Twilight was in a room full of maps and military charts with Luster, she sighed “The reason I don’t want you on the front lines is I don’t want you to be at risk.” Tears began to form in Twilight’s eyes “I as scared of losing you out there.”

Luster hugged her mentor “Princess, I’ll be fine. You taught me everything I know about combat magic, I can handle this.”

Twilight let out a sad chuckle “That’s what I thought too, that I could handle anything but when I engaged in my first fight I realised how woefully unprepared I truly was. I was facing down Tirek alone with no help or backup, when it was needed the most all of my skills and talent meant nothing. What you will face out there is worse, you will see allies fall by your side and there is nothing you can do about it. You are not ready to face that yet.”

Luster nodded sadly “I understand Princess, you are doing this for my own well being. I just hope that Whisper is okay out there, she has never fought to kill before from what I can tell.”

Twilight frowned “They should be returning soon, hopefully with good news. I just hope that this brings this war to a swift and resolute end.”

A guard ran in quickly “Princess, the airship you sent out has returned triumphant. From what I can tell they did quite a bit of damage to the enemy forces.” Twilight nodded walking out to the docks.

Gallus flew over to her with Whisper and Endtime by his side “Whisper here took out quite a few ships by herself, she grew huge so that she was towering over the enemy ships. She did really well for someone who has never been involved in a war before.”

Whisper grimaced “This body I have gained, it has changed me. The sad part is that I saw that one of my enemies had a family and the worst part is that I didn’t care. I felt no remorse, no pity. I knew that many of them would never would see their families again, and I didn’t care. The worst part some sick part of myself enjoyed killing them, enjoyed causing them pain.”

Twilight grimaced “That is not a good thing.”

Whisper growled “I know that, I’m not a bloody idiot! I always enjoyed a good scrap but never did to hurt another. I did it for the thrill of the fight, the feeling of competition. Not to hurt others, Princess if another war comes up I want you to keep me out of it unless absolutely necessary. I am a monster now, I know that well.” None of them noticed a shimmering Twilight was watching this interaction closely.

A dark blue pegasus messenger flew over and dropped to one knee giving Twilight a letter “Emperor Fearsome Fang sent you a letter.” Twilight unfolded it immediately as the messenger took off to deliver other messages

To Princess Twilight

That was an impressive display, it seems I will need to pull out my greatest weapon. Know that this will be the end for your pathetic nation, know that all you subjects will be laid low because of your refusal.

From Emperor Fearsome Fang

Twilight turned to the Horizon to see thousand number of ships with a massive war ship carrying a mighty single cannon. The cannon began charging up yellow energy, everyone was watching as Twilight took off flying towards the cannon putting up a powerful purple barrier to stop the blast. The massive yellow beam fired forward shattering the barrier almost instantaneously before sending Twilight flying backwards crashing into the docks leaving a small crater.

Luster teleported over “Princess!” Twilight’s right wing was badly burnt, her clothes were incinerated as several long cuts were bleeding profusely. Everyone save Whisper watched in horror as the cannon began to charge again.

Whisper ran forward toward the ocean with snarl leaping into the ocean as her body grew in size. The cannon fired again, Whisper gritted her teeth as she stopped the powerful blast hand even as she felt her flesh burning. She pushed forward towards the ship even as the ship began pouring more power out of the cannon trying to overpower the Whisper’s giant body.

Whisper as she got closer the ships around the cannon started firing on her but all she felt was the annoyance of being peppered with tiny projectiles. She forced the cannon’s energy back into itself causing it to explode violently tearing the Tigers’ mightiest warship to shreds.

Whisper then walked back to the docks and shrunk back to her normal, one of the smaller tiger ships approached a single dark blue tigress with light blue stripes stepped off the ship. Luster was helping Twilight who’s wound were slowing healing towards the tigress. Twilight frowned “Who are you and why are you here?”

The Tigress bowed “I’m Acting Empress Storm Claw, my father was killed in the explosion of that ship and thus I am taking over for him.”

Whisper’s eyes narrowed “Are you coming here to continue your father’s ambitions?”

Storm shook her head “I knew this was foolish endeavour from the beginning but my father was insistent on this invasion. In truth our empire has been fracturing and he has been hoping this invasion would hide that fact. I am to surrender myself to you and for us to coexist as a vassal state.”

Twilight grimaced “I can accept that but there will be major changes back in your homeland. The slavery has to stop, it is not something permissible in Equestria or any of allied nations. We will be implementing that soon enough.” Twilight, Luster, Whisper and Storm headed to the war room to discuss what happened next.

Meanwhile a shimmering Twilight was standing in front of a statue of a centaur changeling queen and a pegasus filly “I may have just found the perfect individual to bring you three into harmony.” The shimmering Twilight faded into sparkles as she smiled.

Author's Note

Next chapter you will begin to witness Whipser's reformation tactics.