Fall of Equestria: For Honor (revamp)

In the following month, Shining Armor had decided that the army needed some much needed time to recooperate after so many consecutive battles. Marshall was placed in charge of the now occupied stronghold with a battalion of his best troops to keep watch for the counterattack from Dainn that was sure to come.

In the palaces medical wing, a certain pegasus was lying in bed with an oxygen tube placed in his nostrils as his chest slowly rose and fell with each breath he took. It had been a long time since he had felt so comfortable and so relaxed after being confined and tortured for what seemed like an eternity. He would soon be roused from his sleep when Twilight came in with a lunch tray and a warm smile as she called out to him.

"Flash? Flash it's time to eat."

Flash blinked away the dots from his vision before smiling at Twilight. "I thought being rescued was a dream. A moment of happiness before the pain started again." He takes Twilight's hand, where she nuzzled it with her cheek. "Seeing your smiling face reminds me the dream is real."

"I promise it's no dream." Twilight smiled while holding his hand for a few moments.

"I hope you got an appetite. It's soup today."

"A princess feeding me? I'm honored." Flash teased as she prepared his meal and all the while he could not take his eyes off her and that bright smile of hers before she began feeding him.

As Twilight kept feeding him, her smile started to waver. "You had me worried, Flash." She said before putting down the spoon. "I thought you were killed that day, and I lost the love of my life."

"I would gladly give my life if it meant keeping you safe." Flash said as he took her hand.

"But all the same, I'm sorry I worried you." He smiled as a doctor came in for his daily checkup.

"Good morning Lieutenant Flash, how are we today?"

"Feeling a little stronger doc."

"Good to hear and I see Twilight is helping you with your lunch." The doctor smirked at the young couple.

"Now remember princess he must eat slowly. Poor fellow had to have his stomach pumped after what those fiends did to him."

"What do you mean doctor?" Twilight asked with concern as the doctor explained.

"They fed him poisoned food. Now mind you the toxins weren't enough to kill him but they were potent enough to cause unbearable pain."

"They tried to break me." Flash said as the memories came back.

"They wanted me to tell them where I sent you but I never said a word...but the torture isn't what scared me." He said while looking at Twilight.

"It was the thought...of never seeing you again."

"Oh Flash." Twilight smiled as she kissed his forehead before resuming to feed him.

“Doc, can you please go and get Shining Armor and Double Edge? I need to speak with them,” Flash requested.

"Just one last thing." The doctor then turned Flash's head to the side to reveal some kind of mark branded into his skin as he jotted down a few notes before leaving.

“What is that?!” Twilight yelped.

“A slave brand,” Flash sighed. “They gave me it a few days into my imprisonment. But even after all that, I still held strong.”

"What was the point though? I thought only females were branded." Twilight asked feeling worried for her coltfriend.

"I'll tell you when the others get here, I promise." Flash said as he took a deep breath and finished his meal just as Shining and Double Edge arrived along with Bulwark and their other comrades.

"Getting better soldier?" The captain smirked while joining his sister.

"Forgive me for not saluting sire." Flash said as Shining waved off his concerns.

"Please, call me Shining. We're all friends here."

"This is the one you spoke of?" Bulwark asked as he entered.

"Bulwark where have you been?" Double asked.

"Busy...intelligence is not an easy source to come by right now what with Diann cracking down on spies." Bulwark spoke.

"Oh you haven't met. Flash, this is Bulwark. Princess Luna's new general."

"Sir." Flash nodded in acknowledgement of his superior.

"Now Flash. If you can, tell us what happened to you after your capture." Shining Armor said while he sat next to him and Flash took a deep breath as he recalled his captivity.

"After I was captured...they took me to the king." Flash began as the memory of him being dragged through the throne room all bruised and battered after helping Twilight escape.

"He wanted to know where Twilight was going but I refused...then he did this to me." Flash then pointed to the brand on his neck.

"After that, these other stags in robes began some kind of strange chant and my head started to hurt and my world began to spin..."

As he recalled the memory, the brand on his neck suddenly began to burn as though the iron was still hot and his head began to feel like it was about to burst open.

"AAAGH!!"

"FLASH!!" Twilight called out while the others held him down.

"Easy soldier! Breathe!!" Shining yelled as Flash continued to writhe in pain.

"AAAH!! The pain!! MAKE IT STOP!!" Flash screamed just as Double Edge managed to hold his head in place long enough to see the brand mark flaring red.

"Wulfric, your magic!!"

"On it!" With a gentle touch, Wulfric placed his hand on the brand and began using his ice magic to ease Flash's pain as the soldier began to feel relieved and settled down.

"Aaggh..."

"W-what was that?" Twilight gasped having been frightened by the whole ordeal as Wulfric removed his hands to get a closer look at the mark.

"Son of a bitch...that's a rune of binding."

"A what?" Shining asked.

"A kind of mark used on slaves to keep them in line. This must be how Dainn recruited so many followers, willing or not."

"Can it be removed?" Twilight asked while the nurses checked on Flash.

"I think so but I gotta see the elders about this."

Wulfric came back with one of the elder shaman, an old stag with a few points missing from his left antler, and he was blind in his right eye. The Shaman passed his hand along the brand and muttered a soft chant. After letting out a sharp gasp, the shaman turned to the others. "He has been branded by the enemy!"

"We already know that!" Shining said before pointing at Flash. "How do we-Woah!" He stepped back as the shaman brought out a knife with runes along the blade. "What are you doing!?"

"We need to cut the brand off." That was all he said before he moved with speed the others thought he didn't have before he started to slice off the brand.

Flash screamed as the blades tip dug into his flesh while the nurses held him down.

"STOP! YOU'RE KILLING HIM!!" Twilight begged as she was held back by her brother.

Continuing his work, the shaman started slicing around the brand, doing his best to slice the skin and not go too far into the meat. After a few pain filled minutes, the shaman got the brand off. He quickly placed it in the fire and chanted as the flesh burned with a green flame.

"What in the name of Celestia?" Double Edge said with shock while Flash was given a patch to cover his neck injury. The group breathed a sigh of relief just before Wulfric suddenly bonked the old stag over the head and became infuriated.

"DAMMIT OLD MAN! Warn us before you decide to flay someone!!"

"The brand allows the master to hear all that his slave hears!" Knowing that, the group looked around the room, hoping they never said anything important. "The longer it stayed, the longer we would all be in danger." With that, the shaman took his leave.

"Thorodd. He's the wisest among our shamans but he tends to do things without thinking."

"Hold on, when Flash trying to explain the curse the rune activated." Double Edge said in realization.

"Which means if there's a way to inflict this curse..."

"Then there's a way to break it. Flash, I know you're tired but please try to remember again." Twilight asked her stallion as she held his hand.

While Flash recalled the memory as best he could, Arminius was in his tent, spending as much time with his family as he could with a war going on.

He rubbed Hilda's back as Sigrid and Wiglaf played a game of playing out their best battles. Wiglaf was retelling the story of how he saved Diamond and Spoon. "And just as he had me by the scruff, I cut off his nose and made him pretty," He said as he mimicked cutting of his mothers nose.

Sigrid laughed as she fell to the floor and brought her son in for a hug. "Very good, my little buck." They both got up before she kissed his forehead. "Now, let me tell you how I slayed the raid leader a winter before you came along."

Arminius chuckled as he leaned into Hilda. "If I remember correctly, you were fighting by her side."

"Mhmm. I couldn't let a pregnant Doe like her fight some deranged psycho." She then chuckled as she leaned back on him. "However, I couldn't do anything about the deranged psycho she had waiting at home." They both laughed before kissing each other.

Sigrid then picked up Wiglaf and started tickling him as they joined Hilda and Arminius on the bed. Arminius brought both his wives and son into his arms. He looked down at the three smiling faces and was assured about one thing. If nothing else, this is what he was fighting for.

"We've missed you both so much." Sigrid smiled while cuddling her son.

"I know, even though it was only a month that was still too long to be away from the two of you." Arminius said as he kissed her forehead and rubbed her belly which had grown quite a bit in the time they were gone.

"Also, we heard some interesting news." Hilda smirked while stroking Wiglafs head.

"Seems our dear friends Lightning and Marshall have grown close."

"Yeah hard to believe. Two mercs, falling in love." Her husband chuckled before noticing their son had fallen asleep in their arms. Even though he was getting older, they still thought of him as their little stag.

"My boy." Arminius smiled as they tucked him in.

Training Grounds

After his visit to the hospital, Wulfric took this time to train his magic at the palace grounds with Ryu and Twilight as his tutors. The young chieftain began his training by sitting in an open area of the grounds while Ryu circled him as he gave instructions.

"Remember: Relax and focus. Let the energy flow through you." Ryu said as he watched every breath Wulfric took and would sometimes strike him when he saw him losing focus.

"Concentrate! Lest your magic runs wild again."

Wulfric did as was told and began to summon three pillars of ice around him as Ryu stepped back. Once the pillars were formed, Wulfric slowly stood up and as his eyes opened, they gave off that same eerie glow they had in the dungeons.

"Now...STRIKE!!"

"RAAAGH!!" Wulfric lashed out like a beast attacking its prey as he smashed each pillar with his bare fist leaving nothing but shards of ice and bloodied knuckles as his training came to an end.

"You're getting stronger my friend."

"I still have much to learn." Wulfric said as he went to bandage his hands.

"Now that we know Vortigern can use magic, it's safe to assume his father can do the same."

"Which is why you must train even harder to fully control and master your new abilities. A sword is just a piece of metal unless it is wielded by a warrior." Ryu explained to Wulfric "Whenever you are in combat, try to utilize your powers to their full extent. Get a feel on how to use it to aid you in battle."

"Easier said than done. You've had years to master your magic, I'm just a beginner." Wulfric said as he finished bandaging his knuckles.

"By the way, I noticed you've been hanging around Fluttershy a lot more lately. Thinking of making her yours?"

Ryu tensed up and his cheeks turned a light shade of pink, luckily his mask was able to hide it

"I...Fluttershy is a lovely woman, and I suppose I would not be against the idea..." Ryu said, clearing his throat as he tired to hide his shy tone.

"Heh heh well she is a sweet girl and is great with animals but I heard from Rainbow she's got a fiery side." Wulfric winked.

"Well that's enough training for today, I'm gonna go see what the others are up to."

"Remember what I said, you must learn to control your powers." Ryu said as he looked up "I'm going to go... Meditate. Yeah, meditate." He said as he quickly walked off, secretly going to meet with Fluttershy.

Despite having been given many marriage offers during his time at the palace, he had never felt so nervous being around a girl like her. She was sweet, gentle and above all kind especially towards animals of all kinds.

"Here you go." She said in a sweet voice as she fed the animals, even the predatory ones.

"Now don't be greedy." She smiled as a rock lizard nuzzled her and gave a purr-like growl.

Ryu watched Fluttershy feed the animals as they all gathered around her like a warm fire, her voice able to soothe even the most dangerous of beasts. Ryu slowly walked over to her and bowed

"Hello, Fluttershy. I see you are keeping our friends company." He chuckled as he watched a grizzly bear resting beside her.

"Oh Ryu. Are you finished with your training?" She asked while scratching the bears ear.

"Y-Yes, Wulfric is starting to get better control over his new powers. Soon he will be a master of cryomancy." Ryu said as he sat down a few feet away from Fluttershy, his body stiff and his fingers nervously tapping his thighs.

"Have you been well, Fluttershy?" He asked.

"Yes, very well ever since we finally came back to the empire." She said as her grizzly friend yawned and walked back to the stables to rest.

"And I'm especially glad to see...most of our friends again." Fluttershy then let out a short sigh as she turned towards the beacon of the crystal heart.

"I've asked all around the city but nobody has heard a thing about Rarity...I hope they're okay."

"Thinking of the worst will not help in anything. If there is one thing I have learned is that we must have faith in our friends and allies abilities. If your friends are even half as strong as you, then I am positive that you will meet them again." Ryu said as he pulled down his mask to smile at Fluttershy.

"But...i'm not strong at all." She said as a part of her mane fell and hid half of her face.

"All I did was hide when our home was taken, I couldn't even protect my animals...you are all a lot stronger than me."

"You think that because I wield a sword that I am strong? Or that Wulfric has large muscles that that is all he has? There are many ways to be strong. You could've given up hope on freedom, you could've accepted this fate and not run off. But you didn't give up. You kept fighting, you kept going. And... I am grateful that you did." Ryu said as he reached over and gently brushed her mane away to see her face.

"You're more stronger than you realize."

The two smiled at each other as another of Fluttershy's animal friends came over for its share of cuddles and some even began to approach Ryu as if he were their owner. For a while this was peaceful until Ryu saw Pharynx marching up to Wulfric with his usual disapproving glare.

"Hmm impressive force but you could stand to improve."

"Excuse me?" Wulfric raised a brow to Pharynx while watching him examine the broken ice shards.

"Your chakra is impressive but it still lacks focus."

"How so?"

"Your technique is sloppy, amateur at best. You'd barely pass for an apprentice."

"I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment or an insult." Wulfric began to feel annoyed by Pharynx's remarks as he marched towards him looking like he was ready to fight.

"My brother showed you how to focus your chi but I will show you how to destroy your enemies." Pharynx smirked as he pointed at Wulfrics chest.

"Imagine being able to destroy your opponent from within using only seven blows. Seven blows...with your bare hands and not leave so much as a scratch on them as if they simply died in their sleep."

"How is that even possible?" Wulfric asked. Pharynx scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"I'd rather not deal with my brother and your wives mourning your death, so I'll explain it to you. Picture your Chi as a large flowing river. All of it constantly streaming throughout your body, never ending. But now you put a dam in one point of the river, cutting off the flow of the river in that area. Then you add another dam and another and another until all the water stops flowing." Pharynx said as he pushed his finger on specific points on Wulfric's body. "If you cut off a point in your enemy's chi certain functions will cease to work. From nerves, to walking, to even breathing. You will be able to even cause all of their blood to rush through certain openings such as eyes, nose, and ears."

"That...sounds like a terrible way to die."

"But it is effective especially against foes who are much stronger than you." Ryu said while Wulfric finished bandaging his hands.

"Normally we keep this technique amongst ourselves but for you we'll make an exception."

"Indeed, you need all the help you can get." Pharynx smirked just before Wulfric tried to sucker punch him but was caught mid swing.

"Impressive, my turn!" Pharynx demonstrated the technique by jabbing to areas in Wulfrics shoulder before his arm suddenly went limp and flopped to his side.

"hey! What did you just do?!?"

"Gave you your first lesson."

"I can't feel my arm!" Wulfric panicked.

Pharynx chuckled before jabbing his arm again, and Wulfric's arm was back to normal.

"What an unusual technique," Double said. "And you say anypony can learn?"

"Only those we are willing to teach so count yourself fortunate." Pharynx said with a sinister smile before cracking his knuckles.

"Let us begin."

For the next couple of weeks that followed, Wulfric was put through hellish training to not only improve his physique but his use of ice magic.

As the training progressed, news reached them about Flash Sentry's recovery and his eagerness to get back into the fight despite his condition and this of course worried Twilight.

"Flash please you should take it easy." She begged while helping him walk as his legs were still too weak from lack of exercise.

"Twilight I've been out of this fight long enough! I gotta do something to help." Flash argued when Shining Armor stepped in front of him, arms crossed and glaring down at him with a scolding look.

"You can start by following doctors orders and resting up and that is an order from your captain." He said with an authoritarian voice, using his status against him.

"Yes sir..." Flash sighed as he was lead back to his room. Twilight looked back to give her brother a thank you smile before he left to the palace dungeons to check on the prisoners they had captured at the fortress. Upon entry, he was greeted by cries of protests and anger as the inmates bashed against the magic barriers while others mocked and teased the prince as he walked by.

"Ooh look the royal cocksucker has come to grace us with his presence."

"Shall I kiss your ass your majesty?"

"Hey where's that bitch wife of yours and her little whore?"

That last insult was the final straw as Shining lashed out with his magic and snapped the inmates arms on both joints, silencing everyone with his screams.

"Sire, I do wish you wouldn't do that." A voice called out to him as Sunburst appeared wearing a lab apron with his signature beard and glasses.

"Apologies Sunburst but they were getting out of hand." Shining said as he stepped into the lab.

"What's the status on our research?"

"Well it's just as the Elders said. These runes seem to have a binding spell bestowed on anyone who has been marked by them but as for the psychic link well I dare not take any risks. The enemy could easily spy on us."

"Then it's a good thing we put protection spells around this prison and The Empire, especially after finding out that one of our own was prepared to sell us out."

"Oh yes, the merchant our new allies mentioned. He was interrogated but we found no signs of enchantment on him, only bags of gold."

"So in the end he only did it for the money." Shining sighed in disappointment while Sunburst went over his notes.

"What about the spell that weakened Luna and Celestia on the day of the invasion? Have you made any progress on that?"

"As a matter of fact." Sunburst then rummaged through the various notes strewn about his lab when they were suddenly lifted into the air and stacked neatly on his desk.

"Honestly Sunburst, learn to organize."

"Oh Starlight! I didn't realize you were in."

"What would you do without me?" Starlight rolled her eyes before pecking his cheek as she handed him the notes he was looking for.

"Right. So according to our spies, it seems Dainn was only able to cut off the magic of the princesses through the use of some special runes created by his shamans and from what we gathered they have also taken an interest in The Elements of Harmony."

To this, Shining felt a shiver crawl up his spine as it never occured to him that the elements could be used as a weapon against them.

"What are they doing with them exactly?"

"Ehh that's hard to say sire. All we got were reports of screams coming from the castles lab during the night followed by strange noises."

Shining scratched his chin in thought when a messenger entered to come and whisper something in his ear.

“Really?” Shining said and the messenger nodded. “Bring her in.”

The messenger nodded and left the room for a moment. When he returned, he came in with a mare whom Starlight did not expect to see again. It was her long lost friend, Trixie Lulamoon. The mare wore raged clothes under her torn up performer’s cloak. Her mane and tail were slightly dirty and matted, and she had bags under her eyes that indicated she hadn’t slept in a good long while. In her arms was a little foal that had similar features of her but her mane and tail were dirty blonde.

“T…Trixie?” Starlight said.

“Hey…Starlight,” Trixie said with a half smile. “It’s been a while.”

"Oh my Celestia what happened to you?!?" Starlight gasped as she helped her friend inside.

"it's a long story but could you keep it down? We've had a long journey." Trixie vaguely requested when Starlight noticed she was carrying a little bundle in her arms.

"Oh my hoofness..." She gasped as her friend gently moved the blanket aside to reveal a little filly sleeping soundly.

“Is…is this?” Starlight said.

“Yeah…my daughter,” Trixie said, shocking Starlight.

They sat Trixie down as Sunburst handed her some water.

“I have so many questions,” Starlight said.

“I’m sure you do,” Trixie said. “Allow me to answer the biggest one then. This is Bluebelle. She’s…Bluebloods daughter and mine."

"You...and Blueblood?" Starlight said in disbelief.

"It was a one night stand, just a week before the coup." Trixie explained while leaning back in the chair.

"The prince loved my show and decided to invite me up to his bedchambers for some fun. He really put on the charm and like an idiot I fell for it....but it wasn't a total loss." She then gave Bluebelle a gentle poke on her cheek that seemed to make her smile and squirm.

"I got to keep this little angel."

“And you dodged a huge bullet keeping her away from that swine,” Shining commented. “No offense.”

“Oh, none taken. He only wanted a mare to lay with,” Trixie said. “You’d think since he knocked me up he was decent in bed but he was honestly quite unskilled. Didn’t even get me off before he finished.”

“Pfft,” Shining snorted while Starlight and Sunburst blushed. “Why even give him a chance?”

“Dunno,” Trixie shrugged. “In my arrogance, I figured sharing a bed with a prince would make me more popular. That is until I realized that he was an insufferable prick who’d never give the time of day for me and my foal. It was a week later when I found out I was pregnant and the Fall began.”

"How did you make it this far?" Sunburst asked while carefully inspecting the foal for any signs of sickness or malnourishment.

"It was not easy. We had to travel through the wilds most of the time and I had to do a lot of stealing just to get us this far."

Blueblelle then began to stir from her sleep and let out a big yawn before taking in her new surroundings.

"Good morning sleepyhead. Everypony, meet Bluebelle, Bluebelle meet your Auntie Starlight and Uncle Sunburst."

Starlight was ecstatic to be called the foals aunt as she waved hello but when she looked at Sunburst, she seemed to grow curious and reached out to touch his muzzle.

"Um hello little one." Sunburst smiled before he felt his beard being tugged.

"Ow!"

"Oh she likes you!" Trixie said before her fatigue suddenly began to set in and she nearly fell over.

"Trixie!" Starlight caught her in time and helped to hold the baby up.

"I'm alright, just very tired."

“May I?” Starlight asked, holding out her arms.

Trixie nodded and handed her daughter to Starlight. Bluebelle looked up at her new auntie and let out some baby babble, making Starlight smile.

“She’s adorable, Trixie,” Starlight said. When she looked at her friend, Trixie had suddenly passed out and was completely asleep.

“Seems like she’s been holding her fatigue in for a while,” Shining said and picked her up in his arms. “I’ll get her a room where she can rest. We’ll continue this later.”

"Agreed and maybe get this little one some proper nourishment." Sunburst suggested while letting the filly hold his finger.

As Shining left the three friends to catch up, the thought of the elements being used agaisnt them crept back into his mind and he made his way to the medical wing where Twilight had just finished giving Flash his lunch as he laid there in bed.

"Getting better soldier?"

"Doc says I'll be out of here in a month sir." Flash sighed but seemed disappointed.

"Relax Flash, there'll be plenty of fighting to be had by the time you're done."

"I should be out there helping! Not stuck in this bed..."

"Flash you've done more than enough. I know that more than anyone." Twilight said as she held his hand tight.

Shining eyed his sister holding his hand and soon caught on to what was going on between them.

“I knew it,” Shining said. “You two really are in love, aren’t you?”

This made Flash and Twilight tense up but just as Twilight was about to retract her hand, Flash grabbed it and looked at Shining in his eyes.

“Yes, sir, it’s true,” Flash confirmed. “I…I love your sister. Very much, in fact. I almost laid down my life for her once, and I’d gladly do it again.”

"You'll hear no objections from me." Shining smiled.

"But just a heads up and I'm saying this as a brother. Break her heart and I'll break you." Shining said with menace in his voice that even made the nurses tremble in fear while Twilight rolled her eyes.

"I'm pretty sure you came here to discuss something?" She asked.

"Right. It's about the situation in Canterlot, Dainn is up to something big, really big."

“When I was captured, I was visited by Dainn himself,” Flash said, shocking Shining and Twilight.

“You met him?!” Twilight yelped.

“Yeah…I’ll never forget that encounter,” Flash sneered.

Flashback

“AAAAAAAAARRRRGGHHHH!!”

Flash screamed as he was chained up and a stag used a heated poker to drive it in Flash’s back.

“Where is Twilight Sparkle?!” The stag barked in Flash’s ear.

"Fuck you..." Flash glared in defiance at his captors before being jabbed again.

"Tell us where she is and I promise no more harm will come to you." The dungeon master sneered while gripping the stallions mane.

"Does anyone really trust the word of a northlander?" Flash smirked.

“No,” a voice said from the other side of the barred door. “But you shall learn to fear it.”

The door opened to reveal the one stag Flash didn’t expect to meet. Dainn Stonehoof waltzed in, followed by a few of his generals, and the dungeon master bowed to his king.

“Dainn…Stonehoof!” Flash said, and the dungeon master punched Flash’s cheek as hard as he could.

“You had best address his majesty properly if you want to keep that defiant tongue!” The stag growled.

“Enough,” Dainn commanded. “Hmm…” Dainn looked over Flash as he glared at him. “You’re just a colt. A colt, yet you’re so strong-willed. A shame you chose the wrong side.”

“I’d rather die than turn against my home…!” Flash sneered.

“I believe you,” Dainn said. “Which is why instead of killing you, I will kill the other rebel’s imprisoned here right before your eyes. Unless you tell me where my broodmare is hiding.”

The other soldiers begged Flash not to say a word even as they were dragged in front of him and guards began lining up with their spears.

"It's your choice boy. Sell out the princess or...sacrifice your men." Dainn raised his hand preparing to give the signal and just for just that one moment, Flash's resolve began to waver.

"If I tell you, my men will be spared?"

"You have my word." Dainn said, his voice sounding reassuring but once more the men protested.

"NO FLASH DON'T!!"

"He's lying!!"

"...The yaks." Flash shamefully admitted the truth much to the dismay of the others.

"She's gone to Yak Yakkistan where you'll never reach her."

"Dear boy, nothing is beyond my reach." Dainn said with a few playful pats to Flash's cheek before turning his back to him.

"...Kill them."

"No Stonehoof! NO!!" Flash screamed in a mix of rage and despair as the guards began executing the other prisoners one by one.

"STONEHOOF YOU GAVE ME YOUR WORD!! STONEHOOOOF!!"

Flash gripped his sheets tightly and looked away in shame after confessing he basically sold out Twilight.

"They died...because I was weak..."

"You can't blame yourself Flash." Shining tried to reassure the grieving soldier as the tears began to fall.

"I sold out my princess, betrayed my comrades...I have to make it up to them."

Twilight could only hold her stallion as he grieved but Shining felt only rage, not towards Flash but to the tyrant now sitting on Canterlots throne.

"We will avenge them Flash, I promise." He said with a reassuring hand placed on his shoulder.

"Just focus on recovering and once you're back in the fight, you'll be there with us when this war comes to an end."

“There’s something else you should know, sir,” Flash said. “Right before Dainn left, I heard him mentioning something about Minora.”

“Minora? The Minotaur Kingdom?” Twilight said. “But that’s well beyond the borders of Equestria, even Yakyakistan. Why would he care about them?”

"They're hiring mercs from that place. Dainn's been taxing the citizens to death to gather troops and supplies for his army, he's been confiscating the wealth and lands of the nobles but that's not all."

"This about the elements?" Shining asked as his subordinate nodded.

"They're trying to wield them for themselves, use them as weapons against us but from what I heard in the dungeons the ones who weren't capable of wielding the elements suffered a terrible fate."

“The Tree of Harmony!” Twilight said. “That’s where they are! And the Tree is protecting them!”

"But for how long?" Shining wondered before the nurses told them that visiting hours were up.

"We'll talk more about this when you've recovered." Shining said when Twilight did something unexpected.

"I'll see you again, I love you."

smooch

Flash’s wings stiffened when she kissed him on the lips and left. Shining just smirked as he pat his shoulder.

“Welcome to the family, Flash,” Shining chuckled.

"Uhh...thanks." Flash said in bewilderment as they left but the mood quickly changed once they were out of earshot.

"This is bad Shining, if Dainn gets his hands on the elements, it could spell disaster! not just for Equestria but for every nation from here to the sea."

"Then we need to step up our efforts. Once this winter has passed, we'll gather our allies and march on Canterlot."

“So soon?” Twilight asked.

“We don’t have a choice,” Shining said. “Securing the Elements should be our top priority. Especially now that you and your friends are back together. I doubt Dainn cares how to harness their power, which is why he’s using force. What concerns me is that it’s only a matter of time before he realizes the Elements can only be used by the Bearers themselves.”

"But we still don't know where Rarity is or Spike for that matter! And let's not forget he still has Celestia." Twilight argued as they approached the balcony overlooking the city.

"What if he uses her as a hostage or....what if he decides to execute her?"

“He won’t do that.” Shining and Twilight turned to see Wulfric approach them.

“I’ve known Dainn Stonehoof a long time. Not only is he a cold-hearted bastard, he also is manipulative and conniving. He already is aware of the status you bear as Princess alone. Including the status of you and your friends being the element bearers. He wants to use that to his advantage. If he had his way, he would’ve taken his time to break you and your friends. So that once you all became red collars, he’d display you for all of Equestria to see so that any shred of hope left would die out. Thus sealing his rule forever.”

"I take it your training is done?" Shining asked as he joined them.

"For today. We may not know where your friends are Twilight but you have my word, we'll find them before this war is over. I heard from AJ that this Rarity is quite the fashion designer, I'd love to have her make a wedding dress for when I pop the question to my girls." Wulfric smirked at the thought of his two lovers dressed as brides.

“I also look forward to that,” Twilight said. “I see now that you’re the perfect partner for both of them.”

“Now then, let’s focus on locating this Rarity and Spike,” Wulfric said, folding his arms. “Can you think of any place she’d think to go if she had no where else?”

Twilight narrowed her eyes in thought as she thought about the question. Rarity always went on and on about the places she’d love to go and open one of her clothing shops, which was pretty much almost everywhere. However, there was one place that popped in her head.

“Maybe…Windome Falls?” Twilight said. “I overheard her say it was a place she liked to go to get away whenever she was overwhelmed with dress requests.”

"Windome Falls? That's a small town on the east border that's under our protection." Shining seemed to recall after hearing the towns name.

"If she is there, we'll know."

The three then departed to the dining hall for a well earned lunch where they were met by Chrysalis and Cadence who were surprisingly having a friendly chat and what was more surprising was that Flurry Heart was cuddling against the queens endowed chest as she was gently held.

"Ohh you are just the cutest thing!" Chrysalis nuzzled Flurry's cheek as the foal giggled.

"I see you two are getting along." Wulfric smirked as they seated themselves.

“Perfect timing, Twilight, I was just about to ask Chrysalis something,” Cadence said.

“Me?” Chrysalis perked up.

“Chrysalis, we may not have the best history with each other but we can tell you’ve changed despite the circumstances,” Shining said. “We’re in this war together, and we’re also thankful how you’ve helped us with both the war efforts and even helping us with Flurry.”

“It’s the least I can do,” Chrysalis said as she caressed Flurry’s mane. “I still have a lot to atone for.”

“Which is why we’ve come to you with an offer,” Cadence said as she and Shining held hands. “Would you like to be Flurry Heart’s godmother?”

"Me?" Chrysalis gasped as Flurry cuddled her again.

"I...I'd be honored." Chrysalis smiled as she gently hugged little Flurry in her arms before she suddenly became sad.

"What's wrong?" Twilight asked.

"It's just...I thought I'd be holding one of my own by now." The queen sighed, surprising the others.

"You have a foal?"

"Several foals to be exact, I am part insect." Chrysalis gave a short laugh and let out a sigh.

"But ever since that brute took over, there has been almost no love to feed off in this land and so my children cannot be born...what love they do get comes from me and my husband."

"I bet Crafty Dodger is one proud papa." Wulfric chuckled when the servants brought them their meal.

"After making me give birth to a dozen offspring, he better be." Chrysalis said in an almost threatening manner before handing Flurry back to her parents.

"Enough of this sad talk, let's fill our bellies while we still can."

Flurry reached out to Chrysalis and giggled loudly. Just then, a pink aura surrounded her and it drifted over to the Changeling Queen’s stomach. The group watched as Chrysalis moaned, not in a sexual way, like she was tasting something delicious. When Flurry calmed down from her giggling, Chrysalis’ body grew a few inches and her womanly assets grew in size. The color in her face flushed and looked more alive as the bags under her eyes disappeared.

“What was that?” Wulfric wondered.

“That was the most filling batch of love I’ve ever had!” Chrysalis chirped, rubbing her tummy.

“Love?” Cadence said and looked down at her daughter. “Did Flurry feed you somehow?”

“Must be because you’re now her godmother,” Twilight smiled. “She now loves you as much as she does her own parents.”

"Such a sweet little thing." Chryslais cooed to her new godchild as they began to dine like a real family with the exception of Wulfrics table manners as he scarfed down everything on his plate like an animal.

"By the way Shining, where's Marshall? I haven't seen him at all today." Cadence asked while feeding Flurry.

"He was assigned to watch the stronghold we took. Fort Bastion, they call it plus he volunteered." Shining said before taking a bite of his meal.

"I wonder what he's doing right now?" Twilight asked as Wulfric gave a short chuckle.

"Knowing him, probably drilling his men to death or sharpening his blade."

End.