Tartarus High

(A/N well I was going to use this to start the next chapter, but that would have left me with like twelve pages of word so I decided to do it as a short Interlude. Enjoy! -Dark)

“So, I've found this group right here is with us, but not in on the plan.” Celestia said. She was sitting around one of the scattered camp fires with a circle of people.

“Really? Well, why don't you agree with our plan?” Twilight asked, sitting in Celestia's lap and leaning back into her, which earned a few glances as Celestia put her arms around her.

“The ones that are Hunters, the ones you'll be drugging. They're most of our best fighters. Even with you guys as reinforcements we'd get slaughtered.” someone said.

“You do know what we are right?” Twilight asked, a bit confused.

“Yeah, you're those Nightstalker guys.” another replied.

“Everyone here has gone through a sort of test. This test is to kill a Manticore by yourself or something of equal glory...everyone here has done this many times before. We alone could at the least hold off the force coming at us. We'd just like help doing it.” Twilight explained.

“What's stopping you from turning on us then?” someone asked. Twilight sighed and sat up to look straight at them.

“If we wanted any of you dead you would be. Our numbers are over four hundred. This isn't even half of our forces. The commanders alone could clear this entire camp.” Twilight said after a moment, reclining back into Celestia.

“What's stopping you then?” one asked.

“We're not monsters. We don't want to kill every human out there. We may not look it but we are still human. The only times we've killed one of you guys is if you killed first.” Twilight said.

“What about our commander? He's not a Tartarus guard, he's a military captain recently promoted. What are we going to do with him?” someone asked.

“Commander Shining Armor. He's my brother, you don't have to worry about that.” Twilight said.

“One last question. How does a Teenager lead hundreds of people with nearly blind loyalty when they're of pretty much all ages?” one asked.

“I dunno. Ask them. We all did a lot of running today and we trained like hell yesterday, I'm exhausted.” Twilight said.

“Well come on then Love. Let's get you to the tent.” Celestia said, picking up the already napping girl bridal style.

“When you do what she's done for everyone...you can't help but follow her.” Celestia said to the group.

“So...the head of the Nightstalkers is related to our commander eh? That's new.” Someone said, putting out the fire.

“Commander? What are you doing here?” someone asked fearfully, Applejack was talking to them about the plan and he appeared out of nowhere.

“Ah like tuh relax with mah troops.” he said, putting an arm around AJ, or 'Violet'.

“Don't worry fellas, Ah may not look it but this oaf's mah brother.” AJ said.

“Wait...I thought you only had two sister, AJ and Applebloom...” someone said.

“Twi made up these cool glyphs and I trained my voice.” AJ said, dropping the illusion for just a second and putting it back up.

“And Bloom's right over there.” she said, pointing to where the crusaders were successfully sparring against three Tartarus Guards.

“Damn, are those who I think they are?” one asked.

“Yeah, they started calling themselves 'Night Crusaders' after they made warrior. Anyways, any concerns?” AJ asked.

“Not really, your plan is solid.” they all agreed.

“ARRRGGHH!” someone yelled. They looked to where the Crusaders were sparring. A man was skidding across the ground towards them, Scootaloo was still in a pose that implied she had just punched him.

“Damn...” he coughed. “That girl's got power...” he continued.

“You remember little Scootaloo?” AJ asked.

“That little girl that couldn't even fly?..yeah...wait...what?” he asked, looking up.

“She just punched you in the gut.” AJ said, patting his head.

“Hey Scotch! Man down.” AJ called with a laugh.

“Really now, I told you fighting her was a bad idea.” Fluttershy, but with a shorter mane, said as she came over.

“Hey, y'know what? Yuh look a might prettier without that Hair of yours coverin' yer face.” Mac said.

“R-really? U-um...some recognized me by my hair and...um...I had to cut it...” She started, her stutter and shy manner of talk coming back. “It took a few days to um...suppress my shyness long enough for this to work.” she continued, reverting back to 'Scotch' as she gave the downed man some bruise ointment.

“Are you flirting with my Girlfriend Mister Macintosh?” Luna asked, appearing on the other side of him.

“Not at all, jus' complimentin' her.” Mac replied calmly. Luna smiled and looked at the others, who were by now giving them odd looks.