Reclaimer

Chapters

Chapter 2: Peacemakers
Chapter 4: Celestial Temple
Chapter 5: Spectral Clan
Chapter 6: Reclaimer I
Chapter 7: Reclaimer II
Epilogue
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 3: Musician's Order

Chapter 2: Peacemakers

I later learnt that the pegasi who had ambushed us were aligned to the Spectrum Clan, founded by one of Twilight's friends as a response to her strange, obsessive devotion to her mentor.

I think Twilight would use my hurt wing as an excuse to keep fighting the Spectrum Clan. Even if I tell her otherwise.

But the first pony I met on the ground... was not a pony at all.

Cadence couldn't feel anything, or see anything. An ever-present expanse of black surrounded her from all sides, and she couldn't even tell up from down.

"...ake u..."

A voice. A familiar voice. She struggled to turn to the sound, but couldn't find it.

"...en..."

Things started returning. First, the direction she was facing, which was up.

"wa... Cade...ce..."

Then, the pain in her wing.

Her eyes burst open as she shrieked in agony, arching her back instinctively. When she could focus as best as she could, her eyes fell on a purple and green figure.

"Cadence!" The dragon yelled. "Are you ok?"

"God, my wing!" She fell back down, whimpering.

"Look, we have to get outta here! If the Clan or Temple catch you, you're screwed!"

"I-I can't move, I think..." Ok, I don't know if I can or not, but I'm not going to risk it.

Spike groaned. "Fine, I'll carry you, but it's not going to be comfy."

Partway through the journey, she had slipped out of consciousness, and awoke to the sound of beeping. She found herself in a barn, lying on an annoyingly uncomfortable bed, wires running from her hoof to the machine making the beeping.

Looming over her was the dragon that saved her, and the pony she recognised as Fluttershy.

"Hey Cadence." Spike greeted her. "Welcome to Ponyville."

Cadence could only moan something. She was trying to ask why she was attacked, and what had just happened.

"Just rest a moment." The sweet, quiet voice of the timid pegasus soothed her. Enough, in fact, that her tongue started cooperating with her mind.

"Whu- What happened?"

"You were hit by some Clan pegasi, likely because you were in a royal chariot." Spike turned to Fluttershy. "Sharp Wings, I think." A nod from Fluttershy sent him back to the winged unicorn under him. "The single bullet passed through your wing, almost no shards stuck in. A mercifully clean wound."

"That means," The pegasus spoke again. "Your wing will heal at a good rate. But you must rest."

Cadence sat up, surprisingly with nopony making her sit down. "I'd love to, but I promised Celestia I'd find out what Twilight's up to."

She saw Spike tense up at the unicorn's name. "She's gone mad. The Clan's violent, yes, but the Temple's on the verge of becoming a cult. A cult devoted so highly to Celestia that it will tarnish her name."

Fluttershy moved on to another patient before Spike continued. "It's a bad time to be a winged unicorn. Temple's been taking them nearly by force as 'Chosen Ones' or something, and the Spectrum Clan has been shooting them on sight to stop them from reaching the Temple."

Cadence noticed that the other patient was, startlingly, one of her assailants. In fact, it was one of the ones she had hit with the chariot. The stallion gave a grin.

"You've got quite a kick with that magic, freak."

Her adrenalin surged again, but was stopped miraculously short by a smack on the back by Spike.

The stallion recovered from his defensive position to a more relaxed one. "Sorry, I shouldn't call you that. We shouldn't call you that."

"Good idea." She turned to Fluttershy. "Where exactly are we?"

"Y'all at Sweet Apple Acres." Another familiar voice. The farmer, Applejack. "The Hospital's in the Order's land."

She turned to see her farmer friend, standing next to her titanic brother. He had similar weapons to the pilot who got torn to pieces, but larger. He also wore a big, thick suit of security armour with a shield painted on the front. Applejack herself wore normal-grade security armour, also with a shield.

"Ok, so whose side am I in?"

"Um," Fluttershy spoke out. "The Peacemakers. It's my own idea."

Cadence blinked. Fluttershy made a whole group? "And what's your role in this whole thing?"

"We're tryin' t' stop th' war." A lighter voice rang out from one of the corners of the room, she turned to see a blue-grey pony with a red mane, tied neatly back in a bun. When the pony stood up from the boiler she had been working on, she was not actually blue, but was wearing a suit of denim overalls, and had a lovely yellow coat and orange eyes. Applebloom. "Even if we havta do so at the cost'a lives." She didn't say that proudly.

Cadence's heart sank. The fillies have been dragged into this?

Applebloom walked up, not seeming happy to see her. "Heya Cadence."

Cadence remained silent.

"Ah bet yer wonderin'... Where the other girls have gone?"

"Applebloom-" Applejack started, before being silenced.

"I am, actually." Cadence looked around, instinctively.

"Scoot's with the Clan, and Sweetie Belle's with the Musician's Order." She hung her head low. "Mah best friends... Now enemies..." The earth pony fell into the alicorn's shoulder, wailing with despair. Cadence wrapped her hooves around her and pulled her close.

That's it. I have to stop this. Twilight is not as important right now.

Cadence flexed her wing. It was working fine and completely healed. It only took three days, but it was done.

She turned to Spike, who was resting on a bale of hay. "Hey, Spike?"

Spike looked up from the photo he was looking at. "Yeah?"

"Can I ask why you're not with Twilight?"

Spike visibly twitched. "As I said, she went crazy. Started spewing nonsense about Celestia being a goddess, which is close but not really accurate. She was bugging me about sending letters to her Goddess, and that's when I left."

Something was missing. But she went along with it. "And now you're with the Peacemakers."

"Actually," He stood up. "I'm not."

"Huh?"

Spike sighed, and walked up to her. Spike was as tall as she was, and she was as tall as a full-grown stallion. "When I left the Temple, I decided to try not to get involved. But I couldn't leave, not with this mess still around, so while I help the Peacemakers because they're the only ones with any Celestia-damn sense, I'm on my own."

Cadence tried leaning to see the photograph, but he snapped it back before she could see it.

"Anyway, Twilight's a lost cause. You'd be best leaving as soon as you can." He looked down, and sniffed.

"No."

Spike jerked his head up in surprise. "Wha-"

"You're staying here to stop this, but you can't go it alone. You'll need help for your own objective. Whether it's from me or the Peacemakers is up to you."

Spike sighed heavily. "The 'win at all costs' attitude of the PMs doesn't suit my ideas. And you'll need a guide around Ponyville."

Cadence smiled. "Glad you can help."

"Besides," He leant back on the makeshift bed Cadence was sitting on. "We're both here for Twilight."

"Before we go, however," Spike said, taking Cadence to a further part of the farm. "You'll need to know how to fight."

"Well, I already know a bit, but only some defensive stuff." Cadence broke into a hover, making sure her wing was working fine, which it was.

"That's not going to really help, unless you learn a passive shield spell that triggers reflexively."

"You know quite a bit about spells for a dragon..." She broke into a grin.

"Blame- No, thank Twilight."

A short while later they had reached a firing range in an empty part of the farm. Spike handed Cadence a sidearm.

"We've got a variety of weapons, mostly mouthgrip but we have some hoofgrip and magic-only weapons."

The pistol was small, and designed to be held in the mouth. Cadence opted to use her magic, carrying it in a blue aura. It seemed almost repulsive to her, or at least somewhat uncomfortable to have in her grips.

"Here, I'll demonstrate." Spike pulled a weapon from his own holster, a talongrip sidearm, and held it with both claws. After a second a blast of fire erupted from the barrel and a new hole was made on one of the targets. "Now, you try."

Cadence's first few shots missed wildly. As did the next few. And the next one, before it stopped firing.

"Outta ammo." Spike muttered, grabbing the pistol and pulling the magazine out. "Make sure to aim, you don't have infinite ammo."

Cadence grabbed the gun once a new clip had been inserted. "So, just look down these bits?" She asked, pointing at the top of the gun.

"The ironsights, yeah."

Cadence looked down the steel weapon. It was easier to use a sword like Shining had taught her to, but she had to try at least. She squeezed the trigger, and the gun kicked back. To her joy, a new hole had been created on the target. Not where she was aiming, though.

"Nicely done." He pulled his own weapon out and looked over it. "Try it a bit more."

A few more shots were fired, and hit almost three other corners apart from the first shot. "This isn't so hard."

"That's because they aren't moving." He pulled his weapon out. "Just a tip, try to aim for the outer legs. That'll wound them and stop them from fighting us."

"But isn't the point-"

"The point is to put them out of action. If it was a matter of just killing them, then we would. But wounding them takes not only the opponent out, but those that rescue him, the medical staff and so many more. It's effective and you don't feel as guilty."

Cadence looked over her pistol. "Hopefully I won't miss and hit them in the eye..."

"Hey Spike!" Cadence yelled from her resting spot.

A loud sigh. "Yes, Cadence?"

"Where'd my saddlebag go?"

"Oh, it's here." Spike walked up, carrying the familiar white bag with a shield fastener. He tossed it up to her, and she caught it with magic.

"Thanks, now I can work on this journal."

Over the past few days, she had noticed many familiar faces. The Cakes and their children, for one. Angel, despite the grave situation, had been a pest, but Fluttershy paid him no heed. A beige pony who she recalled being close friends with the mint-green unicorn Lyra. A drunken pony. Two ponies with the same mark; an hourglass. Practically half of Ponyville was here, though not part of the Peacemakers. The rest, she assumed, had moved out or were part of the other factions and had left.

This was going to be a long journey...

Spike helped me recover from my events. Last time I saw him he was shorter than Twilight, but now he's as tall as I am! Amazing how little time it takes to change things.

He's also hiding his true intent for staying in Ponyville. I've noticed that he's almost always carrying a photo that he lets almost nopony see, though Applebloom seems to already know who it is, as it fills her with sadness when she is allowed to look.

A complication added to the objective is that Applebloom's friends are part of other factions. I feel her pain; I've been in similar positions. This is worse, though.

Anyway, our first goal is to check out the Temple to work something out, then quickly to the Spectrum Clan to stop them from attacking the Temple. Once the fighting's over, then the minor factions will disband and return to normal.

That's the plan, at least...

Chapter 4: Celestial Temple

Rest.

I can never get enough of it. For the last few nights before arriving I had gotten a shorter sleep than I should have.

And sometimes, when I get enough time to sleep, I couldn't rest properly.

Including this morning.

Cadence slowly opened an eye, and was greeted with a bright sunlight. She stretched her stiff wings and sat up, scratching her back.

"Morning, Spike."

Spike was sitting up, looking over the photograph. "Morning."

Cadence rested her head on Spike's shoulder, taking the opportunity to find out what the photo was. It was of a younger Spike, standing next to a pre-teen Sweetie Belle. Spike stood at slightly-less the height of his marefriend, arms around her neck, grinning like a madpo... maddragon. Sweetie Belle was beaming. Up the top was a banner which said "Happy 1 Year of Togetherness-ness", complete with a bouncy pink pony, slightly blurred from movement.

"This was my best day ever. More so than my birthday or even hers." He smiled, and then placed the photo in his bag. "C'mon, let's go."

Cadence tied her hair up, deciding to brush it later, and followed the happy dragon. Then Spike froze.

"Hang on."

She could pick up a low whine that seemed to slowly be increasing in pitch.

"What's th-?"

Spike shushed her. After a moment of listening, his eyes widened and he shoved her into the back wall.

A huge explosion burst the front door and most of the wall back, knocking Spike under a pile of rubble. A silhouetted unicorn, wearing plates of armour and lifting a sword in a lavender aura, stood on the highest point of the rubble.

Cadence kept low, ducking the few stones that were hurled to her direction from the blast. The armoured figure trotted a few feet forwards, a band of light casting across her muzzle. Her coat was azure, her mane two tones of pale blue, and her eyes a dull pink. She grinned menacingly, casting her eyes over the alicorn.

"The Arch-Priest wants to see you."

Cadence rose to full height, wings open as a display of aggression. "I'm not going, not with you."

The azure mare scoffed. "You think that I was giving you an option, Cadenza?" The snapped her head to her subordinates. "NOW!"

Multi-coloured ropes of energy wrapped themselves around Cadence, binding her legs and wings, and she hit the wooden floor with an audible thud. She winced in pain, and then felt a tiny prick on her neck.

The mare walked up and lifted Cadence's head up. Cadence's vision was starting to blur and fade. "Do not worry; I'm sure the Arch-Priest will be more... hospitable."

Anything else that was said was as lost as Cadence's consciousness, as she slipped into an annoyingly familiar black abyss.

Cadence cracked her eyes open slowly, but clamped them shut under the blinding lights. She felt weak-bodied and groggy, and eventually opened her eyes. Through her haze she spotted a parchment-robed figure, sporting a very familiar purple mane. The figure turned away from the large statue in the centre of the room, which Cadence recognised as Celestia, and towards her. The mare smiled.

"Hello Caden-"

"What the hell, Twilight!" Cadence snapped out in anger.

"I don't under-"

"You attacked me, tied me up-" Cadence noticed that she was no longer binded. "-and drugged me, for what?"

"Cadence, ple-"

Cadence rose to her full height, only slightly taller than Twilight. "You have a lot of explaining to do!"

Twilight looked up at her friend with slight fear. "I-it was Paladin Lulamoon! I didn't do that!"

"But you ordered her to, yes?"

Twilight stiffened, before dropping her gaze to the floor. "I did. I had to make sure you got here safely."

"Funny way of showing it." Cadence muttered.

"I mean, if the Clan, Order or Peacemakers got to you first..." Twilight shook her head. "But that's not important."

Cadence relaxed. "Celestia sent me to-"

Twilight gasped. "Celestia sent you?! For what reason?"

"Um... To... check on you...?"

Twilight squealed in delight and started hopping around. "Our Goddess Celestia is watching my purity and devotion!" She landed in front of the statue, and bowed, muttering something for a whole minute, before bouncing back. "This is a true blessing!" Twilight leaned right up to Cadence's muzzle. "What did She say about me? Am I showing her true power well?"

Cadence stepped back. "Actually, she sent me here because she doesn't know what you've been doing."

Twilight froze. "Say wha?"

"You haven't written anything to her, or your brother for that matter, in over three months." Cadence placed her hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "And because she's far too busy running Equestria, I was sent in her place."

Twilight stood there, taking the information in. "So, what you're saying is... Celestia hasn't seen my work here in Her name..."

Cadence instinctively looked for an escape route. "Uh... Yeah."

Twilight looked at Cadence, pupils shrinking. "Oh, well, that's ok then."

"Huh?"

Twilight grinned, in a way that terrified the living daylights out of Cadence. "I'll just get her attention then. Send some Priests over to Canterlot, ritually sacrifice Clan members, find Spike and send a letter to both Goddesses, induct more mem-"

"Hang on, can you go back a bit."

"Um... Find Spike?"

"No, before that."

"Ritual sacrifices of Clan-"

Cadence shrieked. "You can't honestly be thinking of that!"

Twilight looked puzzled. "Um... Why should I not be?"

"Celestia doesn't need sacrifices! Hell, she'll probably hate you more for that!"

"Ok, so sacrifices are out."

Cadence sighed.

"I'll just torture them instead, for not believing in-"

"WHAT?!"

"Hey, they're still alive."

Cadence groaned. "That's not the point..."

"Then what is?"

"Princess Celestia rules Equestria on a basis of friendship and love. Murder and torture is just... wrong. Especially for someone who follows the royal sisters as bucking Gods."

"Goddesses."

"Whatever." Cadence turned. "Think about the ideals of your Goddesses before you act."

Twilight looked away from Cadence's back, and then snapped her vision back with a manic grin. "You're right. But there's something else I need to do."

Cadence turned back, and immediately regretted it. "What... would that be?"

"Study."

Cadence hit the concrete floor with a thud. "Ow..."

Twilight, still manic, looked at her old friend. "Sorry about the condition of the cell. We only have one of them."

Cadence sat up, just as the door slid shut and locked. Twilight trotted away, muttering something.

"So, they got you to, huh?" A deep stallion's voice said behind her.

She turned back to see a large unicorn... well, pegasus unicorn... sitting on the far wall. His coat was a near-black and his mane and eyes a deep purple. To his left was a blue-and-red coated mare of similar race, with a yellow mane that reminded her of fire and a beige-coated stallion huddling in the other corner.

"I guess so."

The big stallion smiled. "Voidgale Donovan." He stuck out a hoof.

"Mi Amore Cadenza, or Cadence for short." Cadence took his hoof and shook it.

"Ah, you're that Princess who married Captain Armor." He smiled. "Pleasure to meet you. The mare here is Firebomb. Sister of the most annoying Earth Pony I've ever had to deal with."

"Hiyas!" Firebomb said, quite excitedly.

"And that guy is Genome. Don't talk to him, he despises alicorns."

Cadence looked at Genome. His black mane was quite ruffled, and had a question mark cutie mark, partly obscured by a wing.

"Isn't he an alicorn himself?"

"Impure alicorn. Or winged unicorn. Or pegasus unicorn. Same thing." Voidgale stood up, stretching his legs and wings, muttering something about beds. "His genes are in conflict. It's screwing with his mind."

Cadence looked at her own wings and horn. "So, does that mean...?"

"Nah. Mares are surprisingly resistant to the negative effects of impurity. But you're not an impure."

"I'm not?"

"There are three types of Alicorns. Impures, Pures and Royals. The three of us are Impure, Princess Celestia and Luna are Royals."

"And I'm..."

"Pure, as far as I can tell."

Firebomb trotted up. "So you're a Princess? Like, Celestia-type Princess?"

"Sorta, yeah."

"So you're immortal and stuff?"

Cadence smiled. "No, I've got a normal lifespan, and I'm not an effective Goddess."

Firebomb smiled. "'Kay."

The princess turned as she heard hoofsteps behind her. Walking up was a white unicorn with a ravishing purple mane, wearing parchment-coloured robes (customised with some extras) and levitating a clipboard. "Donovan?"

"Aye?"

"I'm sorry, but your examination is up." The mare looked at the floor as she opened the door.

Voidgale sighed. "Well, wish me luck."

Cadence and Firebomb replied in unison, as the large stallion walked out of the cell. He turned to the robed mare.

"I know this is hard for you, Rarity. It'll be over soon enough, though."

Rarity hung her head lower as a guard of two stallions escorted him out of sight. She looked back up at the remaining three.

"I'm so sorry about all this..."

"Nah, s'okay." Firebomb replied excitedly.

Rarity looked around the cell, and her gaze froze on Cadence. "Princess Cadence?"

"Hey." Cadence replied in mock happiness.

"Celestia be damned... How did you get here?"

"Long story." She smiled weakly. "But it's good to see you."

"I wish it was in better circumstances, I'm afraid." Rarity turned away to head off. "I'll be back in a few hours."

Cadence shifted to the wall where Voidgale was resting, and sighed. "This isn't going well..."

"Don't worry," Firebomb said as she returned to her spot. "Void will be fine."

"No he won't."

The two mares turned to the beige stallion, who was now looking up at them, silently judging them.

"None of the others have come back. They're being opened up, dissected, all while alive and in pain."

Cadence gulped.

"And all of this is being done in the name of those 'Princesses'." He glared at Cadence. "The Princesses must be heartless- no, soulless- to let this happen!"

"They don't know it's happening, if it is at all."

"Oh, sure, they may say that, but they really do know its happening and they like it!" He laughed maniacally. "I must be the smartest pony alive to know all this while you believe them!"

"He's crazy." Firebomb whispered.

Genome continued laughing before clutching his head in pain, and collapsing.

"Of course, he's right about the nopony returning."

"Great..." Cadence leant back. "What am I supposed to do now?"

As if the heavens heard her, Twilight walked into view. "Cadence?"

"What?" She spat the word out.

"I'm just checking on you, that's all."

"Ugh... Can you at least tell me why you're acting all crazy?"

"I'm not acting crazy."

"Just-! Tell me what happened."

Twilight smiled, looking saner than she had prior. "Gladly."

Twilight levitated a seat from somewhere and sat on it. "A few years ago, one of my friends grew unhappy with me. We started arguing about the minor stuff, and then it grew into religious debates. She formed the dreaded Spectral Clan, and I the Holy Celestial Temple. And we've been fighting ever since."

Cadence looked at her with mixed emotions. "For a biased view, that was surprisingly neutral."

"One must keep up the appearance of goodwill."

"Just a few questions, though."

"I'm all ears." Twilight shifted position.

"Why are you capturing winged unicorns?"

"Ah, that's a good one." Twilight smiled. "I'm trying to gain a better understanding of my Goddesses by finding out how her Chosen Ones work."

"And... what do you do to them?"

"Dissect them alive and in pain." Genome said again.

"No no no, we use anaesthetics." Twilight replied.

"But the dissections?"

Twilight looked worried for a moment. "Unfortunately, yes. But we try to keep them alive after the operation. But nopony has actually survived the process to date."

"Have you thought that maybe it has something to do with the magika network?"

Twilight nodded. "Voidgale's the first. If it all goes well, he'll be back in a while."

Firebomb squealed in delight, then pointed a hoof accusingly at Genome. "Hah! I knew he'd be fine!"

"Shut up, kid, I've got a migraine..."

Cadence felt relieved. "Thank Celestia..."

Twilight bowed her head and said a few words before stepping off the chair. "Anyway, I have to go now. Try to get some rest."

Cadence couldn't sleep.

One reason was the floor. Solid as concrete, probably due to the fact that is was, in fact, concrete.

Another was her worrying about what was happening outside the walls of the Temple.

And the last was the occasional yell from somewhere down the hall.

Firebomb was curled up against Cadence, her breathing audible in the otherwise absolute silence.

Hoofsteps caught her attention, and the darkly-lit figure of Rarity walked up to the cell door.

"Genome, you're up."

Genome tried moving as far as way as possible, which it wasn't as he was already hugging the corner. He started screaming in terror, and flew up to the roof's corner above him.

Firebomb stirred. "Shuddup, Genome..."

Genome continued resisting until he screamed in pain and fell to the floor, limp as a wet noodle. Rarity sighed, and trotted in to grab him by the tail by the mouth.

After she dragged him out and spat out his tail, she turned. "Sorry for waking you, Princess."

"I couldn't sleep anyway." She weakly smiled.

Rarity looked around the hallway, torchlight glinting off the smooth stone walls, then turned back to the ponies in the cell. "I'm risking death by doing this... Do you want to get out of here?"

Cadence nodded, and felt Firebomb do so as well.

Rarity sighed. "Come on out, then." She pulled two robes out of her saddlebag. "And put these on."

Cadence tried grabbing the robe with magic, but found it impossible to muster up the focus. "Uhm... My magic..."

Rarity facehoofed. "Oh, how could I forget about mentioning the A-A-E Field?" Rarity gestured them out.

Firebomb eagerly trotted out, and picked up the smaller of the two robes. "Thanks miss."

Cadence cautiously walked out. "What happens if we get caught?"

"I'll be killed and you'll be returned here." Rarity smiled weakly. "But that's not going to happen."

Firebomb slipped into her robes easily, and then ran back into the cell. She leaned into a pile of hay and pulled out a military-green saddlebag.

"Where did you...?" Rarity looked at it puzzlingly.

"I made it out of Blisterspeed's clothes, and some leather from Icefall's sash."

"And what's in it?"

"Bombs. Duh."

"How the hell did you-"

Hoofsteps.

Cadence looked down the hall and saw two flickering shadows walking past. Rarity tapped Cadence in the shoulder and pointed to the cell.

Firebomb strapped the makeshift bag onto her back, Rarity slipped the other robe into her saddlebag, and Cadence sat back down in the cell. Rarity shut the door quietly and winked at Cadence.

After a moment of tension two ponies walked into the hall. One was a stallion, his attention fully on the mare in armour beside him. The mare, likewise, had her attention on the stallion. The two walked past, chatting about mundane things, right past the two robed figures and the prisoner. Rarity made sure they were out of earshot before gesturing Cadence out.

After a bit of hassle Cadence managed to dress in her robes and in short order the three mares were walking along the halls, following Rarity.

"So... How's Voidgale?" Cadence asked

Rarity looked down, sadly. "He... didn't make it. The sheer amount of stress on his network just..."

Cadence nodded solemnly. Firebomb was on the brink of tears.

"S-so Void is..."

"I'm afraid so."

Firebomb started crying loudly, not too loud that it'd draw attention to them. Rarity pulled her close with her hoof.

"There there... He's in a better place now..."

Cadence tore her eyes away from the sad scene and saw three long shadows. She poked Rarity to let her know.

The three figures turned into the hallway, and walked with purpose. The two figures to the side were fully-armoured stallion. One had a spear, the other a crossbow. The centre figure was the azure mare that brought Cadence here.

The paladin walked up to the scene. "Scholar Rarity, what are you doing here?" She asked with cold steel.

Rarity looked up. "This young mare just lost her father in the war, Trixie. Don't be so cold."

Trixie seemed, for a second, to soften, briefly remembering a distant memory. Then she rehardened and looked at Cadence. "And she?"

"She's new here, and I'm showing her around."

The Paladin looked over the hidden alicorn, almost recognising her. "She seems familiar."

"She has a sister."

"Very well then. I expect Genome's results on the Arch-Priest's desk ASAP." Trixie, flanked by the armoured ponies, trotted off.

Cadence sighed. "That was a close one."

Rarity nodded in agreement, then stiffened. "They're heading to the cells. Oh no, no no nonononon!" She started walking fast. "We have to get out of here."

Firebomb pulled herself off Rarity, and followed as Rarity started breaking out into a trot. Cadence ran up as they reached a gallop.

Over the sounds of their own hooffalls, they could hear Trixie roaring out Rarity's name, and the sounds of armoured hoofsteps ringing through the hall behind them.

"The front door is right there!" Rarity sprinted to the door and slammed into it. "Open it!"

Cadence, Firebomb and Rarity pushed with all their magic, slowly moving the door open. It was soon open enough for Cadence to pop out, and then Firebomb, then Rarity.

Just as Rarity ran out, Trixie forced the doors wide open, moving the huge slabs of metal as if it were plastic. "Sureshot, crossbow!"

Trixie gripped the crossbow that the armoured guard had passed her and took aim. With a jolt the weapon launched a bolt into the direction of Rarity.

Rarity galloped harder than she had before. The bolt flew right into her back leg with a yelp from the unicorn and she stumbled into the dirt.

Firebomb skidded to a halt. "Rarity!"

"Go, leave me!" Rarity screamed at them.

"But- You're sister-!" Cadence yelled back.

"Tell her-" She winced in pain. "Just tell her I love her, and anything else that you want! Just leave me!"

Another bolt snapped through the air, striking Rarity directly in the horn. It snapped. Rarity screamed like she had been dropped in white-hot fire and was still alive after five hours of pain, all in the space of a second.

"Rar-"

"LEAVE ME!" Rarity wailed through her pain, and fell limp, but still awake.

Cadence turned and ran. Firebomb followed quickly, dropping the robes.

After a minute of running, the two stopped for a breather. Cadence flung her robes off.

"Cadence?!" Spike's voice could be heard. The tall dragon emerged from behind a sheet of metal. "Where the hell have you been?"

"Temple. Twilight. Rarity. Saved..." Cadence was too low in breath to speak properly.

"Come again?"

Cadence sighed in frustration. "We were kidnapped by the Temple. I saw Twilight. She's insane. Rarity saved our flanks."

Spike sighed with relief. "Thank Celestia." He walked up and handed her bags to her. "I've got your stuff."

Cadence groaned. "Knew I forgot something..."

Firebomb bounced up to Spike. "Hiyas! I'm Firebomb!"

"I'm Spike." He held out a claw, which Firebomb put her hoof in and shook it.

"So, Firebomb, will you be joining us?"

"Nah, I'm gonna find my bro's family. They moved outta Ponyville two years ago."

"I wonder why." Spike muttered under his breath, full of sarcasm.

"But when this is all good, I'll talk to y'later, 'kay?"

"'Kay." Cadence replied. "So, Spike, what have you been doing?"

"Recovering from head trauma."

"Ah." Cadence smiled. "This has been quite a rough day, and I can't wait to just sleep properly..."

She flipped out her journal, and opened to a fresh page.

Sacrifices. I've heard a lot of sacrificing things for others, such as some freedoms one may have. An example is that since I married Shining I lost a day a week, but I'm ok with that because that's my day with Shining.

Another example is Rarity giving up her own life for mine. Generosity like that is next-to-impossible to find anywhere in Equestria.

Tomorrow, I'll try to reach the Clan, see if I can convince them to stop fighting. From what I've heard, that'll be hard, but I'll try my damned best.

Chapter 5: Spectral Clan

You'll be pleased to know I had a pleasant sleep. For a reptilian creature, Spike is quite warm. And soft.

If you're reading this, Shining, I did NOT 'sleep' with him. We just shared a bed. Besides, I'm married and he has a marefriend.

ANYWAY!

Today was the day we were going to stop the Ponyville Civil War. Today, we are heading to the Clan headquarters and dealing with them. I'd say wish me luck, but you know why that isn't going to work.

Cadence held her laser pistol in the air, looking around the next-to-ruined town. They were still in Temple territory, and one could not be too careful.

Spike held his own pistol out, despite being on 'don't shoot immediately' terms with the Temple, Order or Peacemakers. He had his pistol out for two different reasons. One was Cadence.

"This place is a disaster zone..." Cadence noticed that some of the more recent barricades had a black or purple lightning bolt stencilled onto them, often over the symbol of a half-sun half-moon.

"That's what wars do."

Cadence kept walking around until she felt something against her hoof. She looked down and saw a teenage colt, lying there, lifeless and several holes partially clogged with clotting blood. She screamed.

Spike ran up, and upon seeing the body sighed, partially with relief and partially with sadness. "Damned Clan, sending kids head-first."

Cadence backpedalled, dropping her pistol. "Dead! Dead colt! Agh!"

"Cadence, calm down!" Spike gripped her by the shoulders. "There'll be more if you don't do something about the clan!"

Cadence's heavy breathing slowed down. "At best we could give him a proper rest."

Spike nodded, and shifted the colt into a more appropriate position. Cadence magically shut the corpse's eyelids.

"There. Now we can go."

Cadence was still shaky after that incident, the face of the colt refusing to return from her mind. Even so, Spike had grown more cautious as they pressed on, often dropping low as a free-running pony leaped over something nearby. Eventually, the two of them reached a location Spike recognised as being close to the edge of town.

"I don't know where the Clan's HQ is. I'd ask around, but..."

"But what?"

"I'm on a bad standing with the Clan. And you... You're an alicorn."

Cadence would've berated him for simply saying she was in danger just because of her body, except she knew why.

A cluttering sound froze the two of them.

"What was...?"

"Die, freak!" A mare's voice shot out from one of the buildings, and ten or so ponies rushed out of various points, leaping over barricades and over rooftops. Then the bullets started flying.

Spike pushed Cadence behind cover as he fired a couple of shots from his weapon. Cadence pulled out her own pistol and blasted a beam at an oncoming stallion. The stallion crashed into a barricade that he was likely planning on leaping over. Spike fired several more shots before ducking behind the same barricade, replacing the spent magazine in his weapon.

"I got four. You?"

"One, stunned."

"Right. That leaves five."

Spike rolled out of cover, only to be knocked back a couple of feet. He rose slowly, checking his chest for wounds.

"So I am bullet resistant..."

Cadence leapt from her side of the cover, and fired a few beams in the direction of a young mare. The mare's magic imploded when the second beam struck her, and she fell limp.

"Got another!"

Spike grabbed a heavy weapon from the stallion that had crashed into the barricade after being stunned, and opened up a curtain of lead in the direction of the remaining ponies. Three of them dropped before the gun ran empty.

Spike rolled behind cover as a hail of bullets hit their location. Cadence ducked behind as well.

"Good news, they can't run up to us while he's shooting us."

"Bad?"

"We're pinned."

Cadence summoned up some magic. "Not quite."

"What are you-!"

Cadence leapt out of the cover, and brought up a blue forcefield in front of her. When the bullets hit her shield, there was a glowing ripple from each one. And the weight of fire obscured vision from behind the normally-transparent shield.

Spike took this opportunity to fire back, placing himself in a gap between the shield and the barricade. He managed to get the machine gunner, and as Cadence dropped her shield Spike took the other one down.

Only the sound of Cadence's magic could be heard. Spike looked around.

"That was fast."

Spike was sent flying by a large force, and smacked into a barricade a good few metres away. Cadence turned to see a hooded, masked pegasus using her wings to leap over barricades, a saddle-mounted gun to her side.

Cadence pulled out her pistol, and struck the pony with a beam of rainbow light. At the same time one of the pony's wings buckled as a solid bullet tore through it. The pony slid almost comically to Cadence's hooves.

Spike walked up, holstering his pistol. "I guess we missed one."

The pony groaned, her wounded orange wing twitching. Spike started removing the saddle off the hooded pony. Cadence pulled the hood back, the mare's purple mane spiked and long. Spike froze.

"Hang on..."

Cadence pulled the mask off and pushed the goggles up. The mare opened her eyes, and looked up slowly. Then her pupils turned to pinpricks, seething with anger.

"You freak! You shot me!" The mare wriggled around, looking for a scorch mark, then froze in pain. "Ow..."

"Hey Scoots." Spike said, only giving a glance to her as he threw the saddle aside. The gun, being poorly maintained, broke on impact.

"Spike?!"

"Scootaloo?" Cadence recognised the muzzle of the mare.

"Cadence?" Scootaloo coughed awkwardly. "Well, this'll make killing you harder..."

"Who said anything about killing me?"

"I-I have to. Spare them from Twilight's crazy stuff."

Cadence facehoofed. "No, you don't."

"But-"

"You could, I dunno, help them?"

Scootaloo paused. "I gotta tell her that."

"Right. Actually, can you help us?"

"Depends."

"I need to reach your HQ. Have a talk with your leader."

Scootaloo grimaced, probably her wing. "No can do. You'd be shot on site, even if I escorted you there."

Cadence slumped down. "Well, this is awkward."

Spike grinned. "I just had an idea."

Cadence tightened the ropes behind Scootaloo's back, binding her hooves tighter. "Now don't move too much, or I'll be forced to shoot you."

What Spike had planned was to tie up Scootaloo and pretend they were holding her hostage. Unfortunately, Scootaloo didn't like it that much. Which made the disguise more realistic.

"I hate you guys."

"We love you too." Spike said mockingly, slapping Scootaloo's rump. Scootaloo yelped and tried bucking the living daylights out of Spike, who stepped out of her range.

"Pervert! I'll kill you!"

Cadence snickered. "This is going to work so well."

And so they set off. Along the way many ponies with weapons looked up, and many ponies lowered them when Spike levelled a pistol to Scootaloo's head. Cadence had her pistol on stun as always, and aimed them at any ponies that were a little more hesitant at lowering a firearm. When there weren’t any ponies, Spike made Scootaloo feel just a little more awkward.

By the time they reached a makeshift hall, Cadence swore that Scootaloo had gone back to hating them completely. Spike might have been having a little too much fun.

Cadence pushed open the door. It creaked open on rusted hinges.

The room was large, with a sort-of throne at the end. On one side of the throne was a pink-maned pony, brandishing a huge blade, and on the other a yellow-maned pegasus who levelled a heavy weapon when they entered. And in the centre was a cloaked figure, shrouded in darkness.

Spike threw Scootaloo to the ground hard, and aimed his pistol at her head. "Don't attack, or you can say goodbye to this little filly."

Cadence shot him a look. The pink-maned pony got ready to leap at them, the pegasus cocked her weapon. But the centre figure waved them down.

"Pinkie, Derpy, stand down."

The cloaked figure rose up, and slowly made her way down the throne's stairs.

"So, Cadence, how have you been?"

Cadence gasped when the pony stood out into a patch of light. A rainbow mane covered one eye, the other eye magenta. Cyan wings opened out.

"Rainbow Dash?"

"The one and only." Something seemed different. Her voice wasn't breaking. That could be due to age.

"Dash!" Scootaloo struggled with her bindings. "Just get 'em! Forget about-"

Spike fired a bullet. Everypony froze. Cadence noticed he had missed. Scootaloo was whimpering. Rainbow Dash was poised to fight, as were Pinkie and Derpy.

"Spike!" Cadence roared. "What the hell?!"

"Hurt the kid and you die!" Rainbow Dash yelled, voice finally breaking.

Spike looked up. "Fine. But you have to listen to Cadence."

Rainbow growled. "I was going to anyway..."

Cadence cleared her throat. "Sorry, Dash. Spike's being a little... unnecessary. Anyway, I have a few questions, and one request."

"Alright, shoot- Not literally." She said, glaring at Spike.

"Ok, first up, what exactly happened between you and Twilight?"

"She was getting a little annoying, which soon rose to a whole religious war. She thinks the Princesses are Goddesses, and I think they're closer to normal ponies."

"So, why did you form the Spectral Clan?"

"That's an easy one." She flew up and pulled aside a curtain somewhere, showing a mural. "Twilight and I were discussing, or more like at each other's throats about, the Princesses and their origins. I personally thought that they were born like us normal ponies. Twilight thinks they were born in heaven or something. I basically founded the Clan as a way of saying 'haha more ponies like my view than yours'. Unfortunately, Twilight retaliated."

Cadence could pick up a familiar smell that until then had evaded her. Reminded her of Twilight when she was little. "So what happened?"

"The Celestia Temple was formed. It's more like a cult, if you ask me. I overheard some of our prisoners saying something about sacrificing us to Celestia. Which is just stupid."

"Yeah, I mean, what sorta Goddess would want ponies killed in their name?" Spike replied, taking a step back from Scootaloo, who was struggling to move.

"Probably ancient ones." Derpy spoke out.

"Anyway, for the past few years I have been... well, hiding... in here, while I pointlessly send young ponies to their deaths." The pegasus sighed. "I wish I could go out on the field and help them, but I know that Twilight would send every last Knight, Mage and Paladin in my direction, and I can't have that inflicted on the Clan. So that's why I'm here."

Pinkie trotted up, silk-straight mane hiding one of her eyes, the opposite one of Dash's. "I've got a journal on the events, written by you, Spike. Found it one day when I was training." She hoofed it to Cadence. "Have a look when you can."

Cadence hovered it up. Spike looked over her shoulder. "So that's where it went..."

Pinkie smiled, brushing mane out of her eye. "Once this is over, I'll run a party. You're invited, obviously."

Cadence slipped the journal into her bag, only to have Spike pull it out to read it. "Thanks, Pinkie."

Derpy walked up, being incapable of flying with the monster of a machine gun she was carrying. "Will there be muffins?"

Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Jeez, Derpy, can't you go five seconds without mentioning muffins?"

"Nope." She paused. "Oh, Princess, have you seen my daughter?"

"Maybe. What's she look like?"

"Unicorn. Purple-grey coat. Golden mane."

Cadence thought back. "Not that I can remember. If I do see her, I'll let you know."

Derpy dropped her behemoth and wrapped her forelegs around Cadence in a tight hug. "Thank you!"

"No problem." Cadence managed to croak out.

"Now, Cadence, you had a request?"

"Oh yes. I think I've stopped the Temple from fighting, so if they seem... unhostile, is that the word... don't shoot them."

"If I can manage. Anything else?"

"Oh, and a possible alliance between the Peacemakers and the Musician's Order."

Dash looked uncertain. "I'll send a negotiation team to both, but I don't expect much."

"At least try. And one final request."

Dash sighed. "Last one, ok?"

"I promise. Do you mind if we stay the night?"

"Oh." Dash brightened up. "Sure, sure."

Cadence laid down on the bed. It was decent enough. "You know what, Spike?"

"Huh?"

"I'm surprised we've managed to get a bed all these nights."

Spike chuckled. "Yeah, it is."

Silence.

"Spike?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you really mean to act like that, back in the Hall?"

Silence.

"I did."

Silence.

"Why?"

"I wanted to make an impression on them, show them that we're tougher than them. If Scoots kept going on like that, Dash might have had those two in action."

"I doubt it."

"Why?"

Silence.

"Because she's afraid."

"Of what?"

"Probably losing everything. Scootaloo must be like a sister to her, she was almost ready to choke you to death when you shot the ground. And then she'd lose you, then I probably would be attacked for letting it happen, and it'd escalate."

"Wow. Deep."

"Yeah."

Silence.

"Can you pass me my journal?"

"Alright." Spike sat up from his own bed and tossed the journal and pen in her direction. Cadence caught it with magic, and prepared to write.

I think, tomorrow, I'll try to bring Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo back together. If nothing else, so we can leave Ponyville before everyone wipes it off the map or worse.

My first firefight was quite hectic. I am glad I came out unscathed. Next time I may not be so lucky.

But for now, I need to catch up on my sleep.

Until tomorrow.

Scootaloo slumped her head out of the window. "This really bites, y'know?"

Rainbow Dash looked up from the novel in her hooves. "What does?"

"I got stunned, had my wing shot, slapped in the flank-"

"Woah woah woah, when did that happen?"

"When they tied me up." Scootaloo turned back. "I got humiliated when nopony was around, and then I literally pissed myself when Spike shot the ground next to me. What made it worse is that you saw it..."

Rainbow snapped the book shut and sighed. "Kid, I probably would've peed myself in your situation."

"No you wouldn't!" She threw her hooves into the air. "You're Rainbow Dash, Wonderbolt-in-training and Warmaster of the Spectral Clan!"

Rainbow Dash chuckled, and ruffled her mane. "There are many things you don't know about me. I'd totally act like you did."

"But-"

"But the difference is that I'd try to keep strong instead of moping about it like it's the most important thing in Equestria." Dash stood up and stretched her wings. "Now, I've sent negotiators from the Sonic Waves MkII to each of the minor factions. With luck, they'll accept an alliance."

Scootaloo's face brightened. "It'd be awesome to have some friends."

Rainbow laughed. "You say that like you don't have friends here."

"I-I was meaning with the Clan!"

"Relax, squirt."

"I'm as tall as you." Scootaloo muttered. "But seriously, AB's with the Peacemakers. It'd be nice to be able to talk to her without being shot at."

"And I with AJ." She blushed. "And her brother, too." She giggled uncharacteristically, like a little filly with a schoolcolt crush.

Scootaloo smiled. "You like him, don't you?"

"Wha-? No, well, yeah, but- Oh shut up!"

Scootaloo broke into laughter. "It's funny 'cos he's dating Cheerilee..."

"Gee, thanks for the dreamwreck, kid." Dash said with dripping sarcasm.

"Eh, 'was nothing." The orange pegasus said with a smirk.

"Oh, that's it, you're dead meat!" Rainbow lunged at Scootaloo and after a moment of tangling caught her in a headlock and was rubbing her hoof on the top of her skull.

A knock on the door stopped her. "Come in."

Pinkie pushed the door open. "I have the answers. Peacemakers yes, Order no."

"What? Why didn't they accept?"

"Something about, and I quote here "them having the nerve of battling us and then trying to be friends.""

"Vinyl?"

"Vinyl. Otherwise, Lyra's a little uncertain. Less so when she heard we're trying to ally with the Peacemakers."

Dash cursed under her breath. "That means they'll try and launch an offensive." She cursed, this time so everypony present could hear her.

"Oh, don't worry about that. The Peacemakers are going to help defend."

"Well, I've got an image to keep, and friendship is magic. Send a contingent... Some from all Aspects."

"Does that mean me as well?" Scootaloo inquired.

"Nah, you're wing's still bad." She tapped Scootaloo's injured wing, who flinched back in pain. "See?"

"Fine."

Rainbow turned to Pinkie. "Thanks, Pinks."

"No problemo!" Pinkie saluted, and then headed out the door.

"Well, this is going to be different..."

"Applebloom!" A sweet voice called out from the garage door.

Applebloom turned to face Fluttershy, who was dressed in armour. "Hey Fluttershy. What c'n Ah do fer ya?"

"Oh, well, we've accepted an alliance request from the Spectral Clan, and I just wanted to hear your thoughts."

Applebloom beamed, wiping sweat from her grease-stained brow. "That's wonderful news! Ah've been dyin' t' talk to Scoots fer years now."

Fluttershy stepped inside, looking around. "Are the Loaders in good condition?"

"Yep. Ah improved the hydraulics and reinforced the joints, plus added some ablative armour plates over the cockpit. Ah've also rewired the right claw controls to th' weapon arm, bolstered the hydraulic output of the left claw and modified the engine to have a sound dampener. Fer each one."

Fluttershy looked at her in confusion.

Applebloom sighed. "It can move faster and better, has more armour, it can shoot properly, the claw is stronger and the entire thing is quieter."

"How long did it take?"

"Well, Ah'm still on the last one, but that's five Loaders times five hours, plus another three fer figurin' out how to do it plus another hour fer doin' it again..."

"Twenty-nine hours." Big McIntosh said from behind a stack of hay, startling Fluttershy.

"My goodness, have you taken breaks?"

"Make that thirty hours."

Fluttershy blinked in confusion. "A day and a half working?"

"Yeah, Ah would've done it in less but AJ dragged me t' dinner this night." She turned to head back to the sixth Loader, picking up a grease-stained rag on the way.

"Haven't you slept?"

"Ah'll have a long one tonight."

Fluttershy smiled sweetly, though nopony could see it. "Ok, have a good night, you three."

"You too." Applebloom replied, head-first in engine.

After a moment of silence, she pulled her head out. "Wait a minute. 'You three'?"

A mare's giggle confirmed her answer.

"Ah. Well, back to work."

Sweetie Belle shut the cockpit's door closed. Her eyes fell on a photo of her and Spike, way back before Ponyville became Hell. It was of the two of them during a party dedicated to them being together for a year. She sighed sadly, and shut her eyes to sleep.

She was woken by a loud clanging on the hull. "Gemstone? Y'in there?"

"Ugh... What is it, Scratch?"

"Lyra wants to have a talk with you."

"Tell her to come down here, I'm stuffed."

"Training?"

"Yeah..."

"Aight, I'll get her."

Sweetie Belle shut her eyes, releasing a long breath.

What felt like an hour later, some more clanging. "Sorry, but she said you have to come up and see her."

"Celestia damnit..." She kicked the cockpit open, and leapt down. A short walk later and she had reached Lyra's office.

"Hey there, Belle-"

"Get on with it."

"Jeez, miss Snappy..." She pointed a hoof to a map on the table. "The Spectrum Clan asked for an alliance."

"And?"

"We refused."

"Why?"

"Vinyl."

Sweetie Belle turned to Vinyl. "Why?"

"They're a buncha jerks who don't care for music, and treated us like a shock unit more than musicians."

"That's because you were shock troops." Lyra deadpanned.

"But I was there for the music."

"Its war, why did you think that'd be acceptable?" Octavia replied.

Vinyl remained silent.

Lyra pointed a mechanical finger at the table. "Now, they expect us to retaliate immediately. So that's why we're going to wait a day."

"Then why am I here?" Sweetie Belle was getting tired of this.

"Because I need to discuss plans for our attack."

"Excuse me," Octavia replied. "But why do we even need to attack? They're at enhanced strength."

"All of our Walkers are operational. In fact, we're the only faction with Walkers."

"And therefore?"

"Ok, I just need an excuse to test these babies out. That and their free-running ponies can't break their armour, so it's safer."

Octavia facehoofed. "Luna damnit, Lyra."

"So, who'll be operating the machines?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Well, there's you in Overture, Vinyl in Nero, I'll be in our newest one, Titan, Crystal is in Harmonic, Ironstorm is in Gunner and Bon Bon is in Juggernaut."

"You'll be on the field?"

"My one is special. It has four arms."

"What? Why? Are you planning on controlling it with your back hooves...?"

Lyra lifted her mechanical arms to show her.

"Oh."

Vinyl cleared her throat. "Anyway, gotta get some shut-eye."

Octavia smiled. "That's uncharacteristic of you, Vinyl."

"Well, I've gotta smash things in a bit, so I'd best catch up on sleep." She turned and briskly walked out of the room. "Later."

Sweetie Belle headed for the door, but Lyra stopped her.

"Sweetie Belle, are you ok?"

She sighed. "No, I'm not."

"Do you want to tell me?"

"Tomorrow."

Twilight flipped through a book, trying to find explanation for Celestia's Goddesshood other than 'immortal, powerful and controls the sun'. She looked up when she heard a loud thud, followed by whimpering.

"Paladin Lulamoon?"

Trixie was breathing hard from the effort of dragging a pony. "Scholar Rarity... She helped Cadence and the other Chosen escape..."

"Let me have a word with her."

"Yes." She turned and left the bright room, out into the dimly-lit hallways, and shut the doors behind her.

Twilight trotted up to Rarity, picking up the broken piece of her horn. "Jovia's got some damn good weaponry. Capable of snapping a horn in one shot." She looked at Rarity's forehead. "Now, I'm going to reattach this, and then you'll tell me everything I ask you to tell me. Deal?"

Rarity nodded weakly.

"Good." Twilight placed the horn back onto the white unicorn's head, and with a flash of lavender magic reattached it. Rarity sighed, her magika network no longer screaming in pain. She froze when Twilight grabbed the bolt in her leg. "Now, why did you free those two?"

"Because they were going to die if you left them..."

"Oh, that wasn't going to happen. You see, Genome actually survived, and now I'm working on a way to enhance ponies temporarily. I've made some... permanent changes to Genome as part of the test."

As if on cue, a hulking beige alicorn walked into the room, eyes dulled and horn brimming with magic.

"Of course, my enhancements keep the mind sharp."

"You... monster!" Rarity cried out. "You broke his mind!"

"No, it broke itself. So much conflict it snapped when it was finally freed. Now, next question. Where did they go?"

"I-I don't know-" She screamed as the bolt was twisted in her leg.

"Let me repeat myself, Rarity. Where. Did. They. Go?"

"I don't know! I just led them outside!" She broke into sobs. "Please, Twilight, don't do this..."

"You broke my trust, Rarity." Another twist of the bolt. "And you know what happens to those that break my trust. Remember Sweetie Belle? She signed a death warrant as soon as she stepped out, and the only reason she's alive is because the entire Order of the Lyre betrayed me." Another twist. "And you remember Twister?"

"Please, Twilight! Enough!"

"She was killed because she tried to take over your position." Twist. "And you said you were letting her? Do you not appreciate what I've done?" Twist. "Now, last question."

Rarity screamed as the bolt was yanked out of her leg, and pointed at her throat.

"Do you value your life?"

Rarity couldn't answer; she was in so much shock.

"I said, do you value your life?"

"Y-y-y-yes..."

"Then why did you betray me?"

"Cadence didn't deserve what she went through, not when you, her old foalsittee, were doing this!"

Twilight floated the bolt at Rarity's neck for a few more moments before pulling it back. "Do not do this again. Or I will execute you on the spot. Understand?"

Rarity's response was unnoticed under her sobbing. Twilight turned to the hulking alicorn, and picked up the bolt again. She built a crossbow out of magic, and fired the bolt directly at the chest of the hulk. It snapped on impact. She examined Genome with pinprick eyes and a manic grin plastering her muzzle.

"With the powers of the Goddesses at my command, who would even dare stop me?"

Chapter 6: Reclaimer I

This is it. The last day of the war.

Probably.

Well, one can hope, right?

Cadence found herself in a large, black void. She daren't move, just in case the ground under her wasn't always solid.

She heard nothing. Nothing except... Sobbing?

She looked around for the source. Nothing.

She let her ears guide her. It was somewhere behind her. She turned to see a ghostly white figure, sprawled on the ground, twitching with pain. Cadence took a cautious step forwards, and fortunately the ground was solid. Next to the white figure, a lavender one appeared. The lavender figure shined brighter than the white one. Emerging next to the bright lavender pony was a massive beige one, flickering in colour. The base of its neck was notably dark.

The lavender pony looked up at Cadence. Silence.

"Hello?"

The lavender mare took a step over the white one, a small glowing red pooling at the base of its leg. The forehead of the lavender one grew brighter, and is a sudden rush of sound, colour and light the black void changed into the temple's main room. The lavender glow became Twilight, the white Rarity and the beige into a hulking monster of a pony.

"Hello, Cadence."

"What's going on? Is this a dream?"

"It is for you. I am testing out a spell of mine, one where I can make a dreamscape for another pony. What you see here is reality."

Cadence's gaze fell onto Rarity's wounded leg, then onto the monster. "Can they see me?"

"No, they cannot. Hell, I doubt that Genome can really see any more..."

"What did you do to him?"

"I balanced out his network and biology, and then enhanced it. His mind broke independently."

Cadence looked at Rarity, who was twitching with sobs. "What happened to her?"

Twilight lifted up a broken and bloodied crossbow bolt. "As you know, she was shot. I fixed her horn up and..." She examined the bolt with the pinprick eyes she had since she first appeared. "I used a little force to get some answers."

"You monster."

Twilight grinned menacingly. "No, I believe you're the monster."

"What?!"

"Rarity risked her life to save you." She placed the tip of the bolt at Cadence's throat. "She was this close to dying. You could've taken her with you. Instead, you left her there for Trixie to drag here and be nearly executed.

"She told us to leave her."

"And you did? How foolish. I know you're more than capable of lifting an entire pony with your magic. You could've taken her with you, brought her to her sister and let her live. You left her for dead."

Behind Twilight Cadence saw that Rarity was rising to her hooves.

"And if you're not the monster, then Genome will take that place."

Rarity gripped Twilight by the neck for support. "Cadence, if you can hear me, tell Sweetie Belle I still love her, and that I owe her that ice-cream..."

"She can't." Twilight magically gripped Rarity by the neck and threw her across the room.

Rarity hit the wall hard, but still tried getting up. "You're lying..."

"You're right, I was."

"Twilight!" Cadence yelled, loud enough that somehow Rarity managed to catch it. Even Genome reacted. "Look what this power has done to you! You threw one of your best friends into a wall!"

Twilight paused. "S-she broke my trust."

"But she's still your friend!"

"She's right, you know, dear..." Rarity limped forwards.

"I though you couldn't hear-"

"I guess I broke that barrier." Cadence smiled.

"The Twilight I know... The real Twilight... is still one of my best friends..." Rarity fell to the ground, her wounded leg giving up. "And I'd be damned if I let her be taken over by you..."

"I am the real Twilight Sparkle!" Twilight's horn flared up.

"It was a metaphor, darling..." She picked herself up slowly. "There is only one Twilight, but I'd rather you from three years back to you now... No delusions of grandeur."

Twilight's magic still stayed active. "That Twilight is gone, and you are this far from death. Do you really want to go on with this?"

Cadence felt a sharp pain in her chest.

Rarity remained silent for a moment. "If there's the chance that I'd get you back, then I'd gladly give my life."

Another sharp pain, this time in her muzzle.

"How generous. There's no chance."

An irregular, dull thudding on the back of Cadence's head.

"Oh dear, it looks like someone is trying to wake you. Ah well. I'll let you go before they kill you by accident." She turned to Rarity, who was healing her own leg. "Why didn't you do that before?"

Rarity refused to comment.

Twilight's magic snapped Genome alive, his eyes glowing a bright violet. He turned to face Rarity, who looked up and faced the monster in the eye.

Genome snorted, and charged Rarity head-on. Rarity screamed and charged herself, before a sickening crunch was heard apon impact.

Then Cadence woke up, drenched in sweat and screaming. She breathed heavily, feeling the pains in her muzzle and chest in full force, seeing Scootaloo on top of her, hoof raised for strike.

"Thank everything you're awake." Scootaloo relaxed and fell on Cadence, pushing her back to a lying position. "Don't do that again."

Cadence still had the crunch in her head. "What time is it?"

"One in the morning."

Cadence groaned. "Damn." She sat up, Scootaloo still gripping her tightly. "Did you hit me?"

"Well, when I shouted in your ear and you didn't respond... Yeah, I did."

Cadence chuckled dryly. "It's ok. You actually got me up before it could get worse..."

The two of them sat there in silence for a good few minutes.

"Scoots?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I go back to sleep?"

Cadence opened her eyes slowly. It was daytime, the sun shining brightly.

"Blech..." Cadence felt as if a cat had died in her mouth. She checked to make sure. It was cat-free.

"Morning, Cadence." Spike called out from the kitchen area. "Sleep well?"

"No..."

"Ah well. Do you want pancakes?"

"Yeah..."

Cadence stepped off the bed and her hoof immediately collided with Scootaloo's chest, waking the teenager up.

"Ow! Cadence! Watch your step!"

"Sorry."

After a bit of mucking around the two of them were sitting at a table eating pancakes. For a moment it was just them eating.

"So, what was your scary dream about?"

"Long story."

"We have time."

"Actually," Spike said. "We don't."

"Huh?"

"I heard there's going to be an offensive from the Order this afternoon, and I'm going to make sure nothing happens."

"I'm coming too!" Both Cadence and Scootaloo yelled in unison.

"I was going to let you come along anyway..." Spike said as he grabbed a random jacket from a coatrack. "So, shall we get going?"

Sweetie Belle sighed. Today was a lovely sunny day. She sat on the top of her makeshift war machine, watching clouds pass by.

A knock on the metal of the walker snapped her out of her trance. She leant down and saw Lyra standing there, dressed in a white-and-red body suit, the same as her own.

"Can I help you?"

"We're moving out."

"It's a whole day away. Why-?"

"They've got modified Power Loaders. We'll need to strike them before we can safely attack our intended target."

"How long do we have until they reach our target?"

"An hour, so suit up, load up and meet up at the bay."

Suiting up: Easy. She zipped up her bodysuit, which she was already wearing.

Loading up: Easy. She slid a large drum into the gun arm, both of which were ready to load.

Meeting up: Easy. She leapt into the cockpit and started up the machine, and stomped her way beside five other walkers. One had a cloak and four arms, which turned when she came into view.

A speaker switched on in the walker, and spoke in Lyra's voice. "That didn't take long."

Sweetie Belle flicked her own mic on. "Of course."

Another voice broke through the comm systems. "Lyra, honey, I think Octavia might be right in staying back."

"They've got Power Loaders. We'd be screwed without the element of surprise."

"Aww yeah!" Vinyl called out through the comm channel, her walker fistpumping. "We're gonna get the jump on these bastards!"

Ironstorm and Crystal Waves equally cheered.

"Now, Vinyl, you know how stealth works?" The four-limbed walker turned to the blue and brighter blue painted walker. "Don't play any music until we've hit them, ok?"

"Got it, boss."

Lyra cracked out of the comm system on Sweetie Belle's end, and her mecha faced Bon Bon's. Both of their cockpits opened, opening like twin doors instead of a raising plate. Two sheets of metal stuck out, and the two pilots met each other on the ends. Lyra pressed her lips against Bon Bon's, and they both pulled each other close. Sweetie Belle turned out of respect, as did Crystal and Ironstorm, but Vinyl, who had a good position, remained looking. Lyra noticed and shoved her left foreleg into a rude gesture. Vinyl laughed and turned.

The embracing ponies returned to their walkers after a few more moments, and Lyra's mic cracked into life.

"Vinyl, remind me to kick your sorry rump when we get back."

"I'd totally win. But sure."

"Alright, let's go!"

Applebloom looked at the gleaming Power Loader in front of her. High-calibre cannon armed with explosive shells mounted on the right arm, a sharpened claw on the right.

"Impressive, ain't it?" She said to her sister, who was equally rapt.

"Y' ain't kiddin'. Are y' sure y' be ok controlin' this thing?"

"It's ain't that hard."

"Yeah, you ain't been in one before."

"Ah have!" She stepped in and kicked the thing to life.

"Since when?"

"Since Ah started workin' on them. Duh. How else am Ah gonna be able t' test if they'd still work?" She swung a claw around to test the joint.

"If y'know how t' pilot this thing, then grab mah hat."

"What? But that's impossible!"

"Go on 'n' try."

Applebloom swung a claw at Applejack, who deftly dodged out of the way. Applebloom took a step forwards and swung again.

"Easy there. That thing's sharp."

Applejack ran between the legs of the walker, as Applebloom turned to face her. Another swing missed its mark.

"Come on, y'all can try better than that."

Applejack ran onwards. Applebloom, in her Loader, followed, cracking the concrete beneath each step. Applejack was fast, but the Loader was faster. Only, Applejack didn't have to build up speed.

After a few seconds, the loader was moving faster than the workhorse. Applebloom swung again, missing again.

"Try thrusting!"

Applebloom thrust the claw forward and clamped. The sharp metal cut through the hat, but didn't get a grip. Applejack ran between the legs of the walker as it slowed down and turned to face Applejack, looking at her hat with annoyance.

"Luna damnit, 'Bloom. That's mah best hat."

The speakers of the suit opened up. "Ya shouldn't have worn it if y' were gonna challenge me."

Applejack laughed, and gestured for Applebloom to walk alongside her. "Well, Ah know you can pilot this thing."

Scootaloo landed on one of the many thatched roofs of Ponyville. This one gave her a height advantage, and she was able to see the location that was being fortified for the defence. There was a little rise above it, and a stack of makeshift firing platforms for the Clan to use. Cadence landed next to the pegasus and noted much the same, except the rising cloud of fumes slowly approaching that location from her left.

"It seems you've been right, they are actually attacking."

"Damn. The Loaders aren't here yet."

"Loaders?"

"Walking machines designed for loading equipment onto vehicles. These ones have been modded for combat."

"What are you two doing, pashing?" Spike called out, much to the embarrassment of the two ponies. "We've gotta get there ASAP."

"I'll take the air." Scoot took off, leaving Cadence to follow Spike.

"That wasn't necessary, Spike."

"But it's more fun." He said with a grin. "Up for a sprint?"

Cadence prepared herself for the race. "Love to."

Spike crouched for the take-off. "Ready... Setgo!" He took off immediately, with Cadence reacting almost as fast. They reached the battlements in no time, out of breath and equal in position. Spike stuck out his claw, and Cadence took it in her hoof and shook it.

"Good race..."

"Thanks, Spike..."

Scootaloo landed in front of them, kicking dust into the air. "Have fun?"

Spike stuck his thumb in the air.

"Good, because that contingent of Order Walkers aren't heading here."

"Huh?"

"They're heading up the road a bit." She turned to a group of sharpshooters. "Anypony wanna come with us?"

A few packed their weapons and left their stands, then ran off to the next location. Cadence and Spike walked quickly, too tired to actually run.

A brisk walk later, they found themselves at a similar, but smaller, location. Up the road were gleaming steel walking machines, trudging single-file up to them.

Then the front one was knocked to its side as an explosive round hit its side. The other five stopped and prepared for a fight.

A few seconds earlier, Bon Bon's Walker crouched behind a building, aiming with a scoped version of the main gun. She bit the trigger, and the whole arm rocked back. This signalled the charge.

Vinyl leapt, or as best as one can do on something that heavy, out of her hiding spot, and kicked on her speakers. Loud, bass-heavy music roared through the whole area, and Vinyl charged in time with the music. The speakers started glowing as Sweetie Belle, who operated a lighter walker, charged into the next lot of cover.

As Crystal emerged the whole sky was filled with shells, ripping apart Crystal's Walker with fire and a barely-noticeable mist of red. Ironstorm opened fire with his own walker, raining down more shells than any other could put out, and hit one of the silver walkers square in the chest.

Applebloom saw her sister's walker hit by the first round, then as the other four had opened fire, a huge salvo hit Carrot Cake's Walker, knocking it to the ground. She leapt out of the cover and fired a single round at the machine gunner. The gun arm of Ironstorm's Walker exploded violently, knocking the walker to the ground. Big McIntosh leapt up to her younger sister's aid, only to be lanced by glowing bolts of magic from the speakers of the loud Walker.

"Eat Bass Cannon!" Vinyl roared over the sound of music and bursts of magic searing the air. McIntosh stood there, taking the impacts, as Applebloom and Fluttershy opened fire, hitting the bass-throwing walker square in the speakers. As the walker charged, music ruined, Fluttershy hit it in the leg, knocking it down.

"Two kills, one wound." Applebloom called out through the comm system. Big McIntosh walked forwards, but a fast-moving mint-green four-armed walker blocked his path, and grabbed him by both the shoulders and wrist. McIntosh tried clawing Lyra's walker, but couldn't get any movement. Lyra threw the walker back towards the road, the Walker colliding with Fluttershy's in a cacophony of twisting and clanging metal.

Sweetie Belle stood up and charged Applebloom, each claw locking with the other's gun. The two wrestled as they kept going.

Applejack stood up, with Cake following suit, the holes in the front plate worrying. Rose, who had otherwise remained out of the fight, leaped out of cover and gestured to Lyra. Cake opened fire on Lyra's walker, which absorbed the impacts. A shell hurtled through the air and jammed itself in Rose's visor before detonating, the silver form collapsing.

Lyra opened her comm. "Sound off!"

"Belle... Here... Damn this one."

"Bon Bon here."

"Ow my bucking head..." Vinyl was alive.

"Iron*bshhhht* -ere."

Carrot Cake opened a hail of fire at the damaged Ironstorm, causing the volatile engine to erupt in flames.

Lyra cursed. "Bonny, cover me."

"Will do, love!" A streak of fire hit Carrot Cake in the leg, knocking it down.

"Nice shot."

"Thanks, darl."

Spike and Scootaloo crouched behind a barricade, praying to Celestia that it would hold if shot at, as Scootaloo pulled out a series of explosives.

"Spike, take this one to the Order one that's wrestling the Peacemaker one. I'll take this one to the Peacemaker one."

"What'll they do?"

"Destroy the engine."

Meanwhile, Bon Bon had stood up in order to get a better shot at Applejack. Lyra glanced back.

"Glad you could join us."

"I aim to ple-" A beam of magic struck through the armour plating of Bon Bon's walker. Bon Bon scream was cut short as the bolt pierced the battery which powered the comm system and the cockpit doors, and straight out the other end. The walker recoiled, and then raised a shaking hand to the small hole in the front, before falling backwards.

"Bon Bon!" Lyra screamed, then again in external mode. She barely noticed another beam bounce off her walker's front.

The entire battlefield went silent. Even the wrestling walkers stood still for a moment, before the steel one moved again.

Lyra trudged up to the fallen tan walker, and fell to her knees. "Bon Bon..."

"No good, Lyra. Her comm's dead."

"Bon Bon, if you're still alive, let me know."

Silence.

"Bonny...?"

Silence.

Lyra stood up, and turned to face the sniper posts. If the walker could glare like Lyra was, then everypony would be terrified.

"You..." The claw arm switched to a gun that was hidden in the arm itself.

"Fucking..." The two upper arms changed as well.

"BASTARDS!" All four guns opened fire, decimating the sniper post in the first second. Lyra still kept firing, screaming at the top of her lungs.

The backs of the two wrestling walkers blew apart, and both fell to the ground, claws and guns still locked. Applejack made sure not to stay in the path of the hail of shells that were tearing apart everything it hit.

Eventually Lyra ran out of ammo. She collapsed, and the cockpit opened. She scrambled out and stumbled to Bon Bon's cockpit, banging on the front.

The cockpit of Applebloom's walker burst open, and she stepped out, pistol in mouth. She kicked Sweetie Belle's walker's cockpit controls until it forced itself open. Sweetie Belle levitated a pistol up to Applebloom, but neither of them fired.

Scootaloo flapped up, only to have the guns aimed at her. She raised her hooves in a gesture of peace.

"Hey girls."

"Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle sat up, lowering her pistol.

"Long time, no see."

Applebloom looked at the two of them. "This can't be coincidence."

Cadence landed gracefully next to them "Nope."

The comm in Applebloom's walker opened up, and Applejack's voice came through. "Sound off!"

"Carrot Cake here."

"Eeyup."

"Um... I'm here..."

Applebloom trotted up and pressed a hoof to the comm. "Applebloom here."

"Thank Celestia... Wait, Rose?" Applejack asked, concern muffled by the comm static.

All four of the ponies looked at the remains of Rose's walker. "She's gone."

"Damn, she owed me twenty..." She quietly muttered, her voice sorrowfull.

"Excuse me..." Fluttershy's quiet voice rang out. "But, um... Can I have a hoof here?"

Applejack walked up. Fortunately for her, the fusing of the walkers wasn't as bad as it could be, and the two could be pried apart easily. McIntosh kicked his door open before opening up Fluttershy's. Fluttershy flew into the air, and then drifted over to Lyra. She placed a hoof on the mint-green pony, who looked up sadly, then back down. Shortly after, the surviving ponies and dragon walked around the site.

Vinyl rolled her walker onto its side and bucked the door open. She staggered out, bleeding from the head, trademark glasses broken.

Applejack trudged up to the forming crowd around Bon Bon, and opened her door. She remained seated. "Hey, Scoots?"

Scootaloo looked up. "Yeah?"

"Does Dash have a comm channel I can use?"

"Sure does." Scootaloo leapt into the cabin and fiddled with a few knobs. "Done."

Applejack pressed a button on the console, and spoke into it. "Rainbow Dash?"

"Who is it?"

"Applejack."

Silence. "How did you get this channel?"

"Scoots gave it to me. But that's not important. What is important is that the leader of the Musician's Order is here. You can have a bit of a talk."

She leapt out of the cabin and trotted up to Lyra. She whispered something in her ear, and the mint-green mare walked up to the silver cabin.

"Heartstrings."

"Hey Lyra. Look, about this alliance we were discussing..."

"Why would I ally with you? You just killed my marefriend."

Silence. "I'm sorry... Ugh, saying sorry won't cut it..."

Lyra took Applejack's seat. "I know. I'll kick your sorry flank as well."

Rainbow laughed a sad laugh. "It's a deal. Look, ponies have died, especially loved ones, thanks to this war. If we ally, we can stop more bloodshed."

Lyra sighed. "If only I allied sooner."

"My fault," Vinyl spoke. "Sorry."

"Ok, it's totally Vinyl's fault we didn't ally, it's my fault for bringing Bon Bon into this, and it's that sniper's fault for shooting her."

"And mine for starting this war." Rainbow sighed. "Truce?"

"No."

"What?"

"We can't. We have to be friends."

"Hey! Lyra!" Cadence yelled. "I think Bon Bon's alive!"

Lyra froze.

"Bonny... She's... SorryRDgottaberightback!"

She leapt out of the walker and dashed up to the vision slit of the downed mecha. "Bon Bon!"

"Remind me... never to follow you into battle..." Bon Bon managed to say.

Lyra pressed her muzzle through the cabin. "Bonny... Thank everything you're alive."

"Yeah... I'm gonna faint now. Make sure I wake up." Thud.

"The... Um..."

Cadence sat at a round table, with Spike, Fluttershy, Vinyl and Rainbow.

"Um..."

"The Wubmasters?"

"No, Vinyl."

"Um... How about..."

"The Spectrum Alliance?"

"You're only suggesting that because it has your mane colour in it."

"Can it, Spike."

"Um, guys?"

"I think it should be something... noble."

"What the heck could we come up with, Cadence?"

"The... Celestia Alliance?"

"Nah, too similar to the Temple."

"Luna Alliance?"

"The Princesses have next-to-nothing to do with this."

"I'm a Princess, Vinyl."

"Ok, so maybe it should be the Cadence Alliance."

"Actually, that has a nice ring to it."

"We're not calling it the Cadence Alliance, Spike. It'll make me seem selfish."

"Girls?"

"Well, what else could we call it?"

"We could try and not use 'Alliance' in our name."

"Cadence Clan? Nah, that's stupid."

"Anyone?"

"Wub Cl-"

"No dubstep references, Vinyl!"

"Damn you, Spike."

"If I could just have a moment..."

"Ok, let's think here. It's an alliance. So it has to be Something Alliance."

"I like that."

"Vinyl, you're drunk."

"Nuh uh. I've only had, what, five ciders?"

"That cider's quite strong, y'know."

"Aw shuddup."

"*squeak*"

"Say, Spike, why aren't you spending time with Sweetie Belle?"

"I'm doing this. Besides, she needs time to spend with the girls."

"Did she say so?"

"Yeah. She said we could spend time together later."

"Yo, another refill!"

"*inhales*"

"Vinyl, you've had enough-"

"GUYS!"

Everypony and dragon turned to Fluttershy.

"Yeah?" Cadence tilted her head.

"I was thinking of 'Ponyville Alliance'."

Silence.

"I-I mean, if that's alright with you-"

"Bucking perfect." Vinyl said.

"Huh?"

"What I think Drunky here is saying is that name is perfect." Dash grinned and ruffled Fluttershy's mane. "To be honest, I can't believe I didn't think of it myself."

"There we go then." Cadence stood on the table proudly. "The Ponyville Alliance!"

I had almost done it. I had almost saved Ponyville.

But the Temple... It's like the odd one out in any case, except that odd-ones-out don't usually span half the town and have a maniac as their leader.

...

This is going to be a long day...

Chapter 7: Reclaimer II

"C'mon, Rarity, you've gotta eat something." A tall, pale-coated mare levitated a spoonful of some sort of food up to the white unicorn's mouth. Rarity batted the spoon away.

"I'm not hungry..."

"Rarity, don't be difficult. You have to keep strong."

"Allie," Rarity, lying on a hospital bed, an IV strapped to her left foreleg, weakly turned. "If you know what I've been through, you'd know why I can't be strong."

"I heard what happened, and all I can say is that you emerged alive. That's quite strong, if you ask me."

Rarity turned her head the other way. "Have you ever thought of splitting the Order of the Flask from the Temple?"

Allie placed the spoon back on the plate nearby. "I have, and I decided against it."

"Why?"

"As well as running scientific experiments the Flask is the Temple's medical wing." Allie stood up. "We keep the ponies alive."

The double doors swung open, their leader having just pushed them open. "Scholar Rarity, Scholar Way. I have bad news."

Rarity groaned.

"Hey, I'm telling you because you're the head of the Quill and the Flask, respectively." Twilight trotted up. "According to some recon, the Clan, Order and Peacemakers have allied."

Allie gasped. Rarity sighed, almost in relief. Twilight though she heard the white unicorn mutter something about sense prevailing, but ignored it.

"Allie, hold all in-progress projects except the Gift Elixir."

"Yes ma'am."

"Rarity?"

Rarity looked at Twilight pathetically. Underneath the frown on the mare's face, Twilight noticed a spark of compassion.

"I need you ready to move in ten hours or less."

"Twilight, your brutish bodyguard broke my skull and my legs. Thankfully Allie knows regeneration magic."

"But-"

"I won't be able to move for a whole month."

Twilight growled at herself.

"By the way, what is this new faction called anyway?"

Twilight looked up, and saw hope in Rarity's eyes. Hope that this new faction could 'save the town', or more like ruin her worship of the Goddesses. It sickened her.

"The Ponyville Alliance."

Cadence looked over the machine in front of her. "So, let me get this straight, Spike..."

Spike leaned on Cadence's back, running his claw through Sweetie Belle's mane.

"You want me..." She pointed at the Loader, mostly silver with a few random pieces replacing damaged parts. "To pilot one of these."

"Actually, Dash asked you to."

"Ok, so Rainbow Dash wants me to pilot this thing." She looked over the behemoth. "Why?"

"Dunno. Maybe she trusts your skill. Maybe she needs somepony she can trust driving this beastie. Or, and this is just a theory, maybe she wants to see you in a tight bodysuit."

Cadence blushed, wings bursting out. "W-what?!"

"I was joking, calm down." Spike replied, chuckling. "But seriously, she does want you to drive this thing."

Cadence took a wary step on the climbing plate. "I've never done this before. How long do I have to get ready?"

"About ten hours."

Cadence climbed cautiously into the cabin. "It's a bit small..."

"Well, Big McIntosh is already using his, which has a cabin that fits you well. Unfortunately, you've got Rose's. Or what's left of it, fixed up."

"Yeah, it smells kinda funny." Cadence shut the cabin, her vision limited to a small viewport. "Um... How do I start this thing?"

"The big button." Sweetie Belle called.

"This one?" The cannon fired, a shell streaming straight towards Ponyville. An explosion was heard in the distance.

"Wrong one." Sweetie Belle turned to Spike. "Is that why she's facing Ponyville, and her gun's upright?"

"Pretty much." Spike clanged on the cockpit's front. "It's the one by your left hoof!"

"This one?" The claw slammed shut, before opening.

"Back hoof!"

The machine's engine kicked to life. "Hah! I did it!"

"Good, now take a step forwards."

Silence.

"How?"

Sweetie Belle facehoofed. "Press your right hoof- back right hoof into the pedal behind it, then the left."

Cadence managed half-a-step before the engine cut out, and she crashed the walker face-first.

"Whoops..."

"I think," Sweetie Belle walked up and opened a side hatch designed specifically for this sort of fall. "You'd be better off on hoof."

Lyra flicked her greatcoat unnecessarily as she turned away from the hospital room, feeling a mix of joy and despair. Rainbow Dash emerged from a room along the way, and joined her walking.

"'Ponyville Alliance', eh? Catchy." Lyra said, still moving briskly.

"Flutters thought of it." Dash took to flight to keep pace. "So, how's Bon Bon?"

"She's healing fine, but she's still unconscious." Lyra kept walking, not once breaking stride except to push a set of doors out of her path. "Redheart says it'll be a while before she wakes, so I'm not that worried."

Rainbow grinned that cocky grin. "Well, soon you'll be wrapping everything you can around each other."

"As in?"

"Hooves, body, tongues, your priv-"

"Don't go there." Lyra said with a chuckle. "My sex life is none of your concern."

"True."

"So, any plans for attack?"

"We'll be heading to the town square in nine and a bit hours, and try and negotiate an alliance. If not, I guess it's a fight."

Pinkie, mane still flat, turned the corner, stopping them. Her body and eyes, however, were bright, her mouth in an enormous smile. "Hi Dashie! Hi Lyra!"

"Hey Pinks. What's got you so happy?"

"I saw the Cakes and they were like 'Hi Pinkie' and I was like 'Hi guys!' and then they showed me some photos that I hadn't seen because of the three years since I saw them and..."

"She's sure got a motormouth..." Lyra whispered to Dash, who nodded in agreement.

"But she's good company."

"... wondered why the colour blue is primary but I'm getting off topic anyway they made me a cake and I ate half of it-" She pulled out two random slices of cake from behind her. "-but I saved a few slices for you guys!"

A second of silence.

"Pinkie?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't understand how your mane's still flat."

"No, Cadence! The other hoof!"

The walker stumbled around, nearly falling on its back, before it was straightened by the Princess's magic. It took a few awkward steps before the engine kicked off for the seventh time this session. The cabin door flew open, and Cadence fell flat on her chest.

"It's too small... Get somepony else to drive it..."

The walker leant precariously forwards. Cadence looked back and gasped.

Sweetie Belle lunged forwards, slamming herself in the cockpit. She kicked the engine on, and straightened it with ease. She pulled a lever with magic as she leapt out.

"Don't forget to lock it when you're not driving it."

Cadence rose to her hooves and dusted herself off. "I'm not going to pilot this thing."

Spike faceclawed. "Says the pony who wanted to drive for another five hours after we started."

"I was seeing if I could." Cadence ran a hoof through her mane, and caught it against a large knot. "Um... I think I need a shower."

"How long has it been since you had one?"

"Since I left Canterlot."

"Yeah, I can smell that." Sweetie Belle covered her nose.

"A whole week without a shower? Jeez, what have you been doing?"

"Following you, being kidnapped or otherwise busy."

Spike stood for a moment. "Oh yeah."

Sweetie Belle cleared her throat. "Well, I'll let Dash know you can't pilot this thing."

"I kinda saw that."

The two ponies and dragon turned to the source of the voice. Rainbow Dash, wearing her fur-trimmed cape, was resting on the tree nearby.

"For how long?"

"The last five minutes." Dash leapt down, wings outstretched. "Have fun, Cadence?"

"No..."

"Sorry, I'd given you a larger one, but we were all out." She glanced at the others. "Ok, go clean up and stuff. Especially you, Cadence. You smell like a cat died on you."

"There seems to be a lot of metaphors involving cats around me..."

"Maybe, maybe not." Dash chuckled. "Meet me at the barn in four hours, and make sure to be fully awake. Yes, I'm ordering you to take a nap." She pushed herself skywards, hovering for a moment before taking off in a trail of rainbows.

"That's something Twilight's never done..." Spike muttered to himself.

"Rarity."

Rarity cracked open her eyes, and looked straight up at a slightly-crazy Twilight. Her mane was in shambles.

"What?"

"You're not ready."

Rarity sighed. "I told you, it'll be a whole month until I can move properly."

Twilight growled in frustration and kicked herself off the bead. "Goddess-damnit, Rarity. Why did you have to resist my command?"

"Because you were acting in a most unbecoming manner for one such as yourself." Rarity couldn't care if Twilight jabbed a bolt in her throat anymore. Fortunately for her, she didn't.

"Rarity..." Twilight turned to Rarity, looking... sorrowful. "Do you think I'm a bad pony?"

"No no, Twilight... Well... Ok, you are acting pretty badly, but I know you're better than this."

Twilight's pinpricked eyes grew large and wet. "But... I've hurt so many! I hurt you!"

"You know, you do have a chance to stop this." Rarity looked out the window. "When you head in, bring a message of peace, not war."

Twilight, looking far saner than she had for the past week, looked out the window as well. Celestia's sun was falling behind the horizon, the silhouette of the Town Hall backlit in a red and orange gradient. "But... What if they don't except?" She turned back to Rarity. "What if they try and kill me?"

"Darling, that's not very likely..."

"But possible!" Twilight's eyes returned to their pinprick state. "I can't take any chances... I'll bring everypony. Everypony! They'll feel the full wrath of the Celestians!" Twilight started laughing maniacally. "Oh Goddesses, why didn't I think of this sooner?"

"Think of what?"

Twilight turned, a manic grin fused with absolute worry fused with pure insanity. "Kill them all! Then I won't have to deal with them ever again. It's foalproof."

"What if they're peaceful?"

"Why would Rainbow Dash be peaceful? I'd rather kill her than ally with her- Ooh, that's a great idea. Kill Rainbow Dash, and the Clan will fall! No more problems! Hah!"

"Twi-"

"I need more Gifted. Genome won't do, he's too dumb." She turned to the door, opening it wide. "This is perfect! I am going. To win. After three bucking years, I am going to WIN!" She slammed the door shut and her maniacal laughs could still be heard.

Rarity gulped, and spoke with a shaky voice.

"What the hell did I just do?"

"Alright, everypony gather round!" Rainbow called to the small group, who took places around the table. Cadence was feeling refreshed, having had a nice long shower and a slightly-broken nap.

Around the table was her and Rainbow wearing her cloak, Spike, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie, Derpy wearing some heavy, motorised armour, and Lyra. A map was spread out on the table, showing the entirety of Ponyville, three sections of blue, red and green coloured over with a pink crayon, the other half of the town a solid yellow.

Dash hadn't noticed the modification to the map before. Pinkie was beaming.

"Anyway, from what our sources have said, the Temple is likely to strike here-" She pointed a hoof at the Town Hall. "-because that's actually our weakest point."

Applejack pointed at a section further up, in the direction of Canterlot. "But if she's smart she'll take a side path. One we're not likely to know she's going."

"Which would be the entirety of the border." Dash replied flatly.

"Um, maybe she would attack through the Square..." Fluttershy added. "It is the closest to us."

"I fear she may be trying to have a one-on-one duel with you, Rainbow." Derpy said, voice tinted with concern.

Rainbow grinned. "And I'd welcome it. Well, sorta." She reared up and placed her hooves on the table. "I don't actually want to fight her, but if it comes down to it I will."

"I know Twilight. If I'm right, she's likely to be going mad with worry, and won't be thinking straight." He lifted a talon. "On one hoof, this means she's predicable, and she will hit the Square."

"On the other hoof?" Lyra asked with concern.

"She's probably going to send everything. And I mean everything."

Dash looked over the map. "We'll need every able-bodied fighter ready to go in a half-hour."

A fluttering of wings and a forceful opening of the door drew their attention. A tired looking muscular pegasus with the most ridiculously tiny wings known to ponykind stood there, breathing heavily.

"The Temple... Entire army... Town Square..."

"Thank you, Snowflake."

The huge pegasus closed the door as he left. The group returned to the table.

"Ok, so our scouts just proved our current hypothesis. Lyra, take a squadron of walkers to the Square. Fluttershy, prepare our field medics. Spike, Derpy, Pinkie, you help the ground troops. Cadence, you help them as well, but I have an extra plan for you. I'll explain later. I'll wait for Twilight on the Hall's roof."

"That ain't exactly the most watertight plan, Rainbow."

"It's the best we can do. Now, let's get ready!"

As the group prepared to leave, Derpy called out to them.

"Before everyone goes, I have something to give you." She pulled out a tray of what looked like some of the best muffins in Equestria. "Have a Luck Muffin."

"A... what?" Rainbow grabbed one.

"A Luck Muffin. It's a muffin that always makes the day luckier. I made a batch this morning." She saw the slight worry on Cadence's face. "I don't make them that often."

"Then why don't you just make loads and keep eating them?"

"One, they don't work like that. Two, they're darn hard to make. Three, if I made enough to feed me for ages I'd become dependent on them. It's like drugs, only tastier."

Cadence grabbed a muffin. "When do we have to eat them?"

"Whenever you want."

Cadence took a bite. "Huh. Banana."

"Yep. Enjoy them."

"Actually," Lyra raised a mechanical hand. "I'm allergic to bananas."

"Oh, well, I have a blueberry one."

Lyra grabbed it in a field of magic. "Thanks, Derpy."

"My pleasure." She tossed the tray onto the table once everypony had grabbed one. "Now, let's save Equestria!"

Pinkie sat on one of the barricades, perfectly balanced. Not even a kick from Cadence budged her. Of course, Pinkie suggested the kick.

Derpy had her ridiculously big machine gun mounted on her armour like a battle saddle, and had donned a helmet with reflective orange lenses.

Ten Walkers, a mish-mash of the twelve originals, trudged up. The centre one waved one of its four arms as it passed Cadence.

Spike was behind a barricade, the same one as Pinkie and Cadence, which was right up the front. He checked his gun's magazine briefly.

Rainbow Dash stood in an awesome pose, on top of the damaged roof of the Hall. She could see the advancing army before her, lit up by the setting sun. This also meant that her army had the sun behind her. This not only looked cool, but was utterly practical.

A building in front of her vision was enveloped in a violet aura, and almost literally thrown aside like it was a candy wrapper. It crashed into Sugar Cube Corner, breaking both apart and proving that SCC was in fact made of wood and not gingerbread. She heard Pinkie gasp, then growl.

Whoever fought Pinkie was sure to have a bad day.

A huge voice echoed out across the town. "Today is the day, Non-believers! Today is the day you die!"

"What the hell is she on about?" Dash muttered to herself.

"I have the power of the Goddesses behind me! You can never hope to win!" A maniacal laugh.

The laugh really worried Dash.

A bright flash appeared right before Rainbow Dash. A lavender mare dressed in parchment-coloured robes looked at the pegasus, eyes tiny, mane an absolute wreck and a manic grin.

"Hello again, Dashie."

Dash kept her coolness, despite being in front of literally the scariest thing she had ever seen. "'Sup, Twi?"

"You know why I'm here, right?"

"Please," Dash replied, keeping her bravado in check. "By all means, tell me. I'd hate to embarrass you." The last sentence was said with a cocky smirk.

Twilight's grin grew. "I am going to finish this war."

"Huh." Dash casually brushed her mane out of her eye. "And I thought you were going to ask me out." She stifled a laugh.

"Oh no, I'm not going to do that."

Wrong reaction. What's up with-

Twilight's eyes grew as small as possible, and her grin as wide and as scary as possible. "I'm going to kill you."

...

Fuck.

Pinkie statued in the same place as the army just came into view. Suddenly, her tail vibrated violently.

"Twitchy Tail, and a lot of it!"

The advancing army disappeared in a flash of lavender.

"Pinkie, I-" Spike started.

A blaze of lavender energy flashed before them, and suddenly hundreds of ponies materialised. Some were armoured and armed to the teeth, others were charging spells. But two creatures stood out

One was a Celestia-sized azure mare, slashing the air as she approached with a large blade. Her flowing mane was a light-blue and radiated power.

The other emerged from the dust-cloud behind her. A giant, muscular, beige alicorn trudged behind the demigoddess, dimly aware of its surroundings. The front of the beast was built like a brick wall, the rest of its body only slightly smaller than it should be. It emitted a low growl as it stomped forwards.

The demigoddess spoke in a loud voice, magically enhanced. "Prepare to witness the amazing abilities of the Great and Powerful Trixie!"

Pinkie snapped her head back, eyes full of panic. "What do we do? We can't fight a Goddess!"

"She's not a Goddess!" Cadence yelled over the starting barrage of rifle fire on their side. "She's been merely enchanted!"

Pinkie blinked, then her pupils dilated, and she wielded a cocky grin. "Great, I'll take her on! Everypony else, deal with that big lug there!" With that, she turned back to Trixie.

"So, you think you can take on the Great and Powerful Trixie, little hayseed?" Trixie laughed condescendingly. "Please. I could eat you for breakfast."

"But I'm a snackfood!" Pinkie yelled, and leapt forward. In a direct line. Across twenty meters. In a split-second. Right in front of the demigoddess.

The randomness of the battlecry confused Trixie enough for Pinkie to take a slash with her huge blade, wielded in her forehooves as if she had arms. The blade bounced harmlessly off Trixie.

"What...?" Pinkie stared at her target point, stunned beyond belief.

Trixie laughed evilly, and slammed her hoof into the pink pony's bewildered face. "I am impervious to any damage you deal me!"

Pinkie rose up slowly, gripping the blade with an invisible force at the ends of her hooves. "Oh really?" She pointed the blade at Trixie. "Let's see if you can withstand this!"

And like that, Pinkie was at Trixie's hooves, slashing her multiple times with blows that hardly cut more than a hair. Trixie scoffed.

"Seriously? Is that all?" She gripped Pinkie's blade in a field of magic, yanking it out of the pony's hooves. "Let me show you how to use this."

Trixie stabbed downwards. Pinkie rolled out of the way and back into a crouch. Another jab, another roll. Trixie slashed diagonally, and Pinkie leapt behind the alicorn, hooves ready to strike.

"What are you-?"

"Pinkie Pie Shockwave Striker!" Pinkie slammed her hooves into the back of the alicorn. All time stood for a second as a shockwave tore between them, and the contact area sparked violently. Then physics took hold, and the alicorn was catapulted straight into a barricade at a speed that would put Rainbow Dash to shame. A wet snap followed the twisting of metal, and Trixie cried out in pain.

Pinkie leapt back to her place on the now-mangled barricade, overlooking the demigoddess, who was writhing in pain, back twisted in a way that backs shouldn't twist.

"Oops... I kinda broke your spine..."

Trixie glared at the pony with a mix of unbridled rage and absolute pain.

"I know a way to fix it though!" Pinkie leapt down, narrowly avoiding being hit by an unexpected missile aimed at her, and leant to speak to Trixie. "You have to use most of your magic to heal yourself."

Trixie paused as much as her tortured body would. Either live as a crippled alicorn or a mobile unicorn...

She charged up her magic.

The behemoth of Genome, once a feeble, tortured stallion, trudged slowly. Sharpshooters were taking shots at its head, which bounced off harmlessly. Derpy raised her huge weapon, a low-pitch whine in the air.

"What's that gun supposed to do, anyway?" Spike asked, ripping the question directly out of Cadence's head.

"It's a Worldblaster." Derpy kicked a switch on the weapon, and the whine increased. "It basically focusses the world's latent magic into a beam for a split-second. And mine's a full-auto version."

"You're full of surprises, Derpy."

The pegasus grinned, and then screamed as a huge, azure goddess nearly hit her. "What the buck was that?"

Cadence felt a gust of wind as a pink-and-black blur sped past her. "Probably Pinkie."

The whine of the Worldblaster held at a steady, ear-hurting whine. She turned to Genome, who had just crushed a barricade underhoof and knocked over a building with a massive wing.

A flicker of white energy struck the behemoth in the head, doing absolutely nothing. A hundred more beams hit it as well, often scattering to other parts of the body or not even hitting the thing.

Derpy snapped a chamber off the weapon, and picked up a similar one with her wing.

"What?" Spike cried out. "Why didn't it die?"

"I just don't know what went wrong." Derpy slammed the chamber into the gun.

Cadence paused. The dream... The flickering body. The large dark spot on it's... "Derpy!"

"Ya?"

"Aim for the base of its neck!"

"Why?"

"Just do it!"

Derpy glanced at Spike, who shrugged. She spun around and prepared to focus the world onto this beastie.

Another searing lance struck Genome, hitting it in the neck. It roared, rearing and slamming its hooves into the ground, and prepared to charge. A large scorch mark was left where Derpy shot.

"I think I made it mad..."

"Just keep shooting!" Cadence and Spike yelled in unison.

Another blast struck Genome's neck, followed by a scatter of beams that peppered the general area. Just as Genome was almost within charge range, a bolt tore through his neck, hitting the weakest point. It fell muzzle-first and slid forwards, just bumping into Derpy's barricade. Derpy squee'd loudly.

"I killed the monster! I killed the monster!" She dropped her gun and bounced around in circles excitedly, until a hail of fire (literally fire) narrowly missed her. She hit the ground hard, and under her helm she looked terrified.

"Ok, celebrate later!"

Rainbow slid behind a barricade, just as a home she recognised as Colgate's flew right past her. It crashed into Cloudchaser's home, tearing both apart.

"Rainbow~?" Twilight cooed from somewhere, her voice amplified. "Where are you~?"

Rainbow saw a tinge of lavender enter her vision. The barricade was torn out of the ground from behind her, the aura moving with it. Dash snapped back to see a very, very manic Twilight behind her.

"There you are, my little friend!"

Dash took off at full speeds. Years of practice taught her to reach zero to awesome in half-a-second, and adrenalin reduced it by at least twenty percent. Short story, Dash could be in the sky before Twilight could drop the block of metal on her. She turned sharply, drawing her dagger with her mouth.

She flew straight past Twilight, blade scratching the unicorn deeply in the cheek. She arched back for another hit, only to be forced to dodge the barricade as it was thrown at ridiculous speeds.

Derpy brushed herself off. "That was a hard fight..."

"Tell me about it." Spike replied, before a huge slab of metal fell on his toe. Despite the speeds it was thrown at, it didn't cut them off.

That didn't stop them from hurting.

Spike roared in pain, as you would if a ton of metal slammed into your toe at a hundred km/h and didn't cut them off.

Dash spiralled into the ground. Her dagger fell somewhere away from her. She heard hoofsteps and magic, and a disturbingly quiet laugh.

"At last, you're not moving."

"Think again-" Dash took off, grabbing her knife and arcing to her next resting point.

Her home.

Cadence had taken off a short while before Derpy and co were attacked. Away from the battlelines and the town being torn apart in a lavender storm, it was surprisingly calm.

Before her was a large cloud building. The door was open, the clouds slightly wrecked from lack of maintenance. A rainbow had decayed; it's once vibrant colours now dark and tinged green.

Apparently, rainbows go mouldy...

She pushed the door open and found it completely empty. Not just of ponies, but everything. No beds, no lights, no furniture. Dash must've cleared it out before she abandoned it.

She heard a slight roar of pegasus magic. She quickly ducked into an open room, making a very tiny scorch on the non-cloud carpet.

Rainbow Dash crashed inside, and fell face-first onto the carpet. She sniffed, and looked at the scorch with a grin.

A bright flash of lavender, with a dishevelled, insane unicorn emerging. Despite looking like a feral beast, Twilight was standing upright, eyes locked on Dash.

"Finally, I've trapped you."

"You know, Twi," Dash started. "I can fly through clouds."

"But you're not." Her horn flashed, and the clouds briefly shimmered with energy before returning to their normal state.

"Solidification magic..." Dash poked a cloud, finding it tougher than before. "I expected that."

Twilight closed her eyes. "You're smarter than you look. You must have something planned."

"I do." Dash gripped her knife and slashed at Twilight. When she opened her eyes, Twilight was standing, unharmed.

"Buh... Wha...?"

Twilight lifted the broken blade up to Rainbow's face. "A noble attempt." She casually tossed it out the window.

"How did...?"

Twilight grinned, and tore her robes in two. Nothing except bare fur.

"A very advanced shield spell." She turned to Rainbow. "Who knew that making the shield invisible actually reduced the output of the spell? But," She gripped Dash by the neck. "I digress."

"Twilight-!" Rainbow called out, tossing a glance to Cadence. "W-wait..."

"I've waited for three bucking years. No more." She squeezed harder. "You had to denounce our Goddesses, didn't you?" Tighter.

"Twi... Ple..."

"Was it to annoy me? Or to try to show the Princesses are normal like us? Or was it so that you could die a martyr?" Harder. "Well, it's not going to work."

Rainbow fought back the growing blackness and tears. Cadence silently gasped, seeing Dash's eyes start rolling upwards.

"You see, I'm just going to kill every single leader that pops up, starting with you. Next, will be your dear Fluttershy."

Dash gripped the aura, trying to untighten it. "No..."

"Oh, I can imagine it now. She'd hardly resist. She wouldn't even squeak as I wring the very life from her. It'll be so-"

Dash managed to slip a hoof under the otherwise intangible ring, pulling it out with sparks darting between them. "You won't have the chance! I won't stop until you're dead!"

Twilight grinned. "I think you used the wrong word."

The ring tightened up, trapping Dash's hooves under it, making the choking even tighter. Oh, the irony... Dash managed to think.

"It's 'I won't stop until I'm dead."

Dash tried to speak, but accidentally emptied her lungs without a sound. She tried breathing in, only to have her breath caught. She gagged, flailing around, trying to get air.

"Why am I enjoying this?" Twilight asked herself sarcastically. "Oh, that's right; you've been driving me crazy for four years. Your pathetic existence is why I can't let you live!"

"No!"

Twilight turned, still choking the flailing Pegasus. Cadence stood bravely, horn glowing brightly.

"What do you mean, 'no'?"

"You two are Elements of Harmony!" Cadence pointed to Dash, who was slowly weakening her flailing. "She's remained loyal to you through thick and thin, and this is how you thank her?"

"But- But she insulted our Goddesses! The ones that sent you!" Twilight started panicking, dropping Rainbow Dash like a ragdoll.

"They may be immortal and incredibly powerful," Cadence looked at Twilight with fury. "But they can die."

"Lies!" Twilight pointed a hoof accusingly. "Celestia has been alive for thousands of years!"

"Because she hasn't been killed yet." Cadence took a step forwards. "Twilight, think about this. Would Princess Celestia want you to do this?"

"Of course, because our Godde-"

"No, Twilight." Cadence dropped her rage, showing compassion. "Would Princess Celestia want this?"

Twilight started roaring in anger. "You're just like Rainbow Dash, and by Celestia you'll die like her!"

Cadence felt a sharp pain as a spike of cloud jabbed into her side. And another, as it exited. Another set, then another, then a fourth one. Cadence barely flinched.

"W-what? Why didn't you die?!"

Cadence's horn grew even brighter. "You missed. And I won't."

A bright light erupted from her horn-tip, striking the panicking unicorn square in the head. Twilight stumbled around and hit the wall, as the beam pushed her into the wall.

Cadence barely felt more cloudblades pierce her flesh, Twilight's insanity fighting to its last. Finally, she ran out of magic. Her vision slowly darkened.

The last thing she saw was Twilight waking, her eyes normal before shrinking.

"Cadence?"

Cadence's vision blacked out entirely, and barely registered one last voice.

"CADENCE!"

Epilogue

Three weeks later

This is Spike writing now. Hey Celestia, how are you going?

Jokes aside (and I thought that one was pretty funny myself), I'm here to fill in what Cadence didn't.

Ponyville has finally stopped fighting. Twilight immediately halted the attack with a giant shield between the forces, and announced an end to the fighting. Surprisingly, all hostilities ceased immediately.

The Celestial Temple has disbanded completely. Pockets of old Order members remain together, merely because of a shared interest.

The Spectral Clan still exists, but is now more devoted to fun. Particularly in paintball, because the skills picked up during the war can be used. My eye still hurts from Scootaloo's lucky shot, though...

The Musician's Order also exists, but is now more focused on music. As to be expected. Did I mention Sweetie Belle's a great singer? She's got a cutie mark for it, after all.

The Peacemakers have turned into Ponyville Security. Well, those that stayed. Fluttershy is still taking care of her animals including that damned bunny Angel.

The Apple family is back in business. Heck, even as I write I'm eating one of their apples right now. Man, it's delicious...

Lyra's marefriend, Bon Bon, has completely recovered. I hear the two of them are going to get married eventually, and asked me to be the best drake. How could I say no?

Rainbow Dash is still out like a light. The docs say she'll be fine, but being choked by your best friend might cause some problems.

Twilight is helping Ponyville rebuild. All those sheets of metal are being turned into building parts.

Trixie, well, she's fine. Having had her spine broken didn't go over too well. Pinkie's trying her damn best to make up for it, though.

Overall, this whole debacle could've gone worse, but still better.

As for Cadence... Well, you know.

Spike, out.

PS: That sounded cool, right?

Celestia hovered the journal in front of her, eyes shut. She clamped it shut and rested it on her desk, releasing a contented sigh.

"Sister?"

Celestia opened her eyes to the sight of a star-maned alicorn, looking at her with some confusion.

"Is everything ok?"

"It is now."

Luna walked up. "May I..."

"Yeah, sure." The journal was lifted in front of the Princess of the Night in a golden aura, which shifted to light blue.

Luna flipped the journal open, and casting a minor perception spell on herself flicked between pages. "Sister-"

"You haven't finished it yet." Celestia replied with a smile, lifting a cup of tea to her lips.

Luna's concerned expression softened when she reached the last page. "Thank God that's over."

"Indeed." Celestia sipped the drink, letting out a relaxed sigh after. "I feared it had reached that stage, where Twilight blurred reality with imagination. And with her magic prowess..."

Luna shuddered. "I do not need the images."

Celestia turned, grinning. "So, will you be free for the meetup?"

Luna nodded. "I am. After all, it is during the night."

Celestia chuckled, and then yawned very un-regally. "Oh, I'm tired. I should probably have a nap before I go..."

"Ok, left a bit!" Pinkie yelled out, as the bronze statue was shifted to the left slightly.

"Pinkie-"

"Ok, a liiiittle bit to your right!"

The statue moved towards her slightly. Pinkie stared at it for a short while.

"A smidgimetre to your-"

"Pinkie!" Twilight yelled, releasing her grip on the statue. "It's fine!"

Pinkie looked over the bronze statue, a monocolour depiction of Cadence as she was before she left Canterlot some three weeks ago. She nodded contentedly, mane finally fluffy and bright.

"You're right, Twi." She bounced up to the unicorn, who was sweating. "You're really trying hard."

"I've got a lot to make up for." She smiled weakly, most of her energy having being lost through holding a lump of bronze for nigh-on two hours.

A sharp cough drew their attention behind them. An azure mare, wearing a flowing, star-patterned cape stood there proudly.

"Trixie," Twilight started. "How can I help?"

Trixie grinned, a pleasant one and not a cocky one. "I'm just taking a walk, and I thought to say hello."

"Wow."

"What...?" Trixie eyed the expression of wonder the lavender mare had.

"You were never this... friendly."

"Would you rather me to be a jerk?" Trixie deadpanned.

Twilight furiously shook her head. "No no no, of course not!" She laughed. "I'm just happily surprised."

"Weirder things have happened." Trixie eyed the statue. "Huh. Not bad."

Pinkie beamed. "Thanks, I helped make it!"

Trixie blinked in confusion before turning to Twilight. "Twilight, will you and your spastic friend be joining the event tonight?"

"Pinkie-"

"I know she's not actually spastic. I meant it as a compliment." Trixie shook her head. "But that's not important."

Twilight gave her a tiny glare before continuing. "Yes, of course we'll be there."

"I mean," Pinkie appeared somewhere in between them. "I'm hosting the thing, after all. It'd be no fun without me."

"I swear you'd make people smile at a funeral..." Twilight muttered, but the pink pony barely noticed if at all.

Trixie gave a small nod and a "See you there" before leaving the two ponies at the statue.

Pinkie spoke first. "You two'd look cute together."

Twilight reacted naturally; kicking Pinkie square in the muzzle.

"Remember that time we did that performance when we were fillies?" Scootaloo said randomly.

The Ex-Crusaders and Spike were lounging around Carousel Boutique, Rarity in the background cleaning up the horrid mess all through the place. Technically the young ponies and dragon were supposed to be helping.

"Don't remind me..." Applebloom put her head in her hooves. "Ah can't believe we didn't realise our talents then. We were so stupid."

Sweetie Belle smiled, resting atop Spike, whom was lying on the couch, stroking the unicorn's mane. "It wasn't that bad. We did win medals, after all."

Scootaloo laughed. "Gosh, I wish I could sing better. I was so out-of-tune."

Applebloom removed her head from her hooves. "Imagine if Sweetie Belle sung instead."

All laughed. Spike stopped first with a grin plastering his face. "Hey girls, I just had an idea."

Scootaloo spun around to face him. "Go on."

"Well, you could always try doing the performance again. Just for old-time's sake."

All just blinked.

"Besides, it'd be nice to hear you sing again, Sweetie."

Sweetie Belle blushed and buried her muzzle into Spike's chest, giggling.

"I dunno..." Applebloom thought. "Where are we going to do it?"

"I know!" Scootaloo stood on her back hooves, front hooves in the air. "We can do it at that event thing!"

"Is there really a point, though?" Rarity added. "I mean, you girls already have your marks."

Silence.

"Aw come on, Rarity." Spike replied. "Let them have their fun."

Sweetie Belle pulled her muzzle out of Spike's chest. "Yeah! It's been too long since I sung properly, this'd be good."

"Do we have the old stuff from it?" Scootaloo asked, roaring to go.

"Um... I might have the song still available." Sweetie Belle leapt off Spike and onto the floor. "It's at my place."

Applebloom leapt up. "And Ah can always borrow tools to rebuild the sets."

"Well, let's go get our act together!" Scootaloo declared, and then the three ponies cried:

"EX-CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS TALENT SHOW PERFORMERS PART 2! YAY!" As the pegasus and Earth pony sped off, Sweetie Belle paused.

"Oh, one last thing." She turned and planted her lips on Spike's, before speeding off with much more enthusiasm than the others.

Rarity laughed, quite happy. "She really likes you, Spikey-Wikey. Why, I can't believe you had the biggest crush on me that long ago."

Spike blushed harder and kept silent.

Rarity laughed even harder at his reaction. "Oh, you are just so adorable when you're embarrassed!" She calmed herself down. "But in all seriousness I am happy for you two." She nuzzled his shoulder gently. "Why, you're going to be my brother eventually."

Spike chuckled. "Eventually..."

Rainbow Dash missed this feeling; soaring through the air, wind in her mane, adrenalin pumping, and defying gravity with her sheer awesomeness. It'd been way too long.

She skidded to a halt near an old clubhouse, worn from age, when she heard music and singing. She trotted up the ramps, the music seeming all too familiar.

She saw her surrogate sister dancing to familiar music, and doing so awesomely at it too. Next to her was Sweetie Belle, microphone in green magic, singing absobuckinglutely well. Somewhere, Applebloom was grabbing random backdrops and changing them in time with the music.

After a few seconds the song ended, and a light applause from the four ponies, the Ex-Crusaders turning to see Rainbow Dash at the door.

"Well done, kiddos." Rainbow said, trotting in. Scootaloo practically leapt onto her.

"Heya Dash." Applebloom helped Rainbow Dash up after the orange pegasus had eventually let go. "What brings you here?"

"I was flying when I heard the music. You guys rock, by the way." Rainbow looked around. "Um, what are you doing, anyway?"

"We're doing a remix of our Cutie Mark Crusader song thing."

"The one you epic failed?"

Silence.

"Well, good to see you girls doing it right this time around." Rainbow said with a smile. "Oh, are you girls coming to the event?"

"Duh." Applebloom replied.

"We're actually planning to perform our song at the event." Sweetie Belle added.

"Are you coming?" Scootaloo asked eagerly.

Silence.

"Duh."

Said event was taking part in a recently-installed gazebo in Ponyville Park. The entire park was dimly lit save for the bright lights of the gazebo, which were covered in a cloth to keep the insects out.

Inside was a stage, and an empty space with snack-covered tables lining the edges. Rarity, being the fashionista she was, was arranging nearly everything to an aesthetic appeal. Pinkie was clumsily-yet-precisely setting plates of bite-sized foods on the tables, not just her infamous sugary treats, but candies made by Bon Bon as well as more savoury foods. Twilight was helping set the stage up for the Crusaders, testing microphone quality and such.

The first guests were, unsurprisingly, the Crusaders and Spike, the dragon wearing a frock coat, the unicorn wearing a flowing white dress over a partially-black bodysuit, which was for the performance. Scootaloo and Applebloom were wearing their own bodysuits, Scootaloo's a bright blue with some yellow, and the Earth pony's a deep purple with some additional colours of various types. Rarity looked at the suits with a mix of interest and slight distaste.

Next was Rainbow Dash, followed by Fluttershy. While the butter-coated pegasus was wearing a lighter version of her Gala dress, Rainbow Dash was wearing only her awesomeness (as she would put it). Fluttershy and Rarity instantly got talking, while Twilight apologised numerous times to Rainbow Dash for nearly killing her.

Next were Lyra and Bon Bon, in the middle of a heated but friendly debate on what type of sandwiches were best. Applejack, carrying a plate of small pieces of apple pie, entered, her brother shortly behind adding more plates of apple-products that Pinkie snatched in short order and tossed them onto the tables. After all the plates were brought in, Applejack bid her brother farewell and walked over to Rainbow Dash, and the two got to talking.

When the Princesses entered, the conversations died for a short moment, until Celestia waved casually to them to continue.

After a few minutes, Twilight spoke loudly so that everyone could hear.

"Everypony!" She called out. "Thank you all for coming tonight. Unfortunately, Princess Cadence cannot attend this event in her dedication for her bravery in halting the Ponyville Civil War, as you all know."

"Wait!" A stallion's voice called out, one Twilight instantly recognised.

"Shining?"

The curtains opened in an aura of lavender. A pony in a wheelchair 'stood' at the doorway, her long three-coloured mane neatly styled. The pony's wings unfurled, purple-tipped pink wings pushing the mobile chair forwards. She was followed by a white stallion, grinning widely.

"Did I miss anything?" Cadence asked happily. Twilight ran to hug her, only to be held back by a lavender glow.

"Sorry, Twily, but Cadence still needs to heal. No charging hugs." Shining said with a laugh, dropping his grip and ruffling his sister's mane. Twilight proceeded to gently hug the alicorn, who still winced with slight pain.

Celestia smiled. "Glad you could make it, Mi Amore Cadenz-"

"Cadence is fine." Cadence said with a smile.

Spike cleared his throat into the microphone. "Fillies and gentlecolt!"

Shining chuckled at the last word, as he was the only stallion in the gazebo. Then, unbeknownst to everypony else, his face turned funny when he thought harder of that fact.

"Tonight, it is my honour to present a song that was created many years ago by three tiny ponies, and those same three will perform this same song for you!"

Spike scooted behind the curtain and gave his marefriend a peck on the cheek and a little squeeze before the makeshift curtains opened.

Sweetie Belle slowly raised a microphone to her mouth, and took a breath.

"Look, here, are three little ponies..."

As the Ex-Crusaders sang, Cadence sighed contently, finally glad that this conflict was over.

A big thanks to my brother, Stormbadger, for editing some minor things throughout the chapters, and keeping my spirits up (not that I needed much cheering up)

And to you, for reading this story to its end. Enjoy your next read, whether it's my stories or someone else's :twilightsmile:

Chapter 1: Introduction

My name is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. I am married to Shining Armour of the Royal Guard, and niece of Princess Celestia and Luna.

If I am dead or I have lost this information, pass on this information to any of the three mentioned above.

This is a tale of war and horror, but one of the peace and love that ended it.

The story begins in Canterlot...

"Aunt!" Cadence's voice echoed down the halls, though with no reply. "Celestia!"

A few seconds passed. "Aunt Celestia!"

More silence.

"Hey!" The sound reverberated off stained glass and stone, but still no reply. She let out a heavy sigh. She slowly turned, muttering under her breath, and all of a sudden a huge white form stood in front of her.

She bounced back with a shriek, followed by Celestia's hearty chuckle.

"Damnit, Aunt, don't scare me like that!"

"Sorry, couldn't help it." She replied with a grin.

Cadence managed to catch her breath. "So, you wanted to see me?"

"I did indeed." Celestia made her way down the hall. "Something I can't deal with has turned up recently."

Cadence, who had until then followed, froze on the spot. Something Celestia can't handle?

"You're wondering what I couldn't handle that you can."

Is she telepathi-

"And no," She said with a smile. "I'm not a telepath, I'm just good at seeing what ponies are thinking." Her expression dropped. "Back to more important matters. My protégé and your sister-in-law, Twilight Sparkle. Have you or Shining heard from her recently?"

Cadence thought back. "N-no, it's been months."

"Same with her friendship letters. So far, I've only gotten notes from Spike within the last month, and even those have stopped."

"So, you want me to go and check on her?"

"Yes, I do." She lifted a bunch of letters from somewhere, and held them up for Cadence. "Here are the last five letters from Twilight."

Cadence scanned the letters, looking for... something.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Today, I learnt how some friends are not as they always seem. Some may appear to be your friends, but in actuality they are little more than lying scumbags that only befriended you for some physical wealth that you could provide. Now, this would normally be less of an issue, except that one of my closest friends has betrayed my trust. I look forward to your opinion.

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle

***

Dear Princess Celestia,

I cannot believe that my so-called-friend has started a club, or a 'clan' as she so crudely put it, to denounce faith to you and your sister. Doesn't she realise that you raise the sun that warms her lazy flank when she's too busy resting to help any pony in town? I look forward to your thoughts.

Your faithful the 'faithful' was highlighted strongly student, Twilight Sparkle.

***

Dear Princess Celestia,

It amazes me that so many ponies have rallied to this Clan's warcries. In retaliation, I have set up my own, far better organised faction to keep your Word in good honour.

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.

***

Our Princess Celestia,

The Spectrum Clan is getting restless. I cannot keep preaching without full hostilities breaking out within town. I need your guidance.

Yours faithfully, Twilight Sparkle.

***

Our Goddesses Celestia and Luna,

Why are we born with only one part of your majestic forms? The unicorns have gained magic, the pegasi flight, and the earth ponies nature. I cannot find an answer from any of my texts, so I have decided to research Your Blessed Subjects to find out why.
In other news, one of the Orders has broken off the main group. I am unaware of their location or choice of action at this moment.
My faithful assistant, Spike, has grown weary of my actions, and feels it necessary to leave. But what he fails to realise is that I cannot communicate with You without him.
I'll bring you news as it occurs, when I can.

With faith and purity, Twilight Sparkle.

"That's all I've received from her, the last one three months ago." Celestia folded the letters back. "I need you to find out what's happened, and stop whatever is happening if possible."

"Why can't you?" Cadence had the cryptic messages burned into her mind, and couldn't dispel them when she shook her head.

"I'm far too busy, unfortunately. Paperwork." She sighed. "More importantly, if I turned up, things might go... awkwardly."

"Why can't you divide the paperwork between you and Luna?"

"I already have."

Cadence's hopes dropped. "Oh... W-what about Shining?"

"If I send the Guard in, then that would mean that Ponyville is effectively gone and I'm mopping up the debris." She looked down to the cold floor. "And Shining is Twilight's brother."

Cadence opened her mouth to say something about her being Twilight's sister-in-law, but decided against it. "Ok, I'll do it."

"Excellent." Celestia smiled, and pulled out a small blue book from the saddlebag that Cadence just noticed. "Here, keep a journal on the event. We need first-hand evidence for history, if it is so important, and if you need us urgently you can have it or one of its pages sent back to us."

Cadence looked at the cover. On the front was the shape of a scroll and quill etched into the board, likely the makers of the book. "Thanks."

"Now, you'd better get ready. You'll get a lift to Ponyville; I've made sure of that."

Cadence smiled and wrapped her hooves around the giant mare. "Thanks a bunch, Aunty."

"So, Celestia's sending you to Ponyville to check up on my sis?"

Cadence looked down, not at all interested in the landing port's marble floor. "Yeah... She said that you'd make things too awkward, with you being in the Guard and all."

Shining smiled, which brightened Cadence's spirit. "Don't sweat it, Mi Amore. It's probably not as bad as I think it is."

Cadence's mind flashed back to a few months ago to now. She had heard rumours that Ponyville had stopped contacting Canterlot and Cloudsdale recently, but dismissed it. Until Twilight stopped sending letters via mail to her brother. But... it probably wasn't that bad.

"Anyway, you'd best be going." Shining said, almost remorseful.

Cadence grabbed her husband of three years and drew him close. "Not before saying farewell."

She kissed him gently, before pulling back slowly.

"I'll be back, honey."

A loud cough startled them both. Cadence turned to her chariot drivers, one of which was looking at her. "I'm sorry, Princess, but we have to go now."

Cadence looked back to her husband, who nodded to the cart. She gave him one final squeeze before stepping on the wooden board.

Shining smiled and waved as she left the port, growing smaller in her eyes. When he was no longer in sight, she turned to the front of the chariot and watched the clouds roll by. A lone pegasus passed by, giving a short wave before heading the other way, and she swore she could make out the shifting form of two pegasi obscured by cloud, but otherwise the trip was uneventful.

Within an hour, Ponyville came to view. It seemed... different from when she had turned up for their honeymoon. It could've been the light or her memory failing, she thought.

All of a sudden the sky around her broke out into sounds of incendiary lightning, and one of the pilot's wings spattered a red fluid behind him, fortunately missing Cadence. The other pilot looked around furiously, and Cadence caught a blue pegasus ducking behind a cloud.

"Damnit!" The wounded pilot said, still flying fine despite a bleeding wing. "Where did these bandits come from?!"

"There's one to your 2 o'clock!" Cadence yelled and pointed to the cloud from before.

The wounded pilot broke out of the chariot and kicked something on his side. Two long, thick poles stuck out from a complex mechanism, and then flashed with a thunderous noise. The cloud that she had pointed to fractured, one part slowly turning red with a shrill cry.

"What the hell did you just do?!" Cadence yelled over the high winds.

"I shot a bandit, nothing that major!"

Without any warning, a hail of fire rained on the wounded pegasus, causing him to convulse before falling from the sky, red streaks trailing behind him. Cadence turned away, horrified.

She turned back just to see a splatter of red pass through the other pilot's head, and the chariot started falling. Fast.

She unfurled her wings and grabbed the wind, lurching off the tumbling skycart. She felt both relieved to be away from danger, and sick from the whole ordeal.

A burst of noise hit just before a searing pain hit her wing, causing her to lose altitude and yelp.

"Go back to your palace, alicorn freak!" One of the pegasi, a stallion, yelled out.

Freak? Freak?! A surge of adrenalin hit the alicorn. She leapt out with her mind, grabbing the nearest heavy object and flung it straight for the accuser. Before he could dodge, the chariot smashed into him, followed by a horrible cracking noise.

"Nopony calls me a freak!" She smashed it into another pegasus, then another. Both were sent hurtling to the ground, small trails of red arching behind them.

Then her adrenalin dropped. She lost all magic focus, and started falling. She felt very light-headed, and lost consciousness before she could feel the ground.

I had fought before, mostly mock battles with Shining, but I had never been wounded that badly.

Nor had I been insulted about my boon of both wings and magic for many years. Although, my reaction was... surprisingly violent

Nor had I experienced death around me. The Changeling Queen was nothing compared to these normal ponies in terms of sheer horrible, cruel nature.

But this is only the beginning of the story, and there is so much more to tell.

Chapter 3: Musician's Order

Plans...

No matter how much you work out all the kinks, all the flaws, every single minute detail, there is always the chance that something will derail all that hard work, whether it takes 5 years or 5 seconds.

And, of course, the less you plan, the more likely it is to fail...

As I found out.

Spike idly kicked a stone out of his path, looking rather irritated. "Cadence, why are you here?"

Cadence turned to face the dragon. "I'm here to find out what's happened to Twilight, though I'm now here to stop this mess."

Spike shook his head. "No, why are you here?"

"Excuse me?" Cadence's brows furrowed in annoyance. "Aren't you at least glad to see me?"

Spike took a step back. "No no no! I am, really." He paused to make sure that Cadence had calmed. Which she hadn't. "It's just that... Why not the Princesses? Or Shining Armour?"

Cadence let out a sigh. "Princess Celestia said that she was far too busy, as was her sister, and that Shining might cause more problems than I would."

"But you're an alicorn!" Spike gestured to her wings, which were opened out.

"I prefer 'winged unicorn'. I'm not like the Princesses in that respect."

Spike slammed his claw in his face. "Cadence, I don't think that they could tell the difference. Besides, the Temple has been kidnapping 'winged unicorns' in belief that they are some of 'Celestia's Chosen Ones' or some ridiculous nonsense like that, rather from genetic flukes."

Cadence decided to switch the conversation from kidnapping to the town itself. The first thing she noticed and asked about was the numerous metal plates bolted into makeshift cover, many of which were badly painted, and some had a gold, angular instrument sketched on them.

"Well, ever since the actual fighting broke out, the factions had to make protection. And that gold symbol shows that these belong to the Musician's Order."

To highlight the point, a pony dressed in ragged clothes with metal stitched onto them bolted in front of one of the unpainted barricades, and sprayed the same symbol on the bare steel before darting off.

"So, we're walking right into the Musician's Order's area..." She stopped in her tracks, suddenly very worried. "Are they on our side?"

"Depends."

"On what?"

"Whose side you're on."

The sound of crunching metal caught her attention, but she couldn't locate the noise. Spike crouched, then gestured Cadence do the same.

"What was that?" She practically hugged the ground in terror.

"Hell if I know."

Another sound of crunching metal, followed by a rhythmic thumping. The thumping grew stronger and louder, until it stopped suddenly. Cadence couldn't hear any sound except her own breathing, which was jittery and heavy.

Then an immense explosion. She jerked her head up to see streaks of fire arcing down. Towards her. She rolled to her side just as a jagged shard of burning steel smashed into where she had just been. Spike dodged another bit and ran to her.

"You ok, Cadence?"

"What the hell was that?!" She yelled at the dragon. The rhythmic thumping started up again.

"Some sorta explosion. It must've hit a barricade."

Cadence turned her head at the sound of crunching metal, and they looked up to see...

Something standing on two legs, standing at double her height. A construction vehicle cabin, armoured with sheet metal and suspended on a huge engine. Attached to the sides of the crude machine were a metal claw, which turned back to throw a shard of metal behind it, and a long, silver barrel with wisps of smoke at the end. On its back were two ponies, one holding a large weapon and the other with a spyglass. It was standing, somehow balanced, on two legs, both of them completely different to each other save for size.

A crackling voice emitted from the cabin, where an obscured pony must've been. "Peacemakers!"

Spike twitched.

The barrel turned to face Cadence. "You have three secon... Hang on." The barrel lowered. "You're not Peacemakers, are you?"

Cadence looked up and nodded.

"Well..." The mic cracked out, and the cabin lid opened. The spyglass pony, a unicorn, looked down and seemed to have a small talk with the pilot. Cadence couldn't hear them through the roar of the engine.

The mic cracked back on. "Ok, it looks like we're taking you to HQ. Don't lag behind." Her mic cracked out, and the lumbering machine turned awkwardly.

Cadence stood up slowly, hooves shaky. "So, should we?"

Spike snapped out of his trance, then looked at her. "Sure. At least they're not stomping on us."

Following the machine was less hazardous then they had thought. Mostly because it was lumbering through the already broken path it had created. They reached a large, armoured house, multicolour light bursting through the little cracks in the windows.

Once the machine stopped and parked, they heard another thundering noise, but more rhythmic and less mechanical.

The spyglass pony climbed down and greeted them. "I'm Crystal Waves. There on the MG is Ironstorm, and our best pilot is still in the machine. She prefers to introduce herself."

Crystal was a mare with a pale blue coat and a white mane with the slightest rainbow tinge to the edges, her mark was a blue crystal over a music note. Ironstorm was a pegasus with a grey raincloud cutie mark, a rusty coat and a steely mane.

The mic on the walker sparked to life again. "Crys, Iron, you go on ahead and introduce them to Lyra. I need a moment." The voice cracked away again.

Of course, Cadence already knew Lyra. She was supposed to be her best mare on her wedding night. Until the Changeling Queen replaced them with the Elements, which worked out fine after all. But, formality is important. And so much had happened since they last met.

Spike stared at the silent walker, before snapping himself to reality and following.

They entered the building, and as soon as the door opened they were hit with sonic waves of pure dubstep. Cadence, covering her ears, turned to the source of the noise, and noticed the famous DJ Pon-3, whom she also had at her wedding, up the front, partly obscured by lasers and flashing lights. She wasn't the only one. Spike, having arms free, covered his own ears, and Ironstorm seemed to be having trouble.

They opened a door, to see a mint-green unicorn looking over a map with a grey earth pony sitting next to the table. The unicorn, Lyra, was wearing a trenchcoat and had an unusual mechanical device around her neck, with gears, wires and the like.

Crystal cleared her throat. "Warmaster Heartstrings."

Lyra looked up. "So, how'd the walker go?"

"Clunky but near-perfectly operational. Pilot's still in the cabin, last I checked, resting up."

"That's odd." She placed her forelegs on the ground and walked up. "I thought I replaced the magic generator with a conventional engine..."

"You did. She was just... I dunno." She stood to the side. "We found these two walking through the front."

"Cadence?" Lyra said with confusion. "What are you doing here?"

"Long story."

Lyra turned to Spike. "Oh hey Spike. Changed your mind?"

Spike groaned. "I told you fifty times, I'm not joining your side. Nor any others."

"But you do know that she's here, right?"

"Yeah..."

Cadence cleared her voice. "So, what's the story of this Musician's Order?"

The grey pony looked up, and adjusted her bowtie. "Heartstrings, would you mind if I told the story?"

"Don't mind at all."

The pony walked up and held out a hoof. "First thing first, I'm Octavia Melody. I used to be a cellist before my friend Vinyl dragged me here and then this war happened. Err... It was the war that stopped my cellist career, not Vinyl. Just clarifying."

Cadence took Octavia's hoof and shook it. "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. But Cadence is fine."

Octavia took a step back. "Princess?!" She bowed immediately. "I am deeply honoured."

"Don't worry about it. Now, the story of this side?"

"As you wish, your hi-"

"Cadence," She started. "is fine."

The Musician's Order, according to Octavia, was created by Lyra a few months back, who was fed up with how the Temple had treated her group as basically the lowest of all the Orders. She and the old 'Order of the Lyre' split off from the Temple easily, but not without consequences.

Fortunately at the same time Vinyl took most of the Spectrum Clan's sub-group, or as they're called, Aspect, the Sonic Waves, due to her not having as much time to DJ as she would've liked, and the two met on friendly terms

The Temple labelled the Order of the Lyre as heretics and declared war against them. The Spectrum Clan declared war because the Sonic Waves were considered traitors. Attacked from both sides, the two splitoffs became one.

A short but simple story.

"Wow..." Cadence said. "That simple, huh?"

"I know, right?" Lyra said with enthusiasm. "I'm surprise we didn't start blasting away at each other immediately. I guess it had to do with our conditions. We were pretty weak at that point."

Octavia sipped a glass of wine she had poured herself during the story. "So, Princess, why are you here?"

"I was sent by Princess Celestia to check on her student, Twilight Sparkle."

The cellist spattered wine, fortunately away from the map or anypony. "Is she mad?!"

"She doesn't know what's going on here. She and her sister are too busy."

Octavia took a nearby napkin in her hoof and patted her mouth. "Well, you can let her know that Sparkle is effectively gone."

"No."

Everyone in the room turned to Spike.

"We need hard proof, and my- our personal mission is now to stop this damned civil war."

Cadence nodded. "We'll not be leaving until we've done that."

Lyra beamed. "Well, I guess we can't stop you then. Nor recruit you." She turned to the desk in the corner and the machine on her neck sprang to life. Two dragon-like mechanical arms, powered by Lyra's magic, unfurled. One reached onto the desk, the other opened a draw and reached in.

"Is that completely necessary, Heartstrings?" Octavia pressed her hoof to her forehead.

"I get a better grip with these." She returned, and the arms stuck out. One had a pendant, the other a strange-looking mouthgrip pistol. "Here. One is a pendant to indicate that you're on good terms with us." After a pause to look at Cadence's expression, she added an extra. "No, it's not membership."

The winged unicorn lifted the pendant out with magic. She felt a strange aura surrounding it. "Huh."

"And this..." She raised the pistol. "Is a Directional Solar Projector. Basically a laser pistol that runs off magic instead of electricity. Oh, and it's more powerful." Another short pause. "And it's rainbow. That's the coolest part."

Cadence grabbed it as if it was fragile and full of poison. "Um... Thanks?"

"It's got a power setting, so you can merely stun ponies if you so wish." She pointed with a mechanical talon to a dial on the side. "Or completely annihilate." She looked at Cadence's face. "But I prefer stun."

Cadence tightened her grip on the weapon. "So, what now?"

"Well, you should get going." She pointed to the door. "Don't worry, you're ok."

Cadence nodded, and as she turned she could see Octavia and Lyra bowing.

The music had been turned down to a dull roar a while back, so she had no trouble leaving with her hearing intact. Spike had taken the magic pistol to examine it.

"Wow, this is some pretty high tech stuff. It must've cost a fortune." He pointed to a ring of three tiny spires jutting out the back, with wires running from them to inside the weapon itself. "See these?"

"Yeah, what about them?"

"They're there to absorb the magic you have around it to use as backup ammo."

"So, I can fire it even if I'm out of energy cells?"

"Yep." He examined it further. "It also has a standard ammo capacity, so if we find any energy cells..."

"I can still use it." She pushed the exit door open with magic.

Spike handed the pistol to her. "Here. I already have my own weapon."

Cadence nodded and levitated it to the holster Spike had given her for her old pistol. She glanced at the walker, in the same position that it had been when she entered the base.

A cloud of steam followed a loud hiss, and the walker's armoured cabin opened up. Inside was a unicorn, sitting in the seat, wearing what appeared to be an almost-complete bodyglove, leaving only her head remaining uncovered. The suit was practically white, yellow in the dying sun, and the fur of the unicorn was only a shade darker. Most of her head was in shadow.

"Hey." The unicorn stepped out. Her mane and tail were a spiky pink and purple, her eyes a dull green. Were they normally that dull?

Spike's jaw opened. "S-S-Sweetie Belle?"

The unicorn seemed unfazed. She simply trotted up to Cadence, and bowed slightly. "Princess."

Cadence nodded as she raised her head. "Nice to see you again."

Sweetie Belle smiled slightly. "Sorry about the rough reception. But you have an aura locator now, so you'll be safe."

Cadence looked at the walker, still open. "I'm surprised to see you working this thing."

"They used to be run by magic. I got pretty good at it. This is our best, the Overture."

Cadence chuckled. "Nice name. Suits your team."

Sweetie Belle's smile dropped. "I hate this war."

"I know someone else who feels the same way." She turned to the unicorn. "Applebloom."

For the briefest of seconds, Sweetie Belle's eyes shone brightly. "She's ok?"

"Other than much the same feelings of disgust about this war, yeah. She'd be glad to hear you're ok as well."

The unicorn's eyes dulled again, and then she closed them. "Thanks for coming, Cadence."

"My pleasure." Ok, Cadence thought to herself, it's not exactly pleasurable, but I have an obligation.

Sweetie Belle turned to Spike, eyes now open. But Cadence saw nothing that was dull, or happy. It was anger.

Spike didn't see it, though. He opened his mouth to speak, but was silenced by a hoof cracking across his cheek.

"You abandoned me!" She lowered her head. "And you did it again. And now again." She turned away from him, and slowly walked to the open cabin. "I thought I trusted you..."

Spike rubbed his palm over the hoofstrike. "Belle, I told you that I didn't want to be part of this."

Sweetie Belle remained silent.

"I offered for you to come with me when I left the Temple. You stayed because of your sister. I offered it again when you formed the Order, but you refused for no reason."

The unicorn turned, fire in her eyes. "I had my reason! I wasn't going to give up on everyone!"

I could use a mild love spell, but that might make things worse. Cadence thought, watching the two argue with vague sorrow.

Sweetie's eye fires died back down to her prior dull state. "I don't want to see you again, Spike." With no other words, she walked back into the walker and shut the cabin with a clang.

Spike stood there, dumbfounded and tears starting up.

The walker's mic cracked up. "Not for a while... At least..."

The sun had set completely by the time they had reached a suitable place to rest. Spike hadn't said a word since.

Cadence knocked on the door of the Ponyville house (which happened to by Lyra's), to find that it was open. Everything was missing except a few objects and items of furniture. Including a bed, when she checked the bedroom.

She locked the door magically and shoved a couch in the way, then headed upstairs to prepare the bed.

"You're wondering what happened."

Cadence whipped her head around. "If you don't mind telling me."

He let out a sigh. "You may have been aware that I had a crush on Rarity, right?"

"I think Twilight said something of the like."

"Well, when I got older, I realised that she was into somepony else. But, by that point, I had a little crush on her sister, Sweetie Belle."

Cadence lay on the bed, head in hooves.

"We were about the same age, and I must admit when she got her cutie mark it was pretty awesome." He blushed slightly. "But... that could've been the waving her flank in our faces."

Cadence stifled a laugh.

"Point is, I eventually asked her out. And since that night we've been partners. Well, sorta."

"Sorta...?"

"First, Rarity was slightly miffed that her sister was in love with a dragon. Understandable, but it was annoying. It got tense when Rarity went... well, a little nuts and practically banned me from the house. That's when she moved out."

Cadence simply nodded.

"Second... well, you saw that." He pulled out the photograph and placed it on the bedside table. "We were in the Temple. I left first, when Twilight started rounding up genetic alicorns. I offered to Sweetie Belle the chance to escape, but she stayed because of her sister."

"So what happened?"

"From what I heard, the Order of the Lyre started getting poorer conditions. Lyra and I suspect it's because of Sweetie Belle's connection to me, and she started getting abused when I left. Because she was my marefriend and I had betrayed the Arch Priest."

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't be." He said with a smile. "Twilight's mad. Lyra noticed Sweetie Belle's treatment from the other Orders and decided to pull out en masse to prevent any harm reaching her or anyone associated with her still in the Order. It was just luck that Vinyl's group left a day later."

Cadence rolled onto her back. "Things really have changed..." She turned her head. "Hey, is there a hairtie in there?"

Spike opened each draw once at a time, shifting through each of them. Eventually he pulled out a band. "Will this do?"

Cadence levitated it to her. It was a cyan colour. "I'll try."

She pulled her hair back, and ran it through the band. When she released it, she shook her head around to test the tightness.

"Yep. It fits."

"It looks good on ya." He smiled. "Belle looks really good with her hair back. And with her hair spiked like earlier. Well, her hair just looks good regardless."

Cadence blushed and smiled. "Thanks." She looked to her saddlebags, which were resting against the wall. "I should add to my journal."

"Go ahead. I'mma gonna sleep now."

So, our plan was sidetracked. But fortunately in a good way. I know now that two of the three Cutie Mark Crusaders are alive and hating the war.

I just realised I know next-to-nothing about the Spectrum Clan. I'll find out some more when I can. So far, I gather that they are far more chaotic than the Temple, or the Temple is far more rigid than the Clan.

But, tomorrow, we'll be heading to the Temple to find out what we can do about all this. Even if it takes me years, I'll figure out a way to stop this.