Room For One More

by Havoc

Rating: teen
Tags: Dark, Adventure
Length: 53804

An adventure that scars and fills graves One only lays the past to rest and leaves room for one more

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-09-02 00:23:14 UTC

Party Canon

Chapter Two: Party Canon.

"Being put in jade is never part of a demon's plans, Scribbles..."

Celestia

The morning came softly for the inhabitants of the palace. The staff awoke having rested peacefully and with good dreams. In fact, everyone was in high spirits this morning. Two of the kitchen staff, who had begun making breakfast for the dozens of dignitaries staying at the palace, noticed a grey unicorn mare who seemed to blend in with the walls of the stone corridor even as she walked along the carpeted floor, her hooves making no sounds as they carried her towards another wing of the building. She was only noticeable by her soft brown hair and striking green and blue eyes.

" 'ho was that, then?"

"I dunno, must be Princess Luna's new assistant."

The chef flipped an egg off of his frying pan and onto a plate.

"How d'you figure that?"

"She's carrying a mountain of parchment, tha's why."

"... Oh yeah."

A mountain of parchment hovered above her head as she walked and was surrounded by a faint yellow shimmer that made it blend in with the walls. She stopped and looked around, pawing at the ground with her right fore-hoof.

"Ooohhh... Excuse me. Excuse me!"

The pony whose attention she was trying to get walked right by her, completely oblivious to the mare now nearly screaming in his ear. He and his companion continued chatting about the weather and carried on down the hall not casting so much as a glance the mare's way.

She stood there, dumbfounded before trying again to get the attention of a group of passing ponies.

"Hi there, excuse me for interrupting but could you direct me to-"

The three ponies walked almost right through her as they carried on down the hall. A deadpan expression on their faces.

The two chefs watched the same scene play out again and again for a few minutes. They were jerks like that.

"Figure we should help her, eh?"

"It would be the right thing to do."

Never mind, they were just slow.

"Oi, you lost luv?"

"Yeah, you need somefing?"

The exasperated mare locked eyes with the only two beings in Canterlot to have noticed her so far.

"You can see me?! You can hear me?!  YES! Okay, um, I'm kind of lost and-"

"Yeah, I can see you."

"I can hear you jus' fine. What d'you need?"

They looked on at the mare whose expression darkened ever so slightly. She continued.

"I'm lost and I need to find Princess Celestia, I'll be taking over as Princess Luna's stenographer."

They looked at her, their faces unreadable.

"So... any help you can... could give me... would be... helpful?"

The two chefs blinked, minds racing at the speed of light. She sighed and turned to walk away, determined to just search the entire palace herself. She briefly wondered if Princess Celestia would notice her even if she was somehow able to find her.

"Princess Celestia is currently in the library, row forty two, section 1700. Viewing a copy of Historical Equestrian Weather Patterns and Phenomenon, page twelve. Go down the hall, take your third right and then your seventh left. You will meet the Princess as she is exciting the library if you go now."

She stared at the chef, mouth open but no words finding their way out.

"Yeah, tha's where you'll find 'er for sure. Good luck."

She nodded and began muttering under her breath about how the water here must make everypony crazy and walked away, occasionally glancing back at the chefs who continued to stare at her. She looked past them to see all the ponies she'd been ignored by standing in line for both breakfast and coffee.

"That actually explains it."

She hurried down the halls, doubting the chef's directions but seeing no other clear alternative. She saw the library and was just about to open the door when Princess Celestia burst through and nearly knocked the poor mare clean off her feet. Nearly, because she was instead embedded in the wall behind her. She stayed there, suspended on the wall for a second before falling to the ground and then being buried under the stacks of parchment she was carrying.

"Oh! I am so sorry my little pony. I'm in kind of a rush. I haven't seen you around the palace before. What's your name?"

She stuck a hoof out from under the pile of parchment that had buried her up to her nose. She wheezed in a breath and stared up at the ceiling, eyes going in and out of focus.

"Scribbles, Ma'am. My name is Scribbles. I'm your new stenographer as well as your sister's new assistant."

Princess Celestia loomed over her, the heat of the sun bearing down on her face. Princess Celestia gave her an appraising eye before smiling and holding out a hoof.

"Well, it is a pleasure to meet you, Scribbles. Right this way, we need to hurry."

Scribbles took her hoof and was pulled to her feet. She was dragged along down the hall and she cast a glance back at the empty hallway behind them.

"What?"

"Catch!"

Scribbles looked up just in time to catch the neatly rearranged stacks of parchment that had been hanging over her head. A quill materialised in front of her and she looked at Celestia.

"You'll be going to work soon. Follow me to the throne room please and stand at my left."

They entered the throne room to find it packed with guards and nobles. The nobles were trying to get a glimpse of a group of foreigners in the centre of a ring of guards. The guards were both trying to keep order in the hall as well as level as many spears and muskets as they had at what Scribbles guessed was just a bunch of diplomats. She followed Celestia who sat down on her throne beside Princess Luna who had decided it prudent to wait for her sister, and for cooler heads to prevail.

The nobles saw Celestia and immediately bowed out of the way. The strange beings in the centre of the room were still obscured by rows of guards, both on the ground and in the air.

"What is going on, Luna?"

Her sister was breathing heavily and looked furious. Her coat was dark blue and her eyes narrowed to slits. Dragon like pupils stared out from under purple mascara.

"I think it is best if you just see him for yourself."

Celestia frowned and raised an eyebrow at this. She waved the guards away to get a look at the newcomers and immediately shot a lightning bolt that fizzled out into a magic shield wall that had been invisible until now. It glowed red where it impacted and the figure was hidden maddeningly from sight.

"I already tried that. He hasn't lost his touch."

Celestia stood up from her throne and Luna followed suit. All the guards in the room tensed up, the air felt alive with power, enough to make the hair stand up on Scribbles body. She shivered and sweated.

A voice like honeyed black coffee flowed out from the shield bubble.

"You haven't lost your charm either, Celestia. Good."

It was deep and melodious, like it could tell you anything you wanted to hear and it would come true.

"Bring down your shield wall and surrender yourself to the nation of Equestria where you will be tried and executed, again, for the crimes you have committed."

The shield wall disappeared almost instantly to reveal no central figure in the group that had hid behind it. They were taller than ponies and looked like the unholy melding of a pony crossed with a ram crossed with a crocodile. They stood on their back two hooves. They were crimson red and wore red plate armour which Scribbles could hear scratch against itself as they moved. Their fore hooves ended in clawed hands that grasped weapons of all descriptions. Horizontal pupils glared out from glowing yellow eyes. One looked at Luna and licked its razor sharp teeth, chuckling like grating stones.

A voice came from just behind Scribbles and she froze up. Whatever had the smooth voice was right behind her.

"Technically, I committed those crimes before Equestria was even a nation so what right does it have to try me? Besides, I was already executed. By you. Remember?"

Celestia's stern look would have literally bore holes through the skull of anyone else. As it was, the demon enjoyed the warmth.

"What are you doing here -- alive?"

The demon smiled and straightened his black great coat. He walked around the chair Scribbles was sitting on. His barbed hairless tail sliding across her neck and making her skin crawl. She shuddered. He stood in front of the three, smiling a toothy smile. He was far better dressed then his compatriots, and better armed. A black long sword hung at his hip and multiple pistols adorned his vest.

"I am here to offer you our terms. You will surrender your persons, your assets and your country to me immediately and I will hold office until such a time when it can be given to the Demon Emperor upon his arrival in exactly... five days and sixteen hours. Should you decline my offer, and I wouldn't hold it against you if you did, the Demon Emperor will greatly enjoy going to war with you. He's kind of insane like that."

He held out his hands as if to say, that's all I'm asking. He still wore a devil may care smile on his face as if he was unaware of the insult he'd just paid the two most powerful beings in all of Equestria. Celestia and Luna started sparking with rage, their eyes glowing.

"If you think. That I am going to do any of that. Then I needn't kill for you are brain dead already."

He flicked his eyes down to his right hand and Scribbles followed his gaze.

"I miss you too, Celestia. Now, why don't we talk about this? In the gardens."

He was pointing his chin out the window to the palace gardens below. A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead and started shaking his right hand. Scribbles' eyes widened.

"Ma'am."

"I name you betrayer, Samael, and I cast you out from this world... again."

"MA'AM"

"WHAT?!"

Scribbles squeaked in fright and pointed a shaky hoof towards Samael's right palm. In it was a message that said.

You two take the six on my right

I'll take the six on my left

I'll explain later

Celestia furrowed her brow and looked at the demon standing before her. For a moment she didn't see what he'd become but what he had been and he winked at her.

"Just like last time eh, Tia."

She took a step towards him and readied a spell. Luna moved behind her sister and walked in front of Scribbles.

"You betrayed me last time."

"Yeah well, we all have our faults."

He spun and drew a pistol which he fired into the head of a demon warrior thirty feet away. He didn't break his stride as he drew his sword and leapt through the air to slice the arm off another and it howled in shock and pain.

The room lit up briefly and Scribbles vision filled with white light. Another shot rang out and Luna screamed in pain. Another flash, some muffled thumps and finally a sickening squelch and the room was still once more. Scribbles blinked and tried to regain some of her vision. She heard a moan of pain and got up to help; she tripped and landed face first in something wet.

"Ah!"

She made to get up when her vision returned. She then immediately wished it hadn't.

"AAAIIIEEE!!!"

She'd tripped on a pair of legs that were still twitching and landed on the torso they belonged to. It was a demon ripped in half, black blood clung to her face, her coat, she could taste the coppery fluid in her mouth. She sat there, screaming before passing out, this time being mercifully caught by an outstretched hand.

"She'll have nightmares for a long time."

A sword found its way to his throat. Held in the air by a yellow aura.

"You're right, she'll have nightmares forever," he said, nervously.

"Explain yourself. NOW."

Luna bit her lip and grabbed the javelin impaling her with her magic and pulled, a horrible wrenching sound was heard and she bit down on her hoof to keep from screaming. The wound healed almost instantly and she tossed the weapon away to join her sister. The demons had been fast, faster then she'd thought physically possible.

"I'd love to-"

She held the weapon closer, drawing a bit of blood this time. It was as black as the ocean depths.

"-but we don't have time. Gardens. Discord. Freeing him. Stop them."

The sword was lifted for a moment and that was all he needed. He pushed the weapon away and ran for the window. He blocked another lightning bolt aimed at his backside and leapt out the window.

"AFTER HIM! WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON THE GROUND! GOOO!"

Celestia was in no mood for her armed forces and their usual level of competence. Not today, especially not today. She paused to see several of them wounded and some dead. Her words caught in her throat as those tending to them did as they were told and flew to the gardens. The wounded looked up at her and she could only mouth, I'm sorry, to them before flying out the window in pursuit of Samael.

Samael was a clever demon, always knew what to say or do to get what he wanted. He raced along the grounds towards the statue garden.

"Murder! She's changed, locking away her foes nowadays it seems."

He vaulted over a hedge and landed on an unsuspecting pony enjoying the sunny day with her husband. He looked up and screamed at the satyr standing on his wife and watched as he rolled his eyes and ran towards a group of fillies standing around the statue of Discord. It had been placed under heavier guard this time but the pegasi in charge of security had decided to let a class of school children run around the gardens unrestricted. They were cute harmless fillies right?

Samael drew his pistol and fired. The school teacher's jaw dropped as one of her students fell on the grass, one eye staring blindly and the other not staring at all.

"OH MY CELESTIA! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES KIDS!"

The whole garden erupted in chaos as ponies darted in every direction trying to run away from the murderous demon. He drew another pistol and without stopping his advance fired again, another filly trying to hide behind the statue was gunned down.

He stopped in front of one last colt who looked up at him with big blue eyes. Samael uncaringly drew his last pistol and cocked the hammer back.

A lightning bolt impacted on the shield he had up and Celestia entered his field of vision. She looked around and her jaw dropped.

"You..."

"Yup."

"You?"

"Yeah?"

"WHAT DID YOU DO?! STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING!"

She started hammering his shield with as much magic as she dared, not wanting to break the shield and hurt the colt inside who had started to wail.

"Alright. Alright! HEY!"

His voice lost all melody and charm. It turned Celestia's stomach and made her ears hurt.

"I'm sorry Celestia," he said as he raised his pistol to the child's head and fired.

Celestia blinked as she stared down the barrel of the ornately designed weapon. Its muzzle smoked like a dragon's mouth and she smelt sulfur and brimstone. A gasp was heard behind her and she turned to see Luna covering her mouth with her hoof trying not to retch as a filly slowly slid off the top of the statue and onto the ground in front of her.

Celestia turned back to Samael who had dropped the shield and was shooing away the colt who didn't need to be told twice to run for his teacher.

"Wait," he said, holding up his hands in surrender. Celestia followed his gaze to the filly at her feet. It was melting in the sun into a putrid ball of red slime and black bones. The same was happening to the other ponies he had shot. All dissolving into the earth, blighting the grass with pony shaped outlines.

Luna and Celestia both took a step towards him, mouths open and searching for words that wouldn't come.

"There is so much we need to discuss."

He looked around at the gathering ponies coming out of hiding. They looked at him, then to the gathering guards and finally to the Princesses themselves. All they had seen was a child murdering demon.

"Quick, punch me in the face!"

"What?"

"Punch me in the face!"

"Are you alright?"

"Oh for-"

He drew his sword and put it to his own neck while leaping into Celestia's hooves. She held them out to push him away but missed and ended up catching him.

"What the hell are you doing Samael? Start talking. Now!"

"No time, gotta save your reputation. OH CURSE YOU TO OBLIVION! I HAVE BEEN CAPTURED BY THE GREAT AND POWERFUL CELESTIA! LUNA HELPED TOO! PLEASE DON'T TAKE ME TO THE DUNGEON AND DEFINATELY DON'T KILL ME! That last part wasn't sarcastic by the way, refrain from killing me for now?"

Celestia glowered at the demon smiling up at her. She dropped him and held up her hoof to the guard waiting to take him away.

"I hate you."

"I lave you-OW!"

She shook her right hoof, her wrist stung a bit but it was worth it.

"Take him away."

The demon was roughly dragged to his feet and put in chains.

"Oh cute, iron. Got to love iron."

His wrists began steaming slightly and the skin under them was blackening.

He was taken to a dungeon deep below the palace. The guard pony was the first none immortal to visit the place since it was built nearly a thousand years ago. Racks, manacles and spiked walls gave it an atmosphere that sent chills up the guard's spine.

What the hell was done down here?

He passed a few skeleton whose heads grated on dry vertebrates as they passed by. Their mouths in a permanent gruesome grin.

Never mind, I don't want to know.

He came up to the cell Celestia had said. Pentagram door made of obsidian with runes carved into it. He looked at the cell number but it had faded with time. The metal numbers barely a smudge on the wall now.

"Put him in the chains on the wall."

"Hmmm, chains. I'm noticing a theme. Anything you're planning on doing to me here?"

Luna snorted but quickly composed herself under the withering glare of the sun. Samael entered the room and saw just what kind of chains they were and quickly changed his tune.

"Whoa now, let's not be too hasty!"

He threw the pegasus guard off and the manacles around his arms began to glow red then white before exploding from the temperature change. Bits of white hot metal splashed over the guard and he howled, trying to dig them out. Celestia didn't even look down, instead grinning at Samael who looked like a scared rabbit.

"You told me to put you in a dungeon, Samael. I just chose a prison that'll make a lasting impression. I want none of your games. None of your tricks. You have information for me and I want the truth. You're too spirited right now to talk to so I'll let you calm down for the rest of the day and probably the night."

"Celestia, please. We don't have time to do this-"

"You said I had five days before my country is invaded, I have things to do. You'll keep for now."

She walked up to him and whispered in his ear, "Unless you've lied to me about that as well in which case I won't bother with magic bolts or even jade chains. I'll put you in coffin of gold and throw you into the ocean. Killing you apparently isn't as permanent a fix as I'd like."

"No... I didn't lie. They're coming. Come on now, this really isn't necessary."

She smiled warmly at him as the green chains on the walls came alive and started to snake their way towards him.

"PLEASE NO! PLEASE! PLEEE-AAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIII-ACKKKXHHH!"

The chains burned him like only jade could burn a Demon Lord. He screamed in agony as he was pulled in several directions and suspended in the air. He sounded like several different people screaming all at the same time. The sound bit into the mind. She calmly walked out the room, briefly meeting the horrified look Luna had.

As soon as the door was shut and the screaming echoes subsided her horn glowed and she began attending to the wounds the guard had sustained.

"I'm sorry, I had to maintain face. I couldn't help you earlier. I'm so so sorry."

The pegasus guard was miles away in his mind, having escaped what he'd heard and felt. Celestia's horn glowed and brought him back, the burns he'd sustained were healed up without a scar.

"Phalanx? Can you hear me?"

He squeaked in response, looking at her in total shock.

"I'm so sorry, Phalanx."

She drew him into a hug and a tear leaked out of her eye and onto his shoulder. He didn't notice. The screaming demon in the other room being tortured was too much for him to bear.

Luna looked away from the sight of her sister trying to comfort herself. It wasn't for the guard; Celestia knew he couldn't hear her. It was for her. She needed to feel right again. She sighed and tapped her hoof idly.

Celestia put the guard at leg's length and smiled. Her horn glowed and she teleported them out of the dungeon and into her room. She sat there on the floor for a while before Luna cleared her throat.

"Ahem, Phalanx?"

Her horn glowed and a spark shot out of the tip and flew over to his forehead where it wormed its way into his central nervous system.

He shook and hiccupped and then looked around.

"Princess Celestia? Princess Luna? How'd we get here? I mean, what happened to the demon in the garden?"

"Slow down, Phalanx-"

"You know my name?"

Celestia smiled sweetly.

"I know the names and faces of every guard and staff member here, Phalanx. You especially."

He grinned like a school boy for moment before remembering his professional decorum.

"Aha, yes. Thank you, ma'am. May I ask a question? Ma'am."

Luna raised an eyebrow at the display and made a mental note to reform military training after she was done with the taxes.

"You may."

"What happened to me?"

"You were knocked out when it tried to escape. You leapt bravely in front of my sister when it made a dash for her and were struck in the head. I brought you here and tended to your wounds."

"I see. Not the infirmary?"

"My room overlooks the gardens and the infirmary should be... crowded right now. Go back to your post, Phalanx, and I'll see about getting you a commendation."

"Thank you! Ah, thank you, ma'am!"

He saluted and exited the room, memory gone and sanity restored. Celestia had seen soldiers coming home from war before and it usually took a lot more then this to break them. She started thinking about the readiness of her armed forces should the absolute worst come to pass.

I can use the elements to-

She stopped her thought and stared blankly into space. She'd just said 'use'. She got up to look at herself in the mirror. Far from the shining display she was in public, her hair was pink and no longer glowing. Lines had appeared on her face and she looked ragged and tired. How long had it been? Two thousand? Three thousand? Two thousand seven hundred and sixty two years and counting. Her life came reeling into her mind and she had to grab the stand for support, her head spinning and legs buckling.

"Tia!"

Luna who had been writing a memo to herself saw her sister collapse on the ground in front of her mirror. She rushed over to help her to her hooves and walk her to the bed.

"Whoa, take it easily, nice slow steps. One at a time now."

Celestia was muttering pitifully under her breath and Luna couldn't catch what she was saying but her voice sounded frail. Old.

Luna helped her onto the giant cushion that was her bed and pulled the covers over her, then, climbed in beside her, resting Celestia's head on her chest.

"Sh sh shhh. What happened?"

"I... remem-membered everything."

Luna winced, it wasn't the first time this had happened. Even she could fall into a bout of depression and age if she wasn't concentrating.

"It's okay. It's going to be okay, Celly. Everything is going to be alright. Just do what you taught me, don't think about what happened to them, remember the life you lived with them. The good things. Firefly and how you and her used to race around the old cottage. Surprise and her spectacular parties. Just remember the good stuff, Celly. The good times."

Being immortal had its downfalls. Outliving generations of your friends was one of them. Having a good memory was another.

Celestia wept quietly into Luna's shoulder while the younger sister comforted the older.

They lay like that for a time until there was a knock at the door.

"Come in."

Luna woke up at the sound of Celestia's voice. It was fresh and young again. She sat up and her own favourite stuffed animal slid out of her hooves. It was a dolphin doll as old as the palace. She must have fallen asleep and Celestia must have recovered enough to go and get it.

Saving face. Doesn't want to be seen as weak in front of the staff. Typical.

Scribbles slowly opened the door to see Celestia standing by the balcony and Luna in her bed.

"Oh sorry, did I interrupt a family chat?"

Celestia smiled brightly in the setting sun's rays.

"No, come in, Scribbles. How are you feeling?"

Her horn glowed but Scribbles reflexively lit up her own horn.

"I'm feeling alright, just a little shaken. There's no need for a memory wipe. I got too much done today."

Celestia went red in the cheeks and smile sheepishly. Luna was so much better with this sort of thing.

"Sorry, I... I just thought that maybe there would some things that happened today that you wouldn't want to remember."

Scribbles gulped and looked at the floor. She rubbed her muzzle where she had evidently scrubbed it raw with a cloth.

"I'm fine. Besides, won't want to forget my first day. I only just got the hang of this place."

The Goddess of the Sun's heart warmed at the mare's resilience.

"You're from Trottingham aren't you?"

"Yes, why?"

"Just curious."

Scribbles flicked her ear nervously and looked at Luna who was looking at her with a hint of pity in her eyes.

"Come and sit, Scribbles. We have a lot to talk about."

She was sat down and briefed on what it meant to be the assistant of a goddess. She was given a list of secrecy spells and enchantments to memorize as well as told she would be taking training in the morning, though for what wasn't said. As they talked the hours dragged on until it was nearly midnight.

"And one other thing before you go, Scribbles.

Scribbles blinked and tried to summon the energy to listen. This night shift thing was going to take some getting used to.

"You'll be both Luna's and my assistant."

"Sorry, really tired out from the day. I didn't catch that."

"I am currently without an assistant and won't be able to get one on such short notice. I'll be needing help very soon and we've decided that you'll be my assistant as well as my sister's."

Scribbles summoned up her last reserves of energy not to sigh and fall asleep on the cushion she had been sitting on for the last couple of hours.

"Right, I can do this. I'll just need to-ZZZzzzzzzz."

"Time!"

Luna clicked a stopwatch and beamed at her sister.

"She didn't do too badly. Look! She was even taking notes!"

Luna carefully levitated a small stack of parchment covered in short hoofed notes detailing everything the Princesses had said out from under Scribbles hoof.

"I'm impressed, everything is here."

Luna looked up at Scribbles and noticed something off about her.

"That's odd."

Scribbles hadn't moved. She was still sitting up and staring blankly off into space. She was snoring but otherwise just looked lost in thought.

"ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz- get some coffee every once in a while. Heh... What?"

Both Princesses stared at her with raised eyebrows, barely containing their grins despite years of practise.

"Oh shoot. It happened didn't it? I fell asleep!"

"You have narcolepsy."

Scribbles turned bright red and hung her head in defeat.

"Yes, yes I have narcolepsy. I don't really have a sleep schedule, I just blank out for a few minutes every once in awhile. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you on my application form but, I figured I could manage it and-"

She was cut off by a raised hoof.

"We hired you because you were the best applicant, Scribbles, and with this new development, I think you are even more perfect for the job then we'd thought."

"I am?"

Celestia got up and motioned for Scribbles to walk with her.

"Luna, do you mind if I borrow her for awhile?"

"Not at all."

They exited the room and wandered down the halls.

"We've reviewed your file and choose well. Any other pony would've packed their bags and ran from the palace after what happened."

"I don't have any bags."

Celestia laughed, enjoying the conversation.

"I think you know what I mean. You don't run from your problems. You deal with them and move on."

Scribbles nodded, lost in thought.

"Thank you for the compliment but don't get me wrong, Celestia, I'd have nightmares about what happened today if I had dreams."

Luna won't like that.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Do you want to talk about it?"

Scribbles longed for her parchment and quill. She could listen all day and night but talking about herself was a little unnerving.

"No, but I do have questions about that thing that came to the palace today. All I remember before it happened was him telling you to attack his escort. Why would he do that? He seemed to know you."

Celestia sucked in a breath through her teeth and let it out slowly.

"Samael is a demon from my past. A time I'd much rather forget. It was during the reign of Discord and Samael was once one of his lieutenants. A Demon Lord of great power. He'd happened upon me and my sister when we were young. We were in his territory and he decided we could help him with his plan. He'd always intended to betray Discord he had just never possessed the power required. Together we overthrew Discord and freed the land from the control of chaos, but Samael had other plans. He never wanted to share power and tried to betray us. He nearly succeeded but I managed to best him in a duel. We trusted him and in the end, he tried to murder me and my sister over power. He is a fiend and a master manipulator. Having thousands of years to practise the art. He can appear as the sweetest and kindest being you've ever met but he hides his true intentions behind that mask he calls a face."

Celestia looked over at Scribbles who was frowning, her brows together and it looked like she was about to say something but she caught her tongue and turned away.

That sounds almost like her. Best not mention it.

Celestia tilted her head in confusion before understanding and straightening up.

She's a better judge of character then I thought.

They walked towards a balcony that looked out over the city. The lights reflected off their faces.

"I heard you took him in? That even though he killed a couple of school children you let him live."

"I need to know what he knows. He is nothing more than a tool to me."

Scribbles held out her hooves and turned her ears down.

"I didn't mean to insinuate anything. I didn't mean to say you liked him."

"Well I don't! Oh, I'm sorry, Scribbles, I didn't mean to snap at you."

She sighed and looked out over the city.

"You said he was a master manipulator? That'd he'd fooled -- I mean, that he'd tricked, oh..."

"Go on."

"That he'd tricked you once before? How do you know he's not doing it again?"

"Because I put him in jade chains and left him in a dungeon."

She chuckled and her smile showed teeth.

Scribbles didn't look convinced. She opened her mouth to speak but Celestia looked into her eyes and she closed it.

"Being put in jade is never part of a demon's plans, Scribbles. Goodnight."

She took a few steps but didn't hear Scribbles following her. She looked back to see her standing still and swaying slightly. Celestia smiled and picked her up with her magic.

Back to Luna with you, poor thing.

Beyond her Garden

Chapter Three: Beyond her Garden

"The thing with wolves is that there is never only one, perhaps it would be best if we were to-"

Zecora Skygazer

The Ponyville market was alive with activity. Shop vendors selling their wares shouted out advertisements for various forms of produce. Pears, carrots, tomatoes, cherries, and, of course, apples. Applejack was teaching her younger sister how to sell apples on market day at the family stall.

"Now, you gotta be friendly but firm. Gotta get their attention without making 'em feel like you're putting 'em on the spot. Like this."

She put a hoof to her mouth and bellowed.

"Get your apples here! Sweet Apple Acres finest! Care to bite into the best apples in Equestria, sir?"

A brown earth pony smiled and walked over. They chatted before he rummaged through his saddlebags and produced a few bits. Applejack smiled as he left with an apple rapidly disappearing into his mouth.

"See, that's how it's done. Just gotta get noticed and be friendly. Now you try it."

Applebloom thought a moment before nodding enthusiastically and jumping on top of the stall.

"HEY YOU! WE SELL ONLY THE FINEST APPLES IN ALL OF EQUESTRIA! YOU WON'T FIND ANYTHING ELSE BETTER! HEY! WANT SOME APPLES? WE'VE GOT LOTS! TONNES IN FACT JUST WAITING TO BE EATEN!"

Her voice certainly carried a long way. Ponies closer to the stall were shocked off their feet and the rest either covered their ears or hid behind something.

Applejack righted her hat and laughed nervously.

Damn, that filly has some pipes on her.

"Whoa, that was, uhn, spirited. But you're a little too forward. Try-"

Applejack was interrupted by a notebook surrounded in a light yellow aura poking her shoulder. She looked up to see a mint green unicorn staring at her with bright yellow eyes and an equally bright smile.

"Oh, why hello, Lyra! What brings you out here?"

Lyra tilted her head down and smirked, gesturing at the bushels of apples with a hoof.

"Right. Sorry, just a little discombobulated without seeing you with Bon Bon and all. How many'd ya want?"

Applebloom went down to pick up a basket, waiting for the number.

... Ummm

It never came. She looked up to see Lyra holding up her notebook with a big black, 2, written on it.

Applejack nodded and looked down at Applebloom.

"Two baskets of apples, Applebloom."

Applebloom frowned but hoisted the baskets over to Lyra anyway who floated them away. She waved goodbye and bounced down the road in a way that reminded Applejack strongly of Pinkie Pie.

Applejack watched her go before feeling her sister tap her shoulder.

"What's up with Miss Lyra? Why was she writing everything down on that notebook? Can she not speak today? Does she have a cold or something? She didn't look like she had a cold."

Applejack sighed and adjusted her hat even though it didn't need it.

"Lyra is a mute, Applebloom. Do you know what that means?"

Applebloom stared at her, blinking.

Applejack smirked.

"Of course you wouldn't. A mute is a pony who's lost her voice. No! Wait, umm, she was born like that, she's never had a voice. I've never one peep from her in all the time I've known her."

Applebloom's mind slowly wrapped itself around the concept and didn't like it.

"You mean she can't sing? Or laugh? Or cry or anything?!"

"Shhhh, not so loud!"

Applejack looked up to see Lyra staring at her and her sister. Her lower lip wobbled and she ducked her head and trotted out of the marketplace. Applejack scowled and lightly cuffed her sister upside the head.

"Oww! What'd I say?"

Applejack started counting the apples they had left. It was her nervous habit.

"Something hurtful."

Lyra ran out of the marketplace and onto an empty street. She shucked off her saddlebags and sat down on a bench. Tears started leaking out of her eyes and she angrily wiped them away.

It hadn't been a problem back in school. She'd had her bested friend in the whole wide world Bon Bon there for her. Even when she'd gone away to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns it wasn't too big of a deal as everypony she'd met was either kind and understanding or too busy in their own studies to notice.

When she'd graduated and moved back to Ponyville she thought she'd gotten over being stared at. Being treated differently or talked about like she was some sort of freak.

Apparently not.

The worst was when she was treated like she was stupid. They would talk slower and over enunciate their words as if she was deaf.

She thought about what other ponies could do. She'd played in big concert halls before and heard the singers' voices reach the heavens. She didn't envy them so much as pity herself. She couldn't make a sound with her mouth. Not speak, cough, cry, laugh or scream. It was some sort of magical condition she'd caught in the womb. No sound could escape her lips. Her vocal chords were fully formed and nothing was wrong with her physically. She was just broken.

She sat on the bench, head hung low as she remembered all the times she'd caught herself with her mouth open after one of her friends had told a joke only to close it and blush. Every time she'd wanted to scream after being stung by a bee or call out for help when the school bullies went too far.

"Somepony say something dumb again, Lyra?"

A candy cream voice filled her ears and she visibly relaxed as she turned to meet the face of Bon Bon.

Lyra took out her notebook and started scribbling through her still wet eyes.

"Yeah, Applejack's sister. She didn't know

and she started listing off all the things I

couldn't do and-"

Bon Bon stopped the quill with her hoof and smiled warmly. She pulled Lyra into a hug and they stayed like that for a minute before Bon Bon heard the quill scratching again.

"I know she just didn't understand and I'm

overreacting right now but it just hurt so

bad and

And actually, Applejack did a good job of

explaining it. I didn't lose my voice like I

forgot it somewhere or it was taken away.

I just never had one and that suits me JUST

FINE."

The quill's tip snapped causing Lyra to jump. She stared at the broken end, unable to write anything more.

Bon Bon reached into her own saddlebags and pulled out another one. Lyra looked over at her and did her best not to burst into tears again, though for a different reason.

Sugarcube Corner was strangely closed for business. All the windows were shut and doors locked. A storm cloud as black as night hung over the brightly coloured building. A faint sound could be heard if one dared to put her ear up to one of the windows. Like, giggling, only crazier. Only two mares in the entire world knew what insane experiments were taking place inside.

"Sooooo, what do you think? I know Dinky is just going to love it!"

Derpy Hooves stared at the ball of energy and cheer that was Pinkie Pie. And she was in fact a ball of energy having collected a small storm's worth of static electricity from having handled so many balloons. Her hair looked not unlike a pink thunderhead, complete with real thunder. Though how was beyond Derpy and she just sighed and looked on in trepidation.

Pinkie blinked and arcs of electricity shot between her eyelids. Derpy winced.

"Pinkie Pie, I can't thank you enough for helping plan her party but, well, let me help you with... all of that."

Derpy grabbed the faucet and then touched Pinkie Pie's shoulder. The resulting surge of lightning lit the whole house up for a second.

Derpy blinked and coughed, her eyes searching the room. She finally settled her eyes on Pinkie Pie who was smiling innocently at her.

Just needed to ground all that energy. Then again, that's probably impossible with Pinkie Pie. At least her hair is back to normal.

She smiled at Pinkie Pie who smiled back then snorted and covered her mouth with her hoof. She started stamping the floor before she couldn't hold it any longer and burst out laughing.

"What? Oh. Hehehehe. "

Derpy caught her reflection in the mirror across the hall and had to look three times before confirming that the blond afro staring back at her was in fact, the real Derpy Hooves.

"Careful, Derpy, don't bump into anything with that thing!"

Derpy shot a fierce look at Pinkie Pie, a fire in her eyes that burnt Pinkie's now normal hair.

"Oh! Oh no-no-no-no! I didn't mean it like that! I meant... I'm sorry, Derpy."

Derpy relaxed and put away the look usually reserved for those on the other end of a lecture or worse. She felt as embarrassed as Pinkie did and her cheeks went red.

"Sorry, Pinkie, I know it was just a slip of the tongue and in all honesty, I shouldn't be so sensitive. That's all behind me now. Hey, you've more than made up for it already. Dinky is just going to love this surprise party! She just loves storms and... just thank you."

Pinkie Pie smiled and waved off the praise, the tension behind them already.

"Oh stop, it's the least I could..."

She frowned and tilted her head to the side.

My lower left second molar is aching. That only happens when I eat too much green tea ice cream. I've only been eating vanilla and peppermint today. The last time this happened was when... NO!

Pinkie Pie stared wide eyed at Derpy.

"DISCORD! Get to Twilight! GO!"

"What?! Hey!"

Derpy was physically picked up and thrown out the door. She managed to catch herself with her wings but not enough to stop her momentum. She bowled over a couple walking down the road, landing on top of them.

"Oh! Sorry, Lyra! Sorry, Bon Bon! Pinkie Pie! Gotta go!"

She took off into the air and gave chase to the pink blur running around behind Sugarcube Corner.

What did she mean, Discord?!  Is he coming back? I need to see Dinky and Sparkler, right now.

"No time! Must tell Twilight!"

Derpy yelped at the sound of Pinkie Pie's voice in mid air. She had run back for her candy helicopter and was now speeding towards the library at a frightening pace. They flew over the town, the library slowing getting larger in Derpy's view. Too large.

"Pinkie! Slow down! We're almost there!"

Pinkie either didn't hear her or didn't care. She added on more speed and aimed the contraption at the tree's balcony.

"Pinkie Pie!"

Derpy flew under the whirling blades and pulled Pinkie Pie out of the cockpit. The helicopter smashed into the balcony, pieces of it lancing through the house.

Derpy tried to pull up but it was too late, she hugged Pinkie close and tucked her wings in.

She could see stars, and dark green leaves. Dinky smiled at her and trotted out of view. Derpy reached out but her hoof was taken by a purple leg that pulled her out of the branches.

"Oh... hhey Twilight?"

"Derpy! Where did you come from? Pinkie, are you okay? What happened? Why did you crash into the library?"

Derpy's eyes which were looking at both Twilight and Pinkie Pie snapped into focus.

"Canterlot Memorial Hospital. She has a contusion on her left fore metacarpal. I pulled her out of the helicopter when it became clear that she could not perform the necessary manoeuvres for landing safely. I then provided her with a safer deceleration method. She crashed into to library to tell you about... oowwwwie!"

Derpy groaned and brought her hoof out from under Pinkie Pie, in it was an inch long splinter. Twilight blinked and made to ask again but looked into Derpy's eyes, well, one of them, and pulled the grey pegasus out from under the tree branch she'd landed in, and then helped Pinkie Pie to her feet.

"Let's get you two downstairs."

A few minutes of impromptu surgery later, Derpy was nuzzling the bandage and poking it with her other hoof.

"Stop touching it, it'll heal up just fine."

Twilight giggled and looked over to Pinkie Pie who was doing the same with her own bandage. She smiled sheepishly at Twilight before putting her hooves down.

"Heh, sorry. Twilight, there's something super important I need to-"

"Pinkie Pie," Twilight interrupted, "Can you first tell me why there is a helicopter-"

"Pieces of a helicopter," Derpy corrected nervously.

"-pieces of a helicopter in my house?"

"Yes. It'll be in the telling of the super important thing I have to tell you. Discord is back!"

The air hung for a moment. Everything in Equestria stopped for a brief moment.

"At least, I think. See, I got this ache in my lower left second molar and I wasn't eating green tea ice cream today and it only happens when I do but once it happened the day Discord escaped and it happened again today so I flew over here, with Derpy, to warn you. Sorry, about the landing, Twilight."

Twilight had promised herself to believe in Pinkie Pie's Pinkie Sense. She said that she would believe Pinkie Pie no matter how crazy the prediction. But this was too far.

"A tooth ache, Pinkie Pie?"

"Yahuh, a tooth ache. We need to warn the Princesses right away!"

She smiled brightly but it quickly faded at the sight of Twilight's expression. She was just tired looking. Her ears drooped and Pinkie Pie could see bags under her eyes.

"Pinkie Pie, did you have any other ice cream today?"

"Yes, but what does that have to do with-"

"Pinkie Pie, ice cream causes tooth aches. It was probably that."

Pinkie Pie's eye twitched and her lips quivered.

"But, but-"

Twilight held up her hoof. She narrowed her eyes at Pinkie Pie and spoke it a low, flat tone.

"Everything is alright, Pinkie Pie. Go home."

Derpy could feel the knife hit Pinkie's heart. Pinkie Pie's hair deflated ever so slightly.

"You don't believe me?" she whispered.

Twilight's expression softened and she smiled ever so slightly.

"I'm skeptical, Pinkie Pie. Tell you what. I'll mention it in my letter to Celestia -- tonight. I just need to rewrite it first. You and Derpy have a nice rest of your day."

"Oh, right. I'm... I'm sorry, Twilight."

Pinkie Pie still looked like she could burst into tears at any moment but nodded and made to leave. Derpy followed her out the door, already wondering how she could help. Twilight watched them go and felt guilty for not being more understanding. She slowly took a breath and glanced over at the damage her home had sustained and nodded.

A few nights' work lay shattered on the ground where a candy cane landing skid had impaled it. A focusing crystal for her new telescope and the telescope itself lay on the ground, broken and cracked. A grim still life.

"So, Applebloom, you were saying?"

Scootaloo pulled on her helmet and revved her wings.

Any day now. Any day.

Applebloom sat down next to Sweetie Bell in the wagon and dug out a few juice boxes from her saddlebags.

"Ah'm saying I feel really bad for saying those things about Lyra! No one ever told me she couldn't speak! Wait, that still sounds offensive. Shoot, this is hard."

Sweetie Bell finished her juice and thought a moment.

"Maybe you should just go talk to her... wait, darn it, this is hard."

Scootaloo was raring to go. She just wanted to get moving, her wings started itching and she fluttered them to cope with the feeling.

"Just tell me where to go, Applebloom. You can explain it on the way."

"The Everfree Forest. Pronto!"

Scootaloo's ears pricked up at the mention of the most adventurous place in Equestria! Well, the most adventurous place they'd gone to so far.

"On it!"

"Whoa!"

Sweetie Bell was nearly unseated by the burst of speed that carried them down the road and away from Rarity's boutique. Her sister had been buried under work and had gladly let the girls she was supposed to be watching for the day play outside while she tried to make a dozen dresses and tuxedos.

They flew down the road at a frightening pace. Not frightening for the occupants but for the worried onlookers who were now betting on when they would crash.

But crash they did not. Applebloom held on for dear life as the wagon came up on two wheels around a corner. She shot a hoof backwards and pulled Sweetie Bell back into the vehicle and they were off again down the road.

"Wow, Scootaloo! This is the fastest you've ever gone!"

Scootaloo grinned with pride. All the training had paid off. After school she had managed to convince Rainbow Dash to practise alongside her. While she obviously couldn't fly, she had picked up a few pointers from her favourite pegasus for exercises on the ground. So that's what she'd done. Day in and day out. And it was paying off. She could jump and glide two dozen feet now.

"Thanks! I've really been practising!"

Sweetie Bell tried to keep the juice she'd drank in her stomach. She was less than amused by the jostling but was proud of her friend all the same.

"So why are we going to the Everfree Forest?"

"Ah need to do something that'll make Lyra smile! She looked so sad when she ran off and my sister always says you should make amends to those you offend. So we're going to the Everfree Forest to get her something to cheer her up like some flowers or maybe something from Zecora's."

Scootaloo frowned. She was a lot sharper than most gave her credit for.

"You sure you aren't doing this because you feel guilty or because you actually want to make it up to her?"

Now it was Applebloom's turn to frown.

"What do you mean? Of course I feel guilty! I said something hurtful and now I'm making amends."

"I mean, are you doing this for yourself or for her?"

"Her! Why would I... oh, I see what you're saying. Yes, I want to get rid of the guilt. And I'll do it by doing something nice for her because it's the right thing to do. So, both kind of."

They turned another corner and Sweetie Bell held a hoof to her mouth.

"Why can't you just buy her flowers from Lily or Rose. Urgh, I'm gonna hurl if you don't slow down."

Scootaloo threw her wings out and slowly came to a slow roll on her scooter. Applebloom laughed at something, her mind off in reminisce.

"Because my sister once told me that flowers from a store are just a stallion's get out of out jail free card with mares. If you really mean to say you're sorry, pick a bunch yourself rather than stop off at the store on your way home from the salt bar, whatever that means."

Scootaloo snickered and rolled her eyes and Sweetie Bell bit her lip and smiled. Applebloom just looked confused.

"What?"

"Nothing," they said in unison.

A few minutes later they arrived at the Everfree Forest entrance. It looked dark and had eyes peering out from behind the trees and bushes. While not unusual in of itself, the unnerving part was the intensity. There were dozens of pairs of eyes and there seemed to be a shadow hanging over the forest. They all gulped.

"I think we should leave the scooter and wagon here. Just stash them in the bushes over there."

Scootaloo looked away from a pair of green eyes looking at her from a tree top.

"Yeah, sure."

She pulled off her helmet and threw it, the scooter and wagon under the bush and looked up to where the eyes had been. They were gone. She blinked and looked again. Nope, they'd just joined three more pairs.

The Everfree Forest was fittingly named because that was literally what it was. A forest that was free of any need for intervention by ponykind. Pegasi didn't need to regulate the weather, which Rainbow Dash found both curious and irritating, to make the trees grow tall. Earth Ponies didn't need to work the land to cultivate the many kinds of fruits and vegetables that grew there and unicorns weren't required for whatever those unicorns did for plants and such.

Rainbow Dash flew over the trees, now at a reasonable altitude, towards Zecora's house. The zebra and her had hit it off, or at least were having friendly conversations, after they had both discovered a filly like fascination with The Wonderbolts, albeit for different reasons. Rainbow Dash wanted to join them while Zecora was just enamoured with their aerial acrobatics, being a ground bound zebra.

Rainbow Dash recalled hearing her talk about how zebras inherently distrusted those who came from the sky as their former rivals, the gryphons, often had come on raids to cut them down to carry back to their nests. While things had changed and Zebrica had modernised somewhat, Zecora's people still had a habit of hanging on to grudges. But not her, ever since she was a filly she was always watching the skies in the hopes of seeing a bird or weird shaped cloud. She had even earned her name, Zecora Skygazer, by searching the sky and letting her friends know when the rains were coming and even what the weather was going to be like for the next couple of hours. Zebrica, like the Everfree, was a wild and untamed place by Pony standards.

She came across the tree house and immediately noticed something was off. The door to be specific.

That's never a good sign.

"Zecoooraaa!"

Rainbow Dash's call was deadened by the dense canopy and thick trees. She could hear her own heartbeat and her breath seemed oddly loud.

She walked tentatively towards the house. The windows had been smashed apart as if something too big to fit had been forced through them. Her hooves crunched broken sticks and bumpy ground. She looked down to see the dirt had been stamped down and scratched up and was littered with twigs and sticks.

"What... Zeeecoooorraaaa-"

"Be quiet! Do not cause such a riot!"

A metal blade found its way under her chin. She slowly turned to see it was attached to a long wooden staff. Zecora was breathing heavily but otherwise unmoving. She had a wild, deranged look in her eyes as if she distrusted what they showed her.

"Zecora, it's me, Rainbow Dash."

"The last one said that too, right before it tried to bite me in two."

What the happened here? What happened to her?

Rainbow Dash gulped, feeling the blade move with her throat.

"Okay, take it easy, Zecora. I'll prove I'm the real me. Remember what I said to you after you told me you liked the Wonderbolts too? 'I think you are the most awesome zebra I've ever met,'  then I whispered, 'and I've only met two.'"

The blade on the end of the staff relaxed a bit.

"And I said to you,' Of all the pegasi I have met, you are the strongest I have seen yet.' I believe you are the real Blue."

Zecora lifted the spear and let out a breath of relief. She looked visibly beaten now. She was standing on her back legs and her shoulders were slumped. Scratches and bite marks covered her body and one wound on her left leg looked particularly nasty as it bled out into the dirt. She leaned on her right hoof  for support.

"Forgive me, Blue, I wasn't sure it was really you. I think I need to lie down. When you can, bring me my saddle bags, they are in the house and are brown."

She leaned on her spear and nearly collapsed as her legs gave way underneath her. Rainbow Dash rushed to help her sit down.

"What happened here?"

Zecora drew a breath and stared out into the forest.

"Timberwolves came in the night a day ago. They almost killed me but were too slow."

She winced and exclaimed something in her native tongue. It sounded vulgar. Rainbow Dash knelt down next to her. She didn't know what to make of the situation. She was shocked and confused.

"Why would they come and attack you like this? And why did you think I was one of them?"

"My saddlebags, Blue, and I will tell you of those I slew."

Rainbow Dash bit her lip and went into the house to find her saddlebags. It was a mess; everything had been clawed apart or otherwise destroyed. She moved a broken table and raised an eyebrow. Miraculously, the bags had survived unscathed. She bent down to pick them up but stopped herself as a giant spider crawled on top of them and looked at her with eight beady eyes. It had been guarding them and no timberwolf had dared go near it for fear of death. Its venom, while hilarious in animals, was completely toxic to timberwolves and other forms of carnivorous plants.

Rainbow Dash scowled at the spider and it held up four arms in surrender and crawled away to a corner of the room, not wanting to incur the wrath of the pegasus. Rainbow Dash eyed it for a moment before picking up the bags and going back to Zecora who had since fallen onto her back. Rainbow dash saw this and rushed over to her.

"Zecora!"

"Ah, not so loud! You may attract a crowd. My things? Ah, such relief it brings."

Rainbow Dash pushed the bags over and Zecora pawed through them until pulling out a jar filled with leaves. She cracked the lid and hoofed it over to Rainbow Dash.

"If you please, put these on any wound you see."

Rainbow Dash put her lips together and her eyes traced over Zecora's body.

"Ummm."

"Now is not the time for modesty. Please, Blue. And do not worry, they will stick like glue."

Rainbow Dash shrugged and began pressing the leaves over every wound she saw, eliciting a gasp or twitch from Zecora every time.

The zebra opened another jar filled with a murky pink liquid and poured it over her leg wound. She jerked and cursed but managed to pour it all out on her leg which looked like it was healing already.

Zecora pulled out a roll of bandages and wrapped her leg. She breathed out slowly through her mouth and in through her nose.

Rainbow Dash's head was full of questions. Why had they attacked her now? She'd been living here for two years. Zecora had once told her she was one of the best spearmares in her old village, just how many wolves there been? Why weren't they here anymore? Why did she think I was one of them? Were there rainbow maned wolves running about the forest now?

"Zecora."

"Yes, blue? What is it that perplexes you?"

"What the in the name of Celestia happened to you?"

Zecora smiled and chuckled. She rose to her feet and motioned for Rainbow Dash to follow her. Zecora used the spear as a walking stick and grit her teeth every second step. This was going to be a long and arduous journey. They made their through the forest back the way Rainbow Dash had flown.

"Crude, but a valid question. I asked myself something similar when they barged down my door without discretion. I had set up many wards and protections for giving the beasts of the forest new directions. But it seems that they ignored my thorn fences and blew right through my defences. There were too many for it to be a single pack, no, something riled them all to attack. As for why I thought you were not you, a shape shifter came disguised as Rainbow Dash and tried to run me through. She asked if she could come inside, and when I opened the door she ran at me and I almost died."

Zecora gestured to her bandaged leg and Rainbow Dash broke into a sweat.

What the hell? Shape shifting timberwolves? Something isn't right with this place. More so than usual.

"We need to get to the mayor. Tell her to get some guard ponies down here and make this place safe. That was your home they just trashed! I have half a mind to fly around here to find theirs and give 'em a piece of my mind!"

"A fruitless task. Timberwolves hide in caves and besides, I do not want to give you an early death mask."

Pegasus and zebra looked at each other for a moment before continuing on their way.

They walked in silence. Every time Rainbow Dash wanted to ask another question, Zecora would hiss and tell her to ask later. It was a long walk back and the sun hung high in the sky before overbalancing and rocketing back to earth.

Suddenly, Zecora dropped to her knees and slunk under a bush.

"Huh-"

Rainbow Dash was pulled under the same bush by a white and black hoof.

"Sh."

"What-"

"SH! I heard something over there. When I tell you, take to the air."

Rainbow Dash slowly nodded.

I hope I live to regret this.

"Now!"

Rainbow Dash sprang out of the bush and shot up into the canopy. She was met with an immediate response as a dark brown form leapt out of the tree in front of her to intercept. She saw jaws, claws and sharp sticks.

"AAAAHHHH!"

She threw her hooves in front of her face to shield herself. The blows never came. She sailed right through the trees and into the air. She stayed there for a second, checking herself to make sure she still had all of her limbs.

"That was messed up, Zecora! I almost-"

Her words forced themselves back down her throat as she saw the wolf looming over Zecora, a spear jutting out of its head. She was lying on her back, a focused look on her face as she stared into its eyes until it died. She threw it off her spear to her right and jumped to her feet. She winced as she landed on the bandaged hoof but stayed upright and ready. Rainbow Dash landed beside her.

"Zecora, I think it's dead, you can relax now."

"That is not the one I am worried about. We now need a safer route."

Rainbow Dash landed next to the zebra and followed her eyes to the shapes now darting in between the trees behind them.

"The thing with wolves is that there is never only one, perhaps it would be best if we were to-"

A wolf crashed through the trees and landed next to them, mouth full of ropey sap that dripped onto the ground. It growled as its brethren joined it.

"Run."

Rainbow Dash looked at the wolves and then to Zecora.

Where the hell did they come from? Whatever, we can't fight 'em all. Need to run. No wait...

"No, fly!"

She picked Zecora up and shot into the air through the canopy. However, she was almost knocked out of the air by the now struggling zebra.

"Zecora! Stay still!"

The poor zebra, despite her interest in the air and sky, had never flown before and was in a panic. She was shouting something in her native tongue and holding onto Rainbow Dash for dear life.

Eventually she settled onto Rainbow Dash's back and they flew towards Ponyville. Zecora still tensed up at the slightest breeze and occasionally cast her eyes to the forest where she could see they were being followed but for the most part seemed to be enjoying herself.

"Wow."

Rainbow Dash smiled and waited for the rhyming couplet that Zecora would say with every sentence.

It never came. She looked at the zebra who's eyes were wide with joy.

"Zecora?"

"Wow."

"... Okay then."

Scootaloo picked her way around a patch of thorns with a glowing red flower in her bag. She was a good friend for doing this with Applebloom but in the future she would make it a point to do her good deeds in more accessible places.

Ah well, this is still fun. That two headed flytrap was pretty cool. Creepy, but in a good way.

Sweetie Bell pushed the thorns up with her magic and walked under them. Scootaloo raised an eyebrow at this.

"Someone's magic's coming in."

Sweetie Bell glanced back at her, the blue flower sitting in her saddlebags looked with her. Its pistils and stamens like a tongue and eyes.

"Who?"

Applebloom snickered and walked under the thorns Sweetie Bell was holding up to join them, a whole range of flowers tucked safely in her saddlebags.

"You, silly! I remember when lifting a quill from across the room took all you got but now you're just tossing thorn bushes aside like it's nothing!"

Sweetie Bell looked at the bush still suspended in air. She furrowed her brow and lowered it back to the ground.

"You've been doing it all day," Scootaloo chimed in, "I'm impressed."

"Yeah, but I'm kind of tired now."

Applebloom smiled and looked at her friends.

"Both of you are doing great! Why, Scootaloo, you're gonna be flying around any day now and, Sweetie Bell, with your magic, Ah'm sure you'll be getting your cutie mark soon enough."

Sweetie Bell beamed.

"Yeah, and with your..."

She frowned and looked for the words that completed that sentence. A pit formed in her stomach. None came.

Applebloom looked expectantly at her, a smile on her face.

"Yeah?"

Scootaloo looked at her wings and Sweetie Bell's horn and realized where this was going.

"Oh, um, your... legs are getting really strong! I bet you don't even feel the weight of all those flowers."

Applebloom frowned and looked at the two bouquets of flowers in her saddlebags.

Scootaloo nudged Sweetie Bell and motioned for her to continue.

"And your tail! Um, well you must be able to lasso just like your sister now!"

Applebloom suddenly looked straight ahead. She knew what was going on. She looked at her friends, Sweetie's horn and Scootaloo's wings and understood.

Oh.

"AAAAWHHHOOOOOOO."

The howl pierced the air, birds took flight from the trees and the trio could hear the ground rustle as every living thing that could move scattered.

They all gulped.

"What was tha-"

"AAAAAAAAAAWWWWHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOO."

This howl was much closer and was soon joined by others, hundreds of others it seemed. What was worse was Applebloom recognized what was making it.

"Oh no," she whispered.

She could hear them rushing through the trees. Their footfalls snapping twigs and sticks. Bushes and thorns being obliterated in their path.

"Timberwolves!"

Applebloom's blood turned to ice as did Sweetie Bell's and Scootaloo's, although, her mind didn't.

"Climb trees!"

Scootaloo grabbed Sweetie Bell and half pushed half threw her at the nearest low hanging branch. She just managed to grab it and pull herself up. She hung her hoof down.

"Come on!"

Scootaloo looked at Applebloom and Applebloom at her, both intending to help the other up the tree.

"Here let me-," they both said before stopping.

Applebloom scowled picked up Scootaloo and bodily threw her into the air. Scootaloo managed to catch Sweetie Bell's hoof and as she was dragged up she looked back at Applebloom still on the ground.

"Applebloom!"

Applebloom looked up at Scootaloo in shock.

Two things happened in an instant. A dark brown shape leapt out of the bushes and into Applebloom. It was a mass of teeth and fangs and had glowing green eyes that streaked across Scootaloo's vision.

The second thing to happen was this shape was met by something golden, blue, white and very angry.

The pegasus guard caught the wolf under its jaw with a crushing armoured hoof. He used its momentum and slammed it into a tree. The wolf split, sending sticks and sap in every direction.

He turned and caught another surprised wolf in the jaw with a punishing right uppercut. It sent the wolf reeling but its pack mates had recovered from his arrival and were now closing in.

He kicked with his rear hooves in a bucking motion that sent one wolf flying but he was tackled from the side by its friend. They rolled and lashed out at each other. Another wolf clamped its jaws around his armoured ankle and tried to pry the greave off. He twisted and rolled until he was on top of the wolf he was wrestling. He kicked out again and sent the wolf that had been chewing on his leg to the ground.

He turned his attention to the still struggling wolf beneath him. He pinned its claws underneath an uncompromising armoured hoof and proceeded to beat its head in. He roared every time he hit it and the wolf howled back, first in defiance, then in pain. He finally silenced it and caved its skull in.

Another wolf growled at him but dared not approach him alone. He got up and took a defensive stance. Shoulders loose, legs apart. The wolf was joined by two more. He squinted and for a moment thought they were grinning before they charged.

They all moved moved faster then the eye could see. Cuirass drew his sword that until now had been begging to be used.

He moved like lightning.

Two of the wolves fell beside him: one in two pieces, one missing half its head.

The third one looked at him with glowing green eyes before they unfocused and it slid off his outstretched blade. His sword dripped with a dark red sap before he cleaned it on the dead wolf in front of him then, thinking better of it, cleaned it on a leaf. The wolf was dirtier then the sword anyway.

He sheathed his sword and rushed over to see if the filly he'd saved was actually saved. He started to sweat and it had nothing to do with the effort he'd exerted.

"Little Miss? Hey, you, are you okay?"

Applebloom wheezed in a breath and coughed. Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell climbed down from the tree and dashed to her side, totally ignoring the guard who stood there, awestruck.

"Take a minute. Breathe, you must have been winded. Just take it slow."

Scootaloo began searching for injuries while Sweetie Bell looked for something to do. She glanced at the flowers on the ground and frowned. They'd been trampled in the scuffle. She began sorting through the good and bad ones until her search came to the red sappy hooves of the pegasus guard standing over them.

He wasn't looking at Sweetie Bell and in fact barely registered her presence at all. He was looking at Scootaloo who was performing an assessment for injuries. She came across a scrape and before he could offer assistance she'd bandaged it with a clean cloth from her saddlebag.

"Hey, look at me... alright you probably don't have a concussion but I'd still get checked out at Ponyville hospital or a clinic just in case. You don't have any broken bones and should be able to walk, but take it slow. Heh, earth pony toughness eh?"

The pegasus guard blinked. Who was this purple maned mare?

"Excuse me, Ma'am, are these your sisters?"

Scootaloo looked up at the pegasus guard with a raised eyebrow.

"Nooooo, these are my friends, Applebloom and Sweetie Bell.  Hey, thanks for saving our lives. That was amazing! You took on like, six wolves! What's your name?"

"Uhn... Cuirass and it was seven. I need to get you all out of here. Now. Pack your things, err, flowers and I'll fly us out of here."

They did as they were told and were soon soaring above the tree tops at a reasonable pace.

It was quiet going for a time until Applebloom spoke up.

"What was your name again?"

"Cuirass."

Scootaloo glanced at his armour and rolled her eyes.

Figures

"Thank you, Cuirass, for saving my life and all but do you mind me asking what you were doing out in the forest alone?"

Cuirass shifted them in his hooves and rolled his shoulders as he flew, causing Scootaloo to sway from side to side.

"I wasn't alone. I was with another pony from my unit, Victory Winds but when you meet her, just call her Vic. She hates it when you use her full name. We met a pegasus and zebra leaving the area and she should be escorting them to Ponyville Hospital by now. I opted to finish my patrol without her, and hey, it paid off. Mind you I am going to get chewed out because of it but you'll support me right?"

Applebloom furrowed her brow in thought.

"Sure, but why would we need to?"

Cuirass shifted them again and gained a little altitude.

"Technically, I'm supposed to go wherever my partner goes and splitting up was something the Major ordered us not to do under pain of latrine duty for a month."

Scootaloo sat up and smiled.

"Hey! I know Vic! She's in my brother's unit. Do you know Tempest Gale?"

Cuirass laughed.

"Gale? Ya, I know that guy. I'm kind of new to the unit but he seems like a good enough pony. A good strong lad."

They chatted as they flew. Ponyville slowly getting larger and larger in the distance.

Rarity had been frantic. She'd asked all around town if they'd seen her Sweetie Bell. And her friends of course. She'd searched the entire town and her sense of pride and shame had finally lost; she'd called the newly stationed guards to search everywhere for her sister and her friends. They'd sent teams of two to the outskirts of town and the Everfree Forest. Rarity was told to wait at the 'Command Centre' in the town hall.

Rarity had wanted to organise the rest of her friends to form their own search parties but had been stopped at the door. She'd been told that it was very inadvisable to leave town at this time and that her sister and her friends would be brought to her when they were found.

Rarity had sensed an 'if' in the Major's voice and was now waiting in the town hall with a concerned Twilight, a consoling Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie and a fuming Applejack.

Rarity looked over at Applejack and the orange mare's green eyes narrowed and she snorted, pawing the ground.

"Look, Applejack, I said I was sorry! I said it at least a dozen times. I tried to get us out there and looking for Applebloom but I was stopped by Major As-... Major Swift Ascent. I want to be out there looking for them just as much as you do so would YOU STOP GIVING ME THAT LOOK!!!"

Rarity rose to her feet and Twilight jumped in between Applejack and her.

"Girls, please. All we can do is wait. It's no use fighting each other."

Rarity huffed and sat back down.

"Please, Twilight, I am not a barbarian. I was just looking to yell in her ear as she obviously can't hear me."

Applejack's dead pan expression darkened even more.

"Twilight, it's mighty kind of you to say that but in all honesty, you have no real stake in this. You don't have a sibling lost in a time of crisis."

Pinkie Pie held up a hoof as if waiting to answer a question. Applejack slowly looked over to her and nodded.

"What makes you think this is a crisis?"

Applejack drew a long and measured breath.

"They've only sent out ten teams of two out of a total garrison of five hundred, which only just arrived from Canterlot under orders from the Princess herself. They shut down the rail system on their way in and are keeping everyone in the town limits. This is as close as it's come to having martial law declared as it has in a long time. My sister and those I care deeply about are lost out there during all this and it's because Rarity didn't keep a close eye on them. Oh, and Rainbow Dash is missing too. Crisis."

They sat in silence. Fluttershy looked up at Applejack.

"Ummm, Applejack?"

Applejack stopped scowling at Rarity for a second and softened her expression as she looked at Fluttershy.

"Yes, Sugarcube?"

Fluttershy winced and hid behind her mane.

Whoops, guess I didn't soften it enough.

"Sorry, Fluttershy, what is it?"

A blue eye peered out from behind a curtain of pink.

"I just think you're wrong to blame Rarity."

Applejack snarled and her eyes darkened.

"What do you mean? You think I'm overreacting or something? What about this isn't her fault? She needed to make a couple of ugly dresses and stupid suits for some fancy-smancy ponies in Canterlot and had to throw the girls she was supposed to be taking care of out the door so her work would be a little easier. WHAT ABOUT THAT IS WRONG?!"

"EVERYTHING!"

Applejack took a step back. Fluttershy stood up and walked right up to her, her nose pressing into Applejack's.

"Listen. The reason we can't find them is because they probably went exploring in the Everfree Forest. The guards would've found them by now if they were anywhere else. Rarity needed to complete her work and as she already explained to you twice, they'd told her that they'd be going to Sweet Apple Aches. She was lied to and had no idea that they'd run off. It isn't her fault Applebloom is missing. Her sister is right beside yours and she is worrying every bit as much as you are. Sit down and shut up."

Applejack's legs buckled and she sat on her rump, staring up at the furious blue eyes.

Fluttershy held her gaze for a moment longer before squeaking and looking away.

"I'm sorry Applejack, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to yell."

Applejack pulled her into a hug and pondered the weirdness of her comforting the pegasus.

"Um, it's alright, Fluttershy. I don't blame you. Well, I'm not mad at you is all. Rar- Rarity?"

Rarity pursed her lips and looked back at her.

"Applejack."

"I'm mighty sorry. I was being an ass."

"I know, you do that sometimes but I've made a habit of forgiving you all the same."

She walked over and sat down next to the two and joined the hug. A tear leaked out of Applejack's eye but Rarity held her face in her hoof and smiled, her own eyes watering.

"Save them for when they show up."

The door to the hall was opened and Rainbow Dash and Zecora filed in, escorted by three guards.

"Girls!"

Rainbow Dash shot towards them and grabbed them all in a big group hug. All the guards tensed but relaxed when the Major nodded at them.

"It's the timberwolves! They're running around the Everfree Forest! Something must have them organised. They even attacked Zecora! Look!"

They all looked over to Zecora who had been leaning on her spear, still eyeing everything that moved. Twilight broke off the hug and trotted over to her.

"Oh my goodness. What happened to you?"

"They came to my house in search of prey, but they found me to their dismay."

The door opened again and the Cutie Mark Crusaders followed by two guards came running into the room. One guard almost got his sword out before the Major stopped him.

"SWEETIE BELL!"

"APPLEBLOOM!"

"I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE ALRIGHT!"

Both older sisters rushed over to their respective sibling and buried them in hugs and kisses. Scootaloo was almost knocked over and stood at the sidelines, both happy and a little sad.

"Hey, kid!"

Rainbow Dash flew over and bumped her on the shoulder.

"When I heard you were missing I'll admit I got a little worried. Now I can see, totally unfounded. You survived!"

Scootaloo was pulled into a one legged hug and her hair was mussed up by a blue hoof. She looked over at the other two and beamed. She'd never felt so happy.

Twilight smiled at the sight and let out a long sigh she'd been holding in since this mess had started.

"Girls, I need to write a letter so if you'll excuse me, I'm going to find out what's going on."

She walked towards the door and the pegasus guards standing at either side looked at her then the Major, as if they were looking for orders. He nodded and they relaxed and let her pass. Twilight bumped into a guard that was standing just outside the door and her vision was briefly filled with a red streaked white mane that was flowing out of the guard's helmet. The guard tensed and spun around.

"Hey, watch it! Oh, sorry, Miss Sparkle. Still, watch who you bump into like that. Could get your head taken off."

Twilight's eyes widened in shock, staring into the red coloured eyes of the guard that for moment had been a cold empty abyss.

"Just what is going on? What has everypony so anxious?"

"Princess Celestia has us on red alert. It's the highest alert we've been on since we found out the gryphons had been building forts along our border and massing troops a couple years back. Ponyfeathers, that was boring duty. Anyway, my name's Vic, and I'm assigned to your person for the duration of this whole mess. I go where you go. No exceptions."

They walked through the dark grass roadways, Vic glancing at her shining armoured hooves getting dirtier and dirtier.

"I'm all for running around meadows and whatnot but I just wish they'd have given us BDU's rather than these parade uniforms. I mean, look at this! I'm going to have to polish this later. This is enchanted gold. Weighs nothing and is enchanted to be as strong as steel. The only reason it isn't steel is to show off Equestrian wealth. Goddesses help us if something ever broke the spells, we'd all be undressing in front of the enemy just so we could move. What a cock up, eh? Where are we going by the way?"

Twilight giggled and pointed to an open door in a tree. A small purple silhouette against the orange glow of a warm fire stood in it.

"My home, the town library. I need to write a letter to Celestia to ask what is going on because normally I'm forewarned about these sort of things. Hey, what's a BDU?"

"Battle Dress Uniform, used for combat which is what I think we'll be seeing soon enough."

Twilight spun her neck to look at her so hard it popped.

"What?!"

"Yeah, wouldn't have sent the 101st Airborne to do anything else. We're just a battalion here but the rest of us are all over the Equestrian valley. Got the rest of the boys and girls on rapid response. I'm thinking Celestia figures we're gonna be hit, just doesn't know from where."

They entered the library, it was considerably more comfortable than outside and it wasn't just the warmth. With the soldiers and commotion outside, it was nice to be able to shut off from it all for a bit. Twilight glumly sat down at her writing desk and pulled out a fresh piece of parchment. The dragon grabbed a quill from the table.

"You want me to write this one? Oh, um... hi."

Vic regarded the little dragon with an air of suspicion and mild amusement.

Twilight dipped her quill in its ink well and began scratching out her letter to the Princesses, pressing down harder than necessary.

"No, thank you, Spike. I want to write this one myself."

Dear Princess Celestia and Princess Luna,

I am writing to you to ask why there is a battalion of the 101st Airborne in

Ponyville? And why the added security measures besides? You've shut

down all travel and, from what I've gathered, mobilized the entire Equestrian

military. What is going on? Why didn't you tell me and what else aren't

you telling me?

I'm scared, Celestia, I really am and, frankly, I know you are too. None

of this makes sense unless something very big threatens Equestria. Let me

help. Let the Elements help.

Cordially,

Twilight Sparkle

Twilight rolled it up and added a wax seal. She floated it over to Spike and he let out a breath of green flame that engulfed the scroll and carried it away into the nether.

Vic raised an eyebrow at this and began wondering strongly why Twilight hadn't simply bought a radio set or sent a telegram.

Magic users are so behind the technological times. Even more so in this town. Ah well, it's cute. And probably more secure.

Vic tapped her hooves for a second before remembering what she was here for.

"Hey, are we staying here?"

"Yes, why?"

"Just need to secure this place. Won't take long."

Vic began searching the house, noting every point of entry and possible angle of attack. She locked the doors and windows.

"Hey, I'm going to be outside for a second. Just need to take a look around the tree. Be back in five."

She exited the tree and Twilight was left to her thoughts.

"SIGH."

And Spike of course.

"Twilight?"

"Yes, Spike?"

"I'm worried."

She looked down at her lifelong friend. Her steadfast companion. She picked him up and hugged him, nuzzling his cheek.

"Me too."

He smiled and wrapped his arms around her. He then put a hand to his mouth and turned his head sideways, belching out a scroll bearing the royal seal. Twilight laid him down on her desk and picked up the scroll. She opened it up and in it was six Royal Seals. Twilight yelped as the polished gold clattered to the floor.

Oh my Celestia...

She stared at the Seals. They carried all the authority of the Princesses themselves. Those who carried them were both the most trusted ponies in all of Equestria as well as the most dangerous. They had been given to soldiers, dignitaries, bodyguards, assassin's and spies, never to just common ponies like herself.

Then again, after all my friends and I have been through, I can't keep thinking of us as normal.

She floated the heavy golden necklaces to the desk and read the letter.

Dearest Twilight Sparkle,

Forgive me if I have been silent these past couple of days. I had so

much to do and still yet more. But that is no excuse, you of all

ponies should be kept in the loop. I am sorry.

I have mobilized the full might of the Equestrian military.

Thousands of brave ponies willing to face whatever I ask them to.

I just hope they believe me when I tell them tomorrow in a national

address.

I have a captive demon in the palace. He is secure so don't worry

about me. He has proven trustworthy so far and I have enacted

the security measures you seen so far on his word. An army the likes

of which this world has never seen before is coming to Equestria. A

demon army led by a being of terrible malice and power. I do not where

it will come from. I do not know what its capabilities will be.

But I do not intend to sit idly and wait for it. I will need you and the

Elements in this fight. This fight of all fights. For I fear that not only

demons threaten our borders. I sense something stirring. A force as

old as the world is awakening and she is not pleased.

Come to Canterlot as soon as you can. Bring your friends and the

Elements of Harmony. Be safe, Twilight. Be safe.

With all of my love,

Celestia Equidae

Beware the forests. Travel by only the safest means.

Twilight read it again and again. It sounded like a speech. As if Celestia was writing the words while wanting to believe they were true. The student of the most powerful pony in the world sat back in her chair and stared at the wall until Vic came back in and said the library was safe enough.

"Get some sleep, Twilight. I'll keep watch. Gosh, and you look like you need it. I've seen that look before but I'd just come out of a meat grinder with half of my friends intact. The Sun send you a letter back?"

"Yeah."

"Eh, I don't have to hear it if it's classified or personal. Go on. Sleep on it."

Twilight mouthed a thank you to Vic and put on the tea kettle for her before trundling off to bed.

Hush Now, Quiet Now

Chapter Four: Hush Now, Quiet Now

"When the time comes I won't say I told you so. I will simply weep."

Samael

Celestia stood on the balcony overlooking the courtyard of the palace. Royal guards flanking her in a show of force. A hushed silence fell over the crowd as she approached the microphones. Thousands had gathered and hundreds of thousands sat in their homes around their radios. Waiting for the news. The national address.

"Citizens of Equestria. Concerned mothers and fathers. Worried husbands and wives. I address you now to tell you all that I know of what is happening in our country.

Two days ago, an envoy from a hostile foreign nation came to the palace demanding the total surrender Equestria and the forfeiture of our lives. He must have been very misinformed about Equestrian patriotism.

His demands came with a warning. That should we refuse, should we not bow to him, that his master would come and attempt to take the country from us by force. That he will come and declare war on our nation. I believe that threat to be creditable. My sister and I have since mobilized the entire Equestrian military to safe guard the nation against these foreign oppressors.

Dark times are coming to Equestria but I urge you as both your Princess and as your friend to hold firm. To be resolute in the face of menace not only for yourselves but for those you care for."

Celestia looked to her left at her sister who was standing at her own battery of microphones. She looked nervous but Celestia had to suppress a smile and hold a stern and regal face.

I think the microphones might be a little too much.

Luna cleared her throat and leaned down slightly towards the devices she'd only just heard about a few minutes prior.

"M-... My fellow Equestrians. After careful deliberation and planning, we have stationed the entirety of our armed forces all across our lands to defend our cities, our homes. The reserves have been called up. Our swords are sharpened and ready to meet the enemy whenever and wherever it may appear to threaten us.

As your leaders, your Princesses, we stand beside you in these dark times. Not behind, ordering others take our place but also not in front of you. Every citizen, every pony, must be ready to aid Equestria when the time comes. We, as a nation, must prepare for the worst crisis seen in a thousand years.

There will be hard times ahead of us. Food may be short but you must stand firm. Luxury may turn into naught but memory but you must stand firm. Enemies may threaten your lives and the lives of those you love but you must stand firm.

No matter how long it may take us to prevail over this invasion. The Equestrian people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory!"

The assembled crowds erupted into cheers. Each and every pony's blood was boiling, their skin covered in goose bumps.

Celestia and Luna switched off their microphones and stood there, waving at the crowds. The Equestrian flags hanging patriotically above them waving with along with them.

"Not bad, Luna. I'll admit I was worried for a moment."

Luna shot a sideways glance at her sister but maintained her regal expression.

"Did thou think I was not up to the task of addressing the Equestrian people as I once did?"

"Not at all. I was more concerned about the volume."

Luna snorted and hid her smile under her hoof.

"Damn you, Tia! We have to look strong and unyielding for the country!"

"Well, I am."

Luna recovered and began waving again. Her face slightly pinker than usual. No one would notice at this distance but she was worried all the same.

"I had been practising my public speaking with Scribbles. She helped me write my speech."

"A talented young mare with a bright future."

Luna furrowed her brow for a second.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"That should she continue to excel the way she is, she will become an invaluable companion to us."

"Ah, when you said 'bright' future I was worried you were thinking of stealing her away."

"Come now, Luna. I wouldn't dream of it."

"I'll try to remember that the next time I catch you watching her leave."

Celestia's face went bright red and she did her very best to maintain her composure. She slowly looked over at Luna who was still waving at the crowds although a thin smile had spread across her muzzle.

"Well played, Luna."

"Thank you, Celestia."

They finally went inside and let out a sigh. Steeling a nation for the worst was always a stressful and delicate affair.

Celestia paused a moment and checked the corners of the room as if looking for someone. Luna raised her eyebrow at this.

"What?"

"You know, I'm actually starting to miss Scribbles on her day off."

"You could order her to your side if it makes you feel better."

Celestia shot a look at her giggling sister.

"No, I will not bother her in the scant few hours she has to herself. And will you stop snickering at me!"

They walked for a bit, chatting about the comings and goings of the palace. Celestia thought as they talked that moments like this didn't happen often enough. Where she and her sister just talked about their lives outside their royal duties. Celestia felt lucky every time Luna cracked a joke with her or even at her because it meant her imprisonment hadn't changed the Luna she loved. They eventually ended up at Luna's bedroom. It was nine o'clock in the morning and Luna yawned.

"I think I stayed up late enough for the country. Good day, Celestia."

Luna opened the door to her room and made to enter.

"Wait."

Luna stopped and turned. Celestia's voice had sounded pleading.

"Wait, would you mind staying up a bit longer for your sister? I was really enjoying just spending time with you. The way things are going, we might not get another chance like this for a long time."

Luna eyed the Princess of the Day for a long second before smiling demurely.

"Well, then I guess I could stay up a few hours more. Come in."

Luna walked into her room and Celestia followed her in. She stood up and craned her neck to see the midnight blue ceiling that was obscured by the morning light coming through the window. Celestia knew it had Luna's plans for the next night drawn on it and she couldn't help but wonder what tonight held.

As she looked, music drifted into her ears and it took a minute before she realized who was playing it.

"Luna?"

Luna sat at a grand piano playing a soft melody with her hooves. The song was actually one their father had taught her when she was just a filly. Celestia was surprised Luna remembered it let alone how to play it.

"That song is older than Equestria."

"I know. I play it sometimes when I want to remember what it was like before... everything else happened and we were just kids with kid dreams."

Celestia sat down on a cushion and listened to her sister play. Her own memories coming back to her but not like before. She smiled and a tear leaked out of her eye as she remembered the old cottage where they had grown up. How she and her sister had gone on quests and adventures to find their cutie marks and how they'd met other fillies and colts doing the same. Firefly, the most competitive pony she'd ever met. How they'd laugh and giggle as Luna would chase her around the forest. And how Surprise would always seemingly burst out of nowhere and how she'd always have a smile on her face no matter what. And Hatchet and Boreal and all the rest.

Celestia closed her eyes and watched as her life played out in front of her and it was sometime before she noticed Luna had stopped playing and gone off to bed.

Luna slept peacefully and Celestia eyed her for a moment, trying to determine what her sister was dreaming about.

No, our dreams are our last refuge from the world. I will not pry.

Celestia gently eased the door open and exited the room. As she left, she noticed a familiar presence at her side. She cast an eye down to see Scribbles standing at the closed door to Luna's bedroom. Her hoof was raised as if to knock but just hung there in air.

"ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz."

Celestia couldn't help herself and giggled at the sight. Scribbles eyes half closed, her mouth slightly open. Celestia wondered how long she'd been standing there and decided to wake her up before she started drooling.

"Scribbles?"

Celestia's soft voice warmed the whole hallway up.

"ZZZZZzzzzzz... Zeee zeee zeee zeee zeee...  ZZZZZZZZZZ."

Celestia frowned and tried again.

"Scriiiibbbles? Scribbles. SCRIBBLES!"

The unicorn didn't show any chance in consciousness. Celestia huffed. She poked her shoulder and waited.

...

Scribbles slowly leaned over and started to fall, legs still stiff as boards. Celestia yelped and caught Scribbles in her hooves just as Luna's door opened.

"What is going on out he-... oh."

Taken out of context, Celestia leaning over and hold Scribbles in her hooves, her mouth inches away from the mare's, the scene Luna saw could be misconstrued as something completely different.

"Luna! What?! Oh, I'm sorry for waking you and... Scribbles! She was standing outside your door and must have fallen asleep as she was about to enter and I found her here like this and tried to wake her and..."

Luna's smile only grew wider and wider as Celestia rambled on.

"What are you so flustered for, Sister? She is awake now and awaiting your orders."

Celestia snapped her attention to the grey mare in her alabaster hooves who was now fully awake and had a shocked look on her face.

"I wasn't sleeping walking, was I, Celestia? Or sleep talking?"

"Not that I... No."

"Okay, good. Um,  you can put me down now."

"Right."

Celestia put Scribbles down and the three stood in awkward silence for a few seconds before they all tried to diffuse the situation.

"I have papers-"

"-breakfast!"

"-was an interesting dream I was having."

They stared at each other for another second before just turning and leaving in opposite directions.

Celestia tried to get the image of Scribbles in her hooves out of her head as she walked down the hallway. Something about her made Celestia curious about her. It was almost like she was...

...

She was exactly like Twilight in a way. Bright, studious, a little more socially adept and better at reading people but her love of knowledge and helping others was uncanny. Celestia's face darkened as she fell into a foul mood.

I'm seeing her in other ponies now. I need a vacation. A break from all this where I can think.

Celestia stopped and mentally cursed herself. Weakness could not be tolerated if she was to lead this country out of the coming crisis.

Luna could do it. Lead the country herself. She's better at it than you give her credit for. Then you've ever given her credit for.

"Shut up, shut up!"

She heard a squeak and looked up to see everyone in the hallway bowing and trembling. She sighed and scowled.

"Carry on."

Celestia hurried from the room and finally broke into a trot for the last leg of her journey down to the dungeons.

When she arrived at Samael's cell she had to stop and catch her breath for a minute before entering.

What is wrong with me?

As soon as the locks slid away and the door opened, a piercing wail filled her ears and she briefly wondered if he had ever stopped screaming.

"AAAIIIIIEEE AAAAHHHHHAH!!!..... AAAHH AAAXXXX RAAAGGHHH!"

He twisted and turned in the jade chains suspending him in air trying to free himself but only succeeded in driving them deeper into his flesh which by now had burned away almost to the bone.

Celestia calmly stood in front of him for few seconds before she began removing the chains one by one. As they dropped and snaked back to the wall he was lowered until his hooves touched the ground, not that he could stand. She removed all but one chain as she had every time she'd questioned him so far and waited for him to speak.

He didn't. He lay on the ground, twitching and muttering to himself like a pony gone insane. Celestia's hard expression did not change.

"You know, Samael, there is one thing I still can't put my hoof on. Why betray your master again? Is this some sort of game you play with your time? Betray one master and help me only to betray me and start the cycle over again? I'll admit it must pass the centuries with all the planning that must go into it but do you really think I'm going to fall for it again?"

Samael sputtered and jerked. He looked up at Celestia with a ragged yellow eye.

"N-n-no."

"I thought not. So why do it again? You attained your title as Lord again after I killed you and sent you back to where you belong. Why come here and lose it all again?"

Samael twisted on the ground and the places where the chains had burned him began to bubble. He wrenched himself to his rear hooves and stood with his back hunched over in pain. His wounds slowly began to heal until Celestia couldn't even see scars through the holes in his once stylish coat and pants.

"Heh... hehehe.... Heheahaha! AAAHAHAAHAA!"

Celestia took a step back as Samael began laughing hysterically as if she had told him the funniest joke in the world.

"What is the matter with you?!"

"Fuck you.  That's an unfair question. Hehehe... you want to know what I find so funny? Hehehehe! That you just don't get it and hopefully will never have to understand why I left Hell."

He took a step towards her and Celestia could help but take a step back. He was by far her elder and clever as they come.

"I betrayed Discord because he was turning this ball of rock and life into another Hell because it suited him better. I betrayed the Emperor because he will do the same, although he won't want to!"

"You don't owe Equestria anything, Samael. I don't buy it."

"SsSSHHhHHHHHHhh Shshshshshhhhh!!!!"

Celestia stared at the wreck of a once proud Demon Lord. At least, she thought that he was once proud.

"You've never been to hell, have you? Hehehe. You know... You know the saying better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven? I want to kill whoever said that because it gives such a wrong impression of demons. HEHEHEHE NO ONE WANTS TO BE IN HELL!!!"

His voice made Celestia's ears ring. He stood straight and tall. Taller than Celestia as his great black wings unfurled from his coat in terrible majesty.

"I WOULD TRADE EVERYTHING TO LEAVE HELL AND NEVER GO BACK THERE AGAIN!!! NONE OF THIS!"

He gestured to himself and his clothing denoting his station.

"MATTERS! None of it! Hell is Hell is Hell is Hell and it is Hell to all who dwell there, including demons. Why do you think the Emperor mounts these fucking invasions? Hmmmmm? It's to get away from his own Empire! He has a country! A palace and a nation hanging on his every whim but he's not content and why should he be?! He's in hell. The asshole of the universe! The cosmic joke where bad people go after they die! No one is born in hell, Celestia. No one. I wasn't and quite frankly I want to go..."

His voice broke and though he moved his mouth, words would not come out. He choked and hunched over again, black tears running out of his eyes.

"I want to go home, Celestia. Or somewhere close enough. I don't want any of this. I just want to go home!"

He fell to his knees and started sobbing. Celestia was shocked but then remembered who she was talking to. She had trusted him once before.

"Samael, where will the demon army strike?"

He looked up. Tears streaming down his face.

"Let me go and I can help you. I can point you to where I think he will come from but without maps-"

"You stay here, Samael. You'll stay here until I have no further use for you now do you know where he is coming from?"

"N-no."

"What are his current standing forces? What is he bringing to my country?"

Samael's eyes unfocused as he thought.

"He will likely commit his best to Equestria. The First through Thirteenth Legions totalling roughly two hundred thousand warriors."

Celestia's jaw dropped despite herself. She'd asked the question before but hadn't gotten an answer between his screaming. She was vastly outnumbered and outmatched and something else struck her as horrifying.

"You say he'll commit his best to Equestria. That means that he'll have... more?"

"Yes. I saw plans for a simultaneous invasion of Gryphonia, Zebrica and Equestria. He'll commit the bulk of his army to Gryphonia but his best will be sent here. He wants to take this continent first before moving onto the rest of the world."

Celestia walked backwards away from this bearer of such bad news until she hit the door.

"No. No no no. You are lying. You are lying to make it seem more desperate than it actually is."

Samael stared at her with pleading eyes.

"Please. I have nothing to gain by lying you. Please, Tia."

Celestia stood straight at the sound of her pet name being used by the evil thing in front of her. Her horn glowed and the chains began sliding over to Samael who kept his eyes on hers.

"When the time comes I won't say I told you so. I will simply weep."

The chain slid over his skin and it split at their touch. He began howling again although it sounded weaker than before. Celestia saw him burst into flame and watched him writhe for a moment before turning to leave the room.

He won't last much longer like this but I can't risk setting him free. I suppose the question on which his life hangs in the balance is whether or not he has been telling the truth. Do I trust him again after all these years?

Celestia teleported back to her room. Not wanting the time to think about what Samael had said. If it was true, she would need a miracle to save her country.

I could use the Elements to... DAMN IT!

Celestia kicked her bed and screamed in frustration. She'd done it again. Thought of the Elements of Harmony as a tool to be used. A weapon for her to wield.

They are ponies, Celestia. Ponies! Mares that you care about.

She sat down on her bed and looked out the window. Dark storm clouds were forming to the north. Thunder rumbled through her open window and a slight breeze rippled her curtains.

Maybe they aren't tools but... but they are reliable. And they have saved the world twice before. I could use them to force a peace. Threaten to unleash their power and ravage the demon armies if they do not surrender and leave the world. But what if the demons don't believe me or don't care. How many deaths am I to make the Elements responsible for until they break?

Thunder once again rumbled through her bedchamber as Celestia grew older by the minute.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders had all been taken to Rarity's after the debacle of their adventure had come to an end. It was a loving affair where Applejack and Rarity told to them just how much they loved them. They had then shouted their ears off for the rest of the morning.

"AAAAWWWW!"

"Don't 'aaawwww' me, young lady. You. Are. Grounded!"

"You too, Applebloom. And I'm giving you extra chores to keep you busy as clearly your school work isn't doing a good enough job of that."

Applebloom and Sweetie Bell both looked at the ground and whimpered. They'd had the sternest lecture of their lives and couldn't help but feel that the worst was yet to come.

"We're sorry!"

Rarity and Applejack looked at each other. They'd heard that enough times for it to have lost a lot of its meaning.

"We know, girls. We know. Which is why we know that you won't be bothered making up for your little misadventure by doing extra work. You can still visit each other after you are done your chores. Come on now, Applebloom, let's get you back to the farm."

Scootaloo stared at the other two as they were taken away by their sisters. Rarity and Applejack had tried to include her in the lecture as much as they could but knew it wasn't their place to inflict punitive measures.

Applejack looked back at Scootaloo with a look of pity in her eye before turning to take Applebloom to her home. Rarity was still lecturing Sweetie Bell as she took her inside Carousel Boutique but spared her a look of sympathy before shutting the door.

Scootaloo stayed outside their door for some time before dejectedly walking to her own home at the end of a long road leading out of town. She came up to the rough wooden door. Her eyes passed over the worn out welcome mat and she chuckled gloomily as she found her keys and opened the door.

The heavy circular door groaned as it swung on its hinges. She entered and dropped her saddlebags in the hallway leading to the simple living room and simple kitchen. At the end of the hall was a set of stairs that led to the second floor. It had only one bedroom and that was where Scootaloo wished she was right now.

Nope, gotta make lunch.

She wandered into the kitchen and lit the stove and began boiling a pot of water. She jumped up on the counter to reach the cupboard where she took out a package of noodles. Setting them down on the counter she went over to the fridge that was older then the house it was in and took out a bag of tomatoes and lettuce.

She began dicing the tomatoes and as the water boiled she dumped the noodles in and went back to preparing her salad.

She was used to making meals for herself. She was used to cleaning the house and washing the dishes and doing the laundry and making repairs to the older then dirt house she lived in. She had a list of chores longer then Applejack's some days and that was because she lived alone.

She finished the salad just as the noodles were cooked to perfection. She turned the stove off and blew out the pilot light. Others used wood stoves but her brother had bought her this new gas stove for Hearth's Warming Eve. It was his present to her for not being able to see her as he had always done. But he had to take the guard shift that day because it paid the most and he needed the money to pay for the house's rent. Not that he lived there to enjoy it.

She ate in silence. Occasionally she would light a candle or two and muse about having a big party at her house but she knew that she'd never be able to afford it. She got everything discounted as it was let alone have anything left over for cake or balloons.

She looked over at the table she was eating at. The white linen table cloth. The old wooden chairs. The three other plates she'd set out. It was a habit she'd fallen into. Once her brother had surprised her by coming home one night. She was so excited to see him and they'd laughed and talked right through till the morning. Ever since then she always set the table for four. Herself, her brother, and her parents.

She stopped eating and looked at the empty chairs around the table and sighed. It would be a strange day indeed if her parents surprised her by coming home for supper. They'd have to dig their way out of their coffins first not to mention six feet of dirt.

They'd died when she was very young. She had almost no memory of them except for the booming voice of her father and her mother's purple hair. She would often dream of them and what they were like. Her mother would have a meal ready for her when she got home from school. Her father would teach her how to fly in the evenings after helping her with her homework and her brother would be there to read her stories every night of the week.

Scootaloo dropped her fork and swallowed what she was chewing.

Can't think like that anymore, Scoots. You're too old for fantasies.

She finished her lunch and started washing her dishes.

"What to do now?"

Visit Gale? He's in town but he told me he was going to be out today on patrol. Paint the house a new colour? Yeah, after that I'll knit an airship and fly to the moon.

She giggled and finished cleaning up. She looked around for something to do. Her homework was done and the house was immaculate. She ached for anything to keep her occupied.

Get a job? I'm old but not that old yet. OH! I could help out Sweetie Bell and Applebloom with their chores! They said we were allowed to hang out once they were done!

She smiled widely and rushed out the door.

Sweet Apple Acres  was filled with the groans of the oppressed. Applebloom had the daunting task of pruning all the mature trees. Applejack had chuckled as she said this and pointed to the entire farm. Almost every apple tree was mature and needed it in one form or another.

Applebloom would have to climb each and every tree and cut down the dead and diseased branches. Applebloom looked up to the towering tree in front of her and gulped.

"Hey, sis! Are you sure this is safer than me adventuring and whatnot? I could fall and break a leg or something."

Applejack rolled her eyes.

"A little hard work won't kill you, Applebloom, now hop to it. I'll be working right beside you anyways."

Applebloom grumbled under her breath and Applejack caught a few words she certainly didn't teach her and was about to say something but held her tongue.

Oh, honestly in her position Ah'd say the same thing. She's just growing up is all. Teenaged Applebloom? That is a time I hope  doesn't hurry its way here.

They worked until the sun hung low in the sky. Applejack and Applebloom were sitting under a particularly diseased tree that Applejack was seriously considering putting down. Its twisted branches now lay in a heap beside it courtesy of a pair of razor a sharp shears.

"I just don't get it. I knew that some of the trees badly needed a pruning and some were sick but this is ridiculous! I hope the rest of the orchard ain't like this or we might lose farm! The western field's crop is... well shoot me for calling a Sweet Apple Acres apple terrible but that's what they are."

A rotten apple picked not five minutes ago rolled out of Applejacks hoof and onto the ground where it split. Applejack shook her head.

"Damn me for saying it but we might have to burn this section to save the others. I don't want this spreading to the rest of the farm."

Applebloom regarded her sister with a look of shock. Not only had she cursed in her presence, she was talking about murdering a quarter of the farm!

"Applejack, how could you even think of that! These trees need help! Why, that's as awful as not having hospitals at all and just having..."

Applebloom didn't need to finish her sentence for it to sink in. Applejack winced and tried to word it gently to her younger sister.

"Applebloom. They're trees. That's all they are and will ever be. I love them. I love them a lot more than some ponies but at the end of the day I know what I might have  to do to save the rest of the farm. If I need to burn this section to contain the disease then I will. I won't like it. Hell, I'll hate every second of it, but I'll do it. We neither have the time nor the money to doctor every single tree back to health and in the mean time, this'll spread. I'm going to run to the other fields and check for infection and you keep pruning. Maybe we'll be able to save some of them."

Applejack, for being the Element of Honesty, sometimes hated having to break the bad news. She left her shears and trotted until Applebloom could no longer hear her hooves hitting  the grass.

Applebloom picked up her shears and walked to the next tree. She set the ladder up and climbed up to the top to reach a dead limb.

"Sorry, Bruce."

She went to work with her shears and the dead limb fell to the ground. She could almost see the tree visibly wince.

"Hold on now, let me get the rest."

Applebloom reached up to get another dead limb. Her shears grazed a spot on the tree and sap began leaking out of the wound. The tree seemed to groan and shudder as if in a heavy breeze.

Applebloom was shoved forcefully away from the tree and her ladder went vertical. She yelled and tried to grab for a branch but none presented themselves. She slowly started to fall backwards. She was some ten feet off the ground. It wouldn't be a pretty sight if she fell.

"HELP!"

The ladder jerked to a halt and Applebloom looked down to see Scootaloo straining for all her worth to hold the ladder up.

"Sweetie Bell! Help me!"

The ladder was surrounded in a light pink aura and Applebloom felt herself being slowly pushed towards the tree. The ladder went vertical again before crashing back into the tree, the impact nearly finishing what the tree had started. Applebloom held on only by the ends of her hoof.

"Whew! Thanks girls. That does it, I'm getting down."

Applebloom climbed down the ladder and then furrowed her brow at her friends.

"Thank you girls, that really was a timely rescue and all but what are you doing here?"

"Scootaloo came by the boutique and helped me finish my chores. She said she was already done hers and decided to help us so we could hang out for the rest of the day."

Scootaloo beamed.

"It's the least I could do."

Applebloom cast a glance at the setting sun and smirked.

"And what a rest of the day it'll be. Applejack's off checking the rest of the farm for sick trees and I'm still pruning these ones. Want to help me out? I only have one ladder so we'll take it in turns to be pruning, holding the ladder and on break. Deal?"

Sweetie Bell smiled and levitated the extra pair of shears Applejack had left behind.

"Or I could just use my magic."

Scootaloo shot Sweetie Bell a look and she instantly felt mortified. Applebloom pretended not to hear.

"Why thank you, Sweetie Bell. Well, let's get to it. We have the rest of this section to prune by sun down."

Scootaloo appraised the sick and dying trees around them. From the outside, Sweet Apple Acres didn't look any different than normal. She looked at Applebloom and had to take a moment before holding the ladder steady for her.

She looked tired, but not just physically. Sure she was covered in sap and a few scrapes and had worked up bucket loads of sweat but what Scootaloo saw in her was a hurt that went deeper than that. It showed in her eyes every time she looked at her beloved trees. They didn't look too good, Scootaloo could tell that much, but Scootaloo knew they were in bad shape just from the mournful look Applebloom gave them every time she had to cut away a dead limb. It was like she was losing her family with every snip.

"Hey, Applebloom."

"Yeah, Scoots. What is it."

"What's it like to have a family?"

"... Um..."

"It's okay if you don't want to answer or don't have one. I just want to know."

"It's like... feeling like you belong with someone but not like you love them like a coltfriend or whatever. You have a brother, Gale right?"

"Yeah, but he's never around. Off saving my world. We communicate through checks in the mail. Sometimes that's the only way I can tell whether he's alive."

"That's awf-... I mean that's actually kind of sweet. He's joined the army and fights every day just to give you a home."

"But that's the thing! I have no family in that home! I don't have anyone to belong with! I'm alone in that house, and that's all it ever is, a house. And I have to be my own mother and father! Sorry, Applebloom."

"I never knew mine and besides, my sister and brother were my parents."

"It's just.. I want to belong somewhere. Doesn't even matter where! Anywhere is fine so long as I feel..."

"Loved?"

"Yeah."

"Well we love you. Right, Sweetie Bell?"

"Of course."

"So in a way, we're your family. We might not live in that house your brother pays for but don't you feel like you belong when you're with us?"

"Yeah... yeah I do... You two are my sisters?"

"Always have been."

"*sniff* Thanks you guys."

"You're welcome."

Night had fallen on the small and simple house at the end of the road. It's fading and cracked white paint somehow seemed whiter though. The door seemed less imposing and more welcoming. The windows shone with an orange glow that suggested a warm fire was crackling in the fireplace. Three small figures could be seen sitting at the dinner table. Three small fillies and one massive bear of a stallion.

"Well, Scoots. You've turned into a better cook than me."

"Better cook then you'll ever be! You're used to preparing army food. They have you working the kitchens right? It would explain the checks I get in the mail. I swear the paper they're printed on is worth more than the amount written on them."

"Those checks are just fine, Scoots. You just don't know how to handle money."

Scootaloo stuck out her tongue at her brother and then dug into her steaming plate of garlic potatoes and buttered corn. Gale wolfed down his meal as it probably was the best thing he'd tasted in a long time.

"Nothing like home cooking, eh?"

Scootaloo's eyes watered and she looked around the table at her family. The candles she'd lit burning bright and strong.

"Nothing like home."

Two Trick Pony

Chapter Five: Two Trick Pony

"I don't think that's a very good idea. As in, I really don't think this is, in any way, shape or form, a good idea."

Gale

Twilight paced back and forth across the floor of the library. Her hoof stumbled on the newer portion of her floor that had been recently restored after she'd paced for so long she'd worn in a groove. The dull wooden thunk and ache in her leg kept her awake and she hadn't gotten any sleep this night. She went over what was so worrisome in her head again. Trying to figure out what had her so spooked.

Celestia had sent her a letter: check. It called on her and the elements to save the day: check. It told her what the problem was: kind of check? It gave her a way to solve it: not check. How do you deal with an army? An army of what? Demons? The very idea was hard to wrap her mind around. Why are they coming here and what did they want? More importantly, how did someone like Twilight stop them?

She pondered this for a moment before furrowing her brow and quickening her pace. How could Celestia expect someone like herself to help in this? "I'm not a soldier. How could Celestia put the onus on somepony like Fluttershy. Did she expect that we were to drop everything and fight? What did she have in mind for using the Elements of Harmony and friendship in a war! Since when did I become state property!"

Vic entered her field of vision and grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Twilight! You're shouting!"

Twilight realised she was sweating and breathing heavily. She had been thinking aloud. Spike looked at her from the top of the stairs leading to their room. He flinched when she looked at him and couldn't meet her eye.

Implied in the letter was something else that worried Twilight. Something else that made her feel for her teacher. Celestia was afraid and didn't have a ready solution to the problem either. Twilight turned back to Vic who looked ready to ready to either comfort her and pull her into a hug or drop her to the ground and throw her in an insane asylum.

"I'm sorry everyone," Twilight said weakly.

Spike caught her eye and nodded. No words need be exchanged as Twilight and Spike, old friends, knew exactly what the other would say and she had already been forgiven.

Vic took a deep breath and decided her next move. She slowly brought her leg around Twilight and guided her up the stairs to her bed where she lay her down and put the covers over her. Twilight made a weak protest but was mothered back down.

"SShhhh it's okay, Twilight. Everything's going to be alright."

"B-but what if it's not? What if I do go and try to save the world but I fail or if Fluttershy or P-Pinkie Pie or someone doesn't come home because of it or- or if-"

Vic put her hoof to Twilight's mouth to stop her and climbed onto the bed next to her, stroking her mane like a mother would comforting her filly.

"Shhh you can kill yourself with 'what ifs'. Right now, you need to sleep a few hours. Then you need to tell your friends that Celestia herself has summoned you and them to Canterlot for a mission. Then you need to tell them this has been eating you up and that it has you worried sick. They'll understand, just like I do now."

Twilight leaned into her new found friend's hooves and found comfort. Her breathing slowed and, eventually, she drifted off to sleep.

Scribbles held the letter in front of her as she walked as if it was a snake that might coil around her neck and choke the life from her. She took in a laboured breath. Scribbles knew what it contained as it hadn't been sealed. As assistant to the Princesses, it was her responsibility to deliver it to them straight away. That and the fact that the messenger who had delivered it wouldn't be doing it himself as he had died shortly after arriving that very morning.

Scribbles came to Celestia's bedchambers and knocked. She heard a bit of shuffling and a loud thump followed by a stream of barely audible curses. It was still dark out and Celestia must have been asleep. Celestia opened the door and yawned, wearing a purple and pink bed robe.

" Yes? What is it, Scribbles? I was just waking up when you knocked."

"Cel-Celes-."

Celestia snapped out of her morning grogginess. She could see a small patch of blood on Scribbles left shoulder.

"What happened, Scribbles? Why have you got blood on you?"

Scribbles swallowed and tried again.

"C-Celestia? L-letter for you from His Majesty, the Gryphon King."

She thrust out the letter, taking great pains not to drop it she was shaking so much. Celestia took it and opened the slightly burnt parchment. The first half was neat and probably written by the King's own stenographer but the last half was barely legible and looked like it was written with a bloody talon rather than a quill.

Dear Princess Celestia of the Day and Princess Luna of the Night

As the monarch of the Empire of Gryphonia and its sworn defender, I am closing my country's borders and restricting all travel. I have declared a state of emergency and would ask for your aid but

Time grows short

Overwhelming force

They are comin

FIRE

HELL FOLLOWS HIM

Celestia started to shake. She leaned against her door frame and noticed the dried blood on the edges of the parchment. She looked at Scribbles to see a bloody claw print on her left shoulder.

"Where is the messenger who delivered this letter? I must speak with him."

"He's dead."

Scribbles had a vacant expression on, like she'd just tuned out of the world. She rubbed her shoulder where the messenger had grabbed her and pleaded for her to deliver the letter. She'd seen the light go out of his eyes but the thing that struck her most about him was an even tinier detail. He'd had a Trottingham accent. He was from the same city as she was. Maybe they'd met once before fate intervened and took him hundreds of miles north to serve the Gryphon king. Now he was dead. The billion choices that led him here to die turned Scribbles heart. Like some twisted choose your own adventure book.

Luna walked into the hallway and saw the two standing together.

"Ah, I see someone is up early to enjoy the day? What? What happened?"

Celestia gave her the letter and Luna read it quickly before looking at her sister.

"This is... This is bad. This is from the Gryphon King! He's declared a state of emergency?! We need to bolster our northern border garrisons and do it now.  Celestia, I'll rouse the Generals and tell them where we're getting hit from. You work on getting the battalions back from the Shimmering Islands. That's half our army out there trying to take a couple of old rocks away from some lizards. They don't matter now, Celestia. Celestia!"

"Ponyville isn't safe."

Celestia looked up at her sister with an age of worry in her eyes.

"I need to get the Elements out of there."

Luna stared at her sister before deciding not to argue.

"That's fine. We'll need them safe anyways and it couldn't hurt to have them in Canterlot when the invasion starts. You go do that and the other things I told you and we'll meet in the throne room at noon. Got it?"

"It's just... I didn't really believe Samael when he said- I thought it was just one of his tricks."

"Celestia, you have to either trust him from now on or kill him and be rid of the worry. Listen, we need to move fast. I'll take Scribbles and you raise the sun while you think."

Luna walked past her sister, blinking the sleep from her own eyes. It was late for her but she knew when duty trumped desire. Luna grabbed Scribbles as she walked by the door.

"Come on, we will get you cleaned up first before you have to go back to work... If you're asleep say, ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz."

"ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz."

"Perfect."

Luna threw the mare over her shoulder and galloped down the hall to a washroom.

Celestia was left standing there, furious with herself for trusting that wretched demon and his lies about when the demons would show up. They must have been on Earth long before Samael's supposed ultimatum. She was furious with herself for not getting Twilight and the Elements out of Ponyville sooner. She should have sent a carriage with an armed escort, not a letter. Furious with herself for not acting quicker than her sister.

Pull yourself together, Tia.

She slid down the door frame, sinking to her knees. Her vision blurred as her head swam with thoughts.

Why isn't she here now?  Is she on her way? The train ride takes thirteen hours, she could have left yesterday night. I'll send the carriage to Ponyville anyway. That way she...

Celestia stared across the hallway and her eyes slid into focus.

"Won't have a choice."

Sugarcube Corner positively vibrated with energy. Dinky Hooves, the birthday girl, stood in the centre of the room, at least, she thought it was the centre. She was blindfolded and the room was totally quiet save for the deep hum of a massive thunderhead floating somewhere above her.

Her skin tingled and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She slowly raised her hoof which she knew held a pony's tail. It wasn't real, obviously, and she thought the game Pinkie Pie had suggested was probably for a filly half her age but Pinkie Pie had sworn by it and said it just may surprise her.

She took a tentative step forward and she heard someone in the room take a sharp breath. She took another step and could feel the everyone's eyes on her as she made her way forward. She held out a probing hoof in front of her and felt it hit the wall and something else, papery, beneath her hoof. She brought up the pony tail and pinned it on the paper cut out. The whole room gasped and she slipped off the blindfold to see what the big deal was.

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!"

In front of her was a picture cut out of her favourite pegasus of legend, Tempest Lance, on the wall in front of her. He was a pony of near mythical status for his many brave and daring feats. He had once defeated a pirate armada all by himself by whipping up a hurricane! Tempest had once even defeated the Dragon King in single combat back when the dragons had kings!

He was Dinky Hooves' favourite pony, outside of her mother, her sister and all her friends of course who all clapped and began singing her a happy birthday while Pinkie Pie wheeled out a gigantic lightning themed birthday cake. The icing looked dark and ominous, not unlike the storm clouds that were brewing near the outskirts of Ponyville. Lightning arced from candle to candle on the cake.

Dinky grinned ear to ear, as did her mother. Derpy's youngest daughter was turning eight.

"Go on, blow out your candles, Dinky!"

Dinky giggled and tried but as lightning does not blow away with a breeze they stayed lit and sparking. Dinky put on a mocking sad face.

"Ahhh, looks like I won't get a birthday wish this year."

She stuck out her tongue and concentrated for a moment. One of the candles shuddered before fizzling out. Derpy beamed at her and her oldest daughter, Sparkler, smiled brightly. Dinky's magic was coming along nicely.

Dinky saw the shorted out candle and gasped and started to spin in circles, trying to see if her cutie mark had appeared. Alas, it hadn't. Applebloom nodded in sympathy.

"That's alright, Dinky, maybe you just need to do all of 'em at once or something."

Applebloom and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were in attendance along with most of Ponyville's youth. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon stood in a corner talking about how poorly dressed everyone else was until Silver Spoon walked off to talk to Feather Weight leaving an incredulous Diamond Tiara behind. Spike had opted out of attending the party in the rare event that he had something to do at the library. He had been working on something ever since the telescope from Canterlot had mysteriously gone missing. Twilight suspected he was repairing it and intended to give it to her to cheer her up but she kept up the lie that she had no clue what he was doing or where the telescope had gone.

Also in attendance was the rest of Ponyville's population. Perhaps it was the stress of recent events that made ponies young and old just want to relax and take a load off their minds for a day. Since the national address, everyone had reason to be nervous. Mothers were pulling their sons and daughters out of school. Fathers were starting to take extra time off work to be with their families.

Things were changing in Ponyville. The landscape had changed and ponies were no longer able to come and go as they pleased, nevertheless, Sugarcube Corner had remained open and in business as the Cakes had felt that everypony needed all the good things in life that they could bring, including confections.

Sugarcube Corner always surprised Twilight Sparkle by fitting far more ponies then should be possible. The party had spilled out into the streets and though very few knew the pony of the hour and fewer still had ever cared to, all had come to celebrate a simple birthday.

Twilight chatted and laughed but those who talked to her could tell the mare was stressed out. Most assumed it was recent events or some sort of project she was working on and they weren't too far off.

The only ones who couldn't enjoy themselves, even for a second, were the multitudes of guards who were standing at every street corner and every house. They were carrying spears and rifles. Even Vic had come to the party armed, carrying a long rifle that looked out of place in such a happy occasion. She drew dark looks because of it but most kept their tongues in check and were polite to her. She was joined by her squad mates who had also come to the party armed as they shared in her duty to protect the Elements, each soldier having one element to protect.

"Where have I heard your name before?"

A massive specimen of the pegasus subspecies stood over Rarity, his deep, rock grounding voice reminded her strongly of vodka and gunpowder.

"Well, I did save the world, twice, with my friends."

"No no no... Rarity... AHA! I got it! My sister buys your dresses! My sister, Red Dawn. She lives in Stalliongrad with family. When I was last home she was in ridiculous pink frilly dress that made my eyes hurt. But then again, that may have just been my sister."

"Charming... So sorry, what was your name again?"

"Maximus Shields, heavy weapons expert."

Rarity glance over at the massive sword strapped to his back and nodded.

"I can believe that."

The party was in full swing by now and other fillies and colts were trying the many games Pinkie Pie had set up. She looked on from her chair at the edge of the room, having been prepping this party for days. Her pegasus guard sat next to her, playing with a small thundercloud, tossing it between her cyan hooves. Anyone looking at the pair might think Pinkie Pie was sitting with Rainbow Dash but the guard shucked off her helmet and a short and spiky white mane tumbled out that removed all doubt of her identity.

"Hey, this feels pretty real. How in the world did you get it?"

"Oh? My friend and Dinky's mother, Derpy. She collected all the clouds you see here."

"Must have an affinity for lightning, eh? I'd like to meet her, talk shop you know?"

Pinkie Pie gave her a confused look.

"Sorry, I figured you'd have guessed from the name, Sparks, that I was a combat weather specialist."

Pinkie Pie looked even more confused for a moment before smiling sheepishly at her guard.

"Um, no? I don't know anything about the army."

Sparks frowned and slumped into the table.

"I need to talk to someone who understands me."

"You and me both, sister."

"Eh?"

"Nothing. Heya, Applejack. Heya Derpy! Sooooo, whatcha think?"

Derpy looked around the party and beamed so brightly it lit up Pinkie Pie's face like a sun.

"Ah! I love it! I love every bit of it! The food! The drink! The whole party! Oh, right. Speaking of bits... I can pay you over the next couple of weeks."

Pinkie smiled and waved a hoof at her.

"Don't sweat it. I buy in bulk and a lot of the lightning themed stuff was leftovers from a bachelor party Spike threw. I don't think he understood what Twilight's brother meant by 'electrifying' or 'skin tingling' but he paid for it then gave me what he didn't get to use. So, you don't worry your pretty little head. It's taken care of."

"Thank you! Ohhh!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

She pulled Pinkie Pie into a hug and then picked her up and flew her around the room causing a few of the partygoers to duck and laugh at the sight.

Applejack chuckled and adjusted her Stetson. Cuirass coughed and looked on.

What a weird little thing. Both of them are weird in fact. Oh well, glad I got to guard the hot one.

"That was awful generous  of her."

Applejack chuckled and smiled warmly.

"Eeyup. That's Pinkie Pie for ya. She might be a little weird at times, okay a lot weird,  but she really is a sweetheart."

Cuirass nodded, not that he understood but he had a feeling that he didn't want to pursue trying to figure out this pink mare. He looked around the party and sighed. He missed being on leave and this assignment was as close to it as he was likely to get what with the Princesses jumping the moon and calling a state of emergency. He cast his mind forward and his mood soured at all the mind numbing babysitting he was going to do.

Ha! Maybe the wolves will come and I'll get to smash a few heads, turn a few heads, get some... Nah.

Cuirass blinked and noticed Applejack had long since left him standing there and he silently cursed and looked around the party. He spotted her bobbing for apples. She dove her head under the water and his eyes lingered at the sight.

Of course, I can always pass the time in other ways.

He drew in a breath and puffed himself up to his full height of four foot eight inches. He prepped a few lines in his head and took a step towards her before an outstretched hoof caught him in the chest, knocking the ego out of his lungs.

"Oi! Watch it! Oh, hey, Gale. Still, what the fu-"

"Language, Cuirass, this is a kids birthday party."

Gale narrowed his eyes at the smaller pegasus.

"Get my drift?"

Cuirass flared his wings a little but nodded.

"Alright, I get it. I'll wait for a better time."

"Atta boy, Cuirass. Every deployment, eh?"

Cuirass took a step around him and Gale let him go.

"Something to do right?"

Gale frowned and shook his head.

"I've got things to take care of. You take care of your charge and maybe in like three weeks you can think about mounting her, if she lets you."

"Watch it, Gale, this is a kids birthday party."

Gale and Cuirass squared off against each other before going their separate ways.

Scootaloo sat with her friends, smiling and trying to have fun but not really succeeding. She looked at the door for the umpteenth time and sighed.

"He said he'd be here!"

"And I totally am."

She spun to see her brother standing right beside her. She jumped and fell out of her chair.

"Don't scare me like that!"

"What?! First it's, I miss him terribly, now it's, get out of my face?!"

"Oh, hush! You know what I mean."

"I do."

He stuck his tongue out at her and she did the same until it devolved into a silly face contest. Applebloom and Sweetie looked on and chuckled.

"She sure is happy with her brother," said Applebloom.

"Yeah, it's nice to see her like this. You notice she's been getting a lot more... mopy?" Said Sweetie Bell.

"Kind of... we should do something together. Like go on a camping trip or something. Something that families do together."

Sweetie Bell frowned.

"Can't she do that with Gale?"

"Well, he might not be around for very much longer."

"Applebloom!"

"No! I don't mean it like that. I mean, he might not be in Ponyville for very much longer. You've heard the news. The whole army is out and about. How long do you think until he has to go?"

Sweetie Bell put her hoof to her chin, deep in thought.

"Yeah, you're right. Hey! Let's get packing today! We can ask our sisters once we're done. They can't say no to us if we're already packed right?"

Applebloom snickered and buried her face in her juice box.

"Sure they can't. Right, before we do anything, let's ask Scoots about it?"

"Deal."

They interrupted the contest just as it was reaching its zenith to a disappointed Gale who cried, "Just as I had you wriggling in the crushing grip of reason."

"Hey, Scootaloo? Want to go camping?"

Gale bit his lip and folded his legs in front of him.

"I don't that's a very good idea. As in. I really don't think this is, in any way, shape or form, a good idea."

Sweetie Bell put her hooves together, pleading with her eyes as much as her voice.

"Oh, please! We'll be extra careful!"

Applebloom put on the look usually reserved for getting Big Mac to do something for her. It was weapon's grade adorableness.

"We'll get our sisters' permission!"

"Come on, big brother, look at them! They'd be heartbroken if you said no."

Gale melted under so many cute faces leveled at him. He shut his eyes, hoping their influence would break, but no, their hold over him only strengthened as he heard Applebloom sniffle.

"Oh, aright! Fine, fine! Buuuut it has to be in the city limits."

"Awwwww-wait! We can just do it at my farm! Come on girls! Let's go pack!"

They rushed from the table out the door, stopping only for a moment to wish Dinky a happy birthday. Gale chuckled.

I'm so dead.

Rainbow Dash watched the Cutie Mark Crusaders go and had a feeling she should mention something to Applejack before brushing it off.

They can take care of themselves.

Rainbow Dash went back to trying to listen to Zecora who had been talking about her home and where she was to stay now. Rainbow Dash would've offered Zecora her own home in a wing beat but having a house in the clouds prevented her from having too many guests. A striped pegasus in light golden armour stood close by, occasionally joining the conversation but mostly keeping to himself.

"Hey, Zephyr. Could she stay at the guard barracks?"

The striped pegasus smirked.

"Does she want to?"

Zecora frowned and thought about what that statement could mean. She didn't like what he had insinuated but merely replied with a scowl.

"I thought not. I suggest you talk to the Major or the Mayor. They are over there in what seems to be a heated discussion."

The Major was a brawny, thick necked hulk of a stallion who had likely earned his position for thinking he was right and being able to convince others of the same.

"Listen, Madam Mayor, this is a difficult period in time and it will get more difficult if you do not cooperate with me."

"Is that a threat, Major Ass-... Ascent?"

He tilted his head.

"I hope it doesn't have to be."

Rainbow Dash gulped but caught Zecora's eye and nodded. She would help her if needed. They approached the two who were now staring into each other's eyes like they would trade blows at any second. Zecora cleared her throat and got their attention.

"Excuse me, Mayor. I do not mean to interrupt but hear me now and-"

"Be fast, Zebra. The Mayor and I were in the middle of a discussion and I have no time for your rhyming nonsense."

Rainbow Dash grit her teeth and Zephyr, who watched on from afar, tried to imagine a scenario where this didn't go badly.

"I will be abrupt, and I do not remember asking you a thing. Besides, who died and made you king? Now, Madam Mayor, I ask for a place to stay until the forest can be made safe and this whole thing goes away."

The Major made to speak but he was cut off.

"Of course, Zecora, we can accommodate you. Just up the road is a small hotel. It's not fancy, but it's warm and cozy. I'll make the necessary arrangements."

"Ahem, that hotel you decided you have the authority to give a room away to anyone was commandeered to house my operations centre. I happen to sleep there and can't spare any room for any vagabonds looking for a handout."

Rainbow Dash flared her wings, having had enough of the major's attitude. Any insult directed at her friends was one directed at her.

"That's it! I've had enough of you!"

Zephyr, seeing his charge about to do something very foolish, leapt onto the cyan pegasus and held her down, barely, as she tried to pummel the Major into dust. He chuckled.

"I think somepony needs to calm down, lest she spend some time thinking about her actions in a very small place."

"That's enough."

Twilight Sparkle stared daggers into the Major's eyes as did the rest of the room. The children had long been ushered out of the room for fear of them overhearing any foul language that may have come from the argument. With the room a lot quieter than it had been, most of Ponyville had heard the Major's threats and creative language. Not one pony was amused.

"Zecora, you can stay with me, or Applejack, or Fluttershy. In fact, I'm sure if you asked, anyone in Ponyville would take you in. We look after our own, Major Swift. Come on, girls, we're leaving."

With that she stormed out of the room, followed closely by Vic who gave the Major an insultingly curt salute. Applejack shot the Major a dark look before leaving too. Fluttershy turned her nose up to him and stormed out, although, as soon as she left the building she started breathing heavily and clutched her chest to stop her racing heart. Applejack put a hoof on her shoulder while Blizzard, Fluttershy's protector, looked around, a wry smile on his face.

Bon Bon huffed and walked out, followed by Lyra who took the time to write, "Huff," on her notebook before leaving with her. Zecora followed Rainbow Dash out but not before giving the Major a withering glare that unnerved the veteran. He would not live this down.

The rest of the guests filed out until Sugarcube corner was empty save for the Major who by now was thoroughly angry, both with himself and with the people of Ponyville. Especially the Elements.

I'll do my duty to Celestia... and Luna. But by thunder I'll teach these yokels respect.

Cremation

Chapter Six: Cremation

"Applejack , what's with the sitting on the fence routine. What's on your mind?"

Rainbow Dash

The guests of the party gathered outside and chatted for a bit before seeing the storm brewing out of Ponyville. A few of the pegasi frowned and pointed at it, noting the fact that there wasn't a storm scheduled for today. Most blamed the Cloudsdalian weather engineers and went home with their children, paying it no more mind then vain curiosity would allow. Having lived in town with the Elements for two years had jaded them when it came to supernatural events so an errant storm bank was nothing unusual.

Derpy, Dinky and Sparkler all thanked everyone for coming and went home. She was nearly crying she was so happy. She kept hugging her youngest and thanking the world. To her, this moment of pure happiness was a long time coming. She had had a difficult life and things had finally gotten to the point where she didn't have to worry about much. She wasn't tight for money. Her daughters were doing well in school and had plenty of friends. She herself was making enough to go on the occasional vacation. She had friends who loved her and she loved them.

She kissed her daughters and slung her legs around them, flying them the rest of the way. The whole family giggled and laughed as they went.

Lyra and Bon Bon politely excused themselves and went home. It had been a long day for them as Lyra had brought her lyre to play for the party and Bon Bon had been chatting up a storm with her friends. Both of them were beat and were looking forward to relaxing the rest of the day.

Twilight and the Elements cooled off outside, walking but with no destination in mind. She had been close to shouting she was so angry but it wasn't all the Major's fault. She kept mulling over the letter she had received from Princess Celestia and the national address the day before and everything that had happened since. She was well read and while she didn't regret being so smart, she had to admit it made her worry a lot more than every other pony she knew. The image of the Royal Seals falling out of the letter she had received flashed through her mind. They were in her saddle bags and jingled occasionally drawing her odd look every once in a while.

"Twilight, you have that stare again."

"Thanks. I'm just... worried is all. Really, I'm fine."

"If you say so."

She waited a few seconds.

"Hey, Vic?"

"Yes, Twilight?"

"Thanks for this morning. I'm sorry I'm such a wreck right now."

"Don't sweat it. Don't worry about it and don't think about it and how scared you are. Just go talk to your friends and do what you have to."

Twilight nodded at her and took a deep breath. She stopped and turned to her friends.

"Girls."

All conversation died immediately. It was the tone she had used. They could hear the anguish in her voice.

"Celestia's called us to Canterlot. She needs our help."

A moment of silence passed between Twilight and her friends. Applejack's look darkened.

"I was waiting for that. Ever since the address and all. I was waiting for her to come to us for help again."

Rainbow Dash gave Applejack a questioning look but didn't raise issue, she hadn't said no but she was tensing up. Rainbow Dash had seen it a hundred times at athletic competitions and knew her friend was terrified.

"Well, you know I'm in. Ponies' homes are at stake. Zebras' too," putting on a brave bravado even though even she had her doubts.

Zecora, who had tagged along to ask one of them to accommodate her, smiled the sinister smile she was known and feared for.

"I will help in any task set before you seeing as I have nothing else to do."

Rarity glanced at Applejack and they nodded at one another. Each had other commitments, namely their families.

"Ah need to think-"

"I'm with you no matter what, darling. Just say the word," said Rarity, who stood up proudly.

Applejack looked at the other girls and saw that they were just as determined as Rarity. Fluttershy had a fierce air about her despite her usual nature and walked over to stand beside Twilight.

Applejack stood alone as everyone else walked over to stand beside Twilight.

"Y'all can't be serious. Have you thought about it for more than five seconds! Rarity, what about Sweetie Bell?"

"If Celestia's called on us to save the world again then helping Twilight is helping her."

Applejack looked disbelievingly at her. That was true, but what if her family needed her here instead of who knows where?

"Fluttershy, what about your animals?"

"As much as I hate to admit it, they can take care of themselves. I just help the sick and the injured and I haven't seen very many of those in a while actually."

Rainbow Dash was confused and annoyed at her friend's lack of commitment. Why wasn't Applejack where she should be, right beside her?

"Applejack , what's with the sitting on the fence routine. What's on your mind?"

"It's just Ah have a lot of work to do at the farm. The whole place is diseased and Ah need to save what I can before I lose the entire orchard. I can't do that if Ah'm miles away. And what if Applebloom needs me when Ah'm gone?"

Rarity stepped towards her with a sympathetic look on her face.

"She has Big Mac to take care of her, and Granny Smith."

"But who does Sweetie Bell have?"

"Oh, I'm taking her to Canterlot with us. She's going to stay with my parents at their new home."

Rainbow Dash's loyalty wavered for a second as she wondered who Scootaloo would have once Gale left. She was all alone at that house at the end of the street. She wondered if she could have Celestia make room for her at the palace until this whole thing blew over. Celestia surely owed her a few favours. In fact, Celestia owed the lot of them a few favours.

"Pinkie Pie?" Applejack's voice cracked.

Applejack was grasping at straws. She didn't want to be taken away from her family yet again to save the world. She wasn't some soldier under orders or state property or anything like that. Just normal mare Applejack.

"I'm with Twilight, through and through. I don't leave my friends hanging when they need me and neither do you, Applejack. You're scared."

"No Ah'm not!"

"Applejack, you're shaking."

Applejack realised that she was shivering in the hot afternoon sun. Her eyes darted left to right, seeing shapes out of the corner of her eye that made her want to turn to look but she couldn't because in all honesty she was scared stiff. She didn't want to go to war.

Twilight walked up to Applejack and hugged her tightly. Her friends followed until they were locked in a tight embrace, as if this was the last embrace they'd ever have together and none of them wanted to let go.

"SShhhh it's okay, Applejack. Everything's going to be alright," said Twilight.

They stayed like that for a while. Just enjoying each other's company. Until Applejack had another thought.

"Where's Applebloom? Wasn't she with Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo?"

Rarity put a hoof to her chin, thinking back to the party.

"Yes, I did see her with the other Crusaders and that never bodes well."

"Find them right now?"

"Let's."

Gale, who had been looking even more white than usual, stepped forward.

"Corporal, permission to find my sister, like, right the hell now?"

"One second."

Vic squinted at something off in the distance and frowned. She clicked her hooves and got her comrades attention. Twilight looked around for Spike at the noise as he often snapped his claws in the same manner.

"Hold up, Gale. You too, Applejack and Rarity. Escorted carriage from Canterlot. Ten minutes away."

Zephyr took to the air and pulled out a spyglass.

"You're right. Heavy escort, three carriages."

Twilight frowned and wondered who was coming to Ponyville from Canterlot. Princess Celestia or Princess Luna?

But why so many carriages? Is she coming to pick us up? Just how serious is it that she can't wait? Does she not trust me?

"Could it be the Princesses?" asked Twilight.

"They're too far out to tell just yet but I'd say no. For one, we'd all have been prepped for having Royalty in our area of operations and two, Princesses don't fly armoured carriages, Celestia and Luna both fly open top luxury liners. You'd think that'd be stupid in a battle until you realize that they are their own security anyways. No sense in putting them in a metal coffin, right?"

Twilight could now see the three carriages now as they were met with a squadron of soldiers who started directing them down.

"Zephyr! Get down here. Let's go find out what's going on. Where did Sergeant Nimbus say he was going to be again?"

"I think he said he was going be at the town hall. Something about the defences around Ponyville, I think he was doing map work for Major Ass-scent," said Maximus.

"Pfff-... Then let's go there first."

Vic briefly wondered if it was just his accent or whether he truly thought that was the name of the Major. Rainbow Dash laughed. Twilight, on the other hoof, found it concerning.

"Can he just talk about the Major that way? What about rules and regulations and-"

Twilight stopped when she saw the wide grin on Vic's face.

"The army isn't as uptight as you think it is. Oh believe me, if Swift ever caught Maximus saying that, he'd chew him out but that would be the end of it. The Major, for all his idiocy, understands that he's hard and understands that sometimes a soldier has to joke about his officer. Sergeant Nimbus, my Sergeant, has been the butt of many a tasteless joke. He takes it in stride and often returns the insults in kind."

Twilight giggled and nodded.

"I can bet you guys are close. The things you must have done together,  I can see how you might forge strong friendships doing what you do."

Vic looked lost in thought for a moment.

"Yeah. Sometimes I wish it wasn't like that."

Twilight looked at her, shocked.

"What?! But why? You don't like them?!"

Vic rolled her eyes and looked at the civilian.

"No, it's not like that. It's just... I've lost a lot of friends doing what I do. I've been with this squad through two sergeants and everyone I knew has either been moved, promoted, or isn't coming back. I love these guys like my family, like I always have, it's just I know what it's like to lose people."

Twilight's eyes watered as she understood. She put a hoof around Vic but she was gently brushed off.

"Don't. Maybe another time when I'm not on duty. I have a pour-my-heart-out session planned for this afternoon if you're interested. It'll be nice to have company for a change."

Twilight held back her own tears and nodded.

"I'll be there."

The group walked through the town to the careful shutting of doors and windows. Those that knew them waved and those that didn't waved still. A storm was coming and ponies everywhere were getting ready to weather it. Dark cloud banks boomed off in the distance. Wisps of cloud stretched out in every direction like the tendrils of some vile sea beast.

As they walked, each Element and her guardian chatted. They chatted about what the other did for a living and favourite foods and whether Soarin or Fleet Foot had the best speed record. Twilight and Vic had already progressed past the idle small talk phase and were now listening to the seeds of friendship being planted and blossoming. Twilight smiled and thought about writing a nice and long letter to Celestia about how even ponies who are on duty protecting a nation are just friends in uniform waiting to happen.

They arrived to find the carriages landed. They were massive affairs, easily able to fit some thirty ponies each. They were pulled by teams of eight and had golden wings jutting out of the sides. However, there seemed to be something wrong as the Major himself as well as a few dozen soldiers under his command were surrounding the golden carriages. A ring of spears, bayonets and rifles enclosed the ponies inside. A Captain of the guard of Canterlot stood opposite the Major of the Army of Equestria, cold stares passing between them.

"I will tell you one last time, Major. Stand down."

"I won't say it again, Captain, you forget yourself and protocol.  I did not receive word of your arrival and am under direct orders of the Princess of the Day herself to keep this town and the Elements of Harmony safe. I will not allow you to search for them and take them away until you can prove to me both your credentials and orders which you say are from the same Princess."

"She told me to get them out of Ponyville post haste. The reason you did not receive word of our arrival is because you and your men are incapable of maintaining the telegraph lines between Canterlot and Ponyville. They went down sometime this morning and so far you have not been able to find the problem."

"I am well aware of the lapse in communication. I am also well aware of several other means with which the Princess could have communicated to me the orders to relinquish the Elements to an armoured carriage."

"As I told you before, she told me to go and get them as fast as possible to Canterlot. She gave me no letter, she gave me no other option. I am returning to Canterlot with them, Major Swift Ascent."

The Captain heard two dozen safeties switch off as he stared into the Major's eyes.

"Wait!"

Twilight walked forward and interposed herself between the two sides causing a few ponies to lift their rifles. They were prepared to do anything for Equestria, shooting potentially traitorous ponies was one thing, shooting a civilian, the civilian they were ordered to protect, was another.

"Please, just stop and think for a second. Major, did you track the carriage from Canterlot?"

The Major's eyes narrowed even further and Twilight thought he'd closed his eyes his glare was so severe.

"Yes. We've had a telescope tracking them since they left from the Canterlot Airdock. That doesn't rule out the fact that they still could be working for the enemy. If they would allow, me and my men could perform a few tests to check them out. It was something I suggested but was shot down by this insubordin-"

"Major, I understand that you are only following the most stringent of security measures. But so is everypony else. They must have been checked at the Airdock before they left, right?"

The Major blinked.

"... Yes, a sweep of the carriages and guards must have been done in order for them to leave."

"So now it comes down to a question. Do you trust the Guards of Canterlot?"

The Major stopped scowling for a moment. The every soldier and pony present pondered what Twilight had asked. What each answer implied.

"Fine. I believe you, Miss Sparkle."

The ring of rifles and spears lifted and it felt as if a great weight was lifted off of everyone's shoulders. Fluttershy had been hiding under Rainbow Dash's wing, not want to see what might have happened. She poked her eyes over the top of her blue wings and relaxed.

"Captain, you are free to carry out your mission under one condition."

The Captain stopped staring at Twilight in amazement. He had been thoroughly impressed with her skills as a negotiator. He now knew what Shining Armour had been talking about.

"Name it, Major."

"That you allow for the soldier's I have assigned to them for their protection to accompany them until such a time that their services are no longer required and can be returned to me."

"Done. Right, Miss Sparkle, follow me to the carriages. Everything you need will be in the Palace so you don't need to pack."

Twilight frowned. She had been defending this pony's right to take her to Canterlot but only now realized how immediately they might be going.

"Wait! I'd like to go get, Spike, my friend and assistant. With everything that's going on, I don't want to leave him here alone."

Applejack stepped forward, a list of things she had to do before she went already streaming through her mind. They might have to leave tonight but Applejack wasn't going without saying goodbye to her family.

"There's no way I'm leaving on some mission without getting a chance to say goodbye to my family, again."

The rest of the Elements started to protest and the Captain couldn't get a word in edge wise. The Major just smiled.

"Girls."

He wasn't heard. His smile faded as he tried again.

"Girls!"

They spun around and stared at him. Every mare present snapped to attention as well as a few stallions who's cheeks went a light pink.

"Captain, you can lend me one carriage right?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"We can put the things they want to take on the one I borrow and I can send it later. As for the goodbyes, tough crab apples, Miss Applejack. I haven't seen my wife in near eight months and the last thing we said to each other was, "I'm going out for groceries." I got called out a minute later. Life isn't what we want it to be and it damn sure doesn't give you many second chances but if you need to go and do something to save lives then that's that. I'll be sure to tell then of your vehement protests and if they love you as much as you love them then they'll understand what you wanted to say to them before you left. Get on the carriage. All of you."

They bowed their heads in defeat and filed onto the large armoured carrier. Rainbow Dash flared her wings and made to fly away but Fluttershy stopped her and whispered, "Scootaloo will be fine. She'll be alright. She can take care of herself just like my animals back at home... I hope."

Zecora stood there awkwardly, not sure of where to go. Rainbow Dash looked around and then turned her head to see her standing on the other side of the wall of guards.

"Hey! Hey, let her come too! She's my, uhnnnn, protection! Under the Major's orders, right?"

She and the Major locked eyes for second before he nodded and waved Zecora through. Zecora looked back at him and he gave her a salute as the doors to the carriage closed.

The Major pondered his decision as the carriage's ponies started to flap their wings.

Better than having her here I suppose.

A loud whine could be heard as the carriages took off from the town square. Twilight looked out the window with Vic and marveled at how much Ponyville had changed. There were towers, walls, cannons, more and more soldiers must have poured in as Ponyville slowly readied itself for the conflict. Twilight hoped that her beloved town wouldn't see the war. That it would be somewhere else far away.

Vic pressed her nose up to the thick glass and her breath caught in her throat. Her whole body tensed.

"What is it?"

"FAST MOVERS PORT SIDE!"

Vic threw herself over Twilight. Twilight's world went blank as something took a sledgehammer to her ears. Her whole body felt an impact and went numb. She felt the carriage lurch and the sensation of falling before another hammer was taken to her body, this time her back.

She lay on her back for what seemed like five minutes, just staring at the red ceiling of the carriage before she became aware of Vic shouting at her. Twilight could see that she was frantic but couldn't hear her. She tried to move but found that she couldn't. She felt someone hit her chest a few times then Vic leaned over and kissed her. Twilight found this very strange, what had happened? Why was Vic kissing her and what had her so worried?

...

What happened to the carriage?

Twilight realized she was actually looking at the sky as it was slowly being blotted out by mahogany red clouds. Celestia's sun shined on her face for another second before it was swallowed by a red cloud with hundreds of small black dots flying out of it. She noticed the large hole in the side of their transport and made to sit up but found that she still couldn't move.

What's going on?

Vic kissed her again and life returned to Twilight's body, she started coughing and wheezing as her lungs struggled for air. Vic sighed in relief then hoisted the still hacking Twilight onto her shoulder and ran from the carriage as something came out of the sky and turned the vehicle into slag and fire.

Twilight finally came to her senses and looked around. The clouds were raining fire onto Ponyville. She had been dragged under a section of a house that had collapsed as the carriage had plowed through it on its way down. She become aware of the air raid siren, its long, oscillating wail piercing her very core and making her tremble.

Twilight grabbed Vic by her shoulders and looked into her eyes.

"What happened? Where's everyone else?"

"The carriage was taken down by a couple of fast moving flyers coming out of the cloud bank. Most everyone else is right beside you. Hey,  look at me. Good, no concussion. Tough little filly aren't ya? Come on, can you stand?"

Twilight was lifted to her hooves and found out the question was more of a courtesy than anything else. She looked back to see Applejack and Cuirass, Pinkie Pie and Sparks, Rainbow Dash, Zephyr and Zecora, Rarity and Maximus and Fluttershy all alone. Rainbow Dash picked Fluttershy up and shouted at her but she didn't respond. A dazed look in her eyes told the story. Blizzard wasn't with her.

Vic peered around the corner of the ruined house and looked up. She pushed Twilight back as a fire ball landed right around the corner. It exploded on impact and sent out a ring of flame that set the street on fire.

Cuirass ran up to the front of the group and slid in next to Vic, rifle drawn and shaking.

"We should find the Sergeant, Vic!"

"No time and no point. Our objective is clear. Get them to Canterlot."

"But how?"

"Shut up and let me think!"

Applejack was pulled closer to Zecora as the zebra took the leather sheathe off her walking stick and revealed it to be a small spear.

"Stay close to me, sticking together will be the key."

Twilight wanted nothing more than to run to the library to get Spike but Vic put a hoof on her shoulder and shook her head. She could read Twilight like a book.

"Sorry."

"I know... The train station!"

"What?!"

"We can get out using the train! Oh, I hope it's not broken or anything."

"As good a plan as any. Listen up! We're moving the Elements to the train station. "

She looked out from her cover and saw the way was open, the fire's had died down and the skies were mostly clear.

"Move fast and stick to the buildings. We do not want to be seen out in the open."

Vic galloped from the corner of the broken house with Twilight in tow across the street into an alley between houses where she crouched and held up a hoof, waving the rest of them to follow. The rest of the soldiers brought their charges across and stacked up behind her. Gale was regretting his decision to let the Cutie Mark Crusaders go on their little camping trip. He sweated and kept looking around for a way out. He felt like vomiting.

I swear if they aren't okay. If... I have to go back for them.

"Corporal-"

"I know what you want to say, Gale, and I'm sorry but no."

"It's my sister! It's their sisters! Permission to leave and find them."

Applejack and Rarity both looked ready to bolt for their houses. Maximus stared at Rarity until she looked back at him.

"What?"

"I know what you are thinking. That going for your sister is best option available to you. But think of this: what is stopping me from going to my sister? What if the same thing is happening in Stalliongrad right now and she needs me to be there? Faith, Miss Rarity. Faith that they are safe. In Stalliongrad, the 82nd Red Dusk stands watch over the city. Here, the 101st Airborne Battalion, some of the finest soldier's in Equestria. Have faith that your sister is safe, Miss Rarity. Did you hear that, Miss Applejack?"

Applejack thought she'd had the massive stallion pegged as a empty water can. He still was in her eyes but now he was a pony of faith too. Applejack  grit her teeth and sighed. He had a point though. There was a garrison here in Ponyville. Right now, she could only hope that Applebloom and Big Mac and Granny Smith were safe.

"Ah heard yah."

Good."

They looked back to the burnt street and Applejack swore. Vic waited on Gale for an answer.

"Roger that, ma'am."

"Thank you. Let's move."

They picked their way between houses as quietly as they could. Vic stopped them as they approached one of the last streets they had to cross before making it to the train station. Rainbow Dash looked up to see that it had stopped raining fire.

"Yes! Couldn't keep it up for long now could they?! Booyah!"

Zephyr shook his head as did the rest of the soldiers.

"If an enemy stops shelling you, it isn't because they've run out of ammo."

Sparks gulped.

"It's because they want to move in."

Vic ran across the street with Twilight and stopped at the other side. She waved them through. Zephyr, Zecora and Rainbow Dash ran across, hearts pounding despite their being in top physical shape. Vic held up her hoof and a winged shadow passed over the road followed by a long banshee scream. She waved again and Cuirass and Applejack ran across. Sparks and Pinkie Pie lined up and Sparks took a deep breath before seeing the all clear from Vic.

Pinkie Pie galloped alongside Sparks as they ran across the impossibly wide road. It was like a game of 'Red light, Green light' only Pinkie Pie wasn't having fun. Vic looked out from under her cover and then shouted something at her but she didn't hear whatever it was. Sparks looked over to her and then tackled her to the ground. Pinkie's right ear drum exploded and her face felt very hot for a moment. Then very cold.

Pinkie Pie stared up at the sky with her left eye and felt a thousand pins and needles being driven into the right side of her face. She sat up and held up a hoof to her right eye and could only see a blurry pink shape. She was dragged to her hooves and pulled out from under Sparks. Pinkie Pie thought she looked smaller then she remembered but couldn't quiet tell with all the smoke she was covered in. Zecora came into her field of vision and started wrapping her face up in white gauze. It clung to her skin and she giggled as it tickled a bit.

She was pulled to her feet and away from Sparks.

"Wait, what about... what about-"

Zecora looked into her good eye.

"I am very sorry Pinkie Pie, but it was her time to die. There is nothing we can do for her. Run, so your death does not occur!"

Pinkie Pie afforded Sparks one last look before being ushered along by Zecora.

Vic looked back at Sparks and bit her lip. It had been her responsibility for sending her out when it wasn't safe. It was her fault Sparks had died. Cuirass shook his head and spat on the ground. He nodded at Spark's body and kept going. Vic mouthed an apology to her and ran to the front of the group.

The group ran through the alleyway, not sure of what they would find on the other side. They heard screams and Vic held up a hoof for them to stop. She edged up and peered around the corner of the house on their right.

A shot ran out and the stone the house's walls were made of exploded a full foot above her head, leaving a basket ball sized hole. She darted back into cover. Gale sidled up next to her, rifle in hoof.

"What is it?"

"Ugly."

The demon reloaded and shouted at his companions to find cover behind him on the other side of the street. He fired again, tearing a hole right through the house but missing the ponies completely. Vic leaned out of cover and fired, hitting the demon square in the chest. The armour shrugged it off and the demon shambled over to a house across the last street before the train station.

Vic made a series of complicated hoof gestures and the soldiers reacted instantly. The Elements and Zecora were put in the centre of the alleyway while Zephyr took the air and flew to the roof tops above them where he waited. Gale and Cuirass doubled back around and went into the house to their right and took up positions on the first and second floors. Maximus guarded the other end of the alleyway, massive sword held firmly in his grasp.

Vic blew out a breath waited another second before popping out of cover and screaming at her foes. She snapped off a shot and jumped back as the space where she was standing was filled with bullets and shrapnel.

"NOW!"

Cuirass and Gale began firing from the house, they picked off a demon who was leaning too far out of cover. The ponies threw over a few metal balls which bounced and rolled across the street before exploding, shattering windows and walls alike. The demons recovered and began firing at the house but were picked off by Zephyr who  flew above the roof tops just long enough to shoot before diving back down. Vic leaned out of cover and quickly counted the remaining foes.

"Four."

She drew her bayonet and fixed it to the end of her rifle. She took another long breath and blew it slowly out of her mouth.

She broke cover and jumped clean across the street, aided by her wings. She ran along the edge of the street until she came up to a corner. She waited for the demon right next to her to fire before she turned the corner and drove the bayonet into its skull before twirling around the corner of the next house over.

Vic saw Zephyr pop above the roof tops and fire at something right above her. Gale and Cuirass both continued shooting at the other two demons while she slowly flew up the second story window where the next demon was hiding. She saw the gun barrel slide out of the window and she grabbed onto it and used the demon's reaction to draw its gun back to launch herself at it, driving her bayonet home.

Two down.

She dropped to the ground and looked for the next shooter. The street was quiet but she could hear fighting off in the distance. It screwed with her ability to pin point sound. Was that a shot? Where was it?

She heard a shot then a horrible scream. A body slumped to the ground causing a dull thump to pass through the dirt and into her hooves.

Heavy bastards.

"Three down. One more to go."

She walked along the houses, breathing quickly. A door beside her splintered as the demon behind it kicked it open. It jumped out of the opening and swung at her with a cruel looking ax. She stopped on her front hooves and felt the ax slide through the blue hair on her helmet and bite into the gold. It slid off her head roughly and stuck to his ax. He had to take a moment to dislodge it.

Vic saw her opportunity and tried to bring her rifle up but the demon recovered from his swing and kicked the weapon out of her hooves. She let it go and instead used the demon's own body against him as she brought her left hoof to his chin, knocking his helmet off. He tried to hit her again but she jumped clean over the ax and punched him in the teeth. He absorbed the blow and grabbed Vic by the throat with his free hand. The demon roared in triumph as he brought the ax to Vic's throat.

The swing never came. A shot rang out and struck the demon's wrist which crumpled under the weight of the weapon. It howled in pain and Vic picked up her fallen rifle and finally shot it, blowing the top clean off of his skull. Cuirass walked out from cover as did the Elements. Vic pushed the demon away and Cuirass offered a hoof to help her up which she took.

"That was one hell of a shot, Cuirass."

"I was aiming for his head."

Vic raised both her eye brows at him then looked back at the demon lying on the ground.

"Oh."

Maximus herded the Elements along, casting wary glances behind him every few seconds.

"See anything, Maximus?"

"Thought I saw winged horrors from darkest nightmare, ended up being right. They flew off but may return anytime. We should leave."

Gale took a momentary look at Maximus and gulped. Not much could give the big guy pause.

Vic nodded and grabbed Twilight, the rest of her squad moving behind her beside their respective charge.

"Train station is a few blocks away. What we just engaged was probably watching the approaches to the station so expect resistance getting to the trains. Keep your charges low and no matter what, get her to the train. No exceptions. Got it?"

They each snorted heavily and wore grim faces. Orders often came with certain implications.

Vic moved up the street and when she came to the end of it, peeked around the corner. The station was right there and it was empty. Every hair on Vic's neck stood up. She combed her short hair back with an armoured hoof and squinted, looking for any sign of the enemy.

Have to move Vic. No time to waste. Oh buck me to oblivion.

"We're running for the trains. Keep low."

Twilight took a breath to say something but she was hurried along and the opportunity for warning passed. She ran alongside Vic, the hundred metres to the trains seeming like kilometres.

Almost there! Almost ther-

A shot exploded into her consciousness and she dropped to the floor, having tripped over her hooves in surprise. Vic skidded to a halt and dove under a bench. A headless statue to Celestia loomed above them as the rest of the squad jumped into the fountain that surrounded it.

"AMBUSH!"

More shots came from every direction. The heavy minié balls that the demons were using tore through the stone and marble with ease.

Fluttershy froze. No one had grabbed her and she had been left out in the open. Bullets fired at her kicked up plumes of dirt and cobblestone. She screamed but no sound came out, fear paralysing her vocal chords.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack cowered together in each other's hooves, playing back every macho thing they'd said about not being scared and now thinking what idiots they'd been. Pinkie Pie curled up into a ball and rocked back and forth, tuning out the world. Rarity looked over the edge of the fountain as if looking for someone until Maximus shoved her head down. Zecora looked around and noticed they were one pony short but couldn't move as her leg had picked now as the time to act up. She started cursing in her native tongue and tried to tell someone.

"We are one pony short! Fluttershy is missing without her escort!"

Zephyr looked around for the mare and saw her lying on the road a few metres away. She was so close yet impossible to reach. He had to duck as a quartet of demons leapt from their cover and ran towards her. He tried to get a shot off but was forced to dive for the ground as they opened fire on him, sending shards of stone into his face. He winced and yelped in pain.

Fluttershy was roughly picked up and thrown over the shoulder of a demon who cackled madly before running off in great, loping strides.

Rainbow Dash saw her go and took to the air to give chase. Zephyr yelped and flew after her, tackling her and wrestling her back to fountain.

"Noooooo! NOOOOO!" Rainbow Dash strained her vocal chords, screaming with her whole body with fright and desperation, "We are going back for her!"

"There is nothing you can do, she's gone!"

Rainbow Dash snarled and punched him in the muzzle and his head went above the lip of the fountain. A minié ball buzzed into him and punched right through his helmet. Zephyr sat there staring at her for a second before collapsing on top of her.

Rainbow Dash stared at him for a cruel moment. Time slowed down as if to make sure she witnessed what she'd done. Rarity saw what happened and had a shocked, vacant expression. There wasn't an emotion she possessed to express what she felt.

Hidden under the park bench, Vic tucked herself into the smallest ball she could. She looked like she was rocking back and forth in the fetal position.

Twilight was still out on the cobblestone and occasionally a bullet passed by her, sounding like a supersonic angry wasp. She would have screamed had she control over her body. Instead she lay there, eyes unfocused and mumbling something under her breath that sounded like, "Home,",  "Celestia," and, "Mommy!"

Vic shouted something at her but she couldn't hear it. She recovered enough to move her legs and she put  her left hoof to her ear.

"I said, are you hit?!"

"N-no! No I don't think so! Would I feel it?"

Vic grimaced and shook her head, then cocked her ears up.

"What is that?"

A crowd of screams was heading their way. The demons stopped firing for a moment to see what seemed like the entire population of Ponyville running for the train station. The demons bounded from cover and formed a wall to stop the masses from escaping, firing into the crowds. The multicoloured masses were hemmed in from all sides as the demons chasing them caught up and started picking them off, one by one. Picking them up and carrying them away.

Lyra and Bon Bon had run with the crowds for the train station. It was the best idea they'd heard. It was the only idea they'd heard that wasn't suicide. But as it had turned out, the rest of Ponyville had had the same idea and drawn a lot of attention to themselves. The invaders had herded them into a trap and the soldiers that were supposed to be protecting them were nowhere in sight.

Lyra and Bon Bon were near the edge of the crowds and were frantically avoiding being the next pony to be dragged off.

Lyra tore off another page of her note book and scribbled out a message to Bon Bon.

"What are we gonna do?

Bon Bon, Im  scacre

I'm scared! I'm really

really really really-"

Bon Bon cut her off with hoof and looked around, her keen eyes seeing exactly what she'd been hoping for.

"Lyra, there are some soldiers over there. See them by the fountain? When I tell you too, run for them. You hear me? Just run and don't look back. I'll be right beside you, like always, Lyra."

Lyra nodded and gulped. Bon Bon pushed her way to the front of the crowds and jumped at the nearest demon, sending it reeling. It hadn't been expecting an attack and as such was knocked off balance and fell to the ground. Bon Bon pulled Lyra past the wall of demons and Lyra ran. She ran for all she was worth, mint green legs becoming a blur she moved so fast. Despite living an easy lifestyle, her body was designed to outrun things and that was apparent now as Lyra Heartstrings moved like a bullet towards the fountain. She leapt over the edge and landed on something white, purple and kind of squishy.

Rarity screamed and her eyes went wide as saucers as she saw Lyra come over the edge of the fountain. Maximus nearly lopped her head off with a swing but managed to redirect it into the masonry above her. Lyra mouthed an apology to Rarity and looked around for Bon Bon.

What? Where is she? She was right beside me. She's always right beside me. Where's Bon Bon?

She scrambled over Rarity and looked around for Bon Bon but she was nowhere to be found. Lyra looked over the edge of the fountain and saw her being dragged away by a demon. They made eye contact and for them, time stopped. An eternity passed and all they could do was look into each other's eyes. Bon Bon opened her mouth to say something but was pulled out of sight behind a house and Lyra was left alone. For the first time in forever, she didn't have Bon Bon right beside her.

Lyra tried to find her notebook  and found it was lying outside the fountain and wholly beyond her reach. She sat there until Cuirass noticed another pony had made it to the fountain and he tucked her under him to shield her from the next volley of bullets that turned their cover into Swiss cheese.

"That does it! We need to get to those trains! Like now! Vic! VICTORY!"

Vic pricked her ears up and put a hoof to her mouth.

"WHAT?"

"We need to leave!"

"I know! I'm working on it!"

"Work faster!"

Vic growled and looked at the mass of ponies still being taken away by the demons surrounding them.

"Listen up! Gale, Cuirass, Zephyr!-"

"Zephyr's gone!"

"Dammit! Gale, Cuirass! Lay down a suppressing fire on the demons in houses to the left of the ponies. Maximus! When we leave, you're rear guard! I'll cover you! Who has any grenades?"

Cuirass and Gale were both short on everything. They'd hadn't exactly been unarmed but certainly hadn't been expecting a prolonged engagement.

"I'm out!"

"I'm out!"

Vic grit her teeth and shut her eyes as the bench above her turned into splinters.

"Maximus?!"

"One!"

Vic thanked the stars for that psychopath.

"Give those ponies a hole to run through! And Maximus, don't miss!"

Maximus rolled his eyes and plucked the last metal ball from his armour. He weighed it and peeked over the edge of the fountain. His arc would have to be perfect. His timing, perfect. He would have to be perfect.

"Gale, Cuirass, SUPPRESSING FIRE!" Vic yelled over the fighting.

They both stood up and began firing as fast as their hooves would allow. The demons hiding in the houses were shredded by the sudden onslaught of fine pony engineering. Those that made it behind something solid stayed there.

"Maximus! Now!"

He grunted and clicked the pin out.

"One... "

He looked at Rarity and Lyra, huddling together and shivering.

"Two... "

He exhaled and stood up, staring at the line of demons, picking the exact spot he wanted to throw it.

"Three... "

He cocked his leg back and threw it. The small metal ball arced through the air.

"Four... "

It reached the top of its arc and started to descend.

"Five."

The grenade exploded at chest height just behind the wall of demons. Their bodies shielded the ponies in front of them and they fell, creating a hole and a way to escape to the trains.

Vic stood up and ran over to Twilight, picking her up and giving her a look over before shouting at her squad.

"We are leaving! Run for the trains! Go!"

Vic didn't look back as she pulled Twilight along. Twilight herself was spent. She had nothing left to keep going. No energy left to take another step, but Vic was right there with her, every step she couldn't take.

Maximus hoisted Zecora over his shoulder and drew his sword. He shouted and urged Rarity and Lyra to move and eventually got them running towards the trains. He huffed and sprinted for the finish.

I am going to make it. I am going to make it...  Чёрт!

"Horrors!"

Maximus ran another two steps before hurling Zecora the last seven into the train. He turned to face the winged demons coming out of the sky. They landed in front of him and cut off the ponies running for the train. They shrieked and back peddled into one another. A few pegasus took off from the crowd but were shot down or grabbed by the new arrivals.

Maximus saw a few demons get shot down but noticed the shots didn't come from behind him. A yell was given out as dozens of soldiers flew over the roof tops of the houses to his right and began shooting everything that wasn't a pony. Major Swift Ascent appeared in the middle of the formation, shouting orders to his ponies. Maximus couldn't hear him and frankly didn't care. He had more pressing matters to attend to.

"Go, Miss Rarity! Just go!"

Maximus drew a long breath and centred his weight on his back legs as he reared up and side stepped a spear thrust aimed at his heart. He swung his massive weapon around and it hit the dirt under the demon. The demon herself fell into bits around it. Maximus wrenched it from the ground and parried another thrust. The demon he was fighting made to strike again but clutched his heart and crumpled to the ground.

"Run, Maximus!"

More shots buzzed over his shoulder and he slowly retreated to the train where everyone was waiting on him. He was now fighting three demons as once, his massive weapon now a hindrance as he tried to parry everything that was coming at him.

Gale made to reload but found he was out of cartridges. He threw his rifle into the air and caught it, holding it like a spear. He yelled as he threw it,  as hard as he could, into the chest of one of the winged satyr-like demons. Maximus shoved the other two off him and grabbed the rifle with his free hoof and half ran half flew the last few steps to the train doors. He hoofed the rifle back to Gale and chuckled.

"I made it. Hahaha... somepony get this thing moving."

Vic frowned.

Trains don't move that fast. Gotta lose some weight. What about anyone else on board? What about anything else on board?

Vic thought a moment before making her decision.

"Twilight, with me. We're going to go cut this train in half so we can get out of here faster. Maximus, take Rarity and start the engines. Gale, take the rest and find them somewhere to sit down and tend to anyone who needs it. Go."

Twilight and Vic ran for the other end of the train. Hooves clacking on expensive wood. Twilight recalled all the times she'd ridden in this train as she ran. In this car here. This car here. She'd slept there once.

Twilight and Vic went to the other end of the train while Maximus and Rarity ran for the front. Applejack and Zecora found a seat and Cuirass and Gale stopped and eyed the windows, looking for signs of pursuit.

The window behind Lyra burst and something grey and blonde tumbled on top of her, dragging the white curtains in with it. Cuirass cursed and leveled his rifle at the tangle of limbs and feathers before two bright yellow eyes peered out from under the curtain. They were joined by two smaller sets and Derpy narrowed one eye at the bayonet at the end of the rifle while the other looked into Cuirass's eyes.

"Please don't."

Cuirass slowly raised the rifle and took his hoof off the trigger. He felt like shouting but refrained. Lyra got out from under the curtains and dragged them off of Dinky, Sparkler and Derpy. Derpy's legs and back were covered in glass but her children were uninjured, and that was all that mattered to her.

"Sparkler, Dinky baby, are you hurt? Did the glass cut you? Let me see."

Derpy started inspecting every inch of them for glass shards or wooden splinters or gaping bullet wounds. Sparkler stopped her and held her mother's face in her hooves.

"Mom, I'm fine! So's Dinky. We're both okay."

Derpy took a moment to relax and that was all it took. She huddled up on the floor with her children and started to weep. She was done, no more fight to be had. Her children were safe.

The train shuddered to life and Zecora winced as the vibrations passed through her  legs. She gasped and blood began pouring out of the bandage that had finally come loose after all the running she'd done.

"'Keep off it,' the doctor said. 'Just stay in bed.' Hah, Basha."

Applejack started ripping up the curtains and tying a fresh bandage around Zecora's leg.

"You going to be alright?"

"Given time, I will be fine. It is not as if I stepped on a mine."

Applejack nodded and finished tying the knot.

"Where's Fluttershy?"

In the engine car, Maximus and Rarity were trying desperately to get the train moving. They'd managed to get the engine started but it wasn't going anywhere.

Maximus shoveled in more coal.

"Try pulling that lever."

"Which lever?"

"That one."

"'That one,' isn't very helpful, Maximus! I am not a train engineer!"

"Neither am I. Pull the red lever all the way down."

Rarity spotted the lever insultingly marked, 'BRAKE' in large white lettering that stood out from everything else in the car.

"Oh."

She pulled it and the train lurched ahead a foot or so before straining against its own weight to pick up speed. Rarity whooped in triumph and Maximus smiled and chuckled.

"We would make good team, you and I."

Rarity, in the moment, was giddy with excitement.

"Yes! With your brawn and my style, we would be the undisputed rulers of the fashion industry. You could carry the dresses and I would make them. Oh, just imagine the fame! I could do shows anywhere! Just me and you and Twilight and Fluttershy and Sweetie Bell and..."

A tear leaked out of Rarity's eye. It slowly fell down her cheek until it dripped off her chin, falling to the dusty coal ground among her soot black hooves. She started weakly sobbing and Maximus, not having anything better in mind, sat down next to her and put a comforting leg around her.

"Just let it out. Let it all out, Miss Rarity."

"Stop calling me 'Miss', makes me feel old."

"As you wish, Madam Rarity."

"Stop it."

She smiled feebly and leaned into his chest. Tears now streaming out of her brilliant blue eyes.

Vic and Twilight at the other end of the train were having similar difficulties. Vic groaned as she tried to lift the spike holding the cars together. After taking a look outside, it was clear that the demons would be winning soon and looking for them. No one else had made it to the train and Vic didn't expect any miracles to happen.

"AAggghhh! Twilight. Twilight, I need your help. Can you pull this out?"

"I-...I can try... Spike!"

Vic tried to centre the poor mare in the present, the here and now.

"Twilight, he was on the other side of the town when the attack came. He probably ran for the hills as soon as the air raid siren went off."

"B-but what if he was sleeping or napping or in the basement or if they came to the library first looking for me or-"

Vic stood up and seized Twilight by the shoulders roughly.

"Twilight, I understand what you're going through. You think you've lost someone near and dear to your heart. But right now I need you to help me so we don't die too. I've lost ponies before and shit, it happened again today because of what I told them to do! But I keep going because I'm still here and so are you. So right now I need you to mare up and help me. Please."

Vic and Twilight stared into each other's eyes. Twilight bit her lip and nodded.

"Okay."

The spike was wrenched out of the locking mechanism and just then the train lurched forward as the rest of the cars were pulled tight. They walked back into the car and watched Ponyville slide by their vision. It burned and all sorts of nightmares flew about it but Twilight still saw the same place she called home. Vic stood beside her and Twilight moved into her, nuzzling her neck.

"Hey, Twilight. I'm sorry for what I said. I was just trying to get the train moving and... yeah. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it."

They stayed like that for another second before Vic heard a bullet buzz right by her ear. It ruffled Twilight's hair as it passed by and blew a hole in the wall behind her.

"GET DOWN!"

She grabbed Twilight and threw her to the floor as the train came under attack. Vic looked out the back door of the car to see a few demons were giving chase and a few of the winged satyr's were flying after them.

"They'll go after the engine!"

Indeed, most of the winged horrors peeled off the main group in the air and flew for the front of the train. The demons on foot stopped running and yelled after the train. The lead demon shot off the flock and barreled into the car Twilight and Vic were in.

The demon crashed through the window and fell on top of Twilight who screamed and tried to throw it off with her magic. A blast hit it in the chest but it held fast and drew its sword as Vic charged it and knocked it off of her. It swung its weapon and she bent her back, limbo-ing under the swing. It stood up and filled the car with its bulk and height. It snarled and barred it's black fangs at her.

Vic brought her rifle up and squeezed the trigger but her rifle was knocked aside at the last moment. It discharged harmlessly out the window. She parried a thrust with her rifle and the two began trading blows at lightning speeds. Twilight backed away from the dueling pair and heard fighting behind her.

In the front of the train, Maximus was fighting for his life. The tight spaces of the train did not lend itself to his style of combat and his heavy weapon was getting heavier every swing, every parry.

He was fighting a line of demons and was cut off from Cuirass and Gale who had their own problems. Maximus swung his sword right through the roof of the train, surprising the demon he was fighting. It didn't have enough time to bring its mace up and was bisected by the razor sharp cleaver. He grunted and wrenched it out of the floor just in time to lacerate another demon.

"Come on!"

He roared and lunged with his sword out in front of him. The demon it was meant for swatted his weapon aside but he simply dropped it and brought his helm in its face, shattering the bones beneath.

"Heh."

He looked up to see the last demon pointing a gun at him. It smiled and he saw a flash.

Rarity peered out around the corner of the engine car to see Maximus slump to the floor. She gasped and looked up at the demon who saw her and began chuckling as it slowly walked towards her. She came out from behind the door and smile sweetly.

"Well, hello there, demon... thing. How do you do? My name is Rarity and you are?"

It smiled revealing black hollow fangs that spewed venom down its chin.

"No talk, Rarity. You come weakly, yes?"

She squeaked.

"...Y-yes."

The demon lowered its rifle and held out a clawed hand to her and she choose that moment to strike. She levitated its comrade's sword into its chest and it howled in pain. She reared up and gave it the meanest right hook she could muster and sent it spinning through the air. Rarity picked up a crude looking pistol and after checking to see if it was loaded, floated it over to the demon and fired. As the smoke cleared she watched it, looking for any signs of movement. It didn't stir. She let out the breath she had been holding and slumped her shoulders, beaten by the day.

Rarity tip toed around the pools of blood and came up to Maximus who had moved either. She reached out to him to turn him over but stopped herself. Not wanting to see.

"I'm sorry, Maximus," she said faintly, "I am so very sorry."

In the other car, Gale and Cuirass were now both out of ammo and dueling five demons at once. Zecora hefted her spear and made the demons think twice about getting near her or Lyra but couldn't join the fight due to her injury. Derpy and her daughters hid behind Applejack and Rainbow Dash as they hid behind Cuirass and Gale.

Cuirass parried a high blow by a ax and kicked the demon in the stomach. He tried to run it through but was stopped by its comrade who parried the blow and punched him in the face. He reeled back and was thrown clear of the fight leaving Gale alone in against five opponents. Cuirass looked at Gale, then at Applejack who was behind him.

"Screw this."

Cuirass smashed the window to his left and tucked his wings as he jumped out of the train. Applejack's jaw dropped.

"What?!"

Gale looked back for Cuirass and saw that he was now alone. He steadied his rifle and began his duel. He moved like lightning, parrying, attacking, countering. In two seconds he downed two of his attackers with fluid thrusts. A demon leapt over her fallen comrades and grabbed onto him, ditching her weapon in favour of her hands. The other two followed suit until they were all on top of him. He dropped his rifle and wrestled with his attackers, still on his four hooves. He roared and tried to throw them off but their claws dug into his armour and wouldn't be budged. One drew a knife and tried to end the fight but he jumped into the ceiling and she dropped it. She barked something at the other two demons and they nodded.

They all grabbed a limb, then jumped for the window. He tried to stop himself but was overpowered. He and the demons crashed through the window and all that was heard was the shaking of the train as it then passed into the mountain. The train faded into the black of the tunnel.

At the very end of the train, Vic grimly fought on with the demon major. It was easily twice her size but she held her own and for every cut she'd taken was a stab she'd given. The demon lashed out with his sword and she directed it into the side of the train where it stuck fast. He dropped it and hit Vic's rifle with a backhand, tearing it out of her hooves and throwing it behind her. She let it go and jabbed him in the snout.

The demon took the blow but kicked out with a hoofed leg and hit her squarely in the chest, sending her flying. He tugged his sword free and made to bring it down on her. Vic bucked out with her legs for all she was worth and hit him in the knees, snapping the bones and popping the joints. He fell but through the pain and shock, he flipped the sword around point first and aimed it at her heart.

Vic's eyes widened and her hooves caught the sword as it wavered over her chest.

"Twilight-hhhggg- my rifle, load it and shoot it. Shoot the demon, Twilight."

Twilight grabbed the rifle but her hooves were shaking so badly she couldn't get a cartridge out of the pouch on the side of the stock.

Vic felt the sword slip an inch and it now grated against her armour.

"Haha! Shoot the- AAAHHHHH- Shooooot!"

The sword slipped and Vic yelped. Twilight finally managed to levitate a cartridge out but her hooves fumbled with the mechanism.

"Twi... Ha- Twi-"

Twilight drew the bolt back and slid the bullet in. She rammed the bolt back into position and raised the rifle. She fired without looking and heard something slump to the ground a second later. She opened her eyes and the demon was dead, lying next to Vic on the floor.

"I did it!"

Her jubilation was cut short as she saw the sword sticking out of Vic's chest. It was pinning her to the train and had likely gone right through the floor.

"Oh no! No no no, Vic. Vic!"

"Ahh, why so loud. I'm right here."

Vic sat up a little and her eyes widened when she saw the sword impaling her stomach. She had pushed it away from her vitals.

"Oh shit. Oh, that's not good."

Blood burbled out of her mouth and her head fell back down to the floor as she moaned in pain. Twilight blinked and tried to think of a solution. A way to fix this.

"What do I do, Vic?"

"Don't move me, don't touch the sword. Do y-you have any bandages or cloth or anything to stop the b-bleeding?"

Twilight frantically got up tore off a set of curtains with her teeth. She bunched them up around the wound, seeing the blood soak right through the white fabric.

Rarity would have a fit if see saw this.

Vic coughed wetly.

"Put as much pressure on the wound as you can..."

Twilight leaned onto her friend as she pressed into the blood soaked bandages.

"Okay, Vic, now what? Now what, Vic? VIC?!"

"Twilight?"

"Yes, Vic?"

"I'm scared."

"... Don't be, Vic. Everything's going to be alright. Everything is going to be okay, we'll get you fixed up in Canterlot. You just have to stay here, got it?"

Vic looked into her eyes and smiled.

"Are you saying that for me or for you?"

Twilight giggled. Vic could read her like a book.

"Both."

"How sweet of you to say that. Hey Twilight, I'm ready for that pour-my-heart-out-session, hehehe."

She coughed violently but smiled warmly.

"That was terrible joke."

"Sorry, I'm not exactly feeling very funny right now. Speaking of which, I don't feel too good."

"That's understandable, you've just run a marathon for two."

"No, like I'm going to go... I don't want to go."

Vic scowled and made to sit up.

"I'm j-just gonna- gonna get up and..."

Vic left the train and her body slumped the floor, her red streaked hair blowing slightly in the breeze. Twilight closed Vic's eyes, then her own, and wept quietly.

Celestia watched as the train rolled into the station, the moonlight glinting off the gold metal inlays. She and her sister waited for the doors to open, as did a hundred of the Canterlot Guard. Shining Armour shifted nervously in his uniform and gave the signal to approach the train. The doors opened and Rainbow Dash and Applejack stood in the door way, looking out at the guards and finally settling on Luna and Celestia, though the sisters couldn't tell what facial expression they had. Applejack calmly helped Zecora down to a waiting stretcher and then helped Lyra down too where she was lost among the chaos of the guards.

Rainbow Dash took Pinkie Pie's hoof and gently helped her off the train to a stretcher where a dozen medics attended to her. Celestia walked over a put a hoof on Rainbow Dash's shoulder.

"I am so glad you're alright, Rainbow Dash. I am so sor-"

"Save it, and she's in the back of the train, your Highness."

Celestia was taken aback by the response but nodded and thanked her. Shining Armour began giving orders to the guards and Luna started directing where the Elements would be going.

"Applejack, where are Twilight and Fluttershy?"

Applejack looked up at the princess and a tear leaked out of her eye but her unreadable expression stayed the same.

"Twilight's in the back of the train and Fluttershy didn't make it."

Luna's jaw dropped as Applejack walked away to join Rainbow Dash and Rarity. Her voice had been devoid of the life and emotion it was usually filled with.

Oh gods of old, what did these poor mares see?"

Celestia picked her way through the train among the living guards and dead soldiers. She walked as if in a trance.

What will I find? Will I find the Twilight I know or another taken her place. A hollow, just like Luna, just as before?

She quickened her pace once she was out of the way of the guards and then broke into a gallop. She burst into the last car to find Twilight sitting next to a dead soldier pinned to the ground by a rusty black sword. It was all too horrifying to see but she bravely cross the thresh hold. Being an immortal doesn't mean you feel any less, it just means you get better at hiding it.

"Oh, Twilight, thank goodness you're safe."

Twilight barely registered her presence at all. Celestia paused before kneeling down next to her student.

"Twilight."

Twilight slowly turned her head to meet the gaze of her mentor. Her tear stained cheeks and blood shot eyes told all the story Celestia needed to know. Twilight reached out and pulled Celestia into a hug and wept into her neck as Celestia stroked her back and whispered to her in soothing tones.

"Somepony close I gather?"

"Yup."

"Okay, let's get you out of here."

"And Vic."

"...and Vic."

They walked out and Celestia floated Vic's body out in front of her, wrapped in a shroud of bloody curtains. They exited the train and Celestia lay Vic down with the other bodies which had been removed from the train in a similar fashion.

Rarity lifted Maximus's body and set it down away from the dead demons. She looked into his big, severe face and saw he looked completely at ease. At peace. She blinked the tears out of her eyes. Rarity whispered a goodbye to him before kissing him on the forehead and walking away.

Twilight levitated Vic away from the rotting demon corpses and set her down next to Maximus. Twilight knelt down next to Vic and began whispering in her ear through her sobbing.

"Vic, I-I don't know if you can hear me b-but I just want to say thank you. For everything. I don't know where you are now or if you are even anywhere but if you are and your listening, thank you for everything that you did. Goodbye, Victory."

Twilight took one last look at Vic's face and saw a faint smile on her lips. A last laugh at Death before taking his hoof.

Celestia took Twilight and put her wing over her, like she always used to, and walked her up to the palace with Shining Armour beside her.

New Growth

Chapter Seven: New Growth

Being a leader means looking to yourself to solve others problems.

Celestia

Twilight Sparkle and her friends sat in the infirmary alone. Each occupied with their own thoughts, entirely in their own worlds. Occasionally one of them would break down in tears and they would all huddle in close to her and cry it out but after a while it would lose its meaning and they would retreat to their respective beds to be alone again. Zecora, Lyra, Derpy and her children had been treated and since had taken their leave to give the friends a moment alone.

Rarity was muttering under her breath and kept looking towards the door as if expecting company. Twilight caught the name, "Sweetie Bell," before she returned to thinking about Spike.

Rainbow Dash lay on her bed, shaking back and forth. Fluttershy had been in her hooves, then was gone. And the business with Zephyr made everything even worse. She eventually excused herself to the bathroom and started crying, not wanting her friends to see her like this.

Applejack had bucked the door off its hinges and tried to run, screaming about how the barn was probably on fire and the livestock would be getting loose. It had taken all her friends and two Royal Guardsponies to restrain her. She finally just screamed herself hoarse and fell into a fitful sleep.

Pinkie Pie hadn't stopped talking. At first it had been a good distraction to just tune out of everything and listen to her drone on about the most random and silly of topics but by now, it had lost a lot of its charm. She'd quieted down and now just looked anxious, checking the clock every now and again. Like she had somewhere to be.

They were alone in the infirmary and Twilight deduced that Canterlot hadn't been attacked yet, otherwise this place would have been packed. Twilight stared at the ceiling, not moving and barely breathing.

"Twilight?"

She turned her head at the sound of her name. She couldn't tell who had called out to her, only that the voice was ragged with tears and fatigue.

It was Rarity. She was trying as hard as she could to keep her composure even though she'd been crying for the past hour and looked kind of funny, a forced smile adorning her lips and faded light blue mascara running down her face.

"Yes, Rarity?"

"How are you holding up?"

It was a question that had no answer, not in words at least. Twilight started sobbing again as she swung her legs over the side of the bed and fell to the ground. She picked herself up and collapsed on Rarity's bed.

They lay together for a time, weeping in each other's hooves. Each had lost someone near and dear to them.  It was too much to bear alone. Twilight bit her lip to quell her tears for just a moment.

"Fine, how are you?"

"F... Fine, darling."

Twilight's sorrow broke for a moment as she looked over at Rarity and started giggling. Rarity's eyebrows shot straight into her mane before she too burst out laughing.

Applejack lifted her head off the pillow she'd been sleeping on and looked at them in anger and alarm.

"What in Equestria are y'all laughing about?"

Twilight wiped her eyes and tried to say it but couldn't through fits of laughter. Applejack looked over at Rarity and couldn't help but start to chuckle before she too started laughing. She kicked her legs wildly on the bed, now laughing as hard as she could.

Rainbow Dash heard the commotion and stumbled out of the bathroom. She'd been hiding in there, not wanting anyone to hear or see her cry her eyes out. She'd been beating herself up over Zephyr ever since they got back. Only herself and Rarity knew the truth.

Rainbow Dash looked over at them in disgust and was about to shout out her frustrations before Pinkie Pie nearly knocked her over rushing for the bathroom.

"What the-? Pinkie Pie?!"

"Sorry! Got to go! Why'd you take so long?!"

She slammed the door and Rainbow Dash was left stunned.

"What is so funny?!"

"I don't even know!" said Twilight between fits of laughter, "one minute we were sobbing our eyes out then Rarity said something and... I forget."

The room simmered down a bit, some of the tension relieved.

Rarity wiped her eyes with her hoof and saw the light blue streak on her leg.

"Oh heavens! Pinkie Pie, would hurry up in there? It's an emergency!"

Pinkie Pie exited the bathroom looking much better and trotted off to her bed. Rarity rushed by her, a bundle of cosmetics following her. Rainbow Dash held up her hooves in confusion.

"Where did she even get those?"

Twilight shrugged. Applejack shook her head and frowned.

"What in the hay just happened? One minute, I was crying like a filly with a scraped knee and the next, I was laughing like a drunk at happy hour."

"That I can explain."

Princess Luna walked into the room and Twilight made to bow.

"Oh please, Twilight Sparkle, that is not necessary. Applejack, the reason you are so susceptible to humour is because you are grieving. Like the mind's own self defence mechanism, you will  laugh at the slightest provocation. For example, remember the time I burst out of the apple dunking bucket on Nightmare Night?"

Applejack snorted and chuckled.

"Yep... that wasn't even that funny."

"I know, but you want to laugh, you want to feel good. And trust me, that's a good sign."

Now to get them moving.

Luna straightened up and prepared herself, it wasn't like she wasn't a stranger to loss and grief but as an immortal, her perspective on life and death didn't often match up with her mortal companions'. As such, she would have to tread carefully and not mention the fact that while she was sad for them, she didn't feel a hundredth the sorrow that plagued them.

"I won't tell you to move on. I won't say do not weep. I will say however that given everything that has happened in the past couple of days, you will all have to fight for the time to grieve. Follow me. We have much to discuss."

They, slowly and wordlessly, got to their feet and followed their Princess out the door and into the hallway beyond, dragging their feet, not wanting to hear what they knew was coming. Twilight and the others each guessed that they were being taken to be briefed on their role in this mess of events.

As they walked down the darkened hallway, Twilight noticed for the first time that they had stayed in the infirmary for a night and day as it was once again dark out. Time had passed quickly when they hadn't been looking and that only made Twilight feel worse. Spike had slipped ever further from her reach. Fluttershy and the others had been either captured or worse and all they had done was weep for them. Twilight stumbled and probably would have fell under the weight of her own guilt had she not been caught by an outstretched hoof.

"Easy there, Miss Sparkle, it's not much farther now."

Twilight looked up into a green and blue set of eyes that looked back at her with worry.

"My name's Scribbles, I'm the Princesses assistant."

Twilight wanted to say something, anything to acknowledge the other mare's kindness. Twilight opened her mouth to speak but all that came out was a wet sob.

"Whoa, it's alright, you don't have to introduce yourself or bother with thank you's. I know your name and from what Celestia had told me about you I know what you'd say. Thank you, Twilight Sparkle."

Rarity and Pinkie Pie had waited for Twilight to catch up and now moved in beside her. Applejack and Rainbow Dash had been leaning on each other for support but now closed in around Twilight and they all half walked, half embraced each other down the hall following Luna.

Celestia looked at the clock and stifled a yawn. It was getting late, but the counter attack wasn't scheduled until midnight, so she still had time to talk to the Elements before she was expected to do anything. The Canterlot Night Guard would be spearheading an assault of Ponyville, heading north of the town and securing a foot hold in the valley before the rest of the army that had assembled in Canterlot arrived to relieve them.

The 101st Airborne had not reported in since the attack. They had been completely wiped out by the surprise attack but if the reports were to be believed, they had conducted themselves valiantly on the field of battle. Celestia mused that was the General's way of saying they had fought to the last mare.

The war effort now largely depended on Cloudsdale and its ability to hold the northern borders and protect the flank of the advance into the Canterlot Valley. It's position north of Canterlot had thus far made it bear the brunt of a few large assaults but had emerged victorious in every engagement. The Demons, for all their strength and cunning, were not unsusceptible to hurricanes and lightning storms and all manner of pegasi weather weapons. Cloudsdale would hold back the Demon advance south while Canterlot prepared to retake the valley with the reinforcements coming back from the southern conflicts.

Celestia stared at a map of Equestria. It had a curved claw of red coming in from the north around the western edge of Cloudsdale and into Ponyville. Other smaller claws circled around the eastern cities, like Stallongrade to the north. Canterlot was protected by that city and by Cloudsdale so the only route into the capital was through Ponyville. That town was going to be the centre of the war for now and losing it meant losing the valley. It was the train hub that connected the cities to the east and the resources of the west. If Celestia couldn't unite her country then winning this war would take a miracle of ridiculous proportions.

A small knock came from the door and Luna entered the room sheepishly, as if she was preparing herself to see Celestia at her worst. Luna visibly relaxed when she saw her sister sitting upright and her mane glowing with power.

At least she is maintaining appearances for the Elements, we both know they need something to ground themselves right now.

"Celestia, I brought the remaining Elements."

Luna only caught herself after she'd said it. Luna's face turned red and she avoided eye contact with ponies following her as they walked past her and bowed before Celestia.

That was not very tactful of me.

Luna risked a look at them and saw tears streaming out of their bloodshot eyes as they rose from their bow and took a seat on the cushions provided. There was a sixth pillow that Rainbow Dash picked up and hugged tightly, crying weakly into it. For once, she didn't care if anyone saw her tears.

Celestia shot a look at Luna before sitting down in front of them and bidding her sister to do the same. Scribbles sat off to the side, unsure of what to do to help, wondering if her help was even wanted.

"My little ponies."

Celestia poured as much magical healing and wellness into her voice as her great power would allow.

Twilight will no doubt notice but I don't think she'll care right now.

"I have brought you here to Canterlot for your safety. I see now that I have failed to bring you here unharmed. No apology of mine would be adequate to recover the loss of Fluttershy and for that, I am eternally ashamed. In fact, without the Element of Kindness, I am beginning to wonder what I am to do now to win this war. Without the Elements of Harmony, we are only left with each other in this fight.

But that does not mean that we are without hope. A mad, hope beyond reason or care. That despite the overwhelming odds we will still triumph as we always have. I have heard, from scattered reports, that the Demons in Ponyville have captured rather than killed most of the population. So, Fluttershy may yet be alive."

That caught their attention. The room exploded into a cacophony of noise as the Elements started shouting at Celestia. It took a few moments to pick out what they were saying.

"-have to go back there-"

"-are you saying my sister might be ali-

"-Sweetie Bell wouldn't last in priso-"

"-and then he said, 'but oatmeal is the best-,'... what?"

Twilight frowned at Pinkie Pie and wondered how she managed to deal with all the stress and loss of the past two days. Sure she'd cried her eyes out when she was alone but otherwise hadn't changed at all, which was all the more worrying.

Celestia cleared her throat and called the Elements' attentions back to her.

"I am glad to have set a fire in your hearts once again. The fires of friendship still burn brightly enough to ward off the spectre of sorrow and defeat."

Luna bit her lip and smiled.

"And to think you tease me for being old fashioned."

Celestia rolled her eyes at her sister and continued.

"We are launching a counter attack against the demons in Ponyville. When we have secured the town, we will be able to rescue the ponies that have been taken captive and get them to safety. Have hope, my little ponies that tonight and tomorrow will bring better news."

Celestia rose to her feet and the Elements followed suit. The atmosphere had changed, turned from depression to hopeful optimism. Maybe they would rescue Fluttershy from the demon's clutches, maybe the Elements of Harmony would be able to drive back the invading hordes. Maybe their friends and families would be okay after all.

Celestia's magic had certainly worked in lifting the Elements from their sadness but she now wondered how long that would last without results. Their sanity now depended on the success of the military.

I wonder if they are thinking, 'Celestia Save us.' But in these evil times, what am I to think?

"That will be all for tonight, and I do apologize that I cannot give you more of my time. Scribbles, please escort them to their bed chambers."

"Gladly, follow me, if you please."

Scribbles walked them out the door and turned left down the hallway. She stopped, however, after a few paces and turned around sheepishly.

"No, wait. Sorry, this way."

She ducked her head and turned red as she passed by Celestia's chambers. To distract and move on from her misstep, she tried to start a conversation to lighten the mood.

"This palace is amazing is it not? One of the oldest pony built structures in the north, save perhaps the Stalliongrade walls."

Twilight's ears pricked up and the rest of her friends saw the look in her eyes and nodded to each other as they covered their ears. She was going to talk about history.

"I know! it was built fifteen years after Equestria was founded! The old Lords and Ladies of the Unicorn Tribe got together with the rest of the tribes to build the capital of their newly founded country. You can still see which pony race built which section! Look, you can still feel the spells they used to bind the stones here! Isn't it exciting?!"

"I know right! You know, you really are all you've been hyped up to be, Miss Sparkle. Sure I've read the papers and heard second hand account but you actually are a joy to be around. Most other ponies here are complete snobs!"

They bumped into a Generals and his Staff Officers who had been walking around the corner. The General regarded them with thin, unreadable eyes before curtly nodded at them and continued on their way down the hall.

Scribbles turned bright red. Twilight had a similar shade adorning her cheeks but it was because of the sudden praise she'd been receiving. She had a fan!

"Let's just get to our rooms, shall we?"

"Right, let's."

They giggled as they walked to the room where Applejack was staying and bid her goodnight. Celestia had thought for long time on the issue but in the end decided it would be best to give each Element her own room. Some time alone would let them gather their thoughts and collect themselves.

As soon as the door closed on Applejack, her world got smaller without her friends. What Celestia had told her had given her hope but all Applejack could think about was that it was a chance that she'd see her friends and family again, not a guarantee, and that nearly drove her mad. She jumped under the covers and stared at the ceiling.

Rarity was next and despite having time to fix her appearance still looked ragged and beat. She wandered into the washroom in her room and stared at herself in the mirror, unsure of what she was looking at anymore. She was too tired to start crying again but too sad to fall asleep. Rarity turned the faucet on and washed the makeup and tear stains from her face until she was just looking at herself, no lies or deception to get in the way of what she saw. She was scared.

Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash decided to share a room. It was Pinkie Pie's suggestion and while her reason of having a Two-Mare-Slumber-Party-To-Cheer-Rainbow-Dash-Up held true, the real reason was that Pinkie Pie knew Rainbow Dash and knew that she'd open the window and fly to Ponyville to rescue Fluttershy the minute the door was closed. Twilight whispered a small thank you and nodded, understanding what Pinkie was doing.

At last, Twilight came to her own room. She hesitated, however, at the threshold. Twilight Sparkle was a mare who had been through too much. She was busting at the seams. Seeing her mentor, her anchor in all of this so shaken and beaten was too much. Twilight had to vent before she started screaming in pain.

"Well, goodnight I suppose. If such a thing still exists," Twilight said without turning around.

"Goodnight, Miss Sparkle."

And that was it, Twilight carefully shut the door and leaned against it, now sobbing and crying as hard as she could. She couldn't spill her heart out to another random stranger, not again, no matter how nice they seemed. Twilight had told Vic everything, never lied or held anything back and now she was dead and another mare had popped into her life who seemed just as nice, just as supportive.

Scribbles stood on the other side of the door, listening to the storm. She wanted to help, to tear the door off its hinges and comfort the poor girl.. She raised her hoof, to knock, to get her attention, to do anything to help. Her hoof hovered above the wooden barrier.

"ZZZZZZZzzzzzz... ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz."

A whip cracked so close to Fluttershy's ear she swore the demon wielding it was aiming for her. She bit her lip and kept walking in the line, just trying to focus on the pony in front of her. Not wanting to focus on the ponies beside her,  or underneath her. They were walking along a grassy road torn up by all the traffic it had seen in the past few hours. The ground was slick mud and demon and pony alike slid and slipped their way to and fro. They were heading towards a hastily constructed prison on the edge of town.

The lessons she'd learned from Iron Will had taught her one thing that was grimly appropriate now, never let them see you bleed. She kept her face blank and her gait steady. She'd seen what happened to the ponies that fell over or tried to fight. She'd built a dam around her mind, an impenetrable wall. Nothing got in, nothing got out.

Fluttershy frowned for a moment and glanced down at her hooves.

I know that I shouldn't be complaining, well I suppose I'm not, I'm just noting, but wouldn't it have made more sense to put us in chains?

Fluttershy thought on their decision for a few more second before taking another risk and looking around. They were surrounded on all sides by creatures directly from the stuff of nightmares.  She lost count of how many times she'd jumped from something new and terrible shambling by. The worst was when she heard a huge wing beat above her head. As scary as the satyr's were, dragons were all the more terrifying.

It was a small wonder she hadn't simply stopped being. But every time she thought she couldn't get any more scared, something else would happen that made everything else before seem not as bad. It was actually kind of comforting. She'd hit below rock bottom in terms of how bad things could get.

The line suddenly stopped and Fluttershy ran into the pony in front of her causing them both to stumble.

That was all it took. The demons on either side of the line erupted in mad laughter and jeering. They pointed and howled at her.

Nevermind, things can always get worse.

Fluttershy started heaving in breaths as she was struck with the memories of flight school and the bullies that still haunted her. The dam cracked a little but held firm. The pony in front of her whimpered and cowered on her knees. It was Miss Cheerilee.

Fluttershy had always thought Cheerilee was a strong willed mare: teachers almost always were. Seeing her like this was almost too much for Fluttershy to bear, what could she have seen to make her like this?

Fluttershy didn't let her mind wander too far with that thought.

No.

She looked up and stared at the nearest demon. It was a massive winged beast with a cruel looking ax in hand and pistols and medals adorning its chest. She looked right into its ocean black eyes and stared right through them.

"Stop it."

The demon smiled and laughed harder, his chest heaving. He slapped his knees as if someone had told  him the funniest joke in the world.

"Stop it!"

He went silent as did the rest of the demons. The line of ponies held their breath, waiting for it to be all over for Fluttershy.

"Just because you came here and conquered the town and captured us all does not give you the right to behave like a bunch of children! You all should be ashamed of yourselves!"

The demons' smiles disappeared, one kicked the ground shyly as if he had been scolded by his mother.

The Demon Major cautiously walked up to Fluttershy and leaned down until their noses were almost touching. He raised his eyebrow at her and sniffed the air.

He stood straight up as if something had electrocuted  him. He now wore a perplexed and amazed expression, eyebrows shooting for the sky.

It's aura glows like a forge and it isn't a unicorn. Spy? No... far more dangerous and far more valuable.

Demons eye's are a curious thing. Almost all pupil, they are used to absorbing as much light as they can to see their way around the dark caverns and dim lighting of Hell and as such can also see more of the visible light spectrum than ponies or other races with similar eye structures. As a side effect, they can see magic. Enchanted or otherwise magical items radiate ultraviolet light. Fluttershy, possessing the Element of Kindness has a huge amount of magical energy at her disposal. It was her poor timing to be kind and stick up for her friends that activated a portion of that power.

"Element Bearer," he said, his mouth curling into a grin.

He barked a few orders to his soldiers in his rough native tongue and picked Fluttershy up gingerly, as if he didn't want to hurt her. He began walking away with her in tow under his arm like a sack of potatoes.

"Hey! Those are MY prisoners!"

Another demon called out to him from the front of the line and came over, walking fast. He was much larger than the demon carrying her but the Demon Major paid him no mind and kept walking.

"I said stop, scum!"

The Demon Major stopped and glared at the other demon.

"This one is going straight to the throne, Captain, now piss off."

The Captain grit his teeth and drew his sword, a long black and curved thing that dripped with something vile, the droplets hissing as they hit the ground.

"Hand her over or do I have to teach you a lesson in hierarchy? I say you are no longer Major! I say, I AM MAJOR!"

The Demon Major regarded his subordinate with cold, lifeless eyes.

"No lesson needed."

He dropped Fluttershy and started twirling his ax lazily. She dared not move as other demons closed around her. She whimpered and hid her head in her hooves. The demon officers squared off against one another. The Captain began spinning and flipping his sword in a flurry of movement faster than the eye could see. A masterful display of martial prowess that couldn't have been easy given the size of the weapon he moved about like a baton.

The Major calmly drew his pistol and shot him. He didn't even wait for the Captain to fall to the ground before stooping and picking up Fluttershy. He pointed to a stunned demon who flinched at the gesture.

"You, new Captain, get them moving!"

He threw Fluttershy over his shoulder and the rest of the demons gave him a wide berth as he walked past the barbed wire fences and out of the concentration camp.

They walked through the town, and surprisingly enough, it was still recognizable as a quaint country village. Ponyville had seen so many disasters in its time that the houses were built to withstand just about anything. The occupation hadn't been able to change all that much and frankly had neither the time nor resources to tear everything down.

Fluttershy could see that as soon as they left the camps, the demons started looking more and more... afraid?

No, they can't be afraid, can they? They're big tough meanie beanie bad guys! What could they be afraid of?

Fluttershy's view spun around as the Demon Major carrying her readjusted his grip, she was now draped over his shoulder and couldn't help but feel like a prize.

They entered a group of tents and hastily built bunkers near the edge of town, Fluttershy could barely see Canterlot through the morning haze and judging by how close the Everfree Forest was, she figured they had built their camp on the south east side of town.

Her thoughts were interrupted as a loud, deep boom of thunder rattled her bones and the Major who was carrying her shuddered and took a knee behind a tent. He peered around the tent and then at the sky before resuming his slow walk through the demon's camp.

Fluttershy looked up at the sky as saw what had the demons so jittery. Cloudsdale was attacking them. The entire city, while normally just a weather producing factory, was now a full on fortress in the sky that spat thunderstorms and tornados at the red clouds the demons came in on. Fluttershy could see the cold blues and grey storms of Cloudsdale dueling the fiery red tendrils of the demon clouds in a fierce and very loud battle for domination of the skies.

Fluttershy was picked up off of the Demon Major's shoulder and tossed into a large black tent. She rolled along the ground and came to a halt in front of a table and chair. The room smelled coppery and the ground was streaked with dark red splotches. It didn't take an active imagination to figure out what happened here.

Fluttershy's body nearly shut down as her mind went numb. She couldn't think, couldn't breathe. Her friends faces flashed before her eyes.

Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I'm not leaving this tent alive! I'm going to be chopped up and eaten and I'm never ever ever going to see my friends again! Oh, I hope they're alright.

The Demon Major picked her up again and sat her down on the chair.

"Don't move."

He turned away and began shifting through a metal box with all sorts of sharp and dangerous things inside. He brushed aside a few scalpels and bones saws and picked up a thin looking chain which he began tying Fluttershy up with.

"I am not going to hurt you.

That was it, he'd said it. The dam that had been holding everything Fluttershy was feeling back burst and she screamed at the top of her lungs.

"PLEASE DON'T-... what?"

"I said, I am not going to hurt you."

Fluttershy's brain fused and did a one hundred and eighty degree turn.

"What?"

Slowly.

The Demon Major slapped his palm to his face and sighed.

"I. saaaid. I. Am. Not. Going. To. Hurt. You. D'you get it that time? You will not be harmed. I will not compromise your body's structural integrity? Anything? Anything at all?"

Fluttershy continued to stare at the eight foot tall monstrosity in front of her. He eyed her for a moment before slumping his shoulders in defeat before turning to leave.

"Wait!"

He pricked his ears up and glared at her, or at least looked in her direction, Fluttershy figured every demon glared at everything by default.

"What?"

"So you're not going to kill me?"

"... I just might."

He continued glaring at her for another second and Fluttershy got an idea.

"So, you're not going to eat me?"

Keep staring at me.

"No."

"You're not going to chop me up at put me in a stew?"

A bit longer.

"That would fall under eating you so no. I'm leaving now."

"No you're not."

"No, I'm not."

Fluttershy grinned and smiled sweetly.

Works everytime.

"Would you be ever so kind as to untie me?"

"I would be ever so kind as to untie you."

The Demon Major, under the throes of the 'stare' stumbled as he walked over to her. He stopped a few steps away from Fluttershy and drew a sharp breath. Fluttershy stared harder and he continued until he was kneeling behind her, working the chains until she was free.

Fluttershy slipped off the chair and was about to leave when a clawed hand seized her wing. She cried out in fright and turned to see the demon frothing at the mouth as he tried to resist the mind controlling powers of the 'stare'.

Fluttershy looked into his mirror black eyes and tried to calm him down.

"It's okay, just relax."

He sputtered and his other hand went to his side. He drew a pistol and tried to point it at her, his hand shaking like a rattler.

"Put away the gun. It's going to be alright. Get up and walk me out of the camp."

"I won't," he whispered.

"Do it."

"I won't."

"Please walk me out of the camp!"

"I WON'T!"

He brought the pistol to his forehead and squeezed the trigger. Fluttershy's ear drums exploded and she jumped in fright.

The demon fell but Fluttershy didn't hear him hit the ground. She coughed and started retching.

Oh no! I didn't mean to- Well, I only wanted him to-

She threw up in the tent and collapsed. She started shaking until another thought struck her.

Everyone in the camp must have heard that.

She raised her head and held a hoof to her ear as her hearing came back.

"Oh no."

She could hear footsteps and the sounds of weapons being readied. She could hear swords being drawn and demons howling and baying like hounds. She cowered in the tent and waited for the inevitable.

Shots began ringing out and she closed her eyes, the memories of just yesterday came flooding back to her and she silently screamed into the dirt as the battle raged around her, both literally and in mind. To her, she was back in the train station; she was a few metres away from safety and her friends but she couldn't move as bullets buzzed around her.

The tent collapsed and fell around her. More shots and now screaming and fighting could heard. Fluttershy lay still on the ground, not wanting to move and draw attention to herself like a child hiding from monsters under her bedcovers. She heard the fighting right above her and the dull thumps of bodies hitting the ground nearby.

Something stepped on her leg causing her to cry out in pain. Whatever it was removed itself and grabbed the tent. The covers were pulled off and Fluttershy turned to see what it was.

An equine figure beheld her in its malevolent gaze. Fluttershy was lying on her back and still had to crane her neck to look into the face of the creature standing over her. Two glowing green eyes set against the backdrop of the starry night stood out and bore down on her.

"The Element of Kindness, how quaint."

The figure's horn glowed a vibrant green against the black sky and Fluttershy was entangled in vines that shot out of the ground and wrapped around her. Fluttershy stuttered on her words.

"W-what are you?"

The figure smiled a thin smile that sent a shudder up Fluttershy's spine.

"Hope."

Fluttershy's vision began to fade as she was quickly covered in vines and leaves. Her last sight before her vision went black was two glowing green eyes.

Canterlot glowed with activity. Smithies burned and their owners sharpened swords far older than the ponies wielding them. Memorials already had begun to line the streets as reports flooded in from the rest of the country. Candles and lanterns burned brightly against the night.

Celestia noticed this as she glanced out the window on her way down to the dungeon. She would have teleported to Samael's cell but she wanted to be prepared. She kept going over what had transpired over the past week and she grit her teeth so hard they hurt.

A full fifth of the armed forces of Equestria had gathered at Canterlot in the past few days. The Army had gathered three full strength regiments totalling nine thousand soldiers. The Equestrian Air Navy was present as well, lending ships for the counter attack that was to be launched as soon as the Canterlot Night Guard secured a staging area near the town.

The Night Guard were largely considered one of the premier fighting forces in the known world. The Gryphons had the Talons, the Zebras had the White Spears, Equestria had the Canterlot Night Guard. A group of mares and stallions from all corners of the country trained from a young age for combat. As such, they were good for little else and were only rarely used in social functions like the Royal Guard were. This was a benefit given their line of work and the public's opinion of such unpleasantries.

Celestia rounded a corner and came upon the winding steps downward into the dungeons. It was a spiraling staircase made of grey stone, not the magical marble of the rest of the palace and city. Torches lit the way but only provided a dim light that flickered in the draft. This was an intentional design choice as ponies going down would have to adjust to the dim light of the dungeons. The torches got lower and lower until there was just glowing lanterns lighting her way.

Celestia cast a spell and her body lit up with power and light, burning away the darkness. She had to think and the shadows were playing tricks on her.

I'm going to go in there, ask him politely to make peace with whatever he has to, then kill him.

But another corner of her mind thought differently.

But what if he was telling the truth? He warned me about the incoming attack, betrayed his master to do it. The country was likely saved on his advice.

He didn't owe the Demon Emperor anything, probably just used him to get back into power. He wants something, he obviously didn't do all of this just to be nice. He wants something from me. Besides, the demons came out of nowhere before his so called ultimatum. If he can't give good advice, he is of little use to me.

...

He saved Scribbles from a demon guard.

Celestia recalled the short engagement with Samael's honour guards. A demon had aimed his crude pistol at Scribbles and fired and Samael had blocked the shot before continuing his own duel. He had cared enough to stop and save a life he owed nothing to.

It is either part of his ruse to be a paragon of goodness or he genuinely cares again.

Celestia wasn't sure what to think about Samael, he had been there for her on numerous occasions, saved her life and that of her sister as well. But in the end he betrayed them both and tried to kill them over power. He was a demon, but at the same time, he was still at least partially whatever he was before.

Twilight was hurt and scarred for life because of the hell that followed him. Her friends were hurt. My country is being burned to the ground and I can't afford to trust a demon, not again. He has done some good, but it is not enough for me to forget what he's done.

She came upon his cell and unlocked the door. It swung open and she braced herself for the screams. Silence greeted her in a spine tingling embrace.

... Wait, what?

She threw the door open to see Samael hanging in air like she had last seen him but he wasn't moving, He was smoking slightly but nothing was left for the chains to burn. He was a charred skeleton.

"Oh."

She took a step towards him, guilt pooling in her stomach. She had intended to kill him, sure, but not like this. He had been burned alive for five days. She started removing chains until there were just two left circling his arms.

"Nopony should go this way."

"Then... maybe you'll reconsider?"

Samael raised his skull and stared at her with empty eye sockets.

"Come on, Tia... *cough*... I've been living in hell for a few centuries, I'm not going to burn to death."

He chuckled weakly and let his head drop back down.

"How are you still alive."

Samael shifted uncomfortably in the chains.

"I have a lot to look forward to. Getting out of these chains for one."

Celestia stared at the thing hanging from jade chains in her dungeon and felt in awe.

"What drives you, Samael, what animates you?"

"The same thing that animates all immortals, I'm looking for a good end."

Samael lifted his head again. Celestia swore she saw him smile despite the lack of flesh on his bones.

"Celestia, how long have you been around? Near three thousand years? Damn, we're getting old. How long were you planning on sticking it out until embracing eternity?"

Celestia glared at him, that was a very private question to ask an immortal and he knew it.

"You won't live to see it, I'll give you that much."

"Heheheee... Yeah... yeah I know. I've been around too long Celestia. You asked me, a couple days ago or something, do I do this just to pass the time? And I suppose that's one way of putting it. I do go through cycles of being good and being evil because... shit I've done everything else!

You understand, Celestia, I've been around a lot longer than you but you understand, we get bored, we get disillusioned by the worlds we live in. How many times have you thought about keeping the sun up forever? Or ruling with an iron hoof because the mortal's just don't get it? I can see you saying never with your lips but your eyes betray you. You think about it often enough to worry yourself.

We all think about doing a one eighty morality flip every now and again. Mortals do, they just have less time to resist the urge. Stick around long enough and you'll end up like me. Well, that's unfair, you have friends and family who love you and I know I lost mine a long time ago.

So, I suppose what I'm getting at is, don't kill me because I betrayed you, or because I'm a demon you can't trust or some other superfluous excuse. Kill me if you truly don't agree with me. If what I've said is so wrong to you that we can't exist in the same world."

Celestia breathed out slowly through her nose and tossed her head back. She had to be strong.

Her horn glowed and Samael held his arms out akimbo, waiting for whatever came next.

Celestia centred her vision on Samael's heart, or at least where he was most vulnerable. It would be quick.

Samael looked to the ceiling and Celestia heard him humming a tune under his breath, it had been the same ditty that he had hummed the last time she'd killed him. It was so long ago and for entirely different reasons. Was he the same person as before?

Samael's chains fell to the ground with a clatter, the sounds ringing off the solid iron walls. He looked down at himself and held his hands out in front of him, inspecting the wisps of cloth still clinging to his black skeleton. He looked up at Celestia who had taken a defensive posture, ready for whatever plans he had in store for her once he was free.

"I'm giving you this one chance Samael. One chance only."

"... Heh."

Samael fell flat on his face having finally fainted from his ordeal.

Fluttershy woke up and started screaming. She had been dreaming about scary demons burning Ponyville down and then taking her away to be chopped up and put in a stew. She dreamt that her friends had taken a train out of Ponyville only for the train to be swallowed whole by a dragon. She had woken up just as the dragon had clamped its jaws around her.

She started sobbing, it had been a horrible dream and she was quiet ready to relax and start her day, maybe mention it to Rarity during their spa get together.

She probably won't want to hear about it. I'll just mention it politely or something. Speaking of which, when is our get together? What is today?

Fluttershy yawned and rolled out of bed, or at least tried to. She was held down so tightly she could hardly move and every time she did move, something felt horribly wrong. She was upright for starters, and she could hear a forest moving around her.

Fluttershy eye's snapped open and took in an almost alien environment, trees were shifting and walking by her, groaning and creaking as they went. She looked down and screamed a second time, now knowing why she couldn't move.

The vines weren't simply tying her down to the tree behind her, they were growing into her. She screamed as hard as she could, emptying her lungs. She started crying again, not knowing if this was just another nightmare and if it was one she could ever wake up from.

"If you don't move, it won't hurt."

Fluttershy turned to face the source of the voice, it sounded familiar. She saw the being that had captured her at the tent leaning against another tree that had rooted itself into the ground.

Fluttershy took a breath and screamed louder and long than before. The mare, if it could be called such a thing, waited patiently for her to tire.

"For a being possessing a divine amount of power, you certainly lack the character to back it up. No," she put her hoof to her chin," spine as you people say."

Fluttershy wanted to scream again but swallowed the urge and summoned up as much courage and determination as she could.

"*whine!*"

Not that much courage as it turned out but the figure waited for her to try again.

"Who, um, that is, if you don't mind me asking, are you?"

"Gaia."

Fluttershy squeaked at Gaia's commanding voice and tried to hide behind something, a feat that proved impossible given her situation. Gaia waited, not moving from her spot by the tree, her face wearing an interested smile.

"Fluttershy, if you had any reason to be afraid of me, it pales in comparison to the horror that is happened to you now, right?"

Fluttershy widened her eyes in fear and nodded. While being chopped up and boiled was beyond awful, being... whatever was happening to her now was so much worse.

"So, now that it's happening and you have the time to think about it, is it so bad after all?"

Fluttershy looked down at a particularly thick vine jutting out of her chest.

Well, they don't hurt? I can't really fell anything and it's actually kind of comfortable up here. I'm not dead, but that could change given what is happening... what is happening to me?

"What are you doing to me?"

Gaia laughed and stood up from her post by the tree. She was tall and ducked under a few branches as she walked over to Fluttershy.

"Finally, fear turns to curiosity! You are taking huge steps to becoming a better creature. Find out what it is you are afraid of, understand it and soon you won't be afraid of it at all!"

Gaia took a few long stride until she was eye level with Fluttershy who's hooves didn't even touch the ground.

"When I found you, a world of possibility opened up. I have one of the Elements of Harmony in my grasp, the Element of Kindness no less! I had to do it."

"Do what?"

"Make you one of us."

Figures began coming out of the trees, wooden ponies having each a horn and set of wings. They all looked up at Fluttershy. Some wore expressions of concern while others waved and smiled at her.

"All of them ponies at one point in time, but no longer."

Fluttershy's heart stopped. It no longer pounded in her chest as it had been doing since she woke up. Fluttershy blinked and pondered the impossibility of her situation.

"Um, thanks for the offer but I'd really like to get back to my friends now."

Gaia chuckled and smiled warmly.

"Your friends, last I heard, made it Canterlot and are nesting under the wings of Celestia and Luna. But as I have also heard, the demons who have thrown such a torch to my plans are planning on ending them and the rest of this world.

I am taking away your species from you, making you one of us. You will no longer be a pony in two day's time. Your stake in their affairs will be lost. When you next see other ponies, your allegiance will be questioned.

And you don't have a choice in helping me. You aid me just by being here and preventing your country from destroying what I am trying to accomplish. I offer you the chance to survive this war, to let your friends join you, and become part of the new world."

Gaia smiled and nodded, as if she was affirming with herself that that was all she needed to say. She turned and left the newly created garden meadow, the dryads following her, some of them waved goodbye. Fluttershy hung there, unable to do or say or think anything. A flower bloomed on her shoulder.

What have you been hiding?

Chapter Eight: What have you been hiding?

"They are... processed."

Samael

Celestia scowled and left the smoldering demon where he lay. She left and closed the door to his cell behind her, locking it as she always did. She made a mental note to check in on him in a few hours.

Celestia decided she wasn't up for the arduous walk back to the palace and teleported to her bedchamber. A sudden dizziness came over her and she stumbled into her bedside table as she stepped out of the immaterium. Celestia's vision was blurred but returned quickly.

Teleports shouldn't make me lightheaded?

Celestia sat down on a cushion and took a deep breath, still attempting to return to normal, to shake the numbness in her joints. She looked over at the mirror in her room and stared at her reflection.

Samael woke with a start. He drew a breath into newly formed lungs and it shook the inside of his throat, creating a horrible rasping sound. He rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. His eyes focused and he then realized he had eyes to focus again.

"Ow."

And nerves to feel again. He groaned and rose to his feet slowly and carefully, wincing every time his skin touched the ground. He took a step and itched his back where it had started to ache. The great coat he had once wore proudly was now cinders, a loose skeleton of fabric hung about him and shifted as he itched. Celestia had done a number on him. He hadn't considered how powerful she'd become.

She was going to be a problem and the worry had started to fester in his blackened skull. He felt like he needed to leave but knew he couldn't creating an ache only the truly imprisoned feel. He hadn't been reduced to what and all he was since he'd been in Hell.

He walked up to the massive door separating him from the rest of the world. A door born of the iron will of Princess Celestia herself. The barrier designed to keep bad things like him from getting their claws on the innocent world of Equestria.

An obsidian door for a jade cell with Ahuizotl's ten spell for binding demons to imprisonment and submission. This is the meaning of the word, 'Shit' for demons.

"Shit," Samael answered appropriately.

He scanned the door, not really knowing what he would find. The runes were enchanted to shift about so he couldn't read them. He glanced around the cells walls, priming his vision with magic to see the tiniest detail.

The cell wasn't even scorched. The ash he'd made slid about on a fritionless surface. It was no small feat he was standing too, he was performing a very old magician's trick and floating just about the surface of the ground.

He turned back to the door to see a rune with a scratch mark through it floating across the door.

Samael held up his left hand and light a candle on his finger. He held up his right hand and extended a finger creating a shadow on the floor. This was old magic he hadn't used since his youngest days when the gods of the universe still played about with creation. This was shadow magic. Old magic. He moved his fingers about like a spider, waiting to strike at the rune. If any other rune touched his shadow but the broken one, he would be killed and brought so low he would not remember who he was.

He let out his breath slowly and struck. His finger's shadows grew to thin picks that grew out wards. The spindly picks probed inward, looking for a place to start. He spied an opening and thrust a shadow towards the broken rune. Another rune cut across and he disappeared the pick in an instant, it growing back from the tip of his finger's shadow. He saw the runes sensing something was wrong and they began shuffling about like a swarm of insects, keeping the broken rune protected.

He made his shadows dance, pulling the runes around to keep up with the assault. Dancing was one of his few polite talents.

The runes began lashing out but he knew this dance better, he made them surge to the top of the door before he bodily lunged forward, being careful to keep his left hand casting light behind him. The broken rune was clutched in his hand's shadow. The runes at the top of the door fall like angry stars towards him. He ripped the rune away and threw his left hand aside making up the distance and securing him the rune.

Runes could be fiddly things. A single missing rune could throw the whole spell system awry. Samael watched the runes jerk about as if in a fit before one by one, sparking out of existence. Because of how powerful the spells were, when they shook apart, the door shook with them. Samael took a few steps back and watched as the runes cracked and burst the door apart. Chunks began sliding past him and he stepped back a little further avoiding the tide.

The last pieces fell and he stared out into the pitch black hallway. Opportunity stared back at him. Someone had broken that rune he wanted to know who. He took a step forward and disappeared into the darkness.

The reflection stared back at Celestia, she cocked her head to the side and stuck her tongue out.

"Having fun?"

Celestia spun around and looked at her sister, her tongue still hanging out. It disappeared into her mouth and she blushed. Luna smiled triumphantly.

"Gotcha! As you would say," said Luna who dropped herself down on the pillow next to her sister. Celestia tried to enjoy the moment but felt the joy draining out of all the emotional holes made by the events of the past few days like water from a colander.

"Hello, Luna."

Luna clenched her jaw for a moment, switching emotional gears to comfort her older sister.

"What happened?"

"You know what's happened to make me so... depressed. This war is... different. It used to be so simple, crisis I mean. We always had a plan, the Elements, the magic of Love. A hero come forth from obscurity. Never anything like this, when our army faces true conflict for the first time in centuries. I've never seen an enemy like this. Oh, and I didn't kill Samael."

Luna closed her mouth and thought a moment before pressing her attack.

She might be cursing herself for not trusting him sooner or blaming herself for the pain he's already gone through. She's been quiet about what they talk about when she goes down there.

Luna decided to go fishing.

"Celestia?"

Celestia closed her eyes and silently wondered why her sister was asking her this question. Having lived together for so long, they knew what the other wanted just from the tone of voice they used to call their name.

"I know what you're going to say and I feel fine."

"Liar."

Luna was the only pony in Equestria who could get away with such a bold faced accusation with Celestia and she knew it.

Celestia turned to meet the eyes of her sister and she looked into the mirror black pools filled with worry.

"Alright, fine! I feel... old! When I'm not distracted I can feel my joints creak and my magic is getting..."

"Erratic. The sun's schedule is off most days, you forget and it stays in place for a while before leaping ahead to catch up. Sister, you can't get old. You might think so but we left mortality behind a long time ago. You're stressed, that's what you are."

Luna stopped even though she'd meant to continue to drive her point home. She stopped because she now wondered who she had been saying it for. Herself, who was just as worried about her sister's health as she was or for her sister's emotional well being. Luna had the war on her mind 24/7 and found herself making sure every action she took helped in some way and had only now realized that meant she didn't have a emotional stake in the lives of those around her.

Am I helping her because she's my sister or because the country needs her to be strong? Can it be both?

Celestia was about to object when she felt something enter the room. There had been no sound, no magical aura appearing out of nowhere and no rush of air from a teleport. It was the smell of burnt cloth.

"Sorry to interrupt such a touching heart to heart between two sister's but we all have things to do so... git up ya lazy kids."

Samael was leaning against the wall near the window. His coat hung in tatters around him like a rotting death shroud but he made sure to straighten it when they slowly turned their heads to stare at him in disbelief.

"Don't bother asking how, we haven't time for that. We need to start winning this game tonight! Come on, up, vite! Wir müssen gehen!"

Celestia scrambled to her feet, wincing from her knee popping as she moved too fast.

"But-"

"Nien! Wir müssen gehen!"

Samael headed for the door with Luna and Celestia in tow, both of them unsure how to react to the past twenty seconds. Celestia wasn't sure if she was following him because she wanted to put him back in his cell or if she actually wanted to see what he wanted.

Samael threw the doors open and smacked the guards on duty into the walls, knocking them unconscious. Celestia exited her room and saw stars dancing around their heads.

"Samael!"

He was already turning the corner at the end of the hallway. Celestia galloped to catch up and Luna frowned at the sight of her sister huffing and puffing down the corridor before simply teleporting beside the demon.

"Listen, imp, I take it you were set free from the chains and not the room?"

Samael leaned over to her and smiled wide.

"Great, while I trust Celestia's decision not to kill you, don't leave our sight ever again, understood?"

"I understand what you just said, yes."

Luna felt that she should have made herself more clear but before she could speak, Samael abruptly turned and flung open a set of doors. Luna's eyes glanced upwards at the room number and her heart sank into her stomach. He had just walked into the HQ for the entire Equestrian military. She entered to see Samael standing proudly in front of a hall full of officers and soldiers, all silent and watching in utter disbelief that a demon was standing in front of them.

Luna tried to find the words that would defuse the situation. She opened her mouth and held out her hoof but nothing came out but a squeak.

Samael held up his hands in mock surrender. Carefully, he formed a wine glass made of ice in his right hand and in the other, a bottle of wine. He poured himself a glass and set the bottle down roughly on the nearest table. He drained his glass of wine and tossed it to the floor where it shattered, breaking the deathly silence.

"Great, now that the ice is broken, I have a few things to say. Don't reach for that pistol, son, it isn't loaded. That sword you're carrying, ma'am, is ceremonial and worthless. Get up and you might have a heart attack, gramps. Now! Listen up! I am Samael and am here to help, s'why you're all still alive. I'm going to need maps and a national situation update in ten minutes. You also have one minute to freak out and get over yourselves but it is optional."

They all looked to Luna who turned a pale blue.

"He's right. We've... convinced him to aid our current mission by providing us with tactical assessments of the enemy combat strengths and doctrines. He will be under my direct supervision and as well as that of my sister's for the duration of the war. So, bring him up to speed on current events."

The room stayed still, the ponies' eyes shifted from their Princess to the demon with equal looks of suspicion and distrust.

The older stallion who had tried to stand before now did so and brought all of his years of experience into the withering look he gave Luna. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it and looked over Luna's shoulder in fear.

The room lit up as Celestia entered in all her glory and power, her body radiated the heat of the sun and her eyes shone a purest white.

"Do it now."

The older stallion would not dare disobey a direct order from her and promptly about faced to walk to the back of the room to pick up a stack of scrolls. His subordinates stood still until he made brief eye contact with them and they jumped to help him. The room became a flurry of activity.

Samael watched all of this between the princesses. Celestia put a hoof on his shoulder and his coat was surrounded in a white light. As the light spread the damage was repaired until his clothes looked as good as the day it was made. Samael chuckled and nodded at her. He made to take a step towards the table but Celestia held onto him and the coat started burning under her hoof.

"What you have been given, Samael, can be taken away. Do not disappoint me."

She removed her hoof and walked into the fray, all ponies rushing by giving her a wide berth. Samael rubbed his shoulder through the coat and opened his mouth to speak but shut it and thought of a better time to say what was on his mind.

It's like she hasn't changed at all! Hahahaa!

Samael smiled and glanced over at Luna who was giving him a worried look.

"I've seen that look in your eye, it has never boded well."

"I'm just thinking about your sister. No, not that way, don't be ridiculous."

Luna looked away and stuck out her tongue. Samael looked around the room.

"Hey, where are the Elements?"

"The what? Oh, I'd imagine they'd be sleeping by now. Your demon friends..."

Luna wasn't quite sure how to finish that sentence. They had all made it out unscathed physically, save for perhaps Fluttershy who was by now almost certainly either dead or worse. The damage that had been done to the Elements of Harmony was grievous but not fatal. They could still perform their duties in some capacity.

"They aren't my friends, Luna. I wouldn't be here if I cared about any of them."

"I can never tell whether or not you are telling the truth."

"I'm a demon, remember?"

"You're allergic to cats too."

Samael grit his teeth and rubbed the back of his neck.

"I'll need the Elements to be here when I start explaining things because I'm only going to say it once and besides, we don't have time for me to start giving lectures at the university on demonology 101."

"I'll go get them," said Celestia who had a few scrolls floating in the air around her.

Luna closed her mouth. She had been about to protest and tell Samael off for not having any decency.

"Sister, are you sure it can't wait?"

"I'm through waiting. Reports of the counterattack just came in and it did not go as planned. You catch up while I wake the girls. Luna... I'm sorry about what happened."

Luna raised an eyebrow at this before her eyes widened and she rushed past Celestia to find out what happened to her Night Guard.  Samael followed her in.

Celestia walked out the door and disappeared in a flash. There would be no long walk. She was done musing and thinking. Such things had cost them all dearly.

Twilight woke with a start. Something was touching her shoulder.

NO!

Twilight spun around and brought her forelegs up to meet whatever had woken her. She lashed out and her hooves connected with something above her. Twilight tried to stand but was tangled in the bed sheets and stumbled over the edge of the cushion she had been sleeping on. She crashed to the floor, landing hard on her back. She drew a sharp breath and started screaming for help.

"VIC! V-.... CELESTIA HELP!"

Someone turned on the lights and Twilight stopped struggling for a second. Slowly, she peeked out over the edge of the blanket to see Celestia standing over her, holding her nose in her hoof. One eye was shut and watering but the other had an ageless worry in it.

Twilight realized that she had just kicked the Princess of the Sun in the face as hard as she could, mistaking the kindest and wisest mare in her life for a nightmare.

"*whimper*"

Twilight's eyes started watering and Celestia knelt down beside her and slowly untangled the unicorn from the blanket. Twilight was a fully grown mare but melted in her mentor's forelegs as she was pulled into a motherly embrace.

"Shhhh, it's okay. I'm here. I got you. I'm not mad, just relax. Sh, sh. It's alright... We have to go."

Twilight looked up into Celestia's eyes. The old mare bit her lip and let down her guard, her hair fell about her shoulders, a soft pink colour.

Celestia continued, "I wish I could spend an age making you happy again. I wish I we had never left the library all those years ago that warm April day. Remember the day? We spent the entire day studying and reading and experimenting. You built a book fort? You remember, you told me it was the best day ever at the time. We don't have the time or the means to replicate that day and we won't ever get the chance to again if we don't go now and work for it. That is what I want you to think about from now on, that day and my promise that when all of this is over, we'll have another."

Twilight was pulled to her hooves and Celestia gave her one last hug before guiding her out the door. The other Elements were waiting outside, groggy. All of them had red eyes. It seemed that as soon as the doors were shut and the blinds were drawn, everypony was still grieving.

Rarity took Twilight from Celestia and guided her down the hall, past Scribbles who's hoof was still extended, about to knock on a door that was already open and comfort a mare who had already left. Twilight stopped a moment and put a hoof on her shoulder. She awoke with a start and her hoof passed through the air. She sputtered and looked around, she hated it when somepony moved her when she fell asleep.

"Where... Twilight! Are you... okay?"

Twilight didn't answer right away. Scribbles mentally berated herself for asking such a stupid question and tried to take advantage of the situation.

"Well, you didn't burst into tears when I asked so you're not sure you're not alright. Chin up, Twilight, come on, ears up, stick your tongue out, do a little dance."

Twilight followed along and giggled at herself. Scribbles smiled and mentally sighed in relief.

Good save.

Celestia looked at the hold up and Rarity bumped Twilight's shoulder and led her along. Scribbles followed the group, not seeing a better alternative.

They walked in silence back to the room where Samael and Luna were organizing the military. Luna was clearly distressed and had reverted back to using the Royal Canterlot Voice, indoors. The door vibrated as Celestia approached it. She opened it and the noise rushed out into the hallway to assault the ears of everyone in the palace.

"YES, YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN A SIMPLE ORDER BY A DEMON LORD. I EXPECT YOU TO FOLLOW IT AS IT IS THE FIRST INTELLIGENT THING I HAVE HEARD IN THE PAST TWENTY THREE MINUTES. SIT DOWN AND BE QUIET!"

Luna looked back at saw her sister enter the room with the Elements and Scribbles. Her eyes were pure white and sparking but they softened and returned to normal when she saw the Element's emotional condition. She opened her mouth to speak but stopped and cleared her throat before continuing.

"Hello, everypony. Please find some seats, Samael will begin shortly."

Luna turned back to the crowd and began roaring again. It was obvious she was displeased with the ponies charged with the defence of the nation and had taken to yelling at them like children.

"EVERYPONY PROCEED IN AN ORDERLY FASHION TO THE CHAIRS PROVIDED AND GIVE SAMAEL YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION FOR THE DURATION OF THE PRESENTATION."

Samael nodded at her and walked onto the improvised stage. He cleared his throat and growled in his own tongue. Everypony's attentions were instantly on him as the demon language passed through them, vibrating their bones and settling in their stomachs.

"You don't like it do you? When a powerful being speaks to you in the demon tongue they speak not to your body but to your mind. There is no defense. You can only shout back. That is how you are going to win the war."

He waved behind him and the projector screen lit up with the images of demon soldiers in battle. They fought a myriad of species in the pictures, some had two legs and four arms, some were insect like and covered in natural armour plating. Some were massive ape like creatures that towered over them in splendor and glory. The result, however was always the same, the demons won.

"The demon way of war is, appropriately, devilishly simple. Theatre-wide dominance coupled with enemy disruption on a national scale. They have perfected their art of war over millennia of conquest. To demonstrate this I will use the invasion of Ponyville as an example. I have gone over the reports and filled in the gaps using my own knowledge and a little scrying. It started with Major Swift Ascent of the 101st Airborne. He was under a subtle mind alteration spell that changed the chemical balance in his brain and made him more rash and illogical. He believed that positioning his forces along the northern edge of town would stop them from reaching the civilians. His forces were positioned to cover the entire demon approach and were spread too thin. A simple spell by demon standards, nearly untraceable and very effective at making enemy commanders ineffectual.

The next phase was the bombardment, after the initial probe to panic the ponies in the town, the cloud bank was enchanted by a nearby combat sorcerer to rain small hydrogen bomblets into town and sow confusion and chaos among the pony ranks. It cut off communication between officers and troops and scattered the remaining defenders.

The next phase was the air support covering the advance of demon ground troops and demon armour south-east through the town. The goal of the air infantry was not to take ground but to send the defenders into a panic. While the ponies were occupied, bombing squadrons of drakes singled out pockets of resistance and coordinated with infantry platoons to target enem-... pony positions. The Equestrian Naval support was forced to withdraw after sustaining the loss of the commanding officers aboard the flagship Empress from a surprise boarding action. The flagship was also lost in the battle.

Then the final stages began as the air infantry began taking prisoners and the ground troops finished sweeping through the town with the armour swinging around towards the north, cutting off the pony retreat. Major Swift Ascent had gathered his remaining defenders at the train station with the intent of buying time for a large number of civilians to leave but his execution was poor as he was still under the effects of the spell. He charged the demons and met them in open battle and his forces were massacred. Elite-"

Samael stopped and focused on a single raised hoof in the air. It was Rainbow Dash, giving him a determined but nervous look. The other Elements looked from her to Samael, it was clear they all had the same question but only Rainbow Dash was brave enough to ask it.

"Yes?"

"What happens to the prisoners?"

The whole room shifted uncomfortably. Samael was struck with the thought that using Ponyville as the example wasn't the best of decisions given the present company. He swallowed and looked for the right words.

"They are... processed."

Coolness That Defies Gravity

"Scars last forever, Twilight. It is how we wear them that determine whether they heal."

Celestia

Celestia tucked Twilight into a bed that did not belong to her but was her home all the same. She blew out the candle on the nightstand and gently whispered, "Goodnight, Twilight. Sweet dreams," before turning to leave. Something stayed her hoof though. A longing, one that she hadn't felt in a long time.

Celestia stood over Twilight's sleeping form. She was so peaceful, the moment she closed her eyes she was asleep and off in a dream world that held no malice or suffering. She had escaped this world, even if only for the night and that was something special. Celestia found something remarkably unique about her even in all her long years of experience with ponies. Her student was incorruptible, unwavering and above all else, happy. Something Celestia had found herself envying more than once before scolding her reflection in the mirror.

She wanted so badly to just hold the unicorn in her hoofs, stroke her mane and tell her when she woke that she could fix everything. She felt a lump in her throat forming and she pulled her eyes away from the purple unicorn lying on the bed. She walked over to the balcony of Luna's bedroom and stared out across the Canterlot Valley with her sister.

"Celestia."

"Luna."

They didn't need to say anything more. A simple greeting was all they could bear to hear. They were immortals; words of comfort fell on ears made deaf by experience.

The valley burned, not from a forest fire or other natural disaster but from the fighting. Luna's keen eyes lit up with thousands of tiny pinpricks, flashes of light against mirror black pupils. Ponyville and other settlements had been caught in the middle of a three way battle for control of the valley. No matter who won this night, the two Ruling Sisters had already lost. They had avoided conflict for so long. Peace had been their enemy for once, softening them up and making them lazy and easy prey. Celestia and Luna leaned on each other, their eyes now scanning the forests and mountains to the south.

Hope now fell on seven young ponies, somewhere in the wilderness.

Room For One More

Chapter One: Coolness That Defies Gravity

One week prior.

Clouds looked different from above. It was something Rainbow Dash could never explain to her ground bound friends every time she went flying. Something about how the light caught the vapour in the late afternoon sun that made them shine like only she could see. Well, her and other pegasi.

Rainbow Dash was flying over the Everfree forest. While the air currents were no different here than anywhere else and any sensible pegasus would stay away from the area. Rainbow Dash had training on her mind and that made her both fearless and a little reckless. She was flying low over the forest, hoping for something to take to the air to give chase. She wanted to be surprised, to be frightened. Her line of reasoning was that if she could avoid hungry predators that leapt out of the dark forest canopy, then she could deal with anything when flying with the Wonderbolts.

The forest itself seemed to mock her with its stillness, its quiet canopy usually alive with birds and other less than pleasant animals was now devoid of life. Rainbow Dash glided a little closer to the dark green leaves, her eyes trying to pierce the blanket of foliage. Her heart pounding in her chest.

"Who flies up there in the sky, oh watch out for that bough for it will make you-

Rainbow Dash crashed into the tree. A loud hollow sound was heard and Zecora mused over whether it was the tree or the pegasus's cranium. Zecora held her head in her hoof.

"Sigh."

Rainbow Dash had got what she desired. She been scared stiff and in an attempt to both get away from the voice and see who it was had made her slam into a thick tree limb.

"Oooowwwww."

Hard.

That's a sprain. Ooohhh, or four.

"My my, Rainbow Dash, that was quite the crash."

Zecora sneered and helped the now thoroughly embarrassed pegasus out of the tree. She was tangled in the vines that were draped around the limb and had been dislodged in the impact. Rainbow Dash looked down at the group of zebras approaching her narrow to just one.

"Oh, hi Zecora..."

"What brings you to the forest floor? Come, let me show you to my door."

Rainbow made to protest but her wings would not allow it. Lances of pain shot through her every time she tried to move them. She hobbled and limped, then walked beside the zebra picking her way through the undergrowth. Zecora's saddlebags catching occasionally on a bramble or thorn causing the jars inside to clink. Rainbow Dash tripped on a vine that had snuck out across the ground. She was caught by an outstretched hoof and a grin.

"Heh, thanks. Hey, can you do me a favour?"

The zebra chuckled.

Always asking, rarely giving. I wonder how they keep on living.

"Maybe, that depends on the story you have to tell of how you got here and how you fell."

"Can you- ow! Can you not tell anyone I flew into a tree?"

Zecora laughed aloud this time, Rainbow looked on in equal parts fright and shame.

"Yeah yeah, laugh it up. Very funny."

"My lips are sealed, perhaps you should try practising next time in a field. Is that not what you were doing? Whenever I see you, you are always looping and corkscrewing. Training for something, chasing a dream? Even now I see your eyes gleam. The pegasus guard? No, the Wonderbolts for which you train hard."

"Yeah. Wait, you know the Wonderbolts?!"

Zecora's house beckoned them closer and Rainbow dash was helped through the door. The zebra disappeared into a different part of the hollowed out tree she had made her home in. Masks and jars filled with churning potions did little to ease Rainbow Dash's pain or worry. Despite having made peace, this was probably the first real conversation she'd had with the zebra. And she knew about the Wonderbolts. There were questions that needed answering.

Zecora returned with a fairly generic looking first aid kit from Ponyville hospital. She pulled out some bandages and began wrapping an incredulous looking Rainbow Dash. Zecora looked up from immobilising Rainbow Dash's wings.

"What, expecting a potion or a flash of light? There are some things you ponies got right. Sit still and do not move if you ever expect to improve."

"Well, that and... I was kinda hoping to get home soon."

"Do not worry, Rainbow Dash, for I will get a bed where you can, until you leave, rest your head. It is my suggestion you do not travel the forest at night, dark things prowl in the absence of the light."

Rainbow Dash's wings were pulled tight against her body and she winced. Bruises that had been quieted by adrenaline and will power were now making themselves known. As brash as she was, she didn't want to intrude anymore than she already had and ask for more.

Zecora, however, was a better judge of character then Rainbow Dash knew and got up to get a jar. Zecora brought it over and laid in on Rainbow Dash's back. It was wrapped in dark fabric so she couldn't see what was inside.

"What's that fo-"

A giant spider crawled out of the jar and drove its inch long fangs between her shoulder blades. She screamed-

"AAIIIEEE"

-and tried to buck it off. She shot straight up into the air and ran around the room. Zecora started to laugh and explain but her breath caught in her throat as Rainbow Dash bumped her spice cabinet. It teetered, leaned and then settled. Zecora let out a sigh of relief.

I swear if one more thing of mine is broken, well, it is best if it goes unspoken.

Rainbow Dash finally collapsed in a heap of limbs. Her rear was limp and dragging behind her as she tried to crawl away with her front hooves.

The spider, having been startled by the jostling of its home, had leapt out of its jar to tell off whatever had woke him up. He had tripped however and landed fangs first onto some poor pegasus who he had then tried to apologize to, in spider language of course, but had only succeeded in making her more afraid. Thoroughly mortified, he muttered one last awkward apology and wandered off to a corner of the room where he now sat, brooding about his frightening appearance.

Zecora would never understand the pony folk who's reactions were always quite the joke.

Rainbow Dash glared up at Zecora who loomed over her with a hoof covering her smirk.

"What was that for?!"

"That was a spider indigenous to the Everfree who's venom the effects of which you can surely see. Rest, it is helping with the sprain."

Rainbow Dash rose to give the zebra a piece of her mind. Well, she half rose, her haunches remained on the floor. Try as she may, she could not move her rear legs.

"What did you do to me?! I can't move! What if I can't ever move again? You've crippled me!"

"Mmmm, and the pain?"

Rainbow Dash frowned and looked back at the bandages containing the mess of bruises and sprains. She couldn't feel a thing.

Zecora hoisted the pegasus onto her back and laid her down on a bed across the room. She pulled the covers over her and smiled a warm and caring smile. One Rainbow Dash hadn't thought possible.

"Sleep. In the morning you will be both healed and able to fly."

Zecora's toned deepened ever so slightly.

"Where you will say your goodbye."

Rainbow Dash frowned.

Did she sound lonely?

"Hey, Zecora."

The zebra looked back into Rainbow's purple eyes.

"So how do you know about the Wonderbolts?"

The sun was on the horizon and the clouds looked like wisps of pink cotton candy. This was not lost on Twilight as she glanced out the window. She wondered if her friends were seeing what she was seeing. A slowly darkening sky that was hiding the land in long shadows. Or, to her, the darkening of one world and the revealing of another. Twilight Sparkle, while a student of the Princess of the Day, was no stranger to staying up late for the night.

This night in particular was special. Twilight had heard rumours, mostly from her regular, if a little formal, correspondence with Princess Celestia that Luna had finally gotten the hang of the night sky after so many years out of practice. Twilight was excited to see what the Princess of the Night could do with her own sky.

Seems a funny coincidence that I was given a telescope sent from an anonymous source in Canterlot. I've heard I have fans and I suppose saving the world twice has earned me some gratitude but this telescope is brand new!

Twilight hummed to herself as she scratched a pen across a piece of parchment, detailing out what sections of the sky she was going to study. Spike finished cleaning a large midnight blue telescope. She smiled, remembering the day it had come in the mail. The grey mailmare, what was her name again? Ditzy? Derpy? She had delivered it to her door wearing a care free smile. She was doing well for herself. Most of the talking had died down and now she was settling into Ponyville nicely. Twilight had even heard she was getting a promotion soon.

"Spike, is everything ready for tonight?"

Her dragon assistant sighed and grinned at himself in the mirror finish on the telescope.

How many times had she asked that?

"Yes, Twilight."

"Do we have the-"

"Parchment and quill for recording what we see plus extras for taking a letter, to both Princesses, and the extra extras should the extra's be destroyed."

"Oh, right. Wait, do we have the-"

"Picnic basket full of four apples, two bottles of cider, a small sack of gemstones and a chocolate chip and banana muffin for Derpy Hooves who passes by the hill we've picked out to watch the stars tonight on her way home from work."

"And the-"

"Wait there's more?! What did I forget? I used that checklist you gave me. Checked it three times."

"Spike, relax. I was just joking with you."

Spike scowled at her for a moment before breaking into a smile. He picked up the picnic basket before heading out the door. Twilight carefully levitated the telescope and followed Spike through a dark but serene Ponyville. The village took on a different appearance in the night and it wasn't just the muted colours and dark alleyways. Ponyville was definitely a day time town, being populated mostly by farmers, but to Twilight it just looked sublime in the night. She was afraid of all the dark corners and shadows where her imagination went wild with frightful fantasies but she couldn't help but gape at the wide open night sky. She had heard about big sky country and having lived in the city for most of her life, seeing the night sky extend horizon to horizon was breath taking.

Even after all this time in Ponyville. It still surprises me.

"Come on, Twi! You can look at the night sky once we get to the hill!"

Twilight giggled and caught up to him.

Sorry for wasting time looking at the night sky. We have sky watching to do!

They walked to the edge of town to a large hill that had a view over all of Ponyville. She could clearly see Canterlot glowing in the night like a lantern calling her home. Twilight squinted, picking out the palace lights and finding the old tower she used to call home shrouded in darkness. In fact, it was the only part of the city that wasn't lit up. She heard that Luna had reclaimed it as her own again. She wondered what her bedroom looked like now.

"Hey, Earth to Twilight. You going to use that thing or not?"

"Oh, right!"

She put her eye up to the lens and brought it to focus on a star. She gasped. It had so much more zoom then she was used to. She could clearly see the star in every detail. So much that it hurt her eye. She blinked a tear out and noticed another dial on the side of the telescope. Experimenting, she turned it and gasped again. It dimmed the star's light until it was just like looking at the moon. She could see the surface of the star, watch it boil and explode. She sat like that, her eye straining to take in more detail then was physically possible. Suddenly, her vision went dark.

"Hey, Twilight Sparkle!"

Twilight jerked and hit her eye on the lens.

"Ow! Hi, Derpy."

The grey mailmare stood in front of her telescope, smiling pleasantly.

"What are you doing here so late? I thought I was the only one still out tonight."

Twilight sat down on her haunches and huffed. Derpy wasn't the most intelligent mare in the world but she was certainly the sweetest. Twilight looked up into her eyes. Well, her eye. One of them was studying the night sky.

"I'm studying the sky. Luna's really outdone herself this time. Look!"

Twilight motioned for her to take a seat next to her and look through the telescope. Derpy obliged and after figuring out which eye to use, she gasped.

"Woah! Would you look at that!"

"What do you see?"

"A binary star system with two O class stars orbiting each other perpendicular to the galactic plane... amazing."

Twilight eyes widened in shock.

The more you know, eh?

Derpy looked down at Twilight and held the lens in place for her to see it as well. Just as Twilight got close, however, Derpy spun around and knocked the telescope with her tail, sending it spinning on its tripod.

"Oh my gosh! I forgot! I was supposed to read Dinky and Sparkler a bed time story tonight! Sorry, Twilight. Duty calls!"

She shot off into the air and raced home to fulfill a mission more important to her then life itself. Be there for her children.

Twilight watched her disappear among the houses in Ponyville's residential quarter and she sighed. She was a little clumsy at times but she was a loving mother of two. Twilight couldn't fault her for being in a rush. Poor thing, having to raise those two all by herself. She looked at Spike who shrugged and bit into her muffin. Twilight rolled her eyes at him and went back to the sky.

Twilight put her eye back to the lens but had to take a second before she grasped what she was seeing. She was looking at a swirling mass of stars now. She looked on intently, memorized by the slow revolutions. Lights blinked in and out of existence and they all danced in a black void.

Hmmmm. No stars behind them, this can't be the sky.

She slowly zoomed out to see a ring of purest cyan fire. The flames roiled and danced along a line separating the black void and the purest white.

Luna blinked and Twilight jumped out of her skin as she leapt backwards and landed on her backside.

"L-Luna?"

She put her eye to the telescope again to see Princess Luna waving shyly. Twilight robotically waved back, still unsure what to make of what see was seeing. Princess Luna's mouth moved before she stopped and thought a moment. Then she traced her hoof through the air and wrote out in large silver letters,

"Twilight Sparkle, pray tell what brings you out this night?

Enjoying the stars with your perspicillum?"

Twilight smiled at the archaic term and wrote down her own message on a piece of parchment.

"Yes, and they're called telescopes

nowadays."

Twilight put her eye to the telescope again to see Luna looking embarrassed. She began writing again.

"Sorry for my usage of such a dated term. I am still learned the quirks of this age's language. I was pleasantly surprised when I learned it had not changed greatly over the centuries but to my dismay it had changed enough to make it difficult to communicate effectively."

Twilight nodded and thought up of eight ways to summarize what Luna had said.

"I think you just need a little more experience talking to ponies. I find that there is no better way to learn a language then by speaking with those who are fluent in it."

Luna squinted and then pulled out a tiny pair of opera glasses and Twilight realized she'd written too small.

"Yes. Yes, this solution works most adequately. Wouldst thou mind if we continued-"

Luna paused for a moment before continuing again.

"-chatting?"

Twilight beamed and scratched out in large friendly letters, "I'd love to."

"Most excellent!"

"WAH!"

Twilight jumped back from the telescope to see Luna standing in front of her.

"P-Princess? That was... fast."

Luna's ears drooped.

"Oh, you didn't mean tonight. Right... another time?"

Spike looked at the Princess for a second before digging out a bottle of cider and offering it to her.

"Well, you're here now aren't you?"

Twilight recovered from her astonishment enough to speak.

"I'd love to talk to you, Luna. I wasn't expecting it to be tonight simply because I figured it would take you longer to get here. "

"I am not constrained by most laws of physics... or magic for that matter."

"Well, would you like to sit down?"

The Princess of the Night beamed and lit up like a star, her body shining a silvery light that reflected off of Twilight's eyes. Like a spark.

Spike yawned and checked his watch.

"Hey, Twilight, I'm going to head home. It's way past my bed time. G'night, Twilight, G'night Luna."

"Goodnight, Spike."

As Spike trundled off down the hill Twilight thought about all the times she'd forced him to go to bed in his youth. Times had certainly changed and she giggled and turned her attention back to Princess Luna who had been waving him goodbye.

"So, what did thou want to discuss first?"

Twilight held a hoof to speak but frowned and put it back down.

What to talk about... Where do we have common ground? Aha! The night sky.

"The night sky looks beautiful tonight. I can see that you've really gotten the hang of it again."

Luna smiled and sat down next to Twilight, looking up at her work.

"Really? Because I spent hours just getting the stars right and I actually noticed some changes in the stars since... I last made the night sky. Look at that star, over there."

Twilight put her eye to her telescope and followed Luna's hoof and it took the Princess of the Night a second to realize Twilight needed the telescope to see her work in full detail.

No wonder ponies don't enjoy the night as much as the day. They can't see it! I shall decree that all households should have access to telescopes and other such arrays so they can all enjoy the night sky! FOREVER!

Twilight looked over at Luna and rolled her eyes.

She has that regal I'm-going-to-take-over-the-world look in her eye. Oh well, it's cute.

"That star you mentioned. It's amazing!"

"No other pony has ever been as excited as I see you now about a star who's light dims every six seconds."

Twilight almost couldn't believe her ears.

"Of course it's exciting, Luna! It means there is a celestial body-"

Luna nearly choked on her cider but regained an air of dignity.

"Please do not use that term to describe a planetoid, Twilight. It conjures up most horrible images to the mind."

That was lost again immediately.

"PRINCESS!"

Twilight's face went bright pink and they both burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry, I have been reading up on this Age's humour and I read that lewd jokes about those we know are most effective at eliciting mirth."

Twilight shook her head, still trying to quiet her thoughts.

"No more about your sister please! Or anyone I know!"

Luna held up her hooves in defeat. A smile still played about her lips.

"I read that was the whole point of the joke, thou does not want to hear such things but enjoys them anyway. It is absurd to think of our friends that way normally and so when presented with a situation where we are forced to think of them in such a way, we laugh. Absurdity is the basis for all humour after all-"

Twilight was probably the only being in existence who could spend forever listening to someone lecturing her on the mechanics of humour. But as it was, her body couldn't.

"-and that is what is so funny, Twilight. Twilight?"

”ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz..."

"Oh."

Being a mare of good manners and great power, she gently teleported Twilight and her things to her home in the library. She carried the sleeping mare up the stairs to her room and laid her down on her bed next to her assistant who was fast asleep already. Luna smiled and her horn glowed slightly.

So this is what Celestia keeps talking about.

She cast a spell for good dreams and quietly exited the tree, making her way home with a spring in her step and a flutter in her wings.

It had been so long since she'd just flown anywhere. She could have teleported home but tonight was too good to waste indoors. She rose and climbed the sky until she was at the topmost ceiling of the world. Equestria spanned out in every direction. The Canterlot valley and mountains, Ponyville, the cities by the coast and in the desert, the islands Equestria had claim to but were still contested. Gryphonia to the north, Zebrica over to the far west. To the far east were lands Equestria was still only now just discovering.

She and her sister knew that they were there but had never had the time or resources to explore them. Steaming jungles and strange forms of life. In fact, one such expedition had been turned into a series of adventure novels with a mare battling the elements in search of treasure. Having met the inspiration and laughed heartily over the adaptation with her, Luna knew that the readers of Daring Do were missing a great and different kind of story.

Luna landed on the balcony hours later and she stretched her wings out. She hadn't flown for that long in... well since she was last on earth. Luna shook out her wings a little more forcefully then usual and knocked over a small statuette on her bedside table. It fell off the table and shattered on the floor.

Luna cursed and walked over to the tiny heirloom that was older then most of Canterlot. It was a gift from her sister. One of her own treasures she'd inherited from a friend's long lost collection. She wasn't worried about the heirloom as much as she was dreading telling Celestia it was broken.

Even she couldn't fix it with magic. It was a small stone carving with her own cutie mark and Celestia in harmony with one another. On it was inscribed,

A token of old times and good memories,

Star Swirl, The Bearded

The problem with fixing it was that had been enchanted to null magic. A curious spell Star Swirl had discovered that was in of itself, anti magic. Luna recalled Star Swirl explaining it to her once. She only remembered the warm chair she had been sitting in and the crackle of the fireplace. Then her sister waking her up.

He had given it to Celestia and whispered something in her ear that Luna either didn't remember or didn't hear at the time. She swept it up as best she could and tried gluing it together for the rest of the night.