Author's Note

I've finished up with school for a while so now I can finally focus on writing again.

Planning a fight is troubling.

The sun does not touch here. Deeper within the walls of Mt. Canterhorn lies rooms, pony made, and numerous to hide away that which needs to be hidden. Each has a purpose unknown to the populace as a whole. Only those within higher ranking positions know of the true nature of the caverns cut off from the rest of society.

One such room holds a large rectangular table carved from the mountain itself. Chairs, polished and meticulously made, are set up around it waiting to seat twelve. The twelve members of Neo Canterlot's elites and leaders. From those that work in the shadow to the public figureheads of the masses. Each one plays a key role in Neo Canterlot's survivability, culture, and planning

At the top of it all leading the leaders and the population with ideas and speeches, Onyx Gem. The male Earthpony with muted and dulled colors that match his name remains the very beginning of change for all of Neo Canterlot. The founder of the cavern some call him. The indomitable leader and warrior the soldiers cry.

He worked his way through the trenches of war from a lowly recruit to that of a sergeant before everything went to Tartarus in a handbasket. The kill count on him ranges well into the hundreds from all the fights he's been in. Over this time, he has become numb to the pain that affects most others within his position.

Even if the nightmares of the war still plague him in his sleep and every waking moment, he has dedicated himself to his cause more than any other. Flashbacks after flashbacks. Sounds that set him off in a panic to act against an unknown assailant that others can not see. Perhaps some type of mind magic has afflicted him. Or could it be something far more serious?

Under him in power would be that of the Commence. After all, everything revolves around bits and trade. And somepony, a Pegasus in this instance, needs to oversee it all. The pony in question is known as Golden Hour. The Pegasus holds a marely gait and slender form yet wields none of the products to display wealth. She holds her head high but her funds low.

Her fur is that of a dull yellow with light fringes of pink upon her wings. Her mane has been dyed black and she stands slightly shorter than your average pony. The only jewelry she does wear is a locket in which holds only something she knows. Perhaps a lover, her parents, or simply a reminder of her past to keep her humble. Who could say?

Next would be the leader of health and general welfare. A paranoid Unicorn who goes by Sliver Cut or just Sliver by most. After all, you had a Sliver of a chance of death when he's around. He may not interact much with most, but he knows the body of every creature like the back of his hoof, hand, or appendage he may be using at the time of operation.

A little known fact to those outside of this room, but the Unicorn known as Sliver Cut is actually a Changeling by the same name. Not one of the reformed Changelings either, but one of the holed and fearsome-looking ones. A higher intelligence Ling within his now destroyed hive. He was here within the first few days and easily spotted out by Onyx Gem himself within one of the few understaffed hospices dealing out surgery at a much lower price than all others.

Onyx to this day refuses to let others on to how he knew the Unicorn was actually a Changeling in disguise. Some have begun to question whether or not Gem himself is a Changeling in disguise. But after Twilight had proved this to be a false statement, other rumors have begun to run wild. But none concrete and none that he will comment on.

The form the Unicorn has assumed is that of lime green and yellow maned male who often spends the night going through paperwork after paperwork and or performing late-night surgeries that are life-threatening. He is seen as the best of the best and is looked up to by every remaining doctor within Neo-Canterlot. On top of this, he makes sure that every hospital, hospice, nursing home, and general welfare center are all up to snuff and are doing their jobs to the fullest to keep patients happy and healthy no matter what it takes.

Upon the same level as the other two, an Earthpony by the name of Jubilant Mass runs the culture centers of making sure events, social justice, courts, and other such forms of mass socialization are up to snuff and are running perfectly. Festivals, carnivals, and cultural exchanges are all overseen by Jubilant Mass and all of her giddiness. For the mare is not actually a mare, but a filly that has managed to beat out all the others in authoritative tones, thought processes, and organizational skills in regards to everything needed to run the position. Many would wonder why a filly was chosen to be the seer of everything fun when she would most likely become distracted by the entertainment itself. Others know better as she would run logic circles around you while writing a paper on why you're wrong about everything.

She is primrose red with a teal mane and a mane styled in the way reminiscent of old Equestria 80s. She is one if not the only filly they have seen so far that holds the idea that the old is in. Not only just other fillies, but most ponies do not see the old way as hip and cool. Perhaps the reason why she has been so successful is that her uniqueness knows no bounds. After all, if the goal is that everyone knows your name is there any wrong way?

Below the trio stands the military branches. First, one must address the General and all of his glory. A decorated soldier that has stood at the side of Onyx Gem from day one. Steel Rampant. A gruff yet young Earthpony whose specialty is a tower shield and a spear, has been with Onyx almost as long as his parents. He stands higher than most everypony and could almost be said to be the same size as the Princesses. He stands out in a crowd with his vanilla coat and neon blue mane and tail. Born of a Crystalpony and a Earthpony, he holds the tenacity of both of them deep within his very being.

Despite this, some would call him a gentle giant. This holds especially true when it comes to him and his sweet heart Sunny Days. The once-proud owner of a butterfly garden turned moth garden holder melts his heart and turns his tough exterior to mush. Yet, if she's ever in any sort of danger, some say that he can literally move mountains for her.

Next would be the latest edition of the army, the aviation leader. He goes by Killer Flight, but his actual name is Whisper Feather. He is a dark green Pegasus with feathers of yellow-orange and an orange mane and tail. He often acts seriously before the soldiers, but off duty he can be seen spending most of his time lounging about either in his home, outside, or with one of the few friends he does have.

While not being a part of the army as long as some of the others, he has done more to prove himself than the average pony. Once, he managed to sneak past the Gryphons' main force of Griffins with a small crew of Pegasi carrying Unicorns and left a deadly mark in the war with some of the first pony victories. His name will forever be etched in history as a free-form thinker and how working smarter can be better than working harder.

Another pony of note is the leader of the newly established magic division of Neo-canterlot's army. The head mage goes by the name Willful Wisp and they often find themselves at odds with both sides of their wills. While one side remains masculine and dominant, the other remains feminine and willful. They often argue on which should be in charge and what would be the better option for them, but they usually come up with a compromise to make both sides happy.

Now, Willful is a strange pony with a multicolored swirl of a coat and a blue mane and a pink tail. They often wear a collar around their neck in order to indicate whose more in control of their body that day. They have also shown a very key interest in Twilight Sparkle and the two have often been seen meeting up within Wilful's homes.

Next would be someone of importance yet hidden away from the public eye very well. He often keeps to himself and out of the view of everyone. Yet, he's most likely the one with the most friends and has been seen the most. He's both generic and unique at the same time that often make others look over him or simply see him as just one of the group.

While the shadow group may not be directly under the Neo-Canterlot army, it often finds itself being considered the splinter cell group of elite soldiers among the troops. Others see them as the silent guardians that pick off Gryphs in the night. Yet their leader calls them a bunch of lazy ponies that can't tell useful information from their own tails. Sure there are a few good pickles in the pickled barrel of the shadows, but most of them are former thieves and con ponies that decided they would use their gifts for the sake of other ponies than themselves. A sort of redemption group.

It finds itself led by a rather slim and ambiguous looking Pegasus with ice colored mane and beige colored mane and tale. He looks so out of place and yet nopony bats an eye at him no matter where he goes. He reflects himself onto others and they often find comfort in him with their personal matters. He calls himself Everypony but nopony knows his real name.

The last three are known as the ones over the public welfare and general thoughts upon the population. They stand for the working class and those that truly keep society from falling apart. The others can not complete their tasks and jobs without the populace to back them and apply themselves to work for them.

The first of the leaders would have to be the one over all of the work force. He governs the rules and makes sure that all of the work the ponies put in is rewarded fairly and evenly to prevent disruption and dissatisfaction within them. After all, the mass of production belongs to the people.

He is well known across every bar, work field, and forgery as Joy Maker. He's a lofty Unicorn with much Earthpony blood mixed in. He stands taller than every other Unicorn and often finds himself pointed out due to how much higher he stands in a crowd. On top of his height, his fur is that of a blood-red orange with crimson, almost violet, mane and tail.

He often keeps a pick-axe or a hoe at his side at all times. Both are his own creations made from the hardened natural crystals of the cave. They work quite well and are often well polished to the point that they manage to gleam in the underground light. As impossible as it seems, he manages to make everypony feel as if anything possible.

Next in power, though some would say higher in power than Joy Maker, is his loving and supportive wife Happy Tales. While her husband sees over the adult working fields, she makes sure that all of the children and those within their homes are all taken care of. She makes sure that nopony is allowed to go hungry or cold at night.

She sees to it that work orders are placed in order to make sure that certain aspects of people's lives are taken care of and anything broken is fixed. If a pony can not afford groceries, she has a certain bank of food and donations set aside from them in order to make sure they at least have something rather than nothing.

She is a robust maple syrup brown mare with dark blue mane and tail. She is what most ponies would refer to as thicker than a bowl of oatmeal. She simply tells others that she just eats well and its genetic in regards to her Earthpony blood. Most feel as if she's being modest in order to not cause the other mares to be as upset with her.

Last is one who holds no official station within the party, but is known all throughout the lands. Many fear her name while others celebrate it. The illustrious Twilight Sparkle finds herself holding the station of foreign relations. Seeing as she passed up multiple stations that she could of held, they eventually allowed her to decide herself something that she would like to do or at least take part of so she could be included into the meetings. Eventually she decided that she would handle the state of foreign affairs and everything that it entails.

“I’m happy the great and illustrious Princess of Failures has come to finally join our strategic meeting. Was the importance of friendship keeping you too busy?” Steel Rampant scoffs upon the princess turned human lazily walks into the room.

“Mmhmm. Just as busy as you are when your neck deep into your personal bodyguard's asshole.” Twilight replies merrily taking her seat to the right of Everypony.

The normal steely gray muzzle of Rampant begins to turn a scandalous red as the the rest of the members begin to smirk at the crass humor being started. Several can be seen attempting to stifle a chuckle. Rampant tries to grunt out something in remark but finds himself quickly cut off by another member.

“You think that’s the same noise he makes when he was choking on him?” The Everypony asks as he leans over and whispers just loud enough to be heard by both the insulted and those around them being major general and the newly appointed aviation Corp leader who both had to hold themselves together from snickering while Twilight simply nodded her head as if agreeing.

“Enough, the three of you. Leave your petty squabbles outside of the war room.” The head of the meeting barks silencing the three of them from continuing.

“Yes, Onyx.” The three say apologetically.

“Good. Now, on to the first note of business we have to conduct here today.

As you all have most likely been informed, the Gryphon of our area has begun to amass vast amounts of Griffons and Griffins for a final push against every small settlement, base, and harmony filled place there is left here. There is no knowing if they know of Neo-Canterlot but it is best to be safe and assume that after they’re done on the surface, they’re going to be coming into here.

Now I don’t, and I’m sure you don’t, want that to happen. So we’re attempting to cut it off at the base before they can get the ball moving. One of the intelligence agents has managed to bring up some good info on how they wish to go about their attacks.

From what I have read, the Gryphon’s plan seems to send larger forces to the small areas to take them out quickly while smaller forces will harass larger areas to weaken defenses so that when the larger group can quickly and effectively wipe out the smaller threats and allow the larger, now combined, force the ability to march in and take it.”

He takes a moment to let what he said fully sink into the room. The reactions are a mix of exasperation and anger. It’s understandable because it’s a long the same lines of what happened towards the end of the first war and seeing the same strategy implemented again. That would anger anybody.

“Now we all know how this strategy works in person, but I wanna know what everypony else thinks of counteracting their plans just by hearing it.”

“I believe that the steps we should take should be in action to these larger groups. Send out a strong force to take them down, than do the same with all the other.” The aviation group leader suggests raising a hoof.

“Interesting idea, but do you know how many soldiers to send forward? You know our forces, but do you know theirs? I had just said that they are recruiting more soldiers. So how many soldiers do you think they’ll put in each group. Furthermore, how many groups do you think they’ll make? We know ourselves which ones are the hardest to take possibly, but what do they consider the hardest to take and the easiest? I like your spunk but think more before you answer.”

“R-right…” he replies lowering his hoof.

"Now, does anyone have any good, more thought out, ideas moving forward?"

The room remains quiet for but a moment before Twilight speaks up.

"Do you have something in mind already?"

"Well, since you ask, I do."