Author's Note

Please listen to this as you read - I think it would really add to the effect. The soundtrack is property of James Newton Howard and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1.

Hanging Tree

Karen looked at the silhouette of Canterlot with determination, and began to march towards it while singing.

Are you, are you,
Coming to the tree?
They strung up a mare,
They say who murdered three.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be.
If we met, at midnight,
In the hanging tree.

Some of the other ponies began to follow nervously, watching her as she continued her march. Others, however, joined in on the song.

Are you, are you,
Coming to the tree?
Where dead mare called out,
For her love to flee.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be.
If we met, at midnight,
In the hanging tree.

Many looked at her curiously as she sang, but the song seemed to give more and more ponies heart by the second. They marched forward more confidently, now looking towards the gate of Canterlot with determination.

Are you, are you,
Coming to the tree?
Where we told you to run,
So we'd all be free.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be.
If we met, at midnight
In the hanging tree.

Are you, are you,
Coming to the tree?
Wear a necklace of hope,
Side by side with we.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be.
If we met, at midnight
In the hanging tree.

The singing began to get even louder, and now everyone present had a determined look as they marched. They had completely forgotten about the prospect of death; as one, they were all thinking, for Joey. For freedom.

Are you, are you,
Coming to the tree?
Where we told you to run,
So we'd all be free.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be.
If we met, at midnight
In the hanging tree.

The guard Maulers at the Canterlot gate stood up as soon as they heard the approaching crowd.

Are you, are you,
Coming to the tree?
Where they strung up a mare,
They say who murdered three.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be.
If we met, at midnight
In the hanging tree.

Are you, are you,
Coming to the tree?
Where dead mare called out,
For her love to flee.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be.
If we met, at midnight
In the hanging tree.

The Maulers guarding the gate felt uneasy as they faced the oncoming crowd, which was hidden by the fog. They readied themselves, training their wands on the darkness in front of them. Each of them eyed the darkness with apprehension. The ponies continued to march, led by Karen, purposefully towards the gate, not feeling any hesitation. The Maulers glanced at one another, frightened, before the charge happened. As they they trained their wands on the mist, they shook slightly.

There was a great roar as the immense crowd charged out of the darkness without hesitation.

"MORDO!"

"MORDO!"

The line of Maulers sent killing curses into the crowd, collapsing the ponies on the front line. They pushed forward in waves, but the Maulers continued to shoot curses into the crowd without hesitation, felling as many oncoming ponies as they could.

Karen retaliated with curses of her own, but her aim was terrible from being jostled by the crowd. She watched as Ponyville's line crept slowly forward.

From the balcony of the castle, the princesses watched in horror as their own subjects launched themselves at their oncoming doom.

"Why?" Celestia said, eyes wide in immense shock as she watched the massacre. Her fellow princesses watched in disbelief by her side.

The crowd from Ponyville was vast, however, and began to overwhelm the Maulers. They lunged at them, knocking them to the ground and beating them to death, while others dashed past the gates and rigged the edges of the gates with their magical explosives.

Once this had been done, they ran away, into the darkness. At this moment Scallius looked out from a balcony the terrible scene below. His eyes rested on the explosives, and comprehension dawned on him.

"NO!!" he cried, but it was too late.

BOOM!!!

The archway over the entrance to Canterlot was blown skyward in a massive flurry of flame, dust, and debris. The Maulers who had tried to flee were lost in the fiery ball of death. The ponies of Ponyville gave a roar of triumph, then retreated back into the mist before the dead Mauler's reinforcements could arrive.

From their cave, Joey, Naiose, and Jo-Ann witnessed the large spectacle with ease. They all simultaneously jumped to their feet as soon as they saw it.

"Now! This is our chance!" Joey hissed, and the three friends bolted from their hiding place and turned into the tendrils of smoky light. They zoomed up towards the city, ignoring everything else. In the city, a silver lion and a silver boar ran rampant throughout the streets, forcing reapers to leave.

The three friends landed on the closest balcony of the castle. They snuck up to the doors barring them form the inside and pushed them open slightly.

The place was eerily empty and quiet. The diversion had done its job properly.

"C'mon, we don't have much time," Joey whispered, and nudged the door open just wide enough to slip through. Once they were in, they hurried down the corridor to the left. They had no idea where to go; all Glynn said was that it was in a vault. Surely the ponies wouldn't booby trap the vault like the Minotaurs did...?

The drawling, magically magnified voice of Gavin Scallius echoed throughout the castle, freezing the three friends where they stood.

"All sovereigns report to the throne room immediately."

Joey looked at his friends significantly. "Scallius... we forgot about Scallius."

"It doesn't matter," Jo-Ann said impatiently. "We have to find the Horcrux."

"Then let's split up," Joey grunted, also feeling impatient. "If you find something, send a patronus and we'll all meet back here."

Jo-Ann looked at him suspiciously, but Naiose nodded.

"That's fine," Naiose replied seriously. "Any Maulers except Scallius are probably at the gate right now, so the halls should be clear."

Jo-Ann looked slightly mutinous, but then groaned, "Fine. Just be safe and don't do anything stupid."

"Yeah, I'll try," Joey said quickly. "Let's just look for that Horcrux."

Cadance walked up to the large throne room doors, processing everything she had just seen. Why would her ponies do something so stupid? It made no sense - just blindly charging down the guards at the gate of Canterlot to their deaths. She knew it was a revolt, but it was so pointless - how would it affect anything? The Dark Lord would just replace the damaged gate along with its protection, undoing everything that just happened.

Except for the lives taken.

She felt a bitter tear roll down her face. Why did everything have to go so wrong so quickly? The world had descended into darkness in a matter of months... these humans were really a deciding factor.

What also bugged her is how easily her fellow princesses allowed themselves to be pushed around. Even though she knew that they had to keep low profile so as to indirectly help Joey continue on with his mission, she found it incredibly hard not to blow Scallius into a thousand slimy pieces. The realistic side of her knew Scallius would put up a terrific fight, but she digressed.

Before she could place a single hoof on the door, they were pulled open by Tempest. The Captain of the Guard smiled slightly upon seeing Cadance.

"Wha -?" Cadance stuttered, taken aback by Tempest's show of emotion - Scallius always ordered her to stay as emotionless as possible.

"It's okay - Scallius isn't here yet," Tempest said in a quiet voice. "I'm taking advantage of the opportunity, since - since - you know..."

Cadance felt her stomach drop to the floor. Tempest had seen the revolt as well. She pulled the Captain into a brief hug, catching Tempest by surprise, but she returned the hug nonetheless. When they had released each other, Tempest smiled at the pink alicorn, then stepped aside to allow her into the throne room.

The sovereigns all stood in a huddle, talking in hushed tones. Cadance joined them, and quickly realized that they were all consoling Celestia and Luna. The two sisters were a mess, with tears flooding down their faces. Cadance couldn't help but tear up herself.

King Gaius, who had been humbled by his whole dark ordeal in Equestria's capital, took notice of her.

"Oh, Cadance - I am so sorry," he said in his deep voice with genuine regret. "I did not witness what you did, but - but I can't imagine your pain right now..."

"Please, don't worry about us," Celestia choked. "We can manage... Scallius will be here soon..."

"That wretched man can not possibly ruin our life any more!" spat Queen Novo, whose wing was draped over Luna's shoulders. "He is nothing - just a pawn of the Dark Lord."

"If I may," Thorax added, stepping forward timidly. "You don't think that the rash actions of the ponies may... you know... make the Dark Lord come here himself?"

Everyone in the room paled.

"Oh, s-sweet -" Ember stuttered, who had barely said anything during her stay at the castle. "H-He's definitely going to come..."

The throne room doors burst open, revealing an immensely ticked off Scallius. He looked murderously at the three pony princesses.

"How COULD you???" he roared, making the sovereigns who weren't in tears glare at him. "Ordering your citizens to ambush the front gate!! Do you realize how much TROUBLE I'll get in!? DO YOU??"

"It wasn't them, Scallius," Ember snarled, "And you know that, too. Look at them!"

Scallius peered at the sobbing princesses and sneered. "I do not have sympathy for traitors," he said bitterly.

"Nor do you have any sympathy at all," Novo said, standing up.

Scallius whipped his face towards her. "Do not antagonize me, unless you want to make matters worse for yourself. Just because I'm getting an inquiry doesn't mean that you are scott-free."

"What do you mean?" Cadance asked thickly. "We didn't do anything! That was their own decision!!"

Scallius walked slowly over to Cadance with a look of immense hatred, then leaned in so close that their noses were almost touching.

"The Dark Lord will not care whether or not you did or didn't do it," he snarled into her face, filling the air around Cadance's nostrils with a nasty scent. "You will be punished either way."

"No - we didn't!!" Celestia cried, clearly beside herself with grief. "The c-citizens acted of their own accord!"

"Will it matter to the Dark Lord!?" Scallius snapped, glaring at the solar princess.

"B-But -" Cadance replied, but Scallius pressed his nose into hers, effectively shutting her up. He looked like he was about to explode.

"YOU WILL SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!" he shrieked, then to everyone's horror, spat on Cadance's face. There was a stunned silence as everyone watched Scallius's phlegm slide disgustingly down the side of Cadance's shaking face. Before anyone could say anything, another voice they hadn't heard in a long time spoke out.

"That was a mistake."

Scallius whipped around just in time to see Joey, who had just taken off his Disillusionment Charm, aim his wand at the Mauler's chest. Before Scallius could do anything, Joey hit him with a Stinging Jinx, sending him backward onto the ground.

Howling and clutching his chest, he whipped out his own wand just in time to block Joey's next aggression. Before Joey could attack again, though, Scallius dissipated into a tendril of smoke and shot out of the room via one of the stained glass windows, sending shattered glass into the royal gardens below.

Everyone stood in complete silence as they stared at Joey, the kid the world had been depending on. Joey panted slightly, then said through grit teeth, "No one. Treats. My mother. Like that."

Cadance let out an ear-splitting squeal and lunged at Joey, wrapping him up in the strongest hug she had ever given.

Everyone else in the room was lost for words, but could not help but smile at the heartwarming display. It was finally Luna that broke the silence.

"Why did you come? You shouldn't be here!" Her voice was desperate and concerned.

Cadance released Joey, and the boy turned to the lunar princess. "The last objective of my mission is here..."

"But - but the Dark Lord is on his way as we speak!!" Celestia squawked. "Surely there's some sense of urgency in you?"

Joey looked her in the eyes with a deadly serious expression. "We need to evacuate Canterlot... it's time for me to stop running."

"Evacuate Canterlot??" Luna asked indignantly. "Under whose authority, exactly?"

"Yours," Joey replied. "The Maulers have been driven out of the city - there's no need to act neutral anymore."

"Sweetie, the Dark Lord will find you," Cadance said in a scared tone. "You have to leave!"

"I can't leave," Joey responded stubbornly. "This is the way it has to be - me and him, the two of us."

"You're not thinking of fighting him alone!?" Celestia asked with utmost concern. She stepped forward and placed a wing tentatively around him.

Joey smiled slightly. "No, I'm not - we're all in this together if you want to help."

"We will fight," Luna said firmly, with a fiery look in her eyes. There was a movement behind them, and they remembered that the other sovereigns were there too.

"So will we," Queen Novo added, stepping forward. "I will call upon the Hippogriffs; they will answer my call."

"The Changelings will fight too," Thorax said with a determined smile.

"Any Griffon who wants to fight shall," King Gaius said, also stepping forward.

Joey looked around at all of them, surprised. "You have to realize that you would be sending your own subjects to their deaths," he said emphatically. "There's no guarantee of victory."

"Indeed," Queen Novo replied firmly. "Nonetheless, I have not changed my mind."

"Nor I," King Gaius.

"It's like you said, Joey," Thorax said with a slight smile. "We're in this together."

Ember coughed to grab everyone's attention. "I can see if there are any dragons out there still loyal to me... I can't guarantee anything, though."

"You guys are the absolute best," Joey said happily, a sad smile creeping up on his face. "I hope we live through this."

"Oooh!" Luna said, and wrapped Joey into a hug of her own. "It's good to have you back, even if it may be on the evening of a battle."

Joey smiled at her, then turned to Celestia. "Where can I find the journal of Starswirl the Bearded?"

Celestia was taken aback at the strange request. "Wh-What? Why do you need to know?"

"It's the key to finishing my mission," Joey said in a serious tone. "If I can find it, I'll have all the - the things I have been looking for."

The three princesses gave him a curious look, particularly Cadance, but did not press the matter.

"If it is for your mission," Celestia said with a warm smile, "I would be more than happy to."

Joey grinned from ear to ear, feeling his spirits soar higher than they had in months. He took out his wand and said, "Expecto Patronum."

The familiar silver phoenix burst out from the tip of his wand and came to a rest on his shoulder. It looked at him interestingly.

"Tell Jo-Ann and Naiose to follow you, then come straight back to me," he ordered the patronus. It gave off a soft, beautiful musical note to let Joey know it understood him, and flew out of the throne room. Seconds later, there were heavy running footsteps, and Glynn emerged around the corner with Martin.

"Where's Gavin Scallius?" Glynn asked urgently. "Sources said he was still in the castle."

"He's gone," Luna said, evidently surprised by the sudden appearance of some of the Order. "The coward ran for it after Joey ambushed him."

Glynn let out a sigh of relief, but still looked on edge. "We need to set up defenses around the castle - Celestia, is Shining Armor here?"

"Yes," Celestia responded business-like. She lit up her horn and called, "Shining Armor! Glynn requires your assistance!"

Immediately there was a flash of light, and Shining Armor stood there, awaiting orders. His eye caught Joey's, and he did a massive double take. Despite trying to hold up his guard's stance, he was fidgeting horribly, casting glances at Joey every few seconds.

This did not go unnoticed by Celestia. She smiled at him and said, "At ease."

Instantly, he lunged at Joey, nearly tackling him into a massive hug.

"What are you doing here, champ?" he asked, ruffling Joey's hair. Joey raised an eyebrow at him with a half smile.

"There will be a time to answer questions later," Luna said, stepping forward. "My sister is assigning you to Glynn so as to assist him in setting up defenses around the perimeters."

"I'll need everyone else in the Order, too," Glynn added. "We can take as much as we can get."

"What about my mission?" Joey asked indignantly.

Glynn groaned. "That's right - I forgot... but I really could use your magical skill in assisting the defenses."

There were more running footsteps, and Naiose and Jo-Ann emerged from the corridor beyond. Looking straight at Joey, Jo-Ann asked, "Did you find it? The journal?"

"Yes and no," Joey sighed. "Princess Celestia, I'm going to help Glynn with the defenses. Would it be okay if you showed these two to the vault?"

"Certainly," Celestia warmly. She then gave him a brief hug and said, "It's truly good to see you again. All of you." She released him and walked towards the door, motioning for Naiose and Jo-Ann to follow. Once they were gone, Joey turned to the crowd.

"Cad - er, I mean, mom - could you help evacuate the city?" he asked.

Luna stepped forward and smiled. "No need to say any more - I know of six ponies who would be more than willing to help. I just need to grab some parchment and a quill."

"I've got you covered," Glynn said immediately, conjuring a blank roll of parchment, a quill, and some ink out of nowhere. They hovered in front of Luna, who smiled at Glynn in thanks. She then wrote a quick note, then incinerated it in bright green flames.

"That should reach them instantly," Luna said brightly, turning to Joey.

Even more footsteps, and Karen and Gage emerged through the doorway. Karen had tear stains on her face, and avoided the princess' gaze.

"Mrs. Roth? What's wrong?" Joey asked, but then saw the woman cast an anxious glance at the princesses again. "Oh."

"Is something the matter?" Cadance asked, looking at Karen curiously.

"She - she led the volunteers from Ponyville in the attack on the front gates..." Joey muttered. "If there's anyone to blame, it's - it's me."

"So - so there was a reason?" Luna asked earnestly, looking from Joey to Karen.

"Indeed," Martin said, making her jump. "It was a massive diversion to allow Joey a swift entrance into the castle."

All eyes in the room fell on Joey, who seemed to shrink on the spot. "I had no idea there would be so many Maulers at the gates..." he said weakly.

Luna scowled. "Indeed? Even though you knew that Canterlot was under the most protection in the entire world?"

Cadance walked over to her emotionally reeling adoptive son and embraced him. As she did, she glared daggers at Luna.

"Have some sympathy, Auntie," she said in a scolding tone. "Can you think of a better alternative?"

"Sneaking in?" Luna deadpanned.

"Then what, get caught by all the Maulers that were hanging around?" Cadance shot back. Everyone was surprised with the whole interaction, since Cadance and Luna had gotten along so well before this.

Luna looked as if she had been slapped in the face, making her see sense. "Oh... I see..." She turned to Joey with a regretful expression and said, "Forgive me, child - I've never seen something so terrible before... you said they were volunteers?"

"Three things," Joey replied with an understanding smile. "First, I would prefer not to be called 'child'. Second, I forgive you. Third, yes, they were volunteers."

Luna gave him a sad nod and opened her mouth to say something, but Glynn cut across her.

"I know we haven't seen each other for a long time, but can we please get a move on? Time is of the essence."

"Yeah, Glynn's right," Karen said, more confident now that the tragic matter of the attack had been settled. "The Dark Lord could arrive at any time - and believe me, once he knows that Joey is here, it will become a top priority for him to come."

"Yes - yes, of course," Luna replied, then turned to the sovereigns. "Those of you who cannot perform magic should assist with the evacuation of the city. The Elements will be here soon, and it would be best to get a head start."

Cadance looked like she had been clubbed in the head very hard. "The Elements are dead, Auntie."

"They are not," Luna replied urgently. "Twilight sent me a letter telling me everything after the execution happened, since I am able to perform Occlumency. They are indeed alive, and shall be here shortly. However, that is not the pressing matter at the moment -"

"You can perform Occlumency?" Joey interrupted, impressed.

"Enough!" Luna snapped, making everyone jump. "Those of you who are assisting with the evacuation, follow Princess Cadance. Those of you who are setting up the defenses, follow Glynn. I shall go find my sister - remember! Time is of the essence!!"

"Joey - Shining Armor - we need to create a defensive bubble around the inner city, mainly the castle. Shining, I hear that force-fields are your specialty?"

"Yep," Shining Armor said with a hint of pride in his voice.

"Good - the spells should coexist nicely with each other," Glynn said happily. "Karen, Gage - I need you to go find any secret passages into the castle and seal them. After you do, Karen, go find your daughter and hold the west tower."

Karen nodded, then hurried off in the other direction. Gage turned to Joey and held out a fist.

"Good luck, dude," he said. "Stay safe."

"You too," Joey replied, feeling content with the unexpected exchange. He really wished he had talked to the guy more often.

Once Gage was gone, Glynn turned to Martin. "Once we've set up the protective bubble, go see if Karen and Gage need assistance." He looked up as they entered the inner corridor just outside the front doors of the castle, studying the multitude of suits of pony armor that lined the walls. "I could do something with these..." he muttered.

As they hurried up the corridor to the front gates, the crowds started to arrive, many of them in their nightclothes. They filled up most of the corridor as they were herded past, but the panicky din was something to behold. Many of them had terrified expressions, talking hurriedly to their friends or looking for a lost child. As Joey passed, he could feel heads turning.

"Did you see that?"

"It was him! Joey Steffen! I just saw him!"

Some ponies even called out words of encouragement, which helped to slightly ease the lump of fear that had been slowly rising in Joey's throat.

"OMYGOSH!! JO-JO!!" squealed a familiar, squeaky voice.

A pink blur nearly knocked him off of his feet. He looked down to see Pinkie Pie hugging him like no tomorrow. Looking up, he saw the other Elements running full speed at him.

"Joey!"

"JOEY!!"

They dogpiled him, burying him under affection. Joey managed to claw his way out of the pile, finally getting back on his feet. He peeled Pinkie off of him - which was hard since she was nearly his size - and faced the six friends.

"Hi," he said, but Glynn tugged on his robes, pulling him in the direction of the castle's front doors.

"Joey! No time!" he cried urgently, and Joey continued to follow him.

Soon, they had reached their destination. When they did, Luna and Celestia joined them. The evacuation was now being redirected into the Crystal Caverns under the city, so those who were fighting had space to move. At the same time Hippogriffs, Griffons, Changelings, and several dragons began to arrive, looking apprehensive.

Queen Novo landed next to Glynn as they looked out over the city, which had been drenched in darkness since all the lights had been put out.

"You do realize we won't be able to keep out the Dark Lord indefinitely?" Celestia asked, looking on edge as she stared into the darkness.

"No, but we can at least delay him," Glynn said with a slight shake in his voice. "And we will call him by his name - Lord Valkaris. It does not matter anymore; he will try to kill us either way. Shining Armor - if you would, please."

Shining nodded and walked out onto the front steps. He lit up his horn and shot a reddish-pink beam into the sky, which spread into a large, protective bubble that fell transparent after a couple seconds. With a smirk, he turned to Glynn and Joey.

"Very good," Glynn complimented. "Now let us humans do our part for you."

With that said, he turned and looked around at the many suits of armor that lined the inner corridor. He raised his wand and gazed at them determinedly.

"Armis Locomotor!!"

To Glynn's satisfaction, the suits of armor began to jump down from their plinths, landing on the ground with harsh clanging noises. As the last of them jumped down from their plinths, they marched, drone-like, through the front doors.

"Protect the parameter!!" Glynn shouted over their noisy march. "Do not let anyone of dark intent in at any costs! Attack them on sight!"

As most of the creatures at the front doors watched transfixed as the suits of armor marched away, Joey and Martin had stepped out into the front courtyard. They both trained their wands at the sky and began to mutter incantations.

Protego Maxima... Fianto Duri... Protego Maxima...

A smooth stream of spells shot out of their wands and rose to the sky, slowly building upon the nearly impregnable bubble that stretched towards the ground.

Stopping momentarily during her evacuation procedure, Twilight watched in awe as the reapers in the sky, which resembled faint dots, scattered in the bubble's wake.

"Twi! Snap outta it," Applejack said irritably. It was clear that she too was trying not to stare at the new protective bubble.

"Right - sorry."

Back at the front doors of the castle, Joey and Martin were finishing up their work. As soon as the edges of the protective bubble reached the ground, Joey and Martin returned to Glynn.

"Okay - Martin, go to the north tower," Glynn commanded. "Make sure to try and shoot down any Maulers that might try to penetrate it via smoke travel. Joey, head up to the rafters, and take your two friends with you. Be on guard."

Joey nodded, and made to run off to his assigned destination. Before he could, however, he was stopped by Cadance, who had just returned from evacuating the city. She trotted up to him and gave him a quick hug.

"We've just been reunited - make sure we can have more mother-son time in the future, okay?" she asked, looking at him with a small smile playing on her lips.

"Heh - yeah, no pressure," Joey joked. "I'll do my best, mom."

Cadance smiled slightly more, then gave him a quick kiss on the forehead. "Be safe."

Joey pelted off down the corridor towards the stairs that would take him up to the castle rafters, hoping dearly that everything would turn out okay. Deep down he knew, along with everyone else, that was an incredibly ugly battle was in their future.

Derek Bergemann stood next to his master, gazing over the city of Canterlot. The protective spells that had been placed over the place sparkled against the cloudy skies. Behind him was the Minotaur Royal Army, as the Dark Lord managed to coerce their king into allowing him control of their army.

To his left, his master looked upon all the preparations in front of them with an amused look.

"Fools," he laughed softly, rotating his wand through his fingers as he usually did before performing magic. "When will the Order ever learn?"

"My lord... should we just call it off?" asked a Mauler hesitantly, looking at the city apprehensively.

Lord Valkaris, expressionless, turned to face the said Mauler, not saying a word. The Mauler instantly melted back into the crowd with a sheepish bow and muttered, "My lord."

Valkaris turned to face the magical bubble protecting the city, and thrust his wand out towards it. He screamed something unintelligible, and a massive, dark green beam of energy erupted from the tip. It connected with the bubble, making it quake. He kept up the connection until little tears formed. Slowly, but surely, the force field was diminished under the might of Lord Valkaris. Its tatters fell like paper onto the castle below.

The nearly indestructible bubble, the castle's strongest protection, was already done for.

Valkaris cackled as panicked shouts could be heard from below. Every face in the crowd of Maulers and Minotaurs was turned to him attentively, awaiting their next command anxiously. A cruel smile formed on Valkaris's lips.

"Begin," he said softly.