Dethronement

by cajunbrony25

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, Sad, Princess Luna, Original Character, Adventure, Prince Blueblood, Princess Celestia, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 41980

The peace and harmony of Equestria is shattered when a mysterious foe attacks Canterlot. This evil warlord is able to defeat Princess Celestia and even the Elements of Harmony in one fell swoop, leaving only Luna to escape. With her throne lost and h

The peace and harmony of Equestria is shattered when a mysterious foe attacks Canterlot. This evil warlord is able to defeat Princess Celestia and even the Elements of Harmony in one fell swoop, leaving only Luna to escape. With her throne lost and her allies defeated, Luna must find a way to rescue Equestria and her friends.

Cover art is not mine. this is the artiest who made it http://theomegaridley.deviantart.com/art/FoE-Canterlot-398487935

Disclaimer: Written before Season 4, so no tree of harmony

Published 2014-12-30 17:40:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-04-24 17:54:29 UTC

Prologue

Prologue

The evening sun shone brightly over the lush fields of Canterlot Castle with an orange sunset, truly beautiful and romantic, capable of bringing a smile to even the most depressed ponies. The aura-like glow from the sun hit the city of Canterlot, as sounds of happy ponies conversing, laughing, and playing. Summer’s embrace had waned as the autumn season's delightful chill began to touch upon the manes and muzzles of the many ponies in the city. Princess Celestia, Shining Armour, Princess Candace and their daughter were stretched out on a lawn inside the walls of castle, the sounds of casual chatter sprinkled with laughter easily heard by any who cared to listen. Their happy smiles indicative of the tone of the day. The general tone was that of merriment. At least it was, when a strange wind began to blow in, and a figure masked in a black veil cloak approached the small group of royalty.

“Good evening,” it said, its voice rather deep but almost charmingly masculine. The cloak’s hood fell revealing a navy blue stallion with a horn atop his head, and a mane whiter than the first snowfall with eyes as red as blood, “I am Sir Landcastra, I come from a far away country and have come to visit on a diplomatic mission.” He said, politeness oozing from his features. In an instant, the guards stood alert. All eyes were on Landcastra. As Celestia took a step towards him, curious, but also very wary of this stallion’s request. Looking to Shining Armor and Cadence, she turned her attention to this mysterious stallion.

“A diplomatic mission, you say?” Celestia asked, “It is not often we get such a request from one of our own kind. How curious. I am intrigued with your 'Diplomatic Mission'. What exactly would we be discussing?” Landcastra smirked, running a hoof through his mane.

"Well, Princess, I’ve come on behalf of my country’s findings into the art and understanding of magic. There is much we do not know of how powerful our abilities are, your majesty, and my work for some time has been to understand and better allow my subjects to use and understand their own magics. What I offer is a chance to share my findings with this great nation. The northern region of Marescow has something I hope Equestria is interested in, maybe even enough so to agree to a possible alliance between your country and my realm of estate, to the benefit of all pony kind."

Celestia smiled warmly, quite intrigued by what this stallion told her, though she couldn't help but feel a bit unsettled. something about his power was almost frightful, but the Sun Princess wasn't one to sway away an idea that could benefit her subjects, so she nodded in agreement.

“Very well, Landcastra, let us discuss our countries’ cooperation,” she said, turning about and leading the black stallion to a shady tree. He then gave her a smile back and approached her, sitting under the tree.

“So tell me, Sir Landcastra, what methods have you uncovered about improving our magical capabilities?” Celestia asked, leaning towards him with curiosity evident on her features. Certainly, it would be a great service to ponykind if they could strike an alliance. Of course, it sounded like a splendid idea to help teach some of their royal guard casters better magic, but the possibilities of every-day ponies being able to harness even greater magic was a thought of great delight. But that thought also brought some concern as great power also brings great responsibility.

“My subjects and I have been able to come to an understanding of how magic is harnessed in, not just unicorns, but in all ponies of our great land, from the simplest earth pony, to the fastest Pegasus, to the most powerful unicorn. All ponies possess some latent magic within them, allowing them to attain feats thought unimaginable. For example, earth ponies possess a keen magic of the land, able to till and sow seeds of all kinds, and have them prosper wherever they grow. Pegasi have the innate ability to control weather, from sunny days to violent storms, they can shift and move the clouds and even the very wind to their favor, and let us not forget unicorns.” He raised a hoof to his own horn, and continued, “Unicorns are the mightiest in magic, able to channel not just their own magic, but magic of the earth ponies and pegasi combined. Such an ability can unlock the true potential in all of pony kind!”

“I would agree, Sir Landcastra, but how does this affect our subjects, what potential is unlocked, and by what means?”

Landcastra gave a wicked grin “It's... not an easy process, I admit that. We've spent many seasons perfecting and understanding our research into our own subjects. At first, we had some setbacks, but we persevered, and have just begun to understand these hidden magics within all ponies, and slowly, we've been able to unlock even the slightest magic from the lowliest earth Pony. The only issue, however, is it only works on the elderly of ponies, when their magic may be waning. It is also the easiest to manipulate, thus allowing a whole new functionality of magic to be unlocked when at first they might not be able to have done so at all.”

“And what of the subject, do they fare well?” Celestia asked as Landcastra sighed.

“To a point, some can embrace it. Others, however, grow too strong and must be silenced, but necessities of progress deem those unfit to be rooted out, and those strong to survive, isn't that right?” Celestia felt a pang of uneasiness with what he had said, and she blinked.

“That is not true, none should be cast aside while others prosper, it is unjust for those who are not as capable as others to be rooted out, all our subjects are equal to one another.”

Landcastra smirked, “My Dear Celestia, you forget. Both you and I are rulers of our land, knowing that we must sacrifice the few for the good of the many is a notable cause, not only that, but those stronger can continue to be stronger and forever make your country greater.”

“At the expense of those who aren't?” Celestia retorted, “Such... such a vile means of progress!” Landcastra shook his head.

“You forget, Princess, that our kind, our very society, is frail and weak. We have not done nearly the amount we could for our subjects and place our kind at the top of this wretched place. When we had war with the Griffons, we could have easily bested them, but you sought to have diplomatic means, and even still, they do not abide by our notions and continue to disdain us, finding us ‘too weak’ to bother. Then there are the dragons. We could have easily cast them aside, but you let them sleep upon your land, even migrate through it. How such wretched beasts are permitted free access is a travesty in and of itself! And do not get me started on other sp-”

“Sir Landcastra!” Celestia barked, “Have you lost your sense of dignity! As ponies, we are open to all races and are kind to them, no matter what they are to us in turn. It is the right and proper way of dealing with other cultures and societies. We are not above anypony, no matter what you assume.” Landcastra paused, slowly smirking as he eased back into his place.

“Understandable, and that is why I have sought my means of improving our species, our capabilities with magic, and making us stronger so we may do what we should have done… Conquer this entire world under our hooves!” he grinned, looking at Celestia with glee. “Do you not agree, Princess Celestia?” The Solar Princess was in dismay, she was in utter shock by this stallions claims as she huffed, shaking her head.

“I’m afraid not, Sir Landcastra, I cannot condone such actions to MY subjects by somepony with such tasteless thoughts. We do not plan on embracing your methods, or your desires. Now, I ask you to leave this place at once. ” Landcastra only gave a witty smile, his grin cackling as he began to laugh. Suddenly, clouds began to roll in as thunder and lightning began to rippled across the sky in the distance as a troubling wind began to pick up around them.

“I knew you would decline, and that’s why I am here. To take over.” The princess looked confused.

“Take over? You mean you’re-”

“Going to dethrone you, yes.” Landcastra muttered "And I was hoping you would make it easier and submit. It seems I have to use my resources to topple you from your crown." Shining grew angry, having heard the conversation, the very fact this stallion wanted the best of their country yet sought to rule it with such evil ideas was ludicrous. With a steering growl, he drew his sword, pointing it before Landcastra.

“Alright buddy, I don’t know who you think you are, but you gotta go!” He demanded as he slowly approach the black unicorn, only to suddenly see the horn of Landcastra glow vibrantly before a magical field suddenly tippled about around them. Shining was sent back as the cloak and hood whisked away, exposing the stallion for his true nature - an Alicorn, as blue as the midnight sky and his eyes a shimmering gold, as his mane, gray as cold steel, waved and flowed in the coming storm. As Shining recovered, Landcastra smirked wickedly, suddenly casting his horn a blazing red of magic as he looked over to Shining.

"Learn your place!" He barked as he levitated the stallion effortlessly and threw him with incredible force into a nearby tree. Cadence gasped, galloping to check on her husband as Lancastra stood and slowly approached the pair, levitating forth a very thin, yet sickly looking sword.

“A pity such a strong stallion as yourself is merely a lapdog to the Princess who seeks so little for her subjects. You should have laid down your arms, little soldier, and stepped away. Now, the only price for your insolence and ignorance to dare attack me is the very loss of your own mind, you stupid foal!" He cackled as he rose his sword, pointing the tip at Shining before he found himself surrounded by several other guards, lances grazing his throat.

"Stand down!" barked one of them, "Leave the captain alone!" Lancaster only laughed loudly.

“What are you laughing at?! Put down your weapon, and surrender to the Equestrian Royal Army!” a guard shouted, nearly drowned out by Landcastra's laughter, as his horn began to glow with a crimson aura. The guards took notice and approached him slowly.

“You have to the count of three to stop whatever you are doing, or we will attack! One... Two... Three!” As the lead pony shouted, three all of the surrounding guards were brought to their knees, screaming in agony and pain, as a shock wave of the crimson aura shot out of his horn. After the fact, the guards laid on the ground, dead eyes still holding terrified, pained expressions. Shining stood up and looked in shock as he saw his comrades fall so easily before he turned to Landcastra, seeing the stallion laughing almost manically.

"Oh, such a treat! I never expected the guards to be so full of spunk, a shame they carry so little to defend their country with, haha!" Shining grew angrier and angrier as he rose, slowly bringing his sword to bear. As he turned to his wife, he knew what had to be done.

“Cadence, get Celestia and fly. Get away...” He turned, leveling a stare at the black alicorn, "Go, and don't look back!" Cadence, afraid and speechless, only nodded. She rushed to the Princess, seeing her expression of equal shock as she turned to Shining.

"Shining... you can't-"

“Princess Celestia, please. Go on with Cadence, I’ll take care of this one myself.” Celestia huffed, she didn't wish to abandon the captain, Shining, Twilight Sparkle’s brother, but as his words rang her ears, she could only nod, going with Cadence as they teleported away.

“I don’t know what you are planning, but it stops now!” Shining shouted to Landcastra, who replied with a little chuckle.

“Oh, but Shining, it has only just begun. Even if you think your brave little heart can stop me, it will not stop the inevitable domination I have for your land.” He cackled again. With a loud battle cry shining came at the black alicorn with his blade, to only be met with Landcastra’s own. Dazed, Shining stepped back and tried to regain his balance. Landcastra, came at him with a vicious swipe, Shining barely dodged the attack as the blade managed to cut through his mane. Shining, now back on balance, went for another attack, which Landcastra blocked with ease.

“Is that all you have? Please, my own mother fought better then you, best hope for your sake this 'fight' doesn't end the same way that one did.” He cackled again as shining let out another battle cry, attacking the alicorn with a flurry of sword attacks. It was nearly effortless for Landcastra to block every one before a swift counter sent the captain of the guards trotting backwards as several cuts were grazed across his white coat. Landcastra grinned, pointing his sword to Shining.

“Although, to your credit, you are blocking some of my attacks. That doesn't mean that you’ll live through this. I’ll not only kill you, but your dear sister too.” The black alicorn grinned widely, watching eagerly as Shining became filled with absolute fury, charging in for another round of strikes. Try as he might Shining could not land a single attack on the mad stallion as Landcastra's sword moved liked water, ebbing and flowing against the captains strikes.

“Die, you heartless son of a bitch!” Shining yelled. Landcastra replied with a cackle, and continued to deflect each strike until he saw his chance and swiped, cutting Shining on the front left leg. Shining yelped in pain, falling to the ground, his leg oozing. He looked up to the black alicorn and weezed heavily, as his vision slowly fading. With what little strength he had left he glared fiercely at him.

“Damn you, by Celestia, I shall prevent you from having this day!” he declared, continuing to huff and puff. Landcastra just laughed.

“Celestia has no will nor might to stop me, it is foolish to even think she will once you fall.” With that, Landcastra looked deeply into the unicorn’s eyes, giving him a wide stare. Shining suddenly felt something grinding him at the back of his skull as if his head were being drilled into and then filled with some kind of liquid. Shining's gaze dazed, his sword clattered to the ground as he gripped his head, after a few seconds, the liquid seemed to burn inside him, bringing about excruciating pain. He covered his ears as he heard a loud buzzing sound, a sound like nothing the Guard captain had heard before. It dug into his mind, digging deep into his memories, his past, he felt even his most mundane thoughts suddenly deteriorate as though somepony ground a piece of steel wool upon them, shredding what he knew from existence as his brain began to pound within his skull. Shining exhaled, shouting vigorously as he tried to move, to fight back, but nothing he could do, let alone even focus to cast magic of his own, was futile against this alicorn’s attack.

“Stop, stop, STOP!” He let out one last scream of pain as everything suddenly stopped, Shining felt everything leave, his memories, his thoughts, even his essence passed from his mind as his gaze suddenly focused off into some direction as even his eyes began to glaze over, zombie-like. Landcastra smiled and laughed as the captain simply stood there, motionless.

“I love doing that...” The alicorn said as he trotted over to examine his handiwork “A simple, if not somewhat brutish, method of erasing one’s mind from their body. Such a thrill to see how they handle the execution.” With a smile he left the park, returning to the city, where the once blue and clear sky was covered with a sheet of gray dull clouds, lightning striking constantly, as soldiers clad in red and black armor were seen killing the innocent, taking them prisoner, burning buildings, and started to advance to the castle. One by one, guards from both lunar and solar armies retreated, or met an early demise.

Landcastra trotted towards the castle unopposed as the storm raged above the capital, his eyes glowed calmly as each step seemed to shake the very ground around him as his aura glowed. Every attempt made by the guards to stop him was futile as he soon made his way to the front gate, casting it aside with a flick of his horn as if it were paper, but before he could approach, the sudden clop of hooves echoed behind him.

"Landcastra, your tyranny ends now!" Shouted one Twilight Sparkle as she, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, all elements bared, stood to the stallion's flank. Landcastra turned, eyeing the group with glee, "We've known of your plan all along and we won't let you get away with it!" Landcastra smirked, vanishing his sword as he turned to face the element bearers.

“Ah, the elements of harmony, how very expected of you. I'm quite glad you were able to make it in time for the demise of your mentor and ruler, a shame, really, if you think a bunch of fillies can stop me.” The mane six replied with silence, and angry stares. Landcastra Looked at each one with a grin on his face, which only got wider with each passing second.

“Landcastra, stand down, or we will unleash the elements’ power!” Twilight Sparkle announced. Landcastra laughed hysterically in response.

“Stand down? Elements? My dear Twilight, you obviously do not see the sheer power I possess.” He chuckled to himself “You see, I already have the upper hoof, your mentor is running scared and now, your brother is nothing more than a shell, certainly with less of a splendor than his former self. A pity, for you, too, will be joining him soon.”

Twilight grunted as the rest stood ready to unleash their power, "We won't let you get away with this, Landcastra! The Elements of Harmony will stop you!" With a smirk, he sent a crimson red shockwave of magic from his horn, the blood red wave bolting toward the mane six. The shock wave hit the group sending them flying. Rainbow Dash growled loudly, soaring into the air.

“Alright then, you wanna get violent, then come on! Let’s get violent!” she shouted at the top of her lungs, charging right at the alicorn at full speed.

“Rainbow! Don’t, he’ll just-” Twilight attempted to warn her friend, but before she could finish her sentence, Rainbow had been gripped by the neck with Landcastra’s magic. The remaining five all gasped in unison, wondering what he was prepared to do. The black alicorn merely laughed as he tossed Rainbow forward, her body rolling toward them, just stopping in front of the groups hooves as she slowly got up.

"Damnit, what this guy made of?"

“Foolish pegasus! Can she not see the sheer power that is Landcastra!” He continued to laugh as Applejack glared at him.

“Oh, now ya’ll gone and made me mad!!” she screamed as she rushed him, turning about face to strike a powerful bucking kick, only to have it stop in mid air.

Applejack looked in surprise as Landcastra smirked, "Please, a simple earth pony like yourself holds no challenge for me." and with a flick, the same force sent out, went right back into Applejack, sending her slamming into the still recovering Rainbow as the pair tumble over in a heap.

“I grow tired of your games, Elements, you cannot hope to do anything against me. And, as punishment for daring to defy me, your lives are all forfeit!” Landcastra replied as figures began to descend from above, pegasi clad in black and red armor roared down from the sky, invading the city as a large group of them suddenly surrounded the elements of Harmony.

“Now then, why don't you be good little children and watch the fall of your precious capital. Move out!” He ordered as the guards began to escort the mane six towards the castle.

--

Inside the castle, soldiers of both Lunar and solar factions ran, as they were not only outnumbered, but outclassed. They were given orders from the princesses themselves to retreat, making the take over almost too easy for Landcastra.

“Find the remaining princesses, tell them that we have their students and will kill them if our demands are not met.” He ordered one guard, who only replied with a barked 'Sir!'. As the guards ran about the castle, eliminating anypony left who would either resist or fight back. One by one either new prisoners or new casualties would be noted, Landcastra only calling them ‘necessary losses’. Fluttershycurled up in a bundle on the floor, faint sobs obvious to those who listened. Pinkie pie, who was furious, tried to break free from her shackles, but simply could not, while Applejack and Rainbow were still beat out of it as the southern belle was trying to bring Rainbow to her senses.

Celestia and Luna both teleported in, each firing a magical bolt at Landcastra in one deft motion. The black alicorn grunted as he flew across the room, slamming against the wall. He opened his eyes to find the two princesses of the night and day standing before him, as Rarity ran away in the confusion.

“Well, you’ve decided to show yourselves to me. You have saved me the time and effort to track you down.” He grinned as he teleported from against the wall to just a few feet in front of the princesses, who only gave him angry stares. Landcastra turned his head slightly to one of his guards and commanded,

“Guard, Bring the element bearers to me, I want them all to see this.” He cackled as he turned back to the princess and waited, they said nothing, for nearly thirty minutes. There was nothing, nothing but pure silence, Landcastra held a huge wicked grin, which only grew bigger as each second passed, the princesses, giving a look of anger, with flames practically consuming their eyes. Finally the guard brought the mane six back to the throne room, stilling in chains and shackles. As he was the one to break the silence.

“Sir, The elements as you have-” He was interrupted with a magic blast to the head, killing him.

“I was enjoying the silence.” as the mane six, along with the princesses gasped in shock to witness such a random murder, and for such a trivial reason.

“Now that everypony is here, I can finally begin the fun. The fall of Equestria, and the raging of a new order, the order of the Empire of Landcastra!” A loud laughter followed as the princess.

“I shall offer you one last chance... Join me, or-”

“Never!” Landcastra was interrupted from the shouting of Celestia, whose rage only grew, seeing her subjects chained and in pain.

“I never thought I'd have to see combat ever again. Luna, help me fend him off!” She shouted as she lept into the air, her horn alight as it shot a magical blast, the brilliant green aura came careening at the black alicorn, as he simply chuckled as a red shield formed around his body deflecting the blast, sending it back Celestia’s way. She gasped, twisting wildly, narrowly avoiding the blast.

“Come on, Sun Princess, is that the best you’ve got? I want a challenge! I want to kill you at your peak!” He screamed as he charged for the mare, his horn glowing a crimson red, read to attack. When he was close enough, he shot a massive shockwave out of his horn, spreading it throughout the room, hitting everypony, including the mane six. He laughed again, “Too fast?” He taunted as Luna let out a war cry from ancient times, firing a strike of lightning from her horn, following with a stomp of her hooves.

“Thou shalt not take the throne!” She yelled as Landcastra managed to avoid the bolt,
but just barely. He wobbled to his hooves and smiled.

“Then stop me!” He replied, readying yet another shockwave, he kept his smirk as he was charging. Luna, however, saw this as a prime opportunity to unleash something she only tried once before.

“Tia, I’m going to try it.” She said as Celestia stood behind her.

“What? You can’t, it only to be used as-”

“A last resort, I know... I would think we are in that situation now sister. I’m going to use the Titan’s Hammer!” Landcastra laughed as a response

“Please, don’t make it hard on yourself. It would be a shame to have you weak and broken before the true fun begins."Luna ignored him and charged a massive amount of magic, the arua now surrounding her entire body as it made a loud, whining noise while concentrating on her horn. Landcastra would not move a muscle and allowed her to perform the attack, simply standing with a carefree smile upon his muzzle. Luna sent a beam of magic out of her horn, it hit Landcastra, making him the endpoint of the beam, him, and Luna. Slowly she levitated him off the ground, beam still connected, and sent the remainder of the beam to landcastra, now engulfed in a giant ball of magical energy. Luna with her might slammed her hoof down and charged up on more attack, this time the aura had some kind of electric charge

“And with the moons power, I shall smite thee and-” She was interrupted with the orb of magical energy coming back at her.

“What!” she shouted, as the orb impacted, sending rubble in every which way as dust billowed from the impact site, where Landcastra stood, unscathed, over the crumpled form of the moon Princess.

"Just as I thought, all talk and no bite. Typical of such as young, little foal to think she could stand to me." Landcastra smirked, easing from Luna’s form as the Night Princess slowly rose, her body broken, but her will was still strong. Having lost most her energy from her previous attempted attack, all Luna could do was look over to her sister, her eyes filled with fear hidden behind a gaze of fake hope; she didn’t think she could gather the magical ability to do contend with this one a second time.

“Tia! We have to protect the students!” she called, finding herself slammed back into the ground by Landcastra's hoof. Celestia only nodded and looked towards Lancaster, growing both angered and concerned for her subjects she stood firm, watching Landcastra with a hateful gaze.

"It is useless to fight, my dear princess. As you can see by your sisters failure, perhaps you will hold a mind to submit to my word and join me."

"Never... Even if you do seek my throne, you shall not claim it as I still stand."

Landcastra huffed as he closed his eyes, shaking his head "A shame, really, but you give me no choice my dear, I must put you down like the dog you are." he smiled as the sudden lurching noise of outside would echo around them as a strange aura would fill the room. Celestia gasped, finding her magic suddenly sap from her very form as she stared at Landcastra, suddenly lowering her head and rushing towards her, in one final attempt to rid herself of this menace, but to her dismay, she was cast aside with merely a flick as Landcastra laughed "Hah, is that all? You are quite certain you wish for your end so soon, Your Majesty? But no, I do not plan on silencing you yet. My plans with you are only just beginning!" he grinned, looking at the mane six as they all looked towards this new alicorn as he smirked.

“Now, for you, I have special plans. Oh yes, I do plan to keep you alive, but you will soon learn that is not always something to envy.” They could not even bear to speak a word, Fluttershy was sobbing, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were both feeling the most amount of fear they had ever felt, Pinkie pie, speechless and angry, Rarity trembling averting her eyes from the demon, and Twilight staring down Landcastra. With a glow of his horn, and an aura surrounding the mane six, he said, “For now, be... still!” and with that, the mane six all screamed, nearly in unison, then abruptly stopped, turned into statues.

Author's Note

During uploading, Google Docs dun goofed, replacing many, many edited parts with their original versions. This version is a cursory run-through with only the most glaring of flaws fixed, and as such, the quality will be much lower than that of the rest of the fic. I apologize for any aneurisms.

Chapter 1

Thunder boomed in the distance as soldiers from the conquering army ran the innocent ponies out from their homes. Foals were shown no mercy as prisoners were taken to Canterlot castle. In the throne room, statues of the mane six stood shellshocked, each still wearing their elements of harmony.

Another Alicorn, foreign to the celestial throne, lounged across its frame, befouling the ancient symbol of light and hope with his dark, shadowy form. “ Ahh...” The creature spoke, “The once glorious city of Canterlot... devoured by flame! ‘Tis a glorious evening, indeed.” He sighed, content with his accomplishment as he levitated a glass of cider to his lips. “It’s good to rule over a kingdom with a hoof of steel... and even more to mock those who once ruled it.” With two claps of his hooves one of his guards came to him and stood at attrition, standing perfectly straight, legs together.

“Bring me the nephew of the princess, I wish to speak to him.” The guard gave him a salute as he turned and went to the brig.

The once proud castle had been reduced to a slander of its former glory, much of the artwork had been taken away, stolen by the few guards of the Celestial and Lunar princess’s who had ordered them to flee, leaving Landcastra with a little way in pillaging the royal glamour. This of course was trifle to the prize of both princess and most of their charging in the dungeon of the castle as Imperial banners of the dictator were now present along the great walls. As the guard passed the windows, the city outside showed a different story of the diabolical nature of this mad stallion; ponies were being executed, fillies and colts alike. Those who were strong were being sent to work camps, while others, like the sick and elderly, were sent to the infirmary for unknown experimentation.

Twisted minds brought twisted desires as the armoured guard moved unphased through the charred and ruined halls, seeing his brethren going about their own duties. As he arrived at the brig, walking down rows of cells holding various ponies for whatever means the dictator had for them. At the end of the hall was a right turn that lead to a single, large cell. Inside were four ponies, Celestia, Prince Blueblood, Luna, and Cadence who was crying over the death of her husband,Shining Armor, and kidnaping of her daughter. “Prince Blueblood,” the guard glanced at Blueblood and said, “Sir Landcastra has requested your presence, come with me.” He unlocked the cell door and guided the prince out of the cell, with restraints on his hooves.

“EW, whatever it takes, to leave this… dusty cell.” As they left the cell returning back to the throne room, Blueblood kept his nose up in the air, taking no notice of what the guard had passed on his way to the brig. Finally, the guard arrived to the throne room with the white stallion in tow. “Sir, Prince Blueblood as you requested.” Sir, Landcastra waved his hoof and dismissed his guard. After the guard left, he looked blueblood over. Blueblood rolled his eyes,

“Why have you called me here?” he asked. Landcastra just laughed and said “To offer something you have wanted for a long, long time Blueblood.” His voice, flamboyant and diabolical, was nearly similar to Blueblood's, which the Prince liked; anything imaged after himself was always a plus for him, “What do you speak of? I have everything I want. I am the princess’ nephew after all.” He said his nose still high up in the air. Landcastra laughed again.

“I know you’re in pain Blueblood. How your dear aunt Celestia humiliated you, how your reputation was ruined, and you aunt did nothing about it. Poor, poor Blueblood.” He circled around the prince slowly as he said all this. Blueblood started sweating a little.

“I…I have no idea what you are talking about. My auntie Celestia loves me; she wouldn’t do anything to hurt me.” He argued. Landcastra just kept laughing. Finally he stopped in front of Blueblood and peered into his eyes.

“Come now, you can’t possibly think how she ignores you, how she doesn’t even bother to invite you to the gala anymore, is just tough love? No…No Blueblood. Its resentment, and hate, she sees you as a fool, a mockery.” Blueblood was fixated on his gaze. “Now… Unlike your aunt, I think you hold great potential, great leadership, and I want you to lead all of Equestria with me, as my second hoof.” Blueblood stood in utter shock of hearing this.
“H-How do you know all this? What you speak is the truth…but it had been known to only the royal family.” Blueblood was trembling in his horseshoes.

“Blueblood, I know a lot about you, you mother and your aunt Celestia. Cadence…well I can break her soon enough.” He chuckled in a evil way. “If you want anypony to respect you…I would listen to me.” The Prince was buying every word
“Yes…Yes I want Equestria to pay for how they laughed at me…Let me rule them…I want them to suffer!” Landcastra chuckled as he drew a grim smirk in slight distaste of this cowardly stallions attempt to stay.

“Good Blueblood, good. Now I will set one condition, however, and if you want any power whatsoever, then you will meet it right this very moment… Dyavol! Come here, please.”
Landcastra clapped his hooves together as sudden great thuds signaled the entry of a massive creature. Finally, a massive diamond dog, far larger than any others witnessed before it, slowly made its way out of the shadows of the hallway and into the throne room.

“WHAT MASTER WANT WITH DYAVOL?”

“Bring me the Princess of the Sun.”

Snarling and growling, Dyavol finally nodded and replied with with a smirk “Yeah, we get you what want.” He turned out of the room and went back to the brig, as he passed by all the rooms hallways and corridors ponies would stare in awe at the hulking beasts size. When he arrived at the cell he pointed to Celestia and said,

“YOU, SUN PONY, COME WITH DYAVOL!”
The Sun Princess only shook her head in defiance. Dyavol did not like that. He let out a powerful roar and charged into the cell.
“YOU GO WITH DYAVOL NOW!!” Celestia thought she could take him, with the help of her sister, but as she stood to fight him, he towered above her, snarling at her in pure anger. Luna, however, was prepared to fight; she took a stand before her sisters assailant.

“You will not dare lay a claw on our Sister’s fair mane! Harm her in any way, then you shall feel the ferocity of my hate. Thou would be wise to back down and leave me and my sister alone-.” She didn’t get to finish.
The diamond dog took a single swat at Luna’s frame, sending her straight into the side wall as the Great Dyavol laughed,

“YOU NOTHING TO DYAVOL! DYAVOL CRUSH MOON PONY TO DUST!!” he continued to laugh as Luna recovered quickly and charged at him, only be meet with a punch to the face, sending her flying across the cell and smashing against the back wall once more. Dyavol laughed, clutching his paws onto his chest

“MOON PONY SO SMALL, DYAVOL TOO STRONG FOR TINY LITTLE MOON PONY!!” He turned to Celestia and picked her up, frozen in fear of what she just witnessed, as the diamond dog swung her over his boulder-like shoulder and turned swiftly to bring her back to his master.
Passing through the same hallways he had come before to a chorus of prisoner’s terrified gasps and the guard’s cheers, he arrived back to the throne room and dropped her in front of Landcastra.

The stallion had a smug glare for the white mare as he cracked a wicked grin, immediately noticing her crushed spirit.
“Leave us.” He ordered the beast, who obeyed and left the room. He grinned at Celestia and said, “I hope you are ready Sun Princess… I do have something special in store for you.”
Celestia looked up at him, “You won’t get away with this…the elements—“

“The elements are dead.” Celestia only gasped, “You monster! Is this why you had me brought here, to show me you killed my students?” Landcastra shook his head slowly, giving a menacing cackle to any comforting laugh a stallion of his stature would need to ever bare.

“No… I brought you here for this.” He gestured to Blueblood, as he approached his aunt, “Blueblood, this is your condition. Hit her… Make her bleed. Make her lose teeth… Let her feel the pain she made you feel at her hooves.” He laughed loudly, lounging deeper into his new throne. Blueblood slowly raised a hoof ready to make the first strike. Celestia looked at him.

“Blueblood...what are you doing?” Celestia stammered, her eyes wide with not just uncertainty, but utter disbelief that she was now to be set upon by her own relative, “You cannot listen to this stallion, he will bring you nothing but loss.” The Prince only smirked, passing his gaze away from his aunt, almost in a defiant manner.

“You would try to cast away my desires, as you have in the past. I’m merely righting the wrongs committed against me.” He brought his hoof down, back hoofing his aunt and knocking her crown off.

“You have been nothing but a thorn in my side. You, given all the glory, as I am left with nothing but coppers and, since discovering the truth of your… sickening methods of ruling an empire, I have seen the futility of your so-called ‘truths’. I see how an empire should be ruled. That is my vision of prosperity. The vision of Landcastra!” He brought his hoof to her face, intent on destroying her, his maniacal grin growing more sinister with each drop of blood he drew.

Prince Blueblood beat her to exhaustion. For the many years he had to stay in the shadows, ridiculed by the court, and then, to be humiliated by that wretched white mare of the Elements of Harmony. He would no longer burden himself with them, no longer see himself less than them; he would be stronger, he’d be willing and able to side with the stallion who had offered him what he always wanted as he threw one last hoof. It impacted hard, and as it slammed into the mare’s jaw a tooth flew from her maw, clattering to the bottom of the throne-room steps.

“You are nothing but a fool...” Blueblood muttered , “Auntie... I shall not be under you any longer.” Landcastra’s laugh echoed throughout the room before he glanced to Blueblood.

“Good, Blueblood… Good… Now that you have meet my condition, I can bestow the power I promised.” he smirked, casting his magical embrace on a rather eloquent necklace as it slowly draped itself around the Prince’s neck, it’s design a tribute to the dictator he served. The Imperial symbol of ‘I’ crested atop a shield with a single diamond in the center, its ruby-red glint glowed gently as Bluebloods eyes held a glimmer of its own reflection.

“Thank you, Sir! I shall rule with the utmost dedication to your service.” he said and slowly turned, trotting off with a slight muttering and delight of his newfound powers as Landcastra smirked.

“Guards… Leave us....” the dictator said as he slowly rose, watching the few red armour-clad guards leave the throne room as he slowly proceeded towards Celestia, his horn brilliant with his dark magic as the very floor suddenly began to shift and collapse around Celestia, crushing it into a space that only grew more and more cramped, Celestia’s face a mess of blood and hoof marks as the stallion grinned.
Despite the torment, he could still see the small spark of defiance in her eyes as she said no word, her horn inhibiting her own magic as she just watched the stallion as he prowled over to her trapped form.
“Well well, the once mighty Celestia reduced to nothing but a shadow of what she used to be, a pathetic mess barely suited to live in this world, let alone rule over a country. Such a shame that the grand Princess has come to this.” he laughed, spitting in her eye. She only moved her head away in defiance as the stallion gripped it and forced her glare to his furious stare.
“Tsk tsk, thinking your petty shows of ‘force’” He laughed the word as if it was a joke, ”mean anything to a power such as mine? You really are pathetic.”

“You will not succeed, good shall prevail against you!”

“How cliche of you, Princess, I honestly expected better from you.” The stallion just laughed “You will not see good wining here, my dear,” he mocked, “Only the end of your reign and the rise of my own.” He smirked as magical chains suddenly gripped the princess into place.

“Soon, your defiance shall end, and my power shall ever grow with the strength of all those who shall bow under me.”

“I know you won’t let me kill you without a fight, but doesn’t that make it all the more fun?” he growled, baring his teeth in an anticipatory smile, “And now you get to watch as I do the same to your sister. Bring me the Princess of the Moon!”
A red armoured guard nodded, “Sir!”, giving a salute before leaving for the dungeons.

“What...what do you plan on doing?” Celestia forced the words from her bloody mouth as she looked at Landcastra.

“You shall see...” he said, his manic smile never leaving his face. A commotion at the door broke the silence as the guard dragged in Luna, her shackles rattling on the marble floor as the guard discarded her next to her sister. Celestia barely noticed, choosing instead to continue her best attempt to pierce Landcastra with her glare. A glare Landcastra didn’t seem to even notice.

The guard returned to his post as Luna righted herself with a struggle, taking note of her surroundings with a glare that only deepened at the sight of Celestia’s bloody yet defiant form.
She fixed Landcastra with the same glare, “Thou art beginning to anger me, keep this up and We shall not hold back the power of the moon upon thee!” her diminished and bound figure only made the threat comical. Landcastra laughed.

“Dyavol!” He clapped his hooves together as the sudden thud of something large signaled the entry of a massive creature, emerged from the far corner of the hallway leading to the throne room. A massive diamond dog, far larger than any others witnessed before it slowly made it’s way over to Luna. With a smirk, he looked down at her.

“WHAT MASTER WANT WITH DYAVOL?”
Again a pounding approached the door until the towering diamond dog entered the room and snorted at him.
Landcastra pointed to Luna.

“TINY MOON PONY? WHAT MASTER WANT WITH HER?!” Dyavol asked. Landcastra let out a sinister chuckle as he shot a glance to Celestia, turn turned back, pausing for a second as a sadistic grin passed his lips.

“Kill her.”

Dyavol’s maw twisted into a vile grin as possibilities and fantasies crossed his eyes, almost visible to Luna as he approached her. Luna struggled against her bindings as they cut deep marks into her fetlock, before settling for taking the closest thing she could to a defensive stance, her head lowered and hooves as far apart as her shackles would allow. Her wings struggled against their restraints.
Dyavol only laughed, seeing the ‘little moon pony’ squirm in place as he clenched his paws into fists and raised them up to smash Luna’s head into pulp.

“DYAVOL MAKE SLOW AND PAINFUL!” he barked as he prepared to slam down his mighty fists.
In a sudden flash, the jewel that restrained Luna’s magic shattered, Luna’s eyes glowed with strength, and she let out a shockwave of magic, knocking everypony in the room back, causing even the mighty Dyavol to back away, shielding his eyes from the light.

“N-NOOO....B-BURNS!”.
Luna kept her focus, she had pumped all of her magic into this one spell as she illuminated the room brightly. Everypony averted their gaze as Celestia could only look on. Luna was about to turn and aid her sister when the elder mare shook her head.

“Luna, you must run, you must find help! Find those who can fight against him! GO! RUN!” she called as Luna looked towards Celestia.
“Tia...” was all she could say before she ran out of the room as Landcastra growled and shouted,
“Seize her! Don’t let her get away!” Luna ran as fast as she could and dived out of one of the windows. Several guards looked out of the now shattered window.

“Sir, nopony could survive a fall like that. She’s dead.” commented one of the guards, glancing out the window towards the terrible drop.

Landcastra knew different. He knew Luna was no ordinary pony, but she was useless, without a sister, an army, or even her full strength, she was nothing more than a bug. He merely smirked, turning back and trotting over to Celestia.“You see, now only you and Cadence remain, and I know that you’ll both break soon enough.” He let out a laugh.

Outside, beyond the high walls of the castle, Luna landed with a thud into a thicket of bushes, her body racked with blood and cuts from the glass as she slowly crawled from the bush, huffing as she felt her body weaken, but knowing she could not give up.

“We....must find somepony...We cannot do this alone...but...where? The elements are gone, the guards are in disarray....what can we do?”
Canterlot was not safe. She had to leave, she had to now... but where? Where it was safe for the princess with her home now engulfed in flames?
Luna shut her eyes and took a deep breath, focusing her mind for a teleport spell. There was only once place she could go one place she could hide.

The Everfree.

She would have to find somepony to help...but who...who would be strong enough, willing enough, insane enough....to help the princess against a power that could even trump the elements and Celestia? She had to find somepony,but where?

Chapter 2

The nightmare that kept haunting Stencil Sketch would never waver. Like an annoying insect in the ear, it would always be there, hindering his sleep, but perhaps there was something more to it. He wasn’t sure; it was, after all, just a dream.

It started with a sunny day in Canterlot. The sky was blue, the clouds rolled gently along a calming spring breeze and the birds of the grand garden would sing with delight. Everypony, from filly and colt to stallion and mare would be about their daily business, unaware of the shadow that slowly began to loom in the distance, and along with it came distant, escalating laughter.

The sky darkened, redden like a sea of fire as smoke - black, icey smoke - suddenly poured from the horizon, washing all across the land, shrouding all its beauty in a sickly black veil as a large ship, something almost otherworldly, descended upon Canterlot, its massive size and plumes of flame torching the very sky to a deep hellfire hue as atop it. The sudden laugh of a creature of pure evil and hatred descended upon the castle, only adding to the air of laughter already thick in the smoke, as the ship suddenly smashed down into the once-vibrant city.

Great buildings and grand archways crumbled into the rising void to the cacophony of the infernal laughter. Laughter that only grew increasingly disjointed, as if fed by the destruction of something once beautiful. The darkness surged upwards, both crawling and racing, as if searching. The swirling clouds of smoke in the darkness enveloping Canterlot became darting eyes, all turned inwards. Towards Canterlot. Towards the light atop the castle.

No, not a light. A pony, a shining beacon, warring with the black, losing against it. A beacon that cried out as darkness rushed past its last resistance.

Stencil Sketch shot awake, the sweat upon his brow gently cooling his forehead as he drew a forehoof to wipe it away. His heart was racing, he had been seeing that dream ever since he had started his journey back to Canterlot from his last expedition around Equestria. He had recently begun his return from the far west when he decided to stop over in Hoofington to see his friends, Alnna and Aerohead. However, each night since he returned to his homeland he had been suffering sleeplessness night after night, with the same dream of such a devastating cataclysm befall his world. Why was he to be told of this in his dreams?

He huffed, shaking his head as he drew himself from the bed within his cart, gently landing on all four hoofs beside it, coming face to face with a framed photo. There stood a smiling pony, teeth yellowing with the paper it was printed on, with a short, unkempt mane somehow staying as grey on paper as it was in life. In stark contrast to the messiness of his mane was his armour, the obviously dark hue’s exact colouration lost to the black and white photo, one black wing extended around a mare, her smile matching his. Her grey horn seemed to twist, mirroring a similar aura around the top of the photo. She wore a white doctor’s coat, slightly ruffled yet clearly loved. They both stood in front of a large cart, almost a trailer, emblazoned with the sign ‘PARAMEDIC’ in bold letters.

Stencil glanced around. The cart, the same cart in the background of the photo, had changed over the years. Before, it had been a bare-bones cart used only for medical support and transport. It still bore the signs of those years; when Stencil glanced to the ceiling, he could still see old marks in the wood, where gurneys would have hung. The bed he had just stepped out of had been repurposed for his needs, yet was clearly still suited for medical work. Adjoined to the bedroom was a room that had once held the surgical tools and medical instruments essential to any paramedic and the pony they’re helping. It was now a makeshift library, fitted with shelves cluttered with books. The soft hue of the glowing crystal near the end, crammed haphazardly into its holster, illuminated the library without the need for the magical lights scattered throughout the rest of the cart. It flickered, dulling slightly as Stencil switched on the few lights around the bed.

The sun had yet to even rise towards dawn when he woke, and his clock pointed to the time being only four in the morning. He would not be able to easily fall back to sleep. He sighed, trotting over towards the kitchenette as he began to fill a kettle with water and place wood in the stove. With a huff, the unicorn stallion trotted to the washroom, slowly opening the door as he settled inside, flicking on the light as he looked at himself in the mirror.

He was a wreck, his mane unkept, his grey coat disheveled in places, and his tail a coiled mess of untended hairs. With a brilliance of his horn, he levitated a pair of brushes as he began to fix up his appearance, splashing a bit of water onto his face as he wiped it clean, and even polished the tip of his horn with a tiny bit of salve. His thoughts returned to the dream. The ‘dark storm’ he had seen since he arrived back in Equestria was haunting him; what sort of disaster was coming? Something certainly well beyond what a simple stallion like he could handle, that was for sure. He was no protege of the great Princess Celestia like Twilight Sparkle was, nor was he any great magical wizard like Star Swirl the Bearded. However, he had read that in time, some ponies had been given a chance to see something others may not. Perhaps it was his turn for such a thing? The stallion pondered a bit more before shaking his head.

“Preposterous!” he muttered “I’m no magical element or great wizard, why would something like that bother me?”

His rhetorical question however was answered by a shuffling and a yawn as from beneath his bed, a reptilian creature crawled out. Slowly it stood, standing equal, if not slightly taller, than Stencil as it stretched its arms out and let out deep groan.

“Comrade.” it said in a deep, feminine voice, “Vhat you yamming about to vake Cermina up?” the drakess said, slowly stepping forward into the light as Stencil turned to face her.

Cermina, Cermina Aturaburn Talos, a long time friend of Stencil from the South Lands and his ‘bodyguard’, as she had put it. He had been with her ever since their meet-up in the Scorched Lands and, since then, they had been almost inseparable. She gave a calming smirk.

“Sorry, Cermina.” He scratched his head, an apologetic smile on his face, “Just been having a bad dream.”

The drakess snorted “Dat same vone you mentioned before?”

The unicorn nodded “One and the same, about Canterlot being engulfed in darkness.”

“Since vhen is Canterlot not, vhat vith all dem villains in the past.”

“I beg to differ...” Stencil muttered “The elements of Harmony stopped Nightmare Moon, Discord, Crysalis and King Sombra. I don’t even think there’re any other villains left to put danger towards it, aside from the Griffins.

Cermina laughed “Bah, griffins do not have stomach for major var, dey are too afraid of dere own leaders to bother.”

Stencil chuckled, smirking as the familiar tweet of the kettle signaled its readiness to brew as he trotted over and began to prepare to mugs of tea.

The pair sat at a small rounded table, cups of tea for each and a small plate of biscuits and gems as the drakess took a handful of the precious stones and ate them.

“Tell me comrade about dis dream again, it seems dat it vill not leave you to sleep a full nights, yah?” she smirked “Must be important den.”

Stencil chuckled “I don’t know about that. I’m not a strong believer in visions, but… But you could be right.” he sighed “It's always the same, something from high above Canterlot comes down and washes it into a deep, dark cloud, then there’s this diabolical laughter” he shivers “I feel it could be a warning... but there...was something different this time, something I never heard before.”

‘What, Comrade?’ Cermina asked, sipping her tea.

“A cry…”

“A cry?”

“A cry… For help.”

Cermina blinked as she looked at Stencil, but slowly began to smirk. “Vell, perhaps dere is a mystery mare dat vishes for you to come and save her, valiant knight Stencil Sketch, haha! Perhaps dream says of you rescuing fair maiden from evil monster, yah?” She started to laugh as Stencil huffed in disapprovement,

“C’mon Cermina, this could be very serious.”

“Yah, serious enough to be a relationship guide!” she started to crack up, falling back off the chair as she let her tail twitch about in humour as Stencil rolled his eyes.

“I doubt I’d be any noble steed to save a maiden in such a dire situation but...” he paused,, “Perhaps you’re right.”

“Hrmm?” Cermina said, slowly turning upright “Vhat you mean?”

“There was something fighting from Canterlot castle. Perhaps… Perhaps what I saw might have happened, or maybe there is something that has been able to free itself from it. It may all be mad speculation, but perhaps somepony is trying to warn us of something, and she’s asking for help.”

Cermina hurrmed, slowly easing up and fixing the chair she sat on.

“Perhaps, comrade, but, dat is a very strange ting to consider. If, say, Canterlot is in danger, den vhat is stopping it from happening? Or vorse, vhat if it already happened?”

“That would be quite…” Stencil twirled a hoof in thought, “Far fetched if Canterlot indeed has been invaded already, wouldn’t we see Guard Ponies from all corners of Equestria flying over to it now?”

Cermina was about to respond when the sudden beating of wings broke the silence. The pair looked up, gazing out the moonlight as they could see a large swath of Lunar guards overhead, their dark armour almost making them invisible to the night sky.

“Look!” Stencil said, “Lunar Guards? What?!” He shook his head rapidly, pulling his thoughts to order, “What are they doing around here?” he asked, watching them sail along the sky towards the horizon.

Cermina growled as she sniffed the air.

“I can smell der fear from here.” She followed their path to the horizon, towards Canterlot, “Dey are scared.”

“Scared? How can you tell?”

Cermina tapped her nose “Dey are in hurry, comrade, dat much is certain, but dere is fear among dere bodies, dere blood runs quick and dere hearts race, something is vrong. Perhaps… Perhaps your dream is not much dream after all.”

Stencil looked at the horizon, gazing out to see a fait, yet very large glowing off in the

distance as he furrowed his brow, “Perhaps you’re right, but we can’t be certain, we’re still almost two days away from Canterlot, and we still need to stop over in Hoofington to see Aero and Alnna. Perhaps we will hear news of what's happened there.”

Cermina let out a thoughtful hum, slowly finishing her tea as she took the plates, cleaning them both with a few gulps and then placing them in the sink nearby.

“Is not ours to consider yet, comrade, perhaps… Ve get some more sleep, sunshine vont be for anoder few hours.” She yawned as she crawled back towards the bed, “I vant my beauty sleep, I need to keep complexion good, yah, comrade?” she said before slipping under the bedding and went back to her quiet slumber.

Stencil sighed, gazing outside as he looked over to the horizon. He couldn’t help but feel a bit of a chill down his spine as he too slowly went back to his bed and tried to get some sleep.

--

Stencil didn’t have much time to sleep when he was woken by the pitter patter of rain against his roof. His eyes slowly opened as he looked across his cart to the window, seeing the sky, still rather dim, a haze-grey horizon now filling his view. He sighed lightly, slowly getting up as he looked about, easing off his bed and trotting to the window. With a magical push, he opened the frame to look out, seeing the sky a pale grey as the rain fell down from the heavens.

“C’mon, Cermina, we better get a move on. I think it might start raining soon.”

The drakess growled “Bah! Rain is not friend of mine!” she muttered, keeping herself tucked under the bed. “Vake me vhen it is not...” she muttered as Stencil bit her tail and dragged her out with a groan of effort.

“C’mough, Cermingha.” He spat out her tail, “C’mon, you’re going to help me pull the cart, we’re only a few hours away.”

The drakess growled as she huffed, slowly getting up as she snatched her tail back, rubbing it as if it were a child, and walked towards the door as Stencil teleported in a pair of rain cloaks for him and her.

--

The rain came down harder and harder as the duo pulled the cart, Cermina muttering under her breath seemingly each step, as Stencil held his map magically before him.

“Hrm, I don’t remember it being this bad yesterday. Perhaps the pegasi are slacking,” he spoke in between grunts of effort, as he continued to pull the cart along the path. The mud was thick and wet, slowing their progress. Cermina groaned in exasperation.

“Dis is madness, comrade, dis rain is insane! How can ve keep going in dis veather?” she muttered, tugging the cart firmly as she and Stencil began to slow, mud caked on the large rubber tires of the cart.

“Hmm… Then we’d better pull it off the road, get on to some dry ground so I can lower the pressure in these tires,” He said with a sigh, shaking off his harness and trotting gently over to the tires. Glancing back, he saw Cermina stride up a small hill, peering out into the forest with an intense, powerful stare. He lit up his horn, embracing a small lever along the rim and easing it open to a gentle hiss as the tire flattened somewhat, moving to do the same to the other three tires.

“Help...”

Stencil faltered, missing a step. That voice, more in his head than not, yet clearly alien, echoed again, “Help…”

“Help...” it came again. Stencil perked up his ears, standing stock still. At the edge of his vision, he could see Cermina doing the same, “Help me... Somepony! Anypony!”

“Cermina, stay with the cart. I think somepony is out there.” he spoke quickly, darting off into the forest with a nervous trot.

“Vhat do you mean ‘Stay vith da cart’?!”

“I think somepony’s in trouble, I need to go and see!”

“And just who do you think vould be out here, crying for help?” she called, not able to stop him as he rushed off into the woods.

“Cyka!” she muttered, glancing between the cart and the forest before righting herself, breaking into a jog after her friend.

Stencil panted, rushing through the forest to the sounds of rain and ankle-deep mud squelching around his hooves as he made his way to the voice. He cried out, “Hello!” in a breathless voice, narrowly dodging another thorny branch.

Nothing. He called again, but louder. The pale light of the setting moon cast through the leaves of the spindly trees illuminated only the vaguest shapes or moves.

Nothing. Another call. The still of the forest chilled him as he broke out into another sprint, searching wildly for any sign of life, any sign that the pony calling him was still there, still with him.

“Help…” There it was again, barely a whisper, “Help me…”

Stencil whipped towards the voice, “Hold on!” Urgency boiled in his heart as he broke out into a gallop, heading straight towards a copse bathed in pale moonlight.

Bursting through the undergrowth, he caught his leg on a wayward vine. Tumbling roughly onto the dew-soaked grass, he rose slowly, wincing slightly as he picked a skinned knee off the ground. The copse sparkled in the pre-dawn moonlight, drops of dew shimmering as if they were the brightest stars in the sky. And there, in the very center of the field, was a mare.

The deep blue coat, star-filled mane blowing to a wind that only she could feel and sickle-shaped crescent moon mark on her flank could only belong to one mare, and one mare alone.

“Princess Luna...” Stencil mouthed, barely audible even the the calm of the copse. A soft crunching of fresh grass broke the silence as he took a step towards her.

Stencil winced slightly as he took a step, his raw knee crying out as he moved towards the Princess, his eyes widening slightly at each cut, gash, bruise and twist he saw in what should have been a serene, regal figure. She lay at an odd angle, twisted uncomfortably as if to avoid putting any weight upon her tattered wings. Her regalia, usually as smooth and pristine as the darkest night sky, reflected the light oddly as beams struck it’s many dents and scars, a mirror to the state of her flesh.

“Princess Luna? Vhat is night time maiden doing here?” Stencil gave a start, spinning towards the drakess as she strode towards Stencil’s side. Cermina, ignoring his startled expression, crouched down, examining the Princess with a raised eyebrow, “She is hurt, Comrade. Time for you to shine, yah?”

Stencil crouched down next to the Princess, his horn lit up as an aura focused on the Princess, running over her body, gently waving and pulsing as she shied away, wincing unconsciously as it pushed slightly upon her injuries, “She has multiple lacerations, ranging from mild to severe, all over her body, several bruises. Ribs number 3 and 7 are partially fractured, and her left wing experienced a full fracture just before her radiale. Her horn even shows signs of magical burnout. Uncommon injuries even in a normal pony, let alone an alicorn.” He shook his head with a sigh, “She needs medical attention, the cart will have to do. A hospital would be great right now, but she needs assistance stat.”

Cermina smirked, an air of confidence clearly passing over her, “Yah, den let me, Comrade. I shall find no trouble in carrying her.” She reached out, working her arms under Luna’s unconscious form, pausing every time the Princess winced, and slowly raised to her feet. Her arms held the Princess’s unconscious form in a near-effortless manner, yet still careful to avoid her injuries. She turned slowly as Stencil walked towards their entrance to the copse.

Luna’s eyes shot wide open with a shout, staring wildly, violently, at Cermina. Her pupils glowed with rage as her face frantically morphed into a startled glare, while she fought Cermina’s grip, “Thou shalt not touch the royal visage!” Cermina’s grip weakened as Luna twisted violently, screaming ancient vows of death and horror. Her horn lit up as bright as the full moon, before exploding into the firework of a failed spell, cascades of black starlight falling out of her horn, along with her energy, “I… shall not… be defeated… by you…” she whispered before falling into a restless sleep.

“Cyka! She’s gone mad!” she yelled, tightening her arms around her now-still form as she looked down warily, hardening her posture in readiness at each unconscious jolt Luna gave, “It will be harder that I thought, bringing dis madmare back, Comrade. Is a good thing I lifted her, she is much stronger dan you could handle.” She gave a burst of laughter, “But she is still veaker than me.” Stencil looked back at her impish grin as he left the copse, the drakess following him.

--

The whistle of a kettle woke the Lunar Princess as she blinked painfully against the light streaming onto her face. She furrowed her brow, forcing her eyes open and casting her gaze around. Strange, this was not the forest. The bed she found herself on was a sharp contrast to the cold, a snug, if slightly too small, thing that seemed bolted to the wall. A skylight above, angled so that the rain slid off it instead of pooling, let in what mild light could filter through the overcast rainclouds. A pony to the side, working a kettle on a small stove with practiced ease, caught her attention with his soft muttering. The kettle whistled again.

“Coming, coming!” the pony sung to himself, trotting over to a tray with a black kettle caught in his magical grip. He poured the boiling water into two teacups, tags hanging out their sides, and set the kettle back on the stove. Turning, he made to bring the tray over to the bed, stopping and smiling as he saw Luna looking at him,

“Ah, you’re awake! Good, hope you slept well. You were a mess when we found you.” he said, levitating a teacup to the bedside table and bringing the other to his lips, “No milk, I assume?” He set down his cup next to hers as she only stared. “Still in shock? Well, I was going to ask you how on Equis did you end up in the middle of nowhere, so far from Canterlot? And, more importantly, how did you get those injuries, your highness?”

Luna started to sit up, wincing as the bandages wrapped around her rubbed against her injuries. Her whole body ached as she twisted around, eyes widening at every bandage, cast and brace she saw. Her wings were encased in casts, and were bound to her back, nearly blending in with the white of the bandages covering her barrel. She made to light up her horn, stopping with a small cry as a migraine seemed to erupt from nowhere. Looking back to the stallion with what she hoped was a thankful smile, she awkwardly grasped her teacup with both hooves and took a drawn-out sip, “I t-thank thee…” she glanced around, fumbling with her memories, “I am grateful for any help I receive. May I inquire as to your name, dearest subject?”

“Oh, well we found you in a heap in the woods, so we took you in and I treated your wounds... Ah! Where are my manners? I’m Stencil Sketch, your majesty, and this is my home.” he eased his foreleg around, showing her the place before he smiled and levitated the mug before her. “Now… what exactly happened that brought you all the way out here?”

Luna was about to speak when foot steps rang outside the door. Not the usual rhythm of a pony, but instead a simpler, heavier beat of a biped. The door opened and Cermina stood there, imposing in the dim light.

“Comrade Stencil, I did a check around, dere is notin’ else here but vild animals, I say ve are clear,” the drakess said. Luna’s eyes went wide as she suddenly got up on all fours, standing atop the bed and knocking the mug aside.

“NO!” Luna suddenly cried, trying desperately to spread her wings, nearly swatting everything over as she struggled in the bed. “We shall not be returned to whence we came!” she barked, trying to fly but suddenly crashing down in the bed as her wings were still bound tight, thrashing a bit before, going numb as Stencil shielded himself from the flapping of her wings as it slowly subsided and the mare lay in a heap.

Cermina only blinked as the Princess fell back in suprise. The drakess walked over, her stride closer to a hunter on the prowl than her expression would denote, to the bed the mare falling into a tangled mess of sheets and bandages.

“She’s high-strug, perhaps ve keep her asleep?”

Stencil huffed, slowly easing his guard down as he looked at the mess that was Princess Luna; she had fallen back to her sleep. He sighed, magically pulling the sheets free from her and nodding as Cermina gently reset the mare to her original sleeping position.

“She’s really spooked; something got her good...” Stencil muttered “I never even considered the Lunar Princess could be so frightened...” he turned to Cermina. “She certainly doesn’t seem relaxed when you’re around.”

“I find dat insulting, Comrade, everypony can relax vhen I am here, Cermina knows how to take care of ponies,” she chuckled, looking at Luna, “Perhaps dere is something she has been through. Maybe…fight with Sister?”

“I doubt that; the two are closer than either of us could figure. Something…” he circled a hoof in the air, fishing for an answer, “...else must have happened, but I doubt we can figure out what with her half-insane like this, best we wait ‘til we get to Hoofington and figure this out.”

Cermina shook her head “She’s on bout something, comrade. It is not often Princess of Night gets scared, hardly ever do the majestic alicorns find fear in figure...” She glanced down, observing the Princess with a slight shiver,

“She vas scared of Cermina, dat vas for sure.”

Stencil sighed, shaking his head as he trotted outside. Cermina soon followed as they stood under the overhang of the front door as the rain slowly began to let up.

“We better press on, c’mon, let the princess sleep. We have a ways still go to to Hoofington.” Stencil said, slowly levitating the harnesses into place against his body as Cermina grabbed a second pair, and the duo began to pull.

Stencil sighed, finally seeing the “Welcome to Hoofington” sign just ahead as the day had finally cleared. The sun hadn’t shown itself and the sky still remained a slate gray from the dawn which drew some concern to Stencil. First the finding of Luna in the middle of the woods, now the sun was not shining? Certainly something was up as the stallion pressed on into the city.

He had been to this place before, Hoofington was almost a second home to him as both his friends Aerohead and Alnna Allenkey lived in this city. He had spent time during their wedding here with them before departing on his own adventures. That was almost a year ago.

Before reaching the city, they stopped for Cermina to unharness and get inside the cart. She had to refrain from showing herself there as many of the populace still thought of dragons as savage beasts. Hurtful, yes, but it was what needed to be done to avoid a scene. So, with a grunt of effort and the knowledge he had some very precious cargo, Stencil laboriously tugged the cart alone into the city.

Something was subtly off about the city. Almost eluding the senses, there seemed to be an air of uncertainty about it. While ponies mingled and spoke, Stencil couldn’t help but feel something was...off. Something was missing as he pulled his cart through the street and eventually came to a stop in front of a very impressive building.

Ever since the escapade with Aero’s and Alnna’s wedding almost a year ago, Alnna’s family, which had tried to marry her off without her consent, was quite gracious in repaying the family they had so wrongfully debited. Alnna’s entire family now owned an impressive 5 story apartment, renting the rooms for buyers while their mechanic’s shop took up the entire basement level of the building. Aero and Alnna themselves lived in the penthouse while the rest of the family took the rooms of their choice for own.

It was a pleasant ending to a rather unsettling journey, and it was a stroke of fortune the pair were able to make it through it, all with the strength of the love Aero and Alnna had for one another, something even Stencil wished he could claim.

“Stencil Sketch?” came a familiar voice as the stallion looked up to see a very familiar mare.

“Alnna? Alnna Allenkey!?” Stencil said as he suddenly was embraced by the large blue mare.

“Oh, Stenca, so glad y’all could come back ta see us!” She exclaimed, squeezing the stallion tightly.

“Ack!” Stencil wheezed as the mare nearly crushed his spine, “Still as strong as ever, huh, Alnna?”

“Oh darn it, shug!” she said suddenly releasing Stencil “Sorry ‘bout that. Been so riled up waiting on y’all to return at ah nearly done ya in.”

Stencil coughed a bit, chuckling “Hehe, nah, takes more than that, but my ribs may need some attention. Ah… how’s Aero?”

Alnna smirked, “He's fine, just caught a bit of a cold recently. He’s been sleepin’ in bed fer days, but ah think he’s just upset y’all left. He ain't been much in the way of socializing since ‘en. Ponies round here ain't the same as Ponyville or Canterlot, but ah keep trying ta push him ta get out more.”

‘Does it work?” Stencil asked

“Most of em time, but many ponies dun’ seem to see ‘is betta features, but we’re workin’ on it.”

Stencil huffed. Aero was very strong-willed, he was just timid and at times quite shy. He knew Aerohead was a good companion to have so it bothered Stencil he’d have this much trouble.

“What brings ya’ll here anyway sugh? Ah hope yer travels was rewarding?”

Stencil huffed, “Yeah, much more than I expected...look...you don’t have a more secluded entrance to this place?”

“Secluded entrance? Sugh, what ch' y’all gettin’ at?”

Stencil sighed, “I have some… special cargo, and I wouldn’t want anypony to see.”

Alnna was skeptical, but Stencil carrying something unusual wasn’t uncommon; he had done it before with them at the Canterlot bank, taking her and Aero into an ancient vault where his parent’s treasures were kept. What an adventure that spun into.

Alnna slowly turned, motioning Stencil towards a pathway along the side of the building. “Theres a shipment door n’a back where mah pop gets his goods, sure he won't mind ya using it,” she sighed.

She eased alongside him in the reigns, and the pair pulled the cart to the back end of the building. It was much easier with the mare’s added strength; being almost twice Stencil’s size, she had a lot of muscle behind that pretty face of hers. Buildings surrounded them as they pulled the cart through the rather wide back alley until they came to a large metal door at the back end of the building. Alnna approached it and tapped a small panel to its side. The large door slowly lifted, exposing a massive freight elevator.

“Ah sure dun’ mind you bringing whateva yah gotta bring, but ah gotta ask, fer safety sake, whatcha got that’s so important.”

Stencil sighed as he removed the reigns, easing to the door and ushering Alnna to follow.

“Keep quiet, she’s...a tad temperamental now.”

“She?” Alnna asked “Y'all got some mate or-”

She stopped short. As soon as Alnna entered the cart, all she could see was Cermina, standing by the bed with Luna, Maiden of the Night, sleeping within it.

The mare was speechless as Stencil approached the bed.

“We found her in the woods along the way here. She was banged up pretty bad, nothing major, but who… or whatever happened to her before she escaped, it certainly wasn’t good. She was awake earlier, but when Cermina came in, she flipped out. Would’ve attacked her had she not floundered and fell unconscious.”

Alnna simply blinked, unsure of what Stencil was going on about as she approached the bed, staring at the dark blue and black alicorn resting there.

“Stencil… Ya’ll gotta be mad! Whatch y’all doin with Princess Luna here? Shouldn’t she be up in Canterlot?”

“Dats vhat I thought too, Comrade,” Cermina replied, “but Stencil’s found her in voods, far from Canterlot.”

“I don’t know why she was there.” Stencil added, moving to a small table where a few medical items had been placed before he eased over to Luna, draping a warm cloth upon her forehead. “But it was bad, real bad, how she was when we got her, something…” He shivered at the thought, “Something must have happened in Canterlot...” he sighed, “I can’t bring her to a hospital, that would cause all sorts of a panic. That’s why I need to use your penthouse and take care of her there.”

Alnna looked at him in bewilderment. She had thought their last adventure would be all they needed to worry about, and that Aero and she could relax with their family, but now there was this.

“Stencil...” Alnna began, before smirking with a shake of her head, “Ah never understand how ya’ll get into this, but ah must admit ah would do anything ta help tha Princesses of the night n’day. Bring her up, we can take a lookin’ at her once we settle her down in a proppa bed.”

Chapter 3

Aerohead lay snuggled up tight in the blankets of the large king-size bed he and Alnna slept in together. The size fitting for a mare of her size and at times, almost an expanse for the little pegasus to be snuggled in. It wasn’t bad, comfy and warm during the nights and snug, especially with his special somepony next to him. The ‘sickness’ Alnna had mentioned to Stencil was more of a charade, he was just being lazy, wanting to stay tucked away for awhile in the safety of the room they shared. Deep in sleep, Aero was having a dream, talking to the spirit of his mother, Kikao. She was a zebra, but with brown stripes. Her mane was short, but she had a much longer tail. She sat with her eyes closed, and legs crossed.

“My son, you have made me a proud mother, but your lacking skills of speaking can be a bother. Go out, make friends, become close to them; learning their ways will help with character judgment.”

Her words were rhythmical, a trait of all zebras, sometimes confusing, but quite intriguing. The pegasus sighed, nodding slowly.

“I know, Mom, but I get really scared with meeting new ponies, especially with the the hospitality and kindness they’ve shown myself and Alnna here. Ever since the wedding, it seems almost everypony wants to get to know us, but...” he sighed “I’m not sure whether to think it’s good or bad...”

His mother let out a hearty laugh, “Ponies seem to want to be in the light, seeing their status taken to a new height! Some may abuse, others may care, but its best you keep your head about you everywhere.” Aero nodded again.

“Head about me?” Aero asked, slightly confused “You mean that I should be cautious about everypony?”

His mother nodded, “Not everypony is as kind as they seem, some play an actor of quiet pristine. Looking deep into others eyes and actions, help you understand their true sense of attraction.”

Aero wanted to continue, but the sudden knock on the door from beyond the dream shook the void around him. His mother only smiled.

“It seems your friends have come a calling, then its best you answer, would be rude to leave them stalling.” she huffed, looking away towards the ‘door’ as it seemed to have appeared in the dream.

“A strange plot shall soon befall, be wary my son, and never forget, I will always be here for you through it all.”

The dream faded, leaving Aerohead slowly rousing from the bed as the knocking continued.

“Aero?” Alnna near-sang “C’mon n’open up, Stencil Sketch is here!”

“Stencil!?” Aero said, quickly leaping from the bed and rushing to the door, opening it wide to see his fellow Stallion as he suddenly hugged him.

“Stencil! Oh by Celestia I’ve missed you!”

His grip was fairly tight as Stencil made another Ack.

“Twice...in one day...oh Celestia! My spine...” he muttered as Aero yipped and released quickly.

“Ah.. sorry, Alnna’s been training me to beef up and well...”

“I can see shes been doing well for you.” Stencil replied, slowly stretching his shoulders “you certainly have one heck of a tight grip now don’t you. Guess a couple years with such a strong mare will do that to you.”

“What brings you back here anyway?” Aero asked “I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”

“I know, I was planning on making a return trip to Canterlot soon enough, but I was in the neighbourhood and wanted to say hi… Its… also because something rather serious has come up.”

Aero’s ears dropped, anything that Stencil put “serious” with was always something very important, he was slightly afraid that Stencil might take them on another adventure, but with a gulp and a confident flutter of his wings, he looks at the unicorn.

“Serious situation? Thats not a problem for me!” Aero said with practiced confidence as Stencil chuckled.

“Good, ‘cause it seems to be a doozy...” he slowly turned, leading Aero from the bedroom into the main foyer of their penthouse suite, there, standing in the center was their fellow drakess Cermina, and what looked like another unicorn laying down on a bed.

“Cermina?” Aero said as the drakess gave a smirk.

“Vell, if it isn’t love struck birds, good to see both so happy n’vell. Living ‘high’ life yah?” she said, noting outside “lucky birds yah, hehe, love can make much good ting happen.” she eased over to Aero, wrapping an arm around his neck “You had much fun in bed too yah, Alnna tucker out little stallion, or do you have right goods for her desire?”

“C-Cermina!?” Alnna yelped, “Ya’ll mind!?”

“Vat, girl got to know goods on couples escapes after year of silence, yah? Can’t tease you bout dem little dillies of love life.” she chuckled, easing away from Aero before returning to the stretcher they had brought it. “But...dis is no time to play games, dere is serious v’ork afoot.”

She ushered the group over as Stencil slowly pulled back the cover on the unicorn, showing it wasn’t a unicorn at all. Immediately, her dark blue and black coat, her wings, and cutie mark instantly gave light to who this mare was.

“What is Princess Luna doing here!? shouldn't she be in Canterlot?” Aero said, dumbfounded. His eyes were dinner plates as he looked at the alicorn princess laying on the bed in the center of their suite.

“We found her in the woods... I think something happened in Canterlot that made her flee it, as to what, and why, I have no clue.” Stencil said, easing his glasses on. “She’s still in bad shape; taking her to a hospital is out of the question so I have to do it here, if you don’t mind...”

Aero shook his head. “N-not at all! I would imagine some random pony showing up with the Lunar Princess hurt like this would be a very big draw of suspicion!”

Cermina nodded “Dat and drakess vith em would not be pleasant, I do not tink ponies are still okay vith dragons being here, least not like in Canterlot.”

Stencil had already picked up his medical tote bag, and supplies from his cart quickly came out of it. Being a medical practitioner himself, he went right to work on patching the last few bandages on the Princess, having already done most of the hard work earlier in his cart.

“I found several glass fragments in her body, her left wing is broken and she has several cracked ribs. She was certainly thrown around without much effort if you ask me, like, some very strong creature just slapped her about without care. That, or something very powerful with magic was able to strike her down, but... that can’t be right. Where would Celestia be in all of this? Something doesn’t smell right.” Stencil muttered as Cermina looked out the window to the city.

“Vell, ponies do not seem to know, dere is no vord of if here, not even scent of fear.”

“Then ya’ll think its sumtin’ that ain't been known yet?” Alnna asked, trotting over to Stencil, “Ah mean, news here ain’t spoken ‘bout somtin’ happen to Canterlot just yet, so ah doubt anypony here really knows.”Stencil sighed, slowly turning to the other two.

“I’m sorry if I might drag you into whatever may happen here, but, there was little else I could do, I couldn’t just leave her out there.” Alnna sighed, smiling. ‘It's alright shug, ain't no problem helpin’ our royal folk, ‘specially the Celestial sisters....’sides. We’d open our door to em any day!” she smiled as Aero fluttered over to Luna, somewhat mystified to be able to see the princess this close before. He approached the alicorn slowly, eyeing her as she rested. Her stomach ascending and descending slowly. Aero had a rather unreasonable fear of alicorns, however he felt comfortable seeing Luna, she looked hurt, and like she needed help.

“Is she in a coma?” Aero asked as he poked her side, mindful of her injuries.

“No, she’s just unconscious,” replied Stencil, shaking his head as he turned to Alnna, “I would suggest you leave her be though. Last time she woke up, she nearly attacked Cermina.”

The drakess gave a low growl. “Dat vas unexpected, she could have caused hurt to self if she did,” she grinned, quite confident with her skills as looked over the Alicorn.

Aero sighed. “Well… uhm… hopefully she won’t be mad if she does wake up again, I wouldn’t want her to hurt anypony here...” he said as he gently poked her again.

Luna fidgeted this time, muttered something, slowly, softly almost before she began to rise in tone.

“No, Sister... Sister… thou must not... fall.”

Aero meeped, quickly leaping back and hid himself underneath the bed with a soft squeaky ‘eek’ as Cermina chuckled lightly at this

"Aero scared of own ruler? Haha, Aero, you still such a silly pony, as Cermina remembers, wahaha who be scared of Princess, she dainty and small, more cute den fearful!" Aero poked his head out from under the bed

“I uh...” Aero shook his head, remembering what Alnna had told him about being afraid.

“I’m not scared, in fact I’ll poke her nose!” Aero said this with confidence and smiled as Stencil and Alnna simply shook their heads.

“Aero, its not wise to bother a patient when they're asleep. It's rather rude don’t you think?”

“I don’t care...” Aero said boldly, “I want to show you I can be brave!” and with a poke, he let his hoof gently nudge right up against Luna’s muzzle.

“S-sister....SISTER!” she suddenly cried as she shot upright. “Celestia!”

Her horn lit with magical brilliance. Everypony quickly ducked down as the mare began to channel a tremendous amount of energy through her horn before she slowly began to subside, looking around in bewilderment at where she was.

“Wha- what happened? Where have we been taken? This is not thy home of Canterlot?” she looked around, suddenly seeing several unknown ponies crouching in fear. She gasped. “Oh dear me, you have been scared of me? Oh shame upon me for my folly...” she muttered as Aero peeked his head over the bedside.

“P-Princess Luna?” he asked as the mare looked at him.

“Ah...thou art a subject of me and my sister, yes?”

Stencil and the rest shook their heads.

“Then...then we are not in our realm of Canterlot? But...how have we arrived here?” Stencil approached the Princess with a look of concern

“We found you beaten and bruised in the woods, we were concerned so we brought you here. I am Stencil Sketch, and these are my friends: Cermina, Aerohead, and his wife Alnna.”

Luna looked at the rest of them.

“Charmed. Tell me Mr. Sketch, where have you and your companions brought us, we do not recognize this place.”

Stencil Pushed up his glasses slowly. “We are in Hoofington, the home of Aero and Alnna. I was on my way to pay them a visit when I found you.”

Aero approached the Alicorn, trembling slightly. “I, uh....”

The Lunar Princess smiled at him “Go on boy, no need to fear us, for we no longer bear the name ‘Nightmare Moon’.”

Aero gulped once and said “I’m sorry for trying to… poke your nose.”

Luna laughed. “Dear colt, we do not mind such harmless antics, for we often enjoy pulling nefarious pranks on my sister back home.” Suddenly the Princess frowned and mumbled to herself. “Sister...” She looked back to Stencil.

“We must return home. We appreciate the kind hospitality, but the castle is under siege, and we must rally our troops to reclaim it.” But as Luna tried to get up from the bed, she groaned from the pain she felt in her back. Stencil and Cermina moved in front of the door, “Sorry, Your Majesty, but I cannot let you do that. You’re in no condition to go anywhere, let alone fight!” Stencil said in a stern, professional voice. The Princess gave a disapproving glare to him.

“Mr.Sketch...”

“Call me Sencil, please.”

“Stencil, I know well of your concern for me, and I know you wish not to see your ruler of the night harmed. But this mad stallion must be stopped and it seems the task is up to me. Now step aside or I will not hold back the power of the moon upon thee.” Cermina cracked her claw knuckles and gave a low growl as she stepped before Luna between her and Stencil.

“I vill advise you to return to your bed at vunce, Night Princess. Stencil is good doctor and his vords are vise. Even if you vish to bring this stallion down you must heal vounds first. Now return to bed, or I vill do it for you...”

Luna’s face turned to an angry glare, “You dare challenge me! The Princess of the Night, Steward of the Moon! Thou hast made me angry, and has picked a bad day to do so! Now if thou darest up hold your words against me dragon, then raise thy fists, and figh-!”

Cermina was already upon her, moving far quicker than the mare had expected as she reared back and slapped the Lunar Princess with a solid backhand against the side of her face.

Luna stumbled back a bit, somewhat surprised such a strike had broken through her guard, but then, only a brute would dare attack before the other was ready,

“You...dare lay a claw upon the princess!? I dare say that the gloves are now off!”

“Perhaps talk less, fight more!” Cermina rushed her again, going low to plant an upper-cut on the princess before the sudden envelope of a pink shield around each one stopped the fight.

“Cermina, stand down... No use in breaking her more than she already is.”

“You dare stop our battle?” Luna exclaimed “Have you no honor!?”

“I do...your majesty, but fighting a drakess isn’t a wise choice, especially in your condition. Cermina is the best fighter I know, and though you may possess magic, dragons have some resistance to it; your spells would be useless against her.”

Cermina only grinned, slowly easing upright as she crossed her arms. “You see, and you already vere veak enough to let slap hit face, tink vhat would happen if I vas not stopped.”

Luna gritted her teeth “You....”

“Princess, please!” Stencil boomed, somewhat unsettled by the fact these two were about to have at it inside a house. “I must ask you return to bed. Fighting won’t help you heal faster...but...perhaps it will allow you to tell us what happened and why you were found beaten and bruised in the middle of nowhere?”

Luna looked away, sighing in disbelief before she slowly eased back into the bed, the sting of her wing’s wound still prominent; but it was resting easily now.

“What can you tell me then Princess...” Stencil began, slowly leaning forward before the princess yet again, his eyes placed upon her gave her a rather unsettling feel.

“You...M-...Stencil... your eyes, they are quite...familiar. By chance was one of thy parents enrolled in the Lunar Guard?”

“My father was. Your Majesty....Shattered Comet of the Lunar Wings.”

“Shattered - oh my! Such a Pegasus he was, and you are his offspring! Tell me, is he well?”

Stencil paused for a second “He’s dead...”

“Dead? By means Stencil please lay thy jokes aside, this is a serious matter that I must tend to.”

“He is dead Luna, he and my mother both died before their time.”

“How, did they die, if we may ask?”

The stallion looked away. “A serious illness. They both succumbed to a tropical fever on a trip.”

Luna’s expression went somber. “You have my condolences.”

“Comrade Stencil, I know you are av’are of what is going on, but dere is still matter of how Princess turned up like dis at all.”

‘You’re right...’ Luna said ‘I am sorry for getting involved in your affairs Stencil, but it saddens me so to hear such news from such a humble stallion I’ve known so well.”

“It is upsetting,” said Stencil, “but we must carry on; he’d want us to.”

Luna’s face remained grave as her mind returned to the present. “We will need great courage to carry on today; there is a reason why I wished to return to Canterlot immediately. Our castle had been attacked by a ruthless dictator.”

“What?!” Aero said, suddenly sticking his head above the bed, wide eyed. “You’re saying that Celestia’s in trouble up at the castle?”

“Yes… my sister and I were in Canterlot park when a dark cloud descended into the field. A great leviathan of a pony emerged from within, and there were also were thousands of armoured ponies, each wielding a pair of deadly weapons... never have I seen such a desire for destruction! Not even from the griffons have I seen such raw show of force. They invaded our castle, and within a matter of hours had begun to pillage and torture us, finding delightful pleasure in the suffering of their… victims.”

“How’s that possible? Sounds like a right crazy monster! What kinda creature coulda taken down Canterlot so quick?”

“It can not be dragons...” Cermina muttered “a leviathan is not of dragon heritage, that is a beast from beyond the deeps.”

“It wasn’t such a thing drakess,” said Luna, “but an Alicorn instead.”

“An Alicorn!?” Stencil and Aero said together.

“How is that possible?” Stencil continued.

“He was something I never expected to see, a beast dark as night bearing the horn and wings of an Alicorn. He was ruthless, something far more devastating than the ruthless King Sombra. This one had was lythe, thin, and strong. What made him truly terrible was the evil in his eyes. They were filled with nothing but desire to destroy and control. Such a ruthless leader.”

“‘Splains v’hy army so big n’ vast, but how could somepony fell Celestia in vone day?”

“I- I’m afraid he did,” Luna choked slightly as she remembered the day. “His magic just overtook hers, and he was far more maneuverable than even she. He was upon her instantly, and gave her no quarter. He even… he even sought to bring harm to me just to drive my Sister to lose her mind, but… I was able to escape… I fled to rally help and save my Sister” she began to sob, letting her tears roll down her cheeks.

“Why did I leave her, why did she let me go! Oh sister.... why...why did you...”

Stencil bit his lip, slowly moving toward the kitchen.

He boiled a kettle, and no sooner had it heated than he poured it into a teapot, and returned with several mugs of freshly brewed tea.

“Your majesty?” he said, extending a mug to the Princess sobs a bit more, slowly looking, her eyes filled with tears. “Please, drink some tea, it will help calm th-”

She was drinking it instantly, gulping it distractedly before letting out a elevated sigh.

“Ah....thank ye, good Sir Stencil, we thank thee for thy kindness.

Stencil gave a warm smile. “It's what I do, Your Majesty.” Things seemed to calm down then as Cermina huffed, moving about the place as she gave everypony room to sit comfortably.

“If this here dictator gots it all in his hoof to have canterlot, what makes him so sure he’s gonna rule all of-”

“Attention...citizens of Equestria.”

A mysterious, sinister voice suddenly spoke from outside. It was loud enough to be heard throughout the entire city, yet it did not sound amplified but eerily flat. Everyone turned to the window to see that the clouds had began to turn a darker.

“I, Sire Landcastra, Ruler of the Shadow Abysse, have come to take your lovely world for my own. I have conquered your beloved Princess Celestia, and with the royal sisters dethroned, I hereby name myself as ruler of all that was theirs to control… you all shall now submit to me, or suffer the consequences.”

The clouds suddenly faded, becoming their usual pale grey once again.

“Seems like he wanted to make a statement...” Aero said with a gulp, “If he finds us, he’ll kill us!”

The pegasus quickly swept over to all the windows, closing the blinds. He then zipped over to the front door, locked it and pushed the nearest chair in front of it.

“Good, alright, we can keep calm, he can’t get to us for now.” he said as he looked about.

“Nay, I do not think that would work,” Luna said worriedly, “if he can astral project himself, then he could do it anywhere....even in this room.”

Aero yelped and ducked under the table at the thought.

“Aero...” Alnna said, shaking her head “C’mon, there ain't nopony gonna come get yeh.” she said, tugging the stallion out from under the table by his tail.

“Your friend has reason to worry, Landcastra is not a gentle ruler,” said Luna, “he had already begun his reign of terror in Canterlot, all we can hope is that those willing to stand against him will rise soon enough.”

“I hope the Guard can be mobilized...” Stencil muttered, “they still have a bunch of detachments along the border.”

“We realize that Stencil, but...” Luna paused “if this requires us to withdraw from the griffons, what's stopping them from capitalizing on this situation?”

Everypony paused.

“But we don’t know.” Luna continued, “its hard to gauge what they may do, but...you have a point, we’re going to have to mobilize everything soon, but, to do that, we’d have to go to the Equestrian Academy, and that...” she looked away “is far away.”

“There’s gotta be something we can do. We can go and bring the call to arms.” Stencil began, but Luna shook her head.

“It would be suicide, Landcastra would find out quickly and destroy them. It’s a wonder he hasn’t already.”

“Perhaps he vants you to show, maybe lead some valiant defense...” Cermina muttered, “and you'd be valking into trap.”

“I know… I know… oh by thorns and thistles, such folly is going to bring about nothing but headache,” Luna moaned as she thought.

Just then a sudden puff of smoke and a light green flame brought a scroll into the room.

Luna recognized its seal as her sister’s and quickly levitated it to herself, opening it up as fast as she could. She began to read aloud.

Dear Sister,

I know what you have seen has brought you great grief, but I must tell you that I have managed to avoid further harm for now. I have yet to break to Landcastra’s will, but have been able to keep him occupied. He wishes to keep me alive, forever torturing me.

Our own nephew Blueblood has turned to Landcastra’s side and attacked me to prove his loyalty. However I do not see him as truly evil, for his eyes are fueled by the corruption of this stallions will and force. I know something is not right with him, and he certainly possess that power we had both hoped would remain lost, You must remain strong if we are to fight it.

Landcastra says that the Element Bearers are dead, but I do not believe him. I sense the faint trace of life in each of the statues of the Elements Bearers and I am very sure he has merely petrified them. We must find a way to reverse this spell and use them to seal his fate, but I fear their power alone won’t be enough to stop him. This is why I must ask you go on a quest, and find the 8th element, one that has been hidden for many many years.

There is little I know of this element, but realize the time to search for it is now. With the element bearers currently incapacitated, you must seek out this eighth element and with it, free the Bearers of Harmony and bring peace back to our kingdom.

I cannot write much more for this letter; the guards check my cell constantly. I must keep my mind strong. I trust the rest to you while I continue to do what I can here. Be strong sister. May the light of the sun guide you.”

Your Loving Sister Celestia.

Luna stared for a moment at the scroll in disbelief.

“Sister...” she said before breaking into a grin. “Sister!” she took the scroll in her hooves, cradling it like a child. “Tell me, tell me where, what Element makes the 8th one!?” she demanded, huffing as she looked about, turning her gaze to Stencil.

The unicorn was just as surprised as the others as Luna recovered herself, and sighed, laying back in the bed.

“What is this 8th element?” Stencil asks

“Myth, lore of something I read long ago… but alas, I do not know all of it. Starswirl the Bearded had mentioned the existance of an 8th element in our world. Though little was known of it, it was said it could amplify the magical powers and abilities of any pony enveloped by its pure energy.”

“What sort of energy?” Stencil asked.

“Serenity.”

“Serenity?” Alnna repeated “what ya’ll mean by that?”

“It means that this pony, the 8th element, is capable of creating an atmosphere of pure calm and control so that those influenced by it can increase their strength. Again, it is only lore, but my sister seems to think we can find it!”

“Well...we better do it soon then!” Aero said urgently, “That Landcastro could be here any minute…”

“I think its Landcastra.”

“Whatever!” Aero muttered “We have to do something before he takes over all of Equestria!”

“The question though, is how?” Stencil interrupted.

Luna huffed, looking down a bit before returning her gaze to Stencil.

“I would never wish to endanger our subjects, but...I would want to ask if you’d be willing to aid me in my search for it.”

“You mean 8th element?” Cermina asked as Luna nod.

“My sister would want me to do it… but...:”

“You’re in no condition for any adventure like that,” Stencil concluded with complete certainty, “I don’t see any problem with helping, but we should first let you heal up so we can all go. Ya’ll can count me in!” Alnna said.

“Me too! I don’t want to have to sleep with that Landcastra guy around.”

Cermina smirked, keeping her arms crossed “If this vone vishes to take throne of Princess, den dat proves he is strong, perhaps Cermina take chance in fighting him, see vhat strength he really have.”

Luna smiled, flattered by the eagerness of this group.

“Very well...we shall leave as soon as I am able… though, I am sure preparations should be taken?”

Stencil nodded “you can count on me, we’ve done this once before, no real worry in doing it again!”

Chapter 4

The team gathered around a table in the dining room, a map laid out on it. Stencil gave a glance to everypony at the table.

“Alright everypony, if we’re going to go off searching for this 8th element, then we need a plan of action. Here’s what I propose we do.” He laid his hoof on the map at where their current location was.

“We’re in Hoofington and, for all we know, it could be on the dictator’s list of cities to target. But we can’t be sure, and whatever the case, we don’t have a lot of time to prepare.”

Aero took charge of the map reading, taking a quill in his maw and marking about the map.

“If this dictator wants to watch certain parts of Equestria, then he would need large camps of troops watching them. The best vantage point would be here,” He pointed at the map. A hill, close to Manehatten, on the road between it and Canterlot. Luna nodded; the area had a quarry nearby - easily fortifiable and at a key position. “Here,” Aero continued, circling a cloud bank between Fillydelphia and Canterlot. Another key position, it could be used for a rest-stop for pegasi troops. “And here,” he circled Las Pegasus, a long-standing mining town with many smelteries and minerals for the taking. If he captured it, he would be able to create higher quality materials for his army.

“If he establishes bases in these locations, it will certainly make our trip a lot harder, but I would guess he doesn’t know anything about the 8th element.”

Luna nodded “I doubt he has, he believes he already won, his trophies are the mane six and my sister, we can be sure he knows not of our plan.” Aero nodded as he turned to Stencil. “What next Stencil?”

The unicorn paused, pulling another map of Hoofington out and placing it atop the Equestrian map.

“Ok, first we need to know where this eighth element is, so Aero, you and Alnna do some research at the library and see if any books mention anything about the element. Rather if it’s myths, legends, or actual facts.” He then turned to Ceremina, “Cermina and I will look for supplies and other helpful materials for us on this journey, we’re going to have to restock on food and medical supplies, as well as some camping gear. Landcastra’s troops will stay off our backs if we look like a bunch of civilians camping.” He gave a slight glance to Luna, thinking of a way for her to stay behind without hurting her feelings.

“As for you Luna, you need to stay here and lay low. Don’t go near the windows, stay away from the door, don’t speak to anypony and don’t let anypony in. You being here is a great risk, that’s a given, but if we’re found out, then it will be a whole lot of hurt for all of us, and who knows what Landcastra will do to us if he finds us. We don’t want him to know we’re doing this, nor that Luna is here, so you’re going to have to make sure nopony comes in.”

Luna nodded. “I understand Sir Stencil. I will do my best to keep to the shadows.”

Cermina scratched her chin skeptically.

“Comrade, vhat if ve have to face challenge, I doubt dere vill be easy trip ahead, ve need armour and veapons for ponies like you, yah?” Cermina asked as she looked over the map.

“You’re right… but I don’t think we can easily get armour and weapons, especially here in Hoofington. It’d be suspicious if we walked up to an armoury and asked for some...” he paused, “Actually… perhaps that might work.”

“How?” Cermina asked, tapping her chin.

“My father was a Sergeant Major, so I’m sure if I go in… impersonating him, they might buy it, but I run a very big risk of being court-martialed for falsifying information.” He sighed a bit as Luna smirked.

“Couldn’t Luna just write ‘em a letter sayin’ we have permission to take those weapons there?” Alnna asked.

The room was silent for a moment as everypony thought about this.

“It wouldn’t likely be a good idea, Alnna,” said Stencil finally, “We really shouldn’t give any hint that the Princess is involved in this. If the military caught wind that one of the Princesses herself is authorizing random ponies to get arms from the army, there could be a major disturbance that could alert Landcastra’s forces.”

“Perhaps I may yet be of service to you, Sir Stencil, your father was appointed as my own personal guard. That merit carries weight within the guard and I would be more than happy to vouch on the ‘late-officer’s behalf to allow you to gain entry. I can make it seem to be less recent than it is, that should work to alleviate suspicion.” She levitated a quill and scroll to her, suddenly scribbling something down.

“Perhaps their Princess wishes to organize some surplus, maybe any items, in a time such as this, should be stored for safety to be used when necessary.”

She finished scrolling the scroll, sealing it with a magical stamp as she handed it to Stencil.

“This should avoid any question Sir Stencil, or should I say, Shattered Comet. If you wish, I could cast a spell to allow you to look like your father.” Stencil blinked.

“Ah, that would be… useful… I guess,” he said slowly, adjusting his glasses. “Whatever the case, if we can at least find the supplies of food and water, I’m sure what stock is left in my cart would be sufficient for any journey and we can certainly find more provisions along the way.”

Stencil looked at Aero, who was studying the map, “what's next is finding the quickest and least noticeable way out of this city. Any ideas, Aero?”

The Pegasus nodded. “If we need to pass through the West End of Hoofington, we can stay close to the shrubbery surrounding the city. Then we can stay low there if Landcastra’s soldiers arrive ahead of when we hope. We might need to be ready for a fight though, if this guy is going around conquering things, we can be certain ponies will already be starting to flee, and of course, the wild beasts of the woods may decide to attack us. Hopefully you can get us enough weapons to defend ourselves, Stencil.” Aero said, his voice cautious.

Cermina just laughed. “There is no need to find veapon for me, I have these,” she smiled wickedly, showing off her sharpened claws and her muscles. Stencil just shook his head.

“Ok, you all know your duties, lets get to it! Try to meet back here as soon as possible, the more time we spend out there the more likely it is that his troops will arrive, and arrest us for hoarding the princess he’s looking for.”

Having settled their plans, they all set to preparing for the job at hand.

--

Aero and Alnna were the first to leave, gingerly making their way to Hoofington Library, one of the largest in all of Equestria. If they needed an ancient book, then it would either be in the Canterlot Archives, or here. The front of the Library was a stunning picture to behold; a pair of Pegasus guard statues, stood at attention at the front of the building. The stonework of the library itself was fantastic, with scenes depicting the rise of the celestial sisters, even the recent reformation of Luna were all etched along the top banisters of the exterior. As the couple walked in, they couldn’t help but be awed by the sheer scale of the library; it was nothing like the libraries in most other cities. Rows upon rows of bookshelves, several floors high, stretched nearly the whole breadth of the building, stocked to the brim with books. The skylight from above provided ample light, even with the grey haze of the sky above.

As Aero approached the front desk, Alnna looked about at the sweeping architecture.

“Good morning!” Aero said cheerfully, “Could you help us find a book?”

The librarian glanced at him with a quirked brow.

“This is the Hoofington library son, I’m sure we’ve got the book you need... what's the subject?

“Something about the elements of harmony, please.” Aero asked.

The librarian nodded. “Equestrian Legends and Lore. Second floor, first right.”

“Legends and Lore?” Alnna asked as she trotted over “but… the elements are real!”

“I know that, sweetheart, but the old catalogues haven’t been changed in years, they still say the Elements are mere legend, but many of our materials do show that they are real and active.” the librarian sighed, “Still, if you’re really interested in such ancient stuff, ya’ll could try the Encyclopedia Archives, but they are off limits to everypony but students and scholars.”

“Well... we’re students!” Aero said abruptly “we’re working on a school project!” Alnna blinked as the librarian looked at Aero.

“You look a tad old to be fillies n’colts, hun, y’all trying to pull my leg?”

“N-no, not at all!” Aero protested “I mean, how else could I be with this cute little mare, eh?”

Alnna blushed as the librarian passed her a glance, the mare smiled as she looked over back to Aero.

“Well... I dunno.” she turned about, rummaging for something in her desk before drawing out a key attached to a feather.

“If ya’ll need it, then. But bring it back, and no foolishness in them archives, the scholars who tend to it will be quite upset if ya’ll do. Archives are over that way.”

“Thank you kindly, miss!” Aero said, yanking the key and flying off.

Alnna bowed in respect and trotted off behind him.

“Ah… younguns are gettin’ bigger each day...” the librarian said as she went back to reading her own book.

Aero flew off to a high balcony, one that had several rows of bookshelves. As he investigated the upper floor, he noticed that the farther he went along the older the books seemed to be. Finally he arrived at a door, a door that was old and appeared to be falling apart. Aero looked at the key. It wasn’t modern at all. He put the key in the lock and turned it, the tumblers and moving the latch. Cautiously the pegasus opened the door and peeked inside.

“Hello?” Aero said as he looked left and right, “Anypony here?” he said, his voice almost a whisper as he opened the door a bit more and went inside. Trotting inward, Aero felt a bit of uneasiness about this place; he had never been in such a massive room before; much bigger than the bank he had been in with Stencil on his last adventure. This however was different; there was an ominous feeling about this place, being filled with so many ancient and mysterious volumes from past ages.

Alnna finally caught up with him. “Ya’ll rushing off like crazy Aero. Why’re y’all be in such a hurry to get that there book?”

“Well...” Aero began,“I wasn’t too sure about the Librarian falling for the story, so once I got the key, I got away before she could ask any more questions.”

Alnna giggled. “Well, at least she didn’t ask us to show some student ID. ‘Woulda been a might big mess if she did.”

Aero gazed about. “Sure is big inside here.” He muttered, somewhat taken aback by the room’s size.

“Yeah...” Alnna replied “Big places tend to be where we go. At least there were no ghosts this time around.”

Aero huffed, he wished Alnna hadn’t mentioned that, Aero didn’t like ghosts.

As Aero looked around, he neglected to look ahead of him as he bumped into a stack of books, causing a loud crash as they all tumbled over, creating a cloud of dust.

He sneezed as he looked at one of the books that fell before him.

“Look!” Alnna exclaimed, pointing to a shelf behind the the pile of books had been, “That looks like a section on The Elements.” They trotted up to the bookshelf to investigate. Sure enough, they spotted a book titled, “The Truth of the Elements of Harmony.” Aero continued looking at other titles. “The secret truth behind the Elements, by...” the authors name was illegible. Aero looked at it with a smile and grabbed it with his mouth.

“Goh ih!” he called with a muffled voice as Alnna trotted over. Aero feeling quite proud of his discovery as they turned towards the door. At the door, he gave the book to his wife, as she put it in her saddle bag. She opened the door, only to hear loud voices approaching from down below.

Armoured in black and red, several intimidating soldiers trotted into the Library, each one brandishing a sickly sword as they entered into the main hall, glancing around the near empty library as the leading on one, donning a very impressive armour of the same colour, trotted forward, tossed his cape aside as his eyes glowed. The stallion kept every piece of his coat covered. Even his head was coved by a helmet, Alnna noticed a bit of long blond hair sticking out from the the back of his helmet

“Ah...such a wonderful place...” he began, slowly trotting up towards the main desk before addressing the librarian. “My dear, I bring wonderful news from our new ruler, Lord Landcastra. He has ordered us to take all the elderly to him! You are hereby placed in our custody.” He smirked as one of Landcastra’s guards trotted over, suddenly grabbing the mare and pulling at the old librarian, who merely resisted.

“I don’t care who y’all are, but y’all can’t come in like this, commanding me to surrender my library! Are y’all completely mad?”

“Mad?” the stallion laughed, “no, on the contrary. Lord Landcastra has opened my eyes to the beauty of his reign and I am simply a humble servant who goes about his bidding.” he gave a wicked, twisted smile. “Do not resist, or you will suffer the consequences! Now Come with us!”

The mare sat down where she was “Ah ain't movin’ an inch!Y’all are outta your mind! Celestia will hear about this, that’s for damn sure!”

The stallion smirked...his eyes flashing a hateful glare “The princess....is currently indisposed and no longer fit to rule her realm. Lord Landcastra has dubbed me his right hoof to his ruling throne, and it is my sworn duty to carry out his demands.” He turned to the soldier next to him.

“Corporal...this mare refuses to obey the Law of Landcastra. See to it she is punished for her insolence!” A younger-looking guard approached him.

“But Sir!” he answered, “Lord Lacastra has requested no harm come to the captives, we cannot abide by that ord-”

“I gave you an order Corporal! Do as I say or you will face not only my wrath, but Landcastra’s as well. He said to crush any resistance, and this mare is resisting! Do as I say, or else!”

The Corporal nodded and approached the mare, levitating his sword out from its sheath. The librarian stood defiantly against her attacker. A moment of hesitation passed before the stallion finally shouted.

“DO IT!”

The Corporal thrust his blade into the connection of the mare’s foreleg and chest. She let out a loud gasp as she fell to the floor crying out in pain. The Corporal slowly pulled his blade out of the mares body, as the cloaked stallion ordered two guards to take her away. The Corporal stared at the blood-coated sword and shook his head as the stallion patted him on the back.

“Good work... Sargent!” The he laughed and looked at the newly promoted sergeant as the soldier frowned.

“Lord Landcastra will not be pleased… Take her away!”

“Oh pish posh, a single nick to her leg won’t do her much harm anyway.” he sneered “Besides, its a message to the others who might think about refusing Lord Landcastra’s rule.”

“But sir....no harm was-”

“ENOUGH!” The Stallion barked “I had prompted you to Sargent, you should be thanking me, do not dally on such little details!”

“Yes sir. Thank you... Lieutenant Blueblood.” The stallion began to trot out of the Library, for a second he stopped and turned around to the guards with another wicked grin.

“Oh… I almost forgot. Burn the library to the ground. Burn it to ash. Make these ponies know what happens to those who refuse our master’s rule. These books would certainly prove useful tools against our new king… make sure nopony has a chance to use them.”

“Y’all can't!” the librarian shouted as she was dragged away “Ya’ll can’t take em away, There’s precious pieces in this library that are ancient!”

“All the more reason to destroy it, we wouldn’t want any pony to just go about finding a means to stop our king now, would we?” he smirked and trotted out the front doors. The unicorns of the guards nodded and approached a bookshelf. Kneeling down, they started to light a fire with their horns. The bookshelf went up in flames and began spreading quickly as hundreds of volumes began igniting.

“Alnna, we need to get out of here now!” he shouted. The fire soon spread to the balcony, creating a wall of flame blocking the only way off of it. The couple looked around desperately to find another way they could get out. Aero noticed that on the ground floor, a few bookshelves weren’t on fire yet. He gulped as he devised a desperate plan.

“Alnna, let me get onto your back, I’ll get us outta here!”

Alnna was skeptical. “Shug, Ah know ah helped ya get stronger, but there ain't no way ya’ll can carry me outta here!”

Aero looked in her eyes. “Trust me! You’ll see!”

Alnna sighed. This really wasn’t the time to be testing new muscles, but she put faith in her husband as she let him hold onto her back.

“Now run forward, and jump from shelf to shelf! I’ll handle the flying,” he said as Alnna nodded, running forward and making a big jump.

As she jumped, Aero opened his wings to try and glide forward. By a stroke of sheer luck they landed on top of a book case that wasn’t yet on fire. As it wobbled, Alnna tried to time her next jump just right to get to the next on.

“Hold on!” She shouted, jumping forward again as Aero spread his wings to glide once more. The duo kept at this for a while, finally reaching the end of the bookcases right in front of an ornate stained glass window.

“Where to now, sugh?” Alnna asked, turning to see the fire slowly creeping towards them. She fidgeted on her hooves as Aero looked about.

“Gotta be another way… There’s gotta be another way!” he exclaimed, looking all around until he looked over at the window.

“Can you break that?” Aero asked.

“What, are ya’ll mad?!” Alnna huffed, looking at the stained glassed.

“Ain't gonna be able to break it with hooves alone sugh, those kinda windows are tough n’solid.”

Aero looked around, just as his eyes caught the glint of a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling, its lights flickering as its massive frame swayed above the flames. His eyes followed the chain holding onto to be at the wall just to their left. He lifted off Alnna, knowing what he had to do.

“Sugh, what y'all doin!?” She asked

“Saving our lives!” Aero shouted “trust me!” He glided above the flames, the fire licking at his wings, before he landed at the other end, the bookshelves already catching fire as he studied the latch where the chain was attached. Fortunately for him, it was one large pin, and with a swift buck, the whole chain came lose just as the chandelier swung forward, right at Alnna.

“Look out!” Aero called as the mare ducked quickly, letting the large ornate wheel fly right past her and smash through the window.

“C’mon!” Aero shouted, landing back atop Alnna. “One final leap of faith!”

She jumped and Aero spread his wings as they flew for a few moments before the sudden weight of Alnna began to sag Aero’s glide. He managed to steer them over to a safe place above the sidewalk before they both collapsed to the ground.

Alnna breathed a sighed of relief, then checked to see if the book was alright. Lucky for them, it was safe in her saddle bag. Aero’s legs where shaking; he was starting to breathe quickly.

“Let’s never do that again...” He moaned. Alnna couldn’t help but give a small giggle.

“C’mon, we better go.” Alnna said, taking Aero by the scruff of his mane and tugging him off toward the apartment.

--

“Yes… yes… YES!” Blueblood shouted “Burn… burn to the ground, you wretched library...your books shall no longer keep a word against our king!”

As the fire raged, a sudden gust of wind began to rush through the city, causing the fire to flare up within the stone building just as the sound of heavy wing beats echoed from behind.

“Prince Blueblood, when I had asked you to recover all the elderly from the major cities of Equestria, I did not ask to conduct any book burning just yet. That, my dear prince, is a treat to be savoured... when the majesty can witness it.” Landcastra’s chuckle struck a wicked edge as he looked down at Blueblood, a look of anger and fury in his eyes.

“Now don’t let me catch you doing something like this again Blueblood.” he scolded in a condescending tone. His horn glowed a forest green as he seem to magically gripped Blueblood by the horn, his grin growing a little wider as Blueblood screamed, falling to the ground.

“Please, stop! I’m sorry!” Blueblood pleaded. The navy blue alicorn laughed loudly, as if he had been told a joke.

“I know you are, Lieutenant. I’m not quite angry with you.”

Still in pain, Blueblood looked up to his lord and asked, “T-then why are you doing this to me?!” He let out another shriek of pain, as if his horn and been ripped right off. He looked at his head, to find his horn still on his head.

Landcastra bared his incisors in a twisted mirror of a smile, grinding his magic further into the Prince’s horn. Finally, he let the Prince go, then turned around, teleporting back to his new throne room.

--

Celestia was chained to the wall. As soon as Landcastra arrived she began staring him down, but he only laughed as he approached her.

“Oh Celestia, you do look lovely in chains. and even more so in pain. You make a nice trophy indeed.” Celestia remained silent.

“Your students make very nice trophies as well. Surely you know by now I haven't killed them, but even so, some of them will likely find death more desirable... especially miss Rarity, she was a nice one indeed.” He laughed again.

Celestia gasped. “How dare you!! You are the most-”

“Silence! Your country belongs to me now! Everything you once had belongs to me! You only live because I allow it! And soon, the entire world will belong to me! ” He approached her and swiped his hoof firmly across her maw.

He laughed as loud as he could as Celestia pushed herself tighter against the wall, whimpering to herself.

“Luna...please do not fail.”

--

Aero and Alnna bolted back to the penthouse as fast as their hooves would let them. In a slight moment of panic Aero ran in and slammed the door after allowing his wife in before him.

“They're here! They just burned down the library, and they're probably looking for us right now!” Aero was panting heavily, his eyes were twitching, his heart was pounding almost audibly. Alnna sighed and approached the pegasus and gave him a firm smack. Aero fell to the floor and shook his head.

He took a deep breath and said, “Thank you, Alnna. I needed that.”

“Any time, shug.” She replied.

Luna passed a strange look to the couple, “I am confused with your wife’s methods of calming you, Sir Aerohead. A strike like that would infuriate most stallions.”

Aero took a deep breath. “We don’t have time for that right now. That dicator you told us about, he sent troops over here and they are taking over the city. Me and Alnna just barely escaped the library before it burned down.” Luna looked at the couple in shock.

“Thou art sure that these were Landcastra’s troops?”

“Yes, they mentioned him by name,” said Aero.

Luna sighed as she paced back and forth.

“We must leave the city at once, but where are your other friends?” she asked.

“No idea, shug. Stencil and Cermina are hard fellas to catch.” Alnna replied

“Then we shall wait for them to return and-”

“Open up in the name of Landcastra!!” a booming voice interrupted from outside the door. The trio looked at each other in horror.

“No pony’s home. Knock the door down,” said one of the voices. Suddenly they began to worry when Alnna had an idea,

“Oh Aero! Yes, shug! s-so big ya are!” Alnna started to pant and take deep breaths of excitement.

“Oh, Aero! OH, AERO!” Alnna started shouting his name as he and luna looked at her with their mouths open and eyes wide.

“Sir, I don’t think we should enter this home yet.”

“Move to the next one.” the sergeant commanded. Alnna and the rest sighed a breath of relief.

“That was too close.” Alnna said to them, Aero and Luna were still staring with their mouths open. Alnna gave a little giggle.

“Oh c’mon, shug. Wasn't like they was gonna barge in on us doin’ the do,” Alnna said. Luna sighed as Aero broke into a big grin, to which Alnna replied with a wink.

“That is enough, we have bought ourselves some time, but for now we will wait for your friends,” said Luna.

--

While his friends were receiving their information, Stencil and Cermina were conducting the daring task of standing in line at the grocery store. The number of ponies ahead of them was a concerning factor to how long this insanity would take, but for a stallion and dragon, it was as simple as a mare who couldn’t get the right number of bits.

“Dis is insane...” Cermina whispered as she stood next to Stencil, her figure slightly covered by a cloak so as not to not raise a panic.

“I know...but what can we do, the express line is just worse... I mean, how often do you see two ponies arguing about who has the least amount of stuff...” Cermina huffed.

“I know, dat be the stupidest thing-”

“Attention Citizens!” came an unsettling, almost robotic tone as several black and red armour clad ponies trotted into the store.

“By the new order of Landcastra, you are all hereby commanded to surrender to his will and rule. Those who oppose shall be dealt with… severely.”

Stencil blinked, shocked that Landcastra had already gotten his forces here; he certainly had much more influence on his operations than he had first thought.

“Dis is not good...” Cermina muttered as she looked at the ponies around her, “Come, lets find a back vay out.” she said, slowly tugging the cart as Stencil could see two stallions, the ones arguing in the express line, starting to argue with the unknown stallions.

“What… what do you mean?” one called out as everypony looked amongst themselves, muttering uncertainty.

“Your grand Celestia has been dethroned, and the reign of Landcastra is now in effect.” he grinned.

“All elderly shall be taken with us, anypony who refuses shall be dealt with severely.

“What! You can’t do that!” somepony shouted as the guards began to snicker.

“And what do you think you can do to stop us?” he said, slowly trotting over as the other stallions seemed to almost falter in fear.

“I’m not afraid of you, you ain't going anywhere with the elder stallions or mares!” a trio of stallions barked.

“We heard your lord’s stupid speech, and no pony shall ever overthrow Celestia! We won’t let you get away with it.”

The captain smirked. “We’d like to see you try then,” he looked at the stallion with malicious eyes, “Guards... silence them!”

The guards rushed into the group of ponies without a second’s hesitation or care.

“Dis not good at all comrade! Ve must make our escape!” Cermina exclaimed, grabbing Stencil and pulling the cart as fast as she could away from the sudden cuffle as ponies and evil guards began to run all over the place.

Stencil nodded “Yeah, but how? I wonder if there’s a back exit to this place.”

Cermina huffed, “let me check...” she said, slowly easing herself up and onto one of the aisle’s shelves, keeping herself a low profile.

Of course, that was tricky to begin with, but the fact the guard ponies weren’t too keen on looking upwards, she had an unhindered view of the chaos before her. Mares and stallions were being shoved aside as the elderly were taken. Why this Landcastra was doing such a thing made little sense. Cermina had assumed that most villains would vie for the young fillies, as they would be impressionable and easy to mold. Elderly were old and frail, little use for them, but perhaps some sick, twisted means shall befall them from the mind of this insane pony.

Her attention turned to a door marked “staff only” near the far wall, some distance from where they were currently hiding. The drakess grinned, leaping down beside Stencil, to the stallion’s surprise; he nearly jumped out into the open.

“Relax comrade,” she said with a grin “There is hope for us, staff-only door on far wall/” she pointed it out. “Ve can make break for that and get out through there.”

Stencil grumbled. “That would take us into the open. The center aisle is big and wide; they’ll see us sneaking across it.”

“Not if ve distract them first!” Cermina whispered with a glint in her eye. Stencil had learned that, whenever she had a glint like that, it always involved something being broken, or worse, somepony being hurt.

“I’m assuming you’re going to make some sort of commotion, and then what? Lead the guards on a wild goose-chase around the city?”

Cermina gave a low growl, “No, but I had thought of dat, I vas thinking someting a bit more low-key.”

“Low key? What do you mean by that?”

Cermna grinned, “Just start making vay to doorway, I vill get your exit strategy vorking!” and without a moment’s notice, she lept back atop the aisle shelving, leaving Stencil groaning as he started to trot towards the far door she had pointed out.

The stallion groaned, slowly pulling his way down the shelves as he closed his eyes, nearing ever closer to the wide gap between the two columns of goods on either side of the store, the moment he did, he knew he’d be spotted as he paused, inhaled, and slowly trotted out.

“Well, well. What have we here?” spoke a sinister, brash sounding voice. Stencil stopped, turning to see a small group of guards, all wearing the same red and black armour, with the leader sporting a golden trim around his shoulders and helmet, covering his face, aside from a pure, white horn and blue eyes from behind the helmet.

“Seems we have a straggler trying to make an escape, do we? Hmm, it is certainly not a wise thing to simply try and avoid the guards of Lord Landcastra. Were you thinking of running out like the rest of the lot who thought they could stop us?” He approached Stencil, showing his size to be slightly larger than the medic.

“Oh, n-no. I was j-just on my way to the cashier when I heard the commotion. I, er, don’t mean any trouble for you,” Stencil said, not too sure if he would be able to win a fight. He would not have the upper hoof against three pony guards and their captain.

“Hmm, yes, well a simple pony such as yourself would not do well interfering with the vision of Lord Landcastra, his rule has been realised all across Equestria, and all those who wish not to void their existence in this world shall follow suit and embrace him.” He looked down at Stencil, “Now, kneel before me, so that you may live to revel in the new world of Lord Landcastra!”

Stencil sighed, looking at this guard. Something about his voice was odd, but he wouldn’t dare drop to his knees for a crackpot like Landcastra. He looked away, not caring what the guard might do. “I wouldn’t dream of bowing to some lunatic like that,” he said, looking back at the guard with determination, “What kind of kind and benevolent ruler would take the sick and elderly away like that? Or why would he overthrow another ruler of the throne by force? No... No king of mine would do such an act, only a monster and a brute.”

The guard leader leaned forward, putting his helm close to Stencil’s forehead.

“Watch your tongue, colt,” He spat the word into Stencil’s face, “or you will find yourself laid to waste along with the other ruffians who dared to try before you.”

Stencil grumbled. “I would rather die than submit to somepony’s rule who will only bring pain and suffering...I saw that broadcast...no pony, no normal pony would dare be able to vanquish Celestia.”

The guard simply laughed. “Haha, but you see you impudent foal, Landcastra is no normal pony, he is an alicorn! And he is far stronger than Celestia will ever be! All ponies will bow to Landcastra - you will see! You don’t have a prayer… and such words as you say now could be counted a treason. Wouldn’t you agree gentlecolts?” The guards all started to approach Stencil.

“By order of Landcastra, I, Prince Blueblood, deem you a traitor to the crown!” he smirked. “Arrest hi-!”

His words were cut short by a blow to the head, then again, then a third time as the whipping noise continued.

“What in-” the Captain said as he turned to see the shelves suddenly tumbling over one another like dominos, with the closest one to him suddenly lurching forward. The Prince gave a shrill scream before it crushed him to the floor.

Blueblood lay pressed beneath the heavy food-laden wooden shelving unit of the store as he squirmed. His armour had protected him from the brunt of the impact, but also kept him pinned to the floor.

“What happened, what's going on?” he shouted from under the shelf, “Where did that whelp go? Guards, after him!”

Other guards pinned down with Blueblood attempted to free themselves, but the combined weight of almost four other shelves laid atop their own, keeping them firmly pressed underneath the mass of wood. Cermina leapt atop it with a resounding thud, followed by groans of pain from below.

“Dis is vhat I mean by low key!” she said as she quickly landed before Stencil.

“Come comrade, ve leave dis place now!” she said, grabbing the stallion in her arms and tugging him and the cart right out the staff door.

“Vell, dere goes dat option.” Cermina muttered as she looked back at the store, sighing as she settled Stencil down with the cart and stretched her arms.

“They moved a lot faster than we first thought.” Stencil replied.

“Their armour is tougher too, almost like dragon scales; surviving fall of wooden store-shelves and not being squish makes dere armour very resilient.”

“Meaning it could probably take a lot of punishment. This Landcastra certainly knows how to equip his troops. The royal guards would never be given such heavy armour.”

“Do they not wear their armour for show?”

Stencil rolled his eyes, “More or less...” he muttered as he started to trot on towards Aero and Alnna’s penthouse. “I think Luna will want to know Landcastra’s got troops here already. We’re going to have to push our schedule tighter to get out of this place before they start busting down doors,” he muttered as they walked along the street as Cermina huffed, pulling the cloak closer to her form.

Already Landcastra’s troops had begun their patrols of the streets and banners of his imperial symbol were unfurled on the larger buildings. Stencil felt more and more uneasy. It was as though a grand war had came and went, leaving his home devastated. He had to fight back the growing rage in his gut; he wouldn’t stand for this, but what could he and his friends do now? As they walked down another block, the penthouse came into view, an imperial banner strung down its side.

“You have got to be kidding me,” Stencil muttered as they entered, seeing guards already positioned at either end and frightened civilians attempting to move about their business.

“Halt!” one guard said as he stepped in front of the duo.

“That’s quite a large assortment of goods there.” he said as he eyed their cart.

“Well… uh, my friend here.” he stammered, “She’s pregnant, and well, you know how mares are when they have a foal on the way right?”

The guard looked at Stencil with a faceless expression, tilting his head to the side dispassionately.

“I guess...”

“Always eating!” Stencil yammered on as he pushed closer to the guard, “They can’t help themselves, that’s why they get fat with their foal... because they’re feeding two ponies, not just one!”

The guard shuffled in place, a bit uneasy with this strange stallion, as Cermina slipped by, going for an elevator that had just opened.

“Y-yes. I guess so...” the guard nodded.

“Now, if you’re quite done...” Stencil added, “I must be on my way, she had already demanded I bring her this food. If she finds out its not there, she might come down here and gobble you up!”

The guard rolled his eyes, letting Stencil by. “Of course,” he said ironically, “Go right ahead!”

Stencil soon arrived at the penthouse door where Cermina was waiting. He opened it slowly.

“H-hello?” he said as he slipped in, Cermina keeping up the rear as they closed the door quickly behind them once the cart and its two bearers made it inside.

“Anypony home?”

“Ah... Stencil, Cermina!” Luna said, trotting towards them, “how wonderful to see you both back safe and sound.”

“Thank you, your majesty.” Stencil said, bowing as Cermina just stood behind him with a smirk.

“It’s getting worse out there,” the stallion said, standing again, “Landcastra has already moved his troops into the city, and what’s more, Prince Blueblood is with them! We have to get out of here much sooner or he might find us.”

Worry showed on Luna’s face. “I am uncertain if we can speed up our process to make an early departure.And art thou certain that my nephew Blueblood is truly corrupted to this fiend?”

Stencil looked about. “He confronted me at the store, and was close to capturing me.”

“Capturing you?” Luna shouted in surprise, causing both Alnna and Aero to pop into the room.

“What the hell?” Alnna asked as she trotted over.

“I refused to bow to Blueblood when he demand me to. Saying that I was against Landcastra’s reign, and, well... he called it treason.” The stallion looked at Cermina. “Had she not brought her escape plan into effect, we might have had a big fight on our hands, one I know would have not ended well.”

Luna sighed, turning the window.

“So he has become worse. His corruption has spread. It breaks my heart to see my nephew turn into such a monster.”

Stencil huffed. “He’s a coward. To think he was once sought highly by the guard, now he’s nothing more than a spoiled brat.”

The princess smiled, slowly walking over to the stallion and embracing him. “You are a brave pony, and I am glad you were able to escape. But your actions could lead to more danger Stencil. We must tread carefully.”

“I know,” the stallion replied, “Which only makes the matter of leaving more pressing.”

Luna nodded. “But how?”

“The sewers.” Aerohead said as he trotted in.

“The sewers?” Luna said in surprise “Whatever do you mean by the sewers?”

Aero smirked, “In all my travels over Equestria, one of the biggest things I learned was that most ponies tend to do is look up, not down. But even when they do look down, they still don’t know what's beneath their hooves.” He grinned, “And these guards are no exception; if Blueblood is leading them about, he would never dare to climb down into a sewer.”

“He would avoid them like the plague,” Stencil added “Aero, you’re a genius!”

Alnna smiled. “Ya’ll think so too huh? He’s been flippin’ through maps all day since ya’ll left.”

“The sewers are fine.” Cermina muttered, “but how vill ve get cart out of city?”

Stencil thought a moment. “She’s got a point. I doubt it would fit down through the narrow sewer grates.”

“Perhaps we can separate, and then meet in the outskirts of the city?” Luna suggested, “I know that the guards wouldn’t be holding ponies they were not meant to take hostage back in the city; they are seeking the elderly, not the young and fit. They would let you go by.”

“Not vithout checking...” Cermina added “Dey v’ould check cart top to bottom... v’e can't hide her in dere.”

“Then perhaps ah can offer a suggestion,” Alnna began as the group all looked at her.

--

“Halt!” called a guard as Stencil and Alnna approached. The pair had been pulling the cart through the city without difficulty, but now, with the gateway to the outskirts just ahead, they had encountered a checkpoint filled with guards of Landcastra.

“Is there a problem, sir?” Stencil began as the two of them looked over the guard.

“Standard procedures, all carts are to be checked,” the guard continued, “any elderly ponies you may have with you shall be taken.”

“Wha-?” Alnna asked, “Why’s that?”

The guard huffed. “Landcastra’s orders. It would be wise not to question them. Now then, would you kindly unhook from the cart and allow us to search.” Stencil nodded, as did Alnna, as they unmounted from the cart and stepped aside, following the guards inside as they began to rummage about the place.

The dim light was uncomfortable and made it quite difficult to see, but the guards paid no heed as they searched back and forth, eventually coming to the far end where three doors, two on the right and one of the left, impeded them.

“You!” the guard said to Stencil, “Open these doors!”

“W-what?” Stencil asked.

“I said open them! We need to check inside.”

“B-but, there’s nothing-”

The guard stomped over. “Open them....now!” he said as Stencil nodded and opened the first door, revealing a little study. One guard stepped inside, looked around, and then exited.

“Clear!”

“The next one,” said the leader as Stencil opened, exposing a bathroom.

“Clear!” Stencil hesitated with the last door.

“Open it you runt, or you will be brought in for questioning.”

The stallion gulped and nodded as he opened it, exposing a rather modestly sized library of books as two guards entered, checked, and exited.

“Clear!”

“Very good...” the lead guard said as he turned to Stencil.

“You’re clear to pass...” They left without a word as Stencil and Alnna trotted outside, hooked back onto the cart, and then began their trip to freedom.

--

Below their hooves, however, their friends were not having such an easy time.

“Ugh, such filth!” Luna protested, “As wise as it was to have me venture here, I may have wished to brought better garments to cover my hide,” she groaned as Cermina and Aero kept close to her, the pair navigating by the light of the Princess’ horn as they made their way through twists and turns.

“Not too far now,”Aero said, studying the map, “Just one more fork in the tunnel then it’s straight to the lake nearby!”

Cermina hissed “I... hate...vater...” she muttered as Luna looked at her.

“Why is that, dragon?” said Luna.

“I... cannot swim,” Cermina grumbled reluctantly, “Good at fighting, not at good swimming.”

Luna chuckled a bit “oh, ‘tis such a trifle of a thing!”

“Is not trifle!” Cermina barked, “Is insulting! But as fire drake, ve have natural veakness to vater.”

“Oh, then you better not fall in here, thou would certainly be out of thine element.”

“You mock me?” the drakess bristled.

Luna smiled. “I tease, Miss Cermina; do not fret.”

The drakess huffed a plume of smoke from her nostrils, turning away from Luna as she crossed her arms. “Perhaps you like it if I throw you in lake, see how Nightime pony finds vater vhen she can’t swim.”

“And what makest thou think we cannot swim?”

Cermina smirked. “Because you not buoyant, you not got figure to swim.”

Luna blinked, taken aback. “Thou art calling me fat?”

Cermina just chuckled “Perhaps I am, Pudgy Princess!”

Luna gasped. “Thou shalt take that back at once!” she demanded, pointing a hoof at Cermina in fury.

“Make me… Princess Fluffy Butt!” Cermina retorted as Luna stomped over to her.

“We dare say we shall!”

“Enough! Will you both shut it! ” Aero barked. “Geez! You really think it’s the time for this!? Come on, we have to get out of here before we’re all caught and quartered, now shut up!”

The stallion turned and trotted onwards. Cermina and Luna both blinked in surprise before looking at eachother with dagger eyes.

“Dis not over...” Cermina muttered.

“Thou art right, ‘tis far from over!” Luna replied as they walked off, side by side.

Stencil and Alnna stood by the lake where the canal of the Hoofington sewer exited into Lake Hoofington. The pair had long since arrived and Stencil already had set a blanket out with tea and some sandwiches he had prepared.

“What's taking them so long?” he muttered as Alnna sat upon the mat, gingerly nibbling away at a sandwich.

“Give ‘em time, sugh, Aero knows what he’s doin’. Ah’m sure they're fine, considering he’s got two power-house gals with ‘im.” She smirked

Stencil smirked, “Heh, sometimes I wonder how he could handle those two by himself.”

“Ah’m sure he’ll be fine,” Alnna chuckled.

Stencil paused, suddenly hearing hoof-falls echoed from the tunnel as Aerohead appeared, leading the group. Then he noticed how Luna and Cermina both seemed in a dark mood. The pair looked away from one another, heads uplifted as they exit the tunnel.

“Ah, salvation! We are free of this foul place.” Luna said as she trotted from the outlet of the sewers and shook herself free of the tunnel’s moisture. “I never thought such a place would be one I would visit, but, as it has been said, desperate times call for desperate measures.” she shot an icy glance at Cermina. “And the moment was indeed desperate for us to spend our time in such company.”

The drakess hissed, glaring back at Luna. “You think is funny! Ve save your butt and you think nothing of it.”

“Nay miss Drake, I did not say anything of it.” She looked at Cermina crossly. “Only that thy company is not… becoming and willing to be accepted for the moment.” Cermina huffed

“Vell then miss Fluffy Butt, v’hy don’t ve pick up vere ve left off vith you being fat!”

“You dare call me fat, again?” the Princess exclaimed.

“I call you fat, and to prove it -” she suddenly gripped Luna by the side and hauled the alicorn over her head.

Luna was stupefied. “Unhand me you brute!” she managed to scream, flailing her legs as she was carried over to the lake, and then...

“Cermina!” Stencil barked just as the drakess threw the Princess into the water.

Luna yelped, splashing about. “Help, oh help! We cannot swim!”

Cermina just stood there grinning as Stencil suddenly began to rush towards her.

“Cermina, have you gone mad?” he shouted as the drakess scoffed, holding him back.

“Princess, vhy don’t you calm down and stand for a moment.”

“Stand?” Luna hollered, still thrashing about. “The waters are above our head! How shall we ever be able to stand when-” she paused, suddenly feeling her hooves touch the soft mud beneath her.

The drakess grinned wider. “See comrades, she can float!”

Luna fumed. “Oh, ha ha, thou insolent beast! Thou hast yet to see thy share of this conflict.”

“Any time then… comrade!” Cermina sneered.

The alicorn and the drakess glared at each other as Stencil shook his head. “Enough!” he finally shouted, “We’ve got to go now anyway! The more you two bicker, the less time we have to stay ahead of the troops. Now come on, Cermina, Your Majesty, we’ve got to go.”

The group finally continued their march beyond the city, two of them more angrily than the others.

Chapter 6

“We must reach New Foaleans. You do know that’s almost three days’ travel by hoof?” Aelu remarked, the group still a good distance away from Hoofington, but not nearly as close to New Foaleans as they’d like.

“We have to get going if we’re going to make it in time! For all we know, Celestia might be dead within days!” Aero said, trying to keep his voice down as Cermina and Luna pulled the cart outside.

“I see your matter is of urgency, but we cannot speed up time. If Landcastra is searching for the Princess, any attempt at magic use would be seen as a potential target for him. We cannot risk using a teleport spell to assist our progress...”

Stencil nodded. “It’s the reason we’re asking you if you know any shortcuts that would cut down our travel time.”

Aelu rubbed his chin. The group were close to the base of the Central Mountain Range of Equestria, and it would be a long trip around the base, then across sparse flatlands towards New Foaleans, which was still quite a ways away.

“Perhaps there is one route...” Aelu muttered, tapping the base of the mountains on the map.

“There is an old mountain trail we dragons follow, though many fly over it. But those without wings...” he motioned to himself and then to Cermina. “Are forced to walk.”

“So you’re saying we go through the mountains?” Stencil asked.

“This cart can handle that, I assume?” Aelu asked.

“Well...” Stencil sighed. “It might be a long haul. I’m upset Alnna is unable to manage anything right now considering her condition is still a tad uneasy, but...what worries me the most is those two.” He motioned outside. “They’ll be bickering the whole way. I’m rather glad they haven’t come to blows with one another just yet.” The sudden pause of the cart’s movement begged to differ as shouted suddenly erupted from outside. Stencil shook his head. “Guess I spoke too soon” he said as he, Aero and Aelu moved over to the door.

“You dare mock our ability as a ruler for this land!?” Luna protested, coming to a stop as Cermina gave a smirk.

“Considering that you are here, and not back in Canterlot vanquishing that bastard, I’d say you and sister Celestia have met your match. Vhat could have you done to help her if she could not handle dis Landcastra?” Luna was quite flustered by Cermina’s boastful notion.

“And what knowledge dost thou have of Landcastra? We see no such creature as you daring to face him in such dark times! Thou art stepping beyond your bounds, dragon. Do not test us!”

“Test you! Haha, I bet I’d fail you vight off bat, little miss Moonbutt.”

“Moonbutt! How dare you Speak such an insolent name towards our title!?”

“Oh I can say more than that, but then, who vas it that found you all broken and alone? Or did you forget that?”

Luna grumbled, turning about. “We… We are incapable of aiding our sister. We wished to, yet we could not; he was too strong. And for our… negligence in understanding our enemy, we have failed.”

“You did more then that, you had butt kicked.”

“Not by choice!” She barked, turning back, “We would have destroyed that wretched canine had we not been able to land a proper blow!”

“Den you failed even vorse when you couldn’t fight, no vounder you stay in shadows, at least Celestia can f-” It was all Luna needed as she suddenly lunged at Cermina, slamming into the drakess as the pair tumbled away from the cart, Cermina and Luna’s harnesses breaking apart as they rolled off the road.

Cermina eventually regains her footing, kicking Luna square in the gut and off the drakess’s body.

“You...asshole.” Cermina muttered, slowly rising up. “You are this stupid to challenge me?”

“We shall… we shall show you what we are made of!” Luna retorted, easing up as she huffed, “We are NOT a shadow of Celestia! We are Luna, Maiden of the Night and Guardian of Dreams!”

“Then I shall be sure to put you into dreamland. Permanently!”

Luna grunted, bracing herself as Cermina ducked low and lunged at her. She had never seeing a dragon move so quickly before. Instantly, Cermina was upon her, and a flurry of strikes from those taloned fists went at her shield. The princess quickly wove a shield from the air, a blue aura enveloping her and flickering with each strike as the drakess let loose several punches before parting.

“Ha… cheap trick, Comrade! That all you got?” she said, moving again to strike Luna when the princess’ shield suddenly vibrated and then exploded outward, sending the drakess back into a tree, slamming her through it before it fell upon her with a giant thud.

“Ha! There is plenty more we can do than a beast such as you!” she said, “You wish to continue to mock us now?” Cermina growled, shoving the tree off her as she hissed, before picking it up and snapping it over her knee, taking the one of the halves in both claws.

“You vant my response? Then eat this!” she barked, throwing the five foot tall trunk right towards the Lunar Princess.

Luna smirked. “Is that all?” she said, stopping the tree with a magical field before turning it about and preparing to throw it back. But she didn’t get a chance.

Cermina cut her way right through the tree to reach Luna once more, slamming a fist into her face and sending her quite a distance back into another tree on the other side of the road.

Luna had had enough, quickly breaking away from the tree she was propped against, she gave a loud grunt, snorting from her nostrils.

“Thou hast dried our patience, we shall show thee!” she barked, taking wing as her eyes began to glow a pure white.

Cermina hissed, watching the mare take to the skies as her horn began to glow gently at first, before becoming a violent eruption of magical energies.

“Prepare thyself!” she called as a bolt zapped burst out, slamming into the ground in front of Cermina, leaving the grass scorched and billowing with smoke.

“Ah, now this shall be fun.” the drakess said as Luna charged a second blast right towards Cermina.

The drakess dodged, avoiding the strike as it hit where she once stood, leading Luna onward. The princess kept her distance, but continued to fire volleys of energy where Cermina had been only seconds before. The drakess kept her ahead of her as she dodged around the area, finally coming to a halt before the cart.

“That all you got comrade? Come now, I thought miss moonbutt vas better than this!” she barked, slamming her chest with her fists as Luna let out a shout. Her horn glowed with a midnight blue aura, getting brighter until it was blinding to look at. She fired a bolt right towards Cermina as the drake went wide-eyed, shielding herself as the massive energy struck her, slamming her into the cart as the shockwave not only rippled along the drakes body, but cascaded into the cart’s own structure.

“What's going on?” Stencil shouted as the cart gave a lurch and the entire interior suddenly crackled with magical energy.

Aelu huffed, preparing to draw steel as he looked around in dismay, “Have we been found?” he muttered, crouching as the cart’s shaking slowly subsided.

Stencil groaned, figuring that the two outside had done just what he expected. All this fighting and bickering was one thing for the two, but the fact that the cart had just violently shuddered from whatever impact had struck it, and how much energy had spread through the inside, he could only think of one mare responsible.

Fixing his glasses, Stencil galloped towards the door, opening it to see Cermina implanted into the side of the cart beside the door. Obviously distraught as she looked over.

“C-comrade...” she muttered “Ve… Ve’re just having practice fight. Luna certainly stronger than first thought...” she muttered, embarrassed by the admittance of strength by the Princess as she slowly pulled herself off and down to the floor with a thud.

Luna was standing triumphantly across from the carts entrance as Stencil shook his head.

“Hah, thou hast seen my true power! Perhaps now thou shalt bear more respect for our abilities.”

“Respect? ha, that vas childs play, perhaps you need to go for round two!” Cermina began before Stencil trotted before the two.

“Enough!” he shouted, his eyes fixed on Cermina.

“Do you realize what you’ve done, how much danger you’ve just put us all in?” he barked, moving his stare towards Luna as he turned to face the Princess. His own patience had come to an end as he started to approach her.

“W-why Sir Stencil, what dost thou mean?”

The stallion snorted, huffing as he came closer to the alicorn. “I thought a princess such as yourself would have wised to the fact you’re being sought by a very powerful foe, and the fact he is seeking you for your magical ability only makes the fact of you using it to be an even stupider idea.” he tapped his head. “Do you realize now that you might have just given away our position to him or his guards? That even as we speak he could very well be sending his forces to take us in, and everything we’ve done up till now would have been for naught!?”

Luna seemed to pale, her expression dropping instantly from her once proud demeanor as the stallion kept his eyes fixed upon her, staring her down as she felt very small towards this stallion.

“We- we had not thought of such a thing… Your associate Cermina had drawn our temper to such a degree that-”

“Don’t shift the blame, Luna, you are a Princess of Equestria. Act like one! Would your sister have been so easily swayed by a dragon taunting her?” Luna’s face sank further; she looked like she was about to break down as Cermina started to chuckle.

“Moonbutt in trouble, moonbutt in trouble!” she sang as the Stallion turned about face to her. Her face dropped instantly.

“And you, Miss Talos, no rubies for you, and I’m making you eat your emeralds.”

The Drakess gasped. “No, comrade! Yo-you wouldn't dare!”

“It’s either that...” Stencil began with a coy smirk. “Or apologize to the Princess and acknowledge her superiority as a Princess of this realm. Perhaps that might settle that arrogance you have and let you start seeing this mare for what she is.” he huffed.

“You...you dare to prevent me from my treats, Comrade?” Cermina exclaimed.

“I’ll do a lot worse if you keep this up! We’re already in danger because of Luna and yourself bickering and fighting, and now that she’s already come to realize just how dangerous it is, you and her are going to have to start being nice to each other in this, not enemies, not rivals, not nothing!”

Cermina growled, clenching her claws as they rested at her sides. She was at a loss for words.

“Lets pray that Landcastra has missed your fireworks. Hopefully the mountains to our north were enough to hide some of them...” he growled as he turned back towards the cart. “Now...lets get going, we’ve still got a long ways to go, so no more fighting!”

Luna watched Stencil enter the cart, seeing the stallion so upset. Never had anypony done such a thing to her; taking such a stand against their own princess, even for her benefit, in such troubled times. She felt her heart skip a bit as she turned to Cermina.

The drakess was in a fury as she gripped her head. “I hate emeralds, I hate emeralds...” she grumbled, passing Luna a look and huffing.

“This is your fault!” she barked as she turned to her, anger across her face.

“Cermina!” called Stencil from inside, “Don’t make me get the bucket!”

“Bucket?” Luna asked, smirking, as Cermina went pale.

“Ah, ve’re not doing anything! Ve are friends now!” Cermina called, suddenly jumping to Luna’s side to half-heartidly embrace the mare in her grip, petting her mane as Luna shot her a look.

“Put us down!” she demanded.

“Shush!” Cermina muttered with fear in her eyes. “Bucket is worst enemy to Cermina. Do not wish to show you true rage if that happens...”

Luna just blinked, somewhat confused, but quite keen on why a bucket would be such a vile thing to this strong drakess. She sighed, shaking her head a bit before a shrill scream erupted from inside the cart.

Stencil rushed into the back room. Aelu and Aero were already at the doorway as the medic arrived to see an extremely suprised, if not petrified, mare sitting atop the table with...a pump potbelly where a fit frame used to be. Alnna had just woken up to see what had happened to her.

“S-Stencil, what in the hay happened to me!?” Alna spoke in a wavering voice as Stencil rushed up to her bedside with Aero and Aleu close behind.

The Stallion blinked as Aero fluttered around in a panic.

“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!” he exclaimed, grabbing Stencil by the collar, “What happened to my wife?” he shouted as Stencil pushed him back.

“Aero, calm yourself! I have no clue, but I don’t plan on keeping it that way.” he explained as Luna and Cermina now stood at the doorway.

“Vhat is all the noise?” Cermina muttered.

Stencil brought a stethoscope to his ears and placed it onto the mare’s belly. He closed his eyes to listen as Aero continued to flutter in circles above Alnna, muttering worrisome thoughts to himself.

“Hrmmm...” he muttered, withdrawing the scope as his horn lit up. A small high-pitched whine begun as an aura took hold around Alnna’s stomach, slowly growing higher in pitch until it was inaudible. Stencil’s brow furrowed as he listened intently, his eyes widening.

“By Celestia’s mane!” he muttered as he levitated a chart nearby before him, flipping pages.

“What? What is it!?” Aero muttered, hovering above Stencil.

The unicorn grinned, slowly lowering the chart. “Facinating...” he muttered as he turned to Aero. “Well...I don’t know exactly what happened, but somehow or other...your wife’s pregancy just accelerated by eight months.”

“But- but how?” said Aero after a moment of stunned silence.

Stencil rubbed his chin, “I can’t say for sure… but I know that the crystal powering my cart can have unusual magical properties under extreme conditions.” His face suddenly darkened. “Perhaps it was Luna’s little… outburst caused a surge in it’s power, which affected Alnna’s pregnancy. That’s the only possible cause I can think of that might have caused such a surge in growth.”

Everyone stood in silence, looking at Stencil for a moment.

“Either way,” Stencil continued, breaking the tension, “Congratulations, Aero. Within one month, you’ll be a father.”

Alnna gave a wide, if very surprised, smile, “Oh Aero, ain’t that just amazing!? We gonna have a child far sooner than we first thought, oh how wonderful, ah can’t wait to see our new foal… Stencil, is- is it a boy or a girl?”

The stallion looked again, checking the fetus before grinning. “From what I can tell, its going to be a filly… pegasus wow… you two are going to be proud parents to a beautiful daughter.”

“Oh… Ah wish Ah could see it, Sugh, but… Ah can’t bear to waste the surprise… ain’t that just grand Aero, we gonna have a daughter!”

Stencil removed his glasses with a smile as he chuckled “I better get us some cigars when we get to New Foalines to celebrate. Sound good Aero-”

There was a thud as Aero landed on his behind before Stencil, his eyes like dinner plates and his pupils like pinheads as he just lay there.

“Aero?” Alnna asked, blinking in surprise as she was quite calm for the news

“Are ya alright?” she asked as the pegasus stallion just sat there, devoid of all life as Aleu slowly approached him.

“Aero... are you alright?” he asked, gently putting a claw to his shoulder as the surprised pony suddenly collapsed to the floor in a heap.

“He has fainted… He’ll be alright.” Aelu muttered as Stencil and Alnna blinked.

Aero woke up sometime later in the medical bed. His head hurt a bit, and his mind was a jumble of things that had happened before he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye.

“Ah, you’re awake,” Stencil said as he trotted up beside him, levitating a small lamp to check the stallions eyes. “Was worried when you collapsed like that, you feeling okay?”

“Uh...” Aero muttered.

“Yeah, just... a lot to take in.”

“That you’re going to be a father?”

“Yeah… That I’m going to be a father… it feels like it’s too soon.”

Stencil chuckled. “Hey, you’re at the right age for getting a wife and family. You’re a grown stallion Aero, you should be very proud.”

“I am!” Aero insisted. “I am very glad to be having a daughter, but... do I want one to be born into the world as it is?”

Stencil sighed, looking at Aero, then looked off to the side. “I don’t know, your kid’s sudden acceleration of development was surprising, but we can’t choose to stop it now; I’m glad that you’d be willing to take the responsibility of it anyway and make sure she grows up right. Besides, even if we are living in a very difficult time, it will come to pass, and better to have a daughter understand the reality of living like this than clouded with good-fortune and ignorance to what could happen.”

Aero sighed. “Really? I don’t know Stencil, its just...” he paused, “I wanted to have her when we weren’t on the lamb. Now, will it be… something we could handle?” Stencil smirked.

“You have a month at best before the baby is due, I’m sure we can settle this insanity before then.”

“Really?” Aero asked.

Stencil nodded. “Of course, we have the Lunar Princess, two dragons, myself, you and Alnna. We tackled the frozen wastes, we can tackle this place too!”

Aero smiled, nodding with a new sense of determination. “Yeah...we can!” he eased off the bed. “Where’s Alnna though?”

“She’s sleeping.” Stencil replied, putting the lamp away. “She’s going to need lots of it now that her body is in that state. Best to have you sleep here considering...” he chuckled, “She takes up three quarters of the bed...”

“Hey!” Aero barked, “She’s my wife! Don’t be talking about her like that.” Stencil waved a hoof.

“Haha, relax, relax,its true though, she’s got the whole bed taken. You’d best sleep here at least.”

Aero grumbled. “She’s not fat...”

They suddenly heard someone entering and turned to see Aelu.

“I come with some news. there is a path we can take to get to New Foaleans much faster.”

“Really?” Stencil asked in surprise.

“How?” he asked as the drake smirked, ushering them over. The duo were led to the main area of the cart where Aelu had set up several maps on the table.

“I have been studying the maps you have here Aero, and from my own travels, I have found something of interest.” He pointed to a field not too far away. “There is an old Diamond Dog proving ground around this place; the dogs have dug many holes here in their search for gems, and if I am not mistaken, they had been routed when they connected to a mining tunnel of your fellow equines.”

“So...you're saying there’s a mine route down there?” Stencil asked.

Aelu nodded. “An old path, I had remembered hearing about it from other travelers before I came to you. It connected to a mine being dug out by ponies contracted by a New Foalines mining company, but their connection with the dogs caused some unsettling events to follow. Since then, those mines have been left abandoned by both parties.”

“So...perhaps we could use those tunnels to get to New Foaleans?” Stencil asked.

“We could!” Aero exclaimed, “And we could remain hidden from Landcastra too!” he shouted with glee.

The cart soon came to a halt as the group exited the forest region they had spent the past day traveling through; it was a relief to come to open ground once again as their faces and manes were graced by the wind.

The view was not promising. Before them stood nothing but rolling fields, mountains beyond and further still would be the city of New Foaleans.

“It’s still three days away...” Aero muttered as he, Aelu and Stencil stood outside the cart with Luna and Cermina.

“So...where’s the entrance to this mine?” Aero asked as Aelu smirked

“It is not far, you will know we we start seeing holes.”

“Holes?” Luna asked as she trotted over, curious about the dragons notion,“What need have thee for holes?”

Aero turned to the Lunar Princess as he smiled. “Aelu has found a quicker, and perhaps safer route towards New Foaleans! We’re going through some old mining tunnels below ground where we’ll be out of Landcastra’s view.”

“Oh... wonderful,” Luna said, her expression a mixture of happiness, and uneasiness. Cermina noticed, walking up behind her.

“Ah is Princess glad to find hole to crawl into now and hide?” Luna huffed as she shot Cermina a look.

Luna tramped the ground angrily. “We would not stoop to hiding like a foal from that barbarian! We simply seek the best strategy for reaching our destination!”

Cerina smirked as she nudged her. “Oh, that is it, or perhaps you are afraid.”

“We are not afraid!” She barked, turning her head away as Stencil sighed.

“Cermina...please, just, cut it out...” The Drakess sighed and groaned

“I am jesting comrade. Vere is your funny bone?”

Stencil rolled his eyes as Aelu smirked.

“Perhaps Cermina enjoys Luna’s company more than she lets on, considering how much she pesters the princess. She probably just has a crush on Luna.” The drakess went red, redder than she was already as she crossed her arms and turned away.

“You joke Aelu, I do not like Luna, she is snotty brat!” Luna huffed, looking back at her with a content glare, letting her blush remain hidden before Aelu grinned.

“The path we seek would be the largest hole,” he continued, “Diamond dogs tend to make their mine entrances larger for their hoard and carts. I am not sure if your chariot would fit, but we could always use myself and Cermina to go deeper; aside from those canines, we drakes are capable diggers.”

Cermina puffed her chest. “We can out dig any damn dog, comrade!” she boasted. That being said, it was quite a surprise when they came about the location Aelu had pointed out.

At first they thought it to be a series of holes, but they soon found that many of the openings were filled back up.

“Well, this is a surprise,” Stencil said as he trotted into the proving grounds, looking about in disbelief.

Aelu stepped in behind him. “The holes have been filled up, how unexpected, we may need to dig a new hole altogether.” he muttered. “These lands remained untouched for many a season, and yet, when we require them the most, they are filled. I had been here only a year before and the holes remained open” he eased down near one of the holes, putting his claw atop the smooth ground. “It certainly seems that somepony… or something… has taken a lot of time to fill these back in; this is too smooth to be natural.”

“Perhaps it wasn’t, but I doubt ponies would do this, or diamond dogs.” Stencil muttered, looking at the holes as he trotted forward. “What do you think, Aero?” he asked, turning to see the pegasus stallion planting his ear to the ground.

“Aero?” Stencil asked as he started trotting towards him before the stallion lifted a hoof.

“Shhhh....” he muttered as he looked up.

“If somepony filled these in, then there might be something to lead us to who them.” he whispered as he looked closely at the ground, studying the grass. He noticed a few slight deformations. “Tracks! Follow me...” Aero said as he suddenly flew off.

“Cermina, Luna, lets go!” Stencil barked as he and Aelu went off behind Aero as the mare and drakess grunted, grabbing the cart as they kept glancing at one another.

“Here!” Aero called as he led them to a particularly large hole, much larger than any of the other ones they’d come across before. Unlike the others, it had been dug up again.

“Seems fresh.” Aelu muttered as he felt the dirt, it was still warm as Aero fluttered around the opening.

“The tracks are heavier here. They must have went down with something big.”

“Who? And when?” Stencil asked. “The dogs, ponies...or Landcastra’s troops.”

“I don’t know...” Aero said with a bit of dread. “We can’t be sure unless we go, but whatever the case is, its the way we probably would have to go to get to New Foaleans.”

“He’s right..” Aelu muttered “This is the only path. This hole was the diamond dogs’ main access route to their mines, and who… or whatever dug it up, certainly had done so with an intent in mind; the hole is much larger than any diamond dog could be.”

“Then maybe ve got some trouble brewing down there...” Cermina muttered as she slammed a fist into her palm.

The group prepared the supplies they needed to venture down the hole

“So...Aelu, you know how to navigate this route then?” Aero asked, seeing the dragon shift the map back in his saddle bag.

Aelu smirked, admiring the little trackers’ attentiveness.

“Yes....but I have one condition.” He pulled Aero in front of him “He comes with me,” he said to the rest of the group.

Aero’s jaw clenched. “Uh.. I...I wouldn’t mind, but... it’s likely to be dangerous.” He looked back at the group apprehensively.

Aelu motioned for the rest of the group to go down first, and they slowly trotted down into the hole.

He gave an annoyed glare to the little pegasus. “Is that a problem?” he asked.

Aero gulped, and replied “I... I don’t think so but... I just...” Aelu approched him and sighed

“Fear is what makes you hesitate, hesitate, and you’ll die. You need to swallow your fear, and prgress... for your wife, and for your child.” His words of encouragement, caused Aero’s eyes to light up and head right into the hole, having no fear of what was to come.

It was dark, much darker than the night as Aelu and Aero led the way. Cermina took second point behind them as Luna kept behind her. Her ethereal mane seemed to glow with starlight in the deep blackness.

Cermina chuckled after awhile. “My, Princess is certainly out of place in deep, dirty cave! Spends so much time vashing fancy mane in fancy castle, has probably never seen dirt in years.”

Luna glared and tried to ignore the drakess.

“But then, is still quite fetching,” Cermina continued mischievously, “Makes Princess look lovely… cute, even.”

“W-we are not c-cute!” Luna retorted. “We are The Princess of the-!”

“I know that!” Cermina snapped, “You cannot take compliment easy, yah?”

Luna only fumed silently.

“Spoiled brat...” Cermina muttered with a sigh, a tad of self satisfaction passed through her mind about the Princess. She wasn’t all-powerful as she made out to be.

After a moment of silence, Luna quickened her step; she didn’t wish to be left behind. Keeping close to Cermina, She illuminated her horn to give as much light as possible for the group.

Stencil was pulling the cart behind them. The stallion sighed, finding no issue with lugging the thing as he was also using his magic to push the wheels forward. Who or whatever had dug through this tunnel had made the floor flat and easy to navigate, certainly more than just a single dog, considering there was more than enough space for the cart to move unhindered through the path.

“This is strange..” Aelu muttered, “Diamond dogs aren't usually this precise.”

“They are often a mess of tunnels, this not feel right...” Cermina muttered, “How...how could such a creature forge such deep and wide cavarns?” she asked, grinning with a glance to Luna, “Perhaps it vas a giant rock eating monster that seeks to eat unsuspecting ponies!” she raised her claws and opened her maw, her red eyes gleaming. Luna jumped back with a start, bumping into Stencil as Cermina let out a hearty laugh.

“Ah, Princess Moonbutt so funny!” she said as she walked over to help ease her up.

“T-this is no time for jokes!” Luna protested as she huffed, hurrying to stand and give Cermina a cold glare.

“Haha! Oh such fun this is going to be!”

“You insolent welp!” Luna barked at Cermina before turning to Stencil with a glare, “Sir Stencil! Control your dragon.”

Stencil grimaced. “I can’t do much to her here, Luna. Cermina’s the best asset we have if we do face diamond dogs. And for pony’s sake, Cermina! The mare’s in dire fear. Help her, don’t scare her.”

Cermina scoffed at the thought, “Ruin fun, don’t you, Comrade Stencil.” she walked over to Luna, gently putting an arm around her neck as she pulled her away, “I vill vatch over her like hawk, she vill not come to harm.”

The stallion shook his head. It was good Cermina was so kind to Luna, finally; he wouldn’t want them to be at each other's throats, especially here. Stencil began to press onward, knowing that the cargo within the cart was something to be quite concerned about.

Luna pulled herself away from the drakess’ grip, trying to stay in the open to avoid the confining walls around her. “This does not sit well with us, to be in such darkness without the openness of the skies.” Luna muttered.

“Its vhat you get use to...” The drakess replied with a wry smile, “Besides, there vill be times vhen there is no light to guide. That is vhen you rely on instinct and sense of heart.”

“Sense of heart?” Luna asked.

Cermina nodded. “The gut feeling you get, it helps you guide yourself onward,” she said, “Besides, you have Cermina to protect you, noting bad vill happen.”

Luna looked at Cermina for a moment before turning away with a sigh. “It is not often we are given such care and kindess, especially from a dragon, such as yourself.”

“Ah, do not fret comrade, ve are use to it. Ponies usually afraid of folk like me at first.”

Luna was surpised. “Hast thou been within the realm of Equestria before?”

“Yah, vith Comrade Stencil. Ve have spent many days in Canterlot vith Aero and Alnna in past, before our adventure to the north.”

“The north? We have rarely seen the splendour of the land of ice and snow, what sought thou there?” Cermina gave a wide grin.

“Haha, vouldn’t Moonbutt like to know. You had to been dere to understand it. Vas truly, as they say, ‘awesome’.”

Luna squirmed, “No, tell us at once! We wish to know this ‘awesomness’ you speak of!”

Cermina chuckled, “Haha, that is not enough to get drakess to spill. Vas thrilling tale of much adventure and heroism by all parties.”

Luna fumed. “Tell us, drakess!” she shouted.

“Perhaps another time comrade, but now, ve get through dis adventure first?”

Luna grumbled, pouting as she looked away. “This is not funny! We wish to know of thine exploits in our country.”

Cermina chuckled. “Vell, perhaps you vill see my adventures first hoof.”

As the group drew further into the caverns, it began to get wider and wider, and from the once imposing darkness came a small crack of light. “This way, hurry!” Aero said

“Is that the exit?” Luna asked, darting towards the light, “Such joy to see the light again. We must make haste!” she added, trotting forward as Cermina growled softly.

“I vould not be so eager to see vere this tunnel ends. Caution, little one, that is all I can say.”

Luna turned, giving Cermina a look, “Thy princess can defend herself from danger, and the chances of somepony being around this desolate cave are small! Now quickly, we must make haste from this suffocating confinement at once!”

Cermina growled, “You’re still stubborn. Ve should not rush vithout knowing.”

Luna didn’t listen, but instead turned back, “We shall remain here not a moment longer!” she cried as she turned and trotted past Aero and Aelu into the clearing.

Her scream sounded from beyond the wall of light. “Luna!” everypony called as Cermina rushed to the exit, only to suddenly feel a strong grip around her from behind as two armour-clad ponies lept out from both sides, agile despite their heavy armour, pinning her to the ground.

“No!” Stencil barked, just as more guards rushed around them, swords and spears drawn as everypony was held at blade-point.

“Move it!” One ordered, pushing his blade close to Aelu. The drake growled, claws white at the knuckles as they gripped his hilt, but Stencil shook his head, hearing Cermina knock one guard off her.

“Cowards!” she barked, slamming her fist into the second one’s helm, causing him to stumble back and topple over with a clang, which was enough to draw everypony’s attention. Aelu seized the opportunity to break free of his captor’s grip, drawing his sword and slashing him across the withers in one smooth motion.

A gurgling noise escaped the soldier’s mouth as he fell forward to the ground. The other soldier, who was about to restrain Aero, glanced over in alarm when he heard the sound. It was enough time for Aelu to bring his short blade to his throat, growling, “Do not move.”

Aero used the opportunity to fly out of reach of his captor, while Aelu disarmed the soldier.

Many of the guards were already attacking Cermina, but despite their advantage in numbers the drakess remained defiant as ever.

“Come on, Cermina take all you on!” she barked as she knocked two together before getting a hit in the back. She hissed as she turned and slashed her talons across the assailant's head.

Aero whizzed over to Stencil, quickly helping him free from the harness as Aelu moved like the wind, bounding off the walls to strike at the guards surrounding the group.

Stencil grit his teeth, levitating something inside the cart. His Lunar and Solar Guard sword flew to his side under the spell of his horn. He drew the black steel blade of the and twirled it under his magical control.

“Aero, go inside the cart and stay with Alnna, you’re not fit to fight here.”

“But Stencil?” Aero exclaimed.

“No buts, Aero. No matter how much the Plounge cries. You’ve got a bigger responsibility to handle there. Go! We’ll handle these brutes,” Stencil said. Just then a guard charged at the pair with an axe. Stencil moved quickly to toss Aero aside and let his own sword meet the blade of the attacker’s axe.

“Go, get inside, stay there until its over!” he barked as he shoved the stallion back and stabbed the guard before another came at him from behind. Stencil’s sword moved like lightning, blocking the strike in an instant before Stencil slammed his rear hooves into the guard’s face.

Aero grumbled, but Stencil was right, Alnna was pregnant, and if any of those guards decided to get into the cart. Aero closed his eyes as he rushed into the cart’s open window, looking about, finally noticing Stencil’s other blade, a Solar Guard sword, on the wall. He quickly rushed over to take it from its hold. The weight was much more than he thought it would be as he began to drag it over to Alnna’s room. He’d stay outside and, if he had to, fight anypony daring to approach.

Outside, however, was a different story, Stencil was knocked back as three guards took him at once, causing him to lose his footing. They floored him, weapons all pointed at him, but no killing blows came; they merely kept their blades at his neck. Aelu and Cermina were faring no better as more and more guards came out of the woodwork. Just how many there were was unknowable. Aelu was surrounded, and Cermina, despite having felled several soldiers, was now being overwhelmed and jumped by several of them as they pinned her down by magic and brute force.

“You’re coming with us,” one guard said to Stencil.

“Why, so you can kill us?”

A harsh, gravelly laugh echoed through the cave. “Why would Dyavol do that?” A huge, grotesque figure appeared at the exit of the cave. A massive diamond dog approached the group with Luna tucked under one of his massive arms, giggling to himself.

“Dyavol finally got little Moon Pony!” he said, grabbing his belly with his free hand. He laughed again as Stencil stared in horror, seeing this massive beast of a dog simply carrying the Lunar princess. It was clear, though, that she hadn’t given in without a fight from the numerous fresh wounds lining the dog’s face.

“W-who...are you?” Stencil stammered as the diamond dog lumbered over, dragging his knuckles across the floor.

He looked Stencil in his eyes and grinned wickedly. “Dyavol serve Landcastra! Landcastra crush puny ponies! Dyavol do what Master says!” He laughed again, gripping Luna tightly as the mare slowly roused herself. “Master says kill you!”

“W-what...what has happ-” Luna paused, glancing up to see the giant diamond dog.

“You!” she bellowed as she struggled against his grip, “Release us this instant! How dare you assault the Princess of the night!”

Dyavol growled, looking down at Luna as the mare continued to struggle. He gripped her tightly with both forepaws, keeping her held in place as he laughed.

“You try to fight! You just tickle Dyavol!” He burst out laughing again as he tightened his grip, squeezing the air out of Luna’s lungs

Dyavol and the troops led Stencil, Aelu, Cermina and Luna, with the cart in tow, towards a massive opening in the mining tunnel. At first the group thought it was another exit, but what they entered was a large opening similar to a massive auditorium, its height spanning high above the floor. A dim light shone from above. Heavy machinery used for digging filled the area, the machines’ designs mimicking the black and red armour of the Guards that escorted them as many more clambered around the area.

As the group surveyed the land, they could see that the place there were in had been newly dug. A massive pit lay between them and the long pathway upwards towards the surface.

Dyavol grinned, holding Luna tightly in his grasp as the other guards remained vigilant around the others as Dyavol turned to face them.

“Little ponies in city thought diamond dogs were gone! Diamond dogs always have tunnels under city! Master says invade city from below!” He laughed, looking at Luna with glee. “Dyavol finish what Master wanted Dyavol to do in first place!”

Luna looked around to see her companions. All were at blade-point, and Cermina was chained with magical enchantments around the wrist, her claws pinned together prevent any attempt to flee. Her head was downwards, and Luna couldn't see the all-too-familiar glow the eyes of the drakess had given. Luna felt the worst for her. This entire time she had seemed so strong and invulnerable, and now she was beaten down and shackled.

Luna narrowed her eyes in fury at Dyavol. “Beast of that wretched fiend, you shall be cast down by the Princess of the Night for your crimes against our kind, and your harassment of those I hold dear!”

The massive beast snorted. “Little pony so small. Little pony can never hurt Dyavol!”

Luna’s eyes went wide, turning to a solid white as her horn suddenly began to glow brilliantly.

“We shall not stand idly by as you harm our friends! You leave us no choice but to unleash the might of the moon upon thee!” and with a defiant shout, she unleashed a solid blast, the whole room filling with a blinding light as everypony, even the guards, drew back from the glare.

The beam engulfing the upper body of the massive diamond dog. Luna landed on the ground and smiled as debris from the blast settled, confident she had beaten her opponent.

Cermina stirred, recovering from the heat and brilliance of the attack before regaining her focus. She couldn’t remember how she got here or why she was in chains, but she knew she wasn’t going to be held by this bunch of dogs anymore. She moved her arms, but found them stuck firmly together.

“Magic. Those rotten bastards,” she said. Her expression suddenly turned to a grin. “I’ll show you magic, dragon style!” She took a deep breath, brought the chains around her wrists up to her mouth and let out a white-hot tongue of flame, causing the braces to ooze off of her and hiss on the ground. Her hands now free, she quickly rushed towards the princess’ location, her tail mashing the two guards who held her and sending them flat on their rears.

As the smoke from her blast cleared, Luna’s worst fears came to life at what she saw standing there. Dyavol was unhurt; there was nothing but a slight burn across his upper chest and face. He was stunned, but slowly began to grin.

“You think that hurt Dyalvol?” he chuckled, “Puny Moon Pony! Dyavol kill Moon Pony!” He picked up the Princess and slammed her down to the ground, the impact picking up dirt, rocks and debris, nearly crackling the stone floor. It was enough to send her into a shock. She looked up with no breath left in her lungs as the beast pushed his hindpaw firmly into her gut.

“Dyavol kill Moon Pony! Make Moon Pony suffer!” Luna gasped helplessly as the dog’s fist slammed into her side, the pain rippling across her.

“S-Sister....” she whimpered, “H-help...me.”

“Dyavol make little pony suffer!” he said, shifting his other hindpaw up to her head.

“He take little pony’s favorite thing away!” he grinned as he gripped her horn and began tortuously pulling on it. “Little pony nothing without magic. Pathetic pony!” He cackled as

Luna shut her eyes, about to cry out from the pain, just as there was a loud clank. Cermina’s foot drove itself into Dyavol’s chest in a devastating roundhouse kick. The diamond dog staggered back from the mare.

“What? Little dragon thing come to save-” He didn’t finish. The drakess nailed him in the face with her tail. The sudden blow was enough to make him draw back, the spines of her tail lodged in his forehead, but he remained standing.

Dyavol finally smirked. “Little Dragon never hurt Dyavol! Dragon as pathetic as little pony!” He ripped the tail from his face and shoved her aside without a moment’s hesitation, sending the drake flying into a stalagmite nearby, sending chunks of it all over the place.

Cermina crumpled to the ground, her back pressed against what remained of the rock, before standing slowly with a malicious grin across her maw.

“You think that hurt Cermina? Please, fool, you speak to renowned drakess of Talos. I would be quite glad to make your end come here.”

Dyavol grinned, patting his chest in defiance. “Drakess no hurt Dyavol!”

Cermina gave a smirk, cracking her neck as she clinked her talons once more. “Drakess will so hurt Dyavol!” she hissed as she darted right towards the dog, landing a punch straight into his face again. But she could only land one before he gripped her head and kicked her in the gut, sending her sailing across the chamber to the openings of the mining paths near the ceiling. She slammed into the woodwork of one of the paths, showering splinters and dust against stone and metal.

“Dragons not laugh at Dyavol!” the diamond dog shouted up at her, “Dyavol rip them in pieces!” The other diamond dogs watched with twisted grins.

Suddenly, a solid wooden post flung itself from the ruin and sailed right into Dyavol’s head, the wood spintering against his skull. Dyavol brought his paws to his face, when another post slammed into him. Then another. And another. Three more wooden poles rushed forward, as the drakess leaped out behind the bombardment and prepared another swing. He slammed her through the dust, sending her careening. She was flung to the far end of the platform, her flight interrupted by a mining cart that was conveniently parked nearby. Her body broke through it before smacking against the wall behind it, casting the coal and contents from within as she laid in a heap admist wood plates and steel sheets.

She shook her head a bit as she exhaled, huffing in desiblife.

“Why can you not stay down, dumb brute?” she growled, watching Dyavol slowly walk over to one of the posts and picking it up like a stick.

“Dyavol make little dragon pay! Dyavol make dragon learn-” Cermina rammed into him again, her horns slamming into his throat and jaw with devastating impact. Dyavol recoiled from the impact but quickly recovered. He smirked, and suddenly pulled her roughly against himself.

Both massive paws wrapped tightly around Cermina’s body, keeping her firmly planted against him as he began to squeeze her very tightly.

“Now Dyavol really show what Dyavol mean!” He gripped firmly against the drakess’ body, his arms crushing her more and more tightly. He sneered, “Dyavol suprised, Dyavol never get enemy that keep coming back. Little drake fights good!” He chuckled again. “Little drake make good lapdog for Dyavol!”

Cermina let out a hiss as she tried to free herself from the dog’s grip, only to find it tightening. She could feel her breath forcing itself out of her body as Dyavol’s paws crushed her. Suddenly he let her go, and she crumbled to the ground. She summoned her strength, but there was none; she could only let out a whimper.

“Dyavol show little drake what she worth! Dyavol break little drake for trying to be better than Dyavol!” With both massive paws, the dog suddenly gripped Cermina’s lower and upper body, lifting her roughly from the ground with ease.

“Pretty drake make nice pet! But drake must be taught lesson for fighting master.” he said, suddenly lifting her up over his head. Cermina’s vision blurred, but she shook her head trying to regain focus and free herself from the dog’s hold as he lifted her above his head to put her into a backbreaker.

“Dyavol will break drake, and drake will never defy Dyavol again!” he barked, just as a sudden blast struck directly into his gut. Dyavol yowled, the beam of energy burning his flesh. The diamond dog lost his hold on Cermina as he recoiled.

“What is this?” he asked, suddenly finding the drakess out of his grasp as he looked around to see Luna rushing towards him, her horn shining with magical energy again. Dyavol turned away from Cermina and charged at Luna, grabbing her by the neck.

“You make Dyavol lose new toy! Dyavol not like losing new toy!” he barked, throwing the princess backwards. The princess quickly picked herself off the ground and reared up at him, armoured hoofs preparing to strike the dog’s underbelly before he was upon her again.

“Dyavol will make moon pony suffer! Reign of moon pony end here!”

Luna’s only response was to resume the fight by breaking free of his grip with a jolt of energy to the dog’s face. Luna fought back far quicker than the behemoth of a dog, and was able to keep him from gaining an advantage for a moment, but his strikes kept getting closer, and the princess couldn’t always dodge his attacks.

Finally, one of her blows sent the dog sprawling on the ground. Luna watched apprehensively to see if he would rise again. Dyavol seemed to be struggling to get up, until he suddenly whipped around and hurled a rock directly at her. Luna deflected it, spreading her wings defensively, only to have one caught by the diamond dog.

“Got you!” he shouted, throwing the Lunar Princess off to the side as she tumbled in a heap at the base of a stalagmite. Dyavol was about to leap at Luna, when suddenly a fiery blow cut him off in his tracks.

With the quickest of motions, Cermina had lunged back into the fray, slashing at the diamond dog’s back with all her might.

“I t’nk its time to settle this, mongrel. I don’t plan on backing down, and you soon see why Cermina not von to take lightly!” she shouted. The drakess broke a piece of the limestone stalagmite and swung it, just as Dyavol looked to see. He was able to stop it quickly and smirked at her.

“Drakess so pathetic! Weaklings must know their place!”

But the very next instant another blow sent him reeling backwards. Cermina’s eyes practically glowed with rage. Her fury charged her attacks with more energy than ever as she pummeled the dog relentlessly.

The impacts rocked through Dyavol’s body to his very bones as the dog stumbled, his paws backpedalling as Cermina put her full force into every swing, each one landing square on its target.

Each blow drove Dyavol closer to the edge of the pit in the centre of the chamber.

Cermina lashed her tail at his head, the force enough to rattle his brain before his head snapped backwards and his body began to fall toward the open space. His footpaws latched to the dirt tightly just in time.

“Dyavol will never die!” The drakess growled, her claws still blazing as she struck the beast one final time, driving directly into his sternum. The diamond dog was lifted off his hind paws as he fell down the pit, helplessly reaching out for a something to stop the descent. His yelp of anguish echoed through the whole cavern.Cermina stood by the edge and watched him fall into the total blackness beneath. She let out a hiss, feeling her claws slowly cool before she turned to see Luna, laying in a heap.

Her expression softened; she had seen the Princess’ valiant fighting skills. The drakess knelt down to inspect Luna’s wounds. The princess’ pulse was still strong. Cermina let out a hurr.

“Yeah, you are not hurt. Come little Princess... time to wake up.” she said, nudging the mare to revive her. Luna’s eyes opened, slowly focusing ahead of her before the she began to stutter.

“Tia?” She whispered, eyes finally focusing to see the Drakess. She immediately came back to herself, slowly easing upright as she looked about. “Cermina… it- ‘tis you!” She then looked around in apprehension. “W-what happen to the beast, where did he flee?”

“Down the pit to the netherworld, comrade. You’re safe for now, Cermina thinks.”

Luna looked up, blinking at the drakess, not wanting to admit she had been saved by this insolent drakess, but Cermina’s words were comforting. The princess slowly rose to her hooves.

“Pray wait a moment,” Luna said, breathing heavily, “We need to recuperate. Such was the brute strength of that Dyavol beast, even our magic would not have much effect on him. How didst thou ever defeat him in such a short time?”

The drakess smirked. “Guess you can say Cermina play ace in the hole. Was no sweat, you see.” she rubbed her claws against her chest as the night princess shot her a sarcastic look.

“Oh? And we had not done our part to fall that monstrosity?” Luna looked upward, and moved towards the battle site as fast as her sore legs would allow. She looked down at the imprint her body had made in the ground. Such power it had. How could Landcastra create such a thing? she asked herself.

“There may be other guards upon us soon,” she said, turning back to the group. “No doubt they would be alerted by the sound of this fight if they were anywhere near. Come, let’s make our escape.” She stepped forward, only to see Cermina suddenly crumble to her knees.

“Cermina!” Luna shouted, trotting over quickly before the drakess hissed.

“Don’t touch me!” she shrieked, as Luna froze in place.

“W-what? We are concerned for thee! why has thou refused us?” Cermina shot her a look as steam began to fume from her nostrils.

“That bastard dog put me to the test. I did not think he vould be that strong.” she said, starting to pant, and cough. “Body vent into turbo... stayed too long in that one... going to have to cool down before ve go on.” She let out a foggy breath.

“Damnit... is it just me, or is hot in here?” Her claws glowed, as did her eyes. Her chest turned to an amber glow, making the drakess’ body steam. Her scales blackened and her body glistened.

Luna was amazed before the sudden sound of hooves echoed behind them. Somepony was coming close to them. Luna turned quickly towards the dark passageway where they had come from, knowing full well it would be up to her to defend Cermina while she was in this state. The mare snorted, lowering her head aggressively and fixing her stance.

“Come, have at thee, vile beasts! We shall permit none to pass!” she shouted just as Aelu and Stencil forged ahead, bringing the cart up behind them.

Luna relaxed instantly. “Sir Stencil, Aelu! Such a relief to see you here. What of the guards?” she asked, easing aside as the pair come to a halt in the chamber.

“They will not be a problem.” Aelu spoke, his sword held in his hands.

“The guards have camped for the night. I think we’re safe from here on in,” said Stencil.

Luna exhale, bringing a hoof to her chest.

“Thank goodness. Hurry, Cermina needs help, I do not know what to do for her!”

Stencil blinked, looking past Luna to see Cermina steaming. He sighed in relief, gently tapping Luna’s shoulder. “It’s alright, we’ve just got to give her time.”

“If you say it, then we shall trust thy word,” Luna said, “But pray tell, what in Equestria has happened to her?”

“She’s an element of fire Luna.” Aelu interjected, “Her body can survive extreme heat with ease. But her ‘residual’ heat, as it were, has yet to subside, making it a risk to be near her for long.”

Luna blinked, looking at Cermina.

Stencil nodded and continued explaining. “Unlike normal dragons who breathe fire, Cermina’s ‘flame’ spreads heat to her horns, talons and scales. She’s far more powerful in combat than a normal dragon, but she has a drawback of overheating if she uses her power for too long.”

Luna was awestruck; she had never heard of a dragon such as that before. The concept of Cermina’s internal fire was almost too much to comprehend.

“I… see,” was all she could say as she turned back to look at Cermina, “Then we shall wait for her to cool before we proceed!”

“Is going to be long vait comrade...” Cermina muttered, slowly rising to her feet. She looked exhausted as she let her left arm hang, gently rubbing her shoulder with her right as she exhaled, her breath still smoky.

“Better get moving. Vill cool down… as ve valk.” The sudden growl of her gut caused the drakess to blink in surprise, a faint blush appearing across her cheeks.

Luna stifled a giggle. “It seems thou needest more than time. Thou art hungry art thou not?”

Cermina looked away. “P-Perhaps… fighting big monsters takes lot out of me. Will need a big meal to make up for it.”

Luna only smiled as she trotted past the drakess. “Then we shall see to it that thou art given the feast of a queen. Come! Let us make haste to New Foalines!” And off she went, the group following behind her

Chapter 5

The group headed south west from Hoofington. Stencil flipped through the book quickly, looking for anything that might give insight into this “eighth element” that Luna had mentioned in her letter. It would be an arduous ride from Hoofington, but the cart was sturdy enough to handle it with little difficulty. Alnna and Aero were asleep in the rear bed compartment, sleeping off the stress of the day before.

Stencil sighed in frustration, “I don’t understand any of this. How is there even an eighth element? I thought there were only six,” he mumbled to himself, counting out each element out loud, “Honesty, Loyalty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Magic… There are only six! what else am I missing?” He pounded his hoof into the floor and pondered for a while.

Luna turned her head from the window. She had been lost in thought when the slightly raised voice of concern took her from her meditation, “Stencil, hast thou uncertainties about the information on the eighth element?”

Stencil shook his head and asked, “Luna, what are the seventh and the eighth elements? Wasn't really standard in our boot-training.”

Luna smiled, “Why, Stencil, thou hast not remembered the royal wedding?”

“Well, yes, err… I heard about it, but wasn't really around Canterlot when it happened.”

“Cadence and Shining Armour fended off Chrysalis, the Changeling Queen, with a powerful display of love. As you may conclude, the two of them made a completely new element.” She let out a sigh. Stencil's expression deepened, “I hope thou hast not forgotten the deeds of Princess Cadance and Shining Armor? If thou recalls correctly, thou would remember the Changeling Invasion, which the couple thwarted. It was discovered that day that they both create the element of ‘Love’. However, before then, there was a seventh hidden element. One far more powerful than the others my sister and I created it as a failsafe, in case we needed a trump card to use the other elements. Now that Shining Armor is dead.” She remained silent for a while as Stencil's eyes went wide.

“You… can’t be serious!” She nods, her eyes swelled with tears

“During the opening invasion, he drew his sword to defend his Princess, and he was taken as the first victim to this sullen atrocity. I swear by the name of the Sun and the Moon, that I, Luna of the Night shall avenge him and his departure without a moment hesitate!” Her confidence grew as her horn shone slightly, before her eyes softened once again, returning to her thoughts.

“Now that Shining Armour is dead, the Element of Love is incomplete. We must find this last element and use it to beat this monster!” Stencil had been writing everything down, levitating a note pad and quill.

Just then, Cermina walked in, taking in a big deep yawn before noticing Luna, “Hey, Moonbutt Princess hitting on comrade Stencil? No no no, this vill not do, not at all! Come, ve have work to do, and if you stay under our roof, then you got to do chore, too.” Luna shot the drakess an angry look and simply walked away.

“Thou had best learn some manners! We keep things like the 8th element hidden from the eyes of incompetents such as thee!” Cermina’s eyes went alight, their crimson hue glowing as a small whiff of smoke shot from her nostrils.

“You take me for a fool? Cyka, you not realize I do not care for your pathetic element, but… you are under care, and that means you got vork to do. You can talk about silly eighth vhen you done your part. But you are night princess, do you not have patrol?” She smirked.

Suddenly, just as the two began their fight, Aero burst out of the back room with a very stern expression.

“Enough!” The two stopped and looked at him in surprise. His mane was untamed with bed hair and he slowly approached the pair with a rather unsettling grin.

“Me and Alnna… are trying to get some bucking sleep!! We escaped a burning building today, so I think we deserve some peace and quiet, and having you two arguing doesn’t help that in any way! Now, please, either go ourside, or shut the buck up, so we can get some sleep. Please!” He turned back to his room and closed the door.

The two look at one another, a smirk and a restrained giggle escaping between them before Luna sighed, and bowed her head.

“Very well, Miss Cermina, I will assist with whatever needs doing for as long as I must stay beneath thy roof.”

“Please to hear it, now come on, Moonbutt, there is vagon to pull, and we pull it together.” Luna huffed as she trotted towards the door, slowly passing by Cermina, who leaned in close to the midnight mare.

“Besides, you have the flank for it,” she whispered with a soft swat and grin before she followed the princess out.

Stencil just rolled his eyes with a slight chuckle. Seems they would be pretty good friend.

“Sure she is...” he whispered to himself, before slinking down and into his library.

Later that morning, as the drakess and the princess continued pulling the cart, Luna started to get tired, her eyes growing heavy.

“Niet, Princess, ve must keep going, no time for rest! Hey, Moonbutt, did you hear me or not?” Luna was half asleep and too tired to even answer. The drakess gave a sigh, her horns vibrating slightly as she noticed a pair of eyes watched on them at this moment. Aero exited the cart with a rather upset look on his face. He flew backwards in front of them, a sorry expression on his face

“Look I’m sorry about last night, that wasn’t me, and it wasn’t the proper thing to do, so I’m sorry for yelling at you like I did.” Cermina looked at him before turning to Luna.

“I know she vould agree, ve vere not ourselves eider. Sorry, Aero...” she huffed, powering forward to grip Aero into a tight hug.

“You see, ve do better to be friends,” she whispered the last part before releasing the little stallion. Aero gasped for air as he was released and gave her a smile.

“Well I’m glad everything worked out ok. Who knows, one of you might end up saving the others li-” He was interrupted by a strange whining noise.

“Wait... I recognize that sound, I've encountered creatures that make that noise before...” He thought for a moment, trying to remember what it was. “Its a golem!” He turned around to see a small short creature that looked like a big rock. It groaned again and looked ready to charge. Cermina detached herself from the cart and laughed.

“Comrade Aero, you are scared of this tiny monster? Golem looks slow and veak.”

“It’s also tough. Best we leave it alone.” Cermina ignored him and charged at it, swiping at it with her razor sharp claws, but it had no effect. The golem charged, ramming into the surprised drakess as she was even knock the drakess on her rump.

“Vhat!?” She exclaimed, quickly returning to her footing to keep her guard up.

She hissed, looking back to Aero, who sighed.

“I tried to warn you.”

The creature tried to charge again, Cermina jumped into the air avoiding the attack, “Vell then, smarty pants Aero, how do ve beat such a creature?”

Aero shook his head, “Few things can penetrate it’s shell, watch out!”

The monster charged for her again. Cermina flipped over it as it went for Aero, who flew up, avoiding it as well.

Luna, on the other hoof, by sheer will or just force of habit, unhitched herself from the cart and fluttered onto the roof. She was on the edge of collapsing into sleep as she laid down upon the roof of the cart.

“Spoiled kid...” Cermina muttered as she saw the beast charging her again.

Without any warning, a shadowy figure jumped from nowhere and stood before them. Its body was similar in size to Cermina, bipedal with a tail, yet harder. Stronger, maybe. Its teal scales were slightly concealed by a long, white flowing robe, and two swords were sheathed in its belt. The samurai dragon remained still, his green eyes focused entirely on the golem.

Cermina was surprised, then gave a slight grin as she recognized the figure. “So you came to save the day again, eh?”

The stranger said nothing, but drew a katana. He charged at the monster and slashed at it horizontally, cutting through it like a hot knife through cold butter. He sheathed the blade in one swift motion and turned to Cermina. Approaching her, he reached into his robe and pulled out a piece of salt water taffy and chewed on it.

“It has been a while, hasn't it? Cermina of the Scortchlands!” He had a serious look stuck on his face, not even cracking a smile.

Cermina grinned and nodded. “Is true, ve have not spoken in nearly five years. How have you found us then, Comrade Aelu?” She smirked as she approached her old friend and patted him on the back.

Aelu nodded. “Five years. You make it sound like an eternity,” he said in a calm and deep voice, “It’s only half a decade, Cermina.”

The drakess hummed to herself, giving him a firm pat on the back. “Oh Aelu, still so serious as I remember, dis shall be a great adventure indeed!” she declared, having become excited at seeing an old friend.

Aero, however, was not as happy to see him. He was hiding behind the cart, trembling, at the sight of the large warrior drake. Cermina walked behind the cart and laughed.

“Aero, still scared of dragons? You make Cermina laugh! Come, say hello to comrade Aelu.” Cermina held him by the scruff of his neck and carried him to Aelu.

“Aelu this is friend, Aerohead. He seems to be scared of you.” The drakess laughed again.

“Say hello to the big scary dragon, Aero.”

“Hi.” He said quickly and flew behind the cart as fast as he could, still trembling. Aelu let out a small chuckle as the pegasus retreated behind the cart.

“I see your pony friend has a sense of humor,” he commented.

Cermina let out a gasp jokingly. “Aero, you have done the impossible! You have made comrade Aelu laugh! I can not believe vat my ears are hearing, have I gone insane?” She laughed loudly, surprised her usually stoic friend had actually laughed at something. Aelu approach the trembling pegasus and nodded.

“I will not hurt you, young pony, I have come to help. I know what has been happening, with this dictator ruling your land. From what I have seen, I am disgusted by everything which he has done. Meeting Cermina was just a coincidence. I was given a message of distress from your Princess of the Day while roaming the wind lands, and upon reading the letter I learned that your country was under attack. What I found odd was that my country was also seized. This ‘Landcastra’ is a powerful stallion, and clearly will stop at nothing to see Luna dead. However, I know where you can find this ‘eighth element’ to stop him.” Aelu went on as Aero inched his way closer nodding his head to all of this.

“Chances are comrade Aero has been to there before, more than once even,” she said, turning to the little pegasus.

“It vont be a problem for him, yah Aero?” she chuckled pulling the stallion closer, he blushed and said,

“I, uh, well...” He said, being humble and shy to admit how good he was at navigation to a stranger. Carmina just laughed

“Oh Aero, you can trust Aelu vith your life. No harm will come to you vhen he is around. Don’t vorry about it.” Aelu approached the two and Looked at Aero with a slight smirk

“I promise to protect you Aerohead...” Aelu said as Cermina smirked

“Don’t forget his love bird, Alnna,” Aero blushed as Aelu chuckled again

“I see, then we may need to soundproof their room.” the dragons laughed and soon moved back to the cart Aero slowly following behind.

Stencil tossed a few small logs into the fire as he placed his kettle upon the stove to boil. He had been up a tad later than normal; perhaps the exhaustion of the past days had worn on him. He turned back into the kitchen to prepare brunch. He was quite glad to be out of Hoofington, his run in with Blueblood was unsettling at best, seeing the once proud Prince reduced to a mindless servant of that bastard Landcastra.

It made him shiver. He wondered how Celestia would be faring, she had been able to send out the note about this eighth element, but they still had little to no idea just what to look for. It was unsettling, but Stencil knew he and his friends could do it. They had to.

Meanwhile, back in the bedroom where Alnna and Aero slept, Alnna slowly rose from her sleep. She huffed, slowly easing out of the bed as she suddenly started feeling a tad light headed. She shook her head, her vision fuzzy as she left the bedroom, and saw Stencil and Aero standing not too far away.

“Ah, good morning miss sunshine, sleep well?” Stencil said.

Alnna huffed, “Ah don’t wanna talk bout it, been feelin’ all sorts of silly the past few nights.”

“Is Aero snoring too much, again?”

Alnna blushed, “Wh-n-no, he’s fine! best snuggle buddy ever! But...” she sighed.

“Ah don’t feel like myself, Sugh, yah think ya can look me over when ya got some time?”

Stencil was perplexed. He wasn’t too pleased to hear that one of his friends was sick, especially in these circumstances.

“Alnna, alright, if it makes you feel better. Has this been happening for a while?”

She nodded, “For the past few months shug. I have no idea-” She stopped suddenly, shoving a hoof in her mouth and bolting to the bathroom. Several gagging noises were heard soon after.

Stencil turned back to the kitchen quickly putting something together to eat, and bringing it to the bathroom door, “You okay in there? I made you some vegetable soup.”

Alnna trotted out of the bathroom and said, “Maybe if ah had some chocolate covered pickles, it’ll go away.”

Stencil paused, turning slowly to Alnna, “Did…” He shook his head in confusion, “Did you just say chocolate covered pickles?”

Alnna blinked, “Did ah?” she replied, only to be interrupted by the entrance of the two dragons with Aero.

“Ah comrade Stencil, let me introduce Comrade Aelu from wind tribe!” Cermina called as Aelu bowed.

“Ah, you must be Stencil Sketch. An honor to make your acquaintance.”

“Comrade Aelu has come to Equestria to fight dark pony menace,” Cermina explained to Stencil.

Stencil’s eyes widened. “Ah! So you’ve heard of this Landcastra too?”

“Yes...” Aelu said, almost whispering.

“He has been attacking all threats to his crown, according to your Princess Celestia. She sent me a letter about this land’s urgent situation, so I set out for here as soon as I could. I have been running into more feral beasts and more of Landcastra’s troops the further I explore these lands… it was by fortune I found my friend Cermina, and with her, you.”

“Well...” Stencil began, looking at the now steaming kettle, “I am always one for more company. We can never be too short-hoofed in these times.”

“Yes, I understand well,” he looked about, turning to the table near the kitchen.

“May I sit there?”

“On a table?” Stencil asked “Why?”

“Meditation requires a steady surface. It shall suffice and be out of the way, and I don’t like to sit on the floor.” he said as Stencil nodded.

“S-sure...” he answered as the dragon sat atop the table, crossing his legs as he laid his sword atop his knees before lowering his head.

“Leave it to Aelu to make an entrance,” Cermina muttered as she looked at Stencil, then at Alnna as Aero fluttered over, noticing the uneasy look in Alnna’s eyes.

“Alnna, you alright?” he asked.

Alnna shook her head. “Been feeling a tad uneasy sugh, been takin’ to Stencil to see if he can run a check-up on me.”

Aero turned to Stencil. “What's going on with her?” he asked.

“I don’t quite know, Alnna’s not feeling too good and from what I could guess, she might have caught a bug or something.”

Aero gasped and ran to his wife, checking over her to make sure she was ok. “It’s not serious, is it?” Aero asked nervously.

Stencil shook his head and replied. “No, but she is sick; something’s not agreeing with her body or maybe just stress. We’ve been rather pressed lately, seeing as we all had to deal with the forces of Landcastra’s men. In order to see what is completly wrong with her, I’ll need to run a check up.” He levitated a pad of paper and a quill over as he opened the door to his medical room.

“Come with me Alnna, we’ll check you up in a jiffy.”

Minutes turned into hours as nothing but unintelligible muttering could be heard from the room. The pegasus paced back and forth, the drakess went from leaning idly against the wall to sitting on a nearby couch. Aelu remained motionless in meditation on the table.

Finally Stencil stuck his head out from the room and looked at Aero. “Aero... I... we need to have a word.”

The little pegasus nodded, then gulped as he slowly walked into the room. As he entered he saw Alnna laying on a bed with several bits of medical equipment next to it.

Stencil sighed and said, “I’m not sure… how to really tell you this Aero, but...” Stencil began choking a bit as he looked at the pegasus.

Aero was trembling, beginning to expect the worst. Finally he grumbled with a defiant glare in his eyes as he swept right into Stencils face. “Out with it! What's wrong with my wife!” he shouted “By Celestia, if she’s got some illness I want to know what the hell it is!”

Stencil blinked, pushing Aero back. “Uh, I don’t think its anything bad Aero… In fact, I think its the exact opposite!” He fixed his glasses as he pulled out a pad of paper.

“Aero, your wife is pregnant... She’s not suffering any flu or illness, just the general signs thats she’s begun to process of foal bearing. Congratulations, you’re going to be a father!”

Aero’s jaw dropped open as he sat down, trying to take the news in. Alnna laid in the bed, looking at Aero with a smile.

“Ya’ll gonna have a wonderful filly or a colt Aero, ain't that wonderful?”

Stencil smirked. “She’s going to need a lot more food intake as well as plenty of rest, which means I won’t have her pulling the cart anytime soon. We should see some larger effects of her pregnancy showing up within a month or two. Congratulations again, you two!”

“Aero, shug?” Alnna said, looking at her dumbstruck husband.

“Ya’ll okay?” she asked as the stallion took a deep breath and stood up. With a smile, he trotted his way towards his wife, gently planting a kiss on her cheek.

“Yeah… It’s wonderful news,” he said calmly as he hugged his wife. Alnna could only blush as her husband kept close. She nestled in tight to his hug.

“Alnna...” Aero began as he patted the mare, “I promise you, by the spirits of my mothers tribe, by the spirit of my mother, I will protect you, and our foal. Landcastra won't lay a hoof on either of you. If anypony, and I mean anypony, even says a threatening word about our foal… I will make sure they don’t have a second chance to do so.” Aero’s eyes were filled with tears, he was trembling, nearly overwhelmed.

Stencil smirked, easing over to Aero. “Hey, buck up, you gotta relax Aero. The foal hasn't even been born yet and you’re already vowing your life to protect it.”

“Its not like that!” Aero barked, “Its...my child...my foal. I must do all I can to protect it, even if it hasn't even left the womb, I will make sure no harm comes to it.” he barked, somewhat as Stencil shook his head.

“Aero!” Alnna shouted, looking rather angry with her husband as she placed a firm hoof on his shoulder. “Ah know that you want me and the foal to be safe. Ah know ya want nothin’ more then to be a father, but ah think ya might be a little over reactin’.”

Aero took a breath and looked up at his wife’s face as she continued. “Now you ain't the only one in this marriage. We took a vow to always be there for each other, and Ah promise ya Aero, Ah’ll be fine with all of mah friends and mah husband, all here. Besides, it’s me. Ah doubt anypony will hurt me; Ah’m too tough for ‘em!” She let out a laugh and smiled at Aero, who sighed and nodded.

“Ok Alnna, I trust you...” Aero hugged her again before turning to Stencil. “I’m… sorry, Stencil… I didn’t mean to yell.”

Stencil sighed. “Not the first time... Its okay Aero, just don’t get your tail in a knot. You’re wife’s not the only tough one here.” He smirked.

“Besides, you got the protection of both two dragon and the Princess of the Night for the moment. I doubt anything is going to happen.”

There was a knock at the door. “Comrades, vhat is all da noise?” Cermina called in as Stencil looked at Aero.

“Should we tell them?” he asked as Aero nodded, opening the door for Cermina.

“Vhat is all dis noise comrade?” The drakess asked.

“No… not really - actually… I just found out that, well...” Aero clopped his forehooves together as he hovered before the two.

“Alnna’s… pregnant. I’m going to be a father!”

“Vhat!?” Cermina exclaimed. “You mean beloved Southern Belle is Pregnant?”

“If by that you mean Alnna, yes, yes she is.” Stencil said as the drakess looked between the little pegasus and the big mare.

“ This is certainly very… interesting. Did not expect young colt here to land young kin so soon. That must be potent stuff Aero packing.” Both Alnna and Aero blushed a vibrant red as Cermina grinned.

“That little boy is turned to big stallion, vas concerned tad if you vould not be… big enough for this mare.”

“Cermina!” Stencil exclaimed as the drakess gave a wry grin.

“Haha, I kid comrade, I kid.” She let go of Aero before walking over to Alnna.

“This is good, yah! Do you feel vell?”

“As well as ah can be, sugh.”

“That is good, very good...” she gently placed a claw on the mare’s belly

“You have my vord… both you and Aero, dat I shall do utmost to keep little one safe from harm.” she smiled and clicked her talons, creating a soft, ember spark that gently fell upon the belly, casting a soft glow before fading.

“Dragon’s honor.”

Outside, the door opened yet again as an exhausted-looking Princess sludged inside and stood at the doorway. She lowered her head wearily, eyes closed as she fell back into a bit of a sleep as her bandaged wings kept tight to her side.

She nearly would have drifted to sleep completely before the sudden shrill tweet of the kettle woke her from her slumber, causing her to jump and fall to the floor in a heap as she placed her forehooves atop her head, “What?! How!” she cried, “Who beset such a nuisance to our ears!”

Stencil rushed out to see as did Cermina and Aero before the stallion sighed, trotting over. “Your Majesty, it is nothing...” Stencil began, taking the kettle from the stove. “Shall I prepare some tea for you?”

Luna blinked, looking up at Stencil as she slowly rose “Y-yes, we would very much enjoy a cup,” she said as Stencil smiled, trotting aside as Luna eased further into the cart, noticing the new dragon meditating as she looked curiously at him.

“Who might this be?” she asked as Cermina eased beside her.

“This is Aelu, he is old comrade, and dragon that saved cart from destruction.” She eyed Luna, “Vhile you slept atop it, I might add.”

“What!?” Luna felt a tad unsettled, knowing she had missed a chance to prove herself against a foe.

She gave Cermina a look before turning back to Aelu. “What might the warrior be doing now?”

“He is meditating. Best to leave him be; he gets cranky vhen meditation is disturbed.”

Luna gulped. “Y-yes, of course. Then we shall press on!” she said, trotting over to the opened room and peeked into.

“Sir Aero?” She asked, seeing Aero hovering near a bedded Alnna. “What is this, Aero? Art thou in need of aid?” she asked.

Aero smiled. “Oh, your Majesty.” he said, turning to her. “We have wonderful news! Alnna is pregnant!”

Luna blinked as the fact sunk in, before beaming brighter than a full moon as she trotted over to Alnna’s side.

“Huzzah! Great fortune has smiled upon thee, good Sir Aero!” Luna boomed, “Such a joyous occasion to present the next of kin to your family,” she bowed her head.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Alnna said softly, as Aero huffed.

“I appreciate the gesture, Princess, but Alnna needs rest so....may we ask you keep it down?” Aero said softly as Luna blinked, putting a hoof to her mouth.

“Oh dear us, we apologize...” she said, bowing her head again as she trotted backwards out and closed the door softly.

Cermina chuckled as the mare bumped her flank right into her, eeking in surprise.

“Ah Luna, I did not know you vanted to offer this delicious side of rump to me now?” she said, gripping the mare’s behind firmly. Luna blushed out of embarrassment, finding herself in an odd position as she fidgeted.

“Unhand us, you uncouth beast!” she said as Cermina released her grip, letting the mare plop to the floor yet again in a heap.

The Princess rose, facing the coy drakess in fury. “It is not often such mares like to flaunt dere goods to me. I did not know you swung that vay, princess.” She said through a cheeky grin.

“What? Thou had thought us to admire you? Hah! We would not entertain the least such feeling for such a rude drakess such as thee! We are so superior in looks to thee that stallions from all over swoon!” Cermina grinned.

“Yah, so they say...”

“And what of you, thou has no male companion to flaunt?”

“Hah! I have yet to find male worthy of besting me in battle. Only Stencil has ever come close.”

The stallion perked his ears, sighing as he shook his head. “Ladies...” he said, trotting between them, “Can we just call it a draw? If you two want to come to blows, please take it outside.”

“Bah!” Cermina retorted, taking her mug, “She is injured. Is no sense in fighting veak opponent vith disadvantage.”

Luna flushed bright red. “Thou darest consider us weak? We shall show thee who is weak!”

“Ladies!” Stencil barked. “Enough. We have an expecting mother in one room and a meditating dragon in another. Please take it outside or keep it to yourselves.”

The two blinked at Stencil before giving one another a look then turning their heads upwards and away as they went off to the main room and sat at opposite ends of the couch.

Suddenly, Aelu stood up and approached Cermina, glaring at her. “You are angered easily… A weakness that you have always had, Cermina.”

She growled, turning her head back to stare the staring him down. “I am angered by Moonbutt Princess! She annoys me, I -”

Aelu just walked past her and said, “My point exactly.” Cermina crossed her arms and sat back down.

“Damn you, Aelu… Always vise vith vords.” She muttered.

Aelu ignored her comment and approached Aero. He give the little pegasus a pat on the head and said. “I will protect you, your wife, and your foal, even if it means my death. I will do this alongside Cermina...” He walked past him and approached Stencil. “Mr.Sketch -” he said

“Do not call me that.”

“Dr. Stencil...”

“Just Stencil, please.”

Aelu nodded, leaning against the wall beside Stencil. “In regards to your question of the eighth element.”

“Yeah, what about it?”

Aelu smirked. “If you seek a mare that may possess such a power, then perhaps I can offer some insight. I have traveled much of Equestria, and have seen many strange and wonderful things.”

“As have I Aelu, what's your point?” Stencil said, somewhat annoyed as the drake chuckled.

“There was a mare in whom I sensed, yes... sensed the essence of an ancient power, long ago when I was about in the city of New Foalines. She was a unicorn, and during my moment there, I sensed her presence. It was strong, stronger than any magical element I could have felt in my life. Perhaps she may be the eighth element you seek?”

Stencil paused, blinking for a moment as he turned to Aelu, “Why didn’t you tell us this earlier?”

“You didn’t ask.” Aelu responded, a grin showing under his hat.

Stencil groaned and sighed. “Alright, alright. Point is, we know where we can go. What you said isn’t much, but it’s worth a shot. A long shot, at that.” Stencil trotted past Aelu and stuck his head in the room where everypony else was resting.

“Alright everypony, according to Aelu, there is a slight possibility that we may find this eighth element in New Foalines. So, that's where we are going. Head south, towards the Maressissippi River!” he exclaimed.

Aero looked nervous and started to sweat slightly, realizing he was going back to his hometown, wondering if it was under attack. If his father, Anetaius, was there… The only way to find out was to go.

--

Meanwhile, back in Canterlot Castle, Landcastra had kidnaped two foals, an eight year old colt and a 7 year old filly. He smirked at them as they arrived in his throne room in chains.. Landcastra slowly approached them and chuckled wickedly.

“Now then, little foals. I have a deal for you both.”

The colt looked up at the terrifying alicorn and whimpered, “What do you mean?”

“I want you to entertain me. Ruling over this country has become boring, and I want some amusement.” He levitated a jester’s hat to the filly and plopped it on her head.

“Dance, fool!” He shouted with a sinister grin. The filly yelped loudly and started tap dancing with her hooves.

Landcastra smirked and turned to the colt. “You! Make me laugh!” He shouted.

The colt nervously looked around and turned to the filly. “Knock, knock.”

“Who’s there?"

“Boo...”

“Boo who?”

“Aw, don’t cry!” The colt smiled nervously and turned to Landcastra, who was actually frowning. He didn't like the joke, at all.

He took a deep breath and, shook his head. “I asked you to make me laugh...and you failed me. Now suffer.” He said surprisingly calmly. He looked at the colt deeply into his eyes, his expression changing from a frown to a wide grin. The colt gave a blank stare, almost like a zombie. His mind was no longer there, now lost under Landcastras control.

The Alicorn laughed. “That is more like it. That is indeed funny.” The filly gasped, staring coldly at Landcastra, her eyes suddenly filling with tears.

“Wha...why did you do that?!” she went over to her friend, now nothing but an empty body.

“No... what... no...” she started to cry, her head suddenly twisting in a weird direction before she turned to Landcastra, who had a sadistic grin on his face.

She lunged towards him, trying to attack him, her hooves at the ready as the Stallion huffed and used his magic to hold her in the air.

“I’m sorry...did I just shatter the mind of your brother?”

Trying her best to break free and attack him, she screamed, “Yes! That was my brother! Bring him back! Now!”

Landcastra laughed again. “Guards... throw this one into the hole. One week, no food or water.”

A nearby guard came and took the filly away. Celestia and Cadence had been forced to watch all this from the corner of the throne room, their magic blocked by dark enchanted rings locked to their horns. Celestia stared angrily at the dictator, wishing she could rip his wings and his horn right off. Cadence however was crying, unable to cope with what she just saw.

“Well, laying about becoming bored has had quite an interesting result. Maybe I should do it more often!” He laughed as he went back to his throne and took a seat. Celestia scowled and growled lightly. She looked at him with nothing but pure fury in her eyes.

Landcastra noticed. “Isn’t it such a wonderful thing to see the strength and willingness of youth?”

“Landcastra...why...why did you you do this?” she asked, her voice filled with anger but tinged with sorrow.

Landcastra smiled, then laughed. “I’m glad you asked Celestia, but first...” He looked at Cadence who was still crying loudly. “Guards...Take the second half of the element of love to the brig.” His guards obeyed and unchained her, levitating her out of the room. “Now then, in answer to your question...Revenge...”

“Revenge? what in Equestria do you-” Landcastra cast a spell, creating a zipper over the princess’ lips.

“Do not interrupt, me you wench! I’m telling the story here! I’m in charge! You listen to me and none other!” Landcastra gasped in surprise at his own outburst.

“Oh… Sun Princess, I do apologize, that was not polite of me. Now anyway, back when I was a small foal, I was not very liked, nor did I have any… friends.” He suddenly grew angry.

“Perhaps it was my superior intellect that had upset them, or maybe the fact I had done my utter best for my own pleasure, but whatever the case, they saw me as a mockery, a freak....” He wasn’t too thrilled about this retelling, but was reluctant to let the princess understand his displeasure.

“You could say, my final day of normality was a day like any day.

I was a mere unicorn colt that day, enjoying my time at Magic High School. I enjoyed it immensely, so much so that I had finally earned some recognition and respect for my talents. But when some little two bit mare spoke down to me, I did my best to stand against her...” He paused.

“But...that’s where this story gets...interesting, I was smacked right in the face for standing up for myself. I honestly don’t remember even remember what we were arguing about, but I didn't like it. After she hit me, I saw them laughing at me. Never did anypony come to help me; I hadn’t felt so humiliated in all of my life. I didn't want to take it anymore, so I… killed her.” He paused again.

“Not in public, oh that would make such a scene... no... no, I followed her home, and killed her right on her front steps.” He made a very insidious crackle

“When I did it felt something...like, I had butterflies in my stomach… I started laughing. Oh how wonderful it felt… I wanted to do it again… so I did.” He trotted around Celestia.

“Each time somepony got in my way or made fun of me, I’d kill them, slowly, painfully, without mercy as I saw the very life drain from their eyes. Its how I got… ahead… in the business world my dear Celestia.” he smirked

“Politics are one thing, industry is something entirely different, and there were many who shared my views and determination that eventually got me to where I am… but money, fame, mares... it was fruitless... I wanted power.” He smirked, and started giggling to himself, eventually leading into maniacal laughter.

“So, I sought dark powers, wicked powers. Powers that only I could afford to seek. It was easy, grease a few wheels here with the ever loyal Royal Guard, bribe a few Griffons there with some shiny bits, oh, it was quite easy to build a little empire right under your hoof. But ah… you see Celestia, no pony can ever be at odds with you because, well, you have everypony at odds. You are a benevolent goddess, princess of this realm...ah...and yet if you asked me, you were simply standing atop a great power that you rarely chose to muster.”

His eyes focused directly on Celestia, a deep seated anger seething through them as he returned to her front.

“You were weak. You were leading out ponies to rot without realizing it. Oh, how I wished I could overthrow you and claim the throne, let alone your idiotic nephew; blind coot he is.” Landcastra turned away and released his magic on Celestia. The Princess gasped, coughing as she was freed from the silence spell.

“But...how...how did you get such power?” Celestia asked, short of breath as Landcastra paused.

“That, my dear...is a story for another day. Perhaps if you hold out that long, you might hear it.” And with a diabolical laugh, the stallion left the mare all alone among the frozen bodies of her students.