The next morning, I was up when my alarm went off.

"Hmm", I muttered, "Another day on board the deadliest weapon ever to ride the rails." I then felt something in front of me shift. "Oh yeah, last night......Dash stayed here, with me, and we had 'fun'."

I looked down, and sure enough, my knot had dissipated. I could now pull out of Dash.

Dash seemed to sense my movements, and woke up. "Mmm, Hey Stud. Is it time to get up?"

I nodded. "Morning Dash, and yeah, it's time to get up, although please don't move yet!"

"Huh? Why not?"

I sighed. "Because.....the time has come. My knot is gone, so now I can pull out of you. I'm going to do that now, so please try and relax your muscles, so as not to hurt me."

She nodded. "Ok, just be careful."

I nodded. "Ok, hold on." I then gently began to pull, and with a gooey *Schlipop!* I slipped out of Dash, and my member went back into it's sheath.

"Is....is it out?"

"Yeah, it's out. you can roll onto your back now."

Dash did so, and lay staring up at the ceiling for a few moments. "Hmm, last night was so fun." She looked down. "Wow, it's even still leaking out of me! Your knot really kept it all inside.........." Dash froze.

I looked at her. "Huh? Is something wrong Dash?"

She looked at me with wide eyes. "Stud, I just realized something. You didn't wear a condom, and I didn't take the pill! Plus, I was OVULATING last night!"

I put my hands over my face. "Oh, F......wait. You can calm down Dash, you won't get pregnant."

"What?! How can you possibly know that?!"

I sighed. "Because Dash, I'm actually completely sterile. There's no risk of a pregnancy for you."

She looked at me confused. "What? Why? Did, you have 'the surgery'?"

I shook my head. "4 words; Tower 9 Nuclear Fire."

"Um, what?"

I then explained. "In the aftermath of WW4, Tower 9 was the last fully-functioning nuclear power plant on Earth at the time. Located in the Mojave Desert, this atomic research lab-turned nuclear power plant had been used heavily, and not repaired very well." I went on to explain that during a battle in WW5 close the plant, a stray shot from what we believe to be the enemy side hit the plant, and started a chain reaction that cracked one of the reactors. The plant began to go into meltdown, and the battle was postponed. The plant eventually fully exploded, and waves of radioactive chemicals in the air washed over the battlefield. Long story short, that's why we're stuck being Human-wolves forevermore, and the reason that I'm sterile. The radiation messed with my reproductive system, and caused my body to produce sterile sperm.

"So that's the scoop Dash. You can't get pregnant, and now, because of that fire, I can never be able to have any offspring."

Dash looked at me with great sadness. "Oh Stud, that's horrible. Has anything been done to try and cure it?"

"Yes, but sadly, most attempts failed. That's the sad thing about science in wartime. Processes are invented to reattach severed limbs, and even severed heads, and regrow damaged organs, but yet we can't fix being sterile. I mean yes, I was somehow able to get my 3rd wife Lilly pregnant, but that was a freak-fluke, as I was once again found to be sterile soon afterwards. Anyway though, most likely once WW6 was over, that would have been the highest priority, as the fall of the Futa Empire would trigger efforts to finally begin to help repopulate Earth."

"But the war's end never came for you guys; you died in Las Vegas......" Dash couldn't fully finished that thought. Instead, she asked, "So, um can I use your shower? I kinda need to clean up, and....um, g-get your baby-batter out of me!"

I nodded. "Sure Dash. Go right ahead."

"Thanks Stud!"

With one hand over her nethers to keep from dripping on the floor, Dash went to my bathroom, and closed the door.

While Dash was cleaning herself up, I began to look over my schedule for the day.

"Hmm, looks like Don wants to have another meeting. I wonder what about."

"I dunno Master, but can I get some food now?"

I looked down, and Aurora was looking up at me. "Oh, hey Aurora."

"Hello Master. Can I get my food now?"

"Sure." I then opened the container that held her dog food in the corner, and then brought 3 scoops of it over, and dumped them into her bowl. I also refilled her water dish.

"Oh, thank you Master!" Aurora began to happily eat, while I turned back to my schedule.

"Oh, um, hey Master?" Aurora asked between bites.

"Yeah Aurora?"

"Mmm, this is good.......who was the girl you f@#ked last night? She was cute."

I froze. "Oh, um, y-you saw that?"

"Yep, whole thing! *belch* Excuse me! You guys were maybe trying to be quiet, but you really weren't succeeding very well!"

I put a hand over my face. "Oh, um....well, her name was Dash. She's......a close friend."

"I can tell. Is she going to be my new mommy?"

I shrugged. "I d-don't know Aurora. Maybe, it all depends on how this war goes, but if it ends with the good guys winning, then yes, most likely Dash'll be your new mommy." (It still pained me to talk about Lily. Even reminders of her hurt.)

"Ohh! That'll be so fun!"

I nodded. "Yeah, but for now, we have work to do. It's time to put your battle armor back on."

Aurora barked once, and then I helped her into her suit.

Once Dash was out of the shower, she went back to her room to get dressed. I then got into the shower, and once I was out, I got dressed as well. I also quickly shaved, and brushed my teeth, and with Aurora by my side, I went to attend the meeting that Don had on the schedule.

When I arrived, I saw Don, Jim, General Shining, and a few other officers from both the train, and the Equestrian Army as well. Also present were Dash, Pinkie, Applejack, and Twilight. Once everyone, and everypony who was scheduled to attend was present, Don began.

"Good morning everyone, and everypony. I'm sure that all of you have wondered why we've gathered you all here today. And.....well, the truth is......." Don sighed. "Ok, listen, this is very hard for me to say, and it's going to be even harder for you to hear.......but the truth is, Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash, I'm afraid that Las Pegasus is the end of the line for you guys. You won't be able to continue on with us."

"WHAT?!?!?!" Why?!"

Don sighed again. "Because, according to our Intel, just beyond the Palomino Desert lies the border with the Caribou Empire. Beyond this point, no females should have to witness what goes on as they get taken down. In addition, off to the East, beyond the Macintosh Hills, lay the the Hayseed Swamps, and the Forbidden Jungle, which are home to the Zebras. Your safety CANNOT be guaranteed, as the closer we get to their home territory, the worse the battles will get. Again, I hate to say this, but this is Man's work. If anything happened to you, we would never be able to forgive ourselves."

For the longest time, there was only silence. The 4 Element Bearers looked first at Don, and then at General Shining.

"What the Major has said is correct Twily. If anything were to happen to you, it would be positively catastrophic. If you got killed, that would be bad, but if you got captured......" Shining couldn't even bring himself to finish that sentence.

Twilight sighed. "I.....understand, Major. All of us are high-value targets. As much as we want to be here with you all, our safety is of the highest concern."

Dash looked at Twilight. "What do you mean Twi? We have to keep fighting! We started this, so why can't we be here to end it?"

Twilight sighed. "Because Rainbow, what Don and my brother have said is correct. What lies ahead is a stallion's fight. As much as I hate to admit it, because we're dealing with empires like the Caribou and the Zebras, both of whom thrive on female domination, we cannot jeopardize our safety with continuing on past Equestria's borders. But yet, how will we get back home?"

Don looked at a chart. "Well, a little later on today, a train carrying wounded soldiers is heading back to Ponyville. I've gotten the word from the Princesses that the bridge over Ghastly Gorge has been repaired, and can hold the weight of a small train. The 4 of you will be on that train, and heading back to safety."

Twilight nodded slowly, and after thinking it over, the rest of them, even Dash, agreed that the best course of action, was to head back to Ponyville.

While this meeting was going on though, all was not well elsewhere. Ever since their disastrous defeat at Las Pegasus, Danin and Zakia were at constant odds with one another. Their alliance, which had always been at least somewhat strained, was now close to the breaking point.

"I cannot continue to allow this!" Zakia spat, "My soldiers are pouring out their blood, and what do we have to show for it?! NOT A DAMN. F@#KING. THING!!!! You've always been running the show, and calling all of the shots, but I say, NO MORE!!!"

Danin was equally upset. "Seriously Zakia, shut the f@#k up! You're acting like a spoiled child! This alliance needs BOTH of us to continue to function properly."

"Oh yeah? And if that was the case, why is it that YOUR officers are always in charge, and why do we need to hire mercenaries?!"

"Because MY officers are always the most qualified! That's why THEY are in charge! General Rodin is the best in the business!"

"Oh yeah? If he was so 'great', why couldn't he deliver a victory in Las Pegasus?"

"Because we had bad Intel, and the Black Leviathan showed up."

Zakia shook his head. "It's over between us Danin, we're withdrawing from the Imperial Alliance, and going our own separate way! The path to victory does not lie with the Caribou, but with the Zebras!"

Danin could see that Zakia was going off the deep end. "Zakia, please, think about this. Our campaign to Baltimare begins in just a few short days, and we need your help! Tell you what, you stick with us until AFTER Baltimare, and then you can go your own separate way. How does that sound?"

Zakia seemed to be thinking that over. Finally, he said. "Fine, but we had better have a victory this time!"

"We will. Rodin has assured me of that. Just wait for the final planning stages to be done and then wait for further instructions. "

"Sure, fine, whatever." The holographic chat between the two overlords then ended.

"That was the last straw! Who do those f@#king Caribou think that they are?! Ordering us about like that! I'll show them. Commander Tarrath?"

"Yes, Overlord Zakia?"

"I'm putting you in charge of our forces now. We no longer answer to General Rodin, or King Danin. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Overlord Zakia. And I assume that we're withdrawing from the Imperial Alliance then?"

"Quite correct Commander. And we will NOT be attacking Baltimare until Appaloosa and Dodge City are ours! For far too long those Caribou have ordered us about. Now it's time to flip the tables on them!"

Tarrath thought about that. "Yes, I know that we need to do that, but is this really the best course of action? I mean, the attack on Baltimare was supposed to be a majorly coordinated attack. Shouldn't we at least tell General Rodin that we will not be present?"

"Nah, they'll figure it out eventually. Especially when we don't show up for the Baltimare campaign, and instead start one of our own!"

"We will, when?"

"Today! Today, we take Appaloosa, and Dodge City!"

Tarrath wasn't sure about that. "Um, that doesn't sound like a good idea, Overlord Zakia. I mean, those two cities are almost finished. Baltimare however isn't. That's why General Rodin said......"

"Tarrath?"

"Um, yes....?"

"Hit yourself in the head."

"Um......what?"

Zakia then took a hammer, and clobbered Tarrath in the head with it. "There. Now, is the REAL Commander Tarrath in there? I would like to speak to him please!"

Tarrath stood back up. When he did, he didn't look like a competent officer anymore; instead, he looked dangerously insane. "Yes, Overlord Zakia, he's right here!"

Zakia nodded. "Excellent! Now then, Appaloosa and Dodge City need to be ours by nightfall. Do you think that you're up for the challenge?"

"Yes, I can do it!" He then burst into a few spurts of maniacal laughter.

Zakia smirked. "Good. Now then commander, gather your forces, and head to those towns. You have a battle to win!"

"Yes Sir!" He then left to prepare his forces.

(How did Tarrath go from competent officer to deranged psychopath? Well, the truth is, due to an accident in his youth involving Magic, he developed a split personality. One side was calm, competent, capable, and a good officer, but the other side was dangerous, insane, psychotic, psychopathic, and murderous. Blows to his head can cause his personalities to shift.)

Zakia then sat back on his throne. "Perfect. Now, without those deranged Caribou always stopping us, f@#king everything up, and holding us back, we will capture those towns, and then move back up to Ponyville! There will be nothing left to stop us!"

"General Rodin?"

"Yes, My King?"

"You need to prepare your forces."

"Yes, My King, but, why?"

Danin put a hand over his face. "Because I now get the feeling that the Zebras will no longer be our allies. They may not be at Baltimare at all."

Rodin nodded. "Yes, My King. However, our forces are spread somewhat thin. With many protecting our empire, I don't know how many we can spare for Baltimare. We will have our mercenaries sure, including the Dragons, but I do not know if it will be enough."

Danin had to think about that. Finally he said, "This puts us in a precarious position General. We don't know what the Zebras are going to do, so we cannot attack Baltimare yet. However, if they are not going to help us, then we will need to strike! If we wait, this could be a missed opportunity, but if we attack now with less forces, we could get wiped out."

"Well then, what would you recommend, My King?"

"I will leave that up to you General. However, you must inform Colonel Stuggs that there may be rouge Zebras in his area. He will need to prepare if they do decide to attack Appaloosa and Dodge City. Tell him that if the Zebras attack those towns to pull back. He's too valuable to lose in a pointless battle for two little desert towns."

"As you have willed it, My King, it shall be done!"

Rodin then left to fulfill Danin's commands.

Back in Las Pegasus, our forces were preparing for the next battle. The jammed 16in. gun turret had been repaired, as had the phalanx cannons, and the other damaged roof turrets. The derailed cars were put back on the tracks, our coal and water supplies had been replenished, and other damage was being buffed out as well.

Also, our first shipments of new ammunition from Manehattan and Van Hoover had arrived. We were all amazed.

"Wow, this is amazing quality." Jim marveled, "I can barely tell the difference between this, and our own ammunition!"

We conducted a few battlefield tests, and the new ammo performed as expected.

"A fine piece of work!" Don commended, "Those manufacturers in Manehattan and Van Hoover certainly know how to make ammunition! I give them my highest thanks."

"I'm glad that you're satisfied Major Don. And I also agree, they have done a marvelous job."

"I couldn't agree more General Shining. Now with the damage to our train being almost 85% repaired, we should be ready for the next engagement. Any idea where that will be?"

Shining shrugged. "It's anypony's guess, however, due to the patterns of enemy movement, I think that they may be preparing for an attack on Baltimare. Their plan appears to have been rough up Appaloosa and Dodge City, then leave them be while they took out Las Pegasus. Next, Baltimare would fall, and then they would come back for the two towns."

Don nodded. "Yes, that does make sense. As soon as the damage has finished being repaired, we'll most likely be given orders to pull out for Baltimare."

"That would make sense General, I'll discuss this with the Princesses when I get the chance to."

Don nodded, and then got back to work with helping with the train's repairs.

By about 2 O'clock that afternoon, the time had come for the 4 Element Bearers to depart for Ponyville. The train was a Friendship Express train with 8 coaches converted to help move wounded soldiers. The train's crew were two to man the engine, a conductor, and a brakeman. 76 wounded soldiers were on board, as were 24 medical staff. An additional 10 soldiers from the Equestrian Army and Battalion 4009, (5 from each) would also be going along to ensure safe arrival.

Everypony was sad when it was time to leave.

"I still wish that we didn't have to leave you guys."

Don sighed. "I know Twilight, but it is for your own safety. However, we'll just be a simple letter away. Plus, we'll be in almost constant contact, so we'll still be connected, even though we'll be apart."

Twilight hugged him. "I know, but I still wish that it didn't have to be this way."

Applejack said her goodbyes to Alex, Pinkie said goodbye to everypony, and then I said goodbye to Dash.

"I'm really going to miss you Dash." I whispered as I hugged her.

"I know, but not as much as I'm going to miss you Stud! You're the most awesome-est person that I know. And it won't be the same without you. But, this is for the best."

"Yeah, and with the war going the way that it is, it shouldn't last too much longer. We've already got them on the run, so the money-shots should come very soon. But......" I then leaned in close, and whispered, "You will wait for me, right Dash?"

Dash looked at me. Then she leaned in, and kissed me. "Of course Stud. Why wouldn't I? If I lost you, I'd never forgive myself! You pledged your love and loyalty to me, so how could I, as the Element of Loyalty, not do the same?"

"You couldn't!"

We all hugged for a little bit longer, but all too soon, the time had come for the train to leave. All of the soldiers were at their stations, the wounded were secured and being tended to by the medical staff, and the 4 Element Bearers boarded the train, and took their seats. Once everything was all set, the engineer blew the whistle, and then the train set out for Ponyville. The 4 Element bearers waved to us until the train was out of sight, and we waved back.

"I'm really going to miss them."

Don sighed. "Yeah, I know Leopard. My marefriend's on that train, as is yours, and Alex's. Let's just hope that they, and those wounded soldiers, all arrive safely."

"Yes, let's."

I then sighed, and after returning to my cabin, I grabbed my Kitsune mask, (A staple part of my uniform!) attached it to my belt, and then went with Alex to the engine, as we were preparing to move the train to another siding. Little did we all suspect though that our whole world was about to not only be turned upside down and inside out, but also torn to pieces as well.

As fast as the engineer allowed, the medical train continued to speed along the tracks towards Appaloosa. Once they were past that, it was over the Ghastly Gorge Bridge, past the Everfree Forest, and then their arrival in Ponyville. By the conductor's watch, they were maybe 3 hours from safe arrival in Ponyville. They were currently 5 miles away from Appaloosa.

"We'll make it", The conductor, In Time, thought to himself, "There hasn't been any enemy activity in this area since the defeat at Ponyville. And even if there was, they wouldn't attack a medical train, as there would be nothing gained by it."

Both valid points, but alas, neither was the case. From the Macintosh Hills, 2 battalions of Zebras, in addition to a company of Griffons and Minotaurs, were closing in on the town. There were all under the command of Commander-turned-General, Tarrath. Their mission? Take out both Appaloosa, and Dodge City.

From their vantage points, they could see Appaloosa, and the trenches defending it.

"What's the plan General?"

"Well, once we have everything set up, we storm down from these hills, knock out the trenches, and then take the town. Once the town is secured, we move on on to Dodge City."

"But what about those train tracks?" A Zebra pointed to them. "What if the Caribou, more Equestrian soldiers, or even the Black Leviathan show up to stop us?"

Tarrath laughed. "That's why we brought THESE Private!" He pointed behind him to a series of crates. In those crates were sticks of dynamite. "We simply place them under the tracks, and when a train comes by, we detonate them! That'll cut the Equestrians and the Humans off by rail, and if Danin is the spineless, gutless wretch that I believe he is, he won't intervene to stop us!"

Then, using Magic to cloak themselves in the mid-afternoon light, a squad of Zebras snuck down to the tracks to plant the explosives. Explosives were also planted in a few places close to the trenches as well. However, since their cloaking Magic didn't last very long, they had to get in, get the job done, and get out. Other soldiers also got into their positions for the impending attack.

An hour or so later, everything was ready.

"We're all ready General. We outnumber the Ponies 2 to 1, and we have the element of surprise. They all probably believe that an attack will happen in Baltimare, not here. Also, the only Caribou in this area, Colonel Stuggs and his battalion, if they do not decide to join us, will not be a problem."

"And where are they?"

The private pointed to a series of small trenches off to the right. "They're over there. We've reached out to them, but they haven't responded."

Tarrath thought about that. "Huh, well, I guess that we'll......"

*WWWOOOOOOO!!!!!!* A loud whistle suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

"Huh, what's that? It sounds like a train!"

A soldier looked through his binoculars. "It is a train General! Definitely not the Black Leviathan, but a train nevertheless."

"Who's train is it Private?"

"By the design, it appears to be the Equestrians's. Looks like a transport train of some kind. Do, do we attack it now?"

"No! We wait for it to get close to the explosives, and then we detonate them, and allow the train to derail! The explosion will be the signal for the troops to attack, then we take the train, and capture any survivors, while others are dealing with Appaloosa."

The private nodded. "Yes, General. I'll spread the word through our ranks."

The private did so, while the General continued to watch.

The 8 car train got closer and closer. Finally once it was less than 20 feet from the explosives, just off to the side of Appaloosa, using his Magic, Tarrath remotely detonated the explosives.

*KABOOM!!!!!!*

The explosives tore the tracks apart. The train did apply its brakes, but it was too late to stop. With a sickening *crunch!*, the train derailed, and the engine came to a skidding stop in the dirt, while the rest of the train piled up behind it.

"ATTACK!!!! Tarrath screamed. "ATTACK, AND TAKE THE TOWN!!!!"

The Zebras, Minotaurs, and Griffons, all charged forwards.

"Good afternoon everypony, this is your conductor, In Time speaking. I would just like to let you know that we are now passing Appaloosa to our right, as well as the maze of trenches protecting it. We are almost out of this gray area, and should be back to safety here in about 10 minutes or so."

"Well, that's a relief", Twilight sighed. "This area is still pretty close to the front lines. We could still get attacked here."

"Are you sure about that Twi?" Dash was skeptical.

"Yes, I'm serious Dash. The enemy could still be close by. I'll just feel a whole lot better once we're out of here."

Dash was maybe about to reply, but all of a sudden, there came a massive *KABOOM!!!!*

"SWEET CELESTIA, WHAT WAS THAT?!?!?!"

"EXPLOSIVES!!!! IT'S A TRAP!!!!" In Time screamed. "EVERYPONY, BRACE FOR DERAILMENT!!!!!"

There was then a sickening *crunch!*, and then the whole train was slammed to the right, and completely derailed. Everypony, and everything inside the train was thrown about, and a number were killed. Eventually, the train came to a skidding stop, and the dust began to settle. Smoke began to rise from the engine, and the fuel in the tender was burning as well. All 8 cars were lying off of the tracks, some in piles. It was like this that the Zebras found the train a few minutes later.

"Damn!" One of them muttered, "Could anybody have even survived this?"

"Somebody had better have! We need more slaves!"

They began to pick through the wreckage. Mostly all they could find were dead bodies, or wounded soldiers.

"Hmm, this must have been a medical transport of some kind."

Outside on the ground, 43 wounded soldiers, 17 medical staff, a brakeman, and a conductor were being held prisoner. 2 Equestrian soldiers were also found, as were 3 Humans.

"Wait, there were HUMANS on this train?!"

"Yeah, and f@#k you!" One of them spat.

One of the Zebras punched him in the face. "Shut the f@#k up! All of you are now prisoners of the Zebra Empire! And as for you Humans, if your leaders decide not to cooperate with us, well, let's just say that it will be very painful for you!"

"Like we care", Another muttered.

Another Zebra was maybe about to punch him too, but before he could, there came a shout from the train.

"Hey! You guys might want to come and take a look at this! We've got some seriously sweet bargaining chips in here!"

"What, what is it?"

"Come and see!"

The Zebra in charge of securing the train, Sargent Faul, came to look. To his utter astonishment, several Zebras pulled 4 mares out of the train wreck. One was a purple Unicorn, another was an orange Earth Pony, another was a pink Earth Pony, and the last was a cyan-blue Pegasus.

"HOLY.......!!!!!! ARE THOSE.......?!?!?!?!"

"Yes! 4 of the 6 bearers of the 'Elements of Harmony'! Now ours for the taking!"

"Are, are the other two in there?"

The soldier shook his head. "No Sir. We've searched the entire train, and it's surroundings, and these 4 were the only ones."

Faul smirked. "Heh, now we have all of the leverage we need against both the Equestrians, and the Humans! Now they will surrender everything to us, or else! Even the Caribou cannot stop us now! I'll alert General Tarrath to this immediately."

He fumbled for his communicator. "General, General! Are you there?!"

A hologram of Tarrath appeared. "Right here Sargent. What's going on?"

"Well, Sir, many things. First of all, the train is secured. It was a medical transport heading back to Ponyville. In total, 47 wounded soldiers, 17 medical staff, and two members of the train's crew survived, from a total of 110."

"Good work Sergeant! Now we have some prisoners, even if they are all wounded to a degree."

"That's not all General, there's something else!"

"What? Has something happened?"

"Yes, but something amazing! The gods have blessed us with an offering!"

Now Tarrath was interested. "What Sergeant? What have the gods given us?"

Faul turned his communicator until it showed the 3 Battalion 4009 soldiers.

"What? Humans?! They were on the train?!"

"Yes, and now they are our prisoners!"

"Excellent Sargent! Now we have bargaining chips to use against the Humans as well! This is great!"

"The humans though, are only PART of the blessing General, the rest of it is much, MUCH better!"

Tarrath was surprised. "Oh? And how so? What else have the gods given us?"

Faul turned his communicator again, revealing Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash. All 4 were tied up, and gagged to keep them from resisting.

"Sargent......are those.....?!?!?!?!"

"YES!!! 4 of the 6 bearers of the 'Elements of Harmony', including the personal student of Celestia herself! They were on the train too!"

Tarrath's face went from smiling, to a smirk, to full-blown laughter. "Sargent, do you know what this means?!"

"That you need to tell Overlord Zakia that we now have all of the bargaining power that we need to take care of both the Equestrians, AND the Humans, and even get our hands on the Black Leviathan?"

"Exactly, Lt. Faul!"

Faul was shocked. "Wait, did you say, 'Lt'. Faul?"

"Yes, I did. You are hereby promoted. And if Appaloosa and Dodge City fall by nightfall, you will be 'Commander' Faul!"

Faul was beside himself. "YES SIR!!!" He then went back to work.

Back in his palace in the Zebra capital city of Zebrica, Overlord Zakia felt like the most powerful being in the universe. He had just heard the reports from General Tarrath, and once he had recovered from his immense shock, he began to smirk.

"Excellent work General, excellent work indeed! Bring the prisoners to me! Do what you wish with the Equestrian soldiers, but bring me the Humans, any female medical staff, and of course the 4 'Element Bearers'!"

"As you wish, Overlord Zakia. Meanwhile, the battle continues, and we still have no sign of the Black Leviathan! Do you know where it is, Overlord Zakia?"

"Well, according to the latest reports, it's still in Las Pegasus. Even if they steamed it up right now, there's no way that they could reach you before the towns fell. You're winning General, don't mess this up now!"

Tarrath saluted. "I will not fail you Sir! Using a train captured from a previous engagement, the high-value prisoners will be shipped to you immediately. They train should arrive just before nightfall, and the rest of the prisoners shall be held here until the battle is over. Once it is, and we'll most likely have more prisoners, then I'll decide what to do with them, which'll most likely be death for the severely wounded, and the work-camps for the rest!"

Zakia nodded. "As you wish, General, I wish you the best of luck!"

"Thank you General. I will keep you updated as the battles go on. Tarrath out."

Once the communication had been terminated, Zakia sat back on his throne. He saw the soldiers guarding him, as well as a few of his slaves pleasuring him. "Hmm, as such is the destiny of a Zebra; to conquer, and to rule! Soon, I will be the ruler of all of Equus, and NOPONY, not the Equestrians, not the Humans, and not even the Caribou, will be able to stop us!!!!"

Author's Note

Oh NO! Twilight, Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie have been CAPTURED, and are being sent to Zakia in the Zebra Empire?! This is TERRIBLE! However, this is only Part 1. Things will get better, right? RIGHT?!?! Could this be the end? Will all of our hard work have been for nothing? How will we react to the Battle of Appaloosa? Will we be able to get there in time to help? How will the Caribou react? Will Rodin be able to come and save Colonel Stuggs and his forces? Will Zakia reach out to the Humans and Equestrians to try and get a surrender from them? And what will happen when they do? Well, stay tuned for Part 10, (Which will be out either later on tonight, or sometime tomorrow morning,) and I'll tell you!

It'll be AMAZING, so don't you DARE miss it! If you do, I just might have to send the Battleship Express to come find you!

ScarFox out for now, ALL ABOARD!!!!!