The sun peeked through the curtains as Marshall felt his head throbbing while his eyes were spinning.

"Ohh my head..." he groaned before felt a weird sensation in his loins and could feel something soft and heavy on top of him.

"Mmm morning stud~." Lightning moaned as his vision began to clear and he could see her riding him gently.

"Last night was amazing~."

"L-lightning? Ahh...w-what are you doing?"

"Getting rid of your morning wood of course~." Lightning giggled just as Raven entered the room.

"Oh! Morning darling."

"R-raven! I can explain!" Marshall groaned as Lightning pushed him back down.

"No need dear, I arranged for all this to happen." Raven smirked while seating herself next to the bed.

Marshall had to take a moment to comprehend what his lover had told him, while also trying not to nut so soon inside Lightning. "Somehow, I had a feeling you were behind this."

"I saw the way you two were flirting during the party so I figured you'd want some excitement." Raven said while setting her glasses aside and undoing her hair bun.

"Besides, this isn't the first time you bucked another girl besides me~."

"R-raven I-AAIIII!!" Marshall arched his back as he finally came inside Lightning who was biting her lip in satisfaction.

"Mmm oh I'm definitely liking you now Marshall~." She said while they caught their breath.

"If you ever need to rub one out, I'm not far~."

"I'll keep that in mind~." Marshall leaned over and kissed Lightning on the cheek before turning his gaze over to Raven. "Still got a little left in the tank."

"Say no more~," Raven purred before slipping out of her clothes and straddled her lover.

"Why didn't you join us last night?" He asked as she slowly unbuttoned her blouse.

"I was busy pulling an all nighter, those documents don't sort themselves you know~."

"Think I'll stay in case there's a round three~." Lightning smirked before they heard someone frantically knocking on the door.

"My lord! you are needed at the gates!" A guard shouted from the other side.

"I'm kind of busy right now!" Marshall shouted back while the girls giggled.

"I'm under orders from Prince Shining Armor to drag you out if necessary sir." the guard replied before all three sighed in unison.

"Next time love." Marshall smirked as they gave each other a quick peck before getting dressed.

As Marshall left with the guard, Raven and Lightning were left alone, one naked, and the other partly naked. Given the situation, Raven smirked while Lightning crawled over to her. "Guess we can make our own fun~," Lightning teased.

"I suppose." Raven adjusted her glasses before noticing the wine bottle still on the nightstand.

"But first thing's first. Tell me what made you change your mind about my stallion."

Palace gates

The guards atop the palace gates were in the middle of a card game there were four guards in total with a large stack of bits in the middle and one of the four was richer then his fellow guards and had a laid back smirk as he placed his hand down.

"Four of a kind boys." The guard said causing the others to groan in annoyance.

"I swear you're cheating you bastard." One of the guards cried as the winning guard scooped up the pot.

"It's not my fault you have terrible giveaways for example Bronze your tail twitches whenever you get a good hand. Pommel you're eye twitches and Spear it's your ears." The winning guard said when suddenly he was hit on the back of his head by a decorated Earth Pony.

"And your left wing fluffs up like a Celestia damn peacock Sure Strike." The Earth Pony growled in a disapproving growl.

"Captain Iron Hoof we were just uh..." The guard known as Spear started.

"Goofing off instead of doing your jobs." Iron Hoof stated as he walked towards the outter side of the walls.

"We're sorry sir it's just we've been on watch all day and we figured we could take a small break after all what force could sneak up on us in half an hour." Sure Strike stated.

"How bout the one currently standing at our gates." Iron Hoof said.

Hearing this the four guards rushed to join their commanding officer and to their shock they saw a coloum of eight rows leading down the road standing motionless before the gates each one of the figures was dressed in black leather and polished silver plate armor they were clothed head to toe in armor with masks covering their faces the warriors carried various weapons but most of them carried one handed longswords and kite shields and the guards then noticed burnt cloth for banners hanging above the soldiers with a white moon crudely painted upon the tattered and charred fabric symbolizing their loyalty to the lunar princess.

"Who goes there?!" Iron Hoof demanded.

"Commander Bulwark of Princess Luna's Black Prior requesting entry!" came the reply from the stallion leading the massive column.

Shining Armor along with Double Edge and Marshall came to the gatehouse to observe the visitors from the battlements and could see they were well armed and had traveled many miles with refugees in tow after seeing the numerous wagons stretching down the road.

"They bare the crest of the border guard." Double Edge noticed the crest on Bulwark's armor.

"I thought they were wiped out?" Marshall said before Shining ordered for the gates to the open and the three went to meet Bulwark halfway.

"Hmm rock lizards and all well bred and heavily armored. These are no amateurs." Marshall said after getting a good look at their mounts while Double Edge was scanning their troops.

"Light infantry, heavy infantry along with a few cannons. They traveled far."

When the gates were opened Bulwark gave the signal to move forward and when they marched the soldiers marched in perfect sync their iron clad boots creating a sound akin to thunder with each step.

The guards at the entrance were on edge as each of the black knights marched passed them without so much as a sideways glance as if they were golems under the spell of a powerful mage. Once they were through the gates, the soldiers stopped in perfect syncrhonization as their leader dismounted and knelt before Shining Armor in true knightly fashion.

"Rise." Shining said as the masked knight met his gaze.

"If it is truly you Sir Bulwark then I am glad to see you alive. We heard about the fall of the storm wall and feared the worst."

"I regret to inform you that your fears were founded many lay dead there but not through cowardice they all served with honor and have earned their rest." Bulwark said calmly.

"And your commander?" Shining asked.

"Amidst the fallen my soldiers elected me commander second only to Princess Luna herself." Bulwark explained.

"Where did you all come from?" Cadence asked after noticing the refugees in the wagons.

"We have just come from conquering Hollow Shades. The area is now under our control." Bulwark said as they all gasped in astonishment.

"Hollow shades?!? that's impossible, it's deep within Dainn's territory!" Marshall said in disbelief.

"If it's deep in Diann's territory then horned bastards military standards are sloppy the siege was over within an hour." Bulwark said.

Wanting to get them out of the cold, Cadence ordered for the guards to bring the refugees food and clothes as they disembarked from the wagons. Many of them were thestrals who had their wings mutilated and encased in black boxes and all were malnourished and sickly from the constant mistreatment of their former masters.

"Is princess Luna not with you?" Shining asked while looking around.

"No she goes to meet with a prince of some sort a caribou who seems to despise Diann and all who follow him as much as we do." Bulwark explained.

Hearing this made the people gasp. Never before had they heard of the northlanders fighting their own in the year since they took over Equestria.

"A caribou fighting his own? You gotta be joking." Shining said, believing this to be just a rumor when one of Bulwarks scouts stepped out of line to confirm his story.

"It is true sir, I myself delivered a message to this rebel leader. They call him "Wulfric" of the "Warborn" clan. They took over a base in the myre and have formed an alliance with the changelings."

"WITH CHRYSALIS?!?" Twilight shouted in outrage.

"Calm down Twilight, I'm sure there's an explanation for this." Cadence advised her sister-in-law.

"We can also confirm that ladies Applejack and Rainbow Dash were seen with them. Not as slaves but as fellow rebels."

"Wait Applejack and Rainbow..." Twilight began before she went in to thought.

"It wasn't just them but many females were there unbond from chains and some were even armed and training for combat." The scout reported.

"Furthermore Princess Luna has entered the mind of this Wulfric and has stated he at the moment is trustworthy." Bulwark stated.

"I don't believe it!" Shining objected.

"I refuse to believe that these...Warborn are allies we can trust until I meet this Wulfric myself!"

"But Big Brother if Applejack and Rainbow are with him then maybe-"

"Twily don't be so naive." Shining said to his sister.

"Until Princess Luna gets here, no northlander sets foot on these borders."

"SIR!" the guards saluted their prince before being dismissed.

Bulwark was brought into the palace to discuss the developments in private yet through the entire time, he never removed his mask even to eat or drink when he was brought refreshments and refused to have servants attend to him when he was given a chance to bathe.

His men were just as similar as they shared a meal with their fellow guards in the mess hall and ate in absolute silence all while keeping their faces hidden.

"You heard the rumors?" One of the guards spoke in a hushed voice.

"There's a band of northlanders that are actually fighting against old Stonehoof, ransacked Ponyville and took most of the riches and slaves."

"I hear those slaves were freed and have joined them."

"Oh come on, what fool would join a bunch of snow loving savages?"

"They're not fools," Bulwark said. "I've seen them myself. They may not be like us, but they're just as hell-bent on killing that bastard as we are."

"And you would actually trust one of them?" the guard asked as he took a swig of ale.

"Personally I say we stay out of it and let the brutes kill each other off. Make things easier for us!"

Before anyone could say anything more there was a tolling of a giant bell and as one the masked warriors stood up and left the mess hall much to the confusion of everyone else present who decided to follow them and watched as they all walked towards the courtyard and upon arriving they organised themselves into rows and turned towards where the moon would rise and as soon as it peaked from the horizon as if rehersed thousands of times the warriors all in sync got to their knees clasped their hands together and began to chant

As the bystanders watched they were dumbstruck by the chorus of voices that echoed far and wide and the sound drew others too who could do nothing but watch and those who could not watch listened intently.

"What was that?" Marshall asked as the song ended.

"I...I could be mistaking but...I think they were singing a prayer to the moon." Twilight said as she stood in awe.

"To the moon?"

"Long ago, Princess Luna had I what I guess what you might call a sort of religion based around her as she was the protector of the night. They called it The Lunarian Faith and it was widely practiced until her banishment." Twilight explained as the knights went back inside to resume their meal.

Double Edge paused from his meal and sighed heavily.

“I just can’t let it go…” Double Edge said. “Shining? I must request to lead a scouting party.”

“A scouting party? What for?” Shining wondered.

“I want to meet with these rogue Northerners for myself,” Double Edge said.

"I agree." Twilight said to her brother.

"And I wish to accompany him. I need to know if Applejack and Rainbow are truly safe."

"Twily-"

"Shining let her go. You know how hard headed she can be." Cadence chimed in as her husband gave a defeated sigh.

"You really are Celestia's student." He smirked while shaking his head.

"Very well. I will make this an official diplomatic mission."

“Scouts!” Double Edge called to one of the younger soldiers. “Where were the rogue northerners last sighted?”

"Along the borders of the swamp sir."

"We can travel by river, it'll be faster."

“Double Edge, are you certain you wish to do this?” Cadence said.

“No offense, your majesty, but we’re all working on borrowed time,” Double Edge said. “If it’s possible these rogues can become a potential ally, it may just be the advantage we need in this war.”

"Princess Luna has given them her trust. I think we should follow her lead." Twilight added.

"Very well. You'll leave first thing in the morning. Be careful Twily."

The Next Morning

With their destination set in stone, Double Edge, Twilight, and a small party of soldiers stood by and accessed themselves before heading off. Double Edge was occasionally glancing at Twilight since she was wearing a new set of armor Shining and Cadence procured for her.

“Where were you hiding that fancy gear?” Double Edge asked.

"My brother had it made for me in case I would need it...we were hoping I'd never have to use it." Twilight said before receiving a hug from her family.

"Come back safe." Shining hugged his little sister tight.

"Of course, I can't leave my favorite niece now can I?" Twilight smiled while giving Flurry heart a tummy tickle.

Flurry Heart giggled and cooed as she reached up and grabbed Twilight's finger

"Twily!" Flurry giggled while staring up at her, her eyes sparkling with... Hope. Hope for a brighter future.

Once their goodbyes were said, Twilight and Double Edge sailed downriver towards the borders of the empire with everyone wishing them a safe journey as they were showered with petals and confetti.

"Good luck princess!"

"Be safe out there!"

"Thank you everypony! We'll be back!" Twilight said as she waved goodbye to the citizens.

With their goodbyes done, and their course set, Double Edge and Twilight’s journey to find the rogue caribou began. Double Edge made sure to keep Twilight by his side and kept his party off the main roads. The rain began to fall as the group marched on with their resolve held high. Twilight was still nervous from being out in the open again since the last time didn’t go so well.

“I wonder what these rogues are like?” Twilight wondered. “Even I find it hard to believe any caribou would rebel against Dainn.”

"I don't find it surprising." Double Edge said while adjusting his hood.

"A king like that? Someone's bound to rebel eventually."

The party made camp of the main roads so as to avoid being spotted and were able to get a small fire going to warm themselves while sharing a hot meal.

"From what we've gathered, the rebels have struck here, here and here." Double Edge pointed to a few areas crossed out on the map.

"If we can find a safe path through the swamps we should be able to find their base."

"But sir, what if they're not who we think they are? the princess could be in danger." One of the men asked.

“Call it a gut feeling,” Double Edge said. “Besides, even if on they off chance they aren’t what we thought they were, princess Twilight has strict orders from princess cadence to teleport back to the crystal empire.”

"And aside from that, two of my friends were spotted with these rebels. If there's even a chance they are alive then I want to know for sure." Twilight said while warming her hands by the fire.

"I just want to know if they're safe..."

“I’m sure they are, Little Light,” Double Edge said.

snap!

The group flinched at the sound of a twig snapping and quickly formed a circle around the princess.

"Who's there!?" Double Edge shouted to the darkness while keeping his hand close to his sword.

"Show yourself!"

There was no sound for a tense moment until someone came stumbling out from the brush. The hooded figure slowly walked towards the group with their hands up.

“Show your face,” Double Edge demanded.

The figure nervously pulled off their hood to reveal a feminine face. Her fur was cream white, her hair was curly and a smooth brown color, and she had a curved horn coming out of her forehead that seemed to split at the tip.

“Who are you?” Double Edge asked, only to be met with silence. “Answer me now or we will take you down!”

“Sir! Wait!” One of the men said. “I think…I think she’s a Kirin!”

"He's right, look." Twilight said after using her light to give better illumination to reveal that the stranger was indeed a kirin and also an escaped slave.

“Why can she not talk?” Double Edge wondered.

“I think I remember reading somewhere that the Kirin monks have this holy vow of silence.” Twilight said. “Is that why you can’t speak?”

The Kirin said nothing, only to give a slight nod of her head.

"Come by the fire, warm yourself." Double Edge approached the kirin when she suddenly backed away in fear.

"It's alright, they're friends." Twilight said while gently taking her hand and leading her to the fire.

"Let's get her a blanket and a hot meal."

The Kirin nervously sat close to Twilight as one of the men gave her some rations.

“How deep do the Kirin take this vow of silence?” Double Edge asked.

“Oh, very seriously,” Twilight said. “I’m afraid even yes or no questions are rarely answered, like just now. But, considering her circumstances, I suppose you could try. Just make sure you ask only yes or no questions.”

Double Edge understood the princesses instructions and sat across the kirin while she cautiously ate her meal before carefully choosing his first question.

"Did you escape by yourself?" he asked when the Kirin shook her head and started tearing up.

"It's okay." Twilight held her gently.

"Can you take us to where you escaped from? Maybe we can help." Double Edge asked.

The Kirin stared at Double Edge with eyes that told him she didn’t trust him, despite taking her in.

"I got an idea." Twilight said as she sat in front of their guest.

"I'm going to use a spell to see into your memories. Is that alright?" She asked.

The Kirin seemed hesitant to let even Twilight see through her memories.

"Please. You can trust me." The princess said with a gentle smile as she placed her hand upon the frightened girls cheek.

The kirin then calmed herself as Twilights horn began to glow and the princess peered into her memories.

"She was a student at the temple but then she was taken as a slave..." Twilight said with her eyes closed but flinched when she saw images of the poor girl being violated in all sorts of humiliating ways.

"They did...horrible things to her and her friends...they were being transported when...GASP!!"

"Princess?" Double Edge called out to Twilight with concern as images of a fierce battle suddenly flooded her mind. A battle between northlanders.

"The caribou they're...fighting each other...it's the rebels!" She said when she saw one particular figure carving his way towards the cage to free her and her friends.

“So it’s true,” Double Edge said, scratching his chin.

“Her memoirs show that she and her group fled the scene. Before that, her home is still under suppression.” Twilight looked more into the Kirin’s memories until she gasped and slowly looked at Double Edge. “Double Edge…it’s Trouble Shoes! He’s been brainwashed, and is in control of the Kirin tribe!”

"Trouble Shoes? The rodeo clown?" Double Edge sounded surprised when he heard this.

"Why would he be rolling with these savages?"

“All I can see is that he’s under their control,” Twilight said. “We have to save him!”

"But princess we have no clue where he is and this young lady here is obviously too traumatized to tell us." One of the guards stated as Twilight held the girl close.

"I mean does she even have a name?"

“Cherry Bush,” Twilight said. “Her name is Cherry Bush. Double Edge, please, her people are in trouble.”

"....men prepare to move out. Miss Cherry, we're counting on you to lead the way." Double Edge gave the order as the soldiers got what rest they could before breaking camp at sunrise.

Twilight smiled gratefully and helped Cherry up to her feet. Before they were on their way again, Cherry ran up to Double Edge and wrapped her arms around his chest. The poor Kirin girl cried silently as if thanking him for helping her people.

"It's alright now." Double Edge smiled and held her like a child as they prepared to move out.

During the entire voyage, Cherry seemed to open up more while spending time with Twilight and clinged to her like a big sister while also spending some time with Double Edge whenever he needed help securing supplies or tending to their mounts.

“Princess Twilight, how does the Kirin vow of silence work?” One of the men asked. “Do they just not talk or make a sound anymore?”

"Well it actually has something to do with their origins." Twilight explained.

"Whenever the Kirin become enraged, they turn into flaming beasts called Niriks. To help deal with this, their queen ordered her people to bathe in a river known as The Stream of Silence. It not only silenced their voices but calmed their emotions as well."

"No wonder those northern bastards want them so bad. A slave who can't scream or beg is practically a dream come true for them." A soldier said before getting angry glares from the others as Cherry clinged onto Twilights arm.

"Sorry..."

"Hey look at this!" One of the scouts called out while pointing to a smoke stack in the distance.

"Looks like the town is under attack."

Cherry shook Twilight’s shoulder and pointed at the town with a pleading look. Twilight held her hand to read her mind and then turned to Double Edge.

“Some of her friends are in that town!” Twilight said.

"Men, let's move!" Double Edge gave the order and the entire party went full speed ahead towards the town as the sounds if fighting grew more intense.

The Town

The Warborn and Ghost warriors had struck just as the sun began to rise, catching the slavers off guard as their warriors began pillaging the town and ransacking all the shops while the slaves were freed of their bonds and taken to the town square.

"Take what treasures you can find! round up the slaves in the square and kill all who resist!" Wulfric shouted before headbutting a stallion who tried to charge him and sent him crashing into a nearby wall.

Arminius grabbed a Stonehoof by the neck and ran him across the street, impaling the buck's antlers into the back of a stallion that held a Kirin at knife point. "Go, you're free," He told the Kirin before snapping the Stonehoof's neck.

By the time the battle was done, many of the slavers were either dead or captured while the raiding party went to work on loading up their spoils into the longships.

"Another good haul." Rainbow Dash smirked with her axe resting on her shoulders.

"What do you boys wanna do now?"

"Like you need to ask?" Wulfric smirked before hoisting Dash onto his shoulders.

"AHH! Let me go!" Dash laughed while trying to get away.

"Ohh no, you asked what I wanted to do and what I want to do my sweet rainbow haired beauty is you~." Wulfric smirked as he spanked her and brought her to an empty house unaware Double Edge and his party had snuck into the town to investigate.

"Let me go!" Rainbow shouted as her lover brought her to the bedroom and threw her onto the bed.

"Come here you~!" Wulfric growled as he got on top of her and wrestled her hands atop her head while giving her an aggressive kiss.

"Mmm~...I hate it when you get like this." Rainbow smirked.

"And why's that?" Wulfric asked while pulling out his dagger to cut her top open.

"Because now I have to let you do anything to me~." Dash giggled but just as they were about to get hot and heavy, Wulfric was suddenly blasted by a wave of purple magic and was nearly stabbed by a pair of twin swords as Double Edge appeared from the smoke.

“YOU WILL NOT DEFILE ANOTHER MARE, STONEHOOF SCUM!” Double Edge bellowed as he charged at Wulfric.

"No wait!" Wulfric shouted before narrowly blocking the next attack as Twilight and the other guards stormed into the room.

"Twilight?!?" Rainbow Dash gasped upon seeing her friend.

"It's okay Rainbow, we're here now!" Twilight said while putting a shield up before Double Edge was pushed back.

"Listen, I am not your enemy!" Wulfric said while keeping his weapon down to show he wasn't a threat.

Double Edge gripped his swords and glared at Wulfric.

“You have one chance, caribou, one chance to prove you aren’t what we see you as,” Dougle Edge warned. “Choose your next words and action very wisely, or your head hits the dirt.”

"Let's just calm down for a moment." Wulfric said before Arminius and his warriors bursted into the room.

"Ah a feast for my axes!"

"Arminius stop! All of you stand down!" Wulfric shouted while Rainbow Dressed herself.

"What are you guys even doing here?" Rainbow asked in confusion while Twilight held her back.

"Rescuing you from being violated from this Stonehoof!" Twilight pointed an accusing finger at Wulfric.

Cherry suddenly grabbed Double Edge’s cloak and pulled it to get his attention. The Kirin pointed at Wulfric and shook her head as if pleading for him.

“You know this caribou?” Double Edge asked.

"You, you're one of the girls that escaped during the raid." Arminius said after recognizing Cherry and gave a relieved smile.

"Cherry are these the ones who saved you?" Twilight asked as Cherry nodded yes.

"And for the record, he wasn't "Violating" me, we were just about to have a little party after another raid." Rainbow said as Twilight's cheeks began to turn pink.

“Y-You’re together with a caribou?!” Twilight shrieked. “Are you nuts?! After everything they’ve done?!”

"Everything the Stonehooves have done," Arminius huffed.

"I..this is...uh..." Twilight stammered before putting down the shield as her head began to spin.

"This is a lot to take in...."

"I suggest we all take this outside and talk like civilized folk. Agreed?" Wulfric said while showing them the door.

As they all left, Arminius nudged Wulfric. "Talk about getting cock-blocked."

“Leave your arms inside, and surrender to be bounded, then we’ll talk,” Double Edge demanded.

"Don't push it friend. You only caught me off guard." Wulfric glared at the knight before stepping out first with Rainbow following.

"Rainbow wait!" Twilight said before hastily following after her to see her friend checking him for injuries like a mother with her child.

"You okay babe?"

"Ah just a bump to the head, I'll live but the mood has sadly died out." Wulfric sighed with a little smirk as they gave each other a quick peck in front of the princess.

Double Edge narrowed his eyes at Wulfric as the two stared each other down.

“First thing’s first,” Double Edge said as his men stood behind him. “Who are you? And why do you fight against your own kind?”

"I am Wulfric, Son of Hjalmarr and chieftain of The Warborn Clan. This is my friend Arminius Bearskin, Chieftain of The Ghost Clan. We sent word to Equestria of Dainns invasion before we were trapped in our homeland by some foul magic."

"The message...that was you?" Twilight gasped.

"It was. We wanted to end that bastard's plans before he could get to your shores. We were unsuccessful in that endeavor," Arminius spoke. "And that bastard is not of our own. He's a plague that needs to be wiped from this earth."

"I don't believe it!" One of the soldiers shouted.

"This is all a ruse! A trick!"

"You dare insult our-!" A female raider was prepared to lash out when Wulfric ordered her to stand down.

"If you still need more convincing, follow us." He said as they were taken to the longships where Twilight saw another familiar face.

"APPLEJACK!!"

"Twilight?!?"

Twilight wasted no time and ran towards her other friend and hugged hr close.

“Oh, Applejack, I’m so happy to see you!” Twilight cried tears of joy. “I was so worried I wouldn’t see you or Rainbow Dash again!”

“I’m happy to see you too, sugarcube!” Applejack said.

“I see…” Double Edge said. “Not only miss Rainbow Dash, but miss Applejack is safe from harm.” The lieutenant glanced at Wulfric and Arminius. “Be that as it may, I’m still unconvinced.”

“Oh come on!” Rainbow whined.

“Miss Dash, surely you of all ponies must understand where we’re coming from. You’ve obviously had more experience with these rogues, but we haven’t.”

"Trust me, these girls have had PLENTY of experiences~." Wulfric smirked before kissing Applejack as Twilights jaw hit the ground again.

"Mmm! mmmm~. What's got you so frisky hon?" Applejack smirked.

"What a man can't give the lady he loves a kiss?" Wulfric smirked before Double Edge reached for his swords again.

"Damn degenerate!!"

"Hold it there partner!" Applejack said while stepping in between them with her arms crossed under her bust.

“Double Edge, stop!” Twilight said.

“But Twilight-!” Double Edge was about to say.

“Lieutenant Double Edge! By order of your princess, I command you to stand down!” Twilight said in a commanding tone, unfurling her wings. “I am the leading authority here, and I will decide whether or not to trust these caribou! Am I understood?!”

"...yes your highness." Double Edge huffed while reluctantly sheathing his blades.

"Yeah we got a lot to talk about." Rainbow said to her friend when the raiders were dragging a stallion towards them.

"My lords, we found him!" One of them shouted before throwing a badly beaten up stallion to their feet. It was Trouble Shoes.

"You do this to him?" Arminius asked.

"No my lord. Poor fool fell down the stairs trying to run and then ran head first into the door. Knocked himself out cold."

The men laughed as Wulfric rolled his shoulders a bit before gripping his axe.

"Any last words before I lop off your head?" He asked as Trouble Shoes gave him a defiant glare.

“STOP!” Twilight yelled in her Royal Canterlot voice. Her voice boomed across the area, making many warriors cover their ears. “You will do no such thing, caribou! Look at the poor stallion’s eyes.”

"Aaah...yes I see them and all I see is a fool following a tyrants orders!" Wulfric shouted back while cleaning his ears.

"He deserves nothing short of an execution!"

"It's not his fault, he's under Dainns control!" Twilight argued.

"Even so, there's no saving him." Wulfric said while his men forced Trouble Shoes to his knees.

Twilight’s anger reached its highest peak as her eyes glowed bright and her horn flared. She raised her hand at Wulfric and entrapped him in her aura, making the stag’s limbs hang outward.

“Touch him…and you suffer my wrath,” Twilight hissed.

"Hey!" Arminius shouted, about to tackle the princess, but was held back by his own son.

"Wait! She might be able to cure him," Wiglaf pleaded.

"Stop talking nonsense, boy," Arminius countered.

"No, you listen to your son and let Princess Twilight try," Sigrid said while getting in her husband's face. Letting out a huff, he backed away. "Good."

"...you really think you can save him then?" Wulfric said, still trapped in her aura.

“I know I can,” Twilight said, then released him. “Trust me as you wish for me to trust you.”

"....Fine but the moment he attacks you, I cut him down." Wulfric said as she released him from her spell and the chieftain suddenly stumbled back a bit.

"Wulfric?" Arminius caught his friend as he began to catch his breath.

"That was too close. If she had pulled any harder my limbs would've popped off. this princess is not to be trifled with." Wulfric said as Twilight knelt in front of Trouble Shoes.

"Here to give me one last pleasure before I die your highness?" The former rodeo clown joked with a pained laugh as he clutched his sides.

“This isn’t you, Trouble Shoes,” Twilight said and placed her hand on his forehead. “You’re a gentle soul who wouldn’t hurt the smallest fly. You loved making ponies laugh and being with your friends in the rodeo, it was your dream.” Her magic began to flare again as she closed her eyes. “Return to who you once were.”

At first, Trouble Shoes tried to resist and struggled to get away before memories his life in the rodeos flooded his mind along with the sounds of laughter from the audience and the smiling faces of the foals. When the spell was done he fell to his knees and began trembling as tears began to fall from his face.

"What have I done....WHAT HAVE I DONE?!?" He shouted before sobbing his heart out and wailed furiously at his past actions.

"Odin's beard, she did it..." Wulfric said in disbelief when Twilight suddenly fell on her back and was rendered unconscious.

"PRINCESS!!" Double Edge ran to her side and held her up with Applejack and Rainbow Dash by his side.

"Men, we're taking them to our camp. All of them." Arminius declared before helping carry Twilight onto the longboat.

"On your feet man." One of the raiders helped Trouble Shoes to his feet as they sailed down river to the camp.

Wulfric looked at Double Edge as he tended to Twilight.

“To render her unconscious…” Double Edge frowned. “How deep does their curse seep into one’s heart and mind?”

"Allfather only knows." Wulfric said as they continued down river.

"Once she's rested, we'll talk."

"Hope you boys are hungry, we got some good grub waiting for us back at camp." Applejack stated as she sat back to enjoy the breeze.

“Wulfric, was it?” Double Edge said and Wulfric nodded with a hum. You mentioned you were trapped in your homeland. What did you mean by that?”

Wulfric then told the story of how he, Arminius and their people were given the offer to join Dainns conquest and were punished for refusing him when the tyrant king ordered his shamans to create a blizzard that trapped them for an entire season right up to the death of his father.

"And soon enough, I met my two lovelies here." He smiled while giving both Rainbow and Applejack a kiss.

Double Edge’s mood towards Wulfric and Arminius turned a little softer than before.

“It would seem I’ve made a small misjudgment,” Double Edge said. “But why make the effort to sail to our shores? Is it purely for the sake of revenge?”

"It's a blood debt." Arminius said while letting his son sit on his lap.

"When Dainn left us to starve, many of our families died miserable deaths in that frozen hell he created. Dainn must answer for his crimes."

"And we also must fix the mistake my great grandfather made when he exiled the stonehooves." Wulfric added before spotting the camp on the distant shore.

"We're here."

Once the longboats were ashore, the raiders were greeted by their friends and families while showing off their loot and bringing in the new refugees.

It was at that point when Double Edge saw that most of their plunder was seed grain and food stores rather than gold and jewels.

“This is your clan?” Double Edge asked curiously.

"Surprised?" Arminius asked while tossing him an apple.

"Everyone! We have guests, let's greet them warmly."

The clan cheered as they welcomed their new friends while the shamans tended to Twilight who was feeling like she had her head split open.

"Mmm..." the princess groaned as she began to awake.

“Twilight, are you okay?” Double Edge asked

“My head hurts…” Twilight groaned.

“You used a lot of magic, Little Light, more than usual,” Double Edge said. “Just rest.”

Twilight slowly sat up to find herself in the middle of the rebel camp and saw equestrians mingling with northlanders while their children played together and some were even seen kissing or holding hands by the bonfire.

"Where...are we?" She asked before being given something to drink by the shamans tending to her.

“It appears we are in the main camp of rogues,” Double Edge explained while taking off his helmet. “I never expected to find ourselves here, but I suppose it’s convenient for us since we wished to track them down.”

As Double Edge fixed his mane, the shaman does paused for a moment to steal glances at the lieutenant.

"Look who decided to join the living." Rainbow Dash said as she walked over with a fresh plate of food for her guests as they sat together to catch up.

"Where's Applejack?" Twilight asked while helping herself to the meal.

"She's um...filling in for me." Rainbow smirked while pointing to some shaky bushes just outside of the camp when Twilight caught a glimpse of a naked AJ being humped against a tree by Wulfric while having her tits sucked.

"O-Oh um...I didn't know you three were this close."

"Yeah it's weird I know." Rainbow said while swirling her drink.

"But trust me Twi, Wulfric's a good guy even though he's a little...rough around the edges~."

“So, they really aren’t like the Stonehoofs, aren’t they,” Double Edge said.

"We're nothing like those savages." Arminius said as he joined them.

"They oppress those weaker than they are and see compassion as a weakness. It sickens me that they are our kin but even moreso that my own brother has joined their ranks..."

"You have a brother?" Twilight was surprised by this revelation.

"He betrayed us and left us to die...he is no longer my kin and undeserving to be my sons Uncle." Arminius then spat to the ground as the very mentioning of his brother left a bad taste in his mouth before they were joined by his son.

"Ahh there's my little Drengr. Meet your new auntie." He chuckled while introducing Twilight.

"Wiglaf, this is Twilight, she's a friend of mine." Dash explained as he waved hello.

"Hi!"

“Um…hello,” Twilight said to the young buck.

“You’re really pretty!” Wiglaf said.

"Why thank you." Twilight smiled.

"A lady killer he is." Arminius joked.

"Already got two little fillies fawning over him."

"Dad!" Arminius whined before hearing Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon giggle from a short distance as they waved hello to him.

“Diamond Tiara? Silver Spoon? Is that you?” Twilight said as the two fillies entered the tent. “It’s good to see you girls. I was worried when they started taking fillies away.”

"Wiglaf saved us, he was so brave." Diamond said while batting her eyelashes at the young buck.

"And so strong." Silver Spoon added as she joined her.

"Girls, please stop..." Wiglaf begged as he began to blush.

"Well well, I go away for a few minutes and come to find little flowers blossoming." Wulfric chimed in as he walked in with Applejack who seemed a bit more chipper than usual.

"I hope our hospitality is to your liking princess."

“It is, thank you,” Twilight said. “And…I’m sorry for lashing out like that.”

"No apologies needed." Wulfric said as he waved off their previous argument.

"I'm sure you have many questions for us but I sense you are here for a greater purpose."

To this, Twilight placed her meal aside and composed herself to look more regal as their talks began.

"Lord Wulfric of The Warborn and Lord Arminius of The Ghost clan. I am here on behalf of Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence of The Crystal Empire as an ambassador."

"And what brings you to our humble camp?" Arminius smirked as he played along but all could see he was being serious.

"An alliance." Twilight said aloud and caught everyone's attention.

"We wish for you to join us in our fight to reclaim Equestria and dethrone Dainn Stonehoof."

“Now hold on a moment, your highness,” Double Edge interjected. “They may have shown us that they’re not like the Stonehoofs, but they’ve yet to prove themselves worthy of our trust.”

“Really? After all we’ve shown you?” Applejack groaned.

“No, no, he has a point, my dear,” Wulfric said, patting her hand. “Sir Double Edge, if you want more proof, how may we fully earn your trust?”

“By aiding me in freeing the Kirin kingdom,” Double Edge said.

"...I'm listening." Wulfric said while leaning forward.

"The Kirin Lands are within reach of the empire but our forces our stretched too thin. If you aid us and prove you are allies worth our trust then I will personally vouch for you in future talks of this proposal."

"Hmm...Arminius?" Wulfric turned to his friend so that he may voice his opinion.

"If it means earning their trust and being rid of more of Dainn's forces, then my ax is ready," Arminius said with a thump to his chest. "What do you think, break of dawn?"

"Dawn it is and we should have Pinkie and Fluttershy join us as well."

"Pinkie and Fluttershy are with you?" Twilight gasped as Wulfric gave an assuring nod.

"They're safe and have been well treated."

"I'm surprised Pinkie hasn't burst from a tree or the bushes to greet you, Princess." As soon as Arminius said that, Pinkie plopped down on the ground in front of them.

"Don't be silly, Arny. It's much more surprising to show up from above," Pinkie said before Twilight brought her in for a hug.

"PINKIE!!" She shrieked with joy while squeezing her friend tight.

"Aww I missed you too Twilight." Pinkie said while returning the hug.

"Um pardon me?" Fluttershy peeked through the tent as Twilights eyes began to flood with tears.

"I um had to make sure she didn't get lost."

"Ha ha! this calls for a celebration then! Come eat and drink your fill, tonight you are guests in our home." Wulfric said as he stood up and raised his mug.

"To new friends, SKAL!"

Double Edge raised his mug as well as the group downed their contents. Just then, two shield maids looked at each other and nodded before sauntering up to the lieutenant.

"Hey there stranger."

"Care to dance?"

Their flirting was interrupted when Cherry suddenly pulled him away and gave them a murderous glare.

“Hey now, what’s with you, girl?” Double Edge asked.

"Ooh this little one's jealous." One of the maids teased as Cherry stuck her tongue out at her.

"Don't suppose she's interested in sharing?" The second one winked while giving Double Edge a peek down her shirt before Cherry clinged tighter to his arm before they went to find another partner.

“Cherry,” Double Edge said, making the Kirin mare flinch. “Is what they say true?”

Cherry looked away in embarrassment before looking up at him with big puppy dog eyes and nodded. Her grip on him lessened before she rubbed her head along his chest and made a slight purring noise at the back of her throat.

Double Edge was unsure how to react to her affection but simply smiled as he softly stroked her head with his hand.

“You’re a sweet mare, Cherry,” Double Edge said softly.

Cherry made what sounded like a happy squeal before hugging around Edge's waist.

Seeing this as the perfect chance, Wulfric cued the musicians to play something more festive as everyone gathered around the bonfire to dance.

"Shall we my lovelies?" Arminius smirked offering each of his wives an arm to link.

Cherry listened to the music and looked up at Double with her big eyes once again. The stallion chuckled and took a step back before clearing his throat.

“Miss Cherry Bush, would you do me the honor in joining me for a dance?” Double Edge said in a noble tone as he held out his hand. Cherry smiled before doing a small bow and took his hand as they joined in the dance.

Twilight soon joined in with her friends and the air was filled music and laughter. It began to remind her of the days before the war and when the song ended all let out a round off applause as Wulfric took center stage around the crowd.

"My friends, hear me!" He called out.

"Tonight we raise a toast to our guests. Princess Twilight and her companions. Thank you for joining us in our feast tonight."

"Our friends ventured far across these perilous lands with good tidings. Shining Armor; the prince of The Crystal Empire himself has called upon us to seek an alliance against our hated foes the stonehoof clan!" Wulfric announced as they gave a short cheer.

"But! Before he can accept our aid, we must prove our worth. Far to the east, the kirin people suffer under the iron grip of Dainn and his minions and we swore an oath to free ALL from that monsters grip! Did we not?!" Every Raider let out a battle cheer that shook the air itself.

"Then eat and drink your fill, make love to your woman and comfort your children for tomorrow we turn our axes east and the land will once more run red with the blood of Stonehooves!! SKAAAL!!"

"SKAAAALLL!!!"

Once again, everyone raised their mugs and downed their drinks. There was laughter all around as the Warborn and Ghost clans mingled and enjoyed themselves. Meanwhile, Double and Cherry were dancing to lively music together. Despite being mute, Cherry had the brightest smile across her face as she danced with the stallion who took her in.

“You’re quite the dancer, my dear!” Double laughed.

Cherry could only blush in response as the music continued onto a more softer tone. The Kirin's eyes seemed to glow with an inner light as she stared at Double Edge with a warm smile before leaning on his chest. Some of the men who had been watching gave him a thumbs up and a smug grin as he let her rest on his chest before the music ended.

"You know...I think I know how we can help the poor girl." Said Applejack to Twilight.

"What do you mean?"

"When Fluttershy and I first met the Kirin, we found this plant called Foals Breath. It helped break the spell that kept them silent and I think this girl could benefit from that."

"Sounds promising." Twilight said with intrigue.

"Once we get to the Kirin lands, I'll be sure to keep an eye out for the plant but I'll need yours and Fluttershy's help."

End.

Author's Note

Sorry for the delay everyone. I just recently got over a fever and had to rest for a few days. Updates will continue so have patience, me and my co-writers are working as diligently as we can to make sure each chapter is written to its full extent for your viewing pleasure.