“This is Steel Pony calling Demon Pony, come in Demon pony.” Twilight said into the radio’s microphone. She sat in a camp stood before the small table that the radio sat upon in her room within the rebel base. She had turned the radio to the emergency frequency as it was what Chrysalis would monitor for a call from Twilight. While the radio was limited without any towers or satellites in orbit they were not as limited as they used to be back when they first made. While the helmet radios were weaker and could only reach about six miles before signals degraded too far to be anything more than just static the radio Twilight was on was able to reach much farther and would be able to pick up the Queen’s signal if she was forced to use her helmet radio.

If the rebel bases was truly where they said it was in the Everfree then Twilight would just be able to reach the edge of Ponyville about twenty five miles away. If Chrysalis set up her radio at the edge of Twilight’s range then it would double the range as the radios would act as relays and boost the signals for both.

Both the Alicorn and the Queen carried the same supplies in their pocket dimensions for the most part, Twilight carried a lot more medical supplies in her being a medic and all while the Queen carried more electronic equipment such as small computers and the like. Between the two of them they could set up a decent outpost when together.

“Demon Pony this is Steel Pony please respond.” Twilight said once more into the airwaves.

A burst of static signaled the radio picked up a weak transmission. “This is Demon Pony, I read you Steel Pony.” Came the slight garbled voice of the Major, she must have just been at the edge of the radios range and on her helmet radio.

Twilight signed in relief. “It’s good to hear from you Demon Pony; you had me worried there for a bit.” Twilight said with a smile.

“Sorry, I’m with a civilian and don’t know enough about this place to risk getting my helmet out till I could go somewhere alone so as to avoid having to explain things.” Chrysalis said and twilight assumed she was referring to Lyra which meant they got to safety. “By the way from what I have seen this Equestria is much like how Equestria used to be in terms of technology so why are we using callsigns? It’s not like anyone could really listen in without another radio.”

Twilight paused for a few moments before speaking again. “Uh….because of protocol?” She said.

“You hadn’t thought of that fact did you Twilight?” Chrysalis said and Twilight could practically feel the Queen staring flatly at her from wherever she was.

“Anyways it’s good to hear you alive and well Chrysalis how is your guest?” twilight said changing subject and ignoring the slight burning in her cheeks.

“She is fine over all, she has endured some extreme torture and could really use a doctor but I did what I could with my medic. We are currently hold up in a small cam in the Everfree.”

Twilight nodded even though the queen couldn’t see her. “That’s good to hear, how are Violet and Dawn?” Twilight said.

There was a long pause before the Queen spoke again. “I thought they were with you….”She said, worry clear in her voice.

Twilight’s blood ran cold at what the queen said. “No I haven’t seen them since we split up; I thought they were with you.” Twilight said.

“No they never showed up at the meeting point and I couldn’t stay there more than an hour due to the soldiers and an injured unicorn with me. I figured they were with you and you were all hold up somewhere.” Chrysalis said; while she was keeping calm the worry was beyond clear in her voice.

Twilight took several deep breaths. “Ok, I’m sure they are fine, Dawn is smart and knows what she is doing. She wouldn’t let anything happen to Violet and I’d hate to be the one to try and capture that little filly as they wouldn’t know what they were getting into.” Twilight said, she had seen the filly fight and growing up in a post MEE world had led to the filly believing in fights not having any rules and she will use every dirty trick in the book to win, double that with her skill with that strange pistol of hers along with the super computer on her leg and taking on Twilight’s student is no easy task.

“Yes….Yes you are right.” Chrysalis said and Twilight heard her take a deep breath to calm herself. When she spoke again there were still traces of concern but the Queen was calmer, twilight knew that was just on the surface and that the changeling was most likely panicking on the inside due to having no idea where Violet was. Usually Changeling Princesses were part of the hivemind and thus the Queen could keep in touch and know where they are at all times, but Violet pony nature either made it so she couldn’t be part of the hivemind or that it caused a delay in her joining it like it did with her emotional sense. “Anyways where are you Twilight? Should I wait for you or come to you?”

“I’m with a group of rebels who are fighting against the Empress, I’m at one of their bases and I think it would be easier for you to come to me. I have the general coordinates for the entrance but they aren’t exact as there are no GPS satellites or precise maps so once you reach them you will have to find the entrance on your own but the guards know you are coming.” Twilight said then smirked. “You still that sexy unicorn as before?”

Twilight’s smirk turned into a smile as she heard the queen sputter and knew she was bright red if she was disguised. “Y-yes I am.” She said and Twilight could actually hear the blush in the queen’s voice.

“Ok good, it’s the description I gave them and I’ll let them know you have Lyra with you as well.” Twilight said and then gave the Queen the coordinates to the entrance. Then the amusement left her voice. “Be careful out there ok? Stay safe.”

“I will, don’t worry, I had the best teacher when it came to fighting.” The Queen said and Twilight couldn’t help smiling.

“Alright, see you when you get here Demon Pony.” She said. “This is Steel Pony signing off.” With that Twilight clicked off the radio.

Twilight stood from and turns around to find Dash staring at her from the entrance curtain staring at her. “Do you always talk so lovey dovey like that with her?” The Pegasus asked while making a face like she was gaging.

Twilight ignored the burning in her cheeks and the fact her ears were splayed back in embarrassment. “Uh…..sometimes?” The alicorn said.

The cyan mare stared at her. “Wow….here I thought you knew how to lie.” The mare said and Twilight felt her cheeks burn more. She was a good liar it’s just she wasn’t expecting to have to lie at this point….and she was bad at lying when it came to her relationship as everyone always seemed to see through them.

However in response to the other mare’s smirk Twilight calmly picked up the pillow from her cot and hurled it as hard as she could at the mare nailing her right in the face. She wasn’t actually trying to hurt the mare, after all they were on the same side and its does no good to hurt your allies without reason and embarrassment was just short of being a good reason.

This only seemed to result in causing the other mare to laugh her damn head off. “What do you want?” Twilight said with a glare, however with her cheeks still burning the effect was nonexistent and only lead to the mare laughing harder and Twilight seriously thinking about changing her assessment of embarrassment being a valid reason to hurt an ally.

After the cyan mare got herself under control she stood and wiped a tear from her eye as she panted. “By Celestia I haven’t laughed like that in a long long time.” She said with a small smile. “Anyways the reason I came by was we got our maps together and you have been authorized to see them, they will show you where out safehouses are, supply caches, other cells as well as basic enemy troop movements. Everything you asked for basically.” Dash said the smile leaving her face as she looked hard at the alicorn. “We are trusting you with things that could destroy us, don’t make us regret it or I sware I’ll kill you myself before the Empress’ forces take me.”

Twilight couldn’t help smiling at that as she stood up from the radio and walked over to the Pegasus who to her credit stood her ground. Twilight gently reached out and patted her head. “You can try but I guarantee you I’d die before I gave up those secret to a corrupt regime.” She said and then stepped around the pegasus and up the door stopping to look back over her shoulder “you keep forgetting I am a rebel soldier and have endured things you cannot even begin to imagine as I guarantee you, what you saw of my memories was just the tip of the iceberg, it got a lot worse from there.” She said in a somber tone and her eyes unfocused for a moment.

She then blinked and shook her head before stepping out the door. “Anyways let’s take a look at these maps shall we, I need to know exactly what I have to work with if I’m going to help you lot take down the Big Bad Bitch.” She said as she headed down the tunnel and the Pegasus mare scrambled to catch up.

<<>>

Just past the entrance to the rebel’s underground base the guards at the entrance were just returning from checking the nearby trees where they found nothing but a tree branch that had fallen from one of the trees.

Deeper into the base soldier in the random assortment of armor that all the rebels wore as only a few had full sets of armor from their respective militaries moved down the halls either chatting with friends or going to complete one task or another. It was clear that despite the situation these ponies, griffins, zebras, Minotaurs, horses and even diamond dogs you could easily mistake this place for one from the past if not for the cave walls, armor and weapons they all carried.

However a single solitary figure paid them all no mind as it darted from a stack of creates to a dark alcove in the wall and waited for a griffin and horse who were chatting about whatever meal was going to be for breakfast. Once they passed the figure peeked out and saw the tunnel clear and it started to move up it as quiet as a ghost. Idly the figure noted this wasn’t a natural cave and was most likely dug by the diamond dogs.

As the figure reached an intersection the sound of hooves marked the approached of a pony based on how the footsteps fell. Whoever they were they were clearly in a rush and the figure pressed itself to the wall. Sure enough a second later an earth pony mare trotted by rapidly and vanished down another tunnel.

The figure waited ten second before removing itself from the wall and heading down the hall the pony had come from, these solider were not the best trained it seemed but then they were probably mostly civilians who had taken up arms against a tyrant so that was to be expected, it just made the figures job all the easier. “Now where are you….”The figure whispered as it moved down the tunnel.

The figure made it down several tunnels, easily avoiding the occasional soldier that was passing through. As the figure made its way down another tunnel towards its objective it head several voices coming down the hall and quickly ducked into a darker tunnels, glad these tunnels were not lite that well as it seemed lighting was an issue for this rag tag group of repels.

Slowly the group of a zebra, horse and two ponies started to walk by the dark tunnels. However unlike before the horse of the group stopped and the figured noticed unlike the others in the group this horse wore a full set of armor from the Saddle Arabia military. The figure froze as it realized this one was an actual trained soldier and proved it by turning and looking right at the figure as the other three in the group paused when they noticed the horse had stopped.

It took a second for the horse to see the dark figure in the shadows but when they did their eyes widened and they opened their mouth. Before they could raise the armor the figure launched itself forward, two unique clubs extending as electricity danced across them. One of the clubs connected with the horse soldier and the metal armor carried the electricity straight into the horse who spasmed as the shock did its work and the horse crumpled to the floor.

The other three blinked in shock for a moment before rushing the intruder and drawing their weapons as they started to open their mouth to raise the alarm.

The figure rushed them and the electric clubs spun through the air blocking sword strikes and connecting with exposed hide or metal armor and within a few second all four of the rag tag group were on the ground unconscious and the figure mentally patted its back for taking them out before the alarm was raised.

“Intruder!” The figures head whipped around to see a griffin standing up the hallways, a sword drawn as they yelled down a side tunnel. “We have an intruder! Get your asses in gear!” the griffin yelled before taking to the air and charging the figure.

The figure said a choice word under their breath as the stealthy approach was shattered and they raised their clubs.

The rebel base was in chaos as soldier ran to and fro searching for the intruder as they kept getting conflicting reports of where they were. The intruder seemed to be moving in a completely random pattern with no reason behind it and all the rebel were sure of was the intruder was tearing through them as squads kept going missing.

In the command area of the rebel base the robed leader of the rebels, her Pegasus second in command and a griffin that was coordinating the defenders via runners all stood around a map of the cave system while a purple alicorn looked over them and kept marking areas where downed rebels were being found.

“Send a squad of minotaurs to the easer caves, make sure they are backed up by unicorns, if the intruder try’s to leave that section they are to stop them by any means.” The griffin said and the young Pegasus saluted before darting out of the room as fast as they could to deliver the orders. Just after pegasus left a diamond dog ran in.

“Intruder been sighted in north dog tunnel.” The diamond dog said.

The griffin cursed and Dash spoke up. “How the buck are they getting past our forces so easily? Are we sure there is just one?” She asked looking at the griffin.

“All the reports describe the same figure so it’s unlikely it’s more than one but it’s not impossible there are more, how they infiltrated us this deep before being spotted I have no clue.” The griffin said with a clenched beak before looking at the dog. “Send some Royal guard pegasi to the northern tunnels.” He said. The dog saluted but before he could turn to leave the alicorn spoke up.

“No….that’s a bad idea….” She said and the griffin looked at them with a glare.

“How is it a bad idea to try and stop the intruder? They are most likely a member of that honorless whore’s army.” The griffin said with anger.

“Because trying to catch them where they are clearly isn’t working, we need to put soldier in front of them.” The alicorn said.

“And how do you propose we do that when they are running all over the base?” The griffin asked with more anger.

“Because I’ve been analyzing their movements and while it looks random it’s not entirely, it’s more like someone who doesn’t know their way around but they are clearly heading towards a specific objective.” The alicorn said without looking up from the map as she ran a metal claw along a tunnel and pointed at a room near the middle. “They are heading straight for us.”

“So what they aren’t here to steal intel but assassinate one of us?” Dash asked stepping forward and flaring her wings. “Let them try and I’ll send their flank to the moon.” She said dragging a hoof across the ground as she snorted.

The alicorn shook her head. “No I don’t think so, they haven’t killed any of our soldiers only knocked them out, if they wanted anyone dead why spare the soldiers?” Twilight said and then scratched her chin. “Actually….I’m wondering how they are doing that as the method seems familiar….”She said.

Just then a zebra ran into the room and skidded to a stop before the griffin. “The unwelcomed one has defeated the pegasi guard sent to apprehend them and they come this way!” he said.

“Damn it all to Tartarus.” The griffin said drawing a sword as a cry of pain came from beyond the door and when the rebels in the room looked they saw a slender figure dressed in a black suit wearing something over their eyes.

“Ha! Found you!” The figure said as the alicorn launched themselves at the intruder the blades built inter her hooves shooting out, one aimed for the intruders heart of reflect. The parried the stick and Twilight grunted as a familiar section coursed through her body.

Twilight jumped back and blinked at the figure as the other started to move to attack the intruder but they all stumbled when the alicorn spoke. “Cadence what the fuck are you doing here?” She demanded.

“Did you really think you could hide from the Princess of Love?” Cadence asked as her magic lifted up her night vision goggles and pulled the front of her stealth suit down to revel a smiling face.

Twilight stared at her flatly. “You were hiding under the table again weren’t you?” She deadpanned.

Cadence eyes shifted back and forth. “Maybe?” She said and Twilight facehoofed as the other in the room started at the scene before them in utter confusion that was summed up by Dash.

“What the buck is going on?!”

<<>>

Carefully Chrysalis threaded her way through the underbrush of the Everfree Forest still disguised as the unicorn mare. Normally she’d have reached the location Twilight had told her of within an hour but she was traveling with an injured mare so had to move slowly to ensure she didn’t hurt herself more.

“How you holding up?” The disguised changeling asked looking back over her shoulder as she used her magic to hold a branch out of the way of the mint green unicorn following her.

“I’m…I’m ok.” Lyra said as she panted, it was clear she was not used to hiking through rough terrain under normal circumstances, even less so while still recovering from being tortured. “How are you able to keep going through this like it’s nothing?” She asked stepping up beside the other unicorn.

Chrysalis just shrugged. “I’m used to it.” She said simply before she started to walk once more.

“What the hey do you do that you are used to hiking through the most dangerous place in all of Equestria?” The mint green unicorn asked.

“Well my…I suppose you would call her my marefriend likes to go for long walks at times and she is very big into staying in shape.” Chrysalis answered after thinking a moment she honestly wasn’t sure what her and Twilight were at this point in this life.

“Your marefriend sounds really strange.” Lyra said. “No offence.”

The disguised queen waved a hoof before her face. “None taken, she is someone who takes getting used to but I wouldn’t change a thing about her.” She said with a small smile as she thought about the purple alicorn.

“Well who am I to argue with love?” Lyra said as she looked at the expression on the other unicorns face, a face that quickly turned red with a deep blush and the musician couldn’t help giggling at. “Oh yeah you got it bad.”

Chrysalis grumbled at the comment and got to her hooves. “Anyways that’s a long enough break, we are close to where we are heading.” She said, yes she was being a petty towards the unicorn and Twilight will give her an earful but no one but one person is allow to make her blush! She has her pride after all.

The two mares walked on for another half hour as the disguised queen was working on a mental map of the Everfree Forest as trying to come up with a reasonable explanation of where she got a detailed map of the most dangerous place in all of Equestria would be rather hard even for the queen of a race of infiltrators as it took decades for the EDF to map of what they do have and still there were areas that remain unexplored, either because they hadn’t gotten to them yet, recon teams were driven back or simply went missing and not into another reality as was a common occurrence in Equestria. Though the map she had may not be accurate in the least bit due to this being another reality Everfree.

They eventually reached the approximate location of the entrance to the rebel’s base Twilight had mentioned. As expected it was just more forest and they would have to search for the entrance, great. The search of the area was about as fun as Chrysalis thought when conducting it with an injured Unicorn who had no military training to speak of in that Chrysalis systematically searched while Lyra took a look around and stayed close to the disguised changeling for protection. Though from what Chrysalis wasn’t sure as so far this version of the Everfree seemed a lot safer then back home.

After around an hour they found a small cave that the queen was sure lead to their destination. Still to be on the safe side Chrysalis unslung her LMG and looked back at Lyra. “Stay close and do exactly as I tell you ok?” She said and the unicorn nodded.

With that confirmation now had Chrysalis slowly entered the cave, LMG aimed forward as she swept it from side to side. As they went deeper they soon lost the light from the outside and much as the Queen hated to do it she had to click on her LMGs tactical light so she could see which also gave away her position but so would a light spell. She needed to remember to pack some NVGs when they get home in case this happens again.

With a tiny burst of magic Chrysalis clicked on the small flashlight at the end of her LMGs barrel and everything in front of her was bathed in light, that included the griffin, two ponies and Minatare that stood in the cave with two swords, a large battle axe and one of the strange rifles this reality had.

“ACK!!” one of the ponies cried out and all of them recoiled at suddenly having a bright light shined in their face. Chrysalis was also startled but years of military training under Twilight kept her from pulling the trigger on reflex….barely.

“Put out that Grovendamned torch.” The griffin said using one of the griffin swears.

Well they clearly weren’t like those soldiers from town, not in the random bits of armor they were all wearing that screamed “not an official army.”

“Sorry.” Chrysalis said and clicked off the light. After about a minute there was small chine and the tunnel was bathed in a dull purple glow coming from a small crystal being held by the griffin who held it up towards Chrysalis and Lyra, the unicorn tucked tightly behind the disguised queen for protection.

“It’s them.” The griffin said before turning to head deeper into the cave. “Follow me.” He said as he began to walk, leaving the two ponies and miniature to guard the tunnel. Chrysalis followed after the griffin and Lyra followed after the queen staying close, Chrysalis could taste the fear radiating off of her and it was clear she only felt safe with the disguised queen for now.

The griffin lead them by the light of the crystal till they turned a corner and Chrysalis saw the tunnel was lite by torches on the wall just ahead and when they neared it the griffin tapped the crystal three times and it went out. The griffin lead them in silence through the maze of caves, past nearly every race on Equus wearing pieced together armor and wielding all sorts of weapons, there seemed to be only one race missing from what the queen could see and it did not bode well.

Eventually they entered a cavern that had a large table in the center of it, various chairs and had a griffin, pony wearing a robe a few others that the Queen ignored once she saw the purple alicorn looking over a map in the center of the room and she couldn’t keep a small smile from her face.

“Ahem, the ones we were told to keep an eye out for have arrived.” The griffin said and the gathered people looked up and Twilight smiled when she saw the disguised queen.

Twilight wasted no time in walking over to the queen and Chrysalis could taste the relief coming from the alicorn. “Glad to see you managed to find the entrance.” Twilight said.

Chrysalis nodded. “I would have been here sooner but Lyra here is injured and we needed to take things slow.” Chrysalis said gesturing to the mint green unicorn who exploded with happiness and relief as a cream colored earth pony came over to her and the two nuzzled. Chrysalis was a bit jealous of the two but knew twilight wasn’t the type to publicly show her affections.

Twilight nodded. “Well I’m sure this place has an infirmary so she will be taken care of.” Twilight said glancing at the unicorn. “I see you gave her some medical attention.” She said looking back at the queen.

Chrysalis nodded. “Of course, wasn’t going to leave her like she was.”

Twilight nodded as well. “And yourself? How are you?” Twilight asked and though her voice was its normal happy tone Chrysalis could taste the concern.

“I’m fine, made it out of town without any injuries, worried about Violet and Dawn.” She said.

Twilight nodded. “I know, me too but Dawn knows what she is doing so I’m sure they are both safe and in hiding.” The alicorn said and chrysalis had to agree as being reminded of dawn and actually being with Twilight made the queen feel a lot more at ease then she had before.

“Now kiss…..” A familiar voice said from the corner of the room and with what was said drew the attention of the disguised queen and she saw one of the last people she’d thought she’d see here.

“Cadence, by the Mothers what are you doing here?” The queen asked as she took in the sight of the aggressively pink alicorn who sat in the corner wearing a black stealth suit those in the Castle of friendship were all too familiar with, though she had the head covering pulled down and the NVGs around her neck.

“Oh….just….um….” Cadence said trying to think of an answer.

The fact the alicorn was in that outfit told the queen all she needed to know. “You were hiding under the table again weren’t you?” Chrysalis deadpanned.

“Hehehe….maybe?” Cadence said.

Chrysalis hoof met her face and she sighed as she dragged it down her face and looked towards the ceiling. “Mothers why out of everyone she also had to end up here?”

Author's Note

Now then only two people are missing and we get to see that Cadence is far from a push over even if she wont kill anyone.