The Outlander's Trial

Chapters

Everfree, or a new prison?
A Breach in Stereotypes
How love works, oh yeah, and Evil ponies
War preperations and how Relationships work.
Protective Stallions and the Initial Assault
Love, and all that comes with it.
Retaliation and Reperation

Everfree, or a new prison?

“Still following me…”Bow-Ayn noted, “I’d have thought that they would’ve given up the assassination attempts by now.”

Bow was not what anypony would classify as ‘Noticeable’. Short in stature, lithe and lean, most of her muscles resided in her shoulders and back, betraying the thought of weakness. White flanked she stood out easily in the night, though the emerald green streaks through her mane and tail as well as the dapple on her flank broke her appearance. Unless somepony truly paid attention, they’d most likely pass off seeing her as a trick of the eyes.

“Head for those woods, we’ll lose them in there.” stated the disembodied voice of Breach, a less colourful stallion of black and grey hues with yellow eyes.

“Got it Breach.”

Bow continued trotting along normally until the path cut within two metres of the forest, then cut right and dashed in. With grace and agility that would turn anypony green with envy, she ducked, dodged, jumped, and practically danced through the trees and brush.

The silence behind her confirmed that the ponies from her homeland were still after her, nopony else could match her stealth, match it, but they still couldn’t best it. Eventually she noted a castle like tower in the distance. Whoever was there most likely wouldn’t accept her where she so obviously came from, all ponies knew dappled flank ponies came from the land across the sea, or had ancestors(hopefully none) hail from the terrible land. Alas, there was no way to pass off ancestry, her dapple was to contrasting, not faded in with the rest of her coat, no, she couldn’t pass for a native but she could lose her trackers.

“There’s a bridge, but our haven seems abandoned, Bow.”

“I know Breach, I’m so tired of this fighting, and I’m sorry I dragged you into this”

“As opposed to what I faced in Tartarus, I’m glad we met Bow, we thrive off of each other and you know it” Breach reassured,” now find a light source, and I will meet them with the immense joy I take from protecting my mare.”

Bow dashed through the monastery, as she now recognized it, and into the tower behind it. Assassins right on her hooves, she had to break into over drive just to get away long enough for Breach to get ready. At the peak of the tower, with the full moon laying her shadow out behind her, Bow turned about and faced the pursuers.

“Finally you’ve stopped running.” “You’re going to die now, traitor” “No one betrays our goddess and lives!”

“Really, you think you three pose a threat to me? Breach, help me out here.”

“With pleasure!”

The shadow of Bow suddenly moved of its own accord. Emerging from the shadow stepped Breach. Black coated, as well as a black mane and tail, steel grey streaked in his hair. A deadly glare emanated from his dark yellow eyes. Large by any standards, with thick corded muscle running throughout his body showed through his scarred flank.

“Oh look boys; she’s got a stallion we get to play with too.” One of the assassins cackled.

“Bow, I’ll leave the one in the middle for you.”

“Got it, Breach”

“You know ‘Breach’ once we’ve killed you, I think we might have some with your mare here! Hahahahaha”

That comment, that singular comment, broke what little rationale Breach had left. Bow may not be from Equestria, but he himself didn’t even hail from this plane of existence. It took a certain degree of concentration to maintain the appearance of a unicorn. But that was gone now.

Muscles shifted beneath flank, eyes glowed, Breach reared up on his hind legs as he shifted into a bipedal form. A daemon of Tartarus, he rejected the cruel beings he’d been brought up around, just as Bow had rejected the fanatical tyrant she’d lived under. Neither wanted war, just peace, and they’d been denied it for so long. It wasn’t fair, but he could even the odds by three foals.

Three hours earlier.

“Um, Rainbow, why are we going into Everfree Forest?”

“Fluttershy, how many time do I gotta say it, I need your help checking out the monastery where we recovered the Elements. Pinkie wants to throw an anniversary party for everypony, and it’s up to us to scout out the most radical place EVER.” Rainbow exclaimed, “Now let’s GO!”

“Okay give me a minute.” Fluttershy squeaked.

“Uh, I can’t believe it took you TWO HOURS to get ready!”

“Sorry Rainbow, I’m ready let’s go.”

Back at the monastery Breach did his best to manage two of the assassins, despite being 2 and a half times the height of the stallions, and 10x stronger, the two stallions were nimbler using hit and run tactics. Meanwhile Bow dueled with the assassin leader, the one who’d made the lewd comments. For one who preached peace and mercy, she had none in her heart or mind. While the assassin relied on force Bow danced along scoring numerous hits.

Breach was losing his battle, while he was not being hurt too terribly much, his weight was collapsing the tower and he knew it. Backhanding one stallion right out the window into the chasm below, he grabbed the second pony by the neck and leapt out the tower with him.

Bow saw it all, she was sure he had a plan, and while Breach was a daemon, it cut deep seeing him jump. Just then she took a hoof to the side of the face. She was tough, but the assassin was bigger, and hit 3x as hard as she could. Knocked on her flank right on the edge of the opening Breach put in the wall, she knew there was nothing she could do. This stallion would kick her out the hole and she’d fall to her death. She had only one regret.

“If only it could have….” Bow started.

Just then a rainbow flash smashed into the stallion assassin.

5 minutes earlier

“Rainbow, what’s happening at the monastery?”

“What do you mean Fluttershy…? Oh Celestia!” Rainbow Dash started, “I think someponies just fell out the tower!”

“Oh my oh my oh my oh my!”

“Shy, get back to Ponyville and get help, I’m gonna go see what I can do!”

Dash didn’t know what to expect, so she took a cautious route to the tower high up in the air. What she saw was an outlander, a dapple-flanked ‘monster’. She knew they were ponies too, but they were just so EVIL, it was disgusting and completely not cool. Then she noticed that the outlander was standing over what seemed to be a filly, probably in her teens. She had to do something.

“Hold on, this awesome ponies coming!”

Dash took off full speed and full on tackled the assassin with all her might. The two went sliding in opposite directions. Dash was immediately up “Come on you dapple-flanked creep!” The assassin didn’t expect this, pulling a vial from his cloak; he took a deep swig, became invisible and disappeared into the night.

“Yea! That’s right! You better run creep!” Dash yelled after the outlander, just suddenly remembering the other pony. As she turned to the strange pony she noticed it adjusting something on its back.

Bow, realizing this rainbow and cyan hued pony was helping her, if only until she found out that Bow herself was an outlander, quickly pulled out her artificial wings Breach constructed for her, and affixed them to herself. Hopefully they could aid in hiding her dapple flank.

“So what was that all about little filly?” queried Rainbow Dash.

Just then Bow faced her, causing Dash to realize that this was no filly, but a diminutive pony!

Ignoring the failure to place her age, Bow responded gratefully. “They were assassins chasing after me, by the way I’m Bow-Ayn, but call me Bow, and thank you for your help Ms.?”

“Just call me Rainbow Dash; I’m the coolest most awesome pegasi EVER! In fact I’ve made 3 Son…” Rainbow started gloating proudly when Bow cut her off. “Rainbow Dash, my friend could be hurt I gotta find him.”

“O-k” came a mildly annoyed reply.

Somewhere in the back of his head Breach managed to remember to re-enact the spell that disguised him as a pony before slipping into unconsciousness.

Bow took off out the hole after Breach, Dash following. In the distance Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rarity, and AJ could be heard, being followed by Zecora.

“So you can help him right” questioned Bow. Breach had been out for four whole days now.

“Fear not, little mare, to doubt my skills is a foolish dare.” replied the zebra. Zecora was in the process of taking a blood sample from Breach when she froze. “I refuse to aid him, this creature of fear,” Zecora started rounding on Bow, drawing attention of the Mane 6 “Because not is all that it appears.” She finished as she quickly unsnapped the fastenings on Bow’s ‘wings’.

“Dapple-flank!” came a couple of cries. “OUTLANDER!” yelled Dash. “*squeak*” as Fluttershy cowered.

To Be Continued

A Breach in Stereotypes

*Uhhh, note to self, NEVER take on 2 outlander elite assassins in a rickety tower again. Wait, 2? The leader! Bow!*

"Easy there, you guys, I don't want trouble, I just..."

"Oh, ok" started Fluttershy, only to be cut off by a purple unicorn "YOU don't want trouble? YOU, as in an OUTLANDER, a DAPPLE-FLANK means absolutely no trouble at all, even though our kingdoms are ENEMIES!"

"Listen, it's not like that, ask Rainbow Dash, I was being attacked by my own people.”

"As opposed to when you outlanders are hugging each other and sewing dresses?" remarked a rather prissy looking white unicorn. Fluttershy attempted to intervene, "Maybe we should just listen to her, and she doesn't seem evil." "Ya know, Shy's right on this one girls, I mean, if she was evil she could taken me out while I dealt with that patsy stallion." added Dash.

"Quite a few doubts, we must shake, but for now the Daemon comes awake!" remarked Zecora, in barely controlled fear.

Some 30 minutes later, still at Zecora's hut.

"Thanks for the food, and the trust, despite its current brittleness" remarked Breach. "You girls probably want some answers now, don't you" questioned Bow.

Surprisingly it was Rainbow Dash that answered "That'd be awesome Bow."

"It started essentially as soon as I could start learning. They try to force feed us that no one else in the world can be trusted. The whole civilization lives off of murderous plots and backstabbing, all I wanted was to escape. In what equates to what I believe you call 'High School Graduation' they tried to get me to execute my first slave. I'd never killed, and I had no reason to, I just didn't see the point in it.

My refusal was my death sentence, so I ran, days, weeks; I don't even know how long I ran for but eventually I came across a very crude camp. After some steeling of nerves, with hunger getting the better of me, I made an attempt to steal some of the food."

"Which is when I met Bow, scared the life out of her too. Didn't mean to, I thought the mare was and 'outlander', a real one I mean. (At this Breach flashes Bow a smile). I grabbed her and picked her right up, but I stopped, because what if she meant no harm, then I'd feel awful. So I sat her down and introduced myself."

"In which I just stared at him, because it's like 'Hello, I'm a daemon want to be friends' and in my head I'm going 'What the buck?’. Took him just a couple of seconds to realize this before he transformed into what you see now.

Long story short we fought, evaded, and wandered til we hit the shore, stole a small boat and set sail."

"Didn't even have a destination, just hoped we'd find someplace, anyplace, nicer than where we came from. Eventually we hit Equestria, but not only we're we still being followed, but Bow still has a dappled flank, and I just stand out. Bow snuck around mostly at night and I shadow stepped."

At the mention of shadow stepping the purple/pink unicorn Twilight couldn't help but interject and ask about what it is.

"Shadow stepping is the ability to enter the 'shadow world' a bleak place in of itself but has its uses. Anyway eventually we made it to this forest and that's how you met us."

The mares regarded the pair with trepidation and curiosity for a while before Applejack piped in, "Well Ah don't rightly see how we could refuse to help this mare and this *ahem* 'stallion', but Twi I definitely think ya should write one of them letters to Princess Celestia."

"Of course Applejack, I trust your decision, sorta." replied Twilight

"Wait so these two are going to stay in Ponyville" remarked an appalled Rarity, to which AJ responded" Yeah, an' you could be a bit more gracious about it."

"You know what this calls for" started the pink party pony.

"Oh boy" 5 of the mane 6 started

"What?" asked Bow and Breach.

"A PARTY!" finished Pinkie Pie.

4 months later.

"I don't know girls, I'm not a lot like Rainbow Dash but I'm not really one for fancy treatment and stuff, but I guess I'll go to the spa?"

Bow was honestly loving the friends she'd made, granted that first time at the nightclub it was... awkward... to say the least, not many ponies enjoyed the addition of a dapple-flank in their town.

Breach was gone for the time, in Canterlot with the Royal sister, warning them of how he escaped and the precautions just in case other Daemons followed suite. He was also looking to see if it was possible to permanently become a pony. The few too many drinks a week back broke that one strand of concentration and scared the hay outta half the town. She still got suspicious looks because of that but she didn't blame Breach.

But on that note she did however have a problem concerning Breach. Twilight and Rainbow Dash were mare-friends, and so were AJ and shy, as well as the DJ Vinyl and the cellist Octavia. She felt strongly for Breach, but was hesitant for a myriad of reasons. First off was what he was, she didn't think it disgusting or anything, but would he even find ponies attractive? And how would the girls act, I mean they did know he wasn't a 'real' stallion but she still loved him. She decided she’d head out that night and think it over.

That night in Canterlot Breach was out thinking over essentially the exact same thing, but a bit more somber. How could a delicate beautiful thing such as Bow find him, a half-flanked excuse for a stallion appealing in anyway? Besides he wasn't a 'real stallion' it was simply a magic facade to hide his daemon form. He'd have to ask the Royal Sister's, that or just keep it to himself.

Once it got dark Bow slipped out of her house, a magnificent little creation constructed of clouds but based on the ground, she still hadn't properly thank Twi or Dash for it. Sitting under the moon in the night always cleared her head. Just as she looked up to the moon was when Dash noticed her during one of her 'night flying' exercises.

"Heya Bow, watcha up so late for?" she questioned.

"Just thinking about stuff." replied Bow

Rainbow knew that look on the pony's face, knew that undertone in Bow's voice. Slyly Dash questioned "So uh, who ya thinkin' about, then?"

"Wait, what, I didn't say I was thinking of anypony!" came the surprised and strained voice of Bow.

"Aww, c'mon I looked, talked, and acted the same way when I liked Twilight, I even ran into her house a few time on purpose to get her attention haha."

"Ok, so yeah, I'm thinking of Breach, I like him, and he was my first friend, but...”

"What, you aren't worried about it getting weird are you? I mean you shoulda seen how me and Twi worked out hahaha."

"It's not that it's the whole, what everypony would think knowing that I was dating a Daemon, or even worse, what if he doesn't like me at all!"

"Well then how d'ya find out silly, you have to ask. That and find something to do that you both enjoy. Besides I know you're too cool to mess up."

"How do you know I won't mess it up?"

"Because you went hoof to hoof with a stallion 2x bigger than you and he only got in 1 cheap shot, I mean c'mon how awesomer can you get, oh and you have your wings that you can put on at anytime. I don't know anypony else as cool as that with the exception of Twi. Your strong, just give it a shot. Oh and this is 10x sappier than I'm used to so I'm off, good luck Bow, later."

And with that I was back to being alone with my thoughts. Honestly I don't get how Dash thinks it won't be a problem but I guess she knows what she's talking about, after all she is Loyalty so she's got to know something. Breach will be back in a few weeks and then everything can go back to normal while I work this mess out.

Somewhere in the Outlands

"YOU FOOL, HOW DARE YOU FAIL ME, I WANT HER TREACHEROUS HIDE BROUGHT TO ME AND PRESENTED AS A BATHROBE! And you, well, you can take her place for the moment, take him to the pit. NOW, gather my most elite fighters, we have a traitor to deal with."

"Yes, Mistress"

To be continued in the next chapter.

How love works, oh yeah, and Evil ponies

"So as you can see," continued Breach, "With these spells in effect, it shouldn't be hard to keep any other daemons from breaking into this plane from Tartarus."

"Thank you, Breach, and I apologize for the armed guard you've been under, it's honestly to keep the peace." replied Celestia, honestly believing that this 'stallion' wouldn't cause trouble.

"Well I'm sure Luna had just as hard a time as I did, and it means a lot that she vouched for me, I knew we weren't supposed to have a full moon that night." Breach noted as he reflected back on the night they met the Elements. There had been a full moon not two days earlier, and without its light Bow wouldn't have had a shadow for him to reenter this world from. "I take it Luna had been watching us?"

"Well," interjected Luna as she trotted into the room, "You two did travel at night often, my domain might I add."

"Might I ask why you didn't just have us arrested on the spot? Or why we drew your attention to begin with?" questioned Breach, who had been bothered by Luna's blatant acceptance of him, it wasn't natural, or what he was used to.

"I was evil myself not to terribly long ago, and I didn't see any trace of it in either of you, not even when the inhabitants of Mareyland chased you off. Besides I'm dapple flanked myself, and was treated horribly by other fillies. I want to see what you and Bow amount to, I see you two doing great things in the future." and with that Luna took wing and left.

"Are you ready to go back to Ponyville, Breach?" Celestia questioned. "Besides I believe Luna told me something of you missing Bow quite a lot."

At this Breach blushed, a first but certainly not the last time it would happen. "Well, er, yeah, you know just good friends and such."

He didn't know what to say honestly, and if Celestia knew, what did she think of it. With this in mind he took his leave. Returning to his room he began to pack his things when he noticed a pair of notes from Luna and Celestia.

Celestia's read, "Breach I thank you for your help, and I hope you and Bow find a pleasant place to live." Oh yeah sure, if Bow actually wanted to live with him, which was yet to be determined.

Luna's on the other hoof was a bit more personal, "I know you love her, find common ground, something you both enjoy and I'm sure everything will work out." Now how in the hay did she know that he liked Bow? Oh well there wasn't anything he could do about it.

Once he'd collected his things he put them into a shadow pocket and made tracks for the train station. Besides, he wanted to give Luna's advice a try, worst case scenario; things go from an awkward daemon-pony friendship into an even more awkward daemon-pony friendship. He boarded the train to Ponyville hoping for the best.

"Thank you for all the help Dash!" sputtered out Bow, who was still amazed at how helpful and supportive Dash had been in the past 2 weeks, "I didn't know if you and Twilight would've wanted to help me prepare for Breach's return."

"Not a problem, after all" started R.D. when Twilight cut her off "Dash we all know how cool you are, you don't have to say it."

"Oh ‘cause I WAS going to say coolest, most awesome unicorn is helping!" At this Twilight blushed, but continued combing through Bow's hair.

"So you really do love him huh?” inquired Twilight.

"Yes, and I know it's weird but..."

"But what, so you like somepony for who they are, despite where they come from." or what they are, Twilight added as an afterthought, but who was she to judge, besides this particular mare deserved some love and happiness after what she'd been through, and so did Breach.

"Thank you Twilight, for everything, if you hadn't carried Breach out of that chasm with your magic, and had you and the girls never shown up.... Thank you so much." at this Bow couldn't help but break down crying. While Twilight comforted her she looked at the clock.

"Oh gosh, look at the time, we need to go meet Breach at the station, and try to get you on a date." Twilight stated determinedly.

The train had just stopped and the new group of assassin's, led by the stallion Baener, watched the train pull up. The plan, as it was, was to wait until Bow had met up with Breach and then take them out, secretly Baener hated the mad queen as much as Bow did, but he was a survivor, doing everything he could to stay alive. Even if it meant working as an assassin.

Breach stepped out of the train, something was wrong, but he couldn't figure out exactly what it was. An odd but familiar smell on the wind. Bah he was just being paranoid, too much time on the run. He looked 'round until he spotted a rainbow coloured mane and headed that way. Seeing as he towered over other ponies it was easy to push his way through the crowd, and as he neared Dash he saw Bow standing next to her, flanked by Twilight. Bow is who got his attention the most though, mane and tail combed and styled, with make-up? Yes she had make-up on, and the black eyeliner was the most attention grabbing for it made her emerald hued eyes glow and sparkle all the more.

"There he is, what do I say?" questioned the very nervous and flustered Bow. She wasn't used to this, the make-up and romance stuff just wasn't her. As Breach approached, and without the strain of being on the road and how relaxed he looked, she couldn't help but notice his well muscled form and how they rippled through every step, the way his black coat shone, or the grey in his mane giving off a silvery glow. Nor did she notice before how striking his dark yellow eyes were against his black flank now. Despite his scars that criss crossed his physique, or partially because of them, her eyes scanned him from nose to flank.

"Scoots, Ah don't know 'bout this. AJ and Ardee were clear that they didn't want us following them, or bothering Breach or Bow, today and I don't want AJ sickin' Fluttershy on us with that stare." whispered Applebloom with a shudder. "And if Rarity finds out, I'm grounded for sure." noted Sweetie Belle.

"C'mon girls, where's your sense of adventure, and besides we aren’t 'bothering' them, we're just 'watching' them" Scootaloo replied. Just then she noticed she noticed an odd movement. Did she really just see what she thought she saw? Immediately Scootaloo took off towards the four ponies, while Sweetie Belle and Applebloom stared on at their foalish friend.

They didn't know why, but when their eyes met, they locked. Breach and Bow stared at each other, slowly moving forward without even realizing they were moving at all. Like a dream breach bent down as Bow stretched up.

'What are you doing Bow?' Bow's mind was racing, she meant to gush her heart out to the large stallion and closest friend, and pray to the gods (that she didn't actually believe in) that he accepted her. Instead they were inches apart and getting closer. 'Honestly, this works just as good' and she started to close her eyes.

'I can't believe this, she actually loves me? I mean this is great but.... oh I just need to shut up.' Breach stared back, amazed that this was happening. Muzzles inches apart he watched as Bow's eyes closed, in a rather sensual manner at that, and realized that he had absolutely nowhere he'd rather be, and that Bow was his.

Scootallo dashed forward and jumped right past Dash's face, straight at the couple.

Dash and Twi were mesmerized. This was by far more than they could have hoped for. Dash, rather surprised at herself, thought that it was A) beautiful(ugh) B) great that they shared feelings, they'd make a great couple as far as she was concerned and C) Awesom... wait orange and purple?

"Scootaloo? What the hay are you doing!?" yelled Rainbow.

Someone yelling? This broke the trance Breach and Bow had just in time to see Scootaloo go past, swing her scooter and hit....air?

"He's doing well getting into position, and my invisibility charm shouldn't wear off until he's clear." noted the second in command, Siobhan.

"Perfect." replied Baener; personally he thought that they should forget about the two that made up his quarry. After all it was one mare and a daemon, and hay, aside from there now apparent relationship (which he found rather creepy) nothing seemed off. Well orders were orders.

'These two foals have no idea I'm here' thought the assassin as he stalked closer. It was tough in the crowd but he just needed to get a bit closer. Then he could finish them. Suddenly he heard yelling.

"Scootaloo? What the hay are you doing!?"

Just then his two targets pulled back as he saw a filly come barreling towards him, and then nothing.

*CRAAACK*

Out of thin air an assassin materialized, knocked silly by Scootaloo.

"Ha I totally knew it, I did see..." Scootaloo abruptly stopped talking as a spell from an assassin unicorn blasted into the ground next to her sending her flying.

Breach burst into action, spinning around just in time to see Dash already beating the daylights out of the offending assassin. "The_buck_you_did_not_just_attack_Scoots" Dash screamed in between strikes.

"Twilight grab Scootaloo and get out of here, Breach and I got this." yelled Bow; she wanted as many friends as possible out of this. She did a pirouette around an attacking mare and struck with a series of blows as she spun past, dropping the assassin.

Breach found the nearest shadow and stepped in. Bow was caught up facing two assassins after the one she just dropped.

"We've got you now traitor." hissed one assassin.

Bow was honestly concerned about her odds.

"You've got nopony to help you now since your stallion friend disappeared" hissed the second.

At this Bow smirked, catching the two off guard. If their moment of confusion wasn't enough, Breach burst from the shadow of the first assassin and sent him flying, while Bow took down the frozen with fear second assassin.

Breach knew they were in the clear, but his anger had not subsided, and where was Rainbow Dash. Just then he heard a yell from the other side of the parked train. He could've gone between cars, or could have jumped over it, but no, he smashed right through to find Dash pinned by two assassins while the third prepared to finish her off. Tapping into that primal side of his mind, his eyes turning pitch black, he opened three flaming portals.

The assassins did not know what to make of the portals. One minute they had the chromatic trouble making pony pinned then these portals opened. Suddenly three claws shot through them, one for each assassin. The poor ponies were dragged screaming into Tartarus never to be seen again.

The portals closed, and Breach was disgusted with himself for even allowing such a thing to happen. He was supposed to be better than this. But the fight was over, and it was time to see to his friends.

"Well that was a failure" remarked Baener.

"I take it we won't be returning to the outlands then" replied Siobhan, Baener's second in command

"Of course not, but we won't be going after those two either. For now we hide and feign our deaths"

With that the two surviving outlanders disappeared into the Everfree forest.

Dash was at the side of the hospital bed. 'I can't believe I got pinned, so not cool.' She looked at the small frame of her favourite fan. 'Oh Scoots, I can't believe I let this happen to you.' Dash was distraught, she'd always seen the orange filly as a token fan, and then like a little sister. She looked back at the last time she was at the side of a hospital bed with the filly. The cancer was bad, and Dash couldn't have prevented that, but she could have, no SHOULD have stopped the filly from being hurt this time.'

"Twilight I'm so, so, so sorry for what happened" said a plainly upset Bow.

"It's not your fault, you couldn't have expected this to happen, and I'm sure Scootaloo will be fine." came the reply.

Breach was with the royal guard, helping set up defense. After the blatant failure of the assassins open attack, there was sure to be retaliation.

"Seer, did they survive the attack?"

"Yes my queen"

"And who ruined the attack?"

"A young filly, by the name of Scootaloo, she was injured and in a ward."

"Oh, wonderful, she better hope she dies, because if she doesn't I'm going to kill her." the outlands Queen replied matter of factly, "Oh and guards, take the seer to the pit, I hate bad news."

The outlands Queen had plans for Ponyville, specifically a certain unicorn. This was turning out better than she thought, not only did she know where Bow and that disgusting daemon Breach were, but now she knew that they were with Twilight Sparkle, that horrible little witch of a mare.

Vengeance would be sweet, quite wonderfully sweet!

War preperations and how Relationships work.

Luna, finding her sister's anxiety unbearable to watch, finally spoke up, "I know you hate allowing the outlanders into the kingdom, but as long as we keep them only attacking Ponyville, thousands of lives could be spared!"

It was a cold hard truth, allow Ponyville to fall under attack, or risk the whole kingdom. Fortifications were already in place, and there was an exodus of refugees fleeing Ponyville, the most traffic since Cadence and Shining Armours' wedding.

"I know Luna, I just want to protect everypony in my kingdom, and I can't stand the thought of anywhere coming under attack. Still I wouldn't mind knowing exactly why Ponyville is the only area to garner the outland Queen's attention, if she wanted Bow and Breach she could have sent more assassins."

"I agree Celestia. And the thought of Ponyville being the lone town to fall under attack, I sense something deeper in this, but for now we need to continue fortifications. I might also need to mention Shining Armour and Cadence insisted on a trip to Ponyville. They're already on their way."

He couldn't believe it, Captain of The Royal Guard, and he was supposed to allow a war camp of dapple flanks to sit just a few miles outside his sister home! It was ridiculous!

"Shining, are you ok, you've been staring out that window since we boarded the train?" questioned Cadence.

"I'm fine, it's just, ugh, how could Celestia allow this? An invasion of her kingdom, we should be chasing the outlanders right back to the sea!" replied the annoyed stallion, "And my sister, she's in danger and all I was able to do at first was sit and wait, makes me just want to....ARGH!"

"Your sister is strong, and has amazing friends. Besides there's more to this than we realize, I can't see why a whole kingdom would invade for two ponies, it makes no sense, at all, whatsoever."

"And there's the second thing bugging me, Twilly's been hanging around a dapple flank and a daemon, does she even realize how dangerous that is. Why they are even allowed in this kingdom at all its absolute garba..."

"Shining, remember when we were invaded by changelings, and you cast judgment on Twilight without hearing out everything?" Cadence started, "And how bad it nearly got, well trust her this time, she's incredibly smart, and I doubt she'd allow a danger to hang out with her for the past six months. Now let’s get some sleep before we arrive."

Scootaloo had gotten along fine. Aside from a mild limp in her back left leg, she'd been no worse for wear after the incident with the assassins a few weeks back. On top of that, Rainbow Dash had asked if she wanted to live with her and Twilight 'AWESOME' and she was now nearly as famous as her adopted big sis. At first she was bothered by the limp, how would it affect flying and what would the other fillies say? R.D. helped her get over this worry though, after all she had saved two ponies, and would she have really gone back and changed anything? Honestly, heck yeah, gloating after belting that stallion in the face with her scooter was what got her hurt to begin with, but she'd definitely save Breach and Bow again. Looking back at her first time talking to Bow after the incident was the best proof ever that the mare wasn't any trouble, and it made her feel warm and fuzzy inside knowing how helpful she had been.

"Scootaloo, I thought you were helping get everything packed silly?" questioned Applebloom.

"Oh yeah, course, just had my head in the clouds for a second!"

The Apple family, with the exception of Big Mac and Applejack, oh and AJ's weird cousin from Appleloosa, were leaving Ponyville, and Sweetie Belle had already left. In fact most ponies were leaving. The 'threat' of attack couldn't be that scary, she'd belted a dapple flank right in the face, and he wasn't that tough.

"Scoots, yer doin' it again." remarked Applebloom. The two fillies got about their business.

"Hey there Shy, Ah just thought Ah'd come along and see how all your animals were getting along." remarked a rather worn Applejack. How could two ponies garner some much blasted attention from one kingdom? Now she'd been bucking apples and getting her family ready to leave. The whole world had gone crazy!

"Oh, they're getting along pretty well, most have left already, but a few want to help, I was thinking, that is if you don't mind, that these eagles could help transport food for everyone. Then you wouldn't be so busy all the time." came a whisper from the rather quiet mare.

Applejack stepped forward and gave the mare a nuzzle. She loved this pony, and this all but reassured her that Fluttershy was her mare-friend.

"Shy, Ah've been thinking, with the upcoming fight. Well Ah just don't want you near the frontlines at all. And this i'n about yer timidness at all, Ah want to make sure you don't get hurt."

"Applejack, thank you for your concern, but you really don't need to worry about me. I'm going to be helping the corpsmen in the medical station when everything happens. I know I'd be no good in a fight." replied the yellow mare.

"Ah love you Fluttershy and Ah'll be sure we get a nice an' long vacation when this is done and over with."

"I love you too, Applejack"

"C'mon you guys, this should've been finished hours ago, Scootaloo could move 10x faster than that, and she'd get it done 20% better!" Dash yelled. She had been put in charge of operations in Cloudsdale, which she hated for two reasons. First, she hated chasing after these ponies, and second, she'd rather be at Twilight’s side and be watching after Scoots. The past few years had been hectic, the royal wedding, Scootaloo getting sick, her and Twi hooking up, oh yeah not to mention the two new friends that'd shown up almost a year ago now, and now a war

"Completely uncool, why do the outlanders want Bow and Breach so badly?" wondered the chromatic mare. Just then there was a tell tale crash. "Deeeerrrrrpyyyy!"

"I just don't know what went wrong?"

Dash shot off to clean up this latest mess.

"Rarity making tents, check, Pinkie keeping moral up, check, Zecora working on medicines, check," my mare here to keep me level head, nope. Twilight was missing Dash quite a bit. Dash had a way of massaging the one spot on the back of her neck that cleared her head and made all life’s troubles that much easier to handle. There was also watching after Scootaloo, which she didn't mind. She loved having the filly around, and was happy that she'd finally found family.

Bow was helping out Breach with his current problem, and the relationship of the two had grown exponentially. Her brother was going to be here the next day with Cadence, so that was going to need taking care of. Twilight was also getting reports from Owlicious, who'd been trying to help her figure out exactly why there was a war party after two measly ponies. Owlicious had managed to intercept a couple of carrier pigeons, revealing troop movements but that was about it.

'I need to go pick up Scootaloo from the Apples now anyway' thought Twilight as she turned and trotted off towards the farm.

"Breach, stop fidgeting, how am I supposed to apply the salve if you keep shifting around?" growled Bow.

The stallion in question was leaning over to give his mare a good angle to reach his right eye, or at least where his eye had been. The outlanders sent in a group of saboteurs to tamper with the food, and rather than call for help he confronted them on his own. The ponies hadn't been fighters and he knew that. This in turn caused him to be careless. He'd kicked one into a wall while he handled the other two, not a hard job in itself but the first outlander had regained his footing and attacked him from behind. The cheap shot caught him right across his eye, effectively destroying it. He mopped the floor with the offending saboteur and then took care of the other two. Lyra, who had heard the ruckus, called for help and when the guards had rolled in he was found in his present state, couple new scars and minus one eye.

"S'not so bad anyway, I can use magic to detect things around me, and my spatial awareness isn't too screwed up." Breach replied in a casual tone. He personally didn't care too much; he'd kept his friends safe.

"Well, you might not think it's bad but you scared me clean out of my hide. Have you not stopped and looked at it from my perspective. I walk into the med bay after hearing your were hurt and see blood pouring from your face! I didn't know what had happened or what was wrong, for all I knew you could have been dying!" replied the upset and flustered mare.

Breach immediately recognized the err in his thoughts. Sure he wanted to keep everyone physically safe, but Bow's emotions needed just as much protection. Their relationship had blossomed since that odd moment at the train station. Without words, just seeing how much the two of them had tried to look good for the other. That had caused them both to realize how much the other had cared. It was actually pretty amazing how much you could show you cared without words.

"I'm sorry, Bow, and you're right, I shouldn't have done something so foalish. I promise I won't let anything come between us again."

Bow loved him, and loved how he wanted nothing more than to make her happy. She loved that she felt the same way. She also had to admit that his new eye patch gave even more of a roguish appearance when coupled with his scars and broken horn 'which I still haven't heard the story of' she thought. Anytime they'd had off they'd spent together. Whether it was dinner, or a hike, talking, or even just staring at each other, they'd had an amazing time. It was a shame they'd brought so much trouble to this land though. Her and Breach even tried running away but they were stopped by the girls, specifically Rainbow Dash, who'd become a steadfast friend. It was good to know that they had such good friends, just a shame to know that they were in so much trouble.

"It is getting late Bow; perhaps we should get off to bed?"

Bow didn't even verbally reply, she looked at him, nodded and crawled into the clouds that made up they bed.

Breach followed and curled around the little mare.

'If I am to die' he thought, 'At least I had Bow, if only for a little while'

"The outlands Queen is a fool to think that her plan will succeed, muttered Siobhan.

"I agree 100%, she's not even acknowledged the other towns, she only after this one. And do you know why?" replied the pensive Baener.

"Honestly, I don't think anypony know why, I mean it's just two ponies!"

"True Siobhan, two ponies, specifically two mares."

At this Siobhan gave her leader and friend a confused look.

"Ah, I see you don't know. Our glorious Queen wants revenge on Bow for escaping, but she's also after a mare from Ponyville who made a fool of her. The Queen hasn't always been the same mare; the last one was murdered by this one in an attempt to gain enough power to destroy her arch enemy."

Siobhan sat there a contemplated for a second before her reply came. "So what do we do then?"

"Survive, as always."

"At last, my plans have come to fruitition. I had no idea the wretch still lived in Ponyville with her friends. I'd've thought she'd be hiding under Celestia's gown, but no this is so much better, now I'm going to kill both of the mares, and all their little friends!" declared the Queen. "Guards! Bring out some slaves; I want to see them fight to the death."

Protective Stallions and the Initial Assault

"I don't CARE, she is not to go anywhere near the briefing room! That is FINAL!"

"Really? So do you care enough to spend a day in the shadow realm, because if you keep running your mouth, colt, that’s where I'll leave you."

"How dare you threaten me?! Guards take this stallion to the brig."

"Try it and you'll have company there, and I'll leave you for a whole week!"

Everypony was gathered round, watching the two stallions go at it.

It started when Shining Armour, the captain of the guard, forcibly pushed Bow away from him when she tried to introduce herself, and when he called her a 'disgusting dapple flank'. Breach immediately demanded an apology and from that they started going to it.

"Just wait til I tell Celestia about this, daemon, and you'll regret ever crossing my path!" with this final note Shining Armour stormed off.

"So, Bow, great brother Twilight has huh?" quipped Breach.

"I just think he's stressed for Twilight, that and he obviously is not enthused with us here. And thank you for standing up for me, but next time let me handle it."

Twilight was having a great day, Scootaloo had helped her clean up the library and Rainbow Dash had just gotten back from Cloudsdale. The only thing that could ruin this day was if they got attacked.

Of course just as she finished that thought the front door slammed open.

"Twilight," growled Shining Armour as he stormed in, "I forbid you from going near the daemon or his dapple flanked lackey!"

"Excuse me, what? And why?"

"They're dangerous and not to be trusted, you're not going near them again."

At this point Twilight was less confused and more annoyed. "Really, they're dangerous, as opposed to anypony else? Oh and you don't control my life, so I'll do what I want. What's your problem brother?"

Rainbow Dash was standing off to the side with Scootaloo when Scoots whispered in her ear. "Nah Scoots, this is sibling stuff. We should just stay out of it."

"Breach, just stay here. I'll go talk to Twilight and explain things. Maybe we can sort this out." with that Bow set off for Twilights house.

I can understand that Shining Armours' upset, but to the point of threats? That's not how I heard him acting like from Twilight. He must be stressed to an enormously high level.

As Bow neared the door it suddenly flew open.

"Oh, hey Bow!" said a rather pissed looking Twilight, "Glad your here I was just going to find you, follow me."

Bow was thoroughly confused, why did Twilight look mad, and why was she following her inside exactly?

"Great, so now she's here." Shining spat accusingly.

"Can it Shining, Bow hasn't even done anything wrong, now explain why your being so irrational!" demanded a thoroughly peeved Twilight.

"Well first off, she a dapple flank, they're our worst enemies. Then there the daemon, he shouldn't even be in the world. Also they've brought all this trouble down on us, and you think they just want to be 'friends'?"

"Oh yes brother, they must be double crossing backstabbers, which so obviously explains why I'm STILL ALIVE!"

At this Shining had no answer, so Dash stepped in.

"Shining, if Bow wanted any of us dead, she'd've completely done it. Then there's the fact that Breach...” Dash muttered the last bit and nopony heard what she said.

"What was that Rainbow?" asked Scootaloo.

"I said Breach saved my life at the train station, jeez, not like it was bad enough that I needed saving." Rainbow finished with an annoyed sigh.

Bow decided it was time for her to speak up, "Shining Armour, I'm sorry we put everypony in danger, and if I could change that, I would in a heartbeat." she stated despondently as she looked at Scootaloo, the filly who had unknowingly risked her life weeks ago to save her. "I don't want anypony getting hurt, and I tried leaving but the girls stopped me."

"Exactly, leaving a friend hangin' is completely uncool."

"So how'd it all go?" questioned Breach

"It went well; Shining understands that we aren't a problem. He also asked me to apologize to you on his behalf."

"I can understand his doubts, but his insults to you were unacceptable. Besides does he really think that this is a good time to start a fight?"

"He was just looking out for his little sister, just as you were looking out for me." With this Bow moved to Breach's side and laid down for a nap. It took all of two seconds for Breach to join her.

"I thought she was gone Luna, but to find out that this is what she's done, what she's become, over petty rivalry!?"

"Celestia, you forget that I too turned to evil over a petty rivalry. I don't think that she can be saved though. I always kept a small part of me in the back of Nightmare Moons mind, a glimmer of hope that everything could go back to normal. But her? Her normal was already rotten, and I fear what she may attempt."

"I agree Luna, and I can't interfere. The powers that keep Equestria in existence were mad enough when I attempted to stop Chrysalis, and that was my one warning. Oh how I curse the day I accepted that offer, for us to be Queens and to usher in an era of peace. But the cost, to never raise my own hoof in Equestria's defense? It sounded so much safer at the time."

"It's not your fault Celestia, and millions would've perished had you not done so. For the time being, we must trust that the Elements, Shining Armour, Breach, and Bow-Ayn can take care of themselves and rid Equestria of the little witch."

"Sir, we've noticed that the outlander troops appear to be readying a charge."

"Thank you for the report, lieutenant." remarked Shining, in full battle armour (which was also shining), "Ready the troops while I contact my sister and her friends."

With the troops rallying, Shining took off full gallop. If the Elements were deadset on helping then they needed to know that the battle was starting, and they'd need all hooves on deck.

Coincidentally the ponies being seeked were all at Twilight's house to begin with, going over each of their roles in the coming battle.

"I'm in charge of running supplies and keeping moral up." said Pinkie, who was surprisingly serious as far as the other ponies were considered.

"I will be making bandages and cleaning *ahem* used bandages." stated Rarity, who didn't look thrilled at all at the thought of used bandages.

"I'll be in the med bay helping all the poor ponies that come in. Also my eagles friends will be ferrying supplies like food and water." whispered Fluttershy.

"Ah'm gonna be workin’ the catapults with Big Mac. With my bucking power and his strength, them outlanders'll think they're automatic." Applejack hollered.

"Perfect, I'll be up high, casting spells wherever we need them, and maintaining shields around key areas. Rainbow Dash is already preparing Cloudsdale’s air force. They'll be doing strafing runs and try to destroy any outlander war machines. Also Scootaloo, I need you by Fluttershy's side, it's the safest place for you and they'll need all the extra hooves they can get." Honestly Twilight didn't want Scootaloo here at all but the spunky filly refused to be left out "I helped once and I can do it again!”

Bow then stepped up, "I'll be front lines, nopony can out match an outlander like I can. I'll cut in deep then duck back out, allowing troops to fill in the gaps I leave."

"Finally I'll work front lines and wounded troops. On the front lines I can tear through most defenses, and with shadow step I can bring the wounded straight to the clinic faster than you could run them through the field."

Just as he finished Shining Armour burst through the front door.

"It's starting, you do realize you don't have to involve yourselves in this right?" he sputtered in a last ditch attempt to keep Twilight safe.

Breach and Bow answered in unison, "He's right girls, this is our fight, you don't have to get involved at all."

"Oh no, I could never sit back and do nothing." "Sides, Ah've already got my mind made up." "As much as I abhore violence, I'm staying as well dear." "Brother, I'm not leaving my friends alone, and you need me, that and Rainbow dash is still going to be there." "Weeee Let's GO!"

The silence. Always before a fight Breach recognized the silence. He used it to pray to whatever goodly gods there were. Bow didn’t believe in gods, but he believed if there were creatures of pure evil like his kin, then surely the opposite were somewhere out there. This was going to be bloody on both sides, and by the end of it maybe he'd have done enough to find forgiveness by all for his origins, and Bow even more so than him. The ground trembled.

He looked up to see the outlanders charging. His muscle rippled, his one eye assessing strengths and weaknesses. He shot a glance left to see Bow looking at him. Grimly she nodded, and he nodded back. At this he melded into the shadow realm. 'Let the fun begin' he thought.

She watched him meld into the shadows on the ground. It was late and there wasn't much natural light, so Twilight erected some magical floating lights specifically for him. Turning back to the front she watched as her people barreled closer. There was no choice, they were evil, she was not, and she would not allow them victory. Enraged she bolted forward, an action that caused those around her to charge ahead as well.

Leading the charge, she didn't even notice the yellow eye in her shadow. She was not leading this charge alone, nor would she ever be alone as far as Breach was concerned.

Fifteen feet, Ten, Five! Bow slid under a lunging outlander above her. As she slid she saw Breach leap from her shadow, slamming into the stallion above her. 'I guess somepony had to have my flank.'

Flipping over the next stallion she struck him in the neck, at the base of the skull, dropping him immediately. She could barely hear the ponies fighting around her, completely zoned as she was. Landing she tripped a second outlander who took his partner down with him. Realizing she was in too deep she backed out taking down 3 more outlanders. The gap in the enemy forces was soon filled by the Equestrians. 'Just like I'd planned.'

Seeing more trouble to her left, she took off over the ponies’ backs. Her slight frame and graceful movement carried her quickly to the source of trouble. It was a battle master; they trained the armies and were incredibly dangerous. Then again so was she!

"Battle master!' Bow yelled. The stallion in question locked eyes with her immediately as ponies on both sides drew back to allow the two their fight."I'll enjoy your death traitor, and the Queen will reward me greatly." the overconfident Battle master stated.

Bow knew that to keep the upper hand with this stallion that had so easily dropped 6 previous warriors she'd be playing defensively. The waiting getting to her, she finally shot a quip about the battle master’s mother. "I'll kill you!" he yelled as he charged. Bow spun around his right side as he came forward, land successive blows to his right fore and hind leg. He immediately rounded on his quick and diminutive opponent only to see her burst into a flurry of spins and jabs.

As graceful as the best of dancers, Bow sent jabs in at key points in the outlander. Left fore knee, muzzle, right fore ankle, left side jugular, left eye, hollow of the neck, in betwixt the eyes, and then finally right were the throat meet the jaw. The battle master couldn't move, his left and right forelegs had given out; he couldn't see straight out his right eye and couldn't see at all out his left, his neck numb, and with trouble catching his breath the outlands stallion sank to the ground.

As soon as he went down Bow took off, she was sure there were more battle masters. 'Now I just have to find them!' she grimly thought.

The stallion didn't even know what had hit him. One minute a mare was sliding under him, the next a huge black stallion had slammed him into the ground, he blacked out immediately.

'These foals have no idea the trouble they're in.' Breach thought seconds before bursting from an out numbered Equestrians shadow. With a single swipe he knocked one outlander flying. Ducking into another shadow, he immediately emerged from the Equestrians other side. Grabbing the second outlander, he dragged the surprised stallion into the shadow realm.

The outlander didn't know what just happened, one second it was four on one, but now it was him and the stallion next to him, mere seconds after that thought the second stallion to disappear came barreling out of a shadow, knocking the outlander and his companion clean out.

Four outlanders down and one Equestrian safe, he continued along until noticing a rather determined group of outlanders. They'd gouged a hole into the Equestrian line and were meeting little resistance. Rushing over, he erupted from a shadow directly in front of the lead outlander. "Hello, mate! He shouted, the outlander froze, clearly not knowing what to make of this. Breach gave him a good Glasgow Kiss and immediately set upon the next two in line, quickly dispatching them as well. The offense broken the remaining three outlanders retreated back into their ranks. Breach then noticed a rather badly wounded Equestrian. Grabbing the stallion with his magic, he immediately shadow stepped him to the clinic.

"Fluttershy, I've got another one for you!" "Ok Breach just set him on that mat and we'll get somepony on him stat." “Any news of the others?" he questioned. But before Fluttershy could answer Owlicious burst into the med bay with a message. "Oh, it's from Twilight, let’s see here, oh my, oh no! Breach, Twilight's brother is in trouble!" "It's ok Fluttershy I'm on it.

Personally Breach didn't care much for the stallion, but he wasn't going to let him die just for being a bigot. He raced through the shadow realm looking for the Captain of the guard. It seemed like ages but he finally found Shining Armour and burst from his shadow.

It was desperate; Shining had fought forward with his stallions and met an elite group of outlander fighters head on. They were doing well at first, but his stallions were already winded, and they started dropping like flies. Covered in nicks and cuts the brave Captain battled on. 'If I die today, I die knowing I fought to the last!" That thought quickly altered to when I die as Shining was knocked to the ground. Attempting to rise he saw 7 outlanders closing in, then black.

Breach burst forth in front of Shining immediately releasing a powerful blast of magic that sent the 7 outlanders flying. Turning around he released some healing magic into Shining and helped him up.

"So Shining Armour, you still want me out of Equestria, cause I can still leave if you want!" joked Breach. "Oh yeah, of course Breach get out of here, cause you haven't been helpful at allllll!" Shining shot back sarcastically. The two stallions turned to face the enemy, only to quickly realize they were completely cut off from the Equestrian forces. "So, Shining, I guess this is it huh?" "Guess so, but I'm not going down easy!" "That's what I like to hear, colt!"

Bow knew something was wrong, she'd lost sight of Shining, and Breach hadn't confirmed he was okay like he'd done seventeen minutes ago. 'He's checked in every ten minutes, something’s wrong, I know it.' Taking off through the crowds she desperately searched for her stallion friend, or Shining if he had information.

Breach and Shining were fighting hoof and horn. Breach was fresher, not to mention tougher, than Shining. 'Poor colt, he doesn't need to go out like this.’ Breach would've shadow stepped, but to bring Shining with him he'd have to fully enter the realm then partially exit to bring Shining in. In the time that would take the beleaguered Shining would go in seconds. They need help, and fast.

Pulling her artificial wing out of a shadow pocket and firmly strapping them on Bow took to the skies. It took her a couple of minutes, but she finally found Breach. The stallion was valiantly standing over a downed Shining Armour. They need help and she was already on her way down.

Breach couldn't hold them off. The outlanders kept a good distance, and then one would duck in and strike from behind. He felt a strike to his flank; half turned then stopped, expecting the next one to come from the direction he'd just been facing. He was right, but he wasn't fast enough. He was going down on this blow, and he knew it. 'I love you Bow and I'm sorry, gods keep you safe'.

This was it, he'd be the outlander famed for striking the felling blow on Breach and taking the Captain prisoner. Nothing could stop him now! Suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his forehead and dropped.

"Breach! Shadow step and get Shining out of here, I'll hold them off!" Aided with her artificial wings, Bow danced among, under, on the backs of, and over the outlanders surrounding the two stallions. Bow put them down left right and center never slowing her tempo. She soon saw that Breach had gotten Shining to safety but that brief distraction allowed for an outlander to get a strike at her. She hit the ground, realizing at once she wasn't getting out. Breach was with Shining and couldn't get back fast enough. 'Well damn, at least I saved Breach, and I'm sure I'll get a post humous recognition and apology from Shining."

She was right over the battlefield. Using her keen vision she quickly noticed Bow, bravely clearing the way for Breach's escape. Breach took somepony with him, but she didn't see who. Then she saw as Bow went down. She smiled grimly. It was time. Making the signal, she watched as everypony around her dove towards the battlefield. Dash knew only she’d make it in time. Breaking into a dive she knew instinctively what to do. Everything around her a blur she blasted past the other ponies diving. The air formed a cone around her, tightening, tightening, tightening, the BOOM a chromatic explosion burst from behind her as the slammed into the ground in between Bow and the outlanders.

"BAM, welcome to Equestria where ponies punch holes in the sky! Just wait to see what we do to you!" shouted Rainbow Dash. Her air force was already doing a number on the outlander forces, which quickly fell into a retreat.

"I was wondering where you'd gotten off to, I was beginning to think you were taking a nap." muttered Bow as she picked herself up. "C'mon now, I'd never leave a pony hangin'! Here let’s see to you."

Bow stood still while Dash checked on her, "Huh, your good." "Good, the outlanders will wait to regroup, for now let’s get to med bay, Shining Armour was hurt pretty badly!"

Back at the med bay, Shining Armour was in critical condition. "He, um, needs to go to Canterlot for professional medical attention." stammered Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash immediately went to help Twilight, who was cut up about her brother's injuries. "Breach, where do you know how Rarity, AJ and Mac, and Pinkie pie are doing?" questioned Bow. "Rarities continuing to create bandages for all the wounded. Pinkies been sent to Canterlot already for more supplies, and AJ took Big Mac to go collect more food from their farm."

It wasn't too long before Shining was put on the train with the other criticals to be sent straight to Canterlot. Twilight, Dash, and Scootaloo headed home for some sleep and Fluttershy left to see if she could help AJ and to spend some time with her.

"You ready to head home and catch some shut eye Breach?"

"Definitely."

Once home Breach noticed Bow staring at him rather intently, and when he questioned her as to why she immediately broke into tears. "What's wrong Bow?" he asked, this wasn't like Bow and he was concerned. "I thought I had lost you for a time. I looked everywhere and asked everypony but nopony knew where you were. I'd thought you'd been killed! If that had been true I don't know what I'd've done...." "Tears in his own eyes now he lifted her face to look her deep in the eyes, "Bow, I'll always be there for you, and nothing in the world can keep us apart. If I'm to die, then I plan on dying of old age by you side. You understand that? I will not allow anything to harm you, not physically, nor emotionally."

With that said he drew her into a kiss, and then another. She accepted this and began leading him to their bed.

Bow had made plenty of memories here in Ponyville, but this night, this one night, was going to be the best yet.

"So Twilight's brother has been critically injured, how marvelous to know he's gone. If we're lucky he won't make it. That will definitely make my revenge all the sweeter." the Queen reveled, "Now get a slave to pack my things, I'm going to Ponyville!"

Love, and all that comes with it.

Twilight had had a great night despite everything going on, and Dashie's comfort had made her feel more confident about how well they had done and how well her brother would pull through. She was on her way to Bow's house, she owed Bow and Breach a HUGE thank you for risking their lives for her brother. 'Especially since Shining had acted like such a mule towards the two.' she thought. Twilight wondered how her brother was, he'd looked like he'd gone looking for a piece of hay in a needle stack, and she was sure that he had a lot on his mind as well given who'd rescued him.

She approached Bow's door and walked in. 'Hmm they must still be in bed.' she assumed as she rounded the corner.

'Was that the door? Huh, mind must be playing tricks on me.' The thought drifted lazily through Bow's head as she looked back at what had transpired during her night with Breach. It had been amazing, like nothing she'd ever dreamed. Slowly she garnered her position in her bed. She was draped across Breach's stomach while he laid on his back.

'Easy does it, don't want to wake him up now,' she thought as she carefully extricated herself from her position over Breach, 'Thighs and hips are a little sore, but that’s not too surprising.' Bow suddenly noticed movement off to the side.

Twilight turned the corner into bow's room just in time to see the little mare pulling herself off of Breach, stretching her hind legs. It took Twilight a second, then suddenly realized what must have transpired between the two. Her eyes doubled in size just as Bow turned and looked at her.

"Gaaahhh!" Bow screamed. Quickly grabbing a pillow, she let fly at Twilight smacking her clean in the face. At this Twilight also yelled and darted out the room.

Bow was awake, and he knew it. Honestly he was content to lay there, the feeling of Bow's movements told him that she was stretching, and he didn't mind too much that she kept brushing against him. Suddenly he felt Bow stiffen and let out a scream. His eyes shot open just in time to see Twilight high tailing it out of their room and Bow staring at the doorway rather embarrassed.

"Well that’s one way to get up in the morning." Breach muttered. Bow looked down realizing he was awake. "Sorry, Breach." was her simple response as they untangled themselves. The two stopped and stared at each other for a time once they'd fully gotten loose of the bed. "Well I suppose we should go out and see what Twilight wants, eh Bow?"

Walking out of the room side by side they were immediately assailed by a barrage of 'sorry's from Twilight. "Twilight, its fine, you couldn't have known what you were trotting in on." smirked Breach, who'd actually found the situation mildly humorous. "So what's with the surprise visit anyway?" Bow inquired. "Oh yeah, I wanted to thank you two for what you did for my brother, and how helpful you've been. Also I really would like to apologize for just now." "So your brother doing good? That’s wonderful news." "I agree, the colt and I may not have gotten off on the right hoof, but he's got heart. Besides, I can respect his want to keep you safe." With that said Breach glanced over at Bow to see her nodding in agreement.

"Alright, the outlanders got something big going down. My pegasi scouts can't get close without coming under a barrage of fire. It looks like they're tightening security and preparing for somepony's arrival or something. Somepony important." reported Dash.

"Breach, you don't think that she's coming here do you? It'd be a bold move" asked Bow.

"I think we've done enough here to piss off the queen for a century or two, it doesn't surprise me to much at all really." Breach calmly stated, "I'll go on a scouting run tonight and see what I can find out."

"I'll go with him as well." Bow quickly shot in.

"We attack tonight! That’s my word as Queen and to deny it is death. Besides those foals would never expect an attack this soon, they won't be ready for it." rambled the outlands Queen, " Keep the Equestrian scouts at bay for as long as possible, then start the troops as soon as the sun sets!"

"Baener, have we chosen our path yet? I honestly don't wish for the Queens success. If she succeeds in this venture, what’s to stop her from coming after us?"

"I find myself on similar thoughts. For now though, we shall watch, specifically watch Breach. The stallion will be heading out tonight on a scouting run with Bow. We may be able to get into contact and express our desire to help."

"Besides, we aren't just a pair of ponies now." gestured Siobhan.

Looking behind them Baener scanned across the 30 or so outlands rebels. They all wished for peace, just like Siobhan and himself. They had recently been liberated from the prisoner's fair, a macabre place for executing prisoners and slaves. On the note of slaves he looked a little to the left to note the 12-16 or so slaves he'd already rescued. He needed to get the two factions to trust each other, but the rebels still carried an air of superiority, and the slaves had no trust for them. He'd have to figure this out soon.

"Celestia, what are you thinking about now?" inquired Luna. "I've done everything I could to prevent harm coming to my subjects after the changeling incursion, but I have failed. I have failed due to one mare, a traitor to Equestria. One mare with vengeance in her heart. Luna, is this my punishment for failing you?"

"You never failed me sister, I failed myself. You need to understand that you can't hold yourself personally responsible every time something bad happens. You can't control a pony's thought, only they can. Remember that, and your rule will strengthen greatly." Luna encouraged. She knew her older sister was worried, but she had to stop blaming herself.

Scootaloo was following Fluttershy around. She did everything from holding ponies steady, to lifting i.v bags, and had even stitched up a small but deep cut. She enjoyed it, helping the ponies, and while it wasn't as adventurous or cool as saving Bow and Breach was, it was just as fulfilling. She couldn't help but worry though. Twilight's brother had already been brought in, and every time the tent flap opened she feared it would be somepony she knew well. Still she pushed on, helping everypony she could.

Evening was waning and the night was falling, there was no moon though. Breach and Bow set out for the scouting run, and Bow already had her wings in place. Breach had place spells of infrared vision on himself and Bow, without the moon they would be harder to spot, and Breach was making sure the enemies had no such advantage.

"So, do you really think that the Queen showed up here for us Breach?"

"Like I said before, she's got to be infuriated at our survival. It wouldn't surprise me if she's ready to lead a charge on Ponyville herself."

The two ponies had continued walking, honestly paying little attention to their surroundings, they were nowhere near the outlanders’ camp. That's why Bow was so surprised when she caught a group of ponies in her infrared vision.

"Breach, are they with us?!"" she'd started, only to realize that it wasn't a group but the frontlines of an army! The outlanders were right on top of them!

"Bow, this is about to get hectic, take these bombs fly up and drop them in the ranks!" With this the stallion took off towards the outlanders, Tartarus bent on causing as much damage as he could.

He charged into a soundly surprised group of stallions, scattering them in seconds. He glanced up, seeing Bow already intent on her job. Knowing his mare was safe he went all out. Two stallions charged in on his left. Spinning about he caught them both with one well place kick. Another one on his flank with a terrifying buck to the face. Reaching for magic, he sent another three sprawling, but took a kick in the right shoulder. Rounding on the offending stallion, Breach reared up and smashed him into the ground. Breach then took another hit from behind. Realizing he was surrounded he decided to fight his way out of the group.

Dropping the bombs, and scattering a multitude of ponies, Bow turned about to see Breach attempting to fight his way out of a throng of outlanders. She dived in and started her dance, somersault over this stallions back to kick that one, slip under this others legs tripping him and emerge with and upward thrust to another’s chin. Getting behind Breach, the two valiant ponies circled, Bow would swing low, to have Breach come 'round and strike high. Bow then took the unsuspecting pony Breach had gotten to block mid height with a high kick.

Breach knew it was futile. They couldn't keep this up, and Ponyville needed warned. "Bow, you need to go, now!" he yelled.

"Not a chance Breach, no way I'm leaving you here!" "Bow, Ponyville has no knowledge of this attack, they need to be warned! We can't hold them off!" "Just shadow step Breach!" "No light, the moons not out tonight, but there is something else I can do... Bow you NEED to leave, NOW!"

Something in the way Breach said it made her know what he was doing. She also knew that the middle of the fray was not where she needed to be, and that Breach was right, Ponyville needed warned. She took flight with a final word "I love you Breach! I will be back for you!"

Breach reared up, shifting into his true form. Now 2x larger than the tallest outlander, and with true arms, he tore into the horrified outlanders. Noticing a glow to his right he turned and saw an outlander unicorn charging his horn. About to use this chance to shadow step, Breach realized that he didn't know where the unicorn was aiming. Following the outlanders sight, he discerned with horror the unicorn had Bow in his sights. Rushing over he grabbed to whole face of the offending stallion, taking the entire blast from it. Thoroughly enraged, he grabbed the shoulder blades of the unicorn and twisted his claws in opposite directions. The sickening crunch and snapping that ensued told Breach it was time to move onto a new target. Wading into the horde, he caused as much damage as he could but it was taking a toll. His right side took the most hits, without his full range of vision; he couldn't see any attacks coming from that side. Then there was the whole group and sheer numbers that he couldn't outmatch. Breach finally collapsed amidst the throng of stallions, blacking out.

Bow fly like a bat out of Tartarus. She had to get to Ponyville and warn everypony, and then get back to Breach.

"Hold the line." Twilight shouted, she didn't know what exactly had happened, but they'd come under attack not long after night fall. Nopony was ready for the immediate counter attack. Five of Twilight's shields had fallen almost immediately. She knew they were failing, she needed Shining for this, she had no knowledge on how to work an army, and no time to read a book about it.

They came out of nowhere, cutting down stallions left and right. Wave upon wave of outlanders piled upon the Equestrian forces. They couldn't hold, breaking and crumbling. All around ponies fought til they couldn't fight anymore, while others gave up outright. Defenses crumbled, and the scream of the wounded or worse filled the air.

Rarity was surrounded before she realized that there was an attack. Not a fighter, and with nopony to help her she surrendered immediately.

AJ, Big Mac and Braeburn saw the outlander coming up towards the war machines. The three Apples went on a counter offensive, sending stallions flying in every direction. Outnumbered, and already winded from working the catapults, it didn't take long for the three ponies to go down under piles of thrown nets.

Pinkie had just returned with supplies when she found herself surrounded. "Come with us!" demanded an outlander. "Okie-dokie-lokie" came the reply, Pinkies attitude comparable to when she thought her friends had decided to not be her friends anymore even though they were actually being good friends.

The med bay was surrounded, Fluttershy only agreeing to their surrender as long as none of the injured were harmed any more. The outlanders had agreed to this. Fluttershy had started towards the door when a stallion pushed her down and ordered her to hurry up. At this Scootaloo burst from her hiding spot and shoved the outlander backwards. The response was a quick back hoof that sent the filly flying into some cabinets knocked out cold. Fluttershy tried to rush to the filly's side but was pushed out the flap. "What about the filly?" "Leave her, we just need the Elements."

Rainbow Dash's air force was taking a beating. She'd already been grounded from a wounded wing, but continued to fight on. Eventually surrounded, along with Derpy and a few other soldiers she was given an ultimatum. "Element! Surrender or I'll order your friends and fellow ponies executed!" Rainbow Dash couldn't allow her friends to be harmed. Head down, she was led off in one direction as Derpy and the other were led off in another.

Twilight was sending magical bolts at anypony trying to crest her hill. Her defenses broken ages ago, and though she was tired, she continued to fire and fight. She couldn't maintain it though. She felt her head throbbing, her heart beat racing, and flank heaving. Her vision began to dim, and Twilight blacked out.

Shining had used a spell to check on Ponyville. Seeing everypony in trouble, and the defenses crumbling, he gathered the hoofful of able bodied stallions, met up with Cadance, and boarded the train for Ponyville immediately.

Seeing how worried Shining was, Octavia and Vinyl boarded the train as well, without his knowledge of course, in hopes that they could aid the fight.

Bow came upon Ponyville. Crestfallen she realized she was too late. Drifting to the ground, tears in her eyes, she wanted nothing more than to die. Breach had been overwhelmed she was sure, and Ponyville had fallen too. Suddenly she heard rustling behind her. Rounding about she came face to face with Baener, a well known outlands assassin. "I don't care anymore. Kill me, take my corpse to the queen and reap your reward."

The Queen was ecstatic. Ponyville conquered, Breach captured, and the Elements secured! All that was missing was Bow, but she wasn't too worried about it. For now she took great pleasure in inflicting as much pain as possible on Breach. "So my daemon friend, you thought that this was going to end well? You are a daemon after all, you beasts don't get happy ending, you get slain. The public execution tomorrow will see to that. But I think I might save you until last, until Bow has been captured, and you can watch as I kill her slooooowly." "The only response from the hobbled stallion was a wad of spit, perfectly aimed, that hit the Queen square in the eyes. "How dare you!" Striking Breach multiple time, she finally got to see him fall unconscious.

The next day had come. The Elements were lined up, along with some other key defenders. Derpy, who had caused numerous 'accidents', Braeburn and Big Macintosh, who had started a minor uprising, Carrot Top, who had slyly slipped the guards rotten food, and Cheerilee who had proved undeniably effective with a metre stick. Breach was being held off to the side in stallion form, he sported numerous new bruises and a few new cuts.

The Queen walked towards the curtains of the stage on the makeshift prisoners fair. It had finally come to a close, and she had won. The curtains flung wide to reveal her to everypony.

"You!" screamed Twilight Sparkle.

"I can't believe it!" agreed Rainbow Dash.

The other captive Equestrians were just as shocked. There before them stood none other than...

"Yes, you foals, it is I the GREAT and POWERFUL TRIXIE!" the outlands Queen shouted. With that she locked her eyes onto Twilight evilly.

"Let's start this off with YOU!"

Retaliation and Reperation

Rainbow Dash struggled futily against her bonds as she helplessly watched Twilight dragged towards the executioner. "Leave her the buck alone! I'll take her place! Let her GO!"

"Oh, yes Loyalty," sneered Trixie, "Rainbow Dash was it, stupid name. Well enjoy the show."

"Cut me loose and you'll be calling me Rainbow THRASH!" At this Dash was gagged, but she still struggled.

Twilight didn't know what to think. Trixie was this evil, and poor Rainbow Dash as well as the others; they were all going to die because of her. Dragged towards the headspony and laid across the block she shouted her final thought. "I'm sorry girls, and I love you Rainbow Dash!" The headspony's axe came up, and Twilight expected it to be the end.

"HAAAAALLLTT!" yelled Baener. All eyes on him he confronted the Queen, "Trixie, I have returned."

"Obviously, but you have failed your mission, and interrupted my beautiful execution. Guards throw this one in with the other captives."

"Hold guards. Queen your mission to me was to bring you Bow-Ayn, alive or dead. Siobhan, bring her out."

Siobhan stepped out from the crowd with a hobbled Bow behind her.

"Oh how perfect. Twilight I guess you have a reprieve, for the moment anyway. Bow you’re going to be my first execution. Oh yes, and because of Breach's defiance I've decided to kill you slowly." Trixie stated with a malignant grin.

Earlier that day.

After just arriving and preparing his small group of Equestrian soldiers, Shining Armour spotted Bow and another dapple flank rushing towards the group.

"Bow!? Your safe but where are the others?" Shining shouted.

"I know you want to know everything," interjected the second dapple flank, "I'm here on behalf of a group of outlands rebels and escaped slaves, we wish to help in any way possible."

"How many do you stand? I've got nine soldiers here. We'll need more than that."

"We've got about thirty ponies as a whole. We’re going to need an expert tacticians plan."

"Excuse me sirs, but I believe I've an idea on the matter," interrupted Octavia, "I've got my cello and Vinyl's been a dear and brought her something special as well."

"But, where’d you come from, no that doesn't matter, but what's Vinyl got?" inquired Shining.

"Nothing special," started the grey mare, when a blue haired mare steeped up, "Just my Bass cannon!"

An hour later the small group of ponies forming the resistance set themselves into their roles for the upcoming battle.

'I'm going out on a limb here trusting Baener' thought Bow 'But I haven't got a choice.'

"Sister, you do realize that once you do this, there is no turning back?" Luna quested.

"I know Luna, and I'm sorry I'll be leaving you, but my role no longer suits me, I was never meant for this. Take care of Equestria Luna; you will make a glorious leader." Celestia responded.

Crying, Luna rushed forward and embraced her older sister, "I love you Celestia."

Tears in her eyes Celestia responded, simply stating, "I know, and I love you too." With that the Solar queen took flight out the window, setting her sights on Ponyville.

Scootaloo felt like garbage as she crawled out from under the fallen cabinets. The med bay was empty, her head throbbing and her left leg would barely support her. She limped towards the exit when she heard the two outlands stallions outside talking about how the Elements were going to be executed. Horrified, Scootaloo did the first thing that came to mind. Setting a trap for the two stallions, she dropped a syringe.

"You hear that?" "Yeah, let’s see what it was." The two outlands stallions entered the med bay.

*Thump**Whumph*

'Out like a pair lights.' smirked Scootaloo. 'Now let’s get to the girls!'

With this thought in mind the filly took off towards Twilight's hill, now covered with outlanders.

Bow was nervous and scared. She was being led towards the main stage through crowds of outlanders. She knew this was the only way, but that didn't mean she had to like it.

Finally coming clear of the crowd she was met with the Queen, Trixie, with Twilight laid out on a block. "Oh how perfect..." Bow tuned her out, not wanting to listen to Trixie's self-righteous propaganda. Looking around she saw Breach first, wincing as she noticed his face beat and bruised. She saw the Elements also bound. Rainbow was still struggling thought. Off to the side she saw Derpy, Big Mac, Braeburn...and Cheerilee? 'I guess the teacher is tougher than I thought.'

Bow suddenly found herself being dragged towards one of Trixie’s torture devices. 'Well this is it...'

Baener trotted over to Breach's side to "secure his bonds". Striking Breach, hard enough to shift the stallions chin but light enough to not harm him too much, Baener slipped a key into the daemons mouth. The stallion looked at him suspiciously, sending chills through Baener’s spine. Baener nodded ever so slightly and walked away.

'Trixie! I'm going to kill the witch. How dare she threaten Twilight!' Dash struggled against her bonds. They were rubbing her ankles raw but she didn't care. Now Bow was going to be killed too, but no, this was not going to happen so long as she was alive. Feeling one bond slip she furiously worked on the others. Finally breaking free, Dash tore into action, ripping her gag off she charged Trixie.

This day was getting better and better, now she had Bow, and her best assassin was back under her rule. Nothing could possibly go wrong. She walked over to Bow, standing over her. She was about to explain exactly how her device worked, and what pain it would cause, when she found herself bowled over by a chromatic blur. Immediately regaining footing she used her magic to secure Rainbow Dash, who had broken out of her bonds. "Oh, well then, I guess I’ll just kill you first then!"

"The Buck you will, get off my sister!"

Trixie turned her head to the direction of the shout, seeing none other than....

Scootaloo raced through the crowd virtually unnoticed. As she got closer she noticed a burst of colours. 'Give 'em Tartarus Dashie!' Scoots did her best to double time, but her left hind leg just refused to work. Finally she cleared the crowd to find Dash pinned by... Trixie? Whatever Dash needed her. She heard Trixie’s blatant proclamation, and enraged that her friends and her newly adopted sister were to be harmed, she screamed out against the world. Spinning around she did her best to buck a small stone at the evil mare. Miraculously her aim rang true, and the stone scored a deep gash against Trixie's cheek.

Seeing the commotion Baener jumped into action. Downing two guards closest to him he shouted 'Now' and the crowd burst into a frenzy.

Breach immediately undid his bonds just as Shining Armour burst onto the stage. The two stallions set themselves to work, first by breaking the bonds of the other ponies, then by tearing into the nearest soldiers.

The Elements loose, they immediately joined the fray. Working as a group, even Fluttershy, they fought to hold their position.

Rainbow Dash went straight for Scoots, grabbing her and getting her into the middle of the Elements. Landing next to Twilight, Dash joined in.

Big Mac and Braeburn went to work on the attackers, their powerful bucks sending the offending outlanders flying. Cheerilee grabbed a nearby stick, working it like a fencing master. Derpy knocked over a torture device, causing it to collapse into a group of attackers.

Baener and Siobhan worked as a team alongside Bow, constantly spinning, the three ponies fell into a pattern of striking similar to that of what Bow and Breach had done.

The escaped slave, Equestrian soldiers, and rebel outlanders smashed into the flank of the true outlanders, fighting their way towards the stage.

"So Shining, this time it you saving me, eh?" "Guess so Breach, I sure you had it all in hoof, but I didn't think you'd care too much."

A deafening roar suddenly got everyponys' attention. "Yeah, Tavi, work that D chord!" "You got it Vinyl!"

Octavia had her cello plugged into the bass cannon. The two musically inclined mares started blasting outlanders left and right.

The Elements broke into sub groups, Fluttershy and AJ breaking off to help Braeburn and Big Mac, Pinkie and Rarity fighting back to back.

Twilight, Rainbow and Scootaloo held the right side of the stage. Unable to keep up with her speed, outlanders were downed left and right by Dash. Twilight used her magic to take down any outlands unicorns she saw. Scoots, using any move she still could from her stunt repertoire, set about anypony who tried to clear the side of the stage.

The rebelling group soon realized that it was outnumbered. They'd started the fight, but there were too many outlanders.

"We can't hold them off, can we get anypony out of here?" urgently questioned Shining. "We could try, but on top of the fact that nopony would want to leave their friends, any escaping ponies would be put down too fast." "You're right Breach. If this is the end, I'd like to apologize for my behavior to you and Bow." "Not a problem Shining, you just wanted to protect your family."

"Breach! Have you seen Trixie?" inquired Bow. "No, she disappeared the second the fighting broke out."

The fight was getting desperate. Goodly ponies fell on all sides. Braeburn and Derpy had been dragged into the middle of the stage due to injuries, joining an already swelling amount of those incapable of fighting.

Breach was having trouble maintaing his ground. The beating he'd taken the previous night, coupled with sheer exhaustion, was taking its toll. Bow found her way to him and helped him into the back before he collapsed. He was ok just too tired to continue. Rejoining the rank of fighter Bow determinedly kept the outlanders at bay.

Fluttershy rushed Rarity to the middle of the stage. The unicorn had taken a bad hit. Placing Rarity down next to an unconscious Pinkie Pie, Shy flitted about trying to help all she could.

Baener and Siobhan couldn't keep this up. Baener suddenly felt the mare’s weight on his side. Looking at Siobhan he realized she was out cold. He worked her towards the middle.

Shining Armour knew this was futile, but he wasn't about to give up. He watched in horror when he suddenly saw Twilight fall, but it was slightly abated as he saw Rainbow Dash rush her to the centre of the stage with the other wounded.

For no reason at all the attackers slacked off. The few defenders remaining standing took stock of their position.

Big Mac and Cheerilee were holding each other up. Fluttershy was back at Applejack’s side. Shining Armour was near collapse. Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo stood side by side, flanks heaving from exertion; Scoots had it worse though, she had her wounded leg drawn up, not even touching the ground. Baener stood strong, but anypony could see the fight had left his eyes. Vinyl was getting Tavi towards the group of wounded, looking like she wouldn't be rejoining either.

That left Bow, standing centre front stage. Panting from exertion, banged up, one eye swollen, she stood her ground defiantly. She was ready to go down fighting.

Trixie stepped forward from the ranks of the outlanders, a bandage over her eye. She swore she saw the annoying little filly Scootaloo laugh at the sight of her bandage. "A brave, but foalish and futile attempt. As you can see, you ponies stood no chance at defeating us." declared the ecstatic Trixie. "Now, I'm going to rule this excuse for a town, and you will all be my slaves, well those of you who I don't execute. Guards bring me that filly." Trixie ordered, pointing a hoof at Scootaloo.

"Try and reach for her and you'll bring back stumps!" shouted Dash, stepping in front of her adopted little sister. Bow joined her in seconds, followed by Shining, AJ, Shy, Big Mac, Cheerilee, and Baener.

"Ah, defiant to the last then I see." cackled the evil mare. "Fine then, I’ll just kill you all." Trixie continued nonchalantly.

"NOT IN MY KINGDOM YOU WON'T, TRIXIE!" Celestia came down from the sky, followed by Cadance and a group of corpsmen. "Cadance, see to the wounded, I have a foal to deal with!" Cadance rushed to the defender, getting to work on them.

"Celestia. I was wondering when you'd show up." stated a thoroughly unworried Trixie.

"I would've thought my arrival would worry you Trixie."

"Why would it, I know the secrets of your past that you tried to hide, how you and Luna came to power. You promised 'I will never raise my own hoof in Equestria's defense, so long as my sister and I can bring it peace this once.' I do believe that's how you ended the reign of Discord?" Hahahahaha!"

"You're right of course, I did promise never to raise my own hoof in Equestria's defense. I did so under penalty of death. But I see differently now. I look at these brave stallions and mares. I see that they understand something I never have. I see this filly Scootallo, who understands this more than all. I now understand that some things, friends, love, and peace, are ideals worth DIEING FOR!"

At this Trixie paled. She couldn't defeat Celestia and she knew it. She didn't know what to do. Eyes wide with fear she screamed at her followers to charge and kill them all.

Celestia released a powerful blast of magic. A spell to instantly rejuvenate every wounded defender. A spell to release the captured defenders in the town, and a spell that arced towards Trixie, striking the mare and obliterating her from existence. With this done, Celestia simply disappeared, crown falling to the ground.

The defending ponies saw the attack coming, but now they were ready. Those on the stage pushed back against the outlanders, who were both winded and disheartened, were easily forced back.

The Equestrian army, newly freed from their captors in Ponyville, charged into the flank of the outlander army.

Knowing they were outnumbered, it took seconds for the outlander forces to fall into a retreat. The main Equestrian army routed the enemy all the way to the sea, where the outlanders returned to their land in their boats.

Baener had taken his rebels and freed slaves and started a settlement about 6 miles outside Ponyville. From what Bow understood they were thriving, and Siobhan and Baener were to be married.

Scootaloo had gained her cutie mark during Celestia's speech, the outline of a pony, forelegs outstretched, mixed with that of a shield as if to block and protect somepony else. Her leg hadn't gotten much better, but that hadn't stopped her. With the gaining of her cutie mark, her wings had also matured. She and Rainbow Dash went out flying all the time now.

Rainbow Dash spent her time in between Scoots and Twi.

Twilight was spending her time trying to maintain the influx of Ponyville residents returning to their homes, and trying to deal with the loss of Celestia. She also helped Luna become accustomed to ruling both day and night time.

Shy and AJ set about repairing Sweet Apple Acres, with the help of Braeburn before his return to Appleloosa, and the aid of Big Mac and Ms. Cheerilee who had started off a stable relationship.

Rarity did her best to return to normal life and taking care of Sweetie Belle.

Pinkie Pie had thrown nonstop parties for the most absurd reasons ever since the war ended. She tried to hide it, but she also was deeply saddened by the loss of Celestia.

Derpy left to Cloudsdale to take care of Ditzy in a more filly safe environment (and because she kept messing up repairs in Ponyville.)

Zecora had her hooves full taking care of ponies with continuing ailments.

Cadance and Shining Armour stayed and helped Ponyville as much as they could, but had to return to Canterlot to help quell the problem of Celestia's death, and prepare for the Queens funeral.

Vinyl and Tavi returned to check on Tavi's parents in Canterlot, and had become a huge musical phenomenon due to their parts in the battle.

That left Bow and Breach. They'd been staying together, helping where ever they could. It had been a couple of months, and Ponyville was well on its way back to being a normal town, despite the residents still returning every day.

Breach was constantly fussing over her any time she did something physical. Worried about their health and yes it was their health. It was barely obvious, but Bow had a small, almost invisible bump, to her belly. Pinkie was already underway setting plans for a "congratulations on finding out that your pregnant party." While they stallion and mare went about coming up with plans on getting married.

For now all was bliss.

"So Celestia, you finally broke the singular agreement." "Yes, and I'd do it again!" "We are sure you would Celestia, and for one always preaching about the lessons of friendship, it has taken you forever to figure this one out." came the reply. At this Celestia looked at the glowing orb questioningly. "Ah, I see you don't understand, our agreement long ago was not as a punishment, but a test. We felt that while you had everything to become a proper queen, you still had one trait missing. True sacrifice in the name of Love. You finally exhibited this trait when you gave your life out of love for the ponies you rule over. Congratulations." The orb glowed so brightly she found it impossible to see. When her vision returned she was in her room in the castle. 'I must go tell everypony, they've had to have been worried. This time though, I know how to truly rule a kingdom!'

Author's note: So this is my first story, I didn't do as good as I'd hoped but currently I am content with what I've got. I do plan on getting better and I also want to be clear, this was 'The Outlanders Trials' not "The Outlanders Life' so I do plan to continue the life of Breach and Bow. Also, if any over critical, read betwixt the line reader are out there, I do not condone premarital sex nor teen pregnancy, so don't start that with me. Well thanks for reading this far guys.

As always,

Stay Pony My Friends.