In was early in the morning, and already the port was bustling with activity, shops were opened up and selling their wares to all who came upon them. Ships docked and several creatures unloading their wears and items from their ships, ranging from food to gems and even some weapons could be found in these crates, Very few souls slept through the morning, and even fewer didn't know how active this city was.

You see, IronHoof was one of the largest trade routes in the entire world, and all species in the world would gather there, from the dragon lands, all the way to the Griffon kingdom. They came, they sold, they bought, and then they left. Except for those who came to the city to live there, those who enjoyed the noise and the chance to mingle with other creatures, the one who enjoyed hears old sea stories and hear the sea shanties that they sang. It was quite a sight to behold, and many enjoyed the atmosphere even if they choose not to live there.

However, one was not taking part in the cities usual day of selling, trading, drinking, or working. This individual stood on a building, having snuck into the city a few hours before the sun rose, and had taken the time to map it out, walking through it and avoiding any pony he may have come across. His hood flutter softly in the sea winds the blew into the city, the smell of the sea flew into his nose with it, along with the smell of wood, food, and steel. The human gazed at all the wooden rural houses around him, having been built over a very long time ago, he would know, after all, he was there. The city always held this certain spark of life about it, that made it so beautiful to the human. It made him almost regret the battle that was about to befall it.

He took one more moment to look over the town, his town, before sighing softly as he goes back to counting in his head. He's already up to four thousand guards, and the number was steadily improving. He had no doubt in his mind that his troops and he were outnumbered, and of course, he had accounted for this in his planning. Luckily there were no named units, and by that he means there were no units that he knew the name of, so they weren't too much of a threat. He made it his business to know threats to him after all. Still, though, he had to be cautious, especially if he wanted to make the casualties as little as possible. Which would be difficult for him, especially since he wasn't the only one fighting here, it would be some much easier and efficient to simply butcher the town, but not everything was about efficiency. Especially when he held the lives of so many in his hands.

With a small frown, the human turns his back on the village and makes his way into the woods surrounding it. His cloak fluttering softly in the wind as he moves, a deep frown on his face as he makes sure his cloak doesn't catch on any lose branches that surrounded him. He learned that when he first started wearing his cloak he had to be careful not to let it get caught on anything. He remembers the first time that had happened, let's just say, that's one of the few times he has been embarrassed enough to stutter. Right in front of Celestia and Luna as well, it was awful.

Anyways, moving on from that embarrassing subject, the human continues to make his way through the forest. His steps silence as he enjoys the peaceful atmosphere, it was much nicer here then it was in the EverFree. He didn't know which he preferred honestly, he liked the rough and wild nature of the EverFree, but he also enjoyed the calm feeling he gained from these woods.

Soon, Leader would find himself walking into a camp that he and his group has set up not long ago, one that was well hidden by the trees and shrubbery. No patrols should come upon them for some time, and even then Astral Burn should be able to catch up to them with a simple teleportation spell.

As he enters the clearing several ponies look up and watch him nervously that the hour of their attack was quickly approaching, and several of them held uncertain or nervous looks. They were doubting both themselves and their leader at this moment, after all, it was only a small group fighting against an entire town. Yet still, something kept them there, something made them want to fight for him to try even if they had almost no chance for success. None of them could explain this feeling.

Leader had a wide berth as he makes his way through the camp, his cloak fluttering just above the dirt ground, somehow always managing to stay clean, despite the fact that he is always wearing it. Soon he reaches a large tent way in the back of the camp, Leader takes a single glance around the camp before moving into the tent, the flap closing and hiding the view of the inside.

The inside of the tent was very open and warm, holding an almost home-like feel to it on the inside, with a little table in the center, a small portable kitchen a few feet away from that, a little cot in the corner, and a few other things scattered around the magic tent. Mainly maps, lots of maps.

Speaking of maps, there was one on top of his table, showing the town he had just been in not long ago. There were little red marks drawn onto it as well as green ones, he hums as he walks up to the map looking it over curiously as he does. He grins as a strategy starts to form in his head, and he takes out a little blue marker and starts to draw in little blue dots. He honestly looked like a child drawing a little doddle with how giddy he looked.

Several hours had passed before Leader was seen again by his troops and that was only to call Astral Burn, Sun Piercer, and Masquerade into his office. Masquerade being the one who had warned him about the princesses return, he, of course, took the time to learn everything about her that he could. She interested him oh so very much after all, and he was getting ever closer to who she really was. He's already been able to dig through about fifteen masks that she buried her personality with, and he was still digging.

The three entered the tent, Sun held the poise and professionalism of a trained soldier, his stance stiff and ready for anything. However, if you looked long enough you would see a little sweat dampening his form, a sign of his nervousness. Astral looked calm, excited, curious, and was abuzz with energy. Unlike Sun, he didn't care for the battle as much as what he could try out during it, and how useful he could be to Leader. Though, even when he was not prepared to do the unthinkable if he was forced to. Masquerade looked on the outside, to be terrified and nervous, and even more so sad about was going to happen soon. However, for Leader, he saw the giddiness that lay hidden under her eyes, the thrill, the rush of a good adrenalin junkie. The only problem he saw in this was that he didn't know if that's what she was really feeling or just wanted him to think she was feeling.

That was a confusing line of thought, Leader quickly shakes his head as he leans back in his chair relaxed as he looks at them all. "It's time." He informs this as he puts his feet down and shows the three of them his map as he leans forward. "As you three know, tonight we will be taking over IronHoof for the cause of the Revolution, I've been working on the plan all day, and I've decided to put each of you in charge of your own missions." He says much to the shock, pride, and amusement of the three in front of him. Mask (His nickname for her), Sun, and Astral in that order of emotions.

Before they could speak or object he holds up a hand, keeping them silent as he hums tapping his fingers against the map a few times, drawing their attention back to it. "First, before you object, let me tell you what each of you will be doing. You Sun will be leading the earth ponies and pegasi to the storage house and the barracks, where you will capture both and keep any guards you find subdued. You Astral, will lead the unicorns to the docks and sink any military vessel there, and take the cargo off of every other ship. You will also have several of them put a barrier around the town around twenty minutes after are assault begins. Finally, you Mask will be escaping with several ponies during the twenty-minute time frame, and immediately head to Ponyville, where you will act as my spy on the elements of harmony." He says pointing to each of them individually as he says their names, along with pointing at certain areas on the map were several blue dots lay, his expression unreadable behind his mask as he stares at them through it.

They continue to stand there in shocked silence before Sun breaks it as he lets out a long and slow nod. His posture moving into a salute as he stares at his Leader. "Yes, sir." He says softly nodding to Leader, his voice held slight uncertainty in it and a little hesitation, but over that, you could hear his loyalty. Leader, who could respect that in any solder, gave a small nod in acknowledgment, allowing him to end his salute.

Astral soon followed by letting out a sigh, and slowly pulls a hoof down his face, rubbing at his forehead for a moment before he does. "You're insane, the smart type of insane, but still insane. But, if you really think this will work, then I'll follow you." He says shrugging a little as he gives Leader a little lopsided grin as he gives a little magic spark from his horn for flare. His form seeming relaxed, yet still holding a tension about him despite this, though it was more for readiness then for worry. He was after all confident in his ability to stay safe, and of course his magical abilities.

Finally, Mask stood there wiggling around in place nervously, her hooves fidgeting every few moments in her nervousness, before finally she looked up at Leader with a glint in her eyes. "Um, if you really think that's best, I can try." She says blushing a little in embarrassment as the two others both look at her with a raised eyebrow each, her fidgeting in place some more at the looks. In truth what Leader saw was both excitement and interest in what kind of plan he had concocted.

"I know you can." He says with a small hum as he drums his fingers over the map in front of them, his head tilted slightly as he stares at all of them. "Thank you, I suggest you three go prepare. We attack in three hours, gather your troops and inform them of your plans." He says, speaking to Astral and Sun for the last bit. He then rolls up his map and places it into one of the baskets, before pulling out three much smaller maps and handing one to Astral and Sun. "I trust you both can figure out a plan of attack?" Leader asks grinning as he leans back into his chair, with a tilted head as he does.

They both blink a few times in surprise at this, having figured that Leader would have had a plan for them to follow. Astral soon blinks a few times and opens his mouth in an o formation, realizing what Leader was planning. "Not only is this to take over IronHoof, but it's also a test. Isn't it?" He theories causing Sun to blink a few times as he figures it out as well. "Oh." He says simply as Leader nods a few times, staring at them with an unknown intent as he does.

"Yes, I want you two to prove to me that you have what it takes to be leaders." He says simply, Mask just standing there shifting every few moments, not really knowing what to do in a situation like this. "I want to know if I can trust you two, and you're are going to prove it. Tonight." He says simply watching them as he continues to drum his fingers against the desk in an almost hypnotic way. "Now go you three, while you act, I have my own plans." He says simply waving them off, dismissing them as he stands and moves away to look through more of his maps. The three glancing at each other worriedly before nodding as they head out, Mask leaving the entire camp to head into town.

Hours later, the camp was silent, not a pony could be seen around inside of the camp, every single one has left to begin the assault on the town. However, that was for the ponies, a human, on the other hand, could be seen in the middle of the town, his hand on the ground rubbing away at the dirt. Looking for something Leader frowned to himself as he continues to push the dirt out of the way.

Soon, however, he grins as feels something other than the dirt beneath his palm, and quickly starts to brush away dirt and rocks. Showing soon, a large metal trap door, with the symbol of the sun and moon with a blade running down between them.

He grins widely as he heaves the trapdoor open and looks down at a long ladder leading to the tunnels below. Then, with a small glance around him to make sure no one was watching, he jumps down, disappearing into the dark cavern below and leaving the camp in silence once again. The trap door soon slamming closed behind him and then vanishing from sight. No signs of the trap door or Leader to be found. The sound of explosions soon being heard in the distance as the battle for IronHoof begins.

Author's Note

Aaaaa, I don't know why this was so hard and took so long to write. But, I've decided to start posting them weekly instead of Sunday and Wednesday. Anyways, sorry for the delay and thank you for your time.