Fly to the Stars and Back (Redone)

“So do you see him yet?” Blitz asks as Lightning looked out for Silver Claw.

Lightning keeps looking around. “I think I, nope, that’s another one. Dang, it. Unless you’re one yourself, it’s tough to tell them apart.”

Blitz says nothing as learning to tell distinctions was part of her training.

Lightning sighs as she keeps watching and more and more griffons were starting to gather at the main entrance of the city. “Okay, let’s see, wait, got him. And he’s got a female griffon too. Maybe his girlfriend.” She hypothesized.

“Well, we are about to march. So either that or she is another soldier.” Blitz says.

Silver sighs as he approaches them and turns to the griffon with him. “Okay, now if this is nothing, we’ll be back within a week or two, okay? Which is probably nothing.” He asks her.

The griffon smiled. “And you better come home without a scratch or…” She then emphasizes her point by holding him in a headlock. “I’ll kill you myself more than what you got, got it?”

“Y…yes.” Silver manages to say.

The griffon lets him go. “Good, I’ll keep the bed warm. Bye now.” She said now walking away.

Silver gets up and straightens his uniform. “Girl trouble?” Blitz asks behind him.

Silver pulls the uniform taught. “Nope, just a concern one.” He said looking to him.

“I think that type of girl is called tomboy,” Blitz says.

Silver chuckles. “I like a girl that can keep up with me. Sometimes giving me some training of her own and we blow off steam by sparring too. Talking happens once in a while too.”

“Well, it is no business of mine to pry into your personal matters. Shall we head out to meet the troops?” Blitz asks.

Silver nods. “Yes, let’s get this done.” He said walking to the front of the main entrance now.

“We will follow your lead,” Blitz says following.

Silver nods as they reach the front with another squad waiting there too. “Guess he’s sort of going in our direction.” He said noticing the arrogant griffon.

“Ignore him, we have no time for him as we have a need to rally your troops,” Blitz says.

Silver sighs and turns to his spread out soldiers. “I hope father isn’t watching.” He said before clearing his throat. They start walking past the commander. Silver groans as he starts following. “Must still be laughing at the fact I’m here as their commander.” He said as he hears the other griffon talk to his troops.

“Do you know his orders by any chance?” Blitz asks.

Silver sighs. “My father told all of us our orders. He got the fort at the checkpoint at the border.”

“Oh, that is going to be bad. If my prediction is correct, but give him a reminder that you are of the same rank and you have to get to work or he will be interfering with military matters outside his jurisdiction.” Blitz advises.

Silver nods. “I’ll try to tell him that once we get there. He probably gives out orders to me once we get to the border.”

“This is going to be a long march.” Lightning comments.

When they arrived, they found most of the soldiers were lounging around or were just slacking off.

Silver groans and covers his face. “It’s a good thing my father isn’t here. Give me a sec.” He said walking away from them and to the soldiers. “Oy! You want to be attacked or watched like this?! Yes, I see you two! Now if you don’t want to be caught upside down and hanged like a pinata, I suggest you start making the barriers and weapons and then cover them up so we don’t look like we are making war! You got that?!”

Blitz watches as the soldiers started getting their acts together.

Silver still groans. “Hard to believe these are mostly new recruits. Thank goodness that we are mostly a proud race and really take offense sometimes.”

“Now that we are here, we should start building fortifications as we are too exposed out here,” Blitz advises.

Silver nods. “Yes, we are now working on that hiding the weapons placement in the area. This spot was once an ambush spot and besides being buried, some bunkers in the hills should still hold.”

“But will they be reliable with the Diamond Dogs digging abilities?” Blitz asks.

Silver chuckles. “This place was the spot for a diamond dog war. We had to make bunkers against them. The way the bunkers are made is so they can’t dig behind them or get inside them. And if they take it, then the backend is wide open for us to kill any inside. Smart making on our part, but there are some flaws as they were using spears and everything back then and the openings are a little big for us to use with the weapons we got. By that, I mean they can get a clean shot at us if they have to.”

“That is why we make new fortifications, making them fight us on our terms and not theirs,” Blitz says.

Silver nods. “At least we should make openings on our side, so in case we lose and they to turn the weapons around, we can get them easily.”

“You’re thinking like a commander,” Blitz says.

Silver shrugs. “Got to think just in case we lose this area, we make it easy for us to take out while being heavily defended facing one way.”

“Well, shall we get started making the fortifications?” Blitz asks.

Silver nods. “Come on, those guys need some help.” He said heading to a few trying to get into one of the bunkers now uncovered. Blitz nods as he and Lightning go and help.

It had been nearly a week as Blitz was on night watch, carefully looking over the plan on the wall that was built by them, looking over to the vase on the stand every so often to make sure it hadn’t fallen off the pedestal indicating tunnels were being dug under them.

“How’s it going?” Silver asks, coming up to him.

“All is quiet so far. I haven’t seen any diamond dogs since we captured that scout five days ago.” Blitz says.

Silver nods and sits by him. “And yet, many can’t sleep. Try my best, but I just end up letting them slowly fall into it. I also give them a boring book that would put anyone to sleep.” He said smirking.

“It is mostly their first tour of duty. This is even Surge’s first time on a military campaign.” Blitz says.

Silver looks to him. “Really, no other battles?”

“She is a Mandalorian, but she has never fought a huge battle…that seems like a little too much fire for the fort in the direction.” Blitz comments, seeing the increase in light from a fire.

Silver looks confused and looks in the direction he’s looking at and sees the large flame and smoke. “Oh boy.” He said to himself before taking a crossbow and firing into the air as the arrowhead lights up in red light. Soon the whole camp was bustling in lots of activity and yelling orders as they got ready. “Guess we must be next. If I know that idiot, and I do, he would be heading to the nearest encampment for help and that is us. More than likely he would bring some friends along for the trip.”

Blitz’s ears then perk up. “We got problems of our own,” Blitz says getting up and pulls out his pistols before facing the forest at the other end of the plains.

Silver follows his view and looks that way as well. “So it seems. To arms!” He yells out to the troops below. “Cross, I need you hidden with Surge and taking out the most devastating ones you can find before they reach us. We can take care of the pawns they send in first.”

“Surge, we are going stealth,” Blitz says disappearing.

Silver sighs as he grabs a bigger crossbow than usual. “Okay, let’s see this thing work.” He said aiming before firing into the charging group below and actually hits one. “Nice, this thing is definitely my favorite weapon now.” He said loading another bolt.

Lightning follows Blitz carefully. “So how far back?” She asks through the coms.

“Hunt and kill the officers. Put the fear of god into them to demoralize them.” Blitz instructs before using his talons to cut an officer’s throats.

Lightning jumps down behind one before pulling him back and uses her knife to cut his throat before he could say anything and leaves him behind in a bush. “And how many are there?”

“Unknown, just keep working and pace yourself,” Blitz instructs as he completely decapitates another as arrows start flying down onto the charging dogs.

Lightning growls a little before landing on a branch and hangs upside down and slices the throat of another before pulling herself back up and keeps following. “Are we heading underground?”

“No, they will most likely try and flank them through the bunkers, but only one is about to and they will be in for a nasty surprise if they try,” Blitz says.

Lightning smiled a little. “At least he would be getting some exercise.” She said quickly swiping another throat as she runs past the dog.

“Don’t you mean to get a good meal?” Blitz asks as Lightning lands next to him in the tree as they are careful not to disturb the tree.

Lightning sighs as she watches the little camp. “Got anything?”

“I see the leader of the attack. Let’s finish him.” Blitz says quietly.

Lightning holds him. “Wait, look.” She said pointing to him near a chest as he went to it.

“Don’t let him have it. Put a shot through his head.” Blitz orders.

Lightning quickly puts her hoof up and fires into the head and sends him down. “There, wonder what was in it.”

“We’ll find out after we get it back to the camp,” Blitz says.

Lightning and quickly goes down before taking the small chest and heads back with Blitz as they come back to where they started and sees most of the forces now retreating. “How did it go?” Blitz asks.

Silver sighs as he puts the long crossbow down. “We had a few injuries and some out of commission for a while, but we were able to hold them back. Yours?”

Blitz sighs. “Got the commanders and we got something they were probably planning to use.” He said as Lightning puts the chest down and looks over it. “What do we got?” He asks, looking to her.

Lightning sighs and looks to them. “Regular chest from the outside. Might be able to tell something from the inside though.” She said trying to open it and couldn’t. “Okay, my favorite game, lockpicking.” She said taking out two metal pieces from her forelegs.

Blitz turns back to Silver as Lightning begins. “This might take a while.”

“Got it!”

“Or maybe just a few seconds,” Blitz said looking to Lightning carefully opening it to see if there was anything there before opening it all the way. “It’s…just a crystal.” She said looking at the shard.

Silver and Blitz walk over and look inside. “Is this that valuable?”

Silver shakes his head. “Not by much like being rich amount. This can hold you out for at least a few months at best, but there has to be something else than just being for wealth. After all, they eat gems.”

Blitz nods as he looks it over before seeing something inside that looks like swirling energy. “Huh, it contains something. Maybe magic?”

Silver tilts his head and touches a talon to it before a flash of light exploded in front of them and when it died down did they see the front line of battle bathed in a magic bubble and what looks like all life is being dissolved away. “Close it!” Blitz yelled and Lightning shuts the box and the bubble dissipates.

Silver tries to breathe as he keeps watching the front line before taking off and flying down to it while Blitz and Lightning rush over. “Anyone hurt?” Silver asks frantically.

“Sir?” A soldier asks warily.

They look over and see the soldier standing over another soldier who seems to have been eaten away like acid was poured over him. “What happened?” Blitz asks looking at him and scanning him.

The soldier shakes his head. “I don’t know, one second we are minding our own business and moving more ammo until the next, this huge bubble pops up and he was caught in it and it looked like he was being eaten away like tiny creatures were on him. He hasn’t woken up since.”

Blitz sighs as he finished scanning. “I don’t think he might be coming back for a bit.” He said making them look at him. “He was being eaten away, yes. But he was being eaten everywhere, no matter if it was covered or not. Heck, his brain has lost some pieces of itself which looks like he’s starting to dissolve away. Because of that effect, he can still live, but with the brain damage, I think he might be in a coma at this point.”

They all look back to the soldier as he just lays there. “Send him back home. There is nothing here that can help him.” Silver said before turning around and flying off.

They all watch as he flies off. “Surge, watch the box. Make sure that no one touches that crystal.” Blitz said.

Lightning nods. “Yes sir. And you?”

Blitz sighs as he looks around and then notices the arrows that were fired on the bunkers and the front line field and notice that they sparkle a bit before the lighting goes down. “I’m going to do a little research.” He said before disappearing and running off.

Lightning sighs. “I got to get back to the chest. Think you can handle this?” She asks the griffon still looking over the other.

The griffon nods. “Yeah, just a need a moment first.”

Lightning nods and starts walking back to where they left the chest. “Surge, secure it somewhere the dogs will not recover it.” Blitz says through the coms.

Lightning sighs. “Yes sir. What if they have another?”

“My gear recorded it’s signature already and I have a few allies who might be able to help with them.” Blitz says as he sends a text-based message to Minerva.

Lightning nods as she steps up beside the box and places it in another lockbox before sitting on it. “Got it in another, now what do we do and by that I mean you?”

“I will help Silver keep this location under control get it out of here. I will tell Silver you are taking the thing out of reach of the dogs.” He whispers to her as he seems to be flying through some trees from the sounds of leaves through the coms.

Lightning sighs as she then sees Silver walks back to the tent and sat down on the bed he had. “I don’t think he’s in the right mind since he activated the crystal.” She spoke quietly.

“I know, now time for you and it to disappear.” Blitz says.

Lightning nods before taking a quick look around and then opens the box she was sitting on and takes the case out before flying off. “To where?” Blitz didn’t answer as she sees the name Darkstar One on her visor.

Lightning sighs as she tips her wings to another direction before stopping in a certain spot. Soon the air shimmered a bit in front of her as a door seems to have opened and four guards dressed in what looks like military armor and one dressed in what she can describe as a cyborg cowboy. “Here.” She said placing the box on the open door.

“Tell Cross we will take care of this quietly.” The cowboy dressed one said.

Lightning nods and flies off as she looks back at the group as they place the box in another one of theirs before the door closes and the ship disappears again. “Blitz, it’s done. How’s your end?”

“Had to punch him to snap him out of his stupor. He is recovering now and the dogs have started to retreat, but the entire front of our fort has their bodies piled high. Bring me a few medkits, a few of our own were also wounded in the fighting.” Blitz says.

Lightning sighs as she makes it to the med tent and grabs a few boxes before flying to the front of the field and sees a few soldiers lying around, some with missing limbs. “Geez, where did they get this thing?” She asks herself as she landed and helped passed out the kits.

“We already buried our own. You missed that morbid task.” Blitz says coming up behind her.

Lightning looks to him. “You got the arrows that helped caused this?”

“Yeah, hidden away with one of our beacons on it. They should be picked up with the rest of the items.” Blitz whispers as the words. ‘Don’t speak of it anymore.’ Appeared on her visor.

Lightning nods. “Sorry, but what now? Heal the wounded and tried to redo the fortifications?”

“Until we receive orders otherwise. Also, some of the prisoners we captured said something interesting.” Blitz says.

Lightning looks interested. “What’s that?”

“You killed a chieftain in that battle when you killed the leader of this attack.” Blitz informs.

Lightning now looks surprised. “So…does that mean…?”

“Give the credit to the whole unit Surge. We will get personal glory later. This is now a war and it has just started.” Blitz says motioning her to follow.

Lightning started to follow along. “What’s our next move now? Besides the regular orders we might get.”

“You will most likely be sent out to scout.” Blitz says.

Lightning nods. “I hope everyone gets through this.” She said slightly looking back to the soldiers now being treated.

Blitz says nothing as a new message appears on her visor. ‘We are going to lose soldiers. There is no getting around that.’

Lightning now looks down as he lead her to the main tent. “I see.”

‘This is war and in war, there is no guarantees of survival. Now I want you to fly to the fort to our north in stealth and tell me what has happened. I want to know if the dogs have taken it or razed it to the ground.’ She reads.

Lightning nods and takes off to the fort as Blitz looks to the map. “What do we do now that the dogs have attacked?” Blitz asks Silver.

“We…we hold our position. If we lose here, the dogs will have a clear path into the kingdom with nobody able to intercept them until they are deep within.” Silver says.

“And hopefully the dogs are either smart enough to know that if they don’t deal with us they will be attacked from behind or have so much pride they won’t let this defeat and the death of a war chief go without retribution.” Blitz says.

Silver nods shakily a little. “Yeah, now we need to check up on the functions, but that can be checked tomorrow as most would be shaken up at this point.”

“No that is a mistake. Now we must fortify even more. This will show them we are so confident we can beat them we are leisurely continuing to fortify. That is an insult added to injury.” Blitz says as Silver nods, his face showing he understands the logic.

Silver sighs. “Alright, I’ll try to lead the building again, maybe give the bunkers a few upgrades.”

“We should keep the only one we haven’t collapsed yet as that is the only one way they can bypass our fortification, but we should set out a few artillery platforms aiming into it at least. Terran may be fierce, but even he can’t get all of a huge hoard rushing in.” Blitz says.

Silver nods. “Yes, you got any other ideas that may help?”

“None that don’t require more information, but we do know from our prisoners that they and two other clans were the vanguard and they attacked here and here.” Blitz says pointing to the locations on the map.

Silver looks to the map too. “Let’s see, those are obvious fortifications, the old forts from wars long ago. With a little upgrading they can hold up, but leave as they be and it would easy to fall and the ways to get through it in the best way possible like setting fire to it is one of the ways that still work.”

“Yeah, and we know that the three assaults were in unison. And the one south of us is manned by a veteran commander and we see no fire from there, but the one north of us we can clearly see the fire. I think that is all the indication we need.” Blitz says.

Silver sighs as he ruffles the feathers on his head. “We are really in a storm of the century, aren’t we?”

“Not yet. The war has only just begun.” Blitz says looking over the map.

Silver groans a bit as he gets up and walks over to the map. “And do you have any idea what to expect?”

“I bet your former classmate has already fled away possibly to the capital.” Blitz says.

Silver growls a little. “If that part falls now, we may allow a opening. We probably need to send a detachment.”

“They would be slaughtered and the fort is most likely already fallen to the dogs.” Blitz says.

“We may need to get it back soon. Otherwise, we could be flanked if they launch another attack at us.” Silver said looking the map over.

“That is if it is still enough to reclaim.” Blitz says looking out at the lights in the distance.

Silver looks at well. “Actually, take it out and there isn’t enough to work with and we won’t be flanked that easily.”

“The problem is we don’t have enough information to take the proper course of action.” Blitz says.

Silver sighs. “Yes, do you have a way to find a way to scout without being seen?”

“I will take care of that. Now get some rest.” Blitz says walking out of the tent.

Silver sighs as he watches him leave before heading back to his bed. “Hard to believe he took on many battles of a harder nature.”

The next day, Silver awoke to see Blitz still working on the fortifications. He sighs and walks over to him to see most of the damages and weapons a little upgrades since last night. “How are we doing?”

“Work in progress.” Blitz says lifting several more stones into the air with his magic.

Silver nods and looks around a bit more. “Where’s Surge?”

“She returned last night. The entire fort was razed to the ground.” Blitz informs.

Silver sighs. “That’s good, one less thing to watch out for. We can just watch the area with a few sentinels and not worry about keeping the fort.”

“Correct. Also, there seems to be no word to reach the forces still there.” Blitz says a plan already in mind.

Silver looks at him carefully. “You got something?”

“I think it’s time to teach them.” Blitz says setting the stones in place and soon Silver starts smirking.

Silver chuckles a little. “Alright, how much time?”

“How fast do you think a few of them can run?” Blitz asks.

Silver thinks for a few. “Tunnel, faster than us on a paw, but out in the opening, you need a sleeker body.”

“Tell them if they dig within our sight, we will shoot them in the backs. That way they won’t discover this.” Blitz says.

Silver nods and looks to the rest of the soldiers. “I’ll tell the rest, anything else I should know?”

“Nothing else that demands the commander’s attention.” Blitz says.

Silver smiled a bit and started to walk off. “Keep up the good work.”

A few days later a diamond dog war chief was laughing as his warriors tore down the last of the fortress as another warrior ran up to him. “What is it?” He growled.

“Warchief, warriors of the granet clan have arrived with news.” The warrior says.

The chief turns to him. “And?”

“It was a crushing defeat and most were slain including your brother, he was slain in combat.” The warrior says.

The chief growls. “Who dares to do that?”

“No one saw who did it, but we are told his head was placed on a spike on the fortifications.” The warrior says.

The chief was growling a bit harder now. “I want you to find out and save him for me. Now get going!”

“But war chief, our orders were to hold this position and secure a way into the griffon’s territory.”

The chief rounds on him. “I want my brother’s killer found out, now! Get the clan, we will attack and destroy that position.” He growled lowly.

“Yes, war chief.” The warrior says knowing there was no way to dissuade him now.

The chief keeps growling as he looks to the front line ahead.

“The bait is set and now we just have to wait.” Blitz says watching from the new tower.

Silver nods as he watches through a telescope. “Yes, but we may have to move quick once we deploy the trap.”

“We shall see. Silver, you ready to go officer hunting again?” Blitz asks looking down at his squad who were being trained rigorously by a sergeant.

Silver nods. “Oh yes, I am ready to take down a large part of the force.”

“If we win this, we will have crippled the vanguard even with the incompetent loss of your former classmate.” Blitz says.

Silver growls a bit. “Watch it.”

“I call those as I see them. He is the only one who lost a key location.” Blitz says bluntly.

Silver sighs. “Still, sometimes it’s best not to speak ill will of a close comrade.”

“Is he really close to you though?” Blitz asks.

Silver huffs. “A comrade is still a comrade. You treat others with respect or lose your own.”

“So what do you think what will happen to him after this? There is no getting around it was his fault, the fortress was destroyed and the king is not the most forgiving especially to noncompliance.” Blitz says.

Silver shakes his head. “You clearly don’t understand us. It’s not the king, it’s family and you never disrespect that.”

“I meant what will happen to him. He practically deserted in the face of the enemy if what some of the survivors of the fort says is true.” Blitz says getting Silver’s attention and interest.

Silver sighs. “Well, for some it’s best to treat and give them the most respect you can. Even if others don’t think that way.”

“But the king can not let him off and you, as a military leader, can not simply dismiss this.” Blitz says in a scolding manner.

Silver scoffs. “You don’t think I know that. But, it’s sometimes better to give, even if they don’t deserve it, because once they learn why I’m giving it, then they learn to pity and humiliation better. Double wound as it were.”

“Oh, so the king should make him a general for losing an important point and deserting in the face of the enemy?” Blitz says making Silver go silent. “Look, I don’t know what history you two have, but you can’t just defend him when he has done a lot of harm. If it wasn’t true, I would defend him, but it is. That attitude is also the same as giving a serial killer full pardon after catching them and putting them in a city with loose law enforcement.”

Silver frowns now. “So what, forget about and exile them so we don’t have to worry about them?”

“He won’t exile him, that would practically burn the bridge with his family, but he will be punished. Your king is strict with the laws.” Blitz says.

Silver huffs. “And then what, just forget about them and hope you don’t see them in the city again as they left a stain on the army and nation?”

“This is something deeper, isn’t it, something personal.” Blitz says stopping Silver in his speech.

Silver sighs and walks away to get some weapons. “Just be ready with the trap.”

“It has to do with your father punishing your big brother, doesn’t it?” Blitz asks.

Silver stops for a moment and looks at him with an eye before walking again.

“What was he supposed to do, let him go unpunished?” Blitz asks bluntly.

Silver soon lets out a small growl. “Idiot.”

“If you can respect or even approve of disciplinary actions, military isn’t for you and I will ask you this. What about this, your friend abandoned to die? Where he basically said go die while I run away?” Blitz asks.

Silver looks at him. “You run away?” He asks confused.

“No, but you are, or do you approve of that?” Blitz asks motioning to a pile of griffon corpses and Silver’s friend just flapping over them, laughing.

Silver backs away little. “What, but we didn’t lose that many. And he is still wrapped like a mummy.” He said pointing to his brother now landed.

“That’s right brother. We don’t deserve punishment. So what if my beating of that may have resulted in losing her wing. She should feel grateful she was even touched by me.” The brother says.

Silver now stops in his place. “Her?”

“Why?!” A griffon cries as Silver then sees his brother ordering the guards to throw her out.

Silver tries to run after her. “Keela!” He yelled before some doors shut in front of him.

“She is not worth your time brother. After all, they are all beneath us and only serve for our amusement or advancement.”

Silver growls as he turns to him. “You’re wrong!”

“Oh really?” The brother asks as Silver felt something under his talons.

Silver looks down and sees that he somehow wandered onto the pile of bodies. “But…I didn’t…”

“No consequences.” The corpses start chanting.

Silver tries to breathe and steps around them. “Consequence.” He repeated.

“Kill who you want, betray who you want, do whatever you want. Nothing is worthy is to judge you.”

Silver shakes his head. “No. That’s wrong.”

“Commander.” Silver suddenly heard.

Silver growls a little before he stops. “No…they’re right.”

“That’s right bother, you love looking down on others. Like when I hung that little servant boy for my amusement.”

Silver shakes his head. “No, not that. The fact I was trying to believe I could at least give you something. At least then you won’t feel alone. I wouldn’t feel alone.”

“Commander.” Another voice is heard.

Silver smiled now. “Cause I still have family, Keela, my comrades, and you.” He said now looking up to him and walking forward a bit. “No matter what, you don’t leave family and friends behind. That’s a given. And no sense of punishment is going to break that bond.”

“That is right, there is no punishment. They are all insects.”

“No and you deserved the guillotine. I see and finally accept that now.” Silver says.

“Guillotine? You would watch your brother die like a commoner?”

“You are already dead.” Silver says before hearing Lightning’s voice again. “Commander.”

Silver sighs as he looks to his brother one last time before closing his eyes and soon cracks them open to the sight of Lightning standing over him. “Sorry about that. What’s going on?” He said trying to sit up in his bed.

“The chief is asking for you. Said he spotted something.” Lightning says.

Silver finally gets up and grabs his weapons. “Let’s go.” He said heading out.

Blitz was sitting at the top of the tower, like he had for the last three days. On the walls, running off from it, the soldiers under his command had their bows at the ready.

“What’s happening?” Silver asks as he came up to him.

“I believe I spotted some scouts.” Blitz says.

Silver takes up a telescope and he looks through it. “Hey, a question that’s completely unrelated, what do you know of my brother?”

“You have a brother?” Blitz asks.

“Never mind.” Silver said as he spotted them. “Soldiers ready?”

“Not just yet. We told them to get to their stations, but we are acting like this isn’t a real cause for concern to piss them off.” Blitz says pointing to a few who are leisurely getting into position acting half asleep while others are actually eating on the wall.

Silver chuckles. “I like you.”

“Oh, we also added something else while you were asleep.” Blitz says as they unfurl a banner down the wall in the Diamond dog’s languages. “I wonder if we were insulting enough?” Blitz asks.

Silver smirks. “What’s it say?”

Blitz smiles before starting to translate.

Meanwhile the dog warlord was practically screaming his head off in anger.

“Sir, just…ahh!” One yelled as the warlord took a swipe at him.

“Bring me all of their severed heads!” He screams.

Back at the fort. “And that is the gist of it.” Blitz says.

Silver was laughing. “What will you think of next?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about. I’m just following orders.” Blitz says.

Silver sighs as he gains back control and looks back out the field again. “Quick count of what weapons and soldiers we got for battle.”

“In truth, we have only three hundred soldiers ready for combat and we have enough swords, shields, and spears, but we only have sixty arrows for each soldier, after that it will be a melee.” Blitz answers.

Silver nods. “Okay, let’s hope some traps would work. What do we get on that?”

“Well mostly we have the canal. We already have a few unicorns using their magic to sense in the canal and we have three different soldiers with whistle arrows for the signal.” Blitz says.

Silver sighs. “Think you can make them flood the tunnels if they do dig under it?”

“They won’t, we dug right above a granite deposit. They won’t dig through that, it would take too long and is a little too valuable material to build with, and with all the insults and mockery, the leader will want to kill us as soon as possible.” Blitz says.

Silver nods. “Ground attack.”

“No true traps. We just have to hope our defenses hold.” Blitz says raising his right forehoof and all the soldiers under his command notch their arrows.

Silver keeps watching the advance as he hears some groans. “Okay, only trees, ample cover if they’re smart, but right now a bit forceful to please their commander if the insults work. Let’s hope we can get most of them out of the tree line.”

“I have one last trick up my sleeve.” Blitz says bringing up his left forehoof. “Time to put the fear of god into these dogs.” Blitz says before pushing a button and the entire three acres of trees closest to the front of the fort erupted into explosions. When the smoke finally clears, all the trees were leveled and the remains of the dogs were seen around the area.

Silver raises an eyebrow. “If the environmental griffons were here, they would have a field day with you.”

“And I would tell them, go talk to the dogs over there if they have a complaint.” Blitz says.

Silver chuckles as he sees some more dogs heading through some of the leftover burning parts of the fields. “Archers?”

“Twenty yards till they are within range. We have to make every shot count.” Blitz says.

Silver picks up his large weapon. “Don’t need to tell me that.” He said aiming it.

“Ten yards.” Blitz says as the dogs drew closer.

Silver aims carefully as he sees a big one with a large hammer. “Five.”

“Open fire.” Blitz says throwing down his right hoof.

Silver launches the arrow with the rest of the arrows going up in an arch before the arrows fall down and Silver’s hits the dog straight into the neck and goes right through it. “I love this thing.” Silver said loading another as the soldiers start firing their own arrows at will.

“Surge, start hunting.” Blitz says.

Silver aims down again as he sees some dogs dropping near the tree line leftover from the fire and the edge. “You got a good soldier.” He said firing and hitting another.

“She is a Mandalorian. We Mandalorians, even though are militarily organized, are more like family than anything else.” Blitz says noticing the vase on the stand starting to shake. “They have begun digging and are closing in.”

Silver looks to it too. “Great, let’s hope the traps placed may help minimize the amount coming out.”

“Tell me when you dig into the canal.” Blitz says to a nearby unicorn whose horn was glowing brightly.

“Almost…” He strained.

Silver growls a bit as he fired at one getting too close. “Come on.” He said before ducking as the dogs fired their own arrows. “Sucker almost took my head off.”

“Raise the covers.” Blitz orders

The soldiers behind the wall start pulling on the ropes as the dogs kept running before the soldiers pulled at it hard and makes the spiked covers over the spike pits in front of the wall come up and attach to the wall and the heavy dogs couldn’t stop in time and stabs themselves while the lighter ones stopped right in front of them.

Silver looks down a bit. “Smart use of spikes. Hard to climb now.”

“Enginuity.” Blitz says waiting for the unicorn to tell him when.

The unicorn’s horn was now glowing brighter. “Got it. They reached it.”

“Send the signal.” Blitz says looking to a nearby archer who nods before loading the signal arrow and fires it straight up into the air, making it whistle all the way and causing many of the dogs to hold their ears.

Silver looks to the dam and sees what it has. “Was that even a dream?” He asks himself as the griffons fires some flaming arrows at the boxes on the dam which makes it explode before the stone started to break apart and the water started to leak through before the a large amount came out and took out the dam with metal spikes went with it and the water traveled down the dry canal and then underground where they couldn’t see what was happening.

“Now you and the rest of the unicorns, start using your magic to start firing magic blasts at them.” Blitz instructs.

The unicorn nods and heads to the others before they start firing magic blast at the dogs, trying to get who they can. “Anymore traps?” Silver asks.

“That is it. Now we fight a siege battle.” Blitz says before walking down to the right wall and pulls out his blaster pistols.

Silver sighs as he leans against the pillar in the tower before grabbing a box of arrows and starts to pick them off. “You are still a strange one.” He said firing.

The dogs kept charging, trying to find a way over the wall as one of the warriors, who was sent underground, emerged from the tunnel in their camps, drenched in water and gasping for breath.

“Why aren’t you back there?!” The warlord asks.

“They somehow flooded the tunnels, sir. I’m not sure how many survived.” The warrior says before coughing up more water.

The warlord growls louder. “I want you to find me another way to those bitches. Now!”

“So you must be the brother of that pathetic warlord who begged for his life like a little bitch.” A voice says.

The warlord and the other dogs turned around and saw nothing. “What was that?”

“I guess I will kill you just like I did him.” The voice says again.

The warlord growls as he grabs a saber. “Show yourself!”

“Very well.” Lightning says appearing behind him before going full auto with her blaster rifle. The warlord soon fell forward dead before Lightning disappears again.

The other dogs just stood still as they saw the smoking holes in their dead warlord. “What just happened?”

“A ghost.” One says.

Lightning was smirking. “I like that name, ghost.” She said to herself as she flies off.

Blitz stares down at the warrior climbing up the wall and withdraws his talons on his right foreleg and decapitated the warrior. “Idiot.” He then looks around and sees the ponies doing what they can while most of the griffons using what weapons they can and taking down the dogs and then looks over to Silver and sees him almost hidden and fighting what he can describe as a sniper rifle in a crossbow style. “Wonder where they got that?”

Lightning suddenly lands behind him before kicking a dog off the wall. “Got the warlord.”

“Good, start going full auto on the remaining ones.” Blitz says.

Lightning nods and takes out her rifle and points down the wall and starts firing downward. “I got a good number, just two more acres in the trees for the amount of dogs left. After that, the rest are retreating since I took out the warlord. Strange they are calling me a ghost now.”

“Ghost corp, I like the sound of that.” Blitz says.

Lightning chuckles. “Ghost squad or ghost team or just ghost. Like, I’m a ghost. Leave it at that.”

“And I’m a phantom or a wraith,” Blitz says cheekily.

Lightning giggles. “Maybe a phantom. Wraiths shriek out everything.”

“Actually, wraiths are another word for ghosts.” Blitz says continuing to be cheeky.

Lightning sighs and nods. “Uh-huh. Still, what would your code name be if you had a choice?”

“I’ll stick with Southern Cross.” Blitz says.

Lightning smiled. “Really now? No other ones just in case? How about Shadow?” She asks dropping a grenade down the wall.

“Taken.” Blitz says.

Lightning giggles. “I’m sure she won’t mind.” She said as an explosion went up and makes body parts fly to their height before they fall back down.

“No, I mean a Mandalorian is already using that name.” Blitz says.

Lightning tilts her head. “You know, we are going to be here awhile now that they are attacking us.”

“If you’re tired, go get some coffee.” Blitz says just picking off dogs at random with his pistols.

Lightning shakes her head. “No, I mean we are going to be here at the field for a while and maybe we could do something in the off-time.”

“We shall see.” Blitz says.

“We did it. We won!” One of the soldiers cheered as the last of the dogs ran.

Silver sighs as he finally sits down and puts the crossbow to the side. “Finally, now we just have to worry about retaliation.”

“With this, the vanguard has been defeated without really entering the kingdom’s territory and you now are no longer a raw commander, you have endured two defensive sieges,” Blitz says walking up with Lightning.

Silver nods. “Yes, but now we still have to deal with protecting this place. At least they would think twice about trying this spot. You two can oversee the repairs and redo on some of the traps. I’ll try to do the same.”

“Shouldn’t we send a messenger south to check the other location they attacked?” Blitz asks.

Silver sighs and tosses him a telescope. “Take a look. I already sent one, trying to get him to leave before the battle. He ran when he heard the explosion.” He said leaning his head back.

Blitz looks through the telescope and sees him at the faraway camp. “Not bad. Thought ahead.”

Silver shrugs. “Had to warn the others.”

“So we will be getting a report back soon then and they will be updated that the fort north of us was destroyed.” Blitz says.

Silver nods. “Yep, just need a courier to get back to us. For now, we rebuild and rearm just in case of another skirmish.”

“That is wise and best to send some of our soldiers out to check for survivors and any salvageable arrows.” Blitz says.

Silver sighs as he looks over to see the almost empty arrow box he has. “I may have to agree. What else we got running low?”

“Building materials and we have eaten through a little more than half of our rations.” Blitz says.

Silver groans as he tries to sit up. “How about any camps the dogs left behind? You able to find them?”

“Haven’t searched yet, but I doubt they left anything edible or valuable behind unless Surge scared them badly enough when she killed the warlord.” Blitz says.

Silver chuckles. “Wish they did. But one griffon’s trash is another griffon’s treasure. Anything can help, like using tables as more boards to reinforce our walls or stones and that. Anything can help if you know what to look for.”

“If my calculations are correct, our unit contributed the most with the vanguard.” Blitz says.

Silver groans as he finally got up and sees the damage they made with all the bodies. “Yes we did, but now we should try to recover and then see what we got. Can Surge here map out the encampments of what they had in the forest? My men will take care of the recovery. After that, I’m sure you two want to get a break. Cross, you can help her if you want.”

“I will take care of it personally. Surge hasn’t slept for eighteen hours.” Blitz says.

Silver smiled. “Okay, that’s fine. Surge, you can go and get some rest. We all need it now.”

“I will be back soon enough.” Blitz says jumping off the wall and disappears.

Silver yawns a bit. “Okay, guess I’ll be getting to bed now.”

“Give orders first, then sleep.” Lightning says pushing the reluctant Silver to the troops.

Silver shakes his head. “Fine. Just give me a sec.” He said before grabbing his weapon. “Do you have anything like this?” He asks her.

“Oh yeah, but this is my preferred weapon. Cross likes those two for control and rapid-fire. Me, I like firepower and accuracy.” Lightning says.

Silver chuckles. “You got one that crazy strong and long-range. I think the bow on this is getting a bit weak.” He said looking to his as he tries to test the string by rubbing it.

“Then have a forge look it over next chance you get.” Lightning says.

It was a week before the defenders of the newest made fort heard from command. “So how did it go, Commander?” Blitz says eyeing the new soldiers in the fort and many new officers.

Silver crosses his arms. “Very well. They are getting it in their heads that this is war and lives will be lost. The encampments you found really helped too. We even found a few of my favorites.”

“Heads I brought back?” Blitz asks.

Silver chuckles as he shakes his head. “Nah, just the weapons. Still, how’s your friend? Still tired?”

“She is fine. So will we be getting rotated out?” Blitz asks.

Silver sighs. “Yeah, our king wants all of us to take a break now that he knows we are being attacked. So he’s sending out the defense army to hold our spots here. They are better equipped for these types of things. All they need to know is what you did with the area and what traps you may have placed.”

“No traps, but I may have left a wake of death and destruction.” Blitz says still leaning back on the bed he brought up to the tower.

Silver nods. “Good, because you are telling what you left before all of our leaves and lets the defense team do the work.

“Just tell them lots of dead dogs bodies.” Blitz says.

Silver nods. “I’ll try that. So what do you want to do in the meantime? Get some rest? Maybe grab a souvenir?”

“Send a letter to the one I married.” Blitz says.

Silver smiled. “I might send a letter too.”

“Aren’t we going back to the capital?” Blitz asks.

Silver sighs. “Yeah, maybe to my father because I may be a while.”

“I wonder how my kid is?” Blitz says out loud.

Silver smiles. “I’m sure he’s waiting at the door for you.”

“I’m not so sure, he was just born recently.” Blitz says.

Silver chuckles. “Trust me, he’s going to be waiting for you. Hatchlings are like that no matter what or who they are.”

“Yeah and knowing his mother, she is taking good care of him.” Blitz says.

Silver sighs and looks at him. “And who is your wife, if I may ask?”

“Can’t tell you, my identity is a secret for their safety.” Blitz says.

Silver watches him. “Boo. That’s no fun, but I understand.”

At that point, Blitz didn’t reply and leaned back into the bed.

Silver sighs as he watches the new trainees. “Your friend Surge mentions a weapon close to mine. Can I see?”

“Not unless your governments go to the next level with us Mandalorians. Where we start sharing our weapons.” Blitz says.

Silver chuckles. “See, that’s where no fun begins, but I get the idea.”

Blitz only grunts before he hears a flapping of wings and looks to see Lightning flying in. “You got something?” He asks her.

Lightning sighs as she landed. “Mandalore and it’s big. He really needs to speak to you now.”

“Sorry Commander, I have to take this.” Blitz says disappearing and Lightning took his place.

“He isn’t really calling, is he?” Silver asks.

Lightning just smirks. “Depends if he really wants to.”

Blitz reappears far away and turns on his communicator. “Mandalore, can you read me?” Blitz asks and receives no answer, but does see a video in his communications that has yet to be played.

He raises an eyebrow and plays it while he calls again and waits and soon sees a video of a beach and some music. “Huh, never seen this before. Now what…you gotta be fucking kidding me.” He said as he saw a familiar person and that annoying music. “I thought this died?” Blitz says annoyed but starts to smirk. “Oh Lightning, let us see if you like my counter,” Blitz says hatching a plan.

“Cross?” A voice asks from the call now answered.

“Minerva, were you in on this?” Blitz asks

Minerva giggles. “A bit. Had a hard time finding it. Still, Mandalore did call you.”

“Report.” Blitz says.

Minerva sighs. “First of all, he wants me to ask how long would it take for you to make it back. So how long?”

“War just started and I’m here helping them with the terrestrial war as part of the agreement my clan has with them because most of my clan is away checking on the ship or taking jobs for themselves.” Blitz says.

Minerva nods. “Good, how much longer are you going to be there?”

“A few more months, but it will be without us on the front lines now. So it might be boring at this point.” Blitz said.

“Right, I’ll keep the Darkline and the reinforcements you requested one jump away under the guise of training exercises,” Mandalore says coming into the call.

Blitz nods. “Good, we might be in a lot of trouble if it does hit though.”

“Don’t worry, I have contingencies in play.” Mandalore says.

Blitz chuckles. “Can’t wait.” He said before Mandalore ends his call. “Minerva, think you keep calm during that time?”

Minerva giggles. “Only if you spend time with me when you have a chance.”

“Minerva, we will talk later about earlier. Cross out.” Blitz says closing the line.

Lightning was smirking as Silver was straining to aim for a long-range shot. “Relax and breathe. Geez, you need some relaxation.”

“And don’t fire too soon like your girlfriend keeps telling you in bed.” Blitz says walking up.

Lightning laughs out loud as she holds her sides while Silver just blushes. “Damn you Cross.”

“Yeah, yeah. Surge, come with me, we have a few things to discuss.” Blitz says.

Lightning soon calms down and follows him. “What is it?” She asks after a while.

“Did you send that to anypony else?” Blitz asks.

“Well…” Lightning stops.

“Huh, so all of you got the same video?” Twilight asks on the call.

“Yeah, but I haven’t opened it yet.” Daring says from her apartment.

“It’s really cool and funny actually.” Pinkie cheers from her end.

“Wait, you opened it?” Spitfire asks.

“Ok, a show of hooves who has opened it?” Octavia asks holding Azure and only Pinkie raised her hoof.

Twilight groans. “Really, how bad can it be.” She said before hitting play and after a while of watching, they all stood silent before Azure tries to hide in his mother’s coat. “I’m deleting this.” Twilight said after a while.

“Well, I wouldn’t mind if Blitzy sang this to us.” Shadow said.

Twilight and the others think of him singing that before shaking their heads. “Yeah, no.” They said.

“What, you don’t want him to sing you a love song?” Shadow asks.

“Lightning you are such a troll.” Pinkie says as she texted Lightning a reply.

The others just look at her for a second before they shake their head and sighs. “So does anypony want to get together soon?” Rarity asks.

“Well, it would be fun if all of you come by and visit. Azure could use more time with his step mothers.” Octavia says nuzzling his head.

Vinyl giggles from behind her. “Aren’t we all mothers because won’t it be better if he called us all momma?”

“Technicality Vinyl. Octavia is his birth mother and we are his step mothers, but we all raise him and love him.” Twilight says starting to go lecturing Twilight on them.

Vinyl still giggles. “Come on, wouldn’t it be cool if he called all of us momma? It wouldn’t be cool if he called us stepmomma.”

“You just want him to boop your nose like earlier.” Octavia says as Azure tries to climb on her.

Vinyl blushes. “How can I not love that? He’s cute. Look at him.” She said pointing to him as he waved at everyone from the top of Octavia’s head.

“The adorable foal.” Octavia says smiling as she looks up to him.

Fleetfoot giggles. “He is isn’t he? Twilight, how’s yours coming along?” She asks eyeing the slightly bigger stomach.

“I have been reading up on the subject and I think I am doing well.” Twilight says smiling.

“Twilight, Twilight.” Applejack chimed. “You need to see a doctor. No matter how well you say you are well versed in this, you need to see one. I know I have to call Fluttershy to check up on the animals. Right?”

Fluttershy nods as she fiddles with her collar. “Yep, you could never be too careful.”

“It would have been so helpful if Blitzy married a doctor as well.” Twilight says.

“Silly, there were no noticeable doctors in the show.” Pinkie says.

They just hit the mute button on her end. “So when do you think you’ll have the little one?” Fleetfoot asks.

“I…hum, that is a good question.” Twilight says.

‘A month or two my new queen.’ Chrysalis said.

Twilight smiled a little. “How do you know that?”

‘I am in tune with your magic and this little hatchling too.’ Chrysalis said.

Twilight sighs. “Might be a month or two girls.”

“Ok.” Applejack says before opening the door behind Twilight to her shock and grabs her. “Time to go to the doctor.” Applejack says.

Everypony else just snickers. “Thanks Applejack.” Some said.

Applejack smirks as she pulls Twilight away. “So Rainbow, what about you? You seemed to be gaining a little.” Daring points out.

Rainbow looks down to her slightly bigger stomach. “Yeah, I tested myself with that tester Fluttershy got me. It’s positive.”

“Number three confirmed. So when are you girls going to pay up?” Spitfire asks.

The others just glare or smile a bit. “When he gets back.” Most of them said.

Shadow just mumbles something.

“What was that?” Spitfire smirks.

“None of your business.” Shadow says a little mad.

“Oh Shadow, do you want a foal of your own?” Daring asks.

Shadow frowns. “We did before I was able to have foals. I’m going to have to wait for him now.”

“Ah, someone is missing their hubby.” Vinyl says.

“So like Applejack.” Rainbow says.

They all giggle a little as Twilight and Applejack’s end were finally cut off. “It will be okay Shadow. You’ll get him back.” Fleetfoot offers.

“Yeah, my little shadow, I’ll see you soon enough.” Blitz’s voice was heard.

“Blitz!” Most of them yells and Azure tries to reach to where his voice came from.

Blitz’s image then appears in the chat. “Finally have a few moments to myself one second.” Blitz says as he unmutes Pinkie and forcefully reconnects Applejack and Twilight.

“Blitz?” They both ask as he sees Twilight on a hospital bed.

Blitz frowns a little. “What happens?”

“Getting her a check-up. Had to drag her here personally.” Applejack says.

Blitz raises an eyebrow. “And?”

“They are running some test right now.” Twilight says smiling.

Blitz smiled. “And what is Chrissy saying?”

“Censorship will not allow me to repeat.” Twilight jokes.

“Ah, my girl is getting better at jokes.” Blitz says smiling.

Twilight giggles. “Sorry, but that’s only for us Blitzy. I’ll tell you when you come back.”

“Uh-huh. Well, it turns out that the king was right and it is now war here.” Blitz says.

Everypony looks worried. “So how long?” Rarity asks.

“We just started, but we smashed their vanguard already and Lightning here…” Blitz stops to show a sleeping Lightning still in her armor. “Got two of the warlords leading the dogs.” Blitz finishes.

Some of the mares clap and Azure laughs as he tries to reach for him. “Not bad. Tell her that from all of us.” Octavia said, letting Azure reach a little closer.

“Hey there Azure. You miss me?” Blitz asks as he smiles.

Azure giggles and coos a bit at him.

“You behaving for your mothers?” Blitz asks.

Azure coos and turns around and hugs Octavia.

“And been messing with your mother Vinyl?” Blitz asks smirking.

Vinyl glares a bit as Azure giggles at him.

“That’s my boy.” Blitz says laughing.

“Shut up.” Vinyl said as Azure grunts and throws his chew toy at her, which bonks her on the head.

“Oh, fun to watch them play and Vinyl just loves him to death.” Octavia says as Vinyl starts messing with Azure before he escapes her grasp and bites onto her tail.

Vinyl glares a bit as she lifts her tail in front of her. “Bad Azure.” She said poking him.

Azure seems to copy her and pokes her nose. Vinyl giggles and keeps poking him until they enter a poking contest.

“She has met her match as you can see.” Octavia says.

Blitz smiled. “Good, now you guys play nice. And make sure Twilight gets her chocolate pancakes. She gets moody when she doesn’t.”

“Blitz.” Twilight growls as everypony chuckles as Vinyl hugs Azure and rolls around with him.

Blitz smirks. “See, she’s moody now and I think the little foal or hatchling might gain a sweet tooth with her cravings.”

“Just wait till you get back Mr. We are going to have a few words.” Twilight growls.

“And a night.” He said cheekily.

“Of you on the couch,” Twilight says.

Blitz smiled now. “I’ll make it up to you Twilight. Don’t worry.”

“So what will happen now?” Rainbow voices the question all the girls were thinking.

Blitz sighs. “We are going to be here a bit longer than expected, but we are going to be away from the front lines so it is a bit safer for us.”

“In other words, he is getting rotated out.” Spitfire says.

“Yes, fresh soldiers take over the fort we made there.” Blitz says as Terran poked his head in front of the screen.

“Hi, Terran.” They said while Azure coos at the new face.

Terran pants happily at them. Blitz chuckles and lets him stay. “Now then, we are going to be a while and it will be a bit boring too. Just hold on for a bit more girls.”

“Got any words for the family?” Applejack asks.

“And Sweetie Belle?” Rarity adds.

“And Scoots?” Rainbow asks.

Blitz smiled. “Yeah, I hope to see you girls later. And have Spike teach them a few things. Basic really, just in case of trouble.”

“Speaking of Spike.” Twilight says.

“Oh no, we are losing connection.” Blitz says as the screen gets fuzzy.

Everypony frowns as they see his screen gain static. “Hey girls, listen, I’ll be there soon and I’ll head back as soon as we can.” He said before it completely ends in static.

“He pretended to lose connection when you brought that up, didn’t he?” Pinkie asks.

Twilight quickly checks his ping numbers and nods. “Yep, his end is too good. What’s going on with Spike?” She asks calling him up only to get a voice message.

“Hello, you reached Spike the dragon. Sorry, I can’t make it. I might be so much into gaming or with keeping a library shipshape. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you.” Spike’s message said.

“We need to find out what is going on.” Twilight says.

“What about Slender?” Pinkie asks.

“She hasn’t been seen either.” Applejack says.

“I’ll get the bounds to hold him when we question him.” Spitfire says.

Rarity giggled. “That might be tough with Slender behind him 24/7. She adores that little drake. Her first true friend.”

“Hey girls.” Lightning says sleepily.

“Lightning.” All of them said. “About time.” Rainbow said.

Lightning yawns. “I just woke up. Give me a minute.” Lightning says.

Twilight sighs and starts to think as the doctor came back and gave the papers to Applejack. “What does Blitz have planned with him?”

“Azure? Well, I think he will raise him.” Lightning says half asleep.

Twilight looks to the others again. “Oh sorry. Lost in thought.”

“Hey girls, you would not believe what Minerva let me borrow from the ship.” Lightning says waking up a bit more.

They all look at her. “What?” Fluttershy asks.

“Check it out, it’s a mind-reading device.” Lightning says bringing a helmet out.

Rainbow leans in. “Does it work?”

“Yes, but it is pretty old and very temperamental. When I asked, Minerva told me they stopped making them a long time ago and the secret to making them was lost when the creator died taking the secret with him.” Lightning explains.

They all raise an eyebrow at that. “Really, what did the creator originally want to do?” Twilight asks.

“Don’t know, this thing alone is around two hundred years old. So who wants to see a dream Blitzy had?” Lightning asks smirking.

The others smirk as well. “Yeah.” They said and Lightning sends a video to which Octavia covers Azure’s eyes as they see Twilight in a skimpy nurse’s outfit almost swaying her flank as they see what looks like from Blitz’s point of view and Twilight coming toward him. “Nurse Sparkle is now here to help you. What do you want to do first?” Twilight asks.

They hear a chuckle. “Well, I got a growing problem and I need it checked out.” Blitz said.

They all were a little disappointed when the video distorts and stops. “Sorry, that’s all.” Lightning apologized.

“Rarity, think you could make some outfits?” Pinkie asks.

“Oh yes, I can.” Rarity says as a wicked idea starts to form in between them.

Twilight sighs. “Why did he choose me in the outfit?”

“Maybe it’s because of the fact you got a bigger flank and a more slender body since becoming a alicorn. That would really show some skin when you wear that outfit.” Vinyl said.

“If you want, I can try and show the rest of them with this, but as you saw, it was distorted and stopped recording. As I said, temperamental.” Lightning says.

Some of the mares grumble at the fact they can’t see the rest. “Well, let’s surprise him.” Applejack said.

Spitfire and Shadow chuckles. “Yeah, that’ll make him understand to not hide things.” Shadow said.

“This is just his dream. Why are you mad at him for having it?” Lightning asks.

Shadow whines and pouts. “I wanted to be the one in a nurse’s outfit.”

Lightning sends another file. Shadow plays it and suddenly smirks. “Wow, guess he likes to transfer over kinks he likes to this. Wait, he can do that?”

“That was a different dream.” Lightning says as they all look at Shadow in a pink nurse outfit.

Octavia keeps trying to cover Azure’s eyes. “Yes, can you get it off my end?”

“Ok, I will stop.” Lightning says.

“How many did he have?” Rainbow asks.

“I only got four dreams recorded.” Lightning says.

Fluttershy smiled. “And each of them is one of us?”

“Well…one is about all the Wonderbolts.” Lightning says.

All the Wonderbolts blush. “And?” They ask.

“It cuts out right as it begins.” Lightning says.

Fluttershy blushes. “Um…anypony else?”

“The fourth one was of all of us with a few more foal running around.” Lightning says.

“Aww.” Fluttershy said as Lightning played the video and they see the foals a little blurry except for what looks like Azure. “Guess the mind made up a few things.” Twilight said.

“That Azure can see.” Octavia says as she lets Azure see it and he coos at the video before it became static and ended.

Vinyl sighs. “Is that all?”

“Well, I could swear, look right there.” Lightning says as the Vinyl in the dream seems to look at them.

They all watch as the Vinyl approaches them. “Hey, stud?” She asks what seems to be Blitz.

Lightning pauses the video and zooms in on Vinyl’s eyes and they see a reflection of Lightning watching the video. “Tell me I’m not the only one seeing this.” Lightning says.

“No, you’re not.” Blitz suddenly came in and he was smirking. “I knew you would use that thing. Figure I have some fun.”

“Um…got to go girls.” Lightning says disconnecting.

Vinyl glares at him. “What was that?”

“I think…I’m not sure.” Applejack says.

Blitz chuckles before waving at them. “Bye girls. Bye Azure.” He said as Azure laughs at him before he cut off.

“We have got to learn how to hack and how to spot it better,” Pinkie says.

Twilight sighs as she messes around on the status and comes up with something. “Either he’s very stupid or very smart. Found the pings over the whole call. Blitz left his on the whole time. And now it’s gone.” Twilight says before a message appears on her omnitool. “I did it on purpose. XP.” Twilight reads.

Rainbow giggles. “The XP is just him sticking his tongue out. An expression system to passing notes in class.”

“Search expression system.” Twilight commands her omnitool.

They all shake their heads at her and Twilight’s eyes widen at the number of expressions. “Wow.”

A new message appears on Twilight’s omnitool. “Twi you are so adorable.” Twilight read. “I hate him.” A new message appears. “No you don’t.” She reads. “Rainbow.” Twilight says.

Rainbow smiled. “Yes?”

“I know that was you who sent that one.” Twilight says.

Rainbow shakes her head. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“User address.” Twilight says as Rainbow couldn’t get the smirk off her face.

It just displayed Rainbow’s as she started laughing. “Geez Twilight, take a joke.”

“What she wrote ain’t exactly a lie partner.” Applejack says.

Twilight groans. “I hate you all.”

“Now now Twi. Don’t strain yourself. Think of the foal.” Applejack reminds.

Twilight huffs. “Yeah, whether he or she has good other mothers.”

“Oh, she is huffy. Here have a chocolate cupcake.” Pinkie says beside her.

Applejack and Twilight look surprised. “Pancake.” Twilight said.

“No cupcake.” Pinkie says.

Twilight shakes her head. “Pancake.”

“Cupcake.” Pinkie says before an argument erupted between them.

Applejack sighs as she looks to the papers. “Huh.”

“And thus I hereby succeed the apple family farm into the cupcake federation.” Pinkie says.

Applejack turns back to her. “Wait, what?”

“Ha.” Twilight said moving a few pieces from her omnitool as what looks like they are playing a game on there. “Yeah, right. You need those respect and battalions.” She said gathering hers for an assault.

“What happened, I looked away for a moment?” Applejack says.

Twilight smiles. “Pinkie challenged me. The winner gets to choose the food. Next to Spike, I’m the best the player around now. And Pinkie just lost another city.” She said sending the army onto her weakest city and starts digging for resources.

“Oh, you sure?” Pinkie asks as the city suddenly exploded destroying most of her army and a counter-attack was launched, taking Twilight off guard.

Twilight growls before pressing a few things and suddenly a missile got launched into the air and Twilight pulled most of her forces back.

Pinkie pushed a few buttons and several missiles were launched to intercept the missile causing a nuclear explosion in midair. “Now nuke your city.” Pinkie says launching another one, making Twilight sweat.

Twilight then realized something. She hits a few things and makes her army fire at the missile and soon it exploded too. “You shouldn’t have chosen an army of robots. Explosions in midair make an EMP charge.” She said before making her army advance and they decimate all the forces shut down in the way.

“Who says I did? Go my worms, kill them all!” Pinkie yells as giant worms spring from under Twilights armies tearing them apart.

Twilight just gets a blank face before pressing a few things and soon a single unarmed person came out of her city.

“Oh how adorable. Death squads, kill him.” Pinkie says as a squad mows him down with machine gunfire.

Twilight just raises an eyebrow at her before the person came back up and starts walking again, as all the bodies started to rise. “It took all the respect and money and time to make another WMD, but I think my dead raiser is a good idea.” She said as all the dead army turns and fire on Pinkie’s army.

“Oh zombies huh…armageddon bomb with magnetic shielding.” Pinkie says launching in it in the middle of Twilight’s capital, annihilating it.

Twilight sighs as all her stats start to fall. “Dang it. At least let me try this.” She said as the army finally reaches Pinkie’s city and it starts to emit a dark cloud as her stats almost reach the end.

“Nuke that,” Pinkie says blowing up those cities, vaporizing Twilight’s undead army. Twilight groans as the game ended. “Cupcake.” Pinkie said placing it between them. “And now for my victory moment. Hail Cupcakes.” Pinkie says before her virtual troops started chanting that.

Twilight grumbles as she starts eating. “I hate you Pinkie.” She said with her mouth full.

“Oh, I love you too, and don’t worry, Blitzy will be back soon to hold you,” Pinkie says bouncing in place.

“Pinkie, don’t you have a play date with Azure to get to?” Twilight asks.

They heard Azure giggling and sees him being carried by Pinkie. “Twi, can you ask the bug queen about this.” Applejack said giving her the papers.

“About what?” Twilight asks playing innocent.

Applejack glares. “The fact they could only find a hard shell. Like an egg.”

Twilight giggles. “Chrissy said its only for a few days. After that, it will be a normal foal when hatched.”

“So this is the next evolutionary step of changelings?” Daring asks.

Twilight giggles. “Nah, just me.”

“But, then they will most likely be like that.” Daring says.

“I guess you are right.” Twilight says thinking it over.

Applejack pats her back. “Maybe you should think about placing a new hive and all that. Maybe help them get started.”

Twilight giggles nervously as she rubs the back of her head. “Yeah…about that…”

“My queen.” A nurse says walking up.

Almost all of the mares look a bit shocked at what she said next. “The hive is under the castle.” Twilight said before squeeing.

“And when were you going to tell us?” Applejack asks frowning.

Twilight was now pushing her hooves together as the nurse changes back to normal and places her ear against Twilight’s stomach. “When we leave again.”

“Uh-huh.” Applejack says raising her eyebrow.

“The egg is fine. It will be a good lay.” The changeling nurse said.

“Yeah, I only wish Blitz wasn’t away fighting in a war,” Twilight says.

The nurse spits out some type of slime on her hoof before giving it to her. “Nutrients and the king will be fine. He makes a worthy mate for the queen.”

“Why is that?” Twilight asks.

“We are a warrior species and the king is a warrior, a very strong warrior.” The changeling says.

Twilight smiled. “Yeah, he is.” She said before starting to eat the slime, much to everyone’s disgust as they either voice it or just stick out their tongue.

Applejack tries to hold her lunch. “How is that good?” She said before trying to hold back to the next line of barf.

“It’s not. It’s like taking nasty medicine.” Twilight says.

Applejack still tries to hold it. “Dang it Twi. I don’t know how you can handle being queen.”

Twilight swallows the last slime. “Me either. But for the sake of the species, I have to. Not easy, but it’s a more fun life.”

“My queen, would it ease your mind if we send some to help the king?” The changeling asks.

Twilight sighs. “Yes, but I think it would be better if we didn’t. He probably would send you guys back at the first chance. I’ll just call him from time to time.”

“As you wish my queen.” The changeling says.

Applejack leans over. “Is this also going to happen with regular ponies? Being acting like servants?”

Twilight shrugs. “Maybe. Maybe not.”