Blood and Sunfire

---------------------------------------------------Chapter 3---------------------------------------------------

Midnight Meetings

Hurricane hurried down the dimly lit hallways of Canterlot. It was currently late at night and, despite the horrible choice in time, they could delay the meeting no longer. Clover was three days past her predicted arrival and Platinum was starting to worry. Even with the absence of the only unicorn military officer in Equestria, the matter with the Alliance had to be properly solved.

The City-States had already made their presence known; three large warbands from Atmos were gathering in cloud banks at the edge of Equestrian air space. As of yet the warbands remained docile, but Hurricane could tell they were simply waiting for their order. Sky-Render wouldn’t let the argument go without at least some sort of confrontation. Hurricane began climbing the Citadel's stairs, the looming shadows cast by the torches dancing across her vision. She didn’t have claustrophobia per se but she disliked Canterlot’s halls; they seemed to be incredibly dusty for a tower so recently constructed.

The Meeting Hall was on the seventh floor, nearly halfway to the top. Hurricane was currently on the sixth and already panting. For all of her stamina in flight she could never bring herself to walk great distances. As she trotted up the final two steps, her strength left her and she leaned against the wall for several moments, breathing deeply. It was then that her second in command Lieutenant Pansy climbed the steps and walked briskly past her. Hurricane elevated her from Private after the Founding, to both recognise her importance and to apologize for the many years spent being the Commander’s favorite target.

“Oh, hello Commander,” Pansy said in her fairly shy tone.

The cowardice streak never really left her, but the Lieutenant was surprisingly an excellent tactician. So long as she contributed to troop movements she was an invaluable resource, and unbeknownst to any besides the other Founders, Hurricane and Pansy had given up their differences and put their hooves down on the first step towards friendship.

Hurricane took a few more moments to catch her breath and then responded.

“Aye, hello Pansy... how are...” She paused still panting.

“How’s your...”

“What’s up?” The Commander finally asked.

Pansy smiled for a moment and then trotted over to assist Hurricane with getting up. The offer was only waved away by Hurricane’s hoof who managed to slowly rise after more effort. Pansy nodded towards the Meeting Hall and gently pulled on Hurricane to follow.

“The others are waiting, we should probably hurry,” Pansy squeaked out.

Hurricane silently obliged and followed her through the main doors. The two were met with hollering, something Hurricane had regrettably become accustomed to as of late, but never from her own friends. Platinum and Smart-Cookie were in the midst of a growing argument surrounding military distribution.

“Clearly Chancellor, you don’t know what the Frilacians are like!” Platinum shouted.

“I knew this diplomatic mission was a horrible idea, they probably have Clover and her company in shackles by now.”

The Princess had been more and more worried about Clover’s absence with each passing day, and by now she had been practically demanding that they send a battle-force after her.

“I understand y'all are worried f’er the Captain, but ye’ can’t just leave us defenceless!” The Chancellor replied.

“Think about it, if we send out a rescue force then it’ll leave us undermanned. We don’t have enough soldiers to deal with two problems at once! This Atmosis-thingy er whatever could take us by surprise if we sent the pegasi after her.”

Platinum leaned back in her chair and bowed her head low. She didn’t seem to have the strength to continue the argument. A taloned hand suddenly appeared over Platinum’s shoulder, and it was only then that Hurricane noticed Malcolm was present. Smart-Cookie kept on giving suspicious glances to the Gryphon, but she tried to be discreet.

“Y’all sure we should let him in on this?” The Chancellor was focusing her attention on Hurricane now.

“I’ve already made it perfectly clear to the Council that the Gryphons won’t take part in any war. Any Aerie-State that fails to comply to my authority will be dealt with,” Malcolm stated.

“That don’t really mean you need-”

“It’s fine Chancellor, I trust him well enough,” Hurricane cut her off.

Smart-Cookie sighed, and shook her head before mimicking Platinum and falling back in her chair. The situation was weighing heavily on all of their minds. They’d all experienced war, but they weren’t ready to effectively fight back so soon after the Founding. Cloudsdale’s military would only suffice for so long; eventually they would get overrun without help. The disappearance of Clover didn’t make anything easier, they were just one useful warrior down now.

Hurricane heard a shuffling behind her and turned to find Pansy struggling to arrange several maps and documents. She was about to assist when Malcolm strode over and decided to earn his place in the meeting. His talons clicked against the center table as he unrolled the current Equestrian map. As of right now Equestria was merely a large valley crowned by the mountain range to the north that held Canterlot. Within the valley were several small settlements that were for the most part still being constructed. They had barely enough farms to feed the entire country as it was; any that were burned down in a raid could spell their doom.

Hurricane studied the map carefully. The Alliance’s Cloud-Cities were gathering at Equestria’s southern border. For now they seemed to be employing their standard strategy: the forces of Atmos would take the lead into battle, followed by more powerful city-states if need be. The shock-troopers of Dragonmaw wouldn’t likely enter the field unless necessary, but even without them Equestria faced the notorious disadvantage of numbers. Atmos could be handled, but after that who would they send next? Raiders from Cirrowing perhaps, damned pirates all of them, and they’d definitely head for the earth-pony farms.

“Alright everypony pay close attention,” Hurricane sighed.

The others focused their gaze on her and listened.

“Atmos constructed a cloud bank that they’re using as a forward outpost here,” Hurricane punctuated her statement with a timely thrust of her hoof towards the southern mountains.

“You should probably already be aware that they have three warbands each about a hundred strong.”

The others nodded and waited for Hurricane to continue.

“Cloudsdale currently has a full legion of active soldiers, approximately one-thousand on head count. Atmos’ forces won’t be a problem; what will be is where they attack from.”

“In order to defend Equestria, we have to spread the Legion out. That makes any current engagement on even ground with our enemy.”

Hurricane paused to let the information soak into their heads. Platinum seemed distracted, and Smart-Cookie was busy studying the map. It was only a short time before the Chancellor rose her hoof in the air, her faded orange coat given an abnormal texture in the dull torchlight.

“Do we know how long it’ll be ‘fore they try somethin’?”

“Cloud-Bank Outposts are commonly maintained for about a month before they’re abandoned. If nothing happens before then, we can count ourselves in the clear for the time being,” Hurricane responded with a deep yawn.

The room reverted back to a state of silence, the only noise being that of the flickering torches. Another hoof was raised, this time Platinum.

“This is a force of pegasi, what good would we be when the fight is happening in the sky?”

“You wouldn’t honestly... for now any attack that is made would have to be repelled by Cloudsdale. Unicorns could try to shoot spells into the air but at that height I doubt you’d hit anyone.”

“Then what do we do, just sit around while you all drop from the skies?” She asked with a bit more volume than she intended.

“Don’t unicorns have things like cloud-walking spells?” Pansy asked quietly.

“We could get you on makeshift platforms and lift you up into the battle...”

“The amount of pegasi needed to lift clouds that are weighed down by other ponies would be too great,” Hurricane dismissed the idea.

“We wouldn’t have the amount of soldiers needed for the first strike if we entertained that plan.”

Pansy nodded and went back to looking at the map, while Platinum gave off a very loud and dramatic growl before leaning back yet again. Malcolm casually observed the small figures used to simulate Equestria’s airspace, clouds to be used to Hurricane’s advantage. It was her signature strategy, ambush from cloud cover. The Gryphon silently wondered whether or not it would work for his friend this time around. The strategy had been used time and again, and were it not for the fact that clouds could be moved... it would be very predictable. He moved his talons over the little standards, symbolizing five groups of two-hundred Cloudsdale warriors all spread out over various important targets.

Lieutenant Pansy asked the next question, pointing her butter coloured hoof to the map.

“Do you think they would go straight for Cloudsdale?”

Hurricane pondered this for a moment, rubbing her chin with a forehoof. It seemed likely, taking out Cloudsdale would mean taking out the source of Equestrian military power. The Alliance would be free to pillage the unicorns and earth-ponies for revenge after that. Atmos was a large city-state, but their warriors were untrained levies. They could use numbers alone to dismantle Cloudsdale’s defence force but they would need more than just three-hundred. It was actually rather insulting to Hurricane that the Alliance sent Atmos rather than Fogfeather or even Dragonmaw itself.

“It’s possible, but unless they gain reinforcements before the attack it’s unlikely they would succeed in taking the city,” Hurricane replied while moving to another side of the table.

“If perhaps they do we’ll leave one battle-group in the city, while I take one to intercept them.”

“The unicorns and earth-ponies should have rallied their own defence forces by then just in case any ground target is threatened,” She finished.

The other two nodded their heads and stood back up to meet by Hurricane. The call had already gone out for militias to be formed in every earth-pony settlement, and the remaining Battle-Mages were on high alert around the Citadel. The board was set; Equestria needed only to wait for the first strike. Now came the problem with the actual battle.

The Equestrian map was removed to make way for a blank sheet of parchment. Pansy figured the appropriate space for the battle would be around three miles of sky, pockmarked with clouds of course. She had already reviewed the strategy herself. Hurricane would be present in whatever battle-group was attacked, therefore a forward outpost of their own would be brought up near the fighting. This platform of clouds would serve as the mobile base for Pansy to direct forces from, while Hurricane flew off to be a hero and led her men directly.

The platform itself was already prepared; Cloudsdale always came accompanied with three of them in the past. Scouts would scan the air constantly for any sign of Atmos’ advance and when that happened Hurricane would have the platform and its accompanying battle-group moved to meet them head on. For a while they moved pieces around to simulate multiple ways of how the battle could play out. The Equestrian sky had already been prepared manually by the Cloudsdale weather teams, they put together cloud formations that would last for at least until after the month had passed. Freak weather would likely not be a problem so for now they didn’t bother reviewing it.

Platinum and Smart-Cookie had politely waited through the hour even though they weren’t really required to be there for that. Malcolm had even taken part in placing some of the Atmos banners on the map and advising certain move orders to Pansy. It was no secret to Hurricane that the Gryphons were actually unhappy with how the Alliance was being run as of late; Malcolm did not wish to see the faction fall apart completely but he did feel that it needed to be “rearranged”. Once the session was concluded they went back to answering a few last-minute questions.

“Once the battle is concluded, considering it happens to begin with, I must beg you for a company of soldiers Hurricane,” Platinum stated.

“Yes Platinum don’t worry, we will have her back,” Hurricane sighed a response.

“Just remember that she might simply be delayed, don’t expect the worst until we have more evidence.”

Hurricane moved her attention to the Chancellor now.

“What’ll we do if they send more than just this wave?” She shifted her eyes nervously.

“Let’s just focus on the now Smart-Cookie. We don’t have enough factors yet to decide,” Hurricane answered.

Pansy seemed to nod in agreement as if to assure the Chancellor. The earth-pony seemed very tense about the situation, and rightfully so. The Coalition hoped to finally escape the slaughter with the founding of Equestria; being ripped away from such a promising future was unsettling for them. Hurricane took one last look at the table and then closed her eyes.

“The meeting is dismissed, we have our plans...” She said finally.

Platinum and Cookie were the first to leave, Platinum to spend a second night attempting to magically spy on Clover, and Smart-Cookie to return to her village. Pansy rested a hoof on Hurricane’s shoulder before leaving as well. She stood on her hind legs with her forehooves resting on the table for several minutes. Hurricane found herself thinking of nothing in particular, just reveling in the peace that her mind rarely got as of late. No sound but the faint torches, until a tapping noise rung out from behind her. Malcolm was clicking his talons on the wall out of what appeared to be boredom. Hurricane scowled realising what would come next.

“The earth-pony has a solid reason to worry you know...” He said, while in the midst of his tapping.

“Sky-Render won’t just stop with one assault. He’ll keep at it until your entire nation is brought down, no matter how many soldiers it costs the Alliance.”

Hurricane sighed but could think of nothing to respond with. She resolved to simply stay still and wait ever so patiently for him to finish. Best friend or not, Malcolm had a habit of getting into subjects she felt he ought not to.

“You’re correct in the idea that currently you won’t have to think about it... but it will come you can be sure. Success will not be obtained alone.”

“Then help us...” Hurricane murmured.

“Bright, my people are tired with the wars of the ponies...” He ceased tapping the wall and rested his talons down on the stone floor, the action accompanied with yet more clicking.

“While I may take no interest in joining the assault with the Alliance, it does not mean I’d do the exact opposite and join with you. Even if it is with the Great Commander Hurricane!” He put on a mock expression and chuckled.

“No Bright, I’m sorry but not this time. You’d need to give me something in return, and unfortunately there’s nothing you can.” His eyes dropped and his proud stature diminished somewhat.

“You have four more days...”

With that the Gryphon strode out of the room, leaving Hurricane to truly be alone. She dared not move a muscle for fear that the calm moment would be over. In time she too departed, her hoofsteps reverberating through the halls of the Citadel, leaving behind the dying torchlight.