Hell comes to Equestria

by TwilightsmyMare

Rating: mature
Tags: Sex, Princess Celestia, Human, Twilight Sparkle, Sad, Main 6, Princess Luna, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Romance, Adventure
Length: 46523

A bronie finally gets his wish to go to Equestria. But its not what he thought.

What happens when we dream? Maybe we don't remember some of the dreams we have for a reason? Maybe an ideal world can have horrors of its own?

Published 2012-06-04 17:04:02 UTC
Last updated 2016-06-16 01:51:58 UTC

Chaper 1 (Dreams and Blood)

I used to live a pretty normal life. Didn't have much if the way of personal relationships, didn't get along with other people too well. Had some good friends and a good family. One day while surfing the net I discovered some funny little ponies. MLP FIM, and I liked it a lot! A touching and sweet show.

Like may bronies I wished i could see Equestria, visit even once, even dream about it. Strangely I never could dream of it, not once I could remember. A while after being swept up into the fandom i fell into a deep depression. Life just wasn't what i wanted, everything seemed... Pointless.

Don't get my wrong suicide never entered my mind it’s a foreign concept to me. Life is always worth living but at the time everyday just seemed the same as the last. Strangely the thing to break me out of my funk was Twilight Sparkle.

Now Fluttershy had always been my favourite, her cuteness had converted me to a bronie like a snap. But as I got to know Twilight better thru the show I started to like her a lot then love her.

As silly as I knew this was. Though as I thought about it, well there is a theory that there are an infinite number of universes and dimensions out there aren’t there? Then she must exist somewhere, somehow. At least that was my reasoning.

And if she did exist maybe I could communicate with her somehow… Get her to bring me to her. It could happen right? Well... So I begin "talking" to her every night on my way to work and throughout work as well. Not speaking but just thinking to her. Telling her about my life, what I liked and disliked stuff like that. No she didn't talk back to me, that would either mean it worked (fat chance), or i was just totally insane which wouldn't help any now would it? Strange as it may sound doing so helped me feel better about myself, just talking/thinking my problems to someone (seeming I was pretty sure I was only running them thru my own head.) As a week or two passed I started to feel a bit silly continuing to do so but I’d gotten a bit used to it. Got me thru the long workday ya know?

Getting home after a particularly long workday I showered and hit the sack. Now I said I had never dreamed of MLP before but i do have dreams I remember. Usually fairly violent affairs involving zombie apocalypse or fighting groups of thugs or whatever. I usually manage to have a fair bit of control in them, which is I can recognise them as dreams and make things happen my way.

As i drifted deeper into sleep it seemed to be one of those cases, I was soaring high in the sky. It almost seemed like I was looking over map of a land, I couldn't perceive myself just the landscape. I looked about zooming down and back up from the ground when in the distance I saw smoke rising. A lot of smoke, well we're finally getting somewhere I thought. I pushed my vision in that direction but to my horror as I crested the tree line I beheld Ponyville.
Buildings burning and bodies on the ground, pony bodies!

I zoomed closer there were more then just pony bodies also there were the bodies of small goblin-like creatures, most armed with small swords and spears. What had happened here?! And why was I dreaming this monstrosity? My first MLP dream and this is what I come up with?

I could hear commotion, screams and fighting nearby so I searched around. As I moved thru the town I saw many hastily made barricades and homes boarded up, it seemed many ponies had fought and fell to defend these spots. I saw a few guardsmen but mostly regular pony folk, none I could recognise from the show though many were badly hacked up, as if for the sheer joy of it.

Reaching the outskirts of town I came upon a attack in progress it looked like a group of maybe a few hundred goblins were hemming in the last defenders of Ponyville maybe a hundred ponies, mostly the young and their parents it seemed. The defenders must have paid dearly to get them safely this far. Here I spotted some familiar ponies.

Applejack bucking and kicking goblins away from her, her hide scratched in a few places her hat missing.
Princess Celestia projecting a shield against the attacks standing over her sister Luna's body, dead? No she struggled to bring her head up adding her magic to her sisters weakening shield defending many young foals and other townspeople. Pinkie Pie helping Nurse Redheart tend to the injured and dying tears streaming down her face.

Rarity using her magic to throw rocks and any debris near her at the attacking horde. Spike standing valiantly in front of her one of the goblins swords bloody in his hand fending off any who came too close.

And Fluttershy standing near the front line encouraging her animal friends to fight, a bear and a few birds seemed to be all she had remaining, tears also stained her face as her animal friends got hurt and killed.

Rainbow Dash soaring thru the sky smashing down thru the goblin lines again and again causing a lot of destruction but taking many small wounds, as I watched she fell to the ground bleeding and exhausted. Fluttershy swooped forward as quickly as Rainbow Dash herself to grab her friend and get her back to the makeshift infirmary.

And Twilight Sparkle... Standing alone off to the side she seemed to be distracting quite a few of the goblins, a pile of bodies surrounded her. As I got closer she levitated a large rock and dropped it crushing several goblins and charged forward spearing another with her small horn taking a cut across her shoulder in the process. My heart ached seeing her like this. I noticed another goblin sneaking up behind her spear raised to slay. I couldn't shout but I felt I could still do something.

I was still above the action but I reached out with my mind? My will, grabbing the goblins head and twisting it sharply, with a loud crack he fell to the ground his head turned the wrong way. Well at least I can have some effect I thought. Twilight then turned and seemed to see me.

"Oh thank Celestia you heard my summons. Wake up! Wake up! I am going to open the portal! We need your help!" She yelled.

Suddenly I found myself sitting up wide awake in bed. What the hell just happened? That couldn't have been... Could it? I knew I wasn't going to be getting back to sleep regardless so I jumped out of bed putting my Jeans and t-shirt on. As I left my room I could feel something... An electricity in the air, like a coming storm. I wasn't sure what was going to happen but if anything did happen I was going to be ready.

I grabbed my boots and put them on an old jean jacket which I figured would be better protection than anything else i had. Grabbed my backpack and dumped water bottles and all the fruit and vegetables I had into it. Admittedly not much but better then nothing. Slinging it over my back I grabbed my hunting knife, a seven inch bladed knife I used mainly for opening potato chip bags and belted it on. Then I grabbed my crowbar. Why would I have a crowbar? Always be ready for a zombie apocalypse right? No? Well each to their own. I paced back and forth waiting feeling more and more foolish by the moment.

When suddenly in my living room something appeared. A portal? I guess? I didn't know what I was expecting, something more sci-fi perhaps?

It was a door; perfectly normal in all respects except it was in the middle of my living room. Shaking my head I rushed forward grabbing the handle. It wouldn't turn! I jammed my shoulder against the door with no give. I grabbed the handle with both hands twisting and turning willing it to open, for Twilight! The door flew open suddenly pulling my thru it landing my heavily on the ground.

The smell of smoke and blood was heavy in the air as well as the stench of death, urine and feces from the fallen added to the vile odour making me want to retch. I had never smelled anything like this before.

This was no dream. I struggled to my feet shucking off my backpack and came face to face with Twilight.

"You… You came." She said tears filling her violet eyes.

"What’s happened Twilight?! How can I help?!" I shouted. Feeling very confused I spun around. The scene was much the same as I had beheld before, only much more terrible in person. A goblin charged up his sword at the ready. A little over half my height he seemed puny to me but there was blood on his weapon. Pony blood! I brought my crowbar down hard toward him. He tried to block but his strength was not up to the task his sword was smashed down cutting into his shoulder while my crowbar smashed his skull.

I stepped back repulsed by what I had just done. I had never killed anything before exempting insects. While I am large and strong I have never been a violent person.

"Behind you!" Twilight screamed. I turned to see I was too late a goblin had snuck up behind me and thrust with his spear, everything seemed in slow motion. I could see I wasn't going to be able to avoid it, was my adventure here coming to an end so quickly? How would I help the ponies? Help Twilight?

As I braced myself for the pain I was about to feel the spear jammed thru my jean jacket and shirt effortlessly and then snapped trapping the head in my shirt. What? I didn't take time to wonder as I brought down my crowbar smashing the goblin aside. Something shoved at the back of my knee pushing me forward eye to eye with Twilight her eyes filled with fear. I turned to see another goblin again attacking from behind his small sword slashed thru my pants at my tendons. I should be on the ground screaming in pain but again no damage. Before I could strike at him he scurried away along with the others that had been assaulting Twilight.

Looking at her again I could see she had been struck many times and was bleeding freely from the shallow cuts. Hanging my crowbar on my belt I grabbed my backpack and put it on then scooped up the little mare. How many times I had fantasised about doing so but never in this sort of a situation.

"No, I have to stay… To fight…” She murmured. I quickly walked toward the makeshift infirmary keeping my eyes open but the goblins seemed to be in a temporary retreat. Somehow I could feel their nasty presence pulling away as I could feel the gentle ponies that I was coming too. Every pony looked at me with fear in their eyes as I strode into their camp and I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. With my close cropped hair and unshaven face I must have seemed very rough. As well as being a biped of which they were currently having so much trouble.

"Pinkie Pie!" I yelled hoarsely from all the smoke in the air.

"Y-yes..." She stammered poking her head out of a tent her eyes wide.

"Take her." I stepped forward gently placing Twilight over her friends back. She backed away quickly as I turned and headed towards where I had seen the Princess.

As I approached I could "sense" the goblins presence beyond the shield the princess’s were generating but nothing from within. I approached and stopped a few feet away from the edge of it. Bowing down on one knee.

"Princess Celestia. Twilight Sparkle brought me here to help. I'll do all I can." Looking up I could she her regarding me with her ageless eyes her sister looking between us uncertainly.

"So she has disobeyed me." She stated.

"Maybe she has your highness. But I am here to help. Please let me." I begged quietly.

"Sister perhaps he can…” Luna began.

"Shh sister, conserve your strength. Very well human. What do you propose?" Celestia asked.

"Well, they outnumber you I can see…” I began.

"This is but a fraction of their strength human." She hangs her head sadly. "All other cities have been taken. All refuges I know of overrun."

"I see… This force seems to have been weakened by their assault though. Perhaps they could be persuaded to leave? At least for now? So you would have time to regain your strength." I offered.

"You want to offer them safe passage?! After our subjects that they have killed?! Our homes burned?!" She asked angrily.

"If you continue to fight them now more lives will be lost. Maybe all..." I pleaded with her. Turning her eyes to her sister she said simply.

"Very well. Try."

I got up and moved past the shield to where the main force of goblins was, I could feel the presence in houses and alleys all around. At the head of this army was a much larger goblin, perhaps 5 feet tall slapping around one of his subordinates.

"Why has the attack stopped wretch!" He demanded. His subordinate could only babble then point towards me.

"Ooh they got a big-um do they? What do you want freak? You'll stew up just like the others." He laughed at me. Gritting my teeth I said.

"Princess Celestia is willing to let you leave, now. Despite the damage you have done and lives you have taken further conflict will only cause more grief. Leave now and live to tell the tale."

Stunned silence was my only response. Then bursting out in laughter his cohorts following suit he replied.

"That’s a good one freak. Ya see Queen Chrysalis wants them all dead. And that includes you as well now. Take this back to your Princess in reply." He stooped down slashing with his sword and tossed a bloody bundle at my feet.

As I gently turned it over I saw it was little Snails head, his body hacked down at the leaders feet, blood on his horn he hadn't gone down without a fight. Something snapped in me at that moment.

I got up screaming as loud as I could pushing my will out to every goblin presence I could feel… And grabbing and twisting violently. As if a switch had suddenly gone off every goblin I could see and all those I couldn't I knew, suddenly spewed up gouts of blood as their insides were ripped free of their interior connections and crushed. Almost as one they fell to the ground horrible gurgles eminating from them.

At the same time I felt all my energy pulled out of me, exhausting me like I have never been before. As I collapsed to the ground the shield winked out of existence, as everything went black I heard the Princess.

"Twilight, what kind of monster have your brought among us?"

Chapter 2 (Sex, no Love)

I woke up; the ceiling wasn't familiar to me. I tried to raise myself up but couldn't move a muscle, the best I could do was manage to turn my head a bit. Looking around I saw some scientific looking equipment and books. Must be Twilights basement.

A door opened and some pony clopped down the stairs, i turned my head and Twilight came into view.

"You’re awake! Thank Celestia, you nearly killed yourself!" She chastised.

"Feels like I did. I can't move a bit. Are you ok? And every pony else?" I asked.

"Yes... Everyone who survived that is... I need to tell you something..." She looked nervous, her ears down shuffling her hooves. "I… I don't love you." I felt like she had just kicked me in the chest with both her back hooves. "I'm sorry… I just don't feel that way about you! But… I'm still so grateful to you for saving us!"

"Twilight… I would have helped under any circumstance, you don't have to..." I began.

"I know what you want." She looked at me, using her magic she pulled the covers down. I suddenly realised that I wasn't wearing anything under them.

"Um… Twi, you don…” She interrupted me again.

"Shut up... Let me show my appreciation." Leaning over the bed she ran her warm tongue over my flaccid member eliciting an immediate moan from me and it quickly growing erect.

"Twi..." I could see tears forming in her eyes.

"Shut up! I can do this for you… You don't know what they did to us… What I had to see, and you saved us so… so…”

She bent her head down again engulfing my member in her warm wet mouth. Her tongue ran around it as she sucked. I couldn't say anything, the pleasure she was giving was too great. As she worked up and down my shaft I thought she must have had some practice or she been reading some good books! After what felt like and hour but was in reality only a few short minutes I couldn't hold back any longer and came.

She released my member without swallowing or spitting turned and walked away up the stairs magically pulling the covers back up as she went, must be going to the bathroom to spit it out and maybe throw up I thought. While I had enjoyed it immensely but I couldn't help feeling, despite my immobility that I had just raped her. With that unhappy thought in my head I fell back into sleep.

I awoke again not knowing how much time had passed. I could feel the presence of ponies around town and no goblins so I hoped all was well. I managed to pull myself up to a sitting position and drank some water that had been left for me. Again the door at the top of the stairs opened and Twilight came down levitating a package. I turned to her wanting to apologise, explain, do something.

"Twilight I'm sorry." She gave me a blank look.

"For what? Put this on, Princess Celestia wants to see you." She tossed the package to me, I opened it and a robe and sandals fell out. They looked well made so I assumed Rarity must have made them. I put them on and slowly made my way to the stairs, Twilight used her magic to assist me and as we came into the library’s main room the princess awaited. I bowed as well as I could and sank down onto the couch noticing the mess that the room was, books strewn about many hacked and ripped apart.

"You are recovering then? Good. We still have need of you yet, try not to kill yourself." She stated haughtily. "You killed two hundred and fortysix goblins and very nearly yourself with that trick."

"Princess how did I do that? I could feel the ability to do… I don't know, something. When I arrived." I asked her.

"I can't be sure. Magic cannot be explained so easily. Traits in your world may be something altogether different here." She surmised.

"They slashed and stabbed me but did no damage. And what I did to them." I shuddered slightly at the thought.

"Don't spare a moment of pity for them. You are still recovering so I will not go into the horrors they have perpetuated against us yet. It seems you can protect yourself and mayhap others as well as affect other beings in a definitely negative manner. What else have you experienced?" She stared at me interested.

"Well I can… For lack of a better word feel the presence of every pony nearby… To a certain range… Maybe two hundred yards? I don't know, when I did what I did I was filled with such anger. I reached out with my mind? No not even that something more elemental and base…” Twilight interrupted from behind me.

"Your will." She stated flatly.

"Maybe yes. I don't know. But it worked." I sank deeper into the couch still feeling very tired.

"We will have to test this. See if you can't control it better. It will take Chrysalis." She made the name a curse. "Time to regroup and discover what has happened. I fear she will have her power protecting her minions next time. It may not be able for you to affect them as you did." Celestia explained.

"Wait, what were those things anyhow? How did this happen?" I asked.

"Yes I suppose you should know..."

She explained how after Chrysalis was defeated before they had given her no more thought. But a few months later reports came back of cities and villages under attack by these creatures, Chrysalis and her changelings leading them. Town after town and city after city fell to their swift onslaught before we could rally our army and march to intercept them.

It was a trap, we were overconfident that there was a small force and we could handle them with ease. There were thousands of the creatures. They swarmed over our ranks caring not how many they lost. The army was decimated in a matter of hours the few survivors returned to Canterlot to report what they had seen. We don't know where these creatures came from but they seem to love and cherish Chrysalis and her changeling minions. Her power was overwhelming. We prepared Canterlot for siege bringing the girls and the Elements of Harmony here as it seemed to be our last and only hope.

Twilight took over the explanation at this point.

When Chrysalis's army came into view she was at the head, the sickly green glow of her magic radiating off of her. We used the Elements striking her with all the force we could muster. It killed some of the changelings and goblins around her but it had no effect on her! We pulled back, my brother, Shining Armor raised his shield to protect Canterlot but it could not stand against her power. It shattered and her changelings and goblin minions came pouring in. We fought back as well as we could but there were so many. The princess gathered us together with many of the townspeople of Canterlot and teleported us to Ponyville with instructions to prepare for attack.

Again Celestia takes over the explanation.

After sending them away Luna and I tried our best to rally the guards, we had to protect the public. But it was too late. Shining Armor and the last of my guards held them back allowing us to escape with some of the townspeople and children to our fallback point of Ponyville. If we had failed here we planned to fall back into the Everfree Forest. The monsters there would have been dangerous but also to Chrysalis's minions. But we were too weak; we never would have made it. Finishing her explanation she rose up.

"Now, you should rest more." He horn glowed and I was surrounded in its radiance. It felt strange, though not unpleasant. After a moment it subsided. Before I could ask she offered. "Just making sure you didn't harm yourself internally. Your fine, we will speak later." She turned and exited, Twilight again helped me up and back down the stairs. As we arrived at the bed she magically pulled the robe over my head again leaving my exposed. I quickly laid down reaching for the covers but she stopped me with her hoof.

"What Twi?" I asked confused as she climbed on top of me. Her eyes downcast she looked at me.

"You think my life… No all our lives are worth nothing more then a simple blowjob?!" She angrily stated.

"Of course not! But you don't have to..." She came down on me her soft loins pressed against me arousing me instantly.

"Yes. I do. Don't argue." She began rubbing against me slowly bringing my erection to full. It was incredibly arousing but she looked morose. I wanted to reach up and hold her but she had my arms pinned under her hooves. She continued to rub, aligning her wet opening with my member. Sliding into her velvety soft sex I felt pleasure like never before. She slowly began to stroke up and down her tight vagina squeezing and massaging my erection. As I groaned with pleasure she gasped a bit herself increasing the tempo. After a few minutes she fell on top of me grinding her pelvis against mine shaking uncontrollably. I was more then ready to cum as well, her shudders set me off also, I held her close as she had released me when she collapsed. We remained that way a few moments until I whispered in her ear.

"Twilight I love..." She pushed herself away from me, and without looking at me headed up the stairs and left. I got up and tried to follow but she had left the library. Feeling depressed I headed back downstairs and fell into bed. Covering myself as I drifted off to sleep I wondered what the hell just happened.

When I woke again I was alone. Food and drink had been left along with a note I read as I ate. It instructed me to come to the mayor’s office for stratagy planning. I finished eating and noticed my old clothing was neatly piled at the foot of my bed. I put it on and headed out.

The sun was out and ponies had clearly been busy, all the bodies and a great deal of the debris and destruction had been cleared. With the sun up you could almost believe that nothing had happened, some ponies were out and about and I was able to quickly get directions to the mayors from them. They still looked nervous around me and I still couldn't blame them. Coming to the mayor’s office I entered hoping to see Twilight there but there was only the Mayor, Princess Celestia and Rainbow Dash.

It was clear that while Crysalis was crafty as well as sneaky but she was no great strategist, Pegasus recon had shown she had a large force headed toward us on foot. Nearly all goblinoids with a few changeling leaders. They were not moving very quickly nor did they seem to be taking many precautions. They estimated there to be at least a thousand of them and at their current pace they would take at least a week to arrive.

Our forces did not amount to much, about two hundred ponies that were fit to fight as well as many more who were too hurt or just too young or old. Still with a week to plan I was sure I could come up with something. To start I outlined a defence for the town setting up faux barricades that the goblins could easily brake down but trapped to cause maximum casualties. Pit traps dug and concealed along the most likely avenue’s of entry and a training regime for every fighting pony to get them ready for the fight to come.

No the fight's, this was only the beginning. We would have to take back every city, eliminate every goblin we could if we were to weaken Crysalis's powers enough to assault her directly. Rainbow Dash and the Mayor left to begin preparations leaving me with the Princess.

"You will have to do some practicing as well. Strengthen your powers, we will need them before too long I fear. But for now you should rest some more." She moved close to me her horn glowed softly and we were teleported back to the library basement. She looked around and smiled at me.

"So. How can your Princess show her appreciation for saving me and my subject’s lives? Hmm?" Again her horn glowed and my shirt and pants seemed to fly off knocking me back onto the bed.

"Ah princess you don't owe me any debt…” I began.

"Don't be ridiculous. Is my appreciation not the equal of any of my subjects?" She asked with a knowing smile. "Do you not find me beautiful?"

"Yes of course princess. You’re amazing… It’s just; well I am hardly a stallion…” I indicated to my average size penis. "I wouldn't be able to pleasure you properly..." She looked with a raised eyebrow.

"I see…” She turned exposing her flank to me in all its glory. "Perhaps there is another way you can please your princess then? Hmm?" I could see where this was going and could hardly say no, she was the princess of course. Her pristine white vagina was fully revealed, much larger then a humans. I moved closer and tangled her tail in my hand, softer then any silk it flowed around my hand almost seeming to wrap itself around it. I leaned in nervously and experimentally ran my tongue over her clit and over her already dampening lips. I don't know what I was expecting but the taste was indescribable, mayhap what you would think light would taste like. Sweet and tangy and still musky and alluring. She grunted pushing her flank against me, her tail wrapped around my hand pulling me. I didn't need to be enticed. I began to lick and caress every part of her sweet pussy trying my best to please her in any way I could. Licking up and down one fold then the other kissing and sucking upon her engorged clit. Eventually it seemed she could take no more squirting right in my face. I lapped up all of her amazing juices I could then collapsed on the bed.

"Ahh…” She shook herself and turned to look at me. "Not too bad at all. Now to return the favour." She said with a smile. Climbing onto the bed she lowered herself onto my more then willing erection.

To my surprise her pussy was as tight as could be, gripping and undulating along my length. She began to stroke up and down slowly driving me crazy. I knew I couldn't take much of this but as soon as I neared orgasm she tapered me off somehow letting me relax then building me up again and again. Clearly she had learned many tricks in her long, long lifetime.

We moved from position to position she always the aggressor and I following her lead. Time seemed to blur as she drove me to nearly pass out from the pleasure. Finally she pushed me down on the floor drained physically and mentally and allowed me to finally climax her sweat glistening off her shimmering hide as she bore down on me, her eyes closed.

She opened her eyes looking down on me as she got up. "All good things must come to an end. It is time for me to go and raise the sun, such a pity. You had best get a little rest don't forget you have to see Rarity today and plan some armor designs." And with a smirk she glowed and disappeared.

Morning?! How in the hell. I dragged myself over to the bed flopping down on the sweat stained mattress. I reached over and splashed water into my face shaking my head, had that just happened? My aching body told me it had. I painfully dressed and dragged myself upstairs to wash up and eat. The library was still deserted. I suppose I was glad for that, I’m not sure what Twilight would think of me if she had heard that last night. After cleaning up and having something to eat and a bit of rest I headed out to Rarity’s store, Carousel Boutique.

I spent the rest of the day trying to convince Rarity that the armor for everyone did not have to match and be color coordinated. Eventually I gave in; she promised to have sturdy suits magically toughened for every pony that would be partaking in the battles. I suggested to her maybe if she could find a way to make either a color or magical enhancement that changeling's could not copy so our troops would not have to worry about becoming confused. She loved the idea immediately thinking up several ideas to try, though we would have to wait for a battle to try them out.

I excused myself and exited heading to the training area to check on progress there.

Ponies were sparring, trying to learn how to fight. I asked them to use full contact practicing my abilities to try to keep them from hurting one another. It worked quite well I found I could protect up to ten of them before beginning to lose strength. As practice broke up for the day I headed back to the library to rest. As I got downstairs I could feel a pony presence there but to my surprise it was Pinkie Pie.

She had cleaned up and had a meal waiting for me, heavy on the sweets of course. She looked like the same old Pinkie Pie but I could see in her eyes the horrors she was trying to hide. I ate, offering some to her and she accepted eating with me. After eating I undressed and got into bed when I turned to say goodnight I was surprised to find Pinkie Pie on the other side of the bed a small smile on her face, it was good to see her smile.

"Pinkie, what are you…” She silenced me with a shake of her head.

"Please." Is all she said. I just wanted to make her smile, be happy for even a moment. So I dove under the covers, she gasped but didn't pull away as I began to pleasure her with my mouth. Though it shouldn't have surprised me, she tasted like cotton candy. I kissed and tickled her driving her to gasps and giggles when I finally entered her she was smiling again. She was very enthusiastic; we gave each other pleasure until we both came. Afterwards I held her close, I could feel her shivering slightly.

I was worried perhaps she regretted, or wanted to go so I released her. "What’s wrong Pinkie?" I asked. She turned her tear stained eyes to me and manage to choke out.

"Little Pound and Pumpkin... I couldn't..." I didn't know what had happened to the Cake family and I didn't need to. All I could do was hold Pinkie tightly as she cried herself to sleep, promising her that it would get better.

I hoped I wasn't lying.

Chapter 3 (Preparations and Answers)

I woke up alone, again. Pinkie Pie had gone but she left a tray of muffins and a simple note saying only "Thanks".

Again breakfast had been left and I could not sense anypony in the house above so Twilight had not returned. With a sigh I ate and taking the muffins with me headed out.

As I headed towards the practice area I came across a group of young fillies and colts the Cutie Mark Crusaders in the lead. They all stopped, staring at me the younger hiding behind peeking out. I knelt down dividing up the muffins as well as I could offering each of them a piece.

So few left, only twentytwo young fillies and colts left in the entire town. Leaving them to their treat I walked the rest of the way to the training grounds. It seemed my abilities like any could improve with practice, by the day’s end I felt I could protect at least twenty-five fighters as well as expanding my "sensing" range by another hundred meters. I knew I would have to try harder though if we were going to survive. Not only survive but move out and attack.

Exhausted I started to head back to the library when Rainbow Dash landed before me.

"I've got an eye in the sky report for you. The army that’s headed this way has slowed. They will definitely take a few more days to get here now. But, only because another force is coming from the west to join them. Altogether they'll number over fifteen hundred now." She finished solemnly.

"Well that will give us some more time to prepare at least. And we'll have to prepare well too. Thanks Dash. Please let the Princess know as well."

"Of course." She answered and took off.

Fifteen Hundred, the odds were definitely beginning to stack up against us. Pondering strategies I headed into the library and downstairs, reaching the bottom I almost bumped in Fluttershy. She jumped, head held low fearfully.

"Oh! I'm sorry; I didn't know when you'd be back. I was waiting..." She said softly.

"Fluttershy, it’s good to see you. Are you ok? Did you need something?" I asked gently, while kneeling down to look at her.

"I'm... ok. I don't need anything… I'm just here to... Well..." She blushed prettily hiding behind her long hair. I sat down my legs crossed.

"You too? Oh Fluttershy you don't have to do anything… uh… For me."

"Oh… I do though; she was very specific about it… Oh my, I shouldn't have said anything... I know I'm not… Sexy like some ponies..."

"Fluttershy! You are beautiful and very sexy too." She looked up hopefully. "There’s no pony I would rather have with me." I lied.

Then Fluttershy took me by surprise. She darted forward kissing my softly on the lips, the first pony to do so. Her lips were warm, soft and wholly desirable. She held the kiss for a moment then backed off blushing and hiding again.

"I'm sorry." She shuffled her hooves against the ground not looking at me.

"That was the sweetest kiss I've ever been given Fluttershy. Don't be sorry." I gently gathered her up and carried her to the bed. She climbed under the covers as soon as I put her down watching me as I undressed. As I got under the covers with her she squeaked and shuffled a bit away from me.

"Fluttershy are you sure you want to..." She interrupted me with another kiss, still soft as can be but with some heat behind it. We kissed for a bit growing more passionate. I kissed her neck and down the soft fur on her belly. As I reached her small opening I noticed she was wet already I licked gently over her clit eliciting another squeak as she pulled a bit away again. I leaned back in case she was having second thoughts when she surprised me again. Her forehooves came down behind my head gently but urgently pushing me back down.

"Oh…” She gasped as I began to lick again, softly at first but increasing my tempo as she grew more excited. She tasted of the sweetest of honeys. Her quiet squeaks and gasps as I ate her out were turning me on an incredible amount. Finally she orgasmed letting out the loudest scream I had ever heard from her, still not much louder then a normal speaking voice. She collapsed back on the bed panting prettily. I scootched up beside her my rock hard erection rubbing against her wetness. She looked at me with her huge beautiful aqua colored eyes.

"You… You'll be gentle won't you? It’s my first time…” Again she blushed fetchingly. I kissed her softly and entered slowly. Her tight, wet and satiny hole squeezed tightly. Her eyes closed as she bit her bottom lip, little whimpers coming from her as I ventured deeper. My tip pressed against her hymen and I pushed thru gently eliciting a gasp from her. I held there letting her get used to it until she pushed herself against me slightly one eye open watching me. I leaned forward kissing her again slowly pushing in and out. As we softly made love I couldn't get the image of Twilight out of my head though. Fluttershy groaned her wings wrapping around me as she again climaxed, I was right behind her. As we collapsed back on the mattress I gently caressed her face.

"I didn't hurt you did I?" She smiled at me, leaned over and kissed me softly wrapping one of her wings over us both and laid her head on my chest. Lulled by her soft breathing I quickly fell asleep.

The next morning i got my third surprise from Fluttershy. She was still there sweetly sleeping, her mane covering my face. I pushed it down gently and stroked her neck. She woke up and stretched.

"Oh… Good morning." She leaned over and kissed me softly.

"Morning Fluttershy." I hugged her tightly kissing her back. I was more then content to stay there like that all day.

"Oh, I had best get a bath." She sniffed me slightly. "You too mister." Laughing I swept her up and carried her up the stairs to the bathroom. We filled the tub and had a leisurely bubble bath. We didn't say much, I could see she was still a bit nervous to be around me and I didn't want to push. Cleaned up we went back downstairs and had some breakfast.

"Well Fluttershy, I guess I had better go and practice. I'll have to get much stronger if we're to win."

"Okay, I don't know what I can do to help..." I thought about it a second.

"Well, Rarity is making uniforms for everypony. I'm sure she could use your help." I offered. Her face immediately lit up.

"Really?! Ok I'll go see her right now!" She zipped up the stairs her wings flapping. I got up and followed her up only to find her waiting at the top of the stairs. Before I could say a word she kissed me and blushing a bit flew off quickly. I sighed and headed to the practice arena, I was already behind for the day but I didn't feel that time had been wasted.

Arriving at the arena I was surprised to find Rainbow Dash waiting for me with a couple of other Pegasus pulling a chariot.

"Well it’s about time! What took you so long? Scratch that I really don't want to know." She said with a knowing look. "Look my scouts have seen a small caravan coming from one of the smaller villages heading for the main force. If we're quick we might be able to get ahead of it and take a look. Ya in?" I nodded my ascension and jumped in the chariot. And like a shot we were off. Pegasus can really move to be sure.

Flying along like that I was almost able to forget our troubles for a short while. But soon enough I could see smoke rising from other parts of Equestria reminding me of what we were in for.

Partway there we were met with a batch of reinforcements from Cloudsdale, the last free city in Equestria (Other then Ponyville of course.), Changelings had tried to take it early in Chrysalis's attack but without the goblins support they were beaten back.

Finally we came to a ridge overlooking where they cavern would pass, we settled down to wait its arrival. Before too long it came into view a couple wagons pulled by what looked like badly beaten Earth ponies and a couple dozen goblins. To my surprise they did not appear to be shielded against me. Either Chrysalis could not shield all her minions or she was simply concentrating on certain ones. I motioned the others to stand down. Despite the beaten ponies I wasn't feeling overly vindictive, so reaching out with my power I simply snapped each goblins neck quickly and painlessly. As they fell to the ground the Pegasus’s moved in, slightly winded I sat down a second to catch my breath then followed them down the hill.

By the time I got down they had freed the two Earth ponies and were checking out the carts contents. As I walked up several of the Pegasus’s backed away from the carts one of them throwing up as he did so.

I ran up fearing the worst, and it was much worse then I could have imagined. Pieces of ponies hacked up, butchered and dressed like meat at the shop. My gorge and anger rose seeing some of the hacked off flanks still with their cutie marks on them. I turned filled with anger I let my power loose crushing and smashing the goblin corpses until they were nothing but pieces. I collapsed to my knees exhausted, turning I could see all of the Pegasus’s had backed away from me, fear in their eyes. All but Rainbow Dash. She stood beside me looking down at the pieces of goblin.

"Good. I would have done it while they were still alive." She said anger in her eyes. We put the badly injured Earth ponies in the chariot and sent them off for treatment while we turned the caravan back towards Ponyville, hauling its ghastly cargo back with us.

Loved ones would need to identify who they could and those remains would be buried as properly as we could.

It was getting onto late evening as we pulled into town. Ponies were waiting to take our burden and do with it what had to be done. Dash flew off and i walked back to the library.

I was tired and sore but I felt stronger too, more committed to our cause. An earth philosopher once said "An eye for an eye makes the world blind." I don't remember who. But we weren’t just fighting for revenge here. These ponies were fighting for their very existence. If the goblins and changelings had to be wiped off the face of Equestria for that to happen I was prepared to see it through, to whatever end.

As I walked up to the library I could feel somepony inside waiting in the basement. I reigned in my excitement hoping it was Twilight wanting to talk finally. I quickly headed down the stairs to find Applejack waiting, twirling her lasso around clearly bored waiting for me to get back.

"Well howdy there darling. Bout time you got back. Everything ok?"

"Well Applejack..." I explained about the caravan and what we had found. Her eyes turned downcast as she shook her head sadly.

"That’s a real shame. It’s also partly why I came here tonight… The other part… Well..." She smiled at me seductively.

"Applejack! I really don't get what's going on. Why are all you… I don’t know throwing yourselves at me? Not that I'm complaining mind you... Also, your bother isn't going to come in here and trample me for messing around with his sister is he?" Her head immediately dropped and eyes filled with tears and I knew he was dead, again I had said something stupid. "Oh shit Applejack, I'm so sorry I should have..."

I rushed over and fell to my knees in front of her trying to comfort her. She stopped me putting her forehoof to my lips a small smile peeking thru the tears.

"Oh I’m sure he would, he wouldn't want me dilly dallying with your kind. But he’s even part of the reason why I... We all owe you so much. Sit a spell and let me explain." I sat back as she made herself comfortable on the floor aways in front of me.

"Big Mac was at the first barricade where they hit us the hardest, you shoulda seen him. No goblin, no twenty goblins could stand up to him! But there was alot more then that. He knew what he was doin; he fought to the end for us." She sat lost in her own thoughts for a moment, and then shook her head.

"Anyhow, them strategy fellas might have told you we had more fallback points? We did, but we never would have made it to them. We'd waited too long and we had too many wounded, nopony was willing to leave behind their loved ones. We were all going down together. And maybe that would have been fine... But we knew a worse fate was waiting for anypony they captured, even the fallen. You've seen what they do. They eat us! Not only that they seem to relish in torturing and cruelty." Her voice got real low, her head hung down.

"We've seen... I've seen it. That’s why we owe you, I owe you. Not just for me but Apple Bloom, Granny and even Big Mac. Thanks to you he’s buried proper, not a meal for some goblin bastard! Princess Celestia knows about humans, she’s seen your kind before. She told us about it, five or six hundred years ago a group of humans came here somehow. All dressed up in metal, riding on giant horses who couldn't even talk. They called us demons, went on a killing spree until they were wiped out…” I sat back amazed at what I was hearing. But from what I knew that would clearly have been the reaction of people in the middle ages to talking ponies for certain.

"That’s why the Princess was so set against Twilight setting up any communication with you. She told us all about you, Twilight did. She did a heap of divining on her own, seemed she didn't want to bring you here, I'm not sure why... I guess when the chips were down she decided you couldn't do any more harm. And that worked out well, right sugar? The Princess was very clear, every mare owes you a debt and she means for them all to be paid." She grinned at my shocked face.

"That’s right darlin. You'll be getting a whole lot more visitors then just us six. And don't start with any excuses, or we might just have to..." She flipped the loop of her lasso over my torso lightly. Though I could easily break it her sexy smile was reason enough to leave it. With a twist of her head she flipped it off of me.

"Just kidding darlin. Or maybe you’re into that kinda thing..." She laughed lightly at my frantic negation.

"Okay Applejack I get it. Just one question, why are you telling me all this? No one else said much at all." I asked.

"Well I am the Element of Honesty right? But like I said. I owe ya for more then just me. You deserved to know, the others maybe might have thought you would be mad or change your mind. But I can see you’re in for the long haul. Now..." She looked at me seductively tossing her hat to the bedpost.

"I've been hearin a bit about you, you’re... Skills shall we say? If'n I’m doing my duty then there’s no reason I shouldn't enjoy myself right?"

As she stalked towards me I could feel somepony else enter the library just waiting above. Not now Twilight I thought. But there was no ignoring Applejack, she pushed me to the bed her nimble teeth quickly pulling my shirt over the top of my head. As I quickly fumbled my pants open she nibbled my neck gently driving me crazy. She moved down tugging my pants and then shorts off.

"Well now. Seems we're not so different after all, are we?" She asked climbing on top of me in a sixty-nine position. As she lowered her head down engulfing my cock I pulled her down on me, eager to taste her. As my tongue ran over her sex she groaned pushing down harder and sucking expertly on me. Sweet apple cider she tasted of.
Sweet and tangy at the same time. I ate her out enthusiastically as she sucked and ran her talented tongue around my shaft teasing me. Suddenly she bore down on shaking and shuddering her pussy exploding with juices.

"Whoa Nelly!" She collapsed for a moment then shuffled around lying beside me lightly running her forehoof over my chest and penis.

"Well your pretty good at that sugar. I guess ya'll know here in Equestria, Mares come first right?" She said with a wink. She then climbed on me as I guided my member into her soaking pussy it gripped tightly as she easily took my length all the way down. Her forehooves pushing down on my chest she began to ride up and down slowly at first, her eyes closed a smile on her face. As she increased the tempo I tried my best to hold myself back with all my experience…

Ha experience, all my sexual experience before a few days ago easily equalled up to nothing until a beautiful purple mare took my virginity...

Applejack was riding me hard now her tongue hanging out and eyes rolled back lost in the moment, I couldn't hold back any longer and I told her so. I exploded in her without her cumming again but I quickly rolled her on her back and moved down to finish the job with my tongue and fingers as best I could.

Lying there in the afterglow I was exhausted but Applejack seemed satisfied and that was what mattered at the moment.

"Thank ya kindly there hun. I do appreciate it, it’s been awhile." Sighing she sat up grabbing her hat. "Hate to run but I can't leave Granny and Apple Bloom alone. We'll have to do this again sometime." With a wink and a sexy shake of her rump she headed up the stairs. When she reached the top I could here her encounter someone.

"Well hey there sugarcube. What ya'll doing here?" I could only hear Applejacks side of the conversation but I sat up quickly balling up the sodden sheets and firing them into a corner trying to remake the bed quickly.

"I'm sure he'd be glad to see ya. See you later." As Applejack left I waited a second and heard a gentle knock at the door at the top of the stairs.

"Come on in." I invited. Down the stairs came not who I was expecting at all, Fluttershy looking nervous came down and stopped a few feet in front of the bed her beautiful mane again covering her face from view.

"Hi…” She said meekly. "Um… Can I stay here? Please?"

"Of course Fluttershy!" I quickly lifted the blanket and she scooted right under beside me. "Is everything ok?" I asked.

"Oh… Well I'm just so lonely with all my animal friends gone…” She sniffed tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

"They weren't all killed..." I started to ask.

"No, no. A lot of them are ok. Angel is taking care of them at Zecora's. But I told them not to come back until its safe again."

I sighed in relief drawing the blanket over us and pulled Fluttershy close in a hug. As I did I detected an unmistakeable scent. As I gently ran my hand down her body I found she was quite wet.

"Fluttershy... Were you eavesdropping on Applejack and I?" I asked gently. She blushed prettily but didn't pull away.

"Oh… Well maybe just a little… I know the Princess is going to send you lots of... Companions, I guess you don't need anypony like me around…” She tried to turn away from me but I caught her face gently in my hands. Kissing her gently I said.

"Fluttershy. Their only coming to me out of obligation. You… You came to me on your own. Why?" She looked at me, her beautiful eyes serious.

"Well… At first I just thought you could protect me… All of us. But you were so nice to me… So gentle." She stroked my face with her forehoof. "I watched you sleeping for a bit. Not so scary that way. I mean, the power you have, you could take whatever you want. You could ally with Chrysalis and rule this world." I had never seen Fluttershy this serious.

"After what she did?! And her minions? No. I've never sought power or domination over others. I've just never been that way." I answered. She kissed me softly.

"And that’s why I love you... Oh! Maybe I shouldn't have said that! That’s not too strange is it?! Oh dear..." I stopped her with a kiss.

"I… I love you too Fluttershy." She squee'd happily snuggling up to me. This is everything I’ve ever wanted I told myself. The love of an amazing, beautiful pony.

I don't need anything… Anypony else.

Maybe i almost believe it...

Chapter 4 (Love and Sorrow)

I awoke in Fluttershy's warm embrace, one of her wings wrapped around us as we slept. I kissed her nose softly.

"Morning Shy." I whispered. She grunted slightly and snuggled closer to me.

Well there was more then one way to wake up a sleeping mare. I gently began caressing her soft body sliding myself down the bed while doing so, kissing her here and there. Making my way down to her small pert nipples I kissed them both eliciting a small gasp from her.

I was pretty sure she was awake at this point but she didn't move so I kissed a bit lower to her sweet marehood. I began to lick her slowly; her little squeals and shrieks turning me on. Finally giving up any pretending to sleep she whimpered.

"Don't stop... Please, more..." I was more then happy to accommodate her, lifting her back legs up off the bed I swiped my tongue over her slit poking it in then licking some more. She was thrashing about her wings spread, tossing her head back and forth making little squeaking sounds in the back of her throat.

"Ahhh...!" She squealed, her little pussy squirting a bit as she collapsed onto the bed panting. I shuffled back up to lay beside her and took her in my arms kissing her.

"How was that for a wake up call Shy?" She smiled at me. Her forehoof reached down to rub along my erection.

"Perfect. But how about you..?" She asked with a hopeful look. I gasped in pretend shock at her.

"Why you dirty little mare." I said with a smile. She blushed as I kissed her before she could say anything, as she guided me into her wet marehood she gasped.

As we made sweet soft love again I thought of Twilight, but as much as I loved her she didn't seem to want anything to do with me. And beautiful Fluttershy was here with me.

If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you’re with right?

Fluttershy held me tightly her big beautiful teal eyes gazing into mine. She’s put all her faith in me; I'll do what I have to, to keep her safe. All of them.

Her tight satiny hole squeezed me urgently as she orgasmed again; I kissed her firmly as I came as well.

With her soft wings wrapped around me, we lay there together for a few minutes then I scooped her up and carried her to the washroom where we took a shower together. I gently washed her wings and shampooed her soft mane and tail, getting quite clean as well in the process. As we both headed out of the library to our duties she hovered up to me and kissed me.

"Love you." She whispered. Her love so pure and sweet brought a pain to my chest. I hugged her tightly for a second.

"And I love you Shy. Have a good day." She flew off towards Rarity’s as I headed to the mayors office to see if there were any new developments. Everything was still on schedule, no doubt thanks to Twilights organizational skills. With a heavy sigh I headed to the practice yard and worked myself and the trainees hard. By the end of the day we were all exhausted, as well as training my special ability’s I began working on strengthening my endurance and strength. I wouldn't always be able to just stay back and protect the others as they did the fighting, nor did I want to. Too many years of video games and junk food had definitely taken their toll on me though, but the new vegetarian diet I had going on here was certainly going to help.

As I dragged myself back to the library I didn't sense anyone inside so I was surprised when I came down the stairs to find Princess Luna there waiting with my evening meal.

I quickly bowed to her. "Princess! I couldn't sense you were here." She looked at me indifferently and gestured for me to sit and eat.

"My sister and I have certain defences that keep... Shall we say intrusions? Such as that, away. It is important that Crysalis does not know we are both alive yet." I nodded and began eating as she watched me. She seemed a bit apprehensive and I could guess why, I finished eating quickly and turned to her.

"Princess surely you don't have to..." She looked at me sharply.

"Don't have to?! You think our appreciation is any less then that of our sister's?! Or any mare's?!"

"No! No. You just seem.. Well like you don't want to be here. And I totally understand that.." Her eyes turned downcast as she spoke, barely above a whisper.

"That is not it. We.. I mean I, have been away for a long time. Since my return I have not had much time to form any.. Relationships of any sort. In truth I am not sure I remember what.." I stopped her gently putting a finger to her lips.

With your permission Princess." She nodded blushing slightly as I pushed her back onto the bed. While smaller then Celestia she was still a big mare. I ran my hands down her lean and firm body watching her face carefully for any sign I should stop or back off, she just closed her eyes and leaned back.

Her marehood was slightly damp as I gently ran my fingers over it she gasped biting her bottom lip, eyes wide open now watching as I lowered myself down and teased her with my tongue gently running it over her velvety folds once. Her taste was as unique as any other, liquorice both sweet and salty. I lifted her flank off the bed and began to lick her pussy more quickly; moving my lips and tongue around to see what would get the most pleasurable reaction from her. She remained silent but the arching of her back as well as her desperate gasps made it clear I was doing something right.

After a few minutes of pleasuring her, her horn suddenly glowed grabbing me and throwing me onto the bed, her magic quickly disrobed me as well as she climbed on top of me her dripping marehood engulfing my erection. She slowly began to ride up and down my shaft her wings pulling her up and slowing her decent. Her gasps and groans as well as mine became more animalistic as she rode me hard, her coat shining with sweat as her tight marehood convulsed draining me as she collapsed on top of me, both of us spent.

After half and hour or so she stirred rolling off me and coming to her hooves. The look on her face was unreadable, gratitude? Disgust? She turned to go.

"We thank you human. You performed well." She lowered her voice slightly. "It helps..." With that she left up the stairs leaving me to clean up. I was fortunate that someone.. Er somepony was looking after the laundry, everyday there was always a clean set just waiting. Twilight? Why did I have to go and think of her again.. I felt a pony presence enter the library above and come to the steps.

"Come in." I said before they could knock. Fluttershy came down the stairs a basket held in her mouth which she quickly spat out on the bed.

"I saw Nightmare Moon... I mean, Princess Luna, leave.. She.. She didn't hurt you did she?" Although I was quite sore from the riding she had given me I smiled at Fluttershy and hugged her tightly shaking my head.

"I'm fine Shy. How was your day?" She smiled happily and brought out the uniform she had made for me herself, I tried it on and it fit perfectly. It was a bit flashy but I supposed as a general I looked the part. I got undressed and we climbed into bed together, she happily snuggled against me as I held her tightly. We quickly drifted off to sleep.

I can't be in love with two mares at the same time...

Can I?...

The next morning I awoke early, seeing Fluttershy still sleeping peacefully. I didn't want to awaken her so I gently disentangled myself from her and quietly ate. I left her breakfast on the nightstand as well as a note letting her know I was heading out early and I would see her later and of course that I loved her.

As much as I would have liked to stay in bed with Fluttershy the goblin army was getting closer, I had to pick up my training pace if I wanted to be effective.

As the day progressed I felt I had reached a point where I could protect our entire small force of two hundred and fifty fighters as well as expanding my 'sence’ing range out to at least a half of a mile. Still I pushed myself and the ponies under my command to train late into the evening.

Heading back at the end of the long day I was surprised when Rainbow Dash landed right beside me.

"Dash! Everything ok? She looked at me slightly annoyed.

"Of course. Sheesh I'd be in a lot more of a hurry if they weren't. Their still coming steadily."

"Good, good we'll be ready for them. So how can I help you?" She stiffened a bit at that question.

"Nothing. I just thought I’d walk you back to the library is all." I nodded and we walked back in silence, I could see her cuts suffered in the last battle were almost healed fully, she was one resilient pony. We arrived at the library and headed in; I could feel a pony downstairs and wondered who it would be tonight. My train of thought was disrupted as Dash nudged me from behind.

"Oh right. Thanks for walking with me Dash." She looked at me a second then rolled her eyes.

"Look, are we going to do this thing or what?” She asked as she turned around presenting her hindquarters to me.

"There’s no need to be in a rush Dash..."

"Look no offence. I'm into mares ok? Not freaky furless things. Again no offence, thanks for saving us and all... And for taking care of Fluttershy.. I really do appreciate that." With that she turned around again. Clearly there was no arguing with her. I dropped my pants and moved behind her grasping her firm muscular flanks and slowly pressed the head of my penis onto her marehood. She pushed herself back on it suddenly.

"Just stick it in." I did as she asked, she was quite tight, her muscular vagina squeezed me tightly and she let out a small groan as I began to thrust. She seemed determined not to enjoy herself and I suppose I couldn't blame her but I still tried my best to bring her to climax before me. Her wings unfurled stretched out to the max, I reached out grabbing them gently and stroked them softly at first then more roughly as she responded.

"Dammit! Just pull them!!" I gripped them tightly still worried about hurting her and pulled back slightly. Her wing muscles were exceptionally strong and I had to keep pulling harder and harder as her wings kept yanking me forward slamming my member deep into her every time. Her wings pulled from my grasp extended fully forward as she fell to her knees shuddering uncontrollably, I collapsed right on top of her having spent myself deep inside of her. We lay there for couple of seconds before she pushed me off and trotted to the door.

"Ya, well... Thanks." She said as she ducked out taking to the air. As I got to my feet and pulled my pants up I thought.

Are all the mares crazy here? Or is it the Princess who's the crazy one? Or is it me? I guess it doesn't matter.

I headed downstairs to find lovely Fluttershy waiting for me. A meal all set out. I sat down and we ate together. She told me about her day, all the uniforms would be ready in time.

"Was.. Was that Rainbow Dash upstairs?" She asked.

"Yes... Is that ok? I know she's a good friend of yours..." She blushed a little.

"Oh not like that. I mean we tried it once before but.. I just wasn't into it. I'm glad she chose to come though.. Um.. Did you.. Please her?"

"Well.. I think I did. I hope so. I don't want to upset her.. Or you." She smiled happily.

"It should be fine." We settled down to sleep shortly after.

Another day closer.

The first step of Equestrian liberation.

I awoke the next morning to a pleasurable experience. Fluttershy's beautiful marehood poised right above my face as she experimentally took the tip of my erection into her mouth running her tongue around it.

"Ahh.. Shy..." I grabbed her hindquarters and pulled her down so I could bury my tongue in her slit. She groaned and pushed her head down deeper engulfing my member. She bobbed her head up and down choking herself occasionally as she found her rhythm, inexpert as she might be she was giving me a huge amount of pleasure and I couldn't hold back any longer cumming in her mouth. I then did my best to return the favour thrusting my tongue deep in her while rubbing her engorged clit until she squirted shuddering and collapsed on top of me.

I turned her around gently and held her.

"And good morning to you too Shy." I said with a grin. She smiled slightly.

"Did.. Did I do it right?" I leaned forward and kissed her.

"You did amazing Shy. But you don't have to do anything for me you don't want to. OK?" She blushed a little.

"Oh.. Well, I just wanted to try.." She snuggled against me. "We could all die any day now.. I don't want to go without experiencing more." I hugged her tightly.

"Anything you want Shy." I reluctantly pulled myself up. "Well I better get some more work done. See you tonight." I kissed her and got dressed heading out again to the practice arena.

Everypony was beginning to improve but actual combat would be a sore test of our abilities. Most of them had been in the original fighting but it had been unstructured chaos. I hoped sincerely that fighting in ranks and being able to hold the line against the disorganized goblin horde would turn the tide for us.

Our fighting force had reached its maximum, just over three hundred with the reinforcements from Cloudsdale. Against the fifteen hundred goblins as well as the fifty or so Changeling overseers that were coming against us it seemed a possible battle. But against the tens mayhap hundreds of thousands that remained in Equestria...

I headed back to the library and found Fluttershy waiting for me just inside the door, she looked nervous for some reason.

"Hi Shy." I gave her a kiss. "What’s wrong?"

"Oh.. Well.. Rarity asked if you would come over to her place tonight.." She looked down at the floor shuffling one of her hooves.

"Ok.. I'll do that. Now what’s wrong?" I lifted up her face to see tears forming in her beautiful eyes.

"Well.. Rarity is so beautiful.. You won't want me any..." She then burst into tears. I felt a little teary myself; I grabbed her hugging her close.

"Fluttershy! You’re my mare now. For as long as you want. I'll do as the Princess wants but you’re the only mare I want." I lied. I felt bad for lying to her, but if she knew I loved Twilight... Well I loved her too and I didn't want her to worry. She looked up at me still sniffing a bit.

"Really?" I kissed her hard, our mouths opening to allow our tongues to explore one another for the first time. Separating a few moments later we were both flushed.

"I will be back after I see Rarity. I promise you Shy." She kissed me softly once and I left to head to Carousel Boutique.

It was bit overcast and starting to sprinkle a bit as I arrived. I noticed a dim light inside so I knocked quietly, Rarity answered the door and ushered me inside.

"Shh, Sweetie Belle is sleeping upstairs." She led me over into the kitchen.

"Okay.. Uh you did ask me to come over though right?"

"Of course darling." She smiled and strolled around me. "You know Fluttershy and I are best friends? We tell each other everything." She said with a seductive smile. "But I can't leave Sweetie Belle all alone to come and see you at the library... Perhaps we can take a stroll in my garden?"

"I would be glad to.. But its beginning to rain out." I said. She stopped and looked out the window for a moment, then seeming to come to a decision she turned to me.

"I can dry off after darling. You'll keep me warm won't you?" With that she sauntered out the door. Shaking my head I followed her, I'll never understand women.. Mares, females. We walked a short ways thru her small garden to a stretch of well manicured grass, by this time her mane and tail were soaked and flat along her body. The effect was very erotic; she shivered slightly laying on her side in the grass.

"I'm getting a bit chilly darling." I was no fool; I didn't need any more of an invitation then that. As I knelt down at her side she opened her legs to reveal her pristine white marehood, her magic tugged my shirt over my head as I leaned down for my first taste of her pussy. It was tangy and delicate like a fine wine; she gasped wrapping her hind legs around my head pushing me down. I licked her folds kissing and sucking on her clit as she moaned loudly. Fortunately the storm had intensified a bit; rain was coming down steadily as well as a bit of thunder and lightning. So thankfully nopony would be out and about and see us right out in the open. I lifted her off the ground a bit as she spread her legs exposing her puckered backdoor. I experimentally ran my tongue around it eliciting a shocked gasp from Rarity.

"Dirty, dirty boy..." She immediately got on all four hooves and turned lifting her backside to face me. I immediately began to lick from her clit up to her sweet ass, concentrating more and more on her asshole while rubbing her clit.

"Yes! More. Don’t stop darlingggg…” Screamed Rarity as she came. She collapsed to the grass and a laid down right beside her, as we caught our breath she turned to look at me.

"I see Fluttershy wasn't exaggerating. Not that she would. Though she will want to try that one out too now." She said with a sly smile. Her horn glowed as she removed my pants and shorts with her magic.

"Now let’s see what we can do with this." She moved over beside me taking my rain slicked member in her forehooves. I expected them to be hard or rough but she was very careful and her hooves were smooth as she slid them up and down my shaft with a smile on her face.

"Well, seeing you got me all ready darling." She lay down beside me, her tail wrapped around my hand as she magically guided my member into her tight rear end. I grasped her tail and pulled experimentally as I entered, she gasped.

"Yes!" I needed no further instruction. I gently pushed deep into her ass, the extreme tightness driving me crazy as her anal muscles squeezed me mercilessly. I began to thrust faster as she got more used to it. Her loud gasps and moans driving me on.

"Rarity, I'm going to.." She eased off and pulled me out.

"Not yet." Letting the rainwater wash me clean she climbed on top of me lowering her satiny marehood down on my cock. "That’s right." She groaned riding up and down on me. "Just a bit.. More... Yess!!..." She collapsed on top of me allowing me to roll her over and finish just moments after her.

We lay there in the rain for a few minutes, I covered her with my rain soaked pants and shirt to warm her somewhat as well as holding her. She sat up drawing a deep breath.

"I must look a fright darling. Come inside and dry off." I gathered up my clothes and followed her inside where she produced a pair of towels; I dried her off and then myself as she fixed her mane.

"There’s certainly room in my bed tonight if you want to stay..." She said her mane falling back into place perfectly. I smiled at her.

"Thank you Rarity. But i have to get back to Fluttershy." She looked at me, her expression unreadable.

"I understand.. Give her my best." I promised to do just that. Putting on my sodden clothes I headed out, slowly making my way back to the library in the dark and rain.

Rounding a building I ran into somepony. A beautiful purple mare with a load of books on her back, a magical spell shielding her from the rain.

"Twilight! I.. I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." I apologised while helping her up. She looked at me for a second, her beautiful purple eyes captivating me.

"I just wanted to pick up some books.. I didn't know you were out.. What were you doing out in this storm?" I sheepishly looked at the ground.

"Oh, well I was just at Rarity’s and..." She looked away.

"I see... Well goodnight. I hope you’re ready." With that she turned and vanished into the rain leaving me alone. I sighed heavily and walked the rest of the way back to the library.

I opened the door quietly to find Fluttershy fast asleep on the couch, dinner prepared and waiting for me. I went to the washroom and got out of my wet clothes and dried off. I went and sat down gently so as not to disturb her and quietly ate. I gathered her gently up in my arms after and carried her downstairs to bed. As I laid her down she yawned and opened her eyes to look at me.

"You came back."

"Of course I did Shy, I promised you." I kissed her softly and got into bed beside her. She snuggled up to me laying her head on my chest.

"Can we win?" She asked softly.

"We have to. We will." She shivered slightly.

"If.. If things go wrong... You won't let them take me will you?" She looked up at me her beautiful teal eyes shining. I knew what she was asking, not to let them take her alive if things went bad.

I wasn't sure I could...

"As long as I’m alive Shy. They'll never touch you." She kissed me gently and settled back down against me. I lay awake for some time sleep eluding me.

Come tomorrow..

My foolish plan will surely fail..

We all die..

Fluttershy.. Twilight..

I sank into a dreamless sleep.

Chapter 5 (Battle and Reunion)

Morning. It comes too soon. I lie quietly not wanting to disturb the sleeping angel lying on top of me. Her mane in disarray, her soft breath on my chest.

I gently stroked her neck. No one will hurt you today Fluttershy, I swear it. Her eyes opened and she smiled at me, then she remembered what was happening this day and her smile disappeared.

"Don't you worry Shy. We can do it." I kissed her softly and squeezed her tight. "I want you to stay back with the non-combatants ok?"

"But I... Ok..."

"Those little filly’s and colts will need you. And the elderly ponies too. You'll take care of them for me won't you?" She looked up at me with tears in her beautiful eyes.

"You're not just saying that are you? You don't just not want me at the frontlines?" I kissed her again.

"I don't want you at the frontlines Shy. I don't want a single scratch on you, and I don't want you to have to see the horror of battle again. I love you Shy and I’ll do everything I can to protect you." She leaned forward and kissed me hard her sweet tongue dancing into my mouth; we parted breathlessly a few moments later.

"Thank you." I stiffened suddenly; I could feel the goblins noxious presence just at the edge of my sense. They were early, they must have force marched through the night.

"What is it?" Fluttershy asked sensing my distress.

"Their here. Gather everyone up, take shelter at the farm it should be the safest." As I spoke I sat up and quickly got dressed. We quickly headed up the stairs to be met by Rainbow Dash.

"Their coming! I don't know how they got here so fast!"

"It’s ok Dash. Get everyone assembled." I took Fluttershy in my arms and kissed her gently. She headed off to gather the young, old and infirm to await the battles outcome.

Dash and I headed to the town square where everypony was assembling as quickly as they could. My detection sense now reached nearly a mile and the goblins were still advancing.

"Everypony knows the plan. We all fight together! For your homes! You’re Families! And the fallen! For Equestria!" Everypony cheered, some not very convincingly.

We marched out.

Perhaps to our doom.

We left the town and aligned ourselves in a wedge formation in the empty fields in front of town. We didn't have long to wait, the horde boiled over the nearest hill and immediately charged us screaming wildly.

"Equestria!" I screamed at the head of the wedge and we charged to meet them. Above us the Pegasus swooped down hitting stragglers on the sidelines as well as any changeling that tried to fly above the combat.

Our wedge quickly smashed through the frontline of goblins crushing all that stood before us. Very quickly though their sheer numbers bogged us down, surrounding us and we had to halt our advance. We held our wedge formation striking down every goblin that threw themselves against us, the ponies in the middle stepping forward when one of the frontliners grew tired.

We had no losses yet and had inflicted massive casualties on the horde, hundreds of the goblins were down and still they came on. I could feel their slashes and stabs of their small swords and spears, each one drained me a miniscule amount for the protection I granted the ponies.

I fell back into the center growing too tired to swing my crowbar against the masses of goblins anymore, my strength was being ebbed away and we were killing them too slowly. The ponies reared and stomped the goblins, unicorns stabbing with their horns and Pegasus smashing their lines with speed and power.

We had killed perhaps a third of their number and still they came, giving no rest or time to reform. Clearly this is how they conquered so quickly.

"Retreat!" I shouted. We slowly fought our way back toward town the goblins trying to keep pace and keep us surrounded, the ponies were far quicker then them though and we soon outdistanced them. Thankfully I was able to ride on the back of a robust stallion, one of the few left.

I had a small force man each barricade with instructions to retreat as soon as they began to fall. Twilight would detonate them magically while the goblins were thickest on them. The rest of the force and I moved back to the center of town meeting up with the Princess's as well as Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity, Spike by her side. Rainbow Dash landed with most of her squadron of pegasus's, the rest on overwatch. I flopped down on the ground exhausted, gladly accepting the water that Pinkie Pie offered, around us the rest of the army also rested and drank.

"Twilight, they'll be at the barricades soon. Be careful..." She looked at me a second then turned and headed off. Rising I bowed to the Princess's.

"We have struck the first blow and lost none of our own, but they still outnumber us greatly. I hope the traps will help to turn the tide." They nodded to me as we heard the first of the explosions from the barricades. The initial explosion should kill any goblin on the barricade and their subsequent burning will slow their advance.

Many home's will likely be lost to the blazes as well, but it was a difficult choice that had to be made.

The barricade defenders came streaming back, I could feel a pony still on the edge of town. Twilight, my protection was upon her but I still worried. If enough changelings should attack her; their magic could break through my defence... A final explosion was heard and to my relief she turned and was heading back toward us.

Dash nudged my gently from behind.

"The pits and barricades took their toll but at best guess there’s still at least seven hundred of them." Damn, so many. We were all still tired but they had made their way quickly thru the barricades and were converging on us.

"Form up!" I yelled. We made a double line against the houses leading out of town towards Sweet Apple Acres, the princess's, Twilight as well as Nurse Redheart and Pinkie Pie in the back.

The goblins came running from alleys and through the square, their numbers still huge, it hardly looked like we had slowed them at all. They slammed into our line hard, changelings hid among their number their magical strikes weakening me far greater then the ordinary goblins attacks.

We held the line. The princess's blasting away with their magic from behind the lines.

Applejack bucking and smashing down goblins a wild fury in her eyes.

Rarity and Spike side by side fending off attacks as well as they could.

Dash smashing her way through the goblin line laughing like crazy.

And Twilight.. Her magical skills turned from knowledge to war. She levitated items dropping them on the horde, smashing them against buildings, throwing them back time and again.

But still they came on.

More and more attacks were getting through, my defence was getting weaker. Many ponies were taking wounds, having to back away and we had no replacements for them.

Our line shrunk.

I was sure to pull back any pony getting too wounded; I was determined not to lose anymore if i could help it. They pushed us back until we were almost outside of town but we still held. Their numbers were down to perhaps four hundred and some few changelings left, but we had maybe a hundred left in fighting condition.

We were losing, despite the fact we hadn't taken a single fatality, we were on the edge of loss.

I was preparing to pull everyone back to the forest for a temporary reprieve when I sensed something at the edge of my range. More ponies, and they were coming in fast. Reinforcements? Or a trick of some sort? I pulled back to confer with the Princess's.

"Someone is coming. It appears to be more ponies." I gasped. "I was about to pull us back to the forest, if this is a trick..." The Princess's looked to one another and seemed to come to a decision.

"We will stand here. If we are to fall let it be together. If it is no trick they will take them by surprise with their attention on us." With that the Princess's stepped up into the front lines stabbing mightily with their horns and crushing goblins under hoof.

"Hold the line!" I yelled as I made my way wearily forward, my defences stretched to their limit all I had left defended the princess's, Dash and Twilight. Applejack as well as Rarity and Spike had backed off earlier, wounded.

The goblins sensing our desperation kept coming hacking and stabbing wildly attempting to cause as much harm as they could before they were smashed down.

It was insanity, did they care so little for their lives? Did they care so much for Chrysalis?

With the Princess's assistance we managed to push ahead slightly when from behind the goblins through the smoke came a sight to behold. A group of ponies, perhaps a hundred in number lead by a large stallion and another Alicorn.

"Brother! Cadance!" Yelled Twilight. Some of the horde turned as they heard the thunder of hooves approaching from behind, but too late. Shining Armor and his group smashed through them with ease, crushing them under hoof. Strangely the goblins did not even try to run, they fought to the end until every last one had been dropped. Two changelings took to wing attempting to escape but were quickly smashed to the ground by Rainbow Dash, their skulls caved in.

The battle over, Shining Armor and Cadance trotted over to us, Twilight quickly running to embrace them both.

"You’re alive! Thank goodness, I was so worried!" Shining Armor smiled down at his little sister and then turned to us looking at me strangely.

"Uh... Yes we barely managed to escape through the caves below Canterlot. Their full of those blasted goblins now!"

"If you have any with medical training with you we could use their help." I asked quickly.

"Just who.. What are you?" Shining Armor asked as several ponies from his group galloped past to help attend the wounded.

Twilight explained the situation quickly.

"Well, you have done an admirable job in keeping everypony alive. Though the town may be lost." Cadance stated with a look behind her at the town, several building burning uncontrolled.

"Anypony who can, go to..." I stopped, noticing something disturbing at the edge of the gathering.

I pushed my way through and found several ponies with a goblin still alive pinned down on the ground by their hooves. They were taking turns stepping on his chest, digging their hooves in and depriving him of air then letting up and allowing him to regain his breath. His arms and legs had clearly been broken several times and every time he tried to scream in pain they simply stepped on his chest again.

Walking up to them I brought my crowbar down in a short arc crushing the goblins skull.

"What did you do that for? We were just having some fun." One of the ponies said looking annoyed.

"We're not them." I stated simply. I then raised my voice so everyone could hear. "We are not them!" I gestured down at the corpse. "This is what they do. Torture, depravity. That’s not us. Don't forget it. Now put those fires out." I turned and walked away not caring if they approved of my announcement or not. As long as I was in charge that was the way things were going to be. The battle itself made me sick, this was even worse.

Twilight stood by her brother looking at me, apprehensively? Maybe I scared her with that speech. As I walked past I mumbled "Sorry." to her. I walked out of town heading to Sweet Apple Acres.

I needed Fluttershy, I needed to feel her love.

As I came up to the farm I sensed them all in the barn huddled together. I didn't want to scare them so whistled as I approached. Fluttershy peeked out the door, seeing me covered with blood and staggering slightly she shot out the door throwing herself against me, knocking me to the ground.

"Are you ok! What happened! I was so worried!" I hugged her tightly and kissed her.

"We won. It was close; Twilight's brother came to the rescue." I raised my voice shouting to the barn. "Its ok folks! Head to town!" They were peering out already and with that announcement they all headed towards town together. I just laid there catching my breath and enjoying Fluttershys warm embrace.

"Are you hurt?" She whispered.

"A few cuts. I'll get them looked at later. All I need right now is you." She blushed prettily. "It was bad Shy. But we didn't lose anypony... I was too weak... If Shining Armor had not shown up when he did..." She kissed me sweetly.

"But he did. If you had not shown up when you did... Well he would not have had anything to show up for." I squeezed her tightly.

"Thanks Shy." I struggled to my feet with her help. "Well let’s go see how everyone is doing." We slowly walked back to town and found the fires out, we had lost a few homes but even with the new arrivals there was still far fewer ponies then there should be.

The goblin bodies were being removed and stacked in an adjoining field to be burned. Fluttershy and I headed to the medical tent to find it empty except for Nurse Redheart and Pinkie Pie. I looked around confused.

"Where are the wounded?" Nurse Redheart looked me over and gestured to a nearby cot. I sat down and pulled my shirt off to reveal several shallow cuts across my chest.

"I treated their wounds and most have gone to their homes to recuperate. Some went directly back to work." Pinkie bounced up to us happily.

"We didn't lose anypony! Ooh Fluttershy, Shining Armor and Cadance are here! Let’s go see them!" Fluttershy looked apprehensively at me. I smiled at her.

"Go on Shy, I'll catch up to you later." She smiled softly and followed Pinkie out. Nurse Redheart swabbed my wounds with antiseptic cleaning them out then bandaged them up easily.

"Pants too." She stated. I didn't feel any pain down below but I complied. She looked me over critically, flipping my penis back and forth with her forehoof.

"Um... Nurse." I started.

"Hmm...? Oh just seeing the difference between human male and stallion anatomy. It’s quite convenient that your here actually, as it was my turn with you tonight. You don't mind if we take care of it here do you?" She asked still manipulating my now stiffening member with her hooves.

"Oh! Of cource... What if somepony comes?"

"Then they'll just have to wait." She stated nonchalantly climbing on top of me and lowering her soft marehood onto me. I was fairly pinned in the cot, unable to thrust effectively but she didn't seem to care. She rode methodically up and down looking down at me critically, seemingly gauging my reactions as she squeezed and stroked my erection with her tight and wet pussy.

"Hmm, so much easier to judge reactions in your species I see." She clearly had some experience, as she rode me relentlessly bringing me to orgasm with ease. She got off me clearly unfulfilled herself.

"Uh Nurse Redheart..." She glanced at me clearly preoccupied with something else on her mind.

"Hmm? Oh that’s all. Take care. Oh and thanks for keeping everyone in one piece today." Clearly she had dismissed me; I got dressed and headed out.

It was getting quite late. the battle had taken hours and hours though looking back on it, it had seemed to fly by. Everypony was heading to their own homes and as exhausted as I was I couldn't do so just yet.

I walked to the mayor’s office; it was a little singed but mostly unharmed. All three princess's as well as Shining Armor, Twilight and Rainbow Dash were there as well as the Mayor. They were in the middle of a heated argument as I entered.

"How could you put that thing in charge?" Shining Armor admonished, he then turned to Twilight. "And how could you let him..." Noticing my entrance he stopped staring angrily at me.

"Sorry to interrupt. I take it you have a problem with me Armor?" I asked. "If Princess Celestia so chooses I will relinquish command to you." We both looked over to her. She shook her head slowly.

"No. Shining Armor, you command our guards with bravery and skill. But for the coming battle we need his skills and power. Accept it." She said with finality.

Shining Armor bowed his head. "Of cource your highness." He turned his gaze to me. "You had just better be able to deliver." With that he turned and exited followed by Cadance who looked at me apprehensively. Twilight followed them out looking at me sadly, when I took a step toward her she simply shook her head and left.

With a sigh I turned back to the Princess's. "I hope he isn't going to be a problem."

"Shining Armor is a loyal soldier. He will do his best even if he does not find you to be acceptable. Do not worry." Celestia answered. For the next hour we looked over maps and determined the first major city we would have to clear was Manehattan. It was several weeks of travel away with a few small villages also in-between.

Extending our journey was the Princess's insistence that we bring everypony with us. I could see their point but traveling with that many would slow us down greatly. I had no desire to leave anypony behind to be tortured, killed and eaten so we agreed to round up every wagon we could to speed the journey. That decided we adjourned to rest.

I walked to the library sensing a pony inside, as I entered I found Fluttershy waiting with dinner prepared.

"You take such good care of me Shy." I sat down and kissed her as she blushed.

"Oh.. It’s the least I can do." We ate quietly then I headed into the shower to clean the blood and gore off me. Fluttershy followed me in and washed me gently squeaking when she ran the soap over my cuts causing me to gasp. "Sorry..." I smiled at her.

"That’s ok Shy." Cleaned up I scooped her up and we headed downstairs to bed.

We laid there quietly a bit, but something was bothering me.

"Shy, where is Twilight staying? With her brother and Cadance here she probably needs room... I dunno I just feel guilty taking up her house." Fluttershy looked at me seriously.

"Oh.. Well she asked me not to say... But.. I mean if you want to.. We could stay at my house? Then she could have her place back." She said with a hopeful look in her eyes. I smiled and kissed her gently.

"That’s a good idea Shy. Although we'll all be leaving soon, she should have her home back for a few nights at least. Will you tell her? I don't think she wants to talk to me." She bit her bottom lip nervously.

"She... She doesn't hate you. She told me. She feels guilty for bringing you here... Putting our problems on you... I.. I know you like her more... I can tell by how you look at her..." Her eyes filled with tears as she spoke.

"Fluttershy... I do love her. But that was just a fantasy, all in my head." I kissed her softly. "Your here with me. And that’s all I want now. For real. I love you." She cried openly as i held her close.

"I love you. Don't leave me. Please?" She begged.

"Never Shy." We held each other close and drifted off to sleep.

The first battle is done.

The war looms.

Chapter 6 (Guilt and Suicide)

Awakening the next morning I felt awful. My body ached all over from the stress I had put on it during the battle. But we had survived and that’s what counted.

I looked over and found Fluttershy already awake looking at me.

"Morning love." I said leaning over to kiss her then falling back with a groan. She looked at me concerned.

"Are you ok?!"

"It’s fine Shy. Just a bit sore."

"Ooh! I know what will help!" She slipped out of bed and zipped up the stairs, a moment later she flew back down a bottle held in her mouth. She spit it out beside me on the bed.

"Its massage oil. Rarity gave it to me for..." She blushed fetchingly. "Well... Nevermind for what right now."

She pushed me over on my front and poured some oil on my back rubbing and kneading my sore muscles gently with her hooves. After massaging my shoulders, back, butt and legs she nudged me over again pouring more oil on me and starting on my front.

Working her way down my torso she reached my already half erect member, she blushed slightly and lowered her head down taking it into her warm, wet mouth. I ran my hand through her mane.

"Ahh Shy. You’re so amazing." Encouraged she began to suck harder making me groan. After a minute she pulled back and laid down beside me and whispered in my ear.

"Um... Can we do what you and Rarity did?" I looked at her shocked for a second.

"Oh. Ooh...!" I said finally getting it. "If you really want to Shy?" She nodded blushing again. She lay on her side as I kissed her moving down her soft, beautiful body and gently licked her soft sweet sex; she spread her legs eagerly allowing me access to her tiny anus. I quickly ran my tongue around it once making her gasp loudly.

"Oh! More... Please." I began rubbing and fingering her soft, wet pussy while licking her sweet ass thoroughly. As I began probing her a bit with my tongue she was squeaking loudly. I pulled her over to the edge of the bed laying her facedown with her cute butt sticking up in the air invitingly.

I took a generous amount of oil and gently rubbed it on and around her tight hole and very slowly eased a finger in, she tightened up immediately with a gasp. I kept it in not advancing but kneeled down and began to kiss and lick her sweet marehood and clit relaxing her.

As I felt her relax I pushed in a little bit further then pulled it out and applied a bit more oil before gently easing back in, she was far more relaxed and as I continued to pleasure her she suddenly stiffened having a small orgasm, her rectum gripping my finger tightly.

"Do you want to stop there Shy?" I asked. She looked back at me panting slightly.

"Put it in me please." She asked. I couldn't resist and was more then ready to go. I stood up and applied a generous amount of oil to my erection; I put the tip against her well lubricated but still incredibly tight ass and slowly pushed in.

She tightened up immediately so I simply held it there trying to let her get used to it as I stroked her mane and gently pulled her tail.

"It’s so big..." She groaned as I slipped in another inch.

"Shy, I'll stop if..." Just then her rectum spasmed, drawing me into her fully. We both groaned loudly, the feeling of tightness was incredible. We just held there for a minute letting her adjust, I felt her relax a bit and slowly pulled out.

"Oh... I felt so full... So empty now..." She said sadly. I quickly relubricated us and slid back in.

"Are you ready Shy?" She looked back blushing and nodded. I began to thrust slowly at first, only when she began to push back against me did I increase the tempo. I began to pull her tail with more urgency moving her back against me harder and harder, she had her face buried in the mattress groans and whimpers emanating from her.

She shuddered again screaming into the mattress her rectum squeezing me mercilessly easily making me cum right after her. We collapsed on the bed together covered in sweat and oil.

"I didn't hurt you did I Shy?" She leaned over and kissed me softly.

"A little, but it felt too good to stop." I picked her up and we headed to the washroom to clean up.

Afterwards we packed up the few items we had in the library and walked to her cottage, it was out of the way enough that it hadn't suffered any damage. We did a little cleaning and then she flew back to town to talk to Twilight.

I headed back as well, walking slowly I practiced as I went clearing debris off the road, fallen branches and rocks.

As I got a bit closer to town I could feel a pony presence away from town in the woods, I turned to investigate in case there was some problem.

Coming to a small clearing I beheld a disturbing sight, Miss Cheerilee balancing on a small stool with a rope knotted around her neck and tied to a tree branch above her. I quickly rushed into the clearing.

"Whoa! What’s going...?” She turned to face me, I could see anguish in her tear stained eyes.

"You! Why did you have to come?! Why couldn't you have just let us die together?!" She screamed at me.

"Cheerilee, what are you doing? You don't have to do..."

"Shut up! What do you know?! The Princess's plan will never work! Stay back! You can't stop me!"

"You know that I can Cheerilee." I had already severed the rope above her that she had tied to the branch and I was just holding it loosely up there. "Just stop this and tell me what’s going on." I asked stepping closer.

"No!" She screamed as she kicked the stool out from under her, I quickly released the rope and rushed forward to catch her before she hit the ground.

She just stared at me in shock and then anger for a moment before she began flailing with her hooves tears streaming from her eyes.

"Why! Why can't you just let me die?! I've got nothing now! Nothing!" Her energy quickly spent she collapsed against me sobbing uncontrollably.

"Cheerilee... What happened?" She glared at me through her tears.

"You just don't get it do you? He’s dead! And our..." She looked down at herself running her hoof sadly over her abdomen; I could see some partly healed scars there.

"I don't understand..."

"Of cource you don't! You just come here and save lives and figure your doing good is that it?! Big Mac is dead... And our foal..." Her voice lowered to a whisper. "We chose to keep our relationship a secret." She turned her eyes to me again. "Now what do I have?! It hurts too much! Just let me go!"

I held her tightly in a vain effort to comfort her anguish. "I'm so sorry Cheerilee. But he would want you to live. And the Crusaders and the rest of the little filly’s and colts need you. You don't want to teach them the answer to their problems is a length of rope and a short drop, do you?”

She looked at me angrily again but her facade quickly cracked and she just looked miserable. "It’s just so hard..." I hugged her again tightly and encouragingly she hugged me back.

"It'll be ok Cheerilee, I don't know how but we'll all make it through." She sniffed as I wiped her tears away; suddenly she leaned in and kissed me hard.

"I just need something... Something, please." She begged as our lips parted, pressing herself against me desperately.

I certainly couldn't deny her at her most desperate time, I quickly removed my clothing and found her turned with her flank exposed, her damp marehood parted slightly. I pressed myself in causing her to gasp softly.

"More please. Fill me up; I don't want to be so empty anymore." I had no illusions about being able to fill in for Big Mac but I did my best, I flipped her over after thrusting a bit so I could hold her closer. She responded grinding against me her eyes wide open staring off into space, soon enough she began to groan softly pushing against me with greater urgency.

As she climaxed she cried out. "Mac!" I wasn't offended, I came as well and then held her gently as we recovered.

"Thank you. For saving me, for everything." She whispered in my ear.

"Glad to. Let’s get back to town now shall we?" I asked while getting up and pulling my clothes back on. She nodded meekly and we began walking back together.

Coming to the edge of town I saw Dash flying down towards us.

"Are you sure you'll be ok Cheerilee?" I asked.

"I think so... I'm going to go and see the children now." She galloped off into town as Dash landed beside me.

"Dash. Have someone keep a watch on Cheerilee. Twenty four hours a day." She looked at me confused for a moment. "I just kept her from hanging herself in the woods over there." I explained. Dash put her forehooves over her mouth as she sharply took a breath.

"No! I mean yes I'll take care of it. They want you at the Mayors though; an envoy from the Griffin Kingdom has arrived."

"Thanks Dash. I'm on my way... Dash, don't push her. I hope she's over the worst of it just have an eye kept on her." She nodded slowly and took off following Cheerilee from a distance.

With a sigh I travelled to the Mayors office and let myself in, inside were all three Princesses‘, Shining Armor and Twilight as well as the Mayor and a Large Griffon.

They all turned to face me as I entered and Celestia spoke.

"Good your here, please relay your message to us." The Griffon stepped forward.

"The Griffon Kingdom is aware of the problems you have been facing with Chrysalis. She has assured us that she has no aspirations of conquest towards us, and that it is an internal problem for your kingdom alone. As such the rulers of my Kingdom have decided not to interfere."

All present gasped in outrage, I held up my hand to prevent any outbursts. Unfortunately I had expected this; they would wait and see who was going to come out on top before throwing any support into the arena.

"I understand. Anything else?" I asked.

"A warning. We do not have the best of relations with the Dragon Empire but we have learned that Chrysalis has also approached them to try to tempt them to her side. The oldest Dragons and rulers of their kind were not swayed by the parley treasures she offered, their hordes dwarf even all the riches in your kingdom. However some of the younger Dragons and the greedier may have taken her up on that offer, so beware. And... Best of luck." With that he turned and departed flying off as soon as he exited.

I sat down at the table thinking deeply.

"How effective is your magic against Dragonkind Princess's?" I asked. Celestia stepped forward.

"The threat of our power has kept the peace for thousands of years... Though to be truthful I have never fought a Dragon."

I contemplated for another few moments.

"Chrysalis will very likely be guarding them if and when she sends them against us so I may not be able to affect them greatly. I shall have to concentrate on our defence and hope your combined magic can overcome them if it comes to it."

"How can you be so calm!? Those cowardly Griffons have abandoned us!" Shining Armor stated. I didn't bother to turn to look at him.

"Their afraid. And why wouldn't they be? They saw what Chrysalis's armies did. As we speak I am sure they strengthen their border defences and prepare to defend themselves. The Dragons do not care much who rules what kingdom I imagine. We cannot expect any help there. We are on our own."

"What about your kind? Could we not bring more to aid us in this struggle?" He asked. This time I turned to look at him.

"Perhaps we could. I do not know how Twilight managed the feat the first time." We all turned to look at her; she shied back slightly her ears laid back in that incredibly cute manner.

"Oh... Well, it was the time you spent communicating with me that made opening the portal so easy."

"And no one else has tried to communicate like that to you?" I asked.

She shook her head.

"No. I could try still but..."

"Better not to waste your time and energy. Humans are unpredictable to say the least, many couldn't handle this... World, or situation. They would be worse then useless, catatonic or simply driven insane. Worse yet there are some who would find serving Chrysalis to be an easy choice. No, as I said we are on our own."

"You say your kind is so untrustworthy, how can we trust you?" Armor asked.

"Brother! He saved us all! He nearly gave his life for us!" Twilight shouted, I loved her still and even more so for standing up for me at that moment.

"Thank you Twilight. I can only hope to earn your trust Armor. If I should ever betray you all I fully expect and hope to find your horn through my back. Now, how goes the preparations?"

We all discussed the preparations to depart for Manehattan; all would be ready within the week. That decided we all adjourned for the night, as Twilight was leaving I stopped her for a moment.

"Thank you Twilight... For standing up for me. Did Fluttershy speak to you?" She looked away from me blushing for a moment.

"It was nothing." Then she looked back at me with her beautiful eyes. "Thank you for giving back my home."

"I'm sorry I didn't think of it sooner..."

"That’s ok. Goodnight." And like that she was gone. From behind me someone cleared their throat; I turned to see the Mayor looking at me curiously.

"Ah, sorry Miss Mayor. I'll get out of your mane." She stepped forward studying me intently.

"I may not agree with the Princess's decision but I will do my part." She said turning around and presenting to me.

Again?! Three times in one day is a bit much, what are these ponies trying to do kill me in the slowest and most enjoyable way possible?

Regardless I had always found the Mayor to be quite sexy to be honest. And she was clearly ready for me. I undressed and slowly entered her tight soaking marehood, grabbing her tail I gently pulled her back to me and began to thrust slowly at first but then with more urgency as she gasped biting her bottom lip. Her pussy got soft and squishy as she cried out collapsing to the floor and pulling me on top of her, I thrust a few moments longer before cumming deep inside her.

She struggled to her hooves and looked back at me.

"Thank you. Take care now." And she trotted off into her house which was attached to her office.

I got up slowly and got dressed. Shaking my head I walked out and turned to head back to Fluttershy's, there must be at least two hundred more mares in this town.

Ugh, I was going to be busy.

Halfway back to her place Fluttershy came flying up to me from town, a basket held in her mouth. I took it from her to carry and to allow her to talk.

"I heard about Cheerilee from Dash... Is she going to be ok?" I leaned down and gave her a hug.

"I sure hope so Shy. I'm just glad I found her before it was too late."

We walked back to her cottage and made supper together, the basket she was bringing holding fresh groceries.

"Are your animal friends coming back Shy?" I asked as we worked.

"No. I was going to but we're going to be leaving soon and this place won't be safe anymore. Their just getting used to Zecora's anyhow."

"They'll be safe there." I said giving her a kiss.

We ate and then headed to bed; her bed was quite large and comfortable. Fluttershy snuggled up to me as we got settled.

"Should... Should I go and see Cheerilee?"

"I think that would be nice Shy. You could help her with the filly's and colt's... And keep an eye on her. I hope she just needs time though."

"Okay, I will then." I hugged her tight as we drifted off to sleep.

Dragons...

Great, what next?

Chapter 7 (First we take Manehattan)

I awoke the next morning warm and secure in Fluttershys embrace.

I stretched and kissed her softly. "Morning Shy."

She stretched against me. "Morning!"

We made gentle love then had a quick breakfast; it was going to be a busy day of preparations.

Fluttershy headed into town to find Cheerilee as I headed to the preparation area. All the wagons in town and the surrounding farms had been brought here and were being repaired and filled with necessary supplies.

Some were set aside for transporting the elderly, wounded and the little foals, colts and fillies. I had an idea, using my abilities I tried pulling a cart. Hardly any strain at all, so I tried two, then five. Then the whole contingent of them. It was a minor strain but it would be good practice for me as we travelled as well as not having to allocate anypony to having to pull rather then be prepared for defence.

I kept busy throughout the week pushing my abilities as far as I could training, helping with the gathering and loading of supplies, whatever I could do.

Every evening a different mare came to the door, most reluctantly. But I did my duty and tried to please them as well as I could.

I hoped Fluttershy wasn't feeling neglected but she seemed to accept it. I was sure to lavish attention on her whenever I could, and we made love every morning. She was still eager to try different positions and techniques and who was I to disagree?

The week passed uneventfully, no other goblin forces were seen on the move so we packed up and began our journey. There were plenty of tears as ponies looked back at their homes they might never see again.

As we traveled we kept a good lookout on the surrounding countryside, not only for hidden pockets of goblins but also any ponies that might be in hiding, and most importantly for any Dragon activity. They could come upon us much faster then any other foe so we were very concerned about that eventuality.

We found many farmsteads and small villages, most burned to the ground, scattered bones around. A scant few survivors, mostly mares and small foals, their mates having died to protect them. A few we found occupied by small goblin forces, these we dealt with mercilessly.

The further we got from Canterlot the less oppressive the Queens presence felt, she may have conquered this far but her baleful influence did not reach here yet. We were encouraged by that.

Fluttershy and I had a small tent that we pitched near the edge of the camp every night. And every night still a different mare came to lie with me, I couldn't complain I suppose. Most men’s fantasy to have a huge harem with a different girl... Well mare for me, every night. Though even better was Fluttershy with me every morning.

I still couldn't quite fathom the Princess's reasons behind it, but as I said no complaints.

We approached Manehattan thankfully without incident; it was near Equestria's borders and as such was a fortified city. As we got within my sensing range I could feel a large contingent of goblins, but still less then we had faced in Ponyville. Only about a thousand strong, they must have felt that behind those strong walls they didn't need a large force, they were about to learn how wrong that assumption was.

Getting closer yet I could feel a pitifully small group of ponies held somewhere within the walls, only about ten. I immediately extended my protection to them in case the goblins tried to kill them when they saw us coming.

As we came up just short of bow range from the walls I could sense the entire city and no Changelings were evident, nor did these goblins have Chrysalis's protection. They were too far out of her powers range. I wasn't sure if I could kill them all without doing myself in as well so an attack was in order.

With Shining Armors forces added to our own we now numbered near three hundred and fifty, a number I was sure could handle their thousand, especially with the surprise I had in mind.

I had the Pegasus circle around high in the sky to where the sun would hide their approach as the main force came up to the gates. Arrows littered down on us but even those that struck did so little damage they drained my defence infinitesimally.

Approaching the gates I could see a large contingent of goblins upon it jeering and hooting down at us secure in their protection. I grinned back over my shoulder at Armor and Twilight, pushing my force forward I snapped the gates hinges from behind toppling it backwards into the city crushing any goblin unfortunate enough to have been standing nearby as well as breaking bones and dazing the goblins that had been perched up upon it.

"Attack!" I gave the order, the noise from the gate slamming down signalled the Pegasus to begin their attack as well. Their mission to pick off any goblins on the walls. The main force thundered into the city engaging the surprised goblin defenders.

They had no chance.

Within an hour it was over, every goblin had been rooted out and killed. The small group of ponies was freed, they were all suffering from dehydration and starvation as well as the horror of having to witness the atrocities that had been perpetuated on their friends, neighbours and loved ones.

I left the cleanup crews to do their job and headed to the Princess's large pavilion tent to plan the next move. Another two weeks of travel south was a slightly smaller city known as Marehiem. It was even further from Canterlot so it seemed likely that it would be as easy a victory as this had been. Afterwards we would have to circle the mountainous region separating Marehiem from the Everfree forest to Fillydelphia, at least a month’s journey.

Well no one said it would be easy.

That evening after my mare of the evening had departed Fluttershy and I relaxed in out tent on our sleeping mat.

"Shy, are you sure all these mares..."

She put her hoof to my lips silencing me. "Shh... It’s ok. It makes me a bit jealous... But... Your here with me."

I hugged her tightly and kissed her soft lips. "And here’s where I'll stay."

We fell asleep together and awakening to the hustle and bustle of camp being broken in the morning made love quickly then rushed to our assigned positions.

Our newest refugees somewhat refreshed were put in a wagon to continue their recovery as we set off, the city had been scoured for any supplies and wagons we could use and everything had been loaded up.

We set off south feeling pretty pleased with ourselves. Granted it had only been the opening salvo in a long and terrible war but the ponies hadn't had anything to feel good about for some time so it was nice.

Survivors were still few and far between; as we traveled we searched and forged for whatever we could find. I suppose it was a blessing that ponies could live off grass and scrub if they had to, it takes quite a bit to feed an army. Water was not a problem, there were quite a few streams running down from the mountains.

I acquired another small tent to... Entertain my nightly mares in; it didn't feel right to keep Fluttershy out of our tent or to sleep with her on the same mat that I had just used with another mare.

As we travelled slowly with no excitement discipline began to break down a bit, I tried to keep things up with drills and exercises. Dash and her contingent of Pegasus were the exception to the rule she kept them in line and they were always scouting ahead and behind us.

Often in the evenings when we set up camp Dash and I would go over the maps planning ahead. The Princess's pretty much left things in our hands and hooves.

Dash was pretty strong willed and when she though a plan was good she often couldn't be convinced otherwise. Many an evening we fought over differences of opinion but usually before we got too angry either she or I would roughly grab the other kissing savagely then having rough, angry and very hot sex. Then go back to our planning as if nothing had happened. As stress relief went it was pretty damn good.

A few days out of Marehiem after another long day I headed to my secondary tent just off the main camp as I had become accustomed to for the mare of the night as I put it.
Pushing aside the flap I was surprised to find Lyra waiting for me, a big grin on her face.

"Hi!" She blurted out as soon as I entered.

"Heya Lyra. I'm glad you’re ok. I hadn't seen you around Ponville."

Her eyes took on a faraway and pained look. "Oh... You know, busy, busy..."

I smiled down at her. "Sorry."

She shook her head as if to dislodge troublesome memories. Then looked at me her gaze trailing down to my hands. "Can... Can I touch them?" She asked softly.

I held them out for her inspection; she looked around them clearly fascinated. While I watched her her tongue stuck out and she ran it over my palm, its rough texture tickled a little. She gazed up at me with her big golden eyes looking for permission to continue, I just smiled at her softly.

She licked over the other palm and over my fingers before taking one of them into her mouth and sucking it delicately; she popped it out of her mouth and smiled.

"Can I see more?"

I responded by beginning to pull my shirt off, she got up close and stared fascinated by me. She circled me then pushed me down gently so she could get a closer look at my head. She leaned in close kissing me softly then pulled back giggling.

"It feels so weird!"

Before I could answer to that she shoved herself on top of me kissing me again, her tongue invading my mouth and wrestling with my own for a few moments. She then pulled back and licked my ear gently and nibbled it and then down my neck to my chest.

She stared at my nipples a second before diving in licking both and biting them softly.

"Ahh... Lyra!" I gasped.

She looked up at me smiling still and gestured down at my pants.

"More?"

I unbuckled them and she helped grabbing a pant leg and pulling. She stopped my after my pants were off examining my feet then licking their bottoms tickling me. She then moved up to my groin grabbing the waistband of my shorts in her teeth and pulling them down.

"Oh!" She gasped excited, nudging my hardon with one of her forehooves she then leaned forward running her talented tongue from my balls all the way up to the tip once. I groaned and she excitedly went back for another run. She twirled her tongue around the tip before taking it onto her warm mouth and holding it there while looking up at me.

"You're pretty damn good at that Lyra." I groaned.

She popped my tip out of her mouth and grinned happily. "Will you touch me now?" She asked.

I nodded as she went back down on me. I reached out and gently ran my hands over her horn, the soft velvety skin upon it very sensitive to touch.

"Ymeth!" She squealed excitedly around her mouthful.

Then I gently fondled her soft ears for a few moments then rubbed down her neck and mane to her shoulders. That was about as far as I could reach in our current position so I tried to turn her gently so she was above me. She sensed what I was trying to do and moved around carefully still pleasuring and driving me crazy with her wet mouth.

I ran my hands down from her shoulders down her forelegs squeezing and caressing them all the way down to her hooves then back up running them over her firm, soft body. I squeezed her tight ass and pulled on her tail gently eliciting another squeak from her before caressing down her backlegs and back up coming to her small breasts.

I squeezed them gently then tweaked her nipples causing her to shudder; I pulled her down her marehood soaked, the sweet scent of it filling the tent.

I ran my fingers over her folds, over her erect clit and back again. Her shuddering got worse as she released my member from her mouth crying out as she orgasmed.

"I've waited so long to be touched like that." She gasped.

"Well we're not done yet." I smiled pulling her down and running my tongue around her engorged clit and down her folds. She squealed loudly as I ate her out pulling on her tail and massaging her tight rectum, easing a finger then two into it while pleasuring her.

"Ahh! I can't take it!" She screamed, thrashing on top of me as she came again.

I flipped her over aligning my erection with her soaked marehood. I pressed in and she gasped her eyes flying open and wrapped her forehooves around my neck pulling me down to her awaiting lips. I was highly worked up already and after a few short minutes or thrusting into her tight satiny hole I came as well.

We lay there for a bit holding each other.

"Well. That was something." I gasped.

"Um... Can we do this again sometime?" She asked shyly.

"Lyra. You know I'm with Fluttershy."

"I know..." She looked down sadly.

I sighed, cupping her chin I turned her head up and kissed her forehead softly. "We'll see, ok?"

I was beginning to feel like a bit of a gigolo, Dash, Lyra and all the other mares. I loved Fluttershy and I felt bad for what I was putting her through. But I also hated to see any of the other pony’s letdown too...

We'd have to work it our eventually. First things first.

I cleaned up and headed back to my tent to have supper with Fluttershy, afterwards we snuggled together under our blanket and fell asleep.

We approached Marehiem; again as it was a border city it was well fortified. This time I could sense a few Changelings in the mix, about twenty of them keeping the nine hundred goblins in line. This city had a slightly larger group of captives, almost fifty and I was quick to extend my protection to them.

We approached the gate again just out of bow range when we heard a, THWAK! Immediately a large boulder came flying over the wall right toward us.

The little buggers had a catapult! Still it wasn't a big deal, as the rock soared toward us I slowed its decent and stopped it right before us. In fact it gave me another idea. How thoughtful of them to give me new ideas on how to kill them.

I hefted the rock with my force and hurled it right back at them, a goblin peering over the edge had his head taken off but other then that it didn't cause much harm. I'd have to get in more practice.

We held back our forces while they threw more boulders at us, I'd catch them and toss them back trying to perfect my aim. I could feel I was beginning to tire though and I would need my strength for protection. The last bounder I hurled dead center at the gate snapping the bar holding it shut. As the gate slowly swung open the army charged in, the Pegasus’s again attacking from above searching out any Changelings they could find.

The Changelings direction and support of the goblins made this battle far more challenging. But still they simply didn't have the numbers to hold up against us for long. By the end of the day they had all been rooted out and killed.

Everypony was exhausted and we camped within the city once we had removed and burned the bodies. Thankfully again we had incurred no losses but I knew our luck couldn't hold up forever.

Dash and I were up on the wall surveying the immediate area when I felt something... Just on the edge of my sense, a small group of Changelings approached then stopped just over a ridge before town.

I told Dash what was going on but stopped her before she could rouse the troops.

"Lets go see what they want Dash. There’s only five of them we can handle it if they are looking for trouble."

She agreed and we headed out the gate telling the guards we we're just going for a short walk.

As we cautiously crested the hill we found the small group waiting. Four slightly bigger then usual Changelings and one quite different. At first I thought it was Chrysalis herself! But on a closer look she was smaller, more along the lines of the size of Luna or Cadance. Hey coloring was similar to the Queens, but a bit lighter overall. As we walked up she smiled showing her pointed teeth.

"Ah the mighty hero of the Equestrian army, and one of his generals. How kind of you to meet with me."

"And just who the hay are you?!" Dash demanded.

"I? Foolish mare I am Princess Aurelia. My mother is Queen Chrysalis herself." She gestured back at her bodyguard. "Of course she is mother to us all. But some of us are more... Special shall we say?"

I nodded in understanding. "And what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"

"Oh how polite. Why you of cource. You have certainly won a few small victories, and as such my mother has deemed you worthy enough to join us..."

"Why you!" I held Dash back as she lost her temper; I sent her back to the top of the ridge to cool off as I turned back to Aurelia.

"After what you've done? Why would you think I would ever join you?"

She smiled knowingly. "Simple. If you don't you will die. Surely you don't think you can win?" She laughed and trotted around me. She leaned in sniffing me slightly. "Ooh... Perhaps there is another reason you choose to side with these ponies?"

"I..." She interrupted me by shifting her form to appear as Dash, she smiled seductively then shifted again to look like Rarity, then Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Twilight and finally Applejack. She must have notice me stiffen when she became Twilight as she shifted back to her again.

"Ooh... You like this form do you?" She trotted around slowly swishing her tail back and forth giving me a clear view of Twilights beautiful marehood.

She walked over and leaned in close licking me alongside the cheek. "Just think, you could have this every night. Or even..." She stepped back and gestured to her guards, all four of them also changed into Twilight. "As many times as you like." She said seductively.

I stared at Twilights beautiful form on this... Creature for a few moments before stepping forward and gently caressing the side of her face. I heard Dash gasp from behind me and Aurelia smiled in triumph at her over my shoulder.

I caressed down her face and slowly tightened my grip around her neck; with my force I lifted her off the ground. Her guards charged forward only to strike a wall of force between us and them.

I lowered her down to my face as she struggled. "You may be able to look like the mare I love." I whispered. "But you’re still the same inside." I dropped her to the ground and she shifted back to her regular form with a shocked look on her face.

"You can't! You'll pay for this!"

I crouched down beside her. "Aurelia. Do not come up against us again in this war. If you do I will have to kill you." I looked into her large green eyes and caressed the side of her face; she flinched but didn't pull away. "I don't think you belong in this war. It’s your mothers fight, your mothers grudge. You've lived in her shadow long enough. Just... Don't be like her."

She pulled away her face pale. "There... There’s no escape from her..." She shook her head. "You’re going to die... All of you."

She abruptly turned and flew away her bodyguards trailing behind.

"Let them go Dash." I said seeing she was about to rocket after them.

"You... Didn't take them seriously did you?" She asked.

I smiled at her. "Dash. Come on." I grabbed her in a hug she returned reluctantly. "I'm with you all. Till the end."

"Well alright. Let’s get back, its dinnertime."

"Go ahead. Save me some." She took off as I followed slowly taking a look back at the dark specks disappearing in the distance.

Aurelia... Don't be stupid. I felt she could be an ally, despite her bluster she was just a young Changeling living as her mother and Queen commanded.

I headed back to town to report what had just happened, best not to mention what I thought about Aurelia though.

Later that evening in bed with Fluttershy we talked quietly.

"The Queens daughter? What was she like?" She asked.

"Lonely, trapped. But if she opposes us..."

"I wish they'd just go away. I don't want revenge I just want to go back home... With you."

I hugged her tightly and kissed her. "I wish we could Shy. I really do. But we're as trapped as she is. When it’s over I promise we'll go back to to your cottage together."

"Really?" She begged her beautiful eyes moist.

"Absolutely. Love you Shy."

She snuggled against me. "Love you."

We drifted off to sleep secure in each others embrace.

On to Fillydelphia. A far greater challenge.

Chapter 8 (Trixie takes Fillydelphia)

We rested in Marehiem for two days, our rescues needed time to recover and we needed to acquire and fill quite a few water barrels. The next stretch of our journey didn't have reliable water so we needed to be prepared.

After scavenging what we could we hit the trail again, we had twenty five wagons at this point and while making them move was tiring me out it was helping to make me stronger as well.

A week passed as we traveled with little incident, thankfully it was just the beginning of summer, the days were warm and the nights were cool making travel and rest easier.

Rest did not always come easy for the ponies, many nights Fluttershy and I were awoken by screams. Rushing to the source we found ponies comforting one another after horrific nightmares.

Fluttershy too awoke more then once crying out in fear, but I was glad to be there to hold and comfort her.

As the second week passed we came to a hilly region adjacent to the edge of the mountainous area we had been skirting, from atop the hills we could see the edge of the Everfree forest in the distance.

We had come to a relatively flat area where we had planned to stop for a short rest break when I felt something flicker across the edge of my sensing range. It was something I had sensed before I was sure of it, but it was not a pony, goblin or a changeling...

Right there was the same feeling; it was just behind me, Spike riding on one of the wagons... Shit...

"Dragon!" I shouted. "Take cover!" It came up incredibly fast swooping down from the sky before us.

The only dragon I had experience with was Spike so I was ill prepared for the massive size of this one. It looked to be at least fifty five feet long, a dark red and green color.

I pushed up the strongest wall I could between us and it as it inhaled and breathed forward a huge cone of fire, the shield took the brunt of it and I was appalled at how badly it drained me. A few more of those and I would be done, the dragon had come in so quickly that some of the Pegasus flying around and ahead of the convoy hadn't had time to get back. Two of them were roasted alive trying to get back to us, my protection couldn't help them the heat was simply too intense, their dying screams were horrible.

After unleashing its fire the dragon swooped up quickly as the Princess's stepped forward to bring their magic to bear, they fired after it but achieved no hits. A few of the wagon covers had burst into flames from the heat alone and ponies were trying to put it out as the Dragon swooped around out of range, no doubt refuelling his breath.

I gathered everyone and circled the wagons like in the old westerns for what little protection they would provide, some from the heat at the very least. The water casks were opened and we drenched the wagon covers and everypony we could.

I felt him turn just in time to point toward where he was coming from and raise my protection, he swooped down and breathed again but the Princess's were ready for him this time, he only got off a short burst of flame before their magical bursts struck him causing him to back off and take to the sky again. Short the burst may have been but it had still drained me. I had a plan for a more efficient way to deflect the flame around us next time.

Unfortunately the Princess's magic hadn't seemed to hurt it overly much and it quickly swooped back for another attack, this time I tried to form my protective influence into a cone shape, I hoped it would deflect the force of the fire around us without draining me as much.

It dove forward dodging the Princess's streams of magic breathing as it swooped down upon us. The flames washed over us heating up things considerably but the cone shape seemed to divert the flames far more effectively away, I still felt the drain but it was lessened.

The Dragon flew over us and banked, diving straight at our circle of wagons. Again?! I thought he had to recharge between breaths, I quickly threw up a similar cone shape in an effort to divert this sudden attack. To my surprise it didn't breath at all and dove down upon us jaws open in a mighty roar and claws extended to tear and slay.

I wasn't sure if the shield could hold him back but I threw all the strength I had into it. It couldn't see my shielding of course it only knew something was protecting us from its flame so clearly it was trying a more direct approach. The cone shape I was using turned out to be a blessing; it slammed into the point of the cone.

The cone could not move, it was fixed in place by my will; it would hold or break... It held, the point pierced its thick scales and with the Dragons force and forward momentum uncheckable it impaled itself upon it.

Its dying scream tore threw the sky as the point ripped out its back pulling organs and entrails along with it. Gallons and gallons of blood soaked the ground pooling against the shield which I had to let lapse, the blood flowed in stinking and thick as I fell the the ground spent and exhausted.

We quickly vacated the area, I was too exhausted to move the wagons so teams were quickly made and they dragged them out of the bog of blood we were mired in. We backtracked a few miles to the last stream we passed where we cleaned up and replenished our water supply. As well we buried the bodies of the two fallen Pegasus.

We continued to travel in a state of heightened awareness, if there was one dragon allied with Chrysalis there could easily be more. We found a few burned out farmsteads and acreages on the way, unfortunately no survivors. A different mare came to me every night still, I enjoyed the variation, each a different color, different manes and cutie marks, all beautiful in their own way. But wrapped in Fluttershys embrace every night was exactly where I wanted to be... Well...

While we were on the move I saw Twilight much more, she still kept her distance mostly sticking with the three Princess's and her brother as well as her friends. It was still a kick in the chest whenever I saw her.

About a week away from Fillydelphia we came across a wayfarer’s inn, mostly burnt and destroyed but with something outside we hadn't seen before. Stakes driven into the ground with the mostly skeletal remains of two unicorn ponies heads. A new example of goblin brutality? Or some method of causing us greater despair? We buried them and moved on.

As we traveled every few miles we found yet another stake with a unicorn head impaled on it, the first few days all we found were well practically skeletal but the closer we got to Fillydelphia the more we found in various stages of decay. Always unicorn heads, no variation on that. The closer we got the more gruesome it became we could clearly see the looks of horror on the victims faces. Eventually Dash, Twilight and I travelled ahead of the column a short ways to collect and dispose of them before anypony else could see them.

Fillydelphia came into view on our last day of travel, the heads still continued to plague us on the road. We must have found hundreds and hundreds of them.

Fillydelphia was more centrally situated in Equestria and as such had no serious fortifications, but that had changed. A large timber palisade now surrounded the city; it must have taken some doing as it was a fairly large city.

The main force of the army held back and began to deploy as Dash, Twilight and I cautiously approached the city. There were stakes every couple hundred meters now and some of the victims on them looked distressingly fresh. I could sense quite a large force of goblins in the city as well as many Changelings; this wouldn't be an easy fight.

As we got a bit closer we came upon the welcoming sign to the city, Fillydelphia had been burned off of it and written in its place in large neat writing was, Trixie City! Trixie?

We were still a few hundred meters away from the large front gates when I turned to ask Twilight and Dash what they thought this meant when behind me came a...

POOF! I spun around to see a cloud or colored smoke dissipate and thru it strode a familiar unicorn, with her dark blue coat and pale blue mane and tail. Her cape and hat in place... But something was definitely... Off about her, she still felt like a pony presence but with a definite undercurrent of something else. Looking at her she seemed normal enough until I got to her eyes, the same greyish violet but flecked with sickly green.

I shook my head. "Trixie... What have you done?"

"What has Trixie done? She has become one of the most powerful unicorns in Equestria! And soon Trixie will be THE most powerful! Once you and your pathetic little rabble is done with that is."

"Trixie! What in Celestia's name have you done?! Are you insane?" Twilight yelled.

Trixie turned to Twilight with a snarl. "How dare you mention that bitches name to Trixie!? And you Twilight Sparkle. So called element of magic, we'll see how your head looks lined up with all the others."

I quickly restrained Dash before she charged forward pushing her behind me with Twilight. "Trixie. Surely you know what we are here for. Surrender now..."

Trixie interrupted with a laugh. "Hah! Do you not see Trixie's city? Her powerful walls and mighty gate? Your rabble will break on Trixie's walls and that will be the end of you."

"We've faced cities with stone walls Trixie how do you think..."

She interrupted again with a wave of her hoof. "Bah! Trixie has heard of you so called victories. Trixie’s wall is strengthened by her immeasurable magic and her gate is invulnerable! You shall never get past Trixie."

I was beginning to lose my temper with her presumptuous and arrogant nature. "Is that so? Invulnerable is it?"

"Can you not hear Trixie? Poor stupid creature. You may as well surrender to Trixie now, mayhap Trixie will let you live as her personal slave."

"That does it. What do you think of your gates now?!" I pushed out with a great deal of force against the gates, they resisted me for a moment until I put even more force behind it then somewhere a log gave way then another until the whole mess came crashing down. I turned to Trixie with a smug look on my face to see she had a look to match mine and I realized I just made a mistake...

Her horn suddenly blazed with her magic incinerating her hat as she sent a huge blast of magic at me, it was her usual light purple magic but combined with the sickly dark green magic of Chrysalis.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion, I had weakened myself taking down the gate so quickly, which she had clearly planned on so I couldn't defend myself, I still had enough power to keep her blast from ripping my leg off where it struck me but the CRACK of my breaking bones was audible as I struck the ground.

Dash immediately charged forward only to be struck aside almost contemptuously by Trixie’s magic; she hit the ground a short ways behind me and didn't move. Twilight stepped atop me her horn glowing.

"Twilight... I'm sorry." I gasped gently caressing her foreleg. She looked down at me with a small smile before focusing her attention fully on Trixie.

Both their horns expelled powerful magical energy that met and struggled against one another back and forth. For a moment it seemed Twilight was still the stronger her magic pushed Trixie’s back a few inches before stopping then began to slowly be pushed back itself. Trixie’s magic bolstered by Chrysalis was too much for her. Inch by inch Twilight struggled against it, sweat pouring off her body as she strained to push back or even maintain her position.

Trixie stepped closer and closer forcing Twilight down to her knees atop me, I put my arms around her to try to comfort her, help her in any way I could. I only hoped I could keep us protected long enough for some help to come.

Trixie was only a few feet away now her mouth turned up in an evil smile. "Trixie WILL be the greatest unicorn ever!" She looked down at us with contempt. "So sweet together. Your heads will look very nice side by side."

Twilight collapsed on top of me barely managing to keep Trixie at bay as I felt a pony presence swooping in fast from the side. Must be Dash I though. I redoubled my protection on her hoping she could at least distract Trixie even if only for a moment.

Trixie’s attention was fully upon us when from the corner of my vision came a yellow and pink streak I hadn't been expecting at all.

"YOU LEAVE THEM ALONE!" Fluttershy screamed as she slammed into the side of Trixie's head with her forehooves knocking her to the ground and falling to the ground herself.

I grabbed her and pulled her over to Twilight and I as Trixie struggled back to her feet unsteadily.

"You dare to touch the Great and Powerf..." Blood was pouring from Trixie’s nose and ears as she wobbled then fell to the ground.

"What have I done?!" Fluttershy cried burying her head in my chest.

I stroked her mane softly. "You saved our lives Shy. Thank you." I kissed the top of her head as I heard a groan behind me. "Dash! You ok?"

"Ugh... What the hay hit me?"

"Not a problem anymore. Grab Trixie and pull her back to the Princess's. Maybe they can suppress her magic and we can get some answers."

"What?! Let’s just kill her now!"

"Come on Dash we need answers. Quick here they come."

The goblins began boiling out of the ruined gates Changelings along with them toward us. Dash scooped Trixie up over her back and took off back toward the army while Fluttershy and Twilight painfully dragged me that way as well.

We barely made it back before the swiftest of the goblins reached our lines. As they dragged me to the infirmary I ordered the attack. This time the goblins numbered a little over two thousand with almost a hundred Changelings supporting them. But they had lost their leader and had foolishly abandoned their defences.

I was weakened but I could still protect our fighters though little else. Out in the open our forces could much like the cavalry of old simply run right over the goblin lines and break through then wheel and smash thru again. With a line holding them back from our non-combatants the goblins were scythed down like wheat, the Changelings generally hid themselves taking the shapes of goblins to strike unawares. And occasionally as a pony to try to sneak behind our lines to cause havoc.

Rarity had managed to make a magical color combination that was very difficult for the Changelings to copy however, no matter how they tried it always seems a bit off. So we easily rooted out any that tried to sneak in.

Nurse Redheart quickly set and cast up my leg so I could get back up to the frontlines. The battle was going well; sitting back I could see everything. The battle was weakening me further but I still had enough left in me to keep everyone protected for now.

As the battle progressed through the day the remaining goblins only about six hundred and the thirty or so Changelings left attempted to retreat back into the cities safety. Unfortunately for them a few of our Pegasus had gone in to find the captives and free them. They were malnourished and weak but they still were looking for revenge.

They blocked the gate effectively trapping the remains of the enemy army between us. They might have outnumbered us still but it mattered little, no quarter was given and within the hour they were all wiped out.

We entered the city and I sensed around for any foes that might be hiding. We rooted out a few cowardly goblins then got to work searching the city for items of use and tending to the few wounded.

Later that evening the Princess's held an outdoor court with Trixie bound before them her magic stifled by their combined power.

"Trixie Lulamoon! You stand before this court accused of betraying your fellow ponies, murder and high treason. Do you have anything to say in your defence?" Celestia stated.

Trixie snarled as the guards by her side held her up. "Trixie looks forward to seeing you all torn to pieces while she laughs. Queen Chrysalis will destroy you and elevate Trixie to her most trusted advisor and the most powerful unicorn!" She cast her insane gaze across those gathered. "Soon! Very soon you will all be choking on your blood as you beg for mercy while…”

The guards muzzled her at the Princess's gesture.

"We find you guilty. The sentence is death by hanging... Guards."

The guards immediately threw a rope over a nearby sturdy tree branch and made a makeshift noose around Trixie’s neck. Fluttershy buried her head in my chest as they began to hoist her up letting her choke slowly. Trixie didn't even seem to notice she still struggled and fought to push out words, swinging back and forth as she choked and gasped.

Amazingly a minute passed with no change but then she began to slow, no longer fighting she still glared about as if her looks could kill. I was watching closely gently stroking Fluttershys mane as she sobbed.

The sickly green light in Trixie’s eyes faded away and again she was just a small scared, lonely and insecure mare...

She made a mistake, but it cost many, many ponies their lives...

I snapped her neck cleanly, the CRACK audible to all those present.

And now it cost her, her life...

Chapter 9 (Horror, Anguish and Revelation)

The evening was getting late after Trixie’s execution, the Princess's insisted she be burned along with the goblins. I didn't agree really, but I suppose it didn't matter in the long run. They took a few moments to knit the bones in my leg together with their healing magic, still sore as hell but a huge improvement.

Just a waste, this whole conflict was. But I suppose most are. I was in a very lousy mood as I headed to Fluttershy and I's temporary house for as long as we stayed here. When I remembered I had to go see to my mare of the evening, I wasn't in the best mood for it but... Fine.

I had the tent set up behind our temporary home and as I entered there was a mare waiting... Rose.

"Oh!" She gasped and took a step back. Pretty little Rose, a shame I was in such a bad mood.

I spun her around and dropped my pants aligning my member with her marehood and roughly shoving it in. "Ah!" She squeaked as I grabbed her tail and pulled her back against me.

I closed my eyes and concentrated on fucking my frustrations away, somehow we ended up with Rose on her back on the floor her legs splayed while I thrust into her, as I opened my eyes I found my hands around her throat and her gasping for air her eyes rolled back in her skull.

I immediately released her though I couldn't back away her pussy held me incredibly tightly. "I'm sorry!" I apologised.

She shook her head and looked at me. "What did you stop for?"

I stammered confused. "I... I was choking... I don't know how that happened?"

She curved her hooves around my hand dexterously and pulled them to her throat again. "Because I put them there stupid. Now get back to work, I was almost there." She ordered pushing herself against me.

I started to thrust again reluctantly, I knew some people had fetishes like this but somehow it didn't cross my mind somepony would too. I tried to choke her gently but every time I would back off she gave me a look. So I gave in, pounding her viciously and choking her until her whole body shuddered and convulsed in orgasm setting me off as well.

We lay there a few minutes catching our breath. "Are you sure you’re ok Rose? I mean... I'm not that rough... Ever."

"Mmm... You were great. Just what I needed with this war and losing my home. Some sweet release..."

She got up and kissed me on the cheek then left. I shook my head, that was... Different, although it had definitely helped me release some angry tension, I was glad I hadn't hurt her.

I got up and dressed then headed around to my temporary house. Fluttershy and I had a simple dinner, we didn't talk much, she was still upset about hurting somepony and that ponies subsequent death hit her hard. I couldn't think of anything to say to make her feel better, so when we headed to bed I simply held her tightly as she cried herself to sleep.

We stayed in Fillydelphia for nearly a week; Trixie had had a little over a hundred ponies captive. many held in too small cages or all crammed together in small spaces and they needed some considerable time to recover enough to even walk. No unicorns of course, a few Pegasus that had been treated cruelly their wings clipped. Thankfully the Princess's healing magic was strong enough to fix that.

Unfortunately Fillydelphia was just within Queen Chrysalis’s ever expanding sphere of influence, it was an unsettling feeling. And as such we worried she must have felt the end of her champion Trixie. But no assaulting forces came at us; I don't know what game she’s playing... Possibly she means for us to come to her. Canterlots walls and gate would be more then a challenge... More like impossible, we'd have to come up with some plan.

We started out at week’s end all of us feeling refreshed, most of the former prisoners were recovering nicely and we began to incorporate them into our ranks to train and prepare them for the upcoming battles.

We headed southeast to skirt around another mountainous region on our way to Hoofington, it was one of the furthest cities from Canterlot. It was also the largest; it was very likely we would be facing a considerable force when we arrived. But as it was so far out of the way it was well out of Chrysalis’s influence, good and bad combined.

The region of Equestria we were crossing was quite wild; we came across very few homesteads. Ponies who were trying to erk out a living on their own, independent sorts. Sadly it hadn't helped them when the horde had come through, with the Changelings in the air clearly they had found them all, as all we discovered were the burned out remains of homes and scattered bones...

As a week passed by we settled into a routine, by day I pulled the wagons and we travelled keeping a close watch for dangers both Chrysalis related and natural. In the evenings we trained and even sometimes had fun. Pinkie Pie had tracked down ponies that could sing and play instruments and had a makeshift band of sorts to amuse and distract from… Well everything.

Dash and her Pegasus crew kept a tight watch ranging miles ahead and around us, switching off and reporting what they saw. There were wild animals but we were such a large group none of them dared to come close. All the same we were sure to keep the little fillies and colts close by at all times.

My mares kept coming every night, some of the newer rescues mixed in. I'm not sure how Celestia convinced them to do it especially with their recent experiences. My offers to let them off the hook went unheeded, they all insisted vehemently no matter how uncomfortable they were with the situation.

We forged as we travelled, fortunately Applejack and quite a few other ponies knew how to live off the land very well and we managed to not have to deplete our stores too badly on the journey.

Water was a constant worry, we had maps of the area but they were sketchy at best. Again, Dash and her Pegasus crews ranging steered up to where we needed to go.

We were almost a week away from Hoofington, travel had gone very well, other then a broken wheel which took a bit of time to repair we had no big problems. Dash came soaring down from the sky to land in front of me, the look on her face was unmistakeable, trouble.

"Something’s coming..."

"Could you be a bit more specific Dash?"

"No... I... I don't know what they were. But there’s a lot of them and their coming fast."

Just as she finished I could feel something on the periphery of my detection. It was... Wrong. In almost every way I could think. Pony... Goblin... And the sickly feel of Chrysalis’s magic together and they were coming toward us fast. I grabbed a spyglass and tried to see what was coming at us.

The moment they came into view I stared for a moment then almost threw up. It looked like they, or she, Chrysalis, had taken ponies and ripped them open. Most from the back but some from the front and sides and jammed a goblin into them somehow, crudely sewn them up and sent them on their way somehow thinking that would work.

But somehow it did work; I forced myself to look closer. The looks frozen on the pony and goblin faces showed they hadn't volunteered for this, or survived it. Their chests didn't heave with the exertions of galloping and their coloring was fading. I couldn't sense any 'life' within them, however Chrysalis had infused them with magic seemed to be keeping them going. Goddamn you Chrysalis you bitch what have you done.

But how? We were far out of her influence she shouldn't be able to control anything this far out. There, almost out of view a group of Changelings followed them. They must be controlling them.

"Dash." She was by my side in an instant.

"Yup?"

I showed her the Changelings. "Can you and your Pegasus loop around and take them from behind while we distract them?"

"Of course!"

"Be careful Dash. You might be out of my range."

She looked at me strangely for a second then shook her head. "They won't know what hit em!" She flew off to rally her troops while I did the same.

I got all the non-combatants loaded up in the wagons and had teams hitched up to lead them off to safe distance. I was going to need my energy.

We lined up to wait for them; we didn't have to wait long. They ran tirelessly and fast, heedless of whatever was in their way.

They slammed into our line flailing, kicking and slamming their bodies against us. Their strikes were filled with dark energy sapping my shields with every hit. We fought back as well as we could, but no matter how many times we pushed them back or smashed them down they just got back up. Limbs ripped off, legs broken it didn't matter to them.

Some of my troops were beginning to back off, disgusted and fearful. A rout was likely.

"Pull back and protect the wagons!" I shouted. Most of them gladly retreated. The rest backed away carefully as I threw up a wall to keep these... Things from rushing by.

I stood alone against them as they slammed into my barrier again and again. Sweat began to pour off me from the strain of holding them back. Just a bit longer, Dash will take those Changelings down. If that doesn't do it I'm fucked.

Minutes passed, I fell to one knee barely keeping them at bay when they stopped suddenly. They milled about aimlessly, using my spyglass I saw a midair melee going on in the distance but they were too far for me to help. Suddenly the last black dot fell from the sky and with it the abominations collapsed to the ground. I walked a short ways away to escape the stench of rotting flesh before I collapsed as well.

In a few minutes Dash came and landed next to me.

"Ugh, those stink."

"Definitely. Thanks Dash, you saved my ass."

She looked at me and punched me in the shoulder. "Jeez trying to hold them back all on your own. What a dummy."

I grabbed her and noogie her. "Yeah that’s me. How'd it go with the Changelings?"

"A few scrapes and some broken ribs on one of my fliers, but their dead and we're not so all in all success!"

I levered myself up and leaning on Dash we made our way back to the others. "That’s why you the mare Dash."

"Heck ya!"

I got unicorns to levitate the corpses into a pile so we didn't have to get too close then we stacked wood around them and lit them ablaze. It was the best we could do for them. I really hope I'm there to see when the axe swings Chrysalis.

We let the fire burn down to make sure all had been consumed then rested for the night.

Several days later we approached Hoofington, it was impressive. Huge walls and a massive gate, I could sense a lot of goblins within. Some Changelings but not nearly as many as I would have thought for a city this size. But I couldn't sense everything they could just be deeper inside.

"Dash..." I looked around but she was nowhere to be seen. "Where is she?"

Another Pegasus stepped forward, Blossomforth. "She went out with a small detachment to scout the far side of the city a few hours ago."

"Alright. We need to set up anyhow." I could see in the distance through a sally port a small delegation came out of the city and started our way.

I started walking that way but got stopped suddenly by a voice behind me.

"You shouldn't go alone."

I looked back to see Twilight watching me. I smiled sheepishly. "Alright you come too if you like."

She smiled and nodded.

We met the delegation a few hundred meters from the city; they had a ratty white flag. There were four goblins; one carried a box with him.

"Alright. What do you want?" I asked.

"Leader says you go away. You go fight Queen, leave us be."

"And the ponies you have held? We will need them freed."

"Food? No, no can have food."

I glared at them. "They are not food. Let them all go or no deal."

"Hmm... Leader say you be like that. We bring you gift to change mind. You take, you go or we bring more."

The goblin walked up and handed me the box then backed away.

"Careful..." Twilight warned.

I picked up the box and stopped suddenly, I could smell something from within. Blood and something else... Something familiar... I opened the box tossing the lid aside and almost dropped it, as my hands started shaking. A pair of light blue wings... Bloodstained and ruffled but unmistakeable to me, how many times I had pulled on them, gently caressed them after...

"What is it...?" Twilight asked.

I handed the box back to her; she levitated it and looked inside gasping.

"Take that back, and order the attack."

"What...?! But we..."

"Order the attack." I said flatly, she turned and galloped off.

"Ha! Stupid human now we..."

I interrupted him by snapping his and his three companion’s necks, and then I began walking toward the gate. Slowly at first but then building up speed until I was running.

Arrows rained down but they were easily ignored.

"DASH!" I screamed as I slammed into the gate as hard as I could snapping the hinges that held it up and sending the two halves flying into the city. I could feel a large group of ponies much deeper in the city and headed that way. I ignored the goblins until they piled on me so deep as to impede my progress... Then I started killing...

I lost myself in a bit of a red haze, smashing, cutting, impaling. Whatever I could lay my hands on to get these fuckers out of my way, get to Dash.

As I got closer to the cities center goblins came at me less and less, some were fleeing back towards the gates but I could feel the rest of our forces there. No escape for them. The Changelings too were retreating, most flying away as quickly as they could.

I came to a large effluent building, city hall. Inside I could feel the ponies and a small group of goblins, I smashed open the front door and stepped inside.

A much bigger then average goblin stood surrounded by his small force of bodyguards but I only had eyes for the mare he had his arm wrapped around with a dagger at her throat.

"Dash!"

"Stop there!" He commanded.

I sneered at him and tossed his bodyguards in every direction smashing them into the walls and ceiling, snapping their bones and crushing their skulls.

"Stop!" He again commanded threatening Dash with his knife.

I stopped walking but ignored him looking at Dash. "You ok Dash? Hang in there." She could only manage a small whinny. I stepped forward again and he dragged the knife across her throat.

To no effect. Of course I had protected her and the others as soon as I sensed them. I was tired, badly tired. The battle still raged outside and I had to keep them protected as well but my rage kept me going.

I looked at him and smiled coldly. "Oops."

He backed away looking around for some means of escape. "You never know my secrets!" He declared turning his knife and driving it into his chest.

Again to no effect.

"I don't give a damn about your secrets. But Dash here is going to want to have a long, painful discussion with you when she’s feeling better. Right Dash?"

She managed to gain her hooves unsteadily and shook her head. "No time. Just tear his arms and legs off and leave him."

"As you wish."

He turned and tried to run getting a few paces away before an unseen force pulled him into the air and slowly and no doubt excruciatingly ripped his arms and legs from their sockets. I ignored his screams and gently gathered Dash up in my arms leaving him to bleed to death.

"Let’s get you fixed up."

"No. We have to free the others." She said gritting her teeth in pain.

"Ok, ok." I searched a bit then found the stairs leading to the basement where we found over two hundred ponies stuffed into cells. I quickly freed them, the fighting was winding down outside so I sent them up to get taken care of.

"Thanks for the save..." Dash groaned.

"Hey just returning the favour. Come on, I'm sure they can fix you’re... They can fix it."

She fixed me with a withering glare. "Don't be stupid."

"Dash, I'm sorry..."

"I... I don't know if I can go on without..." Tears formed in her beautiful eyes.

"Hey. I still need you Dash. Don't give up on..." I stopped; I could feel something different about her.

"What?!" She asked seeing the look on my face.

"I... I'm not sure..." I could sense another pony inside her... A foal? I gently ran my hand over her abdomen. "Dash... You’re pregnant."

"What?! That can't be right!?"

"I'm sure, I can feel it here. I thought you didn't like stallions?"

"I didn't! I mean I don't! I mean I haven't... I haven't been with anyone but you..."

I sat down heavily with her in my arms. "That’s... That’s not possible... Is it?"

"I don't know... Pregnant...?" She looked down at her abdomen with a faraway look in her eyes.

I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts. "Well let’s get you out of here. I'll ask Twilight as soon as I see her."

She nodded and I carried her out of the city hall. There were no goblins I could sense around so I headed straight to the gates to find the infirmary. On the way I was informed the majority of the goblins had fled by any means they had in all directions. Something demoralized them, thinking back to my blood soaked journey to the center of town I guess I could see that.

I left Dash in Nurse RedHeart's capable hooves with a kiss and a promise to come see her soon. Then I went looking for Twilight. I found her before to long with a group of ponies going over the cities plans to find the resources we needed.

"Twilight we need to talk."

"Can it wait? We're busy here."

"I don't think so." She was talking to the other ponies and ignoring me somewhat. "Dash is pregnant."

She stopped her back stiffening. "Alright we'll go over this later all, get to work." She turned and pulled me into a nearby abandoned house. "Are you sure? How could you tell?"

"I could just sense the life inside her, how did..."

"Dammit. She got too far away and I forgot to renew..." She swore to herself.

"What?"

She sighed and her horn glowed and suddenly I could feel more pony life around... A lot more! Including...

"Twilight! You’re..."

"Pregnant? Yes. And yes it’s... Yours, sort of..."

I fell back sitting down hard. "How? That’s not possible between us... Is it?"

"Let me explain. Please don't be mad. Remember the first night we were together? You know when I sucked you’re..." She blushed.

"Yes of course."

"Well I took that sample to the Princess's and we tested to see... It came up negative, so that same night when she examined you Princess Celestia, well... Altered you a bit. Just to make you compatible with us... That way."

"Ookay... I guess her magic could do that sure. But why?"

"Why? You have seen how few stallions there are left. We needed you, not just for your abilities. But to help with a new genetic line, admittedly once they knew about your powers the Princess's hoped perhaps they too might manifest in some of the newborn someday. But with your line and the other stallions we have an excellent chance to repopulate if... When we win. Please, please understand! Don't be mad!"

My head was swimming. "Mad? I'm going to be a father... A hundred times over... Wait! Are you saying every mare...?"

"Yes."

"Celestia and Luna?"

"Yes."

I collapsed back and laid there staring at the ceiling trying to come to grip with this. She walked over and laid down atop me looking down at me.

"You’re... Not mad?"

"No. Why would I be?"

"We tricked you... Used you..."

I hugged her gently. "You did what you had to. I would have done it if you had asked but I can understand why you didn't. What about Applejack? I'm shocked she didn't tell me the whole story."

"Oh... Well when you have somepony that honest you tell them exactly as much as you want them to repeat. Sorry."

"That’s alright... Fluttershy! Did she know?"

"She did. She hated not being able to tell you but I made her promise. Dash didn't know either. But you know now. And you’re not mad... Thank you."

"Oh yeah it was really difficult making love to amazing beautiful ponies... Like you." I kissed her once softly. "Sorry."

She blushed slightly. "It’s ok."

"I better go see Fluttershy. And Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie! So many foals..."

We got up and left, I found Applejack first and explained things to her. She was amazed, excited and mad. Not at me but for them leaving her in the dark, she apologised to me profusely until I said to just let it go. Rarity and Pinkie Pie were both glad to not have to keep the secret anymore and both excited at the prospect of having a foal.

I found Fluttershy finally with Dash in the makeshift hospital.

"You going to be ok Dash?"

"I dunno... But, for little Dash I will be."

I gasped as I looked at Fluttershy.

"What! What is it?" She squeaked.

"Twins Shy." I gently rubbed her abdomen, still too early for her to show but I could feel them in there.

She hugged me tightly. "I'm so happy."

"Me too."

So many foals I need to protect too. I really need to make sure everypony lives now...

Chapter 10 (Things go wrong)

Though we were all still in dire danger and still had a great number of battles yet to face. I felt... Good. Being a father, even a hundred times or more was going to be amazing.

Twilight, Fluttershy, Dash and all the rest. I loved them all.

But I had problems with it as well, the vast majority of our fighting force was mares and plenty of them were pregnant. Not far enough along to impede them at all but it would be if we delayed too long. Not to mention if any of them got hurt the foals could be lost. I'd damn well make sure to try my best that didn't happen.

We rested and recuperated for two weeks, firstly the goblins that had fled had to be hunted down. Dash's Pegasus squads we the most maneuverable and fastest and as such were saddled with the task. Dash hated not being able to go with them, I was sure to make it clear that Dash was still in charge of her squads, she knew them best their strengths and weakness's and she needed it to help keep her mind off... Things.

I still entertained a mare each evening; I didn't look at it so much as a chore now as preserving a species. Not to mention becoming a father a crazy amount of times.

Fluttershy still stayed with me every night but she was much less interested in sex which was fine, we talked and cuddled her excitement for her foals was heart warming.

Dash however was still having a great deal of trouble dealing with not being able to fly, she was mad and short tempered a lot. I tried to keep her spirits up and a few stress relieving bouts of angry sex helped too.

With the secret lifted from her conscience Twilight seemed in much better spirits as well, we even began hanging out a bit. Discussing war plans mostly but sometimes just sitting together, she even let me hug her occasionally. Better then nothing...

The last pockets of fled goblins were wiped out, any others having fled further then we were willing to venture. We headed out; our next target was New Saddle a smaller town situated near the sea.

Our group had grown considerably, nearly seven hundred strong for our fighting force with another couple hundred non combatants. It was quite a menagerie as we traveled.

We kept up our drills and vigilance as we journeyed, we still searched for any survivors but were getting disheartened by the number of burnt our homesteads and piles of bones we were finding.

Two weeks into our journey to New Saddle we found some small signs of habitation, fields that had been tilled recently. But searching around, we couldn’t find any homes or ponies around at all.

My detection sense also could not locate anything so we continued on. In the late afternoon I finally felt something... Like a weaker version of Chrysalis’s influence, I hadn't felt anything like it before and I warned everyone quickly.

We approached the area of influence to find nothing, a small thicket of trees and bushes as well as a hill. We prepared to press into the thicket to see what was causing this phenomenon when a voice rang out.

"STOP!"

Surprised we did just that, and out from the trees came a small group of very well camouflaged ponies. Strangely I still couldn't detect them the aura surrounding this place was blocking me somehow. Very suspicious.

Twilight, Dash and I stepped forward backed by Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Armor. The small group of ponies looked confused seeing me then fell to their knees upon seeing the Princess's.

"Oh Princess! It’s so good to see you alive and well. We all feared the worst!"

She smiled graciously down on them. "Please rise, tell us what is going on here?"

The leader of the group explained quickly about how during the first strikes of the war his small village and a few others in the area bound together for protection but they knew they couldn't survive against Chrysalis’s main armies.

They got together what they would need to survive and built a new village. As he spoke he led us into the trees, a short ways into the thicket it opened up in spots for small houses and open areas. Looking up I could see that the trees either grew or had been made to grow to cover the whole area from aerial reconnaissance.

A bit deeper and we came to the hill which we could now see had been hollowed out and supported to keep its shape and inside was even more living room. Very impressive to be sure but it still didn't explain Chrysalis’s presence.

He was very proud of their ultimate trick; they had managed to capture some changelings early in the village’s construction. They found with them held in the village the other patrols sensing them usually passed by, some came to investigate though and they managed to capture even more.

They experimented with many different types of magic in order to eliminate not only their presence but also that of the changelings they had imprisoned. To make it feel to any patrols that when they flew over what they felt was nothing more then their own connection to Chrysalis.

It had seemed to work and they hadn't been bothered since, they still had to go out under cover of darkness to work their fields for the food they needed to survive.

"But now that your here we need not fear anymore! We shall join your army and take revenge on the hated Queen Chrysalis! But for tonight we must celebrate! Break out the best we have!" Ponies began to run off in every direction letting other villagers know of the upcoming party as well as the arrival of their Princess.

I gathered the wagons at the base of the woods, by then our whole group had excitedly rushed into the village happy to see other ponies and eager to celebrate.

There were about a hundred and fifty ponies in hiding here; they broke out their best food stores and drinks. Everyone was having a good time, Pinkie Pie galloped around producing balloons, streamers and games from god knows where.

Dancing, singing and games continued throughout the day, I still insisted that we have sentries posted to watch for any activity outside the village but I was sure to place them on a rotating schedule so everypony could enjoy the party.

I wasn't enjoying myself, the party was great and I enjoyed seeing all my mares but the constant nauseating aura around the village was making me sick. I excused myself as the party moved into the evening retreating out to the wagons to sleep.

I could still hear the festivities going on, I was sure some ponies were going to be very hung over tomorrow. I relaxed back and drifted off to sleep.

"Wake up..."

I grunted opening my eyes reluctantly still heavy with sleep. I looked over to find Twilight lying beside me.

Still half asleep I reached out to pull her to me stopping myself at the last second. "Twilight... What are you...?"

With a smile she rolled over atop of me kissing me fiercely.

I wrapped my arms around her kissing her passionately getting more turned on by the second... I pushed her gently away a confused look on her face.

"Wha...?"

I sighed. "Aurelia..."

She shifted back immediately a shocked look on her face. "How did you...?!"

I smiled slightly. "You taste different. I hope your not here to kill me?"

She seemed to remember herself and shook her head. "No! I'm here to warn you! This village isn't what it appears."

"What do you mean?" I asked suspiciously.

"It was all designed as a trap for any ponies looking for sanctuary. Quickly before it’s too..."

She was interrupted as the wagon door was thrown open; a small group of Changelings glowered down on us.

"Traitorous bitch! Queen Chrysalis will have your head!" With that declaration they all tried to storm into the wagon but only two could manage at a time. I was definitely unprepared for combat but it hardly mattered. The first I smashed into the wagon bed hard enough to snap its neck, the second I pulled away from Aurelia throwing it through the doorway into his companions knocking them all down onto the ground.

As they struggled to get up one of the other wagons came smashing down on top of them crushing the life from them.

I quickly struggled into my clothes, as I turned to go I suddenly turned back and clasped Aurelia to me kissing her quickly. "Thanks." I whispered.

With no time to lose I ran into the village my senses still useless to whatever magic they were using to create their field. I ran to the first cottage I saw and kicked the door open to behold a horrific sight.

The Mayor stretched out between two Changelings, they had cut her abdomen open and were tossing her stillborn foal back and forth above her as she feebly reached for it. I slammed them both into the wall with my force kneeling beside the Mayor to try to offer what comfort I could.

"My foal... Let me hold it..."

I retrieved the tiny bundle placing it in her arms; she looked down on it smiling and then gasped in pain and died.

I lost it, everything dissolved into a haze of red. Even when rescuing Dash I hadn't lost it this badly, my mind shut off completely all that was left was instinct and rage.

When I regained my senses the first thing I noticed was my extreme weariness, I fell to my knees exhausted gasping for air. Staring at the ground I noticed several more things. The ground under my knees was red; I could smell the iron tang of blood in the air along with a myriad of other scents, piss, shit and vomit.

Something was stuck in my mouth; I spit it out amazed and disgusted as a gobbet of dark flesh bounced away from me. I looked down at myself there wasn't a part of me that wasn't covered with gore, bits of flesh stuck to me in my hair, under what remained of my clothes.

I looked around wiping the blood out of my eyes to a scene of carnage, I was in the center of the village and all around me were strewn pieces of Changeling. In the trees, the ground, spread across the cottages.

Past the carnage, in a circle around me were ponies staring wide eyed in horror at me. The three Princess's surrounded me in a magical field sweeping me away to a secluded cabin, they dumped water on me to clean me off and pushed me inside slamming and locking the door behind me as I collapsed onto the floor and passed out.

When I finally came to I was alone in the dark house, I laid there awhile trying to remember what happened. There was a knock at the door and it swung open and Twilight entered the door closing and locking behind her.

"Twilight..." I reached out for her but pulled back as she stared horrified at me.

"Don't... Just sit."

I sat back and she explained what had happened.

The screams of the two Changelings that had killed the Mayor had alerted some ponies that something was amiss, I had ripped their wings off and broke their legs leaving them in the center of the village as I went door to door, house to house hunting until I had nearly all hundred and fifty of the 'villagers' gathered. Some I had killed like the group that attacked me at the beginning of the night but most were gathered.

Then unfazed by the groups of ponies watching I began torturing and killing them... Slowly. Ripping limbs and skin off, tearing them slowly in two. Vivisecting them one at a time so the others could see what was coming, some of them suicided others killed one another in their urge not to be the next.

She and several of the others had tried to talk me down to no avail I had blocked myself off with a dome of force as well as my mind having snapped.

In the aftermath every Changeling had been killed and deep in the cavern under the hill they had found nearly a hundred captive ponies. We had lost fifty ponies of our own in the Changelings initial surprise attack and could have lost a great deal more, quite possibly all. Of the fifty we lost thirty eight were mares and twelve of them had been pregnant.

"Dammit!" I cursed causing Twilight to back off again, I held up my hands. "Sorry, sorry."

"There’s been a lot of... Talk. Ponies are worried and scared... Of you. Your actions were totally beyond... Anything we could have imagined. The Princess's are very concerned about what to do... What you might do..."

"THEY KILLED MY FOALS!!" I shouted slamming my fists onto the floorboards splintering and snapping several of them.

Twilight screamed pressing herself against the door.

I backed off immediately as far from her as I could. "I'm sorry Twilight, please. Don't be scared of me, I'd never hurt you. I love you..."

I collapsed down with my head on the floor my hands covering it trying to come to grips with how I screwed everything up so bad.

I heard Twilights gentle hoof clicks as she came over to me and knelt down beside me hugging me gently. "I don't know what their going to do..."

"Fluttershy... Did she...?"

"She... She can't see you now, she's scared... I don't think she'll ever..."

I sighed. "What the hell did I do? The others?"

"Applejack and Rarity understand but... They don't want to... I mean they can't..."

"I understand..."

"Pinkie Pie was so horrified she’s still hiding... Dash tried to convince everyone but..."

I leaned back suddenly thinking of something. "Aurelia!"

"That Changeling?"

"She’s not like them she tried to warn me."

"They found her in your wagon, she came along peacefully. She’s being held somewhere else... Listen, there’s going to be a trial this evening... I... I don't know what their going to do to you."

"It doesn't matter."

"Don't say that! It’s my fault your here! I don't want you to... Die."

I hugged her tightly for a moment. "Thanks. I won't let them kill me. But I won't hurt anypony either... We'll just have to see what they say. I'm so sorry Twilight; I swear I've never been like that before. But I've never had my loved ones murdered before either..."

"I'll talk to them. I can convince them..."

"No. Better not."

"What? Why?"

"If everyone thinks I'm a danger, their all afraid of me... Then if you stand up for me it'll be bad for you. I don't want that, I'll be ok really. Just tell them I'll take whatever punishment they come up with."

"But..."

I interrupted kissing her softly. "Sorry. This might be the last chance I ever get to do that. I love you Twilight, please don't ever forget that. I love Fluttershy and Dash and all the rest too but you... Well, never mind. You better go before they get suspicious."

She leaned over and kissed me firmly then stood up walking to the door and knocking; the guards posted there let her out and locked the door again quickly.

I laid back waiting, with all the Changelings dead whatever magic they used to create the field turned off I could again sense all the ponies around. It was a comforting presence even if they all feared me now.

A few short hours and the door opened the three Princess's waiting to bring me to the trial; their combined magic encompassed me lifting me off the ground as they brought me to the edge of the village where the wagons had been set back up. No one wanted to go anywhere near the village obviously.

It looked like pretty much every pony was gathered; I searched the crowd but couldn't see Fluttershy or Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rarity were there but didn't meet my gaze. Dash and Lyra both seemed happy to see me and smiled bravely my way as the Princess's set me down their magic still entrapping me, another group of unicorn guards brought out Aurelia similarly bound and placed her beside me.

Her head was lowered she probably thought she was about to be sentenced to death. I wasn't so sure I wasn't about to also face such a sentence but I was sure I wouldn't let them kill me or her, if we had to flee and live on the outskirts of Equestria avoiding Chrysalis and the Princess's then so be it.

"We have brought the two of you here on serious charges, Changeling your crime is simply being who you are... However it has been expressed that perhaps you wished to defect and came to warn us of the danger we faced here." She gestured behind her to the village. She turned to me. "Which brings us to you."

Some of the ponies in the assembly booed and jeered, I couldn't blame them they really didn't know how I helped them, even before they only knew just what I had done here and that would likely stick in their minds a long time.

"We have been informed that you do not wish to dispute the charges against you, a wise decision as I have no idea how you could. Such brutality, even worse then our enemies might perpetuate is unforgivable. However the circumstances certainly played a great deal in what happened, still we can no longer trust you as we did. Does anypony here wish to speak up for this individual?"

We looked out at the assembled ponies I spotted Dash with a serious look on her face about to step up; I caught her eye and shook my head at her. She frowned and stubbornly put her hoof forward; I smiled at her cute determination and shook my head again. She grimaced but stepped back holding up her forehoof to block Lyra’s passage as she too was about to step up.

Nopony else moved, Twilight was beside the Princess's and I could see she wanted to say something but she honoured my wishes and stayed silent. The Princess's looked about for a moment then continued. "We three have thought on a just punishment and now we shall render it unto you. You are stripped of your authority as the general of our army; Shining Armor shall take up that role."

Cheers and hoof stomps for that proclamation. "Furthermore you are forbidden to have any contact with any pony here unless they initiate it, nor come close even. You shall be watched closely, any aggressive action will be dealt with severely."

More cheering from the crowd. "We do still need your assistance in the struggle ahead. If you are willing."

I inclined my head as far as I could from my confinement. "I am still willing to help in any way I can."

"Excellent. We will discuss it later. You Changeling, I don't see what further use or harm you might be as you have given us all the information on your mother you have. If you wish you may travel with us, but you too shall be watched carefully... In fact I think perhaps it will be best if you travel with him." She pointed to me.

"I would appreciate that your highness." Aurelia said.

"Then so be it."

With that their horns glowed and we were teleported away. I found myself beside the wagon Fluttershy and I had been sharing, Aurelia was beside me. The wagon had been moved a considerable distance away from the rest about a hundred meters.

"Well welcome to your new home Aurelia." I grinned. "Still glad you helped us?"

She smiled slightly. "To be honest I wasn't sure helping you was the right thing to do... Doesn't matter now."

I was about to comfort her when a pair of shapes hurdled out of the darkness tackling me to the ground. Dash and Lyra, we hugged happily and I kissed them both very glad to see them.

Dash looked at Aurelia with barely veiled contempt. "I'm not talking in front of her! I still don't trust her."

"Dash come on, she came to warn us..."

"Ya what if it was just a trick to get the Princess's to give you the boot? Drive a wedge between us all?!"

"Sacrifice a hundred and fifty of her own children for that? I don't know Dash."

"Well..."

"She would..." Aurelia whispered. "She doesn't think of us as her children... Just slaves, there was a time when it wasn't like that. But her defeat made her bitter, angry... Insane... We're to be used and discarded when we're of no further use, if they capture me now my death won't be quick... I'll leave you alone."

"Aurelia..." I called out to her but she had already gone into the wagon and closed the door.

"Humph... So why did you stop us?! We should have told the Princess's they were being crazy!" Dash burst out Lyra nodding along with her.

"Dash, if everypony hates and distrusts me already why would I want them to feel the same about you two?" I squeezed them both tightly. "I saw you wanted to stick up for me, that’s more then enough."

"I guess... It’s still not fair! After everything you've done for them...!"

I chuckled. "It’s ok Dash. I'll still be able to help that’s the important thing. You two better head back, don't want them talking right?"

"Let em try! I'll give them a hoof to the face!"

We all laughed and hugged again, I kissed them each and they galloped off. I entered the wagon to find Aurelia curled up in the far corner; I went and sat down on the bed getting undressed.

"There plenty of room on the bed Aurelia. Fluttershy and I..." Looking around I could see Fluttershy had taken everything of hers; I really wasn't going to see her again... I fell back in the bed with an exasperated sigh and groan. I laid there a minute when I felt her slid onto the bed beside me.

I turned to look at her, her big green cat eyes staring at me. "Sorry it all turned out this way..." She whispered.

I gently caressed the side of her face. "Same for you. Still it could be worse."

She laughed. "How exactly?"

I leaned back on the bed pulling her close causing her to gasp in surprise. "We could be alone."

She blushed slightly. "Oh." Suddenly I heard her stomach rumble.

"Oh? Didn't they feed you?"

"You know we Changelings don't eat in the normal fashion..."

"Right, sorry. Well you can feed on some of my love right...?"

She looked at me longingly. "No. I swore to the Princess's I wouldn't feed on any love from any pony or for any pony... I'll be ok..." She whispered as she pulled away.

I refused to relinquish my grip and pulled her close again kissing her softly, a strange sensation I wasn't sure exactly what she would feel like. Chitin, hard and unyielding? But no, more like very soft leather, her lips not unpleasant at all and her eyes widened in shock though she didn't attempt to pull away.

"What about my love for you?"

"What...? Me? No you can't..."

I kissed her again interrupting her. "Why not? You, Dash and Lyra... You’re all I've got now. You endangered yourself to try to help me... Help us all. And you are quite beautiful..."

She blushed and shifted into Twilights form. "Would you like me to...?”

I shook my head gently. "No, just be you..."

She blushed again and suddenly pressed herself against me kissing me fiercely shifting back her slender forked tongue invading my mouth; it felt very strange but incredibly erotic as well. I grew erect quickly rubbing against her with need.

"Oh...!" She rolled on top of me accepting my member into her soft wet sex. "This isn't the usual method of feeding on love but..." She leaned down kissing me as she slowly rode up and down her wings flittering uncontrollably. We made out feverishly as she increased and decreased her tempo, we gasped and groaned together finally culminating in a shared climax late in the night.

She lay against me and I pulled the covers up over us as we drifted off to sleep.

Well I royally fucked up this time.

What else could go wrong?

Chapter 11 (Rollin Down the Line)

I awoke alone the next morning; I wasn't sure where Aurelia had gone... I could sense her over at the main encampment hopefully not getting into any trouble. I could feel the ponies all moving about already, must be getting prepared to move out. I got up and dressed, I better get ready too then.

I cleaned up a bit though I really had nothing to do other then wait until they were ready, if I were with them I would be helping out, having breakfast with Fluttershy... Maybe I should shut up and stop thinking about it.

I sat on the wagon seat trying not to think and failing when I spotted Aurelia flying my way. I hopped down as she arrived with a platter laden down with breakfast goods.

"Thanks Aurelia! I was a bit worried." I kissed her softly and sat down to eat.

"Well they certainly didn't make me feel welcome but they didn't try to kill me either so that’s a bit of progress... When I explained I was getting food for you they directed me to where to go, maybe just to get rid of me I guess..."

"Don't you worry about what they think." I finished eating and hopped up on the wagon patting the seat beside me. "Take a seat. I'll be leading the wagons from here."

She blushed slightly with a smile. "Actually... I got a job accompanying the Pegasus patrols."

"Really?"

"I better hurry or I'll be late!" She turned to go then zipped back to me kissing me firmly and taking off back towards camp.

I got my wagon lined up at the head of the convoy a hundred meters ahead of them but I would be able to pull them all easily enough. I felt a pony coming towards me and looking back I was happy to see Dash galloping up. I helped her up onto the seat beside me and kissed her softly.

She smirked at me and shook her head. "Nope." She threw her forelegs around me kissing me passionately which I returned eagerly.

"Good to see you too Dash. Shouldn't you be getting your crews ready though?"

Her eyes turned a bit overcast as I said that but she shook her head and smiled slightly. "I've been relieved..."

"What?!" I interrupted; she put her fore hoof on my lips stopping me.

"It’s fine... Shining Armor just feels a leader should be able to go out with the crews to see the situation first hoof... I guess he’s right."

"It’s not right… He still shouldn't have..." I sighed, leaning back pulling her against me. "Sorry Dash. But he let Aurelia join the squads?"

"Well... I made a fairly solid argument."

"You?!"

"They can keep an eye on her, and she might have some insight into Changeling and Goblin movement we might not know..." She blushed slightly. "And with her busy we can spend some more time together." She nuzzled my neck nipping at it gently. "If you know what I mean." She whispered.

"Dash!" I kissed her fiercely. "What’s gotten into you?"

"I dunno... Twilight says it has something to do with my hormones or something." She straddled over me pushing me back with her fore hooves and looking down on me with a seductive smile. "Now we can go in the wagon or do it out here where anypony could come by it doesn't matter to me."

"But if their ready to go..."

"Not for an hour at least."

Any objections I had were gone so I scooped her up in my arms and carried her into the wagon. All of our sex up to now had been from behind, doggie... Er, pony style but as I closed the door and turned around I found her lying on her back looking very vulnerable and sexy.

I pulled off my clothes and knelt down between her legs rubbing against her mare hood as I kissed her. "Dash..." As I gazed into her beautiful eyes I noticed they were tear filled. "What’s wrong?"

She sniffed and wiped her eyes embarrassed. "Nothing! Just... Would you make love to me like you would to Fluttershy…? Or Twilight..." She whispered.

I smiled and kissed her softly. "Of course I would Dash. Never think I love you any less."

I kissed down her body gently licking and biting her two nipples moving down to her soaked pussy. She smelled of sweat and the sweetness of her juices as I took my first taste. A bit salty but sweet and sharp as well, she gasped and moaned as I ate her out having her first orgasm before too long.

I kissed her belly gently. "You were a bit pent up there Dash."

"Look who’s talking." She giggled pointing at my rigid member.

"Well who could blame me?" I asked pulling her close gently pressing inside of her causing her to gasp softly.

We made love slowly and softly, I gazed into her beautiful eyes kissing her softly, she blushed and whimpered softly biting her bottom lip as she had a second orgasm the look of sheer erotic bliss on her face setting me off as well.

We lay entangled there together warm and comfortable when I heard a horn sound from the main convoy group.

"Oh shit!" I stumbled out of the wagon naked while Dash giggled. I hopped up on the wagon seat and started everything moving, glancing behind me I was glad to see no one coming to see what was taking me so long.

Dash hopped up onto the seat beside me depositing my clothing beside me. "Dummy..." She giggled leaning against me as I struggled into my clothes. I put my arm around her and we travelled.

We had a short stop at noon for a quick lunch then we were back underway, I enjoyed having Dash there with me, we chatted as we traveled trying to steer clear of anything that had to do with this war. Evening came on us and we found a good camping spot for the main group, Dash hopped out to wait for them and I leaned down to kiss her only for her to pull me from my seat onto the ground kissing me passionately.

"About Fluttershy..." She whispered then stopped looking a little apprehensive.

"What? Dash did she say something? I just want to explain to her... But I don't know how I could..."

She sighed and smiled. "She’s not mad, just scared. Well she’s scared a lot of the time but she was so close to you and when... It. Happened, she couldn't take it understand?" At my nod she continued. "All she said was to remember your promise to her."

I thought about it a second then remembered, to go with her to her cottage after all this was done. "Tell her I will. Thanks Dash."

I kissed her once more then got back up on the wagon moving it away as the main group came up. I set up my small campsite and was relaxing as I felt Aurelia approaching. She flew up again with a tray of food for me.

"Thanks Aurelia. How did your first day go?"

"Oh not too bad I think... They were pretty wary of me but I tried to help out where I could."

"Well that’s good to hear. Looks like we'll hit the first small town tomorrow on our way to New Saddle."

"We'll be ok... Right? I know Mother and with my betrayal... She's going to be angry."

"I'm sure we will. Shining Armor knows what he’s doing..." Or at least I hoped he did, guarding a city isn't the same as waging war but hell I really didn't know what I was doing either so who was I to talk?

I finished eating and found Aurelia fast asleep beside me, I guess it had had been a long day for her. I gently gathered her up and carried her into the wagon laying her down in the bed. I got undressed and followed her in holding her close to me, not the same as Fluttershy I thought as I drifted off but better then being alone...

The next morning she was up early again and brought me breakfast, I gladly gave her some love though she didn't have time for a more... 'Intimate' sharing, ahh well. I got myself lined up at the front of the pack again and felt a pony coming towards me, Dash again?

I was surprised a bit and pleased to see a beautiful mint colored mare trotting my way. "Lyra!" I cried out happily as she jumped into my arms with a passionate kiss. "I'm glad to see you, but I didn't expect you!"

"Well... Rainbow Dash and I have a… Agreement, we're going to share." She grinned.

"I can live with that. How are things back at camp?"

"Good, Shining Armor has changed a few things... Maybe I shouldn't say..."

"Hey it’s alright Lyra. He’s in charge now I hope he’s making things better."

"Well, more restrictions on food and tougher training for everypony but everyone seems happy enough. More secure? Oh I didn't mean that you weren't...! Oh Lyra you and your big mouth!"

I kissed her softly holding her tight. "It’s ok Lyra. I can totally see that, he’s a pony like them and the captain of Celestias guards they should trust him. It'll be fine I'll still do my part and more if I can."

"Oh I'm so glad you’re not mad at me!"

"Mad at you? Never. Who could be mad at such a beautiful and sexy filly?" I grinned hugging her and gently nibbling on her ear.

"Oooh...!" She groaned her body shivering involuntarily. Just then the horn sounded from camp and I reluctantly started things moving.

Lyra wasn't about to let me off that easily though, as we traveled she rubbed my back kissing my neck and whispering naughty things in my ear. I wasn't innocent either when we had a flat stretch of ground and I didn't have to watch where we were rolling too much I returned her affections kissing her and running my hands over her body.

By the time the call came to break for lunch we were practically frothing at the mouth, we didn't even make it into the wagon. She pulled me down off the wagon seat into the grass making out as I struggled out my clothes. As ponies went she was very easy to please, simply running my hands over her was enough to get her juices flowing, as we fucked in position after position she orgasmed several times very loudly. I was a bit concerned that we would be discovered but the naughtiness of it all was an even greater turn on.

We laid there cuddling together soaked in sweat and... Other things when we heard the horn to get started again. I grabbed my clothes and picked her up, her legs were still a bit weak she explained blushing slightly.

I laughed and we settled down travelling again but before even an hour passed we came to a medium sized village. I pulled over and around it lining up the wagons behind so the troops could get arranged. I could sense about a hundred goblins inside, no pony prisoners or Changelings. I passed that news on to one of the Pegasus patrols nearby and then simply waited. I had all the ponies protected easily, Lyra and I watched as Shining Armor lined up his units and led them in a house to house search.

Within a few hours they had rooted them all out, I found out they had been setting traps throughout the village but they had been so clumsy any that they hadn't been able to evade I was able to easily protect them from.

By the time they had cleared the village of traps it was late enough in the afternoon they simply called a halt and set up camp there. I moved a bit further away and Lyra headed back to help out.

I made a small fire and waited amusing myself by seeing how high I could lift my wagon before it began tiring me; I was up to twelve feet before I felt Aurelia coming my way.

She flew up with a plate of food for me and a happy look on her face. "Had a good day did you?" I asked.

"I saved a few of my team mates from a deadfall trap! They were so grateful! I know you would have protected them but I just reacted..."

"Nice work! Anything you can do to fit in helps I'm sure." I started eating but when I looked up she was looking at the ground shuffling one of her hooves in the dirt. "What is it?"

"Well... They asked if I wanted to bunk with them... Keeping the team together... I said I'd have to talk to you about it... I mean I like staying with you but..."

She looked almost in tears so I got up and embraced her kissing her softly. "You don't owe me anything Aurelia. I'm glad you made some friends, you should go and get to know them some more."

"R... Really?"

"Really."

"Oh thank you!" She kissed me passionately accepting the love I gave her and flew off with a backward glance as she went.

I sighed and sat back down to finish eating. Better then being alone... I should learn to shut up.

The horn awoke me early the next morning; I had tossed and turned for quite awhile before getting to sleep. Stumbling sleepily out of the wagon I found breakfast awaiting me on the wagon seat. I hopped up and got things moving rubbing the sleep out of my eyes before I ate.

As we travelled I was feeling a bit depressed, no visitor today maybe they changed their minds? Or maybe their just busy. I shook my head and smacked myself in the face. "Keep it together idiot."

After a few more hours we came to some rough terrain the road ran through a deep canyon coming back out a mile or so later I couldn't sense anything but it looked dangerous and more then a little suspicious. I stopped the convoy and flagged down one of the patrols to inform Armor and get his input on the situation.

I didn't have to wait too long he, Cadence and Twilight came trotting up shortly. I had to tear my gaze away from Twilight to pay attention to Shining Armor; fortunately he hadn't seemed to notice.

"Hmm... You're right it looks dangerous. The scouts spotted it yesterday but to go around would take us at least a week out of our way. Suggestions?" He turned his back to me showing any ideas I had weren't welcome. I waited as the three of them conversed for a short while; he turned looking pleased with himself as Twilight frowned turning to stomp away.

"Everypony will dismount and you will take the wagon train through. If there is an ambush you will be able to handle it correct?"

A bit insulting but it was a good idea. "You got it Shining Armor... Er General."

They trotted back to the others to get ready then buttoned up all the empty wagons as I pulled them up to my position then began to slowly trundle down the path. As the canyon walls rose above me I could feel my sensing range diminishing, there must be something in these hills... Lead? Hell it could be tin or copper for all I knew. I looked around suddenly paranoid, every crevice and hole I expected to vomit up goblins at any moment but halfway through the canyon all was still quiet.

I was beginning to think I was just being paranoid when at the mouth of the canyon a huge boulder fell from above and began rolling my way. Crap! From behind me I heard the squeal of goblin voices and turning to look I saw hundreds and hundreds of them pouring out from the caves bored in the walls of the crevice.

I didn't have much time to think so I opted for the simplest option, I formed my force into a simple ramp before and above me and the wagon train. I wished I could see the goblins faces as the boulder rolled over their target and came straight at them! I gave it a little extra push as they tried to cram themselves back into their hidey holes trampling and crushing one another in their haste to do so, still not many made it before the boulder crushed through them.

I pushed the wagons up the slope quickly as I could whoever had set off the trap was nowhere to be seen, there were a few Pegasus teams that had been watching from above and I waved them down to watch over the train while I ventured back into the crevice. As I walked down they began popping out from cover again some higher above firing off arrows at me which I ignored, down at my level they came again as well in much smaller numbers but desperate to make some sort of impact.

I certainly didn't need any reason to kill goblins; the pathetically small group remaining of a few hundred was almost too easy. Compared to my first encounter back in Ponyville with them. They didn't last long, there could be a few left in the caves but I wasn't about to go crawling around down there to find them. I pushed the boulder back up the slope toward where the ponies waited. I was relieved when my sensing re-expanded and I could feel them all well and safe, I had worried that they might have been attacked as well when I was unable to sense or protect them.

I shoved the boulder aside. "I'll be right back with the wagons." I trekked through the crevice again and retrieved the wagons and pushed them back to the group. Not a single goblin showed, I guess they'd had enough for one day. With everyone loaded back up I again pulled the wagon train through everypony on alert, we all breathed a sigh of relief emerging from the other side. A few more hours travel and thankfully it was time to stop for the day, I was very tired. I pulled my wagon away from the group and half heartedly made a fire collapsing beside it.

I rested there for a bit when I heard hoof clicks approach. I sat up and found Rainbow Dash with a large platter of food balanced on her back.

"I brought extra today, I thought you could use it." She said with a grin.

"Thanks Dash." I took it from her and set it out; she had gotten quite a bit and sat down beside me digging in herself.

Finishing I laid back again looking up at the stars as they appeared in the night sky. Dash set something down and lay down beside me nestling against me. I put my arm around her holding her tight.

"Sooo... I heard you’re alone now." She whispered.

"Oh... Yes, Aurelia is going to be staying with her team. It’s a good thing... I guess."

She shuffled up to look me in the eyes. "You don't need her."

I kissed her nose softly. "No I guess I don't. It’s just nice to have someone... You know for company... Companionship... I don't know."

She grinned kissing me once. "Silly. Why do you think it took all day for me to get here?" She asked gesturing behind her.

I sat up and looked now noticing a pair of laden saddlebags lying there. "What? But Dash the other ponies will..."

She cut me off with a grimace and a shake of her head. "I've had enough of their backstabbing and whispers. The things they have been saying just make me want to hoof them right in the face! Anyhow, for now I'm sticking with you and to hell with what they think! You’re stuck with me so you better enjoy it." She added with a sly grin.

I grabbed her in a tight hug kissing her fiercely. "Thanks Dash, you’re the best."

"Don't I know it!"

We laughed and I helped her get her things into the wagon then got undressed as we lay down together making love softly and passionately before drifting off together warm and content.

I'm not saying a damn thing...

Chapter 12 (Love vs Horror)

The toll of this journey began to show itself more and more, not enough the loss of life and homes but now the quiet roads between battles, stress of never knowing when or where an attack might come was starting to wear on everyone...

I still wasn't welcome back with the main group of course but Dash though they questioned her choosing me over them still was and she relayed everything that was going on, small arguments and fights quickly broken up but the more this went on the worse things would get.

I was surprised that again the occasional mare would venture to our lone wagon whether encouraged by the Princess’s or by their own accord I didn't know, though I was sure the other stallions were doing their duty so how could I refuse?

Dash however made her feelings on the situation quite clear though she didn't try to stop them I guess she understood how important it was though she saw them off when we were done in no short order then coming into the wagon opening windows and sniffing around suspiciously like she didn't know what had just gone on rarely missing the opportunity to make a snarky comment.

Still she stayed with me and that was more than I could have hoped, Lyra too came by often, the two of them may not have seen exactly eye to eye but they seemed to trust each other. Several smaller villages and town we passed burned out and destroyed, a few small skirmishes with displaced goblins and small scouting parties easily defeated but it kept everyone on edge too as we neared the next big town of Baltimare.

Dash and I relaxed atop our wagon a lamp and map beside us and the stars above trying to guess what route Shining Armor might be planning.

"He's lucky he's Twilights brother or I'd give him a good kick right in the nu..."

"Dash..." I chuckled. "He's doing the best he can, give him a break."

"Humph..."

"Still we have to end this quickly..." I gently rubbed her slightly expanded belly. "Your all getting closer, it's dangerous you or the babies could get hurt..."

She rolled on top of me giving me a fierce kiss. "None of that, you won't let that happen..."

"But I can't..."

"We... I trust you, and they motivate us... Every mare in this army will fight to the death to give their unborn foals, all of the foals a life beyond..." She gestured the way we'd come from and toward Canterlot. "This..."

I held her close kissing her softly. "Ok, that’s what we'll do then, we'll kill that bitch and take it all back."

"Yeah! That’s what I like to hear... Wait..." Her face joyous a moment ago get serious looking at me.

"What?"

"What about you? If we... When we win what will you do? Go? S... Stay? Not that I want you around, just curious..." She blushed.

"Oh really...?" I kissed her again grabbing her muscular rump and squeezing it firmly. "Just used to regular sex maybe?"

"Maybe... I've kinda gotten used to you ok, it's not just anyone who can keep up with me you know?"

"Ok I know it, I'd certainly like to stay, see my foals grow... But I guess that will be up to the Princess’s."

"I guess..."

"It's ok Dash, one problem at a time right?"

"Right! Well here’s your first problem then, you've got a horny mare right beside you who needs some attention, what do you do?" She teased rubbing against me.

"Oh really? Well I think I have the cure for that..."

We both fucked and made love atop the wagon a strange mix of passion and lust, tender and rough. Her 'I love you I hate you' attitude was hard to get used to but honestly a huge turn-on as well, we fell asleep there entangled together for the moment trouble free...

The first horn of the morning a signal to begin preparations to get underway made for a lousy alarm clock, dash groaned covering her head with my shirt to block the sun while snuggling closer.

"Make them go away."

I chuckled rubbing her neck. "You can nap some more in the wagon..."

"Nope..." She wrapped her forelegs tighter around me. "I'm comfy right here."

I sighed and smiled craning my neck up to see the other wagons were almost ready I lined ours up well behind them as always and we were ready when the signal horn sounded to move out. It’s tough enough to navigate laying down let along with a sleepy and sexy pony laying on you, thankfully the road was fairly straight and by nine Dash was up and I could see and get dressed!

Two more days would see us at Baltimare, Dash's friends in the scouts laid out he plan for her and she for me. Baltimare hadn’t been a walled city but the goblins within had ravaged the nearby forest erecting an impressive twenty-five foot wall around most of the city, most. They'd cut corners in their construction using some of the buildings as filler and most of them were sturdier then the wall itself but further back where they'd cut through the 'poor' section of town there were several they'd used that seemed quite poorly built.

The plan was simple but should prove effective the main body of the army would begin an assault on the front gate while two elite forces would sneak around to the back, break through the weak points and catch them in a pincer maneuver. It was a solid plan though I would have right up alongside the wall to make sure both teams were covered, my range had expanded further even though it was a large city still not a problem.

The next two days were suspiciously quiet, I expected for us to encounter at least one patrol from the city but no sign. Nor could I detect anything within my sphere of influence though it had been proven that it certainly wasn't infallible, and sure enough as we approached the city my senses came up against a barrier. Chrysalis’s magic in a strange pattern of a dozen fifty-foot diameter globes spread around the city, some overlapping and some not. It made no sense but her chaotic nature was no surprise by this point.

If I'd had a say I would have held off the attack until we had more information about what was going on inside there, the scouts unfortunately couldn't get close there was a surprising amount of changelings buzzing around most concealed from me by the shields but visible to those watching.

We came around a bend clearing the woods and giving us our first clear view of the city, it was impressively large many of the buildings within taller even then the wall. What was missing was activity, usually goblins would be swarming the walls ready to defend but there was nothing... Maybe some small movement along the walls but from this distance it was hard to tell.

A city of this size might have held five to ten thousand ponies, I imagined at least as many if not more goblins as well but I couldn't sense... There! On the far side of the city just at the very edge of my senses pony life, as we got closer I was able to count about thirteen hundred ponies and... Ten of something else, they seemed familiar but I just couldn't tell, still it was the largest number of survivors we'd found yet and that elated me until I thought again of how many had been here and all across Equestria... Shaking off those morose thoughts I extended my protection to them though that stretched my ability’s nearly to their limits, I filled Dash in sending her galloping off to relay the news.

I lined up the wagons and waited trying to relax, I'd need every bit of energy I possessed by the end of today I was sure. Before too long I felt a pony break away from the main group heading my way I figured it was Dash returning but to my surprise it was Shining Armor and Cadence. I was confused a moment before remembering the Alicorns kept themselves shielded.

I hopped down bowing politely to them. "Shining Armor, Princess Cadence good to see you both. How can I help you?"

"Rainbow Dash said you had some information for us?" He asked brusquely but not overly hostile at least.

"Yes, she mentioned survivors?" Cadence asked eagerly.

"Of course..." I outlined what I could sense, the strange circles of Chrysalis’s magic and the survivors how many there were and their location."

Cadence looked hopeful but Armor retained his concerned look. "Very well, and Rainbow Dash said you thought we shouldn't attack?"

Dammit Dash, you’re going to get me in trouble one of these times... "I just said until we know more about these areas it might be wise to hold back..."

He thought a moment Cadence quiet beside him, now that I had a chance to look at her close up I could see she too was pregnant with signs of a slightly expanded belly. "I agree, but the rescue of the imprisoned must be our first priority agreed?"

"Yes."

"Then we shall go ahead with the feint but the rear force shall only reconnoiter, gather intel and retreat while you break through the far wall and release the prisoners escorting them to safety."

"I like this plan, I thought... Never mind."

"What?" He looked at me suspiciously again.

"I thought you were a bit too 'by the book', inflexible. I worried you might endanger some ponies for the greater good..." I sighed.

"I see..." His gaze softened somewhat. "Actually I'm glad you have such worries, I mean I've trained hard and had a little practice leading but this is all new and horrible territory for me too, and any mistakes I make..." Cadence leaned against him comfortingly making him smile. "It's good to know you have my back so to speak..."

"I do, don't worry about that."

He nodded and he and Cadence stepped back a moment whispering together before they turned back to me. "I'll go rally the troops then, let's save these ponies and find out what these bastards are up to."

"Sounds good, be careful."

He galloped off and I watched him a moment before turning to get ready and jumping slightly surprising myself as Cadence was still standing there.

"Princess! Did... Did you need something?"

She smiled shaking her head slightly. "I'm here to transport you to the other side of the city."

"Oh right! I suppose that would be quite a bit more convert then me just walking there like I planned..."

She giggled. "It will take a short while for Shiney to get everyone ready so if you need to prepare...?"

"Shiney?" I grinned.

"Oh!" She blushed slightly. "Just a pet name, please don't mention this..."

"No worries Princess, I'll just be a moment."

I got undressed and redressed in the wagon putting on my battle uniform just in case and emerged minutes later. "Congratulations by the way."

"Hmm?"

"The baby..."

"Oh! Thank you, with everything the way it is..." She sighed sitting heavily. "I almost wish we hadn’t succeeded..."

"Cadence..." I rubbed her back softly trying to comfort her. "I'll do all I can to protect you, all my mares and foals... Stallions too of course." I chuckled.

"Thank you, I hope it will be enough... Ooh..." She shivered as I caressed her.

I pulled my hand back quickly. "Sorry about that."

"No it's fine, it's been awhile since someone touched me... Shiney's so busy lately it's not his fault... It's just hard, so thank you..."

"Anytime..." She leaned over and kissed me softly but with a bit of heat behind it too, I caressed her soft body almost involuntarily a moment her soft sweet lips and intoxicating scent driving me mad but I gently pushed her away, I was already in enough trouble not to mention I'd hate to hurt Dash like that. I knew she was just lonely...

She sighed with a small smile. "Well we had best get going..." And leaning against me she teleported us.

And suddenly there was a massive wooden wall before us and about two hundred feet away was whatever building they had their captives held, not far of a distance but with that many ponies crossing it... Well hopefully the feint at the gates would draw all eyes to it.

"Thank you Princess, you'd better go."

"No, these ponies have been brutalized and imprisoned by these two legged creatures nothing like you of course but it might be best if you had me with you."

"But..."

"Shush... You'll keep me safe."

I knew better then to argue mares were no less headstrong then any woman, we waited quietly the prisoners strangely seemed to be unguarded so far as I could tell...

The horns sounded in the distance and the attack was underway, I found a small gap between the logs widening it slowly and carefully well aware of impacts on ponies so far away but nothing major, a few moments and I'd opened a wide enough hole for the two of us to wiggle through. Beyond the wall lay a dilapidated playground and past that a school it seems they were using as an ah-hoc prison. we moved carefully across the open space both of us on the lookout for anything or anyone watching but all was quiet...

I was keeping watch on the strange circles with my senses as we advanced but they too remained stationary though they now seemed to be expanding and contracting slightly, pulsing almost. One lay just on the other side of the school so I might be able to get a look at what was going on.

We approached the double doors without any challenge the windows in the door were shattered and a chain wrapped around them locked, not an issue for me though. I snapped a link and tried to quietly pull it out.

"This is too easy isn't it?" Cadence whispered.

"We're about to see..."

The majority of the prisoners seemed to be held in the gym but there were others scattered all over the school including the ten I couldn't identify, we approached the gym doors and it was quite quiet though we could hear the occasional whisper and cough within. We eased open the doors to a very dark room a few tiny torch lights here and there illuminating practically nothing.

"Who's there?" Came a faint whisper.

"Let me..." Cadence stepped forward her horn lighting up with a soft warm glow growing and growing revealing huddled groups of ponies of all kinds, young, old, Pegasus, Unicorn and Earth all looking fearfully toward the light.

"Do not fear ponies, we have come to recue you." Her soft whisper somehow magnified reaching all through the room.

"P... Princess Cadence? Is that you?" One of the older mares came forward squinting in the light.

"It is... I'm so sorry you've been imprisoned here for so long, it's been a hard journey and it's not over yet but for now we must get you out of here."

"But the others say we must stay... It's... It's our only chance of survival!"

"Others? What others?"

"The city elders and leaders... They all have separate rooms that they stay in for their loyal followers..."

"Oh brother..."

"What is it?"

"Sounds like a little amount of power going to some pony’s heads, making themselves out as rulers in their own prison..."

"That’s horrible!"

"Well... I guess we shouldn't judge."

"If they've perpetuated crimes against their fellow pony judged they will be! But that’s for later."

"Right, I'll round up the rest and send them here? You can keep the ones here calm, let them know the plan?"

"Very well, be careful."

"You too."

So I set out to each 'warlords' little fiefdom, the first was easy a small group of teachers holed up in the science lab. They needed little convincing to rejoin the others and of course the Princess. The next two wouldn’t even open their doors only caving in and cowering when I broke them down explaining several times to them that I wasn't here to hurt them but to save them, finally mentioning Princess Cadence got their attention and they rushed off to kiss up like good little sycophants.

The second last group was quite different, made up of a dozen very tough looking stallions they cordially invited me in and listened to me before attempting to jump me! Tough through they might be they had no idea who they were dealing with, I had to drop my protections on them and throw them around a bit so we understood each other. I send them limping off with a warning and if they tried anything with Cadence...

Shaking my head, I moved on to the last group, the ones I couldn't identify and when I found them I understood why. Griffons, I had 'sensed' one before but only once and it had been some time ago.

"Who are you, what do you want?" They growled suspiciously their talons and beaks making them quite formidable but they too looked thin and weak.

"I'm with the Equestria army, we're trying to get you all out while the main body distracts them at the front gate..."

"You have to pull them back!" One of them rushed up grasping my collar panicked. "Those things can't be stopped!"

"What things...?"

He gestured to an open window and from the third story view I could see one of the blank spots in my scenes, it looked like nothing more than a huge pile of goblin bodies. Corpses I assumed as they didn't move at all, there were hundreds and hundreds of them but why would they...

"What’s going on?" I asked but they had already fled out the door, I turned back just in time to see some of the goblins 'move' but it was wrong... They moved as one, as if joined together by invisible strings more and more of them lifting into a huge humanoid shape at least thirty feet tall! All at once their eyes shot open and the whole of them let out a moan that made me shiver ducked behind the windowsill peeking out. They... It? Turned and slowly began tromping towards the front gate I could feel the others doing the same.

This could be a problem... A fucking huge problem...

Author's Note

Hey I'm not dead! Lazy...? Well yes but not dead. I'll be finishing this story off before continuing with anything else, so regular...? ish? Updates. lol

Chapter 13 (Facing the Beast)

Alright time to run... I rushed back downstairs to find Cadence getting everyone ready, the strong carrying the weak meager possessions gathered. I was surprised or maybe not that she had cowed the bullies I had sent down putting them to work.

"We need to be ready to move..."

"Almost, these ponies are weak some so close to... What is it? Something to do with those Griffons?" She gestured over to the small group of them who were looking around nervously.

"They certainly know what the problem is, and it's a big one..." The melee at the gate was still going on, I'd felt a few minor impacts but nothing significant almost like the enemy wasn't trying, as several of the dead zones and I now knew behemoths approached the gates I understood why. Thankfully they were slow, we still had time to escape and warn them. The scouting groups had retreated as well I now noticed hopefully they had seen what we did and if we couldn't warn them in time they would. "Quickly Cadence, please..."

"O... Okay." She levitated three foals onto her back leading them all out and they followed her, eagerly and happily if not quickly. She certainly was a born leader much like Celestia and Luna maybe it's in the Alicorn genes...

A muffled crash from across the school pulled me back into reality, something or someone must have noticed us as the behemoth that was moving away had turned back crushing its way into the school now moving faster than I cared for. "Hurry, hurry..." I urged the last few ponies, older and slow but they picked up the pace as it smashed through the gymnasium wall its ponderous footsteps shaking the very ground. They weren't moving fast enough still, I had to slow it down!

I threw up a wall, nowhere near as strong as I could but certainly enough to stop a goblin or changeling even a dozen of them. I was trying to gauge these things strength which I suspected was considerable, about halfway through the gym it struck the wall, barely even slowed it... It crashed through like a human walking through a spider web, I backed up a little slightly unnerved sparing a glance behind me all the ponies outside now the doors shut.

I put up another five feet in front of it stronger, easily able to fend off catapult stone or five hundred goblins, it plowed into its unseen face st0opping it though the strain on the wall was considerable. It stepped back just standing there as if confused the room was already lit lightly from the glow of Chrysalis’s magic holding this thing together so I could see it well.

Suddenly a dozen or so of the goblin heads turned my way a sneering smile spreading across their faces.

"So..." A hundred voices echoed the squeaking goblin voices tuned, mutated, changed to a deep feminine one. "Here you are..."

"Who...? Chrysalis."

"Who else? And here you are little thorn so far away, safe from my grasp... Or perhaps not!" The behemoth lifted one of its arms smashing through my shield easily though it did not advance.

"What do you want Chrysalis?"

"What does any mother want? Safety and security for her children, a place of our own, total domination over all living things... You know, the usual..."

"Riiight..." I edged closer slowly well aware of the dozens of eyes on me. "And these?" I gestured toward it. "Rewarding your faithful minions are you?"

"Hmm... Many of them would consider it a reward to die for me, still magical progress requires sacrifice, I'm sure you encountered some of my earlier experiments..."

The pony/goblin hybrids from before no doubt, controlled by the changelings which might be the way to defeat these as well though looking around I could see no changelings but that didn't mean they weren't there. "Failures, and unnecessary ones at that. Why are you doing this Chrysalis? Once you found the goblins you could have gone anywhere, taught them... There was no need for this..."

"No need? No need?! They starved my brood, defeated and humiliated me! Once we began I saw how it had to turn out, all ponies... All living things groveling before me!" She/it regained her composure calming down. "However... I must admit my plans were a bit shortsighted..."

"Oh?" Maybe there was hope yet.

"Yes, my little minions are so violent, so ravenous they nearly exhausted the reserves or ponies here... I've started a few breeding programs here and there to keep up with demand..."

"Demand for meat!"

"Of course..." She giggled. "And you have your own little breeding program, how thoughtful..."

"I swear to god Chrysalis I'll..."

"You'll what?!" The behemoth stomped forward with disturbing quickness smashing and shaking the floor knocking me off my feet, she/it loomed over me. "Did you think you'd be leaving here? I don't think so... But take some small solace in knowing that when I've crushed your pony rabble I will be sure to seek out your foals and incorporate them into the hive, your essence will live on in my children forever..."

"We'll see about that..." I hissed reforming the shield around me and creating a low corridor to the door as I finished breaking through the last few brickwork and support beams holding the building up, things I had been working on quietly since it smashed through the wall...

As the first few pieces of the building began to fall a look of confusion passed from face to face above me quickly turning to rage.

"You little worm...!"

She/it reared up to smash down on me, I didn't know if I could take the hit... Thankfully I didn't have to find out now, one of the huge I-beams from the roof hurdled down nearly tearing the behemoth in two the rest of the roof following burying me in debris and goblin bodies some of them still moving trying to claw and bite their way to me. I ignored them crawling my way towards the door, the building while no doubt hundreds of tons was far easier to fend then the changelings, behemoths or anything suffused with Chrysalis’s or changeling magic probably the Princess’s or Twilights even I guessed...

But natural materials worked or not were much easier making the goblins and their weapons far less of a threat no matter their numbers the stronger I got, but if this was any indication of the future... I couldn't drop a building on them all! I wasn't even sure this one was killed, destroyed, deactivated... Whatever, I could still feel Chrysalis’s magic though I hoped simply because she had been possessing this one.

I made it out of the door and found Cadence and several of the healthier captives waiting the others almost to the wall, no time now for subtly. The small opening I'd made I wrenched open tossing the huge logs aside making sure the ponies had a clear path.

"You’re ok!" Cadence took a step toward me but I motioned her back moving away from the fallen school myself.

"We're not out of this yet Princess..."

When she didn't reply I looked over to her to find her pointing at the school fear etched on her face as she screamed the ponies that had accompanied her already galloping away. I spun back around and the behemoth was pushing its way out of rubble, what was left of it lessened considerably now less than seventeen feet tall many of the bodies making it up crushed, missing arms, legs even heads!

"Not done with you yet..." She/it hissed.

Fucking things are going to be a damn huge problem. "Go Cadence, go!" I shouted over my shoulder backing away quickly, it was moving slower than before but still far faster than I was comfortable with. I turned to make sure Cadence had fled, she'd just turned and was galloping away I followed right behind her, as we ran I couldn't help but notice her beautiful mane flowing and her long thick tail bouncing against her ass... Stop thinking with the wrong head dumbass or you’re going to end up flattened! I ground to a halt just before the opening a few of the slower, older ponies making their way through Cadence urging them on.

"Run, run little ants. Sooner or later you'll tire and then we shall fall upon you!" Came Chrysalises’ voice from behind us as she crushed her way through the playground.

She was right... Even without the prisoners I could only push the wagons so fast before the wagons themselves couldn't take it! And if these things were... Independent, didn't need charging, didn’t rot away... whatever. Fine then, the main body of the army had retreated to a safe distance the scouting groups too were gone so all I had to worry about were the ponies behind me and to get to them they'd have to go through me, not that I probably wasn't the number one target anyhow, I still had plenty of energy the school falling on me and the minor melee at the gate hadn’t taken much so let’s see just how much damage you can take...

I grabbed a small log from the wall hurling it at the behemoth like a spear, it pierced through its arm destroying a few goblins but largely ineffective... Okay, I took ahold of a larger log swinging it sideways like a sword trying to bisect it, destroy more goblins... Anything! Even worse, I didn't know if they all could react as quickly or if it was because Chrysalis was in control but this one quickly lifted an arm blocking it crushing a few goblins but nowhere near the damage I wanted.

Taken aback I stumbled back tripping on a log ending up on my back as it tromped closer, in desperation I hurled five logs at it simultaneously while struggling to my feet, one through it's 'head' accomplishing nothing, an arm, leg which slowed it momentarily then the shoulder again fruitless each destroying a few goblins but if this was the only way to do it I would use every ounce of energy just to finish off one! The last passed through its chest looking just as ineffective as the others maybe eliminating a few extra goblins but it paused a moment re-arranging the goblins making up its body to close the whole and just for a moment a flash of something...

Not the goblins pallor nor the sickly green and black of Chrysalis’s magic, something different... I pretended not to notice again grabbing a sizeable log trying to battle it back while staying out of reach while I maneuvered a splintered jagged ended log behind it.

"Why waste your time here?" She chuckled. "Even if you defeat this simulacrum another shall come for you and another... And once you fall... Well that shall be the end of pony kind, then those insufferable bird-heads..."

"The only way this will end Chrysalis, is with your head on a pike..."

With that declaration I swung my makeshift club pushing it backwards slightly into the log I had been maneuvering stabbing upward trying my best to strike the spot I had seen. A white, blue and yellow spot burst through the front of the chest and with it a chorus of goblin screams Chrysalis’s rising above them all! I choked back bile in my throat now fully seeing the three Unicorns bound... Fused together, powering this thing somehow they were still alive impaled on the log they seemed incapable of speech but as their magic faded and the light in their eyes died I saw gratitude...

"What... How...?" Cadence trotted up beside me tears flowing as she stared in horror, I put my arm around her to comfort her partially also to comfort myself as she buried her head in my chest and I gently stroked her silken mane for a few moments.

"You had best get these ponies back and I've got to free the others..." I cut off not really knowing how to finish that.

"Yes." She looked at me her dark and light purple eyes burning with fire. "I'll get them back safely, I promise."

I gave her a soft kiss and sent her off turning back into the city, all eleven of the remaining simulacrums had turned heading my direction but thankfully not altogether. If I could isolate one or even two of them at a time maybe I had a chance, I knew how to stop them it was a matter of hitting the right spot and them not blocking or dodging it... Oh, and not dying...

Ok... You can do this... The two closest were only about a hundred feet to the west late to the party at the gate I suppose, I had a few minutes before they were in view so I tore down more of the wall giving myself more ammunition also carefully burying two logs point up. Within moments they smashed through a couple small houses approaching with single minded determination, it didn't look like Chrysalis was controlling either of them, they didn't move with the same speed or grace though I could see behind them a dozen changelings urging them on.

The first log I tossed passed straight through one’s head ineffective naturally but conveniently catching one of the changelings in its path crushing it and making the others scramble for cover. Good, less direction from them could help. They came steadily on ignoring any attack I made even those to the chest either I was too low or high as neither of them dropped but the changelings kept their heads down, I had kept things light hoping to conserve my energy but it still looked like it was going to be a long day.

They approached my trap in nearly the perfect formation hopefully I could adjust, one of the changelings must have spotted something peeking out of his cover as he shouted out bringing them to a halt then turning as if to split up, too late...

The shout had come at an opportune time and I took the opportunity both logs erupting out of the ground through their torsos one hitting the mark the other missing but exposing the 'core' enabling me to strike it easily. Their death cries echoed as they collapsed into piles of goblin corpses. I breathed a sigh of relief though my task was nowhere near complete, a group of four approached followed by the last five this time the changelings would be better prepared.

I took what little time I had to move a bit further down the wall into an area heavier populated with buildings they'd have little trouble breaking through them but at the very least it would slow them... There were a few changelings hidden amongst the buildings waiting in ambush, they I dealt with swiftly no love lost between me and them... Most of them I mused remembering Aurelia, her mother must have come up with this idea after her defection or she surely would have warned us.

They crashed through buildings methodically spread out to trap me against the wall, not much of a trap but with four of them... And then the last five four hundred feet behind them.

I shook my head. "Fuck em... Fuck you!" I yelled at them, I've got a lot to live for now and you’re not taking it! Logs from the wall, pieces of building even changeling bodies I hurled wildly impacting and piercing the oncoming monstrosities. I tried to keep them central but often my aim was off and by that I learned another important lesson, they could move their 'heart' inside themselves!

A wild shot through the shoulder of one pierced and finished one off, through little skill and more sheer dumb luck from my random throws they fell one after the other the last falling apart reveling the oncoming five. I'd used too much energy and was exhausted barely able to keep my feet certainly no match for one of them let alone five not to mention the hundreds of changelings still in the city.

Stupid, so determined to protect everyone you go and get killed dooming them. Should have asked Cadence to stay, she could have teleported us away, a short rest might have been enough... Sigh hindsight... Fifty feet, not enough space not enough time... I marshaled what little strength I had left if I was to die here at least I would meet death on my feet... I wondered if death would be a pony or a human? I hoped everyone got away safely with Chrysalis’s energy so close I couldn't tell... I'm sure they did. I managed a smile as they closed in. "Come on then.

The first to reach me wasted no time raising its two arms for a two fisted slam, I could try to dodge but I was so weary, Twilight... I'm sorry, I should have tried harder...

A loud thunk then explosion impacting the monster before me throwing me backwards off my feet into the ruins of a building as the simulacrum before me had its arms blown off, what? I managed to turn and look behind me finding the wagons lined up every second one opened to reveal a large ballista, Earth ponies loading and cranking, Pegasus aiming and Unicorns charging the bolts with explosive power or whatever magic they could muster.

The nearest I could see was manned by Shining Armor, Cadence and Twilight. Armor looked over shaking his head with a bemused smile. "You don't have to handle everything you know?" He chuckled as the ballista began to fire down the line.

As I collapsed back I noticed dash racing towards me from the sidelines heedless of any danger, oh Dash what did I ever do to earn your loyalty? My weariness started taking hold despite the battle taking place, sorry death not today. We'll dance one day of that I'm certain...

Darkness...

Author's Note

Still alive believe it or not! So lazy though, ah well I'll keep plugging away.

Chapter 14 (Waiting on Eternity)

Strange dreams... Goblins, Changelings, ponies... Swirling together no beginning, no end until I opened my eyes. The familiar roof of my trailer, I pulled myself up into a sitting position making me groan out loud. Every muscle and joint ached but I was still in one piece, a moment later the cabin door flew open and Dash hurried in looking at me concerned.

"Your awake..."

"Heya Dash so..."

She interrupted me tackling me her soft sweet lips pressed to mine for long moments making me feel much better until she pulled back and hauled off punching me in the shoulder. "Stupid! Were you trying to get killed?! Leave us? Leave me...?" She whispered only struggling a little as I pulled her into my arms holding her tight.

"Sorry..."

She sat up pulling away glaring at me tears falling before smacking me again.

"Ok I probably deserved that..."

And once again across the face though nowhere near as hard as she could, she drew back again and I quickly grabbed her foreleg pulling her close again kissing her.

"I am sorry; I'll be more careful I promise."

She relaxed finally melting against me. "You better dummy..."

Exhausted again or still I drifted off easily with Dash soft and warm against me...

Wait! What about the battle?! I shot awake and sat up with only a minor twinge, I must have slept as Dash wasn't here with me, looking out the wagons small windows I could see it was late evening. Experimentally I extended my awareness and was relieved to find the whole group nearby no sign of goblins or changelings, I was alone but I could sense a pony just outside. Dash I was sure, I pulled on some shorts and got up to join her pleased that my severe muscle aches seemed to have toned down to some minor stiffness.

"Hey Dash did everyone... Oop..." Dash was there but so was Cadence and I was immediately aware of my state of undress, I tried to back up but Cadence just giggled.

"No need for that, I've been coming by to make sure you were recovering and I've seen much more." She winked.

"Well I appreciate... Wait, how long has it been?" I blushed.

"Two days..." Dash chimed in. "Well a day and a half really it's only eight."

"Wow, sorry I've kept us in one place so long."

"Not to worry, the ponies that were kept captive needed that rest and without your assistance we cautiously rooted out the rest of the changelings in the city though many fled with the first barrage of the ballista..."

"Right, where did those come from? Oh and I hope everyone’s ok?"

"We... A few of the prisoners were too weak and sick, they passed away..." Cadence hung her head sadly a moment. "But they died free, as for the ballista we've been working on several ideas to help in the war effort, we don't need to rely on you for everything you know?" She grinned sticking out her tongue.

"Fair enough."

"Sooo... Now that you've caught up..."

"What's up Dash?"

"Well the Princess and I were thinking..." She was blushing slightly looking down at the ground fidgeting her hooves.

"Dash..." I knelt down to tilt her head up with a smile. "This isn't like you, but I like it..." I teased.

Her face got even redder. “Oh you wish!" She gave me a shove knocking me on my rear and before I could get up or apologize she swooped in laying on top of me for a fierce kiss, then to my surprise she leaned back and Cadence leaned down and they kissed passionately as I laid there dumbstruck.

"What?" Dash grinned at me when they finally parted. "I've always wanted to be with a Princess..."

"But you... And Shining Armor..." I sputtered.

"Sex must be a much bigger deal where you come from, it's friendship and mutual pleasure mostly here. Oh there are plenty of couples who stay monogamous and I love that but I'm the Princess of love, though that’s not really an excuse and truly love does not always equate to sex. I am an advocate for love in all its forms though personally I am partial to the exchange of emotions and passion through sex though often they only last as long as the act itself..." She sighed smiling. "I guess you could call me a bit high maintenance... So Shiney and I have an open relationship, he doesn't mind if I have some fun and I the same for him. Though truly he's not as... Forward, as I am and I have to give him a push sometimes or bring someone new to our bed..."

"I see..."

"And though he might not completely approve of you, mostly because of Twilight you understand he's protective. However, if I am with Rainbow Dash and you happen to be there..." She shrugged slightly with a wink.

"So..." Dash smirked leaning against me. "You don't mind sharing me right?"

"Of course not, you’re a free mare Dash."

She rolled her eyes her and Cadence sharing a look. "You’re the father of my foal so you have some leeway dummy." She giggled. "Let me be more straightforward, Cadence and I are going into the wagon to have sex, we want you to come. Got it?"

"Who am I to refuse two such beautiful and sexy mares?" I chuckled giving her a light swat on the rump as I got up to follow them in.

In such a situation the best thing to do is just shut up and hang on, with two gorgeous, sensuous and insatiable mares my role was more or less relegated to 'accessory' but I had no complaints and they both paid me some attention when they remembered I was there! Sleep came easily my own fatigue magnified by my excursions Dash and Cadence finally passed out one on either side of me the three of us warm and cozy.

The next morning brought the sun and two horny mares, by the time Cadence headed back it was time to get the wagons on the move and I was already tired, thankfully to move the wagons didn't require much energy even with the addition of several wagons salvaged from the city for the recovering ponies who wouldn't be able to keep pace.

Dash went with Cadence to get the latest information and probably to brag a bit returning just before noon with some rations filling me in as we ate. While I was unconscious they'd searched the city eliminating any opposition and scavenging anything useful of which there was plenty, food was harder to come by but as I had said before one of the main advantages of an equine army is there was grass everywhere! Not that they liked to eat like that but when the situation required...

The ballista had performed very well and while some Changelings had escaped and would inform Chrysalis they still would assist us greatly, while this experiment might have failed for Chrysalis it showed us she was ruthless in the extreme willing to do or sacrifice anything for her dominion, and while our victories had buoyed spirits I had no doubt the worst was yet to come, if not in the smaller battles with what cities remained the final battle for Canterlot would be horrific...

Still our fledgling army grew, trained and planned as we travelled. Only three major cities remained before we had to return to Canterlot. Canterbury, New Saddle and Baltimare.

The ten Griffons were astonished at our victory, they had been a part of a small community living in the city and like most of the other cities they had been taken by surprise fighting back furiously but futile which explained why only ten of them had survived. They travelled with us for a few days regaining their strength and learning of what exactly had gone on throughout Equestria before setting out on their own for the Empire.

Canterbury was still a week’s journey and after that the last two lay on a slightly roundabout course that lead back to Canterlot, a mare every few evenings still came so I could do my part, Cadence however was a one-time thing apparently which was fine. Dash and Lyra kept me more than satisfied.

And I trained, hard. With no immediate battle on the horizon I pushed myself as hard as I could while trying to keep enough energy to move the wagons and shield everyone in case of a surprise attack. Dash helped me keep in shape physically and usually had an idea how to 'exercise' my abilities, everything from juggling boulders (really hard) to tearing down old dead trees and breaking them into manageable pieces for firewood.

Bit by bit they had me move closer to camp until I was a mere twenty feet from them, forgive and forget maybe? Still I didn't walk around too much, all the horrors they'd faced so far... I didn't want to remind them of what I was capable of or be the reminder that there was more to come. Still it was nice to be a part of the community again, see and hear the ponies out and about during the day, almost like nothing was amiss... But in their eyes you could see it, furtive glances, fear, pain they held inside... It would take generations to make it fade if... When we triumphed.

Canterbury was a smaller city then Baltimare but it was a massively walled and defended, ideally situated in a sheltered cove on the ocean it was a major trading hub and as such the victim of repeated attacks by pirate and bandit groups.

A day away and reports came back, they seemed ready for us gates barred, walls guarded and even several ships in the harbor ready for battle! The most shocking report was among the goblins and changelings who stood in defense of the city there were ponies! Likely members of the aforementioned bandit and pirate groups, traitors to their own race...

Again that made me think of Aurelia, was she any different? Granted these ponies joined the 'winning' side, Aurelia certainly not... At least it shouldn't have looked like it from her viewpoint, then why did she? Subterfuge was possible but the night she came to us could have, should have been the end of us, her conscience I could only hope.

Their numbers too were impressive, nearly eight thousand combined that with the walls and any other tricks they might have would make this a tough fight. I wondered if we'd be able to spare the turncoats inside, up to the Princesses I suppose. Suddenly I felt a tap on the side of my head. "Hmm?"

"Anyone in there?" Dash giggled looking at me with her beautiful red eyes.

"Sorry Dash, my mind was wandering. What did you say?"

"I don't know why I should repeat myself..." She fake huffed before smiling. "I said what do you think our chances are? I mean, we have you and the Princesses..."

I interrupted pulling her close kissing her soundly. "And I have you Dash and Lyra. Our chances? One hundred percent, I have faith in you all..."

"But we've never fought so many! They've got walls, catapults, ships! And those traitors..." She growled.

"We can't judge them too harshly, we don't know. They could have joined to save their families... Loved ones... Things are always complicated, still I won't be protecting them so if you have the opportunity to finish one of them versus knocking them out... Well just think about it ok?"

"Sure..." She favored me with a bemused smile.

"What?"

"How can you be such a soft touch but still be so feared as a killer?"

I sighed. "Not sure, that was a difficult situation and they crossed a line... I guess I did too, still if they hurt you Dash..." I caressed her cheek softly. "If you... I'd... I..."

"You'd kill them all... I know you would or die trying, so I'll keep myself alive for both of us, thank you. I know I'm not Twilight..."

"Dash..."

"It's fine, I can see the appeal believe me." She smiled. "I'm just not used to being... Second best."

"Your second to no one Dash... What I really need to do is thank you Rainbow Dash."

"What...?"

"Being here with me, sticking with me... Fluttershy and Twilight... Well one was just what I wanted and the other... I don't think I can fix that..."

"No, you..."

"It's ok, she'll be better off... But you, headstrong, tough as nails, beautiful, sexy Dash. I know the value of loyalty, this has been a long road and to walk it alone would be unbearable, so thank you. I love you."

"Oh!" She gasped covering her mouth her eyes wide. "You... You don't mean that! You can't..." She turned away tears falling.

"I do." I embraced her from behind and feeling her shaking I squeezed her even tighter. "Hey, sorry I love you but you don't have to do anything, say anything or feel the same I just..."

She spun suddenly giving me a shove knocking me onto the roof of the cart pinning me down with her fore hooves. "You think you can just say that and get away with it?! I... I..." Unable to continue she collapsed on top of me crushing her mouth to mine kissing hard, furiously and passionately both of us exploding with need making love atop the cart finally collapsing together as the last rays of sunlight disappeared.

She snuggled against me both of us sweaty and satisfied. "Dummy... You just fall in love with any mare who rocks your world don't you?" She teased.

"I guess so... Not sure why you put up with me..."

She lifted her head up to give me a condescending look. "Stupid..." She shook her head and snuggled back down. "Why do you think?"

"Hmm...?"

"Because I love you too dummy..."

Well isn't that a thing...