“Three minutes out, my princess,” muttered a tense guard standing near the engine.

Twilight nodded, though she couldn't be certain anyone had seen her, in the low lamplight of the cramped train tunnel. All around her clattered the many moving parts of her ride, creating a cacophony of noise sure to alert everyone of her coming. A peek out the front determined that the track continued to twist and go up, a faint rusty red light visible off to one side.

At least the tracks have been clear. Twilight thought to herself.

“So what's the plan once we hit the station?” Stalwart shouted over the roar of the machine.

“We’ll be going straight for Canterlot Castle,” Twilight began, turning towards her small squad of soldiers. “We need to avoid any major conflict zones, and keep our collective heads down.”

“The less attention we gather, the quicker we can reach the castle,” someone reasoned.

“Exactly,” Twilight declared, snapping her fingers. “The pr- other princesses will likely know what is going on, and will probably need back up. Which is where we all come in.”

Stalwart stepped forward. “I assume you want Froghopper here to scout for us, while the rest hang further back.”

“That would be preferable, yes,” Twilight replied. “I may have gotten some combat training after ascending, but I am no skilled soldier, nor am I particularly stealthy, as you guys likely already know.”

“It's one reason we like guarding you. You’re impossible to lose,” someone added.

“For more than one reason,” shouted a female voice from somewhere near the back of the group of guards, her yell quickly accompanied by a lecherous whistle.

Twilight blushed. “We can flirt later. First we gotta reach the castle with all our limbs still attached.”

“I’ll take that as a promise!” yelled the same voice.

“Quiet, Lilly,” Stalwart barked.

“I’ll let you guys handle the details while I stay near the middle of the group. Just remember, try not to get dragged into any unnecessary fights,” Twilight stated firmly.

“We won't. Everyone ready?” Stalwart replied, turning to his squad expectantly.

Everyone nodded and began donning helmets, unsheathing swords or generally readying themselves for what was coming. Twilight didn't see any of this as she had already turned back towards the tunnel’s end and was gently applying the brakes. The screech it made drove a spike of worry deep into Twilight's chest, though thankfully no monsters ran out to meet her.

In fact, none were drawn to them at all, even as they emerged from the tunnel and into Canterlot proper. There was only a single city block between them and the train station though during that short distance they beheld much tragedy.

Flaming apartment blocks, small skirmishes between squads of guards and roving monsters were all spotted. A desperate defence against swooping attackers, a valiant charge into a burning building, the city was evidently long from being subdued. Despite the destruction and slaughter all around them, ponies continued to press on, a palpable sense of anger detectable in the air.

Twilight could sense that such emotions were directed at those foul abominations that had disturbed the peace. The alicorn could feel that nearly everyone wanted these things destroyed, and for quiet to return to Canterlot once more. Even Twilight herself couldn't help but grip the railing a little tighter and glare at one of the passing winged creatures.

“The station looks secure,” offered Stalwart.

Twilight glanced to the left and found that was indeed true, as there were a small group of soldiers entrenched there. Upon locking eyes with them, they visibly relaxed, turning away form the train as it rolled into the station. Bringing the engine to a stop right next to a corporal in the EDF, Twilight swiftly hopped out and extended a hand.

“Good to see that someone is defending this place,” Twilight offered.

The man took Twilight's hand and shook it firmly. “And it's good to see that were still getting back up,” he replied.

“Do you expect anyone else?” Twilight asked.

“Manehatten was sending some but they won't be here for another hour or so,” he replied.

Twilight hummed thoughtfully, her gaze going to the tear above her head. “Any information on what's going on?”

“None,” stated the soldier before taking a step back and tucking his arms behind his back. “They came out of nowhere, attacked without warning and have displayed little to no intelligence.”

“Like animals,” Twilight muttered.

“Only they show little desire to consume their prey and seem to revel in the slaughter,” stated the man.

Twilight sighed. “I need to get to Canterlot Caslt as soon as possible. Do you have assistance you could offer?”

“I could spare a few pegasi if you want to fly the whole way there,” he exclaimed.

“That would mean I would need to leave the others here,” Twilight remarked, shaking her head. “And that's not happening.”

“What about specialist Feather Fall, sir?” offered one of the soldier’s men.

“Ahh yes. We have little use for an infiltration expert at this point, perhaps you would make better use of her unique skills,” remarked the corporal, extending a hand back towards the rest of his soldiers.

“Unique skill- changeling!” Stalwart shouted, his hand going for his sword.

Twilight was quick to stop him as the chitinous creature stepped out from the crowd of soldiers.

“Hold. She's with us now,” Twilight stated calmly.

The changeling snorted. “We have bigger concerns then petty tribal squables.”

“Still. Your kind wanted to wipe us all out. Seems like you’re getting your wish,” Stalwart muttered.

The changeling gnashed her sharp teeth angrily, jabbing a black finger into the captain’s chest. “We wished no harm on anyone. Only for an end to our starvation, and for the chance to live without the gnawing grip of hunger.”

“This is a conversation for another time,” Twilight interrupted. “Feather Fall, you’ll be joining Frog Hopper as our forward scouts. He’ll fill you in on the plan.”

Twilight nodded to a slim, demure unicorn with a slick black mane. “Follow me buggy, we got a path to find.”

The pair trotted towards the exit, both evidently distrustful of one another, though willing to work together.

“I don't trust her,” Stalwart muttered.

“I’m not asking you to trust her character,” Twilight replied. “I’m asking you to trust her skills.”

Stalwart grumbled. “Fine, but if she stabs us in the back-”

“Yes yes, you can say I told you so,” Twilight interrupted, waving a hand. “Now let's get moving. I’d rather we get to the castle sooner rather than later.”

“Right,” Stalwart exhaled slowly, then took a sharp breath. “Standard formation everyone, but stay loose and stay low.”

Twilight drummed her fingers against her leg, gaze fixed on the road at the end of the alley her group was currently standing in. At the front were Froghopper and Feather Fall, the two positioned behind a pair of garbage bins. The rest of them were crouched behind a dumpster, waiting for the signal that the coast was clear.

Nearly a minute of silence passed before Froghopper raised his hand, and pointed to the road. He then sprinted out of cover along with their changeling specialist, dashing across the thoroughfare.

Twilight and the rest of the group were swift to follow, with the alicorn remaining at the center of their small formation. Putting one foot in front of the other, Twilight mimicked the actions of her squad by staying low and fast. That was until she nearly tripped over a dismembered arm laying in the road, causing her to stumble briefly.

Stalwart was quick to catch her however, hurrying the alicorn into the next alleyway without slowing down. Once they were out of sight once more, Twilight couldn't help but turn and glance over at the scene she had just been pulled through. Only to immediately wish she hadn't when she realized that there were bodies of children amongst the many dead.

None of their demonic attackers lay amongst the heap of corpses which covered almost the entire road. Shops were smashed, vendors overturned, and small tents torn apart as the farmer’s market had been turned into a charnel house. Blood pooled everywhere and had been used to paint strange arcane symbols on the walls of the nearby homes.

“Come on,” Stalwart exclaimed, interrupting Twilight's thoughts. “We need to keep moving.”

Twilight grit her teeth and turned away. “Of course. Lead the way.”

“What's the hold up?” Twilight whispered, crouching down low behind a sunglasses stand.

Froghopper shifted uncomfortably behind the crate of merchandise he was using as cover.

“It's complicated, my princess,” he murmured.

“No it isn't,” Feather Fall replied, jabbing a finger out from cover towards a distant shop that had closed its grated door over the entrance. “A bunch of people are held up in there, and those creatures want in. Unfortunately there is no way around them.”

Twilight followed the changeling’s gaze to where a dozen of the beasts were pounding away at the metal barricade. Behind which were several frightened people who were frantically piling what they could against the barrier. Though their efforts to survive in the partially destroyed mall were commendable, they likely wouldn't be enough.

“We have to help them,” Twilight declared.

“But if we do, we could attract more of them,” hissed the changeling.

“I don't care,” Twilight replied simply, rising up from her position and gesturing to the rest of her hidden squad. “Fan wide, I’ll handle the middle. Show these monsters no quarter!”

The guards hopped up, and drew their weapons, their jaws set and their nerves steeled the instant the order was given. Feather Fall seemed ready to argue, but fell in a moment later, shaking her head as she drew a pair of daggers. Twilight said nothing as she strode forward, horn glowing, and fingers twisting into several different sigils.

“It's the princess! Were saved!” shouted someone from within, their voice just barely louder than the continued clatter of the monsters battering themselves against the barrier.

The second the cry went up the small horde of a dozen or so monsters turned towards the new arrivals. Only for their numbers to be reduced by half when Twilight unleashed a powerful greenish blue lightning bolt from the tip of her horn. One which upon connecting with the first target, leapt to the second, then the third, and continued on until the floor was littered with blackened corpses.

Unbothered by their comrade’s sudden demise, the rest charged at the guards without concern for their own safety. Sword and shield met boney protrusions, and unnturally sharp claws in a distinct clatter. The guards held firm, but were surprised by the ferocity of their foes, which threw themselves forward with a berserker fury.

Spittle and screams filled the air, with one poor guard receiving a slash across the face when he had tried to parry an attack. The offending flying creature was bisected a moment later by a flash of purple light, his top and bottom half falling in different directions. Another soldier swiftly moved to cover the downed man as he clutched his flayed cheek and tried to staunch the flow of blood.

The rest of the guards were doing better, as unlike the monsters, they worked together and covered one another’s weaknesses. When one of their ranks took a particularly strong blow to the shield and was knocked out of position, his fellows were swift to cover him. With blade and sorcery, the equestrians pushed back, shrugging off their ferocious foes after a moment of struggle.

Enchanted swords met flesh, and though the creatures seemed abnormally resistant to harm, they could not turn aside such magical weapons. Limbs were lopped off, heads removed, and blades were driven deep into red rusty flesh of the murderous monsters. Twilight quickly summized that what really made the difference was magic, which worked incredibly well against the demonic abominations.

A fact Twilight made a firm note of when she used a cone of cold to freeze one that had tried to sneak up on her. The winged creature had descended from a smashed window and had nearly been atop of her when it was encased in ice. He then fell the rest of the way to the mall floor, shattering into a million pieces upon hitting the ground.

Twilight spun on her heel and was ready to help once more, only to find that their foes had all been killed. Or were in the process of being killed, as Feather Fall was repeatedly burying her daggers into the back of an implike creature. Who was in turn being held by Stalwart’s magic, leaving it to flail and scream as its blackish blood oozed from dozens of wounds.

Then with one final swipe, the changeling slit its throat, and the beast fell to the ground, gurgling angrily.

“Good work,” Twilight muttered, only to stumble for a moment, catching herself before Stalwart could do so. “Just a minute.”

“Deep breaths now my princess. I know this was perhaps more violent than you would have liked but they are just animals,” Stalwart whispered.

“Right, just animals…” Twilight murmured, glancing down to the imp which clawed at his throat for several more seconds before finally falling still.

“Thank you princess!” shouted a voice.

“You saved us!” yelled another.

“Quiet fools,” Feather Fall hissed. “Do you want more to come?”

“S-sorry,” whispered a shy voice.

“What do we do with them now?” Stalwart inquired, glancing at Twilight expectantly.

“They should be fine here for now. Cast a quick noticemenot spell on their hiding place and let's continue on. We’ll notify the next detachment of EDF we see to come pick them up,” Twilight replied.

“It will be done,” Stalwart replied, turning to the startled survivors. “Now then, after I cast it, try not to move quickly, or make loud noises. Remember that and you will be more or less invisible to your foes if you follow these guidelines.”

The captain continued, but Twilight wasn't paying attention, her gaze fixed on the terrified faces of the children behind the barricade. Clearly traumatized from what they had seen, they stared outward with wide, horrified eyes. Even now when the immediate danger was gone, they still seemed so terrified that they would be unable to even move.

Twilight grit her teeth. “Come on. It's not far to the castle from here.”

“We should get a better view from up here,” Froghopper exclaimed, the scout leaning against the roof access to the office complex they had been sneaking through for the last few minutes.

“Hopefully we can find a way into the castle that doesn't involve us cutting a swath through that horde,” Feather Fall murmured.

Twilight frowned as she thought of the surprisingly large horde of creatures she had seen battering themselves against the castle’s walls. Tall, imposing, and enchanted by Celestia herself, the barrier resisted the monster’s efforts to tear it down. For the most part anyway, as the main gatehouse had suffered significant damage, and was the focus of nearly a hundred or so of the monsters.

“Let's get a closer look,” Twilight urged.

Froghopper nodded, and pushed the door open a few inches, peering out onto the roof.

“I don't sense anything,” Feather Fall whispered.

“Right, checking it out,” Froghopper replied.

Slipping through the crack, the man disappeared, only to return a minute later.

“It's clear,” he declared.

Twilight swiftly stepped through the opening, her gaze immediately searching for the castle and finding it instnatly. It was hard to miss the many towers of Canterlot Castle, or its twenty foot tall ivory walls that surrounded it from all sides. It was even less difficult to not notice the hundreds of winged monsters assaulting it from all sides, their numbers continually bolstered by new reinforcements from on high.

Despite this, the gatehouse still held, as did the rest of the castle.

This was all thanks to a familiar deep blue shape which flew high above the ground, a greatsword clutched in each hand. The lunar alicorn was covered in the blood of her foes, and her armor bore numerous dents but that didn't slow her down one bit. Neither her enormous weapons, all encompassing layer of thick plate mail or the damage she had taken seemed able to impede the alicorn’s progress.

Beneath her both night and solar guard fought alongside one another, the two forces giving Luna a wide berth. Likely out of respect, as well as fear, as the alicorn frequently used devastating spells and performed incredible feats of acrobatics.

Slashing one creature in half, the woman dove into a deep dive and used her raw momentum to bisect another. She then banked hard, and used her magic to pepper a small flock of strange flying skulls with numerous black daggers. Each one of which struck true, seemingly killing the bizarre abominations before they could hit their targets.

Twilight wanted to continue staring and possibly even start taking notes but she forced herself to look away. Gazing down at the wall once more Twilight found that a small squad of unicorns patrolling along its length had stopped and were looking right at her.

“They see us, grab their attention. That's how we get in,” Twilight declared.

Author's Note

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