The Equestrian

Chapters

Chapter 1: The Lonely Cage
Chapter 2: A New Family
Chapter 4: Ambush
Chapter 5: The Mare In The Moon
Chapter 6: The Hidden Enemy
Chapter 7: Your Worst Nightmare
Chapter 8: The Battle For Ponyville
Chapter 9: The Castle Of The Two Sisters
Chapter 10: Like Mother, Like Son
The End: The New Equestria
Chapter 3: Celestia's Faithful

Chapter 1: The Lonely Cage

***Introduction***

The morning was still cold, and the ground was soaked with dew when Celestia's sun peaked over the eastern mountains. A gentle breeze rustled through the damp cages, causing the empty chains to chime eerily like bells. The slave market had only just opened, but several ponies were already up and about, shopping for the best humans.

A young boy sits alone in his cage. He wore nothing but a filthy, torn loincloth. It matched his bruises and rashes perfectly. That was the standard apparel for most slaves. Like most humans, the boy was born into slavery and separated from his mother and father.

This is his story.

***Part 1: Royal Errands***

"Top of the mornin', to ya!" The slave driver says to a couple of ponies passing by.

It was a busy morning in the C.C.T. (Canterlot Captive Trade). The entire market was bustling with activity. Buyers and sellers from all over Equestria were gathering in the market to do business with one another. Some ponies needed more labor in the mines or sugarcube plantations, others simply needed a servant. The reasons didn't matter to the slave traders. Only the bits the buyers and sellers carried had any value. Two Royal Guards step through the market gates, reluctant to begin their mission.

"Is this really necessary, sir? Do we really need one of these... things in the barracks?"

The Sargent spins around to face her, frustration burning in his eyes.

"I've had enough of your complaining, Sky." He says impatiently. "The order to obtain a human was not my own. The order came from Princess Celestia."

The guard holds her hoof up in a gesture of mock surrender.

"Alright... Can we at least hurry this up? Any human will do, right?"

The officer shakes his head.

"No, Sky. The princess was very specific. We are looking for a certain code."

Using the magic from his horn, the Sargent reveals a small piece of parchment and shows it to the guard.

"Why does she want this human specifically?" The guard named Sky asks. "What's so special about it?"

The Sargent shrugs as he tucks the parchment away.

"Tartarus if I know, but Princess Celestia needs this human, so she is going to get this human."

It should have been a simple and quick search. The guards had the human's code, and gender, but they had no way of finding him in the crowded market.

"I'll ask around to see if anypony can point us in the right direction." Sky says with a reluctant sigh.

The Sargent nods and gives her the parchment. The guard leaves the side of the officer and approaches a slave driver. When he sees her, a large smile forms on his face.

"Well, hello there! How are ya doin' this fine mornin'?" The slave driver asks. "Is there anythin' I can help ya with?"

The guard's tail swishes back and forth nervously.

"Um, hello... Yes, I was... uh... I was just looking for this human." Sky says as she holds up the parchment for the slave driver to see.

The slave driver peers at the parchment. He then looks up at the guard. His smile was gone, and a frightening scowl had taken its place.

"Who sent ya?" He asks suspiciously.

Confused, Sky looks back at her superior and shrugs.

"Uh... We are here under the order of Princess Celestia to retrieve this human."

At the name of the princess, the slave driver's scowl dissipates.

"Oh... Very well, then. I'll take y'all right to him. Right this way, please."

Sky looks back at the officer as he approaches her.

"What was all that about?" He asks.

"I have no idea, sir, but next time, you can talk to the crazy slave drivers."

The Sargent gives her a silent nod of agreement before following after the slave driver. He leads the Royal Guards through the thicket of ponies and cages. The guards try to avoid looking into the cages, but there were too many. Finaly, when Sky had just about had enough of what she could see, hear, and smell, the slave driver leads them to a lonely cage. Inside that lonely cage, far away from the rest of the other slaves in the market, sat a small human boy, a pale and skinny boy.

"This...?" Sky asks. "We came all this way for this... sorry excuse for a human?"

The Sargent, ignoring Sky's rude comment, eyes the numbers on the boy's arm. The code on his arm matched the code on the parchment. It read: H-55555. All the while the guards were looking into the cage at the boy, the boy was looking right back. Only, his eyes were filled with fear instead of curiosity.

"This is the one." The officer says. "Princess Celestia wants him as soon possible."

The slave driver nods as he prepares his keys to unlock the gate.

"How old is it?" Sky asks.

The slave driver sighs as he tries to recall.

"Let's see... I can't really tell you for sure, but I bought this one from a stallion in Manehatten who claimed it was only four years old. That was three years ago, so I have given it the age of seven, just to be safe. You know how the paperwork gets."

"What is his record?" The Sargent asks.

"This one here, I got lucky with buyin'. It is very well behaved. No fights with other slaves and zero escape attempts. It will be a fine addition to her majesty's staff. Y'all head on over to the table at the gate, and I'll be there with your human shortly."

With that being said, the guards begin making their way back to the front of the market.

"Alright, bud... Looks like today is your lucky day. Get up. It's time you got back to her..."

The boy slowly inches for the exit of the cage as the driver opens it.

"Faster! Get out!" He barks.

The boy jumps out of the way to avoid the slave driver's firm hoof. Nervous and scared out of his mind, he follows the driver to the check-out table. The Royal Guards were waiting for him.

"Well, here it is!" The driver says with his cheery tone. "I'm real disappointed to see it go."

The young boy notices as the Royal Guard officer subtlety rolls his eyes.

"Alright, you two have a wonderful day, and be sure to give the princess my highest regards!

The slave driver trots back into the market to root out more customers. As soon as he is gone, the Captain turns to face the boy.

"Hello, there. I... I'm Sargent Shining Armor. This is my second, Private Sky Crawler. You're gonna come with us to see her majesty, Princess Celestia. Is that clear?"

The boy nods, even though he did not understand much of what the guard had said to him.

"Y-Yes, master." He says quietly.

"Let's just get out of here, first. This place is really creeping me out..." Sky says.

Shining nods in agreement with the Private.

"Right, come on, uh... Do you have a name?" He asks the boy.

The human shakes his head. Shining suspected the boy was without a name, but he also figured the boy had no idea of what he was asking.

"Maybe we could just let the princes name it when we deliver the thing to her." Sky suggests as she quickly ushers Shining and the boy out of the market.

With his bonds removed, the boy cautiously followed the Royal Guards out of the slave market and into the glamorous city of Canterlot.

***Part 2: Shining's New Apprentice***

The boy stands where few humans had ever stood before, on the steps leading up to the grand doors of the Royal Palace. He looks up at the towering structures, almost as though he is being memorized by the pale, white walls.

"Move it!" The guard named Sky says harshly, giving the boy a shove. "I haven't got all day, and this little trip is starting to cut into my personal time."

Shining Armor looks back at them and frowns. He didn't witness Sky pushing the boy, but he could tell it had hurt from the boy's expression.

"Come along, now." Shining tells him in a soft, but commanding, voice.

The boy obeys and bounds up the steps after him. In no time at all, they had reached the palace doors, which stood wide open. The boy's head was on a swivel as he tries to look in every direction at the same time. He wanted to see the windows, the curtains, the banners... Even the red carpet leading up to the throne was captivating. It was all beautiful. Then, he sees the mare on the throne. She stood tall, her wings tucked by her sides. The boy instantly finds great interest in the mare on the throne as they approach her, especially her mane and tail, which flowed as though they were under water.

"Princess Celestia..." Shining says, giving her a low bow. "We have done as you asked and retrieved the human from the C.T.T. you requested."

The room was silent. Nothing was to be heard save the sound of a gentle draft blowing through the open doors. Then, the princess stands from her throne and begins descending down the steps. The boy wasn't sure whether to be frightened or not. Even though he only had seven years of age, it was no mystery that she was very important.

Celestia looks over the boy. Her gaze drifts up and down as she observes him from head to toe. Then, she smiles. Her grin expands and stretches until it reaches from ear to ear.

"Excellent. Well done, Sargent Armor. You and Private Sky have done me a good service, and you have performed your task to the letter."

"What is to be done with him, your majesty?" Shining asks.

The boy was now feeling all sorts of emotions. He felt scared, anxious, and nervous to name a few.

The princess looks down at the boy, and the boy looks back up at her. Shining wasn't entirely sure, but he could have sworn he could see tears forming in her eyes. The princess quickly clears her throat as she resumes her royal posture.

"He is to be yours, Sargent Armor. He is to be your... ah... cadet."

"M-Me?" Shining stammers. "Why, princess? I have never owned a sla- I mean... I have never owned a human before. Why me?"

Shining assumed it must have been some kind of joke, but the look on Celestia's face was dead serious. There was no joke.

"You have always been able to do as I request, Sargent. I trust you will do me this favor as well?"

This silences Shining. He looks back and forth between the boy and Celestia. With no other option in sight, Shining nods his head.

"Of course, your majesty."

"Thank you, Sargent. You are dismissed."

Shining does a one hundred and eighty degree turn and begins making his way towards the doors. Sky does the same and follows him.

"Come along, this way." Shining calls to the boy.

The human sprints after his new master. As they reach the door, he turns and looks back at the princess one last time. On her face was a sad smile as she waved him 'goodbye'. Then, the doors close.

***Part 3: Meeting The Guards***

The young boy, still very much confused as to what he was doing and what was expected of him, was lead out of the Royal Palace, across the common grounds, and to the guard's barracks. Sky wastes no time in trotting inside, as she was very eager to get out of her armor. Shining stops at the door and extends his hoof to stop the boy from following Sky inside.

"Hold on, bud," Shining says, speaking in a time he often used when talking to his little sister, Twilight. "Before you go in, I need to make a few things clear."

Shining had the boy's undivided attention. This actually surprised the guard. He had little experience with humans, so the boy's attention something to take note of.

"You are my responsibility, and I intend to keep you in good condition. I don't know why the princess put you in my care, or what she has planned for you, but as long as you are here, you will do exactly as I instruct, and everything will turn out alright. Got it?"

The boy nods his head quickly. As he opens the door, Shining makes a mental note to teach the boy how to salute properly. The door swings open, allowing the boy to enter the lounge of the barracks. At least a dozen Royal Guards were up and about. Some were eating breakfast while others were dressing in their armor for their morning patrols. As soon as the human takes his first step inside of the lounge, every pony turns in his direction. At first, there is no response, only silence. That silence doesn't last.

"What's that thing doing here?!" A guard demands.

Shining is quick to place himself in between the boy and the crowd of angry guards.

"Don't touch him!" Shining begs. "The princess has placed this human under my authority, and he is to live here with us until further notice."

Again, silence fills the lounge. This time, the silence is broken by an eerie chuckle.

"Ha ha ha... Your authority? That is something rich, Shiny." A guard says as he steps forward.

"It's 'Shining', Captain..." Shining growls. "Don't you have somewhere to be? There isn't a tavern calling your name?"

With his face turning red, the Captain prepares himself to make a witty remark, but some pony stops him.

"Let it go, Silvershield." Sky says lazily from the sofa. "You have better things to do than fight Shining over a stupid human."

The Captain, named Silvershield, lowers his gaze. He then glares at Shining and the human boy.

"This isn't over..." He snarls before turning around and retreating into the crowd.

The guards watching the unfolding scene quickly lost interest after that, and they went back to doing whatever it was they were doing before. Sky approaches Shining and the boy with a sly smile on her lips.

"Sir... must we always pick fights with the good Captain?" She asks sarcastically.

"Your coltfriend is a jerk." Shining snaps. "What do you see in him?"

Sky rolls her eyes as she walks over to the kitchen area. Shining and the boy follow after her. He was rather hungry, and he was sure the boy was as well.

"I don't have to explain my romantic interests to you, but I will say this: He can go for hours and not even break a sweat, if you catch my meaning..."

The dirty grin on her face stretched from ear to ear. Shining did catch her meaning, and his ears burned. The boy, on the other hoof, did not catch her meaning. His attention was being captivated by the food before him.

"Uh, I think your pet is hungry." Sky says, nodding towards the human.

Shining quickly ushers him through the bar, throwing whatever he thought the human might eat onto a plate.

***Part 4: The Breakfast Of Champions***

Grits, eggs, pancakes, and muffins. That is everything the plate consisted of. Shining directs the boy towards a table and tells him to sit. The boy obeys without question. Within moments, Shining is delivering the plate to him.

"Is... it safe for humans to eat that stuff? What if muffins are, like, poisonous to them?" Sky asks.

It was a good question. Shining had no clue as to what humans could eat. When he turns back around to take the plate away from the boy, it was clean. Shining's jaw drops. The plate was full when he gave it to the boy, and the boy cleaned it completely in seconds. Sky was impressed as well.

"I guess we'll see if it's stomach can handle it in a few hours." She says as she begins making her way out of the lounge. "I'll see you later, Shining!"

The boy was looking back and forth between his master and the empty plate.

"What, I suppose you want some more?" Shining asks him.

The boy nods eagerly.

"Y-Yes, master..."

The boy's words got the attention of several guards nearby. No pony said anything, but they gave Shining intrigued looks.

"You don't have to call me that..." Shining mutters to the boy as he gives him a new plate. "Just call me 'Shining'."

"Sh-Shiny." The boy says confidently.

"No, not 'Shiny'. It's 'ShinING'." Shining Armor corrects, putting extra emphasis on the end of his name.

As he finished speaking, a new thought entered the Sargent's head.

"I... I haven't even names you yet. What should I call you?"

The boy doesn't answer. He was to busy going to town on stack of pancakes. Ignoring the silverware, the boy attacks the food with his fingers. As another pancake is lifted to his mouth, Shining catches a glimpse of the code imprinted on his arm: H-55555.

"You got a lot of fives on your arm, bud... Oh, why don't I call you Fives? How does that sound? Do you want to be called 'Fives'?"

Now eating the eggs, the boy nods his head quickly. He swallows.

"Yes, master." He says with the biggest grin he could muster. "I will be called... Fives."

Shining felt something in his chest. Pride? He had no idea. It felt good. The guard puts his hoof on Fives' head and ruffles his hair. Shining knew the other guards were watching. He didn't care. He outranked most of them.

"M-Master Shiny..." The boy groans.

Shining looks down. Again the plate was spotless. The grits, the eggs... It was all gone. Fives sat in the chair, desperately holding onto his stomach.

"What, now you're full? That was three helpings of food, Fives." Shining says with a chuckle. "You have a much larger appetite than I anticipated."

Shining was about to take the plate back to the bar when his own stomach growls. It was a violent howl for food.

"You sit tight, Fives. I gotta get something to eat. Then, we'll figure out where you'll be sleeping."

"Uh, that thing is not sleeping in our bunk room." A guard behind him says.

"Yeah." Another guard agrees. "Humans shouldn't be in the barracks in the first place. Make it sleep outside."

Shining looks down at his human. Fives was still holding his stomach, and his head was now resting on the table. Deep down, he knew the human couldn't stay. It was too dangerous, and it was obvious the other guards would never accept him. Shining needed to see Princess Celestia.

***TO BE CONTINUED***

Chapter 2: A New Family

***Introduction***

One hundred years ago, the ponies of Equestria lived together in peaceful and prospurous nation. Then, they came... They came from outside of Equestria. At first, no pony had any words to describe them. They were an unstoppable force, an unquenchable thirst. They destroyed everything in sight. Then, a few months later, the ponies first make contact with the invaders, strange animals that called themselves 'humans'.

A deal was struck.

***Part 1: Proud Parents***

Velvet and Starlight Sparkle looked happily into their daughter's bedroom. She was playing. Not with dolls or blocks, but with books. She had two towers. One tower consisted of books she had read previously. The second tower was made of books she wanted to read later. They were proud parents. They had every right to be. Twilight was top of the class. Tartarus, she was top of everything she tried. She excelled in magic faster than any professor had seen. She had even gained the attention of Princess Celestia. For an eight-year-old filly, Twilight had accomplished quite a lot.

"We did a good job..." Velvet says with a happy sigh.

"No, we did a great job." Her husband corrects. "Not many fillies get the privilege of learning directly from the princess."

Velvet lets out a light-hearted chuckle, forcing her husband to laugh along with her. She looks up at him and plants a loving kiss on his cheek.

"So, what is all that stuff in the kitchen for?" Starlight asks as he walks with his wife down the hall. "Are we expecting company?"

"Shining is coming home, dear." Velvet says. "He'll be here soon, and I thought he might want something to eat."

Starlight nods his head with approval.

"Right. I read that in his letter. Did... anything about it sound strange to you?"

Velvet cocks her head. She rarely received letters from Shining. That was strange in itself, but nothing about the actual letter struck her as abnormal. After several moments of thinking, she shakes her head.

"He sounded very urgent in his letter." Starlight explains.

Velvet shrugs as she returns to the kitchen.

"I'm sure everything is fine, dear. Maybe, he is just really eager to see us and Twilight."

There is a loud knock at the door, startling Starlight.

"That must be him. Get the door, sweetie!" Velvet calls from the kitchen.

Starlight does as instructed ad approaches the door. Using the magic from his horn, he opens it. Sure enough, Shining Armor is at the door. Standing behind him is a young, human boy.

***Part 2: With Family Members Like These***

Shining and Fives were seated at the Sparkle's dinning table. On any other day, Shining would have been enjoying a nice, home-cooked meal with his family. Now, he felt as though he was being interrogated

"Shining, what do you think you are doing with this... human?". Starlight demands in a hushed tone, as he did not want to disturb Twilight in the room above them. "You know this family does not tolerate slavery. I thought you were raised better than this."

"Dad, just let me explain, please." Shining begs. "This was Princess Celestia's idea, not mine. I don't know why, buy yesterday morning, she had me go into the slave market and pick out this human. At first, she wanted me to keep him, but it quickly became clear that he wouldn't be safe in the Royal Guard's barracks. I talked it over with her, and the princess said it would be acceptable if i allowed him to stay here, with you."

The look on Starlight's face was pure disbelief. He was shocked and furious. Just as he was about to say 'no', his wife stops him.

"Wait, honey, this could be the opportunity we've been waiting for." She whispers to him.

"What do you mean?" He demands.

Velvet clears her throat before resuming her argument.

"Dear, we have been trying to get Twilight to make some friends for a while, and she has yet to find even one. What if we... kept this human to be her friend? He could be her playmate, her companion."

Starlight lowers his gaze. Twilight's lack of friends was beginning to worry him, and the human could very well be the solution to the problem. He didn't like it, but Starlight agrees with a dissatisfied 'grunt'. Velvet smiles and kisses him on the cheek.

"Thanks, mom... Thanks, dad..." Shining says. "But, you have to promise me you will take good care of Fives."

"Fives?" Both Sparkles ask in unison.

Shining looks down at the tablecloth as his cheeks turn red.

"Uh... I may have named him... He kinda grew on me. He's a good kid, mom. Though, he does have one big appetite."

The boy having a big appetite was something Velvet was thrilled to hear. She loved anyone who enjoyed her cooking.

"We'll take great care of Fives." Velvet says. "Wont we, dear?"

Starlight nods.

"Of course... He'll have plenty of food, warm clothes, and a bed."

Shining feels a sense of relief when a smile manages to form its way onto his father's expressionless face. He truly felt confident in his parent's abilities to care for the human.

"Well... I had better be getting back, or Captain Silvershield is going to have my hide." Shining says as he stands up from the table."

"M-Master Shiny?" Fives asks, fear rising in his voice.

The human leaps up from his chair, and he tries to follow Shining to the door. Shining firmly plants his hoof on Fives' chest to stop him.

"No, bud, you cant come with me. It's not safe for you, where I'm going. Youll be staying here with my family. They are good ponies, I promise."

Shining ruffles Fives' hair with his hoof.

"Take care, bud. You're gonna love it here, and i guarantee Twilight is gonna love you."

With that being said, Shining opens the door with that magic from his horn, and he leaves, closing the door behind him.

***Part 3: Twilight Sparkle***

Fives was shocked by the size of the Sparkle Estate. Living in a cage his whole seven years of life, a huge, fancy house was new to him. It even rivaled the decor he had witnessed in the Royal Palace. He looked up in awe at the walls made entirely of windows, laced and trimmed with gold and silver polishings.

"Come on, it's time you meet your new play-mate." Starlight says as he ushers him inside.

He follows Velvet up the winding staircase and down a long hallway. At the end of the hall was an open door. Inside the room, a little purple filly was asleep on a pile of books and novels.

"Oh..." Starlight sighs with disappointment. "She stayed up all night reading, again... Uh, just a moment."

The human watches with curiosity as the blue stallion enters the room and taps on the little filly's head with his hoof. The purple filly yawns and stretches her way out of sleep.

"Hey, Twilight..." Starlight whispers to her. "Your mother and I have a surprise for you."

The purple filly, whom the boy assumed was 'Twilight', yawns again.

"W-What, daddy?" She asks, giving one last large yawn.

Velvet gives a tired yawn herself before stepping aside to reveal the slave. Twilight's eyes instantly widen to the size of dinner plates.

"You got me a human?!" She squeals. "Oh, Celestia!"

Twilight makes a mad dash for the terrified boy. She circles around him at least a dozen times before stopping in front of him to analyze his face. His bruises were light, but still noticeable, and his shaved head exposed the bumps from previous beatings. These features made Twilight frown.

"What is her name?" She asks innocently.

"Uh, baby, this is a male human. This is a 'he'." Velvet corrects her.

With all her knowledge, the little filly knew almost nothing about humans, due to her parents avoidance of slavery.

"H-55555..." She mutters. "That is a lot of fives."

"Shining actually already named him 'Fives'." Velvet says.

"Y-Yes, mistress. I... I am called Fives..."

"That is so cool!" Twilight yells before wrapping her hooves around his waist.

Fives' chest was beating three times faster. He had never felt... affection. Starlight and Velvet couldn't help getting teary-eyed. They felt as though they had rescued a young human from working to death for a brutal, cruel slave owner.

"I think Fives is a wonderful name." Velvet says. "Why don't we get him some clothes and fix up something to eat? We can figure out where he will sleep afterwards."

Twilight's ears perk up, and Fives' felt his stomach growl violently. Everyone must have herd it, because they all turned in his direction. Velvet gives him a light-hearted chuckle.

"We'll take care of that, too." She says, giving him a sweet smile.

***Part 4: Velvet's Cooking"

The meal was a quiet one. Starlight and Velvet quickly passed around the mashed potatoes, green bean, and glasses of water. Twilight eagerly filled her plate to the brim. Starlight also enjoyed his wife's cooking. Velvet served Fives herself, giving him a plate with roughly a fourth of the proportions a normal pony would eat. Twilight notices quickly.

"Mommy, why is Fives not getting as much food as the rest of us? Look at how skinny he is!" She demands, pulling up the human's shirt, revealing his visible rib cage.

"He has been starved for so long, Twilight." Her father explains. "Any large amounts of nutritious food would only make him dangerously ill. Shining's tale already proved this. He said Fives ate way more than he should have at the barracks, and he threw up on the walk over here. We need to get his appetite back by giving him a little more each month. For now, that will be more than enough to fill him."

Fives stayed quiet, but he knew his master was right. He had seen other slaves steal food when their ponies weren't looking. Their moans were unbearable. Twilight didn't like her parent's logic, but she couldn't protest any further.

***Part 5: The Grand Tour***

After lunch, Twilight nearly dragged her new human up to her room to give him a VIP tour. Starlight and Velvet watched happily from the door.

"This is where I keep all of my favorite books." The little filly explains. "Alright, that should cover my book shelves. Any questions?"

Fives shakes his head.

"No, m-mistress."

Twilight was confused as to why her Human kept referring to her that way, but she ignores it.

"Oh, you are going to love this one!" She shouts, holding up a thick novel.

Using the magic from her horn, she levitates the novel over to Fives. The human's legs nearly buckle when the book lands in his hands. It was heavy.

"This was one of the very first books I ever read. It has action, adventure, and cheesy romance!" She says happily.

Fives only stares at the cover with frustration and disappointment. He wanted so desperately to make his little mistress happy, but he couldn't. Velvet understands quickly, and she steps in to help.

"Uh, Twilight... Fives can't read."

Twilight looks as him with dispair in her eyes. It hurt Fives to see such disappointment.

"I... I'm sorry, mistress Twilight..."

"Don't be. I'll teach you how." She promised.

Starlight's tail twitches nervously.

"Now, Twilight, I'm ok with you helping Fives learn how to read, but we don't want you getting in trouble."

"Why, daddy?"

"Sweety, it is illegal to teach humans anything except how to work. You can teach Fives how to read, but don't do it outside of this house. No pony can know."

Twilight nods in understanding.

"Now, all that's left is to find him someplace to sleep..." Starlight says.

Twilight's hoof shoots up.

"Can he sleep with me, pleeeeeease?" She begs. "He has to! I won't sleep without him! Me bed is more than big enough!"

"Twilight, Fives will grow much larger. He can't sleep in your bed. He will need his own."

But Twilight had made up her mind, and she wouldn't accept defeat. After several minutes of heated debate, Twilight finally settled with Fives sleeping on a mat at the base of her bed. Twilight looks back at her human with a huge grin on her face. Fives couldn't help smiling back at her. It was the first time he had smiled because he felt... happy. He was happy. He had a home, he had caring masters and a mistress who adored him. He was looking forward to serving them.

***TO BE CONTINUED***

Chapter 4: Ambush

***Introduction***

At first, the deal was going well. The economy of the native Equestrian ponies grew substantially from trading with the humans, and the humans prospered in their new land under the protection of the ponies and Princess Celestia. Because the humans were so well off, their population skyrocketed. Because of this, the land given to them by the ponies became to small to sustain them...

***Part 1: A Forbidden Love***

Celestia set the sun and raised the moon a little earlier that evening. She had a short meeting with government officials in Manehattan who would be arriving shortly.

"Does that mean-"

"That's right, Fives." Twilight answers. "No spell practice tonight. So, what did you boys think of your first day in the palace?"

"This place is awesome!" Spike says gleefully.

Twilight giggles at the dragon's behavior. When he isn't looking, she leans towards her human, Fives feels slight shivers down his back as she leans in closer.

"Tonight... I'm..." She kisses his cheek. "I'm going to-"

Without warning, and without knocking, the door opens quickly, and Silvershield steps into the room. Twilight only has enough time to fall off of the bed.

"Miss Sparkle," The officer says. "I'm here to inspect... Are you alright?"

The purple mare quickly jumps up to her hooves.

"I'm fine, sir." She says with a heavy sigh. "What do you want?"

Silvershield's eyes were darting back and forth between the mare and her boy. Fives' heart was racing. He could almost see the gears turning in the officer's head. He opens is mouth as though he is about to speak, but the happy, little dragon interrupts him.

"Hey, Twilight, Fives, look!" Spike announces.

Spike expels green flames from his mouth, searing Silveshield's tail.The guard steps to the side to further avoid the fire.

"That's great, Spike." Twilight congratulates him.

The Royal Guard's eyes narrow.

"I see everything is in order... I'll take my leave."

"Goodbye, Silvershield." Twilight says.

Using the magic from her horn, she slams the door behind him.

"Jerk..." She mutters.

***Part 2: The Wandering Mind***

Later that evening, Fives had just emerged from the shower, and he was helping Twilight get ready for hers. Spike walks into the bathroom, carrying the bottle of tail conditioner he had purchased from the city earlier that day. He cocks his head when he sees a second bottle already next to the shower handle.

"Hey Twilight, why do you have two bottles of this stuff? I thought you left yours at home." He comments.

Fives freezes, but Twilight sighs calmly.

"Oh, uh, mom brought it while you were gone. I was going to tell you, but I thought it would make you a little agitated."

Spike looks at the bottle in his claws, then back at the bottle Twilight had already brought with her. Luckily, he buys it.

"Oh, ok. I'll be out here." He says as he leaves the bathroom.

With Spike out of sight and earshot, Twilight makes her way to her human and gives him a quick kiss.

"Maybe, I can teach you a little something special when I'm done..." She whispers into his ear.

Fives' heart flutters with excitement.

"S-Sure, Twilight... I should go, now."

Twilight nods, releasing her human. Fives exits the bathroom and joins Spike in the study, just across from the bedroom.

"Hey, Fives." Spike says.

"Hey..." The human replies, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of love and romance.

Spike doesn't seem to notice. He was looking out the window. Fives joins him to see. It was the moon. It had climbed high into the night sky.

"Nice view, huh, Fives?"

Fives was still thinking about his mistress' flank.

"Y-Yeah... Nice view..." He mutters to himself.

His gaze drifts from the night sky to a small desk by the door. On top of it was a sealed letter.

"What's that?" He asks the little dragon.

Spike follows the human's finger to the letter. His eyes widen.

"That's Twilight's assignment, the one I was supposed to turn in to the princess this afternoon! Oh, no... I already told her I delivered it to her... I better run it to Celestia."

Spike rushes to the letter, but Fives gets to it first.

"Don't worry, Spike." He says. "I'll get this to the princess. You just sit tight."

Before the dragon could reply, Fives was put the door and running through the dark corridor.

***Part 3: Killers In The Shadows***

The great halls of Canterlot Palace were almost pitch black in the late hours of the night. Looking back on his decision to run the assignment to Celestia, Fives wished he had asked for a light source. There were too many corridors and too many side hallways. Fives quickly found himself lost in the dark, and there wasn't a single pony in sight to help him find the princess.

"Surly I can find the princess tomorrow, right?" Fives asks himself.

Just as Fives had decided to head back, the temperature drops dramatically, and violent chills roll up his spine. An evil chuckle echoes through the dark halls.

"Well, well, well... Look at what we have here, boys. Miss Sparkle has her slave on a loose leash."

Fives panics as a silver cloud engulfs his neck and lifts him into the air. Silvershield emerges from the shadows, along with half a dozen more guards. Fives is surrounded. With an angry yell, the Sargent throws Fives against the marble wall. He tightens his magical grip around the human's throat.

"T knew I remembered you from somewhere... How could anypony forget Shining Armor's little pet? Ever since I first laid my eyes on you, I have hated you with the deepest of burning passions. You have done nothing but embarrassed me and made me look obsolete!" He hisses. "Now, get this, boys, I have reason to suspect this human trash has a crush on Miss Sparkle!"

The Sargent, along with the other guards break out into laughter. Fives feels himself blacking out as he gasps for air. Silvershield stops laughing and throws Fives into the ground. He drops his hoof onto the human's nose, crushing it, along with his cheeks and jaw. Blood pours from the shattered nose and onto the floor.

"Your entire race is weak..." Silvershield says, using the edge of his hoof to slowly cut Fives' throat. "Your entire kind is pathetic..."

He stomps on Fives' right hand, hard, crushing all of the little bones in his fingers. Fives was in pain. He tries to cry out for help, but his own blood was drowning his lungs.

"I can't do anything about every human slave, but I can make sure you never see the light of day again..." The Sargent promises. "Do you think she loves you? You're her slave, her toy. She would never love you..."

"Sir...." A guard objects. "Don't you think this is going a little-"

The officer kicks the guard who spoke, knocking him to the ground and extracting blood from his shoulder. He limps a few feet away. The other guards take a few steps back.

"Does anypony else have anything to say?" He asks them.

Silvershield turns his attention back to the human, and he sets his hoof on Fives' chest and begins pushing down, breaking his sternum and cracking his ribs.

"You are going to die, you miserable beast..." He snarls. "No pony can save you now..."

As if on que, a booming voice thunders through the hall, and the corridor lights up as though the sun itself was inside the palace.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Celestia demands as she gallops towards the circle of guards with Spike, Shining Armor, and Sky Crawler right behind her.

Silvershield, with his eyes full of fear and panic, backs away from Fives' lifeless body.

"P-Princess... I..."

"You two," Shining Armor addresses two of the guards. "Get this human to the infirmary, now!"

Celestia stands over the human, her eyes full of tears. The guards who were helping Silvershield only moments before, rushed to get Fives to a nurse. Celestia eyes Silvershield.

"Princess," The Sargent objects. "H-He is only a human, a slave-"

"Get out..." She says quietly.

His eyes widen.

"But, Princess, he-"

"GET OUT!" She yells. "GET OUT OF MY PALACE, AND NEVER RETURN!"

Silvershield runs. He sprints down the great corridors and out of the palace, into the night. Celestia was breathing heavily as she chokes back her sobs.

"Get someone to clean this mess, Captain..." She says to Shining. "Spike, you get Twilight and take her to the infirmary. Contact her parents, as well. They need to know what has happened here, tonight."

***Part 4: The Day Of The Dead***

"Hey, you're awake!" A distant voice says excitedly.

Fives' eyes blink open, then they close again just as quickly. It hurt to open his eyes. It hurt to breath. His lungs felt as though they were cut in a thousand places. They burned.

"It's gonna be alright." A soft female voice says. "How do you feel?"

How did he feel? Fives felt like death. He was in so much pain. His neck, his hand, and his chest...

"Here, drink this, if you can."

Fives tries again to open his eyes. The bright light blinds him temporarily, but he regains his ability to see. A white unicorn stood next to his bed. In the grasp of her blue magic aurora, was a glass of water. Fives' eyes dart around the room. He was in an infirmary. The human opens his mouth to speak, but his throat burned.

"Drink this." The nurse orders.

Fives takes the glass with his non-shattered hand and gulps it down. For a brief moment, the water soothed his burning pain. He instantly feels relief. The nurse notices, and she smiles.

"That water is a specially formulated healing agent, saturated with magic from Princess Celestia, herself. It is very rare that she distributes it to anyone. You must be one special human."

Fives quickly finishes the rest of the glass. It was delicious.

"T-Thank you..." Fives groans as he sits up further.

"I'll get you another glass. The princess' instructions were more than clear." She explains as she pours another glass. "'Make sure he is well cared for. Tend to his every need.'" She quotes Celestia. "You took quite a beating, didn't you?"

Fives tried to remember, but all that came to mind was shadow, blood, and pain.

"Your throat was nearly severed in two, your right hand was broken in over thirty-six places, and nine of your ribs were broken. Three of them could not be fixed with all of the healing magic in Equeatria. Princess Celestia did all she could to repair your torn veins and bones. You humans have the most fragile bones..." The nurse says with a heaving sigh.

Fives nearly drops the glass of celestial, healing water. Then, the memories hit him, much like the hoof that broke his body.

"Silvershield..." Fives growls.

"Princess Celestia has ordered for his arrest, and she has Captain Armor leading the search. I wouldn't worry about him."

A rather angry voice gets Fives' attention just outside of the infirmary. It was Twilight's.

"No, you listen!" Her voice echos through the walls. "He is my human, and I demand to see him, now!"

The nurse chuckles.

"She's been by several times, but now that you're finally awake, I'm sure she will have a lot to say to you."

Fives wasn't sure whether to be glad, or terrified.

"Let her in!" The nurse calls to the guard outside.

A second later, the door opens, and Twilight rushes to Fives' side, and throws her hooves around his torso.

"Fives..." Twilight cries as tears stream down her cheeks. "Oh, Fives..."

The hug from his mistress was hurting his many broken ribs and sternum, but he didn't want her to stop. The door opens again, signaling the arrival of a new visitor.

"Your highness..." The nurse says, giving Celestia a slight bow.

"Ah..." Celestia sighs with relief. "He is awake."

She turns to the nurse.

"Thank you for caring for this human. He means a lot to me... and my student." She adds quickly.

"I'm just doing my job, your majesty." The nurse says humbly. "I'll take my leave."

Celestia nods and steps aside to let the nurse pass. Fives was a little sad to see her go.

"You were gone for three days." Twilight moans... "I was so scared..."

"I'm fine, Twilight." Fives protests.

"No, you're not, Fives." Twilight says flatly. "You were dead. Princess Celestia is the only reason you are alive."

Fives cocks his head in confusion. Twilight notices and lowers her gaze.

"The nurse didn't tell you?" She asks.

Fives was lost. He had no idea of what Twilight was getting at. He looks up a Celestia. Her majestic tail was swishing nervously.

"Fives..." Twilight says softly. "You were dead... Your body was broken completely. You..."

She chokes back her sobs. Celestia steps forward to comfort her.

"Fives," Celestia says. "I cannot imagine how hard this must be to hear, but-"

"When can I get back to serving my mistress?" Fives asks, interrupting the princess.

This startles Celestia.

"When can I resume my duties?" He asks again.

Twilight and Celestia were both shocked. Celestia is the first to speak.

"You may return to Twilight as soon as you are ready." She says, at last.

***

"Fives..." Twilight cautions. "Fives, please. You don't need to be doing any work."

The human acted as though he didn't hear her. He continued to lift furniture to clean underneath it.

"Maybe this is how humans deal with post medical stress?" Spike suggests. "I mean, for all we know, Fives could be- Whoa!"

Spike is thrown off his feet as the desk he was sitting on is lifted.

"Fives... Fives. Fives!" Twilight snaps. "Stop this, please. That is an order!"

The human puts the desk back on the ground. It was the first time Twilight had ever given him a direct order out of anger.

"Fives... I..." The purple mare stutters. "Spike, can you leave us for a few minutes?"

"Uh... Sure, Twilight. How many minutes?"

"A few hours." She corrects. "Just go. I need to talk to Fives."

Fives winces. He didn't dare make eye contact with his mistress. Twilight sighs as the door closes behind Spike. Fives was a little scared, to tell the truth.

"Fives, sit down." Twilight says softly.

Fives does as he is told. He could only obey. He carefully makes his way to his bed and sits on the edge.

"Fives... What is it? What is wrong? It's been six days since you got out of the infirmary. The nurse said you were fine. You said you were fine. You are not fine, Fives."

The human looks down at the floor.

"Answer me, please. This isn't you, and I want you back." Twilight pleads.

Fives clenches the fist of his once-broken hand. The more he thought about it, the more it throbbed with pain.

"Is... Is it Silvershield?" Twilight asks.

Fives doesn't answer, but Twilight suspects she may be onto something.

"Don't worry about him, Fives. Every guard under Shining's command is looking for him, and every guard in the palace is here to protect you. I'm here to protect you, and Princess Celestia is here to protect you. Nothing will ever bring you harm again, Fives."

Fives trusted his mistress. He really did, but something kept nagging at his mind. It was something the nurse had said. Celestia... had saved his life. The ruler of Equestria had ordered the nurse to tend to his every need. Why?

***TO BE CONTINUED***

Chapter 5: The Mare In The Moon

***Introduction***

Celestia was displeased with the human's request for more land. She had already sacrificed much to make them happy, and the additional demands only hurt her own people more. In order to avoid confrontation with the humans, Celestia gave into their demands, giving them more and more land. Finaly, when the human king demanded the coastal city of Manehattan, Celestia refused, putting her hoof down for the first time.

***Part 1: The Busy Book Horse***

"There you are, Twilight! Moondancer is having a little get-together in the west castle courtyard. You wanna come?" Primrose asks.

Twilight's tail swishes nervously.

"Oh, sorry, girls. I, uh... have a lot I studying to catch up on."

With that being said, Twilight dashes back to the castle.

"Uhg... Does that pony do anything but study?" Primrose asks.

The other two mares shrug.

"I think she's more interested in books than friends." Heartlock states coldly.

Twilight wasn't paying attention to them. She didn't care. She simply knew she had to get back to her study and fast.

"I know I've herd of the Elements of Harmony..." She mutters under her breath.

She rushes up to her quarters where her two favorite assistants are waiting for her.

"Spiiiike! Fiiives!"

Carrying a package, Spike moves towards the door to open it for Twilight. The purple mare reaches the door just a second before Spike does. The door bursts open, knocking the dragon onto his back. The little dragon groans as he picks himself up off of the floor.

"Good, you're both here. Find me that old copy of Predictions and Prophesies. Uh... What was that for?" She asks as she points out the ruined package.

"Well... It was a gift for Moondancer, but..." Spike says with a heaving sigh of disappointment.

"Moondancer is hosting another party?" Fives asks. "Sweet! Her bashed are the best!"

"Spike, Fives," Twilight scolds. "You know we don't have time for that sort of thing."

The human and dragon hang their heads in defeat. Using the magic from her horn, Twilight begins tearing through the hundreds of books on the many shelves in her study.

"No... No... No... No! Spiiiike!"

"It's over here, Twilight!" Spike calls as he holds up the tome.

Twilight takes the book from his claws and begins shifting though the pages.

"Elements... Elements... E... E... E... Aha! Elements of Harmony. See... Mare in the Moon?" She asks.

"Mare in the Moon?" Fives repeats. "But, that's just and old pony's tale."

"Mare... Mare... Aha! Mare in the Moon, a myth from olden pony times..." Twilight reads. "A powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria, defeated by the Elements of Harmony, and imprisoned on the moon... Legend has it, that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal! Guys, do you know what this means?!" Twilight demands.

"No..." Fives and Spike answer in unison.

Using her magic, Twilight gives Spike a quill and parchment.

"Spike, take a note please, to the princess."

Spike holds the paper up, signaling he is ready. Twilight clears her throat.

"My dearest teacher, my continuing study of pony magic has lead me to the discovery that we are on the precifest of disaster-"

"Hold on." Spike stops her. "Preci... Prece..."

He looks at her, silently asking for help.

"Threshold?" Fives suggests.

"Threeeeeh." Spike tries to pronounce, only to be defeated again.

"Uh... Brink?" Twilight asks.

Spike looks at her as though she was insane. It took all of Fives' willpower to not laugh. Twilight had simply had enough.

"Uhg, that something really bad is gonna happen!"

Spike continues writing.

"For you see," Twilight continues. "The mythical Mare in the Moon is in fact Nightmare Moon! She is about to return to Equestria and bring with her, eternal night! Something must be done to make sure this terrible prophecy does not come true. I await your quick response. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

"Twiiilight... Spaaarkle!" Spike finishes.

"Great. Send it." Twilight says.

Spike does just that. With a huff, and a blow of green flames, the letter disappears into thin air.

"I wouldn't hold your breath, Twilight." Fives says.

"Oh, don't worry. The princess trusts me completely, and all the years she has been my mentor, she has never once doubted me."

Spike burbs green flames as a letter from Celestial arrives.

"See?" Twilight asks. "I told you she would want to take immediate action. Read it."

Spike clears his throat as he opens the letter.

"Ehem! My dearest and most faithful student, Twilight, you know I value your diligence, and that I trust you completely..."

Twilight nods with approval.

"But you have got to stop reading those old pony tales!"

***Part 2: Goin' Places***

Fives was roaring with laughter. His and Spike's laughing could be herd over the rushing winds as they made their way across the clouds.

"Read it again, Spike! Read it again, the last part!"

Twilight groans as Spike mockingly clears his throat.

"Dear Twilight Sparkle, make some friends!"

Both human and dragon erupt into laughter again, causing Twilight to hang her head in shame. After the laughter died down, Fives leans over to Spike, on the other side of the carriage.

"So, uh... Where are we going again?"

"We are heading for Ponyville." Spike says.

"Ponyville..." Twilight groans. "Why Ponyville, of all places?"

"Isn't Ponyville hosting the Summer Sun Celebration?" Fives asks.

Twilight's heart sinks even further. She felt betrayed. Celestia had abandoned her.

"Let's just get this over with..."

***Part 3: New Town Mare***

The carriage landed some short time later in Ponyville square. Twilight, Spike, and Fives quickly dismount.

"Thank you, sirs." Twilight says politely.

The pegasus guards give a slight bow before returning to the air.

"What is first on the list Celestia gave us?" Fives asks nervously.

He was getting a lot of uneasy stares from many ponies.

"We need to oversee the weather team, decorations, food preparations, orchestral preparations, and..."

Twilight was cut off. She found herself snout to snout with a bright pink pony with a pink, fluffy mane to match. Her cutie mark bore three small balloons.

"Um... Hi-" Twilight begins.

The pink mare gasps very loudly before disappearing into the crowd.

"Well... That was weird." Fives mutters.

***Part 4: Applejack***

"Summer Sun Celebration official overseer's checklist." Fives reads aloud as they walk up the road to a barn and farm house. "Number one, banquet preparations at... Sweet Apple Acres?"

A loud 'yeeee haw!' catches their attention. Twilight, Fives, and Spike watch as an orange mare storms across their path. She ran from apple tree to apple tree, kicking them violently. Twilight sighs as she approaches the mare.

"Good afternoon! My name is Twilight Sparkle, and I-"

"Well howdy-do, Miss Twilight! It is a mighty pleasure making your acquaintance! I'm Applejack. We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do love makin' new friends!"

"F-Fri-iends?" Twilight asks as her hoof is shaken violently in greeting. "Ehem! Well, I am in fact here to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration, and you are in charge of the food?"

"We sure are!" Applejack expressed proudly. "Would you care to sample some?"

Fives nods eagerly. The aroma of many apple-based foods was already clouding his mind. Applejack finally notices the human.

"Is this one yours?" The orange mare asks coldly.

Twilight picked up on the unfriendly tone.

"Yes, but he is a good... Uh... friend of mine. He has been for most of my life."

Applejack's friendly grin returns.

"Friend? That's mighty sweet. It's hard to find ponies and humans who enjoy each other's company. What is his name?"

"I... I'm Fives..." The human replies.

Applejack similes brightly.

"Come on, Twilight. I'll show ya the food and the whole family!"

***Part 5: Rainbow Dash***

The trio eventually came across the location where they were supposed to meet the weather team.

"Are you sure this is it, Twilight?" Spike asks. "There is supposed to be a pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash clearing the clouds."

"Well, she's not doing a very good job, is she?" Twilight scolds.

Before she knew it, Twilight was knocked off of her hooves and into a puddle of mud. The blue pegasus that crashed into her begins to snicker.

"Uh... hehe... Excuse me? Let me help you."

Twilight, still dazed and confused, looks up in time to see a small, dark cloud pour its rain on her.

"Oops..." The blue pegasus says. "I guess I over did it. How about this?"

Twilight yells as a whirlwind engulfs her. When the wind dies down, her mane and tail were fluffier than cotton candy. After a moment of silence, the pegasus, Spike, and Fives burst into laughter. Twilight sighs.

"Let me guess... You're Rainbow Dash?"

"The one and only!" Rainbow confirms. "Why? You heard of me?"

"I heard you're supposed to be keeping the skies clear." Twilight snaps. "I'm Twilight Sparkle. The princess sent me to check on the weather." She says with a kinder smile.

"Yeah, yeah. That'll be a snap." Rainbow says dismissively. "I'll do it in a jiffy, just as soon as I am done practicing."

"Practicing? Practicing for what?" Fives asks.

Rainbow Dash eyes the human carefully.

"Is this guy yours?" She asks.

"Yes, this is is Fives." Twilight introduces him.

"Pleased to meet you, kid." Rainbow says from atop her cloud.

Fives couldn't explain it, but he could feel she was sincere. Almost as though she was actually glad to have met him.

"Now, to answer your question," Rainbow continues. "The Wonderbolts! They're going to preform at the celebration tomorrow, and I'm gonna show them my stuff!"

Twilight smiles smugly.

"The Wonderbolts?" She asks.

"Yup." Rainbow confirms.

"As in, the most talented fliers in all of Equestria?"

"That's them."

Twilight's grin grows. She had Rainbow right where she wanted her.

"Please! They would never accept a pegasus who can't keep the sky clear for one measly day!"

Rainbow's eyes widen.

"Hey, I can clear this sky in ten seconds flat!"

"Prove it..." Twilight challenges.

Like the lightning bolt on her flanks, Rainbow Dash shoots off into the air. She soars through the sky, bursting clouds left and right. After clearing the sky, she lands in the bridge.

"What did I say? Ten. Seconds. Flat. I would never leave Ponyville hangin'!"

Twilight, Fives, and Spike could only stare in awe. Rainbow Dash chuckles.

"Haha! You should see the looks on your faces. You're a laugh, Twilight Sparkle! I can't wait to hang out some more!"

With that being said, Rainbow Dash takes off, leaving the trio awestruck.

***Part 6: Rarity***

Spike groans from atop the purple mare's back.

"Eh... Too many apple fritters." Twilight explains. "Applejack's 'kin' were a strange bunch, but they were very helpful. I am confident the festival banquet is in good hooves. What's next on the list?"

Fives pulls the paper from his pocket.

"Erm... The instructions say decor and ambiance is next. A Miss Rarity is in charge of that committee."

Twilight nods.

"We have a location to meet this pony, right?"

"Of course, Twilight.It is just up the road."

"This looks like the town hall. Are you sure we are supposed to meet Rarity here?" Twilight asks.

Fives nods. Inside the building, he could already hear a mare whining and complaining rather loudly. Twilight, Fives, and the now revived Spike walk inside.

"No, no, no! This fabric is simply horrid! This entire line must be changed to magenta!" A white mare demands.

"But, ma'am..." Another pony objects. "This is red, like you requested. What's wrong with it?"

The white mare spins around like he had just spoken blasphemy.

"This. Is. Red?!" She shouts. "I asked for a darkened magenta hue! This is... is... the color of brick! Just take it down, please!"

Twilight decided to step in, for the sake of the poor, very confused stallion.

"Um... Hello, there. I'm Twilight Sparkle. You must be Rari-"

Rarity looks at her and screams in horror.

"Oh, darling! Your mane! What has happened to your mane?!"

Fives and Spike snicker as they recall the incident with Rainbow Dash. Twilight frowns at them, and the snickering stops.

"Well... A blue pegasus named-"

"Wait just one moment, don't tell me. It was Rainbow Dash, wasn't it?" Rarity asks.

Twilight nods.

"How did you know?"

"Uhg! Where do I begin? That pegasus has no respect for the fine arts! She constantly interrupts my delegate work and desperately tries hamper anything I want to accomplish! Oh, but where are my manors? I am Rarity. It is a pleasure to meet you, uh..."

"Twilight Sparkle." Twilight reminds her. "I'm here on behalf of Princess Celestia to-"

"You know the princess?!" Rarity squeals. "What is she like? Oh, please, tell me every single detail!"

"Maybe another time... We are only here to check on the decorations for the Summer Sun Festival." Twilight says hurriedly.

Rarity's gaze drops.

"Ah... I see. Well, I'll show you the progress I have made, then."

Fives finally catches her eye.

"Is this your human, Twilight Sparkle?" She asks.

Without waiting for an answer, Rarity approaches him.

"A very fine specimen, indeed... Can he speak?"

"I can..." Fives answers, feeling slightly offended.

"Oh, how marvelous! Tell me, how good are you with color coordinated organization?"

"Oh, Fives is an expert!" Spike exclaims. "He has ordered Twilight's books by color a thousand times."

Rarity raises her eyes. She was impressed, and not just by his ability to speak and preform slightly complicated tasks...

"Oh, Twilight, you simply must allow me to borrow the aid of this fine, young man. I really need help around my shop. He will be well cared for, of course-"

"Miss Rarity, if you don't mind, we are really getting off track." Twilight says quickly.

Rarity blushes bright red.

"Right, the decorations for the festival... Right this way." Rarity says as she motions for Twilight to move to the center of the town hall.

Fives tries to follow his mistress, but Rarity stops him for a moment.

"Please, do consider my offer. I could really use the assistance of a... strapping human such as yourself..." She whispers to him.

Fives didn't know how to respond. Twilight only used that time of voice when she was in a lustful mood. Rarity was already trotting after Twilight. She turns back and gives him a quick, but very noticeable 'wink'.

"Wow... Isn't she something?" Spike asks.

Fives snaps back to reality.

"W-What?"

"She winked at me!" Spike says excitedly.

Fives chuckles and plays along.

"You have a crush on Rarity?"

"She's the most beautiful pony I have ever seen..."

Spike sounded as though he as a million miles away.

"Come on, you little monster." Fives says jokingly as he lifts the immobilized dragon over his shoulder. "Let's get moving."

***Part 7: Fluttershy***

"Ahhh... Wasn't she wonderful?" Spike moans from atop Twilight's back.

"Focus, Casanova," Twilight mocks. "What's next on the list?"

"Music, it's the last thing on the list." The dragon says.

As if on que, the singing of birds began just down the road. A yellow pegasus was floating next to a tree where a dozen birds were singing together in harmony. Well, all but one, who was singing off time and off key.

"Oh my... Everyone stop, please." The yellow pegasus says quietly as she floats towards the offending bird. "Excuse me, sir... No offense, but your singing is just a tiny bit off. Now, follow me. A-one, a-two, a-one two three fou-"

"Hello!" Twilight shouts from the road.

The pegasus yelps, causing the birds to disperse.

"Oh... I'm sorry." Twilight apologizes. "I didn't mean to frighten your birds. I just came to check up on the music, and it sounded wonderful."

The pegasus lands in front of Twilight but doesn't say a word. Twilight smiles awkwardly.

"I'm Twilight Sparkle," She says. "What's your name?"

"Um... I-I'm Fluttershy..." She whispers inaudibly.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Twilight asks.

"M-My name is Fluttershy..." She says even quieter.

"Didn't catch that." Twilight says.

The pegasus whimpers. Fluttering in the tree signals the return of the birds.

"Weeeeell, it looks like your birds are back!" Twilight says excitedly. "Everything looks to be in order, so I will be going, now..."

The yellow mare watches as Twilight retreats down the road where a little dragon and a human were waiting. She gasps and rushes after them, knocking Twilight out of the way with ease.

"Oh, a baby dragon!" She shouts. "He is so cute!"

"Well, well, well..." Spike basks in the light of his new fan.

"And he talks! I've never even herd of a talking dragon before! This is so unimaginable!

Fives helps Twilight back onto her hooves.

"You've never called me 'cute'." He whispers to her.

"I've called you dirtier things, Fives." Twilight hushes back. "Well, I guess we'll be going!" She says as she picks up Spike with her magic and places him on her back.

The yellow mare trots after them.

"What's his name?" She asks.

"I'm Spike!" The dragon says proudly.

"Oh, how wonderful. I'm Fluttershy."

Twilight rolls her eyes.

"Oh, gosh, a talking dragon! What do dragons talk about?" Fluttershy asks.

"Well, what do you want to know?" Spike replies.

"Absolutely. Everything."

***Part 8: Pinkie Pie***

"And that's the story of my whole childhood!" Spike says as he finishes. "Well, until today. Would you like to hear about today?"

"Oh, yes, please!"

The sun was already setting over Ponyville as Twilight, Spike, and Fives reach their final destination.

"Oh, goodness, how ever did we get here so fast?" Twilight asks as she turns to Fluttershy. "Well, this is where I will be staying in Ponyville, and my poor, baby dragon needs his sleep."

Spike looks down at her.

"What? No, I don-Aaaah!" He shouts as he is thrown from Twilight's back.

Fives snickers quietly.

"Aww... Look at that..." Twilight says, pouting mockingly. "He's so tiwerd, He can't even keep his widdle bawence."

Fluttershy races to pick the little dragon up.

"Oh, you poor thing! You must get into bed right away!" She says as she carries Spike inside the Golden Oak Library.

Twilight rushes after her and throws Fluttershy out.

"Yes, yes, we'll get right on that. Goodnight!"

With that being said, Twilight slams the door.

"It's a little dark in here." Fives comments.

"It's completely dark." Spike adds.

Twilight sighs with relief

"I am glad that's over. Now, I can sit down and research the return of Nightmare Moon without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to be friends all the time. Somebody find the light switch."

Fives feels the wall for the switch.

"Ah ha!" He says as he turns it on.

The room is illuminated, revealing dozens of ponies and a few other humans.

"SURPRISE!" They all scream as confetti is fired out of small cannons.

Loud music starts as the party begins, and Twilight groans. The pink mare she had encountered when the first landed trots up to her.

"Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were you? Were you? Were you?"

"I was." Fives admits, holding his hand to his chest. "Wha-? No, wait!"

Twilight watched helplessly as her human is merged into the crowd.

"I just came here for some peace and quiet." Twilight tries to explain.

"What kind of surprise party would it be if it was quiet?" Pinkie asks.

Twilight backs slowly to the stairs.

"I think I'll be going to bed. Spike, go find Fives and keep him out of trouble."

Spike watched her decent the stairs until the door closes at the top.

***TO BE CONTINUED***

Chapter 6: The Hidden Enemy

***Introduction***

On the night of Hearts Warming Eve, an army of two thousand human soldiers assembled outside of Manehatten. As soon as the sun rose, they attacked, starting the war between the Human Empire and Equestria.

***Part 1: Party Pony***

The humans on the opposite end of the table erupt into laughter. A couple take large sips from their drinks. One even approaches Fives and pats his back.

"Man, this kid is my fucking hero!"

Fives blushes slightly under the barrage of compliments from the other slaves.

"So, let me clear this up." The human behind Fives says. "You just live in the pony's royal, fucking palace, and they just let you walk around?"

Fives immediately thinks of Silvershield.

"Yeah..." He says. "It's not all that great though. The place gets really lonely when my mistress is busy with the princess."

"Hey, Fives, there you are!" Spike says as he wrestles his way through the crowd of party animals.

"Who's this chump?" A human asks, referring to the dragon.

"Oh, uh, this is a friend of mine, Spike. My, uh... My mistress hatched him from an egg." Fives explains.

"Dude, your mistress sounds like a hot set of hooves." Another human says before taking a sip of his drink. "Speaking of which..."

Fives looks over his shoulder. A dark brown mare with a white mane was motioning for her human to be by her side.

"Hey, they're nice enough to give us time off for Pinkie Pie's parties, but they still like to show us off. Kinda like a status thing." The human explains as he walks away to join his mistress.

Spike scoffs.

"Hehe, looks like you've made more friends today than Twilight has." He say jokingly.

"They seemed nice. Besides, I like the positive attention. I get lonely at the palace, being the only human allowed inside, and all."

Spike nods. Fives reaches across the table and grabs a plate with a slice of cake on it.

"I'm gonna take this up to Twilight. I'll be back down, soon. Go find that crazy pink Pony, and give her my thanks. This cake is amazing."

With that, Fives walks through the crowd. He was silently hoping his own mistress' mood had improved. So far, she was not a fan of Ponyville.

***Part 2: Stains****

Fives looks out of the window overlooking Ponyville. The town was very different from his home in Canterlot. Besides, as far as he knew, the change in location was only temporary. After the Summer Sun Celebration, he would be back in the safety of the palace walls with his mistress. He missed having 'alone time' with her.

"Fiiiives?" Twilight's soft voice rings from the library below. "Would you mind helping me with the mess?"

The human jumps up and races down the stairs to his mistress' aid. The lobby was a mess, all right. Pinkie Pie sure could party, but she lacked concept of cleaning up.

"You called, Twilight?" Fives asks.

"Yes, sweeti-" She says before stopping.

Spike as there as well.

"I mean, Fives... Uh, I need you to run to the Greengales and get some more cleaning detergents. I know it's late, but some of these spills can't wait. The store is just down the road."

She then walks over to him and whispers into his ear.

"There are pegasus guards patrolling the skies. Be safe."

Fives gives her a quick salute before taking the bits and running out the door.

***Part 3: Silver Mist***

The road wasn't all that well lit, for one. For another, the scary ponies looking at Fives made him nervous beyond all belief. Only by sprinting as fast as he could, Fives made it to the drug store. He instantly felt relief inside.

"Can... I help you?" The elderly Earth pony at the register asks. "It's mighty late for a boy like you to be wondering 'bout."

"Uh, my mistress sent me here to pick up some cleaning detergents. Something for spills on wooden floors." Fives explains.

The pony nods.

"I got just what your mistress needs." He says as he places the jug of cleaning chemicals on the counter. "You must be very well behaved to be trusted with handling bits for your mistress, boy..."

Fives shrugs.

"Well, I aim to please." He says truthfully, handing the pony the bits for the supplies.

The pony cracks a small smile.

"You best be running on back to your mistress, now. It's dangerous for humans this late at night."

Fives gives him a thankful bow before exiting the Greengales store. He walks out into the cold night. He couldn't run back to the library. The cleaning detergent was too heavy, even for him. He tried to walk as carefully, but as quickly as he could. He looks up at the night sky. Sure enough, three Pegasus guards were circling overhead. One of them breaks off from the trio, and lands right in front of Fives.

"Halt! What do you think you're doing out this late?"

"I... Um, I'm just running an errand for my mistress. M-My home is just right down the road at the Golden Oak Libr-"

"What's in the bag?" The guard demands.

Fives slowly pulls out the jug of cleaning chemicals. The guard's hard gaze softens a little.

"Ah. One of Pinkie Pie's parties?" He asks.

Fives nods.

"That crazy mare sure does know how to throw a bash." The pegasus says wishfully. "Well, you take care and-"

There was a loud 'zap', and a bolt of grey magic flies right over Fives' shoulder and hits the guard in the chest. The pegasus falls over, bleeding badly. Fives tries to scream, but a mist of silver magic covers his mouth. Fives is spun around. Behind him was another guard, but it was too dark to make out who.

"Come on!" The guard whispers. "Hurry!"

Scared out of his mind, Fives follows the guard through the back road behind the drug store. The guard lead Fives through side streets and alleyways until the reached the main road leaving Ponyville. The road went strait into the Everfree Forest.

"Wait!" Fives shouts, completely out of breath. "What's going on?! Who are you?! Why did you attack the-"

"That pegasus will be fine." The guard assures him. "Don't worry about him. As for myself..."

Fives watches as the guard removed his helmet.

"S-Silvershield..." He growls.

"In the flesh." The former guard confirms. "How have you been, Fives? Is your chest doing alright?"

Fives lunges for the grey stallion, tackling him to the dirt.

"Ha! You think you're a match for me, you whelp?" Silver taunts.

Fives punches the stallion's nuzzle over and over again.

"You killed me! You killed me, you bastard!"

"Then, how are you standing here right now?" He laughs evilly.

The former guard rolls Fives over and points his glowing horn at his nose. A loud clicking sound gets Fives' attention.

"Alright, that's enough, Silvershield." A new voice says.

The grey stallion jumps off of Fives, allowing the human to stand. Fives prepares himself to fight again, but Silvershield was already walking towards the entrance to the forest. Waiting for him, was a tall human with gray hair. The human looks at Fives.

"Come here, boy. It's alright. I'm not gonna hurt you." The old man says.

Fives carefully approaches the human.

"Maybe he is scared of your musket, General." Silvershield says mockingly.

"You may be right." The human says anyway, placing his weapon on the ground. "It's alright, Fives. I am General Simco." The human says. "We are all friends here."

"We?" Fives asks. "All?"

The human steps back, puts his fingers to his lips, and gives a long, single tune whistle. About two dozen more humans, all dressed in the same green uniforms, emerge from the forest.

"Fives, welcome to the People's Liberation Army. You're going to help us overthrow the ponies and kill Celestia."

***Part 4: Welcome To The Jungle***

"An army of humans?" Fives asks in disbelief as he looks at the sights around him.

It was a large camp, a staging area.

"Our numbers are growing slowly, but steadily. The P.L.A. began as just a few survivors of the first Pony War. Now, we are legion." General Simco says. "Major Silvershield has given us a lot of good intel about possible targets, including the palace in Canterlot."

"Major?" Fives asks as he looks back at the smirking unicorn.

Simco nods, completely unaware of the growing tension between Fives and Silvershield.

"Yes, this unicorn joined our ranks only recently after... uh, what did you say it was, Major?"

"I was banished from the palace, General." Silvershield says truthfully.

"Yeah, after you tried to kill me." Fives snaps.

Silvershield snarls and bears is teeth, and Fives prepares to lunge, but Simco steps in between them.

"Alright! That's enough out of you two. Major, get to your platoon. Fives, come with me."

"Yes, sir..." The unicorn says before sulking away.

"Sir, you still haven't told me what I'm doing here. My mistress is going to be worried sick if I don't go home right now."

Simco throws his head back and gives a hearty laugh.

"Mistress? Home? We have just liberated you, son! Why in Equestria would you want to return to your mistress?"

Fives doesn't answer. How could he? He couldn't exactly say: 'Oh, I have sex with her on a regular basis, and I really, really love her.'. That might raise some eyebrows.

Several human troopers behind the General snicker.

"Let's just get to my tent." Simco says, hurrying Fives along.

Fives fallows Simco across the camp and into a large tent.

"Take a seat, Fives." Commander Simco tells him, gesturing to a chair.

"How do you know me?" Fives asks.

"Oh, your friend, Silvershield, has told us everything we need to know about you, and what you are capable of. Son, it may not look like it, but we need you."

Fives crosses his arms.

"Oh, yeah? Why is that, sir?"

Simco chuckles.

"You've got a spark of tenacity. I like that in a trooper. From what Silvershield has told us, you have the most power of any human slave in Equestria. You have the full trust and faith of your mistress, and more importantly, Princess Celestia herself. She has done everything she can to make sure you are safe and... well, alive. Why is that?"

Fives shrugs. He truly didn't know why. He wanted to know. He wanted to know why Celestia did so much for him.

"I wish I knew, sir."

"Hmm..." Simco ponders. "Maybe when this rebellion is done and over with, all will be revealed. Anyway, as I'm sure you are aware, the thousandth Summer Sun Celebration is tomorrow. Big event, big party, lots of pony officials attending, including Celestia. I need you to be my eyes and my ears at that event. You and your mistress were investigating the readiness of the event, yes?"

Fives cocks his head.

"Wha- How did you know that?" He demands.

"I have other spies in Ponyville, Fives. You aren't the first. You met one of them at Pinkie Pie's party last night. He said you were a 'nice guy'." Simco says, making quotation marks with his fingers. "Anyway, you must make sure the Summer Sun Celebration goes on as planned. You must keep it going at all costs."

"Why? What's going on?"

General Simco grins excitedly.

"The revolution, son."

***Part 5: Grim News***

Twilight continued to frown at the spilled drink on the floor. If Fives didn't return with cleaning supplies soon, the floor would risk being ruined.

"He should have been back by now..."

There is a thundering knock on the door.

"Twilight Sparkle, open up! This is her majesty's guard!"

The purple mare rushes to the door and opens it. Sure enough, there was a Pegasus in golden armor standing at the door.

"What is it, sir?" Twilight asks, increasingly getting worried about Fives.

"Another guard was just injured down the road. Witnesses say they saw him talking to a human before the attacker injured him and ran off with the property. Are you missing your property, Miss Sparkle?"

Twilight's heart sank. She was.

"Did you see who attacked the guard?" She asks.

The pegasus shakes his head.

"No, ma'am, but the wound indicates that it was a bolt of magic from a unicorn. We... We believe this attack may have been planned. The attacker covered his tracks and made sure we couldn't follow him. The only trace of the human that was kidnapped was a jug of cleaning chemicals from Greengales."

"That's Fives... That's my human..." Twilight cries, tears streaming down her cheeks.

The guard lowers his head.

"I'm sorry about your property, miss, but-"

"Get my brother." Twilight tells him. "Get Captain Armor down here. He needs to know about this."

***Part 6: My Own Way***

The dawn came to the sounds of crying and moans of agony.

"So... Fives was kidnapped?" Spike asks, sounding increasingly worried.

Twilight nods, tears streaming down her face.

"I'm afraid so, Spike... Has Shining written back yet?"

The dragon shakes his head.

"Do you want to send a letter to Celestia instead? She might be able to help." He suggests.

"No, the princess can't know about this. She has enough on her mind right now. We need to find Fives ourselves and-"

There is a soft knock at the door. Confused, Spike goes to investigate. Twilight watches as he opens the door. Standing before them, was Fives. Twilight lets out a noise that sounded like a cross between a dying bird and a loud sneeze. She grabs him with the magic from her horn and drags him inside.

"Spike, shut the door!" Twilight orders.

The dragon obeys and quickly closes the door.

"Um... Hi, Twilight-"

The purple mare conks his forehead with her hoof, hard.

"Where in Celestia's name have you been?!" She demands. "The guards told me you were kidnapped!"

"I... I was kidnapped..." Fives admits.

Twilight hugs him tightly.

"Who was it?" She demands. "Why?"

Fives bites his lip nervously. Simco had sworn him into secrecy, but he had never kept a secret from his mistress. He had never kept anything from her.

"Can we talk in private?" He asks.

Both the mare and her boy look at Spike. The dragon sighs and rolls his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. I'll be at Rarity's.

As soon as the door shuts, Twilight gives Fives a big, wet kiss. This catches him completely off guard, but he welcomes it. After several seconds, Twilight pulls away.

"I'm sorry..." She says. "It's been so long... Now, tell me about last night."

Fives gulps. He was dreading telling this story.

"It... It was Silvershield." He says in a hushed tone.

Twilight's face immediately turns dark red. Pure rage and hate were beginning to broil inside of her.

"He... He hurt the guard down the road and took me to the Everfree Forest..."

"Oh, Fives... I'm so sorry-"

"That's not the worst part, Twilight. Please, listen."

Twilight sits back on her flank.

"Silvershield took me to a camp... an army camp... of humans."

Twilight gasps, but Fives covers her snout.

"Twilight, there are thousands of Humans out there, plotting against Celestia. They're going to attack during the Summer Sun Celebration. They want to overthrow Celestia."

Twilight felt dizzy.

"We... We have to get a letter to Celestia... We have to warn her!" Twilight shouts, on the verge of a panic attack.

"No!" Fives grabs her face. "Simco will know if Celestia has any knowledge of the attack. He will attack Ponyville the second he is aware and kill every single pony in pony in sight. I don't want you to get hurt, Twilight..."

"We have to do something, Fives!"

The human nods.

"I know we do... Which is why I have been thinking of a plan to stop a war before it starts."

***TO BE CONTINUED***

Chapter 7: Your Worst Nightmare

***Introduction***

Manehattan fell within the day. Any pony guards defending it were killed or driven away. Celestia was outraged. Equestria, never having fought a war in over a thousand years, had no army to fight against the Human Empire. That changed after the fall of Manehattan. Celestia assembled thousands of unicorns and pegasi to fight for her against the humans advancing south-west. The battle for Canterlot was about to begin.

***Part 1: Wavering Loyalty***

"Sir, do you really think we can trust Fives to do the job right? I mean, if this doesn't go our way, any chance of freeing our people will be lost." Major Appleton asks.

Simco sighs and looks up from his desk.

"Major, you need to have faith in me and my plans. Fives is the perfect candidate to help us bring down the Equestrian regime."

The soldier shifts his feet nervously.

"But, do we really have to execute Princess Celestia?"

Simco stands and walks over towards the Major, puts an arm around his shoulder, and pushes him to towards the exit.

"Son, I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Just trust me, alright? Everything is going according to plan. Now, go find Silvershield and prepare our forces to move out."

"Sir, yes sir..." He mutters before trudging away.

***Part 2: The Summer Sun Celebration***

"Fives, you know I trust you, but this plan is crazy. A fanatical army of humans will never lay their guns down to talk peacefully!" Twilight objects.

"Simco will. He put a lot of faith in me to see to it that Celestia can be captured. If we can get them to talk-"

Twilight growls and throws her head back out of frustration. She walks over to the window. Outside, dozens of ponies and their human property were making their way to the town hall. She then looks up at the darkening sky.

"This is going to be a long night..."

The hour was upon Ponyville, and everyone murmured to one another with excitement. The thousandth anniversary of the Summer Sun Celebration was moments from beginning. Soon, Rarity would unveil Princess Celestia, who then would lower the sun completely before raising the moon, ending the longest day of the year.

"Fives..." Twilight mutters to her human as the shuffle inside the town hall.

"Yes, Twilight?"

Twilight lowers her head and bites her lip. So much was about to happen and so much could go horribly wrong. Endless amounts of scenarios where everyone she cared about was hurt or killed flipped through her mind.

"Just stay close to me." She orders.

Fives nods, looking in the direction of the Everfree Forest one last time. He then follows her inside. Inside, they immediately ran into Applejack.

"Howdy, Miss Twilight Sparkle!" The orange mare says happily. "And howdy to you, Fives. So, it looks like everything came together mighty smoothly."

"I guess it has." Twilight says with a heavy sigh.

"Hey, Twi!"

"Waaa!" Twilight yells as Rainbow Dash tackles her.

"What's up? Looks like your hair is back to normal. Hey, just say the word, and I can spice it up for you again."

"You will do no such thing, Rainbow Dash!" Rarity exclaims as she approaches.

Rainbow Dash rolls her eyes.

"Well, if it isn't Miss Priss. What would you know about style anyway?"

"Everything!" The white mare counters.

"Hey everybody!" Pinkie Pie greets.

Twilight groans. Of course, everyone had to be here...

"Well, I don't think you even have the slightest idea of-" Rarity began to say before Applejack stopped her.

"Y'all, shush. The ceremony is startin'."

Rarity waves her hair and trots away.

"Hmph! I need to raise the curtains for Princess Celestia, anyway!"

Fives and Spike watch as Rarity disappears into another room. Likely as staircase to take her up to the balcony. Twilight kept her gaze fixed on the moon, which was rising ever so slightly. The lights were dimmed, and several pegasus guards bearing trumpets began playing the royal fanfare. Rarity, now up on the balcony, smiles down at Twilight, Fives, and Spike. She turns to the rope controlling the curtains, grabs them with her magic, and lowers them. The curtains rise, revealing-

"AAAAHHHH!" Rarity screams, her voice full of pure terror.

It wasn't the princess, but a human who steps forward onto the balcony.

"Kind ponies and human slaves," General Simco says. "Good evening."

***Part 3: The Thousandth Year***

Every pony in the town hall was speechless. A human standing where their princess should have been was unimaginable. Simco stood tall on the balcony, grinning wildly and taking in the scene of surprised Equestrians.

"Well... Isn't this just a... magical moment?" He asks. "Please, allow me to introduce myself."

The doors to the town hall burst. The ponies and human slaves alike screamed as humans in green uniforms carrying muskets stormed into the building.

"I am General Star B. Simco, leader of the People's Liberation Army. All of you are now under my control."

Two more soldiers appear in the balcony and subdue Rarity. They drag her down to the first floor to be held with the rest of the ponies.

"What have you done with our princess?!" Rainbow Dash demands.

Simco cocks his head.

"She isn't here?" He asks.

Everyone was silent.

"Celestia isn't here?!" He demands again. "Damn!"

Simco turns to the Major behind him.

"You said you were positive Celestia would show, Appleton!"

Fives flinches as Simco strikes the P.L.A. Major in the jaw. Another soldier helps the Major up, glaring at Simco. The General runs his hand through his hair and chuckles.

"No matter... If the tyrannical coward won't show her face now, maybe she will after I execute a few of her subjects!"

Fives' heart nearly pops when Simco points to Applejack.

"All owners of human slaves will pay the ultimate price..." He snarls.

"S-Sir!" Major Appleton objects. "This wasn't a part of the plan!"

"Execute that pony, or I will shoot you myself!" Simco says.

Fives immediately regretted having any faith in the General. He wasn't a leader of free people. He was a lunatic. No human soldiers moved. Simco's face was red. He looked as though he was about to explode with rage and frustration, but something silenced him. A sinister laugh echoed through the grand hall. Twilight gasps and looks out the window, at the moon. The shadow of the mare was gone.

"What now?!" He yells.

"What now?" The sinister voice repeats as a dark blue mist seeps in through the windows. "I'll tell you what is happening now, you small, hairless ape."

The black mare materializes over the crowds below. She faced Simco directly.

"It is all of you who are under my control..." She hisses.

"Nightmare Moon..." Twilight gasps.

The black Alicorn spins around and faces Twilight.

"Ah... So after all these years, I have not been entirely forgotten." Nightmare Moon chuckles.

She then turns her attention to Fives. Her menacing gaze hardens.

"What... manner of being are you?" She demands. "You do not smell as the rest of these beasts do. You reek of my sister..."

"I... I am..." Fives stutters.

"These people are slaves of the Equestrian Empire!" Simco states. "I am here to free them!"

Major Appleton noticeably rolls his eyes. Nightmare Moon sees this and chuckles. She turns back to Simco.

"Well, you have done a marvelous job of that." She mocks and turns back to Fives.

"Slaves? Is this true? Ha! My sister is far more of a dictator than I once thought."

The black mare spreads her wings majestically.

"Fear not, apes of Equestria! As soon as this land is mine, all of your kind will be free! For now, enjoy my night."

With her sinister laugh, she melts back into her blue mist-like form and flies out the window and into the sky.

***Part 4: Shattered Spirits***

"We have to stop her!" Twilight shouts as she brakes the door of the library down.

Fives and Spike follow closely behind her, shutting the nearly broken door.

"You're worried about Nightmare Moon?!" Fives demands. "What about Simco?!"

"You heard her, Fives. Eternal night in Equestria!"

Fives grabs her hoof and jerks it roughly.

"But there is a war starting now! As soon as we left the town hall, I saw Simco rallying his troops to march on the rest of Ponyville! We need to get out of here before they find you."

There is a loud knock at the door. Without waiting for a reply, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy all enter the library. Rainbow Dash instantly tackles Twilight, pinning her to the floor.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Rainbow hisses. "What are you, some kind of spy?!"

Applejack pulls the blue mare off of Twilight.

"No, Rainbow Dash, I don't think she's a spy," She says as she turns to Twilight. "But you do know an awful lot about what's goin' on, don't you?"

Twilight sighs and lowers her head.

"A few days ago," She begins. "I read about a prophecy explaining the return of Nightmare Moon. I wanted to study this more, but I got so caught up in the preparations and... oh, Celestia..."

Rarity smiles.

"Come, now. Cheer up, darling. We are in a library, are we not? Surely there must be something useful here. How can we help?"

Fives steps back as the five strangers from the other day surround his mistress, offering their help. He didn't know what to do.

"My book on predictions and prophecies told of a weapon used to defeat Nightmare Moon before. It was called the Elements of Harmony. We should find some information on that."

***Part 5: Betrayal***

Fives looks out the window and gasps. Outside, a dozen royal guards dressed in a dark green armed with a camouflage pattern. They were a part of Simco's militia. With them was-

"Silvershield..." Fives mutters.

Silvershield was waving to Fives, motioning for him to come outside.

"Did you say something, Fives?" Twilight asks, not looking up from her books.

Everybody in the room was concentrating hard. None of them noticed Fives skip out the door. Once Fives was outside, he bolts towards Silvershield. He arrives in front of the former guard seconds later.

"What in the hell do you want?" Fives demands. "Did you hear what Simco said at the town hall?"

Silvershield nods.

"Oh, yeah, Fives. We heard every bit." He answers.

"Then, you know we have to stop him, right? I mean, another war would destroy us all!"

Silvershield nods in agreement.

"You are right, Fives."

The human doesn't see it coming. A hoof makes its mark right on his face, knocking him to the ground.

"To bad for you, Fives." Silvershield chuckles. "Total war is exactly what the good General wants. It was his plan all along."

"W-What?" Fives asks, completely shocked. "What do you mean?"

Another good knocks him in the chest, sending him flat on his back.

"Simco never cared about the 'freedom of mankind'. He only wanted Celestia out of the way so he could control the human race himself."

Fives was coughing up blood.

"You... You won't get away with this!" Fives tries to scream.

The renegade guards circle around the crippled human.

"Oh, Fives... We already have."

Silvershield races his hoof to crush Fives' chest.

"I've killed you once. To bad Celestia isn't here to resurrect you again. This is too much fun!"

One of the guards chuckles and shakes his head.

"Alright... That's all I needed to hear." The guard says.

He jumps into action, bucking both renegades on either side of him. His horn flares to life, and he begins firing bolts of magic at the rest.

"What in the hell is this?!" Silvershield cries.

Silver dives for cover as the mystery guard is tackled by renegade, and they both go rolling down the road. With one swift punch, he knocks the renegade unconscious. The mystery guard finally turns to fire a bolt of magic at Silvershield, but the coward had escaped.

"Damn!" He curses, turning his attention back to Fives. "Fives! Are you alright, bud?"

The human was still dazed and confused. His vision was beginning to blur as the mystery guard leans over him.

"Hold on!" He says. "You're gonna be alright! Just hold on!"

***Part 6: Obey***

Fives groans as his eyes flutter open. He felt this was was starting to get redundant. Eight pairs of eyes looked down at him.

"Tw-Twilight?" He asks, turning his attention to the guard in green, camouflage armor. "Who are-"

The guard chuckles as he removes his helmet, his dark blue mane fell freely.

"Shining?!" Fives gasps. "You-You saved me..."

"Just in the nick of time, too." The stallion says gleefully. "I wasn't about to let that bastard kill my favorite human, again."

"Then, you heard what he said?"

Shining nods.

"Every word. We need to find the princess. She's the only one who can stop all of this, now."

"But Nightmare Moon has taken her!" Rarity points out.

"Rarity is right." Twilight agrees. "We need to stop Nightmare Moon. Then, we can deal with Simco and Silvershield. Big brother, can I trust you to keep him here?" She asks.

"Of course, Twilight." Shining says, placing a hoof on Fives' shoulder. "He's not going anywhere."

Fives looks at his mistress in disbelief.

"You... You're going after her? I need to go with you, Twilight!" Fives says.

"No!" She objects. "No, you will stay here with Shining and Spike. I don't want you getting hurt any more than you already are."

"But-"

"No, Fives!" Twilight shouts as she shuts her eyes and turns away. "As much as I hate to do this... I am ordering you to stay. As your mistress, I order you to stay here. You are my property and you have to do what I say. Please, just stay here... I can't see you die..."

Fives felt as though he was going to cry, but his mistress had given him a direct order. He could only obey.

***TO BE CONTINUED***

Chapter 8: The Battle For Ponyville

***Introduction***

Canterlot was under siege for three days. The human army climbed up the face of the mountain and marched on the city. The battle was bloody, as both sides racked up casualties. Despite all the humans had risked to attack Canterlot, they were no match for the power of pony's magic and ability to fly. Unable to retreat back down the mountain, the human army was forced to surrender.

***Part 1: The Old Master***

"Come on, I have to go, Shining! You can't do this!" Fives protests.

The stallion frowns.

"Oh, Fives..." He says softly. "She just wants you to be safe."

"But, I'm worried about her safety!" Fives counters. "Out there in the Everfree... There's hundred's of human rebels, and Nightmare Moon is-"

"Twilight is a strong mare. Plus, she has those other mares with her. They seem to care for her, and I am sure they will keep each other safe."

Fives sighs and holds his hands to his face. It still felt really sore, but that wasn't why.

"Fives, are you crying?" Spike asks.

"Spike, go to the kitchen and get him something warm to drink, please." Shining tells him.

As soon as the little dragon is gone and out of earshot, Shining kneels next to Fives so his head is level with the human's.

"Fives, tell me what is going on. Why do you have to go after Twilight? Why can't you just trust her to be fine without you?"

The human doesn't answer, but tears were still pouring down his cheeks.

"Come on, Fives. There isn't a single thing in Equestria you can't trust me with. Please, tell me."

Fives sniffles as he attempts to dry his tears. He lowers his gaze and stares at Shining's hooves. Then, he looks back up to meet his eyes.

"I... I have to go after her, because... I... I love her..."

***Part 2: Plots And Schemes***

"Major Appleton!" Simco shouts.

"Sir!" Appleton reports.

"Is your regiment ready for its special mission?"

The Major lowers his head.

"Y-Yes, sir... but, I don't think-"

Simco spins around and raises his fist, causing Appleton to flinch.

"I did not order you to think, Major..." He growls. "I ordered you to track down this party of Equestrians that managed to slip past our lines and break into the Everfree Forest. There are only six of them, two unicorns, two pegasi, and two earth ponies. I trust you should have no difficulties in capturing them."

"But, sir, our own men have never ventured this deep into the Everfree before. This is uncharted territory, and many good soldiers will be put at risk." Appleton objects. "Besides, even if we do find them, what should we do?"

Sinco smiles evilly.

"Kill them all."

The Major's eyes widen with shock.

"S-Sir?"

"You heard me, Major Appleton. I want you to kill all six of them on sight. Let none of them leave the forest alive. We must keep the ponies in Ponyville before we burn it to the ground."

Appleton shakes his head.

"S-Sir, I don't think I can-"

"Are you thinking again, Major? Are you disobeying my orders?"

"No, sir! It's just-"

"You will take your regiment into the forest and kill those ponies, or I will shoot you myself for insubordination!"

The tent was dead silent. Even the murmuring among soldiers outside had stopped. Appleton's heart pounded heavily with fear. The Major closes his eyes before giving a short bow.

"By your order, General Simco..."

***Part 3: Big Brother***

Fives yelped as he fell out of the window and into the dirt road. Shining poked his head out, looking both ways to make sure the coast was clear before jumping out of the window himself.

"Come on, Fives. We don't have a lot of time."

"What about Spike?" Fives asks as they begin running down the road, towards the Everfree Forest.

"He'll be out cold for a while."

Fives turns to the stallion with a look of shock on his face. Shining notices and chuckles.

"Oh, it was just a harmless spell to put the little guy to sleep. I didn't hurt him. We can't have a little, baby dragon running into the forest. Now, I'm going to get you passed the guard check point by the town hall. Then, it will be up to you to catch up to Twilight."

The two of them stop just behind the town hall. The check point was just around the corner, and it was heavily fortified.

"Listen carefully to me, Fives..." Shining says softly. "I love my sister more than anything on this planet, and you are the only one I trust to keep her safe. If what you told me is true... if you really feel for her the way you say you do, then you must go after her. Do I make myself clear?"

Fives nods vigorously, causing Shining to grin.

"Great. Now, let's get you on your way."

***Part 4: Dark Trials***

"Great job with the manticore, Fluttershy." Twilight mutters. "How did you know about the thorn?"

Fluttershy grins as she hides behind her mane. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were still pretty shaken up after the quick encounter.

"Maybe we shouldn't judge another animal by his behavior." Applejack comments.

Twilight's eyes narrow as she thinks of Fives.

"Twilight, dear, are you alright?" Rarity asks.

Twilight snaps back to reality.

"Huh? Oh... Y-Yeah..."

"Hey," Applejack mutters. "Where is that crazy, pink pony?"

Everybody spins around. Pinkie Pie was gone.

"It was rather quiet, wasn't it?" Rarity scoffs.

The trees and beaches rustled in the wind eerily.

"Pinkie Pie?" Twilight calls.

At the edge of the clearing, just met to the pass the manticore was guarding, a human soldier steps into the moonlight, his musket raised.

"H-Hello..." He says rather nervously.

Twilight lowers her horn as she prepares to fire a bolt of magic. The human soldier's eyes widen.

"No! Don't shoot, please." He says as he lowers his musket.

The soldier then looks behind him and whistles a long tune. Several more soldiers emerge from the thicket, weapons lowered. Behind them stood Pinkie Pie. The pink mare smiled wildly and waved her hoof.

"You brute!" Rarity accuses. "Release our friend!"

"Release me?" Pinkie Pie asks. "Why would he need to release me? We were only talking. He seems very nice."

"Pinkie Pie," Applejack scolds. "Everyone seems very nice, to you."

Pinkie Pie happily bounces over to her friends.

"What do you want?" Twilight demands. "You work for Simco, don't you?"

He nods, then shakes his head.

"Well, which is it?!" Twilight shouts.

He looked as though he was struggling to speak.

"M-My name is Nathaniel Appleton, Major Appleton. Yes, we used to work for Commander Simco, but we do not any longer. I only wanted to talk to the pink one so I could then give her back, as a gesture of... friendship."

Twilight's gaze softens.

"What do you mean?"

"I want to help you." Appleton says. "We want to help you, all of us. Simco is a crazy bastard, and he needs to be stopped."

"And why should we trust you?" Applejack demands.

The Major lowers his head.

"I know, you have no reason to trust me, but you also have no other choice. There are dozens of P.L.A. camps throughout the Everfree. There are even camps near the old castle. That's where you're going, isn't it?" Appleton asks.

"How did you know that?" Twilight counters.

The Major clears his throat.

"That old castle, deep in the forest, didn't always belong to Princess Celestia. It used to be the last line of defense for the Human Empire near the end of the war, over a hundred years ago. If you want to make it there without getting caught, you'll need my rangers. We are at your service."

***Part 5: Eternal Night***

Fives was broken, beaten, sweating like Wonderbolt, and... well, he was tired beyond all other meaning of the word. He had been running, no, springing through the Everfree Forest. Whenever he saw a light that looked like a rebel camp, he turned right around and heading in the opposite direction.

"Uhg!" Fives groans aloud. "I'm so fucking lost... I... I don't..."

He looks around for the path he had begun on, but it had long disappeared. The wind was picking up, and the temperature in the air had dropped significantly.

"What do you think you are doing here, hairless ape?" A soft voice asks from behind him.

Fives spins around, but no one was there.

"Ah, I am up here." The voice says.

Fives looks up towards a break in the trees. The moon was bright and shining. He squints harder to look for whomever had spoken. There was no one.

"Boo!"

It came from right behind him. Fives let out a scream that could only be achieved by a six-year-old filly. The voice laughs.

"Hazzah! I still have it." She celebrates.

Fives turns just in time to see Nightmare Moon materialize out of the shadowy thicket.

"Nothing beats a good scare." She says. "Now, answer my question. What do you think you are doing here?"

Shaking, Fives swallows his fear.

"I... I am looking for my mistress..." He stutters.

"Your mistress?" Nightmare repeats. "If she is the mare who enslaved you, why would you want to be reunited with her?"

"Well, I... I just want to keep her safe, just like she has tried so hard to keep me safe. She cares about me, and I would be damned if i said I didn't care about her."

Nightmare Moon glares at Fives as she recognizes him.

"You... You are the beast from the town hall, the one who reeks of Celestia..."

Fives had no idea of what she meant, but Nightmare was turning hostile. She looks as though she is about to advance, but shouting in the distance catches her attention. Human soldiers were approaching. Nightmare turns her head back to Fives.

"I will deal with you later..." She snarls.

Just like that, Nightmare Moon melts into the shadows. Fives gives a sigh of relief, and he closes his eyes to think. Nightmare Moon had said she needed to stop the Elements of Harmony. That is exactly where Twilight said she needed to go, as well. Fives gains a newfound strength, and he bolts through the thicket. He needed to get Twilight and warn her. Nightmare Moon was coming.

***Part 6: The Bridge***

"We are almost to the bridge. After that, we should be able to make it without any more detours." Appleton says cheerily to Twilight.

He looks back at the troop of ponies behind him. All looked tired and worn out. All but one, who had her eyes trained on him. Appleton turns back around and keeps his eyes trained forward.

"Um... Miss Twilight..."

"Yes, Appleton?"

"Who is the blue mare? The one with the colored mane." He asks quietly.

Twilight cocks her head as they continue to march.

"Oh, that's Rainbow Dash. Why?"

The Major stays quiet.

"Why?" Twilight asks again.

"Nothing..." Appleton says quickly.

He raises his hand to stop the regiment. Another human soldier rushes up to the Major.

"Sir, our scouts up ahead have just reported that the bridge leading to the old castle is down..." The soldier says.

"Down?" Appleton repeats.

"It's gone, sir. The entire bridge has fallen due to torn ropes on the opposite side. There is no other way across the crevice."

"Uhhh, did you guys forget we have wings?" Rainbow Dash asks.

Appleton turns around just in time to see Rainbow Dash floating above them.

"I can fly across and see what I can do about the bridge." She volunteers.

Giving Appleton a sly grin and a wink, she flies into the fog."

***Part 7: Silvershield***

Fives breaks through another clearing. The forest was breaking up. He could see the castle in the distance.

"Twilight has to be here, but where is she?" He mutter.

There was no way over the great divide in the ground between him and the old castle. He had to find another way around. Fives turns around to begin looking for another way, only to come face to face with Silvershield.

"Hey, Fives."

His hoof makes contact with the human's jaw, sending Fives flying to the edge of the cliff.

"Hahaha! This... This is so... perfect. Yeah, that's the word."

Fives struggles to stand on his feet.

"You..." Fives growls.

"Me?" Silvershield mocks. "Oh, Fives... Oh, you poor thing. I must have hit your little head to hard. You see, I'm stronger than you in every way. On top of that, I have magic at my disposal, which I will now use to kill you, once and for all..."

Silver lowers his horn and begins charging it. Fives knew Silver was right. He could never beat him like this. He needed to even the playing field.

"Wait, Silvershield!" Fives shouts. "If you really want to kill me that badly, is blasting me off of a cliff the best way to do it? I mean, what satisfaction do you gain from that?"

Silvershield actually raises his horn, stopping the magic.

"What in the hell are you getting at, whelp?"

"A duel." Fives smirks. "A brawl, if you will. No magic, just fists and hooves."

The former guard looks at the ground, then to a bush to his left.

"What, are you scared? I thought you were stronger than me in every way." Fives recalls, mockingly.

"Alright!" Silver snaps. "If you want a slow and painful death, you shall have one."

He removes his helmet and tosses it aside. The fire in his eyes was pure malice. Fives was starting to have second thoughts.

"AAAAHHHH!" Silvershield yells as he charges towards Fives.

The human reacts instinctively, jumping to the side and avoiding the first charge. Silver's rear legs fly back and catch Fives in his thy. He groans loudly from the blow. His left leg felt as though it would collapse. He could not have that. He could not fall to the ground, now. Silver comes back around and rushes Fives. This time, he was ready. Fives jumps forward and wraps his arms around the Unicorn's neck, bringing him down.

"Uhg! You fucking pest!" Silver cursed as he tries to buck Fives off of his back.

Fives clenches his right hand and socks Silvershield in the jaw as hard as he can, stunning him briefly. Now, the unicorn had his back to the edge, his tail swishing nervously. Fives was still limping heavily. He was exhausted, and Silvershield knew it. He lunges forward to catch Fives off guard. The human, stricken with fear, falls on his back, raising his feet. Silvershield is caught right on top of Fives' boots, and the human kicks Silver over his body. The unicorn lands with a hard 'thud' behind him. Fives spins around. Silver was still on the ground, groaning.

"How 'bout that..." Fives mutters as he stands shakily. "Looks like... I win..."

He grabs a stone, a big stone, like, the size of his head. The fire in Silvershield's eyes vanishes the second he sees the huge stone being held over his head. They were now filled with terror. He desperately tries to charge a bolt of magic, but Fives stomps his foot right on top of his throat, hard. Silvershield gasps and groans as the human crushes his wind pipe. Fives raises the stone, preparing to drop it.

"Fives..." A soft voice says.

Fives' eyes widen. He knew that voice.

"C-Celestia?" He asks.

He heard her voice but saw no princess.

"Fives..." She says again. "I thought you were raised better than this..."

"Y-Your highness..."

"I am not here, Fives. Right now, I am far away. Nightmare Moon has taken my place, but there is still time to stop what has been set in motion..."

"What do you mean?" Fives asks.

The voice was beginning to fade away.

"You will know soon enough, Fives... Follow the crevice. You will find a bridge and a company of soldiers who will help you on your way. Good luck, my-"

She was gone. Fives didn't hear her last words. What was she going to say? He looks at the stone in his hand, then down at Silvershield. He could do it. He could still kill him.

"I won't... I won't do it."

Silvershield couldn't speak. He could only gasp for air.

"I'm not going to kill you, but I am going to make something very clear..." He says in a low, and quite scary, voice.

"I am stronger than you..." Fives hisses. "Maybe not in physical strength, but in mind and heart. I am stronger than you could ever dream of being, so you just sit here and pick your stupid ass off the ground. I have a country to save.

***Part 8: Rainbow's Crush***

"This place looks pretty beaten up..." Applejack mutters.

"This fortress was under siege for three weeks before the pony's forces ran the human defenders out. After the war, Celestia set up residents. Canterlot was still in ruin from the human's previous invasion, so it seemed like a fair trade." The Major explains.

Rainbow Dash lands from her hovering and begins walking next to Appleton, glancing up nervously at him.

"Alright, everyone," Twilight says. "We need to find the Elements of Harmony before Nightmare Moon. Spread out and search through every room."

"I'll go with Appleton!" Rainbow Dash volunteers quickly.

Silence followed. Rainbow's ears fold down.

"Um..." She mutters.

"Great idea." Appleton says. "I'll need a strong, capable pegasus providing recon assessments. Rainbow Dash, let's take the west tower."

The blue mare was blushing bright red.

"R-Right..." She whispers. "I'm right behind you..."

Twilight watches as Appleton, Rainbow, and a few soldiers head up the staircase.

"Uh... anyone else think Rainbow is a little-"

"Into the Major?" Applejack finishes for her. "Yeah, Twilight, we do."

***TO BE CONTINUED***

Chapter 9: The Castle Of The Two Sisters

***Introduction***

One week after the attack on Canterlot, the Human Empire officially surrendered to Princess Celestia. It would be a day forever known as 'The Day Of The Sun'. The ponies were happy the humans were surrendering the war, but that wasn't good enough. The ponies wanted greater retribution for the crimes the Human Empire committed. Thus, by the signing of the Canterlot Concordat, all humans left in Equestria were subjected into slavery, forced to serve their pony masters.

***Part 1: Poking The Bear***

"Sir, all regiments have taken their positions. Will we march on Ponyville, now?" A trooper asks.

Simco doesn't answer. He doesn't even look up from his desk.

"Sir, we-"

"Has Major Appleton captured the rogue Ponies yet?" Simco demands.

The trooper shakes his head.

"No, sir. We lost contact with the Major and his regiment over an hour ago. He should have reported in by now, at lease."

Simco's eyes narrow.

"Sir, what are our orders?"

The General stands quickly, startling the trooper.

"Have all regimens ready to move into the Everfree Forest." He barks.

"S-Sir?"

"It appears to me that we have a deserter, Captain. Have all regiments ready to move into the forest. We will march on the old fortress, first. Then, we will take Ponyville."

"Sir, I don't understand..."

Simco sighs and rolls his eyes.

"An incompetent soldier such as yourself would have difficulty grasping the situation, I imagine..."

The trooper frowns.

"I believe Major Appleton has betrayed us. He must be helping the ponies break through our lines. Their only target destination can be the old fortress. Have all regiments ready to move."

"But-"

"You are dismissed, Captain."

Cursing underneath his breath, the trooper storms out of the tent.

***Part 2: The Mare In Blue***

"So... You don't like Simco?" Rainbow asks cautiously.

"No." The Major says flatly. "In fact, I never did. He has done nothing to prove himself as a real leader ever since he gained power."

"Damn strait..." Another soldier mutters as he shuffles through some over turned furniture.

The group splits apart, searching opposite ends of the room.

Rainbow Dash frowns. She would have preferred searching for the Elements of Harmony with Appleton alone.

"Hey, Rainbow Dash!" Appleton calls from across the room. "Come over here, for a moment, please."

Music to her ears. Rainbow wastes no time in getting to the Major's side.

"What is it?" She asks.

"These stairs lead to an attic in the tower, but they are old and rotten beyond the standard of safety." He says, pointing to the wooden planks. "Can you fly up there and scout the area?"

Her heart sank.

"Oh... S-Sure..." She says, very depressed.

Appleton noticed her disappointment.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Rainbow snaps, quickly. "Nothing's wrong..."

Appleton looks down at his feet.

"Alright then... Well, maybe we could just-"

There was a loud crack. The rotten boards under him shattered, and Appleton began to fall through the tower.

"NO!" Rainbow yells as she dives down.

She catches the Major by his wrist. Appleton yells with fear.

"Noooo..." Rainbow groans as she flaps her wings furiously. "Don't look down, Appleton. I've got you..."

"I looked down..." He whimpers as Rainbow slowly pulls him up.

"What's going on down there?!" A soldier asks from above.

Eventually, Rainbow Dash manages to pull the much heavier human to the staircase where he began.

"T-This place... isn't... isn't safe..." She gasps, rolling over onto her back.

"Go secure the perimeter. Find us a safe way down." Appleton orders.

"Yes, sir." The soldier says, motioning for the others to follow him.

Appleton leans over the gasping mare.

"You... You saved my life..." He mutters.

"I had to..." She whispers.

"Why?"

Rainbow doesn't answer. Instead, she gives the human a sly smile and walks away to rejoin her friends, leaving him very confused.

***Part 3: All Together***

"Applejack! Rarity!"

The two mares spin around.

"What in the hay?" Applejack asks.

"Fives?!" Rarity gasps.

The human stops in front of them, gasping for air.

"My, darling, you look exhausted!" Rarity says. "Here, sit and rest for a moment and-"

"Where is Twilight?" Fives demands.

Rarity was taken off guard by the question. Applejack shrugs.

"I-I don't know, darling. We separated to look for these fabled Elements of Harmony. She could be anywhere."

"Hey, gang!" Pinkie Pie says cheerfully as she hops towards them with Fluttershy following close behind.

"Howdy, Pinkie Pie. Did y'all find anythin'?" Applejack asks.

Both mares shake their heads.

"Have you seen Twilight?" Fives asks them.

Again, they shake their heads.

"Then, where-"

There is a loud shriek. It was Twilight. It came from another tower, far above them.

"What was that?" Major Appleton asks as he and Rainbow Dash run up to them.

"Where have you two been?" Rarity demands.

"Uh... You know, looking for the Elements..." Rainbow says, blushing.

"We didn't find them..." Appleton admits, also blushing.

Fives groans.

"Guys, Twilight is in trouble! Let's go!"

***Part 4: The Moon Rises***

"When all five Elements are present, there will be a spark, and the sixth one will appear..." Twilight mutters. "What does that mean? A spark?"

A chilling laugh fills the cold air. Twilight spins around.

"Muahahaha! You pathetic fool! Did you really think you could gain the Elements of Harmony so easily?"

Nightmare Moon materializes in front of her.

"You are too late, Twilight Sparkle! There is no one there to save you, now."

Twilight backs away, slowly. Then, she hears something. It was her friends! Behind Nightmare Moon, coming up the stairs, was every pony she had met in Ponyville, Appleton, and..."

"F-Fives..." She gasps.

Twilight grins.

"You're wrong, Nightmare Moon!"

The black Alicorn scoffs.

"The spark did happen! I felt it the moment I met my friends. I... I felt it the moment I met you, Fives..."

The human freezes, mid step. His heart stops.

"I felt it the moment I realized... that I love you."

Everyone gasps.

"I always have." Twilight says, grinning wildly. "And that is why I already have the sixth Element...

Right on que, the broken shards of the other Elements begin to glow and surround the other mares. Fives had to shield his eyes to avoid being blinded. Appleton did the same. When the light had faded away, the six mares were hovering in the center of the room, their eyes glowing white. A brilliant rainbow fires out of their aura and plummets straight for Nightmare Moon.

"NOOOOO!" Nightmare shouts as he rainbow engulfs her.

There was a rather loud, and big, explosion, shattering all of the windows in the room. The light begins to fade away. Fives watches in awe as the mares descend to the floor. He rushes to meet Twilight the moment her hooves touch the ground.

"T-Twilight..."

"Oh, Fives... I never should have left you... How did-"

"Shining helped." Fives admits.

Twilight beams. She should have known her brother had a hoof in this.

"Guys, look!" Appleton shouts, pointing out the window.

It was the sun. At long last, the night had broken, and the sun was rising. The bright rays of the sun were shining through what remained of the shattered windows. It was... getting brighter and brighter by the second. It was the princess.

"Celestia!" Fives and Twilight say in unison.

The princess smiles at them.

"Twilight Sparkle, thank you. You and Fives have done far more than what is expected of you. And Fives..." Celestia chokes up a bit. "None of this could have been possible without you..."

"M-Me? What did I do?" He asks.

Celestia smiles sweetly.

"You inspired a great light inside Twilight Sparkle in her darkest hour. You showed her how to get the final Element, and you reminded her of how strong the bond you two share is..."

Twilight and Fives blush. Celestia turns her attention directly to Fives. She looked as though she was meeting a long lost friend.

"Fives..." She begins to sob. "All this time... I wish I could have been there to see you grow..."

"W-What do you mean, princess? He asks.

Celestia doesn't answer immediately. She looks down at her hooves, contemplating on how to advance.

"You... have no memories of this place, Fives? You were here before... so long ago..."

Fives was confused. He shakes his head. Celestia chuckles as she tries to dry her tears.

"It took all of my power to hide you, after you were born..."

"P-Princess?"

"You were only a baby when you were last here... but a mother never forgets..."

Fives' mind goes blank. Celestia smiles at him, sadly.

"Fives... You are mine... You are my son."

***Part 5: The Equestrian***

Rarity faints. Rainbow and the rest of the mares inhale air so sharply, they nearly imploded. A loud groan captures everyone's attention. It came from where Nightmare Moon was standing. Where the black Alicorn once stood, a little blue filly was struggling to stand. She looks at everyone around her, terrified. Then, her gaze drifts to Celestia. The little Alicorn rushes forward and dives at Celestia's hooves.

"Sister, I'm so sorry!" She cries out.

"Sister?!" Everyone gasps.

The little Alicorn was crying her eyes out. Celestia wraps a hoof around her.

"Are you alright, Luna?" She asks, glancing back to Fives' who was still unable to move or speak.

The blue fully nods.

"I am so, so sorry..." She repeats.

A sickening chuckle fills the air. Everyone turns to the door.

"Well, isn't this just wonderful... Two Alicorns! Two princesses! It's a fucking family reunion." Simco says. "Now, I can kill you all. Starting with you, Appleton."

Simco raises his pistol and fires, and Appleton goes down. As if on que, over a dozen more P.L.A. troopers storm into the room behind Simco.

"NOOOOO!" Fives yells, finding his voice. "Simco, why?!"

The General sighs and shakes his head.

"Fives... You disappoint me. You could have been such a great asset. We could have stopped the pony aggression for good! And what was that last bit I heard about you being the son of Princess Celestia? That's... That's impossible..."

His voice sounded strained. Fives could see something strange in Simco's eyes, but he couldn't recognize it.

"You have cause my kingdom enough harm today, scum!" Celestia snarls. "Leave, at once!"

Simco looks as though he is thinking over the command.

"No, I don't think I will." He says flatly. "I have a war to win."

"You don't have to do this, Simco!" Fives yells. "Just let us help him, and-"

"Oh, Appleton?" Simco asks. "No, you can't help him. He is going to die slowly, bleeding on the cold floor."

"You bastard!" Rainbow Dash screams, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Celestia was frozen in shock. She didn't know what to do or how to protect her subjects. Luckily, Twilight knew exactly what to do.

"You shouldn't have shot him..." She growls, charging up her horn.

The bolt of magic flies across the room, exploding near the stairs and sending the soldiers flying in every direction. Rainbow Dash charges for Simco. She leaps into the air and thrusts her hooves into his chest. Rarity joins Twilight in launching bolts of magic at the door. Applejack bucks her hooves left and right, using her strong legs to kick the advancing soldiers down. Celestia spreads her majestic wings to shield Luna and Fives from the spray of musket balls. The display of force repels the hostile fire.

"Fives, Luna, you must leave at once!" She commands.

"I'm not going anywhere." Fives says defiantly. "I am staying with Twilight."

Celestia pulls him in close.

"Fives, you must listen to me. Do not let your feelings cloud the danger that you are in. I am your mother, and I order you-"

"And I don't believe a damn word of it!"

Fives ducks to avoid the bayonet of a rebel soldier. He bucks his right leg back, kicking him in the knee. The soldier lets out a scream and collapses.

"IT IS THE TRUTH!" Celestia booms, exploding into a flaming rage.

More of Simco's soldiers were pouring into the room, only to be swept aside by the lashing flames. Fives himself is blown out of one of the broken windows, onto the balcony. The human groans as he struggles to stand. The broken glass had cut his hands in a thousand places. He turns around just in time to see Simco climb through the window, wielding a small blade and his pistol.

"F-Fives..." He laughs with insanity. "You... I am so damn sick of you, son of Celestia..."

The young human scrambles to his feet.

"Why are you doing this, Simco?! What do you hope to gain from this?!"

Simco laughs, pointing the tip of his knife at Fives' throat.

"A future, Fives... One with no Equestrian ponies and every human under my rule!"

Simco throws his blade, and Fives let's out a yell as the blade flies across his arm, gashing it open. The General then raises his pistol to shoot, but Fives was ready. He kicks Simco in the chest, hard, before grabbing the hand holding the weapon. Desperate, Simco pulls the trigger, and the musket ball is fired into the air.

"Fives!" Twilight yells from inside.

That was all the distraction Simco needed. The General punches Fives in the jaw, sending him flying towards the edge of the balcony.

"How does it feel, Fives?!" He demands. "How does it feel to betray your own kind, your own race!"

"You betrayed us! You want to keep us enslaved!" Fives shouts, crawling away from the advancing Simco.

Simco nods, picking up a sharp shard of glass.

"All empires need slaves, Fives... My empire will be no different..."

Fives looks over the edge of the balcony. Then, he turns back around to face Simco. Fives smiles.

"I get it, Simco... I think I finally understand, but why don't you say that a bit louder for them?"

Simco cocks his head.

"T-Them?"

Fives stands, holding the railing for support. Simco walks up to it and peers over the edge. Below him, at the base of the castle, stood the entire P.L.A., along with hundreds of human slaves. Leading them was...

"Good job, Fives!" Shining Armor yells from below them. "Alright, Captain Andre, let's arrest Simco."

The General's former officer grins wildly.

"Absolutely, Captain Armor. Lads, let's get the bastard!" Andre orders.

The thousands of humans and ponies alike were cheering. Simco looks down at them in disbelief. Then, he turns back to Fives.

"You..." He growls. "I'm going to fucking kill you!"

He steps towards Fives, raising the shard of glass, ready to plunge it into his heart. Fives braces himself to fight, but the fight never comes. A bolt of magic flies out of the window, and blasts the shard of glass out of Simco's hands.

"I wouldn't do that, if I were you, darling..." Rarity cautions.

Simco spins around. The ponies were stepping out onto the balcony. Celestia, Luna, and Twilight stood in front of Fives.

"How does it feel, Simco?" Fives asks mockingly.

The General's shocked face slowly begins to fade. He starts laughing. Softly, at first, but the laughter of insanity grows.

"What is so funny?" Fives demands.

"Oh, all of this." Simco answers. "All of this is just... hysterical, but I know when to quit. I am done here."

In a brilliant, bright flash of light, Silvershield appears next to Simco. The unicorn smirks at Fives.

"Miss me?" He asks smugly.

"I still have loyal followers, Fives." Simco says. "What has happened here, today... It changes nothing."

Fives steps forward, past Celestia, Luna, and he looks at Twilight. The purple mare smiles and nods.

"Twilight, will you do me a favor, and take a letter to the esteemed General Simco."

Simco takes a step back, fear showing in his eyes.

"Ehem!" Fives clears his throat. "Dear Simco..."

The General's eyes narrow.

Fives clenches his fists. The 'letter' isn't a long one. In fact, it is only three words long.

"Bring. It. On." Fives snarls.

Simco and Silvershield were both shocked.

"This isn't over..." Simco says.

"Oh, I know. I'm just getting started."

Fives turns back to Twilight.

"Twilight, do you want to send the letter?" He asks.

The purple unicorn grins as she charges up an explosive bolt of magic. She was fast, but Silvershield was faster. In the blink of an eye, Simco and Silvershield were gone. Everyone was silent. It is Celestia who approaches Fives first. She sighs and wraps a wing around his back.

"That's my boy..." She whispers.

***TO BE CONTINUED***

Chapter 10: Like Mother, Like Son

***Introduction***

Humanity tried to reject the Canterlot Concordate, but they were on the wrong end of the sword. Princess Celestia, in order to satisfy her people's need for justice, forces the human king to sign. Only a few humans managed to flee the country before Equestria's borders were closed completely.

***Part 1: New Beginnings***

Twilight stood in front of the library. A few weeks before, she had dreaded her arrival in Ponyville. Now, she couldn't possibly imagine leaving. She had an amazing home, wonderful friends, and a perfect fiance. She sighs with pure content before walking inside. Fives was waiting for her.

"Hey there..." Twilight says before drawing him into a quick kiss. "I'm free of any studies tonight. How about we..."

"Sounds great, Twilight." Fives answers, returning the kiss.

When the kiss ends, Twilight pulls away giggling.

"What is it?" Fives asks.

The purple mare takes a moment to control herself before answering.

"It's... It's just, Equestria is changing, Fives. Not in a bad way. No, not at all. You have changed this nation for the better."

"Simco and Silvershield are still out there..." Fives frowns.

Twilight caressed a hoof against his cheek.

"And we'll be ready for them."

There is a gentle knock at the door.

"Spike, can you get that, please?" Twilight asks.

"Sure thing, Twilight!" The little dragon answers.

Spike opens the door. Standing before him was a human officer.

"Is this the residence of Twilight Sparkle?" He asks.

"It is." Twilight answers. "How can I help you, sir?"

The officer smiles.

"Ah, it is so good to finally meet the savior of Equestria. I am Captain Andre, a friend of your brother, Captain Armor. I am here to inform you that a certain Major Appleton has nearly finished recovering in the hospital, and he has requested to see you and your friends."

Twilight gives him a short bow.

"Thank you, Captain."

Andre returns the bow, and he leaves.

Just as Fives closes the door, not even a second later, there is a louder knock on the door. Fives groans a little. He was tired of having to postpone having sex with Twilight. He swings the door open, and his heart skips a beat.

"H-Hello, Fives..." Celestia says. "M-May I come in?"

Fives doesn't says anything, but he steps aside, letting the princess walk inside.

"You haven't been responding to my letters..." Celestia says. "Fives, why are you avoiding me?"

Her eyes were bloodshot. She looked as though she had been crying for days.

"I know I haven't not always been there for you, but-"

"Why do you keep insisting that you are my mother?" Fives demands, cutting her off. "My mother was a slave, just like my father, and their parents before them, and their parents before them."

Celestia looks down, at the floor, shifting her hooves.

"Twilight, may we speak in private?"

"We were just leaving, princess." Twilight says quickly as she and Spike walk out of the library.

When the door closes, Celestia turns her attention back to Fives.

"Your father..." She chokes. "was a human of unmatched value... Yes, he was a slave, but your mother was not..."

Fives stands before her, unsure of what to do.

"I met him in my palace..." Celestia explains. "To the public, no slaves were allowed inside, but I had a small staff of three humans who helped me with my studies. One of them stood far above the rest... He... He always stayed so late to assist me... He was strong, charming, handsome... On the nights he stayed late, we would... we..."

She was smiling and crying at the same time.

"You were born nine months later, Fives." She says, looking into his eyes. "You were my greatest gift to him."

She wraps her wings around his back, pulling him closer. "You are my greatest gift... You are my son."

Fives takes a few steps away, making Celestia frown.

"H-How would that even work?!" He asks. "I... I'm human!"

"So was I," Celestia admits. "When I was... getting to know your father..."

The look on Fives' face resembled pure confusion.

"It... was a special spell I designed..." Celestia explains. "I made that spell just for your father, just for you..."

Fives looks into her eyes, searching for any signs of false truths.

"You were born, in secret, in the old castle." Celestia says. "I kept you there for four years before you were old enough to be taken back to Canterlot..."

"You put me into slavery?" Fives asks.

"I did it to protect you, Fives." Celestia sighs. "Everything I have done, I have done it for you, to keep you safe. Only one pony in the Canterlot slave market knew who you really were."

"The... The slave driver?" Fives asks.

Celestia nods.

"His job was to keep you safe in the market, to keep you isolated from other slaves, and to keep anyone from buying you."

"But I was bought." Fives says. "I was bought by Shining Armor."

Celestia grins.

"And that was no accident, Fives. They arrived at the market to find you, under my order."

"I don't believe this..." Fives mutters.

Celestia stomps her hoof firmly.

"Fives, please, I am begging you. You have to believe this. I am your mother, and you are my son! I will go away, Fives. I will return to Canterlot, and you never have to speak to me again..." Celestia cries. "All I ask, is that you accept who you are, Nova!"

Fives gasps. Celestia also looks confused.

"I... I'm sorry..." She mutters. "It just slipped out."

"N-Nova?" Fives asks.

"It was your name." Celestia explains. "I wanted to call you 'Star Runner', but your father insisted on 'Nova'... He loved that name..."

Fives looks at the floor, than to the window, anywhere he could avoid her gaze. Finally, he looks at her.

"What... What happened to my father?" He asks as tears begin rolling down his cheeks.

Celestia collects herself and exhales before continuing.

"After you were born, he insisted on seeing you every week. He would travel to the old castle, cross the bridge, and meet us inside..."

Fives felt he knew what was coming.

"One day, on your fourth birthday... He he was crossing the bridge... It fell... He fell..."

"But couldn't you have brought him back?" Fives asks. "L-Like you did to me?"

Celestia shakes her head.

"No... I never found his... his body... I looked for six days... I never stopped crying for his loss... It was all my fault..."

Suddenly, Fives felt as though he could... remembered. He could see the old throne room, he had a small toy in his hand, and a mare above him was screaming as her heart shattered.

"You remember..." Celestia mutters.

She reaches behind her. With the magic from her horn, She reveals the toy. It was a little, plush yellow star with two big brown eyes and a smiley face.

"This was yours..."

Fives takes the toy from her, molding it over in his hands as memories came back to him, flooding into his mind like a broken dam. Tears were building up in his eyes. Holding the little star tight, he looks at Celestia.

"M-Mother..." Fives whimpers.

Celestia grins from ear to ear.

"Yes, that's it, Fives..."

"Mother..." Fives says again, throwing his arms around Celestia's neck.

"That's it, Fives..." Celestia says again. "Your mother is here... Your mother is here, now..."

There is a loud knock at the door.

"WHERE IS MY FAVORITE NEPHEW THAT I NEVER KNEW I HAD?!" Luna shouts.

***Part 2: Wedding Bells***

"This is... I don't even know..." Applejack mutters. "Strange?"

"Applejack!" Rarity scolds. "I think it's lovely. Who knew Princess Celestia had a son?"

Twilight smiles.

"I sure didn't."

They were eating at the Hayseed Diner. Rainbow Dash and Appleton had just placed their orders when another waiter arrived with Twilight, Applejack, and Rarity's food. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy sat at the table next to theirs. Just a few tables down, Fives was sitting with Celestia and Luna.

"So, Twilight," Rarity says. "When is the big day?"

"Three more weeks..." Twilight says with a giddy laugh. "I... I'm so excited..."

"Well, you ought to be!" Applejack says. "Gettin' married is a mighty big thing, especially when your future husband is related to Celestia."

Twilight nods in agreement.

"No kidding... The princess isn't cutting any expenses."

"So, how many do you want?" Rarity asks.

Twilight cocks her head.

"Um... How many 'what'?" She replies, taking a long sip from her glass.

"Foals, of course!"

Twilight spits her water across the table, coughing vigorously.

***Part 3: Reunited Sisters***

"It is so nice to see you two talking." Luna says. "It's funny, sister... I always thought I would be the first to have a foal."

"He's not a foal, Luna." Celestia says defensively.

"Right, child. My apologies, Fives. I am still getting used to this whole 'human' thing. I am simply thrilled to have a nephew."

"Could I call you Aunt Luna?" Fives asks jokingly.

"Of course!" Luna says, not catching the joke. "Will he be moving into the palace with us, sister?"

Celestia looks at her son, then back to her sister.

"We talked about that, and we decided it would be best for Fives to stay here, in Ponyville, with Twilight. They are about to be married, after all." Celestia says, giving her son an obvious 'wink'.

"Don't worry, Celestia," Fives says. "Spike says he'll help me write to you, every day."

Celestia's heart melted. She felt proud to have such a gifted Human to call her own.

"Good..." She whispers, hugging him tightly. "Let's finish eating. I believe your friend, Pinkie Pie, is throwing one of her famed parties at the library tonight. I was hoping we could all attend together."

"Of course, sister." Luna says.

Celestia smiles.

"Then, it is settled. Fives, make sure eat your carrots, and keep your aunt out of trouble..."

"Hey!" Luna protests.

"I am going to look for desserts. I will also see what Twilight has planned."

Fives watches as Celestia walks away to the diner's outside counter. He grins from ear to ear.

"Fives, what is so funny?" Luna asks.

"Oh, nothing, Aunt Luna..."

Nothing was funny. That was the truth. Fives was smiling because he felt at peace. He was happy. He had everything. Ten years ago, he could have never dreamed of waking up to the most beautiful mare in Equestria, and having a family brunch with the sister princesses of Equestria. Like Rarity said a thousand times before: It was a lovely day.

***TO BE CONCLUDED***

The End: The New Equestria

***Introduction***

Mankind would remain in chains and bonds for one hundred years, until the actions of one extraordinary boy change the course of history. Fives, a human-born son of the sun, the child of Princess Celestia finds his peace in the family and friends he loves. Celestia's proclamation marks the end of the enslavement of humans in Equestria.

***Part 1: Celestias's Proclamation***

Outside, the crowds were roaring, yelling, and cheering. Celestia sighs deeply, calming her nerves and mentally preparing herself to step out into the balcony.

"Are you alright?" Fives asks.

She nods.

"I am, Fives... It's just... It has been so long. It may take a while for the human slaves to fully accept complete freedom."

Fives places a hand on his mother's back.

"They will follow you. We all will."

"I am in mind with Fives, sister." Luna says. "It is time for this to end."

Celestia smiles. She was happy to have her family by her side. Together, the three of them walk through the curtains and out onto the grand balcony overlooking thousands of ponies and humans. The cheering erupts into a deafening roar. Celestia raises a hoof to quiet them all.

"My dear citizens of Equestria, ponies and humans alike," Her powerful voice booms. "Today marks the end of a long and dark journey, a journey that I have regretted taking for over one hundred years!"

Everyone below cheers before being silenced again.

"For the past century, Equestria has grown on the backs of human slaves. We have lead comfortable lives while our fellow Equestrians have suffered in agony. This day marks the end of that agony, and we welcome the human race back into our community with open hooves!"

The crowds cheer again before quieting down.

"As of this moment, I declare the enslavement of humans to be abolished!"

The crowd erupts once more. Fives almost covers his ears, but he stands still.

"We have won a great victory over our past," Celestia continues. "But there are still those out there who wish to do us harm. We must stand strong, and we must stand together as a united Equestria if we are to prevail. Our enemy means to undermine us, to make us betray our beliefs in friendship and kindness, but we will not lose sight of what we stand for as Equestrians! We will see them shown into the light of truth and justice, once and for all!"

Fives and Luna both felt as though they were going to be pushed back inside the palace from the force of the thousands upon thousands of cheering voices.

"Good job, sister." Luna says as they step back through the curtain. "I thought it was a most compelling speech."

"I agree. You have a way with words." Fives says, hugging Celestia.

"I love you both." Celestia cries as she pulls Luna into the hug. "When the three of us are together, I feel like nothing can stop us."

Luna pulls away, tearing up.

"I love you, too, sister. Will I see you at the banquet?"

"Of course, Luna. I will be right down."

As Luna leaves the room to join everyone else at the banquet below, Celestia turns to Fives.

"My son..." She mutters, caressing his cheek with her hoof. "I am so... happy to have my son again..."

"You've said that many times, mother." Fives says, blushing.

"And I will say it many more times..." Celestia says before kissing Fives' cheek. "Come, let us find your wife-to-be and join the banquet."

"Will there be snacks? I am quite hungry..."

Celestia laughs as they exit the room and begin making their way down the hall.

"Of course, my son."

Fives grazes his hand over the bumps and cracks on his chest. The last time he was in the palace, he had died, but now, at long last, he knew why Celestia had done so much to make sure he would wake up again. He knew why she felt his own pain ten fold. She was a strong, and powerful, mare, and he was her boy. He was the Equestrian.

***The Equestrian***

***The Darkest Star***

Chapter 3: Celestia's Faithful

***Introduction***

The humans asked Princess Celestia for land. Celestia, being the gentle ruler she was, gave in to their request. Because the human population in Equestria numbered to only a few hundred, it was a small price to satisfy them with a thousand acres of land, right inside the Equestrian border where they entered. In exchangefor the land, the humans showed the ponies the ways of advanced iron working and even the making of steel. As part of the deal, the humans agreed to avoid Equestrian settlements and to only cross paths with the ponies in the decided Neutral Zone when trading.

***Part 1: Days Gone By***

Ten years. That is how much time had passed. Fives has been the property of the Sparkles for ten years. The scrawny boy Starlight and Velvet had received decade earlier from Shining Armor had grown into a tall, strong, and capable young man. Starlight often joked to his wife about how her cooking made their little human into a giant.

"Fives!" Twilight calls.

"I'm coming, Twilight!" The human yells back as he rushes to her aid.

Fives dives into the room of his mistress, making sure to duck to avoid hitting his head on the door frame.

"Did you find my book on ancient Equestrian plants?" She demands.

"No..." Fives groans, shaking his head. "I've looked everywhere. Master Starlight says he will help me look as soon as he is done with the paperwork for your living transfer to the palace."

Twilight nods. She was nervous and excited all at the same time. Today was the day she would move out of the Sparkle estate and into the Canterlot Palace. You guys know the story. After Twilight proved her magic capabilities during an exam, thanks to the sonic rainboom, she was invited by Princess Celestia herself to live in the palace and learn from her. Now, she was old enough to leave her parents' custody and move into the palace.

"That's alright. We'll be leaving soon. Where is Spike?"

Fives shrugs.

"I would tell you, if I knew. I haven't seen him since he volunteered to find and pack your desk sets."

"The poor thing probably got lost in my quill closet..." Twilight sighs in frustration as she trots out of the door. "I'll go find him. You, find that book."

Fives gives her a quick salute.

"As you wish."

***Part 2: Flying High***

The carriage ride to the palace was a pleasant one. It was Fives' first time in the air. He couldn't help looking over the edge and laughing as he watched the city below him. After a less-than-smooth landing, Fives was very disorientated. So was Spike. The little dragon almost passed out.

"Thank you, sirs." Twilight says cheerfully.

"Any time, miss." One of the pegasus guards replies. "Do you need any further help with your bags, or does your slave have them in hand?"

Twilight frowns. She hated it when Fives had to hear such harsh words.

"I have them, sir." Fives says with his well practiced 'trained slave' tone.

The pegasus guard nods before returning to the carriage. Fives and Spike quickly unload the bags and in moments, the carriage is off. Twilight, Fives, and Spike leave the landing patio and journey up the steps to the palace doors. Waiting for the trio, was a guard. Unlike the others, this guard had a larger plume radiating from his helmet, signifying his rank. He was an Officer. The guard smiles when he sees Twilight approaching.

"Ah! You must be Miss Sparkle. I am Warrant Officer Silvershield. I will be your head of personal security." He says with a polite bow.

Twilight blushes slightly.

"Oh... T-Thank you, sir. Uh, may we go to my room? Fives and Spike are really tired from the flight and they really need to settle in and rest."

Silvershield frowns as he overlooks Fives. Fives stairs back at him. He recognized the guard. Silvershield was studying Fives as well.

"I am sorry, Miss Sparkle, but your human property is not permitted to enter the palace. It will have to wait in a holding chamber until you retrieve it."

"Holding chamber?" Twilight asks in disbelief.

She looks back at Fives. He had a look on his face that resembled pure terror. Twilight turns back to the officer and shakes her head defiantly.

"No. Fives is coming with me." Twilight objects.

Silvershield shakes his head.

"It is against the law for any humans to be on the premises or inside the palace. This slave standing on the steps of the Royal Palace is already a violation of the Dan Moors Act."

"Well, I think he is coming with me, anyway." Twilight snaps. "According to the Personal Property Act, my human goes where I command him to, and I always have him with me, at all times."

The officer's eyes narrow. Just as he was about to say something, another voice booms from behind him.

"Is there a problem here, Silvershield?"

The officer spins around.

"N-No, Captain... No problem at all..."

"Miss Twilight's human property has been granted special permission to stay in the palace and live with his mistress by Princess Celestia herself."

The officer's eyes hit the ground in defeat.

"I'll take it from here, Silvershield. You are dismissed." The Captain orders.

Silversheild bows quickly before sulking into the palace. When he is finally gone, the Captain turns to Twilight and smiles brightly.

"Twilight!" He greets happily.

"Shining!"

The purple mare rushes forward to hug her brother, and Shining welcomes her with open hooves.

"Hey, Fives," Shining says to the Human. "How are you doing, bud?"

"I couldn't be any better, sir." Fives says with relief in his breath.

Shining lets out a hearty laugh.

"Don't you worry a bit, Fives. You'll be staying in Twilight's room. There will be a second bed for you."

"What about me?" Spike asks.

"Yes, you too." Shining says with a light chuckle. "Come on. Let's get you guys settled."

***Part 3: The Royal Treatment***

"Twilight Sparkle, I must apologize again for the behavior of Officer Silvershield." Princess Celestia says. "All local guards staffed within the palace walls were notified of the arrival of you and your... human."

Fives felt odd. The princess was looking directly at him. It made him a little uncomfortable.

"Silvershield wasn't present at the meeting, your highness." Shining confesses. "His excuse was a reported injury, and he showed the medical paperwork, so I couldn't charge him for disobedience."

Celestia nods uneasily.

"I see... Well, I will have to have a private chat with Silvershield. Captain Armor, please take Twilight and her companions to her room."

The princess looks directly at Fives again. He noticed something in her eyes... Sadness? Relief? He wasn't exactly sure of what it was.

"This really is a fine young man you have there, Twilight..." Celestia says, not breaking her eye contact with Fives. "I expect he will be as charming as you have told him to be."

The chill down Fives' back dissipates, and he even blushes. Celestia's voice soothed him. Something about her voice made Fives... happy. Twilight couldn't help blushing either.

"Yes, your highness." Shining says as he continues his march down the great corridors. "This way, Twilight."

The purple mare, her human, and the little dragon following behind made their way after Shining. Fives looks back at the princess one last time. Her expression was still unclear, but she was waving to him and muttering something he couldn't understand.

***Part 4: Hitting The Books***

That was the first time Fives had ever seen Princess Celestia, or so he thought. He found it hard to believe that she was the ruler of a nation built on the backs of his enslaved people. She was so nice, so polite, and her voice was soft to the point of extreme levels of comfort. She even complimented him.

"You're learning from her?" Fives asks his mistress as they enter their room.

Twilight nods.

"Yeah, isn't it great? I get to learn wondrous and legendary spells from the princess herself!" She squeals excitedly.

Fives wanted to know more about his mystical ruler, but he decided to keep quiet for now. Just as Fives and Spike finish unloading and unpacking all of Twilight's bags, there is a loud knock on the door.

"Miss Sparkle?" A voice calls through the door.

It was Silvershield.

Fives makes his way to the door to let the guard in, but it swings open before his hand reaches the nob, and Silvershield marches in.

"Yes, sir, come in..." Twilight says sarcastically as the guard invites himself in.

"Thank you, Miss Sparkle. I am sorry I am late, but I was discussing some... um... important matters with the princess. Anyway, as head of your personally security, I am here to make sure you and your... property," He says, glaring at Fives. "Are properly settled."

Twilight smiles.

"Thank you, sir, but Fives and Spike have already done just that. You may go, now."

Silvershield made no attempt to leave.

"How capable is your slave?" He asks rather rudely.

Fives rolls his eyes before resuming sliding the large suitcase under the bed. Twilight's nostrils flare angrily, but she keeps her head level.

"Fives is quite capable."

What she had wanted to say was 'more capable than you'.

"Fives?" The officer asks. "What is Fives?"

"Fives is my human. He has served me well for over ten years. He knows me better than any pony.

"You named it?"

"My brother, Shining, named him, actually. I assure you, Sargent, I don't need any further assistance."

Fives' chest flutters with excitement at her words. Silvershield looked as though something in his mind 'clicked'. He now stared at Fives with a whole new evil look.

"By your word, Miss Sparkle."

With that being said, the guard finally leaves.

"Not a nice guard," Fives mutters. "Not like master Shining..."

"Shining is really cool." Spike agrees. "I wish he would hang around, more ofte-aaahh!"

Fives picks the little dragon up in his arms and throws him onto the guest bed. Giving an angry roar, he jumps on Spike. The little dragon tries to breath his green fire in self defense, but Fives swats the sparks away before they can make a flame, but the dragon retaliates, grabbing the human by his shoulders and dragging him down.

"Alright, settle down." Twilight orders. "You two know the rule: No horseplay until one hour after unpacking. Do I need to remind you of the great collapse of the beach house coffee table?"

"No..." Fives and Spike say in unison.

"Good. Now, Fives, you and Spike finish shelving the books. I am going to get something for us to eat. Any preferences?"

"Something shiny?" Spike asks.

"Anything with cheese, please." Fives requests as he places the first of hundreds of books on the massive shelves.

Twilight gives them a short nod before exiting the room. Fives and Spike both sigh at the massive towers of books they would be shelving for the next few hours.

"Alright..." Fives mutters. "Let's hop to it."

***Part 5: New Experiences And Experiments***

It only took two hours, not three, to unpack and shelve Twilight's many books. Fives and Spike were rewarded for their efforts with snacks Twilight brought back from the kitchen. Spike scraped his teeth against a large ruby while Fives gulped down cheese crackers and sugarcubes.

"Anything for my boys." Twilight says with a sweet smile. "The afternoon is free for you two, but tomorrow, we get to work. The princess is going to start with practicing new spells right away, and I will need help testing them."

"We're going to be test subjects?" Fives groans.

Twilight rolls her eyes.

"Oh, it's not like you haven't been a test subject before. You've been helping me since we were eight years old."

"It took a year for my skin to change back to this color." Fives reminds her. "No more blue stuff. I felt like a loony..."

Twilight lets out a cute giggle that sets off flutters in Fives' stomach.

"No blue stuff..." She agrees as she hugs her human.

She looks into his bright, blue eyes. Fives felt as though her eyes were burning through his. Finally, she releases him and steps back awkwardly. She looks back at him, and then back at the floor.

"Twilight?" He asks quietly.

She doesn't respond. She had a peculiar look in her face. Her nose was scrunched up and her eyes were narrow. She only had that look when she was very deep in thought. Fives thought it looked... cute. He always enjoyed serving her when she was deep in thought.

"Spike..." She says at last. "Can you get something for me?"

Despite her previous bulletin of 'having the afternoon off', the dragon hops to attention.

"Yeah, Twilight?"

"I need you to run to into town and get me some tail conditioner. I think I forgot my only bottle at home. Here is twenty bits." She says to him, giving him the money.

Without another word, Spike is out the door. Fives cocks his head. Something was up. Twilight never forgot anything. As soon as the door closes, she turns back to him.

"That should keep him busy for a while..." The purple Unicorn mutters.

"Twilight?" Fives asks. "What is this about?"

She sighs deeply.

"Fives, I need you to tell me something."

The human was confused, but he nods his head.

"Of course, anything."

"What... do you think of me?" Twilight asks as she sits in front of him.

Fives sits down on his bed.

"What do I think of you?" He repeats.

Twilight nods.

"Well... I think you're everything a human wants in his mistress. I mean, you're kind, you respect me, and you take care of me. I think you're a great friend. Your parents took me in to be your friend, after all."

Twilight smiles slightly, but the look on her face wasn't satisfaction. She needed more. She needed to hear something specific.

"Anything else?" She asks, her eyes pleading.

Fives was getting more and more uncomfortable as she inches closer and closer.

"I... I think..." Fives stutters.

Twilight face was only a breath away from his.

"I think- mmmph!"

Fives felt his limbs grow cold. Every nerve in his body tingled as chills rolled up and down his shaking spine. Something was happening, and his mind had no way of comprehending it. From what he could figure, Twilight's face was touching his. No, not just her face. Her lips were mashed against his. Twilight's eyes, wide open, were trained on his as she pressed her lips to his. They stayed like this for several moments. Finally, when Twilight pulls away, she caresses his cheek with her hoof.

"I think... I love you, Fives..." She whispers.

Fives couldn't move. He didn't know what to do.

"L-Love?" He asks. "Me?"

Twilight nods.

"Yes, you... You're not just a friend, Fives. You have been far more than 'just a friend'. You have been by my side for so many years. How can I not love you?"

She pressed her lips to his again. That weird feeling returned, and Fives melted.

"What was that for?" He asks when she pulls away.

Twilight smiles lustfully.

"That was a kiss. I read about it in a book a few years ago, and I've seen mom and dad do it. It's what ponies do when they love eachother. I... I love you, so I wanted to kiss you..." She says as she inches closer, pushing him into his back. "I want to kiss you again..."

Fives braces himself as Twilight aggressively mashes her lips into his.

"Fives..." She moans into his mouth. "I want you to kiss me back..."

"I don't know how, Twilight." He struggles to say.

"You don't need to know how... You just have to do it..."

Fives pays close attention to the motions of his mistress' lips and tries to match them.

"That's it, Fives..."

Twilight had him pinned down, so he had a lot of time to learn how to kiss.

"Kiss me again."

As he was a human and she was his mistress, he could only obey. He leans is head back till his lips meet hers. Twilight breaks into a huge grin. She quickly releases him.

"Thank you, Fives..." She whispers. "No one can know of that. No pony or human."

Fives knew very well what the consequences would be if anyone knew Twilight and him were romantically involved. By law, a slave owner can do whatever he, or she, wishes with his, or her, property. Because of this, many slaves have been raped and sexually abused by their pony masters and mistresses, but a romantic relationship is different. First, Fives would be confiscated for 'seducing' his mistress. Then, he would be publicly executed two, maybe three days later. Fives had seen it before. He quickly shakes the thoughts out of his head. He wanted to focus on Twilight, and only Twilight. She looked beautiful as she straitened up the bed sheets where she had made her confessions.

"Twilight?" Fives asks.

She turns quickly.

"Yes, Fives?"

"I... I love you, too."

She grins from ear to ear.

***TO BE CONTINUED***