The Equestrian War

Sombra moved out of the shadows. He had received Queen Chrysallis' message, which was sent via changeling. If it were before his recent invasion of the Crystal Empire, he'd be afraid to step out into the light in front of a queen with a horde of changelings to control, but he had power. He had managed to enslave almost twenty percent of the Crystal Empire, making his army equal to hers.

"And your request?" He dropped the torn scroll of paper at her hooves. He felt slightly uneasy there, her sitting in a throne, he standing in front of her like some accomplice or assistant of hers. He stood taller, trying to assert his high status as the current "Lord of The Empire” as he called himself. In truth, all he had done was drive the inhabitants from their homes and claim some as his soldiers. They were currently in training to become his supporters and army. He didn't use his magic this time, for he knew it could easily be reversed by those accursed six ponies, the Elements.

Chrysallis slipped off her throne to stand in front of Sombra. "My changelings have told me you have a growing army,"

"Yes, that is true. But I don't have time for this, so cut to the chase."

"My, my," Chrysallis stared him directly in the eyes, not flinching at his sudden outburst. "Calm yourself, Sombra."

"King Sombra or Lord Sombra will do."

Chrysallis rolled her eyes. "I don't care whatsoever about your rankings. All I know is that you've successfully taken over the Crystal Empire and part of its inhabitants. I want in."

"On what?"

She let out a bellowing laugh. "On the invasions. Think about it, Sombra-"

"Lord Sombra," he growled.

"Alright," she sighed. "Think about it, Lord Sombra, all we can achieve. We can take over all of Equestria if we band together. Our armies united, we can invade every inch of this land that once tried to rid itself of us." She hissed, motioning out the window toward the rest of Equestria. "And get rid of the Elements of Friendship. Especially Twilight," she added, speaking in a hushed voice.

Sombra stepped back and took a moment to think. He nodded. "But know, I'm the leader in this operation since I was the one who took over the Crystal Empire."

Chrysallis shook her head. "I'm putting my own changelings into your army, which means we're equals. Now, I'll meet you at the outskirts of the Crystal Empire with my army, so the members of your own army can't spy and attempt to escape. We have to play it safe for now and can't risk them being prepared."

"Agreed."

Sirens wailed as the bell in Ponyville Square chimed. The school ponies panicked, especially Sweetie Belle, who screamed for Rarity to come save her. Cherilee tried to seem calm as she rushed them into the shelter underneath the school. It was damp and old, with creaking floors made of wood. At least the rest of it was made of steel reinforced by most of Celestia's students who specialized in that type of magic. There were three benches, all parallel to each other.

Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo squeezed next to each other, listening to the hoofsteps outside. There were many of them in synchronization, a well-organised army made up of changelings and specially-trained civilians of the Crystal Empire. When the other civilians fled to Canterlot and Cloudsdale, they told of smoke-filled skies and how their family members failed to escape, then were never seen again. Applejack had told Applebloom not to worry because they'd never get to Ponyville, and she wouldn't lie, but here they were.

There were screams and cries for help, then the sound of hoofsteps again. All was quiet, until there was a sob from a mare near the entrance to the shelter.

"Please don't kill me! Just leave me alone!" The voice was muffled, so much so that Applebloom couldn't tell whose it was.

There was a shriek of horror, then the sound of a sharp item puncturing flesh. Applebloom flinched. She shut her eyes and prayed it would be over soon, prayed that Applejack was alright. She could hear everything above them was being destroyed, slightly jumping when the ground rattled with the force of a blow.

The school ponies began to panic once again, but Cherilee told them to be quiet. If the army knew there was a whole group of little fillies and colts down there, they'd storm in and-

It was too late. There were hoofsteps going towards the shelter's entrance. Their heartbeats quickened. Sweetie Belle hugged her friends tighter, hoping they'd think nopony was in there and leave, but she could hear them trying to open the hatch. They walked away, leaving them be.

There was a knock on the hatch door. "Please!" A mare begged. "Please let me in! My foals and I can't find any other place to take shelter and they're coming back! Please open the hatch!"

Cherilee reluctantly opened the hatch, but didn't allow the mare in. "D-Do you have an ID?"

The mare held out her card and her children's. Those were the cards all of Equestria had decided to use after the Triple S Army had formed and they were told there were changelings. It would make sure nopony would be fooled if any tried to fake. Hers was blue, which meant she was from Fillydelphia.

"Amber Song," Cherilee looked it over, quickly reading the rest. "You may come in."

Letting out a sigh of relief, Amber Song brought her two foals into the shelter, putting them on a bench. She looked poor, with a tangled dirt-brown tail and a mud-smeared cream-colored coat, but her lively blue eyes said otherwise. She had a tattered scarf on, which she used to cover her neck and her head, only leaving her face and a few strands of hair to be seen. Her foals were pitifully thin, and so was she. Applebloom didn't recognize her, which probably meant she was one of the Fillydelphia or Manehattan refugees.

They waited down there for a day and a half, where Cherilee had to take out the emergency food supply to feed the children. She tried not to seem afraid, hoping they would follow her example, but she couldn't help but flinch whenever she heard a sound from up above. Diamond Tiara had stopped speaking, Sweetie Belle didn't want to move, Scootalo kept staring at the walls, Silver Spoon preferred to see the world when it was blurry, Cherilee had made a strict routine for herself, and the rest opted to sleep through the days. Applebloom seemed like the only filly who acted alive in that shelter. Except for Amber Song.

She would occasionally look away from her foals to glance around the shelter. She seemed to be getting thinner, her refusing to eat the food supply so as not to be a burden. Sometimes, Applebloom would give her some of her own food supply, and Amber Song would only eat part of it and leave the rest.

Two days. Two days they'd been down there. The food supply was running out and Scootaloo was starting to get uneasy. She was claustrophobic, and wanted to leave the shelter as quickly as possible.

When the bell in the Square chimed, Cherilee opened the hatch and her students rushed out. She made sure none of them left as they listened to the announcement.

"All Ponyville citizens report to the Square," came Twilight's voice over the loudspeakers installed all over Ponyville. "All Ponyville citizens report to the Square." It repeated.

The students lined up and went to the Square, Cherilee pretended to not see the puddles of blood and a huge part of the hospital staff taking the few ponies who were confronted by the army, but were still alive.

At the Square, Twilight stood in the center of a huge crowd with a microphone. "Ponyville," she began, "we have been attacked by the Triple S Army, as they call themselves. Don't worry, they're gone now, back to their base. It is led by King Sombra and Queen Chrysallis, who have fully taken over Fillydelphia and Manehattan, which is why we are currently attempting to build walls surrounding Ponyville and more buildings to take in the refugees and ponies whose homes have been destroyed in the recent attack. The Triple S Army is attempting to invade us as well, but they couldn't get into the shelters. For the few ponies who couldn't find shelter quickly enough, their families will receive a letter and a mourning shall take place. We are deeply sorry for your losses." She looked around, taking a deep breath. "Right now, we need an army. There shall be training and we will recruit ponies, dragons, and griffons to aid us in this battle against Triple S Army. If you are willing to help the cause, travel to Town Hall at dawn tomorrow. This role isn't only for ponies who want to become soldiers, but also ponies who want to help in any way they can. For now, please rest. Goodnight."

Applebloom searched for Big Mac and Granny Smith in the crowd. When she saw them, she looked around. "Where's Applejack?"

"Maybe we'll see her at the farm, now let's get going," Granny Smith was leaning heavily on her cane. Big Mac helped her walk up the path leading to Sweet Apple Acres.

A few hours passed. Granny Smith was getting nervous. She had sent Applebloom up to her room and spoke with Big Mac. Applebloom listened from upstairs.

"It's almost midnight and she's still not home. Do you have any idea where she might be?" Granny Smith asked.

Big Mac shook his head.

"What if they got her?"

Applebloom remembered the voice of the mare outside the shelter a few days before. It was Applejack. Was she dead, killed by the Triple S Army? She hurried downstairs.

"You're meant to be in your room," Granny Smith said, turning to face her.

"I know what happened to Applejack."

Granny Smith and Big Mac stared at her expectantly.

"S-She was right outside the shelter. She was begging for them to leave her alone, but..." Applebloom took a deep breath. "I think... I think they stabbed her."

Granny Smith was frozen for a moment before bursting into tears. "Why? Why would they do that to her? She's gone now and-"

There was a knock on the door. Before anyone could answer, it creaked open. There stood Twilight with a letter held in her magic.

"Princess Twilight!" Granny Smith, despite her old age, rushed to her. "Any news about Applejack? You should know. Is she... gone?"

Twilight shook her head. "Well, the mailpony has a lot of letters to deliver and you were about to be last, but I figured you should know as soon as possible, so I decided to deliver it because Applejack's my best friend and you shouldn't worry," she gave the letter to Granny Smith, who wasted no time ripping it open.

"To the Apple family. Applejack took a spear to the chest, but is miraculously still breathing. She won't be able to move as fast as she used to, but she'll recover. She is currently in hospital under the watch of many trained nurses and will be sent home after she is deemed fit enough to do so. Ponyville Hospital." Granny Smith read aloud. "Thank Celestia, she's alive," she hugged the letter to her chest, then turned to Twilight. "Thank you, Princess Twilight. We're so glad to hear Applejack's okay."

Twilight nodded, smiling slightly. "Me too. I need to go now. Bye," she closed the door and teleported away.

Applebloom was somewhat at ease knowing her sister was alive, but one thing kept her awake at night: Would the Triple S Army come back to take somepony's life? Maybe somepony close to her? It was possible. What if... what if she went to Town Hall? What job would she receive? Twilight said she didn't have to be a soldier. She could go if she wanted to help the upcoming fight against Triple S Army. Would she save a life? Probably not, but she still decided she'd go to Town Hall, no matter what.

Applebloom adjusted her bow as she sped downstairs and out the door, her ID card in her saddlebag. Granny Smith was up early, looking out across the farm, frowning. "I'd bet the smoke tainted our apples somehow. I'll need to get Twilight to send somepony to check," she muttered.

"I'm going out." Applebloom said.

"Where?"

"Town Hall. I want to help."

Granny Smith didn't seem upset about a little filly trying to assist Ponyville in what looked like a future war. "Wait for Big Mac. He's going too. Just a few minutes."

"But Granny, I'll be late-"

Granny Smith pointed at the sky. Only part of the sun was peeking over the horizon, barely visible. "If anything, I'd bet this counts as before dawn."

Applebloom rolled her eyes as she waited by the door for her brother. "Big Mac, we have to go now or we'll be late to the meeting at Town Hall!" She yelled, trying to speed him up.

It worked. Seconds later, Big Mac was at the door. He strolled past Applebloom, staring straight ahead. Not saying a word, Applebloom followed him to Town Hall, watching the lines of other ponies trotting towards it, all as determined as Big Mac was. All determined to protect Ponyville if Triple S Army struck again.

Inside, Twilight was standing at a podium, the Elements standing beside her. All but Applejack. "Citizens of Ponyville," she began, the microphone making her voice echo, "and refugees from Fillydelphia and Manehattan. We are all here to fight against the threat of Triple S Army. They may not seem as threatening now, only having attacked once, but they will become a threat in the future, I'm sure. If you'd like to become a soldier, meet with Rainbow Dash, who is going to be your leader and trainer. If you want to make clothing for the soldiers, go with Rarity. For helping with supplying our army with food, go to Pinkie Pie. For any other tasks that don’t fit in any of the other criteria, meet Fluttershy, and for ideas for big projects to help the cause, you're welcome to come to me." She stepped off the podium as her friends separated to wait for ponies to find tasks, each with a clipboard and a pen.

Most older ponies met with Rainbow Dash, mostly stallions and members of the Wonderbolts, while mares went to Rarity. A few ponies went to Pinkie Pie, some of them were younger ponies who attended the meeting. Applebloom went with the crowd of young fillies and colts to Fluttershy, begging for a job so they could help Ponyville.

Applebloom saw a young colt with a pale gray coat and a curly, tangled dark brown mane and tail. He held his ID card in his mouth, and Applebloom could see it wasn't the Ponyville purple, but the Fillydelphia blue card. He was probably one of the refugees.

"Please get in a line so I can sign all of you up and assign your tasks," Fluttershy said. She had a headset, which made her sound like she was speaking normally instead of the hushed voice she was actually talking with.

The colt was in front of Applebloom. She leaned to the side slightly so she could read the name printed in huge letters on his ID card: Crimson Strike. She instantly moved back when he turned his head a bit and caught sight of her looking at his card. She pretended to be fascinated with the floor until Crimson was receiving his task.

Fluttershy took a look at his ID card. "This one is for a pair, so maybe you and Applebloom could do it together." She squinted at her clipboard. "But it's quite dangerous, not for young ponies like you."

Crimson turned to Applebloom so she could see his striking crimson-colored eyes. It was as if he was asking her a question: Do you want to do it?

"We'll do it," Applebloom said to Fluttershy, looking at Crimson briefly to see if he was okay with it. He nodded slightly. "We want to help."

Fluttershy stared at them, concerned for a moment. She looked at Applebloom's ID card, then scribbled something on a form. She gave it to Applebloom. "Go to the Square and take this to the stall where Thunderlane is. You know him, right, Applebloom?"

Applebloom nodded as she took the form. "Thanks." She turned and pushed her way through the crowds to get outside. She trotted to the Square and turned occasionally to make sure Crimson was following. He was looking around at Ponyville, which was destroyed, but was right behind her. Without stopping, Applebloom looked down at the form.

Task given to: Applebloom and Crimson Strike. ID cards checked: Yes. Task given: Invaders. Task given by: Fluttershy. Applebloom looked up, confused. "What do they mean by 'invader'?" She didn't mean to say it out loud.

That caught Crimson's attention. Without warning, he snatched the form and quietly read it aloud to himself. He gave it back to Applebloom and shrugged.

Applebloom shoved it back into her saddlebag and picked up the pace, not to leave Crimson behind, but because she knew they'd have to undergo some sort of training. She quickly reached the Square and trotted to Thunderlane's stall, taking the form out of her saddlebag.

Thunderlane read the front. He looked at Crimson. "Refugee?"

Crimson nodded. He took out his ID card.

"Fillydelphia..." Thunderlane muttered and gave it back. He turned and went to the crate he had near the back of his stall with the word INVADERS printed on it. He took out two saddlebags, giving them to Applebloom and Crimson.

"I don't need the saddlebag. I have my own," Applebloom said, pushing it back to Thunderlane.

Thunderlane pushed it back. "I'm not just giving you a saddlebag, I'm giving you the saddlebag and what's inside it. That's what you need. These are durable and are much more suited to the place you're going."

"Where are we going?" Applebloom asked.

"To get into Triple S Army's base, of course. You're invaders, but you have to be sneaky about it. They'll tell you more in training." Thunderlane pointed in the direction of the lake marking the outskirts of Ponyville. "That's where yours will take place."

Applebloom was stunned for a moment. "We have to get into the army's base?"

"They'll tell you more in training," Thunderlane repeated. "Now go."

Crimson turned and walked in the direction Thunderlane had pointed to, Applebloom trailing behind. "Get into the army's base..." she muttered to herself. "That's almost impossible."

Crimson could obviously hear her, but pretended he couldn't. He fell back so Applebloom could lead for the rest of the way.

"What do you think they'll train us do to?" Applebloom asked.

Crimson shrugged.

Applebloom stared ahead at the lake. There was only one pony there, Spitfire, who wore sunglasses and carried a clipboard. She scribbled something onto it when she saw Applebloom and Crimson Strike approaching. "ID cards," she said. She stared at them, then up at the young ponies standing in front of her. "Let's get to training, then. If I'm stuck with you school ponies, we have a lot of work to do."

"Wait, Spitfire, I thought you were going to go with Rainbow Dash. Why aren't you with her?" Applebloom asked.

Spitfire shook her head. "My job is to help train the soldiers who stay. Some will be here to help defend Ponyville while the others will go out and fight. I'll need to make them into great guards, but for now, it's your turn to train. Now come with me." She led them to a small area looking like a tiny army's base. "Pretend I'm part of the Triple S Army. You have to get by me into this room which contains a very important document and can do anything to get in but you can't fight me."

Applebloom stepped forward. "Um, can we get in please?"

"Name?" Spitfire asked.

"Uh, Applebloom."

Spitfire face-hoofed. "No, you have to pretend you're a soldier if you want to get in or else you'll be imprisoned. You'll have to lie!"

"Applejack told me it's better to be honest..."

Spitfire sighed. "It's fine to lie as long as it's for a good cause. You're probably saving lives if you do this, maybe even Applejack's."

Applebloom nodded and stood up straighter. "I'm a changeling disguised as a filly. I even stole this ID!" She took the ID from her saddlebag. "Our leader requires the papers in there and she needs them now."

Spitfire stepped aside. "That was good, but next time don't just go out and say you're a changeling. You make it way too obvious."

"But I'm meant to be a changeling."

Spitfire nodded. "But if you say it like that, they'll get suspicious. Oh, by the way, you can also say you're a former Crystal citizen. And also, you don't have to do that much talking, just say you want the document. Crimson Strike, your turn."

Applebloom stepped back as Crimson went forward. He dropped his saddlebag and casually walked to Spitfire. He gave her a slight nod and tilted his head toward the door. "Papers."

Spitfire smiled. "That was great, but we need to practice if they ask questions." She stared at Crimson. "What for?"

"Leaders," Crimson kept his gaze steady. "Urgent."

Spitfire didn't stop. "Name?"

Crimson thought for a moment. "Crystal Sword."

"Perfect. Applebloom, this is what you should do. Keep what you're saying short and simple, like Crimson Strike."

Applebloom stared at the door. "When we're invading, what do we actually have to get?"

"Plans. Most army generals keep written plans of their tactics and attacks, so you'll have to get those and bring them back, but you still have to pretend you're Triple S soldiers so they won't kill or imprison you on the spot. It's a tough job, but Crimson Strike got it, so you can too. There will be more invaders looking for separate files, so don't worry about them. Maybe you'll have to say you're changelings, since I don't think they kept fillies and colts as soldiers. I think they put them in prison or died during training, so they'll get very suspicious. Now, in case they sniff you out and get a little hostile, you'll have to learn defense."

"Can't we carry weapons or something?" Applebloom asked.

Spitfire shook her head. "You can't, because they're probably taking the same precautions as we are to make sure no spies get in and will search you. You can take saddlebags, but don't put anything in them. You're only taking them along so you can carry the plans back here, got it?"

Crimson nodded.

"We leave our ID cards here, then?" Applebloom inquired.

"Yes, but they'll be locked away. All of the ponies going to their base, spies and invaders, like you, are going to leave your IDs with somepony at Town Hall, but ask them to show you their ID cards, okay?" Spitfire paused, looking up at the approaching crowd of ponies. When they were there, she addressed all of them. "Let me tell you the plan now. So, you'll meet here with some other ponies and will go to the base, but don't get in all at once and make sure you're in an organised line. You'll separate, but make sure you know where your partner is."

As Soarin flew down and landed beside her, he whispered something into Spitfire's ear.

"Alright," she announced. "Now it's time for defensive practice. If you're a spy, go with Soarin. If you're an invader, stay with me. This will be a long day."

That night, Applebloom went home exhausted. Her muscles ached as she dragged herself up the stairs. Big Mac was still training, and would only come home at dawn. She was to go back to the lake at midnight the next day and would reach Triple S Army's base at around noon, maybe even before that if they went fast, which they probably wouldn't. The vigorous fighting techniques she had to learn made her want to curl up and sleep for a week. At least that made sure she wouldn't mess up, or else she'd have to fight again, but not against Spitfire, against a whole army. One filly versus a full-on army of ponies and changelings.

She threw herself onto her bed with the last bit of energy she had left, bouncing slightly before closing her eyes and welcoming the darkness of sleep.

Granny Smith jabbed Applebloom with her hoof. "Wake up, it's almost noon!"

Applebloom slowly lifted her head. "Let me sleep, Granny."

"No," Granny Smith pushed her up into sitting position and shook her gently. "You still haven't told me about what you'll be doing." She looked concerned. "Is it dangerous?"

Applebloom blinked a few times until her eyes focused on her grandmother's concerned face. "I'll be fine. There'll be plenty of other spies and invaders in the base with me-"

"Base? What base? What spies? What invaders?"

"Well, the Triple S Army base. Don't worry. We learned fighting techniques and all that. All I have to do is sneak in, grab the plans, and get out."

"I'm not letting you, a little filly, go to the enemy's base."

"I'll be saving lives out there, Granny."

"While risking your own! What if something happens to you? You'll be all alone and they'll probably kill you or train you to become one of them-"

"I won't be alone and I won't become one of them. I have Crimson Strike and all the other invaders and spies to help me in there. Granny, I promise I'll be okay."

Granny Smith stared into Applebloom's eyes. "Wait till your brother's awake. I'll bet he has something to say about all this." Shaking her head, she slowly walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

Applebloom sighed, then settled down to doze off once more.

The door was flung open.

"Triple S Army!" Applebloom screeched, panicked as scrambled off the bed in a mad attempt to get away. When she ran into the wall, she stopped and heard no warning sirens or bells chiming. She turned to look at the doorway. There stood Big Mac and Granny Smith. "Oh."

"No." Big Mac said.

"What?"

"You're not going."

Applebloom looked him right in the eye, the way she saw Scootaloo do it whenever she wanted something. "I am. I'm going and you can't do anything to stop me. I'm saving lives if I do this."

"You're too young."

"Spitfire said that's why I should do it! If the plans are in some heavily guarded area they won't let me into, I can just sneak in through a window or something. I'm going to help save Ponyville and probably the rest of Equestria if I do this, just like you. Whether you like it or not, I'm leaving the house tonight. I'll be back by next week, I promise."

Granny Smith frowned as she stepped in front of her. "You're not leaving this house!" She slammed the door shut, and Applebloom heard the click of the lock.

Her heart sank. She was already signed up to be an invader, but what if she didn't go? Maybe somepony would replace her, but she didn't want to be replaced. She wanted to help. She wanted to prove she wasn't just a helpless filly and could actually do something. She was going to go no matter what, but would need to rest if she wanted to make it. She curled up on her bed, and closed her eyes. She remembered Applejack, probably in the hospital, unconscious. Was she in pain? Was she thinking about Applebloom just as she was thinking about her? Was she going to live? Of course she was. If she could survive a spear impaling her chest, she could live through a few days in the hospital until she fully recovered. After all, she was under the care of Ponyville's best doctors and nurses.

"Hang in there, Applejack," Applebloom muttered to no one in particular. "I'll see you soon."

Applebloom pulled her window open and looked out. The apple trees were covered in moonlight and all was quiet. She grabbed her saddlebag and sat on the sill for a while. It was a few minutes to midnight, so she had to be quick. She stared down. It was quite a fall, but she'd live if she jumped. Maybe she'd get a headache or maybe a broken hoof, but she'd survive. "For Applejack and for Equestria. she muttered to herself, closed her eyes, and slid off.

She fell headfirst, stifling a scream of pain when she landed. She stood up, still dizzy, and bolted into the trees. She swerved to avoid hitting them, her vision still somewhat distorted, and picked up the pace when she felt midnight was only seconds away. Before she exited Sweet Apple Acres, she plucked a few apples from the trees and stuffed them in her saddlebag, then continued. She slowed when she saw a large body of water and allowed herself to stop and rest. She blinked a few times and approached Spitfire and Soarin.

Spitfire was staring at her clipboard and at the group of ponies in front of her. "Alright, we're all here. Let's move out." She flew ahead and the group followed, marching along in two lines.

They walked to the train, where Spitfire nodded at the conductor. "Spitfire and Soarin, taking out invaders and spies."

The conductor nodded back. "Access granted."

Spitfire turned to the group. "This is where you're all on your own. It'll take you to the outskirts of the Crystal Empire, where they've made their base, but make sure they don't know who you are and what you're doing in there, got it?"

Everyone nodded as their boarded the train, Spitfire and Soarin writing something on their clipboards when they saw each one.

"Good luck." Soarin said as the train's doors closed.

Applebloom sat next to Crimson, who was staring out the window. "This is weird, isn't it? It's been barely a week since their attack and here we are, about to infiltrate Triple S Army's base."

Crimson said nothing.

"Not much of a talker, are you?" Applebloom asked. "Well, my friends say I talk enough for almost all of the ponies in Equestria, so I guess that means you too."

Silence. There were a few chatters from the others, but other than that, it was quiet.

They marched to the border of the Crystal Empire in sync, trying not to show how frightened they were. Without a word, they split up into two groups: Invaders and spies. They hid their saddlebags behind some rocks before going into the base's front entrance.

"One single file." A changeling guard said.

"Name?" The other, a crystal guard, asked.

"I-I'm..." a mare at the front began. "I..." she immediately froze up.

The first guard looked her over. "You don't remember your name?"

"I do," the mare said quickly. "I just need some time..."

The crystal guard wasted no time enveloping her in his magic. "Where are you coming from?"

"I... was stationed in Ponyville."

The crystal guard stared her straight in the eyes. "You're obviously too weak to leave the base. Have you finished your training?"

The mare squirmed in his magical grip, obviously trying to free herself. She tried to flap her wings, but couldn't. "I-I haven't, but I was told I should go with my team..."

The changeling stepped forward. "Which group are you? Tell us or else."

Nopony said a word, except for Crimson, who was oddly calm.

"We weren't given an official group name," he began. Applebloom stared at him. It was the first time he'd said more than a few words at once. "We're newly-trained, but are completely loyal to the army. We were sent as spies in Ponyville and have come back to share our findings. The ponies are planning to flee, but we are not sure where."

"Newly-trained, huh?" The crystal guard put the mare down. "Explains the nervousness. But why are some of you so young? I'd expect most of you to have died during training. It is quite brutal."

"Brutal to weed out the weak," Crimson replied. "Which we are not. We're the best of the group, which is why they let us go on a mission only a day after training."

"You require an audience with Lord Sombra?"

Crimson nodded. "Yes."

"Okay, you need to tell us your names, though." The changeling looked at the mare. "Do you remember now?"

The mare trembled under his gaze, shrinking back.

Crimson took a few moments to think. "Her name is Shimmer Heart. She doesn't remember much of anything before training started, like most of us. But I have the best memory here, so I remember for them."

"Not all of them can have such a terrible memory." The crystal guard looked at Applebloom. "Tell us your name."

Applebloom tried to look confident as she thought of a name for herself. If she was a crystal pony, what would her name be? It had to be related to crystals somehow, or describe her. “Magenta Ribbon." She said.

The crystal guard nodded and jotted something down on his clipboard. "Alright, what's your name, little colt?"

"Crystal Sword." Crimson said.

"Okay, you three can go." The guard nodded to the mare, Applebloom, and Crimson.

Crimson gave him a slight nod before calmly walking past him, Applebloom and the mare following.

"Thank you," the mare whispered. "I thought I was done for."

"No problem," Crimson replied. He looked at the mare. She was also from Fillydelphia and he’d seen her before. “Sky Mist.”

Applebloom stared around her. The houses had been turned into prisons and training facilities. The skies were covered with gray smoke and everything didn't glimmer the way it was meant to. It was as dull as the sky. Ponies, the skinniest Applebloom had ever seen, were slowly walking past, chains clasped around their necks. Guards followed, holding onto the ends of the chains. A stallion was dragging his hooves to one of the prisons, a changeling guard close behind.

Crimson led the way to the Empire’s center, where the shimmering palace Princess Cadance lived in was turned into a replica of Queen Chrysallis’ hive. Looking at it sent shivers down Applebloom’s spine.

Once they were in, Applebloom and Crimson set off to find the plans, leaving Sky Mist to find her own document. Crimson didn't know where he was going, but pretended he did. He stopped at a door with a pair of guards in front of it. "Do you have any idea where the attack plans are?" Crimson asked.

"Why do you need 'em?" A guard stared him up and down.

"Lord Sombra ordered us to find them. It's urgent."

The guard looked at the other, who nodded. "You must be new soldiers, right? The plans are down the hall. Take the first left you see. Then there's a door. Lord Sombra should've given you the keys."

"What keys-" Applebloom immediately stopped talking when Crimson glared at her.

"Thank you. We'll get going now." Crimson turned and hurried down the hall, Applebloom following. "Let me do the talking." He whispered. "You just need to keep your mouth shut."

Applebloom looked at her hooves. "Sorry," she mumbled as they turned left.

In front of them was a huge green door. Crimson tried to push and pull it open, but it wouldn't budge. It was locked. He looked around, pushing at the walls and sighing when nothing worked. "Spitfire should've known it'd be well-protected," he muttered to himself. "Hey, here's an idea: Try to make yourself useful!" He hissed, turning to Applebloom.

Applebloom walked around until she felt something shift below her hooves. It was some kind of hatch. She began to jump up and down, Crimson staring at her in confusion. It soon broke, allowing Applebloom to fall down. Crimson wasted no time leaping in after her. It was a winding tunnel that made them slide down. It twisted and turned, then propelled them upwards. Applebloom hit the panel of wood above her, knocking it out of the way. She climbed out to see they were inside the room.

"You did it!" Crimson exclaimed, still keeping his voice down. In the center was a round table with scattered papers all over its surface. He began looking over each one.

"I saw someone break into the room!"

They froze. "Quick, hide!" Applebloom whispered, ducking under the table, Crimson doing the same.

"Really?" Another voice said. "I knew I should've covered up this tunnel. It was useless and now possible spies have gotten in through it! Let's have a look." The door was unlocked and creaked open. There stood Queen Chrysallis and the guard who stood at the entrance to base.

Applebloom pressed herself closer to Crimson, looking for some kind of assurance they wouldn't be found. Immediately, Queen Chrysallis crouched down and stared at them. "Who are they and how did they get in without being apprehended?" She pointed at them.

The guard look down. His eyes widened. "They're the new soldiers. They were even signed in, see?" He stared at his clipboard. "Magenta Ribbon and Crystal Sword."

"Let me see!" Queen Chrysallis boomed, snatching the clipboard away. "You fool! None of the ponies here are named that. I know for a fact." She threw the clipboard at the guard's face, pulling Crimson and Applebloom out from under the table with her magic.

Applebloom trembled. "W-We were..."

"Silence!" She bellowed. "Little pony thieves," she spat, "trying to steal our plans. This is a death sentence, but I'll be merciful and imprison you. That way, you'll simply starve to death, which is much less painful, isn't it?"

A stallion poked his head in. He heard Queen Chrysallis' voice all the way from the entrance to the hive. He stared for a moment, then sped off.