her. Lightning smirks as he grabs onto her hips. "Now, shall we?" The clone inside her grab her head and ass before they all move out before plunging back in. Shadow moans as they move around now and she can hear the flesh hitting each other from the cover up clones and her. She then was rocked back and forth as they each found their own rhythm and soon her whole body was never left empty. Her mouth began to slobber all over herself as she was upside down and some onto the clone under her. The dick in her mouth kept going all the way back deep down into her, almost her stomach, making her try to breath from her nose and not her mouth. The one in her ass worked with the real Lightning as they move in time to opposite of each other, making her feel the many veins and ring on him as they touched each other through a small wall of flesh. The real Lightning smirks as the cover up Lightnings all got in closer and two of them made her take her front hooves and have her rub them hard. They both moan as the others moan as well as they try to aim it at her. Lightning grunts and hits hard with every hit as the one under her wraps his hooves around her midsection and also hits hard. He looks to the see the one in her mouth leaning over a little and biting into her neck, making her now scream from the sensation of being used. Soon it became too much for the one in her mouth as the vibrations from her scream sent him over the edge and made him slam down into her fill her up. Shadow moans as she feels the cum run into her stomach, but then feels him slowly pull out as he kept cumming and soon filled up her mouth and then pulled out with a 'pop' as he now covers her face in cum. That was the trigger for the one under her and he grunts before slamming in one more time and filling her up from there. Shadow now was lost in pleasure as she moves her tongue all over the cum on lips and mouth, not swallowing yet. She feels the hot liquid run into stomach as she feels the one under her grab on tight as he thrust with each pulse and releases each glob of cum. Lightning couldn't hold on anymore and when the one under her pulled out he came too and filled her to the brim as the ones around her cummed as well. The ones having her hooves used cummed onto them before aiming at her face. The ones around her just aimed at whatever part of her body is now not being covered and filled the gap. Lightning grunts as he stayed inside her and saw the belly bloat from the insane amount of cum being poured in. Shadow screams in pleasure as she covered and filled to the brim before they all stop. She then feels the real Lightning pull out before he grabs her waist again and flip her over. "Now let's get everything." "Yes, do it, fill me, cover me, use me, just fuck me however you want." Shadow moans as she feels a dick enter her, but then looks ahead to see a few dicks in front of her. She looks up to see the real Lightning as told by the shadow eye. She smiles before taking his dick in her mouth and holding onto two other dicks and jerking them off. The one under her grunts and enters her before they both pound her away into oblivion. Shadow moans as some hits send her deeper onto the dick in her mouth. Lightning moans as he places his hooves on her head before facefucking her as deep and hard as she jerks the other two harder and the ones around her to try and keep up. The ones in her ass and pussy try to keep up speed until they gave up and went their own pace and tried to hit her hard and send her deeper into Lightning's dick in front of her. She moans heavily as she feels them all about to explode as the panting and breathing started to get slower and quicker between each. Soon all of the Lightnings scream and release their load at the same time. She feels Lightning's dick in her mouth travel down to her stomach before he pulls back and let's it fill up her mouth. Her pussy and ass was filled even more the brim and she thought it might burst from what they have put in. The ones at her hooves let's themselves go as they aimed at it at her face and covered her up even more. All around her the Lightnings aimed whatever they missed the first time and covered it up with fresh cum. She then feels the ones in her pussy and ass leave before they were replaced by another pair as they continue to fill her up. Shadow moans as she feels them leave before they were replaced by another. Lightning pulls his dick away before another pushes his in and keeps cumming. Shadow moans as every warm covering and flood came into or onto her. Soon they all finished and pulled away, but they still kept stroking. Shadow smirks before spreading her legs open. "Come on big boys. Show me what you got." Two Lightnings immediately rushes her and places their dicks in her pussy, at the same time. Shadow screams in pleasure as she feels them both start to move with each other and other times against each other. Then she feels two more at her ass before they plunge inside and start thrusting deep inside her, making her pant breathlessly. A Lightning then grabs her head before bringing it down slightly to reach his dick and brings another right beside him. They both plunge in at the same time, making her go cross eye in pleasure. After that they all started to move faster, sending her body rocking everywhere as the last ones left out were all jerking off to the show. She then feels two at her hooves and starts jerking them off. Shadow screams were muffled as all the Lightning's breathing got heavily before they all plunge in at the same time and grunts from the extreme tightness. Shadow freezes up as her eyes roll up and shot after shot of cum ran into her before she feels them leave her and lets her fall onto the bed. She got rolled over once before she got some of the cum landing on her and then rolled over again and this time mostly in her mane and tail. She moans in pleasure as the hot cum lands on her before she looks up and receives some in her eye, making her close it to get the sting out. Lightning smirks and keeps aiming it at her face making her cough slightly from the large amount still leaking out of her mouth. Once they all finished he drags his dick through her mane and wipes it clean before pulling and letting the others do the same before they finish as well and walk away as they each disappear. "Come back soon." Shadow said breathlessly. Lightning smiles as the last one was then gone and lays down with her. "You look terrible." Shadow chuckles and spits the rest of the cum in her mouth onto her chest. "More like, the greatest fuckfest ever." Lightning smiles and pats her head, ignoring the cum soaked mess. "Glad you like it. So it is a good enough payment?" Shadow moans and rubs the cum all over her into her coat more. "This and many more to come. Just know that if you want, you can use me like this again and I can still do things your wife can't. Remember, just ask." Lightning nods and rests his head down on the bed. "Well, let me rest and we can figure out our next move." Shadow nods as well before snuggling over to him and into his forelegs. "Okay, and don't worry, all of this will be cleaned up by morning." Lightning smirks. "Good, I hate cleaning sheets." And that's the end of that portion, back to your regularly scheduled programming. Lightning meets up with Apollo as the sun starts to set. "What do you got?" Lightning asks. "Apparently the thieves' guild here has been squeezed greatly by a growing death cult." Apollo says. Lightning nods and shivers a bit as a small sliver of shadow runs by his hooves. "Okay, anything else?" "They seem to worship a dragon like creature." Apollo says. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "A dragon? Let's see, death cult and worships a dragon. Nothing else?" "Nothing unless I try and infiltrate, but sir, this raises a golden opportunity. While the thieves' guild here is weakened locally they still have many strong connections. We can use this opportunity to take them over and turn them into a spy ring for the war." Apollo says. Lightning smirks. "You just want to keep stealing like the old days and this guild will give you many places and things to take." "Well that's a bonus." Apollo jokes. Lightning chuckles. "Alright, grab Nikolai and see what you can do. I got to deal with something else." "Gotcha." Apollo says walking off. Lightning sighs in relief as soon as he rounded a corner and looks down. "Can you at least try to make your plan painless?" "That depends, what are you offering?" Shadow asks as she appeared as a mare wrapped in a cloak. Lightning frowns. "That payment isn't enough?" Shadow grins. "Different. That was for my services, basically a wage for being employed under you. Now what are offering?" Lightning sighs. "I'll let you go along with the plan. Just don't hurt anypony or send them so far away they don't want to come back." Shadow sighs and smiles. "Now that I can try to do. I don't know about being painless, but not driving them away, I can do that. Now, the next seed needs to fall, so I'll be off. Thanks for the paycheck." She said before sinking into the shadows again. "You will never get that again if you corrupt my student, but give Twilight a scare, keep her off the path. She deserves a better life than either of us." Lightning says. Shadow chuckles darkly from the shadows. "And if I don't, many will fall. How about this, she will be herself, but can have more fun than usual. Something along the lines that still represent that pigeon." "I have a few more things to discuss with you." Lightning says. Shadow's head came out. "Yes?" "First, you can sense the guardian spirits of this realm, are the dessert ones around here awakened?" Lightning asks. Shadow sighs and comes out again. "Yes, anything else?" "Are you going to keep that dark version of my wife as your form?" Lightning asks. Shadow smirks. "Only if you want. I can still do things normal mares can't. Just ask and I'll see if I can do it for you." "I see, so that is a yes just so I will do that every time to you." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "I think I might enjoy this. Now, I have to go deal with the next seed and then it's onto give those seeds some water. Bye now." She said before turning into smoke and sinking into the ground and slithering away. "No Daedric artifacts at this point, they could overwhelm her and turn her into a threat or something you can't control like what happened with Sombra." Lightning says. Silence reaches his ears so he sighs and walks back to the palace. "Wonder what I missed for the day?" He asks himself. Twilight sighs and puts the last book away. That had to be the hundredth book she had checked and nothing matches what ever bothered Agni. She looks to him sleeping nearby her, almost peacefully. She smiles and pats his head. "I promise I'll figure this out." "Are you so sure?" Shadow asks. Twilight's breathe catches in her throat as she looks around slowly. "Why are you here?" She hissed out as she scowls. Shadow chuckles darkly. "Oh you know, taking in the sights, sit back and read something, and maybe do some gardening. Have you ever done gardening?" "Where are you?" Twilight growls. Shadow sighs in content. "Everywhere and nowhere my mare. My sweet beautiful mare. Do you remember what I said back at the castle? That reminds me, I need a new home back in Equestria." Twilight grits her teeth. "Yes, why?" Shadow smiles. "Nothing, enjoy the read." Twilight looks confused until she looks down on the table full of books and sees a new dark one that wasn't there before. "Yeah right, like I'm going to read that." She said putting the books away with her magic. She sighs and looks to the black book one last time on the empty table before picking up Agni in her magic and taking him away to their room. When she closes the door behind them does the book become lifted in a magic aura and heads toward the door where it opened again and gets grabbed by a purple hoof. "A guide to dark magic, Daedra and their artifacts, the beginner's edition." Twilight reads. She sighs and starts walking to their room again. "Oh well, have to start somewhere." She said opening the book with her magic. Agni moans as he opens his eyes to see himself on Twilight's back. "Hey mom, where are we going?" He asks sleepily. "To bed Agni." Twilight says smiling to him as she hides the book in her new clothes. Agni smiles. "Good, but what about tomorrow? Aren't we leaving tomorrow?" "No, Eclipse has invited us to stay for a while." Twilight says ruffling his fur on his head. Agni smiles as he was petted. "You know mom, you look better than ever." "Thanks, I wasn't sure about the headdress, but Eclipse convinced me." Twilight says. Agni laughs a little. "And you look a little funny." "Thanks so much." Twilight says sarcastically. Agni grins. "No problem mom. Now, have you found out what that thing was?" "No luck so far, maybe Lightning probably had some luck." Twilight says. Agni nods and then gains a thought. "Mom…have you had nightmares lately?" "No sweetie, why?" Twilight asks. Agni shrugs. "Just wondering." They soon came to their door. "Big brother." He called. The door opens and they see Spike wrapped in towels wearing them like they were robes. "So Spike, were the royal baths any good?" Twilight asks. Spike smiles. "If I can compare, Canterlot Castle baths can't measure up to these." "That good huh?" Twilight asks. Spike opens the door and steps aside. "Try for yourself and you tell me." "What do you say Agni, want to try them?" Twilight asks. Agni smiles. "Only you use that soap on me again and help get my back full of flames." "Ok I will." Twilight says walking into the room and hiding the book when no one was watching. Agni quickly grabs the towels before grabbing his bag full of bathroom supplies. "Ready. Come on mom, I really want to see how good it is." "Ok Agni." Twilight says following him and walks into a multi layered bathing area where she sees most of her friends. "Hey girls." Everypony looks over to them. "Hey. You made it in time for the spa ponies to come in." Rainbow said leaning against the wall on the bath in the ground as some more ponies came in with supplies. "Eclipse really loves to treat good friends." Rainbow was then splashed in the face with water looking at the source she sees Talion laughing. Rainbow grins. "Okay, you want to do things that way. Two can play at that game." She said before splashing him. Lightning smiles as Rainbow is then splash from behind by Typhoon. He was unsure if any of them knew he was there for the steam of his bath was thick and was above them all. Rainbow keeps laughing as she tries to keep splashing both her foals and soon the others joined in as well. Then she stops as she starts sniffing around. "That's not a spa or bathroom smell." She keeps sniffing around the others as they kept playing until she starts flying upward and into the steamy area. She raises an eyebrow before she blows the steam away to show a hanging bowl with Lightning in it, smirking at her. "Hi honey." He said simply. Rainbow crosses her forelegs together. "I smell something entirely different from the usual you. Who was it?" "No one love, just using some herbs as some of my old scars started burning again." Lightning says. Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "Okay, but why up here? In fact, why not be down there with us?" "Simple, down there is only one hot baths and for this to work the water must be really hot take a feel." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Really, then why not come down to play with your foals?" "I have to stay in here for ten more minutes unless you want to join me and have your fur look shiny." Lightning offers. Rainbow brings a hoof to her chin. "Tempting, okay." She said before throwing herself at him. Lightning smiled as at first she was shocked how hot the bath was. "Hot!" She yells flying out of it. "Told you it needs to be very hot, but you adjust fast, just take it slow." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs before easing herself in and then slowly sighs in relief as the hot water covered her up. "This is nice." She said before moving over to him and resting against him. "You're nice." "So are you and you look sexy with your mane wet." Lightning says closing his eyes. Rainbow giggles. "Yeah, now hold me, would you." "Alright, so you like the private bath up here that only those of the royal family and those they give permission to can use?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods before snoring a bit. Lightning chuckles and lays his head against the side of the wall before he sees something black on the other side. He opens his eyes and sees the one spirit he doesn't even believe is there. "How…you died?" Umbra smiles as he rests against the side of the bowl. "Not really. Just…moved." "You exist right now because I allow it. If you want to continue, never mention that again." Lightning says. Umbra chuckles deeply. "Let me just say, you are sweet. Anyway, I don't think I would leave you anytime soon. That kiss was not me also having a moment, it was for me to transfer part of me into you. Your dark elemental improved didn't it?" "Belcross, you may devour this one." Lightning says. Belcross growls at he slowly rises up out of the water. Umbra remained still as he smirks. "I'm never going away Lightning, I'll tell you what I did. The kiss was for me to transfer part of me into you and the crystal is the focuser so I can talk to you or it would just be a power booster for the part of me inside you. Besides, isn't that the crystal?" He asks pointing to his necklace. "Maybe not you, but your soul is another matter." Lightning says as Belcross is about to reach out and grab Umbra's soul. Umbra sighs. "I'm not meant for you." "Hold Belcross. What do you want Umbra?" Lightning asks petting his wife's mane. Umbra frowns as he leans forward a little. "Like Shadow has her plans, I have my own agenda. I can't tell you much, not even what I have planned, not yet." "So tell me, what do you know of this creature?" Lightning asks. Umbra sighs as he leans back again. "I remember something, but that seems a long time ago. The only thing I can remember is that it is almost part of the fire elementals." "But yet not?" Lightning asks. Umbra nods. "Almost as if it stole their powers. I don't know much else. That may be for you to figure out." He then sighs. "Listen, I'm straining myself as it is. But I can now tell you this, you, that mare, and your foals will be placed in danger before I come into play." "I know, if not from the Dominion, a Daedra, then a new threat will come." Lightning says. Umbra then smiles. "Then I will be there and my plan will come to a close." "Go back to sleep Umbra or you will exhaust your little remaining life force." Lightning says. Umbra sighs as he slowly starts disappearing. "You are different from others and that will lead you to help with winning this war, on all sides." He said as he finally was gone. Seeing him gone, Belcross disappears as well. Rainbow snorts as she gets up. "What…what happened?" "You fell asleep against me love." Lightning says. Rainbow stretches and then leans against him. "How long was I out?" "Not long, but long enough where we should get out. I have to go soak in cold water now." Lightning says stretching his wings. Rainbow smiles and gets up before flying out of the floating down. "See you there." She as she disappears over the edge. Lightning looks down and watches carefully until he smile and cannonballs into the bath below. "Lightning!" Rainbow yells as water splashed everywhere. Lightning laughs as the foals cheer and Pinkie holds up a number ten card. "Now the whole family has splashed you love." Lightning says before diving. Rainbow growls before she dives in after him. Everypony watches carefully until they come back up with Rainbow on top of him pulling at his mane. Then went back under and then back up with Lightning having her in a headlock. "And that's the pony teaching me." Twilight says embarrassed before a dark blue blur tackles both pegasus, sending them underwater again. They then come back up with both Eclipse and Rainbow snuggling Lightning's wings. "This is even more fluffy than normal." Eclipse said. Lightning, annoyed, spits water out of his mouth to the side. Everypony giggles or chuckle at his predicament. "Fluffy wings? How do they feel? The softest pillow?" Twilight asks. "Comparable to a cloud." Eclipse says. "Oh, do tell about that." Spitfire says. Rainbow smirks. "Try my cloud home bed and then make it twenty percent softer and fluffier." "Oh, not twenty percent cooler partner?" Applejack teases. Rainbow huffs and keeps nuzzling the wing. "Oh let me enjoy this." "You do every night." Lightning teases. Rainbow smirks. "Yeah, except you keep me away from them in so many positions." Hearing that the adult mares all blush a bit. "Oh do tell." Eclipse says as Spitfire covers her ears. Rainbow laughs. "Maybe when the foals are not around." "Or the other mares, as Fluttershy in particular, looks like she is about to have a nosebleed." Lightning teases. Fluttershy squeaks and tries to cover up her face with her hooves and mane. All the other mares try to bring their blush down. Rainbow smiles. "Another reason." "Now there is only one missing." Lightning says. Eclipse leans over him. "And who is that?" "The little guy trying to sneak up on his dad." Lightning says. "Aww dad, you ruined it." Midnight whines as he comes out of the water. "Still a few years too soon to get the drop on me, but it was a very good attempt." Lightning says smiling at Midnight. Midnight smiles as well before swimming around. "Now is that everypony?" Eclipse asks. "Yes, but we need to do one thing." Lightning says causing Rainbow to smile. Eclipse looks interested. "And what's that?" Rainbow grabs onto Eclipse and Lighting maneuver his body to grab her and they both dunk her. "That." Rainbow says. Eclipse coughs as she comes back up and glares at them. "You two are devious." "And you aren't?" Midnight asks. Eclipse then turns her glare at him. "You're supposed to be on my side." "You told me I should always be on family's side and that's my dad." Midnight says smirking. Eclipse huffs. "What does that make me?" "My mom, so I'm doing as you taught either way because you are both family." Midnight says. Lightning laughs. "Oh he really does take after you Clipsy." Lightning says. Eclipse huffs. "Yep, a tricky and hidden message finder." "Well at least he learnt something useful." Scootaloo jokes. Everypony chuckles and giggles except Eclipse. "Now the family is against me." She said. "Oh don't be like that." Lightning says wrapping his hoof around her shoulders. Eclipse suddenly grins and wraps her hooves around him from behind and brings her the tips of her wings up to his neck threatenly. "Alright, nopony move. I got a stallion here and I'm not afraid to use it." "And I got a colt and a filly." Rainbow says holding Midnight and Scootaloo. Eclipse huffs. "Please, one's yours and the other I could hardly care less." She said playfully. Eclipse then looks in her son's eye and notices he is trying to do the hypnotizing spell. She smirks and looks away before he could figure it out completely. "Now, this is how it goes, I'll take this stallion here and nopony follows." "Ok, only if you can get past those two." Rainbow says. Eclipse looks confused until she feels something land on her back. She let's go of Lightning as she trashes around, then she feels whatever landed on her jump off in front of her. She glares to Talion and Typhoon as they cheer and head for Lightning. "Foiled by foals, yet again." She then turns her glare to Lightning. "Know this, this is not the last you have seen of me." "Oh, one last thing Clipsy." Lightning says as he lets his foals climb on him. Eclipse huffs. "What?" Lightning shows he has a chain attached to his wrist and pulls it and Eclipse is pulled towards him. Looking down she sees the chain attached to her hoof. She then glares to Lightning. "You sneaky bast…" "Be nice." Lightning stops her. Eclipse keeps glaring until she smirks. "Oh Lightning, I didn't know you wanted me as your slave." She said as she moves closer. "What do you want?" Rainbow steps in between them. "You got to go through me first." Rainbow says avoiding eye contact. Eclipse smiles and pushes her under and leans on her head. "So what do you want?" She asks trying to ignore the obvious drowning. "What are you talking about?" Lightning asks, the chain now gone. Eclipse sighs and let's Rainbow up. "Well there goes my fun." "What, you into bondage?" Spitfire asks as Rainbow spits out the water out the side of her mouth annoyed. Eclipse grins and turns to her. "Why, you offering?" Lightning chuckles. "That's enough Clipsy. I think we have stayed enough and the others have had their fun." "Ok, ok, I had my fun." Eclipse says smiling. Lightning smiles as well before getting out. "Well, I'm off to my room for the night." He said shaking himself off before grabbing a towel and wiping himself down. Rainbow follows his example and works with Lightning to dry the foals. "Say goodnight to Auntie Eclipse." Lightning said. "Night, night." Both of them said waving to her. "Oh they are so adorable. I remember when Midnight was like that." Eclipse says now holding Midnight and stroking his mane. Midnight laughs. "And all the hours you had to spend with me just so I don't make a connection with the maid as my mother." "Shh, we don't speak of that." Eclipse says. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Did you ever spend enough time with Midnight?" Rainbow asks. "Rainbow, remember Eclipse is queen of Saddle Arabia, that is a full time job." Lightning reminds. Rainbow frowns. "Nothing can excuse spending time with your foals." "Ok Eclipse, please tell us a normal day at court." Lightning requests. Eclipse sighs. "Woke up, went to Midnight and gave him his milk, very young mind you, then give him to our maid who takes care of him for practically the whole day, go to court and handle the insatiable amount of request and issues, have lunch with Midnight and try to feed him, then head off again to deal with afternoon court and almost the same requests and issues, go to bed and sleep. A few rare occasions, I put Midnight to sleep." "How many hours of sleep did you get at best?" Lightning asks. Eclipse shrugs. "At least five if I'm lucky." "What were you saying Rainbow?" Lightning asks leaning towards her. Rainbow still frowns. "Nothing can excuse it. You spend every moment you have with your foals. You don't, then what kind of mother are you? You be almost like the passing maid for them." "Rainbow that is harsh. I mean Eclipse is responsible for every life in this country that alone is hard for a normal rumor. But to be the sole ruler of Saddle Arabia and a mare that makes the job five times harder because a lot officials don't respect the queens as much without a king and they try and undermine and second guess everything she does." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him. "Spending time with your foal, instead of just two times a day, is the best thing that could happen for the foals. Why doesn't she at least sleep with her foal? Spend some time like that. At least Midnight could know how much she loves him." "Because some officials back then were trying to find some way to discredit the Queen and kill her and install Midnight on the throne to be a puppet ruler, why, they had all the power." Kite says having just walked in. Rainbow huffs as she looks to Eclipse. "The least you could have done is given him the best time and not just a passing glance." "Rainbow, enough." Lightning says putting his hoof down. "She did the best she could to do that and protect him and not allow an opening." Lightning says. Rainbow still glares at her until she takes the foals and walk away. "She has no understanding of politics." Lightning says sighing before walking away. Although his words were meant for Rainbow, the one who was affected the most was Twilight as it caused her to think. Lightning soon found Rainbow back in their room putting the foals to sleep. "Was I a little too hard?" "I got where you were coming from." Rainbow says. Lightning sighs and hugs her as she places the blanket over them. "I'm sorry." "No, I was a little out of line." Rainbow admits. Lightning looks to her. "Rainbow, you just wanted what was best for Midnight, any mother would have said what you would say. Maybe Eclipse could have slept with Midnight a few times, but she couldn't take the risk." "What happened to those officials anyhow asks. "I heard there was a legendary sandworm attack. In other words, they were lured out to the desert and executed without anypony knowing." Lightning says. Rainbow looks a little confused. "Why would they go out there?" "To tantalizing of a target. Eclipse used herself as bait and her queen's knights and soldiers overwhelmed the officials and they were executed. After that, she acted far more motherly to Midnight." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "At least Midnight finally got the life he deserved." "Yeah, just took some time and bodies buried in the sand." Lightning says getting in bed with her. Rainbow sighs. "Maybe I should see Eclipse tomorrow and apologize to her." "Or maybe she will come down from the ceiling and stop spying." Lightning says. Eclipse lands silently at the foot of their bed. "It's okay Rainbow. I understand what you were coming from and that's what a true mother would say. I guess I wasn't a true mother for Midnight at all." "You are a true mother Clipsy, a true parent provides for their children. You provided a future for him." Lightning says. Eclipse looks sadly at their foals. "And yet, I didn't spend enough time with Midnight during his younger years like I should have." "But you couldn't or risk his future." Rainbow says. Eclipse nods. "I guess I better spend most of my free time with him now. Just to make up for that lost time." "Oh, but Clipsy, Rainbow wants to make it up to you. So what would you like?" Lightning asks. "Hmmm, oh I know. Rainbow, ever done it with a mare?" Eclipse asks smirking the entire time. Rainbow blushes red. "No, why?" "Be gentle with her Clipsy, I still want her later." Lightning says chuckling a bit. Eclipse grins. "Don't worry, I'll make sure she doesn't have too much soreness." "And return her before the sun rises." Lightning adds. Rainbow sighs and gets up. "Let's go." She said walking away. "Have fun love." Lightning says. Eclipse smiles as she wraps a wing around Rainbow. "Don't worry, she will." She said as the door closes behind them. Lightning still chuckles before going back to sleep. Twilight peeks an eye open and sees Spike and Agni asleep before sitting up and taking the book out from the bed and opens it. "What is so special about you guys?" "Daedra or more commonly known as mid to high level demons." Twilight reads surprised. "Mid to high, huh?" She takes another look at the two sleeping boys before continuing on. "Extremely dangerous creatures that usually inhabit the oblivion plane and are said to be manifestations of the Daedric lord's excess energy." Twilight reads. Twilight looks a little confused. "And yet the one we met had been forced into it. I wonder how he is now." She sighs before reading on. "These creatures are known to give tasks to regular beings for a higher purpose for themselves or other Daedras. Usually harmless sounding until the task comes to a close and then the Daedra places in their part of the plan and usually ends in many deaths or whatever they represents." Twilight frowns as she flips to the next few pages. "Where's the artifacts…here you are. Items either empowered or created by Daedra to usually serve a malevolent purpose. List of known artifacts." Twilight flips the page to find the next page missing entirely. "What the…?" She shakes the book a bit, but nothing comes out. "That's weird." She flips through the book and find their locations in many lands and their types and lesser beings. She sighs before closing the book and places it in its hiding place again. "At least I know something." She said laying down again. Agni stirs a bit, making her smile. "It's okay, just sleep." She whispered as she petted him. "Mommy, I can't eat any more." Agni says. Twilight couldn't help but giggle as he remembered his birthday as she kept petting him. "Oh Agni, what would I ever do without you?" Agni just lays there sleeping. She yawns and wraps her wing around him before heading off to sleep. "Okay, today's the day we have a little fun." Eclipse announced to the group in front of her as they stand in the back courtyard. "Now, just to be sure, is this everypony?" She asks looking around. Lightning looks to the group. "Should be." A roar sounded out from the direction of the sea, making everypony on edge. "Looks like a few sea monsters are near the coast. The hunters best get on that." Lightning says. Eclipse frowns. "That's no sea monster." She soon sees a dark shape in the sky. "What is that?" Everypony looks to the dark shape coming their way. "That's no sea monster." Lightning said. "That looks like…oh he's coming in fast." He looks worriedly to the rest of them. "You guys might want to take cover." Scootaloo taps his leg. "Uh dad…I don't think we need too, but the stone workers might want to prepare to go to work again." Lightning looks at her. "What do you mean by that?" Scootaloo looks a bit embarrassed. "Because the one problem with that thing coming in is…" She couldn't say anymore as the creature lands or rather skids along the path as it digs its claws in the path to slow it down before coming to a stop. "He likes to make grand entrances." She quickly turns to the creature with a glare. "Tiyries, what did I tell you about landing in high value areas?" She yells to him. "Your Wyvern followed you?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo looks back to him. "Of course he did, he can't stand being apart from me and the fact he might get bored seeing as most of us are gone." She turns back to him. "Now answer me." Tiyries growls a bit. "I know you want to impress me, but you don't have to. I'm already impressed by you just by being you." Tiyries growls a bit more. "Yes I'm sure. Look Tiyries, next time you can do that in a field, maybe away from the areas filled with ponies or almost anything and just make a clean hover landing in places like these, okay?" Tiyries nods before licking her. "Okay, okay, I missed you too." She laughed out. Almost everypony was standing their slacked jawed as they saw Scootaloo dealing with Tiyries as if he was a normal pony. "What?" Eclipse had to ask in disbelief. "Ok Scoots, since he is here you are in charge of him." Lightning says. Scootaloo giggles as Tiyries wraps his tail around her. "Got it dad. You hear that Tiyries, be on your best behavior and we won't have an international incident." Tiyries growls in acceptance before licking her some more, making her giggle. "Again, what is going on?" Eclipse asks. "I will tell you later." Lightning says to the disguised Eclipse and Midnight. Eclipse shakes her head before trying to look back at the group and ignore the happy couple. "Okay, well, let's start by going on around the city and see what it can show us for the day. As soon as we finish that, we move on to the fun part, there is an area in this city that most will not go too because it goes against the culture, but I was able to allow it, a club." "Isn't it a little early to get drunk?" Twilight asks causing Lightning, Eclipse, Midnight, Nikolai and Apollo to break out in laughter. "What?" Twilight asks. "Oh my young student, clubs here are not like yours in Equestria." Lightning says. Twilight looks confused. "Then what are they like?" "Oh this will be entertaining to see." Nikolai says as they all follow Eclipse. When they arrive and enter they see most sitting down drinking tea and reading books or talking. Twilight stares at the club. "This is a club? I was excepting something…well more." "What, not happy?" Lightning asks as almost everypony was mentally doing a countdown. Twilight nods. "Yeah, besides how is this against their culture?" "This isn't, I thought you would be happy about clubs here being about a calm atmosphere and intellectual conversation." Lightning says. Twilight takes another looks around before her eyes landed on something she wanted to see. She rushed to the bookcase with a grin and took a whole line of books and sits in a far away empty table. 'Called it.' Most of the group thought. Eclipse smiles as she steps inside. "Ah, Ms. Silver. Good to see you again. What will it be?" The pony at the counter asks as he spots Eclipse. Eclipse giggles a bit. "A lot of tea, some of them heavy, lots of sugar and cream as well. I got a big group with me." The pony nods. "Sure, give me a few minutes. Why don't you find a seat?" He said heading to the kitchen area behind him. Eclipse smiles and walks over to where everypony say with Twilight. "This is so much better than my books." She heard Twilight say making her smile. Vinyl didn't look the happiest till Nikolai came back to the table with a slice of pie for her. She then grins as she starts to eat it like there's no tomorrow. Octavia smiles as she leans against Apollo. "This is the most fun you can have here?" "For now." Apollo says. Octavia looks to him. "What do you mean for now?" "I scoped out a target for us." Apollo whispers. Octavia smiles. "So we can practice sneaking?" "And I can get you a new necklace." Apollo says. Octavia giggles. "You really know to treat a mare." "That and I got you a new outfit while I was out." Apollo says. Octavia raises an eyebrow. "Really, is it more revealing or more covered?" "It's a dignified dress, though I will say I am sad I missed seeing you in that dancer outfit." Apollo says. Octavia grins. "Maybe I can ask Kite for me to keep one and put on a show for you." Apollo stays silent for a few minutes before bursting out in laughter. Octavia shakes her head. "What's wrong with that?" "No, I just never expected it. You truly never cease to amaze me." Apollo says leaning back against her. Octavia smiles. "Well I figure that you earn something for all the trouble I put you through." "Since when do you put me through anything not fun?" Apollo asks. Octavia looks to him. "When I make you sleep in the attic, that's one of them." "Keep trying, because you haven't said something I found displeasurable." Apollo says. Octavia chuckles. "Okay, then not spending time with me as punishment." "Oh come on, why punish yourself by denying all of this?" Apollo jokes. Octavia raises an eyebrow. "Because of the crazy rave pony over there is enough." "Oh, oh Tavi you wound me." Apollo says imitating Vinyl. Octavia elbows him, but couldn't stop a smile from coming on her. "Shut up." "You know there is only one way to shut me up Tavi." Apollo continues to imitate. Octavia rolls her eyes. "Maybe if you can do something." "Oh let me try this like we did last Friday." Apollo imitates before kissing her. Maud just blankly stares at her tea that just arrived. "Is this close to the only fun thing we consider fun in this town?" She drones. "Just the first thing on the tour and Pinkie, behave." Eclipse says. Pinkie pauses lapping her tea like a dog. "Okay." She said after pulling her tongue back in. "Maud you are in charge of keeping her reined in." Eclipse says. Maud just blinks. "Sure." Eclipse looks over to the other mane six. "So how are you holding up?" Twilight didn't respond hidden behind all the books, although some would claim it was a book fort. Lightning chuckles. "Don't bother with her. Once you give her a book, she will never stop. Not even the end of the world as we know it." He dramatizes. "I've gotten better." They heard Twilight say. Lightning shakes his head. "Oh my student, what am I going to do with you?" "Teach me of course." Twilight says. Eclipse smiles and then turns her head to outside and sees Tiyries holding Scootaloo in his tail as he sat outside. "Care to tell me how that came to be?" "I said later Clipsy, don't be so impatient." Lightning says. "Oh, but I want to know now." Eclipse whines. Lightning smiles. "Please tune in next time for the latest gossip." He teases. Eclipse pouted cutely. "No fair." Lightning laughs. "Who said life was fair?" Eclipse huffs. "Anyway, how about the rest of you? Liking it so far?" "It's interesting to say the least." Applejack says. Fluttershy just sips the tea. Rarity sips with her. "Pretty fine, this place is now on the top of my visit list when I'm here." Rainbow smiles. "It's good, I just wish they have a wider selection of food and drinks." She said as she took a bite of a pie. Scootaloo pops up right besides Lightning. "Can I have a chocolate pie?" "Of course you can sweetie." Lightning says smiling at her. Scootaloo smiles. "Thanks dad." She said running off to the counter and grabs a whole pie before heading outside again. "Scootaloo stay in here." Lightning tells her. Scootaloo looks back at him. "Aww, dad." She whines. "No buts, it is custom here." Lightning says. Scootaloo looks down before heading to their table and starts eating what she could. "You can give it to him when we are done." Lightning says ruffling her mane. "Mmmm." She moans sadly with her mouth full. "Why is it not allowed?" Applebloom asks. Eclipse sighs. "Usually a male accompanies a female when they leave someplace. No ifs or buts about that." Lightning smirks as he looks to Eclipse. "Remember when we use to sneak around and I literally follow you everywhere and I mean everywhere?" "Yes, don't remind me." Eclipse says recalling the days he was her guard. Lightning chuckles. "Ah, the good old days." "Yeah right." Eclipse says sarcastically. Lightning still laughed. "Come on, lighten up. What's done is done. So enjoy the now." "Ok, ok." Eclipse says smiling. Rainbow looks over to Eclipse. "So where are we going next?" "Oh, well…" Eclipse says. All of them were in the private stands watching the fifth game to be played today. Lightning smiles as he looks over to her. "Did you plan a whole bunch of games just for us?" "No, they were all scheduled today." Eclipse said. Rainbow chuckles. "Can't believe we've been here for at least an hour each for these games. Thank goodness that the foals are still awake." "I can't believe we also got a meal up here too." Fluttershy says. Eclipse smiles. "Yes, but only one of you is not bothering much on that." She said motioning to Twilight who was engrossed in a book and only absently eating. "Twilight, I think a pony just dedicated his victory to you." Lightning says getting Twilight's attention. Twilight comes up and looks to the game. "Who?" "Ah see, I got her attention off the books." Lightning says. Twilight growls and heads back. "Unbelievable." "Now Twilight, pay attention, it is about time for the magic sport." Lightning says. Twilight hums as she went back to her book and everypony else leans forward. "Oh look, two fire users are on that team." Lightning says. Twilight still looked at her book and crunches down on some hard bread while the others were watching with great interest. "Oh here comes the fire familiars." Lightning says finally getting Twilight to lower the book. She looks over from her seat and sees many creatures that are almost reptilian in first looks and have fire somewhere on them. She sighs and goes back to her book. "Come on mom, you're missing the best part." Agni said. Twilight looks up slightly and sees many flames going around. She groans and looks back to her book, trying to ignore the game. Lightning looks back at her. "What's so interesting about that book that makes you ignore the game?" "Locations." Twilight said. "Zabatso." Lightning says. Twilight growls as she looks at him as she puts down her blank book. "Lightning!" "Can't hear you, watching ice familiar fight fire familiar." Lightning says. "Revelare illud." Twilight said going back to her book. "Ah, well done, but duck." Lightning says as all other ponies duck to avoid the incoming ice spike that made it through the barrier of the stadium. "Yipe!" Twilight yells before holding her hooves out in a way to deter it, but found a fire stream coming from her and melting the ice spike to steam. She then opens her eyes and finds Agni eating the remaining fire stuck to their box. "You see why you need to pay attention." Lightning says coming back up. Twilight frowns. "Yeah and I doubt the other ponies out there knew that would happen." "These are familiars my apprentice, watch and learn." Lightning says. Twilight huffs and closes the book and places it in her saddle before going back to them to watch the game. Lightning smiles as he looks to her and sees the book, but says nothing. From there was a clash of different magic and familiars which after a bit Twilight's bored stare turning into a focus and analyzing stare. Eclipse smiles as everypony enjoyed the game and after another close call that hit the barrier, almost everypony came out smiling. "Well that is the end of the games today, now only the fireworks remain." Eclipse says. Rainbow smiles. "Fireworks huh? In a hot desert?" "It's starting to chill in the air." Agni points out. "I also requested Kite and Galleon to meet us here and bring a few things." Eclipse says. Rainbow sighs. "At least we can enjoy the day away now." Lightning smiles and leans against her. "And the foals can get some sleep." "What did you ask them to bring mom?" Midnight asks. Eclipse smiles as the door opens. "We got the watermelons." Kite said bringing in something on her back with Galleon. "Yay!" The foals, Pinkie, and even Maud yell or drones as they rush the watermelon and take them to the table before they start eating away. "Come on love, let's get a slice before it is all gone." Lightning says wrapping his hooves around Eclipse and Rainbow. Eclipse smiles as she looks to him. "Really, you call me love?" "No, that is what he calls me." Rainbow says. Eclipse then gains a hurt face. "Now I feel like nothing." "Ok, come on Clipsy, let's eat as a family." Lightning says. Eclipse then smirks. "Really, I'm a wife to you?" "I will let that slide for now." Rainbow says. "Oh somepony is jealous." Eclipse says in a sing song voice. Rainbow blushes. "I'm not jealous." "Oh then what are you?" Eclipse asks as they walk. Rainbow turns redder. "I'm…dang it." "Lovable, sexy, great in bed?" Eclipse asks. Rainbow huffs. "Yeah right." "Well you did co…" Eclipse starts, but stopped by Rainbow's hoof. "Don't even." Rainbow warns. "Does that mean we go for a second round?" Eclipse asks. Rainbow scoffs. "In your dreams." "Or in yours." Eclipse says. Rainbow huffs. "Please the only thing I dream is either the family or many Lightnings going to town on me." "Mom, I didn't need to hear that." Scootaloo asks. Rainbow smirks. "I know, just embarrassing my little daughter." "Which one?" Eclipse asks. Lightning chuckles as Scootaloo blushes. "Many Lightnings?" He asks Rainbow. Rainbow smiles. "With that tool and more of you, I think I'll be passed out from first touch." "La, la, la, la, I'm not listening." Scootaloo yells covering her ears. Everypony laughs. "Oh boy. This has to be the most fun we ever had and by the way Scoots, you're not going to care after your time with Tiyries." Lightning said. Scootaloo couldn't hear him as she was still going. Eclipse laughs as she moved away to a coroner of the room. "You certainly are the best at embarrassing others." "Maybe, but not as good as you are to Midnight." Lightning says. Eclipse shrugs. "True, but at least you got something as well on him." Lightning smiles as they reach the table and he hooves a plate with a watermelon slice on it to Midnight so he could give it to Applebloom. "Yet, I don't want to destroy his life, not yet." Lightning said as both the foals are from the watermelon. "You won't." Eclipse whispers leaning against him. Lightning smiles and leans against her. "Still, it might not hurt to check in once in a while. And if this keeps up, then I might be seeing you two more often." "Oh I look forward to it." Eclipse says tracing her hoof along his chest. Lightning chuckles and holds her hoof. "Not this again Clipsy. You know who I'm with." "And I have been with her too. Oh, did you know her most sensitive spot is her right wing?" Eclipse whispers. Lightning grins. "Yes and I have been using it for a long time and I mean using it." "Oh you dirty stallion." Rainbow whispers joining in. Lightning still grins. "Why does it feel like I'm a lucky stallion?" "Because you are." Rainbow whispered. Lightning smiles and looks to both of them. "So…am I in trouble?" "Maybe later if we can get Spitfire to take the kids." Rainbow whispers with a giant smirk. Eclipse grins. "Can I join?" Rainbow gently pushes her away. "Aww, why not?" She whines. Lightning leans over to her. "Don't feel bad, she gets this way sometimes." Lightning whispers to Eclipse. Eclipse shows him big eyes that are shaking and tearing up while pouting her lip and whines a bit. "And how will you explain if you get pregnant again?" Lightning whispers. Eclipse stops her puppy dog stare and smiles. "Isn't your side done?" "Huh?" Lightning asks. Eclipse smirks. "Your wife talked after I was done with her. She went on to how you really used her like crazy. Now, isn't your side not going to do anything for now?" She whispered. "You mean reproductively or preparing for war?" Lightning whispers. Eclipse gives him a small glare. "We'll talk about the war later, but for now, reproductively." "I am still very fertile." Lightning whispers. Eclipse sighs. "Oh well, I guess I'm never getting that." "Unless, he uses his spell I have asked him to use lately." Rainbow adds. Eclipse looks surprised at him. "So…can I?" "One condition." Rainbow whispers causing Lightning to gape in shock. "Rainbow? What happened to you? What happen to the mare who just wanted me and me alone?" Lightning asks. "The condition is you're on the bottom." Rainbow whispers to Eclipse. 'Oh I get it now. She wants payback.' Lightning thinks. Rainbow smiles back to Lightning. "And I changed after our night with Seeku. I can't stop others from coming on to you. So you can do this, as long as I know about it and they deserve it and maybe invite me so I can watch over it." "Oh god, please no. I don't want to be turned into a male whore." Lightning said shedding tears. Rainbow and Eclipse laughs a bit. "Relax, I said those that deserve it, I know about it and if they know you like Seeku and Eclipse here." Rainbow said. Lightning sighs a little in relief before freezing. 'That means…' Lightning thinks looking a little scared. "Looks like you and your best general will have something to discuss when we get to Stalliongrad." Apollo says walking up. Lightning groans. "Why is this happening to me?" Eclipse giggles. "Because things are always set and they will happen, whether anypony wants it or not." Lightning freezes as he hears those words. 'That's the same thing Shadow said. No, I refused to be destiny's pawn, I forge my own path, not some predestined plan.' Lightning thinks with a glare. Rainbow taps his shoulder. "Are you okay?" "Oh yeah, I am fine." Lightning says derailing his train of thought. Rainbow smiles. "Good, because you're going to need every energy you need to please us." "Talk to sis first love." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "Don't worry, just make sure your end is good." "You know my stamina." Lightning says. Rainbow smirks. "Then get some spells ready." "Fine." Lightning says defeated. Eclipse giggles. "The mare always wins, right?" "You know it." Rainbow says as the two high hoofed each other. Lightning sighs. "Since when did this all change? Use to be Rainbow would either hold me back or send the other mares away. Now it's an open relationship. What's next, my daughter sneaking out?" He asks Apollo. "Sir." Apollo says pointing to Scootaloo trying to sneak out. "Scootaloo Bolt!" Lightning yells. "Eep." Scootaloo squeaks as she freezes. "Get over here young lady." Lightning says. Scootaloo groans as she trudges back to him. "Now where were you off to?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo rubs her foreleg with her hoof embarrassment. "Tiyries, I thought he might be getting bored or tired just staying out there." "We are about to head down there so you can wait till we make our way down there." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs. "Fine." She said before heading back to her seat. Lightning smiles and turns back to Apollo. "How long before she tries again and acts like you?" "Don't take your eyes off her is all I can say." Apollo says. Lightning nods and looks to the empty chair. "Yep, except she's gone again. And now probably acting like you when you try to get around the guards. If I'm right, she out there with him." "Hey, put me down." Scootaloo's voice was heard as she was brought back inside. "Or not." Lightning said looking at a pouting Scootaloo. Scootaloo scoffs as she looks to Kite. "Put me down." Kite shrugs and let's go, dropping her on her flank. "Ow." She moans in pain as she rubs her flank. "Scootaloo you're in some serious trouble now." Lightning says. Scootaloo huffs. "So what, I'm not allowed to see him again? Just like last time? Or even send him away again on a mission or back to his parents?" "Do you have any idea what would have happened if Kite wasn't who found you?" Lightning asks obviously angry. Scootaloo raises an eyebrow before bringing out a cloak from behind her. "And it's close to what Apollo gave me once we got here. Said I might need it to sneak out if I needed something." "I don't care if Kite didn't find you, one of two things would happen. First you would have been kidnapped and sold into slavery or second if the guards caught you violating their laws they would have publicly stoned you to death!" Lightning yells at her. Scootaloo growls. "You have no idea what I do or even what I can do. Do you?!" "Scootaloo Bolt you are grounded." Lightning says. "Fine! Then see what happens then, I'm sure you've thought of it before." Scootaloo yells. "Rainbow we are heading back, take your daughter. I have to talk to Tiyries." Lightning says walking out the door. Scootaloo yells and bangs her head against the wall and just stood there. "Why does this happen?" She asks with tears coming out. "Your father is protective kid. If the Saddle Arabian guards caught you they know you are Lightning's daughter and a foreigner. The latter is bad enough. But there are some in Eclipse's Queen's knight that hate your father. And if they tried to stone you. This coliseum would run red with blood." Apollo says. Scootaloo just stayed silent as Rainbow wraps a wing around her. "Galleon, could you take my foals with us while I take her?" "Of course my lady. Kite, you escort lady Rainbow and lady Scootaloo, seeing how your status makes you exempt from the custom and will shield them from it." Galleon says. Kite nods and starts leading them out while Galleon takes the foals and follows them. Everypony just watches in slight shock and sadness as they head out. "Was I ever like that?" Applebloom asks. "At times." Granny Smith says. "But that was you growing up. Seems here it is customs and you can't break tradition and rules." Eclipse nods. "Yes, but I know what Scootaloo wanted. Seems she is now a mare trapped in a filly's body. That's a bad feeling, especially since she is entering those years." "And has a very protective father." Nikolai says. "Also doesn't help with the rumors of a death cult in the area." Apollo says nonchalantly. Eclipse facehooves. "Great job." Everypony starts assaulting Apollo for answers about this death cult. Scootaloo sniffs as Rainbow and her step out with Kite out of the arena and they see Lightning talking with Tiyries. Tiyries growls and nods before flying away…in the direction of Equestria. Scootaloo tears up more before bringing her head down. "What have I done?" 'Let's hope they don't catch you Tiyries, Scootaloo would be devastated.' Lightning thinks. Lightning stood still and keeps turned away from them as they pass by and stops Galleon and waits until they are out of hearing range. "Listen, I need the training grounds." "Done sir." Galleon says walking up. Lightning sighs. "Also…am I a horrible father?" "No sir, you are just strict and looking after her." Galleon says. Lightning nods. "Yeah, okay, I want you to get Apollo and tell him to leave his weapons near our door and set up the grounds. I'll take the foals." He said taking them. "Doesn't your wife want to see you?" Galleon asks. Lightning nods. "That's why it's not for me." He said walking away as he places the foals on his back. "Ok." Galleon says. Scootaloo still had her head down as she and Rainbow entered their room. "He said your daughter." Scootaloo said for the first time since the arena. "Yeah, was talking to me." Rainbow says. Scootaloo hops onto her bed. "Why not our daughter? Why didn't he say that? It's almost like…" She didn't want to finish that thought. "He was referring to me so Eclipse wouldn't get in on it and the fact you are so much like me it is almost scary." Rainbow says. Scootaloo scoffs. "Maybe you shouldn't have pick me from the orphanage. At least I knew how to survive." Rainbow sighs and bonks her on the head. "Ow." She yells holding her head. Rainbow sits down right beside her and wraps her in her wings. "Don't ever say that again. You were my sister and now my daughter. Besides, you're not getting rid of me that easily." Scootaloo still looks away. "Lightning doesn't think that way." "And what makes you think that?" Rainbow asks. Scootaloo's ear twitches. "He doesn't know what I can do. He doesn't even bother knowing, not even what I barely learn now." "Scootaloo, your father loves you deeply and is only concerned for your safety." Rainbow says. Scootaloo huffs. "You know what he could have done, led me out there to Tiyries and left me with him. Then he could have gone back in and enjoy the day and then we could have all gone back here." "No, he couldn't have. He and Eclipse are hiding secrets again making me think back to when he hid the Dominion from us." Rainbow says. Scootaloo clicks her tongue. "Still, I just wanted to enjoy time alone with Tiyries and I could barely do that." "This isn't Equestria Scootaloo, the rules and customs are different here and mares do not have nearly as many freedoms like in Equestria." Rainbow says. Scootaloo growls and pushes her way out of Rainbow's wings and heads for the door. "Lightning was completely serious about them stoning you to death if they catch you." Rainbow says stopping her. Scootaloo looks back at her. "I'm going do something that would at least make this bearable." She said reaching for the counter and pulls down a small tight cloak before opening the door. She peeks outside only to see guards standing there. She groans silently and closes the door before heading for the window. "You're not leaving Scootaloo, without either an adult male or one of the queen's knights." Rainbow says blocking her. Scootaloo stares up at her with an almost blank stare. "Watch me." She said before going around and opening the window. "Scootaloo, we both know you can't fly just yet, all you would do is hurt yourself." Rainbow says pulling her away and then locks it and takes the key. Scootaloo glares at her. "Who says I was flying?" "Scootaloo all you will end up doing is getting yourself hurt and making your father madder at you. Now come over here and talk." Rainbow says. Scootaloo huffs. "I'm fine here." She said sitting down. "You know it was Lightning who wanted to adopt you and he had to convince me to do it." Rainbow says making her look over at her slightly. Scootaloo looks away again. "Maybe, but the same things I was doing over there was gone by the time I got to your home." "Scootaloo it is time to grow up." Rainbow scolds raising her voice, surprising Scootaloo. "Maybe, but I already knew too much. So much even after I came into your life, but no, you guys just saw a no-nothing filly." Scootaloo said lowly. "You think you know everything Scootaloo, but you know nothing of this country, its country, or its rules. The only thing you know is we have family here." Rainbow scolds. Scootaloo glares at her. "So you really think I don't know anything?" "You know somethings, but you act like you know everything and are untouchable. It is time you learnt that neither is true. Here you are a foreigner and have to be on your best manners and not just go out and break any rule you wish just to spend some time doing as you wish." Rainbow lectures. "She's right you know." Lightning said coming in with the foals. "Come with me." He said before grabbing a bag outside and heading out. Rainbow takes the foals so Lightning could talk to Scootaloo alone. "This land is different. You built your life around Equestrian life and now it is the time to change. I know it's more restrictive, but it will soon get better." He said as Kite soon follows them. Scootaloo stayed silent, but peeks over to the bag and then back to the front. "You'll be back to a life you know and love, just not now. Listen, I love you and will never let you down, but you have to do the same for me." He said as Galleon joins as well. "Why are ponies following us?" Scootaloo asks. Lightning sighs and stops in front of a door. "There are many ways to let off steam. For you however…" He drops the bag in between them and pulls the zipper down to show an assortment of weapons. "It's more extreme. You want to show me how tough and smart you are, then load up and get ready." Scootaloo tries for several minutes, but has yet to succeed in even touching Kite who is the weakest and most inexperienced of the three. She growls and soon surprises some of them by dropping most the weapons and the cloak before grabbing the smallest knife and runs at her before disappearing and then reappearing from Kite's side behind her and swipes at her foreleg, leaving a cut before she disappears and reappears back at where she dropped everything. "Not bad. Try that again." Kite says and Scootaloo disappears only to be smacked away upon reappearing. Scootaloo growls as she skids on the rough ground before pushing herself back up and runs at her again. She disappears again and reappears at her weapons and grabs something before disappearing again and then reappears and throws a knife at her before disappearing and then reappearing above her as Kite blocks the knife, but couldn't stop the blade coming down on her hoof, leaving a wound, as she made an attempt to block it. Scootaloo disappears again and reappears near the dropped weapons. "Kite enough playing, end this or the captain will be cross with you for getting so many small wounds again." Galleon says. Kite shrugs and nods and, as she reappears near her, grabs onto her hind leg before she feels a sharp pain in her hoof and sees a knife stuck in it as Scootaloo hangs on and takes the knife the in her mouth before she brings the knife near her eye before stopping. "You must be willing to hurt others just to get by in some areas of life." Scootaloo said as she still hangs on. "Yet, I could have killed you or captured you 187 different ways already." Kite says before head butting her. Scootaloo gets thrown off and loses her blades as she looks through the pain. She sees Kite grabbing a knife before throwing it at her. Scootaloo's eyes becomes sharp like a predator before grabbing the knife as it almost reached her. She disappears and Kite then sees at least a few knives heading towards her and goes to block it before she feels a pain in her hind legs and sees her joints sliced from behind that sends her to the ground and still blocks the knives. Yet she feels a knife at the back of her neck. "How many ways now?" "Seventeen." Kite says as Scootaloo found she couldn't move and all the knives fall to the ground in pieces. Scootaloo scoffs as Kite struggles to get up. "Feel better?" Hitting her on a certain spot on the back of her neck. Scootaloo sighs in relief as she can move again. "Yeah, a whole lot better." Kite smiles and looks to her as she sees something. "Scootaloo, I think I know why you moved so fast. But, what do you know about your real parents?" "The only parents I have are Lightning and Rainbow." Scootaloo says huffing. Kite looks to Lightning. "Might want to look at her eyes." She said walking away or at least trying to. "I know already. After all, she is my daughter." Lightning says picking up his daughter. Scootaloo smiles a bit and then falls asleep, right in his hooves. Lightning smiles and places her on his back. "Can you guys clean up, I think she deserves a good rest." "Very well, come on Kite, the medicine is waiting." Galleon says. Kite groans. "Come on, its stings like a bitch." Galleon smirks. "And that little filly took out your legs, maybe not good enough for a fight, but maybe for a quick getaway." Lightning chuckles as he walks away before looking back at Scootaloo and pulls her eyelid open slowly, revealing her sharp pupil which he then closes them quickly before she wakes up. "No wonder she fell in love so quickly." Lightning soon knocks on Spitfire's door softly. Spitfire opens it slowly and sees Lightning with Scootaloo on his back. "So…is it all good?" She asks quietly. "Yeah, she got the anxiety out of her system. Still grounded though." Lightning whispers. Spitfire sighs. "You know, she is entering those years." "Do not and I mean, do not remind me." Lightning hisses. Spitfire frowns. "You have to deal with this soon and for her, it's early. Deal with it the right way and don't try to hold the years." She said before closing the door. "Take her already, Rainbow is not the most patient mare." Lightning says. Spitfire groans before opening the door and carefully takes Scootaloo before closing the door again, but stops and looks at him. "Years come and go, but there are some things you can't stop." She said before closing the door. "I know that." Lightning says walking away. He sighs as he enters his room and finds Rainbow sitting on the bed and looking out the window. "So it's good for her now?" She asks. "I think so, but she is still grounded." Lightning says and feels a new weight on his back. Rainbow smiles a bit as she looks at him. "Good, but you need to talk to her like a father, not a general." She said trying to contain her laughter. "I have more practice as a general and Eclipse get off my back." Lightning says. Eclipse smiles. "Am I causing enough problems for you to make me get off your back?" "No, but how will you get what you want from there?" Lightning asks. Eclipse smirks. "Do I need to remind you of that sandstorm? Where I was on your back, reaching under you, and…" "Okay, that's enough." Lightning said quickly. "Do as he ask Eclipse." Rainbow says. Eclipse sighs and gets off before heading for the bed. "Take it from me Lightning, act like a parent, not just a pony who orders around." "Ok, I have a condition before we continue." Lightning says smirking. They both look to him expectantly. "What is it?" They both ask. "You two have to go first while I watch." Lightning says. Rainbow looks a little worried, but Eclipse has a wide grin on her face. "No argument here." She said before throwing herself at Rainbow. Scootaloo moans as she slowly gets up from her bed and looks around to see Spitfire sleeping in her bed while the foals slept in the other. She sighs as she looks down at her hooves before throwing the covers off and getting out of bed. She yawns as she walks over to the bathroom and looks in the mirror to see herself with bloodshot eyes that were sharp, that was weird to her, and some cuts on her. She hisses as she touches one of the cuts before sighing. "I really screwed up." She said to herself quietly. CLICK CLICK CLICK She looks confused for a second before looking outside the bathroom and sees Tiyries outside the window. She becomes surprised before looking to the still sleeping Spitfire and the foals before to the window and opening it. "What are you doing back here, I thought you left for Equestria?" Scootaloo whispered. Tiyries growls silently. Scootaloo becomes a little wide eyed. "You came back, for me?" She asks as she points to herself. Tiyries smiles and licks her cheek. Scootaloo smiles and touches his snout with her hoof. "I love you Tiyries. Thank you." Tiyries growls and moves his head away to show his neck. Scootaloo takes one last look before grabbing her cloak and puts it's on before jumping on his neck. "Let's go." She said before Tiyries carefully flies away to not alert anypony. Scootaloo takes one last look back at the palace before sighing and laying down on his neck. She left almost everything behind, including an open window. Scootaloo groans after a while of flying. "Why? Why did I do this?" Tiyries growls at her questionably. "I mean with me arguing with dad, not me going with you. I just wonder why I said all that in the first place." Tiyries stayed silent before giving some growls. "Tiyries…maybe…being here with you is starting to sound like a bad idea. We should probably head back to grandma and grandpa back at the castle." Tiyries growls once and nods. Scootaloo smiles. "Then let's go…" WHACK "What?!" She yells as she becomes pinned down by a large amount of rope and having the rope also pin Tiyries's wings to his side as they slowly dropped in the air. "Tiyries!" She looks to the approaching ground. "Please promise me this, don't leave me!" Tiyries roars as the ground finally approaches and they hit hard to the ground, making Scootaloo hit her head on his neck, knocking her out as Tiyries growls heavily to the approaching figures in the moonlight. "What?" Spitfire asks as she got up quickly with blurred eyes. She groans and rubs her eyes before looking to the foals and sees them sound asleep. She sighs in relief before looking over to Scootaloo only to become worried as she sees it empty and an open window. "Oh boy, Lightning's going to kill me." Spitfire gets out of bed and goes to the foals and checks to see that they are alright, before she hears something. She turns around and sees a black hooded pony standing by the window. She was about to speak before she hears something hiss and feels a sting on her neck. She quickly grabs the thing with her hooves and pulls it away to see a vial that was empty. Spitfire looks back to the pony and sees a blowpipe. "Aww crap." She groans as she fell to the ground, knocked out. The hooded pony tilts its head before looking to the still sleeping foals. Lightning turns away from the mares with his eyes wide. "Something's wrong." Lightning says getting up and running out the door. Eclipse groans as she gets up. "Dang it, I so close." Rainbow glares at her. "Really, that's all you think about?" Eclipse glares back before getting up and cleaning herself off with a nearby towel. "You live my life and you would be begging for something like this." Rainbow scoffs and cleans herself off as well. "I wish." She said before following Lightning with Eclipse close behind. Lightning kicks down the door to see a hooded pony going for his foals and lunges at him. The hooded pony, fully taken by surprise, blinks several times seeing a headless corpse and not able to feel anything below his neck. Lightning pants as he puts away his blade and looks to his foals who is now yawning as they get up. He immediately puts himself between the foals and body still standing. "Shh, shh, it's okay guys. Just go back to sleep." He said trying his best smile. The foals shake their heads and motion for them to be picked up. "I will, your mother and aunty are on their way and I promised them they will be the first to get to hold you." Lightning says. The foals cheers as Rainbow and Eclipse step in and try to hold their stomach as they see the body. "Can you two take the foals while I put the body away?" Lightning asks them. Rainbow incidentally goes and grabs Talion while Eclipse grabs Typhoon making sure they don't see the corpse as they take them out of the room. Lightning looks down at his sister on the floor. "Wake up sleeping beauty." He said shocking her. "Yeow!" Spitfire yells as she shot up. "Feels like a train ran over me." She groggily said holding her head. "Well considering that was most likely sleeping poison, yeah. So where is my daughter?" Lightning asks. Spitfire looks at Scootaloo's bed again before looking back to him. "Sorry, but she was gone when I woke up before that pony came in." Lightning breathes deeply. "Go see Rainbow and Eclipse, I have things to do." Lightning says. Spitfire nods and groans as she gets up. "Lightning, I'm sorry." She said before walking away. Lightning says nothing and walks to Apollo and Octavia's room first and knocks loudly. A groan was heard before the door opened slightly and a head pokes through. "What is it?" Octavia asks. "Get Apollo and tell him to bring all of his blades." Lightning says seriously. Octavia nods and pulls her head back inside. "Lightning said bring all the blades honey." She said walking back to the bed. "That serious huh? Octy, best cover your ears, the castle is about to get noisy." Apollo says getting up. Octavia moans as she slips back into bed. "Whatever, I'm way too tired to hear…now." She starts snoring loudly after she said that. After Apollo had everything on he moves the covers and kisses her head before walking out the door. "Nikolai is next." Lightning says. As they walk the castle started to come alive as guards started mobilizing yelling about intruders. They both knocked hard on the door and a scruffy messy head popped out. "Can I help you two?" He said almost sleepily. "Nikolai, get ready, your wings will soon be dyed red in blood." Lightning says. Nikolai looks back inside and sees the unicorn sleeping contently. He then looks back to them with a nod. "I'll meet you at the front gate." He said before closing the door. "Very well. Apollo, help the guards find any other intruders. I'm going to see the Queen and captain Ferid of the Queen's knights." Lightning says. Apollo nods and quickly rushes off with the other guards. Lightning sighs as he rushes back to his room and sees Rainbow and Eclipse with the foals in their hooves. "Eclipse, I'm going to need some help." He said coming in. "What has happened?" Eclipse asks as Typhoon starts crawls all over her. Lightning grimaces. "Scootaloo is gone and I think that pony was part of it. I'm going to need a search party and Ferid." "Do you know who did it?" Eclipse asks. "Eclipse, we both know this was the death cult." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs. "Okay, you got the search party, but why Ferid?" "They assaulted the castle and abducted a guest, you can show them no weakness." Lightning says. Eclipse frowns as Typhoon sits on her head. "Alright, but can you try to bring the leader in all this, all the others are yours." "If they do have my daughter, I make no guarantee for his life." Lightning says rubbing the head of both Typhoon and Talion. Rainbow sighs. "Being her back and don't you dare come back without her." She threatened. "I don't plan on it." Lightning says walking out. Eclipse watches him as he leaves. "Rainbow, do you what lengths he would go for his family?" "I have seen. He died to save me once already." Rainbow says. Eclipse looks to her. "But what about you?" Rainbow looks down as Talion looks up at her with a smile. "Nopony gets in the way of my family." She looks up at Eclipse with a firm smile. "Nopony, even if that means dying for them." Eclipse just smiles. Scootaloo groans as she gets up, but hits her head and falls down while holding her head in pain. She moans as she opens her eyes and sees a lot of ponies in hooded grabs. "What?" "She's awake." A nearby pony said. "No matter, get the Wyvern to the altar and let us prepare." Another says. Scootaloo bangs the bars making it rattle. "Hey, let me out!" A pony who had his hood down looks to her. "Please, like we would do that. We read enough books to know. Besides, you don't want these foals to be included with the Wyvern, do you?" He said pulling aside a curtain to reveal a large table with a lighted see through wall where Typhoon and Talion was and, in a light blue color, Eclipse and Rainbow in their room. "Amazing what a quick switch and some puppets can do along with a few magic tricks and those foals think they are there. Oh and don't bother yelling to them, they can't hear a thing." He said reaching in and pulling a loose feather from Typhoon which doesn't bother her even the slightest bit. "Look, a loose feather. That real enough for you?" He said throwing the feather away. "Priest, all the warriors we sent to the castle were either caught or slain." A pony wearing a helmet says. The priest groans. "At least we got these four. Let's get to work before our own squeals." "Right away." The pony in a helmet. "The leader is not going to like this." Another says. The priest huffs. "Please, we'll send the dragon off and then these other three as an extra treat. Maybe we'll get something special and then we can get out without anypony nothing." "The head priest dislikes any leaks." The other pony says. The priest looks to him. "That's why there will be no witnesses, not even the foals." "Let them go! They didn't do anything!" Scootaloo yells as she shakes the bars. The purest smirks as he looks to her. "Why are you yelling? You know it's pointless. Bring out the Wyvern, we got a lot to do." Scootaloo just watches as Tiyries was brought out by magic as she starts to tear up. 'I did this. I'm the worst filly ever.' She thought as she bangs her head against the bars. "I'm sorry Tiyries." She whispered. "This is the place?" A guard asks. Another guard looks at the features of the place…which is none at all. It looked like just a regular home, not even a smell. "Has to be. This is one of the houses we need to check." He said looking at map he had. "There is a secret door under the stairs." Apollo says. They look the slightly open door as Apollo pulls out a knife. "How did we miss that?" A guard asks as Apollo fully opens it and walks in with Lightning following. Lightning pulls at Apollo's hood and holds him back. "Wait." He whispered as he leans down and looks through a small gap in the wall on the side and sees a large table Tiyries on it, knocked out. "Shoot. He's here as well?" He then sees something that made his blood boil. He sees one of the ponies holding a struggling and silent crying foals in his Hobbes as he places them on the table besides Tiyries. He then motioned to another pony near the cages and the pony pulls out a very struggling Scootaloo as she was then tossed into the table. Scootaloo grunts and rushes to the priest, but was stop by a light blue see through wall as she reached the edge of the table. She starts bashing on the wall as the ceiling above them starts to act weird. "Apollo do you have a shot?" Lightning whispers. Apollo growls as he aimed with his bow, but can't aim to the head pony. "Yes, but I don't know how the wall will act on it. It may not go through or I could hit one of your foals." Lightning growls heavily and starts walking down. "Just aim for the head pony and fire when you have a shot." He soon comes the door separating him from the large room and takes a deep breath, all the while not noticing his necklace slightly shaking and glowing. "Shadow I know you are there, aid me from the shadows and make sure some of these disappear and are never found." Lightning says "Sorry, but I can't." Shadow said from the darkness. "Why?" Lightning asks. Shadow sighs. "Go in there and find out, as the real help will arrive then." "Just make sure that the flanking teams are unabated without them noticing." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "Now that I can do." She said heading off. Lightning takes another deep breath before kicking the door open and heading inside the large room. "One chance, let them go." He growled. The priest smirks. "Let me think…no." He said before taking a knife and pass it through the wall and straight for Typhoon. "Daddy!" Typhoon yells. The necklace around Lightning's neck finally became bright and shakes widely before Lightning feels something coming out of him and let's it. He soon groans as a shadowy cloud came out of him and shoots toward the table, passing through the wall, and takes Typhoon in the cloud before flying up, making the priest hit the table. Lightning watches in slight shock as two orbs of bright lights came out of the table as well, taking Talion and bringing him right by his sister. "You're more trouble than ever, you know that right?" Umbra said as he formed from the cloud and held Typhoon. He then looks to the orbs of light as they held Talion. "Ready?" The orbs just pulse light once. "Hang on you two, this might hurt." Umbra said before changing back into a cloud and starts closing around Typhoon as she screams in pain while Talion screams as well from the heavy burning he's feeling from the orbs as they cover him up. Lightning could only watch as everypony else watches as well until the cloud started to recede and so did the orbs of light, leaving a bigger Typhoon with slightly darker colors with Talion a little bigger as well with some darker colors as well. They were soon lowered carefully back on the table as they open their eyes and see the first thing which was the priest. Typhoon grins. "This will be fun." She said before jumping off the table and kicks the priest into the air and then with shadow forming around her she makes shadowy claws and then slices the priest before reaching in the cut with her other hoof. "Bulls eyes!" She yells pulling out part of his spine as the body fell to the floor. Talion jumps off the table as well before looking to a group of ponies huddled near the corner. "Don't mess with the family." He said before he slams his hooves down onto the ground making the ground rise up and form a wall before he slams his hooves together and making lightning, fire and water form on them before he slams his hooves on the wall, sending the wall and the orb of three elements to combine with the wall as they slam into the ponies, squishing them against the wall. Typhoon looks to her next victim before running to him and slicing at him which goes through his spear and into him before she pulls his spine as well. "Gotcha!" Talion starts using a mixture of the elements in many combinations as he dealt with the weapon less ponies in the room and soon there was two left. The ponies back up as they step toward another set of stairs. It was only Typhoon running to them that makes them try to run before she reaches the one lagging behind and slices him across the back. "We're done here!" She yells before slicing her claws through the back of his chest and puts his heart through the other side, still connected and beating. She grins wickedly as the pony looks terrified before she squeezes her claws together and slices through the heart making him drop dead after she pulls out. She then looks up at the terrified pony still running before she loses her claw and starts forming shadow into a ball in front of her as Talion steps in beside her and starts forming one of his own with all the elements known. The pony takes a peek back and realizes what's going on and pushes open the door and finds himself face to face with the guards before he feels nothing as a large beam fires out of the basement and right through him, leaving only his legs to fall after the beam stops, leaving a shock group of guards. Downstairs Typhoon and Talion look to their bloodstained body before they feel a sudden exhaustion on them and they fall asleep before they even hit the ground. Lightning watches in shock and surprise as their body slowly changes back to the foals he knows and loves. "What?" "Great show, don't you think?" Umbra asks as he stands by him. "What did you do to my foals?" Lightning asks obviously mad. Umbra smiles. "Relax, what you saw is not going to happen. They will never act like that unless you teach them the right way. Oh and I gave your daughter my shadow powers with your son having the potential to learn every element besides shadow, that's your daughter's." Lightning walks over and picks them up and walks over to Scootaloo still on the table with the wall flickering. "Dad, I'm sorry. If I hadn't blown up at you then…" She said as she leans back against Tiyries. "Stand back angel." Lightning says putting the foals down. Scootaloo jumps over to Tiyries's head and stands behind him as she still tears up. Lightning punches the wall causing it to collapse on that side. "Now come here." Lightning says. Scootaloo cries freely as she rushes to him and jumps into his hooves and hugs him tightly. "I'm sorry dad. Please don't hate me." She sobbed. Lightning hugs her back. "Don't you ever scare me like that again, both your mother and I would be destroyed if you got hurt." Lightning says tears in his eyes. Scootaloo chokes on a sob. "I'm sorry." "Shh…it's ok, let's get yo...hold that thought, I got somepony I need to talk to." Lightning says looking at a priest who survived and was trying to crawl away. Scootaloo was placed down back on the ground before she realizes who's still on the table and jumps onto the table before going to his head. "Tiyries…please open your eyes for me…please." She whispered. "He is just unconscious. You though, are going to wish I will do that to you." Lightning says grabbing and dragging the pony into another room. Scootaloo jumps down from the table and looks to Typhoon and Talion as they yawn and look up at her with innocent smiles. She smiles back as she notices their colors are still darker. She sighs and grabs them before jumping back up on the table before laying them down near Tiyries's head and covers them with her wing. "You don't want to see this." She said as she looks to the door. The priest got slammed into the wall as Lightning glares at him with the maddest look on his face. "So, you decided to take the Wyvern and my daughter, but that wasn't enough for you was it? You also took my foals and now look what happened. I may give you a chance to live if you start talking." Lightning says pulling him forward and slamming him again. "I don't kno…" The pony stop when he feels a knife at the lower half of his stomach. "I will cut that part out of you." Lightning says. The priest sweats heavily as he feels the back of the cold knife press against him. "Okay…we were sent here because we were told a Wyvern would be here. We didn't realize that the Wyvern would go the palace and pick up the filly. She left the window open and saw an opportunity. The foals weren't part of the plan in the beginning, I swear." "Where is your leader? I know he wasn't here." Lightning says. The priest tries his best to hold still. "I don't know. He talks by letters and we don't know where they come from." "Is that all?" Lightning asks using the blade to emphasize his threat. The priest nods. "Yes, I swear. We don't know where the letter come from." "I see, well the Queen wanted me to bring at least one of you alive. Though I don't know if that is a mercy or damning you." Lightning says before slamming his head into the wall knocking the priest out. Lightning sighs as he steps out of the room and closes the door behind him and sees Scootaloo, Typhoon and Talion looking at him with small smiles. "Dad, can we go back now?" Scootaloo asks. "Soon, the Queen sent her soldiers and a few Queens's knights to help us." Lightning says before bring out a crystal. "Rainbow, you and Eclipse can stop now." Lightning says. Rainbow's growl was heard through the crystal. "Get back here with our foals, you lead wing. These puppets are not good substitutes as Eclipse is now burning them." "They did something to them Rainbow, but from the looks of it they only tapped some of their magic aptitude. Though it made their coats a little darker." Lightning says. Rainbow was silent for bit. "Well get back here now. Eclipse has something special for you guys." "I will, but her troops seem to be delayed and I smell blood coming from the other exits so they must have met resistance. You want to say anything to our foals?" Lightning asks. "Scootaloo? Are you there?" Rainbow asks. "I'm sorry mom, I'm sorry for running away and…" Scootaloo started. "Stop." Rainbow stops Scootaloo. "It's okay sweetie. I'm just glad you're okay. Just promise me you will never let us down." Scootaloo smiles. "I will." "How did you get out there anyway?" Rainbow asks. Scootaloo blushes a bit. "Tiyries, he came back for me and we were heading back to home in Equestria when we got caught." Rainbow was silent for a bit. "That Wyvern will be the death of us one day, huh Lightning?" "I'm going to talk to him and he isn't going to like it while you keep our daughter company." Lightning says. Scootaloo looks worried to the still sleeping Tiyries. "Are you going to send him away?" "Oh no, but after I am done he will wish I sent him back home." Lightning says. Scootaloo faintly smiles. "Just don't make us not see each other. I don't think the both of us can take it." "You are still grounded." Lightning and Rainbow says tripping her up. Scootaloo groans. "I don't care anymore." "Meaning you can't leave our sides. If you do you will be spanked." Rainbow says. Scootaloo blushes. "I said I don't care anymore. Just…just don't send him away." "You are not going to see him as much now that we know they are targeting him." Lightning says. Scootaloo brings her head down and lays down on the table, covering herself up with her wings. Her sobs were heard as Typhoon and Talion start to cheer her up by patting her sides. Soon the remaining doors are kicked down as Apollo joined Lightning as the soldiers soon were guarding the prisoner and holding him. "Nice firework show. Think you can handle your foals like this now?" "Don't mention this to anything or pony. Only you, me, and Scootaloo know of it and I plan to keep it so." Lightning hisses. Apollo nods before he hears a dark chuckle coming from Typhoon. "Might want to give her your necklace since it's useless to you now." A voice said that sounded male. Lightning walks over and picked up both the foals, silencing the voice. He looks to Typhoon as she looks at him with a smile. He smiles back and takes his necklace off before shortening the loop and places it around Typhoon. "Remember honey, don't lose this and everypony will be happy." Typhoon seemed mesmerized by the necklace. He chuckles before placing them both on his back and looks to Scootaloo. "Angel, it's time to go." Scootaloo chokes a sob. "Can I at least stay with him?" She asks while still under her hooves. "They are going to have to carry him out under heavy guard angel. I'm afraid you can't, but you will get to see him when he gets to the castle." Lightning says. Scootaloo shakily stands up before moving to him. Lightning moves close to the table as possible as Scootaloo struggles to get on before she lays down and covers herself up again. "Alright that is all. Destroy everything and take this prisoner to the dungeons under heavy guard." The Queen's knight captain, Ferid, says. Lightning remained silent as he walks out with Apollo before they come out and see Nikolai. "Good news, thanks to your debacle in there, the thieves' guild saw something and sent back a message to the guild and gave it to me saying, 'We'll join if you don't send those two after us.' No idea what they're talking about, but they're on our side now." "Apollo, go see them personally and take control." Lightning whispers and Apollo nods before leaving. Nikolai raises an eyebrow as he sees the foals still happily looking around and Scootaloo laying down and covering herself up. "I don't want to know, but it's always best to make them happy, even if that means just a little risk. Not too much, but just enough. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go back to the palace and see if my mare is awake." He said before walking off. "Make sure to clean yourself and your wings, they are still red." Lightning says. Nikolai grins back at him. "You got it. Just make sure you treat your family well. Who knows when something like this will happen again?" "Oh, that reminds me. This was an official declaration of war from me to this cult. Spread the word I won't stop until all of it is destroy." Lightning says. Nikolai nods. "Sure, just make sure to keep them safe if you're doing that." "Oh don't worry, I will." Lightning says as they head back. Rainbow moves the last piece onto the table before she looks to the door and sees Lightning walk in with the foals and Scootaloo. "Hey, you guys made it. Take a look at what Eclipse gave us as an apology for letting this happen." She said pointing to the large table full of food. "Good and speaking of which, the foals are hungry love." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles and takes the foals. "I'm sure of that. You two hungry?" The foals nods and rub their stomach as it growls. "Okay, let me place you down and you can eat whatever you want." She said placing them down in the dessert area. Rainbow then sighs and looks to Scootaloo. "Scootaloo, can you look at me?" Scootaloo sniffs and looks at her with bloodshot eyes. "Scootaloo, I'm not mad. I was just worried about you and I don't want to lose you. You're still grounded, but I'll make sure you can see him as much as possible now." Scootaloo smiles before getting off of Lightning and hitting the ground. "Ow." She groans as she gets up. "I'm not hungry." She said heading to a seat. "Then you are going to bed." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs as she turns around and heads back to their room. "Goodnight." "I'll go tuck her in and Spitfire, I see you over there. Go get some sleep as well." Lightning says before following his daughter. Spitfire smiles as they walk past her before going to Rainbow. "So everypony made it out okay?" "Yeah and it seems Lightning was right." Rainbow says as she looked at the foals playing tug-a-war with a donut. Spitfire looks a little surprised. "Wow, they do have a slightly darker tint in their coats. What did they do to them?" Rainbow shrugs. "No idea. Lightning probably won't say anything and all he said was their color is falter and that's it. Except for the fact that he mentioned something about their magic…being something, I don't know. Anyway, they're safe so let's enjoy this spread with them before eat it all and I end up with a fast foal running around my hooves." Spitfire chuckles. "Yeah, I am a little hungry." She said helping herself to some of the food while Rainbow start to eat herself. "Are you okay now angel?" Lightning asks as he tucks her in. Scootaloo nods, but still sniffs. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just…just go." Lightning sighs before he kisses her head. "It's going to be okay angel. Soon we'll all be together again as a family." "I'm sorry I keep forgetting that." Scootaloo says. Lightning smiles. "Just remember, in the end, you'll be with Tiyries and we still would have you by our side. But only when all of this is over." Scootaloo nods and pulls the covers around her. "Thanks dad…for letting me stay with him." Lightning nods and pulls the covers even more around her. "I'll never let you be away from him forever. Not anymore. Goodnight angel." He said kissing her head again. "At one time I hated that name, but I have changed my mind, but only call me that in private." Scootaloo says. Lightning laughs. "Sure angel. Now go to sleep. It's been a long day." Scootaloo smiles before she starts to breathe deeply and when Lightning was about to close the door he can hear her snoring. He sighs as he closes the door and heads back to the dining room. "Okay, what did I miss?" He asks looking over the food stained room. Everypony looked either embarrassed or sheepish. "They started it." Spitfire accuses as she points to the foals. Lightning shakes his head and walks over to her. "Missed a spot." He said taking a cake and covering her face, making them all laugh as Spitfire soon joined in. Author's Note 1: Meager ones like regular pony folk who would really have fun in these times and of course Umbra. 2: Take a guess. 3: Have fun. Oh, also have fun being alone in the dark. 4: I just did. Figure it out. 5: I'll give you a hint, it's me. 6: I told you, Umbra. 7: No, just another far off spirit that supposed to be locked deep down, but I was something far more different. 8: I like that in a stallion. Yet for finding it, you must look to the place where one must forget. 9: It's okay. You'll only be gone away from this for a little while. 10: I won't try to. Mr. Lightning Eye really doesn't want you dead. Now this is the important part, get him as Twilight Sparkle does. 11: You are a silly stallion. Just do what you do best and end him as Twilight does to hers. 12: Get lost guardian I am here for the one that has taken refuge. Okay, long ass chapter and too many stuff happening. Now where's Flair? He should be done by now. Flair: I got back a while ago. *Grins* Had fun with your favorite pony? Flair: Why not ask her yourself? Oh sorry. *Turns to Pinkiemenia.* Your business, your secrets. Pinkiemenia: Meh, not the best I have ever had. Burn. Anyway, like my surprise for Typhoon and Talion? Flair: I didn't see it coming. Well, lucky virtual cookie to who can figure out where Typhoon's lines come from when she changed. But for now the explanation. The reason we couldn't update on this story is because we have been updating HTTYD story and finally, until the next season, we're finished. So now that the movie and TV show up to now is done we can finally work on this story. Except the way we're going we might take a few weeks before the next update. But now, it going to be a bitch to edit since FimFiction is really tough to at least copy to because it's just words and not the bold and all that. Also, Flair, give the official google document word count at the end, would you, before you leave. Flair: In total 40479 words at this point. Pinkiemenia: And 102 pages. Hard to believe that this might be the biggest chapter we have ever made at this point. Who knows, we might be bigger next time. Flair: Maybe. Pinkiemenia: Knowing you it will. Flair: What are you, my wife? No, she's your mate, for now, if she doesn't go for somebody else. Pinkie: Oh, oh, does this mean I can throw a marriage party? Maybe if these two want it. Do you? *Flair is about to say something when Pinkiemenia stops him* Pinkiemenia: Only if you invite Maud. In your marriage or the party? Pinkiemenia: I will leave that to your interpretation. Flair: Do I get a say in this? *Pinkiemenia glares at Flair* Got it, shotgun wedding it is. *Laughs* Boy, she's like Astrid now and you're Calder. All you need is his tail and it would be complete. Flair: Don't give her ideas. Why shouldn't I, it's fun and I'm sadistic. Flair: I am surrounded by enemies. And your lover. Flair with an annoyed expression: Read and review. And hope you all enjoyed this after a long wait. Pinkiemenia and Pinkie: Later.
Many Lives (Clop)A/N: Okay, we are back and this time many will be revealed. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' "Okay, that really hurts." Twilight said holding a hoof to her bandage head. "Ah, good to see you up Twilight. You have been out for two days." Lightning says. Twilight looks around and sees Scootaloo sleeping, but slightly bloody. "What happened with her?" Lightning looks over to her. "Hungry." "Uh huh. Any new developments?" Twilight asks. Lightning sighs. "Feathers are falling now. But under them is like a dragon's wing." "You sure?" Twilight asks. "I know dragon wings. But I am more worried about what Rainbow and Daring are talking about." Lightning says Twilight raises an eyebrow. "Because of your past life?" "No, because they are starting to compare and share stories." Lightning says. Twilight groans as she got up. "What the heck happened?" "Be more specific." Lightning says. Twilight points a hoof at her head. "Me getting this. What happened?" "Legionary assassins. Seems Daring stole or acquired something the Dominion wants." Lightning says. Twilight walks over to Scootaloo and looks her over. "I'm going to need a few things. And that also includes Rainbow." "You will have to wait, can you not feel it?" Lightning asks. Twilight looks to him slightly confused. "No, I…why is it so cold?" She asks hugging herself. "Welcome to Stalliongrad." Lightning says. Twilight looks to the window before going to it and pulling the curtains open. "Whoa." She said eyeing the winter landscape. "Best go change into some winter clothes." Lightning advises. Twilight nods and heads out. "Sure. Are you going to be fine?" She asks looking back at him. "Yeah, this is my turf, just let's try and sneak into Whiterun." Lightning requests. Twilight nods. "Okay. I'll be back as soon as everything is ready." She said closing the door behind her. Lightning sighs as he looks to Scootaloo again. "She was right about one thing." He said quietly before walking out. Lightning stepped off the train in the clothes he originally wore when he arrived in Ponyville. He inhaled deeply and exhaled in a relaxed manner. "It's good to be back." Lightning says. Rainbow shivers slightly as she steps out. "Where exactly are we?" "This, my beautiful wife, is Stalliongrad. Or the southern border at least." Lightning says wrapping a hoof around Rainbow. Rainbow still shivers. "And how cold does it get?" "How cold is absolute zero?" Daring asks walking out in winter gear. "Ha ha." Lightning sarcastically laughs. Rainbow quickly went inside. "I'll be back." She said as Scootaloo came out in her winter gear, but it was strained on her back by something under it. "You ok, my little angel?" Lightning asks rubbing her head a bit. Scootaloo groans a little. "Just feeling itchy all over and hungry like crazy. I could really go for some meat." She then goes wide-eyed. "Did I just say that?" Lightning smirks. "Then it is a good thing I sent Tiyries off a little while ago." A large flapping of wings came to them. "That should be him now." "Um…dad." Scootaloo says. "Yes?" Lightning asks. "That isn't Tiyries or his parents." Scootaloo says. "Oh." Lightning says before starting to charge magic. Scootaloo and Daring watches as Lightning rushes off into the town and starts attacking the large Wyvern as it attacks him and the citizens. "Miss Daring?" Scootaloo asks as Lightning sends a large flame attack to the Wyvern. "Yes?" Daring asks. Scootaloo then watches Lightning get onto a building rooftop and starts throwing lightning down from the sky. "How often does this happen here?" "Oh Wyvern attacks, those are somewhat rare here, usually the…and there they are, the Stalliongrad hunters." Daring says as Scootaloo sees arrows of energy start being fired at the wyvern. She raises an eyebrow. "And how long does this usually take?" "Well that depends on the experience and skill of the hunters so it's hard to te… heads up!" Daring says as a wing crashes near the train station. "Your father hasn't lost his touch." Daring adds peering over the wing. Scootaloo looks on as the Wyvern finally fell and the hunters and Lightning closed in on it. "Yeah, he really hasn't." Rainbow comes back out in winter gear and stops a few moments and takes in the scenery. "What did I miss?" Rainbow asks. Lightning chuckles as he finally came back. "A lot hun. But for now, where is that damn Wyvern? He was supposed to meet us here." He asks nopony in particular as he looks around. "Um…is it safe to come out now?" Fluttershy asks from the train. Lightning looks to the others. "Oh yes, sorry about that. Yes, it is fine. Come on out and enjoy the view, just mind the wing." The rest of the passengers of the car come out in winter gear and Lightning then looks at Twilight for a second before speaking up. "Um…Twilight, a little heads up, nopony here has ever seen a alicorn, so please try and keep that on the down low or hidden. Unless you want to be stared at and have them talk about you behind your backs." Lightning says. Twilight nods as she steps out with the others as their clothing gets slightly covered in the snow. "Okay, so where do we go next?" "We go north to the central plains otherwise known as Whiterun hold and the capital of the province is Whiterun. Yes, the capital and province have the same name. I know all too well." Lightning says. Scootaloo's head suddenly shot up before she walks forward and away from them. "Ummm…Scootaloo?" Lightning said before following her with the others following them with whatever luggage they had. Scootaloo suddenly turns and sees carriages drawn by what looked like wolves twice as big as them. Soon they come to a stop in front of them. "Ah, Ice wolves. These are mine men." Lightning says as they notice what looks like ice spikes coming out of the wolves' shoulders. Scootaloo looks around. "What is this place called?" "Stalliongrad, my lady." A familiar voice says from inside one of the carriages. Everypony looks over to the carriage. Then out comes Silva in a black armor with a wolf head like helmet. "My lord." Silva greets. Lightning smiles as Silva comes up to them. "Silva, great to see you again." "Thank you my lord. My family was scared when they were abducted, but now are comfortable especially my little brother." Silva says. Lightning smirks. "Yeah, I can shock a lot of civilians." "Yes, my lord. Shall we go?" Silva asks. Lightning turns to the rest of them. "Alright everypony just sit back and enjoy the view. Except for you Twilight, I need you to do some research again." Everypony soon enters the carriages and soon they rode along the countryside straight to Whiterun. Twilight watches from window as Spike brings out a book. "So how long will this take?" "Hours." Silva says. "Um…Lightning, there is something I have been meaning to ask you." Daring says. Lightning looks over to Daring. "And that is?" He asks as Twilight pours over the book while Spike brings out some lab equipment. "You see…" Daring starts out embarrassed. "I need access to the restricted section of the academy to research and look for information on something." Daring says. Lightning raised an eyebrow. "Okay." He shrugged after a while. Daring's jaw dropped as Twilight takes something out of a toughly sealed case. "That's it? Just like that?" "Oh heck no. I just wanted to shock you." Lightning says chuckling before turning serious. "But seriously, nopony is allowed in there." Lightning says sternly. Daring sighs as she brings her head down. "Great." Lightning huffs. "And on that note, what do you exactly need Twilight?" He asks looking over to her holding some needles and syringes. Twilight looks up at him. "Blood samples. They can tell me what's going on." "Ok, we will get them during a medical examination." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "You really like holding me back, don't you?" "You want to go to the other carriage and try to get her blood sample, right now?" Lightning asks as Ice Fang sticks his head out of Lightning's bag. Twilight tilts her head. "Oh heck no, I could get hers later. Just need Rainbow's and Spike's blood also and since they're here…" She said looking over to them. Spike's eyes widen. "Wait, you didn't tell me that part." Twilight smiles. "Of course I wouldn't, otherwise you wouldn't have come over and help me my number one assistant." "F…f…f…freezing." Agni says as he shivers against Spike trying to keep warm. Twilight sighs. "It'll be quick, besides I need to prepare a formula later to test these and that would take a lot time. This is a precaution just in case something happens." She said holding up a syringe. "How about you save that for later, I think Agni needs you." Lightning says. Twilight sighs and starts putting away everything. "Come here Agni." She said holding out her hooves. Agni moves into Twilight's hooves as she puts her coat around them. "Better?" "A…a little." Agni says. Twilight smiles nuzzles his head. "Good, otherwise I would have to set you on fire." "Wait till we get to my home, we keep it warm in there with plenty of fires." Lightning says. Agni teeth chatters a bit. "Then be r…ready to relight them." Lightning smiles. "Ah yes, you eating fire also gives you some heat." One of the guards then opens the door and slips in before closing it and bowing to Lightning. "господин мой генерал дракона армии было сказано о тебе вернуться и планирует вновь приветствовать Вас. Также ваши люди с нетерпением ждут вашего триумфального возвращения." (My lord the general of the dragon army has been told of you return and is planning to welcome you back. Also, your people are eagerly awaiting your triumphant return.) Lightning sighs and facehooves before composing himself. "Ochen' khorosho by oni byli proinformirovany ya vozvrashchayus' segodnya?" (Very well, have they been informed I am returning today?) Twilight tilts her head. "Ummm…what's going on?" "Да мой господин ваш новейший вассалом Сильва должен был сообщить ей об этом раньше ей было разрешено принести вагоны." The soldier says (Yes my lord your newest vassal Silva had to inform her of it before she was allowed to bring the carriages.) Lightning sighs. "Я вижу , поэтому я могу ожидать теплый прием тогда . Я думаю, мне придется совершить поездку по городу , прежде чем я могу добраться до моего дома." (I see so I can expect a very warm welcome then. I guess I will have to tour the city before I can get to my home.) The soldier hearing this gets up and exits the carriage to take his place back on the top. "Sorry about that. Was just informed about a few things and it looks like I will have to send you all on ahead while I take care of something." Lightning says while Twilight makes a mental note to learn the language so she could understand what was being said around her. Twilight watches as he leaves. "And how long would you be gone?" "I won't leave till we get to Whiterun and will be gone several hours. I will tell them to take good care of you." Lightning says. Twilight huffs. "For your sake, I hope so. Besides, you remember how Rainbow acts when you go off somewhere without her." "This can't be helped since they know I'm returning." Lightning says. "She probably wouldn't want to be paraded around the entire city anyways." Daring added smirking. Both Twilight and Lightning laughs a little. "Daring, you don't know Rainbow like we do." Lightning said. "In this weather?" Daring asks. "Ok, you made a better point." Lightning says remembering she was not used to the cold and his foals should not be out in it. Daring smirks. "I always win." Lightning rolls his eyes. "I still remember that temple of…what was it? The temple of…" Daring glares at him. "Don't even think of bringing that up. I was still sore after those close encounters." Lightning chuckles. "And what close encounters they were." Twilight raises an eyebrow. "What temple is this?" Daring glares at her now. "It will save you if you don't know about it." "One of the temples around here, but I won't say which." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "And how many temples are there?" "You got a total number of temples and tombs in Stalliongrad yet Daring?" Lightning asks. Daring mumbles a few numbers before looking to them. "Around one fifty." "There you go." Lightning says sneaking his hoof towards Daring before stroking her mane. Twilight looks a little surprised as Daring starts to purr a little. "But…what about Rainbow?" "Something they have in common, they both can't take that." Lightning says smirking as Daring smacks his hoof away. Twilight shakes her head. "How many mares do you know this personally?" "A gentlecolt never tells." Lightning says a huge smile on his face now before Daring punches him. "Oww." Twilight smiles. "You deserve that." "Yes I did, but it was so worth it to embarrass Daring and I owe her for that time in the North Sea." Lightning says now. "Oh come on, you aren't still sore over that?" Daring says. Lightning looks to her. "You left me in the water, how could I not?" "Oh come on." Daring says. "With that pissed out starving sea serpent." Lightning adds. Daring chuckles nervously. "Well, that thing did like you." "It nearly ate my wing." Lightning says his glare intensifying. Daring giggles a little. "Well you did get that thing out of it, so be happy it wasn't a wasted trip to its stomach." Lightning inhales deeply. "You were watching as it swallowed me whole and that I had to hack my way out of its stomach and you didn't help me?" Daring weakly smiles. "You got out?" She offered. "Then I had to swim for two days straight with no rest before I was picked up by another ship." Lightning says. Daring chuckles nervously. "Well…at least you survived." "And you abandoned me." Lightning says the atmosphere in the carriage temperature was plummeting. "Then next time I see you, you run into my train car to hide from Dominion agents." Lightning adds. Daring weakly smiles. "I can give you an apology. Just name it." "I'm waiting." Lightning says. Daring sighs. "Fine, you can have me. I think that makes up for a few years of trouble." "Daring, I don't do slavery. Just start saying sorry, I will tell you when to stop." Lightning says. Daring looks confused. "Slavery, I was talking about you." "Oh do tell." Lightning says. Daring shuffles in her seat before she groans. "Okay fine! How about me being your mistress?" Several seconds past. "Whaa…?" Lightning asks shocked. Daring sighs. "I left you to deal with a sea monster, left you in frigid cold waters for two days and never showed up again for many years. I think this will make up for me being a horrible friend." "We will talk about that later. My wife would have to agree before I even consider it." Lightning says. Daring smiles. "Always loyal to a fault." Lightning smirks. "More like married to loyalty." Twilight shakes her head while smiling. "You two make such a great couple." "Who, me and Lightning or Rainbow and Lightning?" Daring asks on the border of being sarcastic. Twilight smirks. "You two, who else." "Oh well…thanks I guess." Daring says. "Oh Twilight, you getting chummy with a professor of the Canterlot university now?" Lightning asks. Twilight looks to him. "University?" Daring chuckled. "Yeah, you see my job is actually being a professor at the Canterlot University back in Canterlot." Daring sheepishly admits. Twilight looks a bit confused. "But I thought you lived in that shack all the way north of Equestria." "Yeah that is just a cover so my enemies don't attack the university. I actually live in a nice apartment in a building the university owns." Daring says. Twilight chuckles. "Oh boy, will Rainbow be mad at that. Her favorite hero living just a town away." "I thought her favorite hero was Lightning's sister Spitfire?" Daring asks confused. Twilight smiles. "That was before she started to read your books. Which reminds me, when's the next one? Rainbow's been hounding me for it." "Yeah, still in the middle of the adventure. As if I don't get that question enough from my publisher." Daring says a little annoyed. Twilight blushes slightly. "Well sorry." "Oh don't mind Daring, she just gets a little grumpy especially when she doesn't get something sugary after a day." Lightning says. Daring huffs. "Except you keep the sugar foods away from me." "No, I keep them hidden from Talion and Typhoon. You, I just find this side adorable." Lightning says. Daring glares at him before she smirks. "Then you find my grumpy side cute? So all the times I've been angry at you, you were actually turned on?" "And conversation aborted." Lightning says quickly. Daring smirks as she leans back again. "That's what I thought." "So how long till we get there again?" Spike asks. Lightning smiles. "Now." He said pulling the curtains away. Peering out the three see a huge city at least five times bigger than Canterlot in view. "Wow." Twilight, Agni and Spike said. "Welcome to Whiterun, the capital of the central plains." Lightning says. The carriages soon pulled up to the large open gate, which was guarded by two very tired looking guards. "You think another noble came by to find another piece of business?" One guard said. "Stand at attention and sound the trumpet." The other guard says. The first guard groans before bringing out a trumpet and playing it. Hearing this set off a chain of events where several guards come out in shiny armor wearing either a helmet that looks like a bird's head, an element that looked like the one Silva wore, and one looking like a dragon's head. "And there is the honor guard." Lightning says. Twilight looks to him. "And what are they like?" "An honor guard are soldiers who were selected to perform a ceremonial duty. In this case escorting me as I tour the city." Lightning says. "Все приветствуют нашего возвращения Господа и герою все град господин Молния Ярл Lightning!" They could hear criers in the city yelling. (All hail, our returning lord and hero all hail lord Lightning Jarl Lightning!) Twilight looks to the city before looking back to him. "What the heck did he say?" "They are announcing my return." Lightning says. "Aren't you leaving out something Jarl Lightning?" Daring asks. Lightning chuckles nervously. "Oops." "Jarl?" Twilight, Spike, and Agni asks. Lightning coughs. "Basically, it means king of the city." "Three, two, one." Daring counted down. "What?!" The three yells. "I wonder how the others will take th…" Lightning was cut off by the sudden yells from outside. "Maybe pretty good." Twilight glares at him before opening the door and stepping out. "More like struck." Lightning then walks out to thunderous applause. "Don't know if it's good to be back or annoying now." "Um love?" Rainbow questions somewhere between shock and confused. Lightning turns to her. "Yes?" He asks trying to keep his embarrassment in check. "What's going on?" Rainbow asks. "They are welcoming their ruler home." Lightning says before kissing her. Rainbow pushes him away a little. "And not warning us before hoof?" "Um…well I kind of wanted it to be a surprise, Queen of Whiterun." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to the city before looking back at him before slapping him. "That's for not preparing us." She said before walking to the city. "You солдат есть мои товарищи взяты прямо к замку." Lightning orders. (You soldier have my companions taken straight to the castle.) The soldiers nods before leading everypony to the castle. "So what now?" Daring asks as they watched everypony leave. "We talk." Rainbow says as she sees Lightning being led away by the honor guard. Daring looks to her. "What about?" "You don't seem surprised so you're telling me all you know." Rainbow says as she keeps her foals warm. Daring sighs. "Lightning didn't start out like this or when I found him. He merely traveled until I came across him and soon we went on so many things together it's hard to believe we survived." "You seem to be able to speak the language." Rainbow says. Daring shrugs. "Live here long enough and you would get it. Though the question now is why you haven't even reacted to being Queen?" "I want to know everything before I start reacting. Besides I'm holding the kids." Rainbow says nuzzling the sleeping foals. Daring smiles. "He sure got a great family." "Now come on." Rainbow says dragging her along as they head to the castle Silva was leading them to. Daring chuckles. "Okay, okay, but only if you tell me what happened up to now from when we last met." "Oh right, you weren't in Equestria during the war." Twilight says as they began climbing stairs up to the castle. Daring sighs. "So it was true. You are okay, right?" "Yeah, we won, but just barely. If it wasn't for Lightning we would have been conquered." Twilight says. Rainbow smiles. "And now you trust him on that." Twilight blushes. "Well I did see what happened if he didn't come." "I see." Rainbow says as they entered through a huge door into the castle. Everypony looks around and then approached by Silva as they came up to the throne. "So, what do you think?" "I'm awestruck." Rarity says analyzing every detail. Twilight looks around until her eyes landed on another room to the side with many books and a few materials. "Is that a lab?" Before anypony could answer a few ponies, a griffon, and a zebra all in mage like robes walk out discussing something. "What the?" Silva smiles. "And we have many scholars who are quite studied in the issues they are dealing with." "Well it's no college here. That place is a major collection of knowledge, study of artifacts and magic, and of magical practice and experimentation." Daring says. "Wait, you mentioned the college before and asked Lightning to help you gain access to a section of it." Twilight remembers. Daring nods. "Yep, the College of Winterhold. Notorious for being the smartest place there is for magic." "Must go there!" Twilight exclaims her wings now extended. Everypony chuckles as her enthusiasm. "Easy there princess. That's a long way away and unless you plan on meeting creatures of the sky and raiders on the ground I suggest you stay with us." Silva said. "I don't think she can hear you." Rainbow and Daring say in unison. Everypony still laughed as Twilight started to hop around. "This might take a while." Spike said. "Hopefully she will calm down before Lightning's second in command finds us." Silva says. "What the heck is going on here?" A voice demanded. "Nothing general Kyou Kai ma'am!" Silva immediately yells as she stood at attention. Turning around they all saw a smallish tan pegasus with a black mane with a white ribbon tying it down and tail with jade eyes wearing a red and white robe like clothes and a white scarf with red lines on it and a sword strapped to her back with a green jewel encrusted handle. Kyou walks up to them angrily. "Why are these ponies here and why is that one hopping like a crazy bunny?!" Rainbow suddenly feels squirming from her hooves and sees the foals starting to move. "Uh oh." "Well?!" Kyou yells. Talion and Typhoon start to cry out loud as they heard the loud voice scream in their ears. Rainbow glares angrily to Kyou. "Great job. Just when they starting to fall asleep." She then turns to them, her expression softening. "Shh, shh, its okay, it's okay." She whispered while rocking them. "Um general ma'am, this is Rainbow Dash." Silva explains and Kyou Kai seems to register the importance. "Oh crap." She cursed. Rainbow groans slightly. "Fluttershy, help me out here." She said giving Typhoon to her as they both try to put them back to sleep. "Hush now, quiet now, it's time to lay your sleepy head. Hush now, quiet now, it's time to go to bed." Fluttershy sang as the foals started to calm down and start to close their eyes again. After they fell back asleep, Rainbow turns back to Kyou Kai. "You are so dead." Rainbow threatened. "Try it. I don't care if you are my lord's wife, I will destroy you." Kyou Kai says quieter so not to wake the foals. Everypony looks at her with pity. "Oh, if she only knew." Spike said as Agni nods with everypony else. "My lady, General, you mustn't, Jarl Lightning has just returned. We can't have fighting in the court at this time." Belcoot pleads as he runs up. Rainbow huffs. "We'll settle this later." "General, I believe you have duties to attend to." Belcoot says. "You are right, I have wasted too much time already." Kyou Kai says leaving. Everypony watches as she leaves. "Bitch." Agni said suddenly making everypony look at him surprised. "Please don't say such things. Kyou Kai is one of the most dangerous creatures in Stalliongrad, she even nearly killed lord Lightning." Belcoot says Agni huffs and nods his head to the sleeping foals. "Doesn't excuse that." "She is also very unhappy from hearing Lightning is now married." Silva adds talking to Rainbow. Rainbow looks where Kyou went. "So…she's jealous?" "Ours is not the place to talk about such things." Belcoot says respectfully. Rainbow huffs. "At least the foals are sleep again." She said looking to them. "My lady, there has been rooms prepared for your foals they were personally crafted by Hurricane in the theme of Stalliongrad." Silva says. Rainbow looks a little surprised. "Really, she came here earlier?" "Yes, she came to Stalliongrad with Admiral Kenway as he sailed along the continent on the northern sea. I heard he also raided a few dominion ports along the way as well." Silva says. Spitfire perks her ears up at that. "Kenway is here?" "I hear he is training some men to join the fleet not far off from Solitude to the north as either their ships are built or being repaired." Silva says. Spitfire brings her head down slightly. "Oh. Well…at least he's here." "I have heard rumors though that all the Jarls, generals, the admiral, and powerful merchants or those representing a guild will be convening here in Whiterun to discuss our next move. I hear even High king Ulfric will be attending." Silva whispers. Rainbow sighs as she gently rocks the foals. "Well, let's get them to bed. It's been a long day." "I'll show you the way. The servants will show you all to your prepared rooms and general Kyou Kai and general Razor Talons want you to attend their welcoming of Jarl Lightning back personally General Belcoot." Silva says saluting Belcoot. "Understood. My Lady, if you will excuse me." Belcoot says his composure changing greatly. Rainbow nods as he walks away. "Come on guys. Let's get settled in." "Silva, a word for a moment." Belcoot says. Silva follows a little away. "Yes?" "I know that recently you have been assigned the position of chief of the guards here in the castle because of your actions in the war in Equestria and the recommendation by our lord. So I will tell you this now. Now that it is known to the public that Lightning not only has a wife now but foals his enemies will do anything to get to him through them. So I advise doubling the guards everywhere and reevaluate the current patrols and set up of them. Also even though you are technically part of the Direwolf army your duty make you report to general Kyou Kai herself. Watch yourself because the guards are from her troops and they are much more strict than our army. You might end up punished badly if you don't talk yourself and I won't be able to intervene." Belcoot whispers. Silva nods. "Okay, anything else?" "She is going to be extra critical and judgmental of you because you are former legion despite what our lord says." Belcoot warns. Silva nods as she looks around slightly. "I know that feeling, some of the guards are still wary of me." "That is because, like Kyou Kai, they are incredibly loyal to Lightning. Don't let their ranks fool you, they are of the Dragon army. The army that crushed two legions and took three forts that were said to be impenetrable in only ten days. We the Direwolf army are famed for our uncanny ability to act as one pack and turning the legions greatest strengths into their weaknesses. The Skyor Army is known for their incredible speed in conquering. But the Dragon army are known for their ability to annihilate any enemy that stands against them." Belcoot says. Silva raises an eyebrow. "That's…impressive." "Yes, now Silva, we best go or get in trouble with Kyou Kai." Belcoot says. Silva sighs. "I don't know how Lightning deals with her." "They are very close, though nopony knows why as they refuse to speak of how they met besides the fact that everyone knows Kyou Kai was once an assassin who tried to kill Lightning." Belcoot says walking away. Silva takes a last look before walking away to find Lady Rainbow's group. Rainbow sighs as she places the foals in their beds before pulling the covers around them. "Sleep tight guys." She whispered. "Lady Rainbow?" Silva whispers. Rainbow looks over to her. "Yes?" "Would you like to wait for you husband in the throne room?" Silva asks. Rainbow looks back to the foals before looking back to her. "Sure, just make sure nothing happens to them." "With my life my lady. After all, they are Lightning's precious foals." Silva says smiling. Rainbow smiles. "Thanks." She said walking out. Silva gestures to one of the guards who nods before escorting Rainbow to the throne room. "So how was your trip?" She asked after a while. "It was interesting, a death cult tried to use my family as a sacrifice. Let's just say Lightning didn't take it well and I believed the word he used to describe what would happen next was inquisition." Rainbow says. Silva raises an eyebrow. "Death cult?" "Yes, not quite sure about all the details but they mentioned their fate would be an example." Rainbow says as they entered the throne room. Silva nods. "Well it's good you're safe now. The one thing I know is that Lightning would be livid if you or anypony else got hurt." "Yeah he would." Rainbow says taking a seat in one of the chairs. Silva stands right by her. "I wonder, I've been seeing that Wyvern when I was at Pegalopolis, how is he?" "He was hurt so Lightning sent him back there to be tended to. Now where is he?" Rainbow asks. Silva looks around a bit. "Should be a while, he is having to tour the entire city right now." "I see, so what you do for entertainment around here?" Rainbow asks. Silva shrugs. "Nothing much, I've been busy most of the time so there wasn't much besides resting." "I see." Rainbow says before they continue to talk to pass the time. As the sun started to set Rainbow spotted Belcoot now wearing a black armor with a white Direwolf painted onto it, Kyou Kai, and a brown griffon wearing Black armor with a purple bird painted onto it enter one by one and stood facing the door. "Who's the griffon?" Rainbow asks Silva. "That's general Razor Talons, he is the leader of the Skyor army. Those three are Lightning's highest ranking military officers and are known as three of the five Wyvern generals of Stalliongrad." Silva whispers. Rainbow nods. "So where's Lightning?" The door soon started to open and the echoes of cheers came through the doors. Soon they fully opened and in walked the honor guard and Lightning himself. After the doors closed Lightning says, "Honor guard dismissed, return to your barracks." The guards nods before walking off as Lightning walks up to Rainbow and nuzzles her. "Hey love. Sorry it took so long. Did you have any problems?" "Only one that I will mention later." Rainbow says before Lightning nods and walks to the generals. "At ease." Lightning orders. "Sir." They all said. "I'm glad to see all of you well. Later I want a thorough debriefing on all that has transpired and to see all the messages our spies have sent us." Lightning says looking at Razor Talons at the last part. Razor sighs. "We made sure we got everything, but you know we had to pull out sometimes." "That's fine. For now, I want to get back to the way things were done. I want the guilds of the hold to send their representatives here as well as get all my sworn swords to report here as well if they are in the hold. Kyou Kai Razor Talons I assume that none of the training and drills have been slacked while I was away." Lightning says. "No sire and there have been no breaches in our security." Kyou Kai says. Lightning smiles. "Good, and make sure to really get the guards going now that everypony is here." "Yes sir. Also tell me when was the last time we had a festival?" Kyou asks. Lightning thinks for a few. "I think a year before I left." "I believe we are overdue then sir." Razor Talons says smirking. Lightning smiles. "Yes we are. Can you organize to get it set up?" "In less than two weeks, sir." Kyou Kai says. Lightning nods. "Great, get it done. Now than, any other matters?" "Only one." Kyou Kai says. "Welcome back my lord!" The three general exclaimed together. Lightning chuckles. "Unnecessary, but thank you." "My lord there is one issue. What should be done with that one?" Kyou Kai asks gesturing to the still bouncing Twilight. Lightning sweatdrops. "Well…let's see." He said to himself thinking. Rainbow smirks. "I got one. Twilight, your books are on fire!" "WHAT?!" Twilight yells stopping her bouncing before running to her room. Rainbow laughs as she Twilight trips and knocks over a few things. "Perfect. Just perfect." "Well that is settled. You are all dismissed for now. Kyou Kai stay with me though." Lightning says. Everypony leaves, soon leaving Rainbow, Silva, Lightning and Kyou. "Guard captain Silva return to your post." Kyou Kai orders. Silva perks up before saluting. "Ummm…yes ma'am." She said before walking away. "I see you didn't waste anytime in putting her to work." Lightning says to Kyou Kai. Kyou huffs. "She's a soldier, how else she's supposed to work?" "I expect no less from my second in command." Lightning says smiling. Kyou frowns. "Oh, wipe that smirk. She actually got caught doing stuff I didn't order her to." "Which was?" Lightning asks. "Organizing the guards and inspecting the posts personally." Kyou Kai says. "And you aren't happy she is taking initiative?" Lightning asks. Kyou glares at him. "She disobeyed an order, which was to guard." "Already being hard on her I see. Then you see it too. Her potential to be a general." Lightning says seriously. Kyou huffs. "She was a legionnaire. That'll never happen." "We shall see Kyou Kai. Also I can tell you have met my foals. How many of your special men do you have guarding them already?" Lightning asks. Kyou sighs. "All of them. Knowing you, you would lock us all up for not protecting them." "Good, I want nothing to happen to them." Lightning says. Kyou nods. "Nothing will happen to them." Rainbow leans over to his ear. "Keep her away though." "Ah, she woke them up didn't she?" Lightning asks. Rainbow huffs. "She didn't even bother try to apologize." "Kyou Kai doesn't usually apologizes. But there is nopony I trust to guard your life and family more than her." Lightning says. Rainbow groans. "At least have her apologize before I even let her close to them again." "Rainbow, I doubt I could stop her." Lightning says chuckling a bit. Rainbow hits him. "I'm serious. She scared them." "I was also serious love. I doubt there is a pony who can stop her once she sets her mind to something." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs. "Just keep her away from the foals and I'm fine." "I can't. She is in charge of the entire security of the city." Lightning says. Rainbow snorts before getting up and leaving. "I got to check on the foals." "Kyou Kai." Lightning says. Kyou looks to him. "Yes?" "Please, for my sake, apologize." Lightning pleads. Kyou huffs. "Why should I?" "Please, it will make both our lives a little easier if my wife doesn't have a huge grudge against you." Lightning pleads. Kyou snorts. "That mare has to learn that not everything can be forgiven. Especially since the whole room was going crazy." "How about a favor for a favor. I'm not asking for a public apology." Lightning pleads. Kyou sighs. "Fine." "Thanks." Lightning says smiling at her. Kyou looks at him. "Is that all?" "I'm glad to see you again." Lightning says resting a hoof on her shoulder. Kyou sighs softly. "It's great to see you too." Rainbow smiled as she petted her son's mane. "Hush now. Quiet now." She sang quietly. "Rainbow Dash?" Kyou asks from the door. Rainbow jumps a little at the sudden calling of her name before turning around to see Kyou Kai and glares. "Come to make them cry again?" She asks quietly. Kyou sighs. "No, I came to…apologize." "I thought you didn't do that?" Rainbow asks suspiciously. Kyou groans as she looks away. "Lightning is a great speech maker." Rainbow stays quiet for a few moments before giggling a little. "I guess he is." Rainbow says. Kyou nods. "Yeah and…I'm sorry." Rainbow huffs. "Tell that to them." She said nodding her head to the foals. Kyou was a bit reluctant, but eventually moves over to the foals. "I'm sorry." She whispered to them. Rainbow then smiles. "Good, now you can start to protect them." "I already have started. I will show you to the master bed chambers." Kyou Kai says. Rainbow nods. "Thanks. You know, you're not that bad once it boils down to it." Kyou Kai says nothing as she leads her. "I have trouble expressing some emotions." Kyou Kai finally says. Rainbow giggles. "I know that type of pony." "It is from my training to be the ultimate assassin." Kyou Kai adds. Rainbow nods. "I know the feeling. Lightning had the same attitude when he came over." Kyou remains quiet and leads her through a few corridors before stopping at a door. "This is it." Rainbow turns to her. "Thanks for that apology." Kyou Kai says nothing as Rainbow enters. "By the way, how did you two meet?" Rainbow asks turning to find her gone. "Nice try love." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs and turns to him sitting on the bed looking over a book. "At least she apologized. The one thing you never cross with us is our foals." "The first one who does I will skin them alive and hang them outside the front gate of Whiterun with a sign nailed into them as a warning." Lightning says calmly. "Oh by the way, those are all in the native language so you won't be able to read them." Rainbow bumps his shoulder with hers. "Spoilsport." "You want to learn how to speak and read it, oh queen of Whiterun?" Lightning asks. Rainbow laughs as she pushes against him a little harder, sending him wobbling. "Shut up." "I'm serious, equestrian is rare to be spoken and no one reads it here. As queen of this hold you must learn our languages, Statliongrats." Lightning says. Rainbow groans. "Great, more learning." "Comes with being a queen love and Scootaloo will be joining you." Lightning says pushing her onto the huge bed before joining her. "There is something else we need to discuss something about Daring Do." Rainbow looks to him. "And that is?" "She wants to apologize to me for something she did by becoming my mistress." Lightning says. Rainbow tilts her head. "Mistress?" "It's a word for a female who doesn't marry a stallion in the eastern continent here, but helps bare their children. It's a custom to help produce as many heirs as possible." Lightning says. Rainbow looks a little shocked. "And…she wanted to do this?" "Yeah. She is the one who suggested it in front of Twilight." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs as she lays back. "If Daring wants it she can do it, but I want to talk to her first." "I said the only way I would even consider it is if you accepted it." Lightning says laying next her and wraps a wing around her. Rainbow smirks. "Because of what I decided to let happened?" "Yeah, after all I married you and to accept such a thing without you agreeing would be equivalent of me cheating on you." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "At least you are letting me make some decisions for when it comes to this." "Yeah, but we can deal with it tomorrow, for now let's rest." Lightning says pulling the fur covers over him and Rainbow. Rainbow smiles. "Thanks for telling me and goodnight." "Goodnight my love." Lightning says. Scootaloo groans as she gets up. She smacks her lips together. "I'm really starting to hate mornings." She said to herself as she coughs a few times from her dry mouth. She groans as she gets up and heads to the bathroom before looking at herself in the mirror. She stops as she sees something. "DADDY!" A guard throws open the door with his weapon ready. "Что не так ?!" (What's wrong?!) The guard then stops as he sees something he has never seen in his life. "What the heck happened to me?" Scootaloo asks him as her long tail coiled around herself and claws clicked together. "Twilight, you better figure this out fast." Lightning warns as he, Scootaloo, Rainbow, Twilight and Spike stood in Scootaloo's room. Twilight glares at him. "If you let me do what I wanted we wouldn't have gotten into this mess in the first place." "We are not opening up my daughter like some science experiment." Lightning says in a way that scares Twilight a little. Twilight tries to hold her glare. "I was never going to cut her open, I just needed a blood sample." She said holding a syringe. "Good luck piercing the skin, dragon scales are incredibly hard and those scales have already shattered steel weapons." Lightning says as several others were examining Scootaloo and discussing ideas and theories in Stalliongrats. Twilight huffs. "Except for one little area on her. Looks like her inner hindlegs don't have scales, maybe because she still needed some form of flexibility. Now I just need her blood and then Rainbow and Spike's." "Do it." Rainbow says. Twilight levitates three syringes. "Scootaloo, can you lay on her back." She said as she pokes Spike and Rainbow already and taking their blood. Scootaloo lays down and winces as she feels the syringe pokes her hindleg. "Ow." She said to herself as she watches her blood leak into the capsule. Twilight pulls all three syringes full of blood back to her before pushing the blood into three test tubes and grabs an already filled test tube. "This will tell if my theory is true or not." She said before pulling the stopper off and pours a few drops into each test tube, making Scootaloo's blood turn pink, Rainbow's blue and Spike's a darker red. "Now if you remember whose blood this is then the solution I placed in is actually a base DNA coloring. Whatever base DNA you have, it will turn to that color. One of five hundred and seven known. Now with Spike's and Rainbow's known, watch this." She said before pouring Spike's blood into Rainbow's and shaking it a little, making it turn pink, the same color as Scootaloo's. "And that proves it, Scootaloo was always a half pony and dragon. Probably never shown when she was young because it wasn't needed or she hasn't hit puberty yet. Maybe the recent foalnapping accelerated it with her adrenaline running after that. May also explain her eating meat. Meat has protein and most of bodybuilding uses protein. So now, she's going through such a rapid change that she can't control her instinct because it's too quick and her mind hasn't catched up." Lightning nods before translating it to the robed ponies, griffons, and zebra in the room who started to discuss this themselves. "But no known case of such a hybrid has ever been successfully been given birth to." Lightning says thinking out loud. Scootaloo groans as she rubs at her leg. "You're looking at one." "Though it does explain why you were never able to fly on your own before." Lightning says. Scootaloo looks to her new webbed wings. "Maybe." Twilight nods. "He's right. Webbed wings are easier to put more air under it than feathers. That's why dragons are able to get so high in the air." "Also the fact that the bone structure of her wings was different and your build did not have the require strength to achieve sustained flight. Which is why everypony assumed it was a handicap." Lightning adds. Scootaloo looks at her wings before getting up and flaps once before she shot up and hits the ceiling. "OW!" "The force from them is pretty impressive." Lightning observes. "And it really freaking hurt." Scootaloo said from the ceiling. "Rainbow, I think our girl needs a little help getting down." Lightning says. Rainbow flies up and grabs her tail before pulling. "Ow, ow, ow. Watch it." Scootaloo yells. "So do you think she will develop the ability to breathe fire? I don't think so for she doesn't have a fire sack internal organ." Lightning says to Twilight. Twilight shrugs. "I don't know. For now, she's too young so most of the things dragons do is not known yet for our case. Also, since she is female she will be eating a lot. Ever since Spike got greedy growth, I looked up information about all dragons. Females, once they hit puberty, eat a lot of meat to have internal organs and body ready for an egg to be produced and make it easier to birth. Since her mind doesn't have the complete knowledge about her dragon side yet, they will be constantly fighting. You need to keep her fed or she will go feral." Lightning watches as Rainbow pulls Scootaloo from the ceiling and they both float down. "How much?" Twilight brings out a book and measurement tape. "Let's see." She said as Scootaloo lands and gets herself pulled from her tail and head. Twilight hums as she measures her from tail to head. "Okay." She then goes to the book and start to scribble a few things. "That there, carry those, and flip this." She then closes the book and turns back to them. "About fifteen pounds of meat per day." "That isn't a problem as we feed griffons here as well. But just to be on the safe side run a medical scan on her every week and keep an eye out for any new internal organs developing." Lightning whispered the last part to Twilight. Twilight nods. "You're worried about the mating parts, right?" "And a possible fire sack, she could hurt herself and burn down the castle if we aren't careful." Lightning says. Twilight watches as Spike and Scootaloo compare themselves. "Okay, I'll try to do that, but remember, when she does certain things a female dragon needs to do like marking territory and eating, she won't be herself." She said as Scootaloo accidentally hits Spike over the head with tail. "Sorry Spike, guess my tail is a weapon." Scootaloo said as she looks to her tail half covered by her mane now running across her spine to her tail. "I shall inform Kyou Kai who will instruct her men. By the way having trouble with the different language?" Lightning asks. Twilight smiles as she looks to him. "You kidding, I'm having fun." "I have had reports you have been trying to read our books, but have not been able to understand them." Lightning says. Twilight blushes slightly. "Yeah, I've been trying, but no success." "I will arrange for someone to start teaching you and the others if they wish." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "Thanks. Though…" She asks looking to Scootaloo now holding Spike in her tail and lifting him up. "What are we going to do now with her?" "What can I do but continue on being her father?" Lightning asks. Twilight giggles as Spike tries to get out of her tail, but fails as Scootaloo laughs. "Yeah and you know what, you are the best I have seen…well, except my dad." "No, I'm not arranging an escort for you to go to the college yet." Lightning says seeing through her attempt to butter him up. Twilight frowns. "I hate you." Lightning smiles. "There's the Twilight I know. Besides until you understand Stalliongrats, you won't be able to understand any of the knowledge in the college" Twilight groans. "Then could you hurry up with the language?" "All good things are worth the wait." Lightning says. Scootaloo laughs as she bounces up to them. "Hey guys, can we go outside, because I want to really put these to the test." She asks showing off her new wings. "Sorry angel, but today the troops are doing drills and the air troops are occupying the sky right now." Lightning says petting her. Scootaloo groans. "Aww." She shakes herself, making him stop petting her, as her fuller and longer mane whips around. "You may do so tomorrow angel." Lightning says. She looks to him. "That's too long." Twilight smiles. "Her mind's trying to really catch up at this point. Warning, you may experience mood swings. And by that I mean age swings." "Oh, but I had the cook making you lunch already." Lightning says. Scootaloo wags her tail. "Is it meat?" She asks excitedly before pausing. "That was weird." "A few different kinds, including Horker meat, something you have never tried yet." Lightning says. Scootaloo smirks. "Dad, ponies don't eat meat." "But you're a pony dragon hybrid and you have been eating it." Lightning says as a cooking smell starts to sneak in. Scootaloo keeps giving him the same look until she pauses and sniffs the air. She sniffs a few more times before becoming wide eye and flares her wings out and takes off across the ground and out the door too fast, leaving Lightning chuckling. "That's my daughter." "Tell me you bared the kitchen door." Rainbow says. "Of course love. Now let's go get our daughter." Lightning says. Rainbow shakes her head before walking past a dizzy Spike on the ground with Lightning and the scholars out the door. "Had fun Spike?" Twilight asks with a smile as she packed away her equipment. "Please stop the room from spinning." Spike pleads. Twilight just giggles. Daring waited as told in Lightning and Rainbow's room until they returned. After a while, both finally showed up and locks the door behind them. "Well…I'm here." Daring said. "Love, I will let you take it away." Lightning says going to the desk. Rainbow sighs as she walks over to Daring. "So…how much do you care for him?" "Not a day goes by where I don't regret what I did to Lightning." Daring says. Rainbow nods. "And what about your old life? Temples and story writing?" "I can no more stop that than you could be the element of loyalty, but I will cut back on it for Lighting." Daring says. Rainbow smiles. "Even carrying his foal?" "Yes, I will do even that." Daring says very embarrassed. Rainbow sighs. "You must be really be sorry for this kind of decision." Daring nods. "I left him to die. That's the worst thing a friend could do, not even be considered a friend is also worse." "Then welcome to the family." Rainbow says before kissing her. Daring becomes shocked as Rainbow kisses her. Out of the corner of eye, she can see Lightning smirking at them before turning back to his desk. After Rainbow let's go, "So? How was that?" Rainbow asks smirking. Daring licks her lips before looking at her. "The greatest thing I've ever had in a long time." Rainbow laughs as she hooks a hoof around her. "Then it's about to get better soon. Just you wait." "Translation, she wants a three way tonight." Lightning says. Rainbow glares at Lightning. "Shut it you, the mares are talking and no. I just want to enjoy one of my favorite heroes just sleeping near me." "So you are going to watch while me and Lightning…" Daring trails off, now in a full-face blush. Rainbow smirks as she looks to her. "Maybe later, but for now. Just sleep. It's been a crazy day and Scootaloo is the most you can have for a parent. Besides, I think Twilight pulling the blood from me made me tired." "Ok, then let's head to the master bed chamber." Lightning says. Rainbow stretches. "Yeah, I'm ready to hit soft hay anytime now." Lightning hooks a hoof around her now. "Then let's go." Daring becomes a little concerned. "Ummm…I'm still a little uncomfortable…whoa." She yelps as she was pulled along. Rainbow smiles at her. "Relax, this is going to be the best life you're going to have now." "Oh, that reminds me Rainbow. A festival is in less than two weeks from now." Lightning says before kissing her than Daring. Rainbow licks her lips. "And what's festival about?" "Well I think this one will be a celebration of our independence from the Dominion." Lightning says as they arrive at the bedroom. Rainbow smiles. "Yeah, a long overdue one." "They haven't had a festival since a year before my departure so we are going to have a good time. Also we will be having several tournaments. A few for sports, others for a fighting competition and a monster slaying exhibition." Lightning says locking the door after they enter. Rainbow looks to them. "Are you entering one?" "I am the host and Jarl so I can't and most likely those who sign up for the monster slaying exhibition will be mostly Stalliongrad hunters and maybe a few of my sworn swords." Lightning says as he pets both mare's manes. Rainbow purrs while Daring does as well. "That's boring." Rainbow said. Lightning chuckles. "I know, the least they could do is place cup holders in my chair. Then it be slightly less boring. Though I will be personally awarding the prizes to each victor." Lightning says as he maneuvers both mares into the bed. Both mares groans as they settle in the bed. "So, what can we do?" Daring asks. "Enjoy the events, after all we will have to watch all of them." Lightning says covering the three of them with the fur blankets. Rainbow snuggles into Lightning's side. "And the others?" She asks while Daring does the same on Lightning's other side. Lightning wraps his wings around them. "They are our honored guests so they will be joining us in the V.I.P. section." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Great, so what do we do in the meantime?" "Well you and the others will begin your learning of Stalliongrats. While Daring here will get a little help with what she is looking for." Lightning says kissing both of their necks. Rainbow moans. "Traitor." "How, I kissed you as well or do you want more attention?" Lightning asks. Rainbow groans. "No, making us learn Stalliongrats." "You are technically the queen here. You have to learn your people's language." Daring says. "Yeah love." Lightning says kissing her wing's tenderness spot causing Rainbow to yelp. Daring giggles before Lightning does the same to her making her yelp. "Cheater." "Hey, there are no rules in love and war and you agreed to this. Or are you not so daring now that we are here?" Lightning asks. Daring glares at him. "Shut up and just kiss us." "As you wish." Lightning says before kissing them both. Scootaloo lays her head on the arm of the chair. "I'm getting bored." She said while watching the strength competition. "You weren't saying that during the Blitzball tournament yesterday." Sweetie Belle says. Scootaloo huffs. "Because it had flying and amazing maneuvers, this is just…" She said gesturing to the two ponies pushing each other off the stage. "Pushing." "The next tournament should be far more interesting angel. The next one is the fighting tournament." Lightning says. Back on stage, the smaller stallion finally was able to lift the other and throws him off the stage making the crowd cheer. An announcer soon steps up. "Next competition is the fighting competition. Fighters will be using only their skills without weapons, as their body will be the weapon. The first match will be a ceremonial match. Now our first contestant." He brings up a parchment. "The first one is Rangar." He said making the crowd cheer out loud. Scootaloo groans as she slides slightly in her seat. "Getting a bit boring." The announcer clears his throat before looking at the parchment again. "And the next contestant is Scootaloo?" He said confused. Everypony's eyes suddenly turn to the now wide awake filly dragon. "What?!" She yelled. Lightning stood up in his seat. "Hold on, we never signed her up." The announcer looks to the parchment. "It says it right here, Scootaloo." He said pointing to her name. Lightning looks to Scootaloo. "Don't look at me, I never signed up for anything." She said. Lightning looks confused. "Then who did? What do you think angel?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo sighs before getting up. "Let's get this over with. We might even find out who." She said before getting down from the booth. "Let the ceremonial match continue." Lightning says. "Kyou Kai, find out who did this and give me their name." Lightning says quietly. Kyou nods before getting off the booth and heading to the announcer. Scootaloo slowly walks on the stage as the one named Rangar steps up on the opposite side. "Sorry kid, but I'm not going to go easy on you." He said getting into position. Scootaloo shrugs. "Its okay, wasn't expecting any less." She said back as she got into her position. "Fighters begin!" The announcer yells. Rangar charges at Scoots as she tenses up before she jumps making him go under her and smacks her tail onto the back of his head making him stumble. Scootaloo looks at her tail as she taps it against the ground for a quick test. "Nice." She said to herself before looking back at Rangar. Rangar charges again, making Scoots jump again, but this time Rangar catches her tail and throws her away. Scootaloo lands roughly, as she rolls a bit to recover. She looks up at him just in time to see a hoof coming down. Scootaloo uses her tail as a post before pulling herself between his legs, making her disappear. Rangar looks around before he feels something funny. "Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha." He laughs. Scootaloo smirks as she tickles him behind the ears. "Cootchy, cootchy, coo." "Get off me and fight!" Rangar yells trying to throw her off while trying to control his laughter. Scootaloo hangs on to his mane while snaking her tail around his throat and does a quick twist while pushing his flank and pulling his neck in opposite ways, making his tumble to the ground. "How's that?" Scootaloo yells. Rangar quickly brings himself up before slamming himself back down, making Scootaloo hit the ground and making her let go. Rangar quickly gets up and grabs her tail before throwing her across the stage. Scootaloo groans as she tries to get up and looks to see Rangar charging again. She groans harder as she uses her tail to help herself, but knows it won't be fast enough. She quickly moves her tail and gets it under him as he reaches her before she quickly lifts him over herself sending him flying to the ground. Scootaloo uses this time and gets herself up before getting into another stance. Rangar shakes himself before charging again. Scootaloo tenses up before bringing her tail in front of her again. Rangar sees this and slides quickly surprising and punches upward under her, sending her flying. Scootaloo yells as she was launch into the air. She then looks downward as she gained the highest height before coming back down. She groans as she spins slightly making things harder to see before she comes up with something as she sees Rangar looking like he was about to catch her. Scootaloo starts to go along with her spins and then spins downward and by the time Rangar realizes what's going on he brings a foreleg to block her, but then feels her tail hit him hard and he could swear he heard a crack. Scootaloo launches herself off of him and lands, but wobbles around as her eyes were trying to get back to normal. "I got to learn that better." She said dizzy. "Winner, Scootaloo by knock out!" The announcer yells. Scootaloo shakes herself before getting control and sees Rangar on the ground. "Wow. I actually did it." Lightning claps for his daughter while smiling as Kyou Kai returns. "Sir, you might want to see this." She said giving him some papers. "Registration papers. The first one is the one the festival will see, but the other is for the scholars to see how we can improve. Usually, what is going on with the contestant." Lightning pours over the papers before looking to the scholar one. "And guess who's on the scholar in charge of her paper?" "Kyou Kai, arrange a meeting with them later tonight." Lightning says. Kyou nods. "Of course. What about the fight? You know only two lucky contestants are chosen every time we have a festival." "Scootaloo won the ceremonial match, but that's it. She won't be fighting anymore." Lightning says. Kyou nods as Rainbow and Daring fly over to Scootaloo and hug her while audience cheers like crazy. "I will say this, she's a smart one." Kyou said. "Она имеет инстинкты, чтобы бороться. Я также заметил, ваши подчиненные Ou Hon подписал за убийство выставке монстра." Lightning says. (She has the instincts to fight. I also noticed your subordinate Ou Hon has signed up for the monster slaying exhibition.) Kyou shrugs. "He said he wanted to keep testing his skills." "Он имеет большие амбиции и желает стать как опытным , как его дядя. Это просто еще один способ доказать свое мастерство, чтобы нас за него." Lightning says. (He has a great ambition and wishes to become as accomplished as his uncle. This is just another way to prove his skill to us for him.) Kyou nods. "Is there anything else?" "It seems the next generation is starting to blossom and show their skills. After all he already has command of a hundred men." Lightning says. Kyou huffs. "Yes, including yours." "Well let's continue watching the competitions." Lightning says. Later after the champion of the fighting tournament was crowned, it was finally time for the monster slaying exhibition. "Mares and gentlecolts, it is now time for the arena to run red with blood, but whose blood will it be? Let us find out. I give you the opening to the Monster Slaying Exhibition!" The announcer yells. "The First competitor is an officer of the Dragon army, I give you Ou Hon!" The announcer yells. Out from one of the gates walks a young brown stallion wearing full body armor with several metal staff spears on his back and a metal headband holding back his dark purple mane, which is in a ponytail. "Ou Hon has chosen to not fight with a partner folks so as is tradition somepony must spin the wheel to determine what he shall fight." The announcer explains. "Who would like to spin the wheel?" Lightning asks the others in the V.I.P. booth. "Me! Me! Me!" Pinkie yells as she hops over to a large wheel before spinning it so hard she spins along with it. "WEEEEEEEEEE!" The wheel kept spinning as almost everypony held their breath until it landed on a spider image. Pinkie stops moving and looks to the image. "Oh, a creepy crawly. That's easy. Just squish it." "Mares and Gentlecolts, the monster has been select I give you." The announcer starts a powerful magical barrier seals in the inner part of the arena so nothing could get to the audience. "Frostbite Spiders!" The announcer yells as a part of the arena floor starts to open up. "Ugg, I hate these things." Lightning says with disgust as the section opened up all the way. Rainbow looks to him. "Spiders?" "I told about these things once." Lightning says as a large spider leg comes out of the opening in the floor. Soon a spider the size of half of Ou's height. He readies his weapon as it chitters at him. It soon charges at him while somehow making web balls and firing it at him. Ou takes the hits no problem before thrusting his spear and skewering the Frostback spider, killing it. Ou pulls his spear from the corpse before kicking it away before saying. "Next." "Um…yes…um…round 2!" The announcer yells. Soon more chittering was coming from the hole as more legs came out and out comes eight other spiders. Ou keeps still as they come at him before he dispatches them the same way as the first. In the end he ended up with a pile of bodies near him and looked barely phased. "Next." "What's the third and final round, a hoard of them?" Lightning asks Kyou Kai. Kyou keeps looking at the stage. "Third round only. And no, not a hoard." She said as a giant leg came out of the hole. "Just a giant one." "Kyou Kai whether he kills it or not I want that thing burned." Lightning says. Kyou nods as the giant Frostbite Spider came out and actually roared at Ou as he grins. "Finally, a real fight!" The spider tries to bite him, but he moves out of the way and spears it as it came up beside him. The creature roars before swiping at him with one of its legs and hitting him, making him slide a bit back. Ou laughs before charging himself and jumps before spearing one of its legs and hitting the joint. The spider roars as it feels its legs soon separated, making it stumble slightly from the loss. "Impressive, I had to pay attention to see his strikes." Nikolai comments watching with interest. The spider turns around and tries to bite him again before Ou spears its mouth making it bite hard on the steel with no luck of breaking it. Ou grins before pushing his end of the spear downward before pushing upward and piercing its brain before pulling out. Ou smiles as he watches as it falls down dead and puts his spear away. Everypony was quiet until one started clapping. Soon everypony followed his example and the arena was filled with thunderous applause. Lightning smiles as Ou cleans his weapon from the spider blood. "Not bad, not bad at all." He said as the festival crew pushes the spiders back down the hole and dumps a liquid down it before one Mage send a fireball down it and lights it up. "I can already see he has now caught all 12 of your attentions." Lightning says to his twelve highest ranking officers. Kyou smiles. "He's good, but he needs to control that headstrong attitude." "Agreed, but his skills are very impressive for his age." Belcoot says. Kyou shrugs. "Maybe, I'm just worried about that attitude." "He made one mistake." A commander of the dragon army says. "What was that Zhang Liao?" Kyou Kai asks. Zhang Liao was an earth pony with a black mane wearing heavy blue armor with two heavy axes attached to his back. "He should have just avoid the first three attacks then stabbed it through the mouth like he did. He still has much to learn before he reaches our levels." Zhang Liao says stroking his mustache. Kyou slaps him making his moustache a little bent. "He needs emotional discipline." "That as well." Zhang Liao says trying to bend his moustache back into shape. "Dad, you said twelve but I only see eleven of your men." Scootaloo says. "Entei is here as well, but he keeps hidden." Lightning says. "Indeed." A voice said from almost everywhere. "Kyou Kai, call Ou Hon here." Lightning says. Kyou nods before getting off the booth and heading to the stadium and talking to Ou. "Hey dad, what's next?" Scootaloo asks as she lifts Talion and Typhoon hanging from her tail as they laugh. "It not over, that was just the opening fight. Pinkie, you want to keep spinning the wheel?" Lightning asks. Pinkie cheers and goes over to it again. "Ready." Kyou and Ou soon arrive to the booth. "Ou Hon." Lightning greets. Ou nods. "Sir, you wanted me here?" "Sit Ou, I wish to discuss a few things." Lightning says as the next contestants made their way onto the field and Pinkie spun the wheel. Ou sits down. "And what do you want to talk about?" "What is your opinion of the state of the world?" Lightning asks. Ou shrugs. "Frankly, troubled sir." "Oh, give me details." Lightning says. Ou sighs. "Well, the Dominion is still out there probably still causing trouble as it is. The only thing they seem to respond to is brute force." "Go on." Lightning says. Ou tilts his head. "And the movements of the other nations are also a main concern, the Zebras we don't have to worry about. While countries like the Welsh queendom is a major concern as they may in fact side with the Dominion." Ou Hon says. Lightning closed his eyes and was quiet for a time. "You see much for being so young." Lightning says opening his eyes. "From today on myself and the twelve highest ranking officers will be watching you career closely with interest." Lightning says Ou looks a little surprised. "Ummm…thank you sir." "You will remain here with us until the award ceremony for today." Lightning says. Ou nods. "Thank you sir." Lightning nods as the last troll's head flew across the arena. After several more matches were had there was only one monster that hadn't been fought. "Since we are out of competitors, how about you fight once more Ou Hon?" Lightning asks. Ou smiles. "I'd be glad to sir." He said getting up and heading down. "Zhang Liao you will join him." Lightning says. Ou turns to him. "Hang on, I could do this myself." "Zhang Liao will be judging you directly from the field and will only aid you if need be." Lightning says. 'Being judged directly by the young Wyvern of the dragon army.' Ou thinks feeling a bit pressure before shaking it off. Lightning watches as Ou sets himself up while Zhang stayed in the back. "My people, it has been a great competition with many good fights, but alas all good things must come to an end. But we have one last fight, Ou Hon has graciously decided to fight once more today." Lightning announces. Ou lifts his spear up as the crowd chants his name. "But how will he and his partner fare against the Giant Frostbite Spider's natural enemy. A terror from the sands of Saddle Arabia itself. People I give you Arachanox." Lightning yells as ponies start banging on the drums as the center of the arena starts to open up. Ou steels himself as he sees almost a mismatch of body parts of spiders and some other creatures came out of the hole as it growled at him. "Now show us Ou Hon what you can do against a monster that takes a team of level four or greater Stalliongrad hunters to bring down." Lightning says. Ou looks up at this abomination that resembled a scorpion as it easily loomed over him before grabbing one of the corpses of a monster slain earlier with a pincer and ate it in one bite. Ou grins before running at it, intending to destroy its legs, but couldn't get far as it then swipes at him and sends him away sliding. He groans as he gets up. "The king of scorpions is faster that it looks." Nikolai says. "King of scorpions?" Twilight asks. "The unofficial title for the Arachanox." Lightning informs. "Those things can easily match Wyverns and is one of the most dangerous creatures of the desserts." Nikolai adds. "Not to mention it can create its own support." Lightning says. The Arachanox now having its focus on Ou tries to crush him by slamming down its right pincer. Ou dodges and spears the tail as it crashes near him. The Arachanox roars and pulls its tail back as Ou moves around it, to his shock it fires a beam from its stinger that hits the ground. Ou watches as little version of the Arachanox came out of the ground. "Aww…that's cute. Now die." He said before stabbing each one while trying to move out of the way of the big one. "A good move, for each one of those small ones poison is lethal enough to kill an elephant." Nikolai says as Arachanox keeps firing beams into the ground from its stinger. Twilight watches as more come out. "How many can appear?" "No one knows as no one has ever documented their limit. Maybe even an army." Lightning says. Ou keeps killing each little one until he realizes that they would just coming and so he kills the one he's fighting and runs to the Arachanox and starts to swipe at him and even tries to impale him with its stinger. "He's adapting to the situation, now the only question is does he have the power to pierce its exoskeleton?" Lightning asks. Ou then jumps onto its stinger as it comes at him and stabs it to hang on. He watches carefully for any openings as it tries to shake him off. Ou's eyes then widen and narrow as he starts hacking at the stinger. "Very good. You don't need to kill it you just need to cut off its ability to create its reinforcements." Lightning says. Ou finally hacks off the stinger and jumps off and lands on a scorpion and impales it before fighting them while still dodging the Arachanox, intending to finish them all off. As he watched this Lightning started to chuckle, making Twilight look to him. "What's so funny?" "Your evaluations generals?" Lightning asks. Kyou huffs. "Still needs work." "But?" Lightning presses. Kyou sighs. "He's good." "Talon, Belcoot?" Lightning asks. Talon shrugs. "Maybe with a bit of work on timing and I would take him in the army." "Belcoot?" Lightning asks. Belcoot nods his head. "Yeah, I would take him as well into the army, though that spear needs a bit of work." He said spying the little cracks. "Too bad he is Kyou Kai's army. This battle has been decided he lacks the power to kill it. Though the blow he has struck is a devastating one that it will never recover from, but not a mortal one." Lightning says as Ou was smacked into a wall by Arachanox. Ou groans as he tries to get back up. "Damn." As Arachanox closes in Zhang Liao steps in front of Ou Hon. "You have done well leave the rest to me." Zhang Liao says. Ou growls as he tries to still get up. "I'm not done." "You are, your weapon has shattered from that last attack and we cannot afford to lose somepony so promising." Zhang Laio says bringing out his dual axes. Ou keeps growling as he watches Zhang Laio as he advances towards the Arachanox before rushing forward and evading it's pincers with ease and brings down one of his axes. What followed was a loud crash, a quake like shaking, and a huge smokescreen kicked up. Ou groans. "Damn." When the smoke cleared the Arachanox's head was caved in and in a crater as Zhang Liao rips out his axe. Then soon the realization that the Arachanox was dead swept over the populace. After that, cheering swept up over the crowd as Zhang help Ou onto his back and carried him out of the arena. "Now I see one of the reasons they call you the young wyvern." Ou says. Zhang smiles. "Yeah, we do a lot. Ou, do you know why Lord Lightning allowed you to fight that monster?" Ou shakes his head. "Not really." "Experience. Lightning fought thousands of monsters like that and fought in many battles. You have a great natural talent, now you just need to keep training and gain experience and then you will become truly a terrifying commander maybe even a general." Zhang Liao says. Ou look a little surprised. "So how long would that take?" "Only you can answer that." Zhang Liao says. Lightning smiles as he watches as the monsters starts getting tossed into the hole and set on fire as all the rest were. "Well…that's that. Wait, bring me its stinger." Lightning commands as they were about to toss it into the fire. The cleanup crew looks at him for moment before looking at themselves and one grabs the stinger and drags it over to him. Lightning rips out the tip. "Ok, now throw it into the fire." The crew drags it back before throwing it into the pit and sets it on fire. Twilight tilts her head. "So what now?" Lightning walks to Ou. "Keep this as a reminder of this battle and use this experience to improve yourself." Lightning instructs. Ou nods and takes it. "Thank you sir." After that Lightning commenced the award ceremony and thus drew a close to the monster slaying exhibition though the festival continued for five more days. Scootaloo tilts her head as she watches the creature tilts its head at her. "It looks…weird. And yet, it's supposed to be dangerous to ponies?" The shopkeeper looks down at the filly. "Watch this kid." He said before lifting the cage up which makes the creature try to attack him and hit the bars, but when he set it down again, it stopped as it stared at Scootaloo again. Scootaloo becomes a little confused. "But I'm still a pony?" The shopkeeper shrugs. "You're a dragon as well." Scootaloo looks to herself and then back to the leopard. "Maybe." She said putting her hoof through the bars. The shopkeeper goes wide eyed at that. "Kid!" He pauses as he sees the leopard lick her hoof. "Strange, it doesn't act that way towards anypony." "Hey kiddo, what are you doing there?" Daring asks walking up to her. Scootaloo looks to her and smiles as the leopard keeps licking her hoof. "Just playing with this creature." Daring looks to her than the shopkeeper. "How much?" The shopkeeper goes wide eyed. "Are you serious? This thing doesn't do well around other ponies." "Wouldn't be the first exotic pet Jarl Lightning has in his hold." Daring says. The shopkeeper looks to the foal before sighing. "Okay, just…don't come back with missing body parts and blame me. Two fifty." "Done." Daring says. Scootaloo laughs as the cage was opened and then the leopard pounces on her and starts licking her. "Okay, okay, I'm glad to be your friend too." Daring smiles as the leopard then pick her up and throws her onto its back. "Come on kid. You really bring the weird in our life." Meanwhile, Lightning was sitting on his throne with Ice fang in his lap waiting for Scootaloo and Daring to return. Surrounding him was a pack of fully grown Ice wolves and a tiger while not far away was multiple Skyors perched on stands. "So what do you think Rainbow, have fun?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shrugs as she ate some of the cake. "It's okay, but the most fun is those flying games." Lightning chuckles as the Alpha of the Ice wolves walks up to Rainbow startling her a bit. "What's up with this one?" She asks as she backs away a little. "That's Fenrir, the father of little Ice Fang here." Lightning says. Rainbow nods and looks to Fenrir. "Hi…Fenrir." Fenrir stares at her for a bit before licking her face and turning back to the rest of the pack. Lightning smiles as he looks around for a bit. "Have you seen Scootaloo or Daring anywhere? I'm sure that they would love to see Fenrir." "They still haven't returned from the market." Rainbow says wiping off her face as Lightning pets Fenrir. Rainbow smiles. "What do you think they're getting?" "Who knows? I can never fully predict our daughter." Lightning says as he eyes Talion and Typhoon who fell asleep on one of the Ice Wolf's backs. Rainbow smiles as an Ice Wolf grabs the foals off and sets them near another Ice Wolf who was laying on the ground and curled around. "Yeah, who knows what our other two foals will be like?" "That's true, seeing how the Ice wolves have already accepted them into the pack." Lightning says as the door starts to open. Rainbow smiles as she looks to the door. "Well look who's here. About time you…what is that?!" Lightning looks a little confused as well. "Fluttershy, do you know?" Lightning asks as Fluttershy pops her head out from beneath one of the Ice Wolves who were curled up around her. Fluttershy gasps. "A leopard, a snow leopard!" She yells before flying towards it who then growls before she gets close and makes her stop. "It seems to prefer my daughter." Lightning says. Daring shrugs. "This thing is hostile to anypony who gets close to any of them. Guess being part dragon really gives her some advantages." "You can keep your new pet Angel." Lightning says. Scootaloo smiles. "Thanks dad. Now what can we do?" "Prepare to welcome our guests that other Jarls and the High King himself are coming." Lightning says. Scootaloo nods her head. "How many?" "Six and their entourages." Lightning says. Daring sighs as she walks up to him. "And we have to still deal with politics." "No, this is different. This is to discuss our countries next move or more specifically which of the two countries that have sworn their allegiance to the Dominion bordering us and the Qin Empire will we invade." Lightning says. Daring looks a little surprised. "The Dominion I can understand, but the Qin?" "When the Dominion finally declares all out war every country controlled by them will also attack us. This is a preemptive strike to take them out before we begin." Lightning says. Daring sighs. "And how long would Qin take?" "They have already mustered their forces for this. The one we don't invade, they will." Lightning says. Rainbow looks worried. "So what do we do?" "Prepare to receive our guests." Lightning says. Scootaloo lays down on the leopard's back. "Here we go again." "It won't be for a few weeks." Lightning says. Scootaloo shrugs. "Still feels like last time now." "By the way Rainbow, how are your lessons coming?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shrugs. "Still feels hard, but I'm getting it." "О ты?" Lightning asks. (Oh are you?) Rainbow nods. "немного." (A little.) Lightning just smiles until Scootaloo spoke. "Хотя Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, и я на самом деле возвращается его." Lightning, Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Daring all looked surprised at her. (Although Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and myself are really getting it down.) Rainbow laughs a little. "Wow Scoots, that's impressive." Scootaloo smiles. "Zutto hikari no naka kinou made wa nakatta, ashiato o tadottekita hodo, gooru no mienai meiro, ame ni utareta chizu." "How do you know that language?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo looks a little confused. "Which one?" "That wasn't Stalliongrats." Lightning says Scootaloo makes an oh face at that. "That was a song I picked up from a mare out in the market. Joined her for tea and she just started to sing that. I picked it up quick." Rainbow looks to him. "Dragon mind?" "Kyou Kai find this mare now and find out how she knows the eastern language!" Lightning orders immediately urgency evident in his voice. Scootaloo watches as Kyou leaves quickly. "Ummm…what's going on?" Rainbow steps up next to him. "How did she figure out to say another language that quick? Her dragon mind?" "Maybe, but I'm more interested in the mare that spoke a language east beyond the Qin empire." Lightning whispered back. "What are we whispering about?" Seeku whispers from atop of Lightning's throne right above them. "Seeku, what are you doing here?" Lightning asks surprised as the Ice Wolves start growling at her and multiple ponies in black had their weapons either at her neck or poking her. Seeku waves off the one at her flank. "Stop poking me there. You'd only antagonize me. Any case, I came here, remember. I was the one who was supposed to have meat on the train, but somepony got to it first." She said while looking to Scootaloo who was looking sheepish. Lightning did a gesture with his hoof and the ponies in black withdrew their weapons and seemed to vanish. "Next time enter through the front door lest my men kill you in mistake for an intruder." Lightning requests. Seeku shrugs. "Okay." She then lands onto his lap. "So, what are talking about here?" She asks while reclining sideways on his lap. "You were the mare singing that song weren't you?" Lightning asks. Seeku looks at him confused. "Song?" "Zutto hikari no naka. Ring a bell?" Lightning asks. Seeku just sticks her tongue at him. "Maybe." Scootaloo just tilts her head. "Could be Seeku or could be a real pony. The way that mare moved while singing is definitely not Seeku's style. Not…sexy enough." "Let me tell you little Scoots, I can act any way I need. I can even do a nun. Even though it hurts me too." Seeku says with a hoof around Scootaloo now. Scootaloo smiles. "And yet you know a language without even dad knowing?" "I have been all over the place and it's easy to learn a new language. I just rip the knowledge from something." Seeku says smiling. "And most likely leave them brain dead." Kyou Kai says glaring at Seeku. Seeku looks over. "Oh, hello Kyou. How's life?" Kyou clicks her tongue. "Bad since you drained this one." She said while having a mare slung over her back. "What were you thinking?" "I was hungry." Seeku says before getting bonked on the head. Kyou smiles as she puts her sheathed sword back on her. "Well at least I found the mare. Turns out your friend here got her memories as well so that song was probably in this mare's head when she took it." "You wouldn't bring her if she was a resident. A spy?" Lightning asks. Kyou shrugs. "Don't know. All she had was this." She said holding up a golden necklace with a circle crest in the middle of it and a dragon engraved on top of it. "I know this. Give the mare a room under tight guard." Lightning says. Kyou nods and walks off while giving a glare to Seeku who just smiles normally. "Tuck her in, she likes that." Seeku said. "You know she would spit you in half is she could. So please don't antagonize her." Lightning says. Seeku grins. "No promises." "I'm serious Seeku, you should know who is coming." Lightning says seriously. Seeku waves him off lightly. "Oh quiet, didn't say I be anything at any time? When those lords come I will be neat and proper." She said in a posh voice. "You feel it don't you Seeku?" Lightning asks. Seeku nods. "The winds of change are starting to blow again, right now it is a gentle breeze, but soon." "It will whip up into a Typhoon and we will march once again." Lightning finishes. Rainbow just tilts her head. "What the heck are you saying?" "It's something only those who have lived on the battlefield or those who are so attuned to nature can feel." Lightning says. Scootaloo looks around. "You mean that humming?" "No, that is Pinkie in the bath." Lightning says. Seeku twitches her ears. "I still don't get that mare." "I don't think the Spirits of Wisdom do either." Lightning says. Seeku clicks. "So what do we do now? We still have time." "We wait and prepare." Lightning says. Seeku hums. "Boring! Let's do something fun until they come over." She suggested. It had been a week later when they received word of all the Jarls coming to Whiterun to meet. Lightning looks over the papers. "How's the food?" He asks Kyou. "Everything is ready." Kyou says as she observed the hall. He looks to her. "And my family?" "They are being protected. I have Entei watching them personally." Kyou says. Lightning nods. "And the mare, who hasn't told us her name and Seeku won't bother with that either?" "Still unconscious." Kyou says. "And you wanting to kiss me while nopony is looking?" Lightning asks. Kyou blushes heavily. "That was nothing." "I made that last part up." Lightning says. Kyou still was blushing. "You're a bastard." "I couldn't have gotten this far without you Kyou." Lightning says catching her completely off guard. Kyou pause as she just stood there. "Thank you…sir." "Kyou, it's just you and me here right now." Lightning says starting to dress into his Jarl robes. Kyou looks around before looking to him. "Thank you…Lightning." Lightning only smiled. "May I speak frankly with you?" Lightning asks. Kyou takes another look around. "Ummm…sure." "I'm starting to feel the weight of my age." Lightning says. Kyou looks to him. "Sir?" "My body is starting to slow down. The injuries I have sustained over my life are starting to take their toll and don't tell me you haven't seen it. I am not as fast as I once was." Lightning says. Kyou sighs. "Sir." "Kyou." Lightning says. "Lightning." Kyou corrects. "I fear I may have to start leading the men from the rear and not the front soon enough." Lightning says. Kyou takes a quick look outside. "Lightning, maybe you should start. Your family is worried and…I am too." "I know, hard to believe it has been twelve years since we joined Ulfric in his rebellion." Lightning says chuckling. "I remember you calling me mad for joining it and that you were twice as mad for following me into it." Lightning says. Kyou smiles slightly. "Yeah…Lightning?" "Yes?" Lightning asks putting the crown on. Kyou looks away slightly. "Never mind." "Say it, Kyou." Lightning says. Kyou sighs. "I just…I'm sorry." "Kyou, I'm still waiting for you to say how you really feel just like I was a decade ago." Lightning says. Kyou tenses up before launching herself at him and pushes him back slightly. "I love you." 'I have waited more than a decade to hear those words and it was worth the wait." Lightning says as the mirror moved and out walked Rainbow. "You catch that?" Kyou looks shocked as she lets go and backs away. "What the heck?" "Every word." Rainbow says walking up to Kyou Kai who was dumbfounded that Lightning had pulled a maneuver she never saw coming. Kyou glares at Lightning. "What the heck is going on?" "I have known about your feelings for more than a decade Kyou and I knew hearing I was married was slowly killing you. Did you think I didn't notice you were barely eating?" Lightning asks. Kyou blushes heavily. "I…sir!" "High king Ulfric himself was pressuring me to get married and start producing heirs four years before I left. For the sake of my clan, he said. Kyou Kai I talked it over with Rainbow and she accepted. I wanted you to be a part of it." Lightning says. Kyou looks a little confused. "A part of what?" "Oh the family, as a mother to Lightning's foals." Rainbow says hugging Kyou Kai and to her surprise she realized she was smaller than herself. Kyou looks to Lightning and sees him smiling before she sighs. "Okay, I'll do it. But only if Lightning doesn't treat me any different." "Oh, there will be a difference." Lightning says closing the distance and encircling them with his wing before kissing Kyou Kai to her shock. Rainbow giggles before nuzzling them. "This family is just going to get bigger and weirder." "You love it Rainbow." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "Yeah I do. Now, don't you have a meeting to get too?" "Not yet, first I need a mare to get dressed." Lightning says smirking as he closes the secret passage and seals it with his magic and Kyou Kai smirks before walking over to the wardrobe and pulls out a regal looking dress Rainbow looks a little scared. "Wait a minute, hold on now." She said. "Kyou Kai, I think the Queen needs some help getting dressed." Lightning says smirking as Kyou Kai starts to as well to advance on Rainbow. Rainbow keeps backing up. "Wait a second." "Oh, don't you remember what I told you love, Kyou Kai doesn't usually show mercy." Lightning says sitting down. Rainbow glares at him. "You just want to see me molested, don't you?" "Oh no, Kyou Kai has no interest in mares." Lightning says before Kyou Kai was on Rainbow. Rainbow struggles to pull away and tries to drag herself to him. "I hate you." She said, leveling a glare at him. "Don't let her rip the dress Kyou Kai, it is pure silk after all." Lightning says. Rainbow groans as she then feels the dress. "What the heck is this stuff?" "Pure silk love, it cost me a small fortune and I had to call in a few favors to get it made for the queen." Lightning says. Rainbow stands up in her new dress. "How much?" "Thirty five thousand and thankfully it is a special silk that you have to be trying to ruin on purpose to stain." Lightning says as Kyou Kai finally got the dark blue regal dress on Rainbow. A few knocks on the door got their attention and it opened to find Scootaloo standing there in her once packaged dress. "I can't believe Discord wore this." She said as in her slightly puffy dress stressing against her scales and her skirt flowed with her tail moving around. Scootaloo then saw her mom. "What are you wearing?!" They both yelled in unison. "We aren't done yet love. You're still missing one item." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him. "What's that?" Kyou Kai nods at Lightning as she retrieves a case and brings it to Lightning who opens it and takes out a crown made of gold with deep blue gems. "Where did you get that?" "I have been saving this for years now. This is the lost crown of the first high queen of Stalliongrad. Now it is time for some mare to wear it again." Lightning says placing it on her head. Rainbow looks into the mirror and sees herself changed. "It feels like…I'm losing myself." "It's the mare, not the crown Rainbow." Lightning says holding her. Rainbow leans against him. "Promise you won't lose me." "I'd die first." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "No suicide mission again, please." "I don't plan on it. Now let's go, we have to meet the high king and the rest of the Jarls. Kyou Kai come with us." Lightning says. Kyou nods as they follow him out to the main hall and sees the high king and the other Jarls in the main lobby area. Lightning steps up to the top steps. "My king." Lightning greets as he bows to Ulfric who is sitting on the throne. (We are automatically translating it for you readers.) Ulfric smiles. "Lightning, good to see you again. How's life?" "As well as can be expected. I don't believe you have been introduced. My king, may I introduce Rainbow Dash, my wife." Lightning introduces. Ulfric chuckles a bit as Rainbow steps out from behind Lightning. "About time you married. I was getting worried about losing my best friend to time itself with nothing for others to follow on. And no, war teachings don't count." "Yes, well you need not worry about that as your spy have most likely have already told you from the Dominion I now have foals of my own." Lightning says. Ulfric smiles. "Where are those little rascals?" "Resting my king. Speaking of which." Lightning says stomping his hoof and several severed head fell from the ceiling. "Who wants to die so much they sent assassins to kill my foals?" Lightning asks looking at the other jarls. The Jarls tries to look innocent. "Why are you looking at us?" One asks. "Because before he died one talked. They said they were hired to make sure my influence wouldn't be spread to the next generation as somepony felt threatened." Lightning says as his glare intensified. Rainbow glares almost as hard. "The one rule with us is never touch our foals." "I may not know which one of you were stupid enough to try this, but know I will find out who." Lightning threatened. Ulfric chuckles. "As always, never harm Lightning's closest." "I will let that go for now because we have something important to discuss." Lightning says. Ulfric sits up. "And what's that?" "Which country we invade while Qin invades the other?" Lightning asks. Ulfric frowns. "It boils down to this. We either attack Qin and take out the reinforcement and maybe gain some help or attack the Dominion and stem the tide from both sides." Each one of the Jarls and their entourage take a seat as the meeting got under way. "My king, I propose we don't attack the Dominion directly at this point. Instead we launch an attack on one of the neighboring countries to us so we can weaken the Dominion's allied power while not give them a great enough cause to launch an attack on us directly yet." The Jarl of Solitude, Benawi spoke. Lightning looks to the others. "Any other suggestions?" "Where will Qin strike when we start?" Ulfric asks and everypony goes silent until Lightning spoke. "Ucrane." "I concur with Lightning. It is no secret Ucrane and Qin have animosity with each other, with Ucrane repeatedly trying to overthrow Qin's government from the inside and funding all rebels in its borders for the last thirty years. They didn't even bother to hide it when they started because the Dominion promised them support if Qin retaliated, but now with the legions having to fight through our armies or one of our allied countries to get there they can't send reinforcements in time to help them and most likely has already given up on helping them and are just using them as much as they can." Benawi says. Scootaloo leans over to Kyou. "Why strike there then?" She whispered. "It directly borders the Qin Empire." Kyou says. "With mountains around them that's as high as the clouds?" Scootaloo asks. "Qin can easily get to Ucrane. Those mountains have many tunnels leading through them." Kyou Kai whispers back. "If that is the case, we have two options of nations to hit if we follow Benawi's suggestion, either the island federation or Urreigns." Thongvor, jarl of the reach says. "Kyou Kai." Lightning says and soon maps were brought to the jarls and the high king. "Both prospects have pros and cons." Lightning says. Scootaloo tilts her head. "And the one with less cons wins, unless you can use it to your advantage so that becomes a pro." "He is talking about engaging the nations themselves." Kyou Kai says. "On one hoof we have the island federation whose armies are smaller, but have a good naval force and a decent air force. If we were to engage them it would mostly be a naval campaign with little ground fight, it would also leave our supply lines extended and vulnerable to raids by pirates and enemy ships. But, by taking them the Dominion's naval capabilities will be seriously hurt." Lightning says. Scootaloo mumbles to herself. "Give up on the security and use on army, not good for no supplies and it will a short war." "Urreign, on the other hoof, is bordering us mostly securing our supply lines and has a lot of flat lands making it ideal for our armies, but the Urreign army mostly uses magic to fight and like to fight long range. Unless we can close in and attack them face to face we won't be able to win, but they have little in terms of an air force. Taking Urreign is by far the seemingly more costly invasion, but if we do we will have more natural resources to pull from and deny the enemy more land forces and places to launch attacks on us." Lightning says. Scootaloo grabs an unused map from Kyou who looks on in interest. Scootaloo unrolls the map and takes a look. "More cost, fight mostly close range and magic is mostly used. Yet, more resources and less land to stage from." Kyou Kai points to the country just southwest of Stalliongrad. "Thanks, more supplies might bolster the forces and up the moral because of land gained from Dominion." "In the end do we go for dominance in the sea or do we go for more resources and take out a bigger force?" Another Jarl says. Scootaloo, Lightning and Ulfric looks up at almost the same time. "Land attack." They all said. Ulfric leans forward. "We just need our version of supplies, but also our own citizens. The most they see as victory is land grabs and more resources to use so they don't have to contribute much. Citizens like it when we mostly stay out of their way." "Not to mention we will finally border the griffon empire." Benawi says. Lightning chuckles lightly. "Headstrong and a bit crazy, but that's their strength in war. Unpredictable to know in an instant and hard to stop once they get rolling. Perfect army for some quick strikes. Maybe they can help with leading the charge while we try to sneak, makes things easier on them and once they push through, we take out the remaining forces and do it all over again. Besides, if all else fails, at least we have the old feather duster to help clean up." The jarls share a chuckle at the joke. Ulfric smiles. "Still need a good strike position. Too close to the mountains and get ourselves cornered and complete open field is just asking for your head blown off." "That can be decided later. We need to prepare the armies and gather the supplies." A jarl says. Lightning nods. "Yes, but let's make sure we tell citizens that war is coming, no plans, just war. If the citizens are prepared, we are as well." "Agreed, now on to…" The meeting continued for several more hours before the Jarls went into recess. Lightning sighs as he goes back to Rainbow, Kyou and Scootaloo, who was drawing on a map. "Okay, what happened while I was busy?" Lightning asks laying down near them. "Your daughter is trying to understand the plan on the map." Kyou Kai says. Lightning smiles as he watches Scootaloo strangely draw on the other side of where the plan should be as she mumbles to herself. "Loss of chance, make them move somewhere. Aerial and sea would still be up, but…" She turns to them. "Is most of the Dominion earth ponies?" "Militarily yes, but then there is the orcs and other things they use." Lightning says. Scootaloo turns back to the map. "Mostly earth and other species. Inexperience with air, worry less about that, only high damage as they are inexperienced. Move up? No, the ice caps would block the path and too much resources just to create one. Loss of moral of other military on the other side and some supportive citizens too. Loss of support if they do though. That ain't happening. Sea and air would hold most of them back." She then looks up. "Manehatten. Bombarded and then landed, instead of destroying the buildings, guess of resources they can use, but stop by dad." She looks down to the map again. "Not possible here. We don't have much control, unless other nation agrees to help, maybe rebel factions, no, they won't hurt their own citizens." "They execute their own for the tiniest hint of rebellion." Lightning says. "Sway to our side somehow, not possible with Dominion all over their heads. No, must be shown what we can do, must strike big, make a big firework show, show off that it is possible, citizens would follow and rally another way. Then the attack actually becomes weaker on the front as moral falls, soldiers maybe stop to check on their family, no too headstrong, Silva example as first. Shown gaps in plans of Dominion, only possible with stolen plans and even then there would have to be gaps and be compared to ours and adapted." She turns to them. "With these types of solders, plans would be kept in a nearby camp when the attack starts." "Welsh queendom betrays us, Legions advance early." Lightning says. Scootaloo turns back to the map and draws a line on the broader. "Take the plans maybe, only possible when fighting starts, and even then camp must be found and infiltrated and even then a duplicate must be made. Not enough time unless hidden long enough. Advance early may lower our moral, but…" She turns to Lightning. "Financial. They strike early, they may hit us with all they got first and then wean us out, wasting time when striking at strategic spots based on terrain is more effective. Wasted resources equals wasted money and wasted money equals unhappy citizens funding their operations." She turns to the map again and starts marking possible places on the Dominion side. "Possible spots, maybe. Need a good choke point, once attacked they hold it back and send the attack back out again, never get in unless going in by stealth. Qin using underground network, Dominion doing the same, no, somewhat honorable in terms of types of attack and nothing else. Want to see the enemy die right before them. Maybe…no. Underground tunnels of own, no, too much time and resources. Need land first, once grabbed we have control over mostly everything there. Citizen's moral would boost by a lot." "Disaster has struck the Wyvern rampage everywhere and the Dominion has struck a deal with the dragon, possible connection." Lightning says. Scootaloo frowns. "Troubling, aerial help needed as dragon is tough against most ground attacks." She looks to her foreleg. "Dragon fears most is the weather, use weather to advantage, yes, if dragon attacks, use weather to advantage, but land not like Equestria. Barely any control by ponies here. Unless…" Scootaloo looks to Lightning. "How many magic users can mimic weather and can fly high enough to get past clouds?" "Only the most powerful." Lightning says. Scootaloo turns back to the map. "Only last resort then, if dragon attacks gets devastating then send in the last resort. Maybe use terrain to our advantage, maybe if Dominion doesn't stop assault or have counterassault." "Maybe offer them some dinner?" Daring asks coming up with a plate of meat. Scootaloo throws her quill and stabs Daring's mane. "Only assaults will then be acted on. Have to check up on the patterns. Canterlot, no, bad example, dad attack first. Siege of Pegalopolis, kept going no matter what, full head on assault. Inexperience general though." "Angel take a break." Lightning says picking her up. Scootaloo groans as she placed down near her plate. "I doubt that was much help as you probably knew all of them." "We have been running several scenarios for a long time Scoots. You're smart, but it's harder to predict what the enemy will do. A lot are new to commanding because of their system and that can sometimes lead to unexpected moves." Lightning says. Scootaloo stiffens. "Inexperience, headlong attack as most of the assaults, account for crazy plans of their own. Ow." She rubs her head where Rainbow hit her. "Enough of that, eat. Twilight did say you need this amount every day." Rainbow said. "You got anything to say Kyou Kai?" Lightning asks. Kyou watches as Scootaloo tears into the meat like an animal. "Which one, the war or her?" "The latter, remember you agreed to be a mother to my foals." Lightning whispers into her ear. Kyou sighs. "She's smart, smarter than any other foal her age is and she accounted for almost every possibility including your naval and aerial warfare. The attack you didn't want to do. Most don't plan for anything on the loss of attack side. Even some generals won't think what she thought of." "And what would you say to her if she was your daughter?" Lightning asks. Kyou smiles. "You're the greatest filly a mother could ask for." "Well maybe you will know what it is like to be a mother soon enough, it will take around two years to prepare." Lightning says. Kyou looks at him. "Are you…offering to give me a foal?" "You already agreed to it remember?" Lightning asks. Kyou blushes. "How could I not?" "Let's get to work shall we and you're not the only one, ok?" Lightning asks her, wrapping a wing around her. Kyou nods. "Okay, but maybe after this whole battle. It may buy us time." "Kyou, we are starting immediately tonight." Lightning says. Kyou sighs. "So…after it or before?" "The war won't happen for two years, I expect in that time we shall see if you will be a mother like a few others." Lightning says. Rainbow snuggles up to her other side. "We'll make sure you have the best time of your life." Daring comes up around Rainbow's side. "Just relax and let it flow." "Oh he is giving you extra attention as well Daring." Rainbow says talking more freely now that Scootaloo went off to get more meat. Daring smirks as she looks at her. "Only if he gives the same to you." "Why do I feel my sleep schedule was just greatly reduced?" Lightning asks. All three mares bonk him on the head. "Quiet, the mares are talking." They said. "Since when were you into maretalk Kyou?" Lightning asks now confused. Kyou smiles. "When they started to talk about what you can do at night." "I have no response, I have been completely outmaneuvered." Lightning admits. Kyou pokes him. "And don't you forget it." Rainbow smiles. "So…what are you going to do Lightning?" Daring goes rounds his side. "Take control or let us do the work?" Lightning's ear twitches. "I think we should save that for tonight as Talion and Typhoon have woken up." Lightning says. Rainbow quickly runs off. "Come on Daring!" "Come on Kyou." Lightning says following. Kyou smiles as she follows closely. "I do wonder one thing." (And the fun starts here.) Later that night Lightning walks into his bed chambers tired as he had just got done tucking in Scootaloo. "Okay, Scootaloo's asleep. Had a tough time getting that sketched filled map away from her though." Lightning says before somepony lands on his back. "At least she didn't throw a quill through your mane." Lightning smiles. "Yeah, she has great aim." He said looking at Daring on his back who was out of her clothes. "You aren't wearing your clothes, that's a change." Lightning says smirking. Daring snuggles into him. "Great night coming up, didn't want them ruined." "I see you are really ready for it then. So is it just me and you?" Lightning asks. Daring smiles as she looks over to the bathroom door open and Rainbow steps out clean, but looks back inside. "Come on out, we're waiting." "It's so embarrassing." Lightning heard unmistakably Kyou Kai's voice. Rainbow giggles. "Come on, you have to do this if you want it. Now where's that strong mare?" "Back with my sword and clothes." Kyou says. Rainbow reaches in and pulls her out. "Really, you wear that underneath everything?" She asks pointing to the lace outfit. Kyou blushes deeply seeing Lightning. "Kyou Kai…whoa…you look…great." Lightning says. Kyou blush deepened. "Thanks. Can we get this over with?" She said, trying to look away. "If that's what you wish." Rainbow says grabbing her and starting to remove her lace outfit. Kyou stutters a bit as she feels her move around. "Hey, easy." Lightning smiles as he looks up to Daring. "And you?" Daring shrugs. "Second, Kyou goes first. That's what we agreed on." "Seems like Rainbow getting a little revenge for Kyou Kai forcing her into her queen outfit for the first time." Lightning says as he and Daring watched. Daring chuckles as Rainbow pulls Kyou's panties off. "Yeah, considering that I almost fell into that, but agreed to back off until we were really ready to reveal ourselves." "You know, we may ask you to substitute for Rainbow sometimes since you look so alike." Lightning says. Daring sighs. "Won't that place me in trouble?" "No, because Kyou Kai is in charge of that and she already will know." Lightning says as he removes his robes and the last article of clothes flies off Kyou. Rainbow smiles at her handiwork. "There, ten times better." She said as Kyou tries to cover herself up with her hooves and tail. Lightning then moves behind her and wraps his hooves and wings around her. "You ready?" Kyou tenses a little. "Yeah." Lightning huffs. "Liar. You mares mind giving Kyou here a little relaxant?" Rainbow and Daring moves up to her as Lightning lifts her front half up and exposes her. Kyou keeps blushing as Rainbow and Daring starts to message Kyou on her joints before moving to her muscle. She moans as she feels some of the pressure lifting while Lightning kisses her lightly on the neck. Kyou slowly goes slack in Lightning arms as he finally lifts her up and puts her on the bed. She groans before feeling a weight over herself and sees Lightning draped over, watching. Kyou licks her lips slightly before she feels his lips on hers and kisses back. Rainbow and Daring meanwhile licks at Lightning's sheath now slowly appearing and rubs each other. Lightning moans as he feels himself being kicked by two mares as he starts to slowly glide over Kyou's legs and towards her cunt until she gasps at the sudden touch. Lightning recaptures her lips and continues to press hard against her as he feels more and more of his cock come out. Rainbow and Daring kiss as they continue to work on Lightning as he slowly came out more and more until they couldn't even fit it down their mouth. Soon they settled on licking his sides as he moans from the menstruations and suddenly feels the stuff pole run along Kyou making them both stop and look down. Kyou starts to breathe hard as she sees his long cock run along her and feels his girth, but Lightning kisses her, making her calm down before he slowly moves back and runs along her cunt a few times before piercing her, making Kyou stiffen and arch up. Lightning, Rainbow and Daring all placed kisses and massages as Lightning didn't move until she got down on her own. Kyou sighs deeply as she feels the pain going down before laying back down and opening her wings before looking at Lightning and nods. Lightning smiles and kisses her before moving slowly. Kyou moans as she feels his cock start to move into her as Rainbow and Daring place kisses on both her and Lightning. Soon Lightning started to pick up the pace and make Kyou jump a little at every hit he makes before moving back. It was getting so much that Kyou lifts her legs around Lightning and wrap around him to hang on. Lightning smiles and kisses her before moving harder and making her jump up higher and makes her tense up from the jumps. Lightning chuckles deeply as he starts to kiss her neck and biting it lightly. Kyou moans louder as she feels four different sensations running on her at the same. They all laugh or giggle as Kyou opens her eyes and they see her glazed over. Kyou moans almost quietly as everything built up on her before Lightning grabs on her hips and starts to pound away on her making her trying to breath more deeply until Lightning finally hits her hard and stops moving. Kyou arches a little and closes her eyes as she feels his warm cum flow into her and stay locked in as Rainbow and Daring watches her expression until she drops back down and sighs in relief. Lightning, Daring and Rainbow watches as Kyou finally opens her eyes again and looks at them. "That was…that was…" Lightning smiles as he slowly pulls out. "Amazing?" Kyou tries to nod. "Yeah." They all smile as Lightning finally pulls out his cum covered cock and shows it to everypony there. "Now you can rest, okay?" Kyou nods as she lays back and watches them. Lightning looks to Daring as they all turn to her. Daring smiles before licking his cock a little before moving to the other side of the bed and stands up, but places her front end down. Lightning smiles as he moves to her before licking her cunt making her moan and moving it inside. Daring moans louder before stopping as Lightning stops messing around and mounts her. Daring grunts from the weight and relaxes on the bed while hiking her tail out of the way as Lightning starts to slowly move into her. Daring moans as Lightning starts to move around in her as Rainbow comes up to her and kisses her. Daring's moans were muffled as she kept being kissed while Lightning leans down and starts to kiss her between her wings and her neck. Daring's muffled moans became louder as Lightning just started to pound harder into her, making her jump slightly. Lightning grins as Rainbow presses hard with her hoof onto Daring's wings, causing her to moan the loudest she can in her condition. Rainbow smiles as she slowly moves her hoof over Daring's wing, making them twitch. Lightning smiles as he grabs her wings and slowly massages them while Daring moans like crazy. Daring let's go the kiss and turns her head and looks at Lightning while he stills goes. Lightning smiles as he kisses her head before letting go and starts to hit her head making her move slightly until Lightning hits the hardest and stops at her deepest. Daring moans quietly feeling the warm cum move into her and down her legs. After a while Lightning sighs and pulls out slowly, making Daring moan from the sensitivity. After coming out Daring sways before falling on her side, facing Kyou. "Now that…was the greatest feeling I ever had in my life." Daring said. Lightning sits down as Rainbow sits between Kyou and Daring, checking over the both of them. "Well, it's the most you can always have in your life, so yeah." He said. Rainbow smiles as she covers them with the extra blankets. "Now you two can rest. It's been a long night." Daring looks at her. "What about you?" Rainbow shakes her head. "No need. I don't need it, but you two did." Lightning nods and gets off the bed before heading the bathroom. "You mind trying to clean them up Rainbow?" Rainbow nods. "Sure." She said while starting to clean them up. After a while Lightning came out cleaner and looks to see Daring and Kyou snuggling together and trying to sleep while Rainbow sits up beside them and watches them. Lightning smiles as he comes up on the bed. "You ready for bed, Rainbow?" Rainbow looks at him. "What do you think?" She asks as she lays down and pulls the covers over them. Lightning shakes his head and lays between the two and Rainbow. "So…you ready to have a bigger family soon?" Rainbow giggles. "The more family, the more fun and the weirder which we can really take and handle." She said heading to sleep. Lightning chuckles. "Tell me about it." He said before closing his eyes and wraps his wings around them as best he could and falls asleep. (Okay, hoped you enjoyed that.) A few months later. "Please Lightning?" Twilight asks in Stalliongrats. "Fine, I need to go Winterhold and the college anyways." Lightning says finally giving in. Twilight cheers. "Yes!" Rainbow shakes her head. "Always the same Twilight we know and love." Daring sits near them, her stomach visibly bigger. "Hard to believe this is around the hundredth time" "I have a condition though." Lightning says. Twilight stops her celebration. "What?" "You do what I say and follow my instruction, got it?" Lightning asks. Twilight sighs. "Fine." Kyou chuckles, part of dress was already bulging from her stomach being a bit bigger. "And that is supposed to be the new queen?" "She's not a queen yet Kyou." Lightning says still facehoofing every time he remembers her meeting High king Ulfric. Rainbow giggles. "And think of how many times she met the scholars, still bad about what happened to that one scholar…well not really. He did place Scootaloo into the fight just to see how tough she is." "His punishment is almost over. He will be back to work soon." Lightning says. Kyou sighs. "Hard to believe that somepony would allow this to happened. Even the most experienced scholar knows that a change needs time. Leave that scholar to me and he probably won't survive. "No, he is a valued member of the court. He's learnt his lesson by now." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him "How's Scootaloo anyway? I haven't seen her for a while." "She's been sleeping for the last several days." Kyou says. Rainbow looks confused. "Sleeping for several days? What's going on?" Daring sighs. "Twilight thinks it's the organs starting to change to fit her dragon body parts. Sleeping would cause her to not feel pain more than if she was awake." "I was thinking she was hibernating a bit." Lightning says. Rainbow giggles. "Yeah, the pony part of her would not allow that. Still, something is going to change, last one was most of her dragon parts. What's this one going to make?" "We don't know, this is completely unknown territory for even dragons." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Where's Talion and Typhoon, it's been a while since we sent for them?" "Fluttershy is probably gushing over them like usual." Lightning says. Daring laughs. "That mare really is starting to love everything here now. I wonder if she can control some animals that help in anyway?" "She has tried a little. Not much success, but she is good at being a veterinarian." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Always has been. She was the best doctor if none was close enough." "Yes, my men have caught her in a forbidden place several times too." Lightning says. Rainbow waves him off. "She's always trying to help, no matter who it is and even the animals. This land is new so it would be the perfect place to test her skills as an animal talker." "This is serious Rainbow." Kyou says. Rainbow sighs. "I know, the war is looming over, spies may infiltrate and of course the occasional assassin." She said as Fluttershy walks in. "It's not that, what we keep down there must remain secret." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs and turns to Fluttershy. "So where are they?" Fluttershy smiles before two patches of her mane move and Talion and Typhoon pop out from them. "Hi mommies, hi daddy." They said. "Oh my babies." Rainbow says running over and picking them up. Lightning chuckles as the foals giggles and hug her back. "First few words and still more to show. Though I'm surprised that was in Stalliongrats." Lightning says the last part thoughtfully. Rainbow smiles. "It's been a while since they were here. Of course they would pick it up. Right guys?" The foals nods. "I wonder how has Octavia and Vinyl been getting along." Lightning says. Daring smiles. "Vinyl's been trying to fit in and play some music, both foreign and hers. Octavia is a different matter. She still plays her violin, but Apollo has been really training her for the hard stuff especially during battles." "I highly doubt he would ever let her on the battlefield. I have also heard rumors. Is Vinyl expecting?" Lightning asks. Everypony smiles. "Yeah and Nikolai is really happy that he's constantly on guard, won't even allow other guards to get close now." Kyou said. Lightning chuckles. "That's steel wing Nikolai for you. How is Vinyl and Octavia taking the news?" Lightning asks. Rainbow laughs. "If you called most of the records thrown so hard they got into the walls for Vinyl and more songs from Octavia great, then yeah, they're taking it very well." She then gets slightly confused. "Which reminds me, weren't you supposed to see Umbra and Zagai? It's been a long time since then." "Zagai returned to Whiterun before the festival. Umbra, I have a feeling him and his host are still adjusting to the arrangement. If that's the case we may not see them for a while and then there's his host's reclusive nature." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Pity, these two would probably like to see their uncle." She said looking down at them. "Well shall we head out, Winterhold awaits?" Lightning says. Rainbow smiles as does everypony else. "Still need Scootaloo, I doubt she would be happy if we left her alone." "No need." A voice said from an archway. Looking over they see Scootaloo a little bigger than last time, almost the size of a guard, when they saw her not resting, her tail longer and thicker, legs grown more muscle and less fat as they can see it move with every movement, while her underside and parts of her head still contained parts of her old pony body. "That was a great nap." "Twilight get Spike and Agni. Oh, I have also heard some of your friends have been talking to my sworn swords, any chemistry there yet?" Lightning asks. Twilight blushes. "Not yet, but they're getting there." She said before walking off. Daring smiles as she looks at him. "So when her friends does get together with the sworn swords, then they could take them back to Ponyville and worry about long distance, right?" "Unfortunately no, my sworn swords know that the great war we have been preparing for is coming in maybe less than a decade. I myself will most likely never see Equestria again in my life." Lightning says. Rainbow looks at him worried. "Lightning." "Beside I have a home here with my family." Lightning says as the foals managed to get into his throne with him. Rainbow looks away for a few moments before looking back at him. "Lightning, can you promise us all something?" "What?" Lightning asks as he lets the foals play on him. Rainbow looks around at everypony before back to him. "Make sure that when we're done, we go back. Your new life started in Equestria and it will end there." "I will try Rainbow, but I also have responsibilities here as Jarl. I am king of this hold. Without a worthy successor I can't step down." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "I know, but we have responsibility over in Equestria as well. Your family is here because we are, but we started in Equestria with everything and I want it all to end with us there. For most of us, it all started there. It seems only right to be there when it ends." "Maybe, who can say love, time will tell if it is possible." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "At least make it possible for all of us." "Well, let's get going." Lightning says before whistling, waking up the Ice wolf pack. Multiple heads shot up from a corner and quickly scamper around Lightning before one saw Scootaloo and bowed before her, leaving her confused. "What the?" She asks herself as the others starts to bow as well after noticing her. Lightning set the foals on Fenrir before turning to Rainbow. "Time for the mother to keep them warm." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to Fenrir. "I'm…supposed to ride him as well?" "Oh no, they are riding in the carriage with us." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs as she takes a quick look around and still sees Scootaloo dealing with the bowing Ice Wolves. "Well, after they stop bowing and pack up a little. Let's head out." "You think they are ready to wear clothes or should just be wrapped in blankets?" Daring asks now wearing saddlebags. Rainbow frowns. "You know how we are now. We already know customs here, plus, it's cold." "So shall we ask Rarity to start designing some clothes?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smirks. "Lightning, she has already started." "That's my queen." Lightning says kissing behind her ear. Rainbow yelps and tries to shake it off. "No, it's just she's been stealing samples from the rooms so I gave her some fabric to work with. No point in leaving her like that, ever since she took samples from Eclipse's palace." "You think they are ready?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods. "As long as they stick with us and we promise to keep them safe. They'll be fine." "He meant their clothes." Daring whispered. Rainbow groans. "She's working on the last one, should be ready in a few hours. Think you can prepare until then?" "I say we can eat before then." Lightning says rubbing Daring's stomach. Rainbow smiles as she looks to Kyou who was looking at hers. "Yeah, those little guys might be hungry now." "She's starting to sound like a mother, huh?" Daring whispers to Rainbow. Rainbow nods. "When you have foals, everything changes." "You would know, Equestria's fastest flier." Daring says. Rainbow pushes her slightly. "Oh shut up." "Dad, a little help?" Scootaloo asks. "Coming angel." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "Seems Scootaloo still has to deal with being royalty in two ways now." "At least Lightning is intensive. I know full well a lot of Jarls and rulers either can't find the time or don't care enough to watch out for their kids." Daring says. Rainbow sighs as she remembers Eclipse. "Yeah, I've seen one too." "Well at least we found a good one." Daring says her hoof around Rainbow. Rainbow smiles before giving her a small kiss. "Thanks." "Lightning isn't so bad either." Daring jokes. Rainbow chuckles. "Yeah." "Kyou is much smaller than I thought she would be. I at least thought she would be our size and we are considered smallish for pegasus." Daring says. Rainbow nods. "Yeah, maybe…Lighting likes small mares?" "I have heard rumors of her prowess with that sword of hers. The only thing in common they have is impossible." Daring says. Rainbow shrugs. "I guess, now…do you want a special meal from Lightning?" "Lightning has freely admitted if she tried she would kill him." Daring adds. Rainbow sighs. "So…want that special meal?" "Oh, I think you will like it." Daring says. Rainbow smiles. "I already had one." "You don't want to try the new recipe the chefs are trying?" Daring asks smirking. "Oh be quiet." Rainbow says pouting now. Daring bumps her side. "No you." "Rainbow, Daring, we are going to the dining room." Lightning calls. They turn to him. "Coming." They both yell. Later Lightning looked over Talion and Typhoon in their outfits. Talion sporting a fur coat jacket while wearing some cotton clothing for everywhere else. Typhoon had a cloak that he swears is enchanted and, like Talion, she has cotton clothing all over. "I see you are broadening your horizons with Stalliongrad style." Lightning says. Rarity smiles. "Well I have to work with what I got." "Well we shall see you in a few days Rarity, I have to make a trip to Winterhold and Twilight won't stop till I take her to the college." Lightning says. Rarity giggles. "Just make sure that you have fun there." "We will try." Lightning says putting the foals on Fenrir's back before leading them out. Lightning smiles as he sees Scootaloo with just saddlebags. "Where's your coat?" Scootaloo shrugs. "Feel warm." "Angel, didn't you learn anything in Saddle Arabia?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo smirks. "No, I mean I feel warm." "About clothes." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs and brings out another cloak. "You can thank Discord for these, he said mom is sew happy." "I will." Lightning says as she puts it on. Scootaloo sighs as she looks to the foals. "Still can't believe they grew this fast." "What, you want to carry your siblings?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo smiles. "Sure." Lightning stops Fenrir allowing Scootaloo to grab the twins. "Just grab onto her mane guys." He said as they moved onto her back and snuggled into her mane. Scootaloo smiled as she carried them to the waiting carriage before getting in. Lightning smiled as the rest came up. "Our foals, to ride for the first time, a dragon, how many can say that?" He asks Rainbow. Rainbow elbowed him for the joke causing him to laugh. "Come on, can you blame me? We pretty much have a dragon, well more like a Discord type of dragon, who is wearing Chaos's clothing or the dresses she made for Discord." Rainbow giggles a few times. "Dresses for Discord himself?" Lightning grins as he leans over. "He was mommy's little angel." Lightning says before starting to die of laughter. Rainbow shakes her head as Daring and Kyou kick some snow onto him before getting inside the carriage. Rainbow keeps watching for a few more seconds before getting on herself and closing the door. The carriage started to pull away, making Lightning stop and look up and run after it. "Hey!" The trip after that was uneventful as the snow started to fall heavier. "Lightning, isn't the Jarl who rules Winterhold one of those your suspects?" Rainbow asks. "No, he isn't, in fact he and Benawi are my most trusted allies amongst the rest of the Jarls." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Still…who would try to get our foals?" "There are five suspects amongst the Jarls and counting those below the jarls, near a hundred." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "And you think they would go after Daring and Kyou if they had the chance?" "They like living too much for Kyou and it isn't known yet that Daring is one of my mistresses yet." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to Scootaloo as she curls around Talion and Typhoon as they rest against her side. "Any cults that we have to worry about?" "We started uprooting cults here years ago, those who didn't die got the message and fled the country." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs in relief. "Good, I don't want a repeat of Saddle Arabia." "Twilight, we won't be going to the college immediately." Lightning says. Twilight groans. "Then what do we do in the mean time?" "Just wait in the carriage, I won't be long." Lightning says. Twilight groans some more as Lightning left and headed outside. "He's still doing the same thing." Kyou looks out the carriage "It's very interesting, Winterhold, a decade ago this was mostly deserted, but now it is becoming a bustling town." Kyou says. Daring sighs as leans against the walls. "So, what did Lightning do, because this place was still in trouble after I left?" "He merely loaned Winterhold some money and got the king and the army to endorse learning magic." Kyou says. Daring smiles. "That's our Lightning. Always going the extreme." "No, the one who everypony gives credit to, Jarl Korir." Kyou says. Daring grins. "And humble." "And that is what is needed. Do you think you could have you men watch The Pale hold for me?" Lightning asks. "I will do it. At this point we can't have a power vacuum." Jarl Korir says. Lightning sighs in relief. "Good, now if you excuse me, I have get my party out of the stuffy carriage." He said leaving. "Next time, plan to stay awhile, we have much catching up to do." Korir says. "Next time." Lightning promises. Korir smiles at he sips away at his tea. "The land of many and I get him." Back outside, Lightning enters the carriage again and it starts moving towards the college. "Ok done, now next stop, the college." Lightning says. Twilight's eyes light up as Agni and Spike shake their heads. "Here we go." Spike said. "Twilight, remember what I said or we are heading back to Whiterun." Lightning says. Twilight immediately slumps down as Agni and Spike pat her back. Rainbow giggles. "Jeez Lightning, when did you become a buzzkill?" "I take the college very seriously." Lightning says as they stop. Rainbow looks outside and sees just a big building. "This is it?" "Yes. Twilight, remain focused." Lightning says getting out. Twilight sighs before following him as she tries to keep warm. Agni and Spike follow her out as they eye the college. They walk along the path until they come to a gate which Twilight could sense was sealed with magic to prevent intrusion. Lightning touched the gate and the seal dissipated and the gate opened. Everyone followed him as they see a courtyard in the middle of towers as the gate closes behind them and reseals itself. He soon opens a door and they follow him inside to find a few mages. "Welcome to the college of mages." Lightning says as the mages made way for them. Twilight pauses as she sees the mages look at her and Agni and Spike. "Wow." She whispered as she eyed the items on the wall, until she saw a familiar that looked to be made of water. "Don't touch the things on the walls or in cases." Lightning tell Twilight. Twilight slowly follows him as she eyes the many artifacts and books before her eyes lands on one artifact. She then feels something slither up her foreleg before she shakes herself and returns to following him. She shuddered at the dark magic of that skull. After a while they appeared in the headmaster's office. "Okay, now what to start with?" Lightning said to himself sitting down in the chair. Twilight looks around. "Maybe…start with what they were doing in the lobby." "Ah, but first you have to ask the Archmage of the college for permission to access the knowledge here." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "Okay, so where is he?" Lightning walks over and slips on the robes and mantle on a stand not far away before taking a seat at the desk. "You have got to be kidding me." "I'm waiting my apprentice." Lightning says with the biggest smirk. Twilight groans before looking at him. "Can you…teach me?" "Delighted." Lightning says. "Now we have to get you fitted for a student's robes. As they have magic defenses design to protect students from any magical accidents." Lightning says. Twilight raises an eyebrow. "This happened often?" "From time to time, we are dealing with magic Twilight, not to be taken lightly." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "Okay, so where are the robes?" "Go see the Quartermaster, ask anypony and they will point you the way." Lightning says. Twilight nods and heads out, but Agni and Spike doesn't follow her. Lightning watches as Twilight closes the door behind her. "What's wrong?" Agni stares at him while he kept his arms crossed. "A skull actually turned at her. And the other artifacts were actually dragged in their case towards her as she passed each one." Lightning sighs. "Shadow, show yourself." A dark laugh came out as Shadow came out from a dark corner. "Can I help you?" "You finally show yourself, huh? It took a lot of convincing to get Kyou Kai not to have our magic forces deal with you." Lightning says. Shadow sighs. "Lightning, I want to help Twilight, both on your end, her end and my end." "And the fact I'm laying doesn't affect anything?" Lightning asks. Shadow opens her mouth to speak, but then closes it again. "Hold on, I got to deal with something." She said before disappearing into the ground. The three in the room looks confused after she left. Twilight pulls the last sleeve on and looks at herself in the mirror. "So…this is what I have to do to learn." A dark chuckles comes up from behind her and before she could completely turn she was pinned into the wall. "How does it feel, being here, part of my homeland?" Shadow asks close to her ear. Twilight's eyes widen in a mix of horror and fear. "How are you here?" Shadow chuckles. "I was in Saddle Abria, wasn't I? Anyway, how does it feel?" She asks slightly running her hooves under her robes. "H…how does what feel?" Twilight asks. Shadow smiles. "Being here? How does feel to be in new land and learning new things?" She asks, massaging her leg joint. "S…stop that." Twilight says blushing. Shadow smirks. "Stop what?" She asks while moving her hooves more upwards and hiking her robes a little higher. 'Shadow.' Shadow felt Lightning call her right at the edge of Twilight's most sensitive spot. Shadow sighs. "You're very lucky. Just know that I will always be here." She said before letting go and leaving Twilight leaned against the wall, breathing hard before she fell down, still in shock. "If you are done playing, I have a mission for you." Lightning says after Shadow reappeared. Shadow sighs. "You can really suck the fun out of everything, you know that?" "I want you to find the ones who orchestrated and ordered the assassination attempt on my foals." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "Sure, but you know I need payment." "Payment will be rendered when I know whose head I will be collecting." Lightning says. "You really know how to turn me on, but the pay will come from someplace else now." Shadow says. Lightning sighs. "What is it?" Shadow walks over to him and leans close to his ear. "Your student." "No, that is our deal, no one else." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "Relax, I won't corrupt her. Much less fun. I just want to really talk with her a lot, maybe a few pieces here and there, but not much. She's quite interesting as time goes on." She said looking out the window. "Ok. Now I'm interested, originally you just either wanted to kill the mane six or just corrupt Twilight outright." Lightning says. Shadow laughs. "After what happened and learning their involvement in everything I knew I had to keep them alive. Originally it was just for keeping myself alive and another run at conquering the land. But now…" She pauses as she looks outside and sees Rainbow and the others outside of the carriage and looking around. "I want Twilight to succeed. My plans has since been changed to accommodate this. Twilight will get her throne and her lover. And maybe even a bonus at the end, don't worry, it won't be corruption. Do that and the plan is ruined. Now, what do you say?" "I think it's time to find out why Daring was so desperate to get into the forbidden section." Lightning says. Shadow looks to him. "The writer? She's with you? Why on this planet would she need that, unless she took an important artifact?" "From the Dominion itself and the reason why I forbid everypony from that section is because it contains a page from a certain book." Lightning says. Shadow raised an eyebrow. "It would help to know what she has." "That's what I tend to find out, but you mind setting up defenses for that section. I don't want anypony even seeing the page from the Necronomicon." Lightning says. Shadow's eyes widen. "The necro book? It's here?! How the heck is it here?! Nobody is supposed to have it but me." "No, just a page. I've tried destroying it but nothing has worked so far." Lightning says. Shadow clicks her tongue. "That's because you can't dumbass. Only those under me can really mess with it and no, I won't choose you." "I know, but even you don't want to have anything to do with it." Lightning says. Shadow huffs. "That's because we sealed it away. The only time we'll use it is in a grave time for war, when all hope is lost." "Then hell is unleashed on all." Lightning says. Shadow looks at him. "It would already be unleashed. This gives me control over most of the forces. Like I said, a grave war." "An undead war and the last thing we need is some idiot initiating it or some fool trying to control it." Lightning says. Shadow nods. "That's why I only choose those who knows why it doesn't need to be done. And you killed them all." "To be fair that Daedric was trying to use it to start the thing." Lightning says. Shadow sighs. "Even spirits can make mistakes." "Or go crazy with ambition or power." Lightning says. "That too. Do you hate me for that, for bringing the wrong Daedric?" Shadow says. "I don't hate you, it was his mistake that cost him his own life. By way of me cutting off his head. It does make a good thing for the students to study though." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "Let's get this over with." "Oh, last time you were like a little embarrassed school mare." Lightning jokes. Shadow hits his side. "Shut up or I may corrupt Twilight after all and send both our plans off the road." "You're sounding more like Rainbow every time." Lightning says sealing the room with magic. Shadow huffs, but smiles a bit. "I told you, I can be anything you want me to be and all you have to do is ask." Lightning soon found Rainbow in one of the classrooms. "And that is why wind can freeze water if used in the correct way." The teacher says. Lightning smiles as he steps up by Rainbow. "Learning my love?" Rainbow shrugs. "Snippets." Lightning smiles. "And where's the others?" Rainbow suddenly looks nervous and sheepish. "Don't tell me, cafeteria?" Lightning asks. Rainbow walks out and heads across the hallway to the other classroom and finds Kyou and Daring watching on as Scootaloo fed on some meat while Typhoon and Talion watches the students and professor on her back. "And as you can see, dragons would usually protect anything close. Case in point…" He reaches for the foals, but Scootaloo's tail blocks his way. "That. Never attack unless you want to be eaten or bother them too. Heck, don't bother them at all." Lightning looks to Rainbow who just looks embarrassed. "He was talking about water, but when Scootaloo walked in he changed it to dragons." Lightning facehoof and whistles bringing Fenrir. Rainbow sighs as Fenrir comes up to him. "Getting the foals out?" "No, go on boy, protect." Lightning says gesturing to the foals. Fenrir growls before padding up to them and growling at the students before laying down in front of Scootaloo. Rainbow sighs before looking around. "Where's Twilight?" Lightning shrugs. "Must still be dealing with the robes. They are sometimes finicky." "Archmage, there is a mare in the library that is not known to us." A teacher says as Lightning noticed Daring slipped away. Twilight breathes out carefully as she sees herself in the mirror. After Shadow slipped away she didn't bother getting up and only now does she lift a hoof. "Let me help." Shadow said before grabbing her outstretched hoof and pulling her up and then holding her around her midsection. Twilight was caught off guard as Shadow just kept holding her there. "It's time you started increasing your knowledge on magic." Shadow says moving a strain of hair from Twilight view. Twilight looks down at themselves before looking back up at her. "Why are you treating me like this?" Shadow sighs. "Because…you're important to everyone, including me." "What?" Twilight asks. "Oh, I have said too much already." Shadow says before she was gone. Twilight watches as she disappears and finds herself standing upright, but then feels something and looks down to see a black bracelet around her foreleg. She watches it for anything weird until nothing happens and sighs. "Important?" She shakes herself before she walks out. "Why me?" Twilight soon found the library thanks to some directions from the resident and she slack jawed at the sight. "Wha…wh…there are no words." She smiles as she sees the many books that littered the shelves and even some books flying around, possibly placing themselves in the right places. Twilight then walks up to a random shelf and starts looking through the books. "Having fun, my student?" Lightning asks as he walks in. Twilight smiles as she looks at him. "This is the best ever." She said trying to read. "Have you seen Daring?" Lightning asks. Twilight shakes her head. "Not really, I just got here." "I see." Lightning says suspicious. Twilight shrugs. "If I was her, I would check the high end sections." She said trying to still read. Lightning wordlessly walks towards the back of the library and through a pair of steel doors to the more advanced section all the while watching carefully. A mage stood by the gated doors as he watched Lightning carefully. "Sir." Lightning looks to him. "Did you see a gold pegasus walk by here?" The mage just shakes his head. Lightning sighs, but then perks his ears up. "What the?" He asks himself while looking to the gate. Looking closer at the lock he can see it's been tampered with. Lightning glares and immediately goes into the master level portion of the library. "Daring!" Lightning calls. Daring immediately comes out from behind a stack of bookcases with her eyes slightly glazed over with red. "Oh my god, you messed with the seal to the forbidden section." Lightning says facehoofing. Daring raises an eyebrow as her eyes returned back to normal. "What are you talking about? I was just looking for this place, but the lock was already tampered and this red fog was here." She rubs at her eyes. "Really messed with my eyes." "Wait, what?" Lightning asks. Daring shrugs. "Yeah, you think I would put myself in danger after this little guy here?" She asks pointing to her stomach. Lightning immediately charges magic to a hoof and punches the ground what followed sounded like a siren. Daring looks around as she sees some of the ponies moving about outside. "What's going on?" "This is not a drill, repeat, this is not a drill." A voice says as magic seals activate and the statutes start moving. Daring watches as almost everything comes to life. "What the heck is happening?" "We are going on lockdown while I deal with a thief." Lightning says. Daring goes wide eyed at that. "So, what now, I mean me?" "Stay here, if I don't come out in four hours tell the faculty to execute protocol X." Lightning says. Daring nods. "Here? In the forbidden section?" "This is the master level section the forbidden section is further in, but before I go Daring, what were you looking for?" Lightning asks. Daring reaches into her coat pocket and takes out a dark soul gem. "It's filled with magic already, not a soul. I need to know how to give it back." Lightning takes the gem and examines it before bursting into laughter. "I don't believe it, my men have been searching all this time and you steal the contained power that was stolen from Luna and Celestia. Oh, god certainly does have a sense of humor." Lightning says. Daring blushes. "Like me now?" "I always loved you. But now you must leave immediately and tell them if I don't cancel the lockdown in four hours, initiate protocol X, what is in there can never be taken or used." Lightning says. Daring nods and takes the gem and gives him a kiss before leaving. "Make sure you come back or Rainbow might kill me for letting you go." Lightning takes a step before stopping. "It's a page from the most feared book known to mortals Daring." Lightning says. Daring stops for a few seconds before walking on. "Just come back." "I will try, but I can't compromise you that." Lightning says before sealing the way behind her. Daring watches as the seal closes behind her and looks to her stomach. "Your father is either the bravest or stupidest stallion ever." She said before going to find a mage and get the others. "I can't believe I'm doing this." Lightning says walking into the forbidden section passing by smashed Golems and Gargoyles. "At least I know how this one got in." Rounding a corner he can see the entrance to the page has been unlocked and glowing brightly. Lightning shakes his head and heads down. "Unbelievable, they would actually try this. The first line is down they have to get through the next two doors to get to it at least." Lightning heads down further until he sees the second door gone and statue pieces on the ground. "This one must be strong." He said before going through the door into a dark void as the walls were replaced by endless space and the stairs were hanging in the air. The only thing separating Lightning from the void was one foot of concrete stairs. Lightning breathed deeply. 'How did this happen? So much as looking at the forbidden section's entrance should have set off alarms, but the only ones who know it is…three ponies and one is dead." Lightning realized now glaring and he rushes ahead. Lightning rushes through the last door and comes across a large platform with three stands in the middle and pillars all around the edges while still just hanging in the void. He soon spies a pony near the stands as it looks to them, which had two glass shards on two while the page floated in the middle. "So you are the fool that wants power so bad he is willing to risk the world." Lightning says. The cloaked pony turns around and sees Lightning. "Ah, the great master of the college. Great to see you, you like my handiwork back there?" "All you did was cause a big mess." Lightning says. The cloaked pony brings his hood down. "True. I hope the janitor is willing to clean that up. Now, if you excuse me." He said turning back to the pillars. "Only way to get the page is to destroy those shards and the moment you do this room will destroy itself killing both of us." Lightning warns. The cloaked pony looks back at him. "Really, that wasn't in the job description. The guardians yes, but this is troubling. I thought it was just the old switcheroo." "You really think I would leave a page of the most evil book known to morals security be up to chance?" Lightning asks. The pony shrugs. "Kinda. Still…" He said looking back at the shards. "No, you won't do it. You value your life too much isn't that right, heir of the former line of the Dominion emperors?" Lightning asks. The pony chuckles. "Not bad. I was actually counting on how long you figure it out." "The thought occurred to me who would want or need that power. The Dominion is power mad, that's a fact, but even they have their limits and the destruction of that page is a goal we have always shared, but never could accomplish." Lightning says. The pony smiles. "Yep, good work, but you know my reasons, don't you?" "To reclaim the role that was usurped from your family by another greedy noble who seized power." Lightning says. The pony nods. "The way we handle our government. We don't think much of it when we're low and rising to power. But get knocked down and we see the problems." Lightning starts laughing. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Only the young see it while the old try to get back up." "No, it's hilarious you don't even truly grasp what that thing is or why I won't allow any to possess it." Lightning says. The pony looks at him. "And I watched as the forgotten has come back to exact revenge on those that forsaken them." "Shut up, you juvenile little twat!" Lightning says to him. The pony smiles. "So that means I do know. Now then." He said turning back to the shards. "You idiot, do you know what the Necronomicon truly is? Tell me that!" Lightning says to him. The pony taps his hoof against his chin. "The power to raise the dead, but also control hell's minions. Most of them." "Incorrect, that is a legend. The Necronomicon is one of the seven keys to the end time maybe the last in existence. The moment it is made whole and its power unleashed that is it. It is the end of time of existence as we know it. The gates of hell will fly open wide and the demons will pour forth and Armageddon begins." Lightning says. The pony tilts his head slightly. "Why do you think I'm destroying it?" "It can't be destroyed, I've come to terms with it. It is an instrument of god. The final test and trap to see if mortals have truly lost all sense and reason and are willing to sacrifice everything for power." Lightning says. The pony smiles. "Poetic. Still, that's if the pages are all collected and if this one was gone and with no way to get it out of a void to which only you can get trapped yourself in it, then the biggest part of it will never come." "You don't think I have tried that. It can't teleport into the void it is anchored to reality itself. God thought of everything and even then Daedric can walk the void or as some call it oblivion it will never be truly gone." Lightning says. The pony looks at the page. "Pocket dimension and collapse it." "Tried, failed, aging spells, damaging spells, everything. This thing exists outside of space and time, yet is anchored to existence. It is a paradox." Lightning says. The pony looks back at him. "Then why the trap?" "Because there will always be some fool who thinks he can control the uncontrollable this trap is to kill them before they can even read it. Which ironically is not in any known language, but you can understand it." Lightning says. The pony smiles. "Good. Now I don't have to take this." "But unfortunately for you, your accomplishment didn't know about two traps." Lightning says his voice sounding distant now. The pony looks around before sighing and putting his hood up. "You would kill a former Dominion who would help you?" "Not a choice now. You see the final trap is activated. Also, did you think I was stupid, this trap only activates if you did intend to use it. You wouldn't have broken in just to destroy the page. Enjoy the void scum." Lightning says as the pony disappeared. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "That's weird, there is still another presence." "What's weird?" The pony said behind him. "Hello Shadow." Lightning says. Shadow frowns. "Aww, you ruined it for me." "He was banished to Oblivion, where he will never escape. Nice touch by the way." Lightning says scratching her behind the ears. Shadow purrs. "That feels good. The trap will stay active as long as you keep this place alive." "Yeah, now I have to go before the college starts blowing up." Lightning says. Shadow nuzzles him and then starts to leave. "Well we better get going." Lightning nods using his magic to reconfigure the statues as he went and deactivating the sirens. "What were you doing that required you to leave in the middle of the conversation?" He said as the gargoyle finished reformed. Shadow smiles. "Just a little something to motivate." "I see. How much you want to bet Twilight is so immersed in her books she didn't even notice?" Lightning asks. Shadow smiles as she steps out of the section and points. "I've been knowing. That bracelet isn't just for show." "Twilight!" Lightning yells as Shadow disappears. Twilight jumps and fumbles with the book before catching it. "Ummm…yes?" "We went into lockdown while you were distracted." Lightning says pointing out the statues returning to their perches. Twilight sweatdrops and rubs a hoof behind her head. "Heh, heh, heh, oops." "It doesn't matter, anyways I got to go deal with one last thing." Lightning says walking away. Twilight looks a little worried. "Are we leaving once you leave?" "Oh no, you are staying. I enrolled you into the college officially. This will be your, Spike, and Agni's home for the next year." Lightning says. Twilight takes a quick look around. "But…what about the others?" "They will be staying in Whiterun for a good while." Lightning says. Twilight looks to her books before looking back at him. "Can they at least visit?" "Oh, sure they can." Lightning says. Twilight sighs in relief. "Good, because after all this, I don't want to lose them over this." She said showing the book. "Oh and they are going to be harder on you because I have started your training already." Lightning says. Twilight slumps her head down, but then feels slivers of cold running over her. "What the?" Lightning frowns as he sees Shadow appear behind her and hugs her from behind. "Shadow." He said threatenly Shadow smiles as he looks to him. "I'll still do your jobs, but only if I can stay with Twilight." "Watch over her then and remember, you gave your word." Lightning says. Shadow nods and looks to Twilight. "You hear that, we're going to have fun here." "She won't hurt you Twilight, she is not allowed because of her own rules right now." Lightning says peeking Twilight's curiosity. Twilight turns her head to look at her. "What do you mean, rules?" "You have to find out those on your own Twilight." Lightning says before walking to the courtyard. Twilight watches as he leaves before turning to Shadow. "So…are you going to use me as a host?" Shadow smiles and taps her bracelet. "Not with that on, there is no need. I am basically yours when you have it on. So feel free to bring out a whip for some fun with us." Twilight just looks worried. "Why do I have a feeling that Luna just got her kinks from you?" Shadow just smiled. Lightning walked out not looking happy. Rainbow watches as he walks their way. "What happened?" "A breach in security." Lightning says focusing his glare at one professor in particular. Rainbow looks where he's looking. "What is it?" "The intruder knew how to disable the alarms and the weak points of the internal defenses. Only three ponies in existence knew that. First myself, second the architect who help build the section who has been dead for years, and finally the mage who helped with the magical defenses." Lightning says as said professor started to sweat. Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "Really and this one might have been on this whole thing?" "There is no might, isn't that right Professor Linch?" Lightning accuses. Linch sighs. "How does he it? Class, this is your assignment, find out how Lightning figures stuff like this out. Excuse me." He said walking to them. "It is simple logic Professor. Plus, you have always had a thirst for power." Lightning says. Linch nods. "That I do." He said before stamping his hoof down and soon the whole room was blanketed in a smokescreen. "Entei." Lightning says and seconds later the professor was then heard. "Gaww!" The smokescreen was then cleared as the students opens the window and force the smoke out with the wind and finds the professor at the doorway, stuck there. Lightning sighs as everypony watches as he walks over to him and pulls him down to the ground. "You're the worst, you know that?" Linch coughs up some blood. "Yeah, I know. But who's worse, the one who does the orders or the one who gives it? Who should you condemned?" "The one who tried to destroy the world." Lightning says to the severed head. The students watch as the guards takes the body away. "Students, I'm very sorry about that. You're real assignment is to find another way that he could have lived without destroying or harming anypony. You will get your new professor soon. That is all." Lightning says. "Is that common?" Rainbow asks. "No, we loss facility from time to time from the dangers of magic, but it's rare when we have to end one of our owns life." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "Okay, shall we go now?" "First Rainbow, get Twilight and come to my office, Kyou and Daring come with me." Lightning says. Rainbow heads off and everypony else goes with him. "So, it is over?" Daring asks. "Yeah, it remains sealed and the defenses were reset and fixed." Lightning says in his office petting Kyou Kai. Kyou smiles at the feeling. "Any other intruders?" "No, just one." Lightning says kissing the side of her neck. Kyou moans at the kiss as they enter the office. "So, you finish the registration of that princess here?" "Yes, she, Spike and Agni are now officially registered." Lightning says as he takes his seat. Daring looks a bit worried. "You think she would alright here?" "Of course she will." Lightning says as they waited. "No, I want to go back to the library." Twilight's voice was heard. Everypony chuckles as Twilight walks in looking disappointed. "Don't worry, my student. You would be back there soon. Anyway…" Lightning said reaching behind his desk and taking something out. "Here's your key to your room here. It's just one floor down and the room number is written on the key." "Is that all?" Twilight asks curious. "No, we have finally found the soul gem that contained the power stolen by the princesses." Lightning says. Twilight grows surprised. "So…we can give it back to them?" "No, for it is not their power. It is Harmony's and if we return it, it will be to her." Lightning says. Twilight looks down. "Can we at least send it back?" "It will be, Belcross come forth." Lightning says as a smaller version of Belcross appears. "Oh and here is the kicker Twilight, Daring stole it from the Dominion before we met up with her on the train here." Lightning says. Twilight looks to Daring. "Where did you find it?" "Stole it from a Dominion convoy that was lightly guarded." Daring says smirking. "Most likely wanted to make it seem like they had nothing worth stealing." Lightning says. Daring smiles. "And that is the worst mistake you can make when you have multiple thieves on you." "True, now Daring, please give Belcross the soul gem so he can take it to the spirit." Lightning says. Daring nods and takes out the soul gem and gives it to him before he disappears. "Well, at least they can't use it now." She said. "Yes, who knows what they could have planned." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs before turning to Twilight. "Guess, this is goodbye for now. We'll try to see you guys from time to time. Who knows, you might finish before the battle." "That is nearly two years away love and she has requested visits from you all every now and again and I have to come and check on the college every so often as the head of it." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles as she looks to Twilight. "Guess, we're going to be seeing you often." Twilight smiles. "Try to come when I'm not busy." "Ok message received, don't visit." Lightning says. Twilight glares at him. "You know what I mean." "I'm serious Twilight, you will be busy. Far more than when you attended Canterlot University." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "Guess I'm never going to have time to even speak to you guys." "This is why I registered Spike and Agni as well. To take some of the burden off of you." Lightning says. Twilight looks a bit worried. "Won't that mean I have to skip some classes? Because I saw some without familiars." "Yes, but those classes are on things I taught you and by doing this you get access to the larger section of the library, the one you were in was the beginner and novice section. After your first class, you will gain access to the intermediate section." Lightning says. Twilight gasp in happiness. "Yes." She cheers. "Thought that would make you happy. Now, best go get dinner and spend time with your friends here. We will leave after I gather all the report and paper that have yet to be sent to my castle." Lightning says. Twilight and everypony else nods and heads out, closing the door behind them. "Shadow." Twilight said. Shadow comes out from corner as she follows close by with smoke line of shadow. "I won't cause trouble, poke fun, yes, but no trouble. I have to protect you anyway." "Is this a part of what Lightning mentioned?" Twilight asks. "Maybe." Shadow says elusively. Twilight sighs. "I won't get the answer out of you, will I?" Shadow chuckles. "Listen my mare, you will be fine. Don't worry about me, worry about yourself. You won't get by without thinking about yourself once in a while." "So, no then." Twilight says. Shadow moves a tendril of shadow up to cheek. "What do you think?" She asks sensually rubbing her cheek. Twilight just sighs. Shadow laughs in her ear as she just messes with her. Months later, Lightning was busy with court and paperwork for the entire time. The mane five were adjusting to life in Whiterun and Rainbow was once again pregnant. While Kyou Kai and Daring Do gave birth to foals of their own. Lightning and Daring's child was a pegasus with dark golden colored coat like her mother, but had her father's dark red mane and tail, she was named Star. Kyou Kai also had a pegasus foal, he had a white coat with his mother's black mane and tail. He was named Saber by his mother. Scootaloo, Talion and Typhoon laughs & giggles as the foals crawl over them or just play with them. "It's amazing our family has grown this much." Scootaloo said as Star climbs over her who was now stunted in her growth since she didn't grow since a few months ago. "Yeah, kinda happy we locked up all swords while Kyou was giving birth." Lightning says. Kyou knocks him on the head. "You gave me a foal, you had to pay somewhere. No swords, so I settled on crushing your hoof." Rainbow giggles. "Yeah, while Daring crushes his other hoof." "If I remember correctly you wanted this and beside you have your little Saber now." Lightning says trying to finish working. Rainbow shakes her head before looking outside. "You know, Heart's Warming is coming." "Here we call it something different, but yeah the celebration is coming." Lightning says eyeing the pregnant mare. Rainbow peeks over and sees him looking. "See something you like?" She asks swishing her tail around. Lightning says nothing and uses his wing to brush a sensitive spot while making sure the foals were not looking. Rainbow yelps. "Cheater. Anyway, it's getting close, too close as ever and we haven't heard from Twilight for a while. Why don't we go surprise her? I think she deserves it after all she's done." "I doubt she even knows what time of the year it is. By the way, has Daring returned yet from her excursion to a ruin in the Rift hold yet?" Lightning asks. The door was suddenly kicked opened. "Honey, I'm home. And I got presents." Daring sang. Star cheers and tries to run over to her and hugs her hard on the leg. Daring smiles and hugs back. "Hi honey, sorry for being gone for so long." Typhoon looks up to Scootaloo. "Big sis, were we like that?" Scootaloo smiles. "Quite a lot. Especially Talion here who hugs his father's leg every chance he gets." "I do not." Talion says on Lightning's leg. Both Scootaloo and Typhoon laugh. "Then where are you?" Scootaloo asks. Talion just remains quiet looking mad. "What, Talion here just loves his father." Rainbow says. Scootaloo and Typhoon just laugh harder. "I can't breathe." Typhoon managed to say. Lightning signs the last paper before putting Talion on the ground and getting up. "Done." Scootaloo grabs Talion with her tail before bringing him to them and placing him next to Typhoon. "Relax little bro, we're just messing with you." Typhoon pats his back. "Yeah bro, we're just messing." Talion pouts a little before Lightning ruffles his mane. "Relax son. They're playing. Now, let's get Pinkie. We got a big celebration coming up." The family follows as they walk through the hallways as ponies decorate for the upcoming celebration. "Pinkie, you in here?" Lightning called out as the entered the grand hall. "No, but Spidermare is." Pinkie says sliding down a rope in a red and blue costume. Rainbow groans. "Pinkie, wrong holiday. It's Heart's Warming." "She hasn't taken that costume off since Bloodmoon night." Lightning says. Rainbow goes up and rips Pinkie down before tearing off the costume and ripping it to shreds. "No more Spidermare." "Aww." Pinkie whines. Rainbow looks to her again. "Now, the decorations for Heart's Warming." "Providence day, love." Lightning reminds. Rainbow waves him off. "Whatever, now the decorations?" "Already being seen to. Which reminds me, we got a pre-providence day dinner with a few nobles and members of the court." Lightning says as one of his many stewards walked up and showed him a list and Lightning points to something and the Steward nods and walks away. Rainbow sighs and turns back to Pinkie. "Are you up for a surprise for Twilight?" "Oh, is that why a carriage from the college arrived at the front a moment ago?" Pinkie asks. Everypony looks confused. "Carriage at the front…?" Lightning asks before a guard came up to him. "Sir, there is a carriage for you and the others." The guard said. "Bring the purple pony, dragon, and familiar in." Lightning says trying to figure out how Pinkie did it. Twilight smiles as she comes in. "Hey guys." Shadow snores loudly as she sleeps on her back. Spike and Agni smiles as they follow her. "Hey." The foals immediately run to them and jump on them. "Help!" They yelled as they were tossed to the ground. Lightning chuckles. "Yeah, that's what I expected." Lightning says. Twilight smiles as the two foals run all over them. "Sorry, I missed most of their birth." "Its fine, you may have missed dodging swords with Kyou Kai for the first half before we secured them." Daring says. Twilight giggles. "Did they at least crush his hoof?" Lightning's sour look was all the answer she needed. Twilight giggles nervously. "Sorry, but at least, I'm here." Rainbow nods. "Yeah, how's she been treating you?" She asks pointing to Shadow. "I've learnt a lot and I think one of my first acts as queen will be asking High king Ulfric to help us open a sister school of the college in Equestria." Twilight says lowering her hood. Lightning looks a little surprised. "Really, it's that good?" "Our magic doesn't compare and I should know, I was made a princess through my lesson on friendship and magical powers. Though now it feels a little hollow." Twilight says. Lightning chuckles. "Should I talk to Harmony for you and tell her that you said she's hollow?" "I meant the title." Twilight says. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Yet you described yourself and that describes Harmony." Twilight frowns. "Shut up!" "Can you quiet down, I'm trying to sleep." Shadow said from her back. "Oh, did you also hear, Vinyl gave birth to a son as well." Rainbow says. Twilight looks to her. "Yeah, for some reason Vinyl sent a record and portable player to me. Weird, but the music is good. Also talked about her son a lot. Where are they?" "Here we are." Vinyl said while her unicorn son rode on her back while Nikolai walks behind her. "Sorry we're late." "I see little Canticum is loving his mom." Lightning says looking at the white coat with dark blue hair unicorn colt. Vinyl smiles as she looks back at him having a fake kitted headphones around his neck. "Yeah, but he takes after his father." Rainbow chuckles at that. "Oh who are you trying to fool Vinyl, he's a mama's boy." Vinyl grins. "I know, I just wanted to bring down lead wing here." She said nodding her head to Nikolai. Nikolai seemed to not hear her as he plays with Canticum. "Da, da, da, da, da, da, da." He said playfully to Canticum as Nikolai messes with his hooves. "Honestly Vinyl, can't you ever be nice for one day?" Octavia said as her and Apollo came over. Vinyl smiles. "You know I can't." "It's how she shows affection." Apollo says. Octavia smiles. "And that's why I asked, I never want her to change." "You just want her to have several more foals and all call you aunty and play the cello." Nikolai says. Octavia frowns. "Oh shut it and go back to playing." "How did you guess my secret dream?" Apollo impersonates Octavia's voice perfectly. Octavia hits him as Nikolai chuckles. "Simple, she told me when we were at the bar and you and Vinyl were plastered with her." Nikolai says as Canticum grabbed his nose. Apollo laughs as he hugs Octavia. "You must have been drunk when that happened." "I have no memory of this." Octavia says quickly. Apollo nuzzles her. "I know." Twilight sighs as she watches them before realizing Rainbow's condition. "How's the foal coming?" She asks her. "Well Mr. Jarl here got me pregnant again." Rainbow says. Lightning chuckles as he steps up beside her. "You did ask after all this time." Twilight smiles before leaning to one side and making Shadow fall off. "Ow!" Twilight just smirks. "Oops." She said nonchalantly. "Now wake up, the foals want to see their best friend." "I can't, I'm so tired!" Shadow whines clinging to Twilight's stomach. Twilight sighs and jumps up before landing down on Shadow, making her let go before she gets off of her and looking down at her. "How about no…too late." She said moving her head away from Shadow's view before Talion and Typhoon jumps into it. The next thing Shadow knew, she was tied to a stake and being carried off. "Go easy on your aunt guys." Twilight calls. Rainbow smiles as Shadow was carried off. "Hey, think you can check on Scootaloo again?" Twilight nods and heads over to her. "Hey Scootaloo, how are you doing?" "Perfectly fine." Scootaloo says. Twilight smiles before scanning her over and sees something she didn't expect to see yet. "Scootaloo…" "I know, I have gone into heat a few times." Scootaloo says. Twilight sighs. "You at least know what to do when that happens?" "Go dunking my head into freezing water helps." Scootaloo says. Twilight nods. "You know that won't last long." Scootaloo sighs as she lays her head down. "I know. I…actually want him here now." "Scoots, if Lightning knew something was doing that with you he might just mount it's head on the wall." Twilight says. Scootaloo frowns. "And that's why I hate it." "Here, let me give you some tips." Twilight says leading her away. "I don't want to know." Apollo says. Rainbow looks to Lightning. "Are you ever going to allow Tiyries here?" "Debating at this point." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to where Scootaloo and Twilight is. "Still…she deserve it." Lightning says nothing. Rainbow then looks back at him. "Are we missing anypony?" She asks as the others milled about. "A few." Lightning says. "And that would be?" Rainbow asks. "Your friends." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "I think some of them set up shops around town. The Cakes finally got a sweet shop and they are dominating Whiterun, Rarity is about to open a fabric shop next year, Fluttershy will collaborate with the Temple of Kynareth to help heal both citizens and animals." "What about Applejack and her family? I already know Big Mac enlisted again." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "He did, but he asked to guard their property which is some of the farms around the city. They were able to buy out and keep the ponies there to help run the place while running the general store here. Of course, they also made another apple farm here as well and that place is selling like crazy for apples, especially cider." She drools. "Understandable. Apples are not rare, but uncommon here because of the difficulty to grow them." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles and drools more. "Especially the cider. So much cider." Lightning chuckles. "Easy Rainbow, you're pregnant so no cider for you." "I know, I know, just let a mare have her moment." Rainbow says. Lightning smiles. "Tell you what, after you have that foal, let's celebrate his or her birth with a mug of cider." "Oh, we will just be getting started love." Rainbow says leaning into him. Lightning chuckles. "So, want to get the rest of your friends while seeing the city or just let the guards get them?" "What and leave the kids here alone? Let's let the guards get them." Rainbow says snuggling into him. Lightning shakes his head. "You sure, don't want to see the sights and talk to your friends personally? I'm sure the foals would love to see the outside once in a while." "Oh don't worry about that, while you were distracted with work I took them out yesterday." Rainbow says. Lightning leans over to Daring. "Call the doctor." Lightning whispers. Rainbow's ear twitches. "What was that?" "Oh something to make you feel better love, like me massaging your wings." Lightning whispers the last part. Rainbow smiles. "Now that sounds good, want to play after that?" "Can if you want." Lightning says smiling to her. Rainbow grins and leans on him while wrapping her wing around him. "Good, I'm getting hungry." "Alright, I get the message, who else is hungry?" Lightning asks. All hooves in the hooves immediately raise up, except for the guards. "Alright, to the dining room." Lightning says. Everypony immediately runs to the room leaving only Lightning and Rainbow. "Huh, must have been very hungry." "I love you Rainbow." Lightning says walking with her to the dining room. Rainbow smiles and nuzzles him. "Love you too." Lightning nuzzles her back and finds everypony already ready for a meal. "Okay, so what will it be?" He asks as some of the chiefs stand off on one side of the room before bringing out some appetizer for the time being. "And you were a little skeptical at a griffon head chief." Lightning whispers. Rainbow frowns. "That's because most of their food is meat." "And your salad there?" Lightning whispers. Rainbow hits him. "Shut up." Lightning just laughs. "Now tell them what you want." He said eating some of the fruits. As they ate Rarity and Sweetie Belle came in. "Hello my dears." She calls out. Rainbow smiles. "Finally, we are still waiting for the others through." Sweetie Belle looks to Scootaloo. "Hey Scoots, how's it going?" She asks hopping over to her. "Good." Scootaloo says trying to eat some meat. Lightning smiles. "Let's see, we need the Cakes and the Apple family." "The Cakes have orders to the roof so they won't be able to make it." Pinkie says. Rainbow frowns. "Aww, what about the Apples?" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo smiles. "Heard from Applebloom that they can make it at any time." Sweetie Belle said. "Y'all we're here." Applejack calls as she, Applebloom, Big Mac and Granny Smith came in. Rainbow cheers. "Finally, we're all here. Sort of, now we can really eat." "It's sure good to see you Rai…Rainbow you got another one on the way?" Applejack asks. Rainbow rubs her stomach. "Yeah, this stallion kinda helped me along." She said pointing to Lightning who whistled innocently. "I can see your marriage is such a success than." Applejack says. Rainbow smiles as she looks around and sees Daring and Kyou playing with their foals while Talion and Typhoon sits on Scootaloo's head. "Yeah, and it's all thanks to this guy here." She said nodding her head to Lightning now had Star on his head acting like she was climbing a mountain. Saber immediately bounded across the table and started to climb him as well trying to beat his sister. Daring and Kyou giggle as their foals try to beat each other off of Lightning Mountain. Lightning looked indifferent as they played. Rainbow smiles before Star fell off before both Rainbow and Lightning both catch her as Saber looks down to see if his sister is okay. Lightning held Star in his hooves and rocks her back and forth making her smile. Daring smiles before she turns to a servant and tells her something before she heads off and Kyou tells something as well to the same servant who nods and goes into the kitchen. Rainbow holds out her hooves and Saber jumps into it before they both rock them around. Twilight smiles as she watches the foals play with their parents and sighs. "What's wrong?" Shadow asks from beside her. Twilight looks to her. "It's just, they have such a great life, especially with their foals. I just got Agni, Spike, and Luna who visits once in a while in my dreams and then there's you." Shadow smiles as she watches a servant come out with two bottles of milk and gives them to Lightning and Rainbow who then feeds the foals. "You are not alone. I have that feeling as well. But those who make the best out of what they got is considered to be a good pony and have the greatest life they can ever have."\ Twilight smiles. "Thanks." Shadow nods. "Good, now, when's Heart's Warming?" Twilight looks to her a bit confused. "A week, wh…?" SPLAT Shadow smiles. "No reason." She said looking to the sleeping Twilight with her head in the food bowl. "Seems she has really been pushing herself." Lightning says. Agni lifts Twilight's messy head out of the bowl. "Yeah, she's been working hard there, especially making a prototype of the armor. It's her end of the year project." "Ah, I see." Lightning says petting Star's mane. Spike starts to clean up her face. "Yeah, hardly ever gains any sleep with the workload she's on. But one question, who's bright idea was it to have her sleep in a cell like room? There's hardly any room with all of us in there." Lightning chuckles nervously. "Any case, how long has it been since she slept?" "What day is it big brother?" Agni asks. Spike looks to him. "Sunday." Agni looks to Lightning. "She's been up since Friday." Shadow leans over to Spike and whispers something in his ear which makes him look at her shocked before frowning and jumping down and grabbing some quill and paper. "Unbelievable." They heard him mutter. "What, she wants to have you take telepathic notes from her dream?" Rainbow asks. Spike looks to them as he writes. "Nope, get Luna. She thinks they might find it fun." "Oh no Shadow, this is supposed to be her break." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "Relax, she will wake in time for the holiday. Besides, where she is will fit the season." Agni huffs. "Wonder how she's doing now?" Twilight groans as she gets up and then shivers from the immense cold on her. "What the heck?" She opens her eyes and looks around to only see the whole area under what looks like a lot of snow. "Not again. Oh well, if I walk through this, I will bump into somepony soon." After a bit of walking she shivers again as the cold started to get colder on her than normal. "What's up with this temperature?" She kept walking until she saw some ponies heading her way, but could only see them blurred through the snow. "Hey! Over here!" She yelled. The three ponies look over to her and she can see they were wearing some kind of armor on them that was black and blue. One look to the other two behind him and shakes his head before something came out of his back and pointed at her. Twilight looks a bit shocked. "Oh boy." She said before diving behind a snow pile as bullets hit the pile. She then hears more bullets hit away from them and the bullets stop hitting her. She looks up and sees the ponies looking at something behind them. "Snow Pirates!" One yelled. Twilight watches as two more ponies in winter outfits, that almost matched the Stalliongrad outfits, come at the three ponies with the same guns on their backs, shooting at them. They hit one of the ponies leaning against his friend and shot him dead, making the other two fire back. Soon the fight ended as the so called snow pirates went down. She watched them closely as the other ponies watched them as well. But then she saw something that shocked her. The snow pirates got back up again as a machine on its foreleg glowed bright and they started to fire again until the ground shakes. Twilight wobbled in her balance as she watches the other ponies stop their fighting and something cracked behind the snow pirates that looked like a giant grasshopper that was infected and glowing bright orange. "Akrid!" The original one of the two yelled as they all tried to shoot at it, but most of the bullets bounced of it. Twilight keeps watching as the original two ponies try to stay out of the fight as the snow pirates fight the akrid. She then sees one run off to the open ground as one stayed injured on the ground before she sees the one run off get into a machine and starts it up. She watches as the pony shaped machine soon fire something slightly beneath its hooves and starts to glide over the snow. The akrid swipes with one of its long front leg and hits a snow pirate into a nearby cliff and bury him under a bit of snow. The other snow pirate then throws a small circle object, which she guessed was a grenade, and shoots at it and makes it blow up near the akrid's orange point at its front leg and blows it off, making it turn to hard ice before it crashes down near the pony left behind. She then sees the machine glide over to the pony on the ground and yells at him, which she couldn't make out, and the pony hangs on a bar as it glides away from the fight and into the snow. Twilight turns back to the snow pirate as the pony runs at it before slides somewhat behind it and then holds out a hoof and launches something from it that hits the huge glowing tail of the akrid and reels himself into it and starts firing at it before it roars and he launches off it as the akrid tries to get him as he remains turned away at it. The akrid slowly freezes up as its body slowly ices up and becomes frozen solid before breaking on its own. Twilight gets up and starts walking to the pony as he yells into the sky. Twilight hurries slightly before coming up behind him. "Hello?" She asks carefully. The pony quickly turns around with the guns attached to metal arms on its back aimed at her. "Friendly!" Twilight yells as she covers herself. The pony glares at her behind his mouth mask. "Leave NEVEC scum." Twilight looks a bit confused. "NEVEC?" The pony shakes his weapon at her. "Leave!" Twilight backs away before running off and then turning to the way of which the ponies she now knows as NEVEC went. "Where am I?" She asks herself after a while. After a while of more walking Twilight comes across the machine and finds a pony still hanging on to it. She sighs sadly and removes the pony and places him on the ground. After she laid him out peacefully she looks around and spots some tracks heading out more into the snow. Twilight shakes herself before running off into the snow and trying to find whoever made those tracks. After a while of following she comes across a pony just looking out into the landscape off a huge cliff. "Hello?" The pony sighs. "Guess you aren't a threat after all." "Wait, you sound familiar." Twilight says. "Do I know you?" The pony asks removing his helmet revealing Nikolai. Twilight looks a little surprised. "Tell me one thing, where is Lightning Nikolai?" "How do you know about the commander?" Nikolai asks now his gun aimed back at Twilight. Twilight growls slightly. 'Dang it, shouldn't play it too early.' "Look I just…" She couldn't say anymore as a helicopter flew up behind him and open a large door on the side. "Nikolai, let's go! Commander says that the team got the sub." A pony said in the door and in the same armor as Nikolai. "Right and we are bringing along a prisoner." Nikolai says motioning her to get in with his gun. Twilight sighs and walks over to the cliff before jumping in with Nikolai behind her. "Look, just to clarify, I'm not prisoner, I'm Twilight." "Restrain the Alicorn, don't want her pulling anything." The pilot says. Twilight sighs as her hooves and wings were tied. "I won't. I bring you down, I go down in this thing as well." "And the horn, they can teleport short distances at least." The pilot adds. Twilight takes a deep breath before a ring was slipped on her horn. "OW!" Twilight groans as she fell down in pain from the sudden magic block. 'Again huh? I hate this feeling. At least the element is still flowing.' "Ok, heading back. Don't want the DJ having an excuse to yell at us over her property." One of the ponies jokes. Nikolai chuckles. "That and the fact that mare wants me to hear a lot of stuff." Twilight withers on the ground as they all continue to talk. 'Unbelievable that they can joke this easily and why does it feel colder now?' After a bit of flying they suddenly change from a snowy landscape to a flowing sea of water. Twilight leans her head against the wall as she watches the others look outside. "Coming up on the drop point. Might want to suit up now, who knows how cold that water is." The pilot said. Nikolai and the other pony grabbed their gear and opens the door to find a large amount of boats and some submarines waiting in the water. A poke in her flank made her stand up. "Come on, up and at them." Nikolai said. After standing up she then pushed out of the helicopter. "Hey!" She yelled before landing onto a boat. "Ow." "Twilight, glad you could make it." A familiar voice said. Looking up on the top of the submarine was Octavia wearing only a coat. "Octavia? What are you doing here?" Octavia smiles as she starts to lead Twilight to the main sub. "Cook, sometimes a healer. Anyway, I thought you left with some of the snow pirates remember?" Twilight takes a quick look around. "Well…it's a long story. By the way, did you see a blue alicorn, bigger than the average pony?" 'Luna has to be here by now.' "Sorry, no and I don't think Lightning will be all to welcoming with the terms you two parted on." Octavia says. Twilight looks a little confused. "Terms?" "Let's see, sleeping with his wife and stealing from the thermal energy reserve for research ring a bell?" Octavia asks as they finally made it to the sub. Twilight looks shocked a little. "Sleeping with his wife? But I don't…" She pauses. 'Actually, I do like it, but I would never harm anypony like that.' "Hey, tell Vinyl to give out ear plugs and play her music a little louder than usual. Lightning is going to be yelling most of the night." Octavia calls into the sub. Twilight looks around and sees the many boats with ponies filling up on ammo and one other sub that's completely different than all the rest. "What's going on? What did I miss?" Octavia looks out to the many ex-NEVEC forces gearing up. "War, at least against NEVEC. We are mounting an assault on someplace and that's all I will say." A hoof suddenly grabs Twilight's bindings as she looks down. "Uh oh. Yipe!" She yelled as she was pulled into the sub. "What are you doing back here?! I thought you agreed to never come back!" A voice yelled at her. "I brought her here commander. I captured her after a pirate then akrid attack." Nikolai says to Lightning still in the shadows. Lightning glares over to Nikolai before looking back at her. "You will stay here until I figure out what to do with you." Twilight eyes widen at that. 'I can't spend all my time here in a cell or I'll never learn or get out of this place.' "I can help." "Lightning, you know the cells won't hold her. She can pick any lock." Rainbow's voice says before she walks up to him. Twilight groans as she tries to get up. "Look, I'm sorry for anything I might have done, but let me make it up to you." "Bring her to my quarters, we shall talk." Lightning says getting up and Twilight saw the silhouette of his shadow and noticed he had only one wing. Twilight wordlessly follows him, all the while wondering about his wing. After a while of walking, they come across a small room and a lot of paper and screens littered about. After Twilight walks in, Lightning shuts the door behind her. "Who are you really?" Twilight sighs. "What gave that away?" "You're accent. Twilight has a more Brooklyn accent than what you have." Lightning says as Twilight got a good look at the scared part of his back where a wing should be. Twilight looks to the screens, showing something underwater and somewhere in space. "I'm not that Twilight, I'm somepony else. A Twilight from a different universe where we are not on a frozen planet and there is no NEVEC or Snow Pirates." "Multiverse theory the…" Lightning says. "Idea that there are multiple universes with many different themes, but has the same characters. Like a story, change the theme, keep the characters." Twilight finished. "You're more well versed than ours is. The Twilight of here could care less of such theories and only wants to continue her research and gain power." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "Well what do you know, I'm a power hungry buffoon. Last one was not going out much and only caring on making the strongest thing around to use for herself." "Better than Celestia and Cadence at least." Lightning says. Twilight looks to him. "Wait, what about the princesses?" "Princesses, is that what they were in your universe?" Lightning asks. Twilight nods. "Yes…what, are they here?" "Where is the better word to use? I will skip some of the details, but Celestia was a power hungry murderer who killed her own sister when she stood up to her and told her what she was doing was wrong." Lightning says. Twilight looks closely to the screen showing something underwater. "I can still help, you know?" "Not curious about Cadence?" Lightning asks. Twilight looks to him. "Married to my brother then killed him?" She tried. "Yes, but after he failed to bring back a great reserve of thermal energy that she believed was in that location. After being told that it wasn't there she couldn't take being wrong and accused your brother of stealing from her and had him thrown into a akrid nest without weapons, armor, or even his magic and harmonizer and was ripped apart by them." Lightning says. Twilight looks to the window, watching everypony still loading up, tearing up slightly. "What is that, harmonizer?" "Still piecing it together, many theorize it is lost technology left by the species who originally inhabited the planet. Or it was a first colony here that found something and piece it together to form it. All we know is that it heals at a tremendous rate and only requires you to have a supply of thermal energy ready." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "And this…thermal energy?" "An energy source that is harvested from akrids. Though we can't say about long term effects by these devices and I am cautious to use them because of the possibility." Lightning says before a knock on the door is heard. "Play it like you are our universe's Twilight to keep up appearances for now." Lightning says. Twilight nods and clears her throat as she kept looking outside and the door opened. "Yes?" Lightning asks at the door. A guard, dressed fully in his gear, stutters nervously. "Ummm…sir…your wife wishes to see you." Lightning nods. "Tell her I'll be there in a moment." The guards nods and leaves while Lightning closes the door. "Let's get you out and say that your punishment is going on this suicide mission." Lightning said grabbing a key. Twilight smiles before firing away fire from herself and then burning through the tough leather straps on her hooves and wings before the fire fades away and the metal part of the cuffs fall onto the ground. "No need. Tip, place cuffs at the base of hooves and almost at the tips of wings or cover them up completely." "Come on, my wife will want to at least tell you for your counterpart using her." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "I can just hear the yelling now. She can be possibly loud as mine." "Oh trust me. Tell Vinyl to go to level boom." Lightning says to the guard. Twilight giggles. "Really, that's your way of hiding the arguments?" Lightning smiles. "Why not let the coming argument decide that?" Twilight smiles before starting to walk out. "You know, you are just like my Lightning." Not half an hour later Twilight was holding her head in pain. "Maybe I do deserve that." "Oh she is just taking a breather, she isn't done yet." Lightning says. Twilight groans. "What else has she done?" "She also tried to seduce me and take her as my wife so she could gain control." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "No wonder she left." "More like she was shocked I choose Rainbow over her." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "What lead you to Rainbow?" "We started off as a captain taking a new recruit under his wing. From there it proceeded naturally." Lightning says. Twilight smiles before looking to missing wing. "And that? What happened with your wing?" "This? Got it years ago saving a young Twilight from being eaten from an akrid." Lightning says Twilight sighs sadly. "And she repaid you by hurting you and leaving it all behind. I'm sorry." "It was a long time ago and I gave my word to Shining Armor I would look after her if anything should happen to him." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "What are you planning to do anyway?" Lightning sighs. "Well we…oh boy." He stops as Rainbow came back. "Where was I? Oh right." Rainbow says before starting to yell again. Lightning shakes his head as he puts his ear plugs back on before going back to work on the machine in front of him with a suit right beside it. "And that's the mare I married." Twilight lays her head against the wall after the yelling and a few hits to the head. "She can hit, hard." Lightning smiles. "Yeah, she's good like that." He said before tossing her an orange lined suit. "Wear this, it will protect you against the cold and help collect more energy. Just…walk over them and it's collected. Strangely works." "And love?" Lightning says walking up to Rainbow. Rainbow looks to him. "Yeah?" Lightning brings her into a full force kiss and holds her while he leans her back. Twilight smiles before realizing what she should be acting as and frowns. "Yeah, yeah, cutesy cutesy, mooshy, mooshy. Can we get on with…how the heck are you guys still going?!" "Better?" Lightning asks ignoring the comment. Rainbow giggles drunkenly. "Oh yeah, when this is over. I want more." She said poking his chest. "We going for a third?" Lightning asks. Rainbow smirks. "Only if you want another too." Twilight coughs. "Alright, alright, we heard you." Lightning says annoyed setting Rainbow down. Rainbow glares at her. "And you know what, I actually would have maybe allowed you in if you treated us and yourself better. Maybe become a better pony. But now, I want you to watch what you can't have." Twilight huffs. "What do you care? You would only say that if you cared." "Rainbow, best go check on Talion and Typhoon, ok?" Lightning asks. Rainbow huffs and walks away before shutting the door behind her. "How was I?" Twilight asks now putting the suit on. Lightning smiles as he starts to mess with a few things with the device on the table. "Pretty good. Just so you know, she was going to offer this Twilight a chance, but she blew it all." "Wait, you mean?" Twilight asks. "Yeah, all the way." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "I'm sorry." Lightning nods. "No need, your other self is not your fault. Now…there, here." He said tossing her a harmonizer. Twilight catches the device. "I thought you hated this?" Lightning shrugs. "Doesn't mean my own men won't use it. Saved their life plenty of times. Especially with the big ones and assaults on either big weapons or VS's." Twilight tilts her head. "VS's?" Lightning nods. "Giant machines that ponies can ride in or control by remote. Though there is one we really need, the PTX series. Heard it's the best out of all of them and made by the best engineer for VS's." "Lightning, I know when you're not telling me everything." Twilight says. "I don't know what you are talking about." Lightning says smiling and a squee is heard. Twilight sighs. "Still like my Lightning. Now talk." "Oh look, your sub is leaving." Lightning says pushing her out the door. Twilight quickly turns back to him. "Just one more thing, what VS did you use against the akrid that attacked me?" Lightning stares at her before sighing. "The Cakti. Helped with my wing going away when the hull got crushed," Twilight nods. "Where's the armor and weapons?" Lightning nods his head to where they came from. "The sub heading out. That sub is the only one that can get where we need to get too. After that, you and the team will head up and find the space platform for the NEVEC weapon." Twilight was about to say something but the door closed. "Space weapon?" She asks herself before walking out. Once out of the main sub she bumps into Nikolai. "Oh…hello." She tries to say. Nikolai huffs. "Commander told us you're coming with us. Don't do anything you would regret. You betray us again then we're ripping that harmonizer off and leaving you with both the enemy and akrid." "Just like how Lightning dealt with your sister in law." Alexander says. Nikolai looks back at him at their sub. "I need to get the threat from somewhere." Alexander chuckles. "Come on, you'll get the weapons when we get there, but I'll fit some armor on you." He said to Twilight as he steps inside the sub. "Um…one thing." Twilight says. Alexander looks up from the entrance. "What?" Twilight points to the ring. Both Nikolai and Alexander look at each other before looking back at her. "Sorry, but until you need your weapons will you get your ring removed." Alexander said before heading inside. Twilight lets out an angry groan before following them and the door closes behind them. Looking back out the window, she can see Lightning coming out onto his sub and looking to everypony before talking to them. She kept watching until the water became darker as they sunk down into the depths. "So…where exactly are we headed?" "We will tell you later." Nikolai says. Twilight nods before taking a seat next to a window and just watching some creatures and the water get darker as they pass it all by. Twilight sometimes look over to Nikolai, Alexander and Zagai as they grab their weapons and ammo. She even sees a glowing device that seems to be emitting thermal energy. She sighs as she lays her head down and starts to sleep. After a while a shake wakes her up. "Wake up. We're here." A voice before she feels something on her horn and something sliding off it. Twilight goes wide eyed and breathes in quickly as her magic returned. "Don't do anything you might regret." Twilight tries to calm down as the rush faded away and nods. "Good, now you can suit up and grab some weapons." Twilight looks over and sees Zagai next to some armor and weapons already set up. Getting up she walks over to him and he helps place it on while explaining on how it all works. After a while, the submarine stops and red lights came on from the usual clear. "Let's go, remember, don't take off your suit anywhere if you want the water to crush you." Nikolai said as he walks to the airlock. Twilight clears her throat. They all look back at her. "What?" Zagai asks. Twilight points to the lack of ammo clips for her. Nikolai chuckles. "You'll find some when we get there. Work for it." He said before pulling her in the airlock. "You might want to lock your muscles up." He said as the door closed before hitting a button and letting the water fill the airlock. Twilight tenses up as the water starts to crush her slightly and the others start to swim out. She follows close as she tries to swim to an underwater platform. 'What have I gotten myself into?' After a while of swimming they finally land on a metal grate near a door. Zagai, with the help of Alexander turns the dial on the door before pulling it open. Everypony quickly rushes inside and Nikolai closes the door behind them. Zagai then hits messes with a control panel and all the water starts to drain from the large room. Twilight sighs in relief as the pressure was let up. "Okay, let's go. I doubt they would have an alarm here, but watch your step." Alexander said as his weapons points ahead of him as the large door opens up to a long hallway. Twilight follows behind them before looking a side door and stepping inside, she can see containers filled with, what she guessed was, akrid, but dormant. She then sees a rocket launcher and shotgun on the ground. Running to it she quickly picks it up while placing the rocket launcher on her back. No sooner did she did that, the akrid burst out of the tanks and starts to swarm her. Twilight yells in shock before firing the shotgun and hitting two of them and sending to the other side of the room. She was about to fire on the other two before the door opened and Zagai quickly goes to her and picks her up while Nikolai and Alexander dealt with the other two quickly. "Lucky." "How was that lucky?" Twilight half asks and half yells. Zagai points to her shotgun. "You have only a few shells left. Taken by surprise like that and most would fire widely and resort to just banging them with their weapon." "That was…" Twilight stops remembering what Lightning told her. "Old reflexes I was taught." Zagai looks at her curiously. "You were never in battle and definitely weren't trained. I would know." Twilight quickly moves past him. "Come on, that would have attracted somepony." She said as Nikolai moves around collecting the thermal energy. "So what are we doing?" Twilight asks a little annoyed she still hasn't been told. Alexander sighs as they follow slightly ahead of her. "We're stealing a ship. Simple as that." Twilight looks to him. "A ship?" Alexander nods before turning a corner and heading down another hallway with the others following. "Yep, to space." He said as they come across a door that remains locked. "Nikolai, hack it. According to the blueprints, it should be just beyond this door." "Alright, let's breach it." Alexander says as he and Zagai he leaned against the sides of the door. Twilight sighs as she leans with Nikolai and watches his work on his pad on his foreleg. After he hits one more button the door quickly opens and both Zagai and Alexander rush in and takes cover behind a crate. Nikolai and Twilight quickly follows as they all look up to see large cylinder crates moving on a belt system. "Anypony got an idea?" Nikolai asks as some NEVEC guards move around. "Unleash the akrid and use it as a distraction?" Alexander asks. Twilight looks up and sees where the crates are heading and sees a ship outside the window on the wall. "Get in." She said. The others look at her mad. "Who died and made you leader?" Nikolai asks. Twilight glares at them before pulling Zagai into another hallway and around to the same track a little away. "Get in." She said pointing to the crates. "Do it Zagai." Nikolai says Zagai looks to the crates before sighing. "Come on, you're staying with me. You guys get in the one behind us." He said quickly opening one and getting in with Twilight. "Watch them claws buddy." Twilight says. Zagai chuckles as he pulls at the door. "Don't worry, they won't hurt you. Unless you're into that stuff." He said closing the door and taking out a data pad. The next thing Alexander and Nikolai heard was something cracking. "Ow." Zagai says. Twilight smirks as she looks at Zagai holding his claws. "Don't mess with me again like that." Zagai groans as he holds his claws. "Sorry, thought of ending this thing on a funny note." He said massaging his claws. "I still have the shotgun I smacked you with." Twilight points out. Zagai chuckles as he looks to her while the crates finally enter the shuttle. "Took advice I see." "Don't tempt me Zagai, I'll hit your empty head." Twilight says. Zagai smiles. "Hey…sorry for everybody else treating you like that, not Twilight." He said ending with a smirk. "You know I must silence you." Twilight says aiming at him. "Whoa, whoa, come out of the persona you are masquerading as." Zagai says. Twilight kept aiming at him before smiling and placing the shotgun away. "What gave me away?" Zagai sighs. "You not angry half the time. You would have not accepted my help getting up. You would have done it on your own." "Whoa, I am a jerk in this universe…" Twilight stops as the box opens and she sees herself. "Uh oh." Zagai quickly grabs that Twilight and brings her in before closing the door and covering the Twilight's mouth. "Don't even." He said holding a claw to her neck. The Twilights don't seem to register what he said as they seem to be analyzing each other. Zagai watches as the other Twilight reaches out and pokes the other Twilight who is wearing a lab coat with what Zagai thought was armor. The crate suddenly moves again and soon they head onto a track in the silo. Zagai soon pats her down and feels something in her pocket and pulls out a pistol. "Not happening." He said placing it on his empty holster. Twilight sighs and looks outside and sees their crate entering the shuttle. "Can you tie her up completely?" She asks Zagai. "Unfortunately no, we left the ring behind." Zagai says. Twilight sighs. "Okay…" "Who are you?" The Twilight of this universe asks finally. Twilight looks to her before smiling. "Just the one who will help make a difference. As for you, you will regret with everything that has happened to you in the end. Especially with the chances you had before you wasted it." "Huh?" M. Twilight asks. (1) Twilight looks to her and smirks a little. "Did you know, Rainbow would have let you into their relationship if you started to be nice?" "Who needs her, once I have control of this planet I will finally have what I have always wanted." M. Twilight says with an almost crazy look in her eyes that Twilight recognizes Twilight sighs. "What is it you wanted?" "Isn't it obvious?" M. Twilight asks, the crazed look fading. Twilight tilts her head. "Power and control over everything?" "Oh no, Lightning showed me how empty that is. It's just a means to an end." M. Twilight says. Twilight was about to respond when something played through her mind. 'She tried to seduce me.' She sighs. "Okay, you want to have Lightning all to yourself isn't it?" "Of course." M. Twilight says the crazed look returning. 'Now I get it, this version of me has fallen because she can't let go of her obsessions.' Twilight thinks, thinking back to when she casted that spell on her smarty pants doll. Twilight nods before placing her hoof on her head. "You remember anything about the Smarty Pants incident?" "Smarty what now?" M. Twilight asks. Twilight looks out and sees Nikolai and Alexander coming out of their crate. "Okay, what made you love him?" She asks her. Before the two could say anything, Zagai starts to open the door. "Why wouldn't I? I mean I would have to be a fillyfooler not to." M. Twilight says shivering a bit. "I still don't feel fully clean after those nights." M. Twilight adds. Twilight huffs. "Zagai, we're taking her with us." She said getting out before looking around and seeing the three were now gone. "Typical stallions, can't keep still for two minutes." Twilight says. "Oh don't get me started." M. Twilight says as they start a conversation. As it goes on, Twilight sees that this version is not as far gone. She just needed a little self help. "He lost his wing because of that too." M. Twilight finishes a little sad. Twilight stops as she looks to her while gunfire went on in the background. "You really care about him, don't you?" M. Twilight gives her the same look she gave Spike when she catches him not paying attention and she just smiles and squees. Twilight smiles as well before sighing. "Twilight, he saved your life and lost his flight because of it. Rainbow was willing to let you be with him as well. If you want to see him and at least talk to him like a normal pony, change that attitude, who knows, you might…" She couldn't say anymore as red lights starts to bath the room and an alarm sounded. M. Twilight looks to her panicked. "That's the bay door opening. I don't have a suit or a mask." She said panicked. Twilight looks around before grabbing M. Twilight and shoving her into a crate and closes the door. "Stay here." She said before being pulled away by the loss of pressure. M. Twilight watches before seeing them all grabbing a crate each and then placing whatever was in it on their back. "Is that…?" She then watches as they all start to slowly move to the shuttle by the use of the jetpacks. "That's…my design. Why short burst? I placed it on long bursts." Soon everypony landed back on the shuttle and killed the rest of the personnel on board before they close the bay door and Twilight opens the crate. "You okay?" "Why was the jetpacks using short burst, it makes no sense? I mean they are designed for long distances." M. Twilight says going off on a rant. Twilight smiles and turns around, showing her the jetpack. "Want to fix it?" "Those imbeciles can't do anything right, they can't even make a decent chowder." M. Twilight continues ranting as she works on the jetpack with Twilight now hearing a heavy Brooklyn accent. Twilight smiles. "You know, I think Lightning felt that little accent you have is kinda cute for him." M. Twilight stops after hearing that. "Um…r…really?" She asks. Twilight nods. "Yeah, if Lightning still cares about you, he might still have some feeling for you. And he would probably still find some things cute on you. He just never showed it because of that attitude. He probably thought, it wasn't worth it." M. Twilight looks to her. "Can you promise me…he would at least listen once?" Twilight smiles as she looks to her. "Be nice, apologize, well don't. Actions do better and maybe if you appreciate him like he appreciated you Lightning will give you a chance. He's like that." "So you're with Lightning in your version?" M. Twilight asks. Twilight shakes her head. "No, but I made the mistake of not trusting him and it almost cost us greatly. He's already with Rainbow and has a few foals already with two other mares as mistresses. I'm happy for him and I respect him. I'm not with him, but I'm sure he would have a very close friend." M. Twilight smiles as finishes the work. "Can I try?" Twilight pulls her with her. "Fix the other jetpacks and team up with us and maybe we can figure this out." "What others?" M. Twilight says as she had finished all five. Twilight looks a little surprised. "Well, that's…impressive." "It was easier than waiting for the chowder to cool." M. Twilight says. Twilight smiles before picking up a machine gun and tossing it to her. "Then gear up. We got a big mission." "Station firing sequence has been initialized. Docking sequence overridden." They heard a voice as they look out of the cockpit and see the station in front of them come apart. "Docking procedures will resume upon completion of firing sequence." They then watch as the central cylinder start to grow apart and bigger before a countdown begins and starts to fire an orange beam down to the planet and almost make a dome shape explosion. "That's one hell of a weapon." Zagai commented. Alexander nods. "Yeah, the commander wasn't kidding." After a while, the shuttles starts to move again until a voice came over the radio. "We need to verify your docking code. Stand by to transmit." Twilight looks a little worried. "Does anypony have the code?" Everypony looks worried as well back to her before looking back outside. "Repeat. Transmit your code. If you do not transmit your code, you'll be treated as an enemy vessel." Twilight is now internally packing. "Anypony, please tell me you have some codes?" M. Twilight steps up and clears her throat before imitating a guard quite well. "F7K546EFUJFRS4." "Code accepted, we will inform the staff to get ready to load the supplies aboard. Please dock in docking bay 5 and wait." The voice says. Twilight looks to her other half. "How are we going to sneak aboard though? They have different outfits then us and I doubt we would change." M. Twilight smiles. "No need. Now I just need a suit." She said looking around at the dead bodies. "This would do." She said starting to undo everything on the pony. "Head on out, they would think you're just receiving cargo." "Right." Nikolai says a little skeptical. "You know, it was good to talk to some mare who might actually understand me a bit." M. Twilight says as Twilight leaves. Twilight smiles as they all step out. "How are we getting in?" "Ex-NEVEC! They're here!" A guard yells as he runs back to the base. Everypony growls as they ready their weapons. "They must have been alerted and warned their guards to change their outfits." Zagai said. "I'm here." M. Twilight said coming out and sees guards coming at them. "What I miss?" "They have different uniforms up here." Twilight says. M. Twilight looks as all the weapons trained on them. "Grab the data post on the way so I can have a constant connection and get around the station. There is a cargo hold for VS's that will take us inside." She said running down the ramp. Nikolai looks a little skeptical. "Why should we trust her?" Twilight sighs. "Because she wants to see Lightning again and she won't risk hurting her last chance to at least talk to him." Alexander nods. "Well, let's not keep out welcoming party waiting." He said running up the ramp. Twilight and M. Twilight get to the data post as M. Twilight works while Twilight watches her back for her. "So, what work did you do up here?" Twilight asks. "Research, development, etc." M. Twilight says as Twilight shot at a few guards keeping them pinned down. "Got it." She said as the data post rises up and activates. They both run past the guards as Twilight drops a grenade which makes them all get blown over the side. "That was…kinda fun. Playing a different side." M. Twilight said. Twilight smiles as they run to the next post as Nikolai, Alexander and Zagai were way ahead of them. "Yeah, it kinda does, doesn't it?" She said as they reach the next one and Twilight protects her while M. Twilight activates the post. This whole process continued until they all ended up pinned in a cargo hold. "Any ideas?" Zagai asks as he took cover behind the wall as it was pounded by bullets and lasers. Twilight watches the stallion debate about the whole thing before M. Twilight pokes her and points to the cargo behind them. "Try that." Twilight looks confused as she steps up to it. "Try firing your thermal energy into the top bar." M. Twilight said as she fumbles with Twilight's harmonizer and switches something. "Like a weapon." Twilight raises her hoof and fires a shot of thermal energy at the cargo box. "More." She kept firing until the box dings and it starts to open up, revealing a VS. "That's supposed to be in low gravity environments. Like an aquatic animal. Use while flying around the outside and give us cover." Twilight smiles before stepping in the sharp looking VS. "Ready." A voice said before Twilight hits another button and closes the hatch. "Initializing." The voice said as the VS powered up and Twilight takes a few steps before running and then jumping in the open before changing and then flying around and then starting to fire after she turned around. The males watch as Twilight starts to destroy most of the turrets and then work on the walking VS's. "How did she get so good?" Zagai asks. "You do know what you are doing right?" M. Twilight asks from the back seat of the surprising two seater VS. Twilight grins. "Nope. Lightning taught me, when in doubt, try everything and memorize the most important parts." "Watch your walking, you're barely keeping us stable." M. Twilight says holding onto her seat tightly. Twilight mumbles a quick apology before destroying the last VS in the area. "Okay, that's the last of them. Now let's hurry inside." She said walking them to the corridor inside while the others followed close by. After a while they entered the base and came out of the tube corridor that lead them to the firing chamber. "That's the weapon, huh?" Twilight asks as they all stand by a charger. "Can't say, first time I have seen it." M. Twilight says. Twilight sighs in a bit of relief as she felt the thermal flowing through her suit. "That's better. I'm ready to go, you guys?" She asks reloading her guns. Zagai groans before running and then jumping into the firing tube. No sooner than that, they hear bullets and lasers during all over the place. The other stallions shake their heads before running after him and into the tube, leaving Twilight and M. Twilight. "We need to head to the top. That's where the control booth is." She said. Twilight nods before holding a hoof to her ear. "Guys, go up, we need to get to the top." She said before running to the ramp on the side with M. Twilight following right behind her. After a lot of climbing, lot of turrets and VS's they finally get to the booth. "I am never doing that again." Twilight growls as they head inside. "And those stallions are having too much fun." M. Twilight says and Twilight finally noticed she had a short tomstallion style of mane causing her to stare. M. Twilight looks at her while she stared. "What?" "Hum, why is your mane like that?" Twilight asks. "Really, is now the best time?" M. Twilight asks. "Sorry, but you get caught up in the little details too." Twilight says. "Touché." M. Twilight replies. Twilight kept staring until she looks back at the stallion and goes up to them. "How far are we?" A voice suddenly sounded off. "Phase one of irradiation complete. Commencing one-hour cooling period." Alexander tosses her a PDA. "Hack into the mainframe and upload the program from the PDA. Relay as much data as you can retrieve back to the surface." He said as everypony else plugs in their PDA's. "Warning! Security breach. Bypassing preliminary defense. Initiating Level Four action." The voice said. Zagai bangs his hand on the controls. "Damn it! The code's been changed." Nikolai hits a few random keys in frustration. "We're screwed. The PDA set off a security protocol." Alexander glares at him. "Then do something about it." Zagai groans. "Alright! Give me some breathing room!" "All facility compartments will self-destruct as a security precaution." The voice said. "Um…stallion." M. Twilight trying to get their attention while they keep arguing. Twilight pokes her, getting her attention. "Don't bother. When stallions get this involved, nothing can stop them." Zagai then shoves Alexander. "We just might have a shot at taking control of that cannon after all." Alexander looks outside. "What do we need to do?" "All areas outside the cannon facility block will be discarded." The voice said. Zagai smiles as he hits one final key. "The locks are off! Here they come!" They all look outside and see four section of the room rise up. "Launching escape VSs. Evacuate the facilities immediately." "And we are just draining the power here and…" M. Twilight says. "Self destruct aborted." The voice said says as it lost all power and shutdowns. All the males look back at her. "What the fuck…just happened?" Alexander asks as the areas opened up to four VSs. "Mare power." Both Twilights say hoof bumping. The males groan before they look outside and sees the VSs. "What is that?" Alexander asks. Zagai grins. "That, my pony friend, is an operational space VS with GPS integration. We should be able to use them to control and aim the cannon once we're back down on the planet." Both the Twilight look to the four VSs before they realized something. "There are only four." M. Twilight said. "I…might have to stay." "Let's check and see if there is a two seater first then make that call." Twilight says. M. Twilight looks to her before they hear something and sees two VSs coming in and then another VS come in that look like the space VS. "Goddamnit!" Alexander yells as they head out. Both Twilight's look to each before heading out as well. "We need to get the GPS units planetside. We cannot lose those VSs. Understood?" Alexander asks as he rushes into his. "Go, Lightning will need you." Twilight says to M. Twilight. M. Twilight looks to the VSs winding up their weapons as the stallions get into their VSs. "No, I can't leave you here." She said looking back at her. "Don't worry, I have something that will protect me. Besides we both know your knowledge will be invaluable to them." Twilight says tossing her into the VS. M. Twilight looks to her. "Twilight…" She looks to the controls before looking back at her. "Get in. We're dealing with these bozos." "There is the determination to fight Lightning beat into us." Twilight says teleporting into the VS. They look at the small size and one chair. "This will be awkward." M. Twilight said as she adjust sitting on Twilight's lap. "Don't think of that, focus on launchin…is that an exposed fuel tank?" Twilight asks. M. Twilight looks out as well. "Yep, some VSs have those weaknesses." Twilight takes a closer look. "This VS we're in and that one there, what is the series name?" M. Twilight looks at it. "The PTX series. Why?" "I have an idea. Can we knock one of them into that fuel tank and destroy it resulting a chain effect destroying this station?" Twilight asks. M. Twilight looks at her shocked. "Didn't you hear those guys? They need to use the cannon. We can't destroy it." "But didn't we deactivate the gravitational systems?" Twilight asks. M. Twilight shakes her head. "No, emergency systems wouldn't allow that. They aren't destroying it, they're taking it over from the looks of it." "Wait, didn't they transport akrid up here, did they?" Twilight asks out of the blue. M. Twilight looks to her. "Yeah, why?" "Um…we might want to leave now." Twilight says as they heard gunfire coming from where the VSs came from. "We shut off the containment systems, didn't we?" M. Twilight asks with a neutral tone. "Sounds like it." Twilight replies with equal neutrality. M. Twilight looks to her. "Let's deal with them quickly. The guys might have weakened them enough." BOOM "Please don't tell me the akrids are destroying vital systems to get to the thermal energy." M. Twilight says. Twilight quickly activities the VS. "Initializing." The voice said. Twilight quickly moves and turns on the dash and moves around quickly. She then sees some three VSs hanging around a pool of thermal energy. She moves quickly and moves over it which she then collects. "That was a VS. We need to get the grid back up." M. Twilight looks around. "We need to allow the power to collect itself before we could even think of that. It should take a few minutes." "Um…what happens when an akrid ingests large amounts of thermal energy?" Twilight asks. M. Twilight sighs. "Well…they grow slightly bigger and thicker armor." "And if they say…ingest all of the thermal energy powering the cannon?" Twilight asks. "That is oddly specific, but if you can kill it then the energy will spill out and the collectors will grab the energy and funnel it back into the system and…there's one here, isn't there?" She asks. Twilight nods and points to an akrid right in front of them. Both Twilight's watch before the akrid roars in their face and then swipes at them, making Twilight jumps before turning on the boosters and holding them there. "You said, kill and then spill right?" Twilight asks. M. Twilight nods as she holds onto her. "Yeah, just get it in the middle area for maximum collection. This place needs all the energy it can get." She says as everypony started to fire on the crab like creature. The three other stallions starts to dash around as Twilight tried to stay as much as she can in the air. As the four fought on the ground, Twilight saw an orange spot on its back and starts to fire on it before letting the boost go and landing on it. She looks to the arm before hitting a button that releases a chainsaw and revs it up before slicing it into the creature. The creature roars as it runs around before ending up into the middle of the room and getting stuck in the pillars and holes on the ground. Twilight uses the chainsaw and rips open the armor and starts firing into it, making it squeal as the others try to distract it. The akrid suddenly jumps up a little, making Twilight get off the back and straight into another pillar. The crash knocks Twilight on the head and knocks her out. "Twilight? Twilight?!" M. Twilight asks shaking her. She hears her groan before M. Twilight moves her slightly and gets in the seat and places Twilight on her lap. M. Twilight gets the VS up again as the akrid lashes with its claws at them as they move away. M. Twilight starts firing at the weak point as it starts to turn dark red before the akrid squeals before it stops moving and cracking up and getting frozen. After that, the shell cracks open and large amount of thermal energy spill out and the collectors started to get them and starts to power everything up again. M. Twilight quickly moves away and off to the side. "Twilight?" She asks worried while shaking her. Twilight groans before opening her eyes and looking at her. "Nice job." She said smiling. M. Twilight smiles as well before their hatch was opened. "Hey, you two o…whoa." Alexander said seeing the scene before them. "Are we interrupting something?" "You pick up the shotgun I had?" Twilight asks M. Twilight. M. Twilight grins bringing out a shotgun from beside them. "Right here." Twilight smiles and takes it before looking at it. "And now my favorite line 'I have a shotgun.'" Zagai backs off. "I'm out." He said before taking out his PDA and messing with it. The next thing Alexander knew he was hit in the face with the butt of the shotgun, making Nikolai chuckle. "You know, this entire mission will fail if we can't get out of here." Zagai said. Nikolai looks to him. "Have you made contact yet?" Zagai looks over his PDA. "Signal's weak, but it will go through." Soon a garbled voice comes through the radio. "Can you pick up?" They heard. Zagai groans. "Not clearly, but we're still picking you up. We're starting our data transmission." Alexander groans as he got back up. "I'll have to give you the sit-rep now, sir." "Hold on." M. Twilight says starting to mess with the system. Everypony looks to her. "What are you doing?" Alexander asks. M. Twilight sighs before holding up a radio receiver. "Lightning." "Twi…ht I…th…t…you?" Lightning asks coming up better and better. M. Twilight smiles. "Yeah, it's me. Listen, I'm sorry for what I did. It wasn't right. I want to make it up to you. Let me help with the mission." "Men, send her back here. We will need her here soon." Lightning says. Both Twilights smile as they hear that. "Thank you Lightning." M. Twilight said. "Don't thank me yet." Lightning said. Alexander clears his throat. "Anyway, once we reach the surface, we'll be able to target with the cannon there. We were also able to procure some reentry-capable VSs, but now we're trapped inside the facility, and we can't blast our way out without the…" "I'm aware of the situation. I'm working on my end to open up those locks." Lightning said. Everypony looks confused. "Sir…? But…how?" Alexander asks. Lightning is silent for a bit. "Let's just say I have some connections in NEVEC." "Disengaging locks." The voice said. Soon afterward, the grid that came up again, went down as running footsteps came in and four NEVEC soldiers came up to them, but didn't draw their weapons. Talion hopped into another snow bank as he and Typhoon walked around the city in their winter clothes. "So what should we give mom and dad?" She asks after a while. Talion hurries to catch up before walking at her pace as a few guards follow behind them. "Candy?" He offers. Typhoon hits him. "I'm serious. It has to be something good." Talion thinks for a few. "Maybe…" He blushes slightly. "A dance?" Typhoon stops and looks at him. "A dance?" Talion nods. "Yeah, we can put on a show for everypony. Maybe with some good music too." Typhoon opens her mouth to speak before closing it again as she thinks about it. "That might work. But which song are we going to do? Dad probably has heard every single one here and our moms probably heard everything over in our other home." Talion hmms as he held a thinking pose. "Maybe…" He starts before his ear twitches. "Huh?" He asks himself before walking to the upper city with everypony else following him to near the companion's house and sees a stage set up. "What's this?" He asks. The head guard leans over. "A stage for a performance prince." Talion looks at him before looking back at the stage and sees a mare and stallion setting up something. "Excuse me?" He asks running up to them. The guards goes wide eye before running past him and blocks anyway in front of him. The mare and stallion both look to the line of guards as a little colt climbs on top of them. "What were you saying?" He asks. The mare and stallion look to each other before looking back to him. "We were just practicing our lead song for our concert. Why?" The mare asks. Talion smiles. "Does it have a boy and girl part in it?" The mare and stallion look to each other again before looking back at him. "Um…yeah, most of the song in fact. Why?" The stallion asks. Talion claps his hooves. "Yes, this song is perfect!" He cheers. The mare and stallion both look confused as the stallion scratches his head. "Perfect for what?" The mare asks. Typhoon squeezes her way through the guards' legs before popping out and into a snow bank. She then pops her head up. "For our moms and dad. We want to give them a dance and song." Both the mare and stallion look to each other surprised before looking back at them. "And…who's your moms and dad?" The stallion asks. Both the foals pointed to the keep. "They live in there." They both said harmonically. The mare and stallion looked shocked as they look to the keep and looking back at the smiling foals. "One moment, please." The mare said before grabbing the stallion and pulling him away. After they were far enough away they turned to each other. "Did we just get approached by the foals of the Jarl to sing for their parents?" The stallion asks in disbelief. "Yes, I think so." The mare says. The stallion sighs. "So what should we do? We only got a permit for this area for the holiday and then we have to get the heck out of dodge. The Jarl is holding a public celebration in the keep, but these foals want us to help them perform to their parents. What are we going to do?" "We talk to our sponsor first. If he is told of this he might help." The mare says. The stallion snorts. "And if word gets out that we turned down the foals because it wasn't worth it?" The mare sighs. "We'll see. Now then…" She said before walking back up to the foals. "We have to talk a bit more before we can come up with something." The foals brings their heads down as they sigh heavily. "Okay." They said in unison before the guards pick up Typhoon and they all walk off. The mare sighs as they walk off. "Okay, that could have gone better. When foals hear it will take a bit longer or later, it basically means no to them." "Let's hope we can find our sponsor, oh hey, you're helping with the set?" The stallion asks confused. The mare looks back at him with a slight angry look. "Of course, we both have the main part in this performance and we both do our part." The stallion backs off slightly. "Geez, take it easy. It's just you've been a bit tired." The mare shakes herself before picking up a box. "Let's just hurry up." She said walking off. The stallion sighs. "Mares. I was also talking to our sponsor!" He said to himself picking up a box and calling to the mare. "Hold your fire, men. You can trust them." Lightning said as both Twilights and the others aimed their weapons at the NEVEC troops. Alexander looks up slightly before he pushes Nikolai's gun down as some of the NEVEC troops goes past them to the control booth. The one left behind walks up to Alexander. "We can only hold the locks open for so long. You need to get back to the surface, now." Alexander looks to the other troops before looking back at him. "What about you?" The troop sighs. "We'll handle things here." Alexander keeps looking at him before nodding and waves off the others, which makes them run to their VSs and get in. The trooper walks to the control booth as he holds up a hoof to his helmet. "We'll provide support while you target with the cannon from down there." "Thank you. All of you." Lightning said. "I have one more favor to ask you." The soldier stops. "What is it?" "I want you to send a message through NEOS to everypony on E.D.N. III." Lightning said. The soldier inwardly smiles. "I'll see what I can do." Twilight sighs as she guides the VS with everypony else as they fly down to the planet while M. Twilight sat a little happy in her lap. "The cannon's cooling phase is almost complete. It'll probably enter the second phase of irradiation as you enter the atmosphere. Set it to activate as soon as you touch down." The NEVEC soldier said over the radio. Alexander's sigh is then heard over the radio. "Copy that, everypony ready?" Zagai chuckles. "Yes, sir." Nikolai smiles. "Good here." Twilight smiles as she looks to M. Twilight who smiles back. "We're good here." Alexander nods. "Alright, men. We're going home." They all pulled back on the throttle before pushing forward. "Yes, sir!" Everypony said as they launch off to the planet. Twilight chuckles. "Every bit of exciting you hoped it would be if you joined?" She asks M. Twilight. "I think I'm going to be sick." M. Twilight says looking a little green. Twilight smiles. "Well you might to hang on, something is coming up." "There's a minefield directly in the path of your re-entry route. You've going to have to make your way through it if you want to get back." The NEVEC soldier said. M. Twilight looks greener as Twilight moves around while firing all the mines in their path. "Having fun yet?" Twilight asks humorously. "I'm targeting you now." M. Twilight says. Twilight laughs out loud as the radio beeps again. "Calling all Snow Pirates on E.D.N. III. I have a warning of utmost urgency. The military forces you know as NEVEC are planning something that will be catastrophic for all who dwell on this planet. I know this because I used to work for NEVEC. I believed in their goal to bring order to this planet. Now I know that goal was a lie, and their true aims have always been to amass Thermal Energy. That is why I abandoned NEVEC. Now they are trying to awaken the slumbering Over G Akrid that lies beneath the planet surface, and this will unleash massive amounts of Thermal Energy. NEVEC will take all this Thermal Energy and then abandon the planet to its fate." Lightning said. Twilight grins. "We just need some good music for this." She as they start to fly into the asteroid field. "But that is not all. If NEVEC is not stopped, and we do not prevent the awakening of the Over G, then the sudden and terrible introduction of such large quantities of Thermal Energy will set off a reaction that will freeze this planet to its very core and kill everyone and everything living here. For the better part of a century, you assumed that any land you had could be lost at any time, and if that happened, you would just start over somewhere else. But there is nowhere else this time. Our place is here, on this planet. Our ancestors built a place for themselves here thanks to their indomitable spirit and the strength of their resolve. Now it is time to tap into that same resolve to protect what they struggled to build. To all Snow Pirates on E.D.N. III: if you can hear my voice, then I beseech you to put aside your differences and stand with me as one. Let us show NEVEC what happens when they threaten our home." Lightning finishes. "That's Lightning for you." M. Twilight says. Twilight smiles. "Yeah, he can make even the biggest hiders come out and fight to the death if it means for their home." She said as they enter the atmosphere. "Wait, you said that if you had experience with such situations." M. Twilight says. Twilight nods. "Yeah, entering a war is not fun, but Lightning can sure lead an army to what he needs them to do, even civilians to run who are completely stubborn. In fact, I might be side dealing with a war soon." She said as the cabin turns red. "Hull breach detected." The A.I. said. Twilight growls as she tries to level out. "Fantastic. Hold on." The VS shakes as the heavy gravity pulls them down against the atmosphere and threatens to rip them apart. Looking at the side screens, she can see the others losing their parts of their VSs while she lost her arms in the end and then hits the ground hard. Twilight grunts as she hits her head again while M. Twilight hangs on to her. After a while, they finally come to a complete stop. "Heavy damage sustained. Mobility systems inoperable. Touchdown point off target, northwest plus twenty. Surface temperature is minus one hundred fifteenth…one hundred twenty." The A.I. said. Twilight groans as she holds her head. "If I keep hitting my head like this, I want to be paid to do it." M. Twilight looks over the readings. "Already one hundred twenty below freezing. That akrid will turn this planet into an ice cube if what Lightning said is true." "I'm inclined to agree as Lightning doesn't lie about such things." Twilight said. M. Twilight sighs. "Open up." "Ready to open hatch. Unlocking outer shell." The A,I, said. Twilight groans as she slowly moves out as the hatch opens up to show the heavy snowstorm outside. "Anypony still alive?" Twilight asks over the radio. A few crackles were heard. "Zagai here. Going to need a guidance point." "Nikolai here, I'm going to need the same thing as feather brain." Nikolai said. "What was that, lead wing?" Zagai asks angrily. "Quiet! Twilight, you and the other Twilight find a data post. There has to be one around here. We'll use it as our starting position." Alexander orders. Twilight looks around and sees M. Twilight already a bit ahead of her. "Copy that." "Don't forget to take the GPS units. We're going to need them." Zagai told them. M. Twilight digs away snow before taking out her PDA and pressing a few buttons as the data post she dug out, rises up before activating. "You guys got a waypoint?" She asks. "Copy that." They said. Twilight steps up beside her. "So…most fun ever?" She asks with a grin. M. Twilight at that point puked onto the snow. Twilight smiles as she pats her back. "Don't worry. You'll be fine soon." "Just so ya know, I blame you." M. Twilight says. Twilight leans down to her. "Why is that?" "You had the controls." M. Twilight reminds. Twilight smirks. "Do you want to drive next time?" "Yes." M. Twilight says deadpanned. Twilight sighs. "Well, I can move faster like my counter on thermal energy." She pauses. "Wait." She looks down at her counter for thermal energy and sees it going up steadily. "What? How is that possible?" "Oh that can't be good." M. Twilight says looking at it. "Twilight and…Twilight." Alexander yells as the stallions come close. "Are you alright?" Twilight shows her counter. "What is this about?" Zagai grabs her foreleg and looks it over before leaning down to the ground and starts to dig away at some snow underneath them. The others watch in confusion until they see glowing orange coming out of the snow. Zagai then pulls at a huge amount of snow and reveals a flowing thermal energy river. "Over G is causing this. The river is flowing…" He points at it and moves his finger to the dome over in the distance. "There. The Over G itself." "We have the worst luck ever." M. Twilight says to Twilight. Twilight nods, but then steps in the river and watches her counter go up faster. "At least this is one less thing to worry about. We got unlimited energy." Zagai nods. "Yes, but that means we are running out of time. We have to hurry." He said grabbing his weapon and running off. The others run after him as more rivers starts to melt through the snow and they pass a base, which Nikolai and Alexander run in and they come back out with slightly different equipment. After going halfway through the field and more rivers start to pop out and grow wider with pools coming out when they feel a shake, making them stop. Twilight looks around. "What is that?" She asks trying to keep her balance. They all look around and then a large worm like akrid come out of the ground and roars at them. "Undeep!" Alexander yells. "Spread out and hit the circle spots on the side." He said running away while everypony else runs another way. Twilight and M. Twilight run one way before Twilight hits something that made her land on her back. "Ow!" M. Twilight helps her up. "What the heck did you…?" She looks over to the half covered VS in the snow. "Twilight, I think you might like this one." Twilight looks up and sees the half buried VS and hurries up to the VS and starts to dig away at the snow before revealing the same VS they came in on, but smaller and a different color. "Jackpot." "Mine." M. Twilight said as she started up the VS and makes it stand up. "Sorry, but I did help make a redesign on this." Twilight frowns. "No fair." "You snooze you lose." M. Twilight says. Twilight huffs. "Whatever, just get that thing going and shoot those worms. Keep that thing alive, Lightning would like it." She said before running off to the ice wall ahead. M. Twilight smiles before closing the hatch and then activating the boosters and starts gliding all over the place. "Guys, get rid of the snow around anything you find sticking around the ground. It could a data post or more weapons, especially for my VS here." She said as the worm's tail come out of the ground and starts firing something out of the end and around the area. M. Twilight moves around as she fires the gatling guns all the while at the spots on its side until its head came out and then she switches over to that one. Twilight meanwhile has finally met up with the others at the ice wall as they all stand in a pool of thermal energy. "How could all this thermal energy be coming out now and making this much?" She asks as they aim at the worms from away the main snow area. "Either it's the Over G or NEVEC." Nikolai says lifting a rocket launcher over his shoulder and firing. Twilight watches as M. Twilight moves around so quick and in a circle around the worm while firing like crazy. "But now?" Alexander throws a laser rifle for a VS near them before grabbing a rocket launcher from his back and firing as well. "Maybe the Over G is preparing its final form. We have to kill it before it gets to that." They were stopped when the worms roars before falling down into the snow and then freezing up before shattering. Twilight watches as M. Twilight collects all the pools before coming over to them and opening the hatch. "Told you I'm a better driver." She said laying back in her seat. "Yeah, yeah." Twilight says. "And have the better mane style." M. Twilight adds. Twilight shakes her hoof at her. "Now that's a lie." "Oh you're just jealous." M. Twilight says. Twilight huffs and sits down while turning away from her. "Am not." The others just watch as the two bicker. "Report on the situation." Lightning's voice asks through the radio. "Giant bucking worms!" M. Twilight yells into the communicator. Lightning shoves the PDA away from his ear as it squealed. "I see." Alexander sighs. "We've taken up position at the Over G, but there's a barrier preventing us from moving in." Lightning looks confused. "What kind of barrier?" Alexander looks to the wall. "I'm not sure, but it would take a lot of firepower to penetrate it." A dark chuckle is then heard from the radio. "You're gonna need something big." A female voice said. "Who is this? Identify yourself." Lightning demanded. "You want to take down that barrier? We got what you're looking for." The voice said. Twilight turns to her radio. "Applejack?" "Been a while Twi." Applejack says. Twilight stutters. "Wha…what happened?" Applejack smiles. "Same old, same old, you know. Fighting NEVEC, getting some thermal energy for us to live, and, oh yeah, getting this bucking rail gun to you!" "Hey, that's my design!" M. Twilight yells. Applejack huffs. "Buck you. It's ours now. Anyway we got our own reasons for doing this that have nothing to do with helping you. Once that barrier is down, you're on your own." "Just don't get yourselves killed." M. Twilight says with a small huff. A pause is heard. "Did she just say what I think she just said?" Applejack asks. "Eyup." Big Mac says. "Oh yeah. That is some different Twilight than what we are used to." Applebloom said. "Yehaa!" Granny says driving the train. Everypony shakes their head at that. "Granny, calm down, we have get there steady or we're flying off the tracks." Applejack said. "Class G!" Applebloom yells pointing to the side. Applejack rushes to the controls while Big Mac activates the turning controls. When she was lined up, Applejack fired point blank making the worm squeal and then collapse as they sped off. "We are going off the rails on this crazy thing!" Apple Bloom yells as she hung on. The train then wobbled as the force caused it to lift its side while another worm came up on the other making them turn that way before hitting the worm with the barrel and then firing less than a few feet away and righting themselves on the tracks. "Let's not do that again." Applejack said as the gun rotated forward again. Applebloom immediately activates the crane and grabs a shell before placing it in the barrel line before doing it again while Big Mac was on the charger. Applejack sighs and looks ahead of them and sees something you don't see very often. "Ah buck. Move it!" She said before running to the controls. Applebloom grabs a shell off the crane and then throws it down into the barrel line while Big Mac bucks the last one straight into the gun and then moves the new shell into the charger. "Eat this!" Applejack yells, hitting the controls and making it fire the gun, making it hit the mass of worms that were in front of them which then makes them jump the tracks and fly in the air with their back of the train still hanging on. "Turn it!" Applejack yells. Applebloom quickly goes to the turning controls and turns the gun to point to the barrier before Applejack fires the enhanced shell. "Hit the dirt!" M. Twilight yells gliding off to the side. The others follow and then ducks as the shell hits the wall. "Direct hit! Out path is clear! Go!" Alexander yells. Applejack smiles as the train lands on the ground before looking ahead and then sees something. "Buck! It's still not enough. Move outta the way, we are coming through!" She yells as she and the others hangs on to the train now completely off the rails and just gliding toward the barrier. Everypony moves off more to the side as the rail gun then smashes into the wall and crashes straight through it. Twilight looks up as the dust settled. "Now that's one way to get rid of a wall." "Applejack, Applebloom, Big Mac, Granny Smith!" M. Twilight yells as she glides to the wreckage. Twilight and the others run after her and find M. Twilight looking down at the group on the ground with her hatch open. Applejack was just waving her off as the rail gun turns slightly and fires into the mess of akrid ahead of them. "Twilight let's go, they faced tougher, that I know." Twilight said as she runs up to them. "Oh, now that is bucking ridicules!" Applebloom yells pointing towards what was ahead. "Eyup." Big mac agrees. Applejack was just stuck staring at the two Twilights. "Now there's something you don't see every day." "Confounded worms wrecked our toy!" Granny yells. Twilight smiles as she watches the family mess with whatever the rail gun had left and kept firing into the akrid mess. "I hope we meet again Applejack. Your little lifestyle…looks kinda fun." Applejack stares at her and then smiles. "You are definitely not Twilight. The one I know likes to be rough and mean. You're most likely a clone." "Twilight come on!" Zagai yells. Both Twilight look at the stallions, but then looks back at Applejack worried. Applejack just smiles. "It's alright. Just end this thing. After all it did bury our town, so we need some form of revenge. Now go get them!" Both Twilights nods before running off and gliding off to the others and then stops a little away. "Twilight, do you see many big spawners in front of you?" M. Twilight asks. "Yes." Twilight says before M. Twilight takes a deep breath and starts spewing forth every profanity she could think off in her frustration. M. Twilight smiles as she keeps yelling like crazy before she stops. "Thank goodness. Alright Twilight, let me drive for this." "Ahhh!" Twilight whines. M. Twilight smiles as she then glides around and starts firing at every big spawner there is while Twilight catches up with the others and starts helping with the akrid already out and the little ones. "I really wanted to drive that thing on the ground." Zagai chuckles as he grab her and pulls her away before firing right to the side of her. "Just relax, you might have your chance soon." Twilight huffs. "Yeah, whatever and can you please let me go now?" Zagai chuckles. "What? I thought you like being held." A crack is heard and Zegai now has a gun bent over his head. "Do I even need to say the line?" Twilight said. Zagai groans as he holds his head. "Can I even be the least bit romantic here?" "I am taken, I have a mare of my own." Twilight says and everything seemed to stop and stare including the Akrids and M. Twilight stopped the VS to stare at her. "Did…you say mare?" Alexander asks. "Yes." Twilight says. Everything still stopped, even the giant orange eye thing that came out of the wall. "How and who?" Zagai asks. "A mare never tells." Twilight says. Zagai nods. "Okay." He said before taking a rocket launcher and firing it at the giant eye, thus restarting the mess of a fight. Soon after everything was down and all the data post activated with all the ammo collected, everypony decided to stand in the many pools and rivers of thermal energy. "Apparently there are many pathways through this city. Best way is high and through small places." Alexander said looking at his PDA. Meanwhile M. Twilight, having lost her VS, was just staring at Twilight now. Twilight notices the stare. "What?" "Now I know why you like that hair style. Your long hair attracts other mares' attention." M. Twilight says. Twilight just looks confused. "What? Of course not. She just likes me because of our history together. Not many mares like this mane style." "Yeah and a lot of stallions like mine." M. Twilight says. Twilight smiles. "Lightning may like it. You attract a lot more attention because your mane and the overall look contrast each other so that attracts a lot more attention…" Twilight's eyes widen. 'Wait a second.' Twilight thought over the mares Lightning was with. "Short cut, ruffed up and a rough lifestyle. He would definitely like you." She said looking back at her. "What are you on about?" M. Twilight asks an eyebrow raised like Applejack. Twilight smiles. "Lightning would definitely like you now with your mane and everything like that, especially with your rough enough attitude. I think Lightning likes that sort of mares." "R…really?" M. Twilight asks tracing a hoof in a small circle. Twilight nods. "I'm sure of it. Just…be nice, but a little rough around him and maybe nice around everypony else." Nikolai clears his throat. "Um…mares, is this the time or place for this?" Both mares blushes. "Sorry." They said together. Zagai sighs. "Let's go." He said leaving the pool, now full of thermal energy. Everyone starts to follow him as their counters kept stopping at their max number until they enter a new area as spawners and akrids come out and, to top it off, the giant eye thing is back. "Here we go again." Alexander said before firing wildly as he runs into the fray. Talion yawns as he stood on top of the guard's head. "You got any other ideas for a present for mom and dad? It's almost halfway through the week and we still have nothing." He asks his sister. Typhoon shrugs as she makes drawings in the snow. "I don't know, just a simple present is not enough." "Maybe I can help." A familiar voice says behind them. Turning around, they see Daring standing there. Both foals look confused. "Mom, what are you doing here?" Typhoon asks. "Well you have been out for a while and you forgot these." Daring says starting to put scarfs on them. Typhoon snuggles into her scarf. "Thanks mom." Talion sighs. "We still need a present." "You two are just so sweet." Daring says ruffling Talion's mane. Talion pushes her hoof away and tries to fix his mane. "I'm serious. What are we going to give? We already tired with one and that's no good." "You don't need to think too hard on it." Daring says picking him up and putting him on her back. Talion groans. "Come on mom. What can we give them? We've bomb on one." Typhoon then hops onto her back. "Yeah, we already tried with that mare and stallion who sings. We wanted to try that, but couldn't." "Let me guess, unforeseen circumstances?" Daring do asks. Both foals look to each other confused. "Whatever that is, then yes." Typhoon said. Daring chuckles. "Come on you two, how about we get back before your uncle Entei sends out a search party." The foals sighs. "Fine." They said. "Excuse me?!" A voice asks which makes the guards turn and draw their weapons on the mare and stallion in front of them and makes them stop right at the tip of their weapons. Daring's smirk goes unseen as the guards let the two ponies walk up at weapon point. "Hello, did you need something?" The mare nods. "Yes, can we do a private party for your family as a present?" She asks making the foals ears perk up. The two foals then start celebrating on Daring's back and Daring turns to them. "I think that is a yes." The mare and stallion breathe a sigh of relief. "Good, our sponsor will allow this because of the fame we will get. But we want to make some family happy." "Oh, don't worry about that." Daring says smiling. The mare and stallion nods. "Good, we just need to set everything up and those foals." The stallion said. "Don't worry, they will be ready." Daring says. The mare shakes her head. "No, we mean we need those foals to train them a bit. We kinda figure of letting them sing and dance a little." "Very well, but you will have to put up with the guards." Daring says. The mare and stallion eyes the guards still having some weapons out. "I'm…sure we can do that." The stallion said. "Good. You will see them every morning starting tomorrow." Daring says walking off with the guards following. The mares and stallion watch as they walk away. "Can't believe that happened. At least we got some foals to train, you think you could help keep them under control?" The stallion asks. "Oh, I have a way with foals." The mare says smiling. The stallion just chuckles before hooking a hoof around her. "Come on, let's go get something to eat before heading back." After a while of clearing more areas and activating a lot of data post, they finished and stand in more pools. "We can't keep doing this." Nikolai says. "We're tired as it is." He said eyeing the mares now panting in exhaustion. They then see the path leads into a tendril that looks to go to the center. "Convenient." Zagai said. Alexander collects the last ammo pack on the ground and looks to the tendril. "Move out." The radio then beeps. "Launch all your GPS units into the core. The satellite will pick up their signals and use them to target the laser blast." Lightning's assistant said as they enter the tendril. Twilight pants as they run through the tunnel. "How far?" M. Twilight then looks up and sees a hole before launching a grapple on her own and jumping out of the hole. Everypony else follows her as they continue to run up the tendril until they enter the open thermal energy filled area. After jumping down and heading almost to the center, a large amount of thermal energy moves up and moves around like a bundle of vines. "Is that…thermal energy? Living thermal energy?" Twilight asks. "You have got to be bucking me." M. Twilight says. The thermal energy mass then actually roars at them and all the rest of the snow pirates who were in there. "Guess not." Alexander said before firing away with his gatling gun. "I think the ends of these things are the weak point. Fire all you got." M. Twilight rushes to the data post and activates it before running off around the area while everypony else fires away. Twilight backs up towards M. Twilight while shooting as she uses her wings to fly up and get some distance. After a while the ends of the thermal energy started to harden and stone up. "Twilight, attach the GPS unit!" Alexander yells. Twilight quickly dives down and takes out the GPS unit and attaches it to the harden part and flies away and lands near them while M. Twilight got back. "Got it." The radio beeps. "Signal detected. We have access to the cannon's controls. Counting down." Twilight and everypony watches as a bright purple beam and white beam start to come together. "Five, four, three, two, one." The team on the station said. Everypony ducks and takes cover. "Fire!" A bright beam of energy came down and made the creature squeal in pain as it brought it down to an even level with the pool of thermal energy. The leftover red beam starts to recede and then disappear. "Direct hit! All supercore activity has ceased!" The team up at the station said. "I'm glad none of us were hi…" Twilight says before noticing nothing was dying and the Over G seemed to be growing more and was even starting to form a barrier out of the organic material above them. "I've got thermal energy readings going off the charts! And it looks like…like the barrier is being reconstituted!" Lightning assistant said. "Shoot it! Destroy the barrier! Hit it with everything you've got!" Everypony in the room immediately turns their attention away from the regrowing Over G and starts firing at the barrier of ice growing above. While they were firing everypony soon noticed something in the sky. "It's now or never! Bring this thing down on the GPS coordinates!" The team at the station orders as the station burns up in the atmosphere while it came down on them. "Oh no." Twilight and M. Twilight say in unison as they noticed it. "Get clear, the cannon is being dropped on it!" Nikolai calls into the communicator on an open frequency to everybody. "We're outta time! It's gonna hit! Everybody, get outta here! Get outta here now!" Lightning's assistant yells. Everybody started to run to where they came from, but the station soon came closer and closer until it started to make a large force, pushing everyone away and sending some flying. Everybody hangs on to the rocks as they try desperately to hang on. Lightning ran to his helicopter when he hears something and stops. "Commander! We need to go, now!" His assistant yells. Lightning just watches the sky. "What's that screaming?" He then sees many akrid flyers starting to head to the Over G and looking like trying to stop the station from falling. Twilight hangs onto the same rock as M. Twilight as her harmonizer goes crazy with the large amount of thermal energy in the air as she watches the akrid flyers go straight toward the falling stallion. "What the hell are they doing?!" She yells. Then everypony was blinded by an incredible flash of light as the station crashes into the Over G and sends everypony away from the shockwave that ensured and into the air. The station then proceed to crash more into the Over G as spews of thermal energy pop out all over the city as everything breaks up and drops into the earth as the thermal energy starts to flood the place. Soon after, everything was quiet and nothing, but the noise of the wind. Lightning groans as he tries to open his eyes as he lies in the cabin of the helicopter he was in. "Sir? Are you alright?" A soldier of his asks. Lightning groans. "I'm alright." He then looks up. "Why's it so dark?" The soldier looks up as well. "It's night out sir." Lightning looks confused. "Already?" The other soldier looks confused as well, but then climbs out with everyone else and lands on…sand? Looking around they can see everything buried under sand and turned off. Lightning walks over to a PTX and checks its status on his PDA. "The thermal energy's not working…" He said in slight surprise. "Commander! The sun's coming up!" His assistant said a little ways away. Lightning walks over, but then walks through, what looks like, water, until it turns bright orange and gives off particles of light. "What is this…?" Everypony else looks at the sea of thermal energy as it spreads wherever it could reach. Everypony starts to help each other, old hated forgotten as they examine the mystery of the sea. Soon the sun comes up enough and they see an island with what's left of the cannon sticking out of it in the middle of the sea of thermal energy. Lightning's assistant just looks confused. "I can't believe it. Look at it all. What happened?" Lightning looks to him for few seconds before looking back at the island. "We did it. We won." He said before shrugging. "At least that's what I'd like to believe." Soon a noise came from behind them and they see a VS's thermal energy tank on it's back starting to power up and collect thermal energy. "We're back online! Looks like the thermal energy still works!" After a while everybody got transport working started to take off on their own to wherever they need to go. Twilight groans as she opens her eyes and see the sea of thermal energy. She then looks around and sees somepony familiar. "Applejack?" "Hey Twilight clone." Applejack says as Twilight noticed Applebloom was piloting. Twilight groans as she tries to stand up. "What happened?" "Um…you tell us." Applebloom says. Applejack just glares at her sister. "Applebloom." She then turns back to Twilight. "We snatched you out of the sky before you guys hit the ground. You're lucky we have quick reflexes." Twilight smiles. "I guess I am…thanks. And the Over G, what happened to it?" Applejack smiles and points to the large island. "It's not going to get any easier, is it?" Lightning assistant asks him. "When was it easy, but for us, probably not. But the planet has survived and will continue to do so with or without us. This place…sometimes it welcomes you like the warm bed of a lover. And I know how that feels. Sometimes it feels like a cold knife at your throat. For those who makes this place their home, that is how it will always be." Lightning asks as more of the snow pirates starts to leave and even be friendly to everyone they called an enemy. Twilight sighs as she steps up to the side of the helicopter door and then turns to Applejack with worry. "They were others with me. Did you get them?" Applejack smiles and points to Big Mac working on the Nikolai while Alexander, Zagai and M. Twilight were laying down. "Told you, quick reflexes." Twilight quickly rushes over to M. Twilight. "Twilight, time to wake up." She said which only made her groans slightly. "Sorry." Twilight said before slapping M. Twilight and waking her up. "Wha…what happened? Last thing I remember, the station was coming down." M. Twilight said. "Take a look for yourself." Twilight says. M. Twilight gets up and follows Twilight to the door and she sees the island with the cannon sticking out of it. "Whoa, that's one way to end it." Everypony then hears a screech which wakes up everypony else as they all get up and look outside to see a strange flying akrid similar to a manta ray flying past them and out towards the sea. Twilight sighs and turns to M. Twilight. "Now…want to finally talk to Lightning personally?" "Oh boy." Applejack and Applebloom said together. M. Twilight sequels before hugging Twilight and jumping a little. "Would I ever?!" She then turns to Applejack. "Can you get us to Lightning?" "Applebloom, get us there before her bouncing causes us to crash." Applejack says. Applebloom giggles before turning the helicopter towards the shore and hurrying up because M. Twilight was now jumping around. After they reach the shore they slow down and starts to land next to the ex-NEVEC soldiers still in the water. M. Twilight quickly jumps out while Twilight, Nikolai, Alexander and Zagai came walking out. Zagai quickly walks over to Twilight. "Just to be clear, you're not interested in males, right?" He whispered. Twilight brings back out the shotgun with an impression of his head in it. Zagai sighs and back off. "Just so you know, give my version a hug back in your world and tell him thanks for everything." "Ok, but in my version you're an adorable penguin." Twilight jokes. Zagai just looks at her strangely. "That was a joke…right?" "I'll leave that for you to figure out." Twilight said as a portal opens up and Lightning is tackled and hugged by M. Twilight which makes Lightning laugh and hug her back. Twilight smiles at the scene before walking to the portal. "Hey Twilight?!" Twilight looks behind her and sees Twilight and Lightning walking to her. "Yeah?" Lightning smiles. "Thanks for bringing her back to me and singing a different tune." M. Twilight snuggles into him. "Yeah, thanks and I got something for you." She said taking something out of her bags. Twilight watches as she brings out a large roll of paper. "Remember what I said about me doing a redesign on that VS, well…" She unrolls the paper to reveal the PTX redesign, including everything about the important parts used. "You can have it." Twilight smiles before scanning it with her horn and looks back to them. "You can keep it now. I'm sure I can use something on it for my world. After all, Lightning did say he likes the PTX VSs." M. Twilight looks to him. "Really now?" "It might take a few years to get advanced enough to make one, I mean the best we have in technology is…well at this point another armor to some extent and half of the stuff it's supposed to have can't be done." Twilight says with an embarrassed smile. Lightning shrugs. "Well, you can make parts of those things, maybe combine it with your own style and parts and whatever else you need. Who knows when you can use something like that or close to it?" Twilight nods. "Well I can try something, but maybe combine my armor with it." Lightning nods. "Well, how about this?" He said taking out his PDA and pressing a few buttons before, to her surprise, show a blueprint on the ground for her. And it was the harmonizer. "This is supposed to be the mass produced one. Last one before that made you addicted to thermal energy, but this is supposed to be fixed in this. Can you try to make something from this?" Twilight smiles and scans the plans for it before nodding. "I'll see what I can do." After finishing she takes a sample of the thermal energy from the sea. Lightning chuckles. "Think you can take it in your world?" "Worth a shot." Twilight says taking a container and storing it inside. M. Twilight giggles. "Well, good luck no trying that." Rainbow clears her throat getting M. Twilight's attention. M. Twilight blushes a bit before backing away slightly. "Oh…hey Rainbow Dash. Sorry for everything and…you know." She said still backing away. "Come here already." Rainbow says dragging M. Twilight back to Lightning and holding her there. "I'm not saying I'm giving you a second chance yet. We will talk and see." Rainbow says. M. Twilight bends her ears back tries to not look at her. "Ummm…okay." She said quietly. "First step." Rainbow says smirking before kissing her. M. Twilight eeps as she kissed while both Twilight and Lightning looks on in amusement. "Well this is a happy ending." Twilight said. "Though, I won't be kissing Rainbow or you anytime soon." She said looking at Lightning. "Yeah, heard you were a fillyfooler." Lightning says half joking. Twilight smiles. "And wasn't joking about it either, but I may have to be both because I may need an heir soon as the plan keeps going." Twilight says before entering the portal, leaving a smiling Lightning. "I must be good there." He said to himself before looking back at the kissing mares. "Oh, this will be a fun marriage." Twilight jolts awake in her bed breathing a little more heavily. "Well I got through another dream and learned something else about myself." She says before feeling around and then hits something metal. "No way. It's not possible." She said before lifting the covers and finds a canister of thermal energy. "Yes! I can't believe that works. Now I just have to replicate it." She then stops. "But…this is nonrenewable energy, it has to be related to something." She said to herself before shrugging and placing the canister of glowing energy on her back. "Okay, first up, eating time." She started to walk out and finds some guards standing outside her door. "Hi boys, think you can help direct me to Lightning and the others?" The guards look at her surprised before nodding and they start walking off to the throne room and finds most of them eating away. "Hey guys, I'm up." She said cheerfully. Lightning checked a clock. "Took you less time than last time." Twilight shrugs. "Maybe because I knew what to do this time and what to watch out for." "Three, two, one." Lightning counts down. "Mommy!" Agni cheers before running to her and hugging her. Twilight laughs as she grabs him. "Hey Agni, has Shadow been nice to you?" Agni nods and nuzzles her until he smells something. "Geez mom, where did you go? The garbage universe?" Twilight flicks his head. "Of course not, I went to an ice planet and had to use the blood of the creatures to survive in the very cold weather." "Oh, he was not who I was counting down for." Lightning says, "What are you talking abooooooooouuuuttttt?!" Twilight yells the last part as she feels herself pull up to the roof by a rope and hanging upside down. Twilight watches as Star and Saber pulls the rope up and down. "You two." She said smiling now. The foals cheer as they hang their aunt in the air. "Okay you two, that's enough. I think your aunt has something to bring to the table from her trip." Lightning said. Star and Saber let's go of the rope and Twilight yells as she falls towards the ground. "OW!" The foals comes into her vision as they looks sadly down at her. "Sorry aunty." Twilight smiles as she rubs her head. "It's alright you guys. It's great to see you again." The foals cheer as she gets up and sits down at the table. "Blueprints please and another surprised I didn't expect." She said bringing out the canister. "I sense powerful fire magic. Maybe even raw fire energy." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "This is supposed to the lifeblood of that entire planet. The creatures use it, it comes from the lava maybe and it's used as fuel and a heat source for the inhabitants. Soon they found a way to use it to heal them based on the creature in the planet." "I see." Lightning says. Twilight then gets a huge smile. "Plus I had a lot of fun piloting a robot through space and somewhat on the ground." She then looks slightly on the side. "Just because you helped with the redesign doesn't mean you can keep using it." "Hoofbell prize attempt?" Lightning asks. Twilight just looks nervously at him. "Well…" She then stops as somepony places blueprint paper in front of her. "Thank you." She then starts to write on it based on the memories she has and soon draws the PTX and harmonizer. "There." She said before giving out the papers to him. "What do you think?" "Beyond us right now. We shall see in the next few years." Lightning says looking them over. Twilight shrugs. "Or maybe place a few things in my armor based on that. Just the ones that work." "Hoofbell award project." Daring whispers to Lightning. Twilight sighs as she looks to the canister. "Still, why did this leave with me? It was…just a dream…right?" Shadow was whistling innocently. Twilight rolls her eyes before grabbing Shadow and placing her in a headlock. "So…care to explain?" Shadow struggles with her. "Wouldn't you like to know?" Twilight frowns before letting go and getting out of her seat and going to Zagai who was standing guard on the side of the room. "Hey feather brain." "Huh?" Zagai asks confused. "It just occurred to me, where is Hurricane and my sister?" Lightning asks. Zagai looks to him. "Last time was in the city when I was flying over for a scout." He then turns back to Twilight. "And what do you want?" Twilight surprises him with a hug that actually makes him drop his weapon in shock. "Ummm…thanks, but why?" "You looked like you could use one." Twilight says. Zagai still looks confused as he pats her head. "Ummm…thanks, but it looks like you need to say something else." Twilight creepily smiles. "Yeah, I do." She said letting go and grabbing his fallen spear. Twilight smiles as she leaves with it as she hears eerily familiar laughter. Twilight stops as Hurricane rises up out of the ground in front of her. "And where do you think of going with that?" Twilight smirks and whispers something in her ear which makes Hurricane smiles and then giggles. "Okay, I'll do it. Hey feather brain, get over here." Hurricane Calls to Zagai. Zagai just looks a little angry. "What is it with everyone and feather brain? What?" He asks stopping front of them. Hurricane and Twilight smirks as they lift the weapon, making his eyes widen. "Wait a minu…" He can't say anymore as they hit him over the head with the spear, making it bent around his head. "OW! What was that for?!" He yells holding his head in pain. His only answer was Twilight's laughter. "I will never understand females especially mares." He said trying to alleviate some pain by rubbing his head. "And you never will." A mare said entering the room. "You couldn't even do it while you were here without them." "Where have you been? I've trying to get you come here, but now you decided?" Zagai asks. The new mare only shrugs. "Please, I'm staying in your bed, live with it. Besides, it's hard to look for a present in this city nowadays." Zagai looks up interest. "Present? Is it for me?" "No, it's for the hot guard captain." The mare says sarcastically. Zagai huffs. "Hey, be happy I saved you in that alleyway. That can be your present for this season." "Oh and here I was thinking you would be all sweet and romantic." She says using one of the mare's most dangerous weapon, the quivering lip pout. Zagai huffs and turns away. "Not going to work." Twilight leans over to the mare. "It will." Zagai looks back and sees Twilight joining and turns back around. "Nope, not going to work." Hurricane appears in front of him and gives him the same look. "You got to be kidding. Fine! Come here." The mare cheers and jumps into his arms before kissing his beak. "My work here is done. Now for GRANDFOALS!" Hurricane yells. The foals immediately jumps on her and makes her crash to the ground. "Yes! It feels like being buried under a pile of bunnies." Hurricane cheers as the foals starts moving around like crazy on her. "Should we tell her?" Rainbow whispers. "Let her enjoy the moment, then tell her about the next one coming." Lightning whispers back before turning back to Zagai and the mare. "So, you going to introduce us?" Zagai smiles as he sets her down in a seat. "Everyone meet Aquila. Found her when Umbra and I separated when we came over. He let me go out in the city and found her in an alleyway, half beaten and you-know-what stained." "Yes, yes, you overgrown chicken, you saved me." Aquila says. "Sassy isn't she?" Daring asks. Zagai chuckles. "Though the fun part, was finding out who did. Boy that was a mystery adventure. Work with others she worked with and lived with and ended up on her old boss. Two jobs ago, of course. You ask me, that's a long time to hold a grudge." "So the body they couldn't identify they found in Riverwood?" Lightning asks. Zagai darkly chuckles. "Don't mess with my friends." "Just checking." Lightning says as he pets Rainbow's stomach. Aquila smiles as she looks up to Zagai. "And soon, talon breath here offered me a place to sleep in his bed. Things took off there. The problem is he's too romantic when stuck in a small room with a female, isn't that right?" Zagai frowns. "I do not." "He does, it happened to me." Twilight said. "There have been rumors." Belcoot jokes. Zagai frowns. "I do not do that." Twilight looks at him. "We were stuck in a cargo container and you tried to romance me." "That never happened and what is a cargo container?!" Zagai yells. Twilight smiles. "Something to transport materials in a transport, like a train, boat, or airship. And you did it in my coma dream and it's based on your personality. Which means, you do it." Lightning is just sitting there and watching as he tries to contain his laughter as they were picking fun at Zagai. Zagai blushes beet red. "I don't do that." Aquila smirks. "Shower." Zagai was about to say something before being dragged off by Aquila. "Hey, I'm not done." Aquila smiles. "Princess Twilight?" Twilight brings out his bent spear in the shape of his head while trying to eat something. "You taking a page out of Discord's book Twi?" Rainbow asks. Twilight smiles. "After dealing with the singing bird over there, I needed to do something. I am with Luna after all. Besides, the funny part is when I told the Zagai over that this one here is an adorable penguin." "Oh, I want a picture of that!" Pinkie yells. Aquila smirks as she looks down at Zagai. "I'm sure I can find a costume somewhere." She said evilly. "Do it. Do it." Pinkie started chanting. Zagai holds a claw up. "I protest against this." Daring and Hurricane join the chanting. "Still protesting." Zagai yells. Soon most of the hall was chanting it and Lightning was close to caving in and start busting a gut. Aquila smiles as she leans down on top of him. "The votes has been tallied, you lose." "No!" Zagai's yell was heard even by the guards on the city's walls. "I don't want to be a penguin, don't make me a penguin." He begged as he was dragged away. Author's Note (1) Multiverse Twilight Who wants him in a penguin costume? Raise your hand. Flair: *Raises hand with Pinky* Wait, what type of penguin? Emperor or Adélie, your choice. Flair: Hum let's let the audience decide for this. But are we making another chapter immediately or just giving them a chance to decide because they take almost two whole months to review. Flair: How about until December 22, 2014 for the deadline? So we write until they make the decision and then change it up? Flair: Why not leave that part unwritten until the cutoff date? And readers it cuts off at midnight. Oh boy, Pinkie, you got the camera ready? "Which one?" Pinkie asks as she had hundreds of cameras out. *Chuckles darkly* Every single one. Flair: Oh why not throw a penguin party for him while you are at it? Pinkie cheers. "Oh, even better! I'll throw the funniest one ever for feather brain." And I got a host of insults to throw at him. Through Flair, you need to come up with penguin insults. Flair *writing on a list* Should I include a joke involving eggs? Only if you can include his marefriend. Flair: Why, she seems to be the dominant one there. He hates being embarrassed about his sexual life. Flair: I usually don't make those jokes. Time for you learn and this is the best time. Besides, your lost planet joke with the train was a little flat. Flair: I wanted to give Applebloom more lines, in fact note the CMC take a more active role. Maybe even have them tie a giant pink ribbon on Zagai's costume. *Darkly chuckles* Now that sounds fun, since most of their old adventures involve doing that to even the animals like their pet sitting job from Spike. Flair: Ok, I think that is everything. Can you think of anything else? Maybe have Twilight on standby with his bent spear if he starts resisting? Flair: I already gave her a very heavy metal mace. So the bent image of his head in the spear isn't enough? Flair: No that sits on the wall, she will try and reenact that with the club if he resists. *Smiles* Well then, now an explanation on future things happening. With the end of most schools coming up, I'll be busy mostly to study for the exams and I'm bad at math work. So I'll be working pretty much on this and trying to write in the meantime, but will be delayed by then until the exams are over. And even then I'll probably be placed on probation because of my GPA being low. So I've got two things to worry about. Now, this won't hurt the ideas of the next chapter or the future of this story, but it will raise the amount of time needed to write this. As for Flair, I'll let you explain your side. Flair: I have several things eating up my time from family to other personal things that I won't bore you with also I just got Dragon age Inquisition recently. As we enter into Christmas so hope I don't fall off the roof putting up Christmas light and we might have another story coming out soon. And let's hope its fun. Now the word count. For the first time, we hit over fifty thousand words. That's a milestone. Though I doubt we would hit it again in a while. We were running dry and had to remember some old plots we never bothered to place. Flair: That herd of elephants aren't in the script! PINKY! Pinkie just laughs. "Sorry, but I couldn't resist." Flair: What your own office wasn't good enough? Pinkie tilts her head. "I'm bored." Flair: Oh forget it please read and review. Have fun everybody for the long wait if you read this long into this.
Placing New Ropes (Clop) A few hours before Lightning yawns as he opens his eyes and sees Twilight sleeping on his chest and looks over to see Rainbow now having her wings around Talion and Typhoon before looking to the other side and sees Scootaloo on her back and snoring a bit loudly. He chuckles and moves Twilight off of his chest before placing a pillow in his place and heads to the bathroom. "Is it seven already?" Rainbow asks. The foals just yawn and nuzzle against her again. "Yeah it is love." Lightning says. Rainbow looked around her eyes stopping on Lightning then going to her foals. "What am I doing here?" Rainbow asks. "I will explain everything a little later, but my question for you is, what do you think of how your daughter looks?" Lightning asks. Rainbow looks to Typhoon and sees the little bow on her head. "What's my daughter doing wearing a bow?" "Twilight there dressed her in her pajamas after we gave them a bath." Lightning says. Rainbow growls. "I am going to throttle her." "Don't love, she is only taking care of her as she thinks she should. After all, now that she is also my wife, she bare's responsibility to raise the foals." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs as she takes the bow out. "Doesn't make it look good to have her place a bow on Typhoon." "Well she attended to it because you were asleep from wearing yourself out. Carrying a foal isn't easy." Lightning says walking over and lays his head against her neck. Rainbow groans and throws the bow away. "Doesn't excuse it." "I'll tell her no bows unless she wants them." Lightning says before petting her. Rainbow purrs. "You better." "I will love now. The reason you and they are here is because last night, guards attempted sedition by killing our foals." Lightning says. Rainbow growls. "Did you at least get them?" "Only one remains alive and he is currently in the dungeon. Entei himself is interrogating him." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs. "Good riddance." "But it goes to show there are traitors amongst the guards that need to be weeded out." Lightning says. Rainbow frowns. "You better find them or I'm coming after you." "I intend to, in fact, that is the only reason that one lived in case he had any more accomplices." Lightning says. Rainbow pokes his chest. "You better end it." "You know me Rainbow. No one harms my family and lives." Lightning says. Rainbow smirks. "Dang straight." "Think you can handle the foals while I bathe?" Lightning asks. Rainbow scoffs. "Do you have to ask?" "No, just being polite." Lightning says. Rainbow just stares at him. "Uh huh." "Come here you." Lightning says bring her into a full on kiss. Rainbow yelps into his mouth as she kissed back as the foals start to yawn. She quickly separates and looks to them. "Hey guys, you sleep well?" "Mommy, I'm cold. Can you cover me up?" Talion asks half asleep as Rainbow noticed he kicked off the blanket in his sleep. Rainbow smiles and nuzzles his head. "Sure sweetie." She said covering them up with her wings. "Better?" "Thank you mommy." Talion says before going back to sleep. Rainbow sighs and turns back to Lightning. "Better hurry and wash up. Then start up a hot bath for them." "I will. You going to join them?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shrugs. "Maybe just help them clean up." "I'll be quick." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles as he heads into the bathroom and turns to glare at Twilight. "Wake up and feel my wrath." "No Rainbow, the pie is in the fridge not under the elephant…how did you even get that in here?" Twilight asks talking in her sleep as she hugs the pillow she had. Rainbow rolls her eyes. "Egghead." "Mommy, can you teach me how to fly like you do?" Rainbow hears Typhoon asks and when she turns, she see she is also talking in her sleep. Rainbow smiles and nuzzles her head. "Just open and think fly." She whispered. Typhoon smiles in her sleep as she rubs against Rainbow. 'My little angels.' Rainbow thinks. After a while, Lightning comes out with a towel wrapped around his neck and nuzzles Rainbow. "You and their turns. The bath is ready." "Keep the heating spell on it and let them sleep a bit longer." Rainbow says. "Ok love." Lightning says before pecking her neck with a kiss. Rainbow eeps and tries to keep quiet as most of the bed occupants moans in their sleep as they turned in place. "Lightning…bad place." "I know, just doing it because today will be a busy day for me so please watch the foals for me, ok?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods. "Sure. Just be sure to at least see us at times. It would get boring at times." "I will try my sexy little flyer." Lightning says. Rainbow smirks. "Well looks who's talking." She said tracing a wing down his chest. Lightning chuckles and nuzzles her nose. "Too cute." He said before heading out. "Bye for now love. I'll have the food delivered to you." "I want a pancake breakfast for all of us." Rainbow says. Lightning smiles. "Pancakes it is. Toppings or type?" "Let's go with classic seeing as this will be Talion and Typhoon's first time having them." Rainbow says. Lightning chuckles. "No whipped cream or syrup?" "Butter and syrup is a part of the classic…when was the last time you had them?" Rainbow asks "I think somewhere around…twenty years." Lightning says embarrassed. Rainbow shakes her head. "Ask the chiefs for the classic pancakes. Toppings and all." "Will do love." Lightning says walking to the closet and starts getting dressed in his king robes. Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "You know you don't have to wear that." "Kingly duties." Lightning says annoyed. Rainbow huffs. "Hate those things. Really covers up the most important aspect of you." "What, it doesn't cover up my charming good looks." Lightning jokes. Rainbow smirks. "You know what I mean. The mares' best friend on a stallion." Lightning rolls his eyes. "I think that's reserved for you girls." "You know it." Rainbow says. "I'm starting to dislike this. Back in Stalliongrad I could just wear a crown and some clothes, but here it is always wear the royal robes." Lightning says annoyed. Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "You do know that Celestia and Luna only wore jewelry and things and no robes of any kind were worn." "Yeah, but neither of them were a king or queen." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Yeah, but there hasn't been a queen or king so you can dress how you want. Nopony would say anything." "Actually no, when you see the minister of the area ask to find the laws of Canterlot. Princess Platinum left a law saying the king and queen have to dress a certain way." Lightning says. Rainbow frowns. "Well that's just stupid." "Tell me about it and now I have to work on getting it amended." Lightning says. "Hey! I actually like it." Hurricane said floating through the door. "It made me look sexy." She said putting on a pose. Lightning stares at her. "I'm not trying to be sexy here. I'm trying to be practical." "Come to see your grandfoals?" Rainbow asks. Hurricane floats over. "Of course. I would never leave them alone. Especially after last night's fiasco." She said looking around Rainbow's wing. "Aw, they're so cute." "So how is Daring and little Star?" Lightning asks. Hurricane waves a hoof at him. "Oh just a little fussy. Daring wants some rice for some reason and little Star wants her mother's milk. So…pretty much normal." "Must be thinking about when we spent some time in the Qin Empire." Lightning says. Rainbow looks to him. "Oh yeah, what happened to that mare Seeku knocked out? Did she ever wake up?" "Oh, she is up and nearly cut Seeku and a few of my men in half until we wrestled the sword from her. She hasn't spoken once since." Lightning said. Rainbow nods. "And where is she now?" "Still in the dungeons in Stalliongrad. We are giving her just enough food and water to live so she won't have the strength to try anything." Lightning says. Rainbow smiles. "You're mean." "She nearly killed my men. I would be a fool to not restrain her." Lightning says. Rainbow chuckles. "I know, just that you are restraining a mad mare. How would that look on your reputation?" Lightning smiles a bit. "I think it would look good I tried diplomacy." Rainbow sighs. "For the legion." "Oy." Lightning said pointing and serious. "Don't compare me to them." "Ok, but you must do something for me." Rainbow says causing Lightning's eyebrow to raise. "And that is?" Lightning asks. "Take Silva as you third and final mistress." Rainbow says. Lightning smirks. "I thought I already did." "I'm serious on that." Rainbow says. Lightning nods. "Want me to announce it?" "No, but tonight it won't be me nor Twilight in this bed ok?" Rainbow asks. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Okay, just don't be mad if I'm late." "Dad?" Scootaloo asks as she got up groaning and trying to wipe the drool. "Yes angel?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo rolls over onto her stomach. "Can I take Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle to the Ponyville School today? Might be good to be back there again for a bit." "With what happened last night?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo raises an eyebrow. "I'll take some guards." "When the guards are the ones who made the attempt?" "When we have militia there. I'm sure Big Mac and a few of his friends would do. Besides, they want to head to school again and so do I. I have been missing school for some odd reason." She remarked. "Wait a few days and you can Scoots. Besides, school doesn't start up again till next week." Lightning says. Scootaloo groans as she rolls onto her back again. "I'm going to be bored now. Get ready for a dragon pile that just lays around now, doing nothing." "You want something to do? I could arrange for you to aid the servants in cleaning." Lightning says. Scootaloo brings her head up. "I'm not bored anymore." She said quickly. Lightning smirks. "Always the same Scoots we know and love. Smart, but lazy." "Oy." Scootaloo calls out. "Oy yourself." Lightning said back. "I just did. Oy." Scootaloo said. "I'm heading out." Lightning says opening the door. "Breakfast time for me." Scootaloo said rushing out and heading down the hall. "Hi grandpa." She said passing Night Light at the door. Hours later, Lighting was listening to the report from the interrogation. "And that's about it. Plain motive. Still elaborate, but I can guess why they would go after them. No next in line, election time." A night guard said. Lightning inhales deeply as he kept his eyes closed. "Have you identified any accomplices yet?" The night guard shakes his head. "They went into hiding after finding out the assault was a bust." "Who has gone missing exactly?" Lightning asks. "All, but five members of the 17th." The Lunar guard says. Lightning opens his eyes and looks at the guard captain. "Interesting. Bring them before me." Lightning ordered. The guard nods as a pony with a clipboard steps up. "You still need to see requests sir." She said. "Start reading them to me while we wait." Lightning says. The pony flips a page. "I got a few for a factory of different kinds. Another few for a school, private. Got one for ownership of land. Final transfer of large amount of assets from dead family to heirs. And then there's the one for…a dinner date with a noble?" "Noble's name?" Lightning asks. She flips through a few pages. "Fancy Pants and Fleur Dis Lee." "Must be to discuss something with me in private. Send a confirmation and arrange a date. Now pick one and read me it." Lightning says. The pony looks up from her clipboard. "They're in the waiting room if you want. Have the papers and everything." "Call them in after I am done with the five guards as I don't want them to get the wrong idea." Lightning says. The pony nods and walks off as a guard returns with a few ponies wrapped in chains. "The accused sir." "Captain, their names, ranks, and date of their commission as guards." Lightning says. The captain looks over a sheet of paper and places a hoof on the one in front. "Private Reach Fly. Brought in just last month." He said before moving back and placing a hoof on the next one. "Corporal Hard Hit. Brought in last year." He said and moves onto the next one. "Sergeant Low Rock. Brought in two years ago." He said and moves onto the next one. "Captain Tackle Ground. Brought in three months ago." He said and moves onto the last. "And our civilian friend. Noble Crepe Louvre. Been in Canterlot all his life." "And he is a part of the 17th?" Lightning asks raising an eyebrow. The guard looks up. "He's the funds of their group. Supplied all the bits." "I see. So do you realize the gravity of your situation?" Lightning asks. Crepe and guards just stares at him. Lightning stares back at them before getting up and going to them as they keep staring at him before Crepe spits at face. "Go away heathen. Back to where you were born from." He said. "You do realize I was born in Equestria and I am right now deciding whether you live or die like those who tried to kill my foals." Lightning says. Crepe scoffs. "And you aren't worthy of the throne. Only Celestia." "No, I am an enraged parent about to order the first public execution in Equestria in centuries." Lightning says. Crepe huffs. "Then why don't you do it?" "I'm giving you a chance to save yourselves." Lightning says. Crepe scoffs and turns away. "You're just a dumbass." Lightning shrugs. "Have it your way. How about you guys?" He asks looking over to the guards as the night guards take the noble away. The guards looks at him before looking at each and they all sigh. "Conditions?" The captain asks. "Start talking and you may not get the noose." They all start talking at the same time. "One at a time." Lightning warns. "You captain, you will speak first." The captain huffs. "We weren't even there. We didn't even know they were going to do that." "Furthermore, some of us are actually kept out of some circles. They would even stop talking as soon as they notice you." The private said. "Private, you will get your turn to speak, for now it is the captain's turn." Lightning says. The captain sighs. "Even then, we have been noticing our armory has some missing stock. We just can't find until they came in." Lightning look to the side for the lunar guard to either acknowledge or dismiss the missing equipment. The guard was looking over some papers before looking up and nodding. "Continue." Lightning says. The captain nods. "Furthermore, we didn't even realize what was happening until princess Celestia stepped down. That's when most of the talking started." "Can any of you prove an alibi?" Lightning asks. The captain and some of the guards actually start to blush. "You…can ask some of the sergeants of the…lunar guards." The captain said. "I don't want specifics. Can you prove it?" Lightning says getting the message. The captain gulps. "Ask the chocolate cafe. They have our receipts and everything. Has our name, signature and everything. Just ask for the time you need." "Captain, have somepony go check." Lightning orders. The lunar guard nods and walks over to another and speaks to him for a bit before the other guard walks off. "Now, until then, we will all wait right here." Lightning says eyeing each one like a predator eyeing prey. The guards start to sweat as they try not to look at him. After a long time and a wet carpet of sweat, the lunar guard finally came back and the solar guards sigh in relief. The guard whispers into his ear and Lightning nods. "It seems all but one of your alibis were confirmed by this and we even have some eye witnesses. Now private, can you produce an alibi as well?" Lightning asks. The private gulps and really sweats. "At the time of the incident…I was…indisposed." He said blushing hard. "Ask the captain in the tower. He knows." "Clarify." Lightning ordered. The private gulps again. "I was at home. Been there the whole time and just came into work this morning. I…live alone." Lightning raises an eyebrow. "You are jumping around here. Speak the truth or don't." After a brief silence Lightning asks. "Anyone can vouch for you as a witness?" The private starts to shake in fear. "The lunar guard that is posted in the south tower at night. Go ask him. He'll tell you everything." "Captain, go question that guard." Lightning orders, his gaze fixed on the private. The captain rushes off as the private tries to avert his gaze to Lightning. The other guards watches as the two try not to move until the captain rushes back and shuts the door behind him. "Never send me to him again." He said as he pants. "Well, did he confirm the private's story?" Lightning asks. The captain nods slowly. "Yes…in great detail. Seriously, you can write a novel with what he says." "I see, well you all have a confirmed alibi, but I'm not convinced you didn't have anything to do with the renegades, so you will be transferred under a new commanding officer for the time being and she will keep a close eye on you four until the investigation is finished. Captain, call major Silva." Lightning ordered. The captain groans a bit before heading out again and brings Silva back. "Major Silva." He said shutting the door after he looked outside. Silva looks over the guards. "So I'm supposed to watch these guys?" "Yes, the 17th patrol group of the solar guard will be disbanded in disgrace and all the missing members will be hunted down by all guards. Have their pictures and names put on wanted posters and sent to every corner of the county. Offer a reward as well captain." Lightning says. Silva nods. "Of course sir. Anything else?" "Everypony is dismissed, except Major Silva." Lightning says. Everyone in the room starts to leave as Lightning sighs in relief as he sat down after they left. "Why did you want me to stay?" Silva asks. "Rainbow has made a certain demand." Lightning says before sealing the room with his magic. Silva raises an eyebrow. "Yes?" "Silva, how would you feel about being accounted amongst Daring and Kyou?" Lightning asks. Silva tilts her head. "I'm not sure I understand." "Rainbow wants you to become my third and final mistress." Lightning says. Silva stops. "Come again." Lightning nods. "You heard me. How do you feel about becoming my mistress?" Silva starts to blush. "Um…sir…I don't think I'm worth it." "I wouldn't ask if you weren't." Lightning says. Silva gulps as she pushes her hooves together. "Um…well…I think that…um…" "Silva, it is your choice whether or not you accept." Lightning says. Silva presses her lips together. "And if I don't?" "That is your choice. I won't stop you, but I would like you to." Lightning says. Silva keeps trying to look at something other than him. "Well…maybe…I can…try." "You know, now that you accepted, you now bare the responsibility to raise my foals." Lightning says. Silva sighs. "You kinda had me do that for a while." Lightning sighs. "True. Well, you can try this now. It's lunchtime so let's go get something. Have a talk with family too. Might help with your final decision and getting Talion and Typhoon used to their new mother." Silva nervously nods. "Y…yes sir." Lightning nods and gets up. "Come on." He said leading her to the door. "What would you like?" He asks opening it to just hear a snarl and something pass by and catches the guards nearby off guard. "What the…?" "Kill the lurker, watcher and demon!" A voice yelled from down the hall and Lightning looks to see Twilight trying to run after the thing that passed by. Lightning and Silva just stared as Twilight passes by with some spears and trying to throw them with her magic. "Shadow! You got some explaining to do!" She yells as she kept throwing. A heavy growl came from down the hall and they see something like a large bat crash through the window at the end of the hall. "This is new." Lightning remarked as he grabs a nearby sword. Twilight growls as she kept throwing the many spears she kept collecting at the lurker who kept running away from her before hitting it in the back leg. "Yes!" Twilight yells before throwing a final spear at it and hits its head. "There. Now have to find the other two and get rid of these things." She said as a shadow passes over her. She quickly turns around with a spear ready before just seeing the watcher just standing above her ready to strike before its head just slides off and sees Lightning standing behind it with his sword bloody. "Care to explain?" Lightning asks before throwing it over his shoulder and a yelp was heard. Twilight chuckles nervously. "Yeah, Shadow had to do an emergency pull out and they came along." Lightning cocks his head slightly. "So did you get them all?" Twilight looks over the bodies and Silva trying to pass the head of the watcher to another guard. "We are missing the demon." Lightning looks out the window to see it growl at them. "There it is and there it…" He stops as another blur hits the demon and sends it away before Scootaloo takes its place and roars at it. "Goes." He finished with a groan. "Now, now, Scoots, what have I taught you?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo grins. "Make sure to kill them on the first try and be awesome." She said as the demon takes off again and Scootaloo quickly whips around and hits it in the head with her tail and sends it crashing down with a crunch sound. "Anything else?" Lightning asks. Twilight thinks on it. "Well…there is a Dark One, but I don't know where." Lightning grows interested. "Oh, what's this one? Stalks its prey in the darkness?" Twilight shakes her head. "No, more like mysterious and attacks psychically. Seriously, I think one mind raped me." Lightning gives her a look. "I'm serious." Lightning says nothing as she notices it was directed behind her. "There's something behind me, isn't there?" She asks almost groaning. "It looks intelligent." Lightning says. Twilight nods slowly. "Trust me, that's what I got from Zagai." She said before turning her head a bit and sees a hairless leg before quickly turning back around. "Come with me little one, we will get you home." Lightning says walking past her. Twilight didn't look as she hears some extra hoofsteps and soon they turn a corner and she sighs in relief. "Okay, now have to burn the bodies. Bring the dead bodies to one outside and pile them up and clean this area up." She said walking opposite of where Lightning and the Dark One went. "So you know what lady Rainbow asked Lightning to do?" Silva asks dragging a body along. Twilight looks back at her. "Um…not really. What question?" Silva whispered what happened into Twilight's ear. Twilight looks surprised at her. "Really? She asked for that?" Silva nods. "Wow, this is new." Twilight said as they came outside and the guards and Silva threw the bodies onto the demon before Twilight lights them on fire. "Don't ask. Somepony botched a teleport spell and summoned these things." Silva says to the guards who just watching the burning pile in surprise. Twilight sighs as Scootaloo lands nearby. "You okay?" She asks looking to her. "I'm fine Scootaloo." Twilight says. Scootaloo leans over. "And what was this about?" She whispered. "Don't ask." Twilight says walking away with Silva. Scootaloo raises an eyebrow as she turns back to the burning pile. "You really are weird mom." "Which one? Me or Silva?" Twilight asks. Scootaloo looks confused. "Wait, what?" "Come join us for a private lunch." Twilight says. Scootaloo tilts her head as she starts to follow them. "Okay." She said confused. "So?" Rainbow asks when Lightning came in. Lightning smiles. "It's a maybe at the moment. Just trying things out for a while. You okay with that?" "No, I want her agreement and in the bed tonight." Rainbow says. Lightning sighs. "Okay, just give me a moment to grab her and take her out for a bit. Maybe a date, you okay with that for now?" Rainbow starts chuckling before it developed into a full blown laugh. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "What's so funny?" "You at dating. It is almost hilariously bad." Rainbow says. Lightning frowns. "Hey, I'm good with dating." "So…how's it going?" Lightning asks the mare nearby at the table as Rainbow just tries to hold a snicker and the mare just stares at him almost confused. "Right." Rainbow said. "Am I really that bad?" Lightning asks sweat dropping. "Yes." Twilight said walking in with Silva. "You really need to read this." She said giving him a book before helping Rainbow off the bed and starts to lead her out. "A romance novel?" Lightning asks. Twilight smirks. "A Thousand and One Ways to Please your Lover: For Dummies. Oh and one more thing…" She said looking back at him. "You said you would read some of my suggestions and this is one of them." She said giving him the same blank stare he gave when he gave her first books. "I don't think I need this guide after two nights ago don't you think?" Lightning asks. Twilight smiles. "It has stuff for dating too. So get to it stallion or no more bed for you." Lightning mumbles under his breath as he starts reading. Twilight smirks as she leads Rainbow out. "Finally got him back." "Whoa, how long you been holding that grudge?" Rainbow asks. Twilight scoffs. "For a long time. Nopony calls me a dummy and gets away with it." "Twi, before you go, what's a fire snail?" Lightning calls. "For dragons when they need relaxation and massages. This book also has other species." She calls back. "You sure this isn't a fire spirit?" Lightning calls back. "Nope. It's not for spirits." Twilight calls before stopping. "Wait, why do you ask?" Twilight asks. "We got one in here." Lightning says. Twilight glares back at him. "Don't be lying." Lightning points to one on the floor. Twilight looks carefully at it before picking it up and looking closely at it. "How did you get here?" "You tell me." Lightning says looking it over. Twilight shrugs. "Oh well. I'll figure it out later. Scoots may like this." "Just don't let it burn down the castle and how is her other pet doing?" Lightning asks. Twilight keeps looking it over. "The snow leopard, oh, just staying close to her and keeping others away at times." "Uh huh, well I guess I will be…" Lightning stops when his path is obstructed by Twilight's wing. "Try not to screw this up." Twilight said. "Right back to the book." Lightning says. Twilight nods and takes the slug with her. "Yep. Make sure to please her." Lightning sighs as he walks out with Silva. "Come on Silva. Let's hit the city and see what I can do. I at least want to try it this way." "You know this means we won't be sleeping with him tonight." Rainbow says. Twilight smiles. "It's worth it if we get another. Besides, that means Daring would have a new playmate too and she can stop harassing me." "You think so, wouldn't you?" A voice asks before Twilight feels a collar around her neck and gets pulls into the hooves of another pony. "You're my pet." Daring said nuzzling her head. "Daring, off, now." Twilight says. "Yeah." Rainbow said before grabbing the leash and pulls Twilight into her hooves. "Besides, I'm the first one and alpha so she's mine. Told you I get ya." Twilight growls before teleporting out of her grasp. Both mares look to her and now stalks her. "Come on Twilight. Didn't you want to have some fun?" Daring asks with an evil grin. "I got things to do. Now stop or I will sic this one on you." Twilight says holding up the fire snail. They still got closer as Twilight starts backing up. "Come on Twilight. Let's have some fun." Rainbow said. "Oh, fire snail." Scootaloo said walking past and taking the snail. "Thanks mom." She said walking away. "Now I got to go to work." Twilight says throwing the collar at Daring. Daring grins as she catches the collar and runs after Twilight as she rans. "Come back here pet!" Rainbow smiles and leisurely walks as she chuckles. "I love my family. Even the crazy kinds." "Okay, make sure to pay for most things, but not all." Lightning reads as he and Silva sat at a cafe. Silva smiles. "Need help?" She asks as she drank some tea. "I can't believe she has me reading the book that shares her name." Lightning says. Silva giggles. "Well…I have been listening to lady Rainbow on this. You certainly embarrassed her when you gave her the first books needed on spirit magic. And I must say, you deserve this." "That was the same book I started with in my studies." Lightning says yawning. "This book is so boring." Silva raises an eyebrow as she sips as she keeps looking at him. "What do you think she felt when she first started reading? You gave her books for dummies. I would be bored too." "No, this book and she was mostly rejecting the idea I had magic like hers for a bit." Lightning says. Silva sighs and shakes her head. "Oh king Lightning. You have a lot to learn about mares still. Just having a big tool isn't enough at times." Lightning sighs and puts the book down. "Okay, that's enough reading for now. So what do you want?" Silva shrugs. "Whatever is good?" Lightning quickly grabs the book and opens it to a particular page. "Um…well I could start us out with some sandwiches." Silva smiles as she giggles. "You're cute sir." Lightning quickly flips to another page. "Um…thank you." He said trying to follow some lines. Silva laughs even harder as Lightning keeps trying to read. "Oh sir." Lightning groans as he closes the book and puts it down. "Silva, I'm done." Silva raises an eyebrow. "And what would your wife do when faced with a book she got tired of?" "Which one?" Lightning whispers. Silva leans forward. "Your queen." "Throw it across the room into a pile and wait for somepony to clean it up." Lightning says. Silva looks confused. "Are you sure you're talking about Queen Sparkle?" "Defiantly sure." Lightning says. Silva shakes her head. "Want to get out of here?" "Please." Lightning said leaving some bits and taking the book with him as they both start to leave. Silva smiles. "You are cute sir." Lightning sighs. "Just Lightning. You will be calling me that soon enough." "As you wish." Silva says following. Lightning looks her over before sighing again. "Silva, what do you think of me?" "A lot of things." Silva says smirking before leading him away. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Oh and what are those?" "You'll have to wait in order to learn." Silva says smirking. Lightning smiles a bit. "Oh Silva. I can tell this will be a good life with you. Just don't let your work get in the way, okay?" "You are my work though." Silva jokes. Lightning chuckles. "Oh, you will be working hard enough soon." 'We shall see who is on top.' Silva thinks. "So you enjoy being on the bottom for your first time?" Lightning whispered into her ear. Silva moans as she drooled a bit on the bed as she tries to reach for him. Lightning grabs her hoof with one and pets her with the other. Silva tries to look at him as every movement seems to cause her to moan. "Li…" "Shhh, no need to say anything." Lightning says holding her. Silva moans and lays her head on his chest as he kept petting her. "You're adorable my mare." Lightning says as he kept holding her. About a half hour later the door opened and Twilight walked in and got into the bed and snuggled into his other side. Lightning smiles and wraps a wing around both of them. "How was your queenly duties today?" He whispers. "Ruth had to have the guards keep Daring and Rainbow away so I could get some work done." Twilight says. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Ruth?" "I am tired. Now stop talking poofy wings." Twilight says. Lightning chuckles. "I thought they were poofy?" "Shut up." Twilight says. Lightning smiles and nuzzles her head. "Yes my queen." "Good poofy wings." Twilight says. Lightning grins. "Good enough to play with?" "Later." Twilight says yawning before falling to sleep. Lightning sighs and nuzzles her one last time and falls asleep after them. "Good night girls." Silva awoke the next morning when the sun shone on her face. "Morning. Sleep well?" Lightning asks looking at her. "Yes I did." Silva says smiling. Lightning nods. "Good. Now do you need anything for breakfast?" "A quick one then to my duties." Silva says. Lightning smirks. "Does it involve me?" "I am head of your personal guard." Silva says. Lightning grins. "Oh yeah, you are giving me head." He said petting her mane. "Well you don't need to work on your pillow talk that is for sure." Silva says. Lightning smiles and nuzzles her. "Did you have a good time?" "Yes." Silva says noticing Twilight. Lightning sighs as he follows her gaze. "She came in after a while after we were done. Sorry if it bothers you." "No, it is just a little embarrassing." Silva says. Lightning sighs and turns back to her and kisses her head. "You'll start to love it soon. You are going to need somepony to keep you warm at night and I'm not going to be around all the time." "I don't do mares." Silva says. 'Neither did Rainbow until after Daring became my mistress.' Lightning thinks. Silva sighs and gets up. "Thanks for the night, but I better get going." Lightning nods and hugs Twilight. "Sure. Go get em soldier." Silva sighs as she watches them before leaning to them and gives him a kiss on cheek before walking out. "Bye cutie." She said waving her tail at him. "That is Mr. Cutie when we are alone." Lightning says. Silva giggles as she walks out. "Oh sir." "She's a good mistress." Lightning heard Twilight say. "That she is and I can tell you missed me." Lightning says. Twilight sighs as she opens her eyes and snuggles into his side. "You're my first stallion. Of course I would miss you." She said before looking up at him. "Do you still love me?" "I'll give you a hint." Lightning says sealing the room with his magic. Twilight giggles and nuzzles his snout before rolling over and making him on top of her. "Go ahead." "Knew you wanted to." Lightning says mounting her. The guards stood outside the door and yawns until they hear a bang against the door and then multiple ones. "Again?" One asks. "What was that?" A new guard asks. "A sealing spell. The king sealed the room now, not even sound can get out of it." The guard explained. The new guard looks confused. "Why would he do that? There is nopony important other…than…the…queen…oh. That." The guard nods. "Don't worry kid. You get one yourself, you'll understand." "Working hard on an heir, aren't they?" The new guard asks. The guard chuckles. "Or sometimes just fun. I know how much I had with my mare. Now stand straight. He's usually done around…now." "Hey boys." Lightning said walking out. "If she needs anything, make sure you put a rush. She's out of it right now." He said walking away. The guard smirks. "Told ya. Now get a checklist ready. She usually asks for something about…now." He said as he sees Lightning turn a corner. "I need some breakfast." Twilight said peeking her head out. "Give me some pancakes, some of that cake Celestia is always talking about and some milk." She said before heading back in and shutting the door. "Mark my words, this time in two months, she will be expecting." The guard says. "I'm afraid for my life now." The new guard said. "Did you hear the king has commissioned a new armor for the guards? This one will be able to shield from magic according to rumors." The guard said. The new guard looks surprised. "What? How is that possible?" The guard shrugs. "Who knows? He probably found something to help." "If the rumor is true, we will have a good defense from unicorn's we apprehend." The new guard says. The guard shrugs. "Or we will criticized for having that and soon marked for bringing down pegasus's flight and an earth pony's strength. Time will tell on that soon enough." Lightning sighs as he enters the forge. "So how's my wife's armor coming along?" "Do you realize what she has us making?" One blacksmith asks pounding a plate of metal. "I do and armor that can block any spell launched at it to a certain degree." Lightning says running a hoof along the inside of a plate and feels a sigil inside. The blacksmith groans. "But what about just making them like guard armor? This whole body armor is almost counterproductive since we might run out of things to work with here." "Then make a request, this is for the future defense of the kingdom." Lightning says. The blacksmith sighs. "Just make sure she finds a cheaper way since this is cumbersome." "It is only a prototype. You will be receiving additional funding and a few mages will be coming soon to help experiment and make it better." Lightning says. The blacksmith scowls. "I hope so or this might be the end." Lightning chuckles. "Don't worry. My wife is the best at making things work things out." He said before seeing a plan for the glove on the wall and takes it off the wall. "Well…I'll be going now. Got things to do." 'And know the reason this is up here since Twilight is still working on the power. This better not be working off the life force.' Months later, a guard came up to Lightning. "My king, your wife, she's giving birth." The guard says out of breath. Lightning quickly jumps out of his seat and jumps over the guard as he ran down the hall. "Did he have to do that?" The guard asks dazed on the ground. A bit later, Lightning was holding Rainbow's hoof while she laid in a bed. "You okay?" Rainbow glares at him weakly. "What do you think?" "You are in a great deal of pain and giving birth." Lightning says sweating. Rainbow grabs his collar and pulls him close. "You better make this up to me!" She hissed. "Remember what happened last time. You gave birth to Talion and Typhoon and you wouldn't give them up for anything." Lightning says. Rainbow growls before gritting her teeth and growls through them and pushes one last time before she became dizzy and soon falls back into her bed. "Dang it." She said weakly. "Foal?" She asks looking at him. Lightning smiles and pets her mane. "It's fine Rainbow. Our foal is just…" He stops as he looks up and sees all the doctors scrambling around. "Hey? What's going on?" "The foal isn't breathing right now." A nurse said before she went to grab something. "What are you talking about?" Rainbow asks in horror and a few moments later the sound of a foal crying filled the room. "My foal lives." Rainbow says as if recovering from a heart attack. All the doctors sighs in relief and one nurse brings a small bundle to them. "Your foal. Congratulations. It's a little pegasus colt." Rainbow smiles as she looks to the crying colt and sighs in relief as she lays back down again. "My little colt. There, there." She said rocking him. The colt starts to calm down and starts drifting off to sleep. Lightning smiles. "He's handsome. What are we going to name him?" Rainbow sighs. "How about…Windstorm Speed? He is after us and my element is wind and I'm fast." "Sounds perfect. Hey there Windstorm, I'm your daddy." Lightning says leaning in. The colt coos at him as he yawns and tries to reach for him. Lightning chuckles and leans closer and lets Windstorm hug his snout before yawning again and goes to sleep. "Sleep tight my son." He said nuzzling him. Rainbow smiles. "Want to bring the family in?" Lightning nods. "Go get them." He said to one of the nurses who nods. Rainbow sighs. "We can use Talion's old stuff for him. What do you think?" "Maybe. Let's see if he will like them." Lightning says looking closer at his newest son, noting the black coat and white mane. "Huh, he's almost like me." He said making sure he was comfortable. "Aw, how cute." Rainbow says as Hurricane phased in. "Is the foal born?" Hurricane asks. Lightning smiles. "Come see your grandson." He said Rainbow shows Hurricane the bundle. Hurricane smiles and looks closer. "Aw. He's beautiful. I'm going to spoil you too much. Just you wait." "Windstorm Speed." Lightning says. Hurricane chuckles. "Aw. What a great name. Did you tell the others yet?" "Thanks for volunteering to go get them grandmother." Lightning says. Hurricane slouches in the air. "I hate you." "Quickly, so you can see Star, Talion, and Typhoon." Lightning says. Hurricane looks wide eyed before quickly flying away and through the doors. "She really wants us to be family together." Rainbow said hugging Windstorm closer. "No, I just know which buttons to push." Lightning says before chuckling. Rainbow giggles. "I love you Lightning." "Oh what about this one?" Lightning says motioning to the foal in her hooves. Rainbow smiles. "Him too. Just love you for giving me this life." Lightning just smiles as the door soon opens. Rainbow smiles as she turns to the rest coming in. "Hey guys. Look who's going to be joining our family." "Oh." Twilight says walking up. "What is the newest addition to the family's name?" Twilight asks getting a look at him. Lightning smiles as he brings Talion and Typhoon on his back to let them see. "Windstorm Speed. Isn't he grand?" "So that's our little brother." Talion says. Lightning nods. "Yeah, that means you're a big brother now." "And me?" Typhoon asks. Lightning smirks. "Big sister." "Sorry I'm late, Hurricane just informed me." Daring says walking in with Star who Hurricane was entertaining. Lightning waves her off. "It's fine. Why don't you see the new foal?" Daring walks over. "He looks just like you." Daring says. "Dad." Star says. Lightning smiles as he looks to her. "Yes daughter?" Star smiles and peeks over to see Windstorm. "Bro?" Lightning nods and picks up Star and places her on his head. "Yep, you're a big sister now." Star claps at this as Daring starts gushing over her. Lightning sighs. "I love my family." He said to himself as he looks over the whole family looking at Windstorm. "By the way Lightning we got a letter from Spitfire." Hurricane says. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Oh, what about my sister?" "She said she has given birth to her and Kenway's son and thanks you for not killing him at their wedding." Hurricane says showing a picture and Lightning starts shaking a bit. "Twi, restrain him." Rainbow says. "Ah! Mot…" That was all they heard as a magical bubble appears around him and they just stare at him as he tries to shout and points at the picture a few times as he seems to keep yelling. "Is daddy okay?" Typhoon asks. "He is fine. This is how all protective brothers act about a subject you will learn about later in your life." Rainbow says as Lightning was now ramming the bubble. Talion tilts his head. "How long does this go on?" "Until he tires himself out sweetie." Rainbow says petting his mane. Talion nods and soon Lightning quits banging on the bubble and soon it drops. "I'm okay now." "I said they named him Thunder Boom." Hurricane finishes. Lightning starts an eye twitch before sighing. "Fine here." "You sure? Your eye is twitching like crazy when somepony wrecks Twilight's library and throws books everywhere." Rainbow says. Lightning growls a bit. "Don't tempt me." "Twi, bubble." Rainbow says. Lightning frowns as the bubble comes back and soon he was yelling and banging the bubble again. Rainbow sighs. "And that's our husband." She said to Twilight. Twilight giggles as he kept getting angry in the bubble before he soon sighs and calms down and knocks on the bubble and she brings it down. "Better?" "Yeah, I think I'm good." Lightning says inhaling deeply. Both mares smiles. "Good, now you can relax here. I'm way too tired." Rainbow said laying back down. Lightning sighs as he sits down beside her. "No argument here." Twilight smiles as she turns to the rest of them. "Alright, let's go guys. Let's give them some rest." She said leading them out. Lightning smiles as he lays his head next to Windstorm. "Good night son." Weeks later, a guard comes up to Lightning as he sat in his seat and turns to him as he packs the glove plan away into his robes. "Yes?" "We found a village that wasn't on any map and at first we suspected remnant of the dominions legion, but upon further observation, we found all of them looked like locals, but the strange thing is that they all had the same cutie marks." The guard says reading the report. Lightning raises an eyebrow. "That is weird. Anything else?" "No, the report says the will keep observing for now and await your orders." The guard says. Lightning nods and sighs. "Okay then. Let's see…what can I do?" He said to himself thinking on it. "You could send me?" Twilight asks taking some drinks of her milk. "I am still the princess of friendship." "And queen of the country. But I guess you could go and I will follow soon after." Lightning says. Twilight tossed the empty milk carton into a trash can. "Two points. Thanks hubby. I'll see you soon." She said trotting out. "Go as Twilight Sparkle, not the queen." Lightning says. Twilight waves over her shoulder. "You got it hubby." "Ok, can you inform Hurricane she will be looking after the foals by herself soon?" Lightning asks. Twilight nods. "Sure. I'll tell her on the way out." "Yeah, you and your sexy flank." Lightning says smirking at her. Twilight laughs. "Love you Lightning." She said heading out the door. Lightning smiles. "Love you too." He said before getting up and heading to the back to the meditation room. "Ok, if I, nor any of the mane six comes out of that town in thirty six hours, you are to storm it." Lightning says to the captains of four military companies. The captains nods. "Yes sir." They said. Lightning sighs as he heads down and sees the crowd heading down to a building at the end with two ponies that are dull and slightly grey with equal signs as cutie marks. "Why does this always happen to them?" He asks himself as he approached them. "Um…excuse me, but where am I? I'm kind of lost." Lightning says. They all look over and sees their newest arrival. "Welcome." A non greyed out mare said as the rest smiles creepily. "O…k, this is weird." Lightning says. A few of the greyed out ponies approached him. "Welcome to our town. Are you here to join?" One asks. "I don't even know where I am." Lightning says getting a very bad vibe from them. The non grey out mare smiles. "Ah, good. I'm Starlight Glimmer. You are welcome to stay with us for however long you want." "Ok, I'm going to ask this now because this is the vibe I'm getting. Are you каннибалы?" Lightning asks. They all rear back a little. "Excuse, but what is that?" Starlight asks. "Oh, excuse me, I slipped back into my first language. I meant cannibals." Lightning clarifies. Starlight gasps. "We are never such things. That is such a heinous crime in our happy little town. We would never eat one of our own, especially if they are our friends." "Uh huh? So how are you recovering from the war?" Lightning asks. They all tilt their heads. "War? What war?" One asks. "You don't know Equestria was invaded a few years ago and nearly conquered?" Lightning says. They all shake their heads at the exact same time. "No. None at all." Starlight said. "Huh. I guess you don't know Celestia and Luna stepped down and appointed a king and queen to rule then?" Lightning asks. Starlight looks a bit surprised. "Oh my. That can't be true. The only thing we know is that Twilight Sparkle is princess here." "You have my wife here?" Lightning says his look turning into a glare. Starlight and the others looked shocked. "Wife? Does that mean you are the husband?" "I think that is self-explanatory. She asked me to meet her in this area, I think, if she didn't send a letter back every few days after she left. The kingdom is about to start looking for her." Lightning says. Starlight smiles. "Of course. Follow me and we will lead you to her and her friends." She said walking away with all the ponies. "Excuse me, but I didn't grow up in the country and don't understand a few things, but isn't having the same, what is the word, cutie mark wrong or even weird for everypony?" Lightning asks feigning a curious expression. Starlight smiles. "Of course not. This means that you won't have to worry about your special talent and what you have to do. In our town, everypony is equal and same so nopony has to worry about being different and better than everypony else." She said leading him up a mountain trail. "I still don't understand the whole thing. There isn't such a thing in the east." Lightning says causing Starlight to stop. She suddenly turn around exactly one eighty degrees. "Oh my, an east stallion?" "I thought my primary language being different was a dead giveaway. Most ponies notice immediately in this country." Lightning says. Starlight giggles. "Well I'm sorry if we are out of the loop, but as you can see, we are happy, we are equal and we can accept anypony who wishes to join." "Even the Dominion?" Lightning asks confusing Starlight more as he noticed ponies following them now. Starlight still smiles. "Dom…who?" She asks now leading him again up higher. "The Dominion Empire. They were the ones who invaded and were beaten back. They came to enslave, pillage, and kill this country." Lightning says. Starlight looks a bit horrified. "Oh my. Well there were defeated so we don't need to worry about them anymore." "Actually, one legion was defeated, there are dozens of legions so they can invade again." Lightning says making her stop again. Starlight giggles. "Well we are out of the way, but if some defected, we will welcome them with open hooves." "Yeah well, the earth ponies maybe, but they kind of hate your and my sub-breed of pony, something to do with their religion. So most likely, they would rape and pillage and enslave the rest." Lightning says. Starlight smiles. "Oh, they will learn true friendship once they set hoof in our town. Just you wait and see." "Oh and then there is the black hoof auxiliary legions." Lightning says wincing a bit. Starlight still smiles. "Still all the same. They would soon be like us. Equal, friends and even family." Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Uh huh." He said as they enter a cave. "Ok, first, the black hoof Auxiliary are not ponies they are orcs, who, when hungry enough, will start killing and eating each other. So where's my wife and frien…what the buck?" He asks himself as he see the large glass wall of cutie marks. Starlight smirks as more ponies cut off their entrance behind them and she grabs a two prong stick on a pedestal. "You know, we never had east ponies before. But you will be the first to join our quaint little town." "Well I could build a house here. It is a nice out of the way place for some peace and quiet." Lightning says. Starlight gets a bit confused. "Really, you want to join us and be one of our equals?" "Let me guess, you take the cutie marks, don't you?" Lightning asks. Starlight smiles. "Of course not. They choose to give up their cutie marks for equality and peace. So, do you want to give up yours? The wall is waiting." Lightning looks to Twilight and her friends' cutie marks in the middle. "What cutie mark?" Lightning asks. Starlight looks confused. "Excuse me?" "We don't have those in the east." Lightning says. Starlight stayed confused. "But…no, all ponies have their own cutie marks that define them, but here we have being the same all over so nopony is above the other." "You want me to take off my pants to prove it?" Lightning asks. Starlight waves her hoof a bit. "Just the hips." Lightning rolled his eyes and did so, shocking her when he had none. Starlight looks to his blank flank and suddenly smiles. "That means we don't have to go through the process that much. You can join outright. Automatic signed papers and everything. Just need to get a cottage built." "Uh huh. So I never got an answer from any other so maybe you will give me an answer. What is a cutie mark? You don't even have a definition for it." Lightning says. Starlight giggles. "Oh, basically it just defines who and what you are. Whatever you do best, that's your cutie mark. Now, want to join?" "Before I make any decision, I must discuss it with my wife. She has the money. Afraid, I will be tricked into a scam with equestrian not being by first language. Also, do you have monsters around here?" Lightning asks. Starlight waves it off. "Just the usual birds. They love the food we put out…why do you ask?" "Oh, we have giant monsters in the east. Spiders bigger than stallions, trolls, the undead, ect." Lightning says. Starlight smiles. "Well I can assure you that you don't have to worry about that anymore. Just come here and relax and enjoy the rest of your life." "Good, had enough of them in my time as a Stalliongrad hunter?" Lightning says making Starlight curious. Starlight smirks. "I would love to hear about your stories, but you must miss your wife right now, right?" "Yeah, I do. I am worried about her." Lightning says. Starlight puts the stick down and leads him out. "Well come on and let's meet her and her friends." Lightning follows her back down. "I also never got a different answer to a question. You mind answering it?" Lightning asks. Starlight nods. "Sure. What is it?" "Why does almost nopony in this country wear clothes besides teams and the military?" Lightning asks. Starlight shrugs. "Status maybe. But here, you don't have to here. So you can come out without clothes. In fact, we would like it if you would and maybe clean up that mane and tail too. It's a bit scruffy." "It's dirty and where I come from, no clothes on means…" Lightning whispered the last part into Starlight's ear and she gained a major blush. "Oh my. Well…you can learn your new style here. I'm sure you'll love not wearing clothes soon enough." "One moment." Lightning says removing the coat and shirt revealing many of his scars. "You sure you want me walking around like this?" Lightning asks. Starlight smiles. "Oh we can fix those up for you." She said looking over his body. "I'm not so sure. A lot of these were inflected by poisonous creatures and magic." Lightning says as Starlight winced seeing one of his bigger ones. "Well, I'm sure we can either cover that up or even fix it with time. I can find something for you." Starlight said. "I'm willing to try that." Lightning says. "So how did you get all of those?" Starlight asks as Lightning puts his clothes back on. "On the job as a Stalliongrad hunter. We are highly appreciated, but very low life expectancy." Lightning says. Starlight giggles. "Well now you can relax and enjoy the rest of your danger free life here." 'Yeah right. Next thing you know, you will be sacrificing somepony to pagan gods.' Lightning thinks. Starlight smiles as they enter town again and stop at the house he saw them at. "Here you go. I'll let you enjoy being back with her now. Soon, I will have you both with me as soon as your wife joins us as well and we can build your cottage for you." "Ok." Lightning says walking in as the door slams behind him and locks. "Lightning!" All the mares yell at him until Rainbow and Twilight hugs him. "What the heck are you doing here?" Twilight asks. "You didn't send your letter." Lightning says winking so she got the message. Twilight giggles nervously. "Yeah, so how did you get in so easily?" "They let me in. Were shocked to find out eastern ponies had no cutie marks." Lightning says with his ear to the door listening for anypony listening. Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "So…you bluffed your way in?" "More or less." Lightning said fixing his clothes. "Had to strip a bit too." Rainbow glares and growls a bit. "Just to show the cutie mark, which I didn't have." "Oh yeah, I keep forgetting you don't have one." Applejack says causing Lightning to stare at her. "That is it?" Lightning asks before noticing their cutie marks. "What the heck?" He asks looking at their cutie marks closely. Twilight sighs. "She took our cutie marks and got replaced with these. It even took away our special talent. Pinkie is depressed, Applejack can't buck hard now, Rarity can't tell what is good or not, Fluttershy can't even talk to animals too. I still don't know if mine or Rainbow is completely gone yet." Lightning's eye starts twitching and starts inhaling deeply. All the mares' eyes widen. "Now Lightning, let's calm down and take it easy." Twilight tried to placate. "You know what, I changed my mind, public executions are going to make a comeback and where is Fluttershy." Lightning asks his whole body twitching every so often. Both Twilight and Rainbow tackle him and hugs him on both sides. "She's trying to get our cutie marks back. We had her play along since she was already liking this place. Wish I listened to Pinkie. I suffered for that last time." Twilight said. "You, no, I'll kill her myself." Lightning says as they try to restrain him as Applejack tried to help. 'I've never seen Lightning this mad before.' Pinkie thinks. 'It's his family and friends and they have their special life taken from them. What did you think would happen?' A voice asks in her head as she heard a knife being sharpened. 'Oh that makes sense…wait who are you?' Pinkie thinks with no reply. Lightning growls. "Let me go girls. And I'll unleash the power a hundred times of Celestia and Luna's full power on that bitch." "Calm down Lightning. It's going to be ok." Twilight tries to calm him down as Rarity noticed a storm on the horizon. Rainbow groans as she suddenly got on top of him. "Not working. Come on Lightning. At least calm down until morning." "One night, then I go on a rampage. Just pray I leave the village standing." Lightning says getting up and walks over and starts meditating. Rainbow stares at him. "Full on night with no hold backs if you don't." Lightning didn't respond and Twilight walked up to him and waved her hoof in front of his face with no reaction. "I've read about this. He put himself into a trance so he couldn't do anything until the appointed hour. It's a very high level mage technique." Twilight says. Rainbow sighs. "Leave a note in front of his face for when he wakes up. I at least want to leave this town standing and the ponies." "You think he was serious about that?" Applejack asks. "Remember that outburst when we faced Shadow?" Rainbow asks. "How could we forget?" Twilight said. "He practically vaporized the roof off." "Yeah, but was that is full power?" Rainbow asks. They all stare at her. "How do you know?" Rarity asks. "I'm not sure, it's just I have always had a feeling Lightning was holding back on his magic." Rainbow says. Twilight sighs. "Maybe it was to protect us. Just to make sure we didn't get hurt in it." "Yeah. We have never seen Lightning so mad before. Who knows what he will do?" Pinkie says. "And he reach that level of rage where he became calm. That is the scary thing." Twilight says. Rainbow sighs. "The most powerful are at their worst when things are calm for them." "Let us get some rest girls." Rarity says. Twilight nods. "Yeah. Just have to find a way to shut up that megaphone." She said glaring at the four speakers. The next morning, when the five returned, Lightning hadn't moved. "Wow, he's good." Twilight said looking him over. "Way too good." She said before nuzzling him. "Time to wake up Lightning. It's morning." Lightning didn't budge. "Is he…?" Rainbow asks. Twilight pressed her ear to his chest. "No, his heart's still beating." Rainbow sighs in relief before glaring again. "Seriously. Can we stop with these things?" She asks glaring to the megaphones again. Four knives suddenly pierced them and they spark and shut down. "It was getting on my nerves too. I had a harder time concentrating than normal." Lightning said getting up and stretching. "Three hours left, then I start." Lightning says popping his joints. Rainbow sighs. "Are you at least going to let her pay for the crimes?" "Oh, if I don't get her, four companies of the military are in hiding outside the village and have orders to storm it soon if they don't hear from me or any of you soon." Lightning says. Twilight looks worried. "Then she better let us out soon. I don't want the ponies here hurt because they were innocent." "Who is that?" Lightning asks looking to the sleeping stallion. They all look over to him. "Party Favor. He outed himself to save two more ponies who recognizes this whole plan for cutie marks is wrong. I just wish we could have figured this out sooner." Twilight said. "I'm going back into my trance. I will come out of it in two hours." Lightning says resuming it. Rainbow groans. "Where is Fluttershy with our cutie marks?" Hours later, Lightning came out his trance. "Well, let us see if there is any progress." Lightning says before looking out the window to see Twilight talking to Starlight and Fluttershy getting a bucket of water. Starlight smiles as Lightning steps out. "Ah Lightning, good news. Your wife has joined us so we can start immediately on your cottage here for both of you." "Oh you have dear?" Lightning asks pretending, holding in his anger as best he could as the storm drew nearer with each minute. Twilight nods. "Yes dear. I have decided to join this town because it is so peaceful and everypony is just so friendly." "Friendly you say?" Lightning asks Twilight and Rainbow the only ones noticing the twitch in his eye. Twilight smiles like the other ponies. "Yep, ready to join and live my life here." "Isn't that wonderful?" Starlight asks. "Oh, so they will let us leave and get our foal who is being watched by my grandmother and your parents?" Lightning asks. Starlight becomes surprised. "Foal? We would be happy for you to bring them here. We invite anypony who are friends and family." "But you said we couldn't leave." Twilight reminds as Fluttershy gets into position. Starlight hums. "Well, you can send a letter to let them come over. I'm sure we would get even more friends too." "But if nopony can leave, how can I send the letter?" Twilight asks as Lightning was barely holding his anger back when Fluttershy got into position. Starlight smiles. "Message birds. Its how we get supplies too." Fluttershy then throws the water at her. Starlight gasps and moves out of the way as it splashes next to her. "What is the meaning of this?" Party Favor, seeing water on her, goes to wipe it off. Starlight's eyes widen. "Hey, get away from there." She pleaded as he wipes at her cutie mark and reveals her true cutie mark underneath and everypony gasp as Fluttershy does a hoof pump. Soon the townponies start to turn on her. "Hey, I saved you and gave you friendship." Starlight tried to say. "No, this isn't true friendship." Twilight starts to say. "True friendship is when you ask them and they follow you without…" "Shut up!" Starlight yells at her making Twilight cringe and rear back, using her wing as a small shield. Lightning starts to chuckle as the storm came over the town at incredible speed. "Oh, that is not good." Rainbow says. Lightning's chuckles soon turns into full blown laughs. "You know, you can capture my friends and family, taking their cutie marks, that's another thing. But when you talk to me wife like that, that's the last straw with me." He said as his laughter started to go away and soon turned serious. "You want the power of control, fine, but I've decided now. I'm going to kill you." Lightning says with eyes like a predator. "You know Starlight, Lightning here has quite a few anger issues. It's hard to get him mad, but when that happens look out." Twilight says. Starlight watches on in shock as the scars that are shown start to light up and then a bolt of lightning strikes him causing a lot of smoke to be kicked up. All the ponies in town gasps as the smoke clears and they start staring wide eyed at the figure in front of them. Lightning stood there, his clothes burnt away, his eyes glowing with sparks of lightning coming out of the edges and his mane and tail were now pure lightning as sparks of lightning flowed off his wings and on his flank was a silver lightning bolt with fangs on both sides of it. "Take a good look. This is what true power looks like." Lightning says his voice with an echo like sound in it. "Now pay." He said running at her with too fast speeds. Starlight whimpers as Lightning seemingly disappeared as Starlight raised a shield around her in time to avoid a point blank blast of lightning to the body as the ponies had ran off to reclaim their cutie marks. "Wait, I can explain!" She pleaded into the air. "Oh, we are past that and just so you know, I have more power than both Celestia and Luna combined." Lightning says disappearing in a streak of lightning. Starlight starts to cry. "Please, forgive me." She said before an angry face pressed up against her shield. "Does this look like the face of forgiving?!" Lightning yells as he hits the shield before moving away, this time knocking her away from the town. "You know, you will be the first one I used this on in a long time. Now feel the wrath of the king of Equestria." Lightning says before bringing a hoof down and a massive torrent of lightning descended on her. 'Shadow, you best make her pay.' Lightning thinks as he sensed her as the torrent neared Starlight. Starlight screams in fear before something grabs her away and takes her to a plateau nearby as Lightning looks in her direction. "What is the meaning…?" He stops as he sees Starlight being lifted by somepony and holding her close. "You like smiles all around do you? Like everypony equal?" A face covered by a straight mane asks as she lifted Starlight up to her head. "Well…" She said before she pushes her hard smiling face with bloodshot eyes in front of her. "This is your vision. See how smiles would lead to your end vision. The equality of all!" Starlight starts screaming as she struggles in the pink mad pony's grasp. "Let me go! Please!" The pink pony giggles as she tilts her head creepily as she kept giggling with a high pitched tone. "This is your vision. Your true utopia, is it not? Come on, don't you want to see your vision come to life? You have already made it to stage one. This is the end stage." Starlight screams as she tries to look away. "Please! No more!" Lightning just stares as he started to power down as the ponies come back. "I did as you asked. I didn't destroy the town." Lightning says as Rainbow and Twilight were looking him over. Rainbow looks at him carefully. "Are you okay?" "I am fine. This is just the form I take at full power." Lightning says. Twilight smiles a bit. "It's…a good look." Lightning smiles to her. "You want me back, do you?" Twilight pushes her hooves together. "I fell in love with our awkward Lightning, not full powered Lightning." Hearing that, in an instant, the lightning from him faded. Twilight smiles. "Better. I love my Lightning just like he is now." She said hugging him. "Though I got to admit, you radiated power in that form and you finally have you cutie mark." Rarity says before their eyes see it too faded. Rainbow sighs. "Well, he'll always be our blank flank." She said joining the hug. "Oh, I can make it appear at will all I want." Lightning says. Twilight looks up. "So why don't you?" "You are going to have to work to get that answer. Now come on, before the military storms the town." Lightning says. Twilight giggles nervously. "Right after we get our cutie marks. Come on girls." She said as they all run to the vault before Fluttershy leads them to the home at the end and soon some crashes were heard a burst of light before one orb of light went out and to where Starlight and the pony is. "I'm going to go see the vault." Lightning says walking off to the cave. Twilight sighs in relief as she steps out again and sees Lightning heading to the mountain. "Lightning, where are you going?" Lightning didn't hear her and keeps walking up the mountain. Twilight sighs and looks to the others. "I'll go check on him. Just make sure that pony doesn't kill Starlight." She said following him. After he walked in, he noticed the other ponies back away from the vault as he examines it and then to the staff and pulls it to him with his magic. "No way she can do with just magic. There has to be something." "Lightning?" Twilight asks coming into the cave. "Let's see." Lightning says starting to examine the staff and vault with his magic. Twilight looks confused and walks up to him. "Lightning?" Lightning mumbled as his magic continued to flow as his eyes once again started to glow with lightning. Twilight steps up beside him as he kept glowing before he stops. "Lightning?" "Demonic." Lightning says stopping the magic. Twilight looks confused. "What?" "This 'vault' is a demonic magical artifact." Lightning says with full seriousness. Twilight looks surprised at the vault. "What do you mean?" "What I meant." Lightning says before using his magic, forcibly ripping the vault out of the wall and starts dragging it outside. "Um…Lightning? Isn't this a bit extreme?" Twilight asks following. "No." Lightning says. Twilight keeps watching him. "What are you going to do then?" "Purification ritual to destroy it." Lightning says. Twilight gets in front of him. "Lightning. At least think it through." "I have." Lightning says pulling it out of the cave before teleporting past her and onto a plateau nearby. Twilight sighs and sits down as she watches what he's doing. "Just at least be careful." Lightning says nothing as he start to flare his magic creating a circle of blazers on the plateau. The blazers were instantly lit as soon as they were created. Lightning starts meditating as a ring of magic starts to form and Twilight felt kind of magic she had never felt before as the circle completed and then the vault started to emit a red aura that Twilight could feel was pure evil. The vault then shot a red beam at Lightning only for a silver beam to be shot from him, causing them to clash both beams, struggling for dominance and Twilight watched as more circles start to form, this time in the air, creating a dome of magic circles. Soon, Lightning's silver beam started to gain ground and she sees the end of giant swords start to emerge from the circles, forming the dome and soon they shot the swords out and all of them pierced the vault and the red beam almost instantly disappeared and Lightning's beam overcame it and hits the vault in the center. She watches as the vault starts to crack and soon it starts to break apart before it starts to sink into the circle. "Wow, so that's how you banish these things." She said to herself. "No, it was destroyed." Lightning walking up to her, looking like he had gone a week without sleep. Twilight holds him in place with her hooves on his shoulders. "Are you okay?" "Such rituals is a test of wills and drain the energy of the ones doing it completely." Lightning says leaning on her for support. Twilight sighs and hugs him. "You did okay. I guess you are going to sleep for a long time now." Lightning didn't answer as he was already asleep. Twilight smiles and nuzzles him. "Good night Lightning." She said before lifting him with her magic and places him on her back and heads back to town. "Hey Twi…what happened to him?" Rainbow asks. Twilight just smiles. "Oh, just tuckered himself out destroying a demonic vault." "What?" Rainbow asks. "Oh, the vault turned out to be a demonic artifact according to Lightning here. You mind finding the military and telling them they can stand down while I tuck Lightning in?" Twilight asks. Rainbow nods and flies off as Twilight walks over to the house which held Starlight. "Hey, where did Starlight go?" "Don't worry, we got her tied back in the back Twi." Applejack says. Twilight looks around. "What about the pony that got her?" "Disappeared in a black pool underneath her." Applejack says. 'Shadow.' Twilight thinks. Twilight sighs. "Alright. We'll stay here the night and in the morning we'll head back home. You better get some sleep." She said before heading inside. Applejack smiles. "Sure thing Twi. I'll let Rainbow know where you went." "Where is Pinkie?" Twilight asks. "Helping plan the party, celebrating getting their cutie marks back." Applejack says. Twilight giggles. "Oh Pinkie. Oh well. I'll get him to bed. Make sure to get some food in the morning for us and Rainbow. He'll probably be hungry like crazy." "When was the last time he ate again?" Applejack asks. Twilight looks confused. "I don't know. It's been awhile since we got here without him." "Well he didn't eat last night or today." Applejack says. Twilight sighs. "When did Lightning eats like normal ponies these days?" "Point." Applejack says as Twilight takes him inside. Twilight sighs as she takes him upstairs and puts him on the bed before getting in with him and pulls the covers around them. "Good night Lightning." She said nuzzling him and hugs him before falling asleep with him. Lightning awoke two mornings later to Twilight and Rainbow laying on him. "Huh? Guess I should sleep more like this more often." He mused to himself as she moves his wings over them. "Ah, somepony is awake." Rainbow says opening her eyes, looking at him. Lightning sighs. "How long was I asleep?" "Around forty four hours." Rainbow says. Lightning nods. "I see. What happened during that time?" "Mostly Pinkie has been partying with the other ponies." Rainbow says inching closer. Lightning nods. "Anything else?" He asks moving his wings a bit. "Yeah, I missed speaking to you." Rainbow says before kissing him. Lightning kissed her back as Twilight moans and wakes up and sees them kissing. "Hey, where's my good morning kiss?" "Oh, you want me to kiss you too?" Rainbow jokes. Twilight smirks and raises an eyebrow. "You want to kiss me then?" She asks getting closer and moving on top of Lightning's stomach. "And what about me?" Lightning asks. They both look at him. "If you can kiss me better than Rainbow, then I would let you deal with me." Twilight said. "Oh competition then. Rainbow, you are up." Lightning says. Rainbow smirks and lunges at Twilight as Lightning just lays back and watches as Rainbow holds and kiss her down before letting go and giggles. "Alright, how was that?" Rainbow asks. "Good, if a bit dominating." Twilight says. "My turn." Lightning says getting up and walking over before grabbing her in his hooves and leaning her down before starting to kiss her. Twilight giggles into the kiss as she hangs onto him before let's go a bit. "Oh, that's better. Way more romantic. Now I just need a dinner kiss and my kiss life is complete." Twilight said. Lightning chuckles and lets her up. "A dinner date huh? Alright, I think I can do that. Fancy restaurant?" Lightning asks as Rainbow huffs, having lost the competition. Seeing this, Lightning moves to her and does the same to her. "Better?" Lightning asks. Rainbow sighs. "Better. Just you need to make it up to me." "I think one night is all I will need." Lightning says. Rainbow scoffs. "You better." "Oh now, don't be like that." Lightning says starting to pet her mane. Rainbow purrs. "That's nice." "There is my little Rainbow." Lightning says. Twilight frowns. "How about mine?" "Come here you." Lightning says pulling her close with his magic. Twilight smiles as he starts petting her and she purrs. "That's nice." She said leaning in to his petting. "Now both my queens are happy." Lightning says before kissing each one of their noses. They both giggle and Twilight looks to Rainbow. "You know, we should make a hardline treaty immediately with the other queen here." She said nuzzling Lightning and her. "I am willing to negotiate." Rainbow says. Twilight smirks. "Great. The negotiations will take place in Canterlot castle. One agreement on paper and the other in private." She said smirking. "Who needs the paper?" Rainbow says. Twilight giggles. "You're right. We can use blood or some other explicit bodily fluid." "Or we can agree through our husband here." Rainbow says. Twilight smirks as she looks to him. "What do you say Jarl and King Lightning? Agree to our future terms?" "Oh, what are they? Care to give a demonstration?" Lightning says wiggling his eyebrows at them. Twilight giggles. "Oh, exchange of resources, full trading following world trading rules, then there's sharing of the military and militia forces in times of need, and finally, full access to this." She said turning around and showing her flank and wiggling it and her tail in his face. "Whatever you want to do to it." "Oh, but I already have all of those." Lightning says before using the tip of his wing to brush it. Twilight shivers. "Never officially on paper. After all, you are the only one with access to this thing. It's very valuable as soon as I became queen. Now, want to write it all down?" "You are already queen love." Lightning reminds Twilight. Twilight smiles. "Yeah, but queen of the bed?" "That is me." Rainbow says. "I think Daring would contest that." Lightning says. They both huff. "She wants me for a pet." Twilight said. "She wants me to back off." Rainbow said. "Really, then why did I see you two kissing recently?" Lightning asks smirking at Rainbow. Rainbow growls. "Shut up." Lightning and Twilight giggles and chuckle as they all hug each other. "Aw, you can hide it between us. Just let us join once in a while." Twilight said wrapping her wings around them. "Poofy wings." Rainbow huffs. Lightning chuckles and tighten his wings around them now. "Better?" Rainbow just pouts. "Adorable." Lightning says. Twilight sigh. "Come on, our emergency train leaves in a few hours." She said letting her wings fold back and walks off. "Yeah, going to leave two companies here as the defense force and to catalog the area for our maps." Lightning says. Twilight nods as they start to follow her out. "Just as long you allow them their way of living the way they want." "I also decided on Starlight's punishment." Lightning says. "Please don't say execution." Twilight said. "No, she will serve the ponies of this town and if they can forgive her, then her punishment is done." Lightning says. Rainbow looks over to the sleeping Starlight. "And what will she be doing for them?" "What they want within reason." Lightning says. Twilight raises an eyebrow. "And what are the within reasons?" "Nothing sexual." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Ah yes, sexual torture." She said with air quotes. Twilight sighs as she walks up to Starlight and kicks her awake. "Wake up. Your punishment begins today." "I said none of that Twilight. She is basically getting community service." Lightning says. Starlight moans as she tries to get up and blinks awake groggily. "Wha…?" Lightning smiles creepily. "You are going to work off your punishment with community service until the citizens deem you fit for normal living and your punishment ends. If you can do what they want, fixing houses, helping with problems, then maybe you can be one step closer to being free as your old citizens." "Who are you really?" Starlight asks. "Me, I am the king of Equestria." Lightning says before smiling even harder and creepily. Starlight yells out and covers herself as she lays down again. "No! Don't smile! Please!" "Time for us to go girls." Lightning says. Both Twilight and Rainbow nods before following him out and a few guards come in and start to deal with Starlight. "Alright girls, let's go home." Twilight said to the others waiting outside. "On the way, I want to ask Applejack something." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "Sure, just make sure you eat on the train. I'm starving too." "So Applejack, I hear you and Zhang Liao really hit it off." Lightning says causing Pinkie to gasp and get into Applejack's face. "Give me all the details." Pinkie says. Applejack chuckles. "There's nothing much. He just helped with the farming and we hit it off from there." "So when's the wedding?" Lightning asks smirking. Applejack chuckles nervously. "Um…we haven't gotten that far." Pinkie giggles. "Give all the 'juicy' details." "Oh I agree darling. I must know." Rarity says. Applejack blushes. "Um…I'm not comfortable here." "We have a private car." Twilight says. Applejack shakes her head. "Still no." "Come on AJ, you got to tell us. This is your potential husband we are talking about." Rainbow says. Applejack frowns. "We aren't even at the dating stage yet." "Oh, did he give you flowers yet?" Lightning asks with a knowing smile. "Applejack, that is big in Stalliongrad. Flowers are hard to get up there because of the cold." Pinkie says. Applejack stares at her. "How do you know that?" "I took classes while we were there." Pinkie says smiling. "She's right Applejack." Twilight says. Applejack blushes. "Just stay out of my love life." "He has a major thing for you AJ. He asks to be transferred to my guard detail when he heard we were coming here." Lightning says. Applejack huffs. "At least you're honest." "Oh, AJ likes somepony." Rainbow says. Applejack blushes. "Shut up." She said as they enter the train. "You know I said no, but he could come with the second ship transport of troops to Equestria and they should be arriving soon." Lightning says. Applejack was now blushing hard. "He…dang it boy." "You won his heart Applejack and won it well. He has it bad for you. Which is a surprise for he has, for as long as I can remember, been fully committed to his career. How did you win his heart?" Lightning asks curious. Applejack frowns. "Like I said, he just wanted to help out on the farm." "And what did you do?" Fluttershy asked meekly. Applejack sighs. "Invited him over for dinner when done." "And?" Pinkie asks. Applejack frowns. "And basically treated him like family and let him stay for the night." "Sounds like sometime next month Pinkie." Rarity jokes. Pinkie giggles and hugs Applejack. "How do you want your wedding?" "Pinkie." Applejack says. "He is a high ranking military officer Pinkie, take that into account." Lightning says. Pinkie smiles. "Military wedding it is." Lightning smirks as he watch Applejack blushes. Twilight sighs as she sits down. "At least this whole thing's over with. How's the foals?" "Daring and Silva are looking after them with your parents and your brother and sister-in-law will be at the castle when we return." Lightning says sitting next to her and Rainbow taking the other seat beside him. Twilight sighs. "Good. Now we just need to bring the panic level down from me being gone." "Oh, they will be informed we are now married when they arrive, so expect an ambush." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "How do you bring such strange things into our life?" "I didn't, not sure if it will be your brother or sister-in-law ambushing us though." Lightning says. Twilight smirks. "You will have my brother and I'll have my sister-in-law." "You think you can smuggle me past him? Not at full energy yet. My full power form burns my energy very fast while doing that ritual drained me even more. I won't fully recover till next week." Lightning says as Twilight noticed he did look extremely tired. Twilight sighs. "Go to sleep." "I'm awake and with you two." Lightning says bringing them close with his wings. Twilight shakes her head. "Go to sleep." "Oh?" Lightning asks starting to pet both of them, playing dirty. They both purr at his petting. "Go to sleep." Rainbow said. "Why? I got two beauties right here. I don't need to dream." Lightning says. "His flirting has improved." Rainbow says in between purrs. Twilight nods as she leans into his petting. "Yeah. That's the trouble part." "You had me read those books." Lightning reminds. They both wrap their wings around him and pulls Lightning's head on Rainbow's lap and makes him lay down. "Go to sleep." They said. "You got something to offer to convince me?" Lightning asks wiggling his eyebrows at them. They both sigh in exasperation. "Go to sleep. You have been tired for too long." Twilight said. "Not hearing an offer." Lightning says playfully teasing them. Rainbow looks down at him. "How about a full night with no hold backs?" "Hum…nah. I was thinking a day of relaxation and fun for the whole family when we get the gate up and running." Lightning says. Twilight looks to him. "Gate?" "You haven't come across a warp gate in your studies?" Lightning asks. "Only a bit. But it's pretty hard to make them." Twilight said. "Yeah, you need a very powerful elemental crystal powering both." Lightning says making one appear in his hoof. They all stare at it. "How…?" Twilight asks. "It takes a lot of magic to make one. Why do you think I have been so busy and tired lately?" Lightning says. Twilight shakes her head. "Time to take a break. Go to sleep." "Just put this, aw…you want to study it, don't you?" Lightning asks. Twilight sighs. "No, I'm worried about you. Now please go to sleep for our sake." Lightning moved the crystal and one of Twilight's eyes followed it. "Just don't break it, ok love?" Lightning asks. Twilight sighs and takes it. "Now please, for all our sakes, go to sleep. I'm not taking no for an answer." "Care to sweeten the deal with a kiss?" Lightning asks. Twilight rolls her eyes and lifts him up a bit before kissing him. "Better be a goodnight kiss for you." As she tries to move away, Lightning pulls her head back into the kiss and deepened it. Twilight holds onto him as she kisses back and Rainbow pets his head as she watches the train move from the window. "I love this family." "Your turn." Lightning says ending the kiss with Twilight. Rainbow smiles as she keeps petting him. "You have to work for it." "Oh?" Lightning says reaching up and starts massaging her wing joint. Rainbow moans as she leans forward. "Now that feels good, but try harder." Lightning smirks and starts doing both joints. Rainbow smiles and leans into his massage. "That's nice." "How do you know she needs that?" Twilight asks. "Experience of pulling my wing many times." Lightning says as Twilight noticing his wing joints look a little swollen. Twilight sighs. "Lightning?" "Yes?" Lightning asks as Rainbow was now laying on him. Twilight smirks. "When we get home. You are going to get a massage post haste." "Why do you say that?" Lightning asks before Rainbow starts kissing him. Twilight feels around his wing joints. "You've been through too much now. Now, it's time to rest." "Fine." Lightning says after wincing. Twilight frowns. "Lightning Bolt. You will sleep and get some rest and relaxation." "Alright, you win." Lightning says catching Twilight and Rainbow off guard. "Uhh…why now?" Rainbow asks. "My body is over taxed and was trying to hide it." Lightning says. Rainbow huffs. "Yeah right." "Rainbow, look here." Twilight says pointing to his wing joints. Rainbow looks to them. "Dang." "You want to rephrase that last statement?" Twilight asks. Rainbow frowns. "He better get to that spa." "I'm thinking acupuncture." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "And I'm thinking of hoof style." "Acupuncture?" Rainbow asks. Lightning shrugs. "Lightning on the muscles." "Acupuncture, the stimulation of specific acupuncture points along the skin of the body using thin needles. It can be associated with the application of heat, pressure, or laser light to these same points." Twilight says reciting the definition. Lightning pets her. "Good job my wife and student." "Doesn't that hurt?" Rainbow asks putting his head back in her lap after rearranging herself. Lightning shrugs. "A bit, but you get use to it." "You want to hurt yourself?" Rainbow asks giving him a look. Lightning shakes his head. "No, it relaxes your muscles and everything. It'll be fine." Rainbow keeps giving him the look till Twilight whispers something into her ear. "Really, that good?" She whispers. "So I have read." Twilight whispers back. Lightning smirks as he tries to sleep on their laps. When he awoke, he felt the train coming into station. "What time is it?" He asks sitting up. "Time to sneak you out of here. Hold on, going to try an invisibility spell." Twilight says. Lightning yawns and looks around. "Alright, where do we go first?" "You on my back and straight to the castle." Twilight says. Lightning nods and looks outside for a bit. "Huh, seems there's a huge stage in the middle of the courtyard." He said as Twilight places him on her back and starts to walk out. Twilight smiles as she lights up her horn before they all see Lightning disappear into thin air right on her, but they can still see the depression on her. "Alright, let's go." She said as they head out and she turns to one of the guards. "Send word to make a private train for us. Ready for war even. I have a feeling we might need it in the future." She said and the guard nods and walks off as Twilight and the others head off to the castle. "See them anywhere?" She asks the others. "No sign of your brother or the other princess." Applejack says. Twilight smiles as she walks past the courtyard and stops as she stares at the stage. "Um…what are you two doing here?" She asks Talion and Typhoon on the stage. Talion smiles. "About to perform." "With your wives?" Rainbow asks. Talion frowns. "Hey, we are just about to have fun. Besides, it's about to start. Want to stay for it?" "Can't, got to get to the castle." Twilight says. Both Typhoon and Talion look to each other before shrugging. "Okay. Just try to listen if you're curious." Typhoon said. Twilight nods and they all follow her again as they reach the front gate of the castle. "Might as well listen." Lightning said near her ear. Twilight smiles. "We'll leave the window open for you." She said heading inside and the others all walk off to their own things with Rainbow following. "I'm sure you'll be proud of them." Lightning smiles. "I already am." Twilight giggles as she walks to their room and she places him on the bed before opening the window and they hear some cheering. "Guess they're starting. She said now lifting him up and placing him on the couch near the window. "Let's see what they got." She said sitting near him. They both look outside and watch as the sun starts to set and the lights start up. Typhoon bumps against Talion once as he smirks at her. "I don't like walking around this old and empty house." She sang. Talion smiles as they both turn to each other. "So hold my hoof and I'll walk you through my dear." They both start moving along to the strumming. "The stairs creak as you sleep, it's keeping me awake." Talion rolls his eyes. "It's the house telling you to close your eyes." Typhoon smirks as some trumpets sounded from the band behind them. "And some days I can't even dress myself." Talion grabs her hoof. "It's killing me to see you this way." They both nod and grab each other's hoof and starts to make a dance of each other. "Cause though the trough may vary, this ship will carry our bodies safe to shore." They both said. Twilight and Lightning see the mare that use to teach them how to dance and her horn light up before she sends out a blinding light and immediately once it dies down does the view change to something in the mountain and the stage into an airship. "So that's what it was about." Twilight remarks as they keep watching and they hear the band start up and some chorus. Lightning nods. "Yeah, but they never got that far when they performed for us. They never got the spell down. Probably threw them off." Typhoon dances around Talion as he tries to hold in his laughter. "There's an old voice in my head that's holding me back." Talion smiles. "Well tell her that I miss our little talks." Typhoon shakes her head. "Soon it will be over and buried with our past." Talion looks to the park ahead of them. "We use to play outside when we were young and full of life and full of love." Typhoon stops in front of him. "Some days, I don't know if I am wrong or right." Talion bows like a gentlecolt. "Your mind is playing tricks on you my dear." They both hug each as the crowd keeps cheering. "Cause through the truth may vary this, ship will carry our bodies safe to shore." They both said. "Don't listen to a word I say." A mare and stallion joins right behind them. "The screams all sounds the same. Thought the truth may vary, this ship will carry our bodies to shore." They all said. Both Talion and Typhoon step up. "You're gone, gone, gone away, I watched you disappear. All that's left is a ghost of you. Now we're torn, torn, torn apart. There's nothing we can do. Just let me go and we'll meet again soon." The mare and stallion picks them up and places them on their backs as the background of the mountains starts to change to just clouds. "Now wait, wait, wait for me. Please hang around. I'll see you when I fall asleep." The mare turns to Talion on her back. "Don't listen to a word I say." They say. "The screams all sound the same." The stallion and Typhoon said together. "Though the truth may vary this ship will carry our bodies safe to the shore." They all said together. "Don't listen to a word I say. The screams all sound the same. Though the truth may vary this ship will carry our bodies safe to shore." Both Talion and Typhoon jump off before walking up to the stage edge. "Though the truth may vary, this ship will carry our bodies safe to shore." They said as the background shows a large image coming up that looks like a chimera with many wings. "Though the truth may vary, this ship will carry our bodies safe to shore." They said as the airship passes the large mountain image and soon the illusion fades and they were left with the original stage as the lights die down. Lightning starts clapping his hooves as they all take a bow to the cheering crowd. "You know, I can see why they choose that song back then in Stalliongrad." He said as both Talion and Typhoon high hoof each other. "Oh, I want to go hug my foals." Rainbow says with pride. Twilight smiles to her. "You really did have great foals Rainbow." "You will have your own soon Twi." Lightning whispers into her ear. Twilight giggles. "How could I forget? Where's Scootaloo?" "At this point, should be heading home from school." Lightning says before playfully nipping her ear. Twilight blushes. "I forget, did she freak out anypony?" Lightning shrugs. "Not that I know of or she tells me." Rainbow rolls her eyes. "Want me to go check on her?" "Go ahead. I'll try and sneak our husband here into our room without my brother or Cadance finding us." Twilight says. Rainbow nods and walks off. "Sure thing. Later guys." She said walking off. Lightning sighs. "At least I can rest some more." "Let's just hope we down run into…" Twilight was cut off when somepony called out to her. "Excuse me, Queen Twilight?" Twilight turned around and saw a smirking Cadance. "Shoot." Twilight said as she lights up her horn. Cadance holds out her hooves. "Come give your old foalsitter a hug." Twilight makes a blinding flash from her horn before hugging her. "It's great to see you Cadance." Cadance smirks. "Who was that?" "I don't know what you are talking about." Twilight says. "It was Lightning, your husband, wasn't it?" Cadance asks. Twilight looks behind her and trying to look up and down. She spots a suit of armor slightly out of place. "No, I don't have a husband yet. It's still a very much dating phase." She said watching the armor. "Me and Shining have heard what happened queen. You married Lightning to gain legitimacy and to stop Blueblood from becoming king." Cadance says. Twilight waves it off. "No, it's not like that." "Oh that, have you…you know?" Cadance asks. Twilight taps Cadance's stomach as she kept watching. "Well…not really." "You went all the way already, haven't you?" Cadance asks with a knowing smirk. Twilight nods. "Yeah. I did." "Oh my, how was it?" Cadance asks. "I almost went straight. Now I'm bi, so I can get both." Twilight says. Cadance giggles. "My little foal has grown up so much. And even rutting like a horny mare too." "Oh, he fulfill that fantasy of mine upon my request. So have you heard the rumors I will be pregnant soon?" Twilight asks. Cadance nods. "Yes and poor Shiny has been pacing around worried sick." "Please go tell him I am currently not pregnant." Twilight asks. Cadance smirks. "Sure. Now where is your husband?" "I sent him to our room. He has been working himself to the bone. Even the muscles around his wing joints are swollen." Twilight says. Cadance hisses. "Ouch. He is okay, right?" "Yeah, he just needs to take it easy for a bit and maybe see a massage therapist, but he said he would prefer acupuncture." Twilight says. Cadance shakes her head. "Nonsense. It's best to see by hooves." "He grew up in the east remember, different ways of thinking." Twilight says. Cadance smiles. "And it's time to let him experience that way of massages." "Actually." Twilight whispered some details of the art into Cadance's ear. "Oh my." She said. "Still…it's best to learn about new styles." "Maybe you could have Shining take a few. Might help him get it up." Twilight jokes getting a giggle from both. They heard a growl outside the door. "Oh lighten up brother." Twilight says. A head peeks around the corner. "Cadance, may I see you for a bit?" "Oh, now you have done it." Cadance says smirking before practically skipping into the door. Twilight giggles as she hears her brother angrily talking. "You know how much I react when somepony talks about me like that. And you know what I want to do." Cadance giggles. "Oh yes. Let me guess, shower or the pantry closet?" Shining huffs. "Where do you think?" Twilight left and made her way over to Lightning's hiding place and gets him. "You okay?" Lightning smirks. "Wow, he can sure suggest some places. Want to try them?" Twilight sighs. "Maybe. But for now, let's get you to bed. I will get the therapist for later." Twilight says before kissing the back of his ear. Lightning smiles as his ear flicks in her direction. "Oh Twi. Let's go. I am pooped." "Alright. I will send Daring, Silva, and the foals to see you soon." Twilight says leading him. Lightning nods. "I would like that. But I would probably be asleep in bed by then." "I highly doubt that our foals will be coming back soon and it won't take me long to find the others." Twilight says nuzzling his neck. Lightning nuzzles her head. "You know, I need a bit something from you." "Only after you have rested." Twilight says petting his chest. Lightning sighs. "Just…try for me." "I got a plan in motion that I think you will enjoy and if we do that, you won't get to see your foals or the other mares and I know they would be so disappointed in that." Twilight says. "You have gotten good with the guilt trips." Lightning says. Twilight smirks. "I know. Now let's get you to bed and set you up for them." "Yes Queen Sparkle." Lightning says. Twilight giggles and nuzzles him. "Aw, you always know what to say." "The infrastructure of the gate has already been completed. We just need to install the crystal so don't get too attached Twi." Lightning says as he crawls into the bed. Twilight sighs and pulls the covers around him. "I'll bring you some lunch. You stay here, okay?" "Ok love." Lightning says getting comfortable. Twilight nuzzles him one last time before heading out. "You need something, call the guards." "Ok." Lightning says kissing her head. Twilight smiles and turns around before waving her tail like crazy at him. Lightning shakes his head as he smiles at her. He sighs and lays back as he watches outside the window and just watches the sky pass by as a figure flies by. "Welcome home Scoots." "Mommy, your home." Typhoon says hugging Rainbow. Rainbow giggles and hugs both her and Talion. "You guys were so good. Can't believe you two have been practicing that much." Talion smirks. "Yeah, we're awesome." Rainbow smirks and ruffles his mane. Typhoon frowns. "Hey, where's mine?" "Ok." Rainbow says before starting on her as well. Typhoon purrs and leans in to the petting. "Oh, you are so much like me." Rainbow says. Typhoon giggles as Talion hugs her. "That's my sis." "And where is your little brother?" Rainbow asks. They both look to each other and looks back to her. "We don't know." They both said. "What?" Rainbow asks raising her eyebrow at them. They both shrug. "We don't know." Rainbow frowns before hearing some crashing behind them and they see a little colt and guards chasing him. "There he is." They both said. "Come here my little colt." Rainbow says leaning down with her hooves open. Windstorm giggles and runs into her hooves and hugs her as the guards pants as they stop in front of him. "Okay, that colt is crazy." One said. "No, he is just active. Aren't you?" Rainbow asks nuzzling him as she hold him. Windstorm giggles and hugs her snout and kisses it. Rainbow smiles before rasberring his stomach before saying, making him laugh. "Come on you two, your father is back and wants to see you." Rainbow says. They both smile and follows her as they meet up with Twilight with two trays of food and drinks. "Hey Twi, what's on the menu?" "A quick snack before Lightning goes back to sleep. We best go see him, Daring, Star, and Silva are already in there." Twilight says. The foals all laugh before rushing ahead and heads inside and they hear them cheer before some laughing was heard. "Aw, we got a great family, don't we?" Rainbow asks. "Yeah, now help me get the door." Twilight says. Rainbow sighs and opens the door before they see all the foals jumping on the bed and Windstorm being nuzzled by Lightning. "Aw." Rainbow said as they walk in. "Hey Rainbow." Daring says petting Star as she naps. Rainbow giggles as she sits by her. "How is she?" "She is doing well. I just finished nursing her when Twilight found me." Daring says. Rainbow smiles as she pets Star's mane too. "They are so good, aren't they?" "She has been a perfect angel. Yesterday, she threw a water balloon at a guard." Daring says. Rainbow smirks. "Really, what else did she do?" "Bucket of water on the door the day before." Daring says. Rainbow smiles as she looks to Star. "Good girl." "She is like her mother." Lightning says tiredly. Twilight sighs as she kept feeding him. "Yeah, but still like their father." "Speaking of foals, where is Scoots?" Lightning asks. They heard a window slam shut. "I'm back! What's for lunch?" Scootaloo asks walking past their door. "Scootaloo, get your flank in here." Rainbow calls. Scootaloo pokes her head back around the corner. "Oh, there you are. What's for lunch?" She asks walking in and they see a saddlebag tied on her back. "You get done with school?" Rainbow asks as she walks over and pets her mane. Scootaloo nods. "Yeah, finished early today. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle will come later." "Oh Scoots, get this, Applejack has a coltfriend." Rainbow says. Scootaloo looks over to her. "Really, when is the marriage?" She asks smirking. "Sometime next month or so." Rainbow smirks while saying. Scootaloo giggles and looks over to Lightning. "Hey dad." "Hey angel, how are you?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo sighs. "Bored." "Still can assign you chores." Lightning jokes. Scootaloo brightens up. "Not so bored." Lightning chuckles. "I thought not. Oh and we are also going to be bringing over a few sports from Stalliongrad." Lightning says. Twilight smirks. "I don't have to worry about dead creatures, do I?" "No, I mean like the sports the pegasus played in the festival with the balls and rings." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "Good, you keep the creatures away because we don't see killing creatures as a fun sport." "So Scootaloo, you know who Applejack's coltfriend is?" Rainbow asks. Scootaloo shrugs. "I don't know." "You remember the officer that sat with us in the booth and killed that monster scorpion in one hit?" Rainbow asks. Scootaloo sighs. "Him? Really? Him?" "Applejack won his heart. It was a shock to most of our officers." Lightning says. Scootaloo raises an eyebrow. "All right. I'll just forget about the time he asked me about how to kill my kind when needed when you guys get married." "He isn't marrying into our family Scoots." Lightning says. Scootaloo yawns. "He's marrying and getting close to our family. That's what's troubling." "He is a good stallion Scoots, he is just military through and through." Lightning says. Scootaloo huffs. "So letting him know how to kill my species is a good thing?" "He knows how to kill dragons and Wyverns and you seen a demonstration of his strength, you think you can match that?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo stares at him. "Want to place us in a ring?" "No. I asked you a question Scoot, do you think you can match his strength?" Lightning asks. Scootaloo raises an eyebrow. "Yeah, I'm already strong enough." "He wasn't using his full strength Scoots. There is a difference between confidence and arrogance. Remember what arrogance almost cost you last time." Lightning says. Scootaloo huffs and walks away with some grumbling. Lightning shakes his head. "That ego of hers will get her into serious trouble one day." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs. "Where is he?" "In the harbor seeing to the troops and others disembarking." Lightning says. Rainbow frowns. "You know who I mean." "Oh, I left a little surprise in her room." Lightning says. They all look confused. "Surprise?" They all ask. Lightning just smirks. "Does he really think I'm that weak?" Scootaloo huffs as she walks to her room. "I mean, I'm tough. I took that stallion on and won." She sighs as she reaches her doors. "You can head off guys and maybe prepare the construction ponies." She said to the guards to which they nod and head off before heading in and frowns. "Dang it, who left the door open?" She asks herself as she heads to the patio doors and closes them. "Were you always this cranky?" A voice asks behind her. Scootaloo freezes before suddenly spinning around with her tail leading the tail and gets herself caught. "I taught you that, remember?" The same voice that she now sees as another version of herself, but a bit bigger and buffer and for some reason, more pony. "Who are you?" Scootaloo asks pulling her tail back hard. "Tiyries. Your father made a few alterations so you wouldn't be alone." Tiyries says. Scootaloo frowns. "Why are you more pony?" Tiyries sighs. "Unfortunately, this was a spell to turn me into a pony. But when he realized you were turning into a part dragon and pony hybrid, he had to cut the process into a form that could reproduce with you. Hence, more pony than dragon." Tiyries says. Scootaloo looks at him before walking over and looks him over. "Huh, looks fine to me. Still needs work on that tail." "Like this?" Tiyries asks yanking her tail a bit. Scootaloo yelps and glares at him. "Bone head." Tiyries smirks. "Please, you called me better things. Now, do you want try a flight with me or just lay in content next to me?" Scootaloo keeps watching him. "Do you think I'm weak?" "No, but there is always something stronger out there. Your father is one of them. Every instinct of mine tells me not to anger him in anyway les I wish to die." Tiyries says. Scootaloo groans. "Dad, you really mess up my life." She hissed. Tiyries chuckles as he opens his leathery wings and wraps it around her. "Come on, why don't we grab a meal and see where that goes, huh? After all, he gave you me when he didn't have to." Scootaloo looks to him before sighing. "Fine, just let me place my stuff away." "He also told me one thing." Tiyries says as she walks away. Scootaloo looks to him. "What is that?" "I hereby give my consent for you to marry my eldest daughter, Scootaloo." Tiyries says. Scootaloo stared wide eyed. "What?" "He gave his consent and approval Scoots." Tiyries says. Scootaloo blushes a bit. "Dang it dad. You really know how to complicate things." "What was that?" Tiyries asks. Scootaloo sighs. "Nothing. Come on. Let's grab some meat and head off. By the way, have you seen my brothers and sisters?" "Not yet." Tiyries says. Scootaloo smirks. "Good. Because I'm going to enjoy your face when you have to deal with them." "Wait is your eldest sibling here?" Tiyries asks. Scootaloo looks around for her clothing. "Which one? I'm sort of the oldest here." "Midnight." Tiyries says. Scootaloo smiles. "Oh, that guy. No, he's in Saddle Arabia. We actually live here now. He lives in Saddle Arabia." She said getting some of her clothes out of the closet. "Don't know where he is now though." "I thought you two really got along." Tiyries says. Scootaloo giggles. "Yeah, we did. But that's because he had time and everything. Soon he would be busy with politics and I hope he has time to at least see us." "Scootaloo, you're hiding something." Tiyries says. "I…I am worried about father's health." Scootaloo says. Tiyries sighs. "Maybe you should enjoy the rest of his life instead of arguing with him." "I know, it is just I get so angry at him sometimes and I don't know why." Scootaloo says. Tiyries raises an eyebrow before looking her over. "I think I know." "Huh?" Scootaloo asks. Tiyries smiles. "It's your dragon side talking. You're just cranky because of your dragon mind placing dominance. Because the only other fighter capable is your father and your mind knows he's weak at the moment, it wants to take over the dominance of the family." He said tapping her head. "And if I attempted?" Scootaloo asks. "Even weakened, his power is still greater than yours and all his officers as well I am willing to bet." Tiyries says. Scootaloo looks to him. "Can I stop it?" "Yeah, just confront yourself and admit you are not the strongest. It may hurt your pride, but it is the truth." Tiyries says. Scootaloo frowns. "Dang it." "Come on, you can do this." Tiyries says having her face the mirror. Scootaloo still frowns before huffing. "Fine." Tiyries smiles and hugs her with his wing. "That's my dragoness." Lightning smiles as he plays a board game with both Typhoon and Talion. "Okay, you two. You're turn." He said watching their pieces. Typhoon moves a piece and Talion backs her up. "Checkmate." Lightning said moving one piece and knocks down their emperor piece. "I thought we had that covered." Talion says. Lightning smiles. "You left the far middle left side uncovered. Now, again?" He asks to which they both nod. He chuckles as he sets up the pieces again before the door opens and they see Scootaloo walk in with another dragon and pony hybrid behind her. "I see you found your surprise." Lightning says ruffling Talion and Typhoon's manes. Scootaloo nods and walks over to him before looking at Tiyries. "What the heck do I say?" She hissed. "Say nothing daughter. I did it for you so you would be happy." Lightning says. Scootaloo keeps watching Tiyries until he nods. She groans and looks back to Lightning. "I…dang it." Lightning smiles and gets off the bed and walks over to Scootaloo and hugs her. "You have really grown my little angel. No longer are you a little foal, but a grown mare." Lightning says. Scootaloo stares down at him since she was a little bigger, but sighs. "I'm not strong at all." She said finally. "You are still growing my daughter. You have all the time in the world to become strong." Lightning says. Scootaloo closes her eyes. "I'm sorry." "It's ok my daughter. I was hot headed too when I was your age." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs. "So…can I go?" Lightning smiles. "How about a game? Old time sake." "Sure dad." Scootaloo says smiling, feeling happier than she had in a long time. Tiyries smiles as he walks over. "Mind if I play with her as her advisor?" "Go ahead." Lightning says before the game began. "And with that, I call checkmate. Well done my daughter." Lightning says after forty moves. Scootaloo blushes. "I'm not that smart." Lightning smirks. "Did you know that the plans we came up for the Dominion were never released to the public or on paper? You came up with six months' worth of planning in just an hour. You are smart my daughter." Tiyries was just playing around with Talion, Typhoon, and Windstorm since the game ended. "Really?" Scootaloo asks surprised. Lightning chuckles. "Maybe I should make you tactician. They just have to get use to your blabbering when you're thinking." "Dad, I have no training in such thing." Scootaloo says. "That is why I will enroll you in the classes that will be starting up soon at Canterlot University. You will learn and be trained there." Lightning says. Scootaloo sighs. "I don't think I can go even if I wanted. On paper, I'm still kindergarten." "If the king orders it, do you think those in the university will object? Besides, you have been homeschooled for a long time." Lightning says. "He's right. You might as well try it out." Tiyries said tickling Windstorm. "Very well." Scootaloo says. "Good, I'll draw up some paperwork for when you need to go, but for now, I'm sure you want to spend some time with your favorite dragon." Lightning said setting up the game again as Talion and Typhoon took their places. "Thanks dad. I love you." Scootaloo says. Lightning nods and hugs her. "Love you too. You'll be a great mare dragon soon enough. Just give it time and maybe you'll beat me." Scootaloo smiles and leaves with Tiyries. "And you were worried about that." Lightning says and Twilight comes out. Twilight sighs. "She's fully grown into her body, but her mind is still catching up. Of course I was worried. She's still a teenage mare." "Give her time. I was just like her when I was a teenager." Lightning says noticing two ponies were with Twilight. Twilight looks to the two ponies. "Oh yeah. Meet the therapist who will be administering the treatments." Twilight says. Lightning stares at them. "Can I still play on this board as you do your job?" He asks them. "Play time is over hun, time for the treatment." Twilight says. Lightning sighs. "Okay guys. Take this into your room. Play against each other for a bit." He said packing up the pieces and board and gives it to Talion and Typhoon. "Ok dad." They say before taking it away and Twilight picks up Windstorm and holds him. "I'll take him to bed. He looks tired. Aren't you?" She said tickling him as he giggles and then yawns after she stopped. "Okay, bedtime for you." "Bye Windstorm, I will see you soon." Lightning says laying out. He coos and waves back before going to sleep on Twilight's shoulder. "You may begin." Lightning says seeing the needles. Twilight soon came back to see Lightning with several needles sticking out of his back. "How do you feel?" She asks walking up to him. Lightning sighs in relief. "A bit better. That had to run some electricity through the needles for some hard muscles." "You feeling better?" Twilight asks walking up and touching his nose to hers. Lightning nods and licks her nose. "Yeah. Really good." "I'm happy to hear you are better now. I just hope nopony interrupts us." Twilight says. "Hey Twi, where's the hard shampoo you use?" Shining asks walking in and stopping at the sight of Lightning. "Under the sink." Twilight says as the next needle was placed into Lightning's back. Shining's coat stands on end for a moment before going down. "Um…thanks." "This is a medicinal technique brother." Twilight says. Shining winces as another needle was placed. "Yeah…um, I got to go." He said before running off. "That's one way to scare off the in-laws." Lightning jokes. Twilight giggles. "He was deathly afraid of needles since colthood." "Oh Twilight, why was my husband running?" Cadance asks walking in. Twilight waves her hoof at Lightning. "See for yourself." Cadance sighs. "I was hoping he would go for the hoof massage." Twilight shakes her head. "Too much damage." "Huh?" Cadance asks. "He has been overworking his magic a lot lately." Twilight says. Cadance walks over and looks him over. "Wow. Must be a lot of damage." She said poking a particular spot before one of the therapist waved her off. "So, what's wrong with my Shining? I was about to play our favorite fun time together." She said gaining a blush. "Needle phobia." Twilight says. Cadance frowns. "Shoot. Guess I will use the guards. You don't mind, do you?" "Actually, after a patrol group tried to kill some of Lightning's foals, we are very strict on them and are weeding out traitors still." Twilight says. Cadance smirks. "Want me to gather information?" "Actually, yes. Act oblivious to the fact Celestia and Luna stepped down voluntarily and make a few insults about me and one less so about Twilight and we will see if any traitors take the bait and try and persuade you into joining their conspiracy." Lightning says. Cadance giggles. "Oh, that will be fun. But don't be surprised if I'm having some fun of my own, okay?" "Just don't get carried away. If they learn you support us, they may try and kill you as well." Lightning says. Cadance smirks. "Ever heard of a succubus?" "Yes." Lightning says. Cadance licks her lips. "Don't even mess with me." "My lord, a report. Lord Zhang Liao has arrived and several documents need to be seen to." A guard says running in. Lightning nods. "Okay, bring the papers to me and have Zhang Liao on standby for a bit." Cadance smiles as she walks away. "I'll keep the guards busy. They love their queen of love." "Sir, Zhang Liao requests time off as soon as he finishes getting the ships unloaded." A new guard says upon entering. "Granted, send for a few official to help with the documents." Lightning says. The guard nods and heads out to which Twilight smiles. "So, you want me to help with papers too?" "Yes, make sure the officials are being truthful to me and it seems Zhang Liao is actually head over heels for Applejack." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "Let's hope they don't insult you or you will hit them in the face just because." "I'm not that much of a hot head my queen." Lightning says. "You knocked a noble for insulting the foals like they were freaks about all the way to the park." She reminded. "Yes, with family, not with politics." Lightning says. "Then there was that time they directly insulted me bring unworthy of being a queen and called me a harlot for doing so and then you punch him out of the window and into the mountain." She reminded again. "You are my wife." Lightning says simply. "And of course that other time when they were challenging you to a duel for kingship and you won by punching them out of the ring. Seriously, lay off the punching." "If I don't punch them, I will have to use a sword love and then they wouldn't survive." Lightning says. Twilight giggles. "Want another time?" "After this, we will get back on what you want love." Lightning says. Twilight smirks. "How about no holdbacks for that one?" "As you wish love." Lightning says as he hears the officials approach. Twilight sighs as the officials come in and stare at Lightning. "It's okay guys. Come on in. My wife will be helping with the paper. Now where is Madam Mycroft?" Lightning asks. "Here." She said holding up some papers. "How is the EUP?" Lightning asks. Mycroft smiles. "Going well. Still, those armors we are given need to be lighten up. It's weighing us down." "Still in the prototype stage and I have decided to elevate you in your position to replace the latest traitor we apprehended. By the way, how is your little brother Sherlock Hooves?" Lightning asks. Mycroft sighs in relief. "He's going so well. About to start school in Ponyville too." "Ah, so that is how he is going to cover his expenses with his experiments." Lightning says. Mycroft sighs. "Unfortunately. Hey, you want to enroll your son, please give us a hundred bits for insurance per day." She mimics the principle. "It's good I make enough per day for that." Lightning shakes his head. "He is brilliant, but lacks social graces and a head for expenses. If we could, I would recruit him into our ranks, but he is a free spirited pony." Lightning says. Mycroft nods. "Good. Now then, shall we move onto another piece of business? Family matters is something private." "Yes, pick any document and we will start with it." Lightning says. Mycroft looks over some papers. "There is the business of shops needed more licenses for trading. Normally, this is done between the trading office and them, but the amount coming in and where it's heading, kinda makes it needed for your approval." "Give me the details." Lightning says. She flips through the pages. "We got shops on fabric, food, tools, magic, library with many books, blacksmith and some regular shops of trinkets and a bakery for some reason." "Give them my approval and watch closely for any inconsistencies as I have already made it known to the nobles, I will not tolerate stealing from the country." Lightning says. Mycroft nods. "Sure. Signature." She said placing a sheet and looks over the rest. "The queen will sign for me and herself as I cannot do so right now." Lightning says. Mycroft smiles. "I can see that. Now the next one is on the subject of this train that the queen here commissioned for. Strange design and features." "That train was designed in case of war. Such a thing would be very valuable in case the Dominion invaded once more." Lightning says. Mycroft nods. "Well, the engine and fuel train car is ready, just need the options and design for the rest of the train my queen." "I will see to that later." Twilight says. Mycroft nods and looks back to her papers. "Also, give this to Spike and Agni." Twilight said to one of the guards. "And have the blacksmith and jewel maker with the mage come in to help make this. This is only for us right now." She said giving a scroll to the guards. Mycroft eyes the scroll. "Something personal. It will only work with us for now." Lightning said. "As you command. Next is…" Mycroft continues reading the documents till they came to the last one. "Now, last, but not least is the strange civilian that was reported in Manehatten." "Clarify." Lightning says. Mycroft looks through the papers. "He was reported to be stopping almost every reported criminal that he walked by and these guys were in the process of crimes." "And?" Lightning asks. "It was also reported that the shadows in the area moved, freak some ponies out when he walked by." She said. "Describe him." Lighting says raising his head. "About three fourths of your size. Wearing eastern clothing. Has a couple of weapons, a sword, a dagger, a bow and quiver with some arrows that the guard surprisingly let him through with. Also, he has a teenage colt walking with him, though he did look sick with something. Slow and everything. Even then, he didn't know the exchange currency so he gave a stall for food some gold that were very valuable compared to us like it was just bits." She explained. Lightning made a move to get up, but Twilight restrains him. "I'll send some guards for him and his brother. Just stay relaxed." Lightning grumbles a bit before laying back down. "Okay then. That was the last one. Anything you need?" Mycroft asks. Twilight smiles. "Can you send for Typhoon to come in?" Mycroft nods. "Sure, I'll have the guards help out." She said starting to walk out with the rest of the ponies. Twilight sighs as she leans back in her seat. "You still going strong Lightning?" "Yes I am." Lightning says as Silva enters. "Ah, the great mare who thought she could stay on top. Do you need something?" Silva blushes. "Well, for one, I need permission to handle defenses around the city." "Granted, if you report to my room tonight." Lightning says. Silva blushes harder. "Fine. Just…geez you are insatiable." "Only for you mares." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "So, you get freedom to do whatever you want to me and what do you want Silva?" "She swore to bare my foals as well." Lightning says. Silva rubs her foreleg. "Um…how about just a loving night?" "That is fine, after all, I enjoy your company." Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "She can go first. I know you're going to go crazy on me and maybe need a hazmat crew to clean the room." Lightning chuckles. "Twi, you have gotten better with your jokes." Lightning says. Twilight groans. "The price of living with Rainbow." Lightning smiles. "Yeah, thought so. Why don't you two head to the room and set things up. I still got this." He said pointing to the needles. "Oh no. I will pull those out." Twilight says. Lightning groans. "Go easy on them." Twilight smirks as she pets his head. "Don't you worry. I will." Twilight says before carefully removing the needles one by one with her magic. "Ow." Lightning groans as she and the therapists carefully removes the needles. "Ow. Owwwww…okay. Now that feels better." He moans in relief. "And there we are." Twilight says removing the final needle. "Silva, carry him for me, ok?" Twilight asks. Silva nods and places him on her back as they head out and down the hall. "Didn't you send for Typhoon?" Lightning asks before they see a guard and Typhoon coming. "Oh my little darkling." Lightning calls. Typhoon looks up. "You wanted me dad? And please make it quick. Me and bro are on a final rush." Lightning chuckles. "Yeah, walk with us." He said and both the guard and she walks with them. "Alright, so do you remember uncle Umbra?" "You mean the drunken uncle who yells at squirrels?" Typhoon joked. Lightning laughs. "No, I mean the one you met in Saddle Arabia. Remember him?" "Vaguely a whisper." Typhoon says as she felt herself being picked up by magic. Twilight smiles. "Well your favorite uncle is coming over and with a guest and new family member, possibly. So be mindful. Now another question. How's your necklace?" Typhoon looks to it. "Um…still the same." "Good girl." Twilight says before kissing her forehead. Typhoon blushes. "Mom." She whines. Lightning chuckles. "Have her come over here." He said and Twilight floats her over and he kisses her head too. "There." "Dad." Typhoon whines again. "There you are." Rainbow calls flying up. Typhoon panics and tries to run in midair. "Let me go. Let me go." She said quickly. "Bath time you." Rainbow says grabbing her. Typhoon screams and reaches for them. "Don't make me have a bath. Don't make me have a bath!" She yells before they both turned a corner. "That reminds me, I should bathe as well." Lightning says. Both mares grin. "Bath time." They cheered and hurried up to the room as Lightning paled. "Um…you girls will go easy, right…wait, which means you have to join me." Lightning says in a sing song voice at the end. Twilight moves up to him. "Oh yeah, naked and everything. Maybe a little preview of what's going to happen." "You may have to help me wash, my joints are really stiff." Lightning says. Silva grins. "Oh, there's no problem with that. Right Twilight?" "None whatsoever. After all, we both love him." Twilight says. They hum and nuzzle him as he chuckles. "I am a lucky stallion. Even luckier that you are letting me do anything." He said nipping Twilight's ear. Twilight smirk and her ear smacks his nose. Lightning grins and bites onto her ear and doesn't let go as they enter their room. "I'm not letting go until you say the magic words." His muffled voice said. "Please my sexy stallion." Twilight says turning on the hot water in the shower. Lightning chuckles. "Nope, that's not it and you will get punished each time you get it wrong." He said pulling her ear and grinding it between his teeth. "How about?" Twilight stops when she teleports out of his teeth. "Teleportation." Twilight finishes before smacking his flank. Lightning frowns. "Come on. You must know the magic words next time because I am going to make you say it," "When it is play time. Right now, it is time to wash up. Now come on you silly stallion." Twilight says smiling at him. Lightning sighs and Silva lowers him into the bath and he relaxes against the rim. "Ah, that feels nice, but it would be better to have my mares right by me." "Just getting the cleaning supplies." Twilight says getting the shampoo. Lightning smiles as he looks to her entering the bath too as Silva sits on the rim. "Come on Silva. The water's great." He said splashing her. "The luffa or the sponge?" Silva asks. Lightning shrugs. "Whichever is softer. Now get in here." Silva scoffs. "Hold on." She said taking off her armor. Lightning smirks. "Front row seat." Silva flicks her purple tail into his face. "Ow." Lightning said grabs the tail with his hoof and pulls her in with a yelp before hugging her from behind and helps her take off the rest of the armor. "You're going to pay for that my red titan." He said taking her helmet off and showing her purple mane and red coat before moving onto her chest armor. Silva blushes and glares at him. "Turn back around. You haven't earned that yet." He said making her turn her head around and takes a nip at her chipped ear. "Care to tell?" "No." Silva says. Lightning smirks and lifts her up with his hooves. Silva growls a bit. "Put me down." "You ready to get into the water?" Lightning asks. Silva huffs. "Why do you think I have the sponge?" "What about your underwear?" Lightning asks. Silva clicks her tongue. "I can still wear it here." "You want them all wet?" Lightning asks. Silva smirks. "I'm going to get them mess up anyway since I'm wearing them for our night." "Twi, I think Silva needs to help getting undressed." Lightning says smirking as he lowers her in the tub. Twilight salutes. "Yes my king." She said with her tongue sticking out before tackling Silva into the other side of the tub and he watches them wrestle around. "Should have charged tickets and popcorn. But they're my mares." He said watching the competition. "Got them." Twilight proclaims in victory throwing them out of the tub with her magic. Silva sits up with a glare. "Hey, I was going to put on a show with those. Being wet and everything." "Oh but I have what I want right here." Lightning says and wraps his wings around her from behind before kissing the back of her neck. Silva huff and shivers. "Still needs to make it up to me." "I will my red titan." Lightning says leaning into her. Silva sighs as she leans back into him. "Still needs something here." Lightning smirks as he starts to mess with one of her nipples. Silva freezes up as Twilight starts to clean him up. "Bastard." She hissed. "Just getting you in the mood. After all, I am going to be rutting you soon." Lightning says. Silva blushes like crazy. "Dang it Lightning." Twilight smirks as she moves in front of them. "Come on Silva. It's going to be fun, well somewhat dull for you, but me, I'm going to make the mattress be replaced." Lightning smirks and kisses Silva's neck. "You looking forward to me holding you tonight?" Lightning asks. Silva sighs. "Turn us around. Twi, you can get his back." "Alright my red titan." Lightning says moving a bit forward and then turns Silva around. Silva sighs as he pressed her against the rim. "So, what are you going to do with me?" She asks moving her hooves onto his shoulders. "I was thinking this." Lightning says before kissing her. Twilight smiles as she cleans his back. "Oh Lightning." She said checking his joints. Lightning starts pushing his tongue into her mouth as Twilight start cleaning his wings. Silva moans and wraps her hooves around him before he lets go. "How was that?" He asks nuzzling her nose. Silva smiles and leans back happily. "Pretty nice. Needs a bit more." "That all you get for now." Lightning says smirking. Silva sighs. "So how do you deal with things around us? You know, crazy things." "Used to it, besides I can focus on your sexy flanks." Lightning says. Silva shakes her flanks under him. "Want it now?" "Oh no, you have to wait for the bed for that." Lightning says rubbing the top of it. Silva raises an eyebrow. "Wow, you really want things from us, don't you?" "Yes I want you, but I can wait." Lightning says. Twilight hugs him from behind. "Oh, you can wait, but can you wait for our flanks to be heavily used?" Lightning chuckles. "Just keep cleaning and you'll find out." "Silva start working on his front." Twilight says. Silva nods and grabs a sponge and starts working on his chest. "Yes my queen. Though, Lightning is my commander in this." "No, I am your king." Lightning says smirking. Silva sighs and watches him a bit. "And how would you treat me?" "Like a queen." Lightning says. Silva raises an eyebrow. "Really? Like the queen here?" "You and you will both will be in the bed with me tonight." Lightning says as Twilight scrubs his mane. Twilight leans over. "So, how about anypony else coming in?" Lightning shrugs. "Depends on who it is. One of my other wives and they can join if they want. As for foals and the others, bye." He said waving a hoof. Silva sighs as she moves onto his neck and notices something before scrubbing harder. "Hey, easy." He said trying to hold her hoof. Silva pulls the sponge away. "Huh, what's this?" She asks looking at the scar. "This looks so big." She said running a hoof along his neck. "Knife wound from nethergate." Lightning says. Twilight looks over and feels his neck. "How did I not notice this?" Lightning shrugs. "Who knows? Now, are you done?" He asks sitting up. "Not yet. Sliva, 1, 2, 3." Twilight says dunking him on three with Silva. Lightning looks around until he feels some familiar tingling. "Um…girls?" He asks looking down. Some bubbles come up before Twilight's head comes out. "Tell me something Lightning, do you like things direct or need a little build up around it?" Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Um…direct?" He said confused. Twilight heads down underwater again and he keeps looking around until he freezes up as he grows a bit. "Oh boy. That thing." He said as both Silva and Twilight actually licks him. Silva giggles as she comes back up. "Hey, how do you like the way to end things?" Lightning groans as Twilight keeps licking him. "A bit on." Silva heads back down before he feels some hooves on his chest and gets push onto his back and groans as he looks up. "Girls, can this wait until bed?" He stops as he sees both mares around his length and licking it ever so slightly. "Girls?" He asks again as he tries to get away. Silva sighs. "Okay, let's get him to bed." She said getting up and picks him up and Twilight comes up as well and helps dry him off. Twilight licks her lips as she steps in front of him. "That was just a taste." "You said I was first and how do you dry wings?" Silva asks. Twilight sighs. "I got his wings. Get his face." She said as they switch towels. Lightning smiles. "So you girls are going to be wet and I'm the one dry. I sense something wrong here." Silva rolls her eyes and dries up his face. "Don't worry, we'll be ready. Twi, you done?" Twilight smiles as she peeks around him. "Ready. Now head to bed you crazy stallion." Lightning shakes his head as he sighs and heads out. "What have I done to get such amazing mares?" Both Twilight and Silva smile as they dry themselves off and hear him. "You first. I'll wait." Twilight said working on her wings. Silva nods and heads out to find Lightning on his back and staring at the ceiling. "Oh sexy stallion?" Lightning chuckles as he looks up. "Yes?" Silva pounces on him. "Let's have some fun." Lightning flips them around. "Now it's a good thing I got that acupuncture." He said before kissing her. Twilight smiles as she hears Silva's screams and loud thumping coming from the bedroom as she works on her mane and tail. "Oh Lightning. Making his enemies and wives scream like mad." She jokes and looks through the dress stand nearby and tries to choose between the bow or band. "Now which one?" She hears Silva scream one last time before everything quiets down. "Bow it is." She said putting on the bow and heads out to find Lightning grinning like an idiot and Silva knocked out and snoring. "Okay, where's the second bed?" Lightning sighs and picks up Silva. "I'll deal with her. Told you that connecting rooms would not be a bad idea." He said heading through another door on the side. Twilight shakes her head and gets onto the bed and checks over herself and the bow to make sure they were in place. "At least he like this." She said to herself as he finally comes back and seals the room. "So, what now?" She asks smiling. Lightning looks to her before sighing. "No hold backs, right?" Twilight nods. "Yep, I'm all yours for anything." Lightning sighs again. "Don't take it the wrong way then." He said before walking up to her and grabs her horn. "All right then, being my little plaything for the night, no bed for you for now." He said grabbing her mane and pulls her off the bed and he gets up and sits on the edge. "So, what are you going to do huh?" He asks frowning. Twilight moans and sits up and sees him frowning at her. "Um…well, I was going to…ack!" She gags at Lightning seems to tie a cloth gag around her mouth. "Too long." Lightning said before pushing her onto her side and looks her over. "Maybe good enough, maybe not. Now, one last chance. What are you going to do?" He asks moving the gag a bit. Twilight looks up at him. "Um…well, I was…ah!" She screams as she was pulled by her mane and thrown a bit away. "Too long…again." He said walking over to her. "Chances are gone. Now that you haven't even said anything remotely good, time for my set of things to do." He said lifting her up and makes her bend down a bit. "How about a little less pain for you?" He asks stepping over her and she shrinks back licking his growing length. "Good." He said placing a hoof on her head. Twilight, sensing what he is about to do, takes a deep breath before she gets pushed down all the way as she could go. "Stupid horn." She heard him say as he grabs hold of her horn before using it as a lever and tears up before feeling some magic wrap around it. 'Protective coating.' She thought to herself. Lightning grins as he stands up fully and Twilight could now see him grinning down at her before slamming her face down on his crotch and her muzzle touches his coat before being slammed down again and he stops and groans. "Geez, for an inexperienced mare, you sure have a nice body." He said as he filled her and Twilight groans as she feels the loads of each seed go down her throat before he pulls away and she pants and coughs a bit. "Nope, step one, no mare should cough these out. You're lucky I'm in a good mood." He said grabbing her mane and pulls her to the bed before throwing her to the side of the bed and steps over her again. "Now let's see how good you are. Come on, don't be shy." He said as Twilight just stared at him. Twilight moans as she reaches out with her hooves slowly before he takes her hanging legs on his waist. "Too long." He said before plunging into her too fast and she screams out loud from the intrusion. Lightning chuckles a bit as he looks down at her as she tears up even more and grabs her hindlegs and lifts them up a bit higher. "Come on, you must have taken more. What about those guards you keep talking about?" He asks leaning down. Twilight sniffs as she tries to look at him before her head turned sharply to the side from his slap. "Hey! Did I tell you could cry?!" He yells at her. Twilight whimpers from the pain before being slapped the other way. "Okay, punishment then." He said taking himself out of her and throws her a bit away. Twilight whimpers as she tries to get up, but then feels a weight on her back. "Not a chance now." He said placing a hoof on her head and pushes her down to the ground as he entered her and she screams again. "Dang it. You sure can break ears." She heard him said before finally panting and turns her head to the side and places on the ground and tries to look at him. "Wow, you broke that fast?" He asks letting go of her head. Twilight pants and nods as best she could as he kept going and he hangs onto her flank. "Wish every mare I had was as good as you. They would certainly make this more fun." Lightning said pulling her tail and makes her scream in pleasure before he groans and she can feel her belly start to grow. "Now how do you feel?" Twilight blabs incoherently as he pulls out of her and she falls down on her own. "Come on, get up that was only round one." He orders and she tries to and looks to him with a lot of drool on her face. Lightning shakes his head. "At least I can use that. Now a little clean and then everywhere, shall we my horny mare?" Twilight nods dumbly before crawling toward him and trying to lick him clean as he chuckles and pets her head. "Good mare." "Ohh, I feel like a train hit me." Twilight groans sitting up in bed noticing a wing was around her and rubbing her head. Lightning chuckles as he pushes her down onto the bed again. "You just went through at least five rounds. Congratulations, Rainbow went almost four before passing out last time." He said sitting up and looks around the room. "Maybe we should have a hazmat crew on standby." Twilight giggles. "Yeah." She said licking her stained lips. "Did we really go to sleep like this?" Lightning smirks. "Well, you did. You wanted an all out night so I had to treat you a little roughly. Sorry about that." "How many times did you come into me?" Twilight asks rubbing her stomach. Lightning smirks. "Oh, at least ten times before you passed out and I seemed to be a sort of run on that so eleven and when you woke up again, twenty." Twilight goes wide eyed and looks to her swollen stomach. "Wow, this doesn't equal your account." Lightning chuckles. "Half of it was painted on you." "To the bath you." Twilight says starting to clean the room with a spell. Lightning smiles. "Sure. Just so you know, you kinda became drunk. Just saying." He said getting up and heading to the bathroom. Twilight looks confused and looks around, but doesn't see any drinks. "What did I…oh." She said finally realizing it. "Dang it Luna and Shadow." "You called?" Luna and Shadow asks at the same time opening the door and coming from the shadow. "Have fun watching from my dreams?" Twilight asks. Luna grins. "Who said it was a dream? Look around." Shadow smiles. "Aw, my little Twily is growing up. Soon she would be bringing the guards into one room with her." Twilight frowns. "I would never do that." Shadow points to Luna. "She did." "Only the mares." Luna clarifies. Shadow grins. "You clearly don't know what I made you do back then." Luna glares at her. "If a foal was born back then…" "Oh relax." Shadow said waving a hoof in her face. "You didn't get pregnant from that ridiculous orgy you place out in the nearby town with all your guards and citizens. Seriously, that's the most fun I had next to Lightning himself." She said smiling. "Speak of pregnancy, odds Twilight gets pregnant from this one?" Luna ask. Shadow chuckles and points to Twilight. "Judging from that stomach, if she didn't get pregnant than she has a problem." "Oh, so in your opinion, will it be a colt or a filly?" Luna asks. Shadow hums. "I say, a little colt. Want to bet?" Luna grins. "Then I'll say filly." "I can hear you girls." Twilight calls. Luna smiles. "Well, you want me to help clean things up. Shadow has to talk to Lightning." She said as Shadow goes through the bathroom door and a girly scream was heard. "Wonder if that was Shadow?" She wondered. "Silva, be calm. Shadow won't do anything to you." Lightning says holding her while he pets her in the tub. Shadow giggles as she floats over. "Oh boy. You look like you went a round with a train." She said floating around him. "I won't lie. Twilight is a beast when turned on enough." Lightning says rubbing his jaw a bit. Shadow smirks. "That's alicorn life for you. Now then, I hear somepony's favorite uncle is coming over." "I have been informed already. A little slow on sensing him now, aren't you?" Lightning asks kissing Silva's forehead as she calms down. Shadow leans down close to his ear and makes sure her head is pointed away from Silva. "She will become more reactive as he gets closer." She said before smiling and keeps floating around them and looks Silva over. "You need to work on those foal feeders." "Silva is not a foal feeder." Lightning says as Silva leans into him. Shadow smirks. "Just wait. Now then, I shall introduce the new method of payment." 'After Twilight and Silva go about their duties. I have a few hours to spare after sunrise and the sun hasn't rose yet.' Lightning sends her telepathically through their link. Shadow giggles and floats closer to Silva. "Treat him well. He's a good stallion." She said booping Silva's nose. Silva huffs. "I know that. Now I'm done. I better go." She said getting up and getting out of the tub. "Have fun you crazy spirit." She said heading out with a towel. Lightning stops her with his magic before she could leave. "Nuh uh, I'm going to dry you off." Lightning says. Silva sighs as he walks up to her and takes her towel before drying her off. "Just be happy. It's only for a bit of talking and maybe an hour. She's sometimes needy." He whispered into her ear before drying off her mane and slaps her flank and pushes her out. "Alright, get back to your duties my sexy red titan." 'He felt me up the entire time.' Silva thinks blushing. Silva blushes as she heads out and closes the door behind her and Lightning turns to Shadow with a frown. "So what type of bedding do you want?" He asks heading back into the tube and Shadow moves up beside him and snuggles into his side. Shadow smiles. "None, just wanted to talk. You really can make me shiver just by talking." "And I know when you are lying…you are starting to reproduce, aren't you? That is what you wanted from me all along." Lightning says. Shadow smirks and moves up and starts licking his neck. "Geez, you can really kill the mood, but not right now. I wanted to talk privately and that was the only way to make you kick her out." "I didn't, this is part of her routine. Check the time, it is 5:47." Lightning says. Shadow giggles and keeps licking until she was straddling his lap. "That's good news. Now then, we need to talk about what might happen." She said feeling his chest and moving her hoof down. "I see you still prefer a dark version of Rainbow." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "It's the only one you asked me to do. No one else. I kinda want to try a different form. Have a suggestion?" "No, because I have complete control over you when you are like this." Lightning says before kissing a special part on her neck. Shadow yelps and hangs onto him. "Dang it Lightning. We still need to talk busines…oh boy." She said guiding him. "It has been a while since you came for your payment. I have been starting to think you didn't want another." Lightning whispers into her ear. Shadow sighs and leans her head onto his shoulder. "It's just…I was confused. I didn't know if it was true or not. But please, talk business or I have to go and deal with something else." "Shadow, what is it? You can tell me. After all, we are linked." Lightning says holding her close. Shadow sighs and looks at him before placing a hoof on his head and she sees his eye change. "Make…oh." She said feeling another hoof on her back and another hug behind her. "Good. Now then. First, I have to deal with a mistake I gave to your student. Almost made her broken to never return." She said placing her forehead on his. Lightning hums as he sees the clone pets her head. "I'm sure she has forgiven you. It couldn't have been that bad." Shadow opens her eyes. "I sent her accidentally into a world where Equestria was taken over by another race that treated females of any kind, even female ducks, as lower than animals themselves. The her in that universe was broken, lost her horn to never grow back, wings plucked and being treated as a sex slave to a crazy grown up Spike. I almost lost her." "But you didn't." Lightning says now rocking her. Shadow sighs. "Yeah, at least me and the others locked it up and others like it to rot from the inside. It was doomed anyway. Kinda like a fad. Still, I don't know if she is still forgiving of me. Like I said, I almost lost her and she knows it." Lightning shakes his head. "No, she has forgiven you, because she's your friend and you are hers. You are also family now." He said as another clone comes up besides them and gives Shadow's wings a massage. "That is right." Twilight says walking in. Lightning immediately makes the clones disappear as he spins Shadow in his lap and hugs her. "Hey love. Need a bath and maybe empty yourself?" He asks seeing the wobbling stomach. Twilight rolls her eyes. "Where else? Unless she wants to bathe in it." She said. "I don't need to bath and again, I am s…" Shadow was stopped by Twilight's hoof on her mouth. "That's enough. I forgive you. It was an honest mistake as you didn't know what was in there until I got sent in. But you got me out and saved me. Locked up the universe and made sure the others are too. Now then, enjoy him. Just keep it quiet since Rainbow doesn't know still about you two." She said walking over to a separate area blocked by a stone wall. "By the way, saw those clones. Better than my magical ones." Lightning chuckles as the clones reappear and they work on Shadow again. "And that's why she's my wife. Now see, you can stop with the moodiness. It's time for the news." Lightning says rocking her once more. Shadow sighs. "Okay, the spirits are moving along as your war draws closer. The word around is that some of the spirits will help, but it isn't known on whose side." "Simple, everypony." They heard Twilight. "Spirits don't take sides." "I don't like that. Those that will help are usually guardian spirits and that mean our invitations will be even more difficult." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "I got the papers for you guys. Just need to dress up." She said coolly as another clone appears and goes to work on her other wing. "Oh, that's nice. Any case, the war on the spirit front is coming in. I would think that mortals who became spirits would help." Lightning stops her. "Shadow, you and I both know they will never help as they have long since swore not to after their tribes or kingdoms turned to dust." Lightning says and the clones disappear. Shadow whines at their disappearance. "Well, the more recent ones won't follow that rule. We got more spirits coming in as sacrifice or major magical use that the Dominion is doing for preparing for war." "Shadow, please take no more risks. I don't want you to put yourself in anymore danger." Lightning says. Shadow seems to gain a blush somehow. "Really, you care about me that much?" "Yes. I have grown to care for you." Lightning says. Shadow sighs as she lays down on his chest. "Thank you." "Where's that mare?!" Luna asks poking her head in. "It's been too long." Twilight sighs in relief as she comes out as her stomach was smaller. "Here. About to take a shower. Want to join?" Luna giggles and trots up to her and pulls her to the shower. "Come on." She said pulling the glass door closed. "Now tell me Shadow. What is the other reason you haven't come to me." Lightning says. Shadow sighs. "Busy mostly. Working with Twilight and sending her to these places is sometimes exhausting. I'm not able to get to you for long since I need a body and Twilight was in school the whole time. You never came over." "I never had the chance." Lightning says. "At least we will have plenty of time to work together when you become a spirit." Shadow says and Lightning stops. "Shadow…I'm sorry, but that will never happen. I lack the ability to become a spirit upon my death." Lightning says. Shadow looks worried to him. "But…maybe me and the others can…" "If there was a way, the lightning king would have found it as he likes his halls filled with spirits of those who served as his warrior in life." Lightning says petting her. Shadow whines and nuzzles his neck. "Please don't leave." She whispered. Lightning sighs and rubs her back. "Then let's enjoy the best of it. Her studies are done at the college and I'm staying with her now. She's my wife and just maybe…" He stops as he looks to her. "Just maybe for a bit." "I love you mortals so much. Just when we start to care and like you. You crumble into dust." Shadow says lightly hitting his chest, tears in her eyes. Lightning sighs as he nuzzles her head and then just rubs her back. "It's okay, just let it all out." Shadow cried for many hours into Lightning's chest. Luna and Twilight leaving without another word. Shadow sniffs as she looks up at him. "I need something. Please, just…" She suddenly reaches up and touches his head with her hoof and pumps some shadow magic into him as his eye turns black again. "Just call them. Because I know they are also you, but they help." "Let us spend some time together alone." Lightning says lifting her up and walks into the bedroom. Shadow sniffs as she tries to wipes her tears away. "Can you at least get some? It makes me…feel…at peace for the first few times in my spirit life." "Very well." Lightning says. Shadow sighs as he places her onto the bed as he crawls into it as well and he grabs and hugs her again as they lay down. Shadow sighs as she hugs his side before feeling a hoof between her wings and she looks to see another smiling Lightning and smiles back as he hugs her too and the real Lightning turns a bit and they both surround her with a hug on both sides. "Thank you guys. I really want to enjoy your life with mine." She said snuggling into them as another Lightning stands above her before laying on top of her and wrapping his wing around them like a blanket as he hugs her neck and lays his head on her shoulder. "Thank you." Lightning chuckles. "I know. Just enjoy it and I will make this part of life the best for you." He said nuzzling her. "Shadow, you were once a mortal like I am now. What were you like?" Shadow smirks. "Does it matter?" Lightning smiles and kisses her cheek. "Think of it as my curiosity and wanting to know you better." Shadow sighs. "Okay, in my mortal life I was a prostitute and hidden assassin, mostly prostitute. Why do you think I like it when there's more of you?" "Continue on, Lady Shao Jun." Lightning says catching her completely off guard. Shadow looks carefully at him. "How…?" "I have my ways. I also have a drawing of you when you lived." Lightning says summoning the drawing which was of a pegasus that looked a lot like Rainbow and Daring in body structure wearing a kimono. Shadow stares at the picture before taking it and sits up a bit as the clones let her up. "My old life. Really fun until that war. I just…I just wanted to protect the town. So I did one last job for a going away party to the afterlife and then went to the shrine and then took the spirit's place. He wanted to end his job because he was done and he wanted me to start what he put in place." "But you were killed at the shrine when they went there to burn down the shrine and instead of becoming a water spirit." Lightning stops. Shadow growls as Lightning and clones back away a little. "They…destroyed our way of life. I just wanted to give my last respect and the water spirit gave me blessing to pass on only for them to come in and the shadow spirit came rushing in and took me over before using me and then left the job just like that. I was supposed to follow my family, but that bastard." Lightning quickly grabs her and hugs her and pets her mane. "It's okay. Those days have passed." "You are right. I also hunted down each one of them and made them pay and eventually killed the nameless shadow spirit myself." Shadow says leaning into him. "Oh Lightning, if only we had met in life. How things might have been different." Lightning chuckles as the clones move up again and hugs her too. "Well, I would have married you, gave you a family. And then kill every bastard that harms us or intends to. All you have to do is relax." Shadow's tears swelled again. "Now I remember who you reminded me of from so long ago." Shadow says. Lightning licks her tears. "And who's that?" "Yang Shan. He was a dear friend to me as a foal. It was only after centuries after I went mad that I got enough self-awareness to search. After searching for a long time, I eventually learned he eventually crushed all others and became emperor of the far east beyond the continent you grew up on. I also learnt that he waited all his life for me to come see him one last time like we promised as foals." Shadow says. Lightning keeps licking her tears. "It's okay. Who knows, by the end of it, you may have a family." He said petting her mane. "I know. You showing me this has reminded me of who I was once is all." Shadow says. Lightning smiles. "Good. Now then, relax and enjoy your time with me. After all, you want a family. Let's start off with some simple things because you never had the chance and I'm going to treat you to them." He said before reaching around her and starting to tickle her. Shadow smiles. "So do you know what I also was famed for in my time as mortal?" Shadow asks smiling. Lightning smirks. "Care to enlighten me?" "I had the ability to predict the future in song. Yang, I never got to foretell his future." Shadow says holding him. Lightning smiles. "Really. Well I got a strange family remember? They all have their own ways of dealing with things. Especially Pinkie, she certainly can predict stuff." Shadow smiled when a song ran through her head. 'Awaken from a dream, hills and rivers are as of old on the ancient battlefield, how many ages have past? This road has no end; passions cannot be revoked looking back, our life's ambitions were not fulfilled drinking wine amid plum blossoms, let us make ourselves clear among the heroes of the world, who is a worthy match? With raging inferno on swift boats, you must turn back magnificent were the southland's sons, not vanished, but no longer exists spirits of departed heroes will live forever, not gone, but no longer here. They abide in the mortal world enjoying eternity with heaven and earth.' "Shadow?" Lightning asks. Shadow shakes her head. "Sorry. Just thinking. Now then. How about you spend the next few days with and maybe I'll let you use these guys on me." She said nuzzling the clones. "Nuh uh. They may touch and rub you, but only I get to do that to you." Lightning says smirking at her. Shadow smiles and nuzzles him. "Oh such a sweet pie. But I will be hungry for more and I doubt you alone can fix it up alone. The clones are you, aren't they?" "Oh, I take that as a challenge." Lightning says. Shadow nods and flicks her tail under his chin. "Oh yes. Let's see who last the longest and whoever wins can use the other until they themselves pass out." "Ok, tomorrow night." Lightning says. Shadow giggles. "By the way, if you win, you must use the clones on me." She said booping his nose with her hoof. "Nope, if I win, no clones." Lightning says booping her right back. Shadow frowns. "Aw, I want some." "You got to out last me then." Lightning says. Shadow smirks. "Watch me." "See you then, because today, the warp gate is opening and guess who is coming for a visit." Lightning says. Shadow smiles. "Kyou." "Yep and she is most likely going to want a night alone with me after spending nearly seven months away." Lightning says. Shadow nods. "I can get that." "And little Saber's birthday is coming up soon." Lightning says. Shadow giggles. "Should I bring a present?" "I think you should just play with him." Lightning says. "Oh, I says let him ride around on me as I run around." Shadow says. Lightning chuckles. "That sounds good. Now then, I believe you are warranted for a massage." "I haven't had one of those in centuries." Shadow says laying down. Lightning smiles. "I know. Tell me, how long since you ever had one, officially?" "Now I got a stallion doing it." Shadow says feeling his hooves on her back. Lightning nods. "Yeah, you do. But still, how long has it been for you? Even a spirit goes to the spa once in a while." "No, I haven't. It has been around eight centuries or more I think." Shadow says. Lightning sighs. "Well, now you are getting your first official one and you will feel better soon." "I already do." Shadow says. Lightning pets her mane a little before going back to massaging her back. "You really deserve this even after all the things you done." "Well you could rut me here." Shadow suggests. Lightning grins. "That would destroy the competition and make you lose since you are already ready by the start of it." Shadow says nothing and just shakes her flank. Lightning chuckles. "Nope, not happening. Even these guys are no fazed." He said as the clones works on her wings. "Aww." Shadow whines. Lightning smiles. "Come on. Just wait and it will be better. It's the experience before the final act that makes you feel better." Lightning says before yanking her tail playfully. Shadow yelps. "Okay, I want you here now." "Nuh uh." Lightning says going back to massaging her. Shadow sighs. "You tease." "I know." Lightning says smiling at her.
Trouble is Brewing"Speaking" 'Thoughts' The sun rose and its rays shown through an open window into a sleeping Lightning Bolt's face. Lightning Bolt opens his eyes it already in a glare. Standing up his entire back felt achy. "Note to self, look forward to furnishings arriving later tonight." Lightning Bolt said to himself. Lightning bolt walks out his front door and locks it behind him. "I guess I should go flying to work out the kinks in my joints." Lightning Bolt says. Lightning Bolt takes off and sees something odd to him. The pegasus are changing the weather. "That's strange, back in Stalliongrad the weather changes on its own. So why are they changing the weather?" Lightning Bolt asks himself confused. "The weather does what in Stalliongrad?" A familiar voice behind him asks. Turning around, Lightning Bolt sees Rainbow Dash. "The weather changes on its own in Stalliongrad." Lightning Bolts states again. Rainbow's eyes widened at his words. "Wait, that sounds like the Everfree Forest. How can you live there?" She said surprised. "Easily as you live here, actually." Lightning says. Rainbow crosses her forelegs and stares at him. "Whatever, you still owe me a flight, you know." "Oh, sounds like you think I'm faster than you." Lightning teased. Rainbow growls slightly. "I told you that I'm the fastest pegasus in all of Equestria!" Rainbow Dash yells before landing on a cloud as she preps herself. "Come on, I want a race." She said as she flares her wings out. "Ok, I'm game." Lightning Bolt says, landing next to her. "First one to the huge tree in town win." Rainbow stares at him for a few then turns her head back in front of her. "Alright then, Twilight's library it is." She declares. Lighting looks at Rainbow confused. "Twilight?" Rainbow leans back a bit. "1, 2, 3, GO!" She said quickly and took off. Lightning Bolt takes off right behind her. They both fly neck and neck until Twilight's Library comes into view. Rainbow stops in front of the library and stood proudly. "Ha, I win!" She yells. "I'll admit it you're fast, but I said to the tree, meaning you have to touch it." Lightning Bolt says after passing her and touching the tree. Rainbow gains a shock look on her face and then growls loudly. She yells out and lunges herself at Lighting, sending both of them through the front door and crashing into floor. Rainbow tries to punch Lighting, but Lighting moves himself side to side to dodge her attacks. They kept going until a voice shouted out, "What's going on?!" They both look up to see a unicorn with a pale, light grayish mulberry coat, a moderate sapphire blue mane and tail with moderate violet and brilliant rose stripes, and moderate violet eyes looking annoyed at them. "Rainbow, when did you get a stallionfriend?" The mare teases. Rainbow stops what she's doing and looks down, seeing Lighting with a smirk on his muzzle she quickly gets off and flies off with a huge blush that made her face look like a tomato. "Funny, but embarrassing to her." Lightning Bolt says before jumping up onto his hooves. "I don't think we have meet yet, my name is Lightning Bolt." Lightning Bolt says offering a hoof. The mare looks at him for a few seconds, studying him and then offers her own hoof. "Nice to meet you, I'm Twilight Sparkle, personal portage of Princess Celestia." She said proudly. "Interesting tovarich." Lightning Bolt says before looking up to Rainbow Dash. "You gonna stay up there all day tovarich?" Lightning Bolt asks as Twilight realize that his accent isn't native. Rainbow flies down slowly as Twilight comes closer to study him. "Where are you from? That accent is a dead giveaway." She pointed out. "Ah, I just moved here from Stalliongrad, but I'm originally from Equestria." Lightning clarifies. Twilight brings a hoof to her chin as she hums in thought. "That's interesting." She brings out a notepad from a nearby table with a quill. "Can you tell anything else about that place?" Rainbow huffs and crosses her forelegs, her blush now gone. "That's Twilight for ya. Always studying." "Well, its east across the sea and our weather works on its own." Lightning says. The quill stops as Twilight lowers her notepad to stare at him. "Hey, I was surprised too." Rainbow told her. "Why is it that the weather needs to be control here anyways?" Lightning asks. Rainbow flutters up beside him, but not too close after what happened last time. "The clouds and everything are made at Cloudsdale so they're artificial and needs to be controlled. They have no mind of its own...so to speak." Rainbow intelligently said. "That's odd." Lightning Bolt says looking at her oddly as Twilight starts looking through books. "No…no…no…no…no…ah ha here it is, 'The Workings of Weather'." Twilight says starting to flip through the pages reading. Rainbow chuckles and turns to Twilight. "Forget it Twi. I just told him." Twilight looks up from her book to look at them before laughing nervously and placing the book back. "So I take it you like books then?" Lightning Bolt asks nervously, not really sure what to talk about now with her. Rubbing a hoof on the ground, Twilight laughs softly. "Is it really that obvious?" Twilight said while standing in front of all the shelves of books. They both chuckle nervously. Lightning Bolt then eyes a certain collection of books on the shelf. "You have all the current Daring Doo books?" Twilight backs away a bit, smiling all the while. Lighting raises an eyebrow before he feels his head turned to Rainbow. Rainbow has a huge smile on her face as she spoke, "Daring Do...I love Daring Do. She is like the best pony ever. I have read all of the books in the series and they are awesome!" She yells out with an excited grin on her muzzle. "You know some of the treasures in the books are actually real right?" Lightning asks causing Rainbow to stop flapping in place and land on her flank. "Yeah, the Griffon's Goblet for example is real and one of the griffon's most valued national treasures." Lightning continues. A big grin forms on Rainbow's muzzle as she heard this. 'Treasures of the books are real?!' Rainbow yells in her mind which was already thinking of way to acquire them. "But they are either lost or national treasures Rainbow, so not much chance of you getting one." Lightning informs causing Rainbow's face fall at the sound of that. "So which books do you have Rainbow?" Lightning asks trying to get her mind off of the issue. Her posture turns back to normal and just sits on the ground. "All of them." She said proudly. "Even the newest one 'Daring Do and the Titan's Eyes'?" Lightning asks. Rainbow face slumps and gets close to him, even Twilight follows. "Titan's Eyes? Never heard of it." Rainbow said. "I haven't even heard of it." Twilight follows up. "That's most likely because it was only released a month ago and it usually takes two or three months to be delivered over seas." Lightning informs. Rainbow raises a hoof. "Wait, the Daring Do books are made overseas? I thought that they were made here in Equestria?" Rainbow remarks. "No, they are made in the country next to Stalliongrad and you're in luck." Lightning Bolt says pulling out a signed copy of Daring Do and the Titan's Eyes. "I brought my personal copy with me." Lightning finishes. A blur went by him as his hoof suddenly feels empty. Looking behind him he sees Rainbow holding the book like a mad mare and giggling manically. Lightning Bolt's eyes turn to Twilight and she just shrugs. Rainbow Dash then remembers where she is and nervously laughs. "May I please borrow it?" Rainbow Dash asks. Lighting laughs and gives a nod and says, "Sure Rainbow, you look like a true fan." "So, what should we do now Rainbow?" Lightning Bolt asks with a thoughtful expression. Rainbow looks to her new book and then at him with a smile. "I don't know about you, but I feel like reading this baby." She said while holding the book as a brand new foal. "Ok, take off if you want. I'll find something to do." Lightning says. "Thanks. Well, I got to get going." Flapping her wings she lifts herself off the ground. "See you guys." She then flies out the door, to wherever she wants to read. "So Twilight, anything you want to ask me about Stalliongrad?" Lightning asks. For the next few hours Lightning Bolt answered several of Twilight's question on Stalliongrad until the door opened and a unicorn with a light gray coat, moderate indigo mane and tail, and moderate azure eyes walked in. "Hello there Twilight, might I trouble you for some…" Rarity's eyes landed on the new stallion in the room. "Hello there, who are you?" Rarity asks. Lightning bolt turns around to see the new mare. "I'm Lightning Bolt." The mare's eyes light up at a potential stallion for her. "Hello there Mr. Lightning Bolt. I'm Rarity and I must say that is a very peculiar set of clothes you're wearing." Rarity spoke in a Canterlot accent. Twilight comes down the stairs with some refreshments. "Ah Rarity, I see you have met our newest resident from Stalliongrad." Twilight says. Rarity eyes the clothes Lighting is wearing. "Yes, and Stalliongrad? Do you happen to know any fashion over there? I would love to try some design based from there." "Ah well, this is the current style over there. You see, we prefer functionality over style." Lightning says. Rarity becomes crestfallen. "Oh well, that's a shame." She turns to walk to Twilight. "I was really hoping on making some foreign style clothes." "Well it's kinda to be expected, seeing as about half of Stalliongrad is covered in snow year round, but there are a few fancy outfit for balls and stuff." Lightning Bolt said trying to cheer her up. Rarity did an about face and speed right in front of him. "Did you say ball?" She said with an excited look on her face. "Ah yeah, I attended one or two with lots of fancy clothes." Lightning says feeling a little scared. Rarity lets out an excited squeal and grabs onto his shoulders. "You have to tell me everything. Everything they wear and what they eat. Even the ball itself." Lightning Bolt could already see Twilight getting another scroll and her quill to take notes, causing Lightning Bolt to inwardly sigh before he began. When he was finished Rarity looked thoughtful, contemplating some of the outfits Lightning Bolt described. Rarity lets out another squeal and torts around excitedly. "This will give me some amazing ideas for my next outfits. Oh thank you for this, I'll promise to repay you somehow." She said as she took her hoof into his and shakes them. Rarity inadvertently shakes all of Lightning Bolt before running out the door, leaving Lightning Bolt disoriented. Twilight giggles into her hoof at Lighting's misfortune. "That's Rarity for you. Always on clothes and dresses. You'll get use to her like I got use to Pinkie Pie." Lightning Bolt shakes his head and get focused again. "Twilight the mail service should have delivered my furniture by now. You want to come and see some of Stalliongrad's furniture?" Twilight grabs her saddle bags full of scrolls and quills along with her already written notepad. "Ready." She declares, grabbing her saddle with her magic Lightning Bolt leads Twilight to his house, where there were several boxes on the front lawn. Lightning Bolt franticly starts looking through each one. Twilight looks on quizzically. "What are you looking for? Can I help?" She said as she looks into the box Lighting is looking into. A small bark and caw is heard from it, causing Lightning Bolt's head to shoot up and, with speeds comparable to Rainbow Dash, was over there in a second getting out two cages. Opening on a white furred wolf pup came tumbling out cutely to Twilight's hooves. Twilight bends her head down to the little pup. "Aw, it's so cute. What's the little guy's name?" She said as she reaches out to the pup to pet him. "His name is Ice Fang." Lightning Bolt says as Ice Fang was enjoying the attention he received. Lightning Bolt opened the other cage and a creature Twilight had never seen before flew out. Its body was that of a vulture, but it look like it had an exoskeleton on its chest where feathers should be, its tail looked like it was only bones, and its head looked normal, except for the third eye in the middle of its head. The strange bird landed on Lightning Bolt's shoulder wrapping its tail around the shoulder like a snake would do. Twilight becomes scared and backs away a little. "W-w-w-what is that?!" She yell as she points at the bird. "This is a Skyor, a bird that represents good luck and usually what leads pony to safety when they are lost in the wilderness or blizzard." Lightning Bolt says. Twilight freezes. "How can a bird that looks like that give you good luck?" "Cause it produces a magical aura that most of the time wards off misfortune, has a sixth sense which tells it when danger is close, and many ancient stories speak of the Skyor being a savior. Isn't that right Azure?" Lightning Bolt says rubbing the Skyor's head. Azure squawks and moves his head deeper into his hoof. "Let's start moving some of the furniture into the house, ok?" Lightning Bolt says as he petted Skyor. Twilight lights up her horn with magic and grabs a few boxes and furniture. "Can I help?" She said as she carries a huge amount of boxes and furniture. "Sure, I don't mind. Come on Ice Fang, time to move in." Lightning Bolt says before he and Twilight started moving in the furniture. After getting most of it is in, Twilight said she remembers somepony who would love to meet his pets and took off. She returned shortly with a pegasus with a pale, light grayish gold coat, an ale, light grayish rose mane and tail, and moderate cyan eyes looking very shy. The mare hides her face behind her long mane. "Umm...hello." Lightning looks at the mare for a bit as did Azure. When the mare saw the bird she gasp loudly and flew up to the bird. "Oh my, a Skyor and a wolf pup. I only seen these in books, but to see them in real life is amazing. Can I...?" She asks nervously to Lightning. Lightning Bolt turns his head to Azure and nods. Azure, getting the signal, takes off and hovers near the front of the pegasus. Fluttershy reaches out and pets the bird on its head. Azure squawks happily and lets her pet him. "Oh my, he's so majestic." Fluttershy said with a smile. "I'm Fluttershy, by the way." "A pleasure Miss. Fluttershy, I'm Lightning Bolt. That is Azure and that's Ice Fang" Lightning Bolt says. Fluttershy looks down and sees the wolf pup. She squeals and lands. She then starts petting the pup. Ice Fang was enjoying the new attention as Lightning Bolt finish setting up the Bird Perch for Azure. Fluttershy suddenly gasp as she remembers something. "I just remembered that I have to feed my animals. I got to go." She said as she runs outside. "So Twilight, now that the furniture is put up, what should we do?" Lightning Bolt asked. Twilight's stomach starts to grumble. "Well, by the sound of it, lunch." Lighting's stomach announces the same thing. Lightning Bolt laughs nervously and follows Twilight with Azure ridding his shoulder and Ice Fang following. They make their way to SugerCube Corner. Lightning sees a familiar pink mare. 'Oh boy.' Lightning Bolt thinks, remembering Pinkie. Twilight walks up to the counter and orders something for both of them. Pinkie nods and disappears behind the counter and comes up after a second with their order ready. "Thank you for ordering, please come again." Pinkie said monotone then snorts and laughs at her own voice like her usual self. Twilight and Lightning Bolt walk outside to eat. Half way through their food Rainbow Dash flies towards the SugerCube Corner and spots them. Rainbow files over and flaps in place. "Hey guys." She said raising a hoof. "Greetings tovarich." Lightning Bolt greets as Azure Craws at her. Rainbow eyes the strange bird then looks at Lighting. "Is it fast?" "Azure here was built for endurance not speed Rainbow, but he does still have a good speed." Lightning says. Rainbow appears crestfallen at that information. "Aw, I wanted to race it." She then sits down right next him as she said, "Ah well." She feels something brush her hoof and looks down to see Ice Fang. Rainbow jumps into the air in shock. "What's a Timberwolf doing here?!" She yells while pointing at Ice Fang. Ice Fang grows sad when he hears her words. "This is Ice Fang and he is an Ice Wolf." Lightning Bolt says picking him up and petting him. Ice Fang falls into the petting, enjoying himself. Rainbow calms down and settles back into the seat. "Well he seems like a pup. I guess he's harmless." Rainbow said as brings a hoof to her chin. Ice fang bark and sniffs the cupcake within reach before biting it freezing the whole thing over. Rainbow draws herself back as she sees the cupcake turn itself frozen. "Whoa, what is that?" Twilight also becomes intrigued and brings her notepad up at a new page. "Ice Wolves teeth are magical and can freeze almost anything instantly." Lightning bolt explains as Ice Fang eats the frozen cupcake. Twilight scribbles her notes as Rainbow wow's with surprise. "Dang, I wish I had that when I get injured." Ice Fang, after finishing the cupcake, walks back to Rainbow Dash and sniffs her. Rainbow hesitantly moves her hoof in front of his nose. Ice Fang sniffs the hoof before moving his head into it, allowing her to pet him. Rainbow smiles and rubs the hoof softly. "He is kind of cute." "Wait till you see him fully grown." Lightning says Rainbow stops petting and moves her hoof back a little. She pictures the same wolf except fully grown. Ice Fang looks questionably at her with a smile whine. She shakes her head at that thought and starts to pet him again. 'Can't let anything stop me. Not even a full grown Ice Wolf.' Rainbow Dash thinks. "They are at least twice our size." Lightning continues. Rainbow pulls her hoof back this time and doesn't give it back. Ice Fang whines at the loss of attention and leans his front paws on her back legs. "Though that takes about 40 years though." Lightning Bolt continues adopting a thoughtful position while Twilight jots it all down on the notepad. Ice Fang's whining keeps going as he starts to rub against Rainbow's leg. Rainbow looks at the wolf in sympathy and resumes petting him again. Ice Fang growls in apparition and jumps up right beside her to gain more affection. Rainbow takes the wolf in her hooves and holds him like a foal and starts to pet him there. "Ice Fang always loves getting attention Rainbow, would you like to give him a drink?" Lightning asks. Rainbow nods while still looking at Ice Fang. Lightning Bolt takes out a bottle of milk from his saddlebag and gives it to Rainbow. Rainbow takes the bottle and holds it up to Fang's mouth. Fang happily takes the bottle and starts to drink the milk. Rainbow smiles as she feels like a brand new mother. "This is rare. Fang doesn't usually let anypony feed him for the first time without giving them some trouble." Lightning Bolt says interested. Rainbow looks up to him with a smirk. "Looks like I'm better than you at something." She told proudly. "I already said you were faster than me." Lightning Bolt says as Twilight keeps collecting notes when they heard. "What in tarnation!?" Applejack stops in the street, this time with a Stetson hat on her head. "What are those?" She said pointing at the animals then at Rainbow. "Rainbow I didn't know ya cloud be so motherly." She said with a smirk. "Ah Miss. Applejack." Lightning Bolt waves at her. Applejack looks surprised to see Lighting Bolt here by the look on her face. "Mr. Bolt, I knew ya would be behind this. Only the new pony in town would come in with something strange, considering that happens almost every few days." She said as she looks up in thought. Azure caws at her bringing her out of her thoughts. Applejack looks over to the source of the caw and jumps up in shock. "What is that thing?" She said while looking at the weird bird. "Azure, my pet Skyor." Lightning clarifies. Applejack still looks on fearfully. "That thing is a pet?" "Yes it is." Lightning Bolt says, feeding Azure some bird seed. Applejack tries to get closer to them. Once she gets closer Azure flies off of Lighting and lands in front of Applejack. It looks at her with its third eye, almost as if it was peering into her soul before hopping a few times, getting closer before turning its head slightly. Applejack tentatively reaches out with her hoof. Azure helps her and leans forward to help her along. Applejack's hoof finally touches the bird's head and she starts to slowly pet it. Azure caws softly, leaning into the hoof. Applejack smiles and starts to pet as normal as possible. Ice Fang starts pushing the bottle away, signaling he doesn't want anymore. Rainbow pulls the bottle away and gives it back to Lighting. She then starts to pet Ice Fang again. Lightning puts the bottle away. Suddenly Azure stops rubbing its head against Applejack and starts cawing loudly. Applejack pulls back and sees Rainbow struggling with Ice Fang. Ice Fang then jumps off of Rainbow and runs out the door with Azure following through the air. "That's not good." Lightning Bolt says. Everypony jumps up after them and runs out the door. They all keep following the animals until they reach the Everfree Forest. Lighting keeps going, but the mares behind him stop just outside the tree line. Lighting then realizes that he isn't being followed and looks behind him. He keeps looking back and forth as Ice Fang growls and Azure sits on a branch, observing the clearing with its third eye. 'Something is here.' Lightning thinks with a glare. Lightning sees movement on the tree but there was nothing there. Then he saw movement to his left and then his right. He keeps seeing the branches moving, but nothing making them move. Lightning Bolt then sees glowing yellow eyes. "Ice Fang, go wide." Lightning Bolt yells. Ice Fang inhales then breathes out a freezing wind, everything hit by it immediately froze over. What stood out was the new creature frozen like an ice statue. Nothing was in it but Lightning Bolt still glared at it. "This is not good at all." He said he kept staring at the creature. "What is this doing here?" Lightning Bolt says out loud. Author's Note A/N: And here's another chapter. Things are slowing down at the moment, but we will pick right back up again. Writer / Original Idea: Flair the demon dragon king Writer / Editor: Primus And that's that. Expect more on the way. Don't press your luck though. Read and Review.
Now It's PersonalA/N: Back again. Now let's write and read. Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own. "Speaking" 'Thoughts' Lightning and Rainbow were sitting at a table across from the royalty of Saddle Arabia. "So Clipsy, what are you doing in Ponyville and wearing civilian clothing?" Lightning asks. Eclipse sips some tea that was given to them. "Well, one thing for a diplomat to do to ensure that a treaty is held onto is to spend time in important towns and this is the last one. So I thought of living here now." "With none of your guards?" Lightning asks in disbelief. Eclipse shrugs. "I'm done with my job and the treaty has been made so there is no need to attack me. It would be useless for the whole thing." Lightning moves close to whisper. "Clipsy you are the queen of your country and your foal is the prince. There are still many reason why somepony will attack you and not to mention if you are killed here it might destroy the treaty." Lightning whispered. Eclipse smirks. "I know. A backup government was put into place. A small skeleton crew to run the country until the citizens select a new queen. Only happens in time of great crisis or the family line is dead." "Clipsy has it ever occurred to you that a upstart noble will try and use this as an opportunity to usurp the throne by killing both you and Midnight?" Lighting asks. Eclipse smiles. "I told you the new queen is selected by the citizens, so you must be favorable in the eyes of them. Oh and the nobles can't be on the throne, they get the council, but nothing higher. And the council actually stays the same level, nopony in the council is higher than the other. So nothing is going to go wrong." "And who is to say one won't try a Julius Caesar?" Lightning asks. "They viewed him as a tyrant. But if you're favorable and keep it up then you're good. Besides most of rulers are either killed by the citizens and nopony wants that. Other times were passed through the family." "Clipsy you have such a fantasy view of the way that would work and I'm glad I sent that letter now." Lightning says. Eclipse blinks. "What letter?" "Here is your order, a slice of lemon cake with chocolate sprinkles." A waiter says causing Eclipse to stare wide eyed at the waiter who she recognized as Kite, a member of the Queen's knights, the ruling families of Saddle Arabia personal body guards. Eclipse then turns to Lightning with a glare. "Don't tell me you sent the guards you sent to protect me like a shadow guard?" Lightning motions her closer. "Dolph of Nethergate has been sighted." Lightning says and Eclipse eyes widen in horror. Eclipse sighs and takes a fork with her magic. "I guess that's a good reason." She takes some food and starts eating. "We both know how much the dominion would love to sew of confusion and panic within the alliance and also would see it as an opportunity to invade Saddle Arabia even if they would have to sail for months." Lightning informs. Eclipse sighs while Midnight looks confused. "This is going a war life for us now isn't it?" "Banish the thought for now." Lightning says giving a sober look to Eclipse. Eclipse opens her wing and closes it around Midnight. "I guess it's not good to think bad thoughts at these times." "Clipsy you know the rumor in Equestria, where I have killed several creatures here?" Lightning whispers. Eclipse glares at Lightning, not in anger but in seriousness of the situation. "Yes and I don't like it one bit. You better tell me you have been investigating this." "I used your and my men to find a traitor who is working with the dominion." Lightning whispers. Lightning then turns to Rainbow and leans his head to Midnight. She nods and goes to him. "Come on let's get ice cream." She tells him. Midnight nods for the prospect of frozen milk. When they both left Lightning turns back to Eclipse. "Lord Barrows is the traitor, but we have yet to determine if he is acting with other nobles or alone and we have no real proof yet." Lightning says lowly and Kite listens in to the two. Both of them turns to Kite. She looks to them. "Sorry, but this does involve us. So I am entitled to listen in." "She has a good point." Lightning says. "How about using Apollo to sneak in and find anything? You know how he is with sneaking and stealing. He particularly made it his life." Eclipse asks. "Somepony already did that once and was almost caught but the info they revealed is far greater. They still have more creatures and that's what we are trying to locate so we can snuff this potential inferno before the spark lights it." Lightning says. "Might I suggest something?" Kite quipped. "How about you look to any mines or factories he might have. Usually you do operations in something you own. Someplace you can mess with and create special places. Especially places that either make or mine for that purpose." "The thought has occurred to us but with Nethergate we can take no chances at all." Lightning says. Kite sighs. "Well there goes that plan." Then a thought occurred to her. "How sending Apollo there? He infiltrated a factory once so he knows the in and out of the basic stuff." "The main problem is searching the Diamond mine…that's it. We need help by the only native creatures that love jewels and live underground." Lightning says and his grin showed he was thinking up a devious plan. Both Eclipse and Kit leans in. "Well, who are they?" They both ask. Lightning just grins. Lighting along with Rarity walks over to where she usually digs for jewels with Spike. "Can we go over this again one more time?" She asks. "I wish to get in contact with Diamond Dogs and Rainbow told me you encounter them once." Lightning says. She sighs. "Well, more like whining at them, but they got so annoyed they wanted to let me go. Why don't you go in first and try to talk deals and if they don't comply then I'll come in later." She offered. "Thanks Rarity. Oh and Rarity I really like your way with hats, you think you can make me a few more?" Lightning asks remembering his old hat. Rarity smiles. "Of course dear, I really like to make foreign clothes now because of your talking of the high society balls." "Thanks again Rarity. How much will it cost?" Lightning asks. Rarity starts to rush forward. "Let me grab a few jewels they have and that will be all." "Ok, will do." Lightning says walking in step with her. As he walks away Twilight rises out of the bushes. "What are you thinking? We are not dealing with them again?" She said to herself as she tries to follow them. Of course she didn't notice little Agni following her. For the last few days Twilight had been following Lightning Bolt trying to figure out what he was hiding. Most of the things that she found under suspicion were almost dangerous at best. And most of them were either creatures or something that is connected to one of the foreigners that follows him. Especially the two new stallions at Applejack's farm that took the jobs were even something that she thought were connected to him too. But after a while, she just concluded that they were looking for jobs somewhere else than their homeland. Makes sense since the other lands might be having a problem with employment opportunities that are at least practical. But then there is the fact that Lighting did monster hunting in the past so they had no choice...maybe. She follows closely to Lightning and Rarity as they enter a cave. "I'll go in first Rarity, if I have trouble I'll call you, ok?" Lightning asks. Rarity nods and heads over to sit down at a nearby rock. Lightning then jumps into the hole and falls into the darkness while Rarity lounges around. Twilight starts to get closer until she hears the bushes behind her makes some noise. Looking behind her she sees Agni smiling at her. "Agni, what are you doing here?" She whispers harshly. Agni just tilts his head at her and plays charades. First he plays out Spike and him having a stare down until he got a really bad feeling in his stomach. But that was just his flamethrower being unleashed. After Spike got burnt and knocked out he quickly mimics running to her and doing what she is doing right now, sneaking. "That still doesn't explain what you are doing here?" Twilight almost screeches and pointing a hoof at her. Agni hugs her forehoof. "Did you miss me?" Twilight asks now calming down. Agni nods his head and cuddles some more. Twilight smiles and hugs him back. "Twilight, what are you doing here?" Rarity asks Twilight yelps and almost jumps in the air. She looks over to Rarity standing over her bush. "Oh, Rarity...hi...didn't know you were...here." Twilight stutters out. "Twilight have you been following me this whole time?" Rarity asks. Twilight starts to sweat. "Uh...nope. Just...training with Angi here." She turns to Agni. "Right Agni?" Agni nods his head no. Twilight goes wide eye at what Agni just did. "At least he's honest, unlike you. I'm no Applejack, but I can tell you're lying." Rarity frowns. "Well...you see Rarity..." Twilight begins. Lightning was wandering alone in the dark of the tunnels. "Boy, I hate to see the Canterlot's mines." Lightning says moving until he saw a torch lit and heard the sounds of digging. "Ah, good. Now let's see…" He moves around the corner and sees three dogs digging and coming out with not much jewels. "Ah, this is stupid." One dog with a red shirt said. "I agree. Most of the gems are gone. Especially after that whiny pony took most of our gems." A big burly dog with a gray sweater said. "Can I assume you are a part of the Diamond Dog community?" Lightning asks from coming around the corner. The three dogs' jumps back in surprise and readies themselves. "What, how did the pony get here? We have dogs watching." Lighting raises an eyebrow. "I just walked from one of your tunnel that way." Lightning says pointing where he came from. "Anyways I'm here to do business with you." Lightning says. The dogs' growl. "Are you crazy pony? The last time we dealt with a pony we lost almost all our precious gems." The dog with the red shirt said. "Even if you get something in return?" Lightning asks. The three dogs stop and drools, but then compose themselves. "What are you offering?" The red shirt dog asks. "I normally would offer you just jewels but that is not a good enough reward for this work because it's going to be very dangerous work." Lightning says seriously. The lead dog growls. "Then what are you offering if it's not gems?" Lightning smiles. "How about an entire mine?" The dogs perk their ears at this. "Did you say mine?" They said at the same time. "Yes, plus protection and help from ponies." Lightning adds. The three dogs looks to themselves then huddles together. After a while they look to him again. "What proof do you have that you will give us the mine?" "Do you know of miner's rights of the Equestrian laws?" Lightning asks. The three dogs get confused. "Miner's right?" The lead dog asks. "Yes, it is a law, Celestia made it. It states those who mine legally own the rights to whatever they dig up as long as it is not being actively mined by another even if they don't own the land." Lightning informed. The three dogs look to each other then back to Lightning. "So that means that…?" They ask. Lightning nods. "Yep, you can mine all you want and you won't get in trouble." "Still a dangerous job." They look to the little runt who spoke up. "You mention dangerous work, which means we might die. I'm still not convinced." Lightning raises an eyebrow. "You know the Barrows mines that have many Diamond Dog slaves?" Lightning asks. The little one shakes his head. "Still dangerous." "Rarity can you come and convince them to save their own kind!" Lightning yells back the way he came. The dogs' eyes widen. "The whiny pony is here?!" The dogs yells. "Above ground actually." Lightning clarifies. "Coming dear!" Rarity's voice echoed. "Oh no!" The dogs yell. Rarity walks over to them as they back up to the wall and she followed. She clears her throat and uses some breath freshener. She then clears her throat again and turns to them. "Oh, why won't you save your own kind?! They are your own friends and family and you're going to leave them! Oh, you are horrible dogs! Now please help them!" She whines. Even before the whining they covered their ears and they still pulled at them. "Okay, I'll do it!" The runt yells. Rarity then smiles. "Thank you dearie. Now I'll grab a few gems and I'll be off back to town." She said as she pulls a few gems from the walls and walks off. "I'll replace those as well." Lightning offered. "Don't need to. We get that mine and we'll be swimming in gems. Precious gems." They drooled out. "Ok, I want you to go and spy on the Burrow's mines you're looking for large and dangerous creatures." Lightning said planning everything out. "What kind?" The lead dog said as guard dogs starts to prepare. Lightning brings out a book. "Any that look like the pictures in this book." Lightning says. They take the book and start to look through it. Their eyes widen as they flipped through each page in the book and coming into more and more monsters and creatures. "What...what are these creatures doing in Equestria anyway?" "Lord Borrow is keeping them in cages and planning to unleash them on the country. So you will also be considered heroes if we succeed." Lightning says. The three dogs grin. "You, pony, are making this more interesting." The lead dog said. "But they are not what you have to worry about." Lightning says. The grins turn to frowns. "What do you mean pony?" The runt asks. "Watch out for these. They are more akin to demons then ponies." Lightning says showing them a picture of a Nethergate assassin. The dogs growl loudly. "How about you keep them off us and we'll lead you to whatever you need to take control." The lead dog said. "Because this is a pure stealth mission so the likelihood of encountering them is low, but if you do run don't engage, but if they are there then that means they are guarding something far more valuable." Lightning warns. "Any value to us?" The lead dog asks. "To you most likely not, but we could get it when we take the mine. So no need to rush." Lightning says. The dogs' huffs. "Alright pony. Let's go and get this done. Take us to where we need to dig and we'll get you inside." "I and the others will need to prepare ourselves, besides you can use this job as a way to get several other Diamond Dog clans to join you." Lightning says. "That's true pony. Come back once you're ready. We'll be set to go once you come back." The lead dog said throwing the book back to Lightning and walking off. "The names Lightning Bolt, what's yours?" Lightning asks. "Rover." The lead dog said. "Fido." The large burly one said. "Runt. And that's all you will know." The small one said. "I will see you soon." Lightning says walking back into the tunnel he emerged from. Coming out of the cave system he takes a breath of fresh cool air and looks around. He becomes surprised to see Twilight there with Agni conversing with Rarity. 'What the heck?' He thinks to himself. "Oh, Lightning there you are darling. Did everything go ok?" Rarity asks. "Yeah, they have agreed now if you would excuse me I must make preparations." Lightning says unfurling his wings. "Of course darling. You best do your job well after all." Rarity said as she starts to walk back to Ponyville. Lightning takes off and flies away as Twilight yells. "Wait Lightning!" Lightning was soon out of sight. Lightning landed at the house where Nikolai was staying at and knocks on the door. The heavy thumping puts a strain on his ears and then even more once the door opens. "Hey Lightning!" Nikolai yells over the music. "What?!" Lightning yells. "Hold on a second! Vinyl we have a guest!" Nikolai yells. The music finally stops as Lightning starts to rub his ears clear of the muffling. "Won't work. You have to live with it to fix it." Nikolai muffled voice said. "Nikolai round them up, we move soon." Lightning says with a serious face and Nikolai nods. "Vinyl, Octavia, I'm going out for a bit I'll back soon." Nikolai yells. "K bud, make sure you get back soon. And make sure you come back with some milk too. We're out of two percent." Vinyl told him. "You got it." Nikolai yells in before closing the door. "You get the one on the coast and I'll get the other two." Lightning says. Nikolai nods and files off to the coast while Lightning starts flying off to the farm. Landing at apple farm's entrance he starts to follow the path to see if they are working themselves to the bone like Nikolai had described. He walks up to Applejack who was working by herself. "Hey Applejack." Lightning says nasally covering his nose. Applejack sighs through her mask as she tries to rub all the gunk off her hooves on the ground. "Hya Lightning, now's not really the best time." She told as she looks to the rest of the crap on the area. "I need your two employees for something important." Lightning says in a nasally voice. "Take them! I lost a bet thanks to them." Applejack yells frustrated with the end result. "Thanks." Lightning says leaving. He walks up to the two who were resting against a tree. "Get your things we have work to do." Lightning says. They quickly move as they head back to Lightning's house. Later that night the three stallions were talking in the dark. "Nikolai brought you both up to speed right?" Lightning asks. The two newcomers look over themselves to check over their equipment. "One more time to make sure." Alexander said. "Ok, we have confirmed Lord Borrows is a collaborator with the Dominion and Nether gate is here assisting him. We also have confirmed all of the recent monsters from the Chamleonsaurus to the Diablos were his doing. We also know he has more so we are going to search the only place with enough room for them the Barrow's mine in ten days, but before that. Apollo I have another mission for you." Lightning says. Apollo looks at him as he test his bow opening and close, each time making a sound. "What's the objective?" "Search all of the factories owned by lord Barrows even if just partially and look for anything that might help." Lightning says. "Well this will be fun. Where's the map and first one?" Apollo asks. Lightning hoofs him the map. "The first one will be the farthest one from all them. It's newly built so there may be some construction equipment still on site. I'm sure you can use those." Apollo takes the map and looks it over before packing it away and then pulls up his mask. "Let's get this done." "Alexander we will stay here and Apollo if you are not back on the night of the tenth night we will commence the mission." Lightning informs. "Oh please, I always meet the deadline. No matter what." Apollo smirks under his mask before swooping away fast into the darkness. "Now we wait Alexander." Lightning says as Alexander nods. Ten Days Later For the last nine days Twilight had been digging for as much information as possible on Lightning Bolt. And what she has so far is frustrating. Only the fact that of where he comes from, what power he has, and what he did, but that's not enough for any motive of any kind of why he is here. The fact he hadn't been seen in the last nine days along with those three other stallions also made her suspicious. Hearing a knock at her door she packs away all the notes she has in Lightning and goes to answer it. It was Rainbow Dash when she opens it. "Hey Twi, have you seen Lightning?" Rainbow asks. Twilight shakes her head. "Nah, have you tried his home?" Twilight asks. "Yeah there is no pony there but Hurricane." Rainbow says. "And even she couldn't tell you where he was?" Twilight asks taking some tea with sugar. "She wouldn't say. Twilight...I'm scared that Lightning is involved in something dangerous again." Rainbow says getting worried. Twilight huffs. "Oh please, he's a tough enough stallion..." Twilight was cut off by Rainbow. "He almost died last time, Twilight!" Twilight looks to side. "Still alive." She simply said. "That's was heartless Twilight. After all he has been teaching you magic you could never learn otherwise." Rainbow says. Twilight raises an eyebrow. "He's keeping secrets Rainbow. That's a good reason to be suspicious of him." "And you don't?" Rainbow asks. "You're blinded by your love for him!" Twilight yells. "Now you're just diverting the subject. Twilight, your paranoia is taking control of you." Rainbow counters. "Oh really. Has he at least told you everything he does?" Twilight asks. "Do you expect everypony to tell you every detail of their lives Twilight? He is hiding things I admit but I think he's hiding painful memories. He has already told us he has seen ponies die before." Rainbow reminds. "Yeah and that's what wrong. There is something going on right now and Lightning is in on it. Of that I'm sure." Twilight said confidently. "Oh yeah, he is responsible for all the monsters Twilight, that is why he risked his life and nearly died fighting them." Rainbow says sarcastically. Twilight glares at her. "Get out." Rainbow huffs and leaves slamming the door behind her, leaving the estranged unicorn alone. Twilight sighs and turns her head to the table where she kept the notes, but decided not open them again and heads for the kitchen, thinking that some food will clear her head. As she eats she remembers when she went to see Nikolai to try to learn more but wound up talking to Vinyl after learning he hasn't been there recently. Asking even her shows that even Nikolai hasn't told much, but that may be attributed to the fact that pony doesn't go into personal lives much. But then she remembered what Vinyl told her. "Yeah, he hasn't said much but now that I think on it there was something weird. You see after one of my gigs I got him to join me for drinks and kinda drank him under the table and when I tried to arouse him I noticed his wing moved oddly and when I picked him up with my magic to head home he was far heavier than I thought he would be, of course that could have been from the fact I was half smashed at the time." Twilight thinks heavily on that. That particular stallion is heavier and one of his wings is acting weird under something that is involuntary but should be the same among all the pegasus stallion. That is strange, but the source was shady at best. Especially if it comes from the craziest DJ around. The two other Stallions haven't been around long enough to learn anything either, but they definitely are up to something especially for that darken clothed stallion. Before Twilight could think of anything further she felt something hug her hind leg. Looking back she saw Agni. "Oh Agni, sorry did I wake you?" Twilight asked. Agni shakes his head and jumps up on the table to nibble on some of the food before sitting down on his rump and looking at her. "Ok, but just a little." Twilight says before sending magic into Agni's mouth. Agni smiles while keeping his mouth open and starts to gulp down the magic that is sent down his mouth. Once finished he closes his mouth and licks his lips while rubbing his belly. 'Well at least Lightning gave me you.' Twilight thought. "Okay Agni, why don't you head off for some sleep?" Agni just nods no. "Okay, what, you want to play?" Twilight asks and Agni nods. "Okay, what do you want to play?" Agni runs off to hide. Twilight smiles before closing her eyes and starts to count. "One, two, three, four…" Angi smiles as he runs around the home, looking for a place to hide. Before he ends up in the main room and hides behind the fireplace his flames from his back blending in perfectly with the fire. "Eighteen, nineteen, twenty. Ready or not here I come!" Twilight calls out. She gets and starts to look around the kitchen. Seeing nothing was moved she heads to main room. She keeps looking, checking everywhere she could think. Until she remembers that he loves fire. "Oh, where are you?" She plays out. Twilight starts to head for fireplace. "Oh, I wonder where he is. Maybe he's outside or…" She grabs Agni with her magic and pulls him out of the fireplace and into her hooves. "Right here." She giggled. Angi cheers and snuggles into her coat. Twilight smiles as she looks to Agni. "What was I thinking?" Twilight says when she suddenly remember something Lightning said in a lesson. "So Lightning, when we came looking for you we notice a huge cage obviously used to transport that Wyvern." Twilight says. "Yes, it's like I hypothesized. Those creatures weren't there by natural causes. Which begs the question, where are they coming from?" Lightning says. "You mean you don't know?" Twilight asks. "If I did I would do something about them." Lightning says. "Could that be it? Could he have finally tracked the monsters?" Twilight wondered out loud. Agni looks up at her question. Twilight smiles down at him. "Sorry Agni. Do you want to play more or something else?" Agni jumps out of her hooves and heads for the door. Twilight becomes curious and follows. Agni opens the door by jumping on the handle and turning it before letting go and opening the door. He then heads out with Twilight following. Agni eventually led her to Rarity's shop where she found Rainbow and Rarity talking. Angi runs up to them and jumps up and down. "Hi there little Agni. What are you doing here?" Rarity asks taking Agni in her hooves. "I think he wanted me to come and talk with Rainbow." Twilight says at the door. They both look to the door and Rainbow frowns. "One chance Twilight. That's all you're getting." Rainbow warns. "I think I figured out what Lightning is doing." Twilight says. "Oh brother. You just lost your chance." Rainbow said heading for the door. "I think he found where all the creatures have been coming from." Twilight says freezing Rainbow. Rainbow sighs and sits down still facing away them. "I know he does this, but he does it to protect me and everypony around him. He does it so nopony else has to." "Rainbow there is something else, remember that huge cage?" Twilight reminds her. Rainbow slightly turns to them. "Yeah." "I think Lightning figured out who was behind that as well if he found the creatures." Twilight says. "Knowing him, he's probably going to make sure that it doesn't happen again." Rainbow smiles lightly, but pained. "Rainbow in this time, I have come to realize only somepony with power and influence could do this. So Lightning might be walking into a trap." Twilight says. Rainbow frowns. "He might, but knowing him, he might make it without too much trouble." "Rainbow we have to help." Twilight pleaded. "Wow Twilight, this is a 180 from just a few minutes ago." Rainbow says. "I know, but he did help us through a lot and is now in possible trouble. He helps us, we help him." Twilight pleaded. "Excuse me darling the sentiment is all fine and good but do you know where to start?" Rarity asks while ticking Agni. "No, but we know somepony who does. But first let's get the rest of the girls." Twilight says. "You ready?" Lightning asks the other four stallions. "Why do you think we're here?" Nikolai said. "Alright, Edward, Nikolai brought you up to date right?" Lightning asks. A stallion wearing a hooded outfit with armor plates on his hooves and chest area. A belt hangs on him carrying many pouches that may hold whatever he needs. "Of course. But this better bloody come out right, because I left my ship for this. You know how much I love my ship." Edward said. "It will now, let's meet our friends." Lightning says hopping down the hole. The rest of them looks down the hole. "I am not doing a leap of faith in this." Edward said hearing the roughness of what Lightning is going through. "Oh just do it." Alexander says pushing him into the hole. "Damn you, Alexander!" Edward yells as he falls down the hole. The three others jump down as well after him. Soon they came to stop at the bottom of the shaft and landed on top of one another. "I thinking I landed on something sharp." Apollo said. "That's my weapon." Edward told him. "Good thing it hit your armor." Nikolai says getting out of the dog pile. Apollo gets up and shakes himself free of the dust. "Yeah, good thing." He looks to where he got hit and just rubs at it. "Unless it's a mare, stop rubbing at it." Edward told him as he walks past him. "Enough it's time for business." Lightning says walking towards the light. "Missed pun for 'Don't go into the light.'" Nikolai said. "I said enough!" Lightning yells emerging into a large area. They soon came onto a large amount dogs running and gathering weapons. Lightning saw the three lead dogs and headed for them. "We're here." "Good, we managed to get a few clans to join us for this." Rover says. "Even better." Lightning said smiling. "Just remember, we do this and win, we get the mine." Runt warns. "And free our brethren." Rover says. "If you guys are set let's go to Lord Barrow's mines." Lightning said heading back up the cave system. Rover gives a sign and all dogs starts to follow the ponies to where they need to go. Soon after a few days walk they made it to galloping gorge. "Ok we haven't been spotted yet start digging here." Lightning said pointing to spot in front of him while looking to the large mine system on the side of the gorge. "Dig dogs." Rover commanded and soon the dig dogs were digging away. "Commander Hurricane, I know you know where Lightning went." Twilight says as they sat in the kitchen in Lightning's home. Hurricane takes a piece of pie sitting on the table and takes a bit. "I may, but may not. And even if I did you know I wouldn't tell anything." "Why not?" Rainbow asks. She leans forward. "Because families protect other family members." "But we want to help him because he could be walking into a trap." Applejack says. She throws the piece up in the air and eats it in one go. "And you know as well as I do that he can take care of himself." "But he might be in trouble." Rarity says. "Like I said, he can take of himself. Besides how much can he get himself into?" Hurricane said grinning knowing what she just did. Lightning sneaks into one of the mines of Lord Burrows and surveys the area. He signals some of the dogs to emerge from the tunnel and they moves out to take position. They look over the edge in silence as they watch Diamond Dogs in chains working away with bad conditions on them. "Let's go." Rover said as he moves out. "No wait, there are sentries over there with crossbows. We go now they will sound the alarm. We have to take them out first." Lightning says Rover huffs. "Alright, now hurry and take them out then we'll move to get them out." Lightning nods and turns to Apollo "Apollo you're up." Lightning orders. Apollo unsheathes his bow and loads two arrows. He then let's go and the arrows fly. They both hit both their marks and both ponies collapse. "Now you may." Lightning says. The dogs quickly rush down and starts to head for their own kind. The dogs quickly got to work and starts to unlock the chains and sometimes breaking them with their own weapons. "Alexander go with Rover and assist them, the rest of us will search ahead." Lightning orders. Alexander nods and heads off to help. After he left Lightning turns to the rest of them. "Apollo go scout on ahead and tell us what you find. And if you see Lord Barrows, tell us immediately. We need to take him down fast." Lightning says and the stallion saluted and swooped off. After a few minutes Apollo returned. "I found they but they are guarded by Nethergates and I saw a Dominion Centurion and I recognized him as Levinat." Apollo says. "Are you sure?" Edward asks. "Absolutely." Apollo says. "Leave Levinat to me. I have a grudge to settle." Edward told them. "Move then." Lightning orders and they started moving that way silently. When they came to the cavern they saw many cages with creatures inside them and many Nethergate assassins patrolling and overhead overseeing it all was an earth pony in Centurion armor with a purple rhino helmet. "Okay, Apollo, get all the sentries." Lightning orders. Apollo nods and swoops off. Soon the sentries fell and their bodies were pulled into the darkness. "Done." Apollo said swooping in by them. "Still want to learn that." Edward comments. "Later." Apollo told him. "Ok, Edward you have a few minutes then we start." Lightning says. Edwards nods and starts to walk along the secondary beams to walk over Levinat. Soon reaching over him he jumps off and readies his weapon in midair. Coming down he was about to strike before Levinat moves away and pulls out his weapons and blocks the attack. "Hello Edward." Levinat hisses. "Bloody die, already!" Edwards yells. "Let's go!" Lightning tells his team. They ran out surprising the Nethergate assassins. The nearest one was unfortunately ran through with a sword before he could react by Lightning. Apollo start shooting his arrows killing any that came into his sights as Nikolai was using his agility to start killing Nethergate assassin at random. Meanwhile Edward had taken out his sword and started out a duel with Levinat. "You will die by my hoof today!" He yells at him. "You can try." Levinat said calmly blocking another attack. "Oh, I've been busy, all your crew involved in killing Thatch are already dead and now you're the only one last one now." Edward says pointing a sword at him. Levinat swipes at the sword outstretched to him and then tries to stab him. Fortunately Edward dodges and tries to counter it. "Then come get me." Levinat taunted. Edward outstretches his arm and a mini lightning crossbow bow pierces Levinat's sword hoof making it numb from the nerves dying. "Damn you." Levinat hisses. "I still fight like a pirate and we use anything to win." Edward reminds and redoubles his assault. Levinat swipes away at the sword coming at him and counters each one. "Still can't get me." But he didn't expect Edward to unsheathe a second sword and Edward stared fighting with a dual sword style. Levinat tried his best to defend but he received a gash every so often. "Like I said, a pirate" Edward says faking him out and stabbing both swords though his back and lifts him up before throwing him over the edge and off his swords. Levinat hit the ground hard and was bleeding badly. He started to try and crawl away when he heard a claw slam behind him. Looking back scared he sees he landed inside one of the topless cages. "Fuck." Edward lands besides the cage and knocks on the cage with his sword as he walks by. "Now I would have killed you, but I feel right that you could feel like your own prisoners." Levinat screams were then heard as the creature ripped him apart. "Rest in peace Thatch." Edward says cutting down a Nethergate assassin trying to sneak up behind him. Lightning and the rest of the stallions were finished fighting as the last one fell from the stab he received. "Finally." "What about the creature?" Nikolai asks as the creature still rips apart the body. "It's not going anywhere for now and will provide enough proof for the princesses to act." Lightning says. "Oh, I don't know about that." A voice rang out. "Dolph!" Lightning says with great anger turning to where the voice came from. "Well, well, this is quite a surprise. I didn't expect any of you to be here." Dolph says in an emotionless tone. "What do you mean?" Lightning asks. "Well, you see, Princess Celestia and Luna won't be in a position to do anything after what we just did and Saddle Arabia won't be able to do anything with our little hostage." Dolph says still in an emotionless tone. "Hostage?" Lightning said warily. "Why yes, the young prince." Dolph says causing Lightning's eyes to widen in shock. A knife embeds itself in the wall near where Dolph stood. "That's a warning shot. Next one goes to you. Now let the prince go and maybe we can come to an agreement." Edward warns. Dolph huffs. "I don't think you will considering that I know where he is and…" He couldn't continue as he gets grabbed from behind, immobilizing him. "What the devil?!" "Hiya." He looks behind him to see a glowing blue eye. "How about you tells us where the young prince is and maybe we'll let you go." "Never!" Apollo shrugs. "Have it your way." He pushes Dolph off the second floor and onto the ground below near the cage. The creature slams into the cage bars to get its new prey, but couldn't. Dolph jumps back a little in shock. When he turns back to his attackers to see them crowding up on him. "I'm going to get the prince." Apollo said to them. "Don't bother, I know where they are keeping him. Your being here is a challenge isn't it?" Lightning asks. Dolph just looks nonchalantly in the distance. "By whatever do you mean dear Lightning? I'm just overseeing everything. Nothing personal." "I will see you soon enough. Men we are withdrawing." Lightning orders. The three stallions reluctantly withdrew with Lightning, leaving Dolph slightly confused. They met up with Alexander halfway back. "The Diamond Dogs are free and Rover is leading them out." Alexander informs. "Good, back to Ponyville immediately. Something bad has happened." Lightning says worried about what Clipsy has to say. They trudge back through the mine and to the tunnel where Rover and his dogs were overseeing the escape. "Did you find all of them?" Lightning asks. Rover huffs. "Yep, some idiot brought out every single dog out here to dig new tunnels connecting to the existing ones. Never made it far because of us." "Good to hear some good news but we have a big problem." Lightning says. Rover glares at him. "You better not be backing down on your promise." "No I'm not but their allies have struck and did something to Princess Celestia and Luna which means the Dominion are close to invading." Lightning says worried. Rover calms down and sighs. "So, no mine for a while?" "Maybe we will see, but you best tell all your clans this cause when they invade they either exterminate a majority of a populace and enslave the rest when it comes to anything besides earth ponies." Lightning conveying how serious the situation is. Rover sighs. "Then you need more help." "We all do because they already used your kind as slaves and the only way we escape that fate is if we all band together." Lightning says. Rover grins. "Exactly which is why you need allies that have been getting away with it." "Yeah, that's why I'm asking you to try and rally all the Diamond Dog clans." Lightning says. "I didn't mean our kind." Rover clarified. Lightning just gets confused. "Then who are you talking about?" Rover grins. "We'll help, but only if you get the Changelings on your side." "You know where they are?" Lightning asks. Rover just shrugs. "Of course. We encountered them a bunch of times between Smoky Mountain and White Tail Woods. I'm sure that you could make a little detour there, enter a hive, and cut a deal. When done meet us at our old place because I'm leaving a few dogs here to prepare this mine for us, but still need to move out all the other stuff back at ours. We will all meet at the castle once we're all met and done." "I'll do that, but first there is a matter closer to home I must deal with. I hope we both live through what is to come Rover." Lightning says extending a hoof. Rover huffs and takes his hoof. "Same to you. Now if you'll excuse me. I have to deal some of the dogs getting onto the females." He then turns around and sees something. "Hey! Now's not the time for that!" He yells out. When Lightning and the other four stallions make it back to Ponyville, he notices several royal guards are now here. 'So word has already reached huh, good, will make things far easier for us. I had hoped I wouldn't have to reveal us but I guess there is no helping it.' Lightning thinks. "Geez." Apollo said as he looks around. "This isn't even close to what I had when I was in Stalliongrad." "Are you right in the head?" Edward piped up. "I have to deal with this every day when I was a pirate." "Quiet you two we are about to talk to royalty." Lightning says as they make their way to the library. Entering, after being allowed passage from the guards out front, they came onto the three princesses and Eclipse, who was very much crying, and the mane six with Spike standing in the back making something. Once they entered all of the eyes in the room looks to them making them feel slightly uneasy. Lightning examined Celestia and Luna and could feel their magical aura significantly drained. 'So that's the problem. But the country is as strong as the citizens. I just hope this place can hold it.' Lightning thinks walking over to Eclipse. "I encountered Dolph and he told me everything." Lightning says and Eclipse sadly nods. "Where could they have taken him?" She asks shakily. "Lord Burrow's estate." Lightning says instantly. "What is going on?" Twilight suddenly asks. Lightning sighs and turns to her. "Twilight we have multiple international incidents and a war on the borders at here and back on the other side. Feeling like investigating some more, because I'll tell you now this is a high stakes game where all of Equestria is in the balance?" Lightning says. "Sounds like you know what exactly is going on." Spitfire's voice says behind him. "Indeed I do sister." Lightning answers turning around. "Celestia called you?" Spitfire shakes her head. "In times of great crisis the Wonderbolts are called in for aerial war. The show thing is just a front." "I see, well let me make it completely clear what is happening. The Dominion Empire is making its move to conquer Equestria. One of their three assassin groups called Nethergate has kidnapped the prince of Saddle Arabia in an attempt to block Equestria from joining the growing alliance against them and through most likely soul gems have stolen a great deal of power for Princess Celestia and Luna to cripple both of them for the upcoming war and shake the nation's resolve." Lightning explains. "How do we counter these Soul Gems?" Luna asks. "Gosh, I got a headache." She said as she holds both of her hooves against her head. Spike gives her an aspirin and a glass of water which she takes. "Thanks." "Shatter them before they are used, but since they already stole your magic with them they can use them as batteries to power some form of magic now, maybe even a ritual." Lightning says. "Of course." Celestia spoke up. "Make us look weak also and the country will lose its moral and the will to fight." "Yes, but if you show that you are not out, then the citizens will take a chance and help. They can see that even though you're weakened you still stand strong in times like these. And you don't use magic to help along, just pure will." Lightning said. "How do you know all of this?" Twilight asks suspiciously. Lightning sighs. "To answer that let me reintroduce myself. I am Lightning Bolt, head general of the armies of Stalliongrad, arch mage of the college of Siberia, thane of all seven provinces of Stalliongrad, former level six hunter of the Stalliongrad hunters, and currently one of the leading figures in the alliance against the Dominion empire." Lightning finishes. To say the princess were shocked was an understatement, standing before them was one of the most influential ponies of Stalliongrad and they never knew. Especially Rainbow, who was shell shocked at everything now. "I have fought the Dominion even before we gained our independence from them in Stalliongrad." Lightning continued. "I always knew there was something you weren't telling us. But I never expected this." Twilight says. Lightning sighs. "Well, now you know." He then makes a glaring look at something. "Yet, we are not of the woods yet. Apollo!" Apollo immediately let loose an arrow through the window. On the other side of the smashed window came a pained cry as a thud follows. The stallions immediately went outside as soon as the arrow was let loose, with the others following. Outside they find a stallion in an outfit that Celestia and Luna immediately recognized. "That's one of the ponies who attack us." Luna says. The stallion tries to get, but… "Don't even try it laddie." He looks up to see a lot of glaring faces at him, some with weapons and attacks at the ready. "Guards, I think you know your duty." Lightning says walking back into the library where Ice Fang, Azure, and Agni were playing. Lightning looks upon them with a pained face, knowing that this won't be happening much in the coming days. "Alright guys. Come on." "Wait, I'm coming too. It's my duty to protect the prince." They heard a hurt voice say. Looking at the origin Lightning sees Kite injured. "You're far too injured. If you come you will only die." Lightning warns. Kite huffs. "You really think after that speech you gave to the princesses that I'm going to back down. Forget it!" Lightning walks up to her. "Sorry." Lightning says before knocking her out gently. "I don't like letting ponies martyr themselves." Lightning says. "Lightning there is something you should know before you go." Eclipse says. Lightning looks back at her. "Do you know who Midnight's father could be?" She asks gently. Lightning just nods his head no. "Think Lightning, think hard. Who was the only pony with me?" Lightning starts to remember all the times he has been with her, yet through all that the only pony was… "No." He whispers. "Yes, Midnight is your foal." Eclipse said gently with tears starting to fall. "Why did you never tell me?" Lightning asks trying to stay calm. "I thought it would be easier on both of us if I kept quiet." Eclipse admits with tears falling. "You know how bad a lie would get Eclipse." Lightning said still trying to process all this. "And now this is far worse for Dolph, now it's personal." Lightning said, hatred and rage were clear in his eyes. "Lightning remember what you told me about revenge. You could hurt the one you're fighting for." Eclipse warns. "This isn't about revenge, this is about getting my son back." Lightning told her now walking out. "Twilight I have one of the biggest favors I will ever ask you." Lightning says to her which makes her perk her ears at him. Twilight, wearing her Grand Galloping Gala dress, along with the others, in their dresses, walk through the giant door into one of the biggest ballrooms she has ever seen. Sighing she turns to the stallions. "Okay, you both know what to do right?" "This isn't the first time." Alexander says straightening out the bow on his tuxedo. "I hate dresses." Rainbow says walking past them. "Oh, ho, ho, Princess Twilight, I am so pleased you answered my invitation. You honor me so much with your presence. Why, it is such an honor just to greet you that…" Lord Burrows was then interrupt. "That is enough father, we don't want the princess to feel uncomfortable." A lean blue stallion with blond hair in a red tuxedo with a small blue cape says. "Oh yes, quite right. Oh princess Twilight allow me to introduce my son and heir, Euram Burrows." Lord Burrows introduces. "It is an honor my princess." Euram says with a dignified voice and bows slightly. "Oh um...the pleasure is all mine." She said right back inclining her head. 'Thanks for the quick lessons Luna.' "Thank you your highness." Euram says getting up. "Now I believe you and your friends want to join the party so we'll leave you and your friends to mingle. Come along father." He said walking away. "Oh very right my son." Lord Burrows says following Euram. "Wow, talk about the apple falling far from the tree." Applejack commented. "I know. It's like he hates all of this and just wants it done. Any case…" She turns back to Apollo and Edward. "You two better get into positions." Twilight says. "You got it. Nikolai, Alexander we leave their safety to you." Apollo says swooping into the shadows and starting to climb the pole in darkness with Edward following. Outside, Lightning is stealthily making his way through the underground caverns. 'When I get my hooves on you...oh boy, there will be Tartarus to pay.' Lightning curses. Soon he ends up onto some tracks. "Okay, now the mine that started it all for his family will also bring him down." He starts to walk along the tracks, missing each board to not make a sound in the echoic cave. "Ok, I best keep moving." Lightning says outstretching his wings. He then pushes off the ground before getting into a small flapping maneuver that barely makes a sound and starts to move forward. 'Sure hope they are doing ok.' Lightning thinks. 'What did I get myself into?' That was question running through Alexander's head. 'This mare can barely dance as it is.' He was right on one thing. Twilight is a pretty bad dancer in any style. "Ow." Alexander said quietly as Twilight steps on another of his hooves with Twilight giving another 'Sorry.' to him. The party continued on a little longer until Lord Burrows made an announcement. "Everypony it is time for the entertainment. If you would please follow the guards." All of Twilight's group were not expecting this and just followed along. 'Finally, there is a light up ahead.' Lightning thinks flying right into the light. All the nobles were taken lead to what looked like the top of a large cage. Looking down to all of their shock Lightning Bolt was at the bottom. "Oh, ho, it seems we have a little extra entertainment tonight my friends. Now you may start placing your bets as we unleash the creatures!" Lord Burrows exclaims as a cage door slams behind Lightning, trapping him, and two larger cage doors start to open. All of Twilight's group looks on in shock at what is about to happen as a foot and a claw comes into the light from each of the cages. 'No.' Soon the bodies comes into view. 'It can't be.' Then finally the heads, revealing itself to be two Wyverns. Right now, Lightning had one thing on his mind. "OH, BUCK ME!" He said rolling his head around and snapping it back forward. Author's Note Primus: We're very evil aren't we? Leaving Lightning like that is very harsh in itself. But this whole thing turned out great didn't it? Flair: Oh, this got serious and tense all at once. Primus: Still we hope you enjoyed our little evil cliffhanger. Let's hope you can stay on till the next time. Oh and here is our word count: It's over 9000! Just to note, I hate DBZ, but the memes are good.
Wishful Thinking Typhoon groans as she opens her eyes and looks around before she sees Umbra sitting on a chair by her. "Uncle?" Umbra smiles as he leans back in his seat. "Hey little filly. You feeling okay?" "I feel like I have a headache." Typhoon says. Umbra nods. "Yes, that is expected after what you went through. What do you remember?" "A salad." Typhoon says unexpectedly. Umbra sweatdropped as he gives a lopsided smile. "Want some breakfast?" "Where is my brother?" Typhoon asks half awake. Umbra sighs. "He's training with your father. You're going to do the same with me. He also said go to the training grounds when you woke up." Typhoon looks around for a bit. "Now right?" Umbra nods and helps her out. "Come on." He said putting her on the ground and leading her out. "Don't be jealous of your brother when you get out there." "Ok, I'm going." Typhoon says. Umbra smiles as he leads her out and they come across the training yard where Lightning and Rainbow were watching Talion meditate. "Dad?" Typhoon calls. "Hey sweetheart." Lightning says pulling her into a hug. Typhoon pushes him off a bit. "Dad, what happened?" "I will explain later." Lightning says before Rainbow snatches her and hold her close. "My baby." Rainbow said snuggling her. "Mom?" Typhoon asks. Rainbow looks her over. "Are you okay?" "Yeah, feel like I have a headache though." Typhoon says causing Rainbow to start petting her head. Typhoon purrs as Talion awoke. "Sis!" "Yeah brother." Typhoon says. Talion rushes and jumps onto the bench as Rainbow puts her down and Talion hugs her. "Are you okay?" "I'm fine, have a little bit of a headache though." Typhoon says. Talion smiles as he keeps hugging her. "Alright Talion. That's enough hugging your sister back to sleep. Back to training." Lightning said smiling. Talion stops and turns to Lightning. "Yes father." He says as Lightning walks over and ruffles Typhoon's mane a bit. Typhoon looks up to him. "Dad, what happened?" She asks as Talion goes back to his spot and started meditating again. "Magic related. You will come to understand during your studies on it. Now Rainbow, I believe it is time for us to give Typhoon the introductory speech that we gave Talion." Lightning says. Typhoon looks between the both of them. "What?" "Your father has decided it is time for him to teach you both magic." Rainbow says. Typhoon looks to Talion. "So…what am I going to do?" "For now, listen to us." Lightning says before reciting the speech given to everypony that enrolls in the Winterhold College. They both just tilt their head at him. "So what's next?" They both ask. "A live demonstration." Lightning says before pointing his hoof at a target used for archery practice and shoots a bolt of lightning that obliterates most of the target and the remains were ablaze. "Cool!" Typhoon cheers. "Let me try." "You are not yet ready to call upon the apprentice level spell, Lightning Bolt, my excitable little filly." Lightning says smiling at her. Umbra leans over to him. "You do realize that she can't do that, right?" He whispers. Lightning pushes him away. "You got to learn the basics first like calling forth your magic." Lightning says. Talion smiles. "How do we do that?" "That is lesson number one." Lightning says smiling at them. They both cheer and hop around as Rainbow smiles. "Wow, they are excited." "Come on Rainbow, we got to teach them." Lightning says blowing Umbra away with a fan. Umbra tries to swim after them. "Hey! Hey! Hey!" Lightning chuckles as he walks away with his family. Umbra growls. "Bastard! Shut it off!" Lightning ignores him as they leave the room with Umbra still trapped in the fan's wind tunnel. Typhoon looks back at him. "What's wrong with him?" "He can't beat the fan of death." Lightning says smirking. Typhoon giggles. "Uncle's funny." "So you ready to meet with your half brother?" Lightning asks Talion and Typhoon who were dressed. They both nods. "Uh huh." They both said. "But do we have to wear these?" Typhoon asks as she moves the dress a bit looser. "Only for opening ceremony. After the greeting, we will move to the ballroom where you can change into something more comfortable." Lightning says petting her head. Typhoon purrs. "So who is he?" "Your older brother, Midnight." Lightning says. They both smile and giggle as the horns sounded. "Look sharp." Lightning said standing straight as Twilight come out of the back room. "Sorry, had to get fitted for my stomach." She said standing by him. "Don't worry, they have yet to enter the main gate yet." Lightning informs as she takes her seat on the other throne. Both Talion and Typhoon couldn't keep themselves still as the door opened and some guards entered first before Midnight, grown up a bit and in regal clothes, came in. "Mr. and Mrs. Bolt. Pleasure to meet you." He said stopping at the steps to the throne. "And pleasure to meet you crown prince of Saddle Arabia." Lightning says as both he and Midnight were desperately struggling to hold back so to not burst out laughing from this. Midnight looks around and spies a few soldiers in the rafters. "How about we take this to the ballroom? I'm sure everypony is waiting for it." He said as most of the citizens there was chattering a bit quietly. "Very well." Lightning says as he and Twilight got up and lead the way. Midnight smiles as he follows them and sees Typhoon and Talion both grown up before they enter the ballroom. He quickly looks back and turns back to Lightning. "It's great to see you again dad." "Same here son." Lightning says before giving him a hug before anyone could see them. Midnight chuckles and looks to Typhoon and Talion and sees them rush off. "Well, time has passed." "Yeah, they have already begun their training in magic. It only seems like yesterday me and Rainbow were changing their diapers." Lightning says letting go. Midnight smiles. "So what has been going on?" "Mostly whipping these ponies into shape, had to put down a mini rebellion with one of my patrol groups already." Lightning says. Midnight leans over. "Didn't like your rule?" "Too brainwashed to think their former ruler was a goddess." Lightning says simply. Midnight smiles. "So where are they now?" "I had them secretly executed." Lightning says. Midnight looks to him. "I mean the old rulers." "One is around, she has taken to a role in our diplomatic division. The other one is off living in a cabin enjoying herself." Lightning says. Midnight chuckle. "Tell me one thing, how long has the one in the cabin been living without a partner?" "Unknown." Lightning says. Midnight shakes his head. "Took a couple of friends, didn't she?" "An entire patrol group. So four squads." Lightning says. Midnight smiled. "Oh well, at least she will enjoy life." "So how have you been son?" Lightning asks. Midnight sighs. "Here, there, everywhere." "Crazy?" Lightning asks. Midnight laughs. "Yeah, basically renewing the leases with everything we have. Since mom is bogged down a bit, I have go out." He said putting some papers quickly into Lightning's robe pocket. "My agents have sent word you are now the commander of a thousand soldiers." Lightning says acting casual. Midnight nods. "Yeah, but could do with some advisors and strategists. The ones I got are a little slow in some areas. Some of them are past their prime now." "Don't underestimate the old my son." Lightning says. Midnight smirks. "Like you?" "Was going to say like Galleon." Lightning says, his jaw twitched once. Midnight chuckles. "I miss you dad." "You punk." Lightning says making Midnight laugh. Midnight sighs. "Should we get eating or something?" "You're too much like me son." Lightning says as Talion and Typhoon returns, wearing comfortable clothing appropriate for the occasion. Midnight smiles as he looks to them. "Hi Talion. Hi Typhoooooo…" He stops as he sees her necklace. "Um…why are you wearing that?" "Don't ask in public." Lightning says to Midnight, immediately getting the meaning. Midnight then smiles. "Hi Typhoon." "Hi big brother." They say together. Midnight smiles. "So how have you been?" "We can do a little magic now." Typhoon says as Talion summons a very tiny whirlwind. Midnight looks to it with a sweatdrop. "Um…work on that." "They only have a week of learning so far." Lightning informs. Midnight looks to him. "And you told me one time that you figured out how to make a wall in three days." "Take into account the age, Talion and Typhoon are still foals and I was grown mostly. It's incredible for him to even make that." Lightning says. Midnight nods. "Okay, now then, can we eat?" "Sure son." Lightning says before they finally enter the ballroom. Midnight sighs. "Okay, what threats?" "I recently had the nobility informed they are to wear emblems, signifying their rank or for those in the military, their rank somewhere on their clothing." Lightning says. 'Ah, dad wants to test my observation skills.' Midnight says. Talion smiles as he grabs Typhoon and pulls them away to the dining table. "Come on big bro." Talion calls. Midnight smiles following, taking in every emblem or military rank he saw. "What do we got to eat?" Talion hums as he looks over the food. "Only good things are these chocolate." "No, they are cream brother." Typhoon says. Talion looks to Midnight. "What do you like?" "You eat little brother. I'll take care of myself." Midnight says smiling at him. Typhoon giggles and grabs some sandwiches. "I got mine." She said eating away before stopping. "Tastes like expensive poop." "Eat where dad is eating sister." Talion says. Typhoon looks to him. "He's at the meat section." Midnight grabs a piece of chicken from a tray nearby. "Tip, if you have sharp teeth, use em." He said taking a bite and looking around the room again. "Come on sis." Talion says trying to get her to go over where their mom was. Typhoon sighs and puts the sandwiches down. "Coming." She said getting off the tables and following him before someone steps in front of her. "Excuse me, can you at least clean up the mess?" A pony asks as he looks down at her. "You know, you are talking to king Lightning's daughter, right?" Midnight asks. The pony looks to him. "Yes, but could you young ones at least clean up the mess." "You know the last time somepony talked down to his daughter, I believe it made Lightning mad and he is looking at us, don't turn around." Midnight says whispering the last part. The pony huffs. "At least clean up." He said through clenched teeth. "Come on sis, take it to the garbage." Talion says. Typhoon smiles and picks up the sandwiches and throws them in the trash. "Happy?" She asks smirking at the pony. The pony nods slowly. "Yes." He said walking away. "Mark that one to be watched." Lightning whispers to a pony. The pony nods and walks away. "So dad, what else has been going on here?" Midnight asks chewing at his food. "Mostly preparing for war." Lightning says. Midnight nods. "Same here. Still working on the town." "You been keeping up your studies?" Lightning asks. Midnight groans. "Hate it, but yes." "Scenario 38 is?" Lightning asks. "Enemy has mistakenly taken a hill far from any natural water source. Solution, surround and besiege and slowly take it until they make a mistake and then swarm in and finish them." Midnight says. Lightning smiles. "Nice. Work on it. The second one could have been just let them starve to death. Ponies can only survive for three days without water and their food won't be a substitute. Now then, let's enjoy the day away." He said before chomping on a cookie. Talion quickly jumps up and takes the cookie. Lightning raises an eyebrow and grabs another before Typhoon does the same. "Alright you two, give daddy the cookies." "Nope, eating. Mommy told us to." Talion says. Lightning twitches an eye as they chomp down on their cookies. "Give daddy the cookies." "No." They both said before taking another bite. Lightning tries to smile. "Okay, here's how this is going to work out. You run away while I try to chase you." He said before they look to each other and put the cookies in their mouths and run off with Lightning chasing them. "Give me those cookies!" He yelled after them. Midnight chuckles and looks to Twilight. "So how's…what was her name? Um…my other mother?" "Twilight." Twilight says. Midnight smiles. "I know you're name. I meant my other mother." "You mean Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asks. Midnight nods. "Yeah, her. How is she?" "Over there laughing her flank off at that little show." Twilight says. Midnight giggles as he sees Rainbow still laughing her flank off. "Wow, things have changed. But why did you mention your name?" He asks looking to her with a look. "In case you forgot." Twilight says. Midnight sighs. "At least times here hasn't changed much." "And you look good. You remind me a little of your father, nephew." Spitfire says joining them. Midnight looks to her. "Hi auntie." "Hey my little nephew." Spitfire says before nooging him. Midnight chuckles and hugs her back. "How are you?" "Good, my boy is resting with your other siblings." Spitfire says. Midnight tilts his head. "You have a son?" "Yeah, he is a little ball of energy." Spitfire says. Midnight smiles. "He must be great. Mom sends her regards to everypony here." "Must be disappointed not to see Lightning." Spitfire jokes. Midnight chuckles. "Try jumping off the walls worried." "Oh, you're still her little baby colt, aren't you?" Spitfire teasingly whispers into his ear. Midnight groans. "Yes." Spitfire starts cracking up hearing that. Midnight sighs. "Oh well. Who else am I going to meet?" "General Kyou Kai of Stalliongrad is also here." Twilight says. "What, Lightning's number two?" Midnight asks surprised. Twilight nods. "Yes and…there was Daring Do and Silva." Spitfire chuckles. "Yeah, Silva was a bit shocked at that. And then there's you." Midnight looks a bit shocked. "So he didn't do it for the rule?" "You mean marrying your mother?" Twilight asks. Midnight shakes his head. "No, I mean he didn't marry you for the rule." He asks Twilight. "Oh no, I asked him to marry me so Equestria wouldn't fall into civil war. If not for that, we may never have married." Twilight says. Midnight sits a bit. "So it was never for love, just political?" "Well on my part, I guess I fell for him, but without realizing it, I buried it deep within my heart and when Luna told me the situation through a dream that it was my duty I brought the matter to High King Ulfric." Twilight says. Midnight just blinks. "You have been in love with my dad even before I met you?" "I'm unsure. I can't tell when these feeling came about." Twilight says. Spitfire chuckled and ruffle his mane. "Hey, fact of the matter is, she loves Lightning and he loves her as well. Let's live in the moment. Like they are." She said pointing to Lightning who had Talion and Typhoon in his hooves and having both cookies in his mouth. "Oh don't look now Midnight, but you are getting a few looks from the young mares." Twilight says. Midnight looks to the crowds and quickly looks away blushing a bit from the mares giggling. "I kinda like to know where um…Rainbow…came from. I kinda like those types." "Cloudsdale, like me." Spitfire says. Midnight sweatdrops. "I think I would look at it myself. Now where's that ramen?" He asks quickly walking off. "Saving that in the private room. Your father will be introducing that with the next trade shipment." Twilight whispers. Midnight stops as some of the mares get closer. "Is there a private room I have?" He asks quickly. Lightning suddenly leans over. "Behind the thrones. Private room." Midnight quickly rushes over and heads into the room as the guards cover the door. "Very like my brother." Spitfire says smirking. Twilight giggles. "Yeah, just as shy when he first met Rainbow." Lightning chuckles as he finishes the cookies and the twins glare at him. "Oh just get more." He said to them. They both huff and walk away. "Cheater." They called. "Having fun?" Rainbow asks. They both huff at her as Lightning chuckles. "Oh yeah. Had lots of fun. How are you feeling with all this trouble?" Rainbow shrugs. "Fine." Lightning smirks. "How about I get you to a private room and a chief for your food?" Rainbow looks to him desperately. "Please." "Ok, but you have to grab the foals." Lightning says. Rainbow quickly grabs the twins and they both yelp before Rainbow rushes out and heads to the rooms in the back. Lightning smiles as he follows. Twilight smirks. "Have fun Lightning dear." Lightning smirks as he smacks his tail in her face and she frowns at him before stopping and looking at his flank. "Twi, you're staring again." Spitfire said. "It's so firm." She whispers. Spitfire smirks and leans close. "Yeah and tough enough to send us crazy." She whispered. "Yeah." "Alright, talk. I know your mother sent you here for other things." Lightning said sitting in a chair and sipping at some tea. Midnight sighs and leans back in his seat. "It's the papers I gave you." Lightning quickly takes out the papers and looks them over. "Huh, soldiers at borders. Need reconnaissance." Midnight nods. "Yes, but the area is too used to us. She needs ones that are completely new to the area and tell us how the area looks like. Soldiers and everything." Lightning sighs. "Problem is we need to blend in and look normal. Which means…we need to place them in the culture of the area." Midnight sighs. "Buy a slave?" Lightning nods. "Yep. And I hate it. Entei, two squads of Specters." Entei looks up from his meal. "Yes sir. But we need something more plausible. Something more into the area. Which is…how is it?" Midnight looks to him. "Middle class, some businesses and farms. Still, scouts report slave auctions. Mostly the nobles of the area and surrounding ones are coming in." Entei looks to Lightning. "I need a good young noble. Know anypony?" Lightning thinks on that. "Maybe…I don't know. Most of the noble stallions and younger ones may be corrupted by this." "What do you need help with?" Talion asks looking up from his meal. "Hum…ah, I know. Eurum is young." Lightning says a plan forming. Entei nods. "Yes, that might work. He is completely new to the area, right?" Midnight shrugs. "Well I haven't seen him much. And mom makes me see most of the nobles around so if I hadn't seen him, then those towns might not have as well. Why not making it more convincing and send a younger brother, say he's buying a slave for him?" Lightning nods. "Yes, young noble, training his younger brother in the ways of the culture. That would definitely work and we save a slave in the process or two if given the money." Lightning suddenly feels a shiver from his back. "Your son, right?" He heard whispering in his ear. Lightning smiles. "Talion can go, learn what he's up against if the time comes." Talion looks up with some bread in his mouth. Umbra growls. "I need to speed up your daughter's training. Don't worry, its stealth and some attacks in case of one." Lightning nods. "Granted. Entei, get the squads together and send a letter to Eurum about this situation. Have him come over. I need to go talk to my foals for a bit. Thanks for bringing this Midnight, it's going to really help with some training I'm giving them." Midnight smiles. "No problem." "I'll be back soon son." Lightning says walking out. Midnight watches as he leaves. "Sure thing dad." "Kai." Lightning says in his study alone. Kai comes in as she held a frown. "Yes?" "First, come here." Lightning says pulling her into a hug and kisses her sneaking his tongue into her mouth. Kai smiles into the kiss and giggles a little before she lets go. "Cutie. So what do you need?" "You know what I will need." Lightning says going protective father. Kai sighs. "I'll try to watch, but I'm going to need a pretty good makeup artist. Then there's the clothes." "Not you specifically, send Entei and all his ghosts here." Lightning says. Kai sighs and nods. "Sure, give me a sec." She said sitting down. "Also, when all the foals are tucked in and sleeping. I want you, Daring, and Silva to report to my chambers." Lightning says. Kai smirks. "Wow, you want all of us?" "Yes, yes I do." Lightning says before kissing her. Kai giggles into the kiss. "You sure are making us blush at times." Lightning smirks. "I know, I'm awesome." "You are good." Kai says leaning into him. Lightning smiles and heads back to his desk. "Get them now. We got some big things in front of us." "I know. We won't get much sleep for a while." Kai says before nuzzling his chest. Lightning holds her and puts a hoof on her head and kisses her forehead. "Such a good mistress." "So son, you have a mare of your own yet?" Lightning asks the next morning at breakfast causing Midnight to choke on his food a bit. Midnight swallows the food now. "What makes you think that?" "Just asking?" Lightning says curious about his reaction. Midnight glares a bit. "Hey, my life and my business in love life." "Just asking son." Lightning says, Rainbow sending him a smirk. Midnight frowns. "There is no one." He said quietly. "Oh?" Lightning asks. Midnight sighs and pokes at his food. "How's…um…those earth ponies? What was their names?" Lightning just sat there waiting with a smile. Rainbow snickers into her hoof. "Apple Bloom." She whispers his way. Midnight nods. "Yeah, her. Wonder what's going on with her?" He asks without noticing. "Rainbow?" Lightning asks after leaning over. "Got it." Rainbow says walking off with a smirk. Midnight looks at her. "Where's she going?" "An errand needs to be ran." Lightning says as Talion and Typhoon walk in sleepy. Midnight smiles as he looks over to them. "Hey guys. What are you doing here?" "Need food." Both say in unison. Lightning chuckles. "Come and get it. We got exotic food now." Both foals climb into their chairs and look to the food before starting to eat. Lightning smiles as they start trying the noodles as Midnight smiles too. "How long has it been since you left Saddle Arabia?" He asks. "Not two months ago father." Midnight says. Lightning smiles. "Yes, but have you seen anything different than last time you came here?" "Well the Queen's Knights ran an inquisition to the people's shock on how many heretic death cultists were found and convicted." Midnight says. Lightning smirks. "Good. Now how about here?" "I'm just here as an envoy to help maintain our relationship with Equestria." Midnight says sounding official making Lightning smile. Lightning nods. "Very good. Watch that tone though." "I try." Midnight says smiling as he shrugged his shoulders making Lightning smirk at him. Lightning chuckles. "Good boy. You still got a lot to learn." "I know. So father will you teach me?" Midnight asks. "Thought you would never ask." Lightning says smiling. Typhoon hums as she looks up. "Learn what?" "Everything I have to teach. Now finish up you two, we have a magic lesson today and I will start instructing you my son on what you want today." Lightning says. Midnight grins. "Great. Now let's hurry." He said eating again. Lightning chuckles as Twilight enters and takes the seat next to him. "The foals give you or Rainbow any trouble last night?" Lightning asks. Twilight sighs. "No, just this one kicking." She said putting a hoof on her stomach. "Oh, any unusual hunger for a certain food?" Lightning asks before nuzzling her. Twilight smiles and nuzzles him back. "Yeah, you my stallion. What did I see in you?" "Knowledge of magics you had no inkling that existed?" Lightning asks smirking. Twilight giggles. "And what made me fall in love with you?" "My wild and exciting ways?" Lightning asks. Twilight smirks. "Maybe that thing that keeps you moving?" She suggested moving a hoof down his back. "My heart?" Lightning asks leaning into her shoulder. Twilight leans over to his ear. "That flank." "And here I thought you loved my kind heart." Lightning says inhaling her scent. Twilight grins. "There's that. You did treat me to a box of chocolates." She said hearing him sniff her. "You're using a new shampoo and you want another?" Lightning asks. Twilight nods. "Sure. Might be good." "I also hear you have been requesting peaches." Lightning says smiling. Twilight smirks. "You smell like them." "Only because Rainbow had me switch out for that one because she is craving them." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "Can you?" "Don't tell me you are also going into heat like Rainbow in her pregnancy?" Lightning whispers. Twilight giggles. "No, just want a bath with you. Maybe using that new shampoo." "Ok. Next time, ok?" Lightning asks petting her mane. Twilight smiles and kisses his cheek. "Love you." "Good, now eat for we have a magic lesson with the foals after breakfast." Lightning says smiling at her. Twilight smiles. "Oh, what are you teaching?" "The basics Twi." Lightning says. Twilight tilts her head. "Can I watch?" "You are going to be my assistant since Rainbow is running an errand." Lightning says. Twilight smiles. "Thanks." "Now eat your pancakes my queen so we can start soon." Lightning says. Twilight giggles and nuzzles him before eating away. After everypony had finished, Lightning lead them into a prepared indoor practice field. "Ok, where did we leave off last time?" Lightning asks, thinking. Talion holds up a hoof. "The crazy thing about how it's all connected?" "Ah yes, energy." Lightning says as he drags a chalkboard on wheels to behind him with his magic. Twilight points to him. "Have you been taking lessons with Pinkie?" "No, I had one placed here. This is a training area for new recruits and visual aids help teaching." Lightning says. Twilight rolls her eyes. "Pinkie." She said under her breath. Lightning's ear twitched. "Anyway, let's begin." He said picking up a piece of chalk with his magic and starts writing on the board. "Wait, what about form six and beyond?" Twilight asks. "A little more advance Twi. Let them get a grasp on these five then we will move on to those." Lightning says. Twilight clicks her tongue. "Should do six." She said under her breath. "Alright, alright. The sixth way to manipulate your magical energy is known as the herbology tree of magic. Basically, it is the magic one use on plant life. Tricky because plants are living things so sometimes they can be stubborn or refuse to do as asked." Lightning explains. "Like you." Twilight quipped and made the foals laugh a little. "Ha ha." Lightning says. "Now besides the sixth, which do you want to learn first? Fire, water, earth, air, or my personal favorite, lightning?" Lightning asks. "Shocking that he likes that one." Twilight said with a smirk as the foals laugh again. "Oh, why not give the foals an example of your favorite one and burn down that target dummy on the range?" Lightning asks. Twilight smiles as she goes over before making a fireball form in her hoof and throws it at the dummy before it bursts into flames. "By the way, there will be one that you may not mention at all. And your tail is on fire." She said going back to the foals and sitting down. Lightning licks his hoof and puts out the flame with said hoof, giving off the illusion to them that he put out the fire himself. "Avoiding that one because it is too advance for this stage Twi." Lighting says. "Whatever you say hot flank." Twilight says. "Back on track, which one you two want to learn about first?" Lightning asks. Typhoon raises her hoof. "How about Shadow?" She asks as Twilight raises an eyebrow at her. "Too advanced, that is number eight." Lightning repeats again. Typhoon slouches in disappointment. Talion looks sadly to her before raising his own hoof. "Fire." "You will learn it soon my little filly. Your daddy just wants to make sure you're ready." Twilight says petting Typhoon. "Very well." Lightning says. Typhoon whines. "But I want to learn it." "Your father made me go through this this same thing when teaching me little one. Trust me, you will find them very valuable when it comes to learning that one. Think of these as the stepping stones to it." Twilight says petting her mane. Typhoon just whines and slouches some more. "Come on, you play games when learning this magic." Twilight says intriguing Typhoon as Lightning draws the rune for fire on the chalkboard. Typhoon looks up to her. "Really?" "Yeah." Twilight says smiling. Typhoon smiles a little as she looks back to the lesson. "Okay, you think you two can try and create a little fire ball?" Lightning asks as they both stood in separate magical seals drawn on the floor. Talion thinks on focusing his magic before making a fireball appear in front of him as it held in midair like a campfire. While Typhoon was struggling to make one before making a tiny one appear in front of her that wavered. Lightning walked over to her and puts his hooves on her shoulders. "Relax, don't try and force it. Fire doesn't like being forced." Lightning says. Typhoon breathes carefully before sighing and makes the fireball bigger, but still wavering. "Ok, now throw them at the targets my foals." Lightning says. Talion holds the fireball in his hooves before pitching it to a dummy and makes it go up in flames. Typhoon thinks on it before making the fireball move on its own and then suddenly it drops and runs across the ground and slither across the ground before making it behind the dummy and rise up and hit it. "Good, both of you. Most can't even throw them a few feet at first…or slither across the ground like that. How did you know to do that? Lightning says encouraging both. Typhoon shrugs. "I don't know, it just…felt natural to me." "You have a lot of raw talent with your affinities, that is why, but don't let that go to your head." Twilight warns. They both just look to each other with troubled looks. "Now let us keep practicing." Lightning says. Talion looks to him. "Water?" "We train in one at a time, keep practicing your fire magic you two. Twilight, supervise while I begin Midnight's lesson." Lightning says. Twilight nods as Lightning walks up to Midnight. "Alright, you ready?" Lightning asks. "Yes father. It seems magic flows strongly in our blood." Midnight says as the temperature around them dropped dramatically. "My boy has the affinity of ice huh?" Lightning asks mirroring his son's new smirk. Midnight chuckles. "Yep, mom helped out a bit." "Surprising as she was ironically has an earth affinity." Lightning says. Midnight shrugs. "Guess earth and lightning makes ice." "No water and wind do my son." Lightning says sounding like he was back at the college in Stalliongrad. Midnight lightly freezes his hooves to the ground. "Oh shut up. At least I got some experience so it's time to get to the good stuff." "Is that anyway to talk to your teacher? Didn't your mother teach you manners?" Lightning asks teasing. Midnight chuckles. "That went out the window when you two had me." "I guess so." Lightning says snickering before both broke out in laughter. Twilight smiles as she watches them laugh. "How's it going you two?" She asks turning back to them. "We figured out where his lack of manners comes from." Lightning says. Twilight grins. "Yeah, good looks from Eclipse and attitude from you." "You think I'm bad, huh?" Lightning asks. Twilight giggles. "Bad flanked maybe." "Trust me, step mom and dad is nowhere near as ill-mannered as mom." Midnight says. Twilight chuckles. "Wow, does he take after you more or her?" She asks Lightning. "Well he got my good looks." Lightning jokes. Twilight grins. "Yeah, looks that only those good fillies fall for." "Quite literally if he tried, right son?" Lightning asks. Midnight frowns. "I'm trying not to." "See, he does take after me." Lightning says. Twilight smirks. "Yeah, being shy and trying to stay hidden." "Oi." Both father and son say in unison. Twilight chuckles. "Told you. He likes to be you with being hidden." "Moving on." Lightning says before starting Midnight's lesson while Twilight goes back to the other foals. Twilight giggles and leans down to them. "Your father is kinda coo coo? Isn't he?" "I thought that was all of you stepmom?" Talion asks. Twilight nuzzles him. "We are moms and always will be. And no, he's the only one. The stuff we do is kinda sane by his standards." "You mean none of you are insanely genius?" Talion asks remembering what his father told him. Twilight thinks on that. "Actually, I might, but he's next in line." "You are pretty smart." Talion says. Twilight nods and looks to Typhoon to see her struggling. She sighs and puts her hooves on her shoulders and focuses the magic. "Try and find a funnel point instead of all over." She then leans down. "Careful on treating other elements like shadow." "Yes stepmom." Typhoon says trying again making a bigger fireball. Twilight frowns as it reaches her hooves. "Try and keep the distance. It protects you against licks of flames, but not itself unless you are good enough." "Ok." Typhoon says pushing it further away. "I smell a snack." A voice from the door says. Twilight's eyes widen. "Shut it off. Shut it off." She said quickly to them. The foals looked confused as Agni entered. "Mommy!" He called rushing over and hugs her. Twilight sighs in relief. "Thank goodness. Next time, don't come in like that." "Whatcha doing?" Agni asks. Twilight smiles. "Teaching the foals here fire magic. Don't eat it." She said glaring at him. "Oh, but you feed me yours as a snack." Agni whines a bit. Twilight smiles. "That's right and you will get only mine so don't go eating around the other users like crazy." "Oh mommy." Agni whines cutely making Twilight smile. Twilight sighs. "Alright, go sit down and I'll feed you later." "Ok…oh, I should go out. Belcross is waiting and he is too big to fit through the door." Agni says. Twilight nods. "Go on. Spend time with him and Spike." "Ok, go spend time with big brothers. Belcross we can go." Agni calls walking out and soon huge footsteps were heard walking away. Twilight sighs in relief. "Okay, how fa…" She stops as she sees Typhoon's fireball size. "Maybe we should cut back a little." "Talion, try not to make it bigger, could blow up in your face." Lightning calls. Talion looks a bit confused as he looks between his and Typhoon's fireball size. "Um…sure dad." He calls back as Typhoon tries to decrease hers. The remainder of the lesson was teaching both how to use the spell properly as Lightning and Midnight kept discussing something Twilight couldn't make out. "Alright, you got that?" Lightning asks Midnight. "Yes stepmother." Both foals say. Twilight bonks them slightly. "Mom." "Uh hum." Twilight hears Rainbow clear her throat. Twilight blushes slightly. "It's awkward calling me stepmom." "Only if your foal calls me mom too." Rainbow says. "Mommy!" Both foals call rushing over to her. Twilight smiles slightly. "Why don't you play with them? Lessons are almost done anyway." Rainbow smiles and whispers something to the two before they smirk and grab a few pillows Rainbow had brought. Twilight backs up. "Um…what are you doing?" "Pillow fight!" The foals call before starting a barrage. Twilight eeps and runs off. "I'm pregnant!" "It won't hurt and so was I!" Rainbow calls getting Twilight on the flank with a pillow. Twilight eeps and keeps running off. "Watch it!" "Attack my adorable troops!" Rainbow calls. Twilight yells as she runs by. "Lightning! Help!" "Use your magic, you have telekinesis." Blitz says. Twilight yells as she runs off out of the room and the foals and Rainbow chases her out. "I hate you all!" He heard her yell. Lightning chuckles as Midnight thinks over what his father said. Twilight and Rainbow watches as Lightning, Midnight, Typhoon and Talion and the rest of the soldiers prepared their bags. "Be careful guys." Rainbow said. "We will mom." Talion says hugging her leg. Rainbow smiles as she hugs him back as Twilight walks up to Lightning. "Make sure you come back for the foal. We all need you here." "I know." Lightning says before nuzzling her again. Twilight hums as she nuzzles him back. "Love you." "Love you too." Lightning says. Twilight kisses his cheek before Rainbow does to same to him and he smiles and nods before they all left through the portal, leaving them behind. "Want some peanut butter and jalapeño sandwich?" Rainbow asks. "Please." Twilight said as they both walk off. Lightning breathes in the air as he looks around as he looks around the exit of the portal. "It's nice to be back, even for a bit." Midnight chuckles. "Yeah, mom has been wanting to see so when these guys are going in, she'll come over and meet you." Lightning smiles. "Good, now where exactly are we?" Midnight walks over to the door. "The emergency bunker of the city. We barely use these anyway." Lightning smirks. "Smart." Midnight shrugs as he opens the door and heads outside. "It's nothing compare to these." He said before they all see the line of walls and guards along the perceived border. Lightning whistles as Talion and Typhoon gasps at the long line of the border. "Not bad. Not bad at all. I'm sure you are making sure of any tricks coming through, correct?" Midnight nods. "Yep, can't be too careful. Now let's go to the command tent. There you can outfitted and brought to speed on what's going on around here. Where's the other stallion anyway?" He asks walking to the large tent in the camp nearby. Lightning looks back to the bunker. "Any minute now. But let's get Talion outfitted." He said following him with Talion and Typhoon looking around at everything. "This is so cool." Talion said. Typhoon nods. "Yeah, look at all the guards and everything." Lightning chuckles as they enter the tent. "Yes, many are amazed when first see the famous Saddle Arabia guards and live to tell about it. Isn't that right son?" He asks Midnight. Midnight smiles as he steps up to a large map. "Yep, though you still be careful to look where you tread. Now then, get some food and drinks, place your bags away for now and then I'll tell you the current layout." Lightning nods before leading the two foals who were still looking to another area of the camp, guided by the guards and soon camp to an empty one with just four beds. "Alright you two, place your bags down and let's get a meal for now." He said putting his bag down. "Okay." The two said as they put theirs down and follow him. "What are we having?" Talion asks. Lightning smirks. "A little Saddle Arabian style cuisine. With some foreign curry on the side." They stick their tongue out. "Sounds bad." Typhoon said. Lightning shrugs. "Hate it or like it." He said grabbing some containers and quickly grab some food and put them in while still walking from the mess area in the middle. "We'll eat in the command tent. Don't worry, I'll give you the condensed version of the plan needed." He said leading them back into the tent. Midnight smiles as they enter. "So you ready to talk plans?" Lightning nods as he give the food containers to the twins. "I'll tell them a less complicated version." Midnight nods as Lightning starts to eat. "Okay, as you can see, we have a pretty good border so that's no chance of an invasion for a while. Now for the recon mission, we are going to disguise Talion and that noble. We'll also give you a few good guards that can blend in well for the looks and protection. As for the slaves, we got a few bags of bits ready and some goods to make him look like a trader. High end stuff in fact so they won't complain as long as the bits roll in. Traveling by a first class cart, we'll get you through the gate and end up here." He said pointing to a large town in the middle of a few smaller towns. "This is where the auction is and where they would be staying. Try to find some good slaves and different types so as to not arouse suspicion. As for getting out, once you have what you think is good enough, then all you have to do is head back and trade the goods along the way. We won't need it anyway. Once you see the border, run for it. We got control of the border on one gate completely so they won't hit you guys on site once you try to make a run for it. We can't take chances." Midnight explains. Lightning hums as he keeps eating. "Ah, good, but may need to disguise Talion a bit more than normal since they might have been watching my family. As for Euram, he can easily just wear the clothes and blend in. Now the guards, who do you got?" Midnight smiles and whistles out of the entrance. "Come in." Lightning looks back to see ten guards dressed in the Dominion's armor. "Yours?" Midnight nods. "Yep, new recruits from the Shadow organization. They are skilled with guarding high ranked VIPs and keeping their senses around the area." Lightning raises an eyebrow before throwing his fork quickly to them and one of them catches it without flinching. "They'll do." He said before guzzling his food. Midnight smiles. "Now all we need is the noble, Euram. You can give him the rundown and we'll prepare everything for a quick go. They'll leave first thing tomorrow morning after getting their disguises on and getting the licenses written down so it can be even more legal." "Understood." Lightning says. Talion looks up from eating his meal. "So what now?" He asks as Typhoon finishes up hers. Lightning smiles. "Now, I give you a talk about what you might see and what you can and can't do. We're free to go?" He asks Midnight. Midnight nods. "Yeah, you guys can head back to your tent." Lightning nods as he leads Talion and Typhoon out as Midnight sighs. "I just hope this works." He said to himself. "So…I can't really do good things, can I?" Talion asks after he and Typhoon got a talk on the culture and what to expect. "Not out in the open, but all the slaves bought, we will smuggle them out and free them." Midnight says after he came to them with some clothing for the seamstresses to fit on them. Typhoon looks worried. "So…what would happen if I get caught?" Lightning growls silently. "Well, you would treated as much as a regular slave would and then I would come over, kick some ass and may inadvertently cause the war early here." Midnight chuckles nervously. "Yeah, let's not make that happen." Typhoon looks even more worried as Talion groans a bit from the seamstresses working on him. "Do I have to wear this much? It looks stupid when it's this." He said lifting up his clothing and shows some oververly made designs. "Unfortunately my son." Lightning says. "Well at least I'm used to something like that. What did I miss?" Euram said walking in. "Euram, you will be briefed by Midnight here as I help Talion finish getting ready." Lightning says. Euram nods as Midnight leads him away and they start talking. "Can you come daddy?" Talion asks. Lightning shakes his head. "No, they would recognize me on the spot. I have no choice but to stay. Don't worry, Euram and the guards will keep you safe. Now let's see how you look." He said as the seamstresses pull away and show him Talion wearing an almost robbed suit. "Not bad. Drags a little though. Can be easily fixed. As for you Typhoon, you will be…" He stops as he sees Typhoon having a black skinsuit partially on. Typhoon looks at him confused. "What? Uncle gave this to me. Said it could help my powers and when I need to stay hidden." Lightning stares at her before sighing and facehooves. "I am really giving your uncle a talk once we get back home." Typhoon frowns a bit. "He's not that bad." Lightning rolls his eyes. "Please, you haven't seen what he can do…and did." He said shivering from his first encounter. Typhoon just looks at him. "It can't be that bad." Lightning looks to her a bit harshly. "Don't bring it up." Talion looks confused. "What could he have done to make you like this?" "You'll understand when you're older." Lightning said quickly. They all just look at him weird as Lightning was trying to act normal. "Okay, we're done and all he needs to do is get dressed up and get the licenses and you guys can head out." Midnight said coming back in with Euram. Lightning looked like he was having second thought. Midnight looks to him worried. "You okay there?" "No." Lightning says flatly. Midnight sighs. "Do you want to back out now?" "I can't. I said I would help you son." Lightning says seemingly torn. Midnight looks away a bit. "If it matters, this may happen soon enough. Why not start now?" "Because if we delay, we can try and convince those who are on the fence to side with us and between us, the alliance isn't fully ready to fight the war yet." Lightning says. Midnight nods. "That's why we are taking account of first strike positions so when it does, we can take quickly down and mess up their plans and buy us a few days when the war starts." Lightning sighs. "I'm going to go see your mother before my parental instincts make me call this off." Lightning says. Midnight sighs. "Sure. She's at the palace. The next supply wagon can take you back." "Do not tell her I am coming." Lightning says. Midnight smiles. "Don't worry, I won't tell a word." Eclipse sighs in her room when there was a knock at the door. "Come in." She said watching out the window. "You are still looking outside like always. Didn't I tell you about assassins?" Lightning asks walking in. Eclipse looks around and sees him smirking a bit. "Lightning." She said almost quietly. "Hey Clipsy, most of your security off duty?" Lightning asks closing the door. Eclipse smiles a bit. "No, needed to think a bit. You are here for the recon force, aren't you?" "No I can't go, but our son wants use his step brother." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs. "Of course, with your face plastered all over the Dominion Empire. That I can understand." Lightning walks over and hugs her. "You miss me?" Lightning asks. Eclipse smiles and hugs him back. "Yes, I really have. I have been quite bored without you around." "Our son has really grown up." Lightning says. Eclipse nods. "Yes, he wants to be his hero. Doing the best to make everyone happy." "He is our pride and joy." Lightning says. Eclipse giggles. "Yes, I still can't believe we had him by accident if you think about it. What did happen before we did it?" "You received the news of your brother and knew what it meant immediately and later that night, after we talked for a bit, you said. Make me feel like a mare for it will be possibly the only time in my life I will ever feel it." Lightning says. Eclipse blushes. "Ah yes…that. Now I remember." "Midnight is also our headache, isn't he?" Lightning asks. Eclipse giggles. "Yeah, he is a hooful. Though he is also your son so you had a part too." "Not that much." Lightning says with remorse. Eclipse smiles sadly as she hugs him tighter. "He will always be your son. And he knows it as well. You always had a part to play in his life as well. You made him realize who his father is, his hero." "Thanks Clipsy." Lightning says. Eclipse then grins. "Now then, how about we…" "No." "Aw, come on." Eclipse whines. "Your laws." Lightning says. "…ah, good point." Eclipse says. Lightning chuckles. "Though, as long it doesn't go too far, I'm not against cuddling for a bit." "Oh, yes king of Equestria." Eclipse says smirking. Lightning laughs as he leads her to bed before they both lay in it. "You know, Midnight might be after a filly I know." Eclipse giggles. "Oh, do tell." "A country farmer." Lightning says getting Eclipse very interested. Eclipse smirks. "Why I didn't know he goes after simple ponies. What's she like?" "Well." Lightning says before starting to tell her. Eclipse giggles all the while at the many quirks of poor little Apple Bloom who didn't know what was going on. "He can't even talk to the harem fillies and mares. I'm surprised she got his attention." "Kind of reminds me of me. Not too interested in most mares like that, but when a mare catches his eye, they catch his eye." Lightning says. Eclipse giggles. "I wonder what he thinks of her now." "Flowers and a blush tell you?" Lightning asks petting her. Eclipse purrs. "Not much." "He is in love." Lightning says. Eclipse giggles and nuzzles him. "Just like you back then." "Maybe." Lightning says cuddling her again. Eclipse keeps giggling as they cuddling. "I love you Lightning." "I still do even if we can never be together." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs in relief. "Want to sleep for a bit?" "Only if you can use your hypnotizing to make me or I will just be worrying about the kids." Lightning says. Eclipse smiles gently as she pets his mane. "They'll be fine. Just have faith in them." "I just worry. They are my kids." Lightning says. Eclipse keeps petting. "And that's why we have faith in them when they leave from our sight. That they can do it and can be all right." "Midnight, I can, but Talion is not even six." Lightning says. Eclipse nuzzles him to calm him down. "As would every parent and try to do their foals' work themselves when they could do it. Most who live on their own can make it through the problem. You have to let him go one day anyway." "He isn't old enough for this. I only started teaching him magic." Lightning says making her smile. Eclipse leans down to look at him. "What are you teaching?" "Lesson one was on fire." Lightning says looking into her eyes. Eclipse grins and grabs onto his head. "Gotcha." She said as her eyes change. Lightning sweats. "Shit." He said quickly as he closes his eyes. "Too late. Now sleep." Eclipse says smiling. Lightning keeps his eyes closed tightly before snoring out loud as he rests his head against Eclipse's chest. "Nighty night." He said sleepily. "Ug…what happened?" Lightning asks awakening. Eclipse smiles as she sat on the side of the bed. "You fell into my eyes again. I made you sleep, so don't worry." "Like I asked?" Lightning asks. Eclipse nods. "Yes, I put you to sleep. Now, shall we get some food and talk some more?" "So something I bet your spies haven't told you yet. Twilight, the queen of Equestria is now with foal." Lightning says. Eclipse raises an eyebrow and smiles. "Oh, how much did you do?" "She went seven times one time on her request." Lightning says. Eclipse giggles while blushing. "Lightning, you are a stallion among colts." "So when do you think your queen's guard will realize somepony is in here with you?" Lightning asks. Eclipse grins. "Oh, not for a while. Now, breakfast?" "Getting room delivery." Lightning says spying the chess board. Eclipse sighs as he gets the board. "Alright. What do you think is going on over the border?" "Mostly both sides' soldiers and guards starting each other down. So you improved your game since we last played?" Lightning asks. Eclipse smiles. "Very well. Let's play." She said taking her place on the black pieces. "Alright, so how has Midnight's studies in magic been going?" Lightning asks moving his pieces. Eclipse smiles. "Going well, he's almost halfway through the whole line of studies needed." "His ice nature was a surprise." Lightning says. Eclipse grins. "Was surprised too. Never excepted any mage, much less him to have that nature." "Sub elements are not unheard of, but are quite rare and at times incredibly powerful." Lightning says moving a pawn. Eclipse nods. "Yes, quite amazing things can happen. Such as holding a popular look in public." "You're slipping Clipsy, you used to be able to keep up with me while talking." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs. "I guess I have a few things on my mind." "You hide it well, but you're worried about Midnight as well." Lightning says. Eclipse looks sadly down. "Just like you. I worry everyday he's out there, but I hope everyday he comes back to me and at least say something that tells me he's okay." "When did we get so old?" Lightning asks. Eclipse smiles. "When we have our foals." "Feels like yesterday when your brother was still alive and we just got done with a party." Lightning says. Eclipse sniffs a bit. "Yes, but I'm glad I met you. You were the best thing to happen to me…next to Midnight." "Well technically, I gave you him." Lightning jokes. Eclipse giggles as she still cries a bit. "Thanks for being there Lightning." Eclipse says moving a piece to block him. "Now I believe that is checkmate." Lightning says moving his knight. Eclipse smiles as she looks to the board. "Food now?" "Aren't we waiting for the servants to bring them oh great queen?" Lightning asks. Eclipse grins. "Any minute now." She said before hearing a few knocks. "And there's our food." She said heading to the door and opens it to find the cart pushed in by a few ponies before they leave. "Shall we?" She asks holding up a fork as Lightning comes down from the ceiling. "Want to make a wager on how long it takes your guards or Queen's knights to realize there is an intruder?" Lightning asks smirking as he joins her in eating. Eclipse nods. "A few hours. Now, let's eat." She said grabbing some cake. "Nu uh Clipsy. You know the rules, filling foods first, then you get your cakes and stuff." Lightning says smirking. Eclipse pouts cutely. "Meanie." She said putting the cake down. Lightning just starts feeding her. "Oh relax and enjoy yourself." Eclipse keeps pouting before smiling. "I am already." Eclipse says. Lightning chuckles. "You should visit us some time. Rainbow would love to see you again I bet." Lightning says. Eclipse smiles. "Yes, she would be, though my job is here. I need to take care of my country as well." Lightning nods. "I understand. But please try and visit." Eclipse nods. "I'll try. Now let's enjoy this meal." Lightning chuckles before looking out the window. "First light." Eclipse smiles as she watch the sunrise framing Lightning. "Yes, first light." Lightning sighs. "They leave at first light. It's been almost an hour so they should be reaching the town soon and if all goes as plan, will be doing paperwork for the licenses and everything for most of the day." "Come on, after we eat, we will go to the library. We have uncovered a few more artifacts since you last visited it." Eclipse says trying to get his mind off it. Lightning smiles. "Daring would be jealous. Yeah, let's finish this." "Turn around so I can change." Eclipse says. Lightning smirks. "It's nothing I haven't seen. Come on, let me watch." "Then it will take forever to change." Eclipse jokes. Lightning chuckles. "Oh Clipsy. Just go change. I'll wait." Eclipse shakes her head as she walks behind some walls. "Oh Lightning. Always the kidder." She said as he sees her form change. Lightning waits until Eclipse came back in more function over formal clothing for royals. "Finally convinced them to go with that huh?" Lightning asks. Eclipse sighs. "And you won't believe the amount of hoops to go through. Shall we go see the artifacts?" "Lead the way." Lightning says leaning against her side. Eclipse giggles as she wraps a wing around him. "I wonder, what would have been if you stayed?" "Nothing would have changed probably, only your brother not dying would have changed this." Lightning says. Eclipse nods. "Not bad of a living though." "You know, I take that back, you would have probably roped me into being a member of the queen's knights." Lightning says. Eclipse giggles. "And I would have you as my lover either way." "Now that might have happened and you would have more that Midnight." Lightning says. Eclipse smirks. "Yep, a lot of them." "But then the question of succession would come up." Lightning says. Eclipse stops for a bit. "True, might be better if you gave me just one." "But then again, some might feel better if you did have multiple heirs after what happened to your father and brother dying of an illness." Lightning says. Eclipse looks to him. "So does that mean…?" "Clear it with the council of elders." Lightning says. Eclipse pouts and slouches. "I hate you." "It's to protect you Clipsy. Put it forward if you like to strengthen our nation's ties and just in case you and Midnight fall ill and die like your father and brother. That thought and chaos that would come from that without a proper heir should make them have little problem with it seeing as I am Midnight's father as well." Lightning says. Eclipse sighs. "We'll see. Now come on." She said leading him out and surprises the guards. "Don't even." She said to them. "Or one of the mare royal guards will most likely kill you for failing in your duties." Lightning adds. Eclipse giggles at some of the shocked faces. "I love surprising them sometimes." "So to the library while you get the council of elders to convene?" Lightning asks. Eclipse nods. "Yes, might take a while so enjoy looking at the artifacts. They usually like few hour long meetings." "Also, maybe we should stop by your magic academy and I may give a lecture on the subject to the students." Lightning says. Eclipses chuckles. "Might be fun, but have to set things up and it might take a while. So enjoy some time with the old pieces of rock." "Hey, that is archaeology." Lightning reminds making Eclipse smirk. Eclipse rolls her eyes. "Just get in there." She said pushing him into a room. "Enjoy." She said closing the door and walks off. 'I can't believe they added two new floors to the library.' Lightning thought as he read an ancient scroll. He chuckles to himself as he hears the door open and sighs as he feels anger and intent to kill. "Hello Alenia." Alenia growls as she sees him. "What are you doing here heathen?" "Reading or has that escaped your notice." Lightning says. Alenia keeps growling. "I mean here in this palace or heck, even this country. You are not supposed to be here." "I'm here because my son and your prince asked for my help to provide a few ponies that the Dominion know little to nothing about so they can infiltrate and spy or scout on them, whichever term you prefer." Lightning says. Alenia huffs. "Then head back to the command tent. You are not needed here at the palace." "I'm here so I can't call it off as he asked for his six year old stepbrother." Lightning says. Alenia stares at him. "Still that crazy father." "Also there is another reason I am here." Lightning says putting the scroll back. Alenia raises an eyebrow at him. "And that is?" "Your queen is worried what would happen in case she and Midnight die so she is currently talking to the council of elders about attempting to have more foals." Lightning says. Alenia glares at him fully now. "And you want to be that stallion." "No, she requested me as I am Midnight's father and to strengthen Saddle Arabia and Equestria's ties as I am now king of it." Lightning says. Alenia growls slightly as he looked a little smug. "And what are you going to do now?" She seethed. "Waiting for your queen to see what the elders think, but I bet they will agree after what happened to the last two kings." Lightning says now no longer smugly. Alenia sighs as she looks away. "Don't hurt her." "I never do…so, do you think the queen's knights are ready to fight this war?" Lightning asks soberly. Alenia keeps looking away. "Is there ever a true answer?" "You sound like me and the other veterans of the liberation of Stalliongrad." Lightning says. Alenia scoffs. "You try protecting somepony full time without sleep for a few days." "So how did the inquisition of the death cult go?" Lightning asks. Alenia sighs. "We took out almost all of them. There will always be somepony out there with the idea, so yes, mostly all of them." "I doubt they will rise again any time soon. Maybe in the next century if that." Lightning says. Alenia nods. "Make sure you don't touch anything." She said walking out. "You think you're ready to lead your soldiers into battle?" Lightning asks. Alenia stops and looks at him. "Are you?" "I have experience. You are one of the youngest members and haven't been in a war yet." Lightning says. Alenia growls silently. "I'm ready." "I'm going to be sending over notes on formations and battles the Dominion has fought. If you study them, it will help you greatly." Lightning says. Alenia huffs. "Whatever." She said heading out the door. "Alenia, even if you don't like me, read the material. There is an old saying. If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself, but not the enemy, for every victory gained, you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle." Lightning says. Alenia frowns as she closes the door behind her. Lightning sighs as he goes back to reading. "The queen requests your presence." A soldier says. Lightning looks back at him. "Got it." He said putting the pottery down on the stand again and follows him to the meeting room. "Let's hope this doesn't go sou…" He stops as the doors open and sees Eclipse in a bit of raunchy dancer outfit. "Sou…sou…" He stutters. Eclipse giggles as she dances around a bit. "South my dear? You are heading that way soon." She teases. "I…" Lightning composes himself and clears his throat. "I suppose this means the elders have agreed." Lightning says. Eclipse giggles. "Yes, our, sort of, marriage is done. Though the choice of honeymoon is yours." "To your room?" Lightning asks. Eclipse grins before Lightning realizes that Eclipse picked him up and was actually running down the hall too fast. "When did you get this fast?" Lightning asks. Eclipse chuckles. "Been holding this." "You know I could have teleported us." Lightning says entering the room before the guards could register what their queen was wearing. Eclipse smiles. "Now where's the fun in that?" She asks putting him down. "So you going to do a dance for me?" Lightning jokes. Eclipse gains a red tint on her cheeks. "Do you want me to?" "I think you should decide my sexy bat queen." Lightning says. Eclipse smiles as she starts to lead him to bed. "And what are you going to plan?" "You have been waiting for nearly twenty years so you decide." Lightning says. Eclipse grins and places him on the bed. "Okay, you get a true dance from the queen herself." She said backing off a bit. "Oh this I must see." Lightning says smirking. Eclipse smiles as she starts to dance around and gets close to him. "Tell me, how much have you thought of me? How much have you dreamed of me?" "Quite a bit." Lightning says watching her. Eclipse hums as she turns around. "And have you ever done anything in your imagination and dreams?" "Yeah." Lightning says. Eclipse smirks as she moves backward to him while still dancing. "Tell me what you did." "Nu uh, you first." Lightning says smirking. Eclipse pouts cutely as she looks over her shoulder. "Oh, my dreams first? I believe it's the stallion's turn on this." "Hey, got to give something to get something." Lightning says before using his wings to pull her into his lap. "Can you finish your dance from here?" Lightning whispers into her ear before lightly nibbling on it. Eclipse moans and nuzzles him. "Unless you got more plans." "Finish it if you can. Then tell me your fantasy and I may make them come true." Lightning whispers into her ear as he casts a sound proof spell on the room. Eclipse grins. "Never stopped." She said as her flanks still moved. Lightning smirks knowing she was trying to turn him on. Eclipse giggles and moves a bit more closer. "Do you even have a fantasy with me there?" "I do, but I want to make your fantasy come true first." Lightning whispers into her ear. Eclipse smiles and nuzzles him as she stopped dancing and just seem to be hugging him. "Mine huh?" "Yes lover." Lightning says petting her. Eclipse purrs as she leans into his petting. "I missed you Lightning." "As did I." Lightning says before turning her around and kissing her. Eclipse smiles into the kiss as she pushes him onto the bed before letting go of the kiss. "So…how should we?" Lightning says nothing before flipping their positions. "Well, first you have to tell me one of your fantasies." Lightning says now on top. Eclipse grins. "Oh, a take charge stallion. Well, I have always dreamed of us going back to when we first did it." "Alright." Lightning says before starting to remove her outfit. "Finally done." Earum says sighing. Talion looks up at him. "So do we have every paper needed?" "Yes we do." Euram says. Talion looks around. "Can we go now? I'm getting bored." "Yes, let's." Euram says leaving the office with him. Talion sighs as he looks around a bit before Euram leads him to their cart and they get in and ride off. "You okay sis?" He whispered. "Cramped, but fine." Typhoon whispers from his shadow. "Do you two want to go straight to the auction or look around a bit at the other shops?" Euram asks. Talion whispers a bit to Typhoon, who came out of his shadow after the door closed, before looking to him. "Auction, let's get it done." Euram smiles. "We won't see some of the sights then. We still have time. Lesson one." He whispers the last one. Talion looks to him. "Oh, see what other wares there are before throwing the bits in." "That and look out the window to see a reason we are fighting." Euram says as the twins look out to see a rich looking earth pony instructing guards to beat on a diamond dog that looked to be a slave. Talion gaps at the sight. "But…why them?" He tries to ask. "Because they are enslaved and that is what they mostly are about." Euram says. The twins keep staring as they pass by before stopping at what looks like an artifact shop. "Come on you two." Euram said as he steps out with Talion and Typhoon hiding in his shadow again. Euram walks in and tries to ignore the mare tied to the wall nearby as Talion looks to her a bit before catching up with Euram as they look around. "No wait, this place has recent things. Excuse me, do you know a place which sells much more ancient artifacts?" He asks the stallion behind the counter counting a large amount of gold. "Across the street. Feel free to use the mare on the way out." He said too engrossed in the gold. Euram nods as he starts to walk back out with the mare looking pleadingly at him, but Euram shakes his head and frowns as he walks past her and Talion looks sadly at her as he tries to keep with Euram. "Well, at least I can find something here." He said to himself as they cross the street with the guards flanking their sides. Talion looks away from another beating down the street. "This is scary." He whispered. Euram sighs. "This is life." He said before hearing some yelling. "Get back here!" They all look over to one of the alleys and sees a mare with a collar rush out and was looking behind before hitting the guards straight on and was knocked down from hitting them. "Ow." She groans as she holds her head. "Excuse me, is there a reason you just dirtied my clothes?" Euram asks trying to sound as snobby as possible. The mare looks up before gasping and trying to get up and run the other way before being tackled to the ground by a few Dominion guards. "Gotcha you bitch." One guard said tying her up. Euram raises an eyebrow. "How much for her?" He calls out. The guards were struggling to keep the mare under control. "I don't think you want this one. Stay still!" He yelled hitting her in the head and makes her stop for a bit. Euram huffs. "I have an eye for things that are valuable and that one is. How much?" The guard growls as he kept restraining the mare tighter. "You want her, you can get her at the auction." He said before dragging her away. Talion looks up to Euram. "You want to buy her?" Euram smirks a little. "Slave holding cells are kept so far in town and under heavy guard. She made it almost to the edge if it hadn't been for us. She knows what we need. Come on, the auction is about to start." He said leading them away into the cart and was pulled off to the center of town. "Don't be trying anything crazy. We are going to be watched as we do this, so let me do the talking." He said making Talion nod as Typhoon groan as she comes out of his shadow. "Dang, it's a bit stuffy in there." She said stretching. "Remember, we have to buy as many as we can to work your father's new farmland." Euram says. Talion nods as he looks outside to see more ponies and slaves being dragged along to the center of town. "How many could we get? What's the prices?" Talion asks. "Come, we can look them over most before they auction off those who they are keeping in reserve." Euram says. Talion nods as Typhoon jumps back in Talion's shadow and follows Euram out as the cart comes to a stop near a large stage with a concrete building. Talion keeps looking around as they enter the building and almost loses his composure at the sight of cages like animal cages on the walls and some hanging from the ceiling and each one had mostly females of almost any race, but mostly mares. Euram hums as he looks them all over. "Hum…most are good, a bit young. Ah, there you are." He said to himself as he spies the mare who ran before. "You will be the first." He said leaning down to her and she growls at him. "Yeah, you'll be good." He said to her as he walks off and looks at all the rest as Talion resists the urge to open the cages. "Tell me, how much for most of the mares and zebras?" Euram asks the nearby stallion standing guard and caretaking them all. The guard huffs. "Average price, around a hundred gold each. You want something exotic, we got griffons with their feathers plucked, and a few dragons with their fire sacs cut out so as to not burn you, diamond dogs, and yes, those zebras for their fertility and, in my opinion, bigger assets if you catch my meaning." He said chuckling. "The highest is the dragons with them around a thousand. So there's your range." Euram hums as he looks to them all. "Well I am going to be buying a lot. How can I buy these ones or at least reserve them?" "Talk to the one in charge of the auction." The guard says pointing to the office. Euram nods and leads Talion who was looking closely at one of the mares before rushing after Euram and they find the office and heads in. "Who can I speak to need to buy the slaves immediately?" Euram calls out. "No need to yell." A fat stallion says, looking like he was doing the books, say. "Are you the one in charge of the auction?" Euram asks. The fat stallion huffs. "Gee, what gave you that idea?" He piped as he still does the books. "Sir, I was wondering if we could buy some of the slaves before the auction officially began as we are on a very strict schedule and need to buy many slaves to work on a new farm." Euram says. "I see." The fat stallion says putting down the quill. "So how many you need?" The stallion asks getting up. "We need to buy in bulk basically." Euram says making the stallion see money and he smirks. "Well if you can't stick around for the auction, I guess there is no harm doing it early. So where should I show you and your son first?" The stallion asks. "Son?" Euram asks before getting he was referring to Talion. "Oh, no, no. He isn't my son. He is the son of a friend of mine who owns the farm. Some official business came up, making him unable to come himself and asked me to run this errand for him and take his son along to help give him a glimpse into the world of business." Euram says. The stallion chuckles. "I see. Well he must be wealthy to buy most of our merchandise." "And even with this, he says he still should go under budget." Euram says. The stallion grins as he hears some gold hitting the ground in his mind. "Well then, how many of them do you want and what type of species?" He asks sitting down again. "As many as I can get with the chest of gold we brought was his exact words." Euram says clapping his hooves as two guards then open the door and seemed to have a hard time bringing in a chest from what looks like the weight of it. The stallion grins even more as he hears the clinking. "Oh, show me and I can come up with how many you can get." "Right here." Euram says tapping the middle of the office and the guards start moving that way before stopping to take a breather halfway from the weight of the chest making the stallion grin even more because of how much the chest full of gold most weigh. Euram smiles as the guards reach the middle of the room before opening it and some jewels and gold spilled out as the stallion laughs from the immense amount of valuables. "With this, you can have our whole stock. I'll even piss off a few nobles, but I'll give you the reserved ones that were already taken." "Just tell them that you couldn't refuse the order and if they have a problem, take it up with the military as the slaves working the farm will be producing food for logistics in future campaigns." Euram says knowing that the nobles won't question the legions on that matter. The stallion chuckles as he keeps looking to the chest. "You want anything else to go along with those slaves?" "No, we have everything else ready." Euram says. The stallion chuckles and tosses him a scroll after writing in it as he goes to the chest. "Here. Now you can take every single one." "May I have your name as my friend may want to do more business with you again soon?" Euram says. The stallion keeps chuckling. "Name's Placus Lollius Caepio. I have new stock next month if you want those." "I will inform my friend. I suppose you will want to see your guards load them all personally?" Euram says knowing from the reports, this stallion might be greedy, but he ensure his men do their jobs, he gives them on the basis of his pride as a businessman and his honor. The stallion nods as he looks at a few gold pieces. "Yeah, knowing those idiots, they would like a feel before they give them up." "Yeah, my friend said he doesn't want damaged goods either." Euram says. The stallion huffs. "I'll tell them to back off then." "Thank you." Euram says before all of them left and watched as the slaves were being loaded into prison carriages or tied to the back of them. Talion looks up to him. "Home?" "Yes. I'll see to the arrangements." Euram says as the stallion left after his men finished and left. Talion sighs as he looks around. "What now bro?" Typhoon whispered to him. Talion keeps looking. "Maybe just walk around." He whispered back and starts walking around the square and sees it wasn't as extravagant as Canterlot, but held a Winterhold feel to it. "Not bad a place." Soon two stallions walk past him that gave a weird feeling and looks back to see them head into the office. "And what are you doing?" Talion asks walking over and peeks into the window. "What are you bastards doing here?" The fat stallion asks looking to the two. "The government aren't too happy with your recent contributions." One of them says. The fat stallion huffs. "So what? I still pay you and its fine. I make the payments." "Well maybe you need to pay a little more." The same stallion says. The fat stallion growls. "Listen, I make the tax payments every time. If you don't want them, then you should fix those papers." The same stallion was about to say something else when the door is kicked open by a pony that was wearing the same outfit. The fat stallion surprised by this, reaches for a dagger and one of the two stallions already in there, throws a hidden dagger into his throat. The fat stallion chokes as he held a hoof to his bleeding throat and falls down. Talion gasps as he saw him fall and sees the two stallions look to him and he quickly got down and was about to run when the third one held a hoof up to his lips and does a quiet, shh before turning to the two others. "What are you two doing here?" The third pony asks. The stallions comes out and see them. "Getting our payment needed. He didn't pay enough." One said. "He paid the taxes on time and the right amount." The pony says not sounding happy. "And who are you to decide that?" The other stallion asks. "Your superior." The pony says before grabbing the one who didn't throw the knife and starts stabbing him with his own hidden knife. Talion watches in shock as the pony let's go of the body and it slumps to the ground. "Now then, head back to the office and do some paperwork. I'll speak to you later." He said to the other stallion. "Sir…sir, what about the kid?" The stallion asks intimidated. "Leave the kid, he is uninvolved. Unless you want to die for your insubordination instead of the second chance your skills have earned you?" The pony asks. The stallion quickly rushes off as the pony turns to Talion. "Try not to be too curious kid. Might get you into the wrong place at times." Talion, seeing the pony walk away, goes to the nearest guards and tells them what happened, causing them to pale. The guards quickly run off as Talion watches them rush off and pull the stabbed stallion into the building and closes the door. "What just happen bro?" Typhoon asks still in his shadow. "I'll let you know once I figure it out." Talion said walking off. "Ok, explain to me what happened exactly." Lightning tells his children as they sat in a room in the Saddle Arabian royal palace. Talion rubs his hooves together. "Well, these two guys went into the office and they talk about tax payments and then killed him." Typhoon rubs the back of her neck. "And then this new pony comes in and kills one of them and walks off after scaring the other guy back to their office." "I see, what did they look like?" Lightning asks. "They each wore inconspicuous cloaks, but they did have this on them." Talion says drawing two fangs intersecting. Lightning hums. "Anything else?" "They used this knife." Typhoon says producing the knife used to kill the one who ran the auction. Talion looks at her. "How did you get that?" "Took it when they left it behind." Typhoon says. "This, my foals, is the dagger used by one of the three assassin groups in the Dominion. You were lucky they spared you." Lightning says taking the dagger. Talion tilts his head. "Assassin groups?" "I will explain to you when you get older, ok? For now I'm just glad you're safe." Lightning says hugging them. They smile and hug them back. "We love you too daddy." They both said. "Ok, we will be spending three more days here so who wants to play with their big brother?" Lightning asks. They both raise their hooves expectantly. Lightning chuckles and places them on his back. "We're off." He said laughing and heads out of the room before quickly bumping into Midnight and Eclipse. "Oh, last stops." He said and the twins quickly jump down. Midnight smiles as he sees them. "Hey guys. Great job on the recon." "Isn't there something else you want to say to them Clipsy?" Lightning asks. Eclipse giggles. "Okay then, your father here, is right now, sort of, married to me now. And you might having more brothers and sisters soon." "I meant…" Lightning stops when he sees her snuggling the twins. "Oh forget it." The twins struggled in her grip. "Dad, help us. We're being squeezed alive." Typhoon calls and reaches for him. "You two are adorable." Eclipse says. Lightning chuckles at their predicament. "Look at the bright side. We got another mommy here." "What?!" They both yelled. "That is technically correct." Eclipse says before putting them down. They both stare at them. "How?" They both ask. "That doesn't matter as now, don't you two have to go ambush your big brother?" Lightning asks making them smirk. Midnight backs up. "Wait, what?" Both twins tackles him and they all start rolling around with them all laughing. Eclipse smiles as she looks to Lightning. "Happy family, aren't we?" "Not many rulers can say that." Lightning says leaning against her. Eclipse wraps a wing around him. "Shall we retreat to our room for a bit?" "Midnight needs to spend time with his siblings." Lightning says. "Exactly, room time." Eclipse teases. Lightning smiles as he leads her away. "Where they go?" Midnight asks before Typhon tackles his head. "So how did you two like your visit with your stepbrother and his mother?" Lightning asks as they enter Whiterun in a carriage. "My lord." A messenger yells running up. "Yes?" Lightning asks. "Lady Twilight went into labor while you were away." The messenger says. "Driver, to the castle. Double time!" Lightning calls in stalliongrats. The twins yell out as they were now tossed around the carriage. Lightning bust through the front door, having run all the way up the stairs. "Guard…where is…my wife?" Lightning asks between breathes. The guard happily points to a set of double doors. Lightning races through the doors, not bothering to rest. A few minutes the twins came through the doors out of breathe. "How is dad so fast?" Talion asks breathing hard. "Oh, his endless training and great skills." Twilight said as she lays down on the bed with a bundle next to her. "Come meet your little brother, Devotio Sparkle." Twilight says. Lightning was watching his colt with a smile. "Devotio, spell huh?" Twilight giggles. "You did help choose." "He has my coat color and a white mane with streaks of red." Lightning says. Twilight smiles as she leans in a bit. "Take a quick look at his eyes." She said gently pushing Devotio to him. "Golden and it seems splotches of red are in them." Lightning says surprised when he quickly opened Devotio's eye and closes them "Yeah, our little alicorn is unique." Twilight says as Luna enters. Luna smiles gently as she walks up. "He is beautiful." She said looking him over. Twilight nods as she pulls Luna in with her magic. "Yes, he's also your son as well." "Oh." Luna says completely caught off guard and smiling. Lightning chuckles. "Now you have your own son to call your own. We are all mother and father to the foals." "Which means Talion and Typhoon, attack your lunar mother." Twilight commands. Luna screams as she was tackled by the twins and laughs as she tries to grab them. "Shh, you three. Devotio is sleeping." Lightning reminds. Luna grins and picks up the twins and runs off. "You got it." "I best let my sister know and you should let your family and the rest of the elements of harmony know." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "Yeah, thanks for letting me have this life." "You're not the only one happy." Lightning says before kissing her nose. Twilight giggles and nuzzles him. "Yes, now your family has grown even more." "Ok, go on now queeny and make an appearance in Equestria and have them announce the birth of our son and go see your family about it." Lightning says. Twilight nods and kisses him. "Watch our son." "I will. I expect them here before night, ok Twi?" Lightning asks. Twilight nods and kisses him another time before letting go and walking away. "See you later. Call for an assembly in Canterlot." Twilight calls to the guards and heads to the portal. Lightning smiles as he rocks Devotio and the door opens and in walks Twilight with her parents, her brother, and sister in law. Twilight smiles as she goes over to him and takes Devotio out of his hooves and rocks him now. "Meet Devotio Sparkle. Our new prince and heir to the throne of Equestria." "Hey there little guy." Shining says looking at Devotio. Devotio coos and opens his eyes and looks to Shining. "Gah." He said almost making a throwing motion. Shining smiles and touch his hoof with his, causing Devotio to giggle. Twilight smiles as she keeps rocking him. "Great foal, huh?" Lightning smiles before he collapses asleep. "Looks like my husband has overworked himself again." Twilight says sighing. Cadance smiles as she looks Lightning over. "How long does his sleep last?" "He'll awaken in about ten hours or so." Twilight says as Devotio starts crying from hunger. Twilight blushes as she looks to everypony. "Um…excuse me, I have to feed him." She said carrying the crying Devotio away. "I want one Shining." Cadance whines. Shining freezes up as he looks away. "We'll…um…talk about it when we get back." "No. No more talking. I want one now." Cadance says willfully. "She is right brother. As king, you must produce an heir." Twilight calls from behind a curtain. Shining blushes heavily as he swears. "Um…I don't know…um…" "Shining." Cadance says giving him the pout he could never resist. Shining groans. "Fine. When we get back." "Ya." Cadance cheers. They all laugh as Shining pouts and slouches. Night Light then clears his throat and turns serious. "Queen Cadance, this may not be the best time, but a scouting party recently found the remains of the banished and disgraced Blueblood, your brother." Night Light says. They all look to him as they gained a worried look. "Who did it?" Twilight calls. "It is unknown, but it looked like the wild life got him and the rest of the nobles that were banished for treason. It seems without their bits or servants, they couldn't survive." Night Light says. Twilight scoffs. "Can't believe it. They couldn't even lead a simple life. At least we don't have to deal with them anymore." "To be fair, your husband did banish them to the wastelands." Shining reminds. Twilight chuckles. "Oh yeah. Yeah, he did." "So I am still blown away by that portal of yours. Are we really in Stalliongrad in the east?" Shining asks. "In the middle of it. Literally we are in the central plains of it." Twilight says. Lightning still snores as they all look to him. "How does he do that?" Velvet asks. "Eastern magic is truly incredible big brother." Twilight says before going on to try and explain the formulas and construction that went into it, but losing them completely. Velvet then smiles. "So who wants some food?" "Oh that reminds me, we should call for Kyou Kai or she might kill one of you, thinking you are an intruder." Twilight says. "They're fine." A voice said above them. They all look up to see Kai hanging above them messing with a puzzle box. "Oh good, you know. Now, I don't have to worry about you killing them." Twilight says. Kai hums as she still didn't look at them. "At least we don't need to introduce ourselves. Time waster." Twilight chuckles a bit. "Alright Kai. Come on down. Say hello to your new member of the family." Twilight says coming out after finishing feeding Devotio. "So what is his name?" Kai asks coming down. Twilight smiles as he shows him. "Devotio Sparkle. Our new prince of Equestria and heir." "I see." Kai says looking at him before booping his stomach with her nose. "Everyone, meet Kyou Kai, a general in the Stalliongrad military." Twilight said rocking Devotio. Devotio coos and reaches for Kai as she boops him again and tries to grab her nose. "She can also kill any of you in here before you even realize you're dead. Now Kai, can you help me with Lightning. He overworked himself again." Twilight says. Kai sighs and goes over to Lightning before placing him on her back. "Always working." "Like you." Twilight says. Kai smiles. "I sleep." "Uh huh, when?" Twilight asks sticking her tongue out. Kai grumbles as she takes Lightning away who now proceeded to wraps his forelegs around Kai and snuggles into her. "So soft." He mumbled. "I know." Kai says smirking where nopony could see or hear them. Lightning keeps mumbling as she carries him out and Twilight follows with Devotio in her hooves. "He deserves to sleep with his new son." She said passing everypony else. "I want to go see this city, don't you love?" Night asks Velvet. Velvet nods. "Oh yes, might be great to see new sights." "I shall arrange for a group of guards and translator to come with you then as they speak and read a different language." Twilight says before exiting the door. They both smile and head out as Shining was still slouching and Cadance was still looking at him expectantly. "May I see a training exercise by the guards?" Shining calls. "The guards, big brother, are a part of one of the three armies of my husband. They are the dragon guards." Twilight says. Shining looks to her and follows her out with Cadance skipping merrily behind him. "Dragon guards?" "Dragon army and Kyou is their general, so I will request you get to sit in on a training exercise." Twilight says. Shining smiles a bit as he keeps following until Kai came back and leads him the other way. "Whoa, they were…" Cadance stops to think about what is the correct term. "Brutal and efficient are the words you are looking for." Kai says. Cadance smiles and nods. "Yes, that's it. The highest level in fact." "They should be, I trained them." Kai says monotone. Shining blinks at her. "Wait, what?" "I am their general." Kai reminds. Shining keeps blinking as Cadance smirks at him. "He doesn't like a mare getting on top." "That feeling is useless." Kai says as her remark felt like a stab to Shining. Shining groans and slouches more. "Would you like to go to the arena? They are holding monster fights today." Kai says. "Monster fights?" They both ask. "Yes, it is a way for somepony to make a name for themselves. We capture monsters in the wild and let volunteer fighters fight them." Kai says. Cadance looks worried. "Won't that hurt the population?" "Do you care if a species of giant spider dies off?" Kai asks. Cadance chuckles nervously. "Um…extinct species." "Come with me." Kai says leading them to the arena. Both Shining and Cadance were surprised at the arena as they came to it and the creatures still roaming around inside. "This is amazing." Cadance said. "Magic and design keeps them in the arena and out of the stands. The match against these giant spiders is about to begin. One of my young officers is fighting today." Kai says. They watch as a young soldier step into the field and soon the spiders ran at him before he started to use elemental magic and his axe to chop them down. "He is a battle mage from the college here to continue his studies and start his military career." Kai says as he splits the head of the last spider. Shining gaps at the sight of the all the killings. "That much…in that time." "It was only six." Kai says. Shining looks to her. "Those big spiders?" He asks pointing. "Yes and those are the average ones. The giant one is not scheduled to fight today." Kai says. Cadance smiles a bit as she looks to her. "How many creatures?" She asks carefully. "Quite a few. Would you rather going to see the races than this?" Kai asks. Shining now nods dumbly. Kai leads them to a huge race track on the edge of the city, where teams of two were strapped to heavy looking chariots which were weighed down with heavy weights. Cadance raises an eyebrow. "Weights?" "Yes, each team must have great strength and stamina to pull the chariots the whole race and dexterity to do so effectively." Kai says. Cadance smiles widely as she watches the eight chariots were now sent off and pulled as she watches them move almost as fast as the Wonderbolts. "This is well done. What else do you have?" "Many other things, but most of them are not running right now." Kai says. Cadance leans over. "What are they called?" "Aren't you nosy." Kai says. Cadance grins. "I try." "So Shadow, how do you feel?" Lightning asks petting her head. Shadow moans and nuzzles him. "Great. Thanks for accepting me like this." "So you take a peek at the newest foal?" Lightning asks. Shadow smiles and looks to him. "Beautiful foal. You did a great job." "No, Twilight did as she bore him." Lightning says looking at her, still in her Shadow Rainbow form. Shadow grins. "But you supplied the start of it all." "So Rainbow caught you in this form yet?" Lightning asks. Shadow shakes her head. "No, I was in the walls in the bare form when she got into the room. Now enough about that, how's the former slaves doing?" "Most are working on farms across the central plains being cared for, but I decided to appoint one to be my son Talion's caretaker." Lightning says. Shadow raises an eyebrow. "Caretaker, who?" "Nu uh, that would be telling." Lightning says. Shadow smiles a bit. "Well…what about me? What are we going to do before all this war things?" "I'm already petting you." Lightning says. "You're sure about this?" Rainbow asks looking at Daring. Daring nods. "Oh yes, he would love this. Now, you remember the moves?" "You sure Eclipse isn't playing with us?" Rainbow asks again as Daring sends a guard to go find Lightning. Daring grins. "Yeah, she isn't. She told me that he loved the show." "You got that from a letter?" Rainbow asks skeptical. Daring chuckles. "Oh yeah, she's very descriptive." Rainbow looks unconvinced. "I doubt that." Daring looks at her with a smirk. "Do you remember her acts?" Rainbow stares at her. "Oh yeah." "Hey Daring, what do you ne…" Lightning stops, seeing what his wife and mistress were wearing. Rainbow waves shyly. "Hi Lightning." Lightning just blinks. "Wha…" Daring grins. "Yeah, a little gift from Eclipse." "But…" Lightning tries to talk before Daring leads him to the bed. Daring smiles gently as she puts him on the bed. "Just enjoy the show." She said walking back to Rainbow. "So we going for another foal Daring?" Lightning wisecracks. Daring rolls her eyes at him. "Oh shut up Lightning and enjoy the show. We practice for a bit for this." "Jarl Lightning, a message from High king Ulfric." A royal messenger says. Lightning groans as he opens the door. "Yes? What's it about?" "The heir to Urreigns and the High King have come to an agreement." The messenger whispers into his ear. Lightning yawns and rubs his eyes. "Good. Give him my thanks for agreeing and putting a treaty into the country together. Also, tell him I like to hold a banquet with the heir. Give him a bit of a thanks." "He wants you there to meet the heir because you will leading the campaign." The messenger says. Lightning groans. "Of course he does." Lightning says. "Lightning? What it is?" A voice calls from inside. "I'll tell you in a moment." Lightning calls. "Okay." Somepony called back before a thump was heard. "Thank you, take a message back informing the high king I am on my way." Lightning says. The messenger nods and runs off. Lighting closes the door and looks to the two mares on his bed long ago last night were they relieved of that dancer outfits. "You two are curious. I can tell it within your eyes." Lightning says walking over as they keep eyeing him. "Alright, you both know we plan to invade Urreigns soon. Well it turns out that the late ruler married twice. The second was with a dominion noble mare. At his death bed when the heir came to see his father they denied him entrance to the capital and later sought to kill him. My spies recognizing an opportunity spirited the heir away and a few weeks ago the heir entered Windhelm and began talks with the high king. The king seems to have agreed to aid the heir changing our war from a conquest to one of restoring the rightful heir." Lightning says. Daring yawns. "So what now?" "There is more to the story. My spies have reported that the current ruler is practically a figurehead and his mother and family have usurped control." Lightning says. Rainbow hisses. "So the plan is what?" "This is an unusual situation. I'm not sure we can call the current ruler a usurper because of this." Lightning says sighing. Daring yawns again. "Well it's been too long. It's too late anyway." "You know him calling me means that I will soon be ordered to march." Lightning says. They both groan and lay against the bed. "Now?" Rainbow calls out. "Not yet love, but in a month or less." Lightning says petting her. Rainbow still groans. "You knew this day would come Rainbow, stop belly aching." Daring says. "Hate it still." "Rainbow, while I am gone, you have a duty to uphold." Lightning says. Rainbow groans as she puts her head against him. "And I'm not liking it." "You don't like your duty is to watch over and raise our children as their mother?" Lightning asks making Rainbow's head raises immediately, realizing what implications her words held. Daring sighs. "Just try and come back once in a while. I don't think anypony would like it if you lived the rest of your life out there." "You know that one can't predict how a war will truly go Daring." Lightning says as Daring rolls over and smirks before kissing Rainbow. Lightning raises an eyebrow as he watches them. "Um…if this is a privilege to see you two like this, it has to be more." "No, just taking Rainbow off guard." Daring says getting up. Lightning sighs. "I'll try to be there for important things. Deal?" He asks Rainbow. "You will have to run the fief for me love with the other official as Kai will be coming with me along with the Dire wolf army." Lightning informs. Rainbow sighs. "Fine." "Good girl." Lightning says petting her. Rainbow purrs sadly as she leans against him. "Look at you, not even twenty nine, a wonderbolt, ruler of four fiefs, three in Equestria and the central plains of Stalliongrad, and the mother of three healthy foals. Rainbow you truly are a wonder." Lightning says lovingly. Rainbow keeps purring. "Only because you are there." "Take good care of the foals, ok?" Lightning asks. Rainbow sighs. "Okay." "You are a good mother and a great wife." Lightning says. Rainbow frowns a bit. "Am I?" "Yes, you are. Better than what I deserve." Lightning says leaning onto her. Rainbow looks to him and sighs. "I love you Lightning." "I love you too." Lightning says before kissing her and turns to Daring. "And you too." Lightning says before kissing her. Daring smiles as he lets go. "Oh Lightning." "Your second duty is to keep Daring here in check, ok?" Lightning asks. Rainbow chuckles a bit. "With her collar fetish, that's a bit troubling." "You won't do that for the sake of the foals. She won't while I'm away. Right, Daring?" Lightning asks. Daring quickly puts the collar away. "Um…sure." "Good girl." Lightning says before raspberrying her neck. Daring laughs as he keeps raspberrying and kissing her neck while Rainbow smiles. "Lightning?" She asks. "Yes?" Lightning asks. Rainbow sighs. "You better go tell everypony else. Give them each a night to remember." "Unfortunately, I have to go see the high king. I will give them that night after I return." Lightning says. Rainbow nods. "Come back safely." "It's a quick trip. Especially with the new roads the high king has made." Lightning says getting up. "Oh, and girls." "Yes?" They both ask. "I really enjoyed your dance last night." Lightning says. They both blush and smile. Lightning's carriage stops in front of Winterhold's main gate and Lightning quickly gets out and walks at a brisk pace to the city, his armor not seemingly impeding him. "Sir." One guard said seeing him at the keep's entrance. "Announce my arrival so the high king knows I have arrived." Lightning commands walking through the gate. The guard nods and rushes in and heads past him to announce him. "Jarl and King Lightning." He calls out. Lightning enters quickly and heads straight for the war room, knowing that is where the high king would be. Upon entering, Lightning bows. "High king." Ulfric sighs. "Enough bowing for now. Now isn't the time." "It is only right, one should bow to their liege." Lightning says before getting up. Ulfric chuckles. "At this moment, no." "I have been briefed on the gist of the situation." Lightning says. "Aye. After all, it was your agents that smuggled the heir and rightful ruler out of Urreigns in the first place." Ulfric says. Lightning chuckles. "I wouldn't say my agents." "They are your men." Ulfric says. "Very well, they are mine." Lightning says. "And they were able to save my life." An adult female voice said around a small corner. Lightning turns around to see a dragoness walking around it. "Well, that is a surprise. I didn't expect a female as all my messages read heir, not heiress." Lightning says. The dragoness chuckles. "Yes, well, I told them to keep it quiet." "I see, you must be quite persuasive for them to leave out that detail." Lightning says eyeing her like a hawk. The dragoness chuckles almost manically in her own tone. "Silver tongue." Lightning stares at her. "No, seriously, silver tongue." The dragoness said sticking out her tongue and shows it had faint specks of silver before pulling it back in. "And as you can see, my form is another enticer." She said showing her weirdly proportional body as it held a more hourglass figure than the usual dragon form, even for a female. "Most males fall for me, no matter the species. Though it could be said for some to resist." She said looking to Ulfric. Lightning, to her shock, gives a dismissive wave at that. The dragoness snorts some smoke in his direction. "You don't like my form?" She asks annoyed that he didn't even bother looking. "No, it's just it take more than looks to even make me interested." Lightning says, shocking her again as he looks at the map as Ulfric laughs. "Never encountered anyone like him huh?" Ulfric asks. The dragoness snorts again. "Your head guard eyed my flank a lot longer than he should have." "And yet one of my jarls and the general didn't even spare you a second glance." Ulfric says smirking. The dragoness was still growling in her throat and snorting smoke in Lightning's direction. Lightning waves his wing, sending it back at her. "I can divert one army to invade Urreigns, high king." Lightning says. Ulfric shakes his head a bit at his actions. "You still need another to disguise or distract them should anything go wrong and they usually do. Remember Riften?" Lightning tries to look innocent. "So the guard spotted my food wrappings. I had to take him out." Ulfric chuckles. "And then you had to take out the training grounds. We could have used those men." "If they weren't useless at everything except being cannon fodder, I might agree." Lightning says. Ulfric keeps chuckles as he shakes his head. "Just so you know, even in battle, you would sometimes make a brash move. Now then, two squads, one seen and the other in between." "High king, enough jokes please." Lightning says as a general. Ulfric waves a hoof. "Yes, yes. Now let's get this plan done." "Leave it to me…I suppose I should take the heiress as well." Lightning says. The dragoness huffs. "How else would you take the throne in the end?" She asks sarcastically. "Listen closely. You will do as I say and not contradict my orders, understand?" Lightning asks. The dragoness was on the other side of the room looking at a few maps. "Yes, yes. Whatever you say." She said waving a sharp bladed tail at him in a dismissive manner. "Good, then we leave immediately." Lightning says before bowing to Ulfric and glares out of the corner of his eye to the dragoness. The dragoness huffs and puts the maps down and walks out after giving a small wing bow. "I thank you for your hospitality." She said dignified and calmly before walking out into the main hall. "By the way, the north map needs to be updated. The allies of yours has moved up a city each." She called out. Ulfric just grins at Lightning who was frowning. "I like her." He said and only made Lightning roll his eyes. The carriage ride had been one of silence since it started five hours ago and all the while, the dragoness was messing around with a pot and ingredients that look like they were for alchemy. "Have you ever heard of strange tales of the city?" The dragoness suddenly asks as she cooks the pot a bit with her flame. Lightning says nothing. The dragoness shakes her head a bit as she dips her black claw in the stew. "You don't talk much, do you? Nothing personal or casual and just all business?" "I am focused on the task at hand and running several battle simulations in my head." Lightning says. "The statue speaks." The dragoness said dipping her claw again and then proceeds to burn it a bit before stopping and looking satisfied. "I was worried you might have grown a few cracks, but it seems you didn't." Lightning sighs and looks at her. "You are good at manipulating, but I am not so easily manipulated." Lightning says. The dragoness snorts smoke into the pot and quickly closes it with a lid and proceeds to burn it. "I made you talk when you didn't want to." She said simply. "So what do you think of your half brother?" Lightning asks. The dragoness huffs. "Truthfully, he's kinda a bit slow at times. Fast at others. Though being king, not so much. I doubt he could do much politics, but can cause quite a stir as we have seen." She said before looking up. "So you don't know he is only being used and his family from the Dominion are using him as a figurehead as they continue to usurp the rule of the country?" Lightning asks, stunning her into silence. She then sighs. "I knew he was too smart for that plan, or the means to carry it out. Of course he was being used. Can you tell your assassin to come down? Her presence up there is giving me trouble and I don't want to mess up the concoction." "First, Entei is a he, not a she. Second, if you see him, his code demands he kills you." Lightning says. The dragoness held a small smirk at the corner of her muzzle that Lightning can clearly see. "But he won't." "He could easily. He has already had more than twenty opportunities." Lightning says. The dragoness laughs for a bit. "I like those that give challenges sometimes. Though this ain't one. Besides, why do you think I am making this potion? For sport?" "To tell the truth, potions are my weakest field in my magical studies." Lightning says. The dragoness holds up a claw. "I expected as much." She said picking up the pot and opens the lid and holds it outside the carriage. "Though, strange things can be revealed." She said bringing it back in from the moonlight as it glowed slightly blue and blows fire on her claw till it was red hot. "And even stronger ones has risen as they use advantages that are not counted as cheating in a sense." She said placing the pot down before throwing herself at him and holds his head away and proceeds to scratch her red hot claw on his neck, making it sizzle from the heat. "Only a few seconds." She said calmly as she defended herself from the knives by catching it in the guards of her tail behind her. "Are you done? This isn't the worst I have been burnt." Lightning says monotone, surprising her again by his willpower as most ponies consider this torture. The dragoness huffs some smoke at him before pulling her claw away. "Done, but not the process." She said sitting back in her seat and throws the knives back up into the ceiling. "Next phase and final one." She said dipping her talon in the pot and takes out a powder from the liquid before blowing it at him and throws some on herself. "I'll see you later." She said before Lightning fell asleep on his side with her following. Lightning groans as he gets up and sees himself in a moonlit lake area. "Not bad a place." He said to himself. The dragoness huffs as she walks past him to the lake edge. "I needed to talk to you without other ears hanging around us." "So you guessed the true reason for my silence. You're far sharper than you let on." Lightning says. The dragoness chuckles. "Yes, with my figure, dimwitted males just see me as a bimbo and that gives me an edge as I play a little with their irrational thoughts." "The act helps as well. Tell me, has anyone comforted you from when that Dominion family barred you from even seeing your father on his deathbed?" Lightning asks. The dragoness sighs as she sits down on the side of the lake. "Dragons fall, dragons lay, most don't lie in dirt, most go up in flames, following others, not following fools. Only when they feel their energy, do dragons fall completely." She sang in a somewhat operatic tone before turning to him. "Dragons go up in flames and let only their bones remain. Preventing scavengers from gaining dragon powers and magic." Lightning walks up to her and hugs her. The dragoness looks to him before wrapping a wing around him. "Penitus." She said simply. Lightning looks up to her. "What?" The dragoness smiles. "That is my cover name. You can use that in the public. My real name is more feminine and in a dragon tongue. Can't speak it unless you have dragon magic and no, taking it won't count." "Penitus." Lightning says. The dragoness holds his head with both talons. "No, this." She said before touching her head to his and Lightning gasps as he felt a rush of feelings go through before she lets go and smiles. "Now you know my real name." "I see." Lightning says looking into her eyes. The dragoness nods as the moonlight washes over them and makes her previous scales change multiple colors before stopping on white and then fully black. "If you're wondering, potion accident. That was one alchemy set I could never touch again. Though I did sneak into the alchemy labs once in a while." She said smirking as her purple eyes showed merit in them. "Listen, you mind taking it easy when we get back to my fief? My wife won't take your flirting well most likely." Lightning says. The dragoness giggles. "I have to keep the same image. Don't worry, you'll get the same act as back at Winterhold." "Also, I should warn you, my adopted daughter is a dragon pony hybrid like your brother." Lightning says. The dragoness raises an eyebrow at him. "Really now? I wonder how that happened." "Do I need to give you a lesson on the birds and the bees?" Lightning jokes. The dragoness chuckles. "I already got that embarrassing motion from my parents." Lightning sighs. "Do you want to know what the Dominion is doing to your people?" Lightning asks. The dragoness huffs as she looks to the lake again. "Your high king is very chatty." "So you know they are imposing unbearable taxes and just looking for a reason to send them to work in the mines as slaves." Lightning says. The dragoness nods as she wraps her tail around him. "Yes and there may be more planned out for them. We need to hurry." "No, what we need are three things. Speed to move before the usurpers can muster the army against us all at once, your charisma to get your people to rise up, and a little luck that we may be well on our way before a legion comes to secure the country and enforce their tyranny." Lightning says. The dragoness sighs. "Yes, but at least we can see how things might be in the meantime." "Alright, we ready to get out of here?" Lightning asks. The dragoness smiles and nods. "Yes and here's one way." She said before turning to him and then kisses him that made him close his eyes for a few seconds before opening them to realize he is back in the carriage. "Was that really necessary?" Lightning asks in a monotone voice not missing a beat. The dragoness yawns as she gets up. "Yes, it allows me to see you well in the midst of battle or from far away." "Great, I can look forward to you trying to seduce me every step of the way then." Lightning says sarcastically. The dragoness chuckles a bit darkly as she looks to him and he can see her eyes change color once before changing back. "I would happily follow you guys. You seem fun." Lightning exhales and puts his face in his hooves. The dragoness rolls her eyes. "Oh relax." "I don't like her already." Twilight says. Lightning pinches the bridge of his eyes together. "Yeah, the feeling is mutual." "At least she won't bother us much, right?" Silva asks. Lightning looks to her. "What do you think?" "I have instructed my soldiers to keep her under wraps, now come on you." Kai says pulling Lightning along. Lightning groans as he was pulled. "Where are we going?" "Did that satisfy all five of you?" Lightning asks. They all hum approvingly. "So Silva, you are the only mare not to bare a foal yet." Lightning says. Silva sighs happily. "I hope I get one from this." "Speaking of marriage matters, Applejack finally said yes to Zhang Liao." Twilight says. "Oh, do tell." Rainbow says. Twilight smiles. "Well, after a few dates, he finally asked around about how to propose marriage and he did. Though he did overspend on the ring, didn't matter to Applejack as she wanted to know if he was adaptable. She was doing a test all along on him." She said smirking. "Anyway, on the final date, he popped the question and she immediately said yes after just one word. They haven't decided on a marriage date yet though." "How is her family taking the news and I mean the whole family?" Lightning says. Twilight sighs. "Apple Bloom, well she's happy. Big Mac is being the same protective big brother as he always been. Granny Smith, indifferent and breaking out the old dress she had worn. As for the other Apple family members, they are quite happy they got a strong apple bucking family member into the whole family again." "Do they know he is a high ranking military officer?" Lightning asks. Twilight shrugs. "Only by Applejack finally telling them. Big Mac is now a bit afraid, but trying to hold up a good front." "Oh, the old, my superior officer is now my in law." Daring says smiling. Rainbow smirks. "That happened to you?" "Nope. Only child." Daring says. Lightning chuckles as he wraps his wings around them. "Now then, what do you girls want to do? Lay here and sleep well? Go outside and enjoy the day on a date? Or have great battle?" Twilight grew a little serious. "Lightning, I may need to speak to you about something close to that last one." "Ok." Lightning says seeing her serious expression. Rainbow wraps a wing around her. "Geez Twilight, don't you ever be happy?" Twilight then grins. "Only when he does something, you know…." She said looking to Lightning. "Ok Twi, what is it?" Lightning asks. Twilight giggles. "Oh, just this thing that makes us all happy." She said moving a hoof under him. "This part." She said smirking. "That makes me really high happy." "I meant the war part." Lightning says. Twilight sighs, losing her happy mood. "Meet me in my temporary lab later. Yes, I set one up here." "Come here miss grumpy." Lightning says massaging her wings. Twilight eeps as she freezes up a bit. "Lightning." She squeaks. "Oh, look who's the big bad queen now girls." Lightning says smirking. Twilight blushes heavily at them as she tries to glare. "Shut…shut up!" She tries to yells under the massage. "Who's a sexy queen?" Lightning asks smirking. "She is." All the other mares say as Twilight blushes even more. "Now tell me." Lightning says having her right where he wanted her. Twilight groans as he hugs her against his chest. "It's your new equipment." "The stuff that is still isn't even really in the prototype stage?" Lightning asks. Twilight turns her head at him. "Present for you. I got something special for you." "Oh, like special like the way I treated you." Lightning teases. Twilight rolls her eyes. "Just meet me in the lab later." "Who here thinks Twilight hasn't relieved enough stress?" Lightning asks. They all raises their hooves as Twilight frowns a bit. "Later Lightning." She said waving him off. "Sorry, majority rules." Lightning says rubbing her stomach. Twilight pouts cutely and crosses her hooves as she puffs up her cheeks. Lightning smirks as he lays her back on the bed. Twilight was still pouting. "Pushy." She said. Lightning smirks as he mounts her again. "So what do you want to show me?" Lightning asks leaning against her as they walk to the lab. Twilight smiles a bit before worriedly looking at him. "When do you leave for any battle in the coming time?" "Soon, as in within the month do I and Kai will leave to campaign." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "Okay, then I'm glad I got this done. Mine has always been ready, but as you know, I have been using it as a testing platform. Yours however was never made by the blacksmith, I did. I knew, to keep you safe, I couldn't trust the blacksmith even though he was doing it. However, I added a few things and now it's time to try it on. Here, got your skinsuit. Wear this first and then place the armor on in parts and it should take care of itself." She said showing his skinsuit in her magic. "I'm sorry, your sexy flank is distracting." Lightning jokes. Twilight giggles as she gives him the skinsuit as they stop in front of the lab door. "Wear it. Your armor is inside. I'll be waiting." She said walking inside and closing the door behind her. "Another one of your kinks Twi?" Lightning jokes. "Nope. Precaution." She called from behind the door. "Oh, not letting me get to you right now, huh?" Lightning calls putting it on He revived no answer and heads inside after he zipped up his suit and finds the lab as a cruder version than the one in Canterlot. "Better make sure to make a dedicated version for like a whole wing when we get back." He said to himself before spotting his armor hanging from a stand and starts to put it on. "Twi?" He asks and still gets no answer. "Weird." Lightning raises an eyebrow as he keeps splitting apart the armor and sees it start to lock together before finally grabbing the helmet. "Let's hope this works." He said to himself before putting it on and feels it lock into place. He then tilts his head as he hears a rumbling and looks to another door and raises an eyebrow at it. "Hello?" BOOM Lightning was surprised as he was punched into the lab door and out of it and then out of the hallway wall and finds himself in the air before righting himself with his wings and finds another same looking armor coming at him with a punch. "Hey!" He yells before being punched again downward and then feels himself get heated and sent upward before it dies off and sees Agni on the wall readying another flamethrower. He looks back to the armor flying where it punched him and sees the purple wings. "Oh, a test huh?" He asks himself before grinning. Twilight chuckles loudly as she flies toward him while readying a fireball in her hoof and sends it to him while preparing another flaming hoof in her other hoof as she came closer. Lightning smiles as he sends the fireballs away before trying to grab her hoof and then realizes it went lower than expected and hits him straight in the stomach before it sends him down in altitude a bit. He looks up in time to see a large flaming strike coming at him and only felt it hit his head and sends him straight to the ground. "Ow." Twilight huffs as she lands nearby. "Agni!" Agni grins as he jumps down near to them and punches the ground and making the ground heat up before it explodes from right under Lightning, making him yell out and fly up a bit before he rights himself in the air and sends some lightning strikes at them to which they either dodge or get scrapes from it. "Oh you want to play that game." Lightning says before extending his left hoof and a light blue glyph appears under Agni. Agni looks down as Twilight spins in a circle and makes fire appear around her in a fire tornado and Agni tries to move before frowning as he couldn't moves his feet before making fire build up on his paw and then slams it into the ground and makes the ground crack up and makes the light die down before he starts running around them. "Not happening." Twilight calls out as she sends the tornado at him. Lightning frowns before lighting up a shield glyph in front of him and was surprised when it went right through but it seems to phase past his armor. "What?" He asks himself as he looks to the metal plates. Twilight smiles under her helmet. "Magic redirection and collection system are working well." She said before flying up again at him with another flaming hoof. Lightning chuckles as he dodges her hoof and sends another at her before she catches it and starts hitting him on his side with her elbow while trying to hit under his chin with her hoof before he grabs her and throws her away as she rights herself in the air. Twilight turns to him while sending fireballs at him as it pushes him back a few while he sends some others away. "Come on. Is the best the great Lightning can do?" She teases. Lightning raises an eyebrow at her as he kept trying on sending some fireballs away. "You want me to try everything at you?" Twilight backs off as they both hover in place. "Short of killing or hurting me greatly." Lightning shakes his head before Twilight sees the clouds starting to form above them. "Alright then. Here it comes." He said before moving his hoof down and Twilight eeps as she dodged a strike from the clouds which almost hits Agni nearby as he digs under the ground. Twilight smiles at his actions. "Good. Now the real fun begins." She calls out as she flies toward him as she seemed to form a flaming spear in her hooves. Lightning frowns as he forms a lightning shield in front of him only for Twilight to change the shape of the spear into something that looks like a sword and brings it upward on him and Lightning tries to move the shield before feeling a big nick on his leg as the rest hit his shield. Lightning growls a bit as he brings his hooves together and forms a lightning sword as well before they start striking each other. "Come on Twilight!" Somepony yells from the window. Lightning quickly looks to the window and sees Rainbow. "Kick his flank!" She yells as the whole family and even the foals were there, cheering Twilight on. "Mom, down here!" Agni calls. Twilight giggles as she keeps striking away as Lightning tries to comprehend why they choose her side when he feels a tug on his tail and only has a second before being pulled downward and then upward and then flung downward as he tries to flex his wings to gain some air before feeling something hit his back and makes him arch his back and freeze up before he was launched up into the air. Twilight grins as she brings the sword up. "Going down." She said before hitting him straight on and sends him down again and Agni sends him up again and soon it became a game of ping pong as Twilight starts to hover downward before hitting him one last time and sends him into the ground. "Game!" She cheered as she got rid of her fire sword and lands next to Agni. Lightning growls as he got up and races toward them and tackles Twilight as she tries to hit him in a hoof to hoof fight before they both ended up standing up as they try to hit each other as Agni runs around them while spitting fire onto the ground and makes a circle around them. Lightning grins as he saw an opening and trips Twilight before feeling himself spun around and then gets hit his face as Agni starts fighting him and even going as far as to kick him as Lightning feels some punches on his back and grabs Twilight's hoof and Agni's foot and smacks them together and sends them away as he backs off. They bring shake themselves off as they all stare down each other before Agni punches the ground and makes the ground crack up under Lightning before it drops into a crater and Lightning fell down before blocking a few strikes by Twilight and ducks as Agni tries to kick from behind and starts fighting both of them as he kept switching between them. Twilight soon drops low and hits him in the stomach again and makes him bend over a bit before punching him in the face and sends him looking the other way as Agni hits him in the face and makes him look back to Twilight and soon was being sent back and forth between the two before Lightning grabs both of them and starts hitting them faster than ever before kicking them both away in one go and sends them to the other side of the walls of the training ground now destroyed. They both groan as they pull themselves out of the wall and sees Lightning charging something up as lightning strikes him from the dark clouds above. Twilight frowns as she runs at him and starts charging up her fire magic and makes fire swirl around her as Agni shots some fire breath at Lightning only for him to dodge and get collected by Twilight before he charges another big flaming talon and readies to punch as Lightning brings his hooves up and Twilight gets her fire sword ready before they all clash in the middle. BOOM All the soldiers and civilians, seeing the action and the massive explosion, take cover as the shockwave makes some of them take a flying lesson while Rainbow and the others take cover and ducks as the windows shatter around them before everything goes quiet and they look to see three bodies lying down in a crater almost unconscious looking until they all rolled over on their backs. "So…you made this armor personally huh?" Lightning breathes out. Twilight hums as she reaches a hoof up and presses something on her neck and makes the helmet split in two and collapse in on itself as it collects on the neck area. "Yeah, I made it personally so when I make a prototype of an improvement, you can get the completed version immediately since yours and mine are almost the same. The other soldiers would have to wait before a more efficient model comes out." Lightning nods as he makes the same motion and makes his helmet split as well as they all look to the clouds now dissipating. "That was a good way to say good luck." Agni laughs a bit. "More like, let's just see how strong you really are." Twilight giggles as she reaches a hoof out to them and Agni grabs it before Lightning places his on top of theirs. "Yeah, can't believe I held up that well." Lightning nods. "Yeah, just one thing, you forgot." Lightning says. Twilight hums. "What is it?" "They are not teleportation proof." Lightning says and next thing Twilight knew, she was teleported out of the armor and into Lightning's hooves. Twilight sighs as she rests against him. "I'll add the sigil for that." "Oh, I see you were wearing something skimpy under it." Lightning says smirking. Twilight rolls her eyes as he rubs her flank that was covered by her own skinsuit. "Please, you are wearing your own and I peeked a look. Nice big spot and may have to restich your own suit." "Oh, says the mare who wanted to keep going when I reminded her of work." Lightning jokes. Twilight chuckles. "Come on Lightning. At least tell me how the armor is." "Good, but still needs a few field tests before we can deploy them in a battlefield." Lightning says petting Twilight's flank as Agni had left to sneak into the kitchen again. Twilight sighs. "It will be done in time before you leave. I'll get this done and soon, you would unstoppable on the battlefield. Besides, I'm going to need to expand my lab. Want to fuel my resource needs? I may be able to speed things along and make a research division. Private, of course." Lightning smiles. "Anything for my mare. Now, shall we get out of these things, get a bath and heal up and grab some dinner?" Twilight grins. "Please." "Ok and don't rush it Twi. Let's keep it as our secret weapon to unleash on the Dominion when the true war starts and speaking of food, after you bathe, shouldn't you go see our little prince and see if he is hungry?" Lightning asks. Twilight nods. "Yeah, probably a good idea. Though he did enjoy the show." She said looking over to the rest of the family watching from the hole in the wall. "Think he's proud of us?" "Oh boy how, long is that going to…you know what, just call the mason." Lightning says sighing. Twilight chuckles nervously. "Yeah, sorry about that. I had to give a surprise attack on you with the armor." "Kai, remind me, what are the walls are made out of again?" Lightning requests. Kai chuckles. "Granite mostly, with a variety of rocks to give it its color." Kai says. Twilight raises an eyebrow at him. "What's that about?" Lightning looks back to her. "Twi, you punched me through hard granite." "So?" Twilight asks. Lightning groans as he sits up a bit. "Granite is harder than enhanced concrete. Which is used in most skyscrapers and they are still standing without chipping. Punching through it or sending a body through it…yeah…that's not happening unless you are a…Power Pony I think they are called. Granite and going right through it with ease, how?" Twilight smiles and lifts his armored hoof. "Servos. Can make it like lifting a hundred pound weight to something like ten pounds. The machine does most of the work. You just have to give your regular strength and it would be amplified by almost ten to one." "Sounds powerful…and dangerous." Lightning says. Twilight nods. "That's why I'm making these armors specific to a pony. And we are choosing the pony who goes in. We are the first. Now we just have to find some trustworthy ponies." Before they could continue, Devotio cries out. Twilight sits up and looks in his direction. "Coming honey!" She yelled before teleporting up to them and takes Devotio. "Shh, you hungry? Let's get something to eat." She said walking away with him. "Nurse him love." Lightning calls before eying the hole and sighs. "I wish I knew a spell that could fix this." Lightning says. Kai grins as Lightning collects Twilight's armor and walks up near them. "So, want to remodel or make it like it was before?" She asks him. "Leave that to Equestria's queen." Lightning says. Kai rolls her eyes. "You still got your ass kicked." "Since when were you demoted to sidekick?" Lightning jokes. Kai huffs. "Shut up. At least we know our queen can hold herself up. She did hold her own against you so we can worry less. Also, she kicks some good flanks. She did take you down." Lightning holds up a hoof. "We took each other down." Kai says nothing else and drags him away. "She taking him to train?" Rainbow asks. Silva and Daring smirk to each other. "He got beaten by his own wife. What do you think?" Silva asks Daring. "Well if he trains up before going off, I will feel a little better." Rainbow says. Daring smiles. "Well, at least we can be sure one of us can hold up well with him when we fight. Who knows, maybe our queen can take him down if he goes crazy." Rainbow chuckles as she walks past. "Isn't that all the time?" "Daddy's funny." The twins said from her back as they held Windstorm. "Who wants food?" Silva asks. "We do. We do." The twins and Daring call out while Star just coos and raises a hoof. "I got Saber." Silva says. Saber coos and laughs as he wiggles around on her back. "Oh, who is a good foal?" Silva asks. "Gah." Saber said and hugs her neck.
