The Dog of the Lunar Republic

Twilight was extremely glad her mate Telvanni had gone out hunting. It had been four months since the start of the "war" that had so far amounted to Rainbow Dash as the only known casualty. Celestia knew she couldn't take Luna and Luna was scared to harm he sister.

All in all it meant peace and quiet for the lavender mare to relax and let down her glamour magic.

Her glamour dropped Twilight traced a forehoof over her swollen abdomen and smiled. For the next thirty seconds she imagined a world where there were no hostilities and she and her mate could live in piece, but until the war was over none of them could ever know. Not yet anyway.

~~~~~~~

Two new recruits were walking through the courtyard towards drill laughing and joking to each other. For the most part they were having as much fun.

"So you hear anything about the instructor. I heard it’s a mare! A mare teaching stallions how to fight!" one recruit laughed as what seemed like a female recruit with long magenta hair stepped beside them and pitched in her own thoughts.

"Really, a mare? I heard the instructor was barely taller than a filly!" the mare laughed.

The second recruit figured it would be a good time to join in. "Wow, a midget mare that's supposed to teach an army how to fight, this is going to be good."

Suddenly both recruits found themselves slammed on their backs in full view of every other recruit with the mare that had joined them standing over them glaring angrily.

"Congratulations recruits, from now on, you two are my mixed martial arts volunteers. NOW GET IN FORMATION!" Scootaloo roared at the hapless pair. "Right recruits, because tweedle dee and tweedle dumb here think they're funny you all get five laps around the thoroughfare...What are you waiting for, MOVE!"

As soon as the recruits took off Scoots busted out laughing. She' developed a neat trick of being able to turn her seriousness on and off like a magically automated light source.

As Scoots stood in the courtyard a white filly a full head shorter than her came walking over to her side.

"Enjoying the work there Scoots?"

"Definitely B, you having a good morning so far?"

"Alwaaa-aays a goo-ood morning for meee-eeeee!" the filly sang sweetly before leaning up and giving Scootaloo a peck on the cheek.

Scootaloo's faced burned brightly before she returned the peck to the filly's lips. "Catch you at lunch Sweetie Belle?"

"Every day!"

~~~~~~~

Telvanni chuckled as he watched Sweetie Belle skip away from Scootaloo. He remembered the day that Sweetie had been given the role of Morale Officer. It was after she had convinced a distraught and downtrodden Scootaloo that she could do anything she put her mind to. From there the pair had become a cute couple.

Smiling he thought to his own marefriend and her actions over the past four months.

Twilight was, without a doubt, one of the strongest ponies he'd ever met. Not physically mind you, but mentally and emotionally. Without Twilight the Elements would have never recovered from losing Rainbow. Without Twilight Rainbow would have lost Scootaloo, Without Twilight the New Lunar Republic would have been a hastily thrown together camp of rebels rather than an actual force to be reckoned with. Twilight was able to set aside her feelings for Celestia as a maternal figure and only see the beast that controlled her.

Smiling even wider the Lycan bounded into the castle and up to his and Twilight's shared room.

~~~~~~~

Twilight had literally just re applied her glamour as Telvanni came bursting into the room with a large grin plastered across his face.

"Well, don't you look happy today? So what happened, you have a good hunt?" Twilight laughed at Telvanni's unusually exuberant attitude.

Telvanni leapt over the bed and wrapped Twilight gently in his powerful arms. "Nope, just thinking about the one mare in the world who means more to me than anything else in the world. That and all the wonderful things she's done."

Despite Twilight knowing exactly what Telvanni was talking about, and despite her usual humility, she loved hearing the Lycan praise her. It meant more to her than she'd ever let on.
"Oh, and what have I done that's so important? Name one thing."

"You effectively helped create a new young romance between two amazing fillies that has everywhere to go and nothing to lose. Due to this you raised the spirits of one filly from the dredges and allowed the other to truly shine." Telvanni replied casually.

Twilight knew her Lycan was right. In the days following Rainbow's death Scootaloo had slowly been falling into a depression. Through some well played chess master moves Twilight managed to convince Sweetie Belle(as Applebloom had been staying in Ponyville to re plant the Apple family farm) to go and invite Scoots out to dinner. Twilight had long ago seen that Sweetie harboured a secret crush(via diary accidently left in a library book) and gave Sweetie a bag of bits to go to any restaurant they wished. Sweetie had in turn done just that, Scootaloo agreed, they became a couple, Scootaloo came out of her depression and Sweetie's confidence was boosted so well that she started singing in front of public audiences.

So yeah, Telvanni was right. She was now curious to see if he would get something wrong.
"Anything else?"

Telvanni recognized the tone as challenging and raised the bar accordingly. "Well, then you also managed to keep this war from escalating on either side by way of Cadence and Shining Armour maintaining peace of Celestia's end. That and you have created way-crystals so ponies don't have to actual trek the dangerous Everfree to get here. Oh, and you have slowly been morphing the forest back into the Everfree plains like they used to be. Overall you have orchestrated peace between warring nations, saved countless lives and reversed the ravages of time."

Unable, and not wanting, to argue against Telvanni's words Twilight just leaned up and planted a kiss on her love's lips. Then another, this time deeper and more passionate.

The door closed in a flash of magic, sound barriers in place.

~~~~~~~

Gilda was standing outside Telv and Twilight's room impatiently. She didn't personally care if she listened to the pair, but she had become something of a older sister to Scootaloo. Gilda had loved Dash. Not just as a friend, but as a lover. It was why she had been so rude upon meeting the Elements. When Dash passed, she imparted the Lavender mare with one last message for Gilda.

"Tell G to takes care of Scoots for me."

Sighing at the continuing thumps and moans Gilda slammed a fist into the door and yelled. "Hey, lovebirds! There's a filly out here that doesn't need to hear that shit. Shut up or finish up!"

~~~~~~~

Scootaloo chuckled as Gilda padded back into the room followed by a loud howl and cry from down the hall. "I see diplomacy isn't your strong point Auntie G. Maybe next time you should try flying in through the window?"

Gilda gave the filly a look. "Right, and wind up splattered on the wall opposite of their door when Twilight throws me out? Not likely. So, how're you a Sweetie Belle doing? Tapped that flank yet?"
Gilda wasn't actually being serious and knew full well that both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, while having knowledge of such things, were most definitely not ready to have sex.

Face burning brightly Scoots hurled a pillow at the gryphon before tackling into her.

"Funny Auntie G, let's see how funny you are when I've got you pinned!"

"Not this time short stop!" Gilda laughed back as the two set about wrestling.

~~~~~~~

Two hours later, bored out of her freaking skull, Scootaloo attended the latest strategic meeting with the other Elements and the other members of the Night Corps.

Currently Swapper 3 4 was arguing with Vinyl over the appropriate course of action after the news that Ponyville was going to become occupied by the Solar forces.

"Gah, we can't just float around her and not do shit! Ponyville is my home; I've got friends and a marefriend there!" Vinyl snapped.

"And sometimes the few must give way for the many. Besides, they aren't planning on harming the civilians, just gaining a hoof hold." Swapper countered.

Instead of Vinyl responding it was Gilda. "Cause that is just so fucking better, right?!"

The trio continued to argue until Scootaloo got tired of it.
"Holy shit! Would you lot shut up! I'm sorry Auntie Gilda, but you're all being stupid. We can't openly defy the army without risking civilian casualties, we can't evacuate without being noticed and we can't lose the support of Ponyville or keep our military there. Seems pretty hopeless to me. We need to choose to fight or choose to give up, one or the other!"
In her outburst the young pegasus knocked over a candelabra which hit the door in just the right spot to pull it open causing a specific white filly to come spilling out.

Rarity immediately stepped forward to scold her younger sibling for eavesdropping. "Sweetie, I swear I taught you better than this. Eavesdropping can be dangerous these days."

It used to be that Rarity's scolding sent Sweetie scampering away apologizing, but she gained more than just a filly friend hanging out with the brash Scootaloo.
"That or it could answer questions big sister. Scootaloo is right, we can't fight without ponies getting hurt, and we can't leave a military force. But we could leave a civilian group. Ponyville would have an underground group of civilians passing information, gathering Intel and letting everypony know we still have their backs!"

Scoots immediately high-hoofed Sweetie Belle and Twilight stepped forward to pose the more important question.

"That is truly ingenious Sweetie Belle, but who is going to lead this group? It will obviously need a leader that no pony would ever suspect and that could get in and out of town easily." the Lavender mare listed, "On top of that they would need to be able to organize their work. I honestly don't know a single colt or filly that has been around a well organized pony-" Some heads turned Sweetie Belles way, "-that has planned out any events or schedules-" A few more heads turned Sweetie Belles way, "-and even still, we would have to know this colt or filly well to even begin to trus-"

At this point Telvanni gripped the underside of Twilight's mouth gently and turned her head to face Sweetie Belle.

Twilight's face brightened. "Of course! Rarity, with your permission we could use Sweetie Belle! She's practically been raised by you, she's set up outings for the CMC and we all know her well!"
Now in Twilight's defence, she actually had other more pressing issues on her mind at the time so she failed to even register the deadpan looks she got.

After Rarity acquiesced Scootaloo readied a small group to escort Sweetie to Ponyville and pull out their own forces.

~~~~~~~

"Just because I'm letting you do this doesn't mean I like it, B. I need you to promise me that if things start getting out of hoof you come get us, because I've already lost one pony I cared for, and I don't think I could lose another." Scoots explained as she hugged Sweetie tightly at the edge of town.

Sweetie pulled back just enough to give Scoots a quick kiss. "Don't cry Scoots, please? If you cry then I'll cry and then we'd both look like a couple of fillies."

Scootaloo chuckled and nodded, giving her eyes a quick rub. "Course, no crying. Oh, had this made too!" Scootaloo pulled a necklace with one of her feathers hanging off of it out and placed it around Sweetie's neck. "This will let me know where you are, and if you're ever in trouble you twist its base once either way."

Sweetie looked at the feather as if it was gold and quickly realized it was a match to the headband that her filly friend always wore. "Thanks Scootaloo, and I'll see you soon.

~~~Three Weeks Later~~~

Scootaloo was a very chill filly. With her mind augmented with the best experiences Rainbow had to offer about life, there wasn't much that could ruffle her feathers. That being said, it always helped to have somepony, preferably a fillyfriend, to rely on. Now on the note of her filly friend, Sweetie Belle was currently dodging Imperialist ponies 'running' Ponyville for info.

So then, back to the topic of things that could ruffle feathers on Scootaloo.

"Luna damnit! What in tartarus made you think that of all things you could have done, that that was the best plan?!" the orange filly yelled at a hapless unicorn recruit. Her orders were for the four recruits to take her down, and she was currently hauling said previous unicorn to the medical tent. The fool pony had tried to teleport in between the two rocks that Scoots had had her back to and instead lost his leg inside one of the rocks. "Shy, I've got another casualty her, take him before I drop him!"

~~~~~~~

"I will be making my surprise appearance soon. I want the 'underground' traitors flushed and captured the second I appear and I do not wish for this plan to fail..." Celestia seethed to her Captain. Shining nodded hesitantly.

"I understand milady."

Sensing the hesitance of Shining and remembering the stallion’s relationship with Twilight’s friends the contaminated celestial mare comforted her captain. "Remember Shining, we do this to save your sister."

~~~~~~~

Sweetie was thanking every god imaginable for her runs with Scootaloo. She used to begrudge the filly for hauling her out to run with her, but when you're being chased by six guards moments after Celestia herself decided to teleport into Ponyville square.

'Sheesh, if the girls and I hadn't used to roam this town for cutiemarks I'd be screwed.'

Ducking into Bon Bon's Sweets Shoppe the owner and her own fillyfriend Lyra immediately took notice of the unfolding events and 'accidently' decided to offer treats to their next 'customers'.

Busting out the back door into the alley Sweetie bit back a laugh at how the guards must look trying to gently let the mares down that they didn't wish to sample their treats. Tearing out the alley and down the lane towards the hidden portcrystal. Sweetie Belle only just had enough time to twist her necklace when the tyrant queen Celestia herself wrapped her in magic.

"Well well little traitor, it seems you aren't nearly as smart as you thought. Captain Soarin', Captain Spitfire, gather the Wonderbolts and send word through town. It is time we made an example of these traitors." Celestia barked.

Sweetie Belle shook slightly, but the knowledge of the Night Corps. kept her from fearing too much.

~~~~~~~

Instinctive and obvious, like a deadened limb from lying wrong, or a twinge of stepping off kilter, that’s what she felt. Scoot's eyes narrowed dangerously to the point that the nearest recruits to her took steps back in fear. Roaring in fury the orange filly shot forward and grabbed the nearest recruit.

"To Luna now, Ponyville's in trouble...MOVE, ASS!"

With nothing more to say and her recruit sprinting for the castle Scoot's tore into the skies, shattering the sound barrier in seconds.

~~~~~~~

Spitfire and Soarin were co captains of the Wonderbolts, they and their team were the fastest best fliers around and ruled the skies in Celestia's name. They were called in when shock and awe counted, when all the advantage they had was sheer speed and grace.

They were being made complete and total fools by a small white filly with cottoncandy hair after the filly in question had bloodied Celestia's nose.

"Get her there Fleetfoot, ack, Silverwind, watch it!"

"On your left Soarin! Nope, I got her, shit she bit me!"

Spitfire internally groaned at how badly her force was being shown up at the moment as the filly slipped between her hooves and Backdraft slammed into her.
"You do realize that you won't escape, you're just making your capture last that much longer, right kid?"

Sweetie stopped for just a moment to answer. "Not, running, holding out!"

Perplexed by the answer but too annoyed to give it thought Spitfire and Backdraft untangled themselves and jumped back into the fray.

"Give it up already kid, maybe Celestia'll go easy on you Soarin reasoned.

"And maybe I'll turn into a pastry that flies and farts rainbows, go buck yourself!" Sweetie shot back as she ducked under the co-captains legs and giggled as Featherdown slammed into him. The giggling threw her off though, and Backdraft grabbed the filly from behind. Realizing she had no choice she realized it was time for her to use her magic.
Sweetie started to sing, and park benches, litter bins, and other street side objects lifted and started beating off any attackers.

Where have all the good mares gone?
And where are all the gods?
Where’s the streetwise heroines to fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight, or a fiery steed?
In Ponyville I dodge,
and I duck,
And I sing of what I need!

I need a heroine, I'm holding out for a heroine to finish the fight!
She's gotta be strong,
she's gotta be fast,
And she's gotta be fresh from the flight!
I need a heroine. I'm holding out for a heroine till the moonlight!
She's gotta be sure and it's gotta be soon
Cause she's coming to save my life!

Imperial mages were working hard to counter the filly's ridiculously powerful spell (Sweetie trained with the best of the best, Twilight Sparkle) but were getting dropped each line.

Somewhere in blue skies,
making up my favourite fantasy,
Somewhere up beyond your reach
I've got a mare holdin’ on to me!
Racing on the thunder, calling the stormy sea
I've got a supermare coming to save me!-

Sweetie was suddenly cut off as Celestia shattered her defences and lifted her with magic.

"Well little filly, you certainly are a brave one. Foolish, but brave. Come soldiers, this filly is going to be made an example of!" the solar mare barked as she flew to a place where all Ponyvillians could see her and her captive. "This filly is a collaborator with the traitorous whelp that is my sister...She must be made an example of to show that these evil thought cannot be allowed to take root no matter how old the bearer is, and they cannot be allow to flourish anymore!"
With that faux-Celestia drew a sword.
"Any last things to say little filly?"

I'm holding out for a hero til the end of the fight!

Celestia narrowed her eyes at the singing filly and raised the sword. She didn't even notice the speeding blur that the filly was smiling past her at.

~~~~~~~

Scoots growled loudly as she drew closer and closer to Sweetie and Celestia. It was just as the evil wretch hefted her sword that Scootaloo made contact with her. Celestia was quickly and suddenly introduced to a Mach 2 right cross and was sure as hell not going to forget it any time soon. In the heartbeat it took Scoots to catch Sweetie Belle was the same heartbeat it took for the Wonderbolts to surround the pair.

"Don't even try to escape you two, there's no way we'd lose you!" Spitfire ordered.

Scootaloo just got a dirty look on her face like she'd bitten into a rotten apple. "I recognize your mane Spits, but do you recognize mine? Better question would probably be, 'Stabbed any fillies with spears lately?'"

Spitfire's wings faltered for a second as the memories of that mission-gone-wrong rushed back through her head.

Spits dashed forward towards the unsuspecting back of the Night Corps. member. just as she reached the point of no return the member hugged a small filly that took notice of her. In a heartbeat the little filly spun the two of them around and took Spits spear through the torso. The Night Corps.pony stared in horror before slamming a cyan wing into her face knocking her out.

'Cyan wing, why did I only just remember....wait...oh Sweet Celestia!'

"Heya Captain Spits, how’s the wing?"

"It's good Rainbow, glad you finally made the team, right?"

"Definitely Spits. Thought I am kinda sad. There's this little filly back home. Late bloomer, huge fan of mine. I wanted to teach her to fly. Honestly she's like a little sister to me. I'll have to introduce you sometime, her name is Scootaloo."

"Fi...filly pegasi, what is your name!?" Spitfire asked, almost dreading the answer.

Scoots just rolled her eyes but gave the information regardless. "Scootaloo Dash, adopted daughter of Rainbow Dash. Night Corps.' AeroRecon specialist. Inheritor of the Element of Loyalty and filly friend to Sweetie Belle, whom I'm holding now."

Spitfire's heart both leapt and sank at the same time. Sure she hadn't killed Dash, but the mare would probably never forgive her for what she'd done to the prismatic mare's adopted daughter.
"And how fares Rainbow Dash?"

At this Scoots placed Sweetie Belle on a nearby roof and drew her twin daggers. "Dead, gave her life force to save me. Got me my cutie mark and a nice braid. Showed me how much she loved me... So, how's this going down, I fight my way through the Wonderbolts, then the army?"

Spitfire drew her cutlass in response and on her cue so did the other 'Bolts. "No, you don't fight us... I know now why Celestia told me that my targets identity didn't matter. She knew I was going after Dash, a fellow 'Bolt. You hear that team, she sent me to kill the Element of Loyalty knowing full well who it was and the relationship we shared!" At this point Spitfire's eyes were spilling tears. "No Scootaloo, the 'Bolts fight with you! That is not Celestia anymore!"

In response Celestia rose from the crater she'd made when she impacted the ground and gave her orders to her army. "Ponyville is a traitor stronghold! Burn it to the ground!"

~~~~~~~

Telvanni was leading the force with Twilight secured above his shoulders. After the battle he would have to discretely ask her about how much food she'd been eating of late, because she'd definitely put on weight. That or maybe it was all muscle. Regardless the ground trembled beneath the collective feet of the Lunar forces as they raced for Ponyville.