2 days have passed since the meeting in the Scarlet Meadows. A campsite has been set up, Deep in a forest that surrounds Blackstone. There, all the forces prepare for their momentous attack on Gallia's Capital. The three leaders met in a single tent so that they could discuss their final attack plans. Johannes stood with his champion Volker, explaining his side of the attack.

"From what we know of Blackstone, it is not structured like Safehaven or Sanctuary. Where our castles are set in the middle of the town so that it is protected from all sides, Blackstone can only be attacked from one side." Johannes explained as he placed his hands on the table in front of him, leaning forward.

"What do you mean it can only be attacked from one side?" Asked Shining, putting his hoof to his chin. Standing next to Shining was Sargent Crimson.

"The capital is built at the base of a massive mountain, the biggest mountain in all of Patriam. The Castle was literally carved from the side of the mountain, it sits in the very back of the city, guaranteeing it can only be attacked from one side, the front." Johannes furrowed his brow as he placed his finger and thumb onto his chin. Princess Aurora looked down at the map of Blackstone, she grimaced at the thought of sending her armies directly from the front. Lorenzo who stood next to her attempted to comfort her, but she assured him she was fine.

"A full frontal assault on the city seems like our only option." Aurora drooped her shoulders as she spoke. "Logic dictates their strongest defenses will be put up at the front gates to repel attacks. Their second strongest defenses will be right here in front of the castle. If we can just break through the gates, and push them back, getting to the castle will be easy. Getting inside the castle will be a different chore." Aurora explained as the other two listened closely. Shining nods his head in agreement to Aurora's Observation.

"I believe you are right Princess Aurora, that is how it is back home in Canterlot. Our castle is built on a ledge, we have our best defenses at the gate and the castle to protect the castle at all costs. But that doesn't mean in the middle will be a walk in the park. We have plans that once the gate has been breached, the gate forces retreat halfway to slow down progressing forces before meeting up with castle defenses. I feel it will be safe to assume that this will be their plan as well to try and prevent any of us from getting to the castle.`` Shining's input was met with nods and agreement.

"Thank you for sharing Prince Armor, this tactic must be considered in case our enemy does the same. Now the big question, as a straightforward attack is our only option, which army will attack first?" Asked Johannes looked at both the leaders. Aurora and Shining look at each other, They all knew the Equestrians were out of the question as there were only around 20 of them in total. That left Johannes and Aurora, they both looking at each other, giving themselves sorrowful faces.

"My father brought an army around 3,000 strong Johannes, it is smaller compared to yours." Aurora announced.

"Though my army is larger with around 4,500 men, we are already sacrificing a lot of our land just for you to be here." Argued Johannes, stating a matter-of-factly. Aurora looks at the ground before looking back up at him.

"Gallia's is mostly on the offensive Johannes, most of their armies are out camped along our country sides. Their defending forces should be weakened. Your larger forces will be overwhelming, plowing an entrance for my forces to enter and attack the castle." Aurora had a perfect counter argument, but Johannes was still largely unsure.

"Aurora, I'm already going to be disadvantaged after this battle anyway. I'm going to lose a ton of land, and this plan will cause me to lose a bunch of soldiers, we will be permanently weakened if we follow through this plan." The two were at an impasse, Aurora was out for the best of her soldiers, while Johannes was thinking about his country as a whole. Shining sat back and listened to both sides, finally coming to his own solution.

"The size of the forces won't matter, I think I have a plan. We send in an army to attack head on, make it smaller to make the defending forces think they have the greater number. Finally, after a bit of fighting, conduct a retreat. This part will be left to chance, but hopefully the defending forces, pumped from their small victory will advance out to destroy the retreating army. Then from both sides we flank with two forces hudled against the walls from both sides as they come out. We'll catch them off guard and we'll cut them down, giving us a straight shot to the castle!" Shining slams his hoof onto the table. Johannes and Aurora quickly look at each other, both nodding in agreement.

"That could work." Said Johannes.

"What if the defending forces stay at their posts?" Asked Aurora.

"Then the flanking forces will have no choice but to attack head on. But I'm sure that if we stroke their ego, they most certainly will advance." Said Shining. Though far from the perfect plan, they really didn't have anything else. They quickly discuss who will take what position as they prepare for the assault, early the next morning. The leaders then left the war camp to go to their own sides of the camp.

Shining walks over to where his soldiers were, along the others. Surprisingly, Gerhard was sitting with them, next to Feather Quill. Shining approaches them and all the guard ponies stand at attention.
"Sir, What's our attack plan?" Asked Sargent Crimson.

"We are going to try and coax them out of their walls by hitting them in the front, then swiftly retreating. Once they come out to eliminate the 'attacking force,' a much larger flanking force will attack them at the sides and force our way in." Shining explained, as he removed his helmet. "Humans are leading the initial attack force, then we lead the attack inside the city. Our main objective is getting inside the castle. From there, we can find Twilight, and hopefully end war in this land for good."

"Hell of a plan my boy." Feather quill commented, before relaying what Shining just said to Gerhard. After listening to Feather Quill, Gerhard stood up. He had a bunch of bandages on his arm, yet he was still willing to fight. He then approaches shining and bows his head.

"Du bist ein tapferer Krieger. Ich bin froh, dich kennengelernt zu haben, Shining Armor." Gerhard would say, Shining gives him a smile, he didn't need a translation to know Gerhard was giving him his respects.

"You're brave Gerhard, braver than most of my ponies back home. It's an honor that we have met." Shining replied, bowing his own head. Gerhard would soon go back to where his platoon was camping. Shining approached his group and sat down.

"What are you thinking Shining?" Asked Applejack who he sat next too.

"Just worried. I hope Twilight is alright." He said as he stared into a campfire they had built.

"Twilight is tough, I'm more than confident she is alright." Rainbow said as she leaned up against a log, relaxing her body.

"That's why I'm worried, Twilight is tough, she is an Alicorn Princess. Her magic alone should have freed her, then why hasn't she done so!?" Shining Asked. "If she was safe, she would have sent a letter. I just... I just have a horrible feeling she isn't safe." Everyone gives him a concerned look. Despite trying to keep high spirits, Shining was right. Just how much trouble was Twilight in?

Léone stood on the highest balcony of her castle, overlooking the city of Blackstone, and the forest that surrounds it. She had two knight bodyguards wielding halberds. The sun was setting, turning day into night. She had her helmet on, and had the tip of her claymore stabbed into the ground, resting her hands on the hilt. She hears footsteps behind her, she doesn't need to turn to know it was Pierre. He kneels before speaking.

"Ma Matriarche, nos troupes sont installées comme vous l'avez ordonné. Nous attendons l'attaque entrante de Germania et Itallia. (My Matriarch, our troops are stationed as you ordered. We await the incoming attack from Germania and Itallia.)" Pierre informed with his head still facing towards the ground.

"Les imbéciles vont faire le jeu entre nos mains. Nous leur ferons croire que leur attaque nous a pris au dépourvu, mais une fois qu'ils penseront avoir le dessus, je détruirai leurs armées d'un geste de la main. Et avec nos armées offensives attaquant leurs capitales, tout Patriam sera à moi. (Fools will play the game in our hands. We'll make them think their attack caught us off guard, but once they think they've got the upper hand, I'll destroy their armies with the wave of my hand. And with our offensive armies ready to attack their capitals, all Patriam will be mine.)" Léone boasted from her balcony with her arms outstretched. Pierre slowly stands up, holding his helmet in one arm, as Léone holds her arms out to the heavens. Léone then slowly turns to look at Pierre, her devilish gaze falling upon him. She smirks under her helmet before approaching him. "Tu as été bon pour moi Pierre, très fidèle. Vous devriez être récompensé pour votre fidélité. (You have been good to me Pierre, very loyal. You should be rewarded for your loyalty)." Léone's horn began to glow hellish red. Pierre took a few steps back, fearful of what Léone was about to do. Before he could react, Léone shot out a beam of magic from her horn, striking Pierre. He groans as the spell slowly began To swirl around him like an aura. His armor darkened to a pitch black color, his hair turned into a pale white, and his eyes began to glow a crimson red. The aura seeps into him, his skin turning from a pale tan, to the color of ash. Pierre finally looks down at his own hands, his transformation complete.

"Ma Matriarche... Je... Je me sens... (My Matriarch... I... I feel...)." Pierre then looks to one of Léone's bodyguards, who was shaking in fear. Pierre grabbed the knight's throat with inhuman speed. The knight grabbed Pierre's wrists as he choked, trying to free himself. Pierre grined malevolently, as he hoisted the knight in the air by his throat with one hand, as if he were weightless. The knight tries to fight back, but with inhuman strength, Pierre crushes the knight's throat and neck, with a powerful squeeze. The sickening crack made Léone smirk under her helmet.
"Je me sens... Puissant! (I feel powerful!)"

"Excellent! Tu repousseras les envahisseurs après que je les ai décimés avec ma magie, mon Chevalier Noir! (Excellent! You will repel the invaders after I decimate them with my magic, my Black Knight!)" Léone chuckled like the devil as Pierre places his helmet on his head.

"Comme tu veux, ma Matriarche. (As you wish, my Matriarch.)" Pierre said with a low Growl in his voice.

It was early the next morning, so early the sun had yet to peek over the horizon. The three armies stood at the treeline of the forest, ready to attack. Shining stood next to the three monarchs, King Johannes Drachenkopf, and King Gabriele Santamano. Next to king Santamano was his daughter Princess Aurora, all clad in battle armor. Shining was accompanied by Feather Quill, and Twilight's friends. They were wearing armor, but no weapon as it was mainly for protection.

"Any words before battle Prince Shining Armor?" Asked Johannes, turning towards the brave pony knight. Shining lets out a loud sigh before speaking.

"To many, this is a war against aggressors, for many, it's a war to weaken an enemy. For my soldiers, it's to rescue our Princess... For me, it's to rescue a loved one. We all set aside out differences to be here today, to accomplish one goal! Despite the different reasons we are here, we share the same goal! To stop Gallia, and they're brutality! We may be separate, but today we fight as one!" Shining yelled, loudly. Johannes and Aurora quickly translate Shining's words, pumping up all the knights and rallying them up. many shouting to the sky and raising their weapons.

"Prince Shining Armor, before we begin, I have a gift for you." Said Aurora, stepping towards Shining. He looks to her, as she seems to wave someone over.
"Lorenzo, Vieni qui adesso. (Come here now)." Shining sees the knight him and Gerhard fought a few days ago approach them. He steps up to Shining and then quickly unsheathe a sword, the Sword Shining gave him to save Gerhard's life.

"Principe Shining Armor, Non è saggio che un guerriero ci guidi in battaglia, senza essere adeguatamente equipaggiato. (Prince Shining Armor, It is not wise for a warrior to lead us into battle, without being properly equipped)." Lorenzo lays the Sword of the Crystal Empire in his hands and offers it back to Shining Armor. Shining uses his magic to take the sword and the sheath back. He examines the sword before giving it an approving nod.

"Thank you Lorenzo." Shining thanked him as lorenzo got back in formation. Shining ties the sheath to his side and holds the sword high, and shouting in the royal Crystal Empire Voice.
"Everyone! We unite as one to face a dreaded enemy! We shall now charge and bring them to their knees!!!"

ATTACK!

ATTACKE!

ATTACCO!

As the three leaders shout their orders for attack, all soldiers in unison let out loud battle cries. All of which could be heard at the castle. A rather large force then charges out of the tree line and begins to run for the city walls. They split in three directions as the smaller group of the three run directly into the city doors. The doors flew open at the force of the impact, Surprisingly, the large city doors were not barred shut. On the other side of the door was a small army of Gallian knights. They let out a battle cry and charged the attacking force of Italia and Germania knights.

Shining waits on the other side of the wall, waiting for the squad to make their retreat. He was standing next to Johannes, who wielded a doubled-sided battle ax. After a good few minutes of fighting, the attacking force announced their retreat and began to run back outside the gates.

"Ils reculent! Poursuivez-les et achevez-les! (They are retreating! Pursue them and finish them off!)" A Gallian knight is heard yelling. A large force of knights charged out. Once a large portion of them ran out, they decided to strike.

"NOW! ATTACK NOW!" Yelled Shining as two giant forces crash together the bottle-necked Gallian forces. Johannes lifts his massive ax in the air, and brings it down hard onto one of the poor unsuspecting knights. Shining stayed with the unarmed members of his group, keeping them protected. He never landed any fatal blows, but he did his best to defend himself with his sword. After a short skirmish, Most of Gallia's attack force was wiped out, giving them a straight shot into the city.

"Die Gelegenheit ist unsere! Springen Sie in Aktion und bringen Sie diese Stadt in die Knie! (The opportunity is ours! Jump into action and bring this city to its knees!)" Johannes yelled out as he and the whole invading force ran inside. Majority of the knights split off, but the human monarchs stay with the ponies as they rush towards the castle. Fighting off any opposing knights who dare get in their way. They run towards the castle, expecting a huge fight, but when they get to the castle doors, they are surprised to see the guarding knights were already in a skirmish... with themselves? It appeared some of the Gallian Knights have turned on each other, slaying many of the castle guards. They approach the still standing Gallian knights, who just looked at their invaders, many wearing a strange symbol on their armor.

"Arrêtez, n'attaquez pas!" One of the knights yelled. Holding up his hand to signify them to stop.

"It's a trick! Never trust the Gallians!" Said Johannes, holding up his sword.

"Easy Johannes, We have a translator! Feather Quill! Check this guy out, what is he saying? Why did he attack his own men?" Shining Instructed. Feather Quill stepped out from behind the group and approached the still standing knights.

"Salutations les plus glorieuses. Qui êtes-vous et pourquoi avez-vous attaqué vos propres soldats? (Most glorious greetings. Who are you and why did you attack your own soldiers?)" Feather Quill spoke elegantly.

"Ce ne sont pas nos soldats ! Nous sommes la Résistance! (These are not our soldiers! We are the Resistance!)" The Soldier yelled with a balled fist.

"Résistance!?" Feather Quill said in shock. "They are a resistance!"

"Resistance!? Against Gallia!?" Shining asked in surprise.

"Léone n'est pas notre vraie reine! C'est un tyran qui nous a entraînés dans une guerre sanglante sans raison. Notre résistance a surgi pour résister au tyran Léone! (Léone is not our real queen! She is a tyrant who dragged us into a bloody war for no reason. Our resistance has arisen to resist the tyrant Léone!) The Knight yelled, flailing his sword in the air.

"No, They want the Queen of Gallia dead, they don't want this war against Germania!" Feather Quill said to the group.

"Get any at all information from him, I need to know I can trust him." Shining demanded, pointing his sword at the Gallian. Feather quill looked back at him before speaking.

"Quel est ton nom? (What is your name?" Feather asked him cautiously.

"Je m'appelle Blanche Trompeur!" He responded as he removed his helmet, to reveal that it was actually a female. The group was taken back, by her appearance and name.

"Trompeur!? That's Léone's last name!" Yelled Aurora stepping forward. "Why did she call herself Trompeur!?" Feather Quill relayed the question to Blanche.

"C'est ma sœur, j'étais censée être la prochaine sur le trône, mais elle a froidement assassiné notre père pour me voler le trône, puis m'a expulsé de ma patrie. (She's my sister, I was supposed to be next on the throne, but she coldly murdered our father to steal the throne from me, then kicked me out of my homeland.)" Blanche explained. Feather Quill's jaw practically fell to the floor.

"Léone is her sister!" Feather Quill shouted, shocking the entire group.

"She is a sibling to that witch!? Ask her how we can possibly trust her now!?" Johannes Demanded balling his fists.

"Je sais qui tu cherches, ce poney violet. Je peux vous aider à la libérer et à tuer ma sœur meurtrière. (I know who you're looking for, that purple pony. I can help you free her and kill my murderous sister.)" Blanche then sheathed her sword, and offered her hand to the group.

"She said she knows about Princess Twilight and will help us free her, and stop Léone." Feather Quill repeated. Most of the group was unsure, it was far too convient. But to their surprise, Shining stepped forward and took ahold of her hand with his hoof.

"If she is willing to help Twily, I trust her." Said Shining, giving an affirming nod to blanche who gives him one back. She places her helmet back on and looks at the group. Many were still somewhat skeptical of this new ally.

"Viens, je connais un passage secret. (Come, I know a secret passage.)" Her armor hid all her feminine features, including her helmet muffling her voice to sound more masculine. She then turned and ran towards the castle, as everyone quickly followed. She ran up to part of the mountain and began to run her fingers across it. The group was a bit confused until she found a small crack, she placed a hand on a rock jutting out from the side, she pushed it in and a large hidden door began to open, surprising everyone.
"Venir! Nous devons nous dépêcher! (Come! We must hurry!)"

"Whoa shit... Impressive." Said Shining, giving the passage a once over. He gets an uneasy feeling, so he looks over to one of his subordinates.
"Corporal Swift Strike, you and three others remain here at the entrance so no one follows us."

"Figlia, resto con le nostre truppe. Entrerai e assicurerai la nostra vittoria.(Daughter, I stay with our troops. You will enter and secure our victory.)" Gabriele Santamano turned to Aurora and placed his hands on her shoulders. Aurora nods and hugs him tight, as he hugs her back.

"Yes sir." Swift Strike saluted as the rest of the group entered the passage. The path leads far into the mountain, the air getting cold. But eventually, it started to get warm again. After around 5 minutes of walking, they approach an archway, and step out of the pathway. They stepped into a large stone brick hallway, there were two directions to go. The group looks at the two possible directions to go and they look to Blanche.

"Où vont ces deux chemins (Where do these two paths go?)" Asked Feather Quill, quickly shifting his head towards both directions.

"Ici en bas mène au donjon." Blanche points towards the left. "Ce chemin mènera à la salle du trône." She then points to the right.

"That way is the dungeon, and that way leads to the throne." Feather Quill relayed the directions.

"I'm ending this now, Léone is mine!" Said Johannes as he turned to the right.

"I'm going to the dungeon, I'm looking for Twily!" Shining said, turning to the left.
"Crimson, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Spike with me! The rest of you go with Johannes, She'll be guarded pretty heavily." The group agreed and quickly split off.

Johannes along with Aurora, Blanche, Gerhard, and Lorenzo with the rest of the soldiers rushed to the right and began heading upwards. They see a door and barge through it. Many guards stood ready at the throne room and quickly engaged the invaders. Johannes spearheaded the attack with a massive side swing with his ax, knocking many of the guards back and giving them room. An all out battle ensues in the throne room, each side taking casualties. Gerhard, Despite being Injured, is able to use his shield efficiently and go in with deadly strikes with his sword. Lorenzo dual wields his swords, overwhelming his opponents with a barrage of offensive attacks. Blanche wielded a longsword and a dagger, as she blocked and parried with her sword, she dealt killing blows with her dagger. Aurora stood back to back with Johannes, defending each other from incoming attacks. For the pony guardsmen, they stood in formation with their spears. At first they were dealing non lethal blows. But after a large group of guards rammed into them, they broke their formation. A guard was knocked down before a human guard quickly stabbed him in his soft underbelly, twisting his sword to ensure the kill. The pony guards see the death of their fellow guardsman. They all let out a battle cry before charging the Human guards, their spears now aiming for killing blows. After a hard fought fight, only a handful of survivors stood. Johannes, Aurora, Gerhard, Lorenzo, Blanche, and around 5 remaining pony guards. They look around, they quickly mourn their fallen before turning towards the throne, but that's when they notice something shocking, something they didn't notice before because they were fighting. The throne was empty, Léone wasn't there.

Shining and the others race downstairs, Shining and Crimson with their weapons out. They race into the dungeon, and begin to look frantically around for Twilight. They would pass by multiple torture equipment, praying to Celestia none of it was used on Twilight. After looking for 10 minutes, Shining comes across a wooden door. He tried to open it, but it was locked up pretty good. He shoves his sword near the lock and begins to use it as a crowbar. Using his own strength and magic to pry the door open. He finally does and looks inside, in the dark corner, he sees something move. It was curled into a ball, and... purple.

"Twily?..." He asked, stepping into the dark room. the ball seemed to unravel, slowly rolling over. Shining armor holds his breath as he soon meets the wide pained purple eyes.

"...sh-shiny...?" A soft shaky voice responds. Shining Armor feels his heart ache upon hearing the weakness in the voice. He steps closer, as his eyes get used to the darkness, on the ground, looking up at him was Twilight. He falls to all four of his knees and hugs her close. Twilight scrambles to get closer to him, fully embracing him and burying her face in his shoulder. Shining Armor wraps his hooves around her, not noticing her missing horn yet, he could feel how dirty her coat was... and how thin she was. She was cold, damp, dirty, and light. She had been neglected for awhile.

"Twily...Are you...?" Shining began to ask, but he was interrupted as Twilight began to sob into his shoulder, her sobbing turned into crying, and her crying then turned into wailing. Twilight was crying hard in her brother's arms, a cry that carried a lot of pain and suffering with it. Shining feels himself tear up as he holds his poor baby sister. He rubs her back to comfort her, as his own tears drop from his chin. He was silently promising to her that he would never let her go.

"Sh-Sh-Shi... Shi-Shiny!... P-pl-please get... me... o-out of here!... I wanna go home!" She continued to cry, completely soaking Shining's shoulder. He could hear crying behind him, he looks back and sees all of Twilight's friends had entered the room, seeing the scene themselves too made their hearts heavy. He motions them to join him, one by one they approach. All of them embracing Twilight in a soft hug, trying to comfort the broken spirit.

"S-Sir! Come here!" Sargent Crimson's voice rang out. Shining looking back at the entrance, he could see Sargent Crimson looking off with widened eyes. He reluctantly pulls away from Twilight, after begging him to not let her go. He assures her he wasn't going far. He exits the door and looks to the sargent, who is still looking off in fear.

"Sargent, what is wrong?" Shining asked, as Twilight's friends helped her to her feet, and aided her in walking out of the room. Crimson only pointed where he was looking, and Shining shifted his eyes and held his breath at what he saw. A lone human, wielding a massive sword. The helmet, that of a skull.

Twilight sees it, and immediately she lets out a horrible scream, a scream of fear. She tried to pull away from her friends so she could get away, but they held her and tried to calm her down. Shining could swear he heard the human chuckle at seeing the fear she had wrought. Shining, noticing how his sister was reacting, glared at the human. He pointed his sword at them, and his voice rang out.
"You! What have you done to my sister!?" He demanded. The human only stepped forward, allowing Shining to get a better look at them. He soon notices the horn sticking out from her head, it was purple in color. Shining narrows his eyes at it, before turning back to Twilight. He could now notice her horn was gone.
"You... You fucking monster! How dare you!" He turned back towards knight, gritting his teeth. The human then let out a soft, evil laughter.

"I did what I had too." You could practically see the evil smile under her helmet. "It's so good to finally meet you, Prince Shining Armor."

"And who the fuck are you!" He demanded, thrusting his sword in her direction.

"I am Léone Trompeur! Queen of all of Gallia, and soon Empress of all of Patriam, and the world!" She boasted loudly. Many of the ponies took a few steps back, intimidated by her. They hear massive footsteps behind them, they look and see a human, with glowing red eyes, and black armor approaching from behind. They all gasp, but Sargent Crimson quickly turns, and holds up his spear to the new adversary.
"You must know by now that I have no plans in letting you leave here alive, Prince Shining Armor." Léone picked up her sword, and she got into a battle stance.

"I expected as such." Shining growled at her. After a brief moment of silence, both Shining and Léone lunge at each other, their swords clash, sparking wildly. The human in black armor unsheathes a sword and attacks Crimson, to which he defended himself. Twilight and her friends could only watch as the two fights went on. Léone would swing her sword over her head, clashing it with Shining's sword once again. Shining had to back away as Léone's sword was massive. Shining uses his sword to get in a quick stab, but a red magical shield blocks it, Shining notices Léone using magic, to block the attack. His eyes widened upon seeing her magic. She rams her shoulder into him, and swings again. Shining redirected the strike and once again went for a strike, But Léone uses her magic to shove him back. He grits his teeth and swings his sword, and he and Léone lock swords. Shining hears a loud crack, he turns behind him and sees the human in black, snapping Sargent Crimson's spear with a hard swing of his sword. Crimson looks on in awe, as the human swung his sword again, slicing right through Crimson's neck.
"Sargent!" Shining yelled, as Crimson just stood there, not moving. After some time, the head of Sargent Crimson fell to the floor, his body collapsing soon after.
"NO!!!" Shining focuses the magic in his horn to fire a large magical blast, hitting the human in black right in the chest and knocking him backwards. Léone took that opportunity to shove Shining backwards, but he retains his hoofing , but as he turns back, Léone slashes her sword. A loud clang is heard, along with a pained scream by Shining. Twilight looks to her brother, seeing his helmet flying off his head. Shining falls to the ground, and places his hoof over the left side of his face.

"Shining Armor!!!" Twilight yelled out in horror, seeing blood pouring out of Shining's face. He held his hoof to his face as he looked up at Léone, she was ready to stab him and end him, but she hesitated. Like she heard something. She quickly turns around just in time to block a massive attack, delivered by Johannes.

"King Drachenkopf!" Twilight's friends yell, as Johannes forces Léone backwards. She raises her sword to him, but she could see a whole attack force behind him. Seeing as she was outnumbered, she decided it was her time to end this battle.

"King Drachenkopf, You may have me out numbered, but not for long. It's time to decimate the invading forces outside, and claim my birthright." Léone said as her horn began to glow and she then swiftly teleported.

"Coward! Face me!" Yelled Johannes, before seeing Shining on the ground. Twilight and her Friends approach him, He slowly begins to stand, still holding onto his face.
"Prince Armor! What happened?"

"Fucking Bitch... got me good! Check on Crimson! Is he ok!?" He asked, hoping in vain he really didn't watch him die. Crimson's body laid in his own blood, and the black knight was no where to be found.

"Prince Armor, he is dead. We must get you and your company out of here!" Johannes yelled, as the remaining Royal guard went to assist Shining Armor. They began to exit the dungeon, running back into the path where Swift Strike stood guard. She had the look of horror on her face as the group came back out.

"Finally! We must leave! The invasion was a failure! We are retreating!" Swift Strike cried, Johannes gave her a surprised look.

"But we had the advantage! Why should... we... retreat?" As Johannes Spoke, they all could see the carnage. Their soldiers littered the ground of Blackstone, pools of blood everywhere.
"What... the..."

"It was this crazy human with Magic! She levitated her sword and began to cut us down with ease!" Swift Strike Cried, panic filled her voice.

"Léone!? But she couldn't have been out here longer than 5 minutes!?" Aurora yelled, as it had taken them that long to get out of the dungeon. In the distance, they could hear the pained screams of their men. They all quickly run towards its source, ending up near the front gates. There stood 5 knights, standing defensively, against Léone. She raises her sword with her magic, and in one hard strike, was able to cut them all in half with a single strike. The group watches on both in amazement and horror. Her skills in magic were horrifyingly impressive. From the side, a single human stood. He charged Léone, but She grabbed him with her magic and levitated him. It was the King of Italia, Gabriele Santamano.

"Padre!!!" Aurora yelled, causing the king to look at her. He reaches for her, begging for help, but it is too late. Léone uses her magic to plunge her sword all the way through his chest. Aurora screams in terror as her father's body goes limp and falls to the ground.

"I have done it, I have killed all three monarchs! I killed my father, King of Gallia. Johan Drachenkopf, King of Germania. Finally Gabriele Santamano, King of Italia!" Léone cried to the heavens before turning to look at the group. "And as your capitals were left undefended, they burn! Burning to the ground! PATRIAM IS MINE!!!" The group takes a few steps back, as Léone holds her hand out, using her magic to bring her sword back into her hand. A loud stomp is heard behind them, The black knight was back, covered in blood and covering their flanks. Both the knight and Léone began to step closer, with the intention of destroying the rest of them. Shining, seeing now way out, began to funnel all his magic into his horn, it began to grow bright, catching Léone off guard. In one powerful flash, the whole group disappears. Leaving the black knight and Léone alone.

"Ma Matriarche, ils se sont téléportés! Nous devons les trouver! (My Matriarch, they teleported! We have to find them!)" The knight growled as he clenched his fist.

"...Non, Pierre." Léone said, lowering her sword. The knight gave her a weird look before she spoke again. "Je vais leur permettre de partir, ils n'auront nulle part où aller sauf Equestria. Ils seront mes messagers pour le reste des royaumes. Que je viens les conquérir tous. (I will allow them to leave, they will have nowhere to go but Equestria. They will be my messengers to the rest of the kingdoms. That I come to conquer them all.)" Léone would chuckle to herself, eager to start her conquest.

The whole group teleported back to the camp, there was a handful of knights there who had retreated. many of the humans collapse, not use to teleportation. Shining collapsed due to exhaustion. As he was no longer holding his face, his wound was obvious. A large slash over the left side of his face, destroying his left eye. After the humans get over their dizziness, they stand up and begin to assess their situation. Johannes comforted a distraught Aurora, who just watched her father die. Feather Quill and Swift Strike would help up Shining Armor, and began to address his wound, cleaning it and wrapping it with bandages. Shining quickly looks over at Twilight with his good eye, she was finally free. Once his bandage was on he approached her, pulling her into a hug, one she accepted greedily. As if she was trying shield herself from the world with his body.

"Twily... Are... are you ok"" He asked her gently, rubbing her back. She was shivering, not used to the outside cold.

"I... I am now..." She nuzzles her face into his chest before looking up at him, his bandaged face causing her to tear up again.
"Shiny... your eye..." She whimpered.

"Don't worry about me... What happened to you? Where is your horn?"

"That monster... that horrible horrible monster cut it off... and took it... she found a way to... to..." She began to cry again, causing Shining to pull her head into his chest again to comfort her.

"It's ok Twilight... you can explain once we get home." Shining whispered into Twilight's ear, causing her to relax. As the sun began to rise higher, the sky filled with smoke. Many of them look up to see two large plumes of smoke rising, on each side of the country. Johannes knew exactly where they were coming from.

"Oh my god... Safehaven... Sanctuary... Léone wasn't bluffing. Our cities are on fire!' Johannes exclaimed as the smoke rose higher and higher in the air from the direction of the two cities.
"She played us... She wanted us to attack... it left us wide open...

"Johannes... what do we do?" Aurora asked through her tears, Johannes hugs her tight.

"I...I don't know..." The sound of defeat in his voice. "I... I have failed my people..."

"Come with us..." Shining's voice spoke up. Both the humans looked at him, he was still holding Twilight close. He had a serious look on his face.
"Come to Equestria with us. We'll shelter you, and we will work together and bring down Léone." Johannes looked at Shining Armor, This was the first time Johannes stoic expression broke. His face was full of sorrow and sadness.

"Thank you Prince... Thank you." Was all he responded with.

"Spike, Send a letter to Princess Celestia. Tell her to meet us at the boarder with as many soldiers as she can bring. We'll pick up anyone else fleeing along the way." Shining Said. He looked at who was left standing. A feeling of dread fills him, it would only be a matter of time before he and Léone would meet in battle again.

Author's Note

And that concludes this story! So happy it's finally done! Don't forget to check out the Epilogue. A lot of questions are still unanswered, all will be revealed soon! However, some of the plot will be decided by you! Will the humans be hostile to the ponies, or show peace? Is Blanche trustworty, or should no one trust a Trompeur? Which Kingdom will Léone attack first? Thank you all for reading!