Fly to the Stars and Back (Redone)

“I can’t believe that actually worked.” Silver says.

“Yeah, to tell the truth, that plan was a diversion for the real plan, but we caught him, and all we had to do was circulate a fake report of a bomb being planned in the leader of the dog’s camp,” Blitz says.

Silver sighs. “At least we got him now.”

“Yeah, we’ve also given him a blindfold for his execution on the colonel Talon’s orders,” Blitz says.

Silver frowns. “I really hate this part.” He said, walking away.

“Cover your ears,” Blitz says as gunshots are soon heard.

Silver lowers his talons from his head. “I really wish we didn’t have traitors.”

“There will always be traitors,” Blitz says.

Silver looks at him. “You had any in your line of work?”

“Two came to off me on my wedding day,” Blitz says.

Silver hisses. “Ouch, how did that fair out?”

“Had to beat one to near death while getting ready. The other, let’s just say the guests from the Mandalorian clans went hunting.” Blitz says.

Silver smiled. “Now I wish my wedding isn’t like that.”

“I doubt it will.” Surge says, smiling under her helmet.

Silver grins. “I meant not like that. Like yours specifically.”

“Ah, you mean a nice ceremony followed by a party and hunting of a large dangerous predator?” Blitz asks.

Silver frowns. “Very funny.”

“That wasn’t a joke.” Lightning says.

Silver raises an eyebrow as they head off. “I’m really starting to question you guys.”

“Custom of the clans,” Blitz says.

Silver shakes his head. “Oh boy. I have a feeling his ideals will lead to something.”

“Kaysh ne’waadas at katkavida laam” Blitz says.

Lightning nods. “Yeah, he does.”

“What did he say?” Silver asks, confused.

“He’s speaking in the tongue of the clans.” Lightning says

Silver groans. “I sometimes hate these guys.” He said to himself.

“So the plan still going ahead?” Lightning asks.

Silver nods. “Yes, we are actually surprised that he was able to leave that big gaping hole in their defenses. Another defense squad is coming here to take our place, and the general wants us to move in. We are getting reports of the camps beyond the line still in trouble and being repaired. So we strike and take them out. After that, the front line closes in and takes the heat off of us.”

“So so we are being sent to attack with the other two then,” Blitz says.

Silver nods. “He wants us to take it out and bore a hole for the advance team to attack.”

“So we are the vanguard this time,” Blitz says.

Silver shrugs. “I figure a nice change of pace would do some good.”

“Surge, go ahead of us and get all of them to start to gear up.” Blitz orders.

Silver smiled. “Make sure they dress dark. We got a dark and stormy night coming.”

“Time to bring the fire,” Blitz says, disappearing.

Lightning grins. “Great, I’ll wear the thin version armor I got.” She said before flying off with a smirk.

It was pitch black that night as so, dogs were on watch.

“Wait,” Blitz said, holding a hoof up as they pressed themselves against the wall as the dog walks past overhead.

“You hear something?” A dog asks.

The other looks around and perks his ears up before hearing nothing but the rain. “Nah, come on. They got fresh meat at the camp.” He said, walking away with the other.

Blitz takes a mirror from a griffon’s pocket before using it to peek up and sees the torch lights going away. “We’re clear.” He said, giving it back and vaulting himself over the cliff face.

The griffons and ponies follow. After that, Blitz made a few gestures, and they all nod before fanning out. They soon spread out in a spread outline as they all move towards the camp and see the lights coming up. “Stop,” Blitz said, stopping behind a broken dead tree.

He looks ahead and sees some dogs standing at the edge and just looking outward as some dogs came up to them and gave them something before heading back. “Synchronised takedowns.” He said, moving slowly up to the dog as the others move to theirs.

Once they reach the dog by staying in the grass and bushes, Blitz takes a look around and tries to stop the other dogs before getting up and grabbing the dog and cover his mouth before cutting his throat and drags him down into the bush as the other griffons do the same to theirs.

“Start planting them,” Blitz instructs.

The griffons start to move around and hide behind the cargo as they put the bombs into the explosives and gunpowder. At the same time, Blitz moves carefully towards the main tent and finds one dog there just napping on the table. He raises an eyebrow before placing a bomb under the table behind some boxes and looks at the table, and grabs a few things before heading out back to the hill and meets up with Silver looking through a modified telescope Blitz made to let him see in the dark. “Not bad. All of them are set.” Silver said, still watching.

“Alright, withdraw, time for me to start the distraction,” Blitz says.

Silver clears his throat before cawing once, and soon more griffons came over, and Blitz disappears. Silver looks through the telescope and watches the whole camp before he sees the entire camp engulfed in flames and the dogs panicking. “Not bad.”

“You thought you could hide from me, do you?!” Blitz yells in the fire at a more agile-looking war chief. The dog roars and charges at him right through the line of flames and misses when Blitz jumps up and he goes right into more cargo boxes. “I’ve seen better dogs.” Blitz taunts as the dog try rolling around, trying to put out the fire.

The dog soon puts it out with a small puddle and gets up, and feels himself grab by the throat with magic and propel towards Blitz and is skewered onto an outstretched claw.

Blitz huffs as he throws the dog off the claws and soon walks away and heads back to the hill. “That’s that.” He said, giving some papers to Silver. “Here are the latest troop movements, and we have finally killed the dog that has been giving us trouble for months. He is not like the others. He was smaller and obviously smarter.” Blitz says.

Silver huffs. “At least we got him. That’s good news.”

“Yeah, also check the fifth paper,” Blitz says.

Silver moves the papers around. “Really, this one is causing all the trouble?”

“We got his location,” Blitz says.

Silver sighs. “Yes, but we don’t have orders to hit him. Ours is to get rid of these camps and hold the line.”

“Send the map to the generals in command here. More specifically, your father and see what happens.” Blitz says.

Silver just looks over the papers. “More than likely, he will send a strike team to get rid of him.”

“Not possible, as according to the latest ghost recon, three tribes in the way for that,” Blitz says.

Silver looks at him. “Then how about we clear the way for them?”

“Simple, we challenge him directly by committing forces to face him there,” Blitz says.

Silver smiled. “You really know how to mess with the mind, don’t you?”

“Nope, I just know how to fight a war,” Blitz says.

Silver sighs and looks to the camp still burning. “What do you want to do while we wait and get to our next spot?”

“We got two more to do before daybreak to meet our quota, so move,” Blitz says.

Silver says nothing and follows everyone as they head to the next camp.

Blitz walks into his tent to find Lightning playing the board game with Whirlwind. “I have news, you two,” Blitz says.

They look to him. “What is it?” Whirlwind asks, trying to stealthily move a piece.

“We killed the war chief that has been evading us and giving us quite a bit of trouble, and we found their leader,” Blitz says.

Lightning looks a bit surprised and slaps Whirlwind’s talon, making him let go of the piece. “That’s good. Are we getting him?”

“There are three tribes in the way, and he directly controls three more if the papers we took from the dog are to be believed. We will have to wait and bide our time until orders come down.” Blitz says.

Whirlwind hisses as he rubs his talon. “Great, more waiting and getting my tail feathers kicked to pieces.” He said as Lightning moves her final piece and heads off. “And that’s another feather lost.”

“War, young squire, is not all about going into battle. There are many factors and a lot of the time. We will be waiting.” Blitz says.

Whirlwind frowns a little. “I know. It’s just I hate getting my feathers pulled.” He said before seeing something leaning against the table. “Isn’t this hers?” He asks, picking up the blaster rifle.

“Yes, that is her blaster rifle,” Blitz says, sitting down, and starts looking over the maps.

Whirlwind aims to the roof and tries to aim carefully while keeping the fingers away from the trigger. “Huh, very different than the rifles out there. A little bit lightweight, but that’s all I can tell without firing it.”

“Please don’t. I would rather not have to repair the tent,” Blitz says.

Whirlwind sighs and puts it down against the table again. “What I wouldn’t give to try a shot.”

“Stick with us, and you will get your chance soon enough,” Blitz says.

Whirlwind hums. “Yeah, with you guys, it gets crazy.”

“Not that you have much of choice, being his squire.” Lightning says.

Whirlwind smiled a bit. “Maybe I’ll stick with being in the griffon army.”

“I am a knight major in the army squire.” Blitz reminds.

Whirlwind looks at him. “I meant with sticking with the army here, not that I mean your own army isn’t that bad.”

“She means you don’t have a choice once the war is over. I’m heading to see my family, and you being my squire, must accompany me.” Blitz says.

Whirlwind groans slightly. “There are some parts I hate.”

“Oh, Cross, we just received a letter. They couldn’t find any relatives to little Blazer.” Lightning says.

Blitz sighs. “Well, that’s that. Now I have to tell him he’s staying with me.”

“Well, at least he has a family now.” Lightning says.

Blitz nods and leans back in his seat. “Yeah, just hope he isn’t causing too much trouble. After all, I did promise.”

“Blazer?” Whirlwind asks.

Blitz waves him off. “My adopted son. Got him from a town after dogs razed it and killed his parents. Had Surge here take him to my family back home. Now, he’s going to be my son.”

“I see,” Whirlwind says, his interest piqued.

Blitz smirks. “If I know him up to this point, he’s probably training with those weapons that he somehow inherited. Still need to go over the assets.” He said as an afterthought.

“That’s enough for now. Whirlwind, I have to discuss something with Cross before he heads to sleep. I will continue your martial training soon.” Lightning says.

Whirlwind sighs and gets up before stepping out.

Blitz sighs. “We might be going home sooner than expected,” Blitz says, walking over to the bed.

Lightning smiled as she zips up the tent and gets out of her armor. “Yeah, you happy to head back?”

“Ecstatic, if we either kill or force the dog overlord to surrender,” Blitz says, laying down after removing his armor.

Lightning giggles and lays down on him. “Yeah, I wish we can get back faster, so…you know.” She said, tracing a hoof on his chest.

“I know, and you also want to play with the foals, don’t you?” Blitz asks.

Lightning smiled. “Yeah, can’t wait to really meet them.”

“Stepmother Lightning Dust.” Blitz teases.

Lightning smirks. “And you are daddy to all.”

“Yes, I am, with another on its way,” Blitz says.

Lightning smiled. “Pinkie and Rainbow, right?”

“No, just Rainbow. Pinkie has shown no signs of it…has she?” Blitz asks.

Lightning sighs. “You haven’t been checking on everypony. It’s best you do.”

“Well, I have been quite busy,” Blitz says.

Lightning pokes his chest. “Call.”

Blitz sighs and starts calling. “Fine.”

Twilight giggles as Arcane played around with a ball as Blazer reads the general books on the area while Azure was playing with the ball with Arcane. “They are so good together, aren’t they?” Octavia asks as she sat with Twilight.

Twilight nods. “Yep, just wish Blazer can play around a bit too, but he’s still learning about this place. So it works in one way.”

Blazer looks up at his name was heard, and just sees his moms laughing a bit before going back to his book. “So this is the new kid. I was hoping for something different.” A voice said behind him, to which he yelps and smacks the book closed before swinging it behind him. “OW!”

Everyone looks over and sees Discord holding his head and a penguin on his back laughing at him. “Discord, what are you doing here?” Twilight asks, getting off the couch.

Discord groans a bit. “When I heard you had another little foal, I had to see the little one. But I didn’t expect you to give birth to a griffon.” He said, snapping his claws and making a magnifying glass appear. “Who’s your mummy?” He asks Blazer as he looks him over.

“Mom?” Blazer asks, a bit afraid of the funny made dragon.

Twilight frowns before shooting a spell ball at Discord, making him fly into a wall and sending Sombra onto the ground with a squawk. Blazer just looks at Sombra, who squawks at him before Blazer picks him up and hugs him. “Aw, too cute.” He said, snuggling Sombra.

Discord groans as loud, angry squawking were heard from the room as some changelings surrounded him. “Let him go. The only thing he’s a danger of is himself.” Twilight said, walking up to him.

Discord huffs as he dusts himself off. “Why Twilight, that’s a terrible thing to say. I would have hoped that dear Fluttershy would have at least been taking care of the foals since you only care about making names.”

Twilight raises an eyebrow as the changelings withdraw. “Nope, and it’s Flutterbat, not Fluttershy for now. Pet, come here!” Twilight calls out.

Discord looks confused until he sees Fluttershy looking like a bat walking in. “Yes, mistress?” She asks clearly and not shyly while wearing a collar.

Twilight smiled. “Get us some food and snacks.”

Fluttershy nods. “Yes, mistress.” She said before hurrying to the kitchen.

Discord just scratches his head. “Alright, why is she calling you mistress?”

Twilight smirks and heads back to the couch. “Simple, my husband kind of owns her. She likes to be a pet. So, he ordered her to listen to me as the master, so to speak.”

Discord flies on over to her. “So she listens to everything you say, right?”

Twilight nods as Fluttershy come back with a tray of tea and cookies. “Your tea and cookies, mistress.” She said, bending down slightly.

Twilight smiled and takes some while Octavia does as well, while Discord just takes a bit confused still. “Good,” Twilight said before taking a bite and spitting it out. “Pet! This is not cooked enough.” Twilight said, showing the eaten cookie.

Fluttershy whimpers a bit. “I’m sorry mistr…ah!” She yelped as she was pulled by the collar.

Twilight glares at her before hitting her in the face once before throwing her to the ground. “Get it right, pet, or it’ll be worse next time,” Twilight said, leaning back and throwing the tea and cookies at her.

Fluttershy whimpers a bit more as she was covered in the crumbs and tea. “Yes, mistress.” She said, hurrying off the kitchen.

Discord just had his mouth open. “Okay, what happens to the old Twilight?”

Twilight smiled. “Relax, I didn’t really hurt her. I premade a spell on her that, when used on the part of the body, it will cause the pain receptors to activate. That was actually a tap on the face, and she likes being hurt. She wants to play with us today, so I obliged. Don’t worry, she’s still the same Fluttershy you know and love. Just…I really don’t know how to place that.” Twilight said, thinking on it.

Discord looks a bit worried. “So…I don’t have to worry about her being covered in bruises and cuts, right?”

Octavia dips her cookies in her tea. “Nope, she will be fine. You can ask her anything, and it will be like this scenario isn’t even happening.”

Discord raises an eyebrow as Fluttershy comes back with a new tray. “Your remade food and drink, mistress.”

Twilight takes them and tries a bit before smirking. “Very good, you got off lucky.”

Fluttershy nods and smiles at Discord. “Hello Discord, how are you?” She asks, now being like her usual self.

Discord tilts his head. “Um…fine. Are you okay with this?”

Fluttershy nods. “Yep. Don’t worry. It’s consensual.”

Discord nods while Twilight smiled. “Now that’s out of the way, why is Sombra still a penguin?” She asks, pointing to Blazer, still snuggling Sombra.

Discord sputters a bit. “How did you know that?”

Twilight taps her head. “Chrysalis. I became queen when she was dying. Now I control most, if not all, of the changelings in Equestria. Still, her spirit is still inside me and giving me guidance of being a queen and sometimes eases my loneliness when Blitz is not around. Now, Sombra?” She asks, pointing to the penguin now running from Arcane and Azure with Blazer now, squawking as he ran as far as his little flippers will take him.

Discord takes out a pair of glasses and wears a suit with a tie. “Well, if you must know, I find it hilarious that he is a penguin.” Discord says, smirking.

“WANK!” Loud squawk yells were heard as a book hits Discord in the head, and they look to see Sombra waving a flipper angrily before running off from the young ones.

“Hilarious.” Discord says, smirking.

Twilight shakes her head. “What are we going to do with you, Discord?”

“Well, I know you are answering that call.” Discord says.

Twilight clicks her tongue before thinking. “What call?”

Suddenly she hears her omnitool ringing and hears Fluttershy’s ringing in the hallway.

Twilight answers and sees Blitz there. “Blitz? Is something wrong?” She asks as Fluttershy comes back and sits down on the couch before joining.

“One moment, waiting for the others to pick up,” Blitz says.

Soon Rarity, Applejack, who seems to be resting against a tree, Pinkie, and Rainbow joined the call too. “So what’s this about?” Twilight asks as Vinyl, Shadow, Spitfire, and Fleetfoot joined afterward.

“Come on, Daring, pick up,” Blitz says.

A yawn was heard as a black screen shows up before they see the light come on and sees Daring in bed and rubbing her eyes. “What is it, girls?” She asks tried.

“I didn’t know I was so feminine, love.” Blitz jokes.

Daring groans and glares slightly at him. “What is it?”

“I got some news, girls. We have located the overlord of the dogs over here. Which means I might be coming home soon.” Blitz says.

All the girls then smile. “Really?!” Pinkie asks as they see the background moving up and down.

“By the way, Pinkie, Lightning hinted at you being pregnant?” Blitz asks.

Pinkie giggles. “Yeah, my tummy is getting bigger. I got a foal, a little baby foal in me, and it’s happy with how I’m hoping.”

“And you Pinkamena?” Blitz asks.

They all watch as the background stops moving and Pinkie’s mane flatten out, and she lost her happy smile. “Idiot, you knocked me up.”

“You know you love it,” Blitz says, smiling.

Pinkamina suddenly brings out a knife right in front of the camera. “I will be going to be very happy to see you again. Because you are going to pay, idiot, pay a lot.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Want me to bring anything, girls?” Blitz asks.

Soon a chorus of requests came spewing from all of them, asking different things from jewelry, trinkets from the gift shop, and, for some reason, a large bowl of candy and sweets. “Alright, alright, I’ll see what I can do,” Blitz said, trying to quiet them down. “Just send me a list in an email, and Pinkamena, I’ve acquired a bottle of vintage wine last time I was in the capital.”

The knife was put away as she clicks her tongue. “Tempting, but you have to do better.”

“Oh, I got other things, but I will leave them a surprise, and Minerva, you could join in instead of eavesdropping,” Blitz says.

Gigging was then heard as Minerva came on. “Hey, cutie. Great to see you again. So, how long exactly?”

“That depends on the generals. I also hear the prince of the griffons is overseeing this front. Also, girls, we may be getting a new summer home.” Blitz says.

All of them start talking. “Summer home?” Twilight asks as Arcane, Azure, and Blazer come up to join their mothers.

“Well, it seems the griffon king really values my service. As such, he is most likely going to grant me a title and fief,” Blitz says.

Applejack just tilts her head. “A what now?”

“Land, darling.” Rarity says.

Applejack leans forward. “So basically, you got a regular home over there?”

“Maybe or maybe a castle,” Blitz says, unsure himself.

Twilight giggles a bit. “You already got a castle, and now you want another?”

“I’m just saying possibilities. I don’t know for sure what land they will give, but I do know the king plans on it as I have been assigned a squire and only nobility or those who have served for most of their lives get those, so you do the math.” Blitz says.

Rarity looks a bit surprised. “You got a squire?”

“Yes, a young griffon named Whirlwind,” Blitz says.

Rarity smirks. “Is he cute?”

“Rarity, you are married.” Daring reminds.

Rarity giggled. “I know, just wondering, because sometimes cuteness factors into smartness.” All of them give her a look. “Blueblood.” She said, noticing the stares.

“And?” Rainbow asks.

Rarity sighs. “Sometimes, a male’s smartness is based on how bad they look. Like jocks in school.”

“And?” Pinkamena asks.

Rarity sighs. “Yes, I’m married. I’m just wondering since he’s working under Blitzy, and if he isn’t smart enough, it will be high on trouble for Blitzy to deal with.”

“He is learning, oh and Rarity, I got something for you as well. Found it amongst a dog camp we raided.” Blitz says, holding up a sapphire encrusted necklace.

Rarity gasps. “Oh my, that’s beautiful. Please come home sooner.”

“I will send it ahead with Minerva,” Blitz says, smiling.

Rarity giggled. “I want you to put it on me.”

“Alright, so Vinyl, you beat Azure yet?” Blitz asks.

Vinyl huffs. “Please, of course, I did.” She said proudly.

“She still can’t catch him,” Octavia says.

Vinyl hisses at her. “Quiet thrall!”

Blitz laughs. “Don’t worry, love. You will get him soon enough. You just need to watch his left forehoof. He favors that when he is about to pull something sneaky.” Blitz says.

Vinyl hisses at them. “Watch out, little Azure. Your mommy Vinyl is coming.” Azure just laughs and outstretched his hooves at her. Vinyl giggles and hisses some more. “Want to spend time with your mommy vampire?”

“I think that is a yes Vinyl,” Blitz says.

Vinyl grins with a toothy grin as Azure giggles at her. “So what are we doing in the meantime?”

Twilight moves the camera around her. “Guess who else is here?” She asks, showing Discord and Sombra being held by Fluttershy.

“Ah, Chaos and the adorable mascot of dark magic,” Blitz says.

“WANK! WANK!” Sombra yells at him.

Discord chuckles. “Ah, love that idea. Him being my mascot,” he said before a book hits him in the face.

“If not, you could always introduce him to a hungry seal.” Blitz jokes.

“Wank?” Sombra asks, hiding a bit before jumping off and stares up at Discord. “Wank.” He said.

Discord sighs. “Fine. Just for this moment.” He said before snapping his claws, and Sombra was covered in dark smoke and then dissipates as he was revealed in his regular self, but without armor and was actually bare naked.

“Finally. I was getting a bit tired from running around in flippers.” Sombra said, stretching himself.

“Discord, I will give you a glass of chocolate milk to turn him back into a penguin right now,” Blitz says, causing Discord’s face to nearly split with a smile.

Sombra goes wide eye. “Wait, can’t I at least speak?!”

“Um no, two glasses,” Blitz says.

Sombra yelps a bit and goes behind Twilight. “Can’t I at least speak to her?” He half yells while pointing to Twilight.

“What is her title?” Blitz asks.

Sombra frowns a little. “Queen Arcane. Those times being a penguin wasn’t for nothing.”

“You may speak. Take five Discord.” Blitz says.

Sombra huffs as Discord brings out a big clock, and it starts counting down to twelve from five minutes ago. Sombra frowns before looking to Twilight. “How is she?”

“She is at peace,” Twilight says.

Sombra nods. “Yes, but how is she dealing with her new life in your head? I know about the magic flare and where it came from.”

“She says she will eventually fade away,” Twilight says.

Sombra sighs. “Guess she never got the chance. Oh well, at least I can still be here.” He said before looking at Discord. “In a sense.” He said before looking back at her. “You need anything from me, just ask, okay?” He asks while smiling.

“Well, there is one thing,” Twilight says.

Sombra frowns a little. “Penguin?”

“Arcane wants his little playmate back,” Twilight says, brushing the foal’s mane.

Sombra stares at her before sighing. “Fine, but I want to at least be myself at times.”

“That is fine, just not while Celestia visits which will be soon,” Twilight says.

Sombra smiles a bit. “Though it will be funny once she realizes that you are friends with her arch enemy.”

“We got enough to worry about her finding out Arcane is a male alicorn,” Twilight says.

Sombra chuckles. “Please, you haven’t even seen my life about them.” He said, looking more closely at Arcane before being turned back into a penguin, and Arcane catches him as he sighs and crosses his flippers.

“Times up.” Discord announced.

“Flutter, you mind paying Discord for me?” Blitz asks.

Fluttershy nods. “Yes, master.” She said before heading to the kitchen.

“So where is Lightning?” Spitfire asks.

“Oh, she over there,” Blitz says, showing them Lightning sleeping.

“Aw.” Most of them said.

“She just got back from an 18-hour patrol,” Blitz says.

“Ouch.” They now said.

“So when is Celestia coming over?” Blitz asks.

“In about a week, right around when all of us are supposed to get together,” Twilight says, directing the latter half to the rest of the girls.

Pinkie cheers as her mane goes back to normal. “Can I host a party there? Like, Welcome back Blitzy and Lightning?”

“Not them, because we don’t know when they will be back,” Twilight says.

“Aww.” Pinkie sadly said.

“We can plan a party together when we get back, Pinkie,” Blitz says.

“Aww, I want it to be a surprise.” Pinkie whines.

“I got a few surprises for you,” Blitz says, smiling.

Pimkie presses her face against the screen. “What is it?” She asks, excited.

“If I tell you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?” Blitz asks.

Pinkie pouts. “Meanie.”

“I’ll tell you what, I have some chocolate onboard the Darkstar One along with the bottle of vintage wine,” Blitz says.

Pinkie smiled and hugged herself. “Aww, you do care.”

“Just don’t do anything to risk your precious cargo. Also, since I am far away, now is a good time to inform Maud about your condition,” Blitz says.

Pinkie giggles and moves aside. “Talking about her, look.” She said before Maud’s head appears in the doorway of her room. “Pinkie, you are out of rocks. I can’t make the meal you wanted.” She drones.

“Uhhhhhhh,” Blitz says, causing Maud to register him.

Maud steps up to the screen and sees Blitz. “Huh, so this is the husband you went with. At least he’s good-looking enough.” She said before turning to Pinkie. “Where do you keep the extra rocks?”

“Rightmost cupboard, and don’t you have anything to say to him about this?” Pinkie asks.

Maud looks at him carefully. “I want him to be here, but I can tell you this, hurt my sister, and you are going to get the meaning of rock farming.” She drones.

“Yeah, that might not be for a b…” Blitz was cut off by an explosion outside. “I’ll be right back,” Blitz says, putting the communicator down and steps outside in full armor.

All the mares and foals and hatching were just staring at a wall. “What do you think is happening?” Twilight asks.

After a few minutes later, Blitz comes back. “Sorry, the dogs tried and plant bombs onto our defenses,” Blitz says.

Rainbow leans closer. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just told them to tighten the perimeter and double the patrols. We should be good.” Blitz says.

“So wait, is he in a war zone?” Maud asks.

Pinkie nods happily. “Yeah, he’s a soldier, and right now, he’s in the griffon kingdom fighting the dogs.”

“He better not die and leave you a widow,” Maud says.

Blitz chuckles. “Yeah, I won’t. I don’t leave family behind.”

“Oh, that reminds me, where is the trombone?” Pinkie asks.

Blitz just raises an eyebrow as Maud gives her the trombone, and she plays it. “Okay, are the parasprites back?”

Pinkie shakes her head. “No, just this little one might like it.” She said, tapping her stomach.

“Ah,” Blitz says.

Maud looks at him again. “Don’t mess up with her, or you’re getting me.”

“Maud, he is my husband. We both can’t have him,” Pinkie says.

After a few moments of silence Blitz says, “Not sure if that is a joke or not.”

Maud just stares. “Don’t mess up.”

“Can I get an answer on that?” Blitz asks.

“He won’t.” Most of them said.

Blitz sighs. “So Blazer, you behaving?” Blitz asks.

Blazer nods. “Yes, father.”

“Good boy,” Blitz says.

Twilight pushes his shoulder. “Blazer.” She said simply.

“Yes, mommy,” Blazer says.

“So, Daring, what are you up to?” Blitz says.

Daring groans. “Sleeping when you called. Come on, man.”

“You know what you meant, love. You are in Equestria, it is daytime, and here it’s five o’clock in the morn…do not tell me,” Blitz says.

Daring feign innocence. “What?”

“Where are you?” Blitz says.

Daring smirks. “Onboard.”

“Where?” Blitz asks.

Daring smiled. “Darkstar.”

“Minerva,” Blitz says, looking at her.

Minerva whistled innocently.

“I will talk to you about this later,” Blitz says.

Daring sighs. “Relax, Blitzy. I’m not coming out much. Just to explore a bit and see the land when I’m cooped up too long, and that’s not during, before, or after a battle. Besides, Minerva is keeping me busy from time to time.”

Blitz frowns a bit. “That still doesn’t excuse this ploy.”

Daring smirks. “Blitzy, do I have to remind you the last time we were in the griffon kingdom?”

“Do you want me to show them all the pictures of you in the griffon court?” Blitz asks, making her pale.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Daring says.

“Wouldn’t I?” Blitz ask.

Daring huffs. “Well, don’t send me back, and I won’t upload that photo of you when we went back in time. Maybe others would like it when you were dressed that way.” She said, smirking.

“Go right ahead,” Blitz says, still smirking.

They all watch as Blitz and Daring held a staring contest before Daring’s line went dead. “Daring?” Rainbow asks.

Minerva giggles as they hear some loud cursing and things being thrown and broken in her background. “She’s fine.” She said before a table was actually thrown behind her head.

“Tell her, don’t exert herself too much and look in cargo bay 2, box label F-74,” Blitz says.

Minerva gets up. “Artifact?”

“Let’s just say, I think she will like it,” Blitz says, smirking.

Minerva giggles before walking away, and soon, the cruising stops. “So, what attacks or anything you got left?” Twilight asks as Arcane crawls away.

“Twi, Arcane is crawling away with Sombra,” Blitz says.

“My queen?” A changeling said as Twilight looks over and sees Arcane in a saddlebag carried by the changeling looking at her with a laugh, and Sombra was eating some cookies he found in the bag.

“Oh, come here, my little prince,” Twilight says, walking over and picking him up.

Arcane laughs as Sombra squawks at them and shows a cookie. “Oh, come here, Sombra,” Fluttershy said, picking him up.

“My queen, we need to do something about our numbers. Apparently, our own broodmares aren’t enough.” Another changeling said.

Twilight looks at him as she thought about that. “Let’s see, how many broodmares do we have?”

“Only a few.” The changeling said.

Twilight looks back to Pinkie. “Pinkie, can you make a few flyers?”

Pinkie leans in. “What about?”

Twilight smiled a little. “Write this, ‘Volunteers wanted for being broodmares for the changelings. Will be able to let fantasies come true, with some restrictions.’”

Pinkie holds up a flyer. “Like this?” She asks, showing an already made flyer with a pretty good picture of a changeling nuzzling a pony.

Twilight and the others look a little surprised. “That’s…pretty good.”

Pinkie puts it down. “So?”
look
Twilight smiled. “Well, put it up all over Ponyville first.”

Pinkie salutes. “Yes my queen.”

Arcane giggles as he claps his hooves while Sombra raises an eyebrow as he feels Fluttershy nuzzling his head.

“See, that will be you soon, Pinkamena,” Blitz says as Pinkamena returns.

Pinkamena frowns a bit. “Tch. Maybe.” She said, looking away.

“What do you think, Maud?” Blitz asks.

Maud just stares. “Maybe one day, just not now, for she is still brewing up one.”

“Yeah, and yes, Shadow, we will aim for you next,” Blitz says.

Shadow smiled. “Thanks. I really need one after our time.”

“We have been married for a little over a year now,” Blitz says.

Shadow giggles. “And I like to really have that marriage with you and you alone for a bit. Think you could do that?”

“Ask the one that is holding Arcane,” Blitz says.

Twilight giggles as Arcane laughs. “Just be sure to give her that suit she likes. I’m sure she appreciates it, many Blitzes, protecting her.”

“Maybe another time. I want just my Blitzy.” Shadow says.

Blitz smiled. “I’ll be sure to have that suit ready. And…is that how you see it?”

Shadow sighs. “I don’t see a line of royal guards. I see an army of Blitzes ready to protect me.”

Blitz says nothing, not wanting to bring up what happened.

Shadow sighs and looks away from them a second. “Excuse me. I need to see something.” She said before walking away and cutting her line.

“Spitfire, Fleetfoot, you girls mind?” Blitz asks.

They both nod and head off. “What’s up with her?” Rainbow asks.

“I will explain it to you later,” Twilight says.

Blitz just stayed silent as he looked away for a moment until he looks back. “She will be fine. Just give her time.”

“And you…” Twilight says before they hear what most would assume a Rainbow fanmare scream.

They all look at Rainbow’s who is looking at another screen.

“What?” Applejack asks.

“Wasn’t me,” Rainbow says.

“Then that means…ladies, prepare yourself for this,” Blitz says, smirking.

They all look around and finally see Minerva’s screen and sees Daring bent over the lid of a box in the room. “Is this that artifact that was lost by our favorite underwater city?!” Daring asks.

“Maybe,” Blitz says.

Daring takes out a gold statue and takes out another one that looks like a weapon on a stand. “This is awesome!” She said, wiggling her legs while on the lid. Blitz says nothing as she keeps going fanmare on them.

Twilight shakes her head. “Oh boy. How long would this go on?” She asks as Daring wiggles even more.

“About five more minutes till she realizes the rest of you are watching,” Blitz says.

They all shake their heads before they try to go back to themselves. “So, what are you going to do now? Just wait until the next order?” Octavia asks.

“Not much I can do before then,” Blitz says.

Discord leans in. “And how’s your commander doing?”

“He’s taking charge out there. He’s a far cry from five months ago when this started.” Blitz says.

Discord smiled. “And did he get any offers of mates?”

“Not my place to talk about such things,” Blitz says.

Discord chuckles. “Yeah, yeah.”

After that, Blitz tries to catch up with them, and Daring joined in after she snapped out of her fanmare moment.

“I just feel something coming, just no idea what it is. Well, I best go. It sounds like everything is calmed down outside far too soon. I will hopefully see all of you in person soon.” Blitz said.

“Hope to see you soon.” They all say in almost unison.

“Love you, girls,” Blitz says before disconnecting.

Later that night, after midnight, Blitz left a letter for Silver in his tent and left the camp. After a bit of walking, he rendezvoused with the Darkstar One and came aboard. Blitz then stealthily snuck up behind Minerva and then wrapped her in a hug to her surprise. “Miss me?” He whispered into her ear.

Minerva smiles as she tries to turn around and gives a hug back. “Hey, I really missed being with you like this.” She said, nuzzling him. “Being able to feel. However, it is still nice to interface with the ship to increase my processing power by a lot. I was able to upgrade the whole ship by two hundred percent.”

“I see,” Blitz says, touching their noses together. “Remember to rest every once in a while. You are a cyborg now, not an android.” Blitz says.

Minerva giggles and nuzzles him. “Yeah, yeah.” She said while moving her hooves on him. “I love this feeling, being able to know you are there, for real.”

“So Daring already asleep?” Blitz says, wiggling his eyebrows at her.

Minerva nods. “Yeah, she’s still tuckered out.”

“Let’s give her some company, ok?” Blitz asks.

Minerva smiled and pulled on his hoof and led him to Daring’s room, where they found her fast asleep in some messed up covers that were half off. “Aw, that’s cute.”

“You get the right side of me and Daring the left,” Blitz whispers as they sneak into the room.

Minerva grins and moves to their places before they crawl into bed, and Blitz warps his hoof around Daring.

Daring mumbles something before opening her eyes and sees Blitz holding her. She tries backing out but is stopped by Minerva, who holds her there.

Blitz smiles as he pets her mane. “Go back to sleep, my love,” Blitz whispers into her ear.

Daring calms down and moves closer to him before closing her eyes and putting her hooves on him. “Thanks for not being mad.”

“I can’t stay mad at you even if I get mad,” Blitz whispers into her ear.

Daring twitches her ear at him. Blitz smiles as he lets himself fall asleep. In the morning, Daring yawns loudly as she gets up and head for the shower. She sighs after coming out drying her mane before she notices Blitz in the bed.

“What the…?” She asks herself.

“Up already, love?” Blitz asks, getting up.

Daring looks around for a bit. “Yeah, but…what are you…?” She tries to ask.

“I came here to spend some time with you,” Blitz says, walking over.

Daring blushes a bit. “You…did?”

“Yeah,” Blitz says, smiling as he wraps his hooves around her neck.

Daring presses her lips together as he starts to nuzzle her. “Um…”

“I can’t stay too long, love,” Blitz says soberly.

Daring sighs sadly and nuzzles him back. “The girls are all worried about you, Blitz.”

“I know,” Blitz says, rubbing her back.

Daring sighs and looks at him. “At least check back once in a while. We can’t do everything.”

“Sorry, I’m just kept so busy with training the soldiers, planning and leading them, I barely have any free time at all, and now with a Squire, I will have less time, but hopefully the war will end soon,” Blitz says.

Daring keeps nuzzling him. “Just don’t hurt us by making us wait.”

“I have to wait for myself,” Blitz says, leaning into her.

Daring puts her head under his and nuzzles his neck. “Please, just try. We’re really worried you would have injured so much you can’t call or…”

“That is how it is when you are at war,” Blitz says.

Daring stops her nuzzling and looks up at him. “Blitz?”

“Yes, my sexy professor?” Blitz asks.

Daring closes her eyes. “Can you…geez, this is hard to say.”

“We can’t have intercourse right now if that is what you are asking,” Blitz says.

Daring shakes her head. “No, Fluttershy suggested this.” She said before getting out of his grip and heading to the table nearby and picks up a package. “She said that you would definitely come back and gives me a little hope for this.” She said, opening it and showing a purple collar. “Can’t believe she knows my color too.”

“That explains the red ring around your eyes,” Blitz says.

Daring looks at him. “Red ring?”

“I’m going to have to talk to Fluttershy about putting subliminal messages into the rest of the mares’ heads,” Blitz says.

Daring smiled a little. “Guess so, but…” She said, showing the collar. “Want to?”

“I can’t love. I will have to report back soon, but the least I can do is hold you and Minerva,” Blitz says as they look over to see Minerva still sleeping as she drooled.

Daring giggles as she puts the package away. “She’s cute.”

“Not as cute as you,” Blitz says before smacking Daring’s flank.

Daring yips and jumps a little. “Blitz.” She said accusingly.

“Yes?” Blitz asks, pulling her close.

Daring huffs and shows the collar. “What do I do with this then if you don’t want me to wear it?”

“Well, we could save it for when we…” Blitz whispers the rest causing Daring to blush.

Daring looks at him as Blitz packs the collar away into the package. “Really?”

“Yeah, and maybe you will be with foal afterward.” Blitz teased.

Daring blushes are even redder as she pushes her hooves together. “Blitz?”

“Just think about it. You working on a new ancient secret when your little foal climbs into your lap to see what you are doing,” Blitz says.

Daring suddenly lunges at him and kisses him before pulling away after a while. “I love you.”

“I love you too, and after this is all said and done, let’s take it easy for a bit. What do you say?” Blitz asks.

Daring runs a hoof on his scarred chest. “I would like that.”

“Maybe stay in your cabin for a while and build a white picket fence.” Blitz joked.

Daring giggles. “Want me to get regular wood or treated?”

“Whichever you want,” Blitz says.

Daring slowly moves her hoof up to his cheek and pulls him close. “Just us, right?”

“I can’t let it just be us. Azure has only seen me in person once, and Arcane hasn’t even gotten that.” Blitz says.

Daring sighs. “Alright, the others can come too. Maybe we can make it our vacation spot.”

“And besides, more hooves to clean and watch them.” Blitz jokes.

Daring giggles. “Yeah, we can’t do it on our own. Especially since you now promise me. Now, you better head out there and finish the fight. Who knows what will happen without you.”

“Don’t worry, Lightning can handle it for a while, and I like the view,” Blitz says, smirking.

Daring smirks and moves away before showing off a bit of herself. “Like it?”

“No, I love it,” Blitz says.

Daring starts waving her tail. “How about a little dance?”

“Alright. You lead, as I’m not good enough to lead yet.” Blitz says a little sheepishly, getting up.

Daring pushes him back down. “I meant me dancing for you, you know, a little bachelor party style dancing. Come to think of it. You never had one.”

“I’m a little more classy besides you promised to teach me everything,” Blitz says.

Daring sighs. “How much time do you have?”

“Maybe an hour or two,” Blitz says, leaning against her.

Daring smiled and led him out to the living room. “Has Minerva ever put in some classical dancing music?” She said while looking over the ship’s music player.

“She is asleep, so let me,” Blitz says, messing with his communicator, and classical music starts playing.

Daring suddenly grabs him, and they stand on their hind legs before Daring moves him along. “Box style dancing. Move to the next place on the fourth step, and always the male leads.” She said, leading him along.

“Or female in this case.” Blitz jokes as they start.

Daring giggles. “Yeah, just try not to step on the other’s hoof.”

“Lead the way, my love,” Blitz says.

Minerva yawns as she smacks her lips before feeling a bit wet around her mouth and feels around with her hoof before seeing her own drool. “Huh, so this is drool. Feels…weird.” She said before wiping it off and heading out before stopping at the scene in front of her and finds both Blitz and Daring dancing around, and it seems Blitz is leading. “Wow, who knew he was talented,” Minerva says as Blitz trips over his own hooves and falls backward with Daring following. “Never mind.”

They both look at her as Daring looks at her while Blitz was looking to the side at Minerva. “Hey…um…this is awkward,” Blitz said.

“Daring, don’t be so forward. I know you want him, but he has to get back to work.” Minerva says jokingly.

Daring frowns at her. “Oh shut up, android. You still don’t know how to play with him.” She said with a smirk.

“Cyborg daring. She is a cyborg now.” Blitz corrects.

Daring just sits up and moves up a little before covering him up with her flank. “Now then, you still don’t know how to romance him and actually be with him. What can you do that we can’t?” She asks, ignoring the stallion below her.

“I have spied on your session and found them very lackluster,” Minerva says.

Daring frowns. “Tch, I bet you can’t even really give him a good time. We probably could do it better than you ever could.”

“Ladies,” Blitz says loudly with authority after pushing Daring out of the way.

“Stay out of this!” They yelled before Daring gets up and walks over to Minerva. “I could really give him a good time!” Minerva yelled.

Daring laughs almost maniacally. “Really, you know it’s not just about what you can do to him. It’s what you make him feel other than just that.”

“Girls, I have to get back to fighting a war soon. Can we please just spend some time together in peace?” Blitz asks.

The two glared at each other before huffing and turning away from each other with their hooves crossed. “Fine.” They said.

“Come here, you two,” Blitz says, pulling them to him.

They groan before sighing and then looking at each other before huffing again and looking away from each other.

“Come on, you two, onto the couch. You can fight once I head back.” Blitz says. They grumble a bit before getting on the couch and keep looking away from each other as Blitz sits between them. “Okay, girls, now look at me.” He said, leaning back.

“Well, you are something we like looking at,” Daring said as they both look at him.

Blitz smirks. “Good, now kiss and make up. We can’t have this feud in the family.”

“I’m not kissing her. I’m not going to start doing other mares. You are the only one who can touch me.” Daring says.

Blitz’s mood deflates. “Well, there goes that fantasy. At least you did Fluttershy.”

“Don’t bring that up,” Daring says, poking his chest with every word.

Blitz sticks his tongue out. “Sure, honey.” He said playfully.

“You better,” Daring says, laying her head on his chest.

Blitz puts his hoof on her head and starts rubbing it. “You okay after going out at times?”

“I don’t go anywhere near the fighting. I also visited our old friend,” Daring says, smiling.

Blitz smiled. “And how’s the old bird?”

“He congratulated me after I sat down,” Daring says.

Blitz grins. “Did he say what for?”

“For my marriage,” Daring says before kissing his cheek.

Blitz chuckles. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Now, are you going to be heading back to your apartment?”

“Yeah, I will,” Daring says.

Blitz smiled. “Good. Otherwise, I would order Minerva here to send you back. Whether you like it or not. I care about you girls, and I don’t want to see you hurt, and I can’t do anything about it.”

“Yes, my love,” Daring says, smiling.

Blitz kisses her head. “Love ya.”

“Well, you can show it by taking me right here,” Daring says innocently.

Daring gasps as Blitz grabs her and moves her onto his lap. “Don’t tempt me because I will do it, and I’ll bring out the collar.” He said, holding a hoof behind her neck.

“I’m kidding, love. I will wait.” Daring says, smiling.

Blitz grabs her mane and pulls on it. “Good, I want it to be at your vacation home, boss.”

“Hey now, some of the others may like it, but I don’t like my mane pulled, ok?” Daring asks.

Blitz shrugs and moves a hoof down to her flank before hitting her a bit. “I know you like something like this.”

“Yeah, I like a smack to my flank every once in a while, and I know you love to pound me,” Daring says, smirking.

Blitz smirks. “Yeah, and I know from our time together that you like to fight. Whether it’s me or you doing the pounding, that’s up to your mood and libido.”

Daring growls a bit before biting his ear and pulling it. “You honry dog.” Said said, muffled by the ear.

Blitz chuckles as he lets her pull on him. “Yet you’re the horny mare ready to go.”

Daring grins and growls a little as she grinds his ear. “Crazy stallion.”

Blitz smirks as he nips at her collarbone. “Horny mare.”

Daring yips and lets go of his ear. “Bastard.”

Blitz smiled. “All’s fair in love and war.”

“That is why I’m flanking you,” Minerva says, grabbing him from behind.

“Someone has been watching war documentaries again,” Blitz says, smirking.

Minerva shrugs. “At least I’m trying to get on your good side.”

“Which side do you like more?” Blitz asks cheekily.

Minerva pushes herself into him. “The side that can knock me unconscious.”

“So any then?” Blitz jokes.

Minerva kisses his cheek. “Yep.”

“So I haven’t seen my mom in any of the calls. How is she?” Blitz asks, concerned.

Both mares look at each other before looking back at him. “She’s fine. Just busy with the foals.” Daring said.

“Oh, that’s good,” Blitz says.

Minerva giggles. “That and she doesn’t know how to ‘work the bloody thing.’” She said in an imitation of her voice.

“She could still talk through one of you girls,” Blitz says.

Daring shakes her head. “Busy at the time. Don’t know where she went.”

“So how are your students and you dealing with not going on an adventure and just teaching since we got back from space?” Blitz asks.

Daring smiles. “Just peachy. For me, it’s because you are an adventure every day.” She said, kissing his nose.

“And your boss shocked at your behavior?” Blitz asks, smirking.

Daring grins. “Marriage and possible foal.”

“I’m asking your headmasters’ reaction to you, love. So please answer and don’t try to cutely evade the question.” Blitz says.

Daring sighs. “A little mad.”

“Huh? She is mad you are doing your job?” Blitz asks.

Daring smiled. “Mainly about not getting money off of that winning lawsuit.”

“Oh, you mean where we countersued and won,” Blitz says, smiling.

Daring nods. “Yep. She wanted money off of that. She means well, just a bit of a cheapskate.”

“Did my donation brighten her mood?” Blitz asks.

Daring giggles. “Oh yeah, it did.” She said while thinking back to her letter that she sent.

“Now you best get ready to go see your stepchildren,” Blitz says.

Daring frowns a bit. “Aw, I wanted to play with you.”

“We can’t love, and you know why. Besides, we might see the end of this war soon if the three commanding officers come up with a good plan.” Blitz says.

Daring sighs and gets off of him. “Then you better go and hurry up.”

“There is one last thing I can do for you before we part again,” Blitz says, rising as well.

Daring looks at him. “What’s that?”

Blitz says nothing and lunges at her, capturing her lips and holds her on the ground. Daring squirms a bit as Minerva giggles as she watches the action and thinks about what he might do to her.

Blitz finally lets up on the kiss. “So?” Blitz asks.

Daring feels her eyes being rolled around. “Pretty good.”

“Will that hold you over till I return?” Blitz asks.

Daring nods dumbly. “Yeppers.” She said before going unconscious.

“Love you,” Blitz says before carrying her over to the couch and sitting her down.

Daring just snores as Minerva holds her hooves out for him.

“Your turn,” Blitz says, bringing her into his hooves and capturing her lips like Daring before.

Minerva tries to hold him back, but Blitz held her hooves down before he pushes off her. “Now get her home.” He said, getting his things.

“Yes, my love,” Minerva says, smiling.

Blitz sighs as he looks at her, “You came a long way, just for me.”

“I will return to await being about to take you to the rest after I drop Daring off,” Minerva says.

Blitz nods. “Get her back home. I’ll be done soon.” He said, putting his armor on and heading out.

“You keep saying if they have a plan, but you have already made arrangements for them to move already, haven’t you?” Minerva asks.

“The Overlord himself is too tempting of a target and with victory, after victory amounting and so many of the war chiefs dead, now is the perfect opportunity,” Blitz says.

Minerva smirks. “Then you better hurry before they steal your kill.”

“We won’t move for a bit. Lightning has already told me general Silver is moving resources to the front as secretly as possible. They are still preparing.” Blitz says before sighing. “If I just had a squadron of fighter jets or a squad of Zoid pilots, this would already be over…I miss my Geno Saurer. I haven’t gotten to pilot it in five years.” Blitz says.

Minerva just smiled and said nothing.

“Speaking of equipment, has my fighter arrived?”

“Yes, your jet has arrived already,” Minerva says.

“Good, thanks, Minerva. You mind doing maintenance on it for me since I will be in the field?” Blitz asks.

Minerva mocks salutes. “Yes, sir.”

“Thanks,” Blitz says, starting to put on his helmet.

Minerva sighs. “No problem, love.”

“See you later, love,” Blitz says, donning his helmet.

Minerva waves goodbye as he heads out before she looks back to the sleeping Daring, who snorts loudly.

“So you going to keep pretending?” Minerva asks.

Daring got up and smiled. “Nah, he’s gone.”

“You happy now? You got a new artifact, and you got to spend some time with your husband.” Minerva says.

Daring sighs in relief as she sat down fully. “Oh yeah, now take me to the foals.”

“Connecting to the ship now,” Minerva says.

Daring smiled as the ship lifted off and headed back.

Blitz yawns a bit as he heads back to his tent and finds Lightning looking over his files. “See anything you like?”

“Well, I like the fief of Blaseter. It has a nice castle overlooking the lake, and the villages are fairly well off, and nobody currently has been granted it.” Lightning says.

Blitz chuckles. “Homes, huh? Alright, move over.” He said, sitting by her. “What else?”

“Well, I like the thought of you doing me in the master bed chambers of the castle.” Lightning whispers to him.

Blitz smirks. “Later when we get it. How about this castle? It’s got an internal and external hot spring and built into the mountain with a good elevation. Nice view too.”

“Yes, and the last owner was recently indicted for treason in selling national secrets to other countries.” Lightning says before looking at him.

Blitz looks innocent. “Well, now, that was his mistake.”

Lightning just hits his shoulder.

“I swear, these guys have more energy than our favorite party pony.” Discord said as he lifts Azure with his tail as he bit on it and growls playfully.

“Doesn’t help that one is half-vampire,” Mary says as she lets Arcane continue to sleep on her back.

Blazer was just sitting nearby as he looks at the black sword. “You’re lucky, kid. I have only seen something like that once, and he was a great warrior to wield it. They say, whoever has a black blade, wields the power of death himself, but that’s just a saying.” Discord said.

“They also say I am twenty feet tall and shoot lightning bolts from my eyes,” Mary says.

Discord finally brings Azure into his arms. “Like I said, just a saying.”

“Arcane, are you in here?” Twilight asks, walking in.

Arcane snores quietly as he still sleeps on Mary’s back, and she shows him. “Little guy tuckered himself out.”

“Oh my little foal,” Twilight says happily, walking over.

Discord perks up a bit. “I sense a disturbance. Like all my chaos is being choked out.”

“Oh, you must mean my parents trying to put the rooms you used your magic on in order,” Twilight says, rubbing Arcane’s head.

Discord groans. “I worked all day on that. Made it good for the little ones, and what do I get, nothing.”

“You got a gallon of chocolate milk in the fridge, best guard that from Pinkie,” Twilight says.

Discord perks up again. “Oh, that sounds nice.”

Mary looks over to Twilight. “So when is the princess coming over?”

“I got a letter earlier saying she is coming in four days,” Twilight says, smiling as Arcane yawns as he starts to rouse.

Mary starts rubbing his stomach. “You think she would like them?”

“I’m concerned as my husband on her discovering my son is an Alicorn. Remember Luna’s reaction? She is far more relaxed than Celestia is at such things.” Twilight says.

Discord scoffs. “That’s cause little Lulu is adventures and excited at new things.”

“And her sister can be very resistant to change or something that can threaten her superiority,” Twilight says, picking up Arcane.

They both look at her. “When did you become so cynical?” Mary asks.

Twilight shrugs. “I think about the time I had a good talk with Blitz.” She said as Arcane wakes up and coos at her. “Hello, little Arcane. Had a good nap?” She said, nuzzling her nose on his. Arcane then giggles as he reaches out for her with his hooves. Twilight smiled and let him hang on to her nose. “Oh, you funny little prince.”

Discord smirks. “Is he much trouble?”

“Yesterday, he sent many of my books flying when he used his magic,” Twilight says, holding Arcane in her hooves now.

Discord laughs as he claps his paw and talon. “That’s my little chaos bringer. Nice work.” He said, giving a thumbs up to Arcane, who cheers.

“Let’s just hope he doesn’t cause as much trouble as his father,” Twilight says.

Discord leans down and lets Azure crawl around again. “You know that’s hardly a chance of that happening.” He said, flicking his finger on her nose.

“You’re right. He might get into more trouble,” Twilight says before using her magic to make Discord flip his own nose.

“Hey everypony, I’m back.” Daring calls, entering.

The foals cheer as Blazer just looks at her. “Hey Daring, how was your time there?” Twilight asks.

“I got a present from Blitzy and met up with an old friend,” Daring says.

Mary smiled. “And what did my son give ya?”

“Another piece for my collection to study,” Daring says.

“And judging from the smell, you had some personal contact with him,” Twilight says, making Daring chuckle nervously.

Daring rubs a hoof behind her head. “Yeah, he kinda really did it, just a kiss, but I played dead on that.”

Twilight and Mary giggles as Discord just pretends to barf until a changeling comes in. “My queen, there are some volunteers here.”

Twilight looks to him. “Oh good, bring them to the main room, and I’ll see to them.” She said, giving Arcane back to Mary. “The foals don’t need to hear this.” She said before walking out. “And for the record, I know you slept in the same bed as him last night,” Twilight says before leaving.

Mary blinks as Arcane giggles and claps his hooves. “Oy, I hate her connections to the changelings.”

Discord just grinds his claws. “I think it was the smell you two have. She does have enhanced senses.”

“Or that,” Daring says, huffing before being tackled by Azure.

They laugh as Azure stands proudly on her chest. “I have been defeated,” Daring said, raising a hoof before putting it back down as she sees Vinyl trying to sneak up on Azure.

Vinyl hisses before Azure jumps up, and Vinyl lunges and misses him, making her land on her Daring with a grunt. “Ow.” She groans out as Azure stands proudly on both of them.

Both Mary and Discord clap as they watch the spectacle. “Well, Vinyl, you lost again.” Discord said.

“Why, you little!” Vinyl says before starting to chase Azure around the room. “Get back here!” She yelled as Azure just laughs and giggles. This leaves Mary, Discord, and Daring laughing at his attempts.

“So, you really want to go through with this?” Twilight asks the mare. “You know this will be like having a real foal. Just instead of a foal, you have an egg or more than one.”

The mare nods. “Don’t really have anypony in my life. So I thought that maybe helping out would at least would be good. Besides, this is for the survival of the changelings, right?”

Twilight nods. “Yes, since we are low on their own broodmares. You will be facing the same things as a normal pregnant mare, so be ready. We have prepared a changeling doctor, so to speak, to give you the things you need until you lay the egg and then you’re done. All medicines and visits will be here. Now, just sign here, and you would be taken to the breeding room and just ask the changeling for what you want to do while you mate. At least we can make this fun for you because some are still freaked out from just changelings.” She said, putting some papers down as a changeling steps up, and the mare starts signing. “This changeling will be the one to mate with you. Why don’t you walk and talk and tell him what you want.” She said, taking the signed papers back as the mare walks off with the changeling, and they start talking.

Twilight sighs and leans back in her seat. “I can’t believe I’m asking ponies for this.”

‘This is for the race, little Twilight.’ Chrysalis said. ‘You would have to do this eventually.’

Twilight clicks her tongue. “I just wish we would have had enough to go by on the changeling race.”

‘Blame my actions.’ Chrysalis said.

Fluttershy then comes in and puts down a tray of food. “Are you okay?”

Twilight looks at her. “A little. Just worried about what others would say at this point. What about you, you okay?”

“You sure?” Fluttershy asks.

“Yes, also Blitz sent a message for you,” Twilight says.

Fluttershy perks up. “What did the master say?”

“We are going to have to talk about putting subliminal messages in the other mares’ minds,” Twilight says.

Fluttershy blushes and pushes her hooves together. “Um….okay. I thought it would be nice for Blitz to have one like me.”

“P.S. I don’t want a substitute. I want you, love.” Twilight reads.

Fluttershy smiled as she looks down and hides behind her mane. “Um…oh boy.”

“Tell you what, you can join me with the first session when he gets back if you remove the suggestion from Daring.” Twilight offers.

Fluttershy blushes some more. “That sounds nice.”

Twilight sighs. “Why do you want us to wear collars, Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy stutters a bit. “Um…I thought it might be fun for Blitz.”

“That is your special thing with Blitz. He wants no other to wear them but you.” Twilight whispers into her ear.

Fluttershy keeps blushing. “Um…I…um…”

“He loves you and all your quirks, including this one,” Twilight says, smiling.

Fluttershy shakes a bit. “Um…oh boy…I…can’t…”

“Also, after all of this, let’s all get away from all of this. How about it all of us go to Daring’s cottage and live a nice life away from all this hustle and bustle. You can play with the foals more that way.” Twilight says.

Fluttershy perks up. “Oh, that sounds nice. But we should make the home bigger for all of us.”

“Then it’s a good idea. I hired some builders and Mandalorians to fix up my home. Make it a bit more advance, have it a bit bigger. I just told them to leave the basic stuff to us when we get there. Just get the supplies.” Daring said, walking in.

“Where is Azure?” Twilight asks.

Daring lifts her wing, and they see Azure nestled in the crook of her wing. “He likes to be snuggled.” She said, sitting down and taking out Azure and set him down between them, letting him warm up and snuggle them both.

“And Vinyl?” Fluttershy asks with a knowing smile.

Daring stay quiet as they see some white leg appear over the couch and suddenly grabs Azure. “Yes! Finally!” Vinyl cheers. “I caught him!” She cheers as she holds him up high.

“You caught a sleeping foal,” Fluttershy says, smirking.

Vinyl looks up and sees Azure trying to curl into her hooves. “Dang it. Not fair.” She said, bringing him down to her level.

They all giggle or laugh as Azure yawns and sees Vinyl before giggling.

“Come here, you,” Vinyl says, bringing him to eye level and touches his nose to her’s.

Azure giggles and bites her nose, making it squeak like a toy.

“You little rascal,” Octavia says, walking up.

Azure keeps making Vinyl’s nose squeak as Octavia pulls on him before he lets go and giggles at the funny bite marks on Vinyl’s nose. Vinyl groans as she rubs her nose. “Ow.”

“He really likes you, Vinyl. So Azure, are you hungry?” Octavia asks.

Azure’s stomach rumbles, and he looks at it before nodding and holds out his hooves, and points at his mouth.

“Ok, sweetie, mommy will get you some food,” Octavia says.

Azure cheers as Octavia takes him away to the kitchen. “At least you got him one way,” Twilight said to Vinyl.

“So I hear Fluttershy is hypnotizing the others,” Vinyl says.

Fluttershy blushes as Twilight nods. “Yep, it makes us be like her. Collars and all. Why? You want to?” Twilight teases.

“Keep doing it, and Octy and I will be on your case,” Vinyl warns, clearly not amused.

Fluttershy whimpers and hides a bit behind her mane.

“What you like to do with our husband is fine. Just respect the rest of us enough to let us love him in our own ways,” Vinyl says.

Fluttershy whimpers a bit. “O…okay.”

“Now come on, let’s go get some blood and enjoy ourselves,” Vinyl says, hooking a hoof around Fluttershy.

Fluttershy looks at her. “Um…I don’t drink blood.”

“Then beer or wine it is,” Vinyl says, dragging her away.

Fluttershy still stutters. “Um…I don’t drink that either.”

“We are going to have fun,” Vinyl says, no longer listening to her.

Twilight sighs and looks back to the papers before she has a changeling takes it away, and she leans back. “This is going to be a fun marriage with the others. At least we have things to do.” She said, picking up a puzzle box. “Dang puzzle box!” She said after moving a few pieces before Arcane climbs onto her head.

Blitz smirks as he feels something good. “What are you smirking about?” Lightning asks.

Blitz chuckles. “Just something funny.”

“That is?” Lightning asks.

“Maybe I will tell you later,” Blitz says, leaning against her.

Lightning shakes her head. “Oh boy. You really like to make other lives harder, don’t you?”

Blitz just looked innocent. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Lightning pushes his shoulder. “Idiot.” She said, looking back to the numerous castles and homes. “So, what do we want?”

“I like the first choice, the best, but we can only request the fief, the king has to reward it, so there is no guarantee we will get it,” Blitz says.

Lightning clicks her tongue. “Well, that’s a letdown.”

Blitz thinks about something as he picks out a few top choices to give to the others. “You know, I heard a rumor that a band is in the camp.”

Lightning packs away the ones he didn’t choose. “Oh really?”

Blitz nods. “Yeah, but it’s probably just that, a rumor.”

“So when do you think we will move?” Lightning asks.

“Two days at least.” Blitz answers.

Lightning sighs. “Let’s hope we get back soon. I am really hoping to see the foals again and see Arcane for the first time in person.”

“You and me both. But unlike all our battles beforehand, this one won’t end quickly. We could be looking at multiple-day engagements.” Blitz says.

Lightning looks away a little. “Then let’s hope we can end this quickly. The dogs are relentless.”

“We want that. We want them to make mistakes so we can take advantage of them. Despite popular opinion, the overlord is not stupid. He is quite clever, really.” Blitz says.

Lightning clicks her tongue. “Dang it. And I bet they the want the same things.”

Blitz nods. “Doesn’t every side?”

Lightning looks back at him. “Guess so. Though what now? We have a lot of time.”

Blitz sighs. “Wait until Silver gives some orders, then we can decide from there.”

“Alright, but only because you say so.” Lightning says.

Blitz smirks. “You want to go out and kick some puppy ass.”

“No, I’m going to bring my blaster rifle this time, not like the last few battles where I only used martial arts.” Lightning says.

Blitz shrugs. “Your choice, but you did look a bit sexy while doing it.”

“Can I take that as you conceding defeat?” Lightning asks.

“You wish,” Blitz says.

Lightning smirks. “Just wait, you won’t be able to resist my charms much longer, and you would wish to get into bed with me.”

Blitz chuckles. “Yeah, but you would be begging me for some fun. I think we have spent enough time here, time to get back to Whirlwind’s training.”

Lightning nods and heads out with him to see Whirlwind sitting down on a crate, overlooking the area ahead. “Ah good, you’re awake. That makes things easier.” Blitz said, walking up with Lightning.

‘Oh no.’ Whirlwind thinks.

Two days have passed, and Blitz was lecturing Whirlwind on history, tactic, and strategy.

“And that is the secret behind Alexander the Great’s strategy that destroyed the Persian empire.” Blitz finishes the lecture and turns around to see, which to his surprise, Whirlwind was not the only one sitting and listening to the lecture. “Huh, that’s good.”

Whirlwind raises an eyebrow. “Yeah, what did you think would happen when you start talking about some great tactician?”

“He was more than a tactician Whirlwind. He was a general and a ruler. Now tell me, what was the best decision he made that saved his army?” Blitz says.

“When he chose to go and aid his left flank on the verge of collapse over killing the king of Persia,” Whirlwind says.

“Correct and by doing so saved his army. After that battle, the resistance he faced from the Persian empire was greatly diminished, and he conquered all of it and kept going even further east. Darius III, though, escaped into the mountains only to be killed by one of his own generals within the year. That is all for now, Whirlwind. You are to read chapters one to three in this book before the next lesson.” Blitz says, giving him a book.

Whirlwind nods and takes the book, and leaves. “Can I assume this means that we have been ordered to attack?” Blitz asks, looking to Silver.

Silver nods. “Yeah, we have been ordered to lead the charge, and we get to choose our own battle plans. Now the main idea is to break through the line and two, hold the said line. After that, the rest of the plans are up to us since most of the other groups are going into their own attack plans just to get in.” He said, counting it off on his claws.

“And while we do that, the other two units will engage the other two tribes and their war chiefs,” Blitz says.

Silver sighs. “This will be a massacre, but we’re going to have to do something about it. Want to take a look at the maps first and see what we got, armies and all?”

“Silver, this won’t be like all the other battles. We are facing elite armies here and then the war chief. This isn’t going to like all the other battles where we massacred them.” Blitz says.

Silver eyes him. “I meant us being massacred, not them.”

“That’s if we don’t go about this smartly. This is reminding me of Alexander the Great’s battle I just taught Whirlwind.” Blitz says

Silver chuckles. “Taking one from his playbook?”

“Unlike him, we aren’t so greatly outnumbered,” Blitz says.

Silver sighs. “Still, want to look at the map and plan things out? The other units want to have part of it so they can work on it. They just want the main goal, and they’ll work from there.”

“Yeah, we can also determine who will fight which tribe,” Blitz says, following him.
,
Silver nods as they and some others reach the table holding all the maps and placements. “Your move.” Silver said, smirking. “I’ll follow.”

“You’re the commanding officer, so it is the other way around,” Blitz says.

Silver looks to the places of the dog camps and then theirs before looking at the terrain. Of course, he could concentrate if that one soldier would stop chewing. “Oy! What are you eating?!” He yelled to the nearby soldier who was chewing on a rod.

The soldier looks up and spits out the hollow rod. “Reed from the nearby embankment. Really sweet for some reason.”

Silver glares. “Well, stop that, this plan…is it hollow?” He asks with a bit of curiosity.

The soldier nods and tosses the reed to him. Silver looks through before trying to breathe through it and stops and looks at the map again. “Frontal attack won’t be enough, and I doubt the chief would be behind the front line since there are a few lines of defense for them.”

“And there being three armies on both sides, we can’t try and flank them without being blocked by one of the armies,” Blitz says.

Silver looks to the reed again before looking to the rivers. “How about we send a little distraction behind them. Just place and run. Enough to put the main camp in such disarray that they can’t send new orders to the front and gives us a better chance. And the way to get behind them…” He runs his claw along the rivers running through the whole land. “Reed breathing. Just a little and then back to us. Soon the next line would be worried enough for us to get a little heads up, and from there on, we have to go back to front line tactics as we get closer.”

“The problem again lies in three different armies, then the Overlord’s, we can only manage to do it too once and even if we breakthrough, the other two units will be bogged down fighting the two other tribes, and we would be faced with the Overlord’s army in a straight-up fight, and that army is supposedly twice as big as any of the other three armies guarding them,” Blitz says.

Silver nods. “I know, that’s why it will be once only. As for our other two armies, we are just breaking a line. Because with the terrain,” He said, running a claw along the terrain on the dog’s front line. “It will difficult to get there since it is close to a pass and the mountains themselves. If we can cause disarray, then we can get close to the passes and hold them there. After we set up at the passes, help will come to our other two armies, and they find the other small passes a bit less guarded since we will work backward along with the range.”

“Just come out and say it you want the ghost to really mess up their chain of command,” Blitz says.

Silver chuckles. “Of course I do. They’re the only ones who can get through the river and get behind and get out without much trouble. Besides, it’s an in-and-out mission. After that, they come back and take out the little camps and bases along the second line as a way to also take out the first to make things easier. That will buy us some time until they realize one of their bases and bunkers are down.”

“Unlike all the other times, we can’t do it at the start as they might have prepared for it this time,” Blitz says.

Silver huffs. “Yes, we can’t go after your fiasco. This means we need to do it when we don’t expect it. How’s the water, and what is the weather for the whole week ahead?”

“The water will start to freeze over tonight, and it will start to snow later today, and I mean, we can’t kill them at the beginning of the battle. We will have to wait for the right moment,” Blitz says.

Silver presses his beak together. “What’s the status of the bunkers and camps on the second line?” He asks while taking out a paper and quill.

“No signs of change, but we have seen campfires from within them,” Blitz says, reading a report.

Silver nods as he starts writing. “Good, then let’s leave the river plan for some other time if we get a chance. For now, I want all of the ghost team to be split in two. Equal or almost equal amounts of them going through the mountains and heading into the second lines. Take them out slowly so as to not let others notices. Play with the bodies as placement in case those on the ground or from further away would look their way. Remember, no rush as we would still have trouble and they just have to hold it, don’t worry about us. Think they can do that?” He said, putting the quill away and rolling the scroll.

“Alright, I will send both to go hunting for them when the time is right, but not before,” Blitz says.

Silver nods and turns to a nearby messenger. “Find a way to send this to the chief.” He said, giving the scroll to him before turning back to the map. “Good, I hope they can possibly do it when we are all busy. Through now we have to deal with our front line. Status of our army and theirs?”

“I will leave that to you,” Blitz says.

Silver clicks his tongue. “Oh boy. At least give me a current placement.”

“Easy, they are all huddled together in their camps,” Blitz says.

Silver starts to reach for his lined-up army pieces before stopping and bangs his fist onto the table, messing up the pieces and surprising everyone at his sudden action then starts remaking the dogs. “Try this placement for us.” He said, looking to the haphazard pieces for the griffon army.

“Oh, seems someone’s taking inspiration from my lecture,” Blitz says.

Silver chuckles. “What can I say? It’s…compelling. You don’t happen to have an unbreakable knot, would you?” He asks with a smirk.

“This kind of thinking is a good thing, now let’s see if they take the bait like the Persian king did,” Blitz says.

Silver sighs. “If I know dogs, their basic instinct is to cover possible heavy hitters if they are coming in like chariots and all that and once hit. They would try and hold as much as possible while sending almost everything in the area around the attackers, which is us. Of course, we need some different soldiers from our usual ones. And I don’t mean the ghost team. One day is spent getting to the sites, and the other is dealing with the bunkers and camps. I don’t want the dogs to do a check-up on them, so it has to be done in the least amount of time. But still, take it easy as it might lead to a mistake and alert the whole line as they might not be busy with us that much until we get close enough, and that won’t happen for a while.”

“Gotcha. I will also send the rangers of our unit to the front line to aid them. They will help boost morale.” Blitz says.

Silver growls a little. “Just have them attack from the front once we get close enough and hold a distraction. Once that happens, they would be busy enough not to notice their line going out. Try to make it look like they are still attacking. We need as much likeness as possible to not alert the third line. Besides, wouldn’t it sound weird when they don’t hear shots or arrows whizzing about to the line below?”

“They will never see me coming,” Blitz says.

Silver nods. “Yes, but that also means you have to hit us. Once in a while, don’t kill us.” He said, shaking his head before sighing. “Okay, let’s see. A line all the way to the mountainsides, but snow…”

“Alright. You can handle it from here.” Blitz says.

Silver nods. “Yes, get there quickly, but once there, take it easy. Got it?”

“Right, make the mountain of corpses slowly,” Blitz says, disappearing.

Silver raises an eyebrow before turning back to the others. “Alright, let’s get back to this. I’m open here based on haphazard layouts. Try not to make it obvious.” He asks the others.

“And that is what you and the squad you pick will be doing,” Blitz says in his tent as he looks at Lightning, who was brushing her mane.

Lightning nods. “Guess I will go one side, and you would be on the other, right?” She said, slightly looking at him.

“Yeah, I’m going to handle the tribe our unit will be fighting while you and the ones you pick tackle the other two,” Blitz says.

Lightning stops her brushing and turns around. “Can you promise me something?”

“Yes?” Blitz asks, leaning against her.

Lightning sighs and puts a hoof on his cheek. “Don’t you dare die because you would lose,” She said with a smirk.

“I lose, you sure you know me, love?” Blitz asks jokingly.

Lightning smiled. “Promise me.”

“Only if you admit defeat,” Blitz says, smirking as he starts tickling her stomach.

Lightning tries to hold her laughter. “Never.”

“We shall see,” Blitz says, intensifying his assault.

Lightning lets a giggle through before holding herself again. “Stop.” She said, trying to hold him back.

“No way, you’re my mare, and you need to relax a bit,” Blitz says, getting one of her most ticklish spots.

Lightning squirms around as she landed on her back, and Blitz continued to tickle her. “Please stop.” She struggled to say and looks at him.

“Ok, for now,” Blitz says, stopping and just holds her.

Lightning tries to breathe and sees him trying to hold her. “Please don’t do that again.”

“No promises, because I plan to continue this later after the battle,” Blitz says.

Lightning gulps a bit. “Just don’t.” She said, burying her head into his neck.

“Nope, I already planned on it, so don’t get too hurt in the battle,” Blitz says, smiling.

Lightning presses her lips together. “Please don’t.” Burying her head more. “I don’t want to…”

“You won’t lose me, love,” Blitz says, wrapping his tail around her’s.

Lightning tries to breathe before licking his neck a little. “Blitz?”

“Just relax, my love. You know how I am with my plans,” Blitz says, getting a smile from her.

Lightning keeps licking his neck. “I know, I meant the danger you’re getting.”

“It can’t be helped as the situation is,” Blitz says.

Lightning gulps as she finally stops and puts her head back down. “You said something about danger coming.”

“Yeah. Let’s just leave it at that right now, and I will tell you everything when we get back to the others.” Blitz says.

Lightning sighs as she slightly looks at him. “Why?”

“I don’t want you distracted from the current situation. In the battle, it could prove deadly.” Blitz says.

Lightning looks harder at him. “I meant me, why me?”

“Because you are my second in command and my most trusted comrade,” Blitz says.

Lightning makes them flip over and ended up on top. “I meant us, this whole thing, why me? Why did you like me?”

“You want the entire list because it is at least a mile long?” Blitz says cheesily.

Lightning shakes her head before getting off and keeping their tails tied together and leads him to the bed before making him fall on her and pulls the cover on them. “How about you start? I want to hear almost every single word.” She said, tapping his nose slightly.

“Ok, just remember, you asked me to do this,” Blitz says before starting.