Quill was enraged. His targets had evaded him, and there was no way to access their shelter. He had tried sending the pegasi in through the roof-but they said the door wouldn't open. He found it hard to take anyone seriously when they had that ridiculous smile on their face- but he remembered why he was doing this- for equality, yes, but also for revenge. Revenge on the ponies who were living their lives with talents that distracted them from their goals. Revenge on the six- or five, not counting his newest member- who stopped the de-marking process, the one thing he trusted most. Revenge on Starlight, a traitor to the equalization of ponies. Most of all, though, revenge on the world for humiliating him at every turn-ponies questioning him when he was the first to conform, ponies staying away after he was the only one to stick to Starlight's code. If the world wanted to make him suffer like this, he needed to make sure everyone knows how serious he is. If he couldn't spread the equality, he'd tip the scales giving himself the only power in Equestria. It was all he could do to continue the cult.

He was angry, even if he had already taken one of his enemies, because his main target was Starlight. "Ponies," he said through clenched teeth, knowing what he must do, "we cannot move on if we stay here. We have already indoctrinated all the ponies here, and we have even taken a draconequus captive. Instead of chasing after those filthy coward ponies, not able to accept equality, we must expand our reach! As you know, Canterlot and Cloudsdale have still not been overtaken by us. They still need to see the light that is our one true mark- equality!" The ponies cheered, their claps in unison with one another. They eventually stopped, not moving a muscle, smiling and staring at their leader.

Quill thought about what to do next. He could go to Cloudsdale and gain more members, or he could storm Celestia's castle. Pride getting to his head, he felt he could take on the princesses, and made his decision. "Onward to Canterlot!" he yelled, and the rest followed him.

Luna and Celestia were keeping watch over Canterlot. Shining Armor and Cadance were alerted the news as well, and came to conjure a force field around the city. A guard pony raced forward and said, "We have spotted Quill's army, headed straight for Canterlot!"

"Then there's no time to waste," Celestia said firmly. "Luna, keep watch on the central tower and alert me if anything goes wrong."

"I will, sister," said Luna, racing toward her station.

"Shining Armor, you keep up the protection spell, and Cadance, I need you to help him."

Cadance nodded.

Celestia continued, "I will lead the army. Whatever it takes, we will fight for Canterlot. Even if it means we die in the process." She sincerely hoped no one would die, yet she knew this was going to be a tough battle.

"Ponies, to your battle stations!" Celestia exclaimed, ready to defend her kingdom.

Author's Note

sorry for the short chapter