My Little Pony: Echos of Dream Valley

Bryan fidgeted a bit in his wheelchair as they were proceeding through the hospital halls. "Okay Ace I've gotta ask. Why all the sandbagging during the battle with the changelings? I know we were badly outnumbered, but I also know that you're much better than that." he said.

"They had more then numerical advantage there. One the air was dry and cloudless. That is a disadvantage to me as I have to take longer to charge my lightning. On top of that I had to watch my shots so as to not hit you which was the tallest conductor around. I also did not have my good gear with me not expecting any real danger. Even then I was curious what they wanted... I just didn't know that that the hive's queen had gone nuts. Torture is not in the normal changeling M.O.

"Basically it was a mix of a bad call, poor conditions and lax guard. Same screw ups I point out in the capital all the time. Crow is not very tasty, but Blueblood's stunt hopefully opened everypony's eyes." Explains Ace he was using the I'm getting too old for this shit voice Ace was older then Twilight and her friends, he was even a few years older the her big brother. But no one really saw it in him unless he was being serious. Then it was like a magic switch was hit. The lines darken, scars stand out more, and his pupils shrank giving him a hard stare. It is when he is like this you can tell the years were not kind to him as he pretends they are.

Bryan pondered Ace's statements for a long moment. "I hate to say this but I was honestly afraid something like this would happen. My experiences in Ponyland left me with a lot of nasty shocks. We had to deal with so much on the fly as it were back then. Many of the ponies in Canterlot were complacent, I did what I could to warn the princesses but some the members of Parliament didn't want to hear it. Makes me wonder if some of them were on Blueblood's payroll." he said bitterly. Luna and Celestia had listened to Bryan and Ace both, but were repeatedly blocked by politicians that felt that there were no immediate threats.

"Politics, from the root words poly meaning multiple ticks and a blood sucking parasite." Said Ace with a shake of his head.

Bryan laughed "Yeah I've heard then before. We humans have that same expression. The parallels between human and pony culture amaze me sometimes." he looked Ace over worrying "I said you needed to slow down for a reason Ace, the thirteenth can afford to lose a lieutenant; but we can't afford to lose our captain. You're not invincible and you do need to remember that. Especially since you want to have foals, they are going to need you to be there for them and can't do that from Elysium." he sighed for not the first time that day "We're gonna have to take them from Ponyland, aren't we Ace?" it was less a question and more of a statement.

"Yeah, but hey look on the bright side Pinkie and Surprise in the same place, and then all those new sea ponies. The lake will be a regular party spot." He said with a chuckle then stopped and blinked. "Hey! Who said I would end up in Elysium? You and I both know I got standing reservation in Tartarus for my next job as the Captain of Queen Hel's personal guards. She'd be foolish to let my skills go to rot in some pasture." Said Ace with a smile.

Bryan laughed "You forgot about Fizzy, she's a regular party pony too. It will be nice to have my family here though. It's just that the idea of getting them to leave Ponyland doesn't sit well with me, even if it is for their own good. I know we can't help them from Equestria, but still it makes me feel bad thinking about it. As far as that goes," Bryan paused for dramatic effect. "well Queen Hel decided that there's too high of chance you'll lead a successful coup and take over. So you're headed for Elysium whether you like it or not." Bryan shook his head "Queen Hel. You know that Luna is in charge of that around here Ace, it's part of her being an alicorn."

"You have not seen them all. After all where did Celly and Lunny come from? There are more Alicorns out there. I have seen Soulful Harvest myself more then once." Said Ace said before doing a series of hoof gestures, to drive off bad karma.

"The sisters and their descendants are not the only ones the world is to vast. Also they can't do everything. Why else would we have the guard if they could?" Ace added.

"Actually," Bryan said "Luna and Celestia told that their parents were both unicorns. How and why they were born alicorns is anypony's guess. It just happened." Bryan watched this with great curiosity. "You mean there is a pony grim reaper Ace? That's extraordinary! You have been close enough to death often enough I guess."

He just shook his head "It's Tia and Lulu Ace, Celly and Lunny just sounds silly. It's no secret that the royal sisters can't do everything, they aren't all powerful after all. The guard is needed because they alone can't defend everypony. As for other alicorns unless we actually have evidence of their existence it's a bad idea to spread that around. We just don't know that, nor should act like we do."

"I've heard the stories of them from Weapon Master. And seen the soul collector myself enough to believe what he told me is true there are other, older alicorns out there. They just aren't as public as the younger ones." said Ace

"Also I find my nicknames for them cuter, also Celly hates it when I call her that and she gets this funny twitch in her right eye."

Bryan shook his head "Ace I doubt that, just because there are four confirmed alicorns means nothing for there being more. And frankly I'd rather not see this soul gather for myself."

"Besides Lulu is way cuter, I can see her as a filly with a rope tied around her waist and a little robber mask on hanging in front a cookie jar for some reason. And Tia crouching down in hiding waiting to bandit some cake." Bryan said laughing "I can see it! Little Lulu the cookie bandit, and little Tia the cake thief."

"That's one thing we can both agree with. Those two must have been quite the pair of troublemakers when they were foals. I was just a stubborn, defiant, and smart mouthed run away. According to the weapon master at least. Then again I'm a Pegasus. Do you get the feeling that our foals will be hoof fulls as punishment for us joking about this?" said Ace.

Bryan facepalmed "Considering one of my herd mates is Megan Williams I'm in for a very willful child. I just have no idea if that's a good thing or not. And I have no idea if I'll be able to handle my foals with Twilight and Pinkie, that is if things in me have changed enough to make that happen." he rubbed his forehead "I don't think that will happen though, when I helped Ditzy with her heat she didn't get pregnant. So it would seem that humans and ponies aren't compatible. Also," he said "I've always known that I would have daughters for some reason, I have no idea why. have you ever had that happen Ace? You know where you just know you're going to have certain kinds of foals?"

"Yeah I know I'm going to have more daughters then sons. Because I was born with a silver gray mane and tail. So I will have many daughters to worry over. And that they will scare the horseapples out of their special someponies.

Bryan laughed "Ace that is utterly preposterous! Even with what little I know about pony genetics I can say with total confidence that the color of your mane and tail play absolutely no role whatsoever in the gender of the foals in you family. It simply isn't possible. Your near obsession with these meaningless superstitions defy all logic and evidence." Bryan then deflated "That's exactly what Wind Whistler would have almost word for word. I guess I really miss her more than I realized, it seems."

"Yeah the weapon master maybe a grouchy, grumpy, scaly old wind bag. But I do miss hearing him lecture me about when he was young or the back before those two young alicorns took over the sun and moon stories. He never shut up while my siblings and I was training under him and living there." Ace said with a nod. Then there is a flash of light and a scroll hit him on the nose.

Ace mumbles as he unrolls the mail. Then turns so pale he looked pink.

Bryan was stunned, never had he seen this happen without Spike in the room. "What is it Ace? I've never seen you turn pale before."

" A letter from hammer. What was that saying you used that week we got no sleep for three days cause it was mission after mission? When it rains it pours. Well get a umbrella. She reminding me that the annual family reunion is coming very soon and to make sure it's not missed like last two years she is taking over for me as organizer. That's not so bad in of itself but she found the family records and is inviting every last pony descended from General Firefly. It's not a big list but it has some notable ponies. They being my cousins Spitfire and Blaze in the bolts and the Guardian of Loyalty Rainbow Dash, as well as your friend Ditzy and her sister Daring Do. All three of there families are technically part of the same legion as mine. So that means the whole family is invited home to my mansion in Neighpon!" said Ace.

Bryan sighed once more "I'm not gonna make any smart remarks, something else will happen if I do."

"See I told you the fate writer is real this is punishment for your neigh saying. So you get to come to the reunion as a distant cousin. After all both Trixie and Twilight are descendants of Celestia and Trixie is part of my herd and Twilight's in yours. So guess what that makes you?"

Bryan deadpanned at Ace "This isn't punishment Ace, it'a coincidence and nothing more. Great not even the last thing I need is a legal relation to an insane pegasus pony with an invulnerability complex."

Days later after a visit from Zecora and some rather foul tasting medicine she'd concocted Ace and Bryan were out of the hospital and back in their homes. Both were working to help make sure that Ponyville's defenses were readied. There was some tension in the air as word of Twilight's impending coronation began to spread. It was a full week later when a letter would arrive that would change everything.

To the stupid pet monkey of auntie Tia.

I have a old friend of yours. A young mare by the name of Wind Whistler. She is very well spoken for a Pegasus I must say. You have one week to stop Twilight's coronation, have auntie Tia pardon me, and admit that you and that female human where in cahoots with those human murderers that attacked our ponies, and are really part of a invasion plot. Do all of this and I shall free her. If you don't well she will still be a lovely and enjoyable company but she won't have much to say anymore.

Sincerely the rightful ruler of Equestria Prince Blueblood.

Bryan read the letter and had restrain himself from tearing it to shreds. "How dare that coward mess with my family!" he turned to see Twilight lost in though while going over some papers she and Sunset had written with the data on Megan's fusion with the Rainbow of Light. "Twilight!" Bryan said suddenly causing her to jump. He grinned sheepishly "Sorry, I need you and Spike to send a letter to Canterlot and inform the princesses of what's going on." he said placing the letter on the table.

Twilight picked it up in her magic and scanned it "This is terrible! What are going to do Bryan?"

"I've got to go and find Ace, then I've got to go to Canterlot so we can deal with this."

Twilight trotted over to him and reared up to be face to face with him "Okay Bryan I'll get Megan to help get your things ready." She kissed him for a long moment before breaking it and letting him leave.

Bryan stormed out of the library to find Ace. He was seeing red this time.

Ace was not hard to find he had turned half the thirteenth in to a labor team and was with them building a what he called barracks but anypony that saw it knew it was full fortress that could shelter the town and the thirteenth in the event of a full invasion. This was par for Ace who often went with better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it approach.

"Overdoing it as always I see." Bryan deadpanned "Ace I need to talk to you at the library, and there's something you need to see as well." he said. Ace could feel the rage radiating from Bryan.

"This is hitting Dream Valley like I predicted isn't it?" Ace said with a sigh as he handed off the blue prints to the foreman pony.

"You'll see, it's worse than that actually. I could tell you, but I want you to see the letter I just received." Bryan shook his head "It gives new meaning to the word arrogance." He said as turned back toward the library.

Ace followed, and said. "If it's Blueblood then I won't be surprised. You look up egotistical, arrogant, snob, idiot and plothole, you will find his picture under each one. And after that last stunt traitor in the next reprint." He chuckled at his joke.

"I think we'll have to add more to that list." He said as he opened the library door and marched to the table where the letter rested "Take a look at this." he said handing the letter to Ace.

Ace read the letter and soon it was ignited by his body sparking with electricity. "When I get my hooves on that genetic dead end I'll make him beg me for death before I give him to the punishment division! I am going to show him a rainbow of pain he never imagined. I... I'll... get Megan and the others I'm going to find him now!" Shouted Ace. Right now Ace was looking like the pony the rumors said he was. His fur darkened looking like dried blood golden lightning cracked and surged over his body his eyes glowing gold his hair like silver spikes sticking up strait. This was a view of Ace Bryan never seen, this was the cold killer that stalked the Everfree making the monsters cower in fear.

"No Ace." Bryan said "We'll need you here to protect Ponyville in case they decide to attack it. I'll go to Canterlot and get some help from the second. This situation requires deft touch, if they really do have Wind Whistler subtlety is needed; not direct force."

Twilight was coming down the stairs with Megan and heard the two of them.

"We need to be careful and considered on this one Ace."

Megan spoke up "What's going on Bryan?"

Twilight looked up at her and shook her head. She knew that Ace and Bryan were mad and she wanted to let them cool off for a moment. Megan simply nodded in understanding.

"You're not cutting us out, and how you going to even find them?" Ace took a deep breath and calmed his mind.

"Okay it's time to pull out something from my bag of magic spells. Bryan Megan stand back to back and think of Wind Whistler." Ordered Ace as he stood on his hind legs and put his for hooves together.

Bryan and Megan looked at each other for a moment and did as asked.

"What do you think he is doing?' Megan whispered as she took Bryan's hand.

"I don't know." Bryan replied quietly as he held her hand.

Electricity built up around him then started to form a circle around Bryan and Megan. "Now focus on the pony he has as a hostage. This spell can be vary tricky to cast normally but finding one thread when you two are tied to so many and the fact I have to do this the hard way means I need your help. Also if you lose focus there is ten percent chance of getting electrocuted cause I'm using lightning to make the spell circle." Explained Ace before he closed his eyes.

Then he started chanting.
所有的靈魂觸動另一個生命，這些形成具有約束力的聯繫指導我，他們所珍視的人。
Suǒyǒu de línghún chùdòng lìng yīgè shēngmìng, zhèxiē xíngchéng jùyǒu yuēshù lì de liánxì zhǐdǎo wǒ, tāmen suǒ zhēnshì de rén. as he spoke he made wing signs in front of him and the electricity started run over there bodies. Finally there was a grand flash and a sparking gold string extended from there right wrists.

"Okay that was exhausting. I'm glad I don't need to use that to see my own soul ties." Said Ace before he fell to the floor.

Megan was stunned "Bryan what is this? Is it some kind of magic?"

Bryan stood silent and thoughtful, then his eyes widened suddenly. "Megan do you remember the myths about the threads of fate?" he asked

"You mean those old stories about the threads that are supposed to bind us to our loved ones?" Megan replied

Bryan nodded "Yes, Ace was somehow able to use this spell to help us to see our bond with Wind Whistler. Great," he said "now that I know where she is I can go to Canterlot and get the help I need to effect a rescue." he squeezed Megan's hand "I need you to stay here with everypony else in case they do try to attack Ponyville Megan. You may not be trained yet but you are experienced, and with your help the thirteenth will be all the stronger for it."

"Hey I said we ain't being left out. The spell has rules complex ones too given it from the old Neighponese Necromancy school of magic." Said Ace huffing from using so much power. Even if he can use casting magic a little it uses a lot of his power to do so compared to a unicorn doing the same spell.

Twilight just stares slack jawed "A Pegasus just cast a spell?!"

Bryan just looked at Twilight "This shocks you but a spell casting human doesn't? I know you don't mean to be but that's really cold Twily." he turned to Ace "This is a matter of family honor for me Ace. Would you deny me that? Look this requires subtlety and precision, we can't have you busting down the door a like a bunch of U.S Marines from some bad action movie. That will go wrong, what is needed here is stealth and very high levels of skill. That's why I am going to Canterlot, I'll need help from your brother Shadow and his subordinate Lieutenant Glow." he said

"The two of them are better suited to this kind of delicate operation, besides I have an idea in mind to tell if they have replaced her with a changeling. One you're too impatient to sit still for. Your approach would be great for covering an escape if things went sour, but not for getting her freed in the place." he said

Megan was impressed by Bryan yet again, he had grown so strong and confident. Now if he would just grasp and own it.

Twilight was silent, she had made a very bad blunder. If a human could learn to cast spells why not a pegasus? Or even an earth pony?

"I know but you still need to get there cousin. And besides only those that witnessed the casting, the caster and those who are connected can see the thread. Which will stay viewable as long as the connected souls have not crossed over. This spell was originally made to find and put to rest the soul of lost dead. The fact that the thread appears shows she is the real deal. As to stealth my Brother is not the only shadow my house casts. Right Shadowrunner?" said Ace

"Yes my Lord." Said a male voice behind everyone surprising them behind them was a pony clad in Luna's guard ninja armor like Ace's brother Shadow Wing wears. But this pony was ink black and had brown eyes and blueish gray mane and tail. He was bowing behind him.

"My personal Ninja Shadowrunner. He was classmate of my brother's. When he saved his life he pledged service to my our family. Given my brother was a ninja himself he became one of three vassals in my service. When he's not on a mission he is always with in striking distance of me should I be attacked. Barring when I'm with a mare. He can see the thread, my brother and his partner can't. Also we need to move fast and be near by for the evacuation so I'll get some troops fast and the ship we will pick up my little brother on the way. And don't worry I'll leave most of the unit here to keep our mares safe. I'll leave Joker's Wild in charge." Said Ace now standing again.

"Alright, but you need to stay back at first. We need to use strategy here not brute force." he turned to Megan "I'll need your help to get into my armor more quickly Megan. please come with me." He said leaving while the room and going upstairs.

"Okay." Megan replied as she followed him.

Twilight scuffed her hoof on the floor. She felt conflicted, she was the Guardian of Magic and she had missed something that was now obvious to her. Everypony had latent magical ability, so there was no reason ponies that weren't unicorns or alicorns could learn to actively use it. She felt bad for being so blind to this for so long.

Bryan returned with Megan a few minutes later in his armor. "Okay let's roll out." Bryan said

"Twilight, I know you're conflicted and confused. You're from Canterlot where unicorns are the magic stars. Before today only eleven ponies outside my siblings have seen me do that. I'll teach you the spell if you want as long as your okay with a necromancy spell. Bryan I'll get my closest warriors, this is a family matter cousin and Blueblood may be a a cousin too but he betrayed the family and he needs to pay for that betrayal." Said Ace before he left.

At the landing field outside town the Blood Moon was setting down engine running. Bryan recognizes some of the ponies but two of the stallions he hardly knew. "Being that you have spent time with the others on light missions in the past or spoken with them. The giant in the Black Armor is my vassal Red Hair, he serves me not Equestria and that is only cause I whipped his flank and spared him. The other is Hex Mark a drinking buddy from my younger days and master at braking curses and hexes. Hex and Shadowrunner, will go in with you and my brother and his partner. Me, Red, Razzle, Dazzle, Charger, Jammer, and Steamer will hold in the ship for when you get the mare. Send out a signal and we will make a very big distraction."

All the ponies where armed to the teeth and the heavy battle bridles. Ace had a Crystal blade on his hip while Steamer had what looked to be a sharpened battleship anchor, and Red had a pike that was actually flaming and it looked evil as his black armor. If anypony looked at this gathering of armed ponies they would think that they were mercenaries of a evil despot.

Megan bent down and held Twilight "It's okay Twilight. I had no idea that pegasus ponies could learn to cast spells like unicorn ponies either. We all make mistakes and none of us if knows everything." Megan said while stroking Twilight's mane.

Bryan looked at Ace "You're bringing the Crystal Zephyr Ace? Okay now I know you're being serious. Alright when we have I'll let lose with some of the most spectacular fireworks Trixie taught me. When Shadow and Moonlight are with us I'll explain the plan for when we're inside and trying to get to her." Bryan closed his eyes and executed a quick series of hand gestures. The previously hidden runes on his armor activated glowing brightly for moment before fading. "One of these days I'm gonna find a way to properly thank Hammer for this armor and my swords." He said while boarding the airship.

"He he he she has a weakness for shellfish."Said Ace as he motioned every one to board the ship.

Steamer came over the radio. "This is your pilot speaking we will have short lay over in Canterlot then we will head straight to gut Prince Blueblood with his own horn. In-flight drinks are in the dining hall and today's special is the standard gray glop that we always get. Thank you for flying crazy suicide mission air line. Also on a personal note when we kill Blueblood I call dibs on eating his liver."

Many of the ponies laughed at this.

"Huh, I'll have to ask Rarity for help with that one then. She'll know for sure where to get the best stuff." He turned and looked at Ace. "You do realize that Blueblood won't be where they are holding Wind Whistler don't you? He'll have a bunch of underlings guarding her and it won't even be at his current base."

Bryan shook his head "This is one messed up crew."

Ace chuckled. "We are the thirteenth. Of course we are messed up we chose to go into the most dangerous places and situations in Equestria and beyond. We have to be crazy on some level or we wouldn't pull off half of what we do. And besides know that plothole he is probably there gloating before the mare and harassing her with his ego." Said Ace as the ship zipped along in the air.

Bryan laughed "He's too much of a coward Ace, he won't be there I can promise you that."

When the Blood Moon landed in Canterlot they found Shadow and Moonlight waiting for them in response to the letter sent by Twilight and Spike earlier. The ponies hurriedly boarded the airship and sat down as Bryan began to lay out his plan. This was a side of Bryan Ace had never seen before, the calculating and planning side that had never come out before. This week was shaping up to be full of surprises for everypony involved.

"Okay," Bryan said as they all sat down "Now what I need to know before explaining my plan is just how many of you have read the Tails from Dream Valley. It's important for my plan that you know what I will be referencing here."

All but Red Hair raised a hoof. He looked around then scratched the back of his head. "I um, prefer romance novels and detective stories." He said his accent so thick it's clear that he almost never spoke Equish.

"That's fine considering you won't be going in with me at first." He Looked at the infiltration team "The fact that all of have is very important though." Bryan thought for a moment and then spoke. "Okay when I get inside I want all four of you to stick to the shadows and follow me as quietly as you can. When I reach Wind Whistler I want you to take up up the best spots of advantage you can, when I'm ready I'll give a signal to strike in this form. I'll ask her what the answer to Paradise's riddle was when we were searching for the Golden Horseshoes to save Mimic." He looked at them seeing that they were following him so far, they were. "Because you all know her mannerisms you all know she will answer that in a very specific way, that is the signal to strike. Take out every last one guarding her and I'll free her and start our escape."

He turned and Looked at Ace. "When we have cleared enough distance that's when I'll signal the rest of you to bust and raise Tartarus. Any questions?"

"Not a question just something you keep ignoring the thread spell would not have worked if it wasn't actually her. The spell works on the souls of subjects. It is one hundred percent her. No need to do tests like that she is probably driving the guards crazy trying to figure out why a gold string is coming out of her foreleg and only she can see it." Said Ace with a smirk.

"It's called a disguised signal Ace, I don't wanna just shout out ATTACK! That's too forward, this way we'll take them completely by surprise. Like an infiltration team is supposed to do." Bryan glared at Ace intensely "And that is exactly why do the test, they might have replaced her with a changeling Ace. If that is the case we can change tactics and overwhelm them by force and get her out that way. So to put it another way they're screwed no matter what they try because we'll have the benefit of surprise either way." Bryan said

"Except that the closer you get to her the shorter the thread gets and it will only lead to her, even if she moved cloaked or or a disembodied spirit as long as her soul is on this plane the thread will lead you to it. If she is dead... Well we find the soul then the body go see my sister and have her put the soul back in." Said Ace, everypony but Shadow Wing, Shadowrunner, Red Hair and Hex Mark took a large step away form Ace as he just said that with the most scary chipper tone one could have.

"Captain I want to point out that you forgot having a Necromancer as a accepted and loved member of one's family is not normal any more than bringing a pony back from the dead." Said Charger with a deadpan tone, showing she had to remind him of this before.

"Ace this is a strategy, that requires thought. You're spell is nothing more than a tool, it's not the solution. This is the solution and it involves that tool. We can't let the enemy know that we know that it's really her. We'll lose the element of surprise if we do, that is critical to the success of a hostage rescue." Bryan said

Bryan had stayed out of the many exchanges between Ace and Charger for many reasons. This exchange would be no different.

"That's why it's useful, that is why Red is here today. I couldn't just let him stay dead that day. After all he is Red Hair the sixth his family has very strong warrior tradition. It would have been a waste." said Ace

Charger rubbed the bridge of her snout "It is easy to forget you are not a normal pegasus by any usage of the term." said Charger

"Thank you!" Said Ace with pride.

"That was not a compliment!" shouted Charger.

"Enough both of you." Bryan said coldly "Ace we are not falling back on magic just so you can be stupid and reckless about this. Wind Whistler fought a Necromancer once remember that. I am not sacrificing her dignity just so you can play at being a one pony demolition crew. We will follow my plan and do this the right way. I will not stand by and watch you endanger her like that." Bryan rubbed his forehead "If you're thinking that they're smart enough to lay a trap for us you're in for a lot disappointment. This was such an arrogant move that there's no way they'd think to guard against a rescue attempt. And if they did they will be expecting your method not mine." Bryan calmed himself "This only proves their desperation, not their cunning."

"That or Blueblood had this idea, and I say if he wants me to show off. I should I mean if I go out there and be in the spotlight it could help." said Ace .

"Not right away Ace. No we'll sucker punch them in a few sensitive ares first." He motioned indicating the infiltration team "I'll be the bait, and then they will strike when I give the signal. Then I'll grab my sister and we'll run like mad. Then you come and shatter their delusions of being ready for you while the infiltration team gets Wind Whistler back to the airship. At that point I'll join you and preform the other half of my duties today." Said Bryan with a smirk.

"Okay, one thing I'm changing as the commanding officer! I want you to stay with her. Takeover for Steamer, she hasn't had a good brawl in a long time and you have a displaced sister to comfort. She has just been kidnapped and is in a strange place. She needs somepony she knows and trusts and of all of us that's you. Besides I know you been wanting to see Steamer fight. You want to know how she uses that massive anchor." Said Ace with a that evil smile he gets that says someone is going to regret the misfortune of their birth.

Bryan's jaw dropped "I knew of no such thing until right now! An anchor for a weapon, that's next level stuff Ace." Bryan steadied himself and rubbed the back of neck. "Yeah pent up aggression is not healthy, she should get that out soon." Bryan then gave a wicked smile "You'd better not let any of them through then. I might have to forget myself and show them what I can do I'm really angry." He said with a predatory tone that creeped everypony out just a little.

Bryan sat down and said "Let me know when we're there. I'm gonna take easy for a bit." he reached under his shirt and pulled out the locket he was wearing. Opening it he gazed at a picture of he and Wind Whistler he had kept in the locket.

"Don't worry about them getting through. Worry about us going overboard and not leaving any left for my little brother to tor- um.... I mean interrogate." Said Ace as he went to his cabin.

Bryan place the locket back underneath his armor and shirt. He jumped to his feet and headed to the galley to get some tea and just spent his remaining time staring out the window. He thought about Wind Whistler and all they'd been through together. He couldn't settle the disquiet in his heart, not until his friends and family were safe.

In the distance he saw the string going out the window and to a large mountain that looked like it had been honeycombed with mine tunnels and rail ways and crude stone work applied to it even a statue of Blueblood made from its peak...

Red walked up next to him. "We level this place after save mare. Yes?" He said with a chuckle in his broken Equestrian.

Bryan put down his empty tea cup and said "No Red, that's what they would do. We have to be better than that. Besides we have no idea how many innocents might be there. We are the thirteenth, we protect the innocent not harm them." He looked at the stallion "You know if you can stand how sappy we are The Tails From Dream Valley has a lot of romance. That is if you can take a saccharine childhood romance." he laughed "It's time to get ready, we'll be landing soon." Bryan said this more to himself than to the stallion standing next to him.

"Humm..." Responded Red Hair as he looked on. He knew he had to wait for his shot at them.

In the ready room Shadow Wing, Shadowrunner, Hex Mark where unnervingly quite as they mentally prepare for deploying.

Bryan entered the ready room and sat down silently awaiting their landing.

Shadowrunner asked. "Master Bryan. Have you ever used the assault launch before?"

Bryan looked at Shadowrunner "No I have never used it before. I'm not exactly familiar with all of the features on this airship." he said

"Strap into the wall and hold on. We normally drop right into a hot zone but because we need to use stealth we will drop here and go in on hoof." Said Hex as he helped the mare on the team lock herself in with his magic given it was Moonlight's first use of the device

"Our Lord had designed the ship to be a siege weapon that said the room has a damping spell like the Pegasus pulled chariots to allow nonpegasi to travel faster. So all you have to do is hang on and as our Lord says enjoy the express elevator to Tartarus." Said Shadowrunner as he straps in next to Shadow Wing. The two of them side by side made them look like twins if not for the fact Shadow Wings Armor had Luna's crest on it while Shadowrunner's had Ace's on his chest and Luna's on his right shoulder, both had same symbol on there head bands which must be there school's crest.

Bryan started to strap in and looked at Shadowrunner "Shadowrunner do not call me master. I will suffer only two formalities, so if you must address me formally do so only as Adviser Luna or Lieutenant Luna. And never do so when in a personal situation, and before you give me any honor speeches I will tell that my code of honor allows only those two title only under official circumstances." He said in a clear tone that would allow for no argument.

Moonlight looked at the human in confusion. He had just plainly said the his well-earned titles caused him to suffer. She just couldn't understand his point of view, he did preform vital duties to both his own race and Equestria, so why not accept such things? She looked at Shadow Wing for some help in understanding.

Shadow Wing shrugged. "Don't look at me I have a hard enough time understanding my brother and sisters. I am not going to even try to get in the head of our soon to be cousin." Said Shadow Wing to Moonlight.

Shadowrunner looked at Bryan "I understand... Adviser Luna. Before you protest serving the family is my duty so this is not a personal situation until the mare is rescued."

"Very well." Bryan said while waiting for the drop.

The P.A. came to life with Ace's voice. "We have reached our destination. Please return your seats and tray tables are in their upright and locked position and do try not to throw up on the pony or other sapient species next to you, and please keep your hands and feet inside the drop capsule at all times while in motion." The room starts to move with a clanking noise of gears.

"Thank you for flying insanity air and have a nice landing." Came Ace' s voice just before what sounds like a compressed air or steam cannon firing and then a strong feeling of weightlessness.

Bryan closed his eyes and held on. This was almost as bad as his experience centered around that reckless pegasus Lightning Dust.

The ride stops as fast as it started and the ramp dropped open. "Bottom floor bath products, lingerie, and damsels in distress." Came Ace's voice.

Moonlight looked sick.

Bryan stifled a laugh as unstrapped himself and stood up. "You need to get it together Lieutenant Blood Moon, we need to go now." He said as he exited.

Moonlight struggled to unstrap herself after the brutal elevator ride.

The ninjas where already gone as if they where never there. Hex helped her loose then joined Bryan.

"Okay you two I need you to stay as close as you can without blowing your cover. You two are the senior spell casters here and I'll need you closer as a result." Bryan dashed off following the thread.

Moonlight melted into the shadows and followed him.

Hex Mark ran after them staying close.

The two ninja were ghosts, Bryan would see glint of armor here or there but nothing solid.

Moonlight jumped from shadow to shadow ease in the underground environment.

Bryan continued on following the thread to his destination.

As they went higher and higher in the mountain they saw it was packed with armed goons. Mostly dogs but a few others races all clearly paid help. But the shock was in a large chamber below a balcony was a Troll sitting there looking bored with a color around his neck.

They had to stop and wait as a procession passed by "Are you sure it's his ship?" Came Blueblood's voice.

"Oh yes oh great King of Kings. It is the Blood Moon of the thirteenth. There is no ship like it in the air. Our scouts spotted it waiting in the distance. Most likely they are waiting for Sun to rise behind them to attack." Said a female Dog twice the size of Bryan.

There two were with dozens of guards all heavily armed. "Very well I will leave by train then through the mine. After you deal with that pest and his blood thirsty savages join me in wastelands. That bug's troops failed but their old hive has some use still. And bring that mare with you. She will be a nice toy for my temporary home." said Blueblood.

Hex had his hoof over Bryan's mouth and was holding him back. "As you wish oh king of kings. I live to grant all your desires." Said the female dog.

"Yes you do just like a good dog should." Said Blueblood as they faded from sight along with all the guards.

Hex whispers. "We will get him another time. We know where he is going now."

Bryan nodded and waited. as the enemy troops passed he looked at the thread once again. He silently motioned for others to follow him to Wind Whistler's location. He was thankful for the stealth training Shadow Wing had given him. He was also grateful for the enchantments on his armor that helped him move with both swiftness and stealth. He marveled at the mix of skills and talents in Ace's family, truly they were amazing to him.

The thread led them to the top from the windows it was clear that the where in the horn of the Blueblood statue on top of the mountain. Also the next door was stone with a minotuar and four diamond dogs guarding it. Ace was half right about Blueblood being confident enough to be here but the amount of payed muscle was surprising either Blueblood was getting smarter (which no pony would believe) or he has more allies then either Ace or Bryan predicted.

Bryan looked at the hired goons thoughtfully for a moment, and then got a small sly smile under his helmet. He started to cast a spell that would make he his cohorts look different. A few moments later a quartet of diamond dogs being led by another minotaur stepped forward. The new minotaur spoke to the other "We've been sent here to relieve you."

"What? Our shift just started five minutes ago?" said the minotuar

The one dog sniffed "I don't know their scent, are you new?" he asked

"We were just sent up here to take over, I don't know what's going on really. I think that Lord Blueblood intends to move that mare you're guarding somewhere." Bryan replied

The minotuar shakes his head. "Well whatever let's go get some chow guys."

The one dog keep sniffing as he walked by with the rest lingering on Moonlight.

Bryan stepped forward and backhanded the annoying dog and glared at him "Watch where you're sniffing flea bag!" causing the dog to whimper. He just looked at the minotaur and shrugged "Dogs." he said while turning back to the door.

The minotuar chuckled as he and the dogs walked a way one rubbing his cheek. After about a minute the sound of there steps was gone.

Bryan waited just a moment longer, when he was as sure as he could be he turned to the rest of the team. "Okay everypony quickly now we have get in there rescue her and send the signal" He said as he started to open the heavy stone door.

Moonlight moved in to the hallway to keep watch.

The door was locked from the outside by a simple iron slide bar which Hex just slid open. Inside the room was three adolescent dragons and one Pegasus mare... who was lecturing the dragons that where cowering in the corner.

Over the mare's long winded lecture, and proper sounding voice, you could hear the three dragons suffering.

"Grabble do something!" Shouted the lanky purple one.

"And another thing, you really have to start being more respectful of others." The mare said with an annoyed huff.

"Yeah make her stop!" Shouted the bulky one.

"Don't slouch!" she continued her lecture "It's bad for your lower back later in life."

"Like what? She won't shut up!" He looked at the door. "Please save us!" He called out to Bryan and Hex.

Hex looked at Bryan "Dose she really need rescuing?" Asked Hex jokingly.

Bryan was snickering, trying to remain professional. He calmed himself "Hex take these three dragons into custody, they were involved in a rather serious assault sometime ago and need to face trial for it." he sighed "I see you haven't changed at all Windy."

The mare jumped and turned in place shouting "I told you not to call me that Bryan!"

He chuckled again "I guess a covert signal wasn't needed to help you big sister." He said with a smile nopony needed to see.

"Wait, what are you doing here?" Wind Whistler said her tail still twitching with annoyance.

Bryan walked over to the window "Rescuing you, or rather rescuing these weakling dragons from you. I should have realized that you'd have them on the ropes when I got here." He made a quick series of hand gestures and shot a beam out of the window that angled sharply skyward and burst into a brilliant display of fireworks. He turned and spoke "Okay the strike team has been singled we bunker down here and wait."

Almost instantly they they heard impacts of spell blasts hitting the mountain as the ship raced in.

Shadow Wing appeared and shook his head and said."You do realize you should have waited till we where outside right Ace is on the war path today cousin. And you gave him his green light to turn the thirteenth loose on these fools."

Shadowrunner walked in through the door dripping in blood. "The way to a upper balcony is clear Adviser Luna."

Hex chuckled "Well you all have fun on the ship I'm going to score that troll kill before the captain can. Come on Shadowrunner let's cause some chaos." As he spoke glowing marks appeared on his armor and the his hoof prints left frost on the floor.

Shadow Wing shook his head as he cuffed the dragons. "You three are so lucky, you know that right?"

The three dragons just nod and Grabble said. "First her lectures now the Lunar guard psycho killer unit. Okay its official Blue balls is so not paying us enough for this scaling job."

Wind Whistler whipped her hear in the red dragon's direction "Watch your language! There is no need to be so crude!" the dragon whimpered and Bryan chuckled. His sister was fine alright.

Bryan looked at Shadow. "This way they are too distracted to even try to stop us Shadow. Come on big sister let's get out of here before Ace decides to get serious." He said while running for the balcony.

Moonlight looked at her commander "Do we stay and help the strike team, or should we escort them back to the Blood Moon sir?"

"Leave the massacre to my brother and his troops we are warriors and intelligence agents besides, we got prisoners to deal with said Shadow Wing.

"Yes commander." Moonlight replied with a salute as she helped him herd the prisoners toward the airship.